Inspiration Hangers by Rachél Payne

Whilst waiting for glue to dry on my latest mixed media gelli print girl I decided to make one of these Cardboard Mixed Media Inspiration Hangers by Rachel Payne. Rachel is part of the Creativity Tribe and an instructor at Cre8ive Klatch.

This Inspiration Hanger project took me about 10-15 mins to complete and mine is different to Rachel's but that's the idea of the projects at Cre8ive Klatch - to inspire you to be creative and to teach you some new techniques and to use what you already have at home. So check out Rachel's video on the CK blog.

I brayered on my paint and glued on the gelli print house, stamp in top right corner and lace at the bottom and then used paint pens to highlight the house and words and a dragonfly stamp too.

It's now hanging on the door to my art room!!  Let me know if you make one and share it in the Cre8ive Klatch facebook group with me.  See you in there!

Focus OLW 2015

I have chosen the word FOCUS to be my One Little Word/theme/mantra for 2015.

My word came to me when I was talking to someone new about my art and what I did this year and said that I really had to focus more on doing one thing instead of being a 'jack of all trades and master of none'.  I didn't really know where I was going in 2014 and tried to do too many things and know now that I have to concentrate on one thing and not spread myself so thin.

I am Artist of the Month for an art journaling group I'm in and have decided to guide the group through One Little Word 2015.

One Little Word started with Ali Edwards and here's a quote from her blog:

About One Little Word^®

A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.

In 2006 I began a tradition of choosing one word for myself each January – a word to focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. My words have included play, peace, vitality, nurture, story, light, up, open and thrive. These words have each become a part of my life in one way or another. They've been imbedded into who I am and into who I'm becoming. They've been what I've needed most (and didn't know I needed). They've helped me to breathe deeper, to see clearer, to navigate challenges, and to grow.

I hope you'll consider joining me for the next One Little Word^® workshop in January 2015 here at aliedwards.com.
Check out all my blog posts regarding One Little Word^® here.
Click here to read a FAQ and more details about this project.

 1. Decide on your word.

You need to choose a word that resonates with you, instead of having a New Year's Resolution you choose a word for the year.  For a list of words check out Ali's blogpost here.

My word for 2014 was Grow.  My word for 2013 was Believe. My word for 2012 was Courage.

Activity 1 -  I used one of my little books for the activities but an art journal is ideal too. Write/doodle/decorate your word - see first photo.

2. Define your word.
Find a definition of your word that suits your purpose.

FOCUS:
1. The centre of interest or activity.
2. The state or quality of having or producing clear visual definition.
3. Pay particular attention to.

Activity 2 - write these words in your journal. 

3. How will you apply your word?

Activity 3 - write how you will apply your word over the year as this will help you to make it happen.

Focus:
1. Create one girl each week and put it in my Etsy shop or for sale in exhibitions.
2. Use gelli prints in my art - my girls and collages.
3. Create tutorials for Cre8ive Klatch.
4. Do less swaps and art journaling.

4. Create a bookmark.

Activity 4 - create a bookmark with your word on it and keep it in your planner journal so you see it throughout the year. I started with a rectangle of manilla folder, you could use cardstock or an index card, then I covered it in a gelli print and collaged lace and a border and washi tape on it and then stamped on it and used my gel pen. I kept on going until I was happy.

Extra fun activities...

5. Pinterest Board.

Activity 5 - Each year I create a Pinterest board for my word and pin related pins.  It's fun and inspirational especially for the following activities.

Here are my boards:  Focus, Grow, Believe.

6. Create a reverse acronym for your word.

Activity 6 - Pinterest helped with this one.... Focus = Follow One Course Until Successful.

7. Quotes with your word in it.

Activity 7 - this is where Pinterest is helpful and the google.  Find a quote with your word in it that speaks to you and write/doodle/decorate it in your journal.

"It's important to FOCUS on what we do best and master one craft at a time." - Russell Simmons

Ladies, I hope you have fun with these activities, I recommend the first four to get the most out of your OLW, but the more you do the fun it will be.

Please leave a comment with your chosen word below as I'd love to make a list of the words chosen.  Thank you!!! Or add your blog to the linky below!

Have  a great 2015!!!

Little Books Part 3

Today on the Cre8ive Klatch blog I show you how to bind the pages you've created with the washi tape you've made into Little Books.

 
 Part 1 showed you how to make different backgrounds and pages for your book.

Part 2 gave you some tips to make your own washi tape.

Part 3 binding the book together - no needles required!!!

Here's one of the books I made, the pages can be seen here and here.  This book is going to be used for my One Little Word 2015 project - so check back here on Jan 1st for more info and pics.

This Little Book 3 part tutorial started because I organised a postcard swap and one the ladies asked what I was going to do with them.  I was thinking I could include them in my art journal or create a book with them.  So here's the book I created.

