Leaving on a jet plane!

Tomorrow that is... going to the 2012 Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show in Anaheim. Can't wait to see all the new products, sit in on some seminars, do some make-and-takes with the latest and greatest and, best of all, Tracy and I get to take an all-day workshop with Tim Holtz on Thursday!

I'm hoping I can add some updates here while I'm in California.  We have a busy schedule, but I'll try to keep you posted.

Share a Little Love

I just heard about the children's hospital Valentine Day card drive that Winter Sims is organizing.  If you enjoy making cards and have a little time to create, this would be a wonderful way to put some smiles on little faces. All the details can be found on her blog:    Children's Hospital Card Drive

But hurry, as the deadline is the end of the month to get the cards to her. 

Art Journaling Workshop

It's been awhile since I've worked in my art journal and I've missed it! I love starting with a blank page with no preconceived notions of what it should be and just playing.

I had signed up for a Strathmore Online Workshop (did I mention it was free!). When I received an e-mail that the course "Doodles Unleashed" with Traci Bautista was posted I was excited to get started.  This is a four-week course in doodling with many different mark-making supplies on large-scale paintings.  Traci's style is very different from mine and that is one reason I was intrigued and hoped to learn some new techniques.

Traci works BIG - the supply list included 18" x 24" paper for the substrate.  I didn't have anything that size so chose to work more comfortably in a smaller scale in my art journal.  Following is the two-page spread I created.  I even remembered to take photos along the way to record the process.

The first step was to add color to the blank page using stencils, masks and found objects.  I laid the following on the page: a few "gears" masks from Tim Holtz, a circular piece of plastic needlepoint canvas which I cut to make the one circle and a ring; a popsicle stick (lower right); a small washer (inside the ring); rubber bands in different sizes (upper left); and a piece of drywall tape (lower left).  I sprayed miscellaneous color wash sprays over these.  

Once dry, the next step was to add doodles with acrylic paints.  I continued with the circular theme, painting turquoise, red and violet rings and circles with a brush.

I then continued doodling - lines, dots, more circles - with oil pastels and some more acrylic paint.

Next came the addition of black India ink. This really started to make the designs pop and added much-needed contrast.  I also used Copic markers at this point - they add a subtle background texture.

The final step was adding white to the design using a white correction pen.  I would never have thought to use that - it is very opaque and really stands out.  Traci also suggested using paint pens and neon markers, both of which I didn't have.

This was a fun exercise and got me out of my comfort zone. I usually don't use such vibrant colors, but I am happy with the result and enjoyed just freely creating. I am looking forward to Week 2 using watercolors.

Shower Invitations

We're having a baby shower for my daughter, Kelly, in February and I volunteered to do the invitations. She's having a little boy and decorating his nursery with a jungle theme in soft pastels.  We decided to go with a monkey-themed shower and this is what I came up with for the invitations. I used the "Create a Critter" Cricut cartridge for the layered monkey and tree branch and a Cuttlebug folder for the embossed background.  The shower information was simply typed on cream paper and inserted. It was easy and relatively quick (if you don't count the glueing of all the layers!).

The group photo came out a bit underexposed but you can see how cute they look all together. Hope she approves! (I did get her permission to use the little tag.)

Altered Canvas Class

This is another project I designed for class at The Little Blue House. It's a 12" x 12" canvas using similar techniques as I used in the tree canvas gift I recently made.  Lots of layering and using cool "tools" to create a unique background for the paper heart. I love how this turned out.  More information on the class can be found on the LBH blog (see link above).

New Card Class

Come join me for a new Specialty Card Class on Thursday, January 19, 10am - noon, at the LBH!  We are starting a new bi-monthly card class that will feature fun techniques and different card styles to take your cardmaking-skills up a notch.  This month we will focus on pop-up cards.  

I had so much fun making these cards and you will too!

Now check them out opened.

Check out the LBH blog to find out more or call the LBH at 817-431-7930 to reserve your seat in class.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, friends. I wish you good health, good times with family and friends and a year filled with lots of time for art.  Have you made any resolutions yet?  I hope to do more art journaling and mixed media art this year, along with my designing and teaching commitments at The Little Blue House.  Many thanks to those of you who continue to read my blog and make comments. You inspire me to make art!