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You know I am an art supply junkie. Just earlier this week, I was playing in the Studio with my two daughters on a big canvas, and then Koala turned around, and said «Mom, you really have a looooooot of things in here !» (pointing to the entire room). To which her sister answered «It is not that much, this is a creative space. So it’s meant to be filled with supplies… and stuff». Ahah !

I can’t help it… I love new babies to explore with. (secret confession: I am trying to sort everything and put aside what I know I won’t use at all. and… I need *really need* to use all the papers and paints and other things I already have before buying anything else. Not sure I can’t do it though).

So for the first episode of this series in which I share with you the products I currently use over and over, here are they:

1) NeoPastels | Oil pastels from Caran D’Ache

You may know I love the Neocolor II-s which are watersoluble crayons. Amazing. I really wanted to try their oil pastels (my favorite until now where the Senellier ones, which I still really enjoy don’t worry). These pastels are soft and oh so vibrant ! The pigmentation is simply out of this world. I use them for mark making and for shading. 
–> (Click to see the NeoPastels on Blick’s site)

2) Matte acrylic paints | Dick Blick

I love my Golden fluid acrylics, but they are glossy and sometimes this is not I want (and using in my art journal, it tends to make my pages stick together, which sucks big time). Plus, Blick came with amazing colors. Another very positive thing is their low price point: $1.99 for a 2oz jar. 
I even discover color I would have never thought I would appreciate using (over and over). Right now, my new favorites are: orange light, aqua, beige (I use it on my Nixies’ face a lot) and blue light. 
–> (Click here to go to Blick’s page for these paints)

3) Embossing powders | Lindy Stamp Gang

Lindy Stamp Gang is amazing at creating unique two-tone products. The embossing powders do not disappoint. The colors are vibrant (some are softer and more translucent though). And the combo of pigments and shimmer is just gorgeous. 
I love using them with stencils in my backgrounds. They add this different touch that I simply can’t do without right now. I use them on everything. 
–> (Check the Embossing Powders on Lindy’s website)

4) Super Heavy Gesso | Liquitex

You probably know by now that texture is a huge part of my creative process. This is what makes me utterly happy and the place I go for when I feel stuck. 
This specific gesso holds very well, I use it on its own or through stencils (wash them thoroughly afterwards). It is titanium white and can be tinted (but it will affect the color and make it more pastely)
–> (Check it on Dick Blick)

What supply are you currently using the most ?

I am wondering if I love the beginning of a new year because I am a listmakerjunkie 😉

Sharing my intentions with you publicly allows me to kind of feel accountable, because I also want to share my progresses along the way. However, I refuse to beat myself up if it does not end up as planned.

Here are my intentions for this space that my blog is:

• To redo the entire website. I bought a special wordpress template, which I love but need more time than expected to understand it all. I hope to have this ready in the first quarter of 2014.
• Publish a blogpost at least three times a week. I hope you like seeing «in progress» pictures, and you’re eager to know more about my Behind The Scenes. Because I want to stop overthinking and simply share.
• Publish in French more (for those who don’t know, I am French and it’s my mother tongue). I have a francophone version of this space that needs more attention…
• Continue my {In Motion} videos, once a week. And start vlogging.
• Be true to myself and who I am in my blogposts. Share my stories. The ups but also the downs.
• Go back to creating and sharing Truth-isms on a more regular basis.
• Find a way to have people participate in my weekly ritual, Gratitude Friday (and spread the word).
• Grow the communication between you and me (don’t be shy to leave me a comment, I will try harder to answer personally. I need to check if you are notified when I reply to your comment on the blog… or maybe you already know ?).

I think this is good to start this year with these specific intentions. I hope you will join me in this adventure that Life is <3

… I apologize for posting the result of the draw a few days late. But I used random.org to select a winner for a spot in Soul Food (it’s not too late to join, and we have a payment plan available if you need it, there’s nothing to be ashamed about needed it).

I want to thank all of you for entering and especially for sharing these wonderful recipes with me. Can’t wait to try.

Without letting you wait any longer, here is the result:

Congratulations Carol !

I will send your info to Heather who will grant you access into the classroom.

I wish you all a wonderful new year <3

2014 is here… wow.

Don’t forget that if you enter our challenge, you can win a $50 gift certificate in the shop ! And you can also purchase the set to make it easier if you want to. More info on our website.

To start the year with our first Color Challenge, I wanted to work around my guiding word for 2014. I had several in mind, but the one came to me while talking and brainstorming about it with my Chéridoo, during a car ride (some of our best conversations actually happen when we are driving).

Aren’t these colors perfect for winter ? It screamed using our new set, Totally 80’s. Of course, it needed a touch of teal 😉

I used a 5×7” wood panel (because I can abuse it more than canvas, which I am always afraid to pierce somehow).

I apply a generous coat of gel medium all over the surface and then covered it with tissue paper. I wanted the first layer to be very textured so I crimpled it while adhering it, and then torn the edges so it would fit the panel’s size.

Once completely dry, I covered it all with Down The Rabbit Hole, and then used stencils with Bodalicious Blush and Gag Me With A Spoon Gray.

I then applied some extra heavy gesso through a scallop stencil on the right and left borders.

And because nothing is complete to me without a touch a blue or teal, I splattered some Time Travel Teal for a bit of contrast.

When everything was completly dry, I grabbed Midnight RendezVous Magical Mica to use as paint to write my word. Actually, this year my word is EXPANSION but the verb works too 😉

I used my waterbrush to write my word (previously lightly sketched to avoid bad surprises). And to make it pop, I outlined it with my white pen.

Tadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

(PS: I will soon write a bit more about my choice for this year’s guiding word)

Hey guys !

I am so happy to finally share with you my video interview for the amazing class SoulFood that I am so proud to be a teacher in. It will be really special, I just can feel it. AND it starts in a week from today, woot woot !

I am currently working on my class, and I really hope you’ll like it. I am sharing what makes me happy in my TealStudio, what makes my heart sing loud and clear. I’ll share sneak peeks along the way.

I hope it will allow you to know me and my creative path a bit better (turn the HD on ;)):

One lucky reader can win a spot in the class. I open the giveaway from today, the 23rd, to next Monday, the 30th.  The winner will be selected via a random generator.
To enter, share in the comments a cooking recipe you love, and why.

I hope to see you in the classroom ! More about the class on Mystele’s blog.