Keepin' Up

Right now, my two little children (ages 2 and 4) are up from their "nap"... the 4 year old never even fell asleep. It is approximately 2:30 in the afternoon, and after I finish typing this up, we'll go to the beach. Or the playground. Or the farm. Somewhere, other than in front of my computer screen.

Which brings up a very interesting point... I don't have a lot of free time in my daily life (I am NOT complaining), but I wonder... how does everyone manage to keep up with everything?

Jubilee at Staples this morning... happily eating munchkins...

I mean, there is so much to do in the virtual world. There are groups that you are a part of... Etsy groups or Flickr groups. People are always posting things for you to check out. And, of course, it's imperative for you to check them out if you'd like them to check yours out. Seems the rules of the proverbial game. Then there's Twitter... don't get me started on Twitter. How on earth are you supposed to keep up with everything that everyone posts? It'd take forever.

Stand advertising Sharpies at Staples. I like how everyone's decorated it :)

I don't even know what Tumblr is. Nor Instagram. I haven't touched Pintrest in a long time. But, it seems that all of these sites are almost... dare I say, "mandatory" to being someone online. To getting your work seen. To getting "noticed" or "appreciated".

A Staples set up for Post It notes that I thought was cool.

I simply haven't the time to do everything. I will not hinder my real life in favor of my virtual one, for lack of a better way to say it. My children want to go outside. I am not going to say, "wait until later, I've got to do such and such on the computer first." But it does seem that many have to do that. Am I alone, or is that the direction we seem to be spiraling in?

Illustration Friday

This week's Illustration Friday: "Liquid." Mixed media original illustration on watercolor paper.

And So It Begins...

Hello! Well, I have been quite busy lately, creatively. I'm having a blast learning and creating! Keeping in mind what many other people are doing (and after a lot of support from you guys), I decided to make a short youtube video showing my latest endeavor. There is no fancy music or editing; it is just a standard video that I created in one take. My daughter makes a special guest appearance because she always wants to be on camera :) Anyway, without further adieu, here we go! PLEASE let me know how it came out...

My Scrapy Journal!

Here is the link I mention in the video.

Oh, and here's a little extra for my friend Pam... can you see the woodpecker? And this is WITH the zoom on! Sheesh :)

The Epitome of Love

There is no trouble that God can't see you through. Many people seem to feel that the trouble they are going through is their own fault. And many times they are right. However, that does not make God love them or care for them any less. He IS love. And there is no way that we could ever "earn" His love... if we were able to earn it, that would make it attainable by "being good"... but none of us are good. We TRY to be good, but we make mistakes. Every day. The Bible says that "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" Romans 3:22, 23.

What does THAT mean? It means we all do things wrong, and none of us could ever be good enough, because God is perfect. We aren't. That is why He sent His only Son Jesus, to die once for us, a sacrifice to make atonement for all of our sins. He was crucified upon a cross, a willing sacrifice, to die for us because He loves us so very much... and then He rose again 3 days later!

Hard to believe? Not if you get to know Him :) The more you read His Word (the Bible), the more you learn, and the closer you grow to Him. He longs to know you... He loves you! Isn't it worth it to get to know Him, too? I can firmly tell you without hesitation... it most certainly is :)

Youtube?!

Hello to all you wonderful and amazing crafty people out there! Today, I have a question for you... a simple one, but be honest :) Have you ever watched a youtube video about your particular craft, be it drawing, scrapbooking, knitting, etc?

I have. Tons of them. There is so much to be gleaned out there, from various techniques to learning the ins and outs of a myriad of materials, etc... and youtube is a wonderous avenue where anyone can make a video on their topic, post it up, and sit back while the world enjoys it. Amazing... I know, I know... it's nothing new, but still is a fantastic avenue to pursue.

That being said, I would love to be able to make a youtube video (or several) on my joys while art journaling. I have a bright, fun personality, and I just know a video would be a blast to make. Everyone makes youtube videos these days! The only trouble is... all I have is my digital camera. It can record videos, but I've no editing technology. I wouldn't even know how to add music to said video.

So, does anyone out there know how I could go about editing a simple video? Perhaps speeding up certain sections, adding music here or there, etc? Maybe even there are some of you who edit videos for fun themselves, and would consider doing it for someone else? I am not sure if that's done out there, but I imagine it might be.

So, please comment or email me at tracksaloquin@yahoo.com and let me know, as this is definitely something I would love to accomplish! And thank you, everyone :) Please enjoy the pictures of a journal spread that I've completed, and some ACEOs that I'm working on... having fun using doilies as masks :) And my 2 year old decided to add her little scribble to the very last one... kinda digging it, now :)

Back In The Swing of Things

Hi! Life sure keeps one busy! Make sure you sneak in a little time, though, to do some art... you must keep the creative juices flowing! Here are some pages I've been working on in a new art journal I've made for one of my 21 Secrets workshops.

I have been learning a lot through the 21 Secrets workshops, and I'm very grateful that I decided to be a part of it. I've only really gotten involved thus far with 3 of the many workshops, and though I'm not done with any of them yet, perhaps the most valuable thing I've learned so far is that you don't have to be so serious.

I am having a lot of fun, just experimenting and, well, playing. See, I've read in various books and blogs that you can just let go and play, mess around, have FUN with your art journals. And while I DO have fun, I typically try and create the best art I can in my journals.

I never really was able to not try and be "spot on". I figured that with my materials and limited time, I had better make something awesome. LOL, and while I didn't always hit the mark with the "awesome", I DID work hard and create pieces that I was very pleased with. But, upon taking one particular workshop titled "Jump in Puddles", I'm learning that playing around and just having fun WITHOUT trying to create the best art ever DOES create great art! I'm actually quite pleased with what I've been making so far :)

I completely altered one of my children's books that was slightly ripped. I glued down printer paper and added magazine cut outs and various mixed media techniques, and the best part about it is that it didn't have to be PERFECT. I didn't measure anything! I just placed this here and that there, and while it is certainly not meticulous, I am loving it nonetheless!

So, if you are just beginning in the wonderful world of art journaling, don't let the videos on youtube control you. Use them for inspiration, sure, but don't feel as though you've got to do exactly as they do. I am still becoming comfortable with the fact that I have to make my pages MY OWN without trying to emulate the work of others, but I'm getting there. And so will you! Just begin!

And, at the risk of sounding repetitive... "Just Have Fun!" :)

If you have any questions about techniques or materials used here in this altered book, feel free to leave a comment, and I'll get back to you promptly. Have a great day!

21 Secrets!!!

Happy Spring (albeit, a tad bit late...) but nonetheless, it was well-worth waiting for :)

I am happy to say that today, April 1, the wonderful Art Journal Online Workshop "21 Secrets" has begun! You can find out about it here! It promises to be a whole lot of fun! I am super-eager to get started :)

Easter was so nice :) Kyle and Jubilee had a blast, and I actually requested off from work on Sunday so I was able to go to church. It as well-worth it! Here are my precious little bunnies ;)

So I was working on an art journal page yesterday, and I thought it would be fun to do some layers. I initially collaged with a bit of papers, then sprayed some inks... it looked awesome! But, alas, I HAD to add some gesso... and I must admit, the page lost some of it's appeal. The gesso mixed with the ink (even though I thought it was dry!) and basically just made a bit of a muddy mess... oh well, I know I can fix it, but still... I hate when you're totally loving a page (or painting) and then you do something to it, and... ugh! Ever happen to you?