Molly Lolly Loo: September 2013

Monday, September 30, 2013

My Etsy Shop is Finally Open!

It's Finally Open!

Molly Lolly Loo is on Etsy!

Do you love this?! Adrienne Rose reworked it for me....It's just what I wanted but couldn't do myself! I just want to move into the little black and white one! Hehe!

So after months of Research and Reading and Learning I finally got my little shop open:) I hope you'll come visit!

Just click right here: MollyLollyLoo Designs

So I have opted for "Open-before-Perfect":) Things are pretty basic but I am Reading and Learning every day to make it more 'Spandific':)

Here's a little sneak peek:

I have several Different Catagories:

First is 'Altered Journals'

This is a more 'Edgy' one:)

I've been making these for my Nieces for quite a while and I really love them. All of us "Paper Lovers" will collage anything that stands still long enough- so 'upscaling' Rescued Journals from the thrift shop or lately- simple Composition Notebooks has been really addicting.

This is an Altered Composition Notebook that is now an Adorable Prayer Journal. It may not stay long as I might have to have it for myself:) I love the little birdie and the zipper!

This is a 'Rescued Journal' in a Shabby Chic Style. I used some of my Favorite Papers and Old Music. This one started it's life somewhere in the late Nineties as this Generic Flowery Notebook.

But it was untouched and unloved and now has a New Life as a quirky Cottage-y Journal!

I have a few Canvases listed. These little Cuties are 6 x 6 and based off of my Little Fairy Houses Obsession! There are two different styles with a third on the way:)

And Finally- My "Rescues"

Friends don't let friends own Sad Wooden Kchotchkies from the 80's. Especially those suffering from "Mauve"...

If there is a Forest-Green-and-Mauve-Moss-Covered-Bird-House-with-Fake-Birds-on-it, or a Plaid-Angel-with-scary-Raffia-Hair I will find it!

Here at Molly Lolly Loo- we believe that Tacky Knick Knacks CAN have a New Life!

Here is that Poor Pueblo Shelf, freed from it's tiny cut out 'Chili Peppers' and Given a Brand new Stylish Life!

And Finally...this was an Old Wooden Candy box. In Fantastic Shape...but obviously cast aside...Here it is in the Early Stages of Rehab...

And here it is in all it's Funky Glory- Ready to hold your Treasures, Love Notes and Jewels!

Whew! Trying to get some things finished for my Little Shop while still working on Craft Fair and Christmas stuff is...well....Wonderful!!! So much fun!

So all my Love and Thanks to all my Artsy Creatives that were SO Patient, Encouraging and Wonderful in helping me make this Little Dream Come True!

Next stop- An Etsy Button for the Blog! I'm off to Order another For Dummies E-book!

Love to all!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

New Tutorial: Part 3 Working Through Anger and Hurt- Transformation!

Part 3 of Working through Anger and Hurt with Art Journaling

Transformation!

Finally we get to the part where all our hard work becomes the basis for something New- and Maybe even Beautiful!

So here is our Journaling and Affirming all cut up and Glued down like a Collage. I used Mod Podge here but you could use any Gel Medium or even just Glue Sticks:)

Next I Covered it with Gesso. I used a Palette knife so that there was lots of Ridges and texture.

Then I Covered it with Scripture, Words of Encouragement, Quotes and Hopes for the Future.

After letting it sit for a day or so and reading over the Messages I wrote to myself- I am ready to Transform it into Something New- and for Me, that really helps me to Move on and Move Forward.

So here are some of the Things that I've Made out of my Index Card Journaling. For this First one here I Scored a Dollar Store Bag of Mailing Envelopes...

I covered the Back of it with my Index Card

I did some Gelli Plating on Deli Paper and Spray Painted on it using a few different Stencils..

I added Paint, Collage and some Pastels and I ended up with a Cool Place to keep any Notes, Scriptures or New Index Cards that may come up as I am working through this particular Issue:)

For this one, I just used a Journal Page- covered it with my Cut Up Index Card Journaling and then starting adding on from there.

The background is from a Magazine, and the lettering is a Stencil painted over some more of my Journaling.

Next I made the Heart by laying down some Spackle on some strong paper, letting it dry and then Cutting it out and painting it.

I used some Photo Paper I found at a Thrift Shop Here- it was a little 'Stiffer' than my Mixed Media Paper.

