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Anything is Possible

Hi friends!  I've got another mixed-media project to share with you today.  This one is a page in my 9x12 art journal.  When I first started doing art journaling, I was really intimidated by this large of a page, but I actually really prefer it now.  It's so fun to get to use multiple large elements and create a fun backdrop for it all.


The Making Of:
I started by modpodging pieces of a vintage pattern and sheet music down on the page.  I mixed some heavy body acrylics for the teal/blue color, then started painting the background.  The green is Claudia Helmuth paint, then I added the metallic accents with an Adirondack Pearl paint dauber.  Oh, and there's a hint of some Broken China, Antique Linen and Vintage Photo distress stains in there too.

For by main piece I took a primitive heart die cut, stamped with one of the starry swirls from Starstruck, then ran through my paper crimper.  The wings are hand drawn and cut out, then I inked with distress stains and Pearl Adirondack paint and added a linen thread bow and star rhinestone.  I stamped the dotted swirly star around the page randomly, then used the small star punch from SU! to accent the center of each stamped image, finishing with a star rhinestone.

The ticket piece is modpodged to the page and I added some more starry swirls and doodled another ticket to frame the words dream big from the Tag Time set.  A chipboard star from my stash got covered in dictionary paper, then inked up and stamped with the wish, to symbolize wishing on a star.  I added a trail of pearly star rhinestones and finished the page off with the Anything is possible sentiment from Starstruck.

Inspiration:
The past few months I've been feeling out of sorts.  This roller coaster called Life seems to be barreling full speed ahead down a path that I feel is taking me farther and farther away from my hopes and dreams.  And I have absolutely no control over it.  But instead of just plowing on through with a smile on my face like I usually do, I've been laying low in Self-pity-ville.  I stopped wishing... and dreaming... and hoping... and my world became a very grey place.

Then I started to remember that hopes and dreams are the things that color our world, and without them we're all just black and white and shades of grey...little automatons going through the motions in a colorless world.  As a person I am constantly changing and growing and I shouldn't expect any less of my hopes and dreams.  They can change and grow with me... and that's okay.  So I wrapped all of those emotions into this page.  I chose inspirational sentiments... dream big, wish and anything is possible to represent my new hopes and dreams.  I added stars to represent all my wishes, big and small and gave myself a ticket to dream big.  I gave my tattered heart lots of starry wishes and wings so it can fly.  And I chose earthy colors like blue, green and brown... colors I think represent a new beginning.  A bit of sparkle mixed throughout, even on the tarnished edges, reminds me that life is meant to sparkle and shine, regardless of where it leads you.  Because after all... anything is possible.

So with that said, I'll leave you with a quote that pretty much sums this all up....

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." - E.M. Forster

Enabler's List:
Stamps: Starstruck, Tag Time (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Brown Paper Bag (Paper Accents), vintage sheet music, vintage dictionary paper, vintage pattern
Ink: Heavy Body Acrylics (Golden), Pearl pain dauber (Adirondack), green moss paint (Claudine Hellmuth), Jet Black Archival Ink and Broken China, Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress Stains (Ranger)
Accessories:  Primitive Hearts Die (Sizzix), Small Star Punch and linen thread (SU!), star rhinestones (Recollections), button, paper crimper, tickets, chipboard star (Bazzill), modpodge, Zip Dry paper glue, Gesso, puncinella

12 comments

Crestajune said...

Beautiful page, Julee. Thank you for sharing with us. I have been in a bit of a papercrafting slump for a while. Life has thrown me a few curve balls lately. Maybe art journaling is what I need. Thank you for inspiring me today. Hope your day is fabulous!

renee said...

thanks so much for sharing your beautiful art..i love your journal work..

Marisa said...

Fabulously done, Julee. Love the music behind the heart - a chance for your heart to sing again as it re-engages with your hopes and dreams however "re-adjusted" they may be at the present time. I leave you in His tender arms with Jeremiah 29:11-14. Hugest of (((hugs))). Counting sleeps till the 11th :)

Maureen said...

oh Julee, this is just so heartfelt and beautiful and you have me tearing up at school here! I'm a little emotional myself this week as our move in date has been pushed back again. What a beautiful book to remind you about your dreams and know that each day is a new one...it reminds me of this quote from Oprah's magazine 6 years ago...I cut it out as it really spoke to me...I went away on a trip to Texas to visit my sister, upset about another failed relationship...had met my future dh but he had not "called back." Then he emailed me when I was in Texas :) Anyways, here's the quote...

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweet your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honourably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. ~ Rumi as printed in Oprah's magazine, April 2005

Kind of goes with a new house too!! LOL Hugs and have a glorious day :) You are not alone and surrounded by those who love you all over the world :)

Luanne said...

I have often prayed for you Julee, wondering what has had you so down and not feeling well. Thank you so much for sharing your heart. I'm thankful prayers have been answered, and you are moving forward. I love the sentiment you have from Annette Funicello - Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful". It is one of my favorites! But I also know that God is faithful, and that he can fill you with His joy that comes in spite of our circumstances. Your page today displays that joy (and Aqua!) perfectly. Remember that His ways are higher than ours! Even though I don't know you, I'm sending lots of ((hugs)) through cyberspace... :-)

Darlene G said...

Bravo....for your faith, art and shared thoughts. They help every soul that reads them.

Jen Cuthbertson said...

Oh Julee, thank you for sharing what is on your heart. My ongoing struggle has been with our desire to become parents which has been one heartbreak after another and it has really tested my faith. I got a hug from a friend the other day who reminded me it is God's timing not mine which is a little bit of comfort at a difficult time. I love your journal and am so thankfull for this craft expression of ours that has been a great healing to me in times of need. Hugs and God bless!

Ravengirl said...

That is a wonderful quote that you have shared with us today. I think your art journal page really reflects the quote well. Thank you!

Teresa Kline said...

Julee this is gorgeous, you are such a beautiful person...never stop dreaming and believing!

hugs *~*

Unknown said...

Julee, you are in my prayers. Thanks for sharing your personal thoughts and for all the artistic inspiration. May God Bless You!

Lynne Phelps said...

What a wonderful representation. Thanks for explaining the significance. I have also taken up art journaling and it can be a great release as well as a renewal! I wish you all the best, God bless!

Michelle said...

Holy wow, Miss Julee... Been a while since I've seen your work. This mixed media stuff of yours is amazing. And I can feel your soul being bared in your creations. So much of you in - without even knowing you - you can feel such a passion that went in to this. Amazing. And a beautiful and true message you speak of as well.