A little art in every day!

Soaking up more ...

2011-11-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

When my kids were in Montessori preschool, the director likened their little minds to sponges soaking up everything possible for them to learn.

Well, I guess I feel that way too about art. So ... I'm taking yet another class to learn, grow, experiment, and just PLAY!

Fellow Brave Girl, Jeanne Oliver, creates gorgeous vintage art.

Just look at all this artsy goodness ...

Online class begins in January but registration is open now.

To join me, go to www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com

Jill

Lost in a Blue Friday

2011-09-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

Today I'm finding myself in a blue mood - maybe it's the gloomy skies this morning or the busy weekend we have ahead of us, maybe it's stress from the last busy week(s), or that "busy" has become an all too common response to the question, "How are you?" lately. In the midst of this constantly busy life I realized this morning that I feel lonely. How can you feel lonely when you can't even keep up with your full calendar? Somehow, I can. Somehow, today all of our frequent moves and starting over is hitting me full force and, unfortunately for you (IS there any of you?) I've decided to share it on the blog.

This week I've been focusing on some home decorating. It's been an on-off project for the last year as we settled into our most recent home. While I'm hoping - no seriously praying - that this is our last house and last move and last start over, I'm also reluctant to decorate it. Partly this is out of spite - a home is something that is built over a long period of time and can't just be created in a year with new furniture and paint and silly store-bought accessories. I've always wanted our home to tell our story. I've wanted it to be welcoming to guests but more importantly I've wanted our kids to feel a part of it and feel the memories attached to it as they grow. How can I possibly create this when I keep having to start over!!? The home decorator in me is trying really hard to just make it comfy and inviting but the nearly 50 year old woman in me is just so sad that no matter what I put in here it feels too new when I feel old and it won't really tell our story. Our story is too full of beginnings. Just when I think I'm getting to a middle and putting down some roots and creating some real history, we end up starting over with another beginning again. Today I just feel so ungrounded - like I have been yanked up so many times I don't have any roots left to put down. Worst of all, I don't feel like the roots matter anymore. I want them to.

So, as I try to get out of this funk today and focus more on the house projects I'm supposed to be doing (curtains for my girls' rooms, painting my son's room and several other rooms that haven't been touched yet) I can't help feeling like I'm simply going through the motions of creating a home. Why? For myself and my family, you would think, right? I wish that was enough for me. It's not. I want to create warmth and charm and some form of fabricated history so others can see it and share it. I want people in my life. But starting over makes that so complicated. You see, they (whatever potential new friends we might find) are very busy people too. They are busy with their old friends and family that they've never had to leave and start over without. We are too far down on their wait list. What if, by the time we move up on that list, we end up having to start over again? With the fear of that happening - all that time wasted investing in new relationships - I find myself too tired of the waiting, too tired of being disappointed and moved away to invest any more time drawing people in. Focusing on the house for awhile seemed a good distraction. It's not really working.

Jill

Heading back to the classroom ...

2011-09-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

... to teach.

I've lined up several paper art classes to share at our local Hobby Lobby (on Rt. 59 in Aurora). Here is the docket for this fall:

Canvas Autumn Mini Book ($35)

Tue. 10/4 9am-12pm or

Sat. 10/8 1pm-4pm

Handmade Journal ($30)

Tue. 10/11 9am-12pm or

Sat. 10/15 1pm-4pm

Scallop Mini Book ($25)

Tue. 10/18 9am-12pm or

Sat. 10/22 1pm-4pm

Paper Quilt Box ($25)

Tue. 11/1 9am-12pm or

Sat. 11/5 1pm-4pm

The Notebook ($25)

Tue. 11/8 9am-12pm or

Sat. 11/12 1pm-4pm

Altered Frame ($25)

Tue. 11/15 9am-12pm or

Sat. 11/19 1pm-4pm

Hoping to get plenty of folks interested. It's always a pleasure to meet new people in these classes. I'm excited to expand my circle of artsy friends. Contact me at gajgreen@aol.com if you'd like to join the fun!

Jill

Playing "Catch-up" ...

2011-08-31T07:22:00.000-07:00

OK - so school has started and the scramble is on to try and

catch up on all the things I've let go all season.

Yeah, right!

I think instead of getting bogged down for too long with that lengthy list,

I will try to savor at least one thing this summer gave me:

In the midst of my lovely landscaped yard I planted a few tomato plants and an herb garden.

While enjoying fresh tomatoes and a variety of fresh herbs just outside my kitchen door is wonderful itself,

nature left us something even more wonderful.

In said herb garden, a mother rabbit burrowed and treated us to a couple weeks of peeks at her babies.

Although only one of the two survived and all too soon the burrow was deserted, we all enjoyed their presence for the time we were allowed a view.

Through this time, I found myself nostalgic for my younger days.

Perhaps the farm finds the farm girl even here in the suburbs.

For your viewing pleasure:

Thanks for visiting.

Jill

The Lazy Days of Summer ...

2011-06-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

... yeah, right!

I think we've been busier in our household now than during the school year!
I will admit it's at least more fun things for the kids but it's certainly
more of a juggling challenge for me.

Anyone feel that way, too!?

In an effort to maintain my summer sanity, I am trying to find ways for art to
fit in to our busy days too.

With that goal in mind, the ping-pong table in our basement was temporarily (or at least Greg sincerely hopes it's temporary!) converted into an art table for "She Art" Girl canvas art.

(see http://www.christytomlinson.typepad.com/ and her She Art Workshop)

My daughters and I have seen 8 girls take shape over the past 3 weeks. They each made one for their room:

Here is Mackenzie's -

and here is Paige's -

I have been working on a girl for my oldest son's lovely girlfriend (Hi Allie!) and 5 girls to donate for a charity auction benefit for the Idaho Health Care Association. Special thanks to Christy Tomlinson for her permission for us all to use her workshop design to create for the auction and special thanks to Jana Darrington for this fabulous idea and opportunity to share our art with others!

Here are my 6 from their simple paper covered canvas beginnings ...

transforming, layer ...

by layer ...

by layer ... to these finished beauties.

How fun it's been creating these!! Each girl is a little piece of me and touches me in different ways as she "becomes" art. It is sort of bittersweet to send them off to the auction but I'm hoping they will each find the girl who fits them perfectly.

So ... lazy summer days?

Maybe not as many as I'd like yet.

But, here's to summer art days at least - tucked in wherever I find a place for them.

Thanks for looking.

Hoping you get to enjoy a few lazy days of summer yourself,

Jill

Art on Hand

2011-06-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

I was feeling quite pleased with myself awhile back when I had the idea to

make up the foundation of a few of these exploding photo albums to keep on hand for last-minute gifts.

