8x8 Fun Pages

I love doing random pages.I start by just putting bits & pieces down on my paper.When I'm doing pages with more of the ecclectic feel I definitely don't go for matchy, matchy.Just like with the cd class,& the mini canvas class this is a fun way to use up odds & ends of paper,ribbon, & ephemera.You don't always have to have pictures in mind to put together fun pages.Alot of times I don't add pictures until later & sometimes I just add ephemera to make it a collage book. I guess its pretty much the same as my art journaling pages.I like to make different sizes of pages. I may start out with 8x8 & then do an 8x10 so you can get that staggered look that you can add tabs to. On the 8x8 pages here I used my sewing machine to sew on the pages, along with duct tape, buttons, pieces of hankerchiefs, & paint. Its about not overthinking & just letting go & creating.Remember there is no right or wrong in art. Sometimes its not that something is wrong but you may not be getting the look you're going for. When that happens I just keep working with it by painting, or layer over what I don't like. Every now & then I can't come up with something I like so I just set it aside & come back to it later.Putting on my favorite music always helps bring out that creative mood.

Things that make me smile

Every now & then the creative juices don't flow. Something new to get me out of my rut is to take pictures of things around my house that I like. I collect buddhas so I like taking pictures of those or goodies brought to me as gifts from other countries. Sometimes it just helps sprucing up my work space so I can start with a clean slate.

DC Springtime Collage

I wanted to put up a picture of my April 17th class project.. I have to share the story behind the idea first.I was shopping & saw this cute picture of the New York skyline cut out with pieces of paper.Of course its a printed & not real paper. But I had to get it because the price was right & I love New York. My daughters were moving into their first real home in Arlington since graduating college. I wanted to make them something fun & artsy to hang in their home & thats when I thought why not make them a picture with the DC skyline like my NY picture.I had a picture laying around with this poster picture I was totally over.I took out the picture & used the card board backing from it & covered it with a mixed media canvas. I started by painting the background & cutting shapes of the DC monuments.I painted my frame pink & lo' & behold I had a very unique artsy piece of art! Only bad thing is this picture has never made it to my daughters' home. I showed Cheryl & she agreed that it would be a really fun class. So thats the story behind this project.

My new goodies

I was itching to use all my new Pink Paislee products I bought yesterday.I bought the butterfly collection, the Dailey Junque collection, & the Soiree collection! After sitting down with it all in front of me like a kid at Christmas ooing & awwing over it I decided I'd do a Birthday page for my twins who just turned 23 Monday.Of course I used the soiree line. I love, love, love it! I'm crazy about the stick pins with the large pearl size gems at the tip & how could I pass up using the wooden stick pin with tinsel.I couldn't! The trim packet comes with 24 different trims which in the picture you can see I used the banner trim. I also used the new tag piece from the Jenni Bowlin line. The Flowers I used are Prima of course because they are my favorite. I can't wait to use more of it this weekend. Hope I'll see some of you at the Salem Baptist crop.

Getting creative in the classroom

The creativity was flowing in the classroom today!This was the cd recyling make-up class.Not everyone likes to get down & messy but I was so proud of Dawn today for letting loose & doing both. My favorite cd she made today was her Paris cd. We all know that people think of Paris as being romantic & for her it really is. Thats where her hubby preposed to her in 1989.It doesn't get much more romantic than that.Her favorite cd she made was actually her last cd that says "When you wish upon a star". She saved the best for last!

Mixed Media scrap pages

Tonight I put the finishing touches on two more mixed media pages that I think everyone will really like.In the first page I used several neat techniques with tags, masking, & misting.I also made a few cool flowers with book pages that really add texture & dimension by using pop dots to adhere them.All the techniques are so easy & fun. In the second page layout we'll be using stitching which is one of my favorite ways for adding texture & we'll also add some mask misting,distressing inks, & paint. When you finish you'll get to bring home two great page layouts & some new learned techniques that you can use on other pages.I will be doing this class on a Sunday. Keep an eye on the Scrapdoodle blog class calendar for all the information.

