Creative Passage Into Art Journaling

"Go where your journal takes you creatively, taking your journal wherever you go --
and you'll find you're taking a creative journey, others will soon want to follow."
~ Lisa Sackett

I thought I'd share something a bit new today...something that I've been working on for a while, behind the scenes -- my Art Journal.  If you're not familiar with Art Journaling, it's basically combining art & words into a personal journal (or just words, or just art...) -- it's a creative outlet of your own artistic impression.  In other words, there are no rules -- you create the kind of art that you enjoy, and write what you like. 

One of the best things I've discovered about keeping an Art Journal (or several) is that it truly helps the break-down of inspiration overload.  You know what I mean?  When you are overstimulated by SO many ideas going through your head and don't know where to begin -- I find that taking just ten to fifteen minutes to add some color to a page, adding collage elements, drawing, writing, etc...just helps to get that creative energy moving in a specific direction.  And it works exactly the same way when I can't think of a thing to do.  And once you get started, you'll be able to go back into your journals for some of your own inspiration!  You'll also find it quite addicting...and dare I say...FUN!

Creative Passage Into Art Journaling

. . . the class!

Many of you already know I'm an instructor at our LSS.  Well, I was thinking that an Art Journaling class would be a great opportunity to bring together students, who are both beginner & advanced artists, for the express purpose of having fun being creative without any rules.  And if you don't think you're artistically inclined, not to worry -- I'll help you find your creative style.

Starting in May at our LSS (15 minutes from the St. Louis Arch), I'll begin teaching Art Journaling 101 -- you'll get your initial supplies, including a journal, and we'll jump right in.  Then each month I'll be teaching new techniques you can try out on your own pages, or you can do your own thing.  There will be a variety of supplies & tools to use while in class, & each month you'll acquire some new supplies too!  Art Journaling is meant to be a fun, stress-free, relaxing way to get creative. Some pages you'll love, others you'll learn from.  But most of all ... we'll just have fun! 

To sign up for classes you can contact The Scrapbook Factory at 618-628-8877.  Several opportunities for class dates in May:  Sunday, May 20th 2-4pm; Tuesday, May 22nd 5:30-7:30pm; Saturday, May 26th 10am-12pm.  Classes fill up quickly as there are only 12 spaces open for each class.  If you have a group of five or more we'll create a class for your group...just let me know.  Also, each month will include an Art Journaling 101 class for those that are just starting up.

Still unsure about this Art Journaling "thing"?  Check out this link for some great inspiration --> HERE, featuring Dyan Reavely.  We'll be using her Dylusions sprays & stencils in some of the classes.  But that's only a sampling, there's so much more... 

On my blog -- I'll be posting my journal pages from time to time, including tidbits here and there, as well -- so that if you're not able to join us in classes, you'll still be able to catch a bit of that inspiration.

So that's just a little something new I've got going on...and I thought I'd put you in the know.  And now you know.  =)

Have a cozy day!  Lisa

April's Tag is a Birthday Card

Today's birthday card is gonna be a bit late for my brother-in-law, but on time (finally) for Tim Holtz'  12 Tags of 2012 for April.  I decided to make this into a dual purpose card, since I had a birthday to fulfill. 

I followed Tim's blog tutorial with a few stylistic changes based on the materials I had on hand:

TH Distressed Frame embossing folder
TH Reflections script stamp
TH Lost & Found flying birds stamp
TH Shabby French bird stamp (fussy cut - which is just another name for spending a lot of time cutting something out  =)
grungeboard bookplate & keyhole
TH trimmings inked w/frayed burlap & peeled paint
7 Gypsies key
Distress Inks:  frayed burlap, scattered straw, peeled paint, stormy sky, & vintage photo
Archival Ink: black, cobalt
Jute, stapled with TH tiny attacher
variety of letter rub-ons

And here's a Tip about shadowing rub-ons:  adhere rub-on to cardstock, then go over it carefully with an inked blending tool after it's secure -- this will give a shadowed look to your rub-on, as the overflow material on the rub-on acts as a natural resist.  In my case I used white cardstock then went over it with stormy sky & frayed burlap.  You can see where the letters have a white shadowed effect.  Pretty cool, eh?

Hope you're having a fabulous day!  Lisa

Easy Watercolored Spring Rabbits

Spring Easter Rabbits

Hi guys! Popping in today to show a couple cards I made using the new Distress Markers on specialty stamping paper. I'm loving using these markers for watercoloring, and I actually like the stamping paper for this technique as much as watercolor paper, as it really gives such a crisp image. The stamps were picked up a few years ago at a thrift store -- The only name on them is "Imaginations!" (I looked online, but could only find them on eBay).

