You guys, it's not too late to make holiday cards to send out to friends and family! Especially when everyone is housebound, I think mailing a little handmade something sounds extra lovely. Therefore, every day this week I'm going to be sharing a tutorial for artsy holiday cards you can make and mail! Here we go: Today's cards are a great way to use up all of the hand painted paper scraps you have sitting around. I used gelatin prints, but you could use any painted/printed/doodled paper bits. Watch the video for the how-to: Supplies: paper scraps tape runner scrap... Read more →

This week in my Design Boot Camp, I did a demo for the students on how to use the Elements and Principles of Art while creating. The morning class asked me to create something based on the word, "winter" and the evening class asked me to create something based on the word, "circus." Here are the paintings I created for them: These pieces are large-ish. They're each 19x24: Can you tell which is which? Does it matter? This is the one that started with the prompt, "Winter": This is the one that started with the prompt, "Circus": As I mentioned... Read more →

Today's guest is Christina Richmond, aka Tweeny. Christina lives in Bath, and as a Jane Austen fan, I've always had a fantasy version of Bath in my head. We do chat about this at the top of the podcast, but then we get into the creative meat of the matter: when graphic design meets lino. If you do not see the podcast player above, please click on this link. On the off chance that you've never listened to a podcast or don't get why anybody would want to, here are some facts: (1) Podcasts are convenient. It's a recording that... Read more →

I created a set of nine color wheel cut files to help make choosing colors a breeze. Watch the video to see how they work: These cut files are free to Maker Members this month and free to Super Learner Members forever. You can also purchase them in my shop. You get a blank color wheel and 8 corresponding color scheme overlays: monochromatic, analogous, complementary, split complementary, square, rectangle, triadic, and diad. You can use the overlays with your existing color wheels or make new ones using the included blank color wheel! Have a great day and thanks for stopping... Read more →

It's time to order your rubber! #CarveDecember is coming! #CarveDecember is my annual challenge to carve, print, and post a stamp every single day in December. Yes, December is insanely busy. But perhaps it's a bit less busy this year? No holiday parties. No relatives to visit. And, I will remind you that I managed to do all 31 days last year, just days after having a baby. Not because I'm a super woman, but because I made the project manageable for myself. How do you make the project manageable for yourself? I'm so glad that you asked! Gather your... Read more →

If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, the concept is simple: It's a commitment to take ten minutes each day to do something in your art journal. No need to finish anything or even like it. It's about making the time to nourish your creativity every day! If you have the time to flip through your phone, you have the time to Art Journal Every Day. If you'd like to share what you make, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek. You can find new Art Journal Every Day posts here on the blog... Read more →

Today's guest is Ali Baecker of 3 Dotted Penguins. Ali is one of the talented #CarveDecemberClass teachers. We discussed how motherhood transformed her creative passion and how she got bitten by the block carving bug! If you do not see the podcast player above, please click on this link. On the off chance that you've never listened to a podcast or don't get why anybody would want to, here are some facts: (1) Podcasts are convenient. It's a recording that is available to you whenever and wherever you'd like to listen. You can pause, stop, start, fast forward, and rewind.... Read more →

Today I'm going to light up your world. Or at least show you a fun way to light up your world. I used my ScanNCut to create these very simple (but highly effective) cut paper leaf votives. I used painted plastic to cover the cut areas, but you can also leave (pun intended) them completely open if you wish, as in this example below: To be super safe, be sure to use battery operated LED votive candles inside, instead of real candles. If you're interested in making a project like this one, here are some helpful resources for you: Watch... Read more →

As you know, I have been hosting an annual carve-a-stamp-a-day challenge (aka #CarveDecember) in December since 2014! The challenge will continue for FREE this December. You are welcome to participate in the same way you always have: Carve a stamp. Print it. Post it to instagram. Use the hashtag #CarveDecember. However, this year I am thrilled to also be offering a #CarveDecemberClass. "Carve December: 31 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for Carving, Printing, and Designing Custom Stamps" is an online work-at-your-own-pace class. There are 31 lessons (one for each day in December) -- twenty-one lessons from me and ten lessons from... Read more →