I used Acrylic, Ink and Pastels on the Hearts.

I used the Smaller Hearts here, along with my Spray Painted Deli Paper:

And then the Larger Heart and Dragon Wing Stencil went Here with one of My Favorite Quotes ever:

She Took the Leap and Built her Wings on the Way Down:

As for this Latest one- It's still in the Works! I'm not really sure where this one is going but it is Good to Cover all that up and move Forward.

I hope that this has been Helpful to you and I would love to hear from you if you have tried any of these techniques or have some other Great Ways you use Art Journaling to Work through Tough Situations:)

Love to All!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

New Mixed Media Tutorial Part 2

Part 2- Starting to "Process" all those Feelings

This 3 part Series is just me Sharing a way of Processing Anger, Grief, Sadness- or even Joy in a productive and creative way. It's been such a Cathartic and Healing process that I just really wanted to share it with you.

If you missed Part 1- you can jump on over right here:

Part One- Working through Pain and Anger with Art Journaling

Just a quick Review- we started with 4 x 6 Index Cards- or whatever you have lying around- and a Pencil and Scribbled out all our Hurt, Anger and Pain. There were no rules here and I encourage you to be Painfully Blunt and Honest- No one is going to be able to read these on the Finished Piece so let yourself go.

Now that we have a few- or in my case a PILE- of them, We used a Sharpie to write Words that Described our Feelings over the pencil.

You might use some of these Words to help Identify what you are Feeling: Choose only the ones that resonate with you:)

Next, after looking them over, I tear these in Four "More Digestible" pieces.

Now we can start to really "Process" things a little more.

I love that the Index Cards have a little more 'weight' and 'heft' than normal paper. It really does well with Collage Gel Medium, glue or Mod Podge and it provides a Sturdy Foundation for whatever you decide to do on top.

Here I used an Art Board or "Canvas Board"...not sure what the official name is:) I think this on is 12 x 16... so this one is pretty big.

This would be just as Effective on Mixed Media Paper, Mailing Envelopes or even a "File Box". I like to use a Credit Card here as it keeps everything smooth and I go over the top of the card with it to get out the bubbles. I then put another layer over the top to seal it. Then I let it a dry a bit.

Next- it's time to take all of that Hurt and Grief and Negative Energy and cover it- But Not Completely!- with Gesso. You could also use Watered Down Acrylic Paint here. I find this part very Cathartic...it just feels good to cover it up. It's not being 'Ignored' or "Shoved Down" it has been expressed, honored and appreciated- we are just Clearing that out now to make room for more Healthy Growth and Healing.

AHHHHhhhhhh.....

This coat of Gesso- as with our newly Released Emotions needs to Dry, Settle and become a Firm Foundation for the new Growth that will Cover it.

Next, I choose Words of Wisdom to 'Replace' or 'Cover' all of these pieces.

I love to use Scripture, my Favorite Quotes and just Descriptive Words of where I would like to be.

Here is one that I used as my Vision Board for my Creative Business. It's full of Scriptures that I would like to have as the Foundation for everything I do in Business.

Here I just used a Sharpie- I wrote in lots of different directions so that no matter which way it hung it had something 'right side up'

My Favorite's for this are words that Focus on Peace, on Shelter and Protection.

I love Psalms 91- here are parts of it:

¹Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.^[a]
²I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

And,
⁴He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

I also Love this one:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

I would love to have you leave some Words or Quotes that Inspire you in the Comments. I will share them with everyone on a New Post:)

Words of Release are next...

I end up writing "Release" and "Let it go" Over and over...because, well, I am a Control Freak and even when I think I have worked through it, I will pick up that old Bone and just Chew on it again! So seeing those words all over it are just a gentle 'kick in the pants' to let me know that I am only burdening myself by keeping all of this.

You might want to use words like "Peace, Flow, Release, Quiet, Healing, Relax, Light, Gentle, Lovely or Free"

I also like to write out what I am going to use to Replace those Negative and Hurtful Remembrances- As a bit of an Obsessive/Compulsive ADD personality there IS going to be something circulating in my head...I want to choose what that is instead of spiraling around these painful memories.

"Whenever it hurts, think about what is Noble, Right, Pure, Lovely, Admirable, Excellent, Praiseworthy or Beautiful.."

This is my paraphrase of Phillipians 4:8.

