Our new challenge at Try it on Tuesday is Nature’s Beauty and the Design Team have some amazing inspiration for you, whether it is flowers, plants, animals or scenes of nature.
My art journal page today is a scene capturing the peacefulness and serenity of dragonflies over water, which for me, encapsulates nature’s beauty.
I started by painting diluted Shabby Shutters and Salty Ocean Distress Ink onto the background by stamping the ink pad onto an acrylic block and applying it to the page with a paintbrush to create a watercolour effect. Then I used a Distressed Dots stencil from That Special Touch of Mica Masks by Creative Expressions to apply Mowed Lawn and Chipped Sapphire Distress Inks using a blending tool. I stamped some foliage using an Eco Green stamp set made from recycled rubber and a Tan Spectrum Aqua Marker. Then I added some Pébéo modelling paste using the Distressed Dot stencil to add more dimension and when the paste was dry, coloured it with Parchment Liquitex acrylic paint. I fussy cut the grasses, leaves and iris from a wallpaper sample and stuck them onto the page using Liquitex Matte Gel Medium. To add more detail and definition I doodled outlines on them with a black Uni Pin marker and white Uniball gel pen, then added some shadows using a Slate Spectrum Aqua Marker. The dragonflies are rub-on transfers by Royal & Langnickel and I positioned them so that one is sitting on a leaf and the other is flying off into the distance. I stamped some bees from a Graphic 45 stamp set by Hampton Art using black Archival Ink and coloured them using a yellow Spectrum Aqua marker. To finish, I added two stickers with the words “peaceful” and “serenity” which I thought captured the scene; they are edged with the Tan Spectrum Aqua marker and stuck in place using double-sided tape.
As it is T for Tuesday, I’m sharing the enjoyable time that we had at the local Pavilion Café in Ashton Gardens with our friends. Ashton Gardens is a municipal park which was established in 1874, it is situated in the centre of St. Anne’s on the Sea and is a lovely place to explore with its various display gardens including the most beautiful Rose Garden. The café building is a replica of the former bowling club pavilion known as the Ashton Institute.
This café always has a yummy array of cakes to choose from …
… and there is lovely art displayed on the walls which you can buy if you want to.
As T Stands for Tuesday, maybe you would like a green tea, hot chocolate or glass of water (of course they had coffee too, sorry I forgot to take a photo of our friends selection which included a cappuccino which I know you may prefer – grin!). As well as our drinks we enjoyed a bacon butty and a slice of salted caramel cake – yum! Wishing you all a very Happy T Day!
Challenges
I’m glad I found out about Challenge Blogs, like Try it on Tuesday, as I enjoy taking part, they provide me with inspiration for my pages and are a wonderful way to meet like-minded arty people. So here are the challenges I’m joining today:
I’m pleased to join the lovely Alison/Craftytrog, who is hosting the Recycle and Collage challenge over at Art Journal Journey with the recycled rubber art stamp set and wallpaper that I collaged to create this page!
With the stamped bees that I included on my nature page, I’m pleased to join The Birds & the Bees challenge over at The Artistic Stamper.
As I used and altered the wallpaper for my page, I’m pleased to join the fun over at Country View Challenges and their Pimp it up! (reuse or alter something) challenge.
I’m also joining in the fun over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and their Add Some Texture challenge with all the texture I created with the Distress Inks, stencils, modelling paste and wallpaper.
With the circles that I stencilled onto my page, I’m also pleased to join the Going Round in Circles challenge over at That’s Crafty Challenge.
Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.
Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:
- Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Shabby Shutters, Salty Ocean, Mowed Lawn, Chipped Sapphire)
- Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Tan, Slate, Yellow)
- Pébéo Modeling Paste
- Liquitex Artist Color Acrylic (Parchment)
- Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.1mm)
- Uniball Signo gel pen (White)
- Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
- Eco Green Crafts Recycled Rubber Stamps (Petal Party #04309)
- Creative Expressions That Special Touch of Mica Masks (Distressed Dots)
- Hampton Art 7 Gypsies Cling Mounted Rubber Stamps (Birdsong ICO151))
- Wallpaper sample – recycled
- Royal & Langnickel Tip of the Brush (Insect Collection #TIP1484 Rub-on)
- Little Yellow Bicycle Cardstock Stickers (PD-140)
- Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
Wonderful, summery page, so peaceful! The visit to the cafe looks great, it’s always nice to meet up with friends. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! We always enjoy meeting up with our friend for a walk and cuppa 😁. Happy T Day! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Love your page, Jo, and the pictures too
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks dear Rosie and wishing you a wonderful new week! J 😊 x
LikeLike
I love that you took me with you to this amazing café at St. Anne’s on the Sea and offer me such yummy treats before lunchtime already – lol! Good that I was at a deepwork sport workshop yesterday evening otherwise I would gain a pound just by looking at this fantastic cakes!
