I've wanted to make the jump to mixed-media - art journaling, collage, etc. - for quite some time. Unfortunately, I've been gripped by the fear of failure, inadequacy, and my complete inability to draw an even satisfactory stick person. Despite these fears - I have been unable to shake this drive to create something with paint, stencils, and all kinds of other lovely products. So - I took a big leap and signed up for Christy Tomlinson'sShe Art Workshop. She has a great deal going on right now. She's starting a new She Art Workshop and is offering both 1 & 2 for $70. I've been on the first site for a few weeks and I need to get my rear in gear. So I thought I'd start my new posts with a list of my favorite mixed media blogs and series.
My Craft Channel's "Art Redefined" ~ also featuring the lovely Christy Tomlinson
Well - it's getting late. I would normally be sleeping right now. However - I think I'm going to lose myself in a book or good television show for a bit. I hope everyone has had a nice Monday. Until then...
I went crazy when I first heard about these little ditties. I just had to have one. When the release date kept on getting pushed back - I thought I was going to lose my mind and then they just showed up one day in my local chain store. And you know what - I just had to have it. This one to be exact.
I had a really hard time choosing the right smash book for me. I'm not a huge fan of vintage images. Don't get me wrong - I think the images are beautiful and work for a wide array of buyers - just not me. So I went with the doodle version - despite being attracted to the patterns of some of the folios with vintage images. In the end I was so stoked about the whole thing I got a few more things for good measure.
I got some pockets as well to have a place for all my fantastic memorabilia. And I have done absolutely nothing with it since. Okay not nothing - I think I might have glued in a movie ticket and wrote a few things - but not much. So I'm a little down this weekend (which could be the understatement of the last few months) and I see something wonderful and my first thought is... why the eff can't I smash like this? Or - why aren't I inventive or brave enough to attempt to use my SMASH book as a friggin' art journal like this? OR why can't I even remember to go to the SMASH blog for inspiration? There they are - those old negative tapes playing again and I'm suddenly in a free fall about my worth as a crafter. I'm wondering if I'll ever make the transition to mixed media artist. How is it even possible when I won't give up my need for perfection? It seems to me - that to be SMASHING, you must let go of the need for perfection - of having everything it's in it's perfect linear place. And that's just not me - I can't seem to let go. Or maybe - it's because I'm not building the kind of life I dream of and - frankly - effing deserve! It's like the old stuff just keeps catching back up with me. I know that this thing ebbs and flows - but I wish there was an easier way to learn to stop holding the reins so tight - to be a little less of this obsessive, "sad girl" version of me.
So I leave you with this - be SMASHING? Let go of all your preconceived notions of what a crafter is supposed to be - of who you're supposed to be. In the end the only thing that will matter is that you were true to that little voice inside you encouraging you to create, try something new, to be something different. Be brave! At least be braver than I am. And if you get a chance - throw a little bravery/courage to this girl over here because I need it desperately. Just get SMASHed! Have a great Sunday everyone. For those of you wondering what I'm talking about - watch the video - the simplicity and beauty of all things SMASHing will wash over you and give you some crafting hope. Okay - I might be overdoing it - but the video is pretty great. It made this girl want her very own SMASH book pretty bad - now if I could only move on my creating my SMASHing life! Until then...
Dear first week of October - I would like you to know I understand completely. I get it! You are not to be effed with this week. You do not want anything from me that hints of cheek or sarcasm. I get it! Please - let this day go well. Otherwise - I'm finding a way to get my favorite dog in the world here in my house to comfort me. Monday and Tuesday were not great - quite the understatement I might add. Wednesday was a dream compared to Thursday - which pretty much told me to bend over. I'm sorry lovely week. I get it. The cheekiness and sarcasm is over. I'm hoping to make it out today with all my appendages intact. And...if it's not too much to ask - all of my comrades appendages intact as well. God help us. It's been quite a week. Happy Friday to everyone out there. Trust me - my thoughts are with you. Until then...
