Paint With Me | How to Paint Perfect Watercolour Trees in 3 Minutes
If you love painting trees just like me (hello! tree videos galore right here) then this one is for you.
All you need are some basics . . . a small palette of watercolours (or even a few fav. colours), a spray bottle (travel size is perfect), a paintbrush with a fine tip, and your favourite cardstock (it doesn't even have to be watercolour paper - I'm using heavy duty sketching paper here as it makes great swing tags).
In 3 minutes you will be loving your sweet little tree(s) and will be Christmas ready with your very own, handmade swing tags. Grab some festive cheer in a glass and let's do this!
If you love painting trees just like me (hello! tree videos galore right here) then this one is for you.
All you need are some basics . . . a small palette of watercolours (or even a few fav. colours), a spray bottle (travel size is perfect), a paintbrush with a fine tip, and your favourite cardstock (it doesn't even have to be watercolour paper - I'm using heavy duty sketching paper here as it makes great swing tags).
In 3 minutes you will be loving your sweet little tree and will be Christmas ready with your very own, handmade swing tags. Grab some festive cheer in a glass and let's do this!
Welcome to the Studio
I thought it was about time I introduced myself properly, dear Friends. My name is Kim Rowley and I am an Artist, Multidisciplinary Designer and Educator. I create most every day, and as you can see in this short video, my creative heart is reflected across a wide range of mediums and always in an organic manner. Although most of my work later becomes a tangible item that requires advanced digital skills, I love to begin with basic pencil sketches, ink and paint. More than anything, I believe that art is for everyone so you will always find budget friendly products here on my page.
Given that this is a new chapter for the Studio and me, I felt that I needed a new intro, and most definitely some new photos of me and what I do 📸 I’m still anxious in front of the camera (so please be kind) but I will be sharing more of me going forward as I celebrate all that I am, all that I create and those I hold dear ❤️
Paint With Me | Art Practice - Gift Card
"Without the rain, there would be no rainbow "
A little reminder today that it's ok to give yourself grace when you are struggling and to remember that today's rain will be tomorrow's rainbow!
In the meantime, pull up a chair Friend and let's create some art together. I am so happy you're here!
K xo
"Without the rain, there would be no rainbow "
A little reminder today that it's ok to give yourself grace when you are struggling and to remember that today's rain will be tomorrow's rainbow!
In the meantime, pull up a chair Friend and let's create some art together. I am so happy you're here!
K xo \
Plan With Me | 2024 Journal Set-Up
It's that time again my Friends. Time to embrace a New Year, a new adventure, a new you!
My theme this year will centre on self care, renewal, soul searching, spirituality and reconnection with mother earth. My pages will be brimming with quotes, lyrics, botanicals, sketches, watercolour, ink, pencil and inspiration wrung out of every moment, every second of my days. If your soul is in need of nurturing, pull up a chair and get comfortable. You've found your tribe.
Blessings, K xo
It's that time again my Friends. Time to embrace a New Year, a new adventure, a new you!
My theme this year will centre on self care, renewal, soul searching, spirituality and reconnection with mother earth. My pages will be brimming with quotes, lyrics, botanicals, sketches, watercolour, ink, pencil and inspiration wrung out of every moment, every second of my days. If your soul is in need of nurturing, pull up a chair and get comfortable. You've found your tribe.
Blessings, K xo
Plan With Me | November 2023 - Handmade Journal Pages
Celebrating November with a fresh, fun, holiday feel as we head into Summer here in Oz. The days are getting longer, the days hotter and Christmas is just around the corner. I love these days spent with my loves, BBQ'ing, laughing and swimming in the ocean.
I've created a fun Cactus Study & Shelfie this month as we play with a Mexican hacienda, vacay vibe. Who could ask for more? Grab your fav. supplies friends and let's get started xo
Celebrating November with a fresh, fun, holiday feel as we head into Summer here in Oz. The days are getting longer, the days hotter and Christmas is just around the corner. I love these days spent with my loves, BBQ'ing, laughing and swimming in the ocean.
I've created a fun Cactus Study & Shelfie this month as we play with a Mexican hacienda, vacay vibe. Who could ask for more? Grab your fav. supplies friends and let's get started xo
Plan With Me | October 2023 - Handmade Journal Pages
"When life gives you pumpkins, make pie !"
