For my final 2012 wrap-up post, here are my favorite non-scrapbooking and non-art journaling projects from 2012: I feel like this has been an artistic transition year for me and as a result these projects feel a little all over the place. People often tell me that I have a strong and recognizable style, but looking at these projects I'm not sure I can describe it. Maybe bright colors and a strong black line? I'm a bit surprised by how few sewing projects are here in this roundup. Just one: the purse. I love sewing and I want to get... Read more →

Like so many people, I went home for the holidays. Today I thought I'd share five photos from my week in Boston. My Brother is an excellent cook. We played Christmas mah jongg. There was day-after-Christmas at my Dad's house. My Step-Brother was an impressive arm wrestler (two against one doesn't seem fair, does it?). I got a 3am mini makeover. All in all a very good holiday at home. Hope your holiday was filled with family and fun too! Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here. All of the previous posts can be found archived here. There is a flickr group for sharing right here. Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day! No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week and you've blogged about it, or put it on flickr, please leave a link in the linky list at the end of this post. Thanks! I have been continuing to work with my "Art Journal Every Day: December"... Read more →

Check out this round-up of my favorite Balzer Designs tutorials from 2012: Stencil Tutorial Crayon Tutorial Necklace Tutorial Hand Cutting Tutorial Page Protectors Tutorial Washi Tutorial Feather Tutorial Cover Tutorial Did your favorite tutorial make it onto the list? If not, remember that all my tutorials are archived on this page. Tomorrow: my favorite art journal pages of 2012! Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

Well, it's that time of year. Time to look back and pick favorites from the year gone by. Here are my favorite scrapbook pages from 2012: I see a lot of white cardstock, single photos, and bold titles. Also, a lot less patterned paper and many fewer embellishments than in years past. Am I missing anything? Do you see any trends in this group of layouts? I've been scrapbooking a lot less this year thanks to Project Life. But I still enjoy it. I'm always looking for ways to combine innovation, telling stories, and having an arsty good time! Tomorrow... Read more →

Wishing a very happy Christmas to all of those who celebrate the holiday! Thanks for stopping by! --- P.S. I totally forgot to post the winner of Journal It yesterday. Congratulations to... Hooray Lois! Send me your mailing address and I'll pop your book into the mail! Read more →

Today I thought I'd share a little bit about the first class in my "Getting Started" series: Getting Started with Color Mixing. Question: Why is color mixing an important piece of knowledge? Three reasons: ONE: Knowing how colors will interact is key for layering. I work in lots of layers in my art journal, on my scrapbook pages, and when I paint on canvas. Sometimes I'm (a) impatient or (b) work with water-reactive products that react when a new layer is added. To avoid the big brown mess, it's important to know how the colors you're using will react with... Read more →

The Time Warner Center is a huge fancy mall (one of the very few in Manhattan) at the edge of Central Park. There's a big Whole Foods in the basement, and so I find myself going there quite often. Recently they've put up their Christmas lights and it's super pretty. So, today I thought I'd share five photos of the pretty pretty lights. The photo above is actualy a reflection of the hanging star lamps! Pretty cool! Hope you're having a holly jolly weekend! Read more →

If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here. All of the previous posts can be found archived here. There is a flickr group for sharing right here. Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day! No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week and you've blogged about it, or put it on flickr, please leave a link in the linky list at the end of this post. Thanks! I have been continuing to work with my "Art Journal Every Day: December"... Read more →

I've made a decision that I've been wrestling with. Yes, I am going to continue doing Project Life in 2013. Perhaps I'll hit the sophomore slump? But, I think not. I just love the results of this project too much to stop. Why do I love it? To quote Shakespeare, "Let me count the ways...." ONE: I have a home for all those cards and programs. I'm a sentimental fool and a pack rat -- a lethal combination. I like to keep everything: wristbands from events, programs, tickets, cards that come in the mail, receipts, business cards -- you name... Read more →