Simplest Things Challenge (meh)

 I signed up for a 5 day art challenge, via Amy M (Mindful Art Studio), and each day we were given a prompt. We could do whatever we wanted but the goal was to keep it simple.

First off, I made my own handmade watercolor journal (but ruined a few pages as i didn't like how they turned out). However, I was thrilled with my creation of the journal itself!

I love that I thought of this closure as the journal is too thick to lay flat.

At first, I tried gluing on (and to cover up a weird spot, but it fell off (waaaa.), so I ended up sewing on. Need to find a better way to do this though.

Below are pics from each day. Not my best work, but it was still interesting.

Day 1, Closer

Final piece. See process /steps/explanation below.

The brush strokes themselves looked too plain to me, so I tried coming up with my own poem. However, this song started going through my head (which I've always loved -- the song that is, not having it go through my head! -- har, har) SO, I added the title within the strokes and the lyrics to the side.

I wasn't thrilled with my first attempt, so I added more layers. I'm tempted to add more pink within the lyrics, but for now, am leaving as is.

Day 2, Squiggle

Final piece. Got this idea after my 1st 2 attempts.

"There is magic in the falling leaves of autumn."

Book leaf

*I actually sent this to jessica for the Sept. PTEx:

 https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2025/09/book-leaves-to-jessica-sept-ptex.html

2nd idea. Was going to letter something along the lines of "trust your journey", but then got my other idea. (failed w/c piece)

My first attempt was actually playing with masking (white grease pencil, crayon and color pencil). Did not like, and when I tried fixing, I just feel like I made it worse. Ugh. Glad I came up with the leaf idea.

Day 3, Dot

Decided to do some good 'ole Pointilism for this prompt! (Still need to add lettering.)

Close ups of butterfly

*SO, I didn't really like the last 2 prompts (Branch and Smash) as I wasn't inspired by either. Plus, I struggled with the previous challenges, and I feel that those weren't the most awesome pieces I've ever done. SO I decided to skip.

However, if I by chance happened to come up with something, I will update!