Then.....Nothing!

I let it sit for a few days. Every day I read the Phrases aloud to help Set them in my Mind. You'll know when it's time to move on to Step 3:)

I would love to hear some of your Healing Words, Quotes and Scriptures! Leave me a Comment!

Love to All!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

New Tutorial: Part 1- Working through Pain and Anger with Art Journalling

New Three Part Tutorial

Working Through Anger and Pain with Art Journaling

This Series has been on my Heart and Mind for a while now. I hope you will find it as Helpful as it has been for me!

Many of you know that I started my "Journey" with Art Journaling to cope with the Stress and Demands of Life as my Son, now 16, was going through almost 6 years of chemo.

It never fails to amaze me how writing, journaling, painting, collaging or just plain scribbling can be so therapeutic and healing. There is just something about taking all the Words of Pain, Grief, Stress or even Joy and transforming them into something new- something maybe even beautiful. It allows me to heal, to Organize and Settle my heart and to Move on into Healing and even Blessing.

All that being said- as I am a WAY Practical, "Tell-me-how-to-do-it-Step-by-Step" girl, I wanted to share with you a few Techniques and "How-to's" that I use when things are Crazy and Intense.

Having a 'Go To' Step by step 'System' if you will of dealing with things helps me so much, as I'm not always able to think straight or plan out a Page or Canvas in the heat of the moment.

In This Part we will use our Journaling as the Foundation for either a Page, a Canvas, An Envelope or even a box where we can Chronicle our Process.

My "Go-To-Must-Haves" are 4x6 Index Cards, a Mechanical Pencil, A Sharpie and a Pair of Scissors

Why Index Cards?

There is just something about grabbing those squares that lends structure to my hurricane. As I fill them up one at a time, I feel like there is a bit of Closure and finality from each card. I can hold them, flip them over- and somehow the Enormity of my Emotion seems more manageable.

So Here we go!

Step 1: Get it all out- No Judgement- No Thinking- Just emote

Here, the Wave has just hit, the Bomb has just gone off, the Betrayal or Hurt is so fresh that you can hardly Breathe. Often at this point my mind is seeing Red and I know that Reacting, Responding or even Replying could be dangerous.... I need to Process, I need Clarity and Wisdom. I need to sift through the Storming Emotion and find some semblance of Order.

At this point, I allow myself to Journal ANYTHING that comes to mind- even if it is something I would never allow myself to say outloud. Knowing that I will be 'covering this up' gives me a bit of courage.

Anything Goes- Pain, Cursing, Questionable language, all Capitols and Exclamation points...whatever you need to put down to really equal your Emotions.

I do this portion in Pencil. I find I am more Honest and Real when it's a little more 'unreadable' and it gives me Courage to Emote and Bleed out what I need to.

I write on both sides- just because sometimes I like the look of the lines and sometimes I don't.

Sometimes I have One Card- but Most of the Time I have 5-10 of them! This is the part that really just helps me get out what I'm dealing with and that usually helps to bring some clarity for the next step.

Step 2: Identify, Define and Name the Emotions

I do this part in Sharpie right over the Pencil Journaling.

This Step really allows me to create some Structure for what is going on. Sometimes I hit the old Thesauraus as it really helps to find just the right word.

Here are some of the Words I find myself Using. I would love to hear from you if you have some Powerful Words that you use. Maybe we could make a Treasury:)

Sometimes I find that much of my Anger and Hurt is with God Himself- and sometimes I feel bad about expressing those feelings. That's when I take a look at the Psalms and realize that God has seriously heard it before! He really can handle it:)

I write these at different angles and sometimes different fonts First because it shows how Jumbled I feel, and second because I like what it looks like when I am ready to collage.

Step 3: Gather, Acknowledge and Release.

At this point, I gather up all my cards. I don't usually reread the pencil Journalling but I do go over the Descriptive words to Acknowledge and Honor what I'm feeling.

Next- it's time to Release them- I cut them up into 4 pieces and mix them up. I feel like it allows them to be 'Digested, Processed and Absorbed'.

They are Now ready to become something NEW!

Join me for Part 2!

Love to All!

Monday, September 23, 2013

DC Traveler's Log

DC Trip was Awesome!

There was so much to see, so much to do- that I decided to just let some pictures do the talking...Don't get used to it!!! Cuz it will probably not happen again!!