Here are the postcards I made:

I hope you have fun creating your book.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to decorate your pages or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

DIY Washi Tape - Little Book Pt 2

 Part 2 of the Little Books tutorial is on the Cre8ive Klatch blog today, where I will show you how to make your own washi tape.

My tutorial for making little books was on the Cre8ive Klatch blog last Monday - showing you how to make some great pages for your book.  Part 3 is on Monday 15th December, where we bind the book together without any needles or sewing.

Here are some of the pages I made this week printing on index cards with the gelli plate:

I used strips of paper and cut up index cards to mask out areas.  Then I glued those masks to the back of the cards.

Check it out and get inspired!  I look forward to seeing your pages, washi tape and books so join us in the Cre8ive Klatch Facebook group.

Little Books Pt 1

My tutorial for making little books will be on the Cre8ive Klatch blog today - showing you how to make some great pages for your book. 

Part 2, on Friday 12th December,  I will show you how to make your own washi tape.

In Part 3, on Monday 15th December, we bind the book together without any needles or sewing.

Check it out and get inspired!  I look forward to seeing your pages and books so join us in the Cre8ive Klatch Facebook group.

Online Market Sale

I have 13 small canvases for sale in an online pop-up market on FaceBook this weekend - finishes on Monday....

The dragonfly has been sold!!!  Yay!!

 

There are 21 artists all selling handmade items unique to the market ie never been made available for sale before, ranging from paintings to jewelry to limb chops! to vintage aprons to folk art to crochet to gifts for your dog. A range of products and prices. Something for everyone!

There will be loads of door prizes too!  So go to the group and  browse through the albums.  If you would like to purchase, be the first to comment “SOLD” and leave your email address where you can receive a paypal invoice. Please pay upon receipt. You don’t need a paypal account. If no payment is received within 12 hours, piece may be relisted as available for purchase. returns or exchanges cannot be accepted. If you have questions, please ask.

See you there!

Klatchapalooza Handmade Art Market

I have 13 small canvases for sale in an online pop-up market on FaceBook this weekend - starts at 8pm Perth time which is 7am in New York - Friday 28th November.

All canvases will have my unique gelli prints on them and some have pages from a vintage book - 1930's titled Plays by J M Barrie - who wrote Peter Pan.

 There are 21 artists all selling handmade items unique to the market ie never been made available for sale before, ranging from paintings to jewelry to limb chops! to vintage aprons to folk art to crochet to gifts for your dog. A range of products and prices. Something for everyone!

 
There will be loads of door prizes too!  So go to the group and click on join - the doors will open at 7am New York time - 8pm Perth time - you will be allowed in then to browse through the albums.  If you would like to purchase, be the first to comment “SOLD” and leave your email address where you can receive a paypal invoice. Please pay upon receipt. You don’t need a paypal account. If no payment is received within 12 hours, piece may be relisted as available for purchase. returns or exchanges cannot be accepted. If you have questions, please ask.

See you there!

Blog Hop Around the World

I was invited by Phillippa Montier to take part in a blog hop.  I first met Pip when she joined the Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts FaceBook group and shared her beautiful gelli prints with us and was thrilled when she joined in on the Gelli Print Blog Hop.

What am I working on?

At the moment I'm working on some items to sell at the Klatchapalooza Market - it's a pop-up online market over the last weekend in November - great way to get some original art for gifts. 

Here's a sneak peek...there will be 8 inch square slimline canvases with gelli prints on them and I've altered some of them ...

 
How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I love to create monoprints on the gelli plate and each one is unique and different. I also create my own stencils to help with uniqueness.

When I create my girls I use the gelli prints for their clothes and hats and I print the backgrounds too.

Here is my lantern stencil - I do a drawing first, then cut it out from acetate and then get out the gelli plate and have fun.

 
How do I create what I do?

I either have a plan or I don't. So I will create gelli prints just for fun, to experiment or with an idea/colour/texture in mind.

If I'm creating one of my girls then I have a plan and will create some gelli prints esp for her.  Otherwise I look at a gelli print and let it 'talk' to me or I just collage some prints and see where it takes.

Here is Alice - The Mad Hatter 

 
How does my creating process work?

 I like to browse Pinterest for inspiration. For my gelli print girls I look for different hats or headwear. I also do some art journaling and mixed media on different substrates such as index cards or manilla folders. Sometimes I copy something that I see then I get ideas on how to alter it and so will go on to create more of the one thing but they are all different - I think about changing size, shape, colour, background.

For example - my Mantra Mobiles - I saw a quote on Pinterest by Matisse and wanted to create a piece that I could look at every day to remind me.  So I created the first Mantra Mobile and then thought I would find another quote and make another etc differing the background shapes and colours etc.

Many thanks to Pip for inviting me to join in with blog hop.

Here are the next blog-hoppers who will be posting next Monday, head over to these amazing blogs for more blog-hopping fun!

