Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft

Tutorial: How To Create Art Deco Header Boxes!

Hi there, old sport! I’ve shown you a few ways to make header boxes before, that's nothing new - BUT since you are all so kind and supportive of my Art Deco posts, I figured I’d show you some simple ways to make your header boxes with a little 1920s flare! ✨

A lot of Art Deco is built upon symmetry, angles, and line work, which makes them easy to create step by step, and easy to apply to any dot grid journal. The dots create the perfect canvas for this style!

Using the simple steps above, and some fantastic Faber-Castell pens, you are able to bring a little glam to your days! Did you know they make metallic pens as well? In MORE than just silver and gold? You heard me correctly! I'm such a fan!

Want to give these tutorials a try and share it? Be sure to tag @fabercastellusa and @plansthatblossom so we can take a peek! If you’re interested in this style, but can’t master the technique, we've created a fun printable with many different art deco styles to use in your own journal! I've left them blank so you can use them for months, days, lists - whatever you choose! Jazz them up with some fabulous pitt artist pens as well! Download the printable HERE.

Thanks so much! Keep creating!

Grip Color Marker Swatch Page & Doodles!

Hi there! Faber-Castell USA was kind enough to send me a set of Grip Color Markers, and I LOVE them! The colors are so vibrant, and the markers themselves are created to be easy to hold while using. Plus, they are non-toxic and washable, which is perfect for kids! (...and me!)

So, what’s a girl to do with a fresh set of supplies? Make a swatch page, of course!

Swatch pages are one of my favorite pages to make - I use them as a reference constantly, and they are just so pleasing to look at.

Another great part of playing with new markers, is seeing them in action! Here I’ve shown you how to create 3 writing utensils from a rectangle. It’s amazing how much you can do with a simple shape!

When you’ve finished creating your doodle, be sure to make it pop with vibrant colors like the ones shown here!

If you’re not sure how to create a swatch page, I’ve created a free printable template for your journal or sketchbook! You can download it *here*

Thanks for stopping by - Keep creating!

Preparing for the New Year in Your Journal!

Happy Holidays, everyone! Now that 2018 is coming to a close, I wanted to share some tips on how to reflect on the year, and prepare for the next one!

Faber-Castell USA and I partnered up to give you examples on how to create list and topic boxes to help you grow into your best self! Using these simple structured boxes, you are able to make a plan for the new year.

There is real value in taking time to pause and reflect on the past year before you make your resolutions. We are able to learn so much about ourselves and really focus our attention toward the future.

So while this year is quickly dwindling, don’t run from the difficult moments - take time to learn from them. A new year full of opportunity and possibility is right around the corner! Cheers to you and to 2019!✨

Click the link for a free download to help you prepare for the new year!

Pitt Artist Pens Used:

Black 199 (Sizes: XS & F) - Warm Grey III 272 (Brush) - Green Gold 268 (Brush)

Happy New Year! 

Nicole

Bullet Journal Headers!

Hello there, my darlings! Today, I’m bringing you another Faber-Castell tutorial!

My most requested tutorials have been headers, so I wanted to start simple with some fun ways to elevate your own handwriting! Using these tips, and my beloved Pitt Artist Pens (of course!) you can easily stretch your creativity further than you think!

Tips:
-Pick a color palette that suits your layout, and experiment using the tutorials above!

-You will be amazed how much you can do with a few pens! First, pick your base color. After you’ve chosen that, pick 2 others similar in color, but different in value - one lighter, and one darker. Then, choose a grey color for your shadows and a black pen for everything else.

-If you want to push yourself a little further, use a white pen for more highlights.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these tutorials! Please enjoy this fun free printable with my different headers to choose from!

If you’re looking for a challenge, check out our #fcornamentchallenge on Instagram & Facebook!

Pitt Artist Pens Used:
Black 199 (XS & M)
Purple Violet 136 (B)
Crimson 134 (B)
Middle Purple Pink 125 (S)
Lilac 239 (B)
Warm Grey III 272 (B)

Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Countdown - Draw Your Own Ornaments Challenge!

