Hop-A-Long Studio

The Art of Self-Care

  • HOME
  • CLASSES
  • COMMUNITY
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • CLASSES
  • COMMUNITY
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • CLASSES
  • COMMUNITY
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT

Recent Posts

  • 3 Ways to Make Your Mixed Media Pages POP!3 Techniques to Make Your Mixed Media Pages POP!
    In Art Journal, Techniques
  • How to Make Collage Papers for FreeMake Gorgeous Collage Papers for Free
    In Techniques
  • How to Choose an Art Journal You’ll Love
    In Art Journal
  • Deco Foil Christmas Cards Merry and Bright
    Projects

    Deco Foil Christmas Card “Merry and Bright”

    December 3, 2021 /

    One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is making beautiful Christmas cards. The technique that I am sharing today is how to make a Deco Foil Christmas card that uses patterned paper, Deco Foil transfer sheets and the Deco Foil adhesive pen. Mastering Deco Foil I love Deco Foil. This is a fun medium that you can get beautiful results with. But I find so many of the videos and projects I see only show the perfect results. Deco Foil is fairly easy to use, but there are times when I don’t always get a perfect foil transfer. Mastering Deco Foil takes practice and a bit of patience.…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    The Ultimate Guide to Coloring Acetate

    The Ultimate Guide for Coloring Acetate

    July 7, 2023
    Wet on Wet Watercolor Technique

    Wet on Wet Watercolor Technique

    July 31, 2020
    Preparing for a Pandemic Christmas

    Preparing for a Pandemic Christmas

    December 11, 2020
  • Lessons in the creative process Adventures in Book binding and learning new creative skills
    Artist's Journey

    Lessons in the Creative Process: My Adventure with Book Binding

    November 26, 2021 /

    Do you ever want to learn a new art skill or technique but don’t know where to start? I had that experience this last weekend. I wanted to learn how to rebind a used book and add new paper and I wasn’t sure how to go about it. Today I will be sharing with you lessons in the creative process and some of the things I learned through my adventures in book binding. I’ve been dabbling with book binding on and off over the last couple years. Once or twice a year I’ll play around with book binding but with very mixed success. The books I have made up to…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Objects that Encourage Your Self-Care Practice

    The Mindful Magic of Fountain Pens

    September 4, 2020
    3 Ways to use Tombow Markers

    3 Ways To Use Tombow Markers

    February 28, 2020
    Amazing Ink Techniques for Your Art Journal Using Archival and Dye Inks

    Amazing Ink Techniques for Your Art Journal

    January 13, 2023
  • Mixed Media Shaker Card Using Distress Glazes, Brusho Crystal Colours and Wild Whisper Designs Paper and sequins
    Projects,  Techniques

    How to Create a Mixed Media Shaker Card

    November 19, 2021 /

    With Christmas just around the corner I wanted to show you how to create an easy mixed media shaker card. I love making cards around Christmastime. It is one of my favorite Christmas traditions! The process of coming up with unique designs, writing messages to my friends and family and sending them through the mail brings me great joy. I remember as a child my parents getting dozens and dozens of Christmas cards with family updates and kind messages inside. The practice of giving and receiving cards is not as popular as it used to be. But I believe it makes giving or receiving a handmade card so much more…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    3 Ways to use Tombow Markers

    3 Ways To Use Tombow Markers

    February 28, 2020
    Watercolor Landscape Paint Along with Gouache

    Watercolor Landscape Paint Along

    June 11, 2021
    Finding A New Normal

    Finding a New Normal

    May 29, 2020
  • Must have mixed media supplies for the art journal including art journal, acrylic paint, gesso, matte and gel mediums, watercolor paint, acrylic and watercolor brushes, paint pens, pigment pens, stamps and stencils
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    Must Have Mixed Media Supplies for the Art Journal

    November 12, 2021 /

    With Christmas just around the corner, I wanted to share with you the must have mixed media supplies for the art journal. Depending on what and how you like to create, your essential mixed media art supplies may be different. Here are my recommendations for mixed media supplies for the art journal. Hop-A-Long Studio is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Mixed Media Art Journal There are a variety of different journals that I use in my creative practice. When choosing a journal, I look for a journal with smooth paper that can take wet…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Creative Stamping with Watercolor Markers

