Blogging Break

As I'm sure you have noticed I have been MIA for a few months. My focus here at Nina's Art Spot seems to have changed and I'm working on getting back to whats truly important to me. Which is helping you find your inner artist.

I have been doing a great deal of soul searching, journaling and once again into my mixed media journal with the results of all that searching. I hope to be back stronger than ever and convicted in my blog content. My goal is to be back up blogging better than ever by the first of 2018!

Until then please don't stop creating, in whatever form that takes for you and if that is what you love!

Be well,

  Nina

April Traveling Blessing Box On Sale Now

If you were interested in or even purchased the February box you will be amazed by the April box. Not only do we have an awesome lower price but we have so much more in store for you in this box. Great for those of you with TN's, planners of all kinds, journals, faithbooking, scrapbooking and crafting. Each Traveling Blessing Box is filled with 100% usable, coordinated themed goodness! 

LIMITED QUANTITIES are available so pre-order yours today. Pre-orders close Fri., March 10th and boxes will begin to ship Mon., March 27th. Go to thetravelingblessingbox.com to order yours today or click on the Traveling Blessing Box tab here on the blog.

More About the Traveling Blessing Box for April

We are so excited about this sneak peek! This little stamp set jumped out at us when we first saw it. To be able to combine a fun and versatile art technique with motivational and uplifting words, we just knew we had to include this in the next box for you all. Plus side it totally matches the theme (hint, hint). If you have never had the experience of using a ColorBox pigment pad you are missing out no more. Some of our favorite all time ink, hands down and the size is exactly what you need for your planning, creating on the go bag! Don't forget the box goes on pre-sale this Friday (Feb 17th). There will be a huge benefit for being a Newsletter Subscriber by Friday because our first box sold out in no time at all. Want to be in the know? Head over to thetravelingblessingbox.com and select Be in the Know"

The Traveling Blessing Box Sneak Peek

ANNOUNCEMENT TIME

Exciting news just for you!!!!! After the debut of The Traveler's Box and being able to hear and see how it has blessed everyone so much, Erika and I decided that a more appropriate name for this would be The Traveling Blessing Box. Since each box is designed to do just that, bless YOU with hand picked creative items, exclusive designs and an element of faith inspiration, we knew right away this was the direction we wanted to go.  Since attending CHA Creativation, we have had so much excitement over here, knowing about new products we would be able to bring to you. The most exciting has been the hardest secret to keep for sure. We are thrilled to announce that Bella Blvd/Illustrated Faith will now be apart of April's Traveling Blessing Box and many more boxes in the future. We are so honored to have this opportunity to bring to you products we love and admire from this outstanding company.  In addition to this great news, April's box will have even more content coming straight to your mailbox, but it will also come at a lower price. Yes you read that correctly! The Traveling Blessing Box will be available for pre-order for the low price of $29.99 plus shipping.  So mark your planners right now for Friday, February 17...... that's this coming week at 12 pm EST. You will want to order your box quickly since the first one sold out!  Want more sneak peaks before the box goes on sale, be sure to follow Erika @chaotic_blessin , Myself @ninasartspot and The Traveling Blessing Box on Instagram. We have a sneaky feeling you are going to want to see all the fun and creative goodness included!!!!

The Travelers Box April Sneak Peek

Yep we heard you loud and clear and we are so thrilled with the response over the first traveler’s box💕💕💕, so instead of waiting any longer we are going to start with sneak peeks this week. 

What better way than announcing the next guest designer.

Part of our vision when we started the box was to be able to feature other artist’s and their creativity. We are so thrilled that Kelly @kellyevadesigns (on IG) or Kelly Eva Designs on Etsy, is the next featured designer. Her eye for amazing patterns and material is outstanding. Nothing but beauty comes out of her shop.  She will be hand making the beautiful planner clip and pen holder for each box sold. 

If you want heads up on when the box goes on sale, be sure to go to the website, TheTravelersBox.net or TheTravelingBlessingBox.com and at the top of the page click on “Be In the Know” to sign up for the newsletter. Our first box sold out super fast so you will want to have the inside scope. Sale date will be announced this weekend!!!!! Be sure to follow here on the blog and Me @ninasartspot (on IG), Erika @Chaotic_Blessin (on IG) and we made an IG just for box information so go follow @thetraveling_blessingbox for more sneaks and information as well as featured posts of YOU using your box items. 

