Just don't do it...

It is the beginning of a new year and we are all excited to get started on new things. Especially all the 365 projects, the index card a day, the ATC Daily projects and so on. I start at least a couple of these projects every year, but not this time. I have never finished any of these projects so why set myself up for failure again. Nope, not this time. I am going to spend 2013 finishing up all previously started journals and hopefully work on a few new ones.

The last few days I have worked on the covers on a couple of larger size journals. A 7x10 inch and a 9x12 inch journal. They are cheap Canson Mix Media journals I bought at Michael's BOGO sale a few days ago. On the smaller one I did put '2013' on the cover and I plan on it being my main journal for the year.

That is the only commitment I will make for 2013. No promises of making 365 ATC's, or write so many journal pages. I alway end up disappointed in March when I realize I am 2 months behind. So this year I just wont do it.

Do you have plans for a year long project? Have you made such commitments before? If so, did you finish it?

If you decide to follow me into a 2013 without daily promises, but still would like a little help in means of prompts, ideas, and challenges you can always check out some of my past challenges and of course check in here regularly for new prompts and challenges.

Hope you have a wonderful New Years Eve. If you must venture out, please be careful!

And remember when art journaling it is not about the beginning or the end. It is all about the process. The journey!

Challenge Week 16 - Moving Forward

Moving Forward - Some of you know that my family and I are going through some serious changes with our lives at the moment. Only weeks from hitting the road and spending several months in an RV. Right now we are selling everything that we can't bring, so we are having what seems like a never ending yardsale. We should get the RV at some point this coming week. I am looking very much forward to that.

Anyway, I think this week challenge fits our life and I would love to see how you all would use the phrase in your art journals.

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "Moving Forward"?

Are you moving forward or do you feel your life is at a stand-still? What would you like to do to move forward? Do you need to relocate to grow, or can you move forward without actually moving?

I would love to hear your ideas, and see your pages.

I hope you have fun doing this challenge.

REMEMBER: Art Journaling is not about the beginning or the end. It is all about the process. The Journey!

And if you feel up to it, please share pictures of your art journal pages at our Flickr gallery [HERE]

NOTE: For the next couple of months I will be having some trouble following the schedule, but promise that you will get a couple of challenge and of course your weekly member downloads each week. Might not be at the regular schedule, but you will get them. My week goes from Monday through Sunday. So check back often :)

Also, thank you to those of you who bought journal fodder packs and mini kits, and of course thank you to you all for your continued support.

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Mini Art Journal Kits

I just finished putting the art kits together. These kits are just very basics, but pretty much what you need to get started.

They include:

1. More than 80 pieces of collage fodder (vintage book pages, music sheets, game pieces, paper doilies, vintage photos, etc). All these pieces are of various sizes and textures.
2. Two 6 inch pieces of punchinella (sequin waste). 2 different size holes.
3. A bundle of tissue sewing pattern paper.
4. One watercolor artist pad. 5x7 inches. 15 papers.
5. One glue stick - Collage Glue Stick from Inkssentials.
6. Two glitter glue tubes.
7. Five Prismacolor coloring pencils - Black, White, Crimson Red, Orange, and Aquamarine.

This kit will cost $30 once it get into the store. That's included shipping in the US. If any of you in here are interested I will sell it for $25 (inlcuded shipping in the US). Just let me know. Once it goes into the store it will be $30. I will wait a couple days before it goes into the store. I only have 4 of these kits, so hurry while they last. You can email me at  - - - imsoto2 @ gmail . com (remove the spaces) to let me know you are interested.

To get the most out of your hands-on art journaling experience you will need a journal, some colors, writing tools, and maybe some homemade stamping/texturing tools.

You can read about what I would add to a beginner art journal kit HERE and if interested in making your own stamp and texture tools, check out this article HERE

To keep it really simple go to your local cheap store (Walmart, KMart, Dollar store, etc) pick up a journal or spiral bound watercolor pad (heavier paper), some crayons, coloring pencils, makers, small watercolor set,  and if there is anything else that catches your eye. This is all you need. You don't even need to buy all that, maybe just the journal and one of the coloring tools. You can always add on later.

OFFER EXPIRED
Please check the store for new art journal kits available.

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Challenges pt. 2

If some of you are still interested in doing hands-on journal challenges I could do some for minimalistic art journaling. I think what keeps a lot of people who are used to doing digital away from doing hands-on is the amount of supplies. I am working on some kits right now that are so small that they can fit in a large envelope. Only thing the person have to add themselves is a pack of crayons, coloring pencils, a small watercolor set, and the journal. I will probably sell these kits for about $25-$30 + shipping, but they will have everything for a beginner. Lots of fun stuff.
We will be on the road more or less all winter, so I will be working out of my travel kit. So doing some fun minimalistic journal challenges might work for all of us. This is of course in addition to the digital (word) challenges.

