What if you could turn an old credit card into your most versatile painting tool? No brushes, no rules—just swipe, blend, and scratch your way to stunning handmade papers.
In this blog, I’ll show you a favorite mixed media technique I keep coming back to—painting credit card papers. It’s fast, freeing, and full of beautiful surprises.
Have you ever been captivated by the spontaneous flow of watercolor—the way colors melt into each other, unpredictable yet soothing? I have. I love the softness and meditation that watercolors bring.
But as someone who has painted with acrylics for over a decade, I’ve developed a special fondness for them. There’s something about acrylics—their versatility, texture, and vibrancy—that keeps drawing me back.
So I asked myself: What if I could play with acrylics in a way that feels like watercolor? That’s how this method was born—a playful, intuitive way to dye papers using diluted acrylic paint.
Acrylic Dyeing on Paper: My Easy, Playful Alternative to Ink Read More »
If you love making tags for your art journal, happy mail, or collage projects, you’re going to love this! In today’s blog, I’m sharing a simple and creative way to make embellished mixed media tags using scraps of fabric, easy hand stitching, and a master sheet of mini abstract paintings.
These tags were cut out from the same master sheet I created in this blog post, where I shared how I painted a large intuitive background and then cut it down into smaller mini abstracts. If you haven’t seen that yet, go check it out first – it’s all part of the free tester workshop, and you can even join the class to learn how to create your own expressive master sheet for free.
Once I had my mini paintings, I realized there was more goodness left on the page – so I used the leftover sections to cut out tags!
Embellishing Mixed Media Tags with Fabric and Stitching Read More »
I have to admit: for the longest time, I shied away from black. It felt heavy, overpowering, and too final. But lately I’ve fallen in love with black, especially when paired with white.
In collage, mixed media projects, or art journaling, black becomes a compelling character—adding depth, contrast, and mystery to every layer. That’s why building a stash of black and white collage papers for mixed media art journaling is essential for any creative arsenal.
In this post, I’ll show you how to create your own black papers—from smooth, velvety sheets to textured, layered wonders. Use these backgrounds or print-and-mark techniques as foundations for your next journal spread, collage panel, or mixed media masterpiece.
Essential Black and White Collage Papers for Mixed Media Art Journaling Read More »
Have you ever wanted to create your own rust printed papers and fabrics for mixed media, collage, or art journaling? This beautiful process is surprisingly easy, super satisfying, and only takes a few basic supplies—most of which you probably already have lying around at home!
In this blog post, I’ll show you how I created a stash of rich, textured rust printed papers and fabrics using a few old book pages, some scraps of cotton and muslin fabric, and rusty hardware bits. Whether you’re into grungy textures, vintage-style papers, or just love experimenting with organic, natural dyeing techniques, this is for you!
How to Make Rust Printed Papers and Fabrics in 3 Easy Steps Read More »
If you’re like me, you love the rich, earthy tones of rust—but not everyone has access to actual rusted materials for their art.
So I asked myself: What if I could create that rusty, weathered look using only acrylic paints?
I experimented a bit and came up with an easy, no-fuss way to make gorgeous rusty-colored collage papers right at home.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through my process step-by-step. This is an easy, low-cost method, and you’ll be amazed at the textures you can get!
Rust Colored Collage Papers Using Just Acrylic Paints (No Real Rust Needed!) Read More »
Transform your old books, journals, and scrap papers into stunning inky collage papers that are perfect for art journals, junk journals, or mixed media projects. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every detail of the process—from gathering your materials to executing each creative step—so you can turn forgotten paper into vibrant, expressive art.
How to Create Beautiful Collage Clusters from Scrap Papers Read More »
Discover the magic of minimalism as you transform discarded book pages into stunning art using just black and white acrylic paint. In this project, you’ll learn to create striking collage pages with a subtle touch of vintage accent using burnt umber during stamping. Embrace the elegance of monochrome art and experience how simplicity can yield powerful visual statements.
Black and White Collage Papers from Old Book Pages Read More »
Transform your old books, journals, and scrap papers into stunning inky collage papers that are perfect for art journals, junk journals, or mixed media projects. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every detail of the process—from gathering your materials to executing each creative step—so you can turn forgotten paper into vibrant, expressive art.
Inky Collage Papers from Old Book Pages – Acrylic Dyeing Read More »
Are you looking for a fun, intuitive way to create mixed media art while also making something beautiful and useful?
In this tutorial, we’ll dive into the joy of abstract mark making, layering paints, pastels, and coffee to create a unique textured page. Then, we’ll transform that abstract artwork into handmade gift tags, perfect for adding a personal touch to your gifts.
Plus, there’s a bonus! Before cutting your page into tags, you can take photos of small sections and turn them into printable collage papers—a fantastic addition to your mixed media stash!
Abstract Mark Making Play & Pink Tags for Gifting Read More »