Tim Holtz Book Give Away Announcement

Last week, I mentioned that I would be giving away an autographed book of Tim Holtz's, "A Compendium of Curiosities Vol III".

 And the winner is...

the second person who left me a comment: Zoe Witcomb! Zoe, send me an email with your address and I'll send the book out to you. It's a great book, you'll love it!

I haven't been crafting lately due to some pain in my right hand and arm. I went to the doctor last week and he said it was a pinched nerve in my neck. Needless to say, I'm going to take a break from working with my hands until I feel better...I sure hope it doesn't last too long. Time to catch up on my magazines, blogs and Pinterest.

Congratulations to Zoe and thank you to everyone who left a comment!

Have a great week everyone!

Autographed Tim Holtz Book Giveaway

Hi there! I was honored to have one of my necklace pieces included in Tim Holtz's latest book, "A Compendium of Curiosities Vol. III".

If you've seen his first two volumes, you know how wonderful these books are - full of projects, instructions and pictures to inspire you to create. 

This book contains over 90 individual photos of project ideas...

and over 200 photos of step by step instructions...

Tim was nice enough to not only send me a complimentary signed book...

...but also generously sent me a second autographed book to give away.

So, leave me a comment here and I'll use a random number generator to pick the winner! I'll select a winner one week from today, Sunday, March 9th at 5pm. Good luck!

Brush Script Doll and More...

I've been busy making dolls all week. After taking the on-line class from Danita last week, I was hooked! Below is a picture of one that combines my two latest passions: brush script and dolls! I think this one is my favorite - I've tried to incorporate my style into my creations...

I'm envisioning making a series of these dolls with different inspirational sayings and customized hair and eye colors. The picture below shows a family of three sisters together - two younger sisters, one each side. :-)

Inspired from a Danita doll I saw on-line

Loving black and white clothes lately

Then tonight I finished this one...

I decided to change things up and make her with pink hair and add a crown. I love the letter type dress, which I made from a dish towel I bought at Sur La Table. I think my signature dolls will have the long black and white striped arms and legs. Each time I make a new doll, I'm picking up a technique that works for me and it's evolving into my own creation and style that reflects me. ;-)

My daughter, Rachel, also got into making some characters...

The grey doll is a Japanese anime character named Totoro and the other is just an adorable frog. We had so much fun making these dolls together...we were up until midnight sewing and painting several nights. We bought more fabric and stuffing today so we can continue to make more doll next week! Maybe I'll make some to sell and open up my Etsy site again...we'll see?

Have a great week!

I Made A Danita Doll!

This weekend I signed up for Danita's on-line doll class and made this doll...

my first time making a soft sculptured doll! Thanks to Jackie Peters for inspiring me with her adorable creations. There's a lot of work that goes into making this doll, but I found it really fun and can't wait to make another one! This was a very basic version with just painted hair...I'll have to try using some yarn for the hair next time.
Below are a few pictures of the work in progress...

I can also share some of the projects I made for RedLead using their adorable wooden hats and oversize postcards...

Hope you had a nice weekend!

Happy Heart Day!

I

I'm still practicing my brush script and searching for the right equipment that feels right for me. I've been collecting bamboo brushes and trying different inks.

I love my new little brush rack. For these types of brushes it's best to hang them upside down so the brush tips don't get ruined. 

I've also been trying different paints/inks. In the on-line class I'm taking from Kai Barteski she loves to use gouache paint, however it comes in a very small tube and isn't cheap. I found for just practicing, this Sumi ink you can find in the Japanese dollar stores works just great too. 

I'm also starting Danita's doll workshop. I was so inspired by Jackie Peter's work that I had to sign up for the class too Check out Danita's blog post: And check out Jackie's dolls...just adorable! Below is a picture of the start of my doll.

I can't even imagine how this is going to turn out...we'll see. Danita is great teacher and I have been enjoying her step by step videos.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Upcoming Soldering Frame Workshop

Recently, I received some miniature wooden frames from the online mixed media store Red Lead. Using the mini frames, I made the following projects...

Some of the frames were soldered to give them an aged look...

...and were painted and distressed. Afterwards, I turned the frames into mini books, doll bodies, necklaces, and mini pictures to hang. 

Below is a picture of what one of the wooden frames looked like before I altered it. Thank you Red Lead for the frames and letting me be one of your guest artists!

Next month, I'll be offering a workshop on how to make these projects. In the class, you will be able to make a soldered frame, a painted distressed frame, and one more of your choosing. I'll provide the soldering equipment, paint, vintage images and chains. I hope you'll join me in creating these fun mini frame projects! The class will be held at my sister's home in Oakland , California on March 22nd from 1-5pm. The cost is $45. Email me to sign up or to get more info - space is limited to 8.

On another note, the Valentine cards from my giveaway will go to everyone who left a comment! Yippee! :-) If I don't have your mailing address already, please email it to me and let me know if you would like a Valentine card or one of my brush script inspiration cards. Thank you for the quotes!

Brush Script Class & Valentine Card Give Away

I've loved the look of brush script for awhile now. I've seen examples of it on Pam Garrison's blog and also in the Project Life card set - "Midnight" edition. I was thrilled when I found out that Kai Barteski was teaching an on-line course to learn her technique of brush script: http://www.studiocalico.com/shop/classrooms/life-scripted.

The first lesson was released yesterday, and this morning I couldn't wait to play with my new brushes and paint. I painted all those sheets pictured above this morning. It definitely takes practice, but I'm getting the hang of it!

Brush script is best done with Chinese bamboo brushes. Kai does a fabulous job explaining the best materials and techniques to use - I encourage you to sign up for this class if you like this brush script look as much as I do!

These samples are made with plain copier paper...which is why you see the paper wrinkle up.

Once I get better, I'll move to a heavier card stock, but I didn't want to waste paper on my first day.

Painting brush script is very relaxing - almost zenlike :-)

I used many of the same quotes as Kai.

I can see wearing a white t-shirt with this brush script lettering on it.

I took some of my favorite pages and reduced them on the copier. The cards pictured below are about 3" x 4".

Then I embellished these little cards with some vintage doll images. I can see sending these little cards out or using them in my journal.

I can't wait for the next lesson and learn some more about brush script.

Can you believe it's February already? I've been working on Valentine cards and they're almost ready to send out. Here's a sneak peak.

Giveaway time! I have two extra Valentine cards that I'm happy to send out. Just leave me a comment by Friday, Feb. 7th @ midnight. Let me know your favorite saying or quote. I'll use a random number generator to select two people. I'll announce the winners on Saturday, then contact me with your address and the winners can pick either one my Valentine cards or one of my brush script inspiration cards with the vintage doll image.

Have a great week!