As part of my recovery process - I've tried to reacquaint myself with my previous loves - tried to identify the gaping holes in my life. One of those black holes (as I like to call them) was my love for movies. When I lived on the west coast, I would stand in line for hours to see movies on opening night. I would get free passes on the street for movies that weren't even in theaters yet. I loved movies. I saw Armageddon for free at the actual screening facility in the Academy of Arts and Sciences. There were Oscar statuettes everywhere. Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay introduced the movie. Ben and Gwyneth were there. There was free food. I was in movie love heaven...and then I moved.
Immediately something began to shift in my movie loving life. I began to complain about the small theaters and became a movie snob. I only go to specific theaters in my city. I spend a lot of time thinking this screen is too small when I'm sitting in the theater. I miss the screens in Westwood. However, there comes a time when you must remember. I love movies and they make me happy. So I've been integrating them back into my life.
This weekend I went and saw this fantastic movie with two friends...
It's amazing. Outstanding. It's both funny and heart breaking all at the same time. I love Joseph Gordon-Levitt - love that he's morphing into an outstanding actor. I love his energy - his smile. I love his dimples. He might be my newest celebrity crush. Seth Rogen is his usual hysterical self. I'm not going to go into a whole review here. I'll just say this - get to the theater and see this. It's worth the two hours. It's worth the 8-15 bucks. It's just worth it. It's the reason I love movies. And one more thing - JGL deserves an Oscar nomination. So that's it for today - a little about recovery - a little bit about movies. I'm hoping to have an outstanding day today. I'm not gonna lie - Monday kicked me in the junk while yelling it takes no prisoners. Monday better watch out in two weeks. I'm coming for it! Time to go to the mattresses, stop licking my wounds and take control of Tuesday. Hope you have a wonderful day. Until then...
Updated Wednesday, October 5, 2011: Just a quick update - Tuesday almost made me lose the will to live. So today I say suck it and make the best out of this "outstanding" week. Yes Sheldon, that would be sarcasm. Have a great Wednesday!
There are times when scrapbooking products, books, and movies are released and they change the way you think about things. During these times, I cannot imagine scrapping anything else; reading anything else; watching anything else. I felt that way when I saw Avatar and Titanic; when I read Ramona Forever, A Prayer for Owen Meaney, Life Artist, and Unless; and when I discovered Basic Grey. And now...there's a new product in town. I've already posted about Amy Tangerine's new line with American Crafts and how it was one of my top CHA picks. Since having it in my home and getting an opportunity to play with it - I'm hooked. I can't seem to make a layout without using one of her products. So big deal right? I'm addicted to another line...and then I found this!
I can't explain the wonder that is this mini book. It's amazing with different textures, patterns, materials and sizes. I love it so much. Let's be clear - I have no idea how to use it (yet) but I love it! For some reason, I have a strong need for my readers to love it too. So - if you're interested, definitely check out this video.
So that's it for today. Run out and get Amy Tangerine's line. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
On to other things - over the next few weeks, I have big plans to change the structure of posts on this blog. My goal is to move Product Love to Tuesday and combine it with Reading Corner. I'm also going to add Movie Mania which will be on Tuesday's as well. Monday will be devoted to Mixed Media. Wednesday will be a day off from this lovely spot of mine. Thursday will be feature day - more on that later. Friday will be Link Love. Saturday will be a day off. Sunday will be all things scrappy and cards. Five posts a week is my goal. Why am I putting all this here? One word - accountability. I'm not sure how long it will take to make the switch but I'm stoked. Anyhoo - I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday. Until then...
Very quick post on reading. Very long post on my life RIGHT NOW. I love Rice Freeman-Zachary. Rice is pronounced like Lisa by the way - with a R. I can't find a way to put those little dots on the E. This is all about art retreats and I must admit I have desperately wanted to attend Art Fest for a few years now. I love the idea of this book and have found her previous books to be very good. I'm just waiting to decide if it's coming home with me. Big decisions...I know.
