I don't think of myself as someone who uses a ton of product on my pages.  When I saw Laura's challenge to complete a page using only 1-2 products (photos and cardstock don't count), I thought I'd give it a try.

Um, hard.

Very hard.

And I totally failed.

He'sGotMyHeart-sm
Besides the cardstock and the photo I used:

  1. Paint (gesso and watercolor, but I'm counting "paint" as one item)
  2. White Pen
  3. Stamp & Ink (again, I guess this is two items, but I'm calling it one)
  4. Do you think I have to count the lace paper I used as a stencil for the background?  Probably.

Four isn't bad.  (Even six, if you're really counting isn't bad).  But it's certainly not 1-2.  But in the end I decided that I wanted to like the layout, not just fulfill the challenge, you know?  And I *do* like the layout.  So it's not a total failure!

Check out the details:

He'sGotMyHeartDetail3-sm
Even though some of the lace paper stuck and made the "stenciling" look sloppy, I love the way the background turned out.

He'sGotMyHeartDetail1-sm
This triangle stamp was sitting on my desk, leftover from this tutorial.  I couldn't help using it on this layout.  It just seemed so right.

He'sGotMyHeartDetail2-sm
I reverted to an old favorite technique of mine — used to use it on 90% of the layouts I did: I outlined my painted words with a white pen.  I still like the way it looks!

So what do you think?  Could you do a layout and only use 1-2 products?

Thanks for stopping by!

—-

The winner of Monday's giveaway is…

Random12 This has been a fabulous week on your blog Julie! I have enjoyed everyday! It is amazing how many talented people are willing to share their ideas and techniques with others! The SHARING is what I liked best! Thanks everyone and special thanks to Julie!!!

Posted by: Carol E | December 13, 2010 at 10:37 AM

E-mail me with the title of the online classes you'd like to take!

Congratulations!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

84 thoughts on “That’s a Really Hard Challenge

  • Who failed? You succeeded at being awesometastic. There’s nothing wrong with being an overachiever. 🙂

    Reply
  • Who failed? You succeeded at being awesometastic. There’s nothing wrong with being an overachiever. 🙂

    Reply
  • Who failed? You succeeded at being awesometastic. There’s nothing wrong with being an overachiever. 🙂

    Reply
  • Who failed? You succeeded at being awesometastic. There’s nothing wrong with being an overachiever. 🙂

    Reply
  • I think it’s looks fabulous Julie! Love the little pops of red! 🙂

    Reply
  • I think it’s looks fabulous Julie! Love the little pops of red! 🙂

    Reply
  • I think it’s looks fabulous Julie! Love the little pops of red! 🙂

    Reply
  • I think it’s looks fabulous Julie! Love the little pops of red! 🙂

    Reply
  • This is awesome- love the repeating red! Miss ya girl :)))))

    Reply
  • This is awesome- love the repeating red! Miss ya girl :)))))

    Reply
  • This is awesome- love the repeating red! Miss ya girl :)))))

    Reply
  • This is awesome- love the repeating red! Miss ya girl :)))))

    Reply
  • What brand white pen did you use for the tracing on painted letters? I have so many problems with finding a good JUICY white pen (wahh – whining a bit here) – I love nothing more than juicy pens and stamps! 🙂
    And – as always – I loveddd the layout! Now I don’t know about 2 items (gagging and coughing at the stress I would put myself under! LOL)
    But I am definitely going to scraplift the layout from today – think…me will convert it (thinking out loud) to a Christmas layout – YEAH .. thats the ticket – a Christmas layout!
    Thank God you youngins are so dern’ creative! (I am 50 … yep, whining again)
    When I get a creative block or my creative juices (whats up with all the “juice” references with me today?!?!) I can always turn to some of my favorite bloggers (or if the blogger is a girl, shouldn’t we call it bloggist?) – to grab a few ideas to get me started – ok … I am shutting up now and off I go –
    Thanks in advance for mention of juicy white pens!
    (there that word is again! grrrr)
    Happy Holidays to all!
    And to all a good write
    (hee hee a little play on words)
    Vicki

