ArT JoUrnALing

It's been awhile since I've worked with paper crafting, let alone art journaling.  I've been on such a fabric obsession....

But last week, we rented Tim Burton's movie version of Alice in Wonderland and I was struck by the line uttered by the Mad Hatter to Alice, "You used to be much more...muchier.  You've lost your muchness."
It struck a strong cord of emotion within and I knew I had to put the line down somewhere.  My written journal didn't seem to fit the bill, so I dusted off my art journal and sat down to create.  And then I stared at a blank page.  I had the (almost painful) urge to create, but for some reason couldn't.  So I went to YouTube and pulled up Teesha Moore's wonderful art journaling videos.  The day was promptly lost as I would watch a video, then run off to add to my journal page.  Going back and forth between the page and the computer over and over again.  You can see the results here.

Sometimes, it's good to revisit an old obsession.  You can approach it as you never have.  These pages look nothing like previous pages I've put into my journal and, as I was working, ideas were flooding for using the same techniques in my current creative obsessions.  Maybe I'm getting my "muchness" back afterall.

The crafts are in the mail

I finally caught up on some projects last week and was able to send off some packages to some of my creative friends.  Birthday & "just because" projects are so fun to send out and I always enjoy creating for people who appreciate it.  Fellow artists and crafters "get" the creativity behind the gift.  As opposed to those non-creative types.  The ones I give something and I then wonder if they are rolling their eyes and thinking, not another handmade gift...

This pillow went to out to my good friend Pilar on the occasion of her birthday.  I can tell you this, because she already received the package, so I'm not ruining any surprises.  It's a mini-quilt I sewed and then turned into a pillow.  The fun part of this piece is the bottom right square.

I took a piece of plain cotton fabric, then sketched on it with Micron Pens and Copic markers.  Then I embellished the design with embroidery and beads.  I'm not sure that the process would work for anything that would need to be washed, but for decorative items, it's a great way to design your own fabric.  To keep the fabric from puckering when you draw on it, put it in a large embroidery hoop, with the right side of the fabric facing down.  Flip the hoop over and you can easily draw and color on the taunt fabric.

Speaking of embroidery hoops, the other package that went out contains one of my dream catchers.  This time with a bee theme.  I love how the beads represent a honeycomb.  I hope the recipient likes it.  I can't say who it is yet, because they haven't received their package yet.  Could it be you?

A pastry bag tutorial for your imaginary baker

My family is finally getting back to normal after the loss of our dog, I even got some crafting in this weekend.  It felt good to be creative and helped me get my mind off my troubles.

The other day, as I was frosting cupcakes (can you say peanut butter frosting on chocolate cupcakes?) my daughter was watching and asking about the pastry bag.  Since she's a little chef in training, I decided to make her a pastry bag for her play kitchen.  After a few trys, I came up with a super simple "softie" bag that looks just like the real thing.  Well, not really.  I think my daughter's is cuter than the real thing.

She's been using it everyday to decorate her toy cupcakes and felt cookies.  To download the tutorial and pattern (for free!) click here.  I really do recommend that you try making it yourself.  It's a super fast project that produces a great final product. 

P.S. This is my first try at creating pattern.  I'm hoping to add a few to my shop soon, but thought I would give you my first one for free.  Let me know how you like it and if I can make any changes to it that would it easier to use.  Thanks!

New Ebook!

Did you miss my Easy Ezines Ecourse in June?  I have good news!  I just created an ebook based on the ecourse.  In it, you'll get step by step instructions for creating an electronic newsletter (aka "ezine") of your very own.

I've found that ezines are the best way to stay in touch with my customers and market my business.  (You can see past issues of my ezines here.)  It took me years to figure out the formula for creating consistently successful ezines, but there's no reason you should struggle through it when I can just share everything I learned with you.  I make money every time my ezine goes out and, in my Easy Ezines Ebook, I give you my step by step process for creating your own successful ezine marketig campaigns.  I even teach you how to overcome your fears of being too "salesy". 

This ebook is my biggest yet, with 27 pages of information.  To order, click here.  It's all electronic, so there are no shipping fees!  Simply order the ebook, pay for it and you'll get instructions for downloading the ebook via email within 24 business hours.  You can get started on your ebook tomorrow!

Just in case you are on the fence, here's what Beth Parker had to say about the Easy Ezine Ecourse content:

"I have had my art website for some time and was not utilizing all the great marketing opportunities that were right there in front of me. Laura taught me how easy it is to organize myself and connect with my target market through a monthly newsletter. I had so many aha moments during the course. I have sent out two newsletters since I completed the course and the feedback has been incredible! I only wish I had done it sooner. It's an amazing value that you can't afford to pass up."

You'll get the same content that was in the ecourse in the Easy Ezines Ebook, so be sure to order it today!