All I'd need to do is decorate the covers to personal the gift and I'd have a handmade gift on short notice.

I made 8 of these to "keep on hand" and within a couple of weeks

promptly used each and every one of them.

So much for keeping stock on hand ...

Thanks for looking.

Jill

End of another school year - Teacher Gifts

2011-06-22T21:24:00.000-07:00

OK - a little chilling away from Blogger and the computer, and, what do you know, photos magically upload like a dream!!

So here is the entry I'd planned for this morning but aborted:

Why, oh why, do I stress myself out making special teacher gifts at the end of the year?

I always tell myself in March to get a jump on them but I never seem to decide what to do until May and then I'm scrambling. When my girls see how cute the first one is they suddenly decide they simply MUST gift all their teachers, not just the main. I'm such a sucker for this. So, here are the 3 designs of this little correspondence portfolio. I made 2 of each design for the SIX gifts the girls decided to give.

Inside, each held 4 handmade notecards w/ envelopes, 6 sheets of stationary, and postage stamps.

Inspiration for these came from an online class (Mouse, Paper, Scissors Mom) I took from Heidi Swapp and Jessica Sprague. Thanks, ladies, for taking me through the first one. Now I'm hooked.

Thanks for looking.

Jill

Giving up for awhile!!!! UGH!

2011-06-22T07:41:00.000-07:00

I've spent the past hour trying to upload photos to the blog as an update on the art that's been happening around here. It's been fun, I assure you (the art, NOT the past hour!), but there will be no photographic evidence displayed here until my temper cools and my photos are able to load.

The problem??? Likely, many.

1. I am a technological pre-schooler (OK, probably even that is tooting my own horn since there are plenty of pre-schoolers less intimidated than I on the computer) so if systems change on me unexpectedly I am paralyzed. I can be heard more than once a week declaring how much I detest computers and my lack of skill.

2. I am not a photographer. I do not own or know how to use photoshop and have BARE minimum photo editing skills (i.e. I can crop and do red-eye redux and change pics to black/white but I don't know how to resize my photos to download - which is probably pretty important here, I know).

3. I do not have unlimited hours to spend in front of the computer "training" myself in all these necessary modern skills to make my blog easier to maintain let alone the upgrades I've dreamed of having on it.

4. I am convinced our computer is extremely tempermental. It has a mind of its own - works when it wants to, or not, at whatever speed it feels is appropriate, even though we supposedly have the highest available.

So ... for now ... I'm calling it quits with the blog and admitting defeat. I've wasted enough of my precious little creative time on it. If you'd like to get in touch with me to find out what I've been up to, please feel free to email me at gajgreen@aol.com.

I'll be in my studio now trying to do a little creative/anger management therapy.

Jill

Working on Wonderful

2011-05-19T05:59:00.000-07:00

"I don't want to make money. I just want to be wonderful." -- Marilyn Monroe

I read this quote yesterday and it hit home.

For the last several months I've watched fellow Brave Girls blossom into the most incredible entrepreneurs and artists while I'm still trying for formulate the vision for my own future. At times I put way too much pressure on myself to come up with something that will be successful. I'm not much closer to capturing the vision yet but I've been dabbling in many artsy things and having fun with it.

This quote hit home because, no matter what, I just want to be so stinking proud of what I do in all aspects of my life that I feel wonderful about who I am. Money wouldn't hurt, but this ... this would be the ultimate.

I think there was more to Ms. Monroe than met the eye.

"She Art" mixed-media love

2011-03-06T05:51:00.000-08:00

I'm in the middle of this wonderful online art course called The She Art Workshop. It's taught by the uber-talented Christy Thomlinson and is SO MUCH FUN! This was my first project.

I made it for my daughter Mackenzie who is always drawing mermaids and who touches everyone around her with her magical smiles. I LOVE this process of creating art layer by layer. Christy, you may have created a mixed-media monster!

Isn't she just the cutest mermaid you've ever seen?

Thanks for peeking.
Jill

Dabbling ...

2011-02-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

I have unofficially declared 2011 my year to dabble in new art techniques and just have fun learning and playing.

So ... a little show and tell of what I've done so far.

Graphite on paper.

Watercolor on paper.

Watercolor Pencil on Bristol board.

Color Pencil on Bristol board.

And in case you're thinking I'm going all high brow, here is a paper crafty piece of pure FUN I did in a Paperbella e-course by Teresa McFayden last month.

Paper Lady's Slipper

More things yet to come.

Thanks for stopping by.

Jill

Sharing a little LOVE ...

2011-02-17T06:10:00.000-08:00

I finally got off my butt and created AND COMPLETED a project again. Been in a rut lately. Also still been in copy mode. This was a book design I saw on Heidi Swapp's webshow last year before Valentine's Day. I've wanted to make it ever since and decided not to allow another Valentine's Day to go by without doing it. So a month ago, I glimmer misted all the pages. I've been taking the photos since December and sort of putting the book together in my head. Now, here it is.

Thanks for looking.

PS - I'm really not a pink person so this was a step out of my usual color box. I like it though.

Jill

Finally! Brave Girl Camp ... HOW WAS IT?

2010-11-10T04:24:00.000-08:00

Get ready for some rambling musings. I've tried to organize my thoughts and words in answer to that question and I just can't seem to do it as eloquently as others I've read. Bear with me. Life changing experiences are tough to put into words.

So ... Brave Girl Camp - how was it?

It was beyond LOVELY in every visual way.

I was surrounded by BEAUTIFUL people, beautiful ART (this part was pretty intimidating!).

Melody and Kathy and their incredible friends were THOUGHTFUL and GENEROUS beyond belief.

We were PAMPERED at every turn and served the most incredibly DELICIOUS food all week.

But it was also hard, very hard and very brave for me to be there at all.

I'm an introvert (classic, quiet, invisible middle child!) and flying from Illinois to Idaho all alone knowing not a single soul was truly brave. No wonder it was hard when I got there.

But maybe it was hard to the part of me who doesn't want growth and change in my life? I was elated to be there, to be a part of something this BIG, but I couldn't shake the role of observer rather than active participant.

It was hard to see so many women in need of caring and compassion and give to them when I'm so very nearly tapped out of both after this past year and a half. But ... dig deep and it's there - that immense capacity to love we women possess. I have felt it even more since my return home.

It was hard to believe that women could possibly bond so quickly after only a few days together. I want so much to believe that is possible though. What beautiful women they are! What lovely souls! What inner strength I witnessed! I want never to forget them. I want more moments together somehow to grow what began at Brave Girl Camp. Time will tell ... but the country feels a bit smaller knowing Brave Girls are scattered all around me.

