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The Art of Self-Care

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  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
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  • CLASSES
  • COMMUNITY
  • SHOP
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  • 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
  • 3 Ways to Make Your Mixed Media Pages POP!
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    3 Techniques to Make Your Mixed Media Pages POP!

    May 1, 2026 /

    Do you ever feel like some of your mixed media pages look a bit blah? Or maybe you’re part of the way through your art journal page and you don’t know how to finish it off. This is a common problem when working with art journaling and mixed media.   Today I’m taking 3 of my own unfinished and underwhelming pages and we’ll transform them together. Along the way, I’ll show you exactly what’s going wrong and how to fix it. 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. The Unfinished Mixed Media Page…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

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    Detail of Leaf Rubbings Art Journal Page using Caran d'Ache Neocolor 1 Wax Pastels and Tombow Fudenosuke Pen

    Using Leaf Rubbings and Ink for Drawing Practice

    October 15, 2021
    How to Make Collage Papers for Free

    Make Gorgeous Collage Papers for Free

    April 24, 2026
    Art Journal Project: The Courage to Be Seen

    Having the Courage to be Seen

    September 12, 2020
  • Art Journal

    How to Choose an Art Journal You’ll Love

    February 27, 2026 /

    Are you curious about art journaling but don’t know how to choose the best art journal for you? Today we’re diving into what to look for in an art journal, and how to figure out which book will work best for your personal art style. Plus I’ll share my favorite art journals that I use on a regular basis. 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 to Consider When Choosing an Art Journal Perhaps you’re new to art journaling or maybe you’ve just finished completing your current art journal. This is an…

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    Nadine Milton

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    3 Lessons I Learned from Daring Greatly

    3 Lessons I Learned from Daring Greatly

    April 10, 2020
    How to Create a Colorful Mandala Using the Color Wheel

    How to Create a Colorful Mandala Using the Color Wheel

    May 12, 2023
    5 Acrylic Background Techniques for the Art Journal

    Intimidated by the Blank Page? 5 Acrylic Background Techniques for the Art Journal

    June 10, 2022
  • How to use Pan Pastels in an Art Journal Page to display your yearly intention
    Art Journal,  Projects,  Techniques

    Show Your New Years Intention with Pan Pastels

    January 1, 2026 /

    Are you looking to start a creative habit this year? I love January as it’s a time to explore some of the materials in my art room that I haven’t used in a while and play with some new ideas. Today I’m pulling out my Pan Pastels to show you some fun and easy techniques that anyone can do! 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 are Pan Pastels? I’ve shared about Pan Pastels before, but if you’re not familiar with these cute little pans, they are pastel pigment in a round…

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    Nadine Milton

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    Mixed Media Collage Using Paper, Acetate and Fabric Tape

    Mixed Media Collage Techniques You Need to Try!

    March 21, 2025
    How to Use a Dip Pen

    How to Use a Dip Pen

    October 23, 2020
    How to Find Rest During COVID-19

    How to Find Rest During COVID-19

    March 27, 2020
  • How to get past a creative block- try this amazing mixed media art journal page!
    Art Journal,  Artist's Journey

    Struggling with Creative Block? Try this Easy Art Journal Page!

    October 18, 2025 /

    Do you ever have moments where you’re struggling with a creative block? If it’s been a while since you’ve had time or energy for creativity, you are not alone. It’s easy to fall into these blocks and can be incredibly difficult to get past them. 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. Recently, I’ve had several family members diagnosed with critical illness, and it’s been a challenging time emotionally. It’s hard to feel excited and passionate about art when loved ones are dealing with illness and really challenging times. What do we do…

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    Nadine Milton

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    Preparing for a Pandemic Christmas

    Preparing for a Pandemic Christmas

    December 11, 2020
    How to use Resist Techniques with Alcohol Inks

    How to use Resist Techniques with Alcohol Inks

    May 20, 2022

    How to Choose an Art Journal You’ll Love

    February 27, 2026
  • My first mixed media page in the Dina Wakley Ledger Journal
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    My First Impressions of the Dina Wakley Ledger Journal

    March 14, 2025 /

    I recently discovered my new favorite journal, the Dina Wakley Ledger journal!  Join me as I share my first impressions and test this unique art journal using my favorite techniques. In the fall of last year, I had the opportunity to take a few classes in person with the lovely Dina Wakley. She was excited about her new art journal that would be coming out but couldn’t tell us anything about it. I’ve been waiting for months for this journal to come out. I was not disappointed! 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…

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    Nadine Milton

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    Mixed Media Found Object Art Panel

    Mixed Media Found Object Art Panel

    May 28, 2021
    Struggling with Contrast when Gelli Printing? Here’s How to Fix It

    Struggling with Contrast when Gelli Printing? Here’s How to Fix It

    December 8, 2023
    How to Collage with Tissue Paper and Acetate in the art journal

    How to Collage with Tissue Paper and Acetate

    June 16, 2023
  • Intuitive Collage Mixed Media Project featuring image from Simply Stated Design
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    New to Intuitive Collage? Start Here!