Let me know if someone is interested in some minimalistic art journaling (no you dont have to buy my kit to participate).

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Challenges

I have been thinking a great deal about the challenges. I dont know how many of you actually enjoy them. Or which kind you enjoy, digital or hands-on.
I would love to do challenges that you all will enjoy, so I ask that you please leave a comment to let me know what you prefer. If I dont hear from you I will assume you don't do the challenge and will go by what others want. So please leave me a little note letting me know. If you have suggestions for other types of challenges please let me know. I am open to suggestions and I do really like challenges myself, but I want you to be happy here so I want to share something you will actually do.

Let me know please :)

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Moving Out

I thought I would let you know what's happening here. For the last couple of years we have wanted to leave our home here in the White Mountains of AZ to find greener grass elsewhere. My health is not good here at the high altitude and it has gotten a lot worse the last year or so, so it is time we leave. We want to move to WA state, but since my husband havent found a job there yet, we have been more or less force to just stay here. But not any more. If everything goes by the plan, my husband will be quitting his job in about 2 weeks. Then he has to work another 2 weeks. Then we have to wait up to 6 weeks for our funds to be available so we can buy an RV. Then we will be packing and hopefully on the road by November 1st. Crazy huh?

Yes, crazy, but it will be such an adventure. And those of you who have known us for a long time knows that we like crazy adventures.

So because we will be living in an RV we can of course not bring everything. So it is either sell it or toss it. So for the next few weeks I will be adding arts and craft supplies to my store. Both to give those supplies a new home, but also to supplement our funds.

I already have some collage fodder in the store. Only have a few packs left. Some of these supplies are packs that I put together and sold at markets, and craft fairs, so they are just what was left over.

I have made a coupon so you can get supplies a little cheaper then others. Right now this coupon will only work on non-digital products.

SAVE 33% on NON-DIGITAL products by using DISCOUNT coupon code: moveadventure2012

~ Non-Digital Products

Check out some of my other sales:
~ Retiring Soon
~ Specials

Art Journaling for Less will continue the way it is now. 2 FREE downloads per week and challenges, etc. I just wanted to let you know so you know what is going on here in White Mountains, AZ.

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Sales and Specials

I just added a couple new categories at my shop. One for products that will retire soon and one for specials. Everything in those 2 folders are 50% OFF. And don't forget that those of you who haven't used the coupons that was included with your membership purchase can use those coupons for discounted products. Making the product almost free.

You can check out those new categories here:

~ Retiring Soon
~ Specials

If you have any questions about your discount coupons or anything else, please feel free to ask :)

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Week 11 Member Downloads

You Week 11 Member Downloads will not be ready until Tuesday this week.
I am working hard on getting them ready for you, but have run into some difficulties (lack of sleep due to farm animal noises).
I will have them ready for you by tomorrow afternoon.
Thank you for your patience!

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Renewed Memberships

Hi Friends
I just wanted to let you all know that I have extended the membership for all of you who have taken advantage of the 50% OFF sale. So no need to email me your info.
Please be sure to tell your friends about this 50% off sale. I am sure I can think of some kind of rewards for any you for any referrals you bring me. Just tell your friends about the 50% OFF sale, give them the coupon code, and tell them to mention your name when they purchase the 1 year membership.

Have a wonderful weekend!

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Challenge Suggestions

Hi Friends
So I am sitting here this afternoon working on getting some challenge up for you and it hit me that maybe I should ask you what YOU want to do.

Are there any specific words you would like to work with in our Word Challenge (the one for digital members) or maybe there is something specific you would like to try out in the hands-on section. Please let me know.

Makes me happy when you are happy, so let me know what YOU want out of the challenges.

Also, be sure to take a look in the Flickr Gallery. Our wonderful members (YOU) have uploaded some AWESOME pages. Great inspiration for the rest of us!

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Download Links

Please do NOT share the download links with non-members. I have noticed lately that I have many more people downloading than I have members. This is not good.

Of course this could be a glitch from Box, and I just don't know. I will contact Box and inquire about this to see of they can clear it up.

If they can't I only have 2 other solutions:
   1: get a paid account with Box so I can track who downloads. I don't want to do this because it will cost me a lot to do and I just can not afford that.
   2: I can start issuing coupons to the store so I can see who downloads through there. I really dont want to do that because it is just such a hassle for you.