It is hard to tell where I will go from here - as a woman trying to find a new direction in life, as an artist trying to find her niche, as a mother and wife trying to be the best she can without losing sight of herself in the process. Here I go anyway. I am a Brave Girl.

It will take many weeks to process all that I experienced in that one. But I am so grateful to have had that one incredible week.

www.bravegirlsclub.com.

Brave Girl Camp - How was it!??

2010-10-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

Forgive me as I'm still processing my incredible Brave Girl Camp experience.

LIFE has also had a way of intruding (how rude of it to continue at the same frantic pace upon my return as it was coming at me before my trip!) on my thoughts and my time.

More details coming soon ...

Farm Girl Goes to Art Camp

2010-09-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

I don't believe I've shared this here yet but ...

I'm about to go on an adventure.

I'm heading to Brave Girl Camp in Idaho next week for 5 art-filled, girls-only days in the mountains near Eagle, Idaho. This shy Michigan farm girl is going to spread her artsy wings and see what she's got. I'm incredibly nervous, super excited, ready for the break from routine "duty", a bit nervous to go alone knowing NO ONE that I'll be there with, hopeful that all that won't matter and we will become fast creative friends.

Have a gazillion things to do before I head out on Tuesday but for now I'm on Cloud 9 and trying to feel brave.

Warp Speed - HIGHLY overrated!!!

2010-09-25T17:29:00.001-07:00

Life is traveling at warp speed around here these days and, the sad thing is, I don't think it's likely to change any time soon.

Hold on - I'm sure something creative is bound to spin off soon. Maybe if I gave up sleep!?

Settling in ... and Summer

2010-06-23T04:36:00.000-07:00

We are finally in the house!!! Yay!

It's been 2.5 weeks since we moved in and things are starting to look like we actually live here. My goal this week is to get more than one room totally box-free! Each one still has that one last box in it full of stuff that I just don't know what to do with. So ... I'm almost there.

I'm trying not to rob the kids of too much of their summer settling in to the house though. Our June has been super busy but come July I'm hoping to kick back and enjoy the season.

My studio, you ask? Well ... it's sort of unpacked. There are only a couple boxes left but it is really just simply unpacked (OK, sort of the equivalent of having the boxes spontaneously explode into one room is more like it). I have no idea how I'm going to organize the room and haven't had the time to devote to it yet. I'm itching to finally PLAY again though!

Looking forward to posting project pics again soon! Until then, enjoy your own piece of summer!
Jill

OK - back up, here!

2010-05-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

I just want to make sure that those few of you who check this blog be sure to get your money's worth.

I THOUGHT I was being really organized one day when I uploaded about 3 posts worth of photos and wrote blog entries to go with each of them. I did them all on Wed. April 28. When I went back to edit and then post each one days later I couldn't figure out how to change the date so ALL of them got posted April 28. However, they're in some goofy order ...

so ... please be sure to scroll down to check ALL the posts dated April 28 since there are some pics definitely worth looking at.

Thanks and sorry for my technical inability.

Jill

Guess what my girls are up to ...?

2010-04-28T10:09:00.000-07:00

Counted cross-stitch!!! Can you believe it? The '80s have been revisited by my little crafty souls. Mackenzie is doing her name in a cool calligraphy font for a wall hanging in her new room. She's so into it right now that she's choosing it over TV! WOW!

Paige went with us to get Mackenzie's Aida cloth and didn't want to be left out. We picked up this teeny kit for her and she's really taking off with it.

The girls seemed a little skeptical at first about my ability to teach them cross-stitch. Then I showed them these beauties ...

... my 1980s Amish works. Still love them even though they are so country and so dated.

Mackenzie noticed the dates and my initials on them and asked why I don't do this anymore. Well since most of them were done pre-1990, I'd say that 4 kids, 4 moves, my degree, rubberstamps, scrapbooks, photography, and a whole lot of LIFE have gotten in the way. I'll pick it up again though, especially if the girls keep at it.

I'm so proud of them! So happy they are finding pleasure creating something by hand.

Jill

Exploding Paper Quilt Boxes

2010-04-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

Another great little class on Live with Prima ...

Thanks for this design goes to Julie Fei-Fan Balzer (http://www.balzerdesigns.typepad.com/). I made one of these as birthday gifts for a couple very special people.

They are cute little boxes about 4x4" when all closed up, and ... when opened ...

they look like beautiful paper quilts! The bonus is they have a surprise inside. This one has a cute little mini book inside.

(here's a close up of the mini)

Just for fun, I packed a cute little bag of chocolates in the other box. Pretty, eh? Now that I've made a couple of these, I'm dying to make a ton of them. I think they'd make super cute favors for a ladies' luncheon, don't you? Paper quilts - gotta love it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Jill

"Grown Up" Chunky Book

2010-04-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

Remember Chunky books? - those little board books for babies that were a couple inches thick and made of heavy chipboard (baby bite-able!) pages. Here is my grown-up version thanks to Marion Smith (http://www.apieceofcraft.com/) for the design and class. It was actually a kit from Live with Prima with slightly different product but I adapted it to use products I had on hand (which were still predominantly from Prima anyway). I LOVE looking at it.

The book is about 3 inches thick!! and filled with the most beautiful papers and flowers.

I used Prima's "Tea and Silk" line of papers plus some "Rue 88", many of their lovely flowers, some of their onyx crystals, ribbons, and various other rub-ons and buttons.

The book is full of pockets and tags which I hope to fill with quotes and sayings that have special meaning to me. Not sure if I'll add photos too. Probably not since I don't want to cover up much of the pretty papers. I'm thinking some hand writing is all this chunky book needs.

Thanks for looking.

Jill

My Art Journey Book

2010-04-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

After about two years of having and viewing this tutorial from Donna Downey, I finally got around to making my "Journey of Me" book. I'm using its freestyle, grungy, casual format to journal my thoughts along my art journey. Only have a couple of entries so far but I'm looking forward to filling it day by day.

Sorry for posting the pics backwards - here is the cover w/ the book closed. Love its grungy style! Yes, that's "roughed-up" corrugated cardboard for the covers.

Thanks, Donna Downey, for the inspiration not only to make this particular book but also for the idea to record our thoughts along the way of our journey to becoming who we were meant to be.

Jill

Envelope Birthday Book

2010-04-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a book I made for my sister's 50th birthday present. It's made of regular greeting card envelopes bound together in a book. The cover is a Hambly transparency with a cute little crepe paper ruffle (sprayed with Key Lime Pie Glimmer Mist to give it color).

