I’d be very surprised if there’s a person out there who doesn’t answer this question with a resounding, “YES!” So let’s move on to a cool template that can help you get those photos into a layout: Ali Edwards’ Layered Template No. 37. There’s room for three photos and lots of journaling, all grounded on a piece of bracketed paper. And I have some fun examples to share with you from the Creative Team.

Angie (angie wags) produced a stunning page using three photos of her pretty daughter. The aqua blues of the beach are intoxicating, and the watery spots are the perfect accent. Angie’s journaling is so sweet and tender; our babies really do grow up so fast.

Credits: Ali Edwards Layered Template No. 37, Fresco Paper Pack No. 02, Defining Words Brushes and Stamps No. 04, Clock Buttons No. 01, Colorful Watery Spots No. 01

Amy’s (Amy L) page documents another rite of passage – going away to school and the transportation issues that go along with it. Amy combined two of the picture spots to accommodate that great shot of her son mugging for the camera and added a third narrow photo on the left side. Brilliant, Amy!

Credits: Ali Edwards Layered Template No. 37, Thick Travel Words Brushes and Stamps, Le Marche Kit, Classic Cardstock: Coral Charm, Classic Cardstock: Dog Park, Date Strips No. 03, Date Strips Stamps No. 02, Little Prince Kit, DoodleDo Flourishes No. 03 Rub Ons, Everyday Inspiration Freebie (cream graph paper), DifferentStrokes No. 05 BrushSet, Stitched by Anna Circles No. 02, Wild Weekend Kit

I had three photos in portrait orientation, so I rotated the template and reduced its size to produce a wider border. I balanced the title, date, and circular accent on the left with the journaling on the right.

Credits: Ali Edwards Layered Template No. 37, Classic Cardstock: Oyster Paper Pack, Clock Buttons No. 01, Spelling Out Dates No. 01, Wooden Alphabet No. 03, LoadedLayers Element Templates No. 02, Stitched by Anna Borders No. 02, Over 21 WordART, Fasten Its! No. 03

Ali’s template is lots of fun to play with, and I know you’ll appreciate its versatility. It’s on sale today for 30% off, so hop on over to the store to snag it; and then post your page in the Template Challenge Gallery.

Hello my friends - are you ready for some new art journaling?  I hope you are continuing to use digital art journaling as a means to play, to meditate, to spread your artistic wings and explore new territories within you. That is my goal.
Last time we used music to inspire us. I completely adore what Exogonia did - her page is not only beautiful, it is a celebration of Greek music and tradition. You should read what she writes. And listen to the fantastic music.

Another member, b2halter, made a most amazing page - so full of sentiments and beautifully made. I think a lot of us, no matter what age, feel the same way.

This week I sat down to make a page, and I had an image of a hand in my head. So I made a photocopy of my hand and scanned it. When I sat down to journal, I closed my eyes and tried to think of a sentence that described my day. I didn’t sit and think too deeply about this. I pretty much grabbed the first sentiment that entered my head. Nothing profound. But a real emotion right there and then. And with these two elements in hand, I went about to create my page, choosing papers, elements, paint and brushes. I always leave the brushwork to last, because I consider it the icing on the cake and is the last touch to a page. Don’t forget to add shadows to the various elements you add. Here are some of the goodies I used on this page:  AsianART Print Paperie, Clock parts no.6, Different strokes no.4, Artist Edges Overlays no.5 and Schmeared Blocks no.2  - in addition to some new goodies that will come your way very soon!

Go create some art! For next time - include a visualization of *hand* in your page - in any way you can think of. And write a short sentence, a poem, a word - that summerizes your current day or emotion. I want YOU write something - let your heart speak. When you are done creating - load it up in our fantastic AJ gallery!  Until next time - have fun creating art!  ~ Aino.