Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Challenge Art


Hi everyone.  
I'm here today with another page for Art Journal Journey and Alison's summer countryside challenge.  

I am also joining Jo and the other designers at Country View Challenge for their use a stencil or 2 challenge.


I made most of my page today on some light green cardstock. Once that was complete I attached it to a denim page in my garden journal.

I started by stamping the beehive and garden image. This is an older Chocolate Baroque set I have had for years. I then stamped the big flowers and stenciled mostly around them with some mixed pink and tan paint. Once dry I colored and added details to all the stamped images on my page. I also stamped the single bees at the top of my page. They are from one of my first stamps sets that has whimsical 4 insects in it,  that I bought back in the 1990's and still a favorite. 

I colored with markers, some acrylic paint and also with some gel pens. I also stamped the quote. Finally I added a chemical structure from an acetate overhead I salvaged from going into the trash when I cleaned out my classroom. I'm not sure what chemical it is, but it reminded me of honeycomb.

When I attached the page to my journal, I added the metallic paper daisy chain so it would look more uniform, and not just a piece of paper on the denim.  I thought about machine stitching a bit also, but my book is so thick right now it didn't want to work very well under the machine's feed-dogs.  Perhaps at some point I will hand stitch it a bit, but for now I am leaving it as is. Just a wonderful day in the summer garden.

We haven't had  much for lovely sunny days with so much rain lately. But the flowers sure love it, and now our drought is gone!  Here's a few photos around my garden.


Water running off the roof has filled my watering can, but of course, I don't need to water right now.


Lilies are blooming. 



My climbing rose bush needs more staking. This rain has made it droop a lot.


But I am glad I staked the last blooming larkspur.


Like the watering can, my bird bath is full. 




And the hydrangeas on one plant are blooming. The other one, which is newer, just can't seem to get going. 
Hopefully the sun will be back soon, so I can weed and do some garden chores.

Thanks for visiting. Hope you are having a beautiful summer day.






















 

16 comments:

CJ Kennedy said...

Your page is so pretty especially that beehive. Looks like we might get a little break of sun today and Thurs. is supposed to be the pick of the week before rains move in for the weekend. At least your gorgeous flowers will drive out. Hey, do we have the same birdbath? Enjoy the sunshine!

Iris Flavia said...

See, I have to ask you... Henry is into bees now! But Ingo says it´s "but insects". And I don´t know what the houses are for. Do bees go into houses?
I just wanna bee happy ;-) Great page!
Earworm!!!
Isn´t it too late into the year for bees now?

Beautiful pics!
Here just grey and cold, no rain...


Divers and Sundry said...

Rain turns a garden into a whole 'nother world doesn't it! Lovely! I like seeing the bee-inspired art. I know you must be looking forward to trying the honey :)

Valerie-Jael said...

Your journal page is gorgeous, a real beauty! Love the flowers with the rain drops, so lovely. Here it's been raining for days, and lots of places are flooded. Hugs, Valerie

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh! Your poor wet garden. Your page is absolutely lovely Hugs, Chrisx

Lowcarb team member said...

I do like your summer page and sentiment.

We had a lot of rain over the weekend, the plants and flowers did appreciate it, as did yours I'm sure.
The larkspur is the flower for July, it is a lovely looking flower.
https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/2021/07/as-we-welcome-july.html

All the best Jan

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You have elevated bees beautifully in this wonderful latest journal entry you have created. It is great to see bees with flowers, too. You did a fabulous job on your journal page. It is a great inspiration for Alison's theme at Art Journal Journey, dear.

Oh those roses! They are amazing. Mine aren't climbing, so I am in awe of yours. And I love all the rain on the flowers. There's something extra sparkly and magical about raindrops on flowers.

sirkkis said...

Wonderful page, really special design. Nice work.
Love your rainy flower photos!
Here it has made records in temperature: 33,5 in the Middle of Finland. Next week it's forecasted cooler.
Have a happy day, my friend xx

Meggymay said...

Its a great journal page Erika and I loved seeing the photos with the water drops on the leaves, so pretty.
Hope all is well with you .
Yvonne xx

craftytrog said...

A beautiful page and gorgeous blooms Erika!

nwilliams6 said...

Lovely garden pictures - especially the larkspur - so pretty! Perfect inspiration for your art journal page full of flowers and bees. Wonderful words too. The background is super cool with the honeycombs and soft colors. Hugz

Let's Art Journal said...

Such a pretty page with the beehive and bees - perfect! The rain covered flowers look so amazing - so beautiful 😀. Take care and sending you happy wishes! Hugs, Jo x

Jeanie said...

Aren't water drops on flowers one of the best subjects? So pretty, every single one. Great camera -- what wonderful clarity!

And my replies to your comments are still bouncing back -- just know I appreciate every single one!

Sue said...

This is beautiful Erica, such a happy card! Thank you so much for joining in with our challenge at Country View Crafts and have a very happy week, Sue xx

Words and Pictures said...

Yup, it's been pretty wet here too! But overall, the plants and the countryside are happy to have the water - better that than a drought. The hydrangeas are gorgeous - what a lovely colour. And I love your page... celebrating those vital bees which keep it all going. I haven't got a buddleia yet, so I'm very happy that they seem ecstatic with the borage and bugloss I've been growing for them.
Alison x

Evelyn Walter said...

Beautiful card! And your flowers are amazing! We had also a very rainy and wet July here in Germany.
Thank you for joining in with our July challenge over at Country View Crafts!
Evelyn xx