artsy jo

A Lovely Place to Land: Desk Chair on a Dime

2011-07-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

A Lovely Place to Land: Desk Chair on a Dime

Oh, this gives me all KINDS of ideas!

First stabs (!) at knitting

2011-07-25T06:21:00.000-07:00

I'm using this sort of expensive yarn I bought at Loops and some "children's" knitting needles from Hobby Lobby. I think I'm going to need some slick needles, though. Too, too bad I didn't hang on to those two dozen pair my mom used to have :(

So far, I've learned a cast on and a garter stitch. Is it the same as "knit stitch?" I've been watching youtube videos for techniques. Can't say I'm putting much effort into it so far. When I get to Seattle, I plan to find some expert knitters and get some tutoring :)

2011-07-24T21:03:00.000-07:00

Heard Jo Packham (of Where Women Create) on Craft Cast podcast. She and Alison Lee, the host, both said they are more about the process than the finished product. I am so happy to hear that. I collect supplies, try techniques and have a gazillion things more I want to try...but I never, never, ever, enjoy what I "create" for more than a few hours, if that :)

I feel empowered to keep on collecting paint and yarn and ink and beads and papers and to venture forth into digi scrapping, polymer clay, needlepoint......

Artist Trading Cards

2011-07-20T04:19:00.000-07:00

Everything you could possibly want to know about ATCs/artist trading cards can be found here at CedarSeed.

I've made a few dozen from leftover cardstock or poster board. There is no limit to what can be done on them and with such a small canvas to work with, I can finish one quickly and move on to the next one, which is always satisfying to me. Quite an addictive activity. I never started trading them, but I'm sure that would become an instant obsession as well. Its an idea for the 'bucket list', to be sure.

Inspiration

2011-07-19T06:02:00.000-07:00

I search for and collect a file on my computer of journaling and art journaling "prompts." From time to time I print a hard copy to keep at my craft table. Then when I want to make something but have no idea what, I do something from the list. Sometimes its just a warm up to something else, or it might be all the art I manage to make that day.

I also subscribe to youtube channels of art journalers and scrapbookers who make things that interest me. I am especially interested in videos that teach technique. A bonus is to have the artist talk about the process, even off camera. I don't enjoy the videos where there is only music or music and text with no verbal instructions. But thats just me.

Challenges are posted all over the internet and sometimes I get inspired by them or at least they help me get in gear and make SOMETHING, even something I don't "like". Julie at Balzer Designs recently posted a project where she made 30 faces in her journal, one each day of the month. I cut index cards in half, then made a face on 30 halfs, then glued them in my journal. It was interesting and adds something to my art journal that is more interesting to me than what I generally put in there.

Frugal Art Journaling

2011-07-18T05:06:00.000-07:00

Using scraps of paper, die cuts as stencils, kids craft markers, etc.

I used grunge paper and cardstock with edge dies and BigShot to make edge stencils.

For the dragon fly tags I used: old file folders cut up into tags, $1 rubber stamp from Michaels, Rose Art markers or any water based cheap marker, spritz bottle (I buy the travel size, dump the hair product)
Color the stamp with the markers, spritz a couple of times with water then stamp. Great watercolor effect and a simple way to get more than one color on a stamped image.

Blended pan pastels over edge die cuts. Jury still out on whether or not I think pan pastels are "worth the money" :)

The lady's skirt is different pieces of scrap paper. The flowers are rubber stamped design painted with twinkling h2o.

Using Junk

2011-04-11T08:16:00.000-07:00

I folded a large manilla envelope, punched holes with my Zutter Bind it All Machine (which I got %40 off with Hobby Lobby coupon last year) and added it to a "junk journal". Now I have two more pocket pages.