The last couple of days haven't been so hot. I haven't been feeling well and am feeling myself slip a little. I'm not waking up with that pep in my step. I'm waking up with the water behind my eyes and a headache from being SO tired...and you know what? That's okay. There will be ups and downs. Sometimes I"m going to feel like crap and the week is going to look long and somehow insurmountable. I must remember this - life will move forward. This thing I'm dealing with is not some linear line - it's like an echo cardiogram - there are ups and downs. And that is effing okay. I also need to remember the little things...I cannot spend two days outside of my house on the weekends. It sets me up for stress and frustration during the week. I didn't score a 67 on the introvert side for nothing. It's okay to say no to some outings without the guilt. I want to yell to myself - IT IS OKAY. Life isn't easy. No one promised it would be. It's worth it on most days and I love what I do now. The positives outweigh the negatives - I just need to remember to relax. Lord please help me do that. I hope everyone has a rockin' Tuesday. Be gentle with yourself. Until then...
Another Sunday - a long weekend - and I can't believe I decided to be crafty at 9:00 in the evening. This is going to be a quick post. It would be nice to get more than 5 hours of sleep for one night before work. We'll see. I took another sketch from Shimelle - have I mentioned how much I admire her - and made my definition of a "simple" layout. Let's start with the sketch shall we!
Love the layout. Love the little circles. Didn't manage to put them on my layout. I shifted the layout a little. I had horizontal photos and not nearly enough space to journal below them. I like the end result - despite a lot of emptiness on the left side that drives me a little crazy. Maybe I love it so much because it reminds me of a time of renewal spent with one of my favorite people. Maybe that could be my OLW for this upcoming year - Renewal. Moving on...
Patterned Paper: American Crafts & Studio Calico; Stickers: American Crafts: Letters: American Crafts; Embellishments: American Crafts & My Mind's Eye; Journaling Spot: Unknown
Allow me a little explanation of the origins of the layout. First of all - I have no idea where that wooden flower button came from. It's not on the layout. Sheesh! I just noticed it! Man alive I'm a hot mess. Anyhoo - I refuse to get up and take another picture and hook it up to my computer. It's 11:00 at night! I digress...when my Dad was here in the Spring we spent a lot of time purging and organizing. This included getting rid of a huge chunk of my personal library and disassembling my magazines to pick out my favorite articles. I bought 100 sheet protectors from one of my favorite stores and put the articles in three binders. It's a practice I'm going to need to do regularly. I love the end result. Less stuff. Less stress. Hope everyone had an outstanding weekend. Until then...
BTW: Unless something MAJOR happens - I will not be posting a new product tomorrow. I'm tapped out of new products. I'm almost scared to say it. However...I assure you - product love will be back soon!
Tonight I was reintroduced to a hard truth - I can't seem to be involved in two hobbies at one time. I tried to make a card for the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger - which is just gorgeous. I couldn't do it. Everything was pissing me off. The way things stamped. The paper I chose. I hated it all. So what's a girl that loves cardmaking and scrapbooking to do? Well...I believe it's time to dedicate a product love post to all things stampy. I know it's a made up word - but I love it. Maybe this will be the jump start I need. I just don't want to give up my scrappy momentum in the process. So...here it goes.
So everyone knows I love Stamping Bella and most of their Lulu Collection stamps. She's just so cute and lends herself to so many ethnicities and races. It's the thing I love most about Stamping Bella and My Favorite Things. So imagine my surprise and glee when I learned of Lulu's new collection - Uptown Girls. Here are four of my favorites.
Uptown Girls CLARISSA and CAMILLE with a CAFE: Source Image
Uptown Girl VICTORIA and JULIETTE'S NIGHT OUT: Source Image
Uptown SUSHI GIRLS LAUREN AND CHELSEA: Source Image
So I figured it out and if I wanted to buy every single one of these stamps it would be approximately $91. If I added this lovely stamp I've wanted for several months - it would be $98. Add shipping to those amounts and it's $95 and $103. You know what - I think it would be totally worth it if it got my cardmaking mojo moving again. I just want to be able to do two paper crafts at once without feeling like one blows more than hunchback whales. Is it really that hard? Yes, for me it is, and that's okay. The bigger question is...will I buy all of these stamps in a little over five days or wait a little while...only time will tell. I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday. Until then...
