The idea is to get a year of your life recorded in some way. Every week for one year, participants will create something inspired by an event, a thought, or an emotion from that week.
So, I've just finished Week 26 (June 25-July 1) of Project Fifty-Two. Here's my project for the week:
It's digi. I just started drawing with my pen tablet. I was so pleased with how everything turned out, I decided to put together a little digital kit of hand drawn elements. Here's the kit:
And, since we're half way through the year, I thought I'd share a mosaic style image with what I've created for Project Fifty-Two thus far (click it for a bigger image):
It's fun to look back and see how quickly the year has gone! In fact, here is Week 27's contribution (thus officially beginning the second half of the year):
As you can see, also made with my "Summer Joy" digi kit.
Finally, today is the last day (until noon MST) to vote for round one of Gallery Idol. I've been feeling very insecure about my card...I suppose that's totally natural. And I'm anxious to know the results and have the painful suspension come to an end! Thank you so, so, so much to any of you who voted! I really appreciate it more than I can possibly express!
I am becoming a seriously prolific blogger these days. It's kind of scary. Hope you're enjoying reading as much as I'm enjoying sharing! Thank you for taking the time to stop by. I appreciate it.
Now, how about some beautiful embroidery inspiration from flickr:
I'm teaching my "Journal Quilt" class tomorrow (Friday) at The City Quilter and we're focusing on embroidery techniques. I'm really looking forward to it - both because I loooove the class, and because embroidery is such a nice diversion sometimes (although my fingers are pretty sore). Plus, I'm teaching my "redneck embroidery," which is always fun because it breaks all the rules!
Here's the piece I'm showing in class:
This piece is a little larger than 8.5x11, just to give you a sense of scale. The background is an old rag I used to clean up my painty messes for many months.
It's still a little bit in progress. I'm thinking of adding some text. But, I'm going to let it marinate for a week or so before I decide. Love to know what you think! And I will have to do a bit of quilting and finish off the edges, but in the meantime, it's my Project Fifty-Two contribution this week. Can you believe that this is already week 25? The year is just flying by!
May seems to have come and gone with 31 of the quickest days I've ever witnessed. And, I'm afraid that I need to play a little bit of catch up combined with some housekeeping....
I love the way the stitched lines look! I'm going to have to do that one again with other group photos. It's such a cool look (time consuming, but cool)!
The infamous toilet paper tube returns in this layout. Now that I've started using it to stamp, I just can't stop! And I thought that the big brads were going to be too cutesy for me, but I really love them!
You can see the full RAH May Design Team Gallery here. I have to admit that because Right at Home doesn't have a particular "reveal day" I tend to just create when I have the time and forget to post them. It's a bad habit, I know. But, these were two of my favorite layouts ever!
At long, long last. As you may know, my work life has been interfering with my play life and sadly, I haven't been spending the massive amounts of time on the computer that I usually do. And so all of my uploading and blogging has fallen off a bit. I am currently up to date in my Project Fifty-Two folder (you can click it on the left hand side) and I just spent the last hour oohing and aaahing over all the gorgeousness in the flickr pool. You should definitely take a peek! Here are some of my favorites:
I've added a few new blogs to my google reader feed!
Jodi Reeves (aka The Creative Jar): Totally genius. I don't know why we aren't best friends? She's super creative and so versatile and has fantastic tutorials! Half the photos in the mosaic above are of her stuff!
Creatively Just Me (Marianne Hope): I found her through the member gallery at Label Tulip and everything she does is totally fantastic! Lots of great design and little details that have you looking twice.
Speaking of Label Tulip, fellow design team member Christina, has me addicted to her blog! I really like her arty style (a totally different kind of artsy fartsy from me) and her blog is just generally fun to read. She posts fairly often too, which is nice.
Dog Daisychains: I've been reading this blog for a while, but recently I have become obsessed! It's one of the first blogs I read every morning. I love her velvet/felt stitched creations! I really want to see them in person! But, alas, she's across the pond....
Who's new to your feed and totally stalk worthy?
4. The sneak peeks are up for the new Label Tulip kit! I haven't had time to play with the kit myself, but it looks like a good one! I even ordered the add-on because it looked so yummy!
