Life Moments Tutorial on the Sizzix Blog!

Click on over to the Sizzix Blog for a quick tutorial on how I created this Artful Card that can be hung after the occasion you've given it for has come and gone!

Thanks for dropping by, have a LOVELY day!

Things Are Not Always as They Seem!

When you look at this picture of daffodils you might think that things are nice and clean and put together in my studio. I mean, organized at least, right? I've cropped the image nice and tight and kept the focus on the flowers. BTW, I just love daffodils -- who doesn't?  They are the first sign of spring and with more snow on the way I really need a few reminders that I don't live in the Antarctic or something.

When I zoom out though, you can see -- my studio really is quite a mess. And, really to me it looks pretty clean here, LOL.

When I do some fancy editing my flowers really look gorgeous. You might think that my house and studio is spic and span, just by looking at this picture.

It's not. It's not a pigsty and super cluttered either -- just don't look close and you'll be ok.

That's all for today, just keepin' it real! have a great day and come back tomorrow to see a cool project I created for Sizzix!

Card Classes at My Creative Classroom

I know some of my students at MCC may have thought I fell off the face of the earth in January, but I didn't. I just closed my classes for enrollment. I was tired, plain worn out and needed a break. Plus, with CHA at the beginning of the month and 2 classes away from home I really really needed to take the time and gather my thoughts.

Now that I'm all refreshed and raring to go I'm back. Most of my classes are open for enrollment again -- and I'm also happy to say that these two classes are now self-paced classes. Meaning, you can work at your own pace. Take your time to complete the lessons or watch them all at once, the choice is yours.

I've embedded the link right in the photo, so all you need to do to enroll is click on the link to go on over to My Creative Classroom. You can also copy and paste this in your browser to go directly to the Enrollment Page at MCC: http://www.mycreativeclassroom.com/course/info.php?id=698 

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Artful Cards One $35.00

In this 5 Lesson course Catherine will teach you the art of creating Mixed Media Artful Cards using a mix of artful and creative techniques she has perfected over the years.

In each of the 5 lessons Catherine will teach you a creative technique to use in your card-making and then will demonstrate that technique in several unique and creative ways on your greeting cards. At the end of the course you will have amassed an arsenal of beautiful and creative cards for many basic occasions.

Techniques will include:

• Fun Stamping Techniques
• Hand and Machine Sewing
• Die-Cutting
• Layering
• Mixing Art Supplies with your Cards
• Watercolor Techniques
• Stencils
• Creating Custom Background Papers
• Image Transfers
• Creating Interactive Cards
   
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  Artful Cards Two $35.00

Join Catherine Scanlon in the second workshop of her popular Artful Cards series. In this amazing and creative boot camp style workshop she will share TONS of artsy, mixed media techniques that you can use in your cardmaking, art journaling and any other mixed media projects. Each of the lessons in this 10 lesson workshop will begin with a technique-based video where Catherine will discuss the tools and supplies you'll need for the technique followed by a step-by-step demonstration and hints for success to teach you the technique. After the technique demonstration Catherine will share with you a complete video tutorial to follow to create a beautiful card based on what you learned. Each card and technique will have a Quick Reference Guide that you can print for later reference.

I've embedded the link right in the photo, so all you need to do to enroll is click on the link to go on over to My Creative Classroom. You can also copy and paste this link in your browser to go directly to the Enrollment Page at MCC: http://www.mycreativeclassroom.com/course/info.php?id=774

Techniques will include:

• Mono-printed backgrounds
• Embossing folder techniques
• Custom embossing folders
• DIY Core'dinations/sandable cardstock
• Layered embossed stencil backgrounds
• DIY layered embellishments
• Creating custom sentiments with Microsoft Word
• Stamped polymer clay embellishments
• Stamping techniques
• Beginner sewing on paper techniques (machine and hand)

While the tools and supplies for this workshop may be extensive, I've supplied a separate downloadable supply checklist/shopping list in the classroom for you to use as you look over your supplies to see what you already have. You'll be surprised at what you have tucked away in all those storage bins and drawers. Feel free to make substitutions so you can use your supplies you have on hand before you purchase more.