This month is all about the Pumpkins - big or small, vibrantly orange or in soft shades of ochre and sage. Whether you are a huge fan of Halloween or more focused on Autumn, Thanks Giving or Fall, you are sure to love the pages for October.
"When life gives you pumpkins, make pie !"
This month is all about the Pumpkins - big or small, vibrantly orange or in soft shades of ochre and sage. Whether you are a huge fan of Halloween or more focused on Autumn, Thanks Giving or Fall, you are sure to love the pages for October.
Paint With Me | Loose White Flowers - Watercolour Gift Cards
Playing with blooms, watercolor and gift cards today . . . the perfect recipe for happiness no matter what time of year it is. Loose flowers are the perfect jumping off point for all skill levels (get as real or as abstract as you like) and we will be talking, sketching style, colour mixing and organic shapes too.
Grab a chair Friends and join me for a moment as we focus on practice not perfection xo
Playing with blooms, watercolour and gift cards today . . . the perfect recipe for happiness no matter what time of year it is. Loose flowers are the perfect jumping off point for all skill levels (get as real or as abstract as you like) and we will be talking, sketching style, colour mixing and organic shapes too.
Grab a chair Friends and join me for a moment as we focus on practice not perfection xo
How to Create Your Own Notepads
As an Artist + Designer who is always sketching or jotting down ideas, I always feel more inspired when I begin my musings on pretty stationery. Obviously I’m not alone in my love affair with stationery, however if you are hoping to support local small businesses with a strong sustainable message, then options for your stationery can become rather hard to find and super expensive too.
This is how I began my notepad journey and I’m looking forward to sharing all my tips and tricks with you!
As an Artist + Designer who is always sketching or jotting down ideas, I always feel more inspired when I begin my musings on pretty stationery. Obviously I’m not alone in my love affair with stationery . . . ahem . . . introducing Kikki K, Typo, Daiso, to name but a few. If you are hoping to support local small businesses with a strong sustainable message, then options for your stationery can become rather hard to find and super expensive too. Here’s where you come in. Are you a doodler, a painter, a creative type? Do you make your own paper? Would you like to make a notepad or book with quality artists paper to enjoy a little plein-air (outdoor) painting? Or would you like to get the kids to help you make a special notepad for someone they love? Then you are in the right place my friend because this is exactly how I began my notepad journey and I’m looking forward to sharing all my tips and tricks with you!
First of all, just choose the paper, card-stock or artwork that you would like to use in your notepads. You won’t need expensive binding machines but you will need Padding Compound - the ‘magic’ glue and must have ingredient when binding books and notepads. This is the important ingredient that turns a simple stack of paper into a solid pad from which it is possible to tear out just one page at a time without destroying your whole book. And, before you ask . . . NO! standard PVA glue just won't do.
The 'How to' is actually so very simple . . .
Take your stack of loose pages that have been neatly trimmed to ensure they are all the same size. They can be coloured, white, lined, thick, thin or blank - whatever your heart desires
Tap the edges firmly on a table or counter top to ensure pages line up evenly - especially at the top edge where you will be applying the Padding Compound
Grab a handful of bull dog clips to hold your pages tightly together at the top where you will be applying the glue (most people will have them on hand at home, however they can be purchased very cheaply from any newsagent, stationery store, even your local supermarket. Mum and Dad may even have lots on hand at work that you could use and return once you are finished with them. Just make sure it is ok with the boss first).
TIP: Add a thick piece of cardboard to the top and bottom of your stack (sandwiching your paper between). This will give your pages more substance - keeping everything secure and protected until the compound has dried. The cardboard will be removed once everything is dry at the end so don’t worry if it is recycled packaging you had on hand as it will be discarded at the end. Plus you can give yourself a little extra pat on the back for being kind to the Earth by doing something useful with excess packaging before it heads off to become landfill. In fact, I don’t throw my cardboard pieces away at all. I pop them in a craft drawer to use again next time.