    Reply
  • What brand white pen did you use for the tracing on painted letters? I have so many problems with finding a good JUICY white pen (wahh – whining a bit here) – I love nothing more than juicy pens and stamps! 🙂
    And – as always – I loveddd the layout! Now I don’t know about 2 items (gagging and coughing at the stress I would put myself under! LOL)
    But I am definitely going to scraplift the layout from today – think…me will convert it (thinking out loud) to a Christmas layout – YEAH .. thats the ticket – a Christmas layout!
    Thank God you youngins are so dern’ creative! (I am 50 … yep, whining again)
    When I get a creative block or my creative juices (whats up with all the “juice” references with me today?!?!) I can always turn to some of my favorite bloggers (or if the blogger is a girl, shouldn’t we call it bloggist?) – to grab a few ideas to get me started – ok … I am shutting up now and off I go –
    Thanks in advance for mention of juicy white pens!
    (there that word is again! grrrr)
    Happy Holidays to all!
    And to all a good write
    (hee hee a little play on words)
    Vicki

    Reply
  • What brand white pen did you use for the tracing on painted letters? I have so many problems with finding a good JUICY white pen (wahh – whining a bit here) – I love nothing more than juicy pens and stamps! 🙂
    And – as always – I loveddd the layout! Now I don’t know about 2 items (gagging and coughing at the stress I would put myself under! LOL)
    But I am definitely going to scraplift the layout from today – think…me will convert it (thinking out loud) to a Christmas layout – YEAH .. thats the ticket – a Christmas layout!
    Thank God you youngins are so dern’ creative! (I am 50 … yep, whining again)
    When I get a creative block or my creative juices (whats up with all the “juice” references with me today?!?!) I can always turn to some of my favorite bloggers (or if the blogger is a girl, shouldn’t we call it bloggist?) – to grab a few ideas to get me started – ok … I am shutting up now and off I go –
    Thanks in advance for mention of juicy white pens!
    (there that word is again! grrrr)
    Happy Holidays to all!
    And to all a good write
    (hee hee a little play on words)
    Vicki

    Reply
  • What brand white pen did you use for the tracing on painted letters? I have so many problems with finding a good JUICY white pen (wahh – whining a bit here) – I love nothing more than juicy pens and stamps! 🙂
    And – as always – I loveddd the layout! Now I don’t know about 2 items (gagging and coughing at the stress I would put myself under! LOL)
    But I am definitely going to scraplift the layout from today – think…me will convert it (thinking out loud) to a Christmas layout – YEAH .. thats the ticket – a Christmas layout!
    Thank God you youngins are so dern’ creative! (I am 50 … yep, whining again)
    When I get a creative block or my creative juices (whats up with all the “juice” references with me today?!?!) I can always turn to some of my favorite bloggers (or if the blogger is a girl, shouldn’t we call it bloggist?) – to grab a few ideas to get me started – ok … I am shutting up now and off I go –
    Thanks in advance for mention of juicy white pens!
    (there that word is again! grrrr)
    Happy Holidays to all!
    And to all a good write
    (hee hee a little play on words)
    Vicki

    Reply
  • this layout is just perfect and wonderful!
    Your handwriting is always so perfect…
    And yes, I already did a LO with just paper, photo and transparency. I love that LO mostly because has a great moment behind it, but is not artistic as yours.
    Thank you for this beautiful inspiration!

    Reply
  • this layout is just perfect and wonderful!
    Your handwriting is always so perfect…
    And yes, I already did a LO with just paper, photo and transparency. I love that LO mostly because has a great moment behind it, but is not artistic as yours.
    Thank you for this beautiful inspiration!

    Reply
  • this layout is just perfect and wonderful!
    Your handwriting is always so perfect…
    And yes, I already did a LO with just paper, photo and transparency. I love that LO mostly because has a great moment behind it, but is not artistic as yours.
    Thank you for this beautiful inspiration!

