Vision Quest

 

 

 Hello Monday my friends! And welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Thank you for joining us for the  Love is in the Air  Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

This week the challenge is: FRAME IT

My one little word for 2023 is VISION. I have been on a vision quest (or a quest for my vision)  since 2021 when I had an abrupt change in my vision in my left eye. I discovered I have a rare eye disease, and am very grateful my local retina specialist sent me to see a doctor in New York City who is doing cutting edge research and surgery. I believe without the two surgeries I've had, my left eye would have very little ability to see anything. After many follow ups, I am realizing I will always have some issues seeing clearly. My best hope is to reframe my thinking about what I can and can't do, and keep a positive approach to my vision. I have made many adaptations to how I work, and I really, really hope I will be able to drive again.

My art journal spread reflects this journey to better sight.

I began with paints in blues and purples (thought I would change up the palette a bit). I spread it on with a silicone brush and my fingers, and blended with a baby wipe.

I've been reading so many eye charts lately (and I've made a lot of progress from only seeing movement or fingers held up in front of me) that I wanted to add letters and numbers into the background. Simon's stencils and inks are perfect for this.

I used the Tattered Elements stamp to frame the envelope. (sometimes the news is good, and other times it's disheartening) I blended the inks on the envelope to match the background colors, then fussy cut it out. The envelope is framing the optical lenses.

Yep, there's my trusty cuppa sitting on my desk while I craft.

I doodled a left eye onto the page - lots of symbolism there!

I wanted a bit more color, and the Scribble Sticks work great for that. Just dip the stick in water and color over the stamped image for a watercolor effect. 

Details...

"Everything happens for a reason. 

It's just a matter of moving your point of view around and you see it."

I'm working really hard at moving my point of view around!

I purposely left space on the left hand side to add some persona journaling about what I am experiencing.

And here's my inspiration for the page - a photo my sister took of me at the Optometrist my surgeon sent me to. With my mask on, I look like the plague doctor, lol. I can't wait to get my new prescription to see how that helps me!

Final step was to add some white splatters to the page, and I am done!

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away a $25 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store 

Supplies:

Dylusions Creative Journal 8x8 

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous The Countdown stamp set

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Tattered Elements stamp set

Darkroom Door Envelope Note Frame Stamp

Visible Image Where Dreams Take You stamp set

Simon Says Stamp ABC stencil

Simon Says Stamp Bold Numbers stencil

Simon Says Stamp Black Dye Ink

Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated inks - Orchid and Cadette

Simon Says Stamp Fine Detail Scissors

Simon Says Stamp Small Blending Brushes

Dina Wakley Acrylic Paints - Heather, Orchid, Eggplant, Turquoise and Ocean

Dina Wakley Scribble Sticks set 1

Prima Silicon Brush

Posca Paint Pen - black

Faber Castell Pitt Pen

Tim Holtz Splatter Brush

Canson Watercolor paper

Heat It tool

Tim Holtz Distress Sprayer

Simon Says Stamp Big Momma Foam tape

Ph Martin Bleed Proof White ink

So now it's YOUR turn, Happy Crafting! Maura

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You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in .