Hi everyone!

I'm so excited to announce the arrival of our Christmas Countdown Challenge!

To start counting down to Christmas, create 15 ornaments, and each day, decorate them! The ornaments can be simple or ornate... big or small - it's up to you!

Personally, I'm going to challenge myself to use multiple mediums for this one! One day will be pitt artist pens, and the next could be colored pencils! I'm so excited to get started and experiment! The end result will be stunning, and I cannot wait for you to share your fabulous work with Faber-Castell USA & I!

If you decide to post, be sure to tag me at @plansthatblossom and Faber-Castell at @fabercastellusa and use the hashtag: #fcornamentchallenge so we can enjoy your beautiful creations!

Fun tip - looking for an advent calendar for the kids? This challenge is perfect for that! It's a fun family activity that keeps everyone creative and festive!

If you're not into drawing your own ornaments, but would still like to decorate them - you're in luck! I have a printable for you! )You know I love a good printable!) It can be trimmed to A5 size which is a great fit for the typical bullet journal. Check it out printable and enjoy!

Thanks, and Happy Holidays!!

Christmas Doodles & How To Use Them In Your Journal!

Hey there! I have another tutorial for you! This time (by VERY popular demand) are some Christmas & winter doodles to help you set up your bujo for the holiday season!

I kept them very simple so they can be more of an accent in your already stunning journals! My advice here would be not to overthink it - just have fun! These simple shapes can transform quickly into fun seasonal favorites in under 5 minutes!

Any doodle or shape can be applied to your journal if you think about how the functionality can be utilized. For instance, candy canes make EXCELLENT water or daily trackers! The same with a Christmas tree - just color in a bulb for each day!

If you’re interested in trying these doodles in your own journal, please don’t forget to tag us on social media so we can see and share your beautiful creations!

If you’re not into drawing, but would love to incorporate some seasonal elements on your pages, here is a festive printable! Thank you - enjoy!

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens used:
Black 199 (XS, S, F)
Deep Scarlet Red 219 - S
Phthalo Blue 110 - S
Warm Grey III 272 - B
Cadmium Yellow 107 - B
Leaf Green 112

These Fall Feelings: Art Journal Page

Hello everyone! Mou here with an art journal video tutorial all about the Fall!

Materials

Faber-Castell -

Gelatos – Iridescents

Gelatos – Translucents

Gel Medium

Goldfaber Aqua pencils

Collapsible Water cup

Paper Crafter Crayons – Neutral

Stampers Big Brush Pen set of 3 - RED

Hello Fall Printable Image Collection

Other – Watercolor paper, Scissors, Trimmer

You can watch the video tutorial by pressing 'play' below  or click right here.

 

I hope you enjoy!

Faber-Castell White Pens & Whimsical Leaves

Leaves are beginning to fall in our neighborhood, and that has me ready for all things Fall. One of my favorite creative activities is to paint watercolor leaves. However, when I came across the new Faber-Castell white pens I had an idea for some fun hand-drawn leaves. 

First I gathered up my supplies - different color cardstock (I went with traditional Fall colors, but this would be fun with any variety of colors), Pitt pens, a pencil, and scissors.

Next, using a pencil I sketched out simple leaf shapes. Don't worry about lots of detailed edges, just draw a variety of shapes and sizes. 

Then using my Pitt pens I drew the stem of the leaf and began adding fun details. I chose to draw whimsical details with circles, lines, and flourishes.

Lastly I cut out my leaves (trimming off my pencil sketch of the leaf outline) giving me a pretty collection of leaves perfect for scrapbooking, adding to a mixed media project, or even stringing up as a garland.

I hope you enjoy experimenting with the new Faber-Castell white pens!

Artist and illustrator Lindsay Hopkins has been drawing and creating since childhood. She has a love for color and hopes to encourage and inspire others through her creativity. In 2012, Lindsay opened Pen & Paint and began selling her artwork and stationery online. Pen & Paint licenses artwork through Jewel Branding and is privileged to work with many global brands.

