Paper shrines are easy to make. I use them in art journal spreads, and if the paper is sturdy enough, they can stand up and be used as a table shrine.
Paper shrine
closed paper shrine
The above shrine was made with heavy-duty watercolor paper. I added the doors and altered the paper. Lots of gold! It doesn’t show well in the picture. As an icon I used a picture from a guide book of the Louvre. He’s some Egyptian scribe. It doesn’t have to be a religious icon. Whatever you want to celebrate. You can make a shrine with your goals or passions / dreams, or an ode to Nature.
The possibilities are endless.
Here is another shrine I made from card stock. Won;t make the art journal spread bulky when added.
shrine
I used a digital picture of Mary in this one, added a frame and gold paint. As bling I used some gilded and colorful border segments.
I made a video of the process and you can watch it HERE.
Doormat syndrome, have you suffered from that as a woman (or man?)
I have at times. I had two relationships that were “their way or no way.” I’d say it’s common to submit to others to keep the peace.
doormat
For a time, anyone was welcome to step on me and make me do their bidding, cause it was “nice” to help others, no matter what.
No more.
Yesterday, I had two conversations with women having trouble standing up for themselves, as if saying “no” is not nice or not supportive. We as women are raised to be supportive and submissive. I say, to heck with that!!!
There is a limit to what is expected of us. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it! If you don’t WANT to do something, don’t do it. If someone is clingy, hogs your time, drains your energy, just excuse yourself and remove yourself from that person. Know your limits! That is SELF RESPECT. You have the right to stand in your power, always.
Someone might snigger at those words, but the longer we stay in a submissive stance to others, the less we can pursue our dreams because someone will always step on them. That is part of the scenario of being a doormat. Make better choices.
It’s okay to be your own person.
It’s okay to have dreams.
It’s okay to be an artist if you want to.
It’s okay to make others mad if you are protecting what you know is right for you.
It’s okay to have time for yourself.
It’s okay to be a role model for strength.
I have lost friends over that last statement, and I don’t have to be RIGHT, but I can choose what works in my life and ditch the rest.
So many women I know put everyone else’s dreams and desires before their own. When are you going to realize your own strengths if you deny your power as a person? Say you fall down dead and realize you did nothing to pursue what fired up your soul. That would totally suck in my opinion.
To be an artist matters. Your voice matters, your art matters. Your expression in the world is very important so if you have something to say or paint, do it. As they say, life is short.
The greatest excuse I hear is: I have to be there for my children. Yes, of course you do, but you also have a responsibility to yourself.
Make your children badass and confident as you grow yourself stronger.
Children who are not doormats
Allow yourself to choose YOU. Your children will learn from you. Do you want them to become doormats? I didn’t think so.
Maybe you wonder why I post many motivational posts instead of artist stuff? Being an artist requires becoming the whole you. I’m working on that, and my art expression is a journey that changes all the time. Art has helped me to be strong. So maybe it’s better to inspire people to be strong than add a bunch of art how-tos. I decided I can do both. 🙂
So can you! Dive in and be the GREAT You now. If people stand in your way, you deserve better. Work around them or get rid of them.
You are enough!
With lots of love,
Maria
P.S. Sidebar note. I have a sale going on for my art journal how-to e-course. ONLY $15 until October 26. CLICK THIS LINK. Create something today! Get involved.
There is a special feeling of satisfaction after you make your own art journals using your unique style. Art journaling will be less intimidating when you’re not faced with a book from the store filled with glaring white pages.
When you make your own, it becomes “friendly,” something you have gotten to know during the creative process and that you enjoy working in afterwards.
shabby chic art journal
ledger style art journal
altered books art journal
If you have questions about materials and procedure, I can help you. In this e-course you will learn how to:
use fabric in your art journal
paint and dye fabric without fabric dyes
age paper
add fun details to your journal
use old books to alter using your own style
make mini journals that will fit in your purse
use tips and tricks to add your own touches
be creative with the materials you already have
inspire your creative process in general
To participate in this e-course you don’t need any particular artistic skills other than your hands and some art supplies. If you don’t have all on the list, use what you have.
We will make a shabby chic cloth-bound journal, a ledger style journal, and alter two picture books with unique pockets.
You will receive three detailed videos and a PDF for parts that I could not film.
I have a giveaway on my blog today. It’s Day 29 of the 30 day blogging challenge and I have made it through so far. I’m celebrating by giving away this FUN ink blot art journal I made from a manila folder and some ink blot art. I made it today and figured it would be fun to give away. It’s definitely a one-of-a-kind journal!
