Sunday 10 January 2016

Finally back and some blogger news

Hello everyone and thanks so much for popping in.
I have just returned from quite a long blogging break, so it's good to get back into the swing of things.....
Like many of you I decided to join Wanderlust 2016. A year long event of art classes and exploration, and this is the project I created after watching the first video. If you don't know about Wanderlust, do check it out here.

I will not share the techniques with you in detail, as that would not be fair to Kasia, but this spread was very much inspired by her prompt and great example.
Unlike Kasia I used Paper Artsy Fresco paints for my background, and used a mini brayer, a brush and my fingers to blend my colours.
Kasia shares a great technique of scratching into the paints, using part of the Prima Distress tool and rubbing alcohol (surgical spirit). I've owned this tool for years and had never even discovered that particular part of the tool. I found the technique works really well with Fresco paints.
Here is a close up of some of the scratches, I kept them quite thin, but like the texture it creates.
Kasia suggests using chipboard pieces as focal points, - a great way to use up some of those chippies that many of us have flying around in our stash.
Below some close ups of how I coloured them after having covered them with gesso.
A mix of Fresco and Golden fluid acrylics paints and Lindy's Stampgang spray with some Treasure Gold in Pewter highlights.
I also used stencilling and background stamping to add more interest to my background.
I used a Tim Holtz stencil and Watering can Archival to stencil with.
Kasia suggests to choose just one word to express how you are feeling at the moment. I chose Explore for that's what I hope to do while following along with Wanderlust....

And then of course the challenge of using your own handwriting on your page. I always need to take a deep breath before doing that, and also found out that really I need to invest in some better pens.....
Well, that's pretty much in as far as the journal page is concerned......
Now as to the blogger news, - some of you may have heard this already, - I found out about it a couple of days ago from my lovely and talented friend Alison/Butterfly.
As Alison says:
Apparently it's in order to make life better for everybody... Don't you hate it when they "improve" things?! "New and improved" is my least favourite proclamation to see on a much-loved product.


Here's the announcement they made on Blogger Buzz:

In 2011, we announced the retirement of Google Friend Connect for all non-Blogger sites. We made an exception for Blogger to give readers an easy way to follow blogs using a variety of accounts. Yet over time, we’ve seen that most people sign into Friend Connect with a Google Account. So, in an effort to streamline, in the next few weeks we’ll be making some changes that will eventually require readers to have a Google Account to sign into Friend Connect and follow blogs.

As part of this plan, starting the week of January 11, we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count.

We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post), that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow.

We know how important followers are to all bloggers, but we believe this change will improve the experience for both you and your readers.

Posted by Michael Goddard, Software Engineer

There's not much we can do, other than alert everyone that if you signed up to follow Blogger blogs without a Google account, you'll need to get a Google account and re-follow with that if you would like to stay connected (and/or sign up to Follow By Email so that you get notifications in your probably already overloaded inbox).

It's hard to know what the impact will be. Many of us are Blogger bloggers, and so we have Google accounts anyway, so maybe it won't make much difference - we'll see. I lost about 30 followers in one fair sweep already a couple of weeks ago, maybe they were trying things out then already, - who knows.
In any case, to those of you who are still following, - thank you so much for being here and of course for visiting today!!

42 comments:

brenda said...

Nice to see you back Astrid and it's with a super piece of artwork.

Belated Happy New Year.

B x

Stamps and Paper said...

Lovely to see you back Astrid and life your stunning pages of artwork ....

Anne

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely artwork, have fun with your course, it's always good to have something to occupy your time! Hugs, Valerie

Kath Stewart said...

love your take on the first project...I've been busy with the Kate Crane journal but will be having a go this week xxx

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Lovely to see you back Astrid and what a way to return. Your journal pages are gorgeous and I love the touch of blue against the more subtle colour palette , really pops. Lovely . Tracy x X

Patty O'Malley said...

Fantastic journal page, Astrid! I do have a blogger account, but I don't know why they have to change things. It's like the old saying says, "if it's not broke, don't fix it."

Fliss said...

Absolutely gorgeous journal pages Astrid. Such beautiful texture and I love those colours so much.
Wish I could do Wanderlust but sadly not enough time.
Sorry to hear about your followers loss and the same happened to me, i think it's peops having a new year clear up :)
I too am annoyed with Blogger but hopefully it won't cause too much hassle.
Fliss xx

chrissie said...

Lovely to see you back Astrid and your page are amazing. It will be great to see your progress during the year at a Wanderlust.

Shame about the ,improvements, at Google. I suppose we should just be thankful for free blogs and getting to know so many wonderful people.

Love Chrissie xx

Miranda said...

Really love this Astrid, all the texture and I love the cross! Beautiful work, just finished my first mixed media piece, a small canvas and I really enjoy creating something else than cards......warmly Miranda

experiments in paper said...

Beautiful and inspirational pages, Astrid - a lovely start to this journey! I, too, hope to have time.... still need to catch up with this journaling make and the next set of videos, lol! So looking forward to what we all come up with... xxx Lynn

Julia S-W said...

This is so beautiful Astrid. I've yet to do mine but just watching the video is so inspiring isn't it? I'm trying to be a better blogger this year so keep your fingers crossed my visits here will be much more frequent. Happy New Year too! Julia xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Your spread is beautiful! I love the blues you have used! I have seen a few posts from folk taking part in Wanderlust and it looks so interesting. I didn't sign up as I have a lot going on at the start of this year and as I signed up for something last year and didn't get my best out of it I decided against it…hey ho!! Hugs, Chrisx

craftytrog said...

Your pages are beautiful Astrid! I'm so pleased I signed up for Wanderlust, it's going to be a great, creative year!
Alison xx

Nancy Dynes said...