So I ask that you please keep in mind that these "FREE" downloads are included in YOUR membership ONLY, so no sharing of links or files. If you have friends who are interested in my products, they can purchase a membership, or purchase the products individually in my store : Twisted Scrapper Boutique

Thank you for reading!

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Membership expires soon!

Some of you have memberships (free and/or paid for) that expires today or very soon. If your membership expires today, you will lose access to the blog and gallery by tomorrow morning. You can however extend your membership for another month for just $4 or for a whole year for just $15.

You can extend for 1 Month [HERE]
-or-
You can extend for 1 Year [HERE]

Thank you!

Due to last weeks "vacation" I have extended your 1 month memberships by one week. This is only for those who have purchased 1 month memberships, not 1 year memberships.

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Membership expires soon!

Some of you have memberships (free and/or paid for) that expires today or very soon. If your membership expires today, you will lose access to the blog and gallery by tomorrow morning. You can however extend your membership for another month for just $2 (sale valid through July 5th) or for a whole year for just $15.

You can extend for 1 Month [HERE]
-or-
You can extend for 1 Year [HERE]

Thank you!

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Sale

I wanted to let you know that I am having a sale at Twisted Scrapper Boutique.

ALL products (except 1 year memberships and services) are 50% OFF.

And if you are lucky enough to still have some of your AJfL coupons you can apply those too! Meaning you can get 50% OFF, and then apply your coupon to get an additional 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, or 25%.
Remember your coupons can be used once each, but there are no limit to how many products you can have in your cart.
So if you have 10 products in your cart you will get the discount on ALL 10 products, not just one of the product.


Now's the time to stock up! Valid through July 5th.

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Happy Hump Day

Happy Hump Day
I hope you are all having a fantastic week.

I wanted to just hop in and let you know about a few things.

1. I have set up a couple of polls over there to the right. If you could take a moment to vote in them so I can get to know you all a little better. It is easier for me to come up with new stuff for you if I know your needs.

2. Please feel free to use the comments on the posts as a way to dialog with your fellow art journalers. Don't be shy.

3. Any time you have a question, suggestion, or request please let me know. Either post a comment here on the blog, or shoot me an email imsoto2@gmail.com

4. I was wondering if any of you would be interested in starting a letter journal? Basically it is a journal where you dedicate a page to each letter of the alphabet. For example A could be Alive, B could be Bold, C could be Courage, etc. You choose how fast you want to work, you choose the words, etc.
I think it could be a fun project to run along side your regular journal. And you can do it hands-on or digitally, which ever you choose. Let me know what you think?

5. Would you like me to set up a forum for us to use? Might be a nice way to get to know each other.

Have a fantastic rest of the week and I look forward to hearing from all of you!

And also I would like to thank all of you who have been shopping at Twisted Scrapper Boutique and been using your coupons. Much appreciated and I hope you enjoy your new products.

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Back home

We are back home from the funeral in San Diego.
On Monday we were rear-ended by a crazy driver. Not much damage to the van, just a few dents under the bumper and then a crack and a small hole in the actual bumper. We thought we were doing ok too, but I seem to have some issues with my right arm. A little pain in the neck, back, and right shoulder. But otherwise ok. Rudy has some neck pain, and Ben is doing just fine. I had x-rays done yesterday, and they came up perfect, so at least nothing is broken.

Anyway,
I am going to work on some goodies for you all today, and post them as soon as they are done.

Have a great weekend! Oh, remember I love to hear from you and if you have some pages you would like to share you can do so in our Flickr Gallery.
Thank you to those of you who have already shared. I will go check out your pages today :)

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Travel Plans

Good afternoon.
I wanted to come in and let you all know that I will be going out of town starting this weekend, and will be back sometime in the middle of next week. We lost our Super Nana early Wednesday morning and we will be headed out to San Diego, CA to attend her funeral.
This means that your Member Downloads next week will be later in the week instead of Monday as usual. I hope this is not too much of an inconvenience. I will post them as soon as I can. It has just been hard to get anything done around here this past week.

I will "see" you all next week. I will bring my phone, so I can keep up on comments and emails, so if you need ANYTHING, please just let me know. I love hearing from you all.

REMINDER: Gallery

Just wanted to remind you that if you havent already, you should join our Flickr gallery. Even if you don't want to upload your own art, then at least to see art by our other members.

Looking at art, be it in our gallery, art books and other publications, in real life art galleries, etc. can be a huge inspiration to get going with your own art. Just seeing how other people play with colors and shapes can spark a new idea in your mind and will help you get started. I recommend that you take a couple of minutes each day to just observe.

You can join our Flickr Gallery [HERE]
When you get to the page, you will see a link under the Title that says {Join this Group}. Just click that!

Looking forward to seeing you there.