    December 2, 2024 /

    Are you looking for new ways to mix up your art journal practice? Intuitive collage is one of my favorite ways to create with paper in my projects. Let’s explore some easy and fun techniques to use paper in unique ways.   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 Can We Use for Intuitive Collage? We sometimes get stuck by creating too many rules of what we can and cannot use in our collage projects. Here’s a few of my favorite things that I reach for when I start working on my…

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    Nadine Milton

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    Deco Foil Christmas Cards Merry and Bright

    Deco Foil Christmas Card “Merry and Bright”

    December 3, 2021
    Fold Up Book Instax Mini Album Using Wild Whisper Designs paper and Local King Rubber Stamps

    One Page Fold Up Book: Instax Mini Album

    July 2, 2021
    Amazing Ink Techniques for Your Art Journal Using Archival and Dye Inks

    Amazing Ink Techniques for Your Art Journal

    January 13, 2023
  • 5 Napkin Hacks to Make Your Napkin Art Pop!
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    5 Easy Hacks to Make Your Napkin Images POP!

    August 23, 2024 /

    Are you looking for ways to elevate your napkin images? Maybe you have beautiful napkin image on white. It looks pretty but could use more contrast or colors. Let’s talk about ways you can make these napkin images look even more amazing!  When I started creating this project, things were going so well, but then they unexpectedly went sideways! I’ve been working with napkins for years, but there’s always something new to learn. So we’re not only going to talk about techniques, but what to do when you make a mistake or feel like your mixed media project is careening out of control! Hop-A-Long Studio is reader-supported. When you buy…

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    Nadine Milton

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    3 Ways to Make Your Mixed Media Pages POP!

    3 Techniques to Make Your Mixed Media Pages POP!

    May 1, 2026
    Art Journaling with Acrylic Paint and Stencils

    Art Journaling with Acrylic Paint and Stencils

    May 21, 2021
    Napkin Decoupage on Any Surface: Decorating a plastic pumpkin with napkins and pouring medium

    The Art of Napkin Decoupage: How to Easily Transform Any Surface

    October 20, 2023
  • Holiday Collage Reflecting on the Season
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    Texture Tips for Your Holiday Collage| Reflecting on the Season

    December 18, 2023 /

    Are you looking for ways to add texture to your holiday collage projects? There are so many ways to alter and add texture that will give your project that “wow” factor. Today I’m sharing some alteration and texture techniques for you to try on your holiday collage projects. This is a great project to try during the holiday season. Perhaps you are busy preparing for Christmas or are busy with family, friends, and other commitments. This is a great opportunity to slow down, find intention during the Christmas season and have a time of creative self-expression. Join me as we create a seasonal collage project and talk about capturing our…

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    Nadine Milton

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    How Grid Drawing Can Improve Composition

    How Grid Drawing Can Improve Composition

    October 30, 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 Paint a Tree in 3 Easy Steps!

    June 12, 2024
  • altered photo techniques for your art journal
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    Mixed Media Magic: Altered Photo Techniques for Your Art Journal

    October 27, 2023 /

    Do you ever use altered photos in your art journaling pages? We take photos all the time with our phones but may not realize that these photographs can be perfect additions to our art journal pages. The challenge is how do we seamlessly incorporate our photos into our pages? By using altered photo techniques this can help use change our photographs from snapshots to elements that are perfect for our art journal pages.   Today I’ll share with you not only how to alter and adjust your photos for use in the art journal but also how to create a seamless and cohesive art journal page with a range of…

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    Nadine Milton

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    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

    Must Have Mixed Media Supplies for the Art Journal

    November 12, 2021
    How to Get Comfortable with Your Watercolors an Easy Art Journal Project

    How to Get Comfortable with Your Watercolors

    February 10, 2023
    3 Lessons I Learned from Daring Greatly

    3 Lessons I Learned from Daring Greatly

    April 10, 2020
  • How to Create Stunning Image Transfers with Isolation Layers
    Art Journal,  Techniques

    How to Create Stunning Image Transfers with Isolation Layers

    September 30, 2023 /

    Are you intimidated by the idea of using image transfers on your mixed media projects? Image transfers are a beautiful technique. But it can sometimes be hard to get great results, especially on a mixed media background. In today’s project I’ll show you how to can create a beautiful image transfer on a mixed media background that uses both resists and watercolor crystals. 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. The Challenge with Image Transfers Having attempted image transfers in the past, I found that I often got mixed results. Part of it…

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    Nadine Milton

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    Dealing with Loss During the Holiday Season

    Dealing with Loss During the Holiday Season

    December 5, 2019
    How to Collage with Tissue Paper and Acetate in the art journal

    How to Collage with Tissue Paper and Acetate

    June 16, 2023
    Mixed Media Art Journal Page Summer Days

    Mixed Media Art Journal Page – Hot Summer Days

    August 13, 2021
123

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

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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
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