Corrugated Box Art

More and more these days, I am enjoying the idea of found materials to use in my artwork. My beautiful friend Annette brought me a fabulous flower arrangement to cheer me up after my recent surgery. Because the arrangement needed to be transported in her car, it came in a plain brown box. After  a while, I dismantled the box, which ended up being a few 6-inch square panels of corrugated cardboard. That turned into a little art project, which I want to share with you. Materials used include: Making Memories acrylic paint, gesso, Golden fluid acrylic paint, Inka Gold, and Graphics 45 papers. Embellishments are sprockets from the Tim Holtz collection.I hope you like them.

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Grab Bag Postcards

Grab Bag post card, "Celebration"

Well, I apparently was not done playing with all the goodies in the grab bag that I got at Linda’s yard sale recently. Because today, I made two post cards that I just love mostly since they feature the pretty piece of bird paper that was included in the bag. And I seem to have gotten a little carried away because I pulled out the glitter!!!!! to spice up the birds a bit. By the way, the dried flowers and leaves in the bottom left corners are from a packet included in the grab bag, too. And I still have lots left. It really doesn’t take much to make me happy.

Grab Bag post card, "Destiny"

Art Journal Class

Becoming Brave Art Journal

I am interested in having another Art Journal Class at my home, perhaps in September or October (or both), as the summer has managed to slip past me. My idea is to do a journal called Becoming Brave (based on articles I saw in a two magazines recently). I don’t know about you, but my doubts and fears sometimes paralyze me and render me unable to move forward with what I want to do. So I thought it might be fun to explore that a little through the Art Journal process. We will build a very basic journal, paint some pages and then decorate at least a few of them to get started. If you are interested, please let me know.

To be held at my home, in late December from 1-4:30 p.m. Cost $35.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

What fears do I have that are holding me back?

What I would like to be able to do if I didn’t have this fear?

If I could pick an animal guide to inspire me, what would it be?

Now I’ve begun collecting some images (from magazines, photos or anything really) that I might want to use in my journal. And I’ll be experimenting with journal bindings to find the easiest one. I’m very excited, because usually I can’t think of anything to write about in my journals, I just like making them. It seems that Becoming Brave is a topic that gets my pen flowing because I already have 3 journal entries written, but (ha ha) I don’t have a journal yet. Go figure.

Grab Bag Wonders

ATC from Linda's grab bag

Well, I went to Linda and Ellie’s garage sale last week because I don’t have enough stamps, paper and other supplies and needed someone else’s stuff, too. I found some nice treasures there (isn’t there a saying about that?) and the other night decided to open up a Grab Bag that Linda had made up. Lots of goodies covered my table. I instantly, not exaggerating, made 2 ATCs and thought you’d like to see them.

Another Grab Bag ATC

1st Postcard Night a Success

We had a great time last month making beautiful Italian postcards on my first Postcard Night at Stampin’ From the Heart. Thanks to Karen for making the 4th Friday (every other month for now) available for this neat, some have calld it  “therapeutic, ” way to spend a few hours.

I’m getting geared up for next month’s Postcard Night and this time we are traveling to PARIS!!!!! So Bon Voyage and don’t miss the bateau (that’s French for boat). Mark your calendars: The next Postcard Night will be April 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 or so.  Fee $10, all materials supplied. Here’s a sneak preview. (Glaze will be involved.)

Dots, Dots and Li’l Dot

I actually added the name Li'l Dot onto the cover after I took this picture.

What a surprise I had last week when the June/July isuue of Stampers Sampler landed on my doorstep! My fab flag book, Li’l Dot, made it into the magazine. Page 32 in case you want to see it in all its glory (some pics here for those who just can’t wait). I used this book as the protptype for a class at Stampin’ From the Heart a few months back, so some of you have your very own version of it. They are so much fun to make and even more fun to open up.

A big thank you Karen, the lovely ladies who took the class, and the wonderful editors at Somerset, all of whom continue to support my artwork. I’ve sent in a number of other goodies, so am hoping for the best. Next will be an answer to the Somerset Studio magazine’s call for Aubergine (that’s just a fancy word for eggplant). I’ve been gathering materials for a coupla months now and am just about ready to get my hands all purple.

Remember, when in doubt, Jess Create It!

Lovely Ladies Card and Tag

The May 2009 Make-It/Take-It at Stampin’ From the Heart in Los Angeles was a great success. Everyone had fun and all the cards and tags turned out great. We had two young stampers in our midst, compliments of their Auntie Michelle, and the budding artists showed alot of creative spirit.

I couldn’t stop making these luscious items myself and after the MITI went home and had a little make-and-take party of my own. The tags, topped with beautiful ribbons in all colors, were the perfect goodies for my college gal pals at our recent mini-reunion in Palm Springs (along with some great beaded charm bracelets I found at the recent Bead Show in Santa Monica). Of course, I left the back of the tags blank so they could use them with a gift for someone special.

Have a wonderful, creative day,

Jessica

Fleurs and Coeurs CD Holder Book

CD Holder

“Fleurs and Coeurs”!! That means Hearts and Flowers in French. Ooh la-la.

We’ll bring an an old-fashioned songbook into a new age with this clever CD holder book. It’s great fun to color the plain white book (pick  a jewel tone–the one shown here is ruby) with Adirondack inks and sprays. Then we’ll use some vintage sheet music to make a custom CD and all the stuff that goes with it.

Class will be Saturday, March 28, at Stampin From the Heart, from 10:30 till 3-ish (bring lunch). Please bring these supplies: glue stick, double-sided tape, and precision scissors. Strongly suggested: glue dots and rubber gloves (if you have them). Call the store to reserve a spot. $50.

Hope to see you then. And when in doubt, Jess Create It!

Sew Somerset, Sew Cool!

I just got a wonderful gift in the mail, just in time for the holidays. The lovely ladies at Stampington sent me the latest edition of Somerset Sew magazine. click on this link and scroll down, you’ll see it!!

http://www.stampington.com/html/sew_somerset_winter09.html

It features one of my fabric books, “There’s Only One Queen, and It’s me!”, based on a stamp given to me by our dear stamping friend Joanne Gordon. Do you think she was trying to tell me something?

Anyway, it’s a nice 4-page spread, and I got to write a little story that goes with it. (Sorry, I don’t even have a picture of it to share. Needless to say, I am “sew” excited that I am hard at work right now on a new project to send in for the next issue. I’m not much of a sewing professional, but this proves that you don’t have to be perfect at something to make art.

Hope you’ll get a chance to look at the magazine. I think it sells at Joann Fabrics. Or I will show you my copy at the January Make-It/Take It (see next post), whether you ask to see it or not. 🙂

Bye, for now, and don’t forget: When in doubt, Jess Create It!

Woman of Many Moods