Here are some pictures and the video on how I made the journal. You can enter the giveaway or you can make your own journal. 🙂
handmade art journalthe back of the art journalink blot pageink blot page
ink blot page giveawaymore ink blots
An idea for you how the pages look. I added a bunch of blank card stock pages as well to fill out the journal. Here is the video how-to.
I have a fun tutorial to share today on how to make an art journal with a manila folder cover.
The pictures are not the greatest, but I had only artificial light when I took them. I wanted to show the step by step process.
Now for the tutorial…
old manila folder
I started with a used manila folder and blacked out the text on the tab. I used a liberal amount of Mod-Podge to glue the folder together, being careful that the edges stuck well. I still ended up with some air bubbles once it dried. Grrr.
I used a strip of washi tape over the uneven edges and glued down some white cardboard to reinforce the tab. I made sure to lay down a strip of glue to hold down the washi tape forever, lol.
I folded the manila folder in half, using a bone folder to really press down the crease hard once the Mod-Podge had dried. This was before the washi tape obviously…
I cut the white cardboard to the shape of the tab and now had a very sturdy tab.
I now laid the folder flat on my table and spread out a layer of paint…
I spread some paint on the back of the folder. I like the shabby uneven look.
I used several layers of paint, mostly spread with an old gift card. Both sides are similar, just a slight difference in the colors.
I painted the tab purple and wrote the words “Good Dreams” on it. I stamped the front cover with the word Imagine, and there is plenty of space for embellishment. The back cover has only paint on it, so there is plenty of room for creativity.
I cut out some paper stars to cover the air bubbles on the inside cover and stamped some inspirational words.
I used card stock paper for the signature. There are 24 empty pages to embellish when all is said and done. They are a bit narrow, but that’s the shape of the folder. Card stock is not as durable as watercolor paper, but you can certainly use wet medium and paints on it. I used card stock in various colors.
I tried to get a picture of the various papers, but it didn’t turn out great. There are two sheets of green, two yellow, and two manila colored. I thought it was fun to add varied colors.
The inside front cover adjoins a green paper…
And another close up of the back inside cover. The picture is pinkish, and I blame my camera for that.
What do you think? I really enjoyed the project and I can’t wait to embellish the pages. It’s a good size for traveling too.
What are you working on now?
xo
Maria
P.S. I have some journals for sale in my etsy shop. CLICK HERE.
I had a reminder yesterday that life is fleeting. We tend to forget and think we are eternal. I believe we are, but this particular 3D existence can end at ANY time.
I lost a friend to sudden death yesterday and my own ignorance slapped me in the face. She was in her prime, happy and healthy, and bam! Gone.
It is shocking. Sometimes it takes a shock to shake me out of everyday complacency. It got me thinking and re-evaluating what is important.
Appreciate life every day, or every moment if possible.
Don’t hold on to grudges or petty grievances.
Forgive those who have wronged you. Not speaking to people or having to be right only prolongs suffering (usually for the one holding the grudge.) FORGIVE and move on! It doesn’t mean you have to be friends with those who hurt you.
Pray every day even if you don’t believe in a higher power.
Do what you love or life is wasted.
Don’t stay at a job you hate.
Find beauty around you and appreciate it.
Love yourself and be at peace with the whole of who you are, warts and all.
Finish things once started.
Allow yourself to be the best you can be.
You CAN’T take your junk with you. De-clutter and donate. Don’t leave a mess for others.
Honor nature and as you do, you honor yourself since every molecule of you is part of nature. Spend some time in nature every day and breathe.
Laugh and pet animals as often as possible. Dance with children.
Don’t put off until tomorrow. Do that thing now.
Listen to others, truly listen.
Make art.
Grow things.
Go with the flow. Change is good, and change is the only constant. Don’t fight it.
Excuses begone!
Take charge of your happiness and don’t play the BLAME GAME with others. You will always lose when you do that.
Be responsible for your shit and be truthful to yourself about your shortcomings. When you are, they seem to disappear.
Last but not least: Listen to your intuition. If you don’t know how, find out how to do it.
A friendly reminder to myself… if it fits, apply some of these. Forgiveness is maybe the biggest one.
I made an art journal page about transition. It was a sad day yesterday and I had weird dreams. Today, the sun is shining again (as if nothing ever happened.) In a sense, that is eternity.
Life is fleeting.
xo
Maria
P.S. If you haven’t signed up for my free newsletter you can do so at the top right hand corner of this page. Lots of good stuff!
Artist and writer
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