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The Art of Self-Care

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

Recent Posts

  • Abstract Holiday Cards Made with Paper Scraps from Simply Stated Design Golden Evergreen PapersUse Your Scraps to Make Stunning Holiday Cards
    In Projects, Techniques
  • Festive and Fabulous Gel Print Holiday CardsThe Best DIY Gel Print Holiday Cards
    In Art Classes, Techniques
  • How to get past a creative block- try this amazing mixed media art journal page!Struggling with Creative Block? Try this Easy Art Journal Page!
    In Art Journal, Artist's Journey
  • 3 Lessons I Learned from Daring Greatly
    Artist's Journey

    3 Lessons I Learned from Daring Greatly

    April 10, 2020 /

    My book review this month is 3 Lessons I Learned from Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. This is a fabulous book about having the courage to be vulnerable and how it can transform our lives. For anyone who wants to greatly improve their self-care and mental health, this book is a must read. I wanted to share with you the 3 lessons that I learned personally from Daring Greatly. I am Uncomfortable with Vulnerability My first lesson from this book was realizing that I am uncomfortable with vulnerability. Brene Brown writes about what she has learned as a shame and vulnerability researcher. She speaks about her interviews with her research…

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    Nadine Milton

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    Gelli Printing with Die Cuts

    Gelli Printing with Die Cuts

    February 26, 2021
    Goal Setting During COVID-19

    Goal Setting During COVID-19

    April 24, 2020
    Best Acrylic Paint Pens Paint Marker Comparison Hop-A-Long Studio

    The Best Acrylic Paint Pens: A Paint Marker Comparison

    July 9, 2021
  • Building Meaningful Connection During COVID-19
    Artist's Journey

    Building Meaningful Connection During COVID-19

    April 3, 2020 /

    Building meaningful connection during COVID-19 has been the question coming to my mind lately. We could say that now that we are in close quarters with our family and loved ones, it would be easy to build connection. In reality, that’s not always the case. As I have been talking with friends about COVID-19 I’m noticing that the pressure of our new normal is starting to affect people, including myself. In the midst of the pressure of working from home, keeping kids entertained and completing school online, finding a new normal has been challenging for many of us. For those of us that cannot work from home or aren’t working…

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    Nadine Milton

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    “How did I end up here?” Finding Awareness in our Everyday Lives

    “How did I end up here?” Finding Awareness in our Everyday Lives

    April 29, 2019
    Gelli Printing with Die Cuts

    Gelli Printing with Die Cuts

    February 26, 2021
    How to Use Gel Prints in Your Art Journal

    Feeling Stuck? How to Use Gel Prints in Your Art Journal Projects

    July 29, 2022
  • How to Use Distress Embossing Glazes
    Projects,  Techniques

    How to Use Distress Embossing Glazes

    April 1, 2020 /

    Today I wanted to share with you how to use Distress Embossing Glazes. The Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Glazes are a new product from Ranger for 2020. When I saw the original demo for this product, I had so many ideas on how I could use this in my own journaling and in my own projects. I have spent the last 2 weeks since I received the Distress Embossing Glazes in the mail testing them to understand how I could apply them. There is something very freeing in taking the time to test something new. It forces me not to put on any constraints on how I think these products…

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    Nadine Milton

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    An Easy Watercolor Tutorial on Watercolor Mixing

    Intimidated by Watercolor Mixing? An Easy Watercolor Tutorial

    February 18, 2022
    Coloring with Inks and Watercolor Crayons

    Coloring with Inks and Watercolor Crayons

    March 26, 2021
    Merry Christmas from Hop-A-Long Studio

    Merry Christmas from Hop-A-Long Studio

    December 25, 2020
  • How to Find Rest During COVID-19
    Artist's Journey

    How to Find Rest During COVID-19

    March 27, 2020 /

    As I have been connecting with friends online this week, it has made me think about how to find rest during COVID-19. It is easy to say that since many of us are not working now that we are having a period of rest. I do not believe that is necessarily the case. Being a driven person, I have found that finding actual restorative time and learning how to rest is easier said than done. Busy for the Sake of Busyness It is easy to fall into being busy for the sake of busyness. The habit of always doing something and going somewhere is not an easy one to break.…