TRICK: If you don’t have any bull dog clips, carefully stack your pages and then place several heavy books on top of your notepads to compress the pages as much as possible ready for gluing. The books will need to stay in place until the Padding Compound has completely dried.Take a small brush and your pot of Padding Compound and apply the glue in a light, even layer to the top edge or spine of your notepad | book - you will repeat this step several times to build up a nice even layer so don’t worry about being too heavy handed at first. The compound will be touch dry in around an hour, depending on the weather, and ready for a 2nd and 3rd coat. I then like to leave my notepads to sit overnight to dry. An expensive brush is not required so please don't go to the expense. Any small brush will do - something you can work with easily. I recommend you wash the brush well with warm, soapy water when you are finished - the compound is non-toxic but it is strong so the bristles will be hard as rock if you don’t ;)
TIP: This is a terrific craft project to do with children as the glue is water based for an easy clean up AND can also be tinted with a drop or 2 of food colouring (did someone say rainbow?). Do take care to add only a drop or two of colouring to a pot of Padding Compound to ensure it doesn’t compromise the product. The pot too is refillable. Simply bring it back for a discount on your top up or repurpose in your craft room to hold beads, glitter etc.If creating with children, the next step will need to be done by a responsible adult. Take a sharp blade - I use a craft knife with a curved blade. Once again, a specialised knife really isn't needed. Most people would have a flat edged kitchen knife that would do the job equally as well. Remove the heavy book weights or bulldog clips from the notepads and set aside. If you have used cardboard to stabilise the pages, place the stack back down on a hard surface and carefully slide the knife between the cardboard | packaging and the first page of your book. Taking care to cut away from you, slice the notepads apart. Tear the top page off (it may already be loose) and voila! Gorgeous, bespoke notepads made in your home and to your own specifications.
TIP: Leave a chick piece of cardboard on the back of your notepad. Not only will it protect the last page, but it will create a solid surface on which to write.
I hope you have enjoyed this easy ‘How to’ Tutorial. The Notepads shown in the photos are my own and are available to purchase in store if you are interested. Having struggled to find pretty stationery with a sustainable, small business focus, I began to research how to create my own and this tutorial was born. For more projects like this one, connect with me on Instagram or subscribe to my YouTube Channel. I look forward to seeing you there!
Growth Planner - Notepads
Plan With Me | July 2023 - Handmade Journal Pages & BONUS Printable
Handmade journal pages that are guaranteed to make you smile. Let's talk self care, good mental health and kindness as we plan our July journal together.
Inspired by the whimsical quote from Beau Taplin . . .
"Rise and shine.
I've always held such fondness for that sweet old phrase.
As thought we are all little suns.
As though we are all someone's day"
We all have the ability to be bring a little sunshine into someone's day. I hope that I have brightened yours and if so, won't you please pass it on xo
Handmade journal pages that are guaranteed to make you smile. Let's talk self care, good mental health and kindness as we plan our July journal together.
Inspired by the whimsical quote from Beau Taplin . . .
"Rise and shine.
I've always held such fondness for that sweet old phrase.
As thought we are all little suns.
As though we are all someone's day"
We all have the ability to be bring a little sunshine into someone's day. I hope that I have brightened yours and if so, won't you please pass it on xo
Plan With Me | June 2023 - Handmade Journal Pages & BONUS Printable
Celebrating June with a sophisticated, achromatic set-up inspired by the Zen-Tangle art movement. We will be slowing down this month as we explore this maximal, textured art style in a simple palette of black and white.
We are delighted to introduce the first of our BONUS Printable's. Say hello to this darling Mini Landscape for you to download and print at home xo
Celebrating June with a sophisticated, achromatic set-up inspired by the Zen-Tangle art movement. We will be slowing down this month as we explore this maximal, textured art style in a simple palette of black and white.
We are delighted to introduce the first of our BONUS Printable's. Say hello to this darling Mini Landscape for you to download and print at home xo
Paint With Me | Dreamer - Watercolour Gift Card
Come with me as we create a dreamy watercolour gift card in all shades of grey and gold. Perfect for the budget conscious artist and creative heart, this sweet design is sure to remind you of someone you love.
Our watercolour gift card series is shaping up to be something special with so many of the major holidays already covered.
✓ Christmas
✓ Easter
✓ Valentine's Day
✓ Everyday!
