Friday, May 30, 2008

Catalyst #11


This week's catalyst for Creative Therapy involves your first memory. Mine goes way back, when I was probably about two, in my crib. I remember waking up, to what in my mind's eye was in the middle of the night, standing up and grabbing the bars of my crib, and calling for my mother. I remember watching the dark doorway for her, and and seeing her arrive. She picked me up put of my crib, and that's where the memory ends. Although it's a gray, sleepy scene in my mind's eye, it's still a warm memory. My mother was there for me when I needed her, and 37 years later, she still is.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Girls Day Out




On Monday, Madeline and I had a girls day out. We started the afternoon at My Daughter's Wish, where I told her she could get some scrapbook paper for the Hello Kitty scrapbook she wanted (our next stop). She chose a very girlie purple Daisy D print, but was looking longingly at a pink DD floral. I told her it was her special day, and she could choose more then one paper. Maybe that was a mistake, because she began a full tilt tour of the store, collecting all of the pink and purple prints she could find,"because it was her day and she could have whatever she wanted." She had to add some sparklies and Elsie buttons and stamps, and I have to admit I guided her towards a couple of papers I liked, as well. Her loot:
We then made our way over to the Hello Kitty store, for her scrapbook kit. I had told her no stuffed animals, but that's all she kept picking up, and t09491-200710_248.jpghey have come out with a hip little character, so I gave in (but it had to be the miniature version!) I have to admit, I left with more items then M! It brought back so many memories - I loved all of the little stationary and stickers when I was a kid, and spent hours of valuable class time drawing Hello Kitty, My Melody and the Little Twin Stars for my friends. Here's what I left with: 


Great little accents and journal sheets for scrapbook pages! We ended the day with lunch at Panera, where Madeline kept repeating how nice it was to be out, just the two of us, without the boys. And it was. I really love spending time with my little girl!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

another try at jewelry



The theme for mixed media Monday was maps, and created by hand had pins, so I put them both together and here is the result. Even though I have a box full of maps, I used a 7Gypsies rub-on map for the vintage look. The numbers are the new mini grungeboard that have been embossed with silver, and the frame got the alcohol ink treatment.

It's good to be back with the art challenges again. I've been on a scrapbooking binge for awhile, and I miss my sketchbook. But that will still have to wait, because I have 20 kindergarten scrapbooks to finish and assemble this weekend, and some finishing touches on 150 wedding invitations. Thank goodness summer vacation is two weeks away! (and the bottle of wine is only a few feet;)

Thursday, May 22, 2008

art and life

So I debated whether or not to blog about this tonight. But my blog is about my art life, and art is about truth. Unfortunately, the truth about the arts, performing or fine, is that you receive rejection.  A lot of it. I'm not going to lie, it hurts. And it makes you mad. Or a little depressed. But if you can't take rejection, then go get that desk job now. You have to learn not to take it personally. I know, easier said then done, but you have to. To survive. To keep believing in your art. I know from acting that rejection often has nothing to do with talent. You may be too short, or too tall. Your style may be too funky, or not funky enough.  It is so subjective. Not all of the art out there appeals to me, so why should my art appeal to everyone else? Besides, I would do it anyway. Even if I were the only person to gaze upon my creations, I would still sit at my table each night, with my paints and pens and paper, and I would create. Because I have to. It's a part of me. It makes me happy, or sometimes it makes me sad, but it makes me... me.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Creative Therapy Catalyst 10


This week the theme for Creative Therapy is someone you miss. It was quite serendipitous that I found the little photo of my Oma and Opa just a few days ago. The journaling reads:
My most prized possession is the candy bowl. I can't believe out of all of the grandchildren, I got it. It represents all of the fun, sweet memories of childhood at your house. The "vitamins" kept in it that would make our hair curly. The cherry tree in the backyard. "Fishing" for gifts. The felt pieces. The slot machine in the closet. Little sausages for breakfast. Dutch Masters cigars (and always being offered one!) I just wish you both had been able to meet my kids.

Sweet Melissa


Scrapstars challenge this month is using a song title and lyrics containing the name of someone you know. Sweet Melissa is not only Madeline's cousin, but her idol. I always think of her when I hear that song, because she is so patient and kind with Madeline. Madeline was absolutely crushed when they moved to Kansas more than a year ago, and she still asks when they are coming back. Soon, I hope, because we miss sweet Melissa (and Andrew, too!)

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Productivity!

I scrapped the morning away with Scrap For A Cure's online crop today, and I'm still working on my layouts, but I wanted to post a few pieces from earlier this week. Productive:
CreativeTherapy Catalyst #9 - Pessimism
When I first saw this topic, I thought it would be hard. I'm just a naturally optimistic person. But after work this week, I certainly had more than enough to write about!


I also want to give a shout out to My Scrapbook Nook, who is very generously sending me their May kit as the RAK winner for my last post on Creative Therapy. I am SO excited to get my hands on it - all full of vintage scrap lovelies! Thank you!!!

Next, the Mixed Media Monday collage for the theme of transparencies. This was one of those bits on your desk type of pieces. I'm still deciding if I like it or not...
(I had to get Batboy in there;)

Last but certainly not least, I played with Rebecca's embossing technique again. If you haven't checked out her challenge and tutorial yet on the My Daughter's Wish new and improved blog, then go there now! It's a very, very cool technique. I made a little mini album to record the highlights of the summer ahead
Thanks, Rebecca! Now I have a new favorite technique!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

New Challenges for the Wish Chicks!


My Daughter's Wish has launched new weekly challenges on the blog! Each week, a designer will post a challenge and yes, there will be prizes! I'll be hosting two in June, but Rebecca has started us off with a fantastic technique challenge with a tutorial to go along with it. It's about using paint to emboss chipboard, and she made two very cool album covers with it. Check it out here!

I played with the technique on my page for Creative Therapy. It's a challenge blog that offers a prompt that you can respond to with any form of art. At first I thought I'd use my art journal, but then I decided to make a separate 8.5x11 book for my entries. When my kids get older they'll have something about me that offers a different insight then the normal scrapbook. So here's catalyst #8 - Guilty Pleasure. I tried Rebecca's embossing technique on the "my" portion of the title. It was my first attempt, and I learned a few things. Instead of using naked chipboard, as in Rebecca's example, I used covered chipboard letters and painted them. When I was embossing, I overheated the powder in an attempt to get more bubbles (I wanted that really textured look). Unfortunately, the color from the letters bled through a little. A decided to ink over the whole square with marigold distress ink, and overall, it came out pretty well. I am definitely going to play with this technique again, but with naked chipboard!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Mixed Media Monday - Paint!



What better theme for MMM could there be then paint? This little altered cigar box once held Cosmo Cricket chipboard. Definitely used some pint here, also a few stamps, ink and collage. This is my traveling supply box for demos at My Daughter's Wish. A little funky, but that's the way I like it (Uh huh, uh huh):)