Creative Journaling 101

How can anyone not love learning?

I've been having so much fun drawing in my recycled journal and just loving the look of the line drawings but felt the work was missing something.

Needing a little inspiration...
I decided to check out the latest periodicals at Barnes & Nobles. The answer to my question was right in front of me. The latest issue of Journaling by Somerset Studio. To make things even better I noticed an article written by Karen Cole, of Artsortments, yeah Karen!

Needless to say I purchased the magazine, read every article and decided it was time to take an on-line course on both Book Making and Creative Journaling.

I just can't help myself. I love to learn.

Favorite Pictures 1000 Island Trip

We discovered the most delightful vacation spot on our recent trip to the Thousand Islands.

It is called, Thousand Island Park and is located on Wellesley Island. It was settled in 1875 and still retains the charm of the Victorian era. I just loved it, everyone was very friendly and either walks or rides their bikes to get around. There was such a wonderful feeling of community that I didn't want to leave...

Needless to say the first thing I did when we got home was to check out rentals for a cottage next summer.

Hope you enjoy...

Recycle Crazy

I've gone Recycle Crazy!

This past week all I could think about was painting newspaper,and fusing together plastic bags.

I put together a couple of journals to try out on my next adventure.

Today my husband is leaving on a photo assignment to the Thousand Islands. He has invited my son, Luc and I along for some fun. He guarantees lots of water, boats and a helicopter.

I've packed both the camera and my new journals for recording the events.

See you soon....

Gian & Lync want Equal Time

Hey buddy, want to play?

I get it first Gian.

Come on buddy... You have to share.

Ok you got the ball, but not for long.

You really think you can out run me???

Gotcha skinny boy.

Water break

Thanks Gian, that was fun.

Meet Two of GAP'S New Models

Jessie in GAP'S New Fall Line

Luciano looking very handsome in GAP

Luciano entering the runway with lots of cheers from the girls.

The final walk out brother and sister get a photograph together.


What fun we had today! GAP was introducing their Fall Fashions at the mall, and Luciano and Jessie were lucky enough to model clothing. Luciano was the true actor... very calm cool and collect. Jess would hardly contain her excitement. I've never seen such hams!
They didn't get this from my side of the family.

FIRST LIGHT

The past two week have been so busy, I neglected to to post my thoughts on Carol O'Biso's First Light: A Magical Journey
I truly enjoyed reading this very lively tale.
The book is a first hand account of her responsibilities as a New York City registrar responsible for the US tour of sacred Maori objects that had never been out of New Zealand.
At times it was laugh out loud funny as she describe her encounters with tribal elders and the spirits of the ancestors that live forever in their scared art.
If you believe in the power of the human spirit, you will enjoy this warm hearted adventure'

Adventure Photos from Pittsburgh

We arrived in Pittsburgh to rain, but after a 5 hour drive we didn't mind the 5 minute walk to the Art Institute for our Welcome/Orientation.

Teachers enjoying a cocktail reception in the Ai, Art Gallery.

Just one of many murals found around the city.

Would you believe we took both a land/water tour of Pittsburgh in this?

My daughter, Jessie driving/sailing that crazy vehicle while it was in the water.
Pittsburgh is surrounded by three rivers, the Allegheny, Ohio and the Monongahela.

Some of the crazy teachers that attained the "Just Ducky" tour which was provided by the Ai.

Our view of Pittsburgh from the Ducky Tour boat/truck.

It was a very busy two days.

Wednesday evening after orientation we walked around the artsy section of the city. Sorry I can't remember the name. There were murals all over but I didn't see any great graffiti.

We had dinner at a restaurant called, "The Library" all the meals were named after classical books and the menu was inside old books. It was very cool.

The Ai provided the tour and dinner Thursday evening for us.

Classes were 9 to 4 Thursday and Friday.