    Reply
  • this layout is just perfect and wonderful!
    Your handwriting is always so perfect…
    And yes, I already did a LO with just paper, photo and transparency. I love that LO mostly because has a great moment behind it, but is not artistic as yours.
    Thank you for this beautiful inspiration!

    Reply
  • Like your comments Vicki!
    I really like when you outline with “my” favorite white pen. I can’t believe how many of them I go through (3 in the last 4 months).
    Most of my LO’s have at least 4 different elements on them.

    Reply
  • Like your comments Vicki!
    I really like when you outline with “my” favorite white pen. I can’t believe how many of them I go through (3 in the last 4 months).
    Most of my LO’s have at least 4 different elements on them.

    Reply
  • Like your comments Vicki!
    I really like when you outline with “my” favorite white pen. I can’t believe how many of them I go through (3 in the last 4 months).
    Most of my LO’s have at least 4 different elements on them.

    Reply
  • Like your comments Vicki!
    I really like when you outline with “my” favorite white pen. I can’t believe how many of them I go through (3 in the last 4 months).
    Most of my LO’s have at least 4 different elements on them.

    Reply
  • Thats such a cool LO! I really like that the color-combo is sort of masculine, but the red heart softens it up, with out making it too “cute”!
    I’ve saved your LO, so I can do a lift when I come across a picture that will match 🙂

    Reply
  • Thats such a cool LO! I really like that the color-combo is sort of masculine, but the red heart softens it up, with out making it too “cute”!
    I’ve saved your LO, so I can do a lift when I come across a picture that will match 🙂

    Reply
  • Thats such a cool LO! I really like that the color-combo is sort of masculine, but the red heart softens it up, with out making it too “cute”!
    I’ve saved your LO, so I can do a lift when I come across a picture that will match 🙂

    Reply
  • Thats such a cool LO! I really like that the color-combo is sort of masculine, but the red heart softens it up, with out making it too “cute”!
    I’ve saved your LO, so I can do a lift when I come across a picture that will match 🙂

    Reply
  • I could do it with patterned paper I think. But it would not be easy when I am surrounded by stuff I could use!

    Reply
  • I could do it with patterned paper I think. But it would not be easy when I am surrounded by stuff I could use!

    Reply
  • I could do it with patterned paper I think. But it would not be easy when I am surrounded by stuff I could use!

    Reply
  • I could do it with patterned paper I think. But it would not be easy when I am surrounded by stuff I could use!

    Reply
  • The detail in your work always amazes me! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  • The detail in your work always amazes me! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  • The detail in your work always amazes me! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  • The detail in your work always amazes me! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  • You did a fab job! I’m totally new fan of your creativity and attitude. I’m so glad I found you via PrimaLive…you are so darn inspiring.. and I love it! Thank you!!!

    Reply
  • You did a fab job! I’m totally new fan of your creativity and attitude. I’m so glad I found you via PrimaLive…you are so darn inspiring.. and I love it! Thank you!!!

    Reply
  • You did a fab job! I’m totally new fan of your creativity and attitude. I’m so glad I found you via PrimaLive…you are so darn inspiring.. and I love it! Thank you!!!

    Reply
  • You did a fab job! I’m totally new fan of your creativity and attitude. I’m so glad I found you via PrimaLive…you are so darn inspiring.. and I love it! Thank you!!!

    Reply
  • The layout is fantastic! I am taking your challenge and right now I am down to pattern paper and machine stitching, but really, this is HARD!!! I am not even finished the layout yet.

    Reply
  • The layout is fantastic! I am taking your challenge and right now I am down to pattern paper and machine stitching, but really, this is HARD!!! I am not even finished the layout yet.

    Reply
  • The layout is fantastic! I am taking your challenge and right now I am down to pattern paper and machine stitching, but really, this is HARD!!! I am not even finished the layout yet.

    Reply
  • The layout is fantastic! I am taking your challenge and right now I am down to pattern paper and machine stitching, but really, this is HARD!!! I am not even finished the layout yet.