That's about all from me. I've been out of town so frequently lately that I'm really looking forward to getting back home tomorrow! It'll be nice to actually have some time to sit down. I see some (belated) spring cleaning in my future!
I woke up with a big smile on my face. I feel happy. So I thought I'd share a quick list of ten things that are making me happy right now! So, in no particular order...
2. Visiting the DeCordova Sculpture Garden in Lincoln, MA.
3. This woman.
She and I have been shopping, eating, laughing, and generally being silly for the past few days (also see #10).
4. Painted toenails.
Hooray for summer and flip flops!
5.This challenge site. Every challenge, they blow me away with their creativity and honesty. The guest designers are always interesting artists from around the globe. And while I haven't yet participated in a challenge, I faithfully read the blog and am inspired by it!
The current challenge is: Tell us about your perfect day (either one you’ve had or one you imagine.)
6. Headbands with flowers.
I picked up a few at Anthropologie the other day and I can't stop wearing them! They're so summery. I suspect I may have to try making some of my own.
7. I'm going to Seattle for the wedding of my sister-in-law and her lovely fiance. Can't wait!
It'll be lovely to see them, and all of John's family, and Seattle is always a fun place to visit!
8. I stumbled upon this video on art journaling techniques and it spoke to me. Hope you enjoy it too!
9. Inchies! I can't stop myself from making them! Since they're only 1x1 inch, they're quick and easy! Here's a canvas I recently made with inchies that use lots and lots of Prima and Ranger goodies:
Here are some close ups:
I love how two flower petals create a heart in the example above. So cool!
...and I sat down to use it today and I'm in LOVE! That kit is from the Prima Hybrid collection. Here's what I did with it today for Project Fifty-Two:
So, so, so much fun!
There you go, those are my ten! What's making you happy these days?
I'm sitting in my hotel room in Cleveland. I was going to post some photos from my arrival at the airport and decided to make a quick digital layout instead. Back on the Project Fifty-Two wagon, here is the layout:
Credits: Julia Makotinsky from Little Dreamer Designs (white journaling shapes), CD Muckosky from Little Dreamer Designs (heart), Ligia Orsati (brown paper background), Miss Crow (notebook strip), Balzer Designs (stars).
Here are the paper airplane photos a bit larger:
These are *huge* sculptures hanging in the Cleveland airport. They're
made to look like paper airplanes and they are sooooooooooo cool! I'm
telling you, art is everywhere! It makes me happy.
I drove from the airport (man, I love driving - miss it, living in NYC and all) straight to Beachwood Studios. I was relieved to discover that the box from Sakura of America had arrived. Whew. While I was setting up my projects (I tape TWELVE segments tomorrow), I chatted with two very nice women from ProvoCraft. They were there demonstrating the Cricut and the Yudu. I want a Yudu! I was so jealous when they gave one to each of the hosts.
I managed to set up for my seven Sakura segments. And I finished a last minute photo frame project as well. But, I've been so busy and sleep deprived that I...*blush*...forgot to pack a few important supplies! Eek! Luckily, there is a Michael's right across the street from the studio. I meant to go in a grab the four things I had forgotten, but I kind of got lost amongst the scrapbooking supplies. I showed great restraint (I mean, I don't have that much room in my suitcase after all) but couldn't help buying a TON of Prima stuff. I had never seen the Prima stuff in Michael's before. It's so cute and the prices were so reasonable, so now I have to tote home a whole bunch of flowers and ribbon and felt. Ah, well. It's a hard life.... Here's a quick pic:
Then, I headed back to my hotel room to work on the remaining five segments. And now, it's almost time for bed! I'm sure there will be lots more to share tomorrow!
Thank you to everyone who e-mailed me to inquire whether or not I was okay. I'm fine, just absurdly busy. I'm currently in rehearsal for a great play, but it's taking up a ton of time. I'm on a different rehearsal schedule than normal and it's kicking my behind. The only creative thing I did last week was this little piece for Project Fifty-Two:
It pretty much sums it all up.
How about some good news now?
1. The American Craft Council has chosen one of my quilts to be featured on their website, along with a few others from the Empire Quilters Guild show! I'm amazed and thrilled and honored.
This is from their website:
The
Council is today the leading voice for the crafts in America, celebrating
the remarkable achievement of the many gifted artists working in the media
of clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood and other materials. The mission of the American Craft
Council is to promote understanding and appreciation of contemporary American
craft.
