Just finished up the final Creative Jumpstart video and I can't say enough about what a great class it is. All 25+ talented artists are so inspiring and passionate about what they teach. Some of the artists I'd never heard of, and some are longtime favorites. I've taken many online classes and sometimes don't even finish them because I either get bored or it's information overload. I found myself anxious to see what was coming up next with CJ. The class itself is easy to maneuver through and the artists respond to question and comments in a timely manner. Although there is a link-type show and tell sharing section and comment area for each artist's video, the only thing I would add is a Facebook group for more interaction and ease of sharing. I always like those groups because it creates a sense of community. Thank you Nathalie Kalbach for putting the whole thing together!
For my own creative jumpstart I love to make backgrounds in one of my art journals, usually using a stencil. I have dozens of them and love to combine interesting color combinations by adding and subtracting and repeating the design. Sometimes I look at them and ask myself, "How did I do that?!" They turn out so cool that I don't want to add anything on top! I thought I would share some of them with you.
No matter how you may feel, there is always something to be grateful for. I recently saw a video where American olympic skater, Scott Hamilton, talks about how he is handling the return of a brain tumor. Watch the video Here. His positivity is something to strive for!
I made this little accordion card to inspire myself to be grateful no matter how I may feel. Find out how I printed with real leaves to make this card in my video.
Here are the quotes:
Find something to be grateful for today.
“The first thing I teach skaters at my skating academy is how to get up — because we’re going to fall,” Hamilton says. “And that’s how I live my life: I’m going to fall down, I’m going to make mistakes, I’m going to do all kinds of things that I’m going to wish didn’t happen. But it’s what’s next — it’s how you get up … The more times you get up, the stronger you are to face the next thing, which will happen — because that’s life.” Scott Hamilton
Remember that 90's song by REM, Shiny Happy People? Here's a reminder.
Can it get happier than that? Yes. It can.
I think about that song when I look at these bright fun doodly little canvases!
And how I made them is equally as fun! I shared the video a few days ago and thought I would give you a closer look at the canvases themselves. Here is the video in case you missed it.
I sometimes doodle during meetings, church (don't tell) or when I am on the phone, but usually not in my art. I really got into it with these colorful prints. It was very relaxing!
And I have to admit, that cutting them up after all of that work was scary and a bit risky. I kept second-guessing myself. But in the end, I listened to my intuition.
These little canvases were screaming for some positive words. So that's what I gave them. They are perfect sitting on a shelf because of the deep edge and are sure to brighten any space. I plan on doing more of this type of art because it makes me happy to create AND to look at!
Here they are individually.
Wonderful Things
Wonderful Things
Impossible Things
Impossible Things
Never Give Up
Never Give Up
What Comes Next
What Comes Next
BE
BE
Imperfection
Imperfection
Timing
Timing
So there is my shiny happy blog post! Hope I have brightened your day a little bit! If you are interested in purchasing any of these canvases, I will be posting them on my facebook page, but you can also let me know below.
Check out my tutorial about how I made these mixed media leaf streamers on the Gel Press® blog today.
I had lots of leftover leaves and wanted to share what I made with them.
I knew these colorful leaves would make really pretty cards but I wanted to make art that I could hang on my wall. So I came up with this layered collage.
I love this 12" x 12" shadow box frame I got at Michaels that allows me to pick the depth I need. I get them on sale half off (about $10) and then grab a bunch in black and white to keep on hand for projects like this. I've done mixed media scrapbook layouts and given them as gifts ready to hang on the wall.
So what kind of crafty fall projects are on your desk? Are you working on Christmas projects yet?Leave me some comment love below!
