Creative Jumpstart 2021

Creative Jumpstart 2021
Join me for the 10th Anniversary of CJS2021

Friday, November 11

30 Days in your Art Journal

So this is the latest attempt I made in my Art Journal, much better than the first two pages I must say. Loving the blue and orangey/yellow in the background!


I had sent some images to a friend in Australia from my Martha Stewart magazine stash, and came across this one when I was looking -- and it really sums up how I am feeling lately.


With a title, some distressing and the date -- it looks great! Now I just need to add some journaling.


I didn't have a large number stamp set so I used a chipboard number and acrylic paint. When the 9 is dry I'm going to sand it so it doesn't look so "new" and foreign to my page.

That's it for today -- will share more later. There's no school today and I've got a special visit planned for later today! HAve a great day -- thank you so much for stopping by -- catch you on the flip side of the day!

Wednesday, November 9

30 Days in your Journal

I did something I never have the time to do -- sign up to take an on-line workshop. I'm usually so busy teaching my own classes that I don't have time to take any. When I saw this class from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer I  decided I would make the time -- even though November is crazy!

It started out disappointing for me -- not with the course -- but with the journal I made. Last week I trekked down to Portland to pick up some watercolor paper to make a new journal -- and made more time over the weekend to get it done. I was ready to start on Monday.

Yesterday I got right down to work after dinner -- thinking I would "catch-up", I created my background -- which I fell in love with the layered colors and black circles.....and when I flipped the page it ripped at the score mark. (Another reason to use the masking tape like she suggests -- but I didn't have that and decided to just get to it and pick it up next time I went to staples.) I didn't use cheap paper either -- 140 lb. watercolor paper from Canson.


Anyway, this is one of the pages after I ripped it out. I decided just to go with it and see what I could make of it. I added stamped words and journaling and then ripped the one page into tiny pieces. It was almost freeing to rip that pretty background into tiny pieces!


I used Gel Medium to re-attach them to a new page in an old journal. At first I was skeptical -- it's such a 180 degree deviation from my style. I usually am clean and straight and balanced. This was a MESS. I did try and keep the stamped word "balance" together -- but other than that I just stuck them down to the page.


This is what it looked like when I went to bed last night. I was happy, it turned out ok and no one would ever be able to read my journaling!

This morning I got up and decided to finish off the page. Instead of ripping the second background, I used my paper trimmer to cut it into small pieces and then attached them to the page in an "organized, chaotic" fashion.


I added more circles, and kept the title really organized -- but with a few bits of chaos and added the journaling, some color using punchinella and the second page turned out like this.


My double page spread. Individualy the pages are kind of ugly -- but together they look ok. So not a representation of my work - AT ALL. But you must learn from your mistakes. I decided to just buy a journal like what Julie is using in the workshop and be happy with it!


Thanks for stopping by -- hope you'll make the time to ART Journal today!

Tuesday, November 8

oH cHRISTmAS tREE, oH cHRISTmAS tREe...how lovely are your branches!

It is NOVEMBER after all, (don't forget to vote today) so I guess it's ok to share more Christmas projects! Last week I spent the afternoon catching up with a friend I haven't seen in a bit -- and since I was inbetween projects and had a new Spellbinders Die Set I wanted to play with I got myself all prepped to make this little ornament.


I used all wool felt, it cuts so much easier in my die-cutting machine. Acrylic felt from the craft store has little fibers that always hang on and you have to cut them by hand -- I think it may be because they are made from recycled plastic containers -- not sure on that though.


I made the poinsettia from 4 or 5 layers of die-cut wool poinsettia flowers, some hand embroidery (doesn't really show), some freshwater pearls and velvet leaves from my stash.


With some hand-sewing, beading and other fun things I think this ornament came out perfect! Not sure if I am going to gift it or try and sell it in my Etsy. If you are interested in taking a class from me to learn how to make ornaments like this and more plus a vintage shadowbox (PLUS: 3 other instructors teach their holiday projects) in a fun holiday class at My Creative Classroom, check out All About Christmas. It's still open for enrollment -- but won't be for long. You'll have to wait until next year if you miss it this time!

Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a great day and get everything you vote for ;-)

Monday, November 7

Play time!


I had fun making this fun card for my latest Expert Blog Post over at the Spotted Canary. (The  instructions aren't there yet -- but should be before the end of the day!)

You can use it as inspiration or follow the step-by-step instructions and photos to make one just like it!

Gotta get back to work now, I'm swamped! Have a great day and thank you so much for stopping by!

Wednesday, November 2

November at MCC

I can't stand it any longer -- I have to confess that I've been keeping a little bitty secret from you.
But today -- I'm going to spill the beans.....since it's after the beginning of November! Last week or so I mentioned I was in the Christmas spirit....and it's all because of this project!
Most of the instructors at My Creative Classroom have been working on a fun FREE class! When you sign up for a class at My Creative Classroomm (any class I think) in November we'rre going to thank you by giving you access to our collective class "Wrap it Up". This project is my contribution that I totally had a blast making!


So, I hope you'll take a moment to check out the offerings and prepare to be amazed at this free class! Oh, and I'll have a VERY LIMITED Quanity of kits available in the classroom! (BTW, I've got three classes starting this month -- a spellbinders card class, a punch class and a Christmas class!)
THANKS for stopping by, have a great day!