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
  • How to Choose Your Priorities
    Artist's Journey

    How to Choose Your Priorities

    August 21, 2020 /

    Have you ever wondered about how to choose your priorities in a way that leads to an effective and happy life? It’s been on my mind lately as we’re moving into fall and getting back to a more normal routine.  How can we choose our priorities in a way that helps us meet our goals? Choosing Our Priorities Wisely Choosing our priorities wisely can make such a difference not only in the pace of our lives but also in the goals we set. So how do we choose these priorities? I was recently reading an article about habits of successful people and my main takeaway is that effective and successful…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Urban Sketching for Self-Care

    Urban Sketching for Self-Care

    September 18, 2020
    How to Make a Simple Christmas Card

    How to Make a Simple Christmas Card

    November 27, 2020
    Coloring with Inks and Watercolor Crayons

    Coloring with Inks and Watercolor Crayons

    March 26, 2021
  • Living in Transition: How to thrive in change
    Artist's Journey

    Living in Transition: How to Thrive in Change

    August 7, 2020 /

    I feel like 2020 is a year of living in transition. There has been so much change, so much uncertainty and so much transition. So how do we find ways where we can thrive in change? Change is Not Easy Change is not easy. Times of transition can be so challenging, not just to us but also those closest to us. These changes can be good ones, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are stress free. I’ve been thinking about how many of us are moving towards transition in the next month. At least in Alberta they are planning on reopening schools and universities. Many workplaces are moving back…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Learning to Trust Ourselves

    Learning to Trust Ourselves

    February 21, 2020
    How to Use Gel Prints in Your Art Journal

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

    July 29, 2022
    My first mixed media page in the Dina Wakley Ledger Journal

    My First Impressions of the Dina Wakley Ledger Journal

    March 14, 2025
  • How to Become Unoffendable and Live a Happier Life
    Artist's Journey

    How to Become Unoffendable and Live a Happier Life

    July 24, 2020 /

    Have you ever thought about how to become unoffendable and live a happier life? It’s been on my mind recently. This month as part of my reading plan for 2020 , I finished the book “Unoffendable” by Brant Hansen. This book gave me a lot to think about and has definitely changed my view on how I look at offense. Are We Easily Offended? One of the questions that we all need to ask ourselves is “Are we easily offended?” I would like to think that I am not easily offended, but recently I’ve become aware that I’ve picked up the habit of offense from those around me. Habit of…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Mixed Media Art Journal Page Summer Days

    Mixed Media Art Journal Page – Hot Summer Days

    August 13, 2021
    Nadine Milton Sketching in Kelowna Japanese Garden

    Why You Should Try an Art Retreat

    August 13, 2022
    Coping with Anxiety during the Holidays

    Coping with Anxiety during the Holidays

    December 17, 2019
  • Goal Setting During the Summer
    Artist's Journey

    Goal Setting During the Summer

    July 10, 2020 /

    Goal setting during the summer can feel like such a challenge. It is a different season and has a different pace to the rest of the year, making it challenging to stay on track with your goals. I was thinking about my personal goal setting. It has now been 6 months and this time has had many changes and challenges that have come with it. Goal Planning How are you doing with you goal planning so far this year? It is halfway through the year and as I promised, I am doing my mid year review. How has this time been for you? A time of feeling motivated and productive…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    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
    Art of Self-Discovery Art Journaling Page

    The Art of Self-Discovery: An Art Journaling Project

    May 27, 2019
    Goal Setting During COVID-19

    Goal Setting During COVID-19

    April 24, 2020
  • Restoration During A Holiday
    Artist's Journey

    Restoration During A Holiday

    July 3, 2020 /

    Happy Canada Day and Independence Day to my readers! Since this week is Canada Day and Independence Day, I wanted to share with you what I do to find restoration during a holiday. Even as things are opening up in Alberta, there is still a need for social distancing that is affecting holiday celebrations. With that in mind, I was thinking about how to celebrate Canada Day in a way that would be fun and restorative. Get Out of the House With my husband and I both working from home, we really wanted to get out of the house for Canada Day. We have been staying pretty close to home…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Coping with Anxiety during the Holidays