Punchanella from Bonnie Rose on Etsy

2011-01-02T17:14:00.000-08:00

Using Punchanella/sequin waste as stencil

From Art, Heart, Healing workshop

2010-11-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

Art, Heart and Healing free workshop

2010-10-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

So far, I've learned a lot about layering paint (I don't tend to do enough of it) and drawing faces (trying to get the shading figured out)

free workshop here

The Life I want

2010-10-25T05:31:00.001-07:00

I want to live the way my Daddy did. He sat on the porch, sometimes for hours, staring at nothing, sometimes smiling to himself, sometimes making quiet, breathy whistling noises to keep himself company.
He piddled with what interested him, he undertook even huge endeavors if he so desired, and relentlessly pursued them....until he decided not to and returned to his chair on the porch or to his garage full of creative inspiration the rest of his world labeled "junk."
He loved what he loved and who he loved with a sentimental fierceness that embarrassed him at times, the shine in his eyes betraying his deepest feelings. But he did feel deeply, even though he seldom attempted to articulate those feelings.
His life had meaning to him and, in the end, what could possibly matter more than that?

A favorite blog

2010-09-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

Always great inspiration here for mini books or art journaling.

Making Decals

2010-09-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

Making Decals

Vintage Flair

2010-09-21T09:34:00.001-07:00

The stuff on this blog is breathtaking.

Crochet Yarn Bombing Garden

2010-09-17T06:07:00.000-07:00

This is my kind of gardening

Best tutorial for paper bag book

2010-09-16T14:58:00.001-07:00

paper bag mini book video

How to draw faces...and more

2010-09-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

Manga artist offers great tutorials on YouTube

Faces I drew:

craft addicts (like me)

2010-09-15T07:49:00.000-07:00

craftaholics anonymous

craftoholic

craftaholic

confessions of a craftaholic

Look what I found at the library!

2010-09-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

A Creative Guide to Exploring Your Life: Self Reflection Using Photography, Art and Writing by Graham Gordon Ramsay and Holly Barlow Sweet

Creative Collage for Scrapbooks: Fresh and fun techniques for layering by Kelly Angard

The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times by Pema Chodron

The New Diary: How to Use a Journal for Self-guidance and Expanded Creativity by Tristine Rainer

The Book Book: A Journey into Bookmaking by Sophie Benini Pietromarchi

Pages: Innovative Bookmaking Techniques by Linda Fry Kenzle

purpose

2010-09-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

Dan Millman, author of The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, says to merge your talents, your values and your interests to find what you should do in life. He also suggests to "Do the thing that makes you come alive."

Makes so much sense. Just think what the world would be like if we all did the things that our heart longs to do. I believe the world would fit together completely, each of us being one vital part in the puzzle.

glue batik with elmers gel glue

2010-09-13T15:32:00.001-07:00

tutorial

book binding

2010-09-13T07:57:00.001-07:00

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2SUmCv/blog.creativekismet.com/2009/08/24/recycled-paperbag-art-journals/

Useful Items You Never Knew You Could Print Out – The Ultimate Guide

2010-09-09T22:01:00.001-07:00

Stuff to print.

Not Martha & Pam Cariker

2010-09-07T05:39:00.000-07:00

artist Pam Cariker

http://www.notmartha.org/

Basic Mini Book Video Tutorial

2010-08-30T11:38:00.000-07:00

http://vimeo.com/14529897

zentangles with eyelashes

2010-08-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

collage in art jounral

2010-07-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

Torn bits of text, distress ink pad rubbed over top after glue dried.

2010-07-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

collage

2010-06-28T09:09:00.001-07:00

cricut diecuts and stencils from paint samples

2010-05-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

2010-05-16T12:29:00.001-07:00

Use what you have

2010-05-16T05:02:00.000-07:00

Grandma Prisbey Site

Fat Podcast! Yay!

2010-05-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

Loving this. Available on itunes.

Have FUN

2010-05-04T07:05:00.000-07:00

Wow. Fun. Almost forgot about that. Great post here to remind me!

Prompts

2010-05-04T06:25:00.000-07:00

Write about things you started but never finished.
List three things you never want to do again.
Write about the time you felt most cherished.
List the ways you attempt to give to others.
Write a story about what you've learned in life so far.

art journal page

2010-04-20T08:29:00.001-07:00

Art/Journal prompt: Make Space

2010-04-10T06:59:00.000-07:00

Make space for Being.
For being HUMAN.
Make space for creating things.
Bad things, good things, things that don't matter.