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Material Connection Disclosure:  I have a material connection to the ebook.  It is one of my business products and I will make a profit from any purchases.




                                            

Are you busy tonight?

My mom and her artwork

If you are looking for something inspiring to do and live in Southern California, you should check-out the Southern California Collage Society's Annual Exhibit.  My mom and my sister both have artwork on display.  I'm so proud of them!

Here's the information for tonight's event:

Artist's Reception
August 14, 2010
7pm to 10pm
Prog Space
300-A S. Thomas
Pomona, California 91766

Jenny's Artwork

The exhibit runs August 12-31, 2010, with gallery hours Thursday-Sunday from 11am to 4pm.  Tonight's event is the Artist's reception.  If you decide to go, be sure to stop by and say to my mom (Laura Miller) and my sister (Jenny Miller).  Tell them I sent you-they'll get a kick out of it!

In Memory of Jack

Our beloved dog, Jack died last night.  The lymphoma cancer took him very fast.  One minute he had few symptoms, and in the next moment the lymph glands in his neck swelled to the point that he was no longer able to eat, and could barely breathe.  We had to make the terrible decision to put him down-an awful decision for any pet owner to have to make.  We didn't think we would have to say good-bye so soon.

He was the kindest, gentlest dog.  He was so patient with our daughter.  He was always up for a cuddle or pet but if you weren't in the mood, that was okay too.  All he wanted was to be in the same room with you.  He rarely barked for no reason.  He was truly the best dog ever and the loss of his unconditional love will leave a hole in our lives.

When we lost our other dog, Mary Ann, five and half years ago, we were able to come home and take comfort in Jack.  He mourned with us and the jingle of his collar was a reminder that we still had a fur baby to love.  It's much worse this time.  There are no more collars jingling.  The house has an odd, dog-less silence to it.  The food and water bowls sit abandoned.  Dog beds lay empty.  You don't realize how much "presence" a dog gives your home until they are gone. 

To add to the pain, I know we can't get another dog.  We wouldn't want to replace our beloved Jack and would need time, but in addition to that, I've developed adult onset asthma and an allergy to dogs. 

Thanks to everyone who left kind comments on my Facebook page yesterday.  I'll probably hide-out for a couple of days.  I'll be back soon.

A week in the life

I could tell you that the reason I haven't been blogging is because life has been hard on me this week.  I could tell you how my computer crashed, leaving me (ok, my husband) to try to recover whatever files and photos we could.  I could tell you that my dog, Jack's, cancer is progressing at frightening speed and that I spent last crying and trying to prepare myself for losing him.  I could tell you about how, after spending over a thousand dollars to get my husband's car fixed last month,  it's still leaking fluid and we just discovered that a warranty on service doesn't mean anything if the repair shop goes bankrupt.

Or...I could tell you that I went to the beach with my daughter and sister and niece and let the cool ocean breezes take my mind off my troubles.

I could tell you that a homemade pizza and a glass of wine on a Friday night can do wonders on your outlook on life.

I could tell you that watching my daughter "read" to Jack was one of the bittersweet moments of my week.

I could tell you stories.  But for now, these little snippets will have to do.

Cupcake Camp OC

We were lucky enough to attend Cupcake Camp OC this past weekend.  A cupcake lover's paradise to say the least.  For a nominal donation, you got tickets to enter a local hotel ballroom and get cupcakes from the best local bakeries and cupcake shops.  All the proceeds benefited charity.  So, of course, we HAD to go eat cupcakes.  I mean, it was for charity, right?

There was a huge crowd and, because it's a grass roots movement, it was a little disorganized.  But I could have lived with that.  It was my fellow cupcake lovers that were the main problem.  Pushing and shoving to get to the tables.  I watched as some people took more cupcakes than they had tickets for (in the chaos it was hard for the bakeries to keep track).  People were even shoving my five year old daughter aside as she tried to politely choose her cupcakes.  I'm telling you, these weren't the cupcake lovers I know.  Usually they are sweet as  could be, but this was like Shark Week on Discovery Channel, only with cupcakes!  A feeding frenzy!

Enough complaining.  The cupcakes were delicious.  I wish I could remember all the bakeries' names so I could give proper credit, but I LOVED these Chocolate Sundae Smile Cupcakes (I think they were from My Delight Cupcakery).  They were even better than they looked-with a creamy caramel surprise between the frosting and cake.  Another bakery that rocked my world was the one that had Orange Slice Cupcakes.  Orange Slices are my favorite candy and these cupcakes tasted just like them!  My husband's pick were the Maple and Bacon cupcakes.  We're just coming off our sugar high now.

So, if Cupcake Camp comes to a location near you-go!  Just be nice and don't push, ok?

P.S.  If you were a baker at Cupcake Camp OC and I mentioned one of your cupcakes, please let me know so I can link to you and give you credit!