We value
making as fundamental to the human experience
craft as a means of learning and self-discovery - a way of
unifying body, mind and spirit
makers who work directly with materials, expressing their
individual voice through objects that embody creativity and technical
mastery
craft traditions and the role of makers in passing these on
to future generations
innovation that reveals new possibilities in the relationship
between maker and materials
discourse on the evolving nature of the crafts
2. Tomorrow (April 15, 2009) at 6pm PST, the project kit I designed, "Manhattan in Bloom" will go on sale at Label Tulip! Eeek! I've been working and working and working for days to get the instructions together. I've created a private blog with a combination of photo and video instructions. It will be available to anyone who buys the kit. Here are some sneak peeks...
Lots of awesome techniques!
3. Kim, the owner of Portrait Bug, is very generously throwing my theatre company a fundraising crop this Saturday! Here's the official information...
Get Crafty to Help Milk Can!
Portrait Bug, Manhattan's only scrapbooking store, is holding an event to benefit the Milk Can Theatre Company.
When:April 18, 10am - 1am (drop in any time and stay as long or as little as you like!) Where:Portrait Bug (Broadway, between 91st and 92nd) What:An all day "crop." It's a crafty get together. Bring your own supplies
or buy some at the store. You can sit and socialize and make whatever
you'd like! Most people will be working on scrapbooks and cards, but
anything goes! The Details:The store will serve a light lunch and pizza for dinner. The charge is
$20 for the whole day (including food)! Can't beat that!
The Project Fifty-Twoflickr pool is full of some amazing art! It's not too late for you to join! All you have to do is create something (a photo, a poem, a layout, a tag) that celebrates your week, every week for 52 weeks. I wanted to share this little slideshow of the wonderful things that are being created...
It's also my first official layout for Prima. Here are some details on how it all came together...
I stitched the photographs to the background and then stitched five random circles. The interiors of the circles are painted somewhat realistically and are meant to represent the camera focusing on something - kind of making it real or defining it.
I used the glitter glue (from Sulyn) to adhere the crystal centers to the paper flowers (which are actually sewn on). I simply covered the paper flowers with a nice thick coat, waited a few minutes for it to “set up” a bit and then pushed the centers into the glue. I left it to dry overnight.
Because the background paper had so much text, I decided to add my journaling to my photos. I used two different colored pens to write on the light and dark surfaces.
Whew. Trying to grab a moment to catch my breath and play catch up! I'm keeping up with Project Fifty-Two (just barely - how about you?) and I wanted to share the last few things I've made (and don't forget to check out the excellently cool stuff from the flickr group) for the project....
Week Five (January 29 - February 4) This is a digital layout using this kit by Miss Crow. I spent a quick two days in San Francisco to see my grandmother, but we escaped the nursing home for a few hours to walk along the cliffs.
Week Six (February 5 - February 11) I posted this quilt as part of my blog post about making samples for Quilting Arts TV. During this week I had a spectacular fight with my Father and worked out my feelings in this quilt about the two of us.
Week Seven (February 12 - February 18) I've already shown this off and even did a tutorial on it. This was Valentine's Day week. Me and the hubs. Need I say more?
And finally, this week: Week Eight (February 19 - February 25) I printed out a photograph of my glammed up self and just wrote a few lines to remember the moment.
Remember, this is supposed to be as unstressful as possible. Just create something about what's going on this week for you. Take a photo. Write a few lines of thought. Or create something elaborate. It's totally up to you!
And please do check out the flickr group. The projects that people are sharing are beautiful, emotional, cool, clever, funny, and just generally amazing!
I'm heading off to four days of cropping in New Jersey! I'll try to blog from the road, but if not, see you on Monday!
Right at Home Scrapbooking is a fabulous scrappy store in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. When I heard they were having a design team call, I knew that I had to apply! Here's part of my application:
"RightatHome holds a special place in my heart. I accidentally discovered scrapbooking at an AC Moore. I rapidly became obsessed with the hobby and went online looking for information. I stumbled into the world of cyber boards and learned about a thing called "a local scrapbooking store." I knew that I had to find one, and Rightat Home was the one I found! Since then, I have thought of RightatHome as my "hometown lss" despite the fact that I live in New York City. I stop by every time I come through Massachusetts. I've taken classes at RAH and attended last Fall's retreat! I'm a fan of the store from the friendly employees to the merchandise choices, and I'd love to be a part of the team."
