Gratitude: Thankful for all the Joys AND Challenges with Trena Brannon

Hello Beautiful People!

Do you think of being grateful/thankful for only the good things that happen to you or are you also thankful for the “bad things”, a.k.a., challenges? The things that happen in your life that make you grow.  I created a handmade journal to capture the joys that warm my heart AND the also the challenges that make me stronger - all in one place.

I handmade the journal, inspired by a free class offered by Kiala Givehand. I just love how Kiala explains making handmade books - she makes it so easy to follow! I also love her bright spirit. I started with 22” x 30” size hot pressed watercolor paper and cut 2 sheets into 10x7 1/3” strips to make a 5x7 1/3” sized journal.

When you are making your own book, you can mix and match the papers that go inside.  I sprinkled in a few mixed media papers and black and tan drawing papers to create signatures for the journal. After I nested the papers in the order I wanted, I sewed them together making eight signatures.  Kiala explains in detail how to do this.

 In this video, I show how I colored the canvas cover and added pops of color and design to the pages.  I used Kiala’s mixed media inspiration deck to prompt me for different techniques.

 Supplies used: (Note – below are the supplies I used. Kiala gives you lots of other options – use what you have! 😊 ):

·   Papers: Fabriano Artistico Extra White Watercolor Paper, Strathmore drawing paper tone, gray, Strathmore mixed media paper, Canvas fabric

·         Paints/Inks: Designs by RachelBeth watercolors, my own homemade watercolors, Distress Oxide ink pads, Stampin’ Up ink pad, ColourArte acrylic paints, Jacquard acrylic paints, Golden acrylic, Matisse Pam Carriker’s sheer colours acrylic paint, art alchemy sparks acrylic paint, Kuretake Metallic marker, Marabu fine liner, Faber-Castell Big Brush, Sakura glaze pen and Micron pen, Pentel dual metallic pen,

·         Other: ruler, bone folder, bookbinding thread, bookbinding needle, bookbinding glue, Daniel Smith transparent and white watercolor ground, brayer, blender tool, sponges, Jane Davenport elastic band, Smudgee

·         Stencils: SC-10-2015, SC-08-2017,  SC-07-2018, S267, L418, L436, S641, L645,

Dance of this Life 9"x12" Stencil by Carolyn Dube

Garden Dreams 9"x12" Stencil by Suzi Dennis

Brush Alphabet 9"x12" Stencil by Trena Brannon

Doodle it Tornado Bloom 6"x6" Stencil by Maria McGuire

My Mind 6"x6" Stencil by Trena Brannon

Thank you so much for reading and watching!!
Take care and STAY POSITIVE!
Trena