A Month of Creativity

I have been getting so many creative things done in the last 30 days that my blog postings have fallen by the wayside. Be warned...there is a lot to see!

These are practice pieces from the Claudine Hellmouth "Composition for Collage" workshop.

                                  Asymmetrical Composition                      Horizon Line Composition
 

 

                                           Grid Composition                             Vignette Composition

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Here are some personal pieces I created..a scarf and a bracelet...both created from recycled materials.

                             I used some favorite cotton tops and dresses (they no longer fit but I loved the
                             materials too much to throw them out), wedding dress lace that I dyed and
                             hand-embroidered, vintage lace passed down from my grandmother,
                             clearanced embellished ribbons, and some machine embroidery. The
                             green panel was a dress with pockets that I decided to utilize in the design.
                             I just love the funky artsy feel of the scarf.

                                 This project was inspired by Christy Tomlinson's Artsy Bangles class.
                                 I made this bracelet from an old faux leather belt that was getting a
                                 little tattered, stamped metal, and acrylic paint.

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Here are too more pieces from Christy Tomlinson's "Your Living Canvas" workshop. I can't recommend this workshop enough!

                                                                           "Vision" Canvas

                                                                      80/20 piece - work in progress

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This is my canvas from Donna Downey's Canvas Create workshop. I have really enjoyed these workshops and look so forward to a new video each month. I don't know what I am going to do when the year is up!

                                                                              "Lotus" Canvas

July's Canvas Create - Birds on a Banner

Hi there,
I have been taking it easy today, resting from a weekend of intense redecorating of my daughter's bedroom. I decided instead of counting the day a total loss I could at least post my latest Canvas Create project!

This one was probably the most challenging for me thus far. I am not sure if it was the project or my state of mind but in the end I do like the results.

"Birds on a Banner"

Canvas Create Workshop - In Progress!

Hi folks
I know this is two posts in one day but I am so excited about this workshop that I had to share.

The workshop is called Canvas Create and it is taught by the fabulous Donna Downey. Now if you have never taken one of her classes or workshops you are really missing out! She is fun, funky, and breaks all the rules and she is exactly what I needed at this time in my life.

Once I watched the promo I knew I had to do it and to make sure I followed through I enlisted my mother to join in with me. Each month we get together and create the latest Donna masterpiece. Her techniques and radical process were just what my muse ordered. The classes actually began in January but they are video downloads so you can start anytime you want really. I highly recommend any of her classes, even if her style is not your thing she will push you to places you have never gone and make you a better artist!

Here are my first six canvases.

In the class she uses different sizes and orientations of canvas but I wanted all the same size so I could hang them together in a grid. I think one of the greatest things about Donna is her ability make you feel comfortable enough to make your own choices.

I honestly can't say enough positive things about Donna, her workshops, or my experience....it's all been great! Each month I can hardly wait for the the next video so I can create another canvas.

Stayed tuned each month for the remaining six canvases.

Color Throwdown Card

It's Color Throwdown time again! Originally I wasn't very inspired by this week's colors, but once I started digging into my paper stash I really liked the combination. Next, I needed to decide what to do with them.

I have always been one to choose cards very carefully, selecting ones with just the right sentiment. My son is turning 20 in a month so I decided I would make him a non-traditional birthday card. He is a "man" now so flowery, or showy, or wordy cards are not appropriate.

He has had a difficult past few years making a series of bad choices and sort of floundering when it comes to life goals. Last year he joined the National Guard which did wonders for him, but he is still struggling with what to do with his life when he is not on duty. So rather than the typical Happy Birthday card I decided the sentiment "write your own story" was not only appropriate for him, but also a good life lesson for any parent to pass on to their child.

Happy Thursday,
Marnie

Final Week of Doodles Unleashed

I have finished the final week of Strathmore's Online Workshop - Doodles Unleashed. Here are the results....

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Final Piece

Mail Goodies & 10 Fun Stamping Ideas

Well, today I haven't been able to do any arting (Yes, it's a word! I made it up but it's still a word.) as I had homework for my online Expository Writing course and the dreaded chore of laundry. But I did get some art goodies in the mail that I would like to share.

The dear ladies at Red Lead Paperworks have a wonderful selection of stamps and vintage images along with other embellishing goodies. Last week they are running a last chance sale on a couple of ATCs I wanted (see bottom two in photo) and since I was buying anyway I picked up a couple of other stamps I have been eyeing (see top two).

The sewing image stamps I plan to use to make tags for some of my custom clothing (cool idea, right?). Red Lead has lots of great sewing items from stamps to images to charms. Check them out HERE.

The birds and flower silhouette stamps I will use for ATCs, cards, and other various collage pieces. You can purchase the Bird stamp HERE for only $2.65!!! The flower image is gone but you can find more sale items HERE.

I never really considered myself a stamper before and I don't really now but after participating in a myriad of challenges I found I used stamps for many different things. One day I looked around my studio and realized I have a healthy collection of stamps! Once I realized that stamping didn't have to be just a simple stamped image a whole world opened up.

The options are only limited by your imagination. Here are 10 fun ideas you can try:

1. Layer stamped images for a 3D look
2. Stamp on patterned paper rather than plain paper for a unique look
3. Mask parts of a stamp to create a different image
4. Create a stencil: stamp image on stencil grade plastic sheets and cut to create a negative image
5. Stamp on transparency or acrylic sheets for another kind of layering
6. Transform stamps you are tired of by cutting them up and rearranging them or using only parts of them 
7. Stamp on collage pieces to add dimension and layering 
8. Create a pattern: stamp an image on plain paper, cut out the pieces/parts to make a pattern, use the pattern to recreate the image using other paper or materials
9. Create a resist: stamp image with embossing stamp pad and emboss with clear powder, use inks, stains, or paints over the image, the embossed image will not take the paint creating a cool line image
10. Try a new medium for stamping: instead of ink use craft acrylics or fluid acrylics to "ink" your stamp, this will create a softer more blurred image, works best on solid stamps rather than outline.

I hope you will give some of these ideas a try. Enjoy!