DT work and classes

I have been a busy scrapper lately. Which is good... because I've been a grump to be around. So, pouring creative juices out on paper is theraputic for me. I'm going to forgo the drama of sharing why I'm grumpy, but I will definately share the fruits of that mood...

Black River Designs
Here are 2 layouts, a card, and a fun project that I created this month and a little about each one...

Happy 4th! card

I am not a fabulous card maker. It frustrates me as to why I don't enjoy making cards. I guess because they are utilitarian and not too many people I know (with the exception of my mom) appreciate my art cards. So, I tend to have to keep them simple. So, this one is simple. I ran the Cor'dinations cardstock through my Cuttlebug with an embossing envelope and sanded the area that was to show through the star cut out in the chipboard. I covered the chipboard with paper and added bling to it and a ribbon. The greeting are rub ons. Simple and fun.

Firecrackers

This I had more fun with. I covered toilet paper rolls and a towel roll with papers and added tissue paper for the tops. This fun trio sits in my entry hall for the celebration of the 4th of July and looks so cute. I might add a base somehow later.

4th of July Frolic

This layout was all about the colors of Independence Day.. my son last year was chasing bubbles with his Old Navy flag shirt on. Perfect! I created the star pattern by running a damp piece of Cor'dinations cardstock thorugh my Cuttlebug with a Prima Felt pattern behind it. Sanded it when it dried and voila!

Baby
This is my favorite one... I LOVE LOVE LOVE working with corregated cardboard as a base. It just begs to be torn, texturized, and painted! My favorite techniques. I used Ranger Distress Crackle paints to create the background and then I added distressed papers, rub ons, and created the roses from scrap papers (all of them Black River Designs). I will be having a tutorial on the Black River Blog about how to make these lovelies soon... I'll link it up to here when I know what day it will be up. Anyways, the title letters are Heidi Swapp and are crackled as well. Aren't those butterflies gorgeous? They are cut from one of the papers! Here's a detail:

Okay, so that is my DT work for Black River Designs... I'm finishing a few new things for Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker and will post those here too soon.

I'm teaching a class and taking a class...

First, check out my new class for Bad Girls kits...

Life Enhanced: Altering Photographs Using Mixed Media

As a follow up or stand alone class to Printing on Alternative Surfaces, this class will explore using photographs in a whole new way. Whether you are interested in giving texture or artistic details to photographs OR you want to know how to use media such as molding paste, gel mediums, gesso, crackle paste and more! This class is not for the faint of heart. You will be transforming your images into works of art. The focus of this class is techniques and how to use media on photographs or to transfer images to surfaces. I will help you take your imagery to a new level. If you are looking for ways to add to your art journaling, ATCs, or scrapbooking... this is the class for you! The three day class will bring you on a journey through photo transfers, photo altering, and medium use. You will soar with your new knowledge and create texture filled work after this class!

You can register for this class online at Bad Girls Shoppes . It is $29.95 and packed with techniques, demos, ideas, and it will be up for a month for you to browse as needed. You will need to register on Bad Girls in order to get to the Shoppes, but once you do, it's easy. If you have problems or questions email me!

Okay, I am finally taking a class from Dina Wakley... She is a wonderful teacher of Visual Journaling techniques and styles. I missed her other classes but I was NOT going to miss this one. It's all about looking at the Masters of art, like Van Gogh, Picasso, and others and deriving inspiration from there work. NOT copying their style, but finding something that sparks your own creativity. It's a little art history, a LOT of playing with paints and media, and equals more creating for me!!! Just for me... no one else. I have been meaning to start a journal for a long time, but I never stick with it. I get intimidated, perfectionistic, uninspired, and busy... it's a sad state. I teach visual journaling to my students and yet, I can't seem to practice what I preach. So, this is just what I need to break out of that creative wall I've built around me and encourage me to just play... no worries, no stress, no pressure to be perfect! JUST do it! I am in love with it! I have paint under my nails again and am loving it! JUST FOR ME! It's a 4 week class online and I think it's just what I needed right now! See my lovely freely painted, monochromatic tags? I got carried away in the process and did all the colors of the rainbow (except purple... purple and I have issues together... I'll work through them eventually, but I only had one purple hue and well, I didn't like it enough to open it.. maybe later).

Okay... LONG ass post. That's what I get for waiting until I had a bunch of stuff to share. I'm still working on the blog look... it's not feeling finished for me. I think I will look for more sites to get free backgrounds from... if you know of any, let me know!

XOXO
Jen