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 mixed-media artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops, her online classroom www.balzerdesigns.com, and through monthly membership at www.MyArtPractice.com.

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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