Inside each envelope I placed a note along with a gift card for a particular place.

You'll notice on the pages I did a lot of the penant banners. I sort of caught the bug from www.houseof3designdistrict.blogspot.com and have been using this idea - uh, like everywhere.

The design for this book came from Heidi Swapp too. She did a 6x9 envelope book as a free class on her webshow. This was my version using envelopes and papers I had on hand.

Thanks for looking.

Jill

Packing up again!

2010-04-21T04:59:00.000-07:00

So ... just when I get some energy going in the studio, it's time to close up shop again.

We bought a house and will be moving in a little more than a month. In the meantime I've got PACKING to do. I'll have to pack up the studio first to rid myself of the distraction. How sad to box up my lovely papers and ribbons and embellies. I'll miss them but what fun it will be to organize new space again. This time I hope to customize it a bit with some cabinetry (haven't run that one past DH yet though so we'll see). I'd love a look that's just a little bit above my current stacks-of-plastic-bins look.

I have been getting a few things made over the past several weeks though. Will share with some pics as soon as I download them. Mostly I've been making projects from free online class videos. I'm getting hooked on a few - Heidi Swapp (www.heidiswapp.typepad.com) does one on Wednesday nights and Prima does several each month (www.primamarketinginc.com). The Prima ones are actually kits you can pre-order before the show and then make right along with the artist during the video. How cool is that? You should check them out.

I've also been taking some cool spring photos. Remember that old Garden Book class I taught about a year ago? I never made one for myself! So ... now it's time. I've been collecting some great photos of the flowers and flowering trees this spring. It's been gorgeous here in IL.

Check back soon for those pics.
Jill

Creating again ... one project at a time.

2010-03-01T11:47:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a long time coming, but life happens ...

This is my first FULL quote book, "words to live by". I'm so inspired by neat quotes, poems, and verses that a couple years ago I covered this composition book to have a pretty place to write them down. It's much better than the collection of little bits of scrap paper I had collecting all over my desk. Anyway ... I recently filled it to the last page!

So I had to make another one, "more words to live by", since I keep collecting more to record ...
I loved the Asian theme of the green one so I kept it going here. I just love the fact that I'm on my second book. And, yes, I do refer back to them and use the quotes on my scrap projects - LOTS. Next up was to find a way to collect the project ideas that I've accumulated in this random mess of notebooks into one convenient place. I was constantly picking up a different notebook whenever I needed to record an idea for a mini book or other art project. I wanted one place where I could keep and record project ideas, design sketches, color and paper swatches, etc. So I created this out of an old Bo-Bunny canvas binder. The canvas was too light so I sprayed it with Glimmer Mist (suede), then used some Tim Holtz stencils and distress ink to create a scroll-y design on the binding.
Some 7 Gypsies, Prima, and Basic Grey papers, some manilla file folders and Prima embellishments later and I had a working home for the project ideas floating around in my head and swimming in that stack of notebooks scattered all over the place.

I've been playing around with different mini book binding options. They're really more like glorified cards but are sort of a fun, quick way to make a little mini as well. The vintage chocolate ad was from www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com. Inside I did a little booklet with the verse "The Truth about Chocolate" printed inside.
Of course I had to stamp up the inner pages. Who likes just plain text on a page?!? Also had to do my share of distressing as always. Love the silky ribbon. It reminds me of all the wonderful rich shades of real chocolate. (Yep - been on a little chocolate kick lately.)
Another binding mini option was this accordian fold binding. This idea came from a webisode on www.heidiswapp.typepad.com. I used some 6x6 papers from Memory Box, a Hambly transparency for the cover, and some plain cardstock.
Here is how I embellished the book. It's going to be presented to my parents as an Anniversary card in late May. They're on their 60th. I printed out a neat quote (you guessed it, from my quote book) on strips of cardstock and that became my journaling for the book. I think I got carried away with the flowers on the cover but ... oh well.
The quote throughout reads: "Time is a companion that goes with us on the journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived."
OK - that does it for now. Been on a role, I guess. That must be why no one has anything clean to wear these days. Back to life ...

Thanks for looking -
Jill

Scraplifting is better than no scrapping at all ...

2010-02-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

Hey there!
I realize it's been AGES since I posted and this will hardly qualify as living the creative life ... but what's a girl to do. Been busy with life these days.

This was a super cute Make-and-Take project that 7Gypsies did at the recent CHA convention in California. They kindly posted instructions and the calendar pages for download on their website. I just happened to have all the supplies needed to make one for myself. Such a gypsy, aren't I?

Saw this idea on Heidi Swapp's blog. She'd done this really simple digital kit for a cute banner and I knew my girls would LOVE it if I dolled up the house a bit for Valentine's Day. So here's mine. I found some cute pink damask file folders in the dollar section at Michaels and used those for the base of each little pennant. Ruffled some crepe paper and printed tissue paper, inked and trimmed a bit. Cute, I think, and the girls did love it.

So, beyond these two mini "lifts" I have done very little creative lately. I have been trying to keep up with the kids after school activities as well as keep up the ho-hum household stuff. We're also jumping back into house hunting mode now that the holidays are over. I'm finding that my focus is on creating a future home for us more than creating lovely art projects. However ... keep checking in. I think some creative things may crop up every now and then. I do try!

Thanks for looking.
Jill

Busy with LIFE ... be back soon!

2010-02-09T13:44:00.000-08:00

Been a bit busy with the daily grind but I have been trying to squeeze in a little creative now and then. Have some pics of latest little projects to post plus an update of what in the world I've been up to.

Come back tomorrow.

Jill

A Birthday Book for my parents' 80th!

2009-09-27T18:28:00.001-07:00

I made this book to commemorate the family reunion we had in Michigan this summer in honor of both of my parent's 80th birthdays. The cover is pretty simply covered chipboard.

Inner pages are covered chipboard and envelope pockets.

In each of the envelopes is a card with a family photo of each of the individual families who were present at the reunion. Inside the card they each wrote a birthday message to Mom and Dad.

There were so many photos from the weekend to pack into this book that I had to make some small and quite a few overlapping. However, I think it came out OK as far as capturing the weekend.

Here's the birthday couple. Sweet, huh?! Happy 80th Birthday, Mom and Dad!

Thanks for looking.

Jill

2009-09-22T06:09:00.000-07:00

Finally - something to post!!

This is an address directory I did for my family. Made one for each family household (18 of them!) on my side of the family. I used all different papers (I think there might have been 1 duplicate) for each book. There are Hambly transparency dividers and the tabs are labeled for each of my siblings.