Oh my gosh, Astrid!! The detail, texture, inking, layers, and elements of your pages are STUNNING!! I saw your post on Facebook and headed right over here to take a closer look. Those chipboard pieces are the perfect accent to the wonderful background you created. I just keep going back to look at it again and again! Thanks so much for inspiring me with every single piece you create!!
Hugs,
Nancy

Kathy Bradley said...

Astrid - your pages are gorgeous and the colors and textures are wonderful.

Unknown said...

Sooo lovely Astrid. Wanderlust sounds SUPER! Enjoy! j.

Corrie Herriman said...

Fantastic spread ! Don;t tell Kasia, but I like yours a lot better !
Corrie x

Jenny Marples said...

Absolutely incredible Astrid! This spread is pure creative genius and I adore those layered crosses. LOVE it. Jenny x

Elizabeth said...

This makes me want to jump right back in to my art journal! I have been sketching and lettering so far this year, but I think I may have to make an inky-painty spread soon! Your textures and colors are incredible!

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous pages Astrid, it sounds an exciting course to join.
Yvonne xx

Kathy G. said...

Astrid your pages are stunning! Love the texture and the use of chippies. Amazing job!

SueC said...

Beautiful page Astrid and thanks for the update on blogger ! Sue C x

Tamara said...

this is absolutely beautiful Astrid.. the colors and texture and all of the wonderful layers. You're so gifted at blending it all together. I'm glad to be here. Thank you so much for sharing.

Have a wonderful week..
Tamara <3

rachel said...

gorgeous pages Astrid - it really is a beauty. Kasias was lovely - sadly I made my page before seeing what she did - largely based on the idea of the one word - still - next time I won't be so quick to jump in feet first xx

Almo said...

This journal page is really lovely Astrid. Your layers, and textures are beautiful and the burst of dark blue against the paler subtle background balances it out perfectly. I went a bit too colourful with mine I feel, but the learning is all part of the fun. Mo x

Ink Art Designs said...

Welcome back Astrid! This is such a beautiful page, it is liberating to do something new...I'm enjoying the Wanderlust adventure too, I know that I will enjoy going back over everything for years to come. I think sometimes you can only take things in when you are ready to, and when it suits your style maybe.
Dot x

Debi said...

stunning pages Astrid, so much texture! happy 2016! Debi x

maria's knutselplezier said...

Amazing artwork ,like olways dear Astrid I really love your work !! I love the colours and the beautiful texture!!

Greetings
Maria

Maryann Laursen said...

What an awesome piece of artwork here again sweet lady. I just LOVE how this ended up and I love the colors and the background patterns that you´ve used here too. As usual you´ve done a wonderful job.

mamablitger said...

Welcome back Astrid. So nice to see you here again. And starting up with this lovely spread...whooo...awesome. Fabulous texture, gorgeous colors. And the technique scrabing into the paint looks frear.
Anout the improvements : BLOGGER did never work properly for me. The blogs I'm following via Google have always worked just fine... So it might be an improvement...?? But since I'm following you by E mail I guess I would not notice any changes....
Thank you for sharing your fantastic art.
Hugs from Monica.... Spain

Suzanne C said...

First of all glad to see you are back posting! Your journal page is fabulous! I love the beautiful texture and the colors! Secondly that explains the drop I saw in blogger too! :) I wonder if I had a bad post that day. LOL! :)

froebelsternchen said...

Gosh this spread is amazing Astrid - I am looking forward to see what you will show in the future. Have fun with the course!
Happy new week - great to see you back!
oxo
Susi

Annie said...

Welcome Home Astrid xx Glad you had a safe journey. Absolutely adore your journal pages........so many lovely textures and details. TFS and hopefully we can catch up soon. Will be in touch

Huge Hugs Annie xx

Pamellia said...

WOWZERS Astrid, I sure did miss you when you were gone!! This is so stunning, that's the quickest I have hit the "Pin" button in for quite some time! lol. Love the pops of blue and all your amazing textures, wow!! I hope you had a wonderful time. It sure is nice to have to back! Hugs :)

Marisa Job said...

Another stunning project! Beautiful colors and texture!!

Dorthe said...

I`m feeling lucky just now, to be a blogger blog, with my Google account, so no problem in following you, Astrid, -but many other friends, will be lost if they and I do not follow with e-mail :-(((
But here`s to you, and your amazing Wanderlust spread . The background ,-painted, scraped, stenciled and inked, is gorgeous, and so love the chipboard ornaments.
Hugs,Dorthe

pchickki said...

This artwork is just beautiful. Amazing to say the least.

Words and Pictures said...

Welcome back and Wow! That's the basics... in detail - lovely to have you safely home, and I hope you had a wonderful time. And how fantastic to see your take on the first Wanderlust prompt - simply gorgeous colours, and beautiful textures in the paint layers. Lovely, lovely pages. I'll be avidly following you as you explore further!
Alison xx

Dortesjs said...

Beautiful creation ;O))

Jackie PN said...

what a gorgeous spread Astrid! As always, your colors and textures are just gorgeous!I always feel like I am in a gorgeously ,romantic vintage room when viewing your art!
I really liked watching Kasia- she is so natural and free flowing- it amazes me!I hope to be posting mine soon as well!
Thanks again for the bit about Blogger- dumb move on their part, but I guess they need to learn for themselves!!

xoxo
ps welcome back, hope your holidays with the grands were wonderful!

CatieAn said...

love these pages all the layers and depth....

Deb said...

Welcome home Astrid and boy have you jumped right back into the swing of things with a bang! Gorgeous journal pages, love the texture and the chipboard focal points look amazing. Can't wait to see what else you create as you wander about Wanderlust, have fun! Deb xo

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