Hop-A-Long Studio

The Art of Self-Care

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  • 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
  • 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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    How to Use Layering Stencils to Create Dimensional Images

    How to Use Layering Stencils to Create Dimensional Images

    September 23, 2022
    5 Creative Techniques with Watercolor Markers

    5 Creative Techniques with Watercolor Markers

    February 25, 2022
    Paint Your Season's Greetings: Simple Watercolor Christmas Card Designs

    Paint Your Season’s Greetings with Simple Watercolor Christmas Cards

    December 1, 2023
  • 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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    How to Get Comfortable with Your Watercolors an Easy Art Journal Project

    How to Get Comfortable with Your Watercolors

    February 10, 2023
    Holiday Collage Cards Designed by Nadine Milton

    Make Amazing Holiday Collage Cards in Minutes!

    December 19, 2025
    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 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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    moving past creative blocks by sketching in the garden Nadine Milton

    Feeling Stuck? 5 Ways for Moving Past Creative Blocks

    August 20, 2021
    Intuitive Collage Mixed Media Project featuring image from Simply Stated Design

    New to Intuitive Collage? Start Here!

    December 2, 2024
    Amazing Ink Techniques for Your Art Journal Using Archival and Dye Inks

    Amazing Ink Techniques for Your Art Journal

    January 13, 2023
  • 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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    Creative Foundations How to Blend Ink

    Creative Foundations: How to Blend Ink

    January 31, 2020
    Urban Sketching for Self-Care

    Urban Sketching for Self-Care

    September 18, 2020
    Painting in the Art Journal: Drawing Inspiration from Another Artist’s Style

    Painting in the Art Journal: Trying a New Style

    June 25, 2023
  • 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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    Reviewing and testing the Best Zebra Pens

    Why You Need Zebra Pens in Your Art Collection

    May 17, 2024
    Welcome to Hop-A-Long Studio

    Welcome to Hop-A-Long Studio

    April 22, 2019
    4 Things I Learned From Failing Forward

    4 Things I Learned from Failing Forward

    February 7, 2020
  • 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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    How to Become Unoffendable and Live a Happier Life

    How to Become Unoffendable and Live a Happier Life

    July 24, 2020
    Finding Joy in the Little Things

    Finding Joy in the Little Things

    June 14, 2019
    How to use Resist Techniques with Alcohol Inks

    How to use Resist Techniques with Alcohol Inks

    May 20, 2022
  • 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…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

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    Creative Stamping with Watercolor Markers

    Creative Stamping with Watercolor Markers

    February 11, 2022
    3 Christmas Card Ideas Using One Die Cut Design with Brusho Crystal Colours and Nuvo Shimmer Powders

    3 Christmas Card Ideas Using One Die Cut Design

    November 11, 2022
    Holiday Collage Reflecting on the Season

    Texture Tips for Your Holiday Collage| Reflecting on the Season

    December 18, 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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    Finding Creativity Through Art Journaling, Art Journal Books, mixed media books

    Finding Creativity Through Art Journaling

    November 19, 2019
    gel plate printing for beginners

    How to Start Gel Printing with Zero Experience

    May 3, 2025
    Neurographic Art Blended with Pan Pastels

    Neurographic Art with Pan Pastels

    March 25, 2022
  • 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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    Art Tags with Black Paper Backgrounds created with stencils, stamps, inks and paint pen

    How to Use Black Paper Backgrounds with Inks and Pens

    November 5, 2021
    Merry Christmas from Hop-A-Long Studio

    Merry Christmas from Hop-A-Long Studio

    December 25, 2020
    Do You have Ruined Paint Brushes? How to Fix Acrylic Paint Brushes

    Do You Have Ruined Paint Brushes? How to Fix Acrylic Paint Brushes in 3 Easy Steps!

    February 17, 2023
  • 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…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Art Journal Flip Through Lessons from an Online Art Retreat

    Looking for Inspiration? A New Art Journal Flip Through!

    August 11, 2023
    Abstract Holiday Cards Made with Paper Scraps from Simply Stated Design Golden Evergreen Papers

    Use Your Scraps to Make Stunning Holiday Cards

    December 8, 2025
    Creating an Art Journal Page Using Paper Glossy Accents and Distress Crayons

    Easy Art Journal Page Using Paper

    September 16, 2022
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.

Categories

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  • Art Journal
  • Artist's Journey
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  • 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
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