What would you like to see next? The addition of a sweet dog or cat? I think a bird would be adorable and maybe we need a couple and a family too? Tell me what you think.
Come with me as we create a dreamy watercolour gift card in all shades of grey and gold. Perfect for the budget conscious artist and creative heart, this sweet design is sure to remind you of someone you love.
Our watercolour gift card series is shaping up to be something special with so many of the major holidays already covered.
✓ Christmas
✓ Easter
✓ Valentine's Day
✓ Everyday!
What would you like to see next? The addition of a sweet dog or cat? I think a bird would be adorable and maybe we need a couple and a family too? Tell me what you think.
Create With Me | Easy Air Dry Clay Tags
Does your kitchen storage need levelling up? How about your gifting game? Then come with me as we create budget conscious, super easy, air dry clay tags in minutes.
Rustic and full of character, I swear you will be making these sweet tags for every one and every room in your house!
Paint With Me | Mr McGregor’s Garden - Watercolour
This one has all the whimsical, Beatrix Potter vibes as Peter Rabbit & Benjamin Bunny sneak into Mr McGregor's Garden for a little, Easter holiday frolic.
This sweet watercolour would make a lovely addition to a nursery or mud room, or even as a gift card for the ones you love. Come sit down as we paint this together and do tell me if you would like to see a Worksheet or Art Print in Store to help you on your creative or decorating journey.
As ever my Friends, I'm delighted to have you here!
This one has all the whimsical, Beatrix Potter vibes as Peter Rabbit & Benjamin Bunny sneak into Mr McGregor's Garden for a little, Easter holiday frolic.
This sweet watercolour would make a lovely addition to a nursery or mud room or even as a gift card for the ones you love. Come sit down as we paint this together and do tell me if you would like to see a Worksheet or Art Print in Store to help you on your creative or decorating journey.
As ever my Friends, I'm delighted to have you here!
Sketch With Me | Pen & Ink Anemones | Wildflowers
Did you know that the Anemone belongs to the same family as the buttercup and is commonly known as a Wildflower?
This sweet video was recorded as I sketched a selection of my favourite blooms for the Botanical Gifting Range - now available for purchase on my website and with several lovely stockists.
Plan With Me | January 2023
Celebrating Valentine's and a little bunny love this month. Whether you are all about the day of love, self love or celebrating how much you adore your love all year long, this one's for you.
Pull up a chair friends and let's get started!
Paint With Me | Watercolour Floral Gift Cards
Anytime is the right time for giving. Say 'Thank you' to Mum, 'I love you' to your someone special, or 'Thinking of you' to a dear friend. And what better way than to say it with a card you made yourself.
Pull up a chair my Friends as we sit down and sketch, paint and create 3 unique and beautiful cards together xo
Create With Me | Handmade Journal
Are you a conscious consumer? A lover of the unique? On a budget? Is reduce, reuse, repurpose in your blood? Then come sit down with me as we create a journal just for you!
I promise you that not only are we budget conscious here on the Channel, but we love a heaping helping of pretty and purposeful too.
Paint With Me | Christmas Cards - Watercolour
'Tis' the season' my Friends as we gather our loves close and send our love to those that are far and wide. Even in this world of endless technology, I love the tradition of creating and sending cards. If you too are a sentimental heart, light a candle for your lost loves and pull up a chair as we paint and create 3 festive cards together.
Paint With Me | O Christmas Tree - Watercolour
'It's the most wonderful time of the year' my Friends so let's take a moment to revel in this season of giving and get creative together. This sweet watercolour is just perfect for a Christmas card or, like me, the cover of your December BuJo.
With December less than a week away, It's time to press play on your favourite Christmas movie, grab a delicious beverage and sit down with me as we celebrate the season!
Plan With Me | November 2022
Focusing on the month of November with a 'Grateful Heart'. Whether you celebrate Thanks Giving or choose to count your blessings everyday as I do, this months BuJo set-up is just for you xo
Time to gather your watercolours and friends as we sit down for the next half hour to celebrate November together.
Focusing on the month of November with a 'Grateful Heart'. Whether you celebrate Thanks Giving or choose to count your blessings everyday as I do, this months BuJo set-up is just for you xo
Time to gather your watercolours and friends as we sit down for the next half hour to celebrate November together.