Want to be featured, be sure to tag us!!!!!! #thetravelersbox #thetraveleingblessingbox....OH and be on the look out for a HUGE announcement……yes we can FINALLY tell you the huge secret! 

February 2017 CTMH's Stamp of the Month

Close to My Heart's

Easter Bunny, Set of 12- $17.95 S1702 ~ works in tandum with the Cricut Artistry Cartridge

Each month you can purchase a new D-size Stamp set, available for that month only, for just $5! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close to My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing. This set is only available February 1-28, 2017

Recommended Blocks: 1" x 1" (Y1000), 1" x 3 1/2" (Y1002) and 2" x 3 1/2" (Y1009).

Here are some samples of using the Easter Bunny February 2017  Stamp of the Month.

New Product Highlights and a bit of a Journal Challenge

Jane Davenport's

The Butterfly Effect System

Jane's Display at the American Crafts booth 

at CHA2017 in Phoenix

I happened upon Jane Davenports new line of traveler type notebooks and accessories while perusing Michael's the other day. I've followed Jane Davenport over the years, so this immediately caught my attention. While at CHA2017 I made sure to get by the American Crafts Booth to review all that was available in her line. I see a lot of potential here for items for The Traveler's Box.

I chose the Mermaid Cover  

The TN (Traveler's Notebook) or Butterfly Effect Book as Jane calls it, comes in four varieties: There is a blank (ready for you to design) and three Jane designed options available. They are made out of a canvas like fabric that seems higher in polyester. The book is 5" x 8 11/16" and comes with one insert that is 4" x 8" in size. So these are slightly smaller than a personal sized insert. There are two bands available in the notebook. The insert has no cover and is made out of thicker smooth cardstock. It has the weight of a mixed media paper but not the tooth. It is made out of 4 sheets so there are 8 double sided pages. The pockets are plastic and come in a set of four. The outside is a Jane design and the inside is a matching color and is transparent. Each pocket folder has a pocket on the front and a pocket on the back.

This is one of the pocket designs slid over a personal size insert so you can see the difference in size.

I had recently signed up for the Planner Squad's Journal Challenge and thought this was a great excuse to try out her new line. The first step of the challenge was to pick out what type of journal you'd be using. Whether it would be an art journal, junk journal etc. So moving forward through this challenge my plan is to share with you how I used Jane's Butterfly Effect Book to accomplish my challenge and how the different products in her line hold up to the challenge.

I created a cover for my BE (Butterfly Effect) insert using the Planner Squad Challenge image and a little personalization. 

New Product Hightlight: CTMH's Sugar Rush Creative Collection

Close to my Heart's Creative Collection: Sugar Rush

~Sugar Rush is sweet treats meet fun and playful, hugs & kisses and all things girl.

Featured Colors:

blossom, canary, pomegranate, raspberry, sea glass, tangerine, whisper and white daisy

Like all of our Creative Collections, Sugar Rush comes in a background and texture paper packet, coordinating cardstock pack, complements and additional matching embellishments.

~Sugar Rush Creative Collection~

Paper Pack

12 = 12" x 12" B&T Duos (2 ea of 6 double-sided designs)

Sugar Rush Coordinating Cardstock

12 - 12"x 12" cardstock sheets (3 ea of Pomegranate, Sea Glass, Tangerine and Whisper)

Sugar Rush Complements

Coordinating stickers and chipboard die-cuts, including some with gold foil accents

Sugar Rush Coordinating Embellishments

Dots & Washi

Dots ~ 72 adhesive-backed glitter dots in three different colors; 4mm and 6 mm

Washi ~ 3 rolls of washi tape; 5 yards ea, 1/2" and 1/4" wide

Sugar Rush Workshops Your Way

The Workshop Your Way comes with everything you need to create three, 2-page coordinating scrapbook layouts.

Using your remaining workshop materials and a few extra supplies you can create 9 cards, 3 of each these designs.

Here are images of additional items created using the Sugar Rush Creative Collection.

