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The Art of Self-Care

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  • COMMUNITY
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
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Recent Posts

  • How to Choose an Art Journal You’ll Love
    In Art Journal
  • Why art journal?Demystifying Art Journaling: How to Start & Why It Matters
    In Projects
  • How to use Pan Pastels in an Art Journal Page to display your yearly intentionShow Your New Years Intention with Pan Pastels
    In Art Journal, Projects, Techniques
  • Canvas of Intentions Mixed Media Canvas Class
    Art Classes,  Artist's Journey

    Looking for a Creative Start to The New Year?

    January 9, 2025 /

    Are you looking for the best way to start your new year? There are so many different thoughts and processes on how to start out the new year the “right way”. But what process will help you meet your goals and get a great creative start to the year? This is a question I’ve been asking myself over the last few months. 2024 was a challenging year for me filled with loss and difficulties. I’m so glad that we’re in 2025 and I can’t wait to see what amazing things come of this year!   After trying so many systems and ideas over the past 20 years, I have found…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

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    Everything is Figure-outable Art Journaling Page with Fluid Acrylics

    Using Fluid Acrylics in the Art Journal

    July 22, 2022
    How to Use Deco Foil with Deco Foil Transfer Pen, Deco Foil Adhesive Pen and Laser Prints

    Deco Foil all the Things! How to Use Deco Foil

    October 1, 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
  • 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

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    5 Art Journal Background Ideas Using Ink

    5 Art Journal Background Ideas Using Ink

    June 25, 2021
    Using Liquitex Matte Medium to seal pressed autumn leaves

    How to Press and Preserve Fall Leaves

    October 14, 2022
    Adding Your Own Art to Stencil Images

    Adding Your Own Art to Stencil Images

    August 28, 2020
  • 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

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    4 Lessons I Learned From Almost Anxious

    4 Lessons I Learned from Almost Anxious

    June 5, 2020
    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!

    October 18, 2025
    What is Art Journaling and Why Should I Try It?

    What is Art Journaling and Why Should I Try It?

    June 3, 2022
  • 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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    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
    Acrylic Paint Pouring Ornaments

    Easy and Beautiful Acrylic Paint Pouring Holiday Ornaments

    December 22, 2023
    Festive and Fabulous Gel Print Holiday Cards

    The Best DIY Gel Print Holiday Cards

    December 5, 2025
  • 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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    Choosing the best collage glue for your art practice

    Looking for the Best Collage Glue? START HERE!

    July 25, 2025
    Fall Scrapbooking Page using Gelli Prints and Wild Whisper Designs Strength of the Season Ephemera

    Too Many Gelli Prints? A Fall Project for Using Your Prints

    September 10, 2021
    Objects that Encourage Your Self-Care Practice

    The Mindful Magic of Fountain Pens

    September 4, 2020
  • 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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    Why art journal?

    Demystifying Art Journaling: How to Start & Why It Matters

    February 13, 2026
    How to Create Stunning Image Transfers with Isolation Layers

    How to Create Stunning Image Transfers with Isolation Layers

    September 30, 2023
    Beautiful Mixed Media Holiday Tag Designs for Last Minute Gifts

    In A Rush? 3 Beautiful Holiday Tag Designs for Last Minute Gifts

    December 22, 2022
  • Live acrylic painting demonstration for creativity service
    Artist's Journey

    The Importance of Creativity

    November 12, 2019 /

    In a world where creativity is somewhat embraced, but isn’t seen as nearly as important as money, power, or status, how do we respond to this? Is creativity just an emotional whim that is meant as part of our private lives, or is it something more? I would like to delve into the importance of creativity to the spirit, how it’s critical to our lives and should be part of our self-care habit and not an afterthought. Why is Creative Expression Important? A few days ago I saw a Ted Talk about art, it was called “Stop Making Art and You Die” by Rich Theroux. I found it very inspiring,…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    Fall Scrapbooking Page using Gelli Prints and Wild Whisper Designs Strength of the Season Ephemera

    Too Many Gelli Prints? A Fall Project for Using Your Prints

    September 10, 2021
    Amazing Art Journal Page Using a Vaseline Resist Technique

    How to Create Vaseline Resist Techniques in Your Art Journal

    September 8, 2023
    Guitar Card Using Watercolor Pencils and Wild Whisper Designs Feel the Beat Stamp Set

    How to use Watercolor Pencils

    January 15, 2021
  • Embracing Self-Worth and Values, Hand Holding Compass
    Artist's Journey

    Embracing Self-Worth: Connecting Values and Identity

    August 9, 2019 /

    Have you ever had moments in your life where you have felt lost? That sense of who you really were as a person felt so uncertain and you felt so alone in that moment? If you have ever been there, you are not alone. I have been reflecting on the idea of identity, what it means and why we allow people to undermine our sense of self; that worthiness and confidence that we are ok just as we are. Not long ago I had to walk away from a toxic work situation. I knew if I didn’t make a serious change soon the consequences would be severe. Not just to…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

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    Choosing the Best Inexpensive Acrylic Paint Markers

    The Best Inexpensive Acrylic Paint Markers

    September 9, 2022
    Nadine Milton Sketching in Kelowna Japanese Garden

    Why You Should Try an Art Retreat

    August 13, 2022
    How to Decoupage in an Art Journal

    How to Decoupage in an Art Journal

    May 14, 2021
  • The Season of Self-Discovery
    Artist's Journey

    The Season of Self-Discovery

    May 13, 2019 /

    At the moment I’m in a season of self-discovery. I’m not sure if you have had moments like this in your life where you have given yourself permission to try something totally different and new. Allowing yourself to try something new without fear and with no expectation of the outcome. It’s a bit of a scary place, because it means letting go of those expectations and ideas of outcome, having no real control and accepting that you have no control. I’ve been in this place of discovery for a while, working on regaining a healthy body and a healthy mind and with that have been thoughts of future employment. I…

    Read More
    Nadine Milton

    You May Also Like

    moving past creative blocks by sketching in the garden Nadine Milton

    Feeling Stuck? 5 Ways for Moving Past Creative Blocks

    August 20, 2021
    Nadine Milton Value Drawing of Moraine Lake

    My Journey in Learning How to Draw

    April 1, 2022
    Art Journal Project I'm Feeling Blue

    Art Journal Project “I’m Feeling Blue”

    January 20, 2020

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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Recent Posts

  • How to Choose an Art Journal You’ll Love
    In Art Journal
  • Why art journal?Demystifying Art Journaling: How to Start & Why It Matters
    In Projects
  • How to use Pan Pastels in an Art Journal Page to display your yearly intentionShow Your New Years Intention with Pan Pastels
    In Art Journal, Projects, Techniques
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