I know they will almost immediately need updating but it was fun putting them together for everyone. It will be handy when Christmas card time comes too.

This is the back cover.

It's so good to be creating again!!!!

Jill

2009-08-19T06:47:00.000-07:00

OK - obviously other things have been in the way of blog posting lately.

Unfortunately I have nothing very interesting to post - no photos, no projects, not even anything terribly riveting to read.

We are here though, back home in the midwest. We're in a rental house for now and are focused on getting the kids in school and developing a routine around the household. I'm unpacking my studio still (Wow! What a lot of stuff I have even after selling and donating before the move!) and my hands are just itching to PLAY with it all. I have a notebook with several pages full of ideas I want to work into real projects soon but must get organized in the work space first.

Hoping to get something up here soon.

Our summer travels produced many photo ops as we'd hoped but I have yet to sort through them for my family album. I think that may be a work-in-progress for some time to come but I'm certain I got at least a few gems this summer to go in it.

Hope you all had a wonderful creative summer.

Jill

An Unlikely product pairing - the perfect Family Album

2009-05-31T12:38:00.000-07:00

When I first saw Teresa Collins "Documented" and "Family Matters" product lines, I knew I had to have them. I so firmly believe in journaling the family moments for those generations to come to better know who we, their ancestors, were. Her crisp and clean designs were designed with journalers in mind. AMEN!

When I first saw the 7Gypsies "Gypsy Market" product line, I knew I had to have it. I was so in love with the colors, patterns, Asian prints, and vintage appeal of it.

When I got both of these lines in a new order - together - I
realized how much I liked them mixed in with each other. Each is a very different design style but both have a lovely rich camel color in common. That started the wheels churning for this book.

One of the first ideas I had was to laminate the covers. I used Beacon's Liquid Laminate that you brush on and it gives this almost-instant-dry shine to the paper. LOVE it on the covers (inside and out) as well as the chipboard dividers inside.

I used TC bracket album covers and the Zutter
bind-it-all system for the book. I used some of TC's 8x8 page protectors, die cut file folders, envelopes, tags...

... also used TC's 8x8 transparencies - LOVE these.

Of course, since I'm a distressing fiend, I had to give a distressed look to the TC products to give them a vintage feel similar to the 7Gypsies products.

The book has three sections to it. I separated each section with a chipboard page. The first section will be my immediate family - me, hubby, and our four kids.

Second section will be my hubby's family. We're having a family reunion late this summer so I plan to be frantically snapping photos of everyone.

The final section is for my family. We are also conveniently having a family reunion late this summer so that will be another photo opp. This one will be a bit tougher though since I have about 45 people in my family. Whew!

The plan is to have all photos be in Black/White to better show off the colors of the book but also because I just love how B/W photos look.

I will plan for plenty of journaling spaces,

some family quotes,

and of course some extra embellishments after the photos are in place.

The Gypsy Market line has some super cool vintage tags, brads, and chipboard numbers that I KNOW will land in this book somewhere!

I love how the book came out. It looks beatiful to me now - even though it's empty. But, man, I can't wait to get it full of photos.

Hopefully my photography skills will sharpen a bit for me this summer so I can capture a few good ones.

Unfortunately I'm "blessed" with camera-shy family members. I'll have to get a bit sneaky to snap everyone. There may also be very little "posing" allowed too.

Will also have to keep a notebook handy to make sure everyone is accounted for.

Hope the book is big enough to hold everyone!

Can't wait to fill these cool file folders.

Thanks Teresa Collins and 7Gypsies for coming out with such MARVELOUS products!!

I'll share a few pages when the book is more complete with pics and embellishments. Hopefully that will be before spring. With the move and all it's a lofty goal, believe me.

Thanks for letting me share my stuff.

Jill

Never too late to be Thankful

2009-05-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

I always wanted to create a book to house all our favorite Thanksgiving recipes. So last fall when I got in a Kit Club kit these beatiful 7Gypsies Savannah papers, I knew I could do it. So I set about typing up my recipes, decorated my house for Thanksgiving, set a pretty holiday table, made sure to take photos of the food that day, etc. About February, I finally got 'round to putting the book together. It was worth the wait. I love it! and hope it will become a family heirloom some day.

The book itself was part of the kit. It was a mixed shape chipboard album by 7Gypsies.

Covered each chip page with patterned papers, embellishments, rub-ons, stamps, etc.

Some good photos, some autumy embellishments. A great gold Hambly transparency ...

Some mouth-watering recipes with photos of the finished product ...

And the results were a cherished album I can pull out each year to cook from and re-live our family Thanksgiving moments.

This page has my favorite 7Gypsies embellishment - the metal fork on the left. Love it!

Even added a couple photos of the traditional things we do for that Holiday weekend. Lots of family games and a jigsaw puzzle usually is in the works for a few days.

Thanks for looking.

Jill

Wedding Albums

2009-05-31T11:26:00.000-07:00

Ok, since we decided to move I haven't been very creative -- just too darn busy! However, before our decision I made a couple of Wedding Albums for two nephews getting married this summer. I've only just gotten 'round to taking photos of them and downloading, blogging, etc. So ... now it's "share" time!

The wedding colors for this one were lavender, pink, green, and silver.

The wedding colors for this one were pale pea green and silver.

For both books I painted the edges of chipboard panels with silver metallic paint, then covered each with patterned paper, added cardstock for photo placement, and embellished with flowers, a cool vine ribbon, metal doo-dads, stamps, rub-ons, and metal letters. Hope they like them. They will look SOOO much better with wedding pics in them.

A bit side-tracked these days!

2009-05-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

Hey, everyone and anyone who's checking my blog. Sorry there's been nothing interesting in QUITE some time -- but ... we are a bit preoccupied these days. We're leaving New England and heading back to our roots in the Midwest. Illinois to be precise.

So ... we're knee-deep in selling our Massachusetts house and house hunting in Illinois.

Unfortunately, this all means that I'll have to be packing up my studio very soon so don't look for anything creative on the blog for awhile. Hope to return by the fall.

Thanks for checking in.

Jill

Easter Envelope Book

2009-03-19T17:59:00.000-07:00

Here is a little Easter envelope book I made for a special group from Western Massachusetts coming for a class. It's composed of chipboard covers, a couple chipboard pages, and five document envelopes with those string/button closures. It's decorated with pretty pastel papers, ribbons, buttons, and (my favorite part) vintage Easter postcard images.

Hope you like it, girls.