I was thrilled when they extended an offer to join the team and then the big box of goodies arrived! Lisa and Sharon have pegged my style precisely. They sent me sticky back canvas, paint, buttons, and beautiful paper from Cosmo Cricket and Making Memories. I dove right in and here's what I came up with....
The scan isn't great, but you can see a close up here:
• I cut some sticky back canvas into strips, applied gesso, used a pin to write “all about me” in the gesso, let it dry, and then applied a wash of paint over it. I then applied those strips to my cardstock. • I used a Christmas themed journaling card up at the top and simply tore off the Christmas part. An easy way to make your supplies go farther!
• I hand cut all the circles because I like that handmade, wonky look. The large ones are patterned paper and the smaller ones are sticky back canvas. • I love the fact that the canvas takes many layers of paint without curling up. • I painted the title. • I used watered down acrylic paint to paint the background after the layout was finished.
This is probably the most traditional layout in the bunch. The alphabet was originally multi-colored, but I wanted all the letters to be red, so I painted them with gesso (while they were still on the sheet), outlined them with a pen, and then colored them in with a Glaze pen.
I'm in love with this layout. No journaling - which is unusual for me. But, it is so cool in person! Here's a close up of the dangling hearts:
• I silhouette cut the photos and then placed them over patterned paper. I love the way it looks. • The photos are popped up with foam adhesive. The hearts are then attached to strings which dangle from the backs of the photos (so they hang off of the page). • To create the background, I laid down a bunch of gaffers tape and then painted over it with watered down acrylic paints. Then I sprayed Glimmer Mist over it to create some glitter and shine. • The alphabet stickers kept coming up, so I used some matte gel medium over the top of them to keep them down. It works great and doesn’t show at all!
This is definitely one of those layouts that's way cooler in person than in a scan, which is too bad.
Finally, the girls at Right at Home have asked me to do a couple of technique cards each month using the 7gypsies photo carousel as the base. Here's one I made using my faux Prima lollipop flowers:
I made them slightly differently than in this video tutorial I did a while back. The process is the same, but I made them from patterned paper instead of cardstock, and I crinkled the edges a little bit more. Variety is the spice of life, eh?
This card demonstrates the "masking with lace paper" technique that I used on this layout that people loved. And here's a little video that demonstrates the making of the card from start to finish....
Yep. Today is Tuesday. And I'm *still* sick. Sigh. Here's a quick run down of some crafty stuff to share...
1. Had a layout picked up yesterday by Memory Makers Magazine. It's a digi layout. I'm having more luck getting my digi stuff picked up than my paper stuff, but that's a conversation for a later post.
2. I've been working on a quilt for the last few weeks. It's getting close to being done. It has been a while since I've worked on a larger piece. Most of my quilt-y projects have been small - like 8.5x11 and this is a much larger piece. I'm finding it quite satisfying! Here's a little sneaky peek...
3. I got a great belated Christmas present from Kim, the owner of Portrait Bug. She gave me a glass mat! As you know, I am a total cheapskate and have been using a broken piece of glass from a picture frame for the last two years. I'm totally excited and I even used it today! This makes me so happy!
4.Project Fifty-Two is going strong with awesome new eye candy showing up in the flickr pool every day! This week's project is a variation of a vision board. Basically, a vision board is a visual representation of what you want - goals and such. My friend Kimberly and I worked on our boards together and decided that we'd rather not think about what we see for ourselves, but concentrate on the here and now. She did a "happy board" - all about things that make her happy. I did a board about who I am and the things that are important to me - kind of a reminder. So, here it is...
I'm not 100% sure if it's finished for real, but it's definitely finished for now. This is where I am in my life, right now.
5. I did a scrap-for-hire project today. It's so interesting to work on something that is not your natural style. The client wanted something that wasn't "crafty." And, "crafty" is kind of my middle name. But, I managed to pull together a very cute, very pink, very polished project for her. I'm pleased, but when I look at it, it just doesn't have "me" on the page. Which I suppose is a good thing when it's for someone else.