    Creative Stamping with Watercolor Markers

    February 11, 2022
    Art Journal Page Tutorial with Tim Holtz Distress Glazes

    Art Journal Page Tutorial with Tim Holtz Distress Glazes

    June 26, 2020
    How to create unique color combinations in the art journal using a color wheel

    How to use a Color Wheel to Create Unique Art Journal Color Combinations

    May 5, 2023
  • Art Tags with Black Paper Backgrounds created with stencils, stamps, inks and paint pen
    Projects,  Techniques

    How to Use Black Paper Backgrounds with Inks and Pens

    November 5, 2021 /

    Have you ever used black paper backgrounds in your journal or creative projects? Adding color to black paper by drawing and stamping is easy, but there are a few things to consider when applying color. Not all mediums are suitable for using on black paper, so today I will share some of my favorite mediums and techniques with you. Hop-A-Long Studio is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Inks for Black Paper When using inks on black paper backgrounds, you need to consider the properties of your ink. The main consideration is whether your ink…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Mixed media art journal page "Grow"

    Mixed Media Art Journal Project “Grow”

    January 22, 2021
    Easy Art Journal Project Using Wild Whisper Designs Until We Eat Again Collection

    Easy Art Journal Project: Jumping into Art Journaling

    July 16, 2021
    12 books to read in 2020

    12 Books to Read in 2020

    January 7, 2020
  • Which Pen To Choose? The Search for the Best Permanent Pen
    Techniques

    The Search for the Best Permanent Pen

    October 29, 2021 /

    Have you discovered the best permanent pen for your creative practice? If you haven’t, then you are not alone. It can be overwhelming. There are so many choices for permanent pens! When choosing the best permanent pen for you, it is a very personal decision. Today I will be sharing some of my favorites and what I consider when purchasing a pen. Permanent or Water-Soluble? For today, I will be focusing on permanent pens and will leave water-soluble pens out of the discussion. What you look for in a permanent pen versus a water-soluble pen is vastly different. If you would be interested in my thoughts on water-soluble pens, let…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Choosing the best collage glue for your art practice

    Looking for the Best Collage Glue? START HERE!

    July 25, 2025
    Coping with Anxiety during the Holidays

    Coping with Anxiety during the Holidays

    December 17, 2019
    Saying Goodbye to Ego Art Journaling Page

    Why I Killed my Ego

    November 28, 2019
  • Doodling with Stencils with Tim Holtz Distress Inks and Posca Paint Pens
    Projects,  Techniques

    Doodling with Stencils: Using Stencils to Improve your Drawing Skills

    October 22, 2021 /

    Have you ever mixed doodling with stencils into your art journal or creative projects? Stencils can be very helpful when practicing improving drawing skills. Starting with a defined shape can be helpful and inspire creativity. Why Use Stencils? Why use stencils to improve your drawing skills? Stencils have defined shapes that can be traced onto a project. From there you can add your own drawing and doodling to add texture and dimension to an image. It’s an easy place to discover your own style and creativity. When we start learning to draw, many of us end up staring at a blank piece of paper. That’s a hard place to be.…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    altered photo techniques for your art journal

    Mixed Media Magic: Altered Photo Techniques for Your Art Journal

    October 27, 2023
    gel plate printing with leaves and grasses

    Unique & Easy Gel Printing with Leaves and Grasses

    September 19, 2025
    How to Choose Your Priorities

    How to Choose Your Priorities

    August 21, 2020
  • Detail of Leaf Rubbings Art Journal Page using Caran d'Ache Neocolor 1 Wax Pastels and Tombow Fudenosuke Pen
    Techniques

    Using Leaf Rubbings and Ink for Drawing Practice

    October 15, 2021 /

    Do you ever feel like learning to draw is a struggle? Using leaf rubbings and ink for drawing practice can be a fun way to gain confidence with your drawing skills. Finding Inspiration from Nature I have found so much inspiration from nature this fall. My walks in the city have been full of beautiful colors as the leave change as it gets colder. I started the habit of collecting interesting leaves on my walks and was able to even find leaves from trees that are less common in our area, like oaks and maples. Enjoying these beautiful leaves and being inspired by Inktober, I wanted to focus on the…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Art of Self-Discovery Art Journaling Page