I'm not extremely neat when I "color", so using the watercolor method with these markers works really nice for me. I simply stamped the images with Archival black ink (any waterproof/non-smear ink should work) and colored over the images with a the markers. Then I used a water brush and "water-colored" over the marker colors (wiping off my brush on my hand between each color). I used a wet brush so there was extra water to move around in the ink, then I dabbed up the extra water with a towel when I was finished with that color. It helped give it the mottled look of watercolor. I corner rounded the image paper, and finished with my markers by going around the edges of the paper (and not neatly, I might add). I then used the water brush again around the edges, dabbed with a towel, & dried, before going over it once again with the water brush for a lighter, third coloring on the edges.  Check out Tim Holtz demonstrating these markers, the stamping paper, and the water brush (at 3:45) , on YouTube ---> HERE. 

I used Glaze pens for the extra pop of color on the watermelon, carrot, & tulip -- the Glaze pens dry slightly raised with a glossy finish...as opposed to Souffle pens which give a matte finish.   I added the images to cardstock from my scrap collection, and tied on ribbon bows. To finish off the cards, I punched out mini envelopes (by McGill) from vellum and added a "Hoppy Easter" message.

I thought these rabbits were more spring-time than Easter, which is a bit more my speed. Growing up the first of six kids I remember my parents celebrating Easter on Saturday with our egg hunts & candy baskets, and Sunday was set aside as "Resurrection Sunday". We were able to have all day to enjoy our goodies instead of rushing off to church after we'd found them...plus it helped us keep in perspective the true meaning of Easter & Jesus' resurrection. We've followed that same tradition with our own kids, and I love the simplicity of a relaxed Saturday morning -- well, except when we can't remember where we hid the last boiled egg. =)

Today we're remembering Good Friday, but isn't it wonderful to know
...Sunday's a-comin'?!   Blessings, Lisa

Tag Booklet Tutorial

I recently posted  "It's From Her Treasure" about a package of goodies I received, in which we were to use some of the supplies to make something.  I ended up creating a Tag Booklet out of a manila folder -- and I'm finally getting around to posting the tutorial.  =)

First to note, is that all manila file folders are not created equal...in size, that is.  The size won't affect this tutorial, as it will work with any size, but it might affect the size of your tags, which you can cut accordingly.  It's pretty simple to make, and easy to modify to your specific taste, should you desire to do so. 

1.  Open file folder so that it lays open flat & wide.
2.  Fold the bottom edge up so that it is flush with the top edge.  Trim off extending tab, so the file is flush on that side (my tab happened to be on the right side).
3.  Starting with the left side, fold the left edge to the center fold line of the folder. 
4.  Fold the right side, so that the right edge is approximately 1/4" to the right of the center fold line (of the folder).

Click on the photo for a closer view

5.  Using a ruler, draw a vertical pencil line to connect the top of the center fold line to the bottom edge.  Draw a second line from where you left off (bottom edge) to the top of the right middle fold line.  Draw a third line from the top of the same middle fold line to the bottom right corner edge.  You should have a triangle drawn in pencil on the right side, plus a line down the center fold of the booklet.
6.  Cut on your pencil lines and set aside triangle cutouts for use in another project. 

7.  Fold over center vertical cut approximately 1/4" to the left (you will need to scissor-snip 1/4" on the bottom to fold it without tearing).  Complete Step #8, then staple or glue both 1/4" ends in place to create a micro-pocket (I used Tim Holtz' tiny fastener).
8.  Open left side flap and adhere glue or double-sided adhesive strip (I used Scor-tape) down middle fold of left side, and complete across the top edge of the folder.  Close flap over and press to seal.  You will have two pockets for the left side -- one on the far left and one to the left of the center fold line.  To finish your additional micro-pocket, see the end of Step #7.
9.  Open right side triangle flap and adhere glue strip down middle fold of triangle -- fold back over and adhere to create two more pockets.
10. Fold both left & right sides toward the center, create extra pockets by cutting two **rectangular cardstock mats (mine were sized 3 3/4" x 5 1/4"), adding adhesive on three sides, and attaching to the folder. 
**To create two additional "Sash" pockets, cut a shape of cardstock to fit the front of the mats (mine were ovals approx. 3 3/8" x 1 3/4"), attach ribbon to both sides of shape and attach behind rectangle mats before adhering mats to folder.**
FINISH -- Fold folder in half to create your booklet.  Decorate & embellish as desired, and insert a variety of your favorite tags! 

For more photos of the finished book, check out the original post ---> HERE. 



Fully Opened Booklet -- center left shows micro-pocket

Booklet Folded in Half -- showing sash pockets

You could make this into an interactive greeting card with lots of hidden pockets -- great for both kids and adults alike.  Or a gift book of tags, teabags, etc., to give someone a bit of a "Pick-Me-Up".  Or fill it with pictures for the Grandparents.  And so much more...

Give it a try, and maybe you'll make someones day today -- maybe even your own!  Happy Crafting -- Lisa