The Traveler's Box: Introduction and February Release

As you probably have already seen on the Facebook page I along with Erika from Chaotic Blessing are releasing "The Traveler's Box", a box of goodies designed for anyone who loves to plan, journal, or be crafty and artistic. This box is jammed packed with amazingness. It is a great way to take your planning and journaling to the next level of creative. The bonus is that most of the items in the box can also be used for scrapbooking &/or crafting. 

Erika and I have known each other for over a year and have chit chatted over that time about our love for planning, crafting and being artistic. We both have Graphic Design and scrapbooking backgrounds. She took her Graphic Design and planning and went one direction and I Scrapbooking and fine art into another. We have now pooled both our love for these expressions as well as our years of experience to bring to you The Traveler's Box!

Each box is filled with 100% usable, coordinated themed goodies designed by myself and Erika. Plus each release we will have a guest designer to add an element to the box.

February's theme is: Victorian Love

February Release box items:

* charm

* planner clip
* pattern designer paper 

* mini watercolor travel tin
* stickers
* ephemera
* faith inspired items

All items can be used for any size Travelers Notebook, planner or journal. Patterned paper is 9.25 x 6.75, perfect to make dashboards and more. When a travelers notebook insert is included it will be in the personal size (3.75" x 6.75"). 

LIMITED QUANTITIES are available so PRE-Order yours today. Pre-order closes Jan 20 and boxes will begin to ship Monday, February 6. 

So lets take a look at some of the items available in this first Traveler's Box.

Guest designer this month is Tory, @littlemissalaska. She has such beautiful talent and graciously agreed to help us in the debut of the Traveler's Box. Aren't they so adorable. Add these charms to a clip, bookmark, elastic or more and add handcrafted beauty to any of your planners, traveler's notebook's, journals, or notebooks. What a great way to remember you are loved 💕💕💕💕 . Your choice of either Agape, Adore or both.

How beautiful is this?! A, 3-dimensional planner clip with Victorian style. Handcrafted by me. Each piece is individually made with a multitude of artistic techniques. Paired with the other items in "The Traveler's Box", you will have a unique coordinated display in your planner, traveler's notebook, journal or more. 

What an exciting way to try out watercolors in your planner or be inspired to paint in your journal. Now you can!!!! 😍😍😍This traveling watercolor set and water brush is just that, portable and reusable. Also handcrafted by me, you can refill with colors of your choice and take it on the go anywhere. 

Eeek! Papers are finalized and I can't wait to start playing with them. I'm just so excited for this first Traveler's Box and all that is going in them for you all. I love how these patterns coordinate and give a different spin to the traditional "love" theme of February. These beauties were custom designed by Erika of Chaotic Blessing.

This traveler's notebook insert(custom for this box and not sold anywhere else) is both elegant and stunning. It is a personal sized or (3.75" x 6.75"). 

Also included in the February box there will also be two journaling stencils on a jump ring so you can add more, 6 sheets of stickers, ephemera set, tip ins, inspiration faith decor, and a few other surprises. Unless indicated all items have been designed exclusively for you all by myself, Erika and Tory, and are not sold anywhere else. 

Interested in purchasing or learning more about The Traveler's Box? Hop over to the store HERE!

Follow us on Instagram @NinasArtSpot and @Chaotic_Blessin or on Facebook Nina's Art Spot and Chaotic Blessing

🤗

New Product Hightlight: CTMH's Hello Lovely Creative Collection

Close to my Heart's Creative Collection: hello lovely

~hello lovely with it's soft floral's speaks all things wedding, love and togetherness.

Featured Colors:

colonial white, desert sand, fern, new England ivy, sea glass, sorbet, whisper and white daisy

Like all of our Creative Collections, hello lovely comes in a background and texture paper packet, coordinating cardstock pack, complements and additional matching embellishments.

hello lovely Creative Collection

Paper Pack

hello lovely Coordinating Cardstock

12 - 12"x 12" cardstock sheets (3 ea of Fern, Sea Glass, Sorbet, Whisper)

hello lovely Complements

hello lovely Coordinating Embellishments

hello lovely Workshops Your Way

The Workshop Your Way comes with everything you need to create three, 2-page coordinating scrapbook layouts.

Using your remaining workshop materials and a few extra supplies you can create 9 cards, 3 of each these designs.

Here are images of additional items created using the Hello Lovely Creative Collections.

Head on over to the CTMH store to see all the matching acrylic stamp sets.