Feather Dreams, Dina Wakley

Remember last year when I committed to 30 days of creative play in my art journal? That was so much fun. It’s a good reminder for me to be more intentional about making space for creative play this year, and my art journal is the perfect place to do just that. I’m especially excited about the new BetterPress plates from Dina Wakley and Spellbinders. I’ve always loved the look of letterpress, and being able to achieve that beautiful, tactile effect right at home feels like a total win.

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Alright, now to the fun project I have to share with you-

Feather Dreams, Dina Wakley

Lately I’ve been reminding myself that I need to make more time for creative play in my art journals. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in projects with specific goals, but art journaling is a wonderful way to experiment, explore techniques, and simply create for the joy of it.

After reading through the details below, you will find the full supply list linked at the bottom of this post.

Creating the Textured Panel

I started by creating a textured panel using Distress Watercolor Cardstock. I ran the cardstock through my die cutting machine with an embossing folder from the Dina Wakley line, which adds some beautiful subtle texture that shows through the paint layers.

Next, I added a mix of Dina Wakley paints across the panel. I added a little water to the paints to make them more fluid and allow them to move across the surface, creating that organic layered look that I love.

As I worked, I made sure to preserve some white space on the panel. Leaving areas uncovered by paint helps add contrast and gives the page a little breathing room while still letting the texture shine through.

Stamping the Elements

For the focal elements, I used the BetterPress system to stamp the feathers and sentiments. The BetterPress gives such beautiful crisp impressions and works wonderfully for these detailed images.

Once stamped, I die-cut the feathers and sentiment strips so they could be layered onto the page.

Assembling the Journal Page

For this spread, I actually decided to cover up a previously decorated page in my art journal. And I want to remind you that it is completely okay to do that! Art journals are meant for experimenting, learning, and sometimes starting fresh.

I adhered the painted textured panel to the page and then layered on the die-cut feathers and sentiments to complete the design.

This page was a good reminder to myself that I really need to make more time for creative play in my art journals. There is something so freeing about working without a specific end goal and just enjoying the process of layering color, texture, and imagery.

If you’ve been feeling like you don’t have time for creative play, consider this your little nudge to grab your journal and just start creating. Even a few minutes of experimenting can spark so much inspiration.

If you give this technique a try, I would love to see what you create. Be sure to share and tag me so I can cheer you on!

Hope this sparked some crafty ideas for your next project!

Cardmaking Supplies Used:

The Cardmaking Supplies I used are linked below. Click on the picture, and you will be taken to the product. I use affiliate links when available, which means if you make a purchase, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support!