Fun Finds

To me finding anything that I can alter or change using art is fun. I love the dollar section at Target and of course the dollar store. The Borders near me is closing so I've been finding alot of great books, & journals for next to nothing.I'm sure you've heard the term looking for things with "good bones". With books and journals I try look at the shape & binding.I love spirals because ribbons or charms can be tied from them. I bought some really great spider man books but guess what?I could care less about spiderman!I bought them because they have great shape.I want these books to be a class in book altering 101.The book above was a guitar chord writing book. You wouldn't have know if I hadn't told you right?
Same concept with the spidey books.By the time we take the spidey book apart, use a little sanding, gesso,& paint it will totally be transformed into this great art journal.I'll be looking at the class calendar to check dates for what I know will be a fun, fun, class. Watch the Scrapdoodles blog for all the class information.

A little of this and that

All my scrap pages start with bits & pieces layed out on a 12x12 piece of paper. As you could see from the last page lay outs I posted that even though the color scheme matches I mix patterns alot.Tonight I started putting together bits & pieces for another class idea. In it we'll be using tags on this layout that we'll be learning a fun technique where we'll be using a slow drying medium with masks. When your done your left with tags that have this fun textured look of almost a western engraved belt. I love it & I know you will too. Keep watching for class dates for this class.

Wednesday whimsy

Do you every find yourself needing a little inspiration? I know I do. I thought I'd put up some fun pages I've done in case you're finding yourself in one of those ruts. As you know I love breaking out of the box & some pages aren't so cutesie. These pages I love because they have that whimsical kind of feel & for me are very cutsie. Hope you find them inspiring!

Sundays mini canvas class

I took a few pictures from my mini canvas class yesterday. It always amazes me how everyone starts out with all the same materials but the end results are so different. Its fun seeing all the different styles in peoples work. Thank you ladies for spending a few hours out of your day with me creating something that hopefully brings a little smile & joy to your home.

Keepsake box

I really enjoyed making this keepsake box for my friend Kathy. The box is for special keepsakes that belonged to her late husband Frank. I picked out some colors & ended up using blue as a pop color. I also used prima flowers, a prima butterfly & rhinestone swirl patterns. I first started by painting the heart shaped box black & then gave it a couple of coats if gloss lustre decoupage. I sped up the drying process by using my heat gun. Then I just began layering it with old lace doiles, feathers that I sprayed with blue glimmer mist to match a rhinestone blue jewelry piece I really wanted to use. I gave Kathy the box tonight & was so pleased she loved it. Turns out Franks favorite color was blue. Coincidence most would say but I'd rather think of it as meant to be.

art journaling pages

This isn't my first art journal. It's one of a few I'm working on.Most times I don't even have a plan. I just turn on some chill music & just start putting down on the page whatever comes to mind. Most times they are very random but other times they can be very telling of what kind of mood I'm in or what kind of day I've had. I am definitely going to be looking at a date for doing a class on art journaling. I know once you see how I get started with page ideas, you'll learn to love it as much as I do.

cd restyling class

My cd re-styling class was post-poned back to a Wednesday morning. I thought it would be good to try an evening class but I think we're gonna stick with the 10:30 Wednesday slot. I will post the make-up class time as soon as I check the class calendar.

Scrapaganza weekend

Scrapaganza was this past weekend & I'm catching up on my rest. It just amazes me everytime I attend an event where so many come together with one common interest...Scrapbooking! Its funny watching grown women turn into almost little girls again at a sleepover with every kind of junk food you can think of. I don't remember too many alcoholic beverages at my early childhood sleepovers. Teenage years, well I'm just gonna leave that one alone. It was a good weekend & hanging out with my girlfriends never gets old. I'm so looking forward to my cd restyling class this wednesday. I can't wait to see what creative fun everyone will whip up!