on the worktable: memory keeping & pocket pages

Making memories are the one most important things for a family and I love to document them. I found my way into mixed media art through good old fashioned scrapbooking. My problem with a layout was dimension. ONE doesn't cut it for me, so my pages ended up thick and expensive. Layer after layer after layer, but I loved my pages. In keeping with my budget for this year, I am trying something new that will save a bundle in money and time.

I really fell in love with the idea of assorted pocket sizes when I took Ali Edwards class One Little Word, so when I found these sleeve protectors by me & my big ideas I knew I would love this system style. I could save money without sacrificing layers because I would be working on a smaller scale.

 

I am loving mixing up photos with plain blocks of journaling or an oversized word that says it all. I am loving using up scraps that I haven't been able to part with because they are just too pretty! And I am loving getting a months  worth of memories down and ready to read in such short bursts of time.

   

In an effort to make this a productive and efficient  on going project  I did a little reorganizing. Next I printed a few sheets of number stickers that I made using different fonts in photoshop. Now I can easily label a pocket with the day of the event or memory. I printed tags and labels for layering some journaling.

I am still experimenting and will probably tweak each "page" several times more, but I like this system so far and will continue to play around with it for the rest of 2012's photos.

 As a side note - I was not in any way contacted by or paid to advertise any of the above mentioned classes or products, I just like them and so thought them worth mentioning!

storage worth stealing: re-purposed photo carousel

I have started a little ongoing photo project, and with it a bit of organizing. Don't you just love this thing?! It's a photo carousel - intended for displaying your favorite photos, but I needed it for something else.

  Well, I am finally getting caught up on some memory keeping. That's right - good old fashioned scrapbooking. I am behind in this effort and with my budget for the year in full swing I am on a mission to get this project rolling- but more on that later. This is an image of what usually happens when I get on a "week-long-catch-up-on-this-project-roll."

This makes it tough to get things done efficiently because I am forever digging through the piles to find the perfect embellishment, letter or paper tag. So I started shopping my home for storage to organize these pretty little things. After a little digging, I found my old 7 gypsies Photo Carousel and emptied it of a summers worth of miniature layouts. After transferring these to an album I sorted all my favorite embellishments and organized them into the carousel. Now I can easily get to everything I need and waalaa! - storage worth stealing for my little things.

This is the perfect storage solution to my problem. It is small, portable, and easily revolves so I can find just what I am looking for in a matter of seconds. Now my work area looks like this - yea!

I love it - and more importantly, I re-purposed something I already owned, so I am staying on budget. Perfect!

on the worktable: crocheted baskets

As part of my yearly goal to decorate on a dime I am trying to shop my home and create things that I would normally buy. I loved these pretty crocheted baskets but had to stick to budget on my bedroom makeover so I decided to google a pattern instead.

I feel I should mention I am not a seasoned crocheter! I am self taught and I can tell you practice makes perfect. This was a very simple to follow pattern and at no point frustrating. I haven't added the fabric stiffener yet per the instructions, but I still might. I really wanted this basket to remain soft looking and I am worried the stiffener will change that look. We'll see. Anyway- I love it and I think I will make a few more and cluster them together on a nightstand or desk to keep things clutter free!

on the worktable: more scraps & new bags

Collected a bunch of new scraps and busy working on a whole lot'a sewing this week!

art stuff: a new stencil & chevron pattern love

The Chevron Pattern is hot right now! I love this fresh and funky motif and gravitate to it over and over again. No shock then, when I saw this Heidi Swapp stencil, and I had to have it! This pattern is modern and chic and just plain yummy when added to an art journal page.

I have spotted this pattern all over this week. A few of my favorites are these colorful bouncy balls, I found here, and these delicious folding step stools that caught my eye here!

I think I will explore how I can incorporate this new favorite pattern into my home decor. Stay tuned!

my style: sparkle mod podge

I just have to start by saying what hundreds of other artists are saying out there - "mod podge rocks." Seriously. There is even an entire blog devoted to mod podge called just that - MOD PODGE ROCKS. It is filled with ideas for crafters of all levels using mod podge as a medium. I know that here in Florida it gets a bad name because of the humidity - but trying it on a different base may be all it takes to change your mind.

I admit - I have struggled with using it on chipboard and paper at times - but the more I work with it, the better I get a feel for it. I am really in love with it lately and have learned that I can use it on anything. Like this beautiful art journal I created for a friends birthday.

I created the base out of canvas. In the process I began painting on the canvas. I really liked the way it was looking, but it was lacking something. It needed a pop of something, that in this case, color wasn't giving me. I decided to try smearing on a coat of SPARKLE MOD PODGE. The recipient of this gift likes bling and so I knew she would love the glittery look. You could use matte or gloss finish as well.

When I was creating the cover of this journal I did all of my painting and stitching first, then I added a single coat of SPARKLE MOD PODGE over the top of all the exposed canvas areas, covering the paint and stitching alike.

I love the feel of this journal now. And it is not sticky. NOT. ONE. BIT. -and I love the pliable stability it gave to the canvas. The added sparkle gave it a pretty zing too! So - if you haven't played around with mod podge lately, I would give it another go. The perk for me? The price tag!

I created this project on my own and the makers of MOD PODGE, PLAID CRAFTS are not paying me to advertise their product. I just love it, so I thought I would give them a shout out!

on the worktable: hooked on scraps

I know I have posted several times on the love of using scraps of fabric but here I am again. I just can't bear to part with them. Just because they are small doesn't mean they aren't beautiful or useful - right? This time I paired that love with another favorite of mine. Rug hooking. What I got was an unexpected surprise.

Using a blend of fibers, hand dyed cottons, wool, tulle and more this bag turned out to be a textile lover's dream come true. Chunky, lofty, and just plain yummy. In rug hooking I take special care to vary the loft of the project, giving it added depth. I did the same here and this created the added bonus of shading- bringing out the vibrant color of the bag.

A reclaimed quilt block and vintage style spray made a perfect closure for the bag. I love the charm of the floral and tulle - a throwback addition to the funkiness of the modern hooked look. Touching this bag is wonderful!

Now can you see why I can't throw all those scraps away?

on the worktable: art journal peek

The story continues in this art journal peek. Incorporating more words with meaning and lots of color.

on the worktable: art journal page

Art journal peek - finally I am getting my story down. Words in art - powerful and healing.

on the worktable: art journal

I had some fun recently experimenting with Gelli Arts, gel printing plates. This thing is SO cool! Once you get started you can't stop - it is totally addicting and super fun! Just squeeze some acrylic paints on the plate, roll with a brayer like this one, lay your paper over the top and press. Don't make the mistake I did in thinking you could only use the gelli plate a handful of times- you can use it forever! Silly me!

My favorite part of this was experimenting with all of the colors. Acrylic paints work best and that means getting to use budget friendly supplies, a bonus in my book. I experimented with book paper, deli paper, journal paper and even tissue paper. Each sheet turned out beautifully. I can't wait to journal on some of these papers. Thank you to my great teacher and friend, Roben-Marie for the tips and mini lesson.