    Reply
  • Great layout! I would also find it very difficult to limit myself to 1-2 products!
    Congratulations to the winner!

    Reply
  • Great layout! I would also find it very difficult to limit myself to 1-2 products!
    Congratulations to the winner!

    Reply
  • Great layout! I would also find it very difficult to limit myself to 1-2 products!
    Congratulations to the winner!

    Reply
  • Great layout! I would also find it very difficult to limit myself to 1-2 products!
    Congratulations to the winner!

    Reply
  • Gorgeous. And I’m thinking there is no way I could only use 1 or 2 products.

    Reply
  • Gorgeous. And I’m thinking there is no way I could only use 1 or 2 products.

    Reply
  • Gorgeous. And I’m thinking there is no way I could only use 1 or 2 products.

    Reply
  • Gorgeous. And I’m thinking there is no way I could only use 1 or 2 products.

    Reply
  • What a great challenge! It would be hard for me as well but you were totally up to the task. I love the simple colors and the stenciling. Isn’t it great to put all those embellishments away and just get inky and painty? 😉

    Reply
  • What a great challenge! It would be hard for me as well but you were totally up to the task. I love the simple colors and the stenciling. Isn’t it great to put all those embellishments away and just get inky and painty? 😉

    Reply
  • What a great challenge! It would be hard for me as well but you were totally up to the task. I love the simple colors and the stenciling. Isn’t it great to put all those embellishments away and just get inky and painty? 😉

    Reply
  • What a great challenge! It would be hard for me as well but you were totally up to the task. I love the simple colors and the stenciling. Isn’t it great to put all those embellishments away and just get inky and painty? 😉

    Reply
  • I am a minimal scrapper, but only using 1-2 products would be a challenge even to me. You did an awesome job!

    Reply
  • I am a minimal scrapper, but only using 1-2 products would be a challenge even to me. You did an awesome job!

    Reply
  • I am a minimal scrapper, but only using 1-2 products would be a challenge even to me. You did an awesome job!

    Reply
  • I am a minimal scrapper, but only using 1-2 products would be a challenge even to me. You did an awesome job!

    Reply
  • GORGEOUS. I’m starting to do some “scrapbooking” again, but in my art journal. I’m sort of not wanting to use product, just paint- I think I’m in a sort of “painty” frame of space at the moment since it feels SO good to get in there with my fingers and smoosh it all over. This is a great challenge to get me to incorporate more storytelling and photos into my journal, which is what I want to be doing.
    Love this!!

    Reply
  • GORGEOUS. I’m starting to do some “scrapbooking” again, but in my art journal. I’m sort of not wanting to use product, just paint- I think I’m in a sort of “painty” frame of space at the moment since it feels SO good to get in there with my fingers and smoosh it all over. This is a great challenge to get me to incorporate more storytelling and photos into my journal, which is what I want to be doing.
    Love this!!

    Reply
  • GORGEOUS. I’m starting to do some “scrapbooking” again, but in my art journal. I’m sort of not wanting to use product, just paint- I think I’m in a sort of “painty” frame of space at the moment since it feels SO good to get in there with my fingers and smoosh it all over. This is a great challenge to get me to incorporate more storytelling and photos into my journal, which is what I want to be doing.
    Love this!!

    Reply
  • GORGEOUS. I’m starting to do some “scrapbooking” again, but in my art journal. I’m sort of not wanting to use product, just paint- I think I’m in a sort of “painty” frame of space at the moment since it feels SO good to get in there with my fingers and smoosh it all over. This is a great challenge to get me to incorporate more storytelling and photos into my journal, which is what I want to be doing.
    Love this!!

    Reply
  • This layout is so beautiful. I love your artistic spin.

    Reply
  • This layout is so beautiful. I love your artistic spin.

    Reply
  • This layout is so beautiful. I love your artistic spin.

    Reply
  • This layout is so beautiful. I love your artistic spin.

    Reply

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