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.