Over at Try it on Tuesday our new challenge is Inspired by a Song. You have two weeks to join in the fun and there is some amazing inspiration from the Design Team, so please pop over to Try it on Tuesday to take a look.
My art journal page is inspired by the song “Dream a little dream of me” and it depicts the first verse:
Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper “I love you”
Birds singing in the sycamore trees
Dream a little dream of me
I started this page by adding the song title “Dream a little dream of me” by drawing some wavy lines with a pencil and adding the letters free hand. Then I drew over the letters with a black Uni Pin marker using a ruler for the straight edges, and when the ink was dry I rubbed off the pencil markings with an eraser. I then painted the page with Vivid Lime Green, Bright Aqua Green and Neutral Gray Liquitex acrylic paint, graduating the colour so the lime green was in the centre, then adding aqua green and then grey around the edges. Then I created a star burst effect in the centre of the page by applying Pébéo white gesso thinly using a sponge and a homemade template that I made out of card using a stamp from Sugarloaf Inc.
To depict the first line “Stars shining bright above you” I added lots of stars and sparkle. Firstly by removing some of the paint while it was still wet to create the white stars; I did this using a star stencil by Creative Stencils and baby wipe. I used the same stencil to apply the three Liquitex acrylic paints using a palette knife as they are all heavy body Liquitex paints which gave the stars a 3D effect. I also added lots of shiny dots and more stars with the stencil using silver Stickles.
I added the words “I love you” which are rub-on transfers by Royal & Langnickel to depict the second line of the verse and outlined the letters with a black Uni Pin marker and a white Uniball gel pen.
For the third line, I stamped the sycamore leaves from a stamp set by Crafter’s Companion using a VersaMark Watermark stamp pad and then covered them with silver Papermania embossing powder. I shook and tapped any excess powder off the page and then I used a heat gun to melt the embossing powder to a glossy finish until it became smooth and dimensional. I also edged the page with the silver embossing powder by dragging the VersaMark Watermark stamp pad over the edges of the page and then repeating the process above. As the heat embossing “resists” the ink I smudged white Uniball gel pen ink with my finger over the embossed leaves to highlight the leaf veins and give the leaves more definition. Then I splattered the page with black DecoArt acrylic paint using a paintbrush. For my singing birds, I used one of my favourite stamps from Creative Expressions and stamped one of the birds three times onto the page and also onto a piece of Sheet Music. I fussy cut the birds along with some music notes and stuck them onto the page using Liquitex matte gel medium so they look as though they are singing.
Next I cut some curvy strips of sheet music and stuck them above and under the “Dream a little dream of me” wording using Liquitex matte gel medium. When the gel medium was dry, I edged the wavy lines of sheet music with a black Uni Pin marker. I went over the song title wording with a black Derwent Graphik marker so it stood out more and I highlighted some of the lettering with a white Uni Ball gel pen to give a 3D effect. To finish the page I also used the white gel pen to outline all of the different elements which included: all of the stars to make them shine brightly; the embossed edging and sycamore leaves; the birds and music notes; and also the silver Stickle dots. Adding all this detail with the white gel pen took a long time to complete (grin!).
I had so much fun creating this page as I love this song! There have been many recordings of Dream a little dream of me by different artists and The Mamas & The Papas is my favourite.
Happy Serendipity! – One of my lovely friends at Drivers and Sundry has recently blogged about this song and Cass Elliott from The Mamas and The Papas too, so take a look at her post here.
I also like The Beautiful South version of this song too.
As T Stands for Tuesday, I’m sharing my apple juice and ginger beer (mixed half and half) which I find very refreshing in this hot weather we are having (grin!). I’m saying a big hello to the T Gang too – 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 Bleubeard & Elizabeth at Altered Book Lover, who is hosting the Count your blessings challenge over at Art Journal Journey as so I’m always enjoy listening to music like art journaling it soothes my soul.
As I used sheet music on my page, I’m pleased to join Moo Mania and More and their Sheet Music challenge.
With the silver embossing I used on my page, I’m also joining the How can you resist? challenge over at A Vintage Journey with my Dream a little dream of me inspired Art Journaling and Mixed Media Style page.