Laney McDonald from Sugarplum Patchwork - Hello there and welcome! My name is Laney. I'm an artist with a love for bright, happy colors. I've always loved everything creative - sewing, embroidery, drawing, stained glass, painting, collage and on and on. I was even a ballet dancer many moons ago. I still love a myriad of creative activities. Sometimes I stitch, sometimes I paint or draw. I believe creative expression is good for the soul. Here you'll find me writing about what I'm creating, what I'm thinking and what inspires me. I hope you'll be inspired too.

Mantra Mobile Tutorial

My first tutorial for Cre8ive Klatch is up on their blog. The aim is to present a project that can be created in 10 - 15 mins - something quick and 'easy' that will inspire you to keep on creating....

I first made the mantra mobile back in July and am very happy to be able to share it with you and inspire you to create your own. There are just so many ways you can vary this project to make it your own.  I would love to see yours when you make it so please join the Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share it there.  See you in the group!!

Klatchapalooza Handmade Art Market

BlogtoberFest 2014 - Day 26 - Klatchapalooza Handmade Art Market

I have been busy creating gelli prints to alter to sell as I'm a vendor at the Klatchapalooza Handmade Art Market.  All items are being made especially for the market and will make great gifts for your loved one or even for yourself.

Klatchapalooza Handmade Art Market

Pop Up Shop on Facebook

Join us November 28th thru Dec 1st only.

Shop curated one of a kind artisan gifts.

Join the group to be first in line.

Shop starting at 8pm Perth time - 7am US EST 

on Black Friday!

C'mon over and connect with our blog for great projects,

community and conversation at

http://cre8iveklatch.blogspot.com.au/

Six Gratitudes on Saturday

BlogtoberFest 2014 - Day 25 - Six things I'm gr8ful for....

1. Gr8ful for my passion for gelli printing...

2. Check out more things I'm gr8ful for in this video from the Cre8ive Klatch Blog....

3. I'm gr8ful that my family is relatively healthy.

4. I'm gr8ful for my friends....irl and online....

5. I'm gr8ful I have found art....

Work in progress....

6. I'm gr8ful for those who read my blog.  You!! 

What are you gr8ful for?

Hair Today...

I went to the hairdressers today and got my hair done.  After months of hating my hair finally I like it, though I have yet to wash it myself and to cope with the waves and curls and cowlicks.

And without the glasses...

And a before shot...

And just for fun here are some other selfies/hair shots...

So now I can get on with my life and make those videos I promised a few people at Cre8tive Klatch.  ;)

Cre8ive Klatch

BlogtoberFest 2014 - Day 3 - Cre8ive Klatch

A few months ago I was invited to be one of the instructors in the Cre8ive Klatch group - "We are a group of women connected through creativity and a passion for learning, experimenting and sharing. We've created this space as a comma for busy lives - a pause, a breath, a space to be - where we can share fun projects, ideas, conversation and connections."

Read my interview here at the Cre8ive Klatch Blog.

I jumped at the chance to be part of this community, to meet other artists, to teach others, to share my love of gelli printing and to inspire and motivate others to create beautiful artwork.

I love that there are a wide variety of instructors all passionate about different things because there will be a wide variety of projects - art - mixed media, collage, painting, how to make/decorate tags, ATC’s and index cards, knitting, crocheting as well as yoga and a whole array of other things that I don’t know about yet - very exciting! We are not specialising in one area so you will be able to try a variety of projects or decide it’s not for you and return a couple of days later to discover something new. So there’s no falling behind or feeling overwhelmed.

I also love that the projects will be designed to fit into busy lives so people can take time out, 10, 20 minutes in their day to do something for them. I plan to present simple, easy paper based projects that leave heaps of room for creativity and individuality, and hopefully after you’ve made
one you’ll be inspired to make a few more as that’s what usually happens with me.

I’m also excited to be part of the Facebook and participate along with the students, answer their questions, encourage, motivate and inspire them.

And I had to live up to my new mantra - Creativity Take Courage - so even though I am a bit nervous about doing videos etc I had to put my brave girl boots on and spread my wings, take that leap of faith and fly!!

Yeah, I’m really excited about Cre8ive Klatch! :D

PS I'll be showing you how to make a Mantra Mobile in my first lesson and I hope you join me in the FaceBook group.  :D

Studio Table Untouched

The ladies from Cre8tive Klatch are encouraging everyone to join in with Seth Apter's Studio Table - Call for Particpants. The idea is to show the reality of what your creative table looks like not one designed for a magazine.

This was great timing for me because last week I built one of those shelving units all by myself - a job that's much easier with two people and I had to give my art space a tidy up anyhow.  I also planned to reveal my recently re-arranged room to you too.

For my Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts friends - I built this second shelving unit to fit all my plastic baskets/containers of my prints!! Previously they were on the floor in baskets and not in baskets!! I've shifted my desk so my papers are nice and close to me!!!

Before shot!  This was my son's room but he's moved out of home so I'm very grateful that I now have this space to use.

If you want to join in and show everyone your studio/creative table then head over to Seth's blog for more details.  And leave me a comment below so I can have a sticky beak too!!  :D