    The Art of Self-Discovery: An Art Journaling Project

    May 27, 2019
    Reviewing and testing the Best Zebra Pens

    Why You Need Zebra Pens in Your Art Collection

    May 17, 2024
    Embracing Self-Worth and Values, Hand Holding Compass

    Embracing Self-Worth: Connecting Values and Identity

    August 9, 2019
  • Mixed Media Fall Greeting Card Using Distress Crayons, Archival Ink and Wild Whisper Designs Paper and Stamps
    Projects

    Mixed Media Fall Greeting Card

    October 8, 2021 /

    As fall is upon us, I am having so much fun playing with mixed media fall greeting cards. The fall colors are incredible! Beautiful leaves, textures and colors as the trees turn and the weather gets colder. It was the perfect inspiration for this mixed media fall greeting card! Card Inspiration The inspiration for this greeting card is not only the beautiful trees and gorgeous fall weather. This weekend is Thanksgiving in Canada and I love making fall greeting cards during this season. Thanksgiving is a great time to remember the things I am grateful for. I try to have a habit of gratitude throughout the year, but Thanksgiving is…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Art Journal Page Using Distress Embossing Glazes and Pastes

    Art Journal Page Using Distress Embossing Glazes

    June 12, 2020
    How to Start a Self-Care Habit

    How to Start a Self-Care Habit

    January 28, 2020
    Saying Goodbye to Ego Art Journaling Page

    Why I Killed my Ego

    November 28, 2019
  • How to Use Deco Foil with Deco Foil Transfer Pen, Deco Foil Adhesive Pen and Laser Prints
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    Deco Foil all the Things! How to Use Deco Foil

    October 1, 2021 /

    Have you ever tried using Deco Foil or any other type of foil in your projects? Understanding a few fundamentals of how to use Deco Foil can help you get better results. Today we will focus on how to use Deco Foil with Transfer Gel Duo, the Deco Foil Adhesive Pen and with laser prints in this post. To transfer the foil to your project, we will talk about how to use a laminator, iron and dry transfer to get consistent results. Hop-A-Long Studio is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. What is Deco Foil?…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Deco Foil Christmas Cards Merry and Bright

    Deco Foil Christmas Card “Merry and Bright”

    December 3, 2021
    How to Use Watercolors with Stencils

    How to use Watercolors with Stencils

    August 26, 2022
    The Ultimate Guide to Coloring Acetate

    The Ultimate Guide for Coloring Acetate

    July 7, 2023
1112131415

Nadine Milton

Visual Storyteller & Mixed Media Artist

Welcome to Hop-A-Long Studio! I would love for you to join me in the journey of self-care through artistic expression.

Categories

  • Art Classes
  • Art Journal
  • Artist's Journey
  • Projects
  • Techniques

Tags

Acceptance (10) acrylic paint (16) Acrylic Painting (17) Applying Art Mediums (14) Applying Brusho Powders (10) Art Ideas (22) art journal (20) Art Journaling (62) Art Tutorials (156) Art Videos (163) Awareness (19) Blending Color (22) Card Making (16) Card Tutorials (11) Christmas (9) collage (20) Creative Foundations (24) Creativity (29) Drawing (12) Embossing (11) Gelli Plate (10) Gelli Printing (21) Goal Setting (9) Ink Blending (13) Inking (42) Inks (11) Making Good Choices (12) Mental Health (32) Mindfulness (24) Mixed Media (15) Mixed Media Art (16) napkins (9) Pan Pastels (9) Self-Care (47) Self-Care Activities (16) Self-Care Videos (33) Self-Discovery (14) Stamping (62) Stencilling (48) Tim Holtz Distress (23) Values (9) Watercolor (14) Watercolor Basics (13) Watercolor Painting (19) Wild Whisper Designs (21)

Recent Posts

  • 3 Ways to Make Your Mixed Media Pages POP!3 Techniques to Make Your Mixed Media Pages POP!
    In Art Journal, Techniques
  • How to Make Collage Papers for FreeMake Gorgeous Collage Papers for Free
    In Techniques
  • How to Choose an Art Journal You’ll Love
    In Art Journal
[mailerlite_form form_id=0]
© 2019- 2026. Hop-A-Long Studio Limited. All Rights Reserved.
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.