The first day of my Podcasting class was amazing! Patricia Huettel's was our instructor and she gave us so much useful information our heads were spinning. She advised us to keep it simple,

her advice was to create a power point the first day. My daughter, Jessie and I teamed up to start creating our podcast, "How to Plan an Adventure". We wrote copy and decided to take our own photos.

The second day we were to record and upload the finish product.

Well that was the plan at least... Unfortunately we left very disappointed. The instructors were not prepared or not informed that this was a class that we could teach our students. We left without any information on how to record or upload our podcast, or that's what we thought.

Thank heavens for Patricia Huettel...

Today as I was preparing to write this post and looking over my notes, I discovered that Patricia had given us a link for a free podcasting booklet called, Podcasting for Teachers & Students by Tony Vincent, and other Free production resources. Yeah...Tony's booklet is wonderful and covers everything.

Jessie and I are happy again.

Our goal is to have our podcast, "How to Plan an Adventure" done and posted before we go back to school.

Do What You Love

This morning as I was checking my blog news, I was thrilled to discover that Alisa Burke had selected two of my Graffiti paintings to promote her latest Graffiti Chic Workshop.
She had asked for my approval in May along with others from the class but I had forgotten. What a surprise! I feel very humbled and honored.
What is even COOLER...
Yesterday was the first time I actual bought three cans of "MONTANA" graffiti spray paint. I behaved like a child in a candy shop. The young guy that helped me thought it was so cool that I was into graffiti art. He even gave me the name of his favorite graffiti artist, Mirko Reisser Daim. Mirko is a German artist, his work is incredible. My students, that are watching the blog, make sure you check out his website.
What a great way to start the morning!

Recyled Assemblage

My Recycled Assemblage

Wood, newspaper, hanger, tissue paper, buttons, pine cones and cardboard

Pen and Ink drawing of Lync.

Well everything was completed yesterday just in time for the final week of Alisa Burke's Recycle Remix class. If I haven't mentioned it already, I loved this workshop!
Did you noticed the recycled newspaper added to the pen & ink drawing?
My son mentioned that it looks like a full moon with a pine tree.
We thought that was appropriate seeing that Lync's nick name is the beast and he has a thing for pine trees.

Recycled Canvas Cuff

Canvas,fused plastic and colorful buttons

How it looks on the wrist. Fabulous!!!

These are so...fun! I have two more cut out and ready to sew tomorrow.
I must admit the buttons are new and not recycled. My old buttons were much to plain. :(
With a quick trip to the store and a few brighter buttons in hand, I was smiling once again today. :)

Fused Plastic Clutches

With the exception of the clay button, this is completely recycled fused plastic bags.

This recycled clutch is canvas, fused plastic and recycled newspaper.

I am having to much fun! I just can't believe these clutch bags are made of recycled plastic and newspaper. If you get a chance to sign up for Alisa Burke's class I highly recommend it.
Thank you Alisa!
Tomorrow is a recycled Journal and a Cuff

Inspirational Tree

Inspirational Tree

Recycled Newspaper and Stitching

Close up of the free motion stitch

Close up of leaves and a bit of journaling.

Spent the day in my studio, and it was absolutely Wonderful.
While laying out the compostion I noticed a very subtle image of a tree in the red and ochor piece. This inturn inspired the leaves on the bottom.
But I didn't stop there.... Wait to you see what I post tomorrow using fused plastic bags.
Hope you enjoy...

Recycling Remix... Transforming Newspaper

My favorite grouping of five recycled papers

Grouping # Two.

Grouping # Three

Grouping # Four.

Grouping # Five.

July 2009 was a CRAZY month! I'm still playing catch up.

Saturday, I returned from a three day workshop to help me as a teacher to understand and convey such technology as Podcasting to my high school students. I'm still working on MY podcast...

I've been reading art related books then attending lectures to discuss them, and I've been taking Alisa Burke's Recycle Remix online class.The class is amazing my head is spinning with ideas. She just started week Four and alot has to be done to catch up.

My goal this week is to create a few projects using all my transformed newspapers.

Wish me luck.