Gelli printing on Tissue Paper

Using your gelli plates to create prints on tissue paper give you a pliable surface to use on all kinds of projects.  In this video I share why I create on tissue paper, materials to use and how to create the prints.  The video finishes with actually using the prints on 2 projects.

Thanks for watching!

Watercolor Background for 2022 Page

 

Doing a layout that tells a story guides how the page comes together.  Doing a layout with a nice photo that just captures a moment allows freedom to really make the page with any supplies.

I'm using this page as the title page for all of 2022.  I had already printed the photo 5x7 so I just needed to create a background, add a title and embellishments. Months ago, I ordered some Strathmore 12x12 watercolor paper. It is the only paper that comes in that size I know of, at least that is reasonably cost effective.  I wanted to use it for scrapbook backgrounds.  For this page, I painted dahlias as that was one of the flowers growing in the garden we were visiting when the photo was taken.  I used one of my own yellow dahlias as a rough guide for how to paint them.  I added markers for a more graphic look.

The numbers 2022 were actually one of the more challenging aspects of the page.  I do want to find different ways to do lettering as I'm not planning to replenish my Thicker stash when I finally wear it down.

Here is the process video:

Likely my future videos will be more technique specific.  I enjoy making process videos but with only 100 views or so per video, I honestly do not feel I am reaching a large audience for the amount of work that goes into these.  I so appreciate those of you who watch. I do plan to continue to scrap and make videos while looking for a way to create content that helps more people.  

Thanks for watching!

My First Watercolor Sketchbook

I started painting with watercolors over a year ago.  At first it was just to create cards.  I wanted more variety than I could get with stamps.  Frankly, I didn't want to keep investing in stamps which took up money AND space.  I would practice a particular design until I could paint it decently, make cards and move on.  Eventually though I enjoyed painting more and more things.

Many people paint in a sketchbook but I wasn't sure it was for me. I was concerned that 1, I would mess it up.  I would paint something I hated and then see it every time I flipped through my sketchbook.  And 2, what if the opposite happened and I painted something I loved. The 2nd thing was happening with painting on loose watercolor paper and those things that were pretty good were getting turned into cards.  Then they were gone and I had no reference.  So eventually I bought an Etchr Labs Watercolor sketchbook and was hooked.

It took me less than 3 months to fill it. Here are all the pages in this video:

Let me know what your favorite is.  Thanks for watching!

A Ribbon for Quilting

 

Last year I entered my first quilt show.  I've been quilting on and off since the 1980's. I've never worried about creating something for a show.  This quilt wasn't really created for the show but I entered it because I was particularly proud of the quilting.  Apparently the judge liked it to as it won Best Free Motion quilting - Stationery Sew Head.  This was a local show with about 300 total entries.  Many are quilted on traditional long arms and some were hand quilted. 

Here's the layout I created to celebrate:

Thanks for visiting today!

Scrapbook Process Video: Make It Myself

 

I know you can really set yourself up for disappointment if you have too many expectations for fabric choices.  That didn't stop me from having a long list of things I wanted in fabric to make my dining room draperies.  Soon I was culling my list of expectations. Eventually though I was settling and I didn't want to settle.

So I decided to use my sewing machine and embroider plain fabric to get the look I wanted. That is what this layout is all about.  

Here is the process video:

Video

Since I still had out supplies from last week's 2 page layout, this one went really quick.  

Thanks for watching!

Two Page Layout - Before and After

In 2020, we did what a lot of people did. We stayed home and redecorated.

This 2 page layout covers two of my favorite things that came out of updating the finishes in the main living areas of our home.  I love the new stair rail paint and the carpeted runner.  I don't normally go in for that many animal prints but this chetah carpet was the perfect gray neutral. It wasn't as dull as just plain gray carpet would be and added a fun element to our living area.

Every morning and evening I get to see the new vanity in my bathroom against the dark green walls. Taking down that wallpaper was a bear but I'm so glad I and the painter perservered.  

I am filming in a different room.  It doesn't have air conditioning.  Most of this was recorded without the fan but the last segment I think I left the fan on by mistake.  Sorry about that.  If you have any feedback on the content or the filming I would appreciate it.  