Make space for thinking.
Contemplating.
Listen to your inner voice.
Follow your hunches.

Stop consuming so much.
You don't need so many:
Craft supplies
Books
Snacks
You don't need so much information.
Really. You don't.

Consider how your stuff is tying you down.
How is your stuff holding you back?
What would happen if you let some of it go?
What if you let all of it go?
Who would you be?

Frugal Art Making

2010-04-06T06:46:00.001-07:00

Went to Dollar Tree and found tons of fun things to use as "art supplies":

Printed tissue paper (to glue in art journals or altered books)
Printed file folders (to use as pages for art journals)
Paper doilies (to use as stencils)
Jar opener circles (to use as stencils...and to open ModPodge)

At Walmart I bought hole reinforcements and painted them with india ink to use when I make my own tags (for the circle of color around the hole) I noticed a great pattern was left under the sheet of stickers, too, so I did a page in an altered book with that.

You'll notice in the pictures I am using sheet protectors between some pages of my books as I paint. I was using wax paper, which wears out quickly and rips. I saw someone doing an art journal video using the sheet protectors. I already have a bunch of them around, so I'm putting them to use.

I think the creativity of finding things I already own to use as craft supplies is almost as fun as buying inexpensive stuff to play with.

Of course it doesn't stop me from thinking I might actually NEED something like a Cricut or a Bind it All machine :)

Here are pics of some of these items I used today in my art journals and an altered book I'm working on:

Another Vlog from Journal Girl

2010-03-31T08:39:00.000-07:00

I'm loving Samantha's videos. I'm pretending she's my best friend :)

watercolors and crayons

2010-01-28T11:46:00.001-08:00

Puget Sound photo and my recent crochet

2010-01-14T04:28:00.000-08:00

2010-01-10T06:36:00.000-08:00

doodling

2010-01-05T16:42:00.000-08:00

2010-01-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

Oil Pastels and Pitt Pens

2009-12-15T21:07:00.001-08:00

Love, Love, Love these products.

Art Journaling

2009-12-15T21:03:00.001-08:00

Easy crochet scarf

2009-11-20T11:01:00.000-08:00

Free pattern for mesh scarf.

Crochet Soiree

2009-10-12T20:24:00.001-07:00

Free patterns. Tons of crochet info.

Freeform

2009-10-12T13:10:00.000-07:00

I hope to make this into a casual pullover vest. I have never made "clothes" before, so I hope this turns out.

Random Links

2009-10-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

Milliande Art Community

Crochetville

Daily Crocheter

ravelry

Ted

Scrumbling/freeform crochet

Red Heart free patterns

Getting Loopy crochet podcast

Craft Sanity podcast

CraftCast

Scrap Time video podcasts

artsy jo

A Lovely Place to Land: Desk Chair on a Dime

First stabs (!) at knitting

Artist Trading Cards

Inspiration

Frugal Art Journaling

Using Junk

Punchanella from Bonnie Rose on Etsy

tags

From Art, Heart, Healing workshop

Art, Heart and Healing free workshop

The Life I want

A favorite blog

Making Decals

Vintage Flair

Crochet Yarn Bombing Garden

Best tutorial for paper bag book

How to draw faces...and more

craft addicts (like me)

Look what I found at the library!

purpose

glue batik with elmers gel glue

book binding

Useful Items You Never Knew You Could Print Out – The Ultimate Guide

Not Martha & Pam Cariker

Basic Mini Book Video Tutorial

zentangles with eyelashes

collage in art jounral

collage

cricut diecuts and stencils from paint samples

Use what you have

Fat Podcast! Yay!

Have FUN

Prompts

art journal page

Art/Journal prompt: Make Space

Frugal Art Making

Another Vlog from Journal Girl

Tags

watercolors and crayons

Puget Sound photo and my recent crochet

doodling

Oil Pastels and Pitt Pens

Art Journaling

Easy crochet scarf

More links

Crochet Soiree

Freeform

Random Links