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    Nadine Milton

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    Reviewing and testing the Best Zebra Pens

    Why You Need Zebra Pens in Your Art Collection

    May 17, 2024
    Amazing Ink Techniques for Your Art Journal Using Archival and Dye Inks

    Amazing Ink Techniques for Your Art Journal

    January 13, 2023
    Mixed media art journal page "Grow"

    Mixed Media Art Journal Project “Grow”

    January 22, 2021
  • How to Live Fearlessly During COVID-19
    Artist's Journey

    How to Live Fearlessly During COVID-19

    March 20, 2020 /

    As many of us are dealing with the recent pandemic it has made me consider how to live fearlessly during COVID-19. I believe that we do need be concerned about the coronavirus. We definitely need to take precautions, but how do we live fearlessly instead of letting fear and worry steal our joy? Fear Based Living It’s easy to fall into fear based living. There was a period in my life where it felt like fear was an all-consuming reality. I was fearful of so many things, including interacting with others. When we are living in fear it is easy to fall into victimhood. Instead of seeing the world as…

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    Nadine Milton

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    How to Find Rest During COVID-19

    How to Find Rest During COVID-19

    March 27, 2020
    Art Journal Textured Background Techniques with Acrylic Mediums

    Textured Background Techniques for the Art Journal

    March 11, 2022
    Building Meaningful Connection During COVID-19

    Building Meaningful Connection During COVID-19

    April 3, 2020
  • Inspiration over Manipulation Art Journal Project
    Art Journal

    Inspiration Over Manipulation Art Journal Project

    March 13, 2020 /

    The idea of inspiration over manipulation has been on my mind this week and I wanted to share this art journal project with you. The concept of inspiration over manipulation is something I learned from the book Start with Why by Simon Sinek which I did a book review on last week. I really like the concept of inspiration over manipulation. It’s about how we can make the choice to live our lives in a way that allows us to inspire others over manipulating others. I think it’s a great reminder to live authentically and in a way that shows respect for others and for their values and beliefs. The…

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    Nadine Milton

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    Watercolor Pigment Powders Brusho Crystal Colours, Lindy's Gang Magicals and Nuvo Shimmer Powders how to use on watercolor paper

    Watercolor Powders Demystified! You need to Try these!

    April 18, 2025
    Completed Art Journal Project What You Focus on Grows

    Altering Paper on a Journal Page

    January 29, 2021
    Holiday Collage Reflecting on the Season

    Texture Tips for Your Holiday Collage| Reflecting on the Season

    December 18, 2023
  • 4 lessons from start with why
    Artist's Journey

    4 Lessons from Start With Why

    March 6, 2020 /

    This week I wanted to share with you 4 lessons from “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek. This book is part of my 2020 reading challenge, where I have chosen 12 books to read in 2020. I believe an important aspect to self-care is learning and seeing things from a new perspective. This book in particular has been very helpful for understanding my why, not just for this website but in my personal life. Why I Chose “Start with Why” Start with Why was a book recommended to me several years ago by a friend. It was also part of the recommended reading from my husband’s company. I had also…

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    Nadine Milton

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    Art Journal Page Using Distress Embossing Glazes and Pastes

    Art Journal Page Using Distress Embossing Glazes

    June 12, 2020
    Best Acrylic Paint Pens Paint Marker Comparison Hop-A-Long Studio

    The Best Acrylic Paint Pens: A Paint Marker Comparison

    July 9, 2021
    How to tint acrylic pastes and gels

    From White to WOW: How to Tint Acrylic Pastes

    August 1, 2025
  • 3 Ways to use Tombow Markers
    Projects,  Techniques

    3 Ways To Use Tombow Markers

    February 28, 2020 /

    As I was thinking about which art technique I would like to share with you this week as part of my Creative Foundation Series, 3 ways to Tombow markers in an unconventional way came to mind.   What are Tombow Dual Brush Pens? If you are unfamiliar with Tombow Dual Brush pens, they are a great tool to use in art and papercrafts. They come in 108 colors and are useful for coloring, illustration, sketching and brush lettering. I often use them for these purposes, but also use them in some more unconventional ways. This week I will be sharing 3 ways that I use these markers in a more…

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    Nadine Milton

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    How to Get Comfortable with Your Watercolors an Easy Art Journal Project

    How to Get Comfortable with Your Watercolors

    February 10, 2023
    5 Napkin Hacks to Make Your Napkin Art Pop!

