Resolutions and Swap Pics

It's late September and I'm already making New Year's resolutions:

Take photos of swap items before sending out

Post twice a week on here

So I was in craftster's "Head Start Journal Swap" and we made journals for our partners then prepped half of the pages for them. I used kettle and running stitches for the binding with canvas strips. The exposed spine allows the book to lay flat while you work in it. There are around 50 pages, the majority of which are Canson mixed media weight paper, other pages include watercolor paper and various scrapbook papers. The covers were cut from an old game board, then covered with 70% recycled scrapbook paper.

Here is the back cover (upside down though)- maybe it's just me but I love mismatched covers that color coordinate.

My partner's themes were "what inspires you," found poetry, and "random thoughts." Very open to interpretation to say the least, but it wasn't the situation where you put off crafting for weeks because you're stuck. Kartiana was awesome to craft for! This was one of my favorite pages and it was also my first time playing with alcohol inks.

Exciting News!

For those of you who haven't heard, Connie from http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/ has organized an amazing art journaling class called "21 Secrets." Meaning 21 amazing teachers teaching you 21 different techniques and projects. And guess who that list includes! Don't bother, I'll tell you! Three of my favorite bloggers and artists, including Samantha Kira from journalgirl.com, Hanna Anderson from ihanna.nu.blog, and Sarah Whitmire from souljournaling.com.

Sam is showing us her latest obsession with canvas journal pages and the many things you just can't do with paper.

Hanna will be teaching various techniques for using tissue paper in our journals.

And Sarah is dedicating her class to travel journaling- what to take, how to incorporate materials you pick upon the way, and extra prompts.

For a list of all of the lessons and the instructors you can go here:

http://www.dirtyfootprintsworkshops.com/2008/09/21-secrets-art-journal-playground.html

You may sign up as of September 20th- registration ends December 1st. The cost is $59, but considering the fact that you're buying 21 classes, it's truly a steal!

Class begins October 1st

Punch needle

Just putzing around the "studio" today, cutting and folding folios for my journal swap. Now to acquire some book board...

I took a shot at punch needle work recently, I've since completed the piece and I am happy to say the second half looks a lot better! Now I just have to iron it and stretch it over a canvas =)

Swaps,workshops and pages

I've been up to all sorts of mischief! I've signed up for two awesome swaps: craftster's "Head Start Art Journal Swap" where we create journals for our partners and complete half of the pages, and Samantha Kira's "Secret Penpal Swap" which is where you create a small piece of art for your partner and send them an encouraging letter. I can't wait to get started!

I also just got done making some projects for one of the workshops I've been talking about hosting. So maybe I'll finally be getting that idea off of the ground.

It's a super simple page but I love how these three pieces work with each other:

Jump

There are just some times when you know what you're about to do will have horrible repercussions but you do it anyway because the experience will be worth it.