 

Habit Tracker Methods

 

Hello there, sweet friends! Faber-Castell USA and I are back to show you a few habit tracker methods!

This is one of my all time favorite aspects of bullet journaling. It holds you accountable, plus - filling the trackers out can be fun, which encourages you to accomplish things!

 

Method 1: The Line Chart
This can be a really great tool for those who want to track their health (both physical and emotional) - you can rate things on a scale and see how you progress or decline.

First, create your chart. The top will be reserved for days of the week, and the right side will be used as a rating system from 1-5. Tip: this can be done monthly, and you can have a higher rating system if you wish!

Next, you should assign colors to the items you would like to track. Once that’s complete, fill it in each day and connect the dots!

Method 2: The Standard Tracker
This is the tracker I use every week. I find it works best for me, and sometimes monthly trackers can be a little overwhelming. It’s easy to make, easy to follow, and a great way to record your progress.

First, create your chart. The top will be reserved for days of the week, and the left side will be used as a list of your habits/goals.

Next, each day, fill in the habits/goals you accomplish. Tip: Make it more fun by trying these cute little habit fillers instead of just filling in a square!

Method 3: The Individual Trackers
Some of my favorite trackers tend to be more of an illustrated version of what I’m trying to accomplish. Tracking a goal on it’s own can help it become more of a priority.

 

Products used:

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens:

Size S:
Black 199
Deep Scarlet Red 219
Middle Purple Pink 125
Orange Glaze 113
May Green 170
Cobalt Green 156

Size XS:
Black 199

Size F:
Black 199

Brush: 
Warm Grey III 272
Medium Flesh 131
Cadmium Yellow 107
Green Gold 268
Phthalo Green 161
Ultramarine 120

I hope you enjoyed this habit tracker method page as much as I enjoyed creating it! If you have any questions about this process, please ask. If you have any questions about the products used, visit fabercastell.com - thanks!!

 

 

Nicole Barlettano is a seasoned designer and illustrator living in the tri-state area. She is a bullet journalist known as @plansthatblossom, a chronic doodlebug, and a lover of list

 

 

 

Mixed Media Art Journaling

Hi everyone, Mou Saha here with a mixed media art journal page! Art journaling is such a free-ing and relaxing practice. I just add layers of colors and mediums and stop when I feel the page is done. If you have never tried art journaling, may be you should try. There are no rules really and no right or wrong way of doing it.

Here are the supplies I used for this page -

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Ice Layers Bubbles

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gel Medium

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Whipped Spackle

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gesso

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gelatos® colors - Buttercream, Fig, Iced Chai, Iced Coffee, Metallic Melon, Nebula

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Mixed Media Paper Stencils - 202 Mandala

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Mixed Media Transfers - Flowers, Words

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gelatos Tool Set

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Silicone spatula, paint brush

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Collapsible Water cup

Other: watercolor paper (140 lb cold press 6"x9"), found papers and trims, scissors, heat tool (optional)

Now, let me walk you through the steps.

Cut a piece of Ice Layers - Bubbles with scissors and attach to the page. The Ice Layers are self-adhesive clear texture layers that can be used as a whole or cut up as I did. If you are planning to cut it apart, be sure to keep the protective layers on so the pieces don't stick to your cutting tools. You can even use it as stencil.

Attach pieces of found papers and trims to the page using gel medium and silicone spatula or a brush. Seal the pieces in place with a top coat of gel medium. Let dry.

Place a Mandala Mixed Media Paper stencil and apply Whipped Spackle with a palette knife. Let the Spackle dry completely.

Apply a coat of gesso to unify the pieces and to prepare the page for adding colors.

Rub Gelatos colors as shown.

Blend the colors with a paint brush dipped in water.

Rub some Gelatos colors on a palette or craft mat and dilute the pigment with water. Splatter some on the page and let some colors drip down.

Once the colors are thoroughly dry, cut out pieces from the Mixed Media Transfers Flowers and apply to the page with the craft stick included in the kit.

Create a focal point with one of the phrases from the Words Mixed Media Transfers to finish.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will give art journaling a try!