    Coping with Anxiety during the Holidays

    December 17, 2019
    4 Things I Learned From Failing Forward

    4 Things I Learned from Failing Forward

    February 7, 2020
    Art Journal with Napkins Technique Tutorial

    Art Journaling with Napkins

    January 14, 2022
  • 4 Lessons I Learned From Almost Anxious
    Artist's Journey

    4 Lessons I Learned from Almost Anxious

    June 5, 2020 /

    Today I wanted to share with you the 4 lessons I learned from Almost Anxious. If you have been following my reading list for 2020, this is one of the books that I committed to reading to help my personal mental wellness. Why Almost Anxious? Almost Anxious is a book that was recommended to me by a friend. The premise of this book is how to deal with the “almost anxious” moments in our lives. One of the problems with anxiety is that we are often put into one of two boxes: anxious or not anxious. This criterion is not always helpful. Many of us have anxiety that is above…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    How to use Pan Pastels in an Art Journal Page to display your yearly intention

    Show Your New Years Intention with Pan Pastels

    January 1, 2026
    v

    How to Create Gelli Prints with 5 Types of Ink

    August 19, 2022
    Art Journaling Project with Tissue Paper Collage

    Art Journaling with Tissue Paper Collage

    January 21, 2022
  • Finding A New Normal
    Artist's Journey

    Finding a New Normal

    May 29, 2020 /

    Have you been thinking about how to find a new normal in the wake of the pandemic? It has been on my mind over the last few weeks. I had an opportunity this past weekend to visit the Calgary Zoo for the first time since the pandemic. It made me think about how we can find our way back to a healthy routine and finding a new normal in our lives.   Being Emotionally Disoriented I have mentioned in other articles the feeling of being emotionally disorientated during the pandemic. There have been many good days, but there are other days where I feel like it is a real struggle.…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    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
    Nadine Milton Sketching in Kelowna Japanese Garden

    Why You Should Try an Art Retreat

    August 13, 2022
    Deco Foil Christmas Cards Merry and Bright

    Deco Foil Christmas Card “Merry and Bright”

    December 3, 2021
  • 3 Lessons from The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
    Artist's Journey

    3 Lessons from The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

    May 1, 2020 /

    Today I wanted to share 3 Lessons from The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, a counter intuitive approach to living a good life. This book was recommended to me several years ago when I started working on my personal self-care and mental health. When I read it, it changed my perspective on many things in my life.   When I chose books for my goal of reading 12 books in 2020, I added The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck since I it made such an impression on me when I first read it. I want to re-read this book every few years as to not forget…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Mystified by Acrylic Pastes? How to Color Pastes in 1 Easy Step!

    March 3, 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

    How to Paint a Tree in 3 Easy Steps!

    June 12, 2024
  • Goal Setting During COVID-19
    Artist's Journey

    Goal Setting During COVID-19

    April 24, 2020 /

    Goal setting during COVID-19 may seem like an odd thing to discuss, but I believe it is now more important than ever. If you have been following my site for a while, you will know that I have already shared some of my personal experience with goal setting. I believe that goal setting is an exercise that we should do at least once a year. It needs to be more than a New Year’s Resolution. Goal setting is a tool to help us find purpose and define the goals that are most important to us. In my original article about goal setting, I provided a free goal setting template. This…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Urban Sketching for Self-Care

    Urban Sketching for Self-Care

    September 18, 2020
    Art Journal Page Using Distress Embossing Glazes and Pastes

    Art Journal Page Using Distress Embossing Glazes

    June 12, 2020
    Layering Details using Caran d'Ache Technalo Water Soluble Graphite Pencils

    How to use Water Soluble Graphite

    June 17, 2022
  • 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…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    How to get the most textured collage in your art journal

    Create the Ultimate Textured Collage with this Technique

    August 23, 2025
    gel plate printing with leaves and grasses

    Unique & Easy Gel Printing with Leaves and Grasses

    September 19, 2025
    How to Gelli Print on Tissue Paper

    How to Gelli Print on Tissue Paper

    July 1, 2022
12345

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.