Hello Blog, I'm Baaaack!

I really must get better about this whole blogging commitment. I won't try making excuses since there really aren't any. If it helps at all, I have thought about blogging a ton but it never seems to translate into an actual blog post.

What have I been up to? A lot. I finished up my job at Scrapbooker's Paradise because, ever so sadly, our Crowfoot location closed its doors last weekend. That was the best job ever! I love the creative environment, customers that became friends, and the most amazing coworkers....many of whom will be lifelong friends.

Life does go on, however, and I started an exciting new job just yesterday. I'm an optometric assistant which is actually very interesting. The people I'm working with seem very nice and the optometry equipment satisfies my inner geek. And, I was a geek long before The Big Bang Theory made it chic to be a geek. Just sayin'.

On the creative front I did have a bit of a dry spell but I will share a fave canvas of mine that I did this past month. I took my favourite TV show, Project Runway, and combined it with my love of mixed media and came up with this:

Here's a closer look:

There was a ton of paint, paper, gesso, stencils, etc. used in doing this canvas but it was full on FUN! For the actual dress I used Tim Holtz tissue paper (the one with the musical notes on it) and I drenched it in matte gel medium (Mod Podge would also work) and I molded the dress with that. I'm pretty happy with the results and plan to attempt more of these fashions on canvas soon!

 

Thanks for checking out my blog!

 

 

 

Feeling' Lucky - Bo Bunny March Challenge

For the month of March the Bo Bunny challenge is to use the word "Lucky" on a scrapbook page. I love when I have an opportunity to scrap old photos like this one and I instantly knew the colours would beautifully coordinate with the Mama-razzi 2 collection.

The fish embellishments were so fun to make and I embossed the scales using a Bo Bunny texture stamp.

 

I'm guessing that I was around four or five when I caught my first fish at the family cottage on Long Lake in Northern Ontario. I wish the fishing rod was also in the photo because it wasn't unusual as a kid to catch a fish on nothing more than a stick with a line tied to the end. And ya gotta love the kerchief in my hair! Thanks for that, Mom!

 

Sold My First Canvas!

I'm so excited! Today I posted my first canvas for sale on a local Facebook group and it sold within hours! Plus, I have orders for two more similar pieces! This canvas is inspired by the words and artwork of Kelly Rae Roberts. She is someone whose art and heart have helped me give flight to my own art.

Today, I'm considering the fact that maybe I am enough. It's a wonderful thought!

 

 

Change, Transition, & Beauty Within

Yesterday I found some time to play in my art journal and I couldn't help being inspired by butterflies.  It's funny how some things evolve on the page.  I really just started by wanting to create a fashion girl with some kind of positive quote to accompany her.

For the skirt of my girl I used one of the free papers that often come in mixed media magazines like Cloth Paper Scissors, or Somerset Studio (The Art of Paper and Mixed Media).

I focused on mostly black and white ink, paint, and papers behind her (with a bit of blue to soften) so that she could stand out a bit more.  The idea of her being bald was not my original plan.  In fact, I was going to give her long, flowing, wavy hair.  But the longer I left her bald the more I liked it.  I think it gives her a vulnerability that is powerful in its simplicity.  She really is owning her baldness!

Interesting Fact: I have the same size head circumference as Oprah Winfrey. At 23.25 inches, those so-called "one size fits all" hats, do not fit moi, but at least I am in good company. Therefore, rocking the bald head will not be in my future.

Butterflies, I think, are full of life lessons:

Change is necessary for growth

Beauty can arise from unexpected places

Never give up

Change and transition can be difficult, but the rewards can be great.

When darkness enters your life, and change is uncomfortable or even painful, remember the butterfly.  Your beautiful wings are just waiting for you to soar!

Love is in the Air

 

We are just a few days away from Valentines Day. Even if you are without a date, boyfriend, partner, it's still a day to celebrate your loves. All of your loves.

I have many loves, both human and otherwise. I love my children (obviously) and I love my mother and all of my extended family, as well as my precious friends. I also love my job, I love creating, I love shoes, and I love coffee. Coffee deserves a second mention.

I'm pretty sure that neither coffee nor shoes will be sending me chocolate or flowers, but that's okay. A long time ago I gave up on the idea that I needed those things for loving validation. Now, that's not to say I would turn them away. Hell to the no. It's just that I will survive without it.

So how is it then that I ended up making an victorian pink mixed media canvas that just screams love and vintage valentines? I'm not entirely sure except to say that I was directly inspired by the uber-talented Patricia da Silva who posted a start-to-finish youtube video right here, that guides you through the process.

I created this mixed media piece on an 11x14" canvas. It turned out a little pinker than I intended but, hey, it's for Valentine's Day, right? I found the cute vintage girl image online and knew she would be perfect for the occasion. I have an Epson Artisan printer and not only does it print beautifully, but I can put Mod Podge over it immediately without any colour bleeding.

Here is a closer look at the heart which I molded from foil, covered in gesso and paint, and then sanded to let bits of the silver shine through. I distressed the heck out of the flowers with water spritzing and paint spattering and random stamping.

I'm not entirely sure what I will do with this Love Canvas since it doesn't match anything in my home, but in a way love matches everything.

 

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Say Yes To The Dress

I'm excited to post this as my entry to the Bo Bunny February Layout Challenge!  I was really drawn to their new C'est La Vie paper line. The dress forms and colours were perfect for this page. What looks like a coffee stain on the page was actually intentionally stamped there. Love the textures stamps that Bo Bunny has now!

While shopping for a prom dress with my daughter, Breanne, I snapped a few photos of the dresses she didn't like. The winning dress was simple, yet stunning and she instantly said "yes" to this dress!

And, here are a few close-ups of the page:

Supplies Used:

Bo Bunny Papers - all from C'est La Vie

Bo Bunny Blossoms - Buttercup Bouquet

Bo Bunny Jewels - Frosting Jewels

Bo Bunny Stamps - Stained Textures

Bo Bunny Buttons - C'es La Vie

Bo Bunny Chipboard Letters & Elements: C'est La Vie

Yellow Foam Letters (from my stash)

Also, I know some of you couldn't leave a comment on my last post because you didn't have a Google Account. I have now changed the settings so you don't need one. Thanks!

Why not now?

I've wanted to start a creative blog for a very long time.  I was held back by self doubt and the dreadful, "I'll do it when....."

You know how it is.  I will do it when...

...I have enough artwork to share
...I have enough confidence in my creativity
...when my studio looks more professional
...when I have more time
...when I get a better camera
...when I learn to take and edit photos more professionally

Ultimately I had to say ENOUGH ALREADY!

So I am diving in the deep end, folks.  It's just me, and nothing about me is perfect.  And that's okay. So, here we go......

I just want to start by sharing some of my art from the past year, which is when I've really started to play with mixed media.

This was one of my very first canvases.   I started by laying down a random mix of scrapbook papers and went on to add acrylic paints, a few stamps, and a quote that inspires me daily.

I did this a few days ago in my art journal (more about that in a later post).  I had seen Oprah live the previous day (can we say INSPIRED??!!!!) and she shared how surrendering at certain times in life has given her clarity.  Love.  

Okay, time to hit "Publish"! And here we go.....