As I made my own background for this art journal page with the acrylic paints, I’m pleased to join the Make your own background challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday 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:
- Uni Pin Fine Line Marker (Black 0.3mm)
- Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic (Vivid Lime Green, Bright Aqua Green, Neutral Gray)
- Pébéo White Gesso
- DecoArt Crafter’s Acrylic (Black)
- Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
- Derwent Graphik Line Marker (Black 0.8mm)
- Tsukineko VersaMark (Watermark Stamp Pad)
- Papermania Embossing Powder (Silver)
- Ranger Stickles (Silver)
- Uniball Signo Gel Pen (White)
- Sugarloaf Inc. Anita’s wood mounted stamp
- Creative Stencils Craft Essentials (Stars MAOB0004)
- Crafter’s Companion Signature Collection by Sara Davies (Autumn Morning Rustling Leaves S-AUT-ST-RUS)
- Craft Sensations Clear Stamps (CRO274/16R1)
- Bosworth Violin Studies – Sheet Music
- Royal & Langnickel Rub-on Transfers (kisses & Hugs Silver #ROY790SV)
- Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
Wonderful journal page, love the neon green, really striking. Your apple and ginger drink sounds good, we all need to drink a lot when it’s so hot. It’s well over 40 here again today! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much! Hope it gets cooler for you soon 😁. Happy T Day! J 😊 x
LikeLike
I love the journal page Jo and tank you for reminding me about that lovely song, I will be humming it in my head now all day. The green is a lovely shade and the sparkle adds a magical touch.
I like the sound of your refreshing drink. Its a little overcast here today but not a lot cooler.
Happy T day wishes Jo
Yvonne xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I’ve been humming this song since creating this page …lol 😉. It’s fresher and cooler here too. Happy T Day wishes! J 😊 x
LikeLike
This description was utterly fascinating, Jo. I think it must have taken rather a long, long time to make this remarkable piece. I love the swooping lines that create the visual idea of music and love the magic of the colours you’ve used and the many, many stars. The little singing birds stamped on to music is a master stroke. The whole piece shines with music and colour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! It did take a while with all the outlining …lol 😉. Enjoy your week! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Your page is lovely and I really enjoyed the songs-brought back memories too.
I love ginger beer now, I will remember that apple juice with ginger beer-I am thinking apple cider would be good too.
Happy T wishes Kathy
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this song and I hope the memories were happy one 😁. Happy T Day wishes! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Gorgeous Art Journal page Jo !! love all !! the background is super with those so beautiful stars and birds, the colours are lovely, like the song. The lettering is fabulous too!!
I wish you a very nice day, big hugs, Caty
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks Caty! I enjoyed creating the lettering 😁. Have a very nice day too! J 😊 x
LikeLike
a wonderful page, love how you illustrated the song. which is in my ear now for the rest of the day, of course;) awesome colors, a refreshing look on this hot day…
happy t-day, jo! ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot! I can’t seem to get this song out of my head since I created this page …lol 😉. Happy T Day! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Bright , zingy and so uplifting ! Love these pages Jo . Gorgeous colour palette and great resist techniques too . Thanks for joining us at A Vintage Journey x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for stopping by and your lovely comments 😁. It’s always a pleasure to join A Vintage Journey and wishing you a happy week! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Wonderful. I like the background colors of your page.
Happy Tuesday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much and wishing you a wonderful week! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Such a beautiful page. The colors, images, and I love the hand-lettering. And I’ll be humming the tune as I go about the day. Happy T Day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I had fun creating the lettering, it’s not really my forte so it was a bit experimental …lol 😉. Happy humming and T Day! J 😊 x
LikeLike
What an incredible journal page, Jo. You must have spent HOURS getting it just perfect. And perfect it is. I also love the little birds that are singing along with me. I was really impressed and adding it to my theme at Art Journal Journey is even more exciting for me. You realize I’ll be singing that song all day long, don’t you?
Apple juice and ginger beer sounds like a refreshing drink in this heat, even though I don’t really drink alcohol. I know how much you like beer though and I love the photo of your drink. Thanks for sharing it with us, along with your journal page for T this Tuesday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! I’ve been singing the song for weeks …lol 😉. Happy T Tuesday! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Wow- that page is amazing. I think it is one of your best! Plus the colors make me swoon-some of my favorites for sure. I really like that song also. It is a classic. And I have never tried ginger beer and apple juice. I actually don’t know if I can even buy ginger beer here, but it sounds really interesting and I would give it try too. Hope you stay cool and are having or have had (depending when you read this) a fantastic T day. Hugs-Erika
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Driver and Sundry kindly made me realise that ginger beer is the same as ginger ale so you can try it if you wish …lol 😉. I hope you had a fantastic T Day too! J 😊 x
LikeLike
I’m in love with this page!! The colors really speak to me! Wow!!
Happy T day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks and Happy T Day wishes! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Jo i just love that color combination and all the detail is just amazing and beautiful! I enjoy that song too… and i think you’ve done a great job representing the lyrics.. Happy happy T day! Hugs! deb
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I had so much fun creating this page 😀. Happy T Day! J 😊 x
LikeLike
omy, I could hear the song in my head as soon as I saw the words on your page! love your interpretation, colors and white accents! the Mamas and the Papas are my favorite. thanks so much for sharing! happy T day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks! It’s a great song, isn’t it 😁. Happy T Day! J 😊 x
LikeLike
I love this beautiful journal page – so much details and this gorgeous colour combination – simply amazing Jo and wow you made us happy at Moo Mania & More and Art Journal Journey as well!