And in case you are wondering if I'm a good teacher or not, I thought I'd share some of the student feedback I've received from in the Artful Cards classes:

• "I felt that the content, instruction and delivery of the course was great. Thanks, I learned a lot."~Maryanne, MCC student
• "I enjoy Catherine's easy way of teaching. She explains things really well and she is very approachable. I do enjoy that about her and her really easy style. I will take other courses that are offered by Catherine. Thanks very much for your lovely style of teaching."~Carol, MCC student
• "I love her (Catherine's) courses. I've taken many including "Artful Cards." I luckily saw this one, too. I met her at the two classes she was teaching at KEPT Creations in Whitman, MA. I really liked her and she clarified a few of the things I was confused about. I told her I never complete her classes the first time around but enjoy going back over them many times during the Extended period. I am signed up for her Artful Journal online and am taking another of her lengthier classes at KEPT Creations on the 4th of May. She's a fabulous teacher."~Mimi, MCC student
• "As always, Catherine's creative ideas and her style of teaching and clear, concise explanations and illustrations. I have enjoyed every class I have taken from Catherine. She has a way of explaining techniques that makes it easy and enjoyable to try them and she inspires confidence to try them!!"~Barbara, MCC student  

I hope to see you in class, and please let me know if you have any questions!

At the End of the Day

Thought I'd share how I create a quick journal page using my Daffodil Spray Stamp from Art Gone Wild. 

Stamp the design using a permanent stamping ink and add words with a Pitt Pen, Medium Tip.

Add color to the stamp using brush markers and watercolor paint.

Add color the the background with watercolor paints (or watered down Distress Paint.) Enhance the lettering with a Gelly Pen.

And it's done! Super easy and very fun.  Thanks for dropping by today, enjoy your day!

The Flower that Blooms

Sharing another daily practice from the weekend -- just a quick one because it was a crazy busy weekend and I'm kind of behind on a few things!

Thanks for dropping by and have a great MONDAY!

Stamp Winner!!

 

Congratulations Michele -- you are the winner of my Flower Frame Stamp!! Leave me a comment with your email address and I will contact you to get your mailing address!!

1. 
   MicheleFebruary 21, 2014 at 3:10:00 PM EST

   This is an awesome stamp!! Would love to win it!!! "Spring is in the air!!!!!

Have a great weekend.....

 

Thought I'd share my favorite markers from my favorite art store with you today --  Tombow Dual Tip. 

You can check the list over on the left side of the page to see what other products I like to create with. 

Hope you can find some artsy time this weekend! 

Find my Stamps and Stencils in Stores near you!

Check out this new page on my blog, over on the left at the bottom of the list! 

It's a GIVEAWAY!

Good Morning -- and HAPPY Friday! This morning I woke up to snow. Falling. From the sky. Yeah, the 3rd time this week. It does make me feel like spring is never ever going to arrive.

But then I checked my email and got a beautiful, spring like surprise from my sweet friend Kathie DeLuca. She created this beautiful card using my Flower Frame 2 Cling Stamp -- and it was enough to make me think that spring might just be right around the corner!

I just love the way it turned out. Lots of layers and bright color, and I really love the way she used the white pen to enhance some of the lines of the flowers.

I thought -- since it is Friday -- and you might be a little frustrated with the winter weather that I would offer a little give-away of this same exact stamp! 

It's big, about 4" x 6" but you can do so much with it! Just wait until you see the super cool project I created for a top-secret project I'm working on with it.

Anyway, leave me a comment with your favorite spring quote -- what you would add in the center of the flower to help you remember that winter will be over soon! I will pick a winner sometime on Monday February 24th. Please share this on FB, Pinterest.....and any other social media place you can think of -- the more the merrier and I might have a surprise in store for another lucky visitor!

Have a great weekend and thank you so much for dropping by.

Winter....it's the Never Ending Story around here!

Early last fall my Mother told me we were in for a long, hard winter. I kind of dismissed her comments and thought that her information from the Farmer's Almanac was not accurate.

Boy, was I wrong! 

We've currently had two snow storms this week with another on the way for tomorrow. I know I've mentioned in past years that I like the winter because I love cross country skiing and snowshoeing....but this winter has been so hard with lots of below zero temperatures. And snow. I think that's a sign that I'm getting old. urgh.

But on a positive note, at least the time I'm spending inside (instead of being physical outside) I'm getting lots of art created, and that's always a good thing! 

With thoughts of spring I think I'll say thanks for stopping by, have a great day.

There are Always Flowers

When I saw this quote from Matisse it really resonated with me. I'm always noticing flowers - whether they are real, fake or just in patterns that I like. They jump out at me and I find myself analyzing their structure and the best way to draw them.

Honestly, I think I've always loved flowers, even before I started drawing them I was growing them. In 1994 I started my true love affair with flowers when I planted my first perennial garden, now it's a bit of an obsession - maybe that's why I love the quote so much.