And I also love that I can see this peaceful and wonderfully made page . It is magical – an enchanting scenery and I specially adore that fussy cut grasses, leaves and iris . You achieved such a depth and that goes so wonderful with the scene and the blue/green coloration just makes me so happy! Thank you beyond belief for your continued support of Art Journal Journey dear Jo! Happy T-Day and happy Try It On Tuesday! Wishing you a happy and delightful week!
Hugs, Susi
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like you earned a piece of cake after that workout yesterday …lol 😉. The fussy cutting was a lot of fun and thanks for your kind comments too! Wishing you a wonderful new week and Happy T Day dear Susi! J 😊 x
LikeLike
your beautiful journal page is magical and reminds me of a summer day. And what a nice looking cafe to enjoy some treats and a cuppa. Thanks for the link for the bacon butty – I had never heard of it before:) Love the cabinet that’s holding those yummy cakes. Happy T day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! Our friends from America didn’t know what a bacon butty was when they came to stay with us so I thought the link may be helpful 😁. Happy T Day! J 😊
LikeLike
this scenery with the Magic dragonflies really is like from wonderland! peaceful and serene really are the apt descriptions! and i would join you immediately to have coffee and cake in this awesome surrondings in ashton gardens. Looks so yummy!!
have a great week and happy t-day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much! The words seemed perfect for this dragonfly scene 😁. Have a great week and wishing you a Happy T Day too! J 😊
LikeLike
“Nature’s Beauty”, indeed, including the lovely food! I’m in awe, Jo, of your unending supplies and process that created your page. The result is realistic, yet whimsical. Is that possible? The fussy-cutting is what I can relate to the most. The rest is admittedly a bit above my head. So much to learn. It’s perfect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, that’s very kind! I love to create mixed media pages and fussy cutting is always fun 😉. Wishing you a happy and creative week! J 😊
LikeLike
Wonderful spring image with so soft and light colors, I like it much. The amazing Vintage building of the Cafe´looks so inviting to me. Also inside it looks very cosy and the cakes look so yummy that I also would like to have a piece of it. 😉 A lovely place to relax and enjoy.
Dear Greetings, have a fine week.
Sabine *
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you dear Sabine! The building is beautiful, isn’t it 😀. Have a lovely week too! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Your Nature page is absolutely beautiful, a scene that radiates peace and serenity.
It must have taken you ages to do all the fussy cutting.
Super photos from the Cafe you visited. How did you chose your cake from all those delicious ones on display.
Happy T day wishes Jo.
Yvonne xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Yvonne! As always I enjoyed the fussy cutting, it did take some time to complete but I had lots of fun too …lol 😉. Salted caramel cake is so yummy, it’s always my first choice 😀. Sending you Happy T Day wishes too! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Jo how did you ever choose which cake to have? I’d still be standing there deciding.. lol I love the dragonflies on your artjournal piece.. they are so delicate looking.. and the color scheme appeals to me very much too..Thank you for the long and wonderful comment on my T post this week. Happy Tday! Hugs! deb
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol … I’m sure they all taste delicious, maybe a slice of each …lol 😉. You are very welcome, I always enjoy visiting you! Wishing you a Happy T Day too! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Your journal page is a wonder to behold. I am in AWE of the dragonflies and how you used collage to create it. I am also thrilled that you chose to share this with us at Art Journal Journey, too. It’s a genuine beauty.
St. Anne’s on the Sea has a beautiful cafe in an architecturally beautiful building. All those beautiful cakes and wine, too. Not sure how you resisted and had tea instead (grin). Looks like we have lots of drink choices to choose from today. Thanks beyond belief for joining us for T this Tuesday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot! It was a fun page to create and collage together 😁. Wishing you a happy T Tuesday! J 😊 x
LikeLike
I love your dragonfly journal page. The combination of colours is beautiful.
What a lovely cafe. I like that fact that they have art on display (by local artists one would hope).
The cakes look absolutely scrummy. I’m sure my hubby would have the bacon butty and i would have the salted caramel cake. So there! Bang goes the diet!
Happy T-Day,
Lisca
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks! Yes the art is by local artists 😁. At least you are having less calories by only having one of the food options rather than both, unlike me …lol 😉. Happy T Day! J 😊
LikeLike
“Peaceful Serenity” is perfect for this page. I love all the elements -especially the dragonflies- and the way you’ve arranged them.
That cafe looks delightful, such good light! And that food 🙂 I’ll have what you’re having 😉 Happy T Tuesday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! The café is a lovely place to visit especially after walking around the park. I always enjoy a bacon butty and salted caramel cake here so I’ll be thinking of you next time I make this food order …lol 😉. Happy T Tuesday! J 😊 x
LikeLike
A stunning page with those beautiful dragonflies Jo!
