Balzer Designs

I Can't Stop Printing...

You guys!  I am having so much fun creating these composed prints.  I really can't stop.  Here are three new prints to share with you:

It's not a quick process.  Each print takes time.  There is some planning, but also some accepting of what happens -- embrace it and keep rolling.  I think I'm addicted to these prints because they're all about problem solving and, at its heart, that's the reason I make things.  I love solving problems.  To me, the really fun art making *is* problem solving.  For example:

• You make something.
• It's too heavy on the left.
• That's a problem to be solved.

This process of printing involves small problems over and over and I loooove it!

Hope you have a great weekend.  I will be on HSN for the 24-hours between midnight on Sunday and midnight on Monday. 

I'll be demonstrating a sewing machine and serger, the ScanNCut DX, and the PTouch Embellish.  I hope you'll tune in and check it out.  It's sure to be an exhausting but adrenaline filled 24-hours!!

Gelli Printing with Purpose

It's no secret that I love my gelatin plate.  Looooooove it.  My art life really hasn't been the same since it came into my life.  Lately I've been experimenting with how to create fully composed works of art on the plate.  No collage.  Just layers and layers of printing.  The good news is that I feel like I've finally mastered the technique.  Here are two prints that I made and L-O-V-E! 

I call this one "City Moon":

I call this one "Mountains":





I used my Balzer Designs Dash Triangle...

...and Plaid Fringe stencils.

I really love the way these two turned out. The printing process was lots of fun and I plan to keep working on this type of layered monoprint.

Thanks for stopping by!

Items on my Creative To Do List

If you're like me, you have more ideas than time to get them all done!  Today I thought I'd share a few projects that are on creative to-do list:

A student of mine kindly gifted me a "Sew Together" bag.  It has three zipper pockets within a larger bag.  (This is not a photo of my bag because I'm lazy.  But this is what it looks like, but with different fabric.)

image source

The "Sew Together" bag is an internet phenomenon and now that I own one, I know why.  It holds sooooo much and is super duper useful.  At some point, I plan to buy the pattern and make a million more!

A while ago I stumbled across dendritic painting.

After watching the video, I ran to my studio to try the technique.  My results are not as spectacular as the ones in the video, so I want to keep trying and maybe get some glass -- I've been using plastic.

Finally, now that I've started the handmade clothing thing, I've become obsessed with this one dress pattern called the #hinterlanddress. There are more than 1500 photos attached to that hashtag.  People add sleeves, turn it into a shirt, change the proportions.  It seems to be an excellent boiler plate dress!

Anyway, you get the idea!  I could spend hours (and I might have) just poking through the hashtag versions of this dress!  Definitely on my to-do list! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Gelli Printing on Fabric

Hey you guys!  The kind folks at Gelli Arts sent me their GIANT Gelli Plate (20x16). Because it's so big, it's perfect for printing on fabric fat quarters! (Fat quarters are usually 22x18.)

In the video, I'm sharing my very first time using this giant plate (so fun) and demonstrating how quick and easy it is to print up tons and tons of custom fabric.

Supplies Used:

• Fabric Paint
• Gelli Plate
• Brayer
• Catalyst Tools

Now I just have to decide what to do about all this yummy hand printed fabric?!  I'm sure I can come up with some ideas!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Creative JumpStart (CJS) is Back!

I'm happy to share that I'll be teaching for Creative JumpStart (CJS) 2019 for the 8^th year in a row!  It's hosted by my friend, Nathalie Kalbach. If you're not familiar with CJS, it's an online event to kick your creativity into high gear throughout the month of January. 

Throughout January participants get access to 31 downloadable videos from 31 featured artists. Learn techniques, discover new materials, and connect with other artists and crafters.  And my favorite part is that the videos are all about 10 minutes long -- so very manageable.

You get 31 videos - over 5 hours worth of video content -  for just $40 (USD) if you sign up by November 26 2018 11:59 pm EST. 

The price keeps going up: After November 26, it will be $45USD until November 30th 2018, and $50USD until December 31st 2018, before it goes to its normal price of $60USD on January 1st 2019. 

You can visit Nat's site to sign up and/or for more details.  This link is an affiliate link and I will receive a small portion of your payment if you purchase the class through this link.  Your support is always appreciated.

The theme this year is all about home and this is the project I'm teaching you how to create:

Hope to see you in class!  Thanks for stopping by!