Here's the process video:

Thanks for watching!

Mixed Media Mini Album Complete!

Here are the last 2 of the 4 videos on my gardening themed mixed media mini album.

I wrote out the journaling before starting the album.  When I do that I usually have more journaling and in the case of these small pages, I have to figure out how to conceal some of it. This video shares 3 ways to hide journaling.  Also it covers the embellishments and the cover.

In the last video, I share the completed album and what technique was used on each page.  Did you notice that there is no designer paper in this album at all?  I'm not sure I've ever created a project that didn't have at least a little designer paper.  

Thanks for watching!

Mixed Media Mini Album - Organizing and Backgrounds

 

I seldom make mini albums.  Mostly I prefer to work with the 12x12 scrapbook format.  I have used them successfully to capture a particular event or a life history for someone else.  I've never made a mini for myself other than a small one just for motivational quotes.

I'm choosing a mini now to scrapbook my success last year in gardening around our home.  We have always had some flowers and plantings.  Some years I'm more industrious than others.  Most years though I lose interest in the heat of the summer and let the weeds take over.  I can't say that in 2022 I didn't have some weedy areas but overall it was much better and the areas I really focused on looked good well into fall. 

These photos also tell a little of my Mother's story in that many of the items I put in my garden came from her house.  I didn't have time to take many cuttings from her plants.  There was just too much to do getting the house ready to sell and keeping up the landscaping there.   I did save a lot of her garden ornaments and furniture for myself and I've used some of these items around my house.

My mother and my grandmother were talented gardeners.  My thumb isn't quite so green but I'm learning and enjoying the results.

A mini album can take a few days to a few weeks to complete along with other projects.  In this first video, I share how I organize an album and keep everything organized while the project is in process.  I plan to do a lot of mixed media techniques so I'm starting off all the pages with a gesso base.

In the next video I share some of the mixed media techniques, the embellishments and how I will incorporate the stories behind the photos.  I will not video every single page as that would get tedious for you and for me. 

More videos are coming in the next few days, stay tuned...

Hope you enjoy.  Thanks for all your likes and comments on my videos. 

First Layout of the Year

One of my objectives this year involves creating at least a certain number of scrapbook pages.  For this first layout of the year, I'm wrapping up 2022 and bringing in 2023 with a summary page.  Since I couldn't quite decide on photos and paper, I'm doing a 2 pager.  

I used pockets and lots of embellishments on this layout.  It has a little stitching, a little watercolor painting and a lot of fun.

Here is the process video for this page:

Thanks for watching!

2023 Resolutions

New Year's resolutions can work.  They really can.

The keys to making a resolution work are:

• Keep it simple
• Make it positive
• Be something you will do every day

And don't make it a goal but a step towards your goal.

I have goals to improve my watercolor technique and my free motion quilting quality in 2023.  Part of achieving those goals is a need to practice, practice, practice.

So my crafting resolution for 2023 is:

Practice watercolor and/or free motion quilting every day.

It's very simple.  

It is positive in that it is something I will do versus having a resolution NOT to do something.

It is something I can do every day.  Making it one or the other makes that easier.  Sometimes my watercolors supplies are not out or my long arm area is buried in fabric for another project.  At least one area though should be available and even a few minutes of daily practice will help.

Here's another example:

I also have long term health goals.  I joined a gym in the fall of 2021 and am exercising more.  I still think I need to add more exercise.  So my resolution is to:

Add 15 minutes more movement each day.

Movement in this case is exercise to include walking, weights, or even easy isometric exercises I've picked up in exercise class.  I might climb up and down the stairs and walk around the house a couple of times.  Anything that is consistent movement for 15 minutes that I wasn't going to do anyway. If I go to an exercise class, I want to go in 15 minutes early and use the elliptical or bicycle before class.  

So it is simple and not a burden to do.

Again, this is a positive action.

And I have to do it every day.

I had thought about making the resolution only for days that I don't go to the gym but I think it works best if it is for every day.

This is what works for me on resolutions.  I will admit that even with this formula I've had years where I didn't stick to my resolution every day but I've had many successful years also.  

Here's my video where I share this strategy and my plans for 2023.

Have you made resolutions?

Happy New YEAR!