Alison xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Alison 😀. I hope you are having a lovely week, enjoy! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Love your dragonfly page Jo, lovely colours
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and wishing you a wonderful week! J 😊
LikeLike
hi jo,your summery page looks so beautiful,you capturd the natures beauty wonderful 🙂
your cake looks so yummy,and ahston garden is a beauty place,love this big green plants,hope you have a wonderful day there 🙂
have a great sunny week,dear jo! 🙂
hugs jenny
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much dear Jenny, that’s very kind! The cake was delicious and we always enjoy visiting this park 😀. I think the big green plant is a phormium or new zealand flax, they seem to grow very well here by the sea. Wishing you a wonderful week too! J 😊 x
LikeLike
A lovely page, the sentiments describe it perfectly! That cake looks SO yummy, especially as I am on a diet presently; I have SUCH a sweet tooth! Thank you for sharing your page and pictures with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for stopping by and your lovely comments 😁. Wishing you a happy and creative week! J 😊
LikeLike
Your journal page is lovely! I love the punchinella background with those beautiful flowers and foliage. Perfect colors.
That cafe has an enormous selection of cakes! The artwork on the walls makes it look like a beautiful place to sit and enjoy food. Yes, your meal is making me hungry! My hubby suggests that I start a whole new subject matter to blog about in order to not see food. Haha! I keep seeing amazing desserts and entrees today.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks you Kate! Lol … T Days always make me hungry too 😉. I hope you are having a lovely week! J 😊
LikeLike
This is a stunning piece of art Jo really showing the true beauty of Nature all encapsulated within your pages. Wouldn’t this make a marvellous napkin?? What a beautiful Cafe so much light within it, makes me want to visit and take an easel and paint a little canvas whilst enjoying a treat of two hee hee!! Thank you for sharing..
Creative wishes and plenty of sunshine. Tracey xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, that’s so kind 😁. Wishing you a happy and creative week! J 😊 x
LikeLike
What a great post Jo. I love your serenity page A LOT! It looks like a quiet peaceful place to be. 🙂 I could use that this morning. 🙂 And yummy looking lunch and that cake…:) You often go to great places for tea and dessert. I would like that. And how exciting to be traveling this fall. I bet you are excited to come visit your friends. If you are ever in this area we could even meet up for T. 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your week and since I am so late, hope it was a happy T day. Hugs-Erika
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Erika! We always enjoy cake and a cuppa …lol 😉. It would be lovely to meet you for T too! Enjoy your week and Happy Travels! J 😊 x
LikeLike
What a beautiful creation, love the backround! Wishing you a happy week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks and wishing you a happy week too! J 😊 x
LikeLike
That’s a lot of fussy-cutting…so gorgeous!! love your page…as I am sorely needing Spring-like reminders! Fun cafe photos too…those pedestal cake stands with beautiful cakes on the side board. pretty as a picture and look delicious! happy T day a bit late!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fussy cutting is always fun and it did take quite a bit of time to complete …lol 😉. Thanks so much and I hope you had a happy T Day too! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Beautiful page, Jo. You really succeeded in capturing the serenity of dragonflies over water. The rub-ons are wonderful and the fussy-cut iris matches them perfectly. Beautiful page 😉
I learned another new U.K. English phrase today – actually several of them because I clicked on the Wikipedia link – lol: bacon butty, bacon bap, bacon sarnie, rasher sandwich and bacon sanger. We Americans are pretty boring by comparison: bacon sandwich.
That salted caramel cake sounds delish!
Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much Eileen! Bacon butty is definately a Northern (north of England) term …lol 😉. Salted caramel cake is the best – yum! Happy T Day! J 😊
LikeLike
You really have captured the feeling of dragonflies over water with page, the colours look fabulous and the extra detail with the leaves really adds a great dimension.
Love the look of the salted caramel cake.
Avril xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank so much Avril! Doodling around the leaves took some time and as you say gave them more detail, thanks for noticing 😀. The salted caramel cake is so yummy …lol 😉. Enjoy the rest of your week! J 😊 x
LikeLike
I love this page- everything has a lovely watery look – perfect! Oh that cafe does look such a great place! Hugs Chrisx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Chris 😀. It’s so nice of you to stop by and I hope you are having a lovely time on your hols, enjoy! J 😊 x
LikeLike
A very beautiful page Jo and looks like a great place you visited
Love Chrissie xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much and wishing you a very happy weekend! J 😊
LikeLike
Your scene capturing the peacefulness and serenity of dragonflies over water is fantastic! I love all the beautiful details and the wonderful colour combination you gave to this scene!
And beautiful photos too!
Love Rike xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you dear Rike! It’s a lovely and peaceful page to look at 😀. Happy weekend! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Such a great project ! Love it ! Thank you for joining us over at Country View Challenges !
Corrie x
LikeLike