And this drink sounds so refreshing! We have had also a much too hot day here again. I am really looking forward to a bit cooler temperatures, I can tell you!
Have a happy week and happy T-Day Jo!
Thank you for joining the challenges !
Your art and posts never cease to amaze me… you took such a lovely song – an evergreen!
Big hugs, Susi
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much 😁. I hope you are enjoying the cooler temperatures and wishing you a very happy week too dear Susi! J 😊 x
LikeLike
This is just amazing Jo, love the zingy lime green and galaxy of stars, I also love the song.
Joan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Joan 😁. Have a lovely week! J 😊 x
LikeLike
What a fun journal page, Jo! I love the colors but especially the words. I love that visual effect from having different sized letters in the same phrase. Very beautifully done! And the ginger beer drink sounds so yummy. We must be having a heat wave all over. It is here in the states as well.
Happy Tea Day and stay cool!
Kate
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kate! The lettering was a new technique for me, it was fun and scary at the same time …lol 😉. Stay cool too and have a beautiful week! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Your card is so beautiful! LOVE how you created that background! Thank you so much for playing along with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge! /Karin
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for stopping by and your lovely comments 😁. Have a happy and creative week! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Thanks for the hat tip 🙂 Yes, The Mamas & The Papas were one of my favorite groups back in the day. I’m not familiar with Beautiful South, but I like that voice. She does justice to the song, doesn’t she 🙂 The video was a treat.
I’ve never had ginger beer and always wondered what the difference is between that and ginger ale (which is just a carbonated soft drink). Happy T Tuesday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, thanks! That explains a lot, what I call ginger beer is ginger ale where you are …lol 😉. So my drink was apple juice and ginger ale 😁. Thanks again and Happy T Tuesday! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Some great techniques here, Jo, and a fabulous result! I loved reading how you rubbed off the green through a star stencil. Clever girl. I love the curvy lettering too. I think I could do that!
Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much Eileen! I wasn’t sure about the page at first but it all seemed to come together in the end with the outlining …lol 😉. The lettering was my first attempt too and your writing is beautiful so you’ll do such a wonderful job if you give it a try 😁. Happy T Day wishes! Hugs J 😊 x
LikeLike
A fabulous journal page Jo, love the colour combo for your background. The bright colours look wonderful with all the stsrs and little extrs details. A great song for your inspiration.
Your drink sounds very refreshing, might give that a try.
Have a great week
Avril xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much and have a great week too! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Your lovely page depicts the song words beautifully! I love the Mamas and The Papas version too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such a great song, isn’t it 😁. Thanks so much and I hope you are having a lovely week! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Wow Jo! I kept scrolling back and to in order to see each detail as you described it! This a most beautiful page and of course the song is such a lovely one! Yes, I like both versions! I think I would enjoy that drink! Happy T Day! Chrisx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much Chris! I really like this page too, but I can’t seem to stop singing the song …lol 😉. I hope you had a happy T Day and are finding it cooler with the drop in temperature! Hugs J 😊 x
LikeLike
Posted on behalf of Lisca: What a lovely journal page. That song is one of my favorites. Thank you so much for adding those videos. And the link to Divers and Sundry’s blogpost. Mama Cass was my favorite from the Mamas and the Papas. So sad that she died so young. Have you heard Ella Fitzgerald’s version of the song? I like that one too as I am an Ella fan.
Happy T-Day, Lisca
LikeLike
Thanks very much Lisca! Not sure what happened to the comments box? I have heard the Ella Fitzgerald version too, she is a wonderful artist and I love her voice but I prefer The Mamas and The Papas and The Beautiful South versions of this particular song 😁. Happy T Day wishes! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Love the song and your gorgeous page, dear Jo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much and have a great day! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Oh jo what a joy to watch that nice music video. I love the song and I love the movie “French
Kiss”. I am a great Fan of Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline. I think I must look that movie again next time, it was so funny.
Your page for this song looks great as ever. I like the colors you have choosen much. The kind you wrote the note looks wonderful and special.
Big Hugs
Sabine
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much dear Sabine! I had to watch French Kiss again after I created this page …lol 😉. It’s such a great movie! Have a lovely week! J 😊 x
LikeLike
Ooh, such gorgeous colours Jo, I adore your beautiful page! You chose a great song as your inspiration too.
Alison xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much Alison! I love this song, now if I can just stop singing it …lol 😉. I hope you are having a lovely week! J 😊 x
LikeLike
oh I really love LOVE this Jo – what gorgeous colours and I love your word art too… and I shall be humming that song for days now as well.
Happy Sunday… have a great new week.
Gillx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great resist techniques and a lovely gentle atmosphere to this page spread… and now I’ve got an ear-worm!
Alison x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much! So funny …lol … I remember singing that song a lot when I was creating the page …lol 😉. Creative wishes! J 😊 x
LikeLike