Jill

Annette's Challenge - chipboard

2009-03-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

Check out my previous post, ladies. Chipboard covers for the book and chip board frames inside it. Hope it wasn't a cheat to use a book I'd already been designing for a class to teach. I'd already planned the covers but the frames were really my response to the challenge. Having fun with these. Bring on more mojo!!

Jill

Garden Book Class

2009-03-10T11:34:00.001-07:00

Here is the Garden Book for the March class coming up. This is the fancy-schmancy cover I teased about last post. It's embossed chipboard (See that Challenge folks!) rubbed with a crayon as a resist then topped with a paint wash. Cool, eh?

The book is 6x12 with chipboard covers and cardstock pages. It's been filled with my neighbor's lovely garden photos.

We'll use lots of colorful papers, ribbon, rubber stamps, transparencies, and lots of other neat doo-dads.

The cool part of this book are the many flaps and flip-outs that allow you to put more photos in it. They're like little hidden treasures as you look through the book.

Here's a chipboard frame (wow - more chipboard, Challenge folks!) we'll use in a couple places.

Doesn't my neighbor have a beautiful garden! I'm giving her this copy of the book after the class is finished. It's sort of payment for having me traipse through her lovely flowers to get these photos last August.

I love having a neighbor with a beautiful garden because I'm really not much of a gardener myself.

I guess I'd rather see a riot of color in my ribbon bin and my array of scrapbook papers. They're a little less maintenance for me.

There's a document envelope on the back cover for journaling, gardening notes, those funky little plant tags that (I've heard) come in the pots when you buy the plants (if you're braver than I am and actually buy them) - or just more photos.

So ... class is Monday, March 23 at 6:30pm at St. John Lutheran Church.

Class Fee: $40

Call or email me to register. Space is limited on this one so register early (especially if you think you might want additional kits).

Supplies on this one are your basic kit with scissors, ruler, pencil, LOTs of adhesive - BOTH glue sticks and tape runners, and mini glue dots.

Thanks for looking. Hope to see you on the 23rd.

- Jill

Garden Book Class and what's next

2009-03-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, everyone.

Guess we're back to winter now after our lovely spring-like weekend. Oh well, this is New England.

I'm finishing up the Garden Book this week for our next class which will meet on Monday 3/23 in the evening. I need to cancel the Tuesday morning version of this class due to a conflict. Please do what you can to arrange to come to the Monday evening class if you were planning on the other. Thanks.

I also have decided to cancel the April Paper Arts class. My children have a very busy school schedule which requires my involvement. Add spring break and Easter into the month and I am tapped out with little or no design time. So sorry ... maybe you have gotten enough of the bug to come up with some great project ideas for yourselves.

Keep watching for the Garden Book photos. Should be up by Thursday of this week.

Thanks.
Jill

Scrap Challenge - Woohoo! I'm done!

2009-03-02T17:01:00.000-08:00

Here it is. My response to a scrapbook challenge posed by Candice. I was challenged to create a scrap layout or some other creation using an animal print. When I remembered these photos of my daughter in a tiger costume, I knew I had the basis for a layout that I really wanted to scrap anyway. I'm happy with how it came out.

Up Next!

2009-02-15T16:25:00.000-08:00

I realize we haven't even had the Flowering Box class yet - it's next week for any still sitting on the fence - but ... I must tempt you with the Garden Book class coming up next month.

I'm only giving a tidbit at a time as I work on it. This one isn't even a visual yet (sorry), but ... we're going to do this really cool technique on the cover of the book. It's called a faux leather technique with crayons and paint.

'Nough said.

As soon as I finish a sample and photo, I'll share. The rest of the book is designed to have loads of flaps and flip-ups that can double the number of photos the pages can hold. I'm excited to share this one. Keep watching the blog for updates.

My kids are off on winter break this week so not sure how much progress I'll be making in my studio. Hopefully it will be a good balance for me between all the "Mom" stuff and all the "me" stuff. I so need that "me" stuff too.

Until I get something to show you ...

Jill

Flowering Box Class!

2009-02-05T04:25:00.000-08:00

This is the newest class.
The Flowering Photo Box.
Monday, February 23 6:30pm at St. John
Church.
Tuesday, February 24 9:00am at my house.
Class Fee: $35

Here it is as you will make it in the class (w/out
your photos). All closed up.

First layer open.

All 3 layers open.

This is mine with a few photos attached.

First layer.

Second layer.

All opened up.

You can see the photos add a bit of color. You can always add more color with extra ribbons,

buttons, tags, or anything else you can think of.

Enjoy the FUN of creating this unique photo display!

Call or email now to register.

Thanks for looking.

- Jill

Winter Mini Book Class

2009-01-02T06:14:00.000-08:00

Here it is:

The finished Winter Memories Mini Book.

It's a 6x6" chipboard covered book with snowy patterned paper and snowflake transparency pages. You're going to love it! Hope you can join us.

Please view the previous post from today for more detailed information on this class as well as other upcoming classes.

Call or email me to register for any class. Have a great Friday!

Jill

Happy New Year!!! + New Classes!

2009-01-02T04:24:00.000-08:00

Happy 2009 everyone! Hope this year will be a good one for all!

I'm starting my new year with creativity!

A new list of classes follows (with a photo of the first of this year's projects coming up) that I think you will love. I'm also trying to catch up on a few of the great ideas I had before the holidays but never had time to complete. This is typically my "get organized" part of winter and I love it but only as far as my studio is concerned - I don't even want to think about other areas of the house that could use an organizational hand! Who wants to clean out closets when there are lovely things to be made!?

So ... this year's class schedule ...

Class #1 - Winter Memories Mini Book
This little 6x6" book can pack in a lot of winter moments you wish to remember. It is filled with snowy blue and white papers, snowflakes and gemstones, sequins and brads, is divided by lovely tabbed snowflake transparency pages and adorned with a painted chipboard snowflake and ribbons on the cover. A warm way to remember your chilly winter fun.

Class Fee: $25

Monday, January 26 at 6:30pm at St. John Lutheran Church
Tuesday, January 27 at 9:00am at my house

Call me or email me to register.

Class #2 - "Flowering" Photo Box
You won't want to miss this unique class. This is a three-layered box within a box within a box. Each box opens up like flower petals to reveal the photos and journaling you put inside on each flap. The design starts with a black background and is adorned with elegant black and white papers. Accented with colorful ribbon and embellishments, just add your own photos and this will be a treasure box no one will believe you made yourself. Photo coming soon.