Anyway, I thought you would like this little sampler I made using my stamps from Art Gone Wild,  I really love the way it turned out. I stamped the images with Archival Ink and used a mix of watercolor paints, colored pencils, Tombow Dual Tip Markers and Distress Paints to add color. It reminds me of a vintage style book illustration. 

I listed some small canvases in my Etsy shop yesterday, you can find a link over on the left -- if you are interested that is I'd love for you to check them out. I have more to list, but starting small for now.

Thanks for dropping by -- have a wonderful day. 

Do Small Things with GREAT Love!

Colored Pencils or Watercolor Pencils? How about both? In this Project  Life card I created using my Art Gone Wild Stamps I layered analagous colors (colors that are next to each other on the color wheel) using my  Caran D'Ache colored pencils to create the rich colors of the flower.

For example, take a look at the center of the flower. See how it looks dimensional even though it's not. To get this effect I colored the center of the flower with a light yellow colored pencil and then layered darker shades of yellow and yellow-orange and finally orange on top to create that look.

I used the same technique using pinks for the petals and greens for the leaves. In the background I switched over to watercolor pencils. The original intention was to use a water brush to smooth out the pencil lines for a true mixed media look but I liked the way it looked so I decided to leave it.

In the example below, Live Simply -- I did just that. The mix of bright colors from the colored pencils and watery fluid look from the blue in the background creates a truly unique look!

If you are a card maker and interested in learning how I create cards inspired by my art supplies then you will definietly be interested in these two classes I have over at My Creative Classroom. Take a minute to check out my Self-Paced classes - ready for enrollment -- over at My Creative Classroom:

Artful Cards One 

Artful Cards Two

Thanks for dropping by today!

The Importance of Daily Practice

I always tell my students that if they commit to practicing their art (or craft) every day for a certain period of time they will see definite results from when they started to when they finished. I decided to prove it to them.

At the beginning of January I started drawing everyday. The criteria when I first started was that it be on notebook paper so I didn't fall in love with my practice AND I had to use a pen. As the days turned to weeks though, I did start to fall in love with my practice drawings and switched over to a pencil.

While these are mostly in order -- you can certainly see an improvement from when I started on January 1 to just yesterday.

While things are getting busy for me, I certainly plan on  filling my little notebook with more and more daily practice drawings. You can see them, as I post them on Instagram -- so come follow me -- there's a link over on the left of the screen!

THANK you so much for stopping by, have a WONDERFUL day. I do hope you will commit to your practice so you can see that drawing can be a learned skill and you can teach yourself to draw!

Be a Fortune Teller

 

Check out the Sizzix Blog to find out about my Sizzix Fortune Teller book, a fun way to preserve those favorite fortunes you save! 

February Whatevers

        

It's that time of the month again, when Martha, Vicki, Cuchy and I reveal our new art and stories for the continuing saga of the Whatever's. I've been having some Mercury is in Retrograde technical issues so if my post is wonky it's because of my iPad!

You can find the image to download on one of the other pages until I can get it uploaded here. 

Anyway, you can see what everyone else created by following the links below: 

Martha: The Mermaid's Closet

Vicki:   This Art that Makes me Happy

Cuchy: Hecho A Mano

And here's my story. This month we are headed back to see what Winston is up to, because I thought you might be wondering. 

Winston, poor Winston! 

Between the never ending snow and cold winter weather and the strange woman his Mother had invited into their home from Calcutta he just couldn't find a moment of peace. 

Here is how it works

• Vicki, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Martha and I and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.

• Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.

• If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!

• There are no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
  There are no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER

• There are no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER

• Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.
   
• These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission

• If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.

You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

And be sure to share your creation here, on this linky page!

                                    

An InLinkz Link-up

Plant Seeds of Kindness!

I'm working on a fun project using my stamps from Art Gone Wild with a sweet aussie and can't wait to share....it's not quite ready but it will be soon. And, the best part about it -- it's gonna be FREE!

PS. As you may have guessed, I'm reviving my old blog. It's so much easier for me to blog and format than the "other" one. 

Catherine Scanlon Designs Stamp and Die Set: FREE Video

Here's a quick video I created showing how to use the Clear Stamp/Metal Die Set: Oval Flower Frame 2! Hope you like it and be sure to let me know if you have any questions!

If you click on the image above you can see the entire catalog!

Introducing my Early 2014 Stamps!!

Click on the link to check out my newest  stamp and stencil release with Art Gone Wild!