Seaside inspiration

We had the most delightful day on Saturday visiting Daisy and Co. The sun shone and we were able to get out for a coastal walk. For the first time we didn't take a buggy and Daisy was super trooper with her walking.
This is the marina at Hill Head.

 There were lots of ducks as well as sea birds there.

 Daisy was fascinated by them

and got the giggles.

 Daisy asked where the fish were and we told her they were swimming in the sea.  I think these birds might have a better idea - they certainly looked well fed ;0)

 I loved looking at all the textures of the rocks, beach and seaweed

and the way the rays from the sun hit the sea turning it to milky glass.

So many gorgeous textures everywhere.

We even stopped for a warm up drink

 and as we walked back we loved seeing these spring bulbs in flower

 and the sun setting into the sea. It was bliss.

On Sunday I was fired up with inspiration and decided to make a new art journal page combining several challenges which are running at the moment.
Over at the Craft Barn our dictionary letter for this fortnight has been R and also circles........now I was going for rock but then I thought about the seaweed and decided it would be R for reef and I would create an imaginary reef under the sea. I could put some fish in there to show Daisy.

Anything but cute are asking for bold colours and Frilly and Funkie are looking for trios and several are fairly open.
So this is what I got up to.

I decided to make a page in my art journal. I have decided that I much prefer to create a single art journal page rather than use the double spread.

I got out my Fresco paints and started added layers of blues to create my sea.

 I added some neutrals for the sea floor

 and started adding archival ink through various stencils for seaweed. I also added some texture paste.

 The only big fish stamp I have is this one, by Red Lead.  I embossed 3 and cut them out.

 I added crackle paste and paint for bubbles.

 I hid some Rubber Dance stamped seahorses in the seaweed

 and also die cut 3 Cheery Lynn ones.

So then it was time to put my piece together.

Here it is.

 Here is my dictionary definition of reef

 My fun 3 fat fish all embossed and coloured.

 I hid my seahorses amongst the greenery ;0), well there are shy creatures aren't they. I also really love this LOTV quote stamp and I think this sums things up at the moment as I embark on this new stage of my life. I finish work in 6 days.

 Spot the seahorses......

and one last close up.

I would like to link my art journal page up with the following fun challenges

The Craft Barn Dictionary challenge R  Mine is R for Reef
The Craft Barn fortnight challenge use circles for the background.
Anything but cute crazy for colour
Frilly and Funkie Let's make it a Trio I have used 3 stamped fish and 3 die cut seahorses
As you like it Favourite type of embossing Mine is heat , and I have used it for my fish.
Try it on Tuesdays 1/3 nature
Penny Black and More Feature a creature 3/3
That's Crafty 3/3 use stencils/masks
We love to Create 2/2 #6 anything goes mixed media
Happy little stampers mixed media water

Thanks for visiting, last weekend here certainly felt like spring. We even enjoyed a cup of tea in the garden on Sunday for the first time this year.

I'm back on Saturday as I am delighted to be the feature artist over at Anything but Cute...

It would be great if you can come back to see my crazy for colour piece.

Bye for now,

Jane x