Class Fee: $35
Monday, February 23 at 6:30pm at St. John Lutheran Church
Tuesday, February 24 at 9:00am at my house

Class #3 - Beauty of the Garden Book
What better way to usher in the spring than with a book about flowers! This 6x12" book is intended to show off your beautiful garden photos, whether you are the gardener or simply the admirer. It is created with bright colorful papers, gorgeous ribbons, embellishments, and decorative transparency dividers. Constructed page flaps fold out to reveal extra photos or journaling. An envelope page at the back allows for even more hidden treasures. This could be your own keepsake or be made as a beautiful gift for a gardening friend.

Class Fee: $40

Monday, March 23 at 6:30pm at St. John Lutheran Church
Tuesday, March 24 at 9:00am at my house

Class #4 - Simple Scrapbooking and Terrific Techniques

Seems a little backward perhaps to have our final class cover some simple techniques and scrapbooking tips to use. However, think of it as your springboard to a creative summer. In this class we will complete a few 2-page layouts using some extra special scrapbook techniques and touches that will jazz up your pages. Come prepared to paint, sew, stitch by hand, stamp, emboss, sand, stencil, and who knows what else. You'll be amazed how a few extras can totally change the look of your layout. This class is still in the planning phase. More on this one to come.

Class Fee: TBD

Monday, April 27 at 6:30pm at St. John Lutheran Church
Tuesday, April 28 at 9:00am at my house

OK - I've got my work cut out for me in the creative realm and I can't wait to dive in. Now if I could just find someone to clean those closets, I'd be all set.

Happy New Year! Hope to see you soon!
Jill

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-16T14:13:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd share a bit of the holiday cheer that folks would see if they wandered through my house during the season. I know it could be seen as overkill but I'm one of those freakish people who have to have a touch of Christmas nearly everywhere in the house. Yes, it's a pain to put up and put away. Yes, my kids love it. Yes, to me it's beatiful.

These are in my basement ...

This is my kitchen tree with snowmen and snow flakes all over it. Love the little guy under the tree.

This is a closeup of my living room tree. It's very elegant and has some unique foliage added to compensate for a rather thin tree.

A closeup of my family room tree done with birds and bird houses and these lovely copper "wish" stars.

This is my stair bannister in the foyer. There's a garland decorated like this that goes all the way up, of course.

These cute little guys greet all who enter our house. We have a tradition (now in it's 4th year) of attending The Nutcracker ballet so these are a favorite.

My living room tree.

My dining room sideboard decor. When my youngest daughter was two this was on the floor in our former house with holiday greens and some vintage books in it. One day I caught her sitting IN THE SLEIGH with one of the books in her hand. She was 18 months old. Cute photo I really must scrap someday.

My dining room centerpiece. Like the feather pick? That was a new addition this year. A funky touch but I like it.

My kitchen windowsill.

Garland over my kitchen window complete with lovely smelling cinnamon ornaments made by my daughter last year.

Another kitchen garland over my screened porch entrance. Love the cranberry vine!

My family room mantle has more of the village pieces as my basement and living room mantles. They are a favorite collection that my mother started for me years ago.

My family room tree with the birds and houses. My two girls helped decorate this one and they put all the birds on in pairs. Cute.

I hope you enjoyed this little (well, not so little) Holiday tour of my house.

Merry Christmas to everyone! Have a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year!

Jill

Great Class!

2008-11-29T18:07:00.000-08:00

Hey, what a fun class we had last week! Thanks to everyone who took the Countdown to Christmas Calendar class. We had so much fun. Hope you and your families all enjoy the calendars.

Keep watching the blog for upcoming classes after the New Year. Our next class is late January and at this point is planned to be a Winter Memories mini book filled with snowflakes, wintery papers, and a snowflake transparency you're going to love. Stay tuned.

For now - trim your tree, sing some carols, drink some eggnog, bake some cookies, and just do whatever puts you in the holiday spirit.

Happy Holidays to you all!
Jill

Finished at Last!!! Countdown to Christmas Calendar

2008-11-05T19:33:00.000-08:00

It's been a little bit of a scramble these last couple of days - hubby traveling, parent-teacher conferences, unplanned doctor visit, homework, chauffering, unexpected science lesson on magnets, etc. (aka LIFE), but here it is...

Countdown to Christmas Calendar

Monday, November 24 6:30pm at St. John church
Tuesday, November 25 9:00am at my house

Class Fee: $40

NOTE: In addition to the basic class kit, you will need both Mini Glue Dots and Craft Glue Dots (the 1/2" paper thin ones). I will have a limited supply of them here for purchase just in case. They are each $3.99 per box at ACMoore or Michaels.

Call or email me to register for class. Hope to see you there.
Jill

Work in Progress

2008-10-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

I'm feverishly working on the design for the Countdown to Christmas Calendar class for November 24 and 25. Please be patient with me while I'm working on it. It will likely be next week before it's finished and a photo gets posted. Here's a brief description of the project in case you're interested in registering for the class and would like more info:

Countdown to Christmas Calendar - Monday November 24, Tuesday November 25
Fee: $40

A 12x24" art canvas is decorated with 25 individual magnetized pieces to help you and your family count down the days of December until Christmas Day. You will be able to store the pieces in a decorated box (also part of the class) and reuse this festive piece of art year after year. Come join us!

Photo coming as soon as possible - I PROMISE!

Happy Halloween all!

Been busy, busy, busy!

2008-10-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

I've been busy in my studio with many projects (too many, perhaps) besides those for the classes and just thought I'd share pics of them.

Birthday invitation I did for a friend's daughter.

Totally fun working on these since I got to PAINT!

A Halloween "Explosion" Album I did as a swap gift for my Pokeno group this month. This is what it looks like all closed up.

This is what it looks like when it "explodes" open! These are so fun to make and have so many great possibilities.

Now I need to get busy on the Countdown to Christmas Calendar project for next month. Am also creating my list of things to make for Christmas gifts. It typically starts out quite long (because I'm really big on generating ideas) but dwindles down to little when I run out of time to produce things (because I'm really big on procrastinating). Oh well...

Finally - October Project Photos!

2008-10-13T06:21:00.000-07:00

Finally, here is the photo of the October 27 class, the Counting our Blessings accordian book. There are openings both for the Monday evening and Tuesday morning class.
Cost: $35
Call or email me to register.

This book is made up of 5 6x8" art canvases painted and/or covered with autumn colored patterned paper, embellished with faux leaves and flowers, metal pieces, and ribbon. It could make a lovely gift for your Thanksgiving hostess or a showpiece decoration for your own Thanksgiving table.

(Front cover view with accordian closed up.)

(Accordian open - side 2)

(Accordian open - side 1)

Join us if you can. Thanks for looking.