    5 Easy Hacks to Make Your Napkin Images POP!

    August 23, 2024
    How to Decoupage in an Art Journal

    How to Decoupage in an Art Journal

    May 14, 2021
  • Learning to Trust Ourselves
    Artist's Journey

    Learning to Trust Ourselves

    February 21, 2020 /

    The importance of trust, especially in learning to trust ourselves is a topic that has been coming to mind lately. Trust is not an easy thing to build and it can be damaged very quickly. So how do we learn how to trust others, and even more, how to trust ourselves? Building Trust Building trust sounds like an easy thing, but with trust really being part of our emotional being, how do we build trust that lasts? I’ve been reading “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek this month and I’ve been re-evaluating the way I look at trust. Building trust isn’t an easy thing, especially if you’ve had past trauma…

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    Nadine Milton

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    moving past creative blocks by sketching in the garden Nadine Milton

    Feeling Stuck? 5 Ways for Moving Past Creative Blocks

    August 20, 2021
    gel plate printing for beginners

    How to Start Gel Printing with Zero Experience

    May 3, 2025
    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
  • How to Paint Watercolor Backgrounds
    Projects,  Techniques

    How to Paint Watercolor Backgrounds

    February 14, 2020 /

    Have you ever wanted to paint watercolor backgrounds but didn’t know where to start? Do you feel intimidated about trying watercolor painting techniques? In this week’s Creative Foundations video I will be showing you how to effectively paint watercolor backgrounds. Watercolor as a Self-Care Activity Watercolor painting is an excellent self-care activity. It is a great foundational technique to use on cards and in journals. I often start cards and journal pages with a watercolor painting. Watercolor makes a great base layer. Not only is it quick and easy to do, the effect is very pleasing to the eye. Watercolor painting is very relaxing and meditative which helps foster self-care. The…

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    Nadine Milton

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    Mixed Media Fall Greeting Card Using Distress Crayons, Archival Ink and Wild Whisper Designs Paper and Stamps

    Mixed Media Fall Greeting Card

    October 8, 2021
    Lessons in the creative process Adventures in Book binding and learning new creative skills

    Lessons in the Creative Process: My Adventure with Book Binding

    November 26, 2021
    Gelli Print Feather Focal Image Technique

    Creating Beautiful Textures by Gelli Printing with Stencils

    April 15, 2022
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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.

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Tags

Acceptance (10) acrylic paint (16) Acrylic Painting (17) Applying Art Mediums (14) Applying Brusho Powders (10) Art Ideas (22) art journal (18) Art Journaling (61) Art Tutorials (156) Art Videos (163) Awareness (19) Blending Color (22) Card Making (16) Card Tutorials (11) Christmas (9) collage (18) Creative Foundations (24) Creativity (28) 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 (13) Mixed Media Art (16) napkins (9) Self-Care (47) Self-Care Activities (16) Self-Care Videos (33) Self-Discovery (14) Stamping (62) Stencilling (48) stencils (9) Tim Holtz Distress (23) Values (9) Watercolor (14) Watercolor Basics (13) Watercolor Painting (19) Wild Whisper Designs (21)

Recent Posts

  • Abstract Holiday Cards Made with Paper Scraps from Simply Stated Design Golden Evergreen PapersUse Your Scraps to Make Stunning Holiday Cards
    In Projects, Techniques
  • Festive and Fabulous Gel Print Holiday CardsThe Best DIY Gel Print Holiday Cards
    In Art Classes, Techniques
  • How to get past a creative block- try this amazing mixed media art journal page!Struggling with Creative Block? Try this Easy Art Journal Page!
    In Art Journal, Artist's Journey
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