Jill

New Class Time Added

2008-09-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

I've just added an alternative class time for those whose evenings are a bit full. In addition to the Monday evening classes, I will be offering a Tuesday morning option each month on the day following the night class. The morning classes will be held at my house at 68 Longfellow Road, Sudbury. Please email me (gajgreen@aol.com) for directions if you need them. When you register for a class, please indicate your preference of the night or morning class. Thanks.

So ... new schedule is as follows:

Halloween Pop-up Book
Monday 9/22 at 6:30pm
Tuesday 9/23 at 9am

Our Many Blessings Accordian Book
Monday 10/27 at 6:30pm
Tuesday 10/28 at 9am

Countdown to Christmas Calendar
Monday 11/24 6:30pm
Tuesday 11/25 9am

No classes in December. We'll resume with more great projects in January.

ALSO -- more photos will be coming soon. Be sure to check back next week. Thanks.

Jill

Coming Up Next ...

2008-09-09T04:53:00.000-07:00

A couple of reminders:

There is still space in the Halloween Pop-Up book class on September 22. Come join us!

These are the next two classes on the roster for October and November. Mark your calendars, grab your basic supply kit, and get ready for these two great holiday projects. You won't want to miss them! Photos of these will be coming as soon as I can get the design ideas out of my head and into production.

Class #3 - "Counting our Many Blessings" Accordian Book - October 27, 2008

Autumn patterned papers, metal embellishments, flowers, gemstones, ribbons, and inspirational quotes are added to your photos to complete this book. This book would make a wonderful decoration for your Thanksgiving table. All supplies (except basic class kit) provided.
Class Fee: $35

Class #4 - Countdown to Christmas Calendar - November 24, 2008

Get ready for your household to count down the days 'til Christmas with this class. You'll make a painted and decorated art canvas embellished with holiday papers and elements to festively coundown the days to many Christmases to come. This one will be a family treasure you can't wait to display year after year. All supplies (except basic class kit) provided.
Class Fee: $40

**Basic Class Kit **
Please bring to each class this basic kit of supplies: 12" paper trimmer or ruler and scissors, glue sticks, tape runner or double-stick tape, pen, and pencil.

What do you count as a Blessing?

2008-08-20T12:35:00.001-07:00

Ok, I need a little help here. My next project is a "Counting our Many Blessings" accordian book. I made one for myself last fall and love it but it's rather personal to my own family to do the same for a class project. I need help expanding on this question,

What do you count as a blessing in your life?

Some of the categories I used in my previous book were:

the miracle of LIFE
the comforts of HOME
the bonds of FAMILY
the happiness in MEMORIES
the art of RELAXATION
the joy of SIMPLE PLEASURES
the beauty of NATURE
the LOVE of a lifetime

Can you help me add to this list? I'm having a little trouble thinking outside of my own box.
Please post suggestions in the comments section. I'd love to see what you come up with.

Thanks,
Jill

Photos of First Two Class Projects!

2008-08-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hey! I finally got photos of the first two projects posted! We've had some computer glitches lately making me unable to download photos from my camera. Back on track now though. Thanks for waiting. Here they are!

This is the project for Class #1:

School Days Paper Bag Book
Finished size is 6x6.5"
Class date - August 25
Fee - $25

School Days Paper Bag Book (cover)

School Days Paper Bag Book (inside view)

This is the project for Class #2:

Halloween Pop-up Book

The finished size is about 5x5"

Class date - September 22

Fee - $35

Halloween Pop-up Book (cover)

NOTE: Doorknob and plate are not included in class materials. Sorry.

Halloween Pop-up Book (inside view)

To register for classes, please contact me at gajgreen@aol.com. Classes are held in classrooms at St. John Lutheran Church at 16 Great Road, Sudbury, MA, 6:30-9:30pm on the dates posted. Space is limited so please register early.

Thanks for looking. There will be more to come!

- Jill

Thanks for looking. Hope to see you at one of my classes soon.

2008-08-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

Here are photos of a couple of past projects of mine. Will upload photos of the first two class projects in the next couple of days. Thanks for looking.

This is the inside of a Teacher's accordian book I did for Teacher Appreciation week. Inside each pocket were special teacher inspirational or humorous quotes or sayings.

This is what the Teacher book looked like on the cover and with the book closed up.

This was a special book I put together for my husband for our anniversary. I assembled various photos that went along with the lyrics to the song "100 Years" by Five for Fighting.

More to come!

Upcoming Classes

2008-07-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

Here is a brief description for the first few classes I'll be teaching soon. I hope to get photos of some of my previous work up on the blog this weekend. Photos of samples for the classes will be up as soon as I've finished them. Can't wait to share! Hope you'll find some things that spark your interest.

Class #1 - School Days Paper Bag Mini Book - August 25, 2008
Create this special mini book out of ordinary paper bags, school themed patterned papers, ribbons, and embellishments to document your child's or your own school day memories. All supplies (except basic class kit) provided.
Class Fee: $25

Class #2 - Halloween Memories Pop-Up Book - September 22, 2008
This book combines spooky pop-up images with Halloween patterned papers, embellishments, and your own little ghouls' photos (you add later) to make a spooktacular memory book of Halloween moments. All supplies (except basic class kit) provided.
Class Fee: $35

Class #3 - "Counting our Many Blessings" Accordian Book - October 27, 2008
Autumn patterned papers, metal embellishments, flowers, gemstones, ribbons, and inspirational quotes are added to your photos to complete this book. This book would make a wonderful decoration for your Thanksgiving table. All supplies (except basic class kit) provided.
Class Fee: $35

Class #4 - Countdown to Christmas Calendar - November 24, 2008
Get ready for your household to count down the days 'til Christmas with this class. You'll make a painted and decorated art canvas embellished with holiday papers and elements to festively coundown the days to many Christmases to come. This one will be a family treasure you can't wait to display year after year. All supplies (except basic class kit) provided.
Class Fee: $40

**Basic Class Kit **
Please bring to each class this basic kit of supplies: 12" paper trimmer or ruler and scissors, glue sticks, tape runner or double-stick tape, pen, and pencil.

Still learning

2008-07-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

OK - it's been awhile. Guess I'm still trying to figure this whole blog thing out.

However, you've come to the right place for information on upcoming Paper Arts classes. More information will come (including class descriptions, sample photographs, and fees) very soon. I have some busy days ahead of me designing projects and learning how to post photos of my work here but please be patient with me and check back soon. Thanks. Looking forward to sharing a little art with you very soon.

2008-04-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog!

This is a whole new world for me - a scary one too since I'm pretty technically challenged. But who can resist the network of people around the globe who share common interests and from whom we can always learn something new? Not me, so here I am.