My Time

SPARK 2011 - part 4

Our last class was mixed media canvas with Donna Downey.  I have taken several classes from Donna before, but they were all art journal type classes. 

This canvas class was so different.  I absolutely love Donna's teaching style.  She is all about doing things your own way. 

I love all the messy supplies.  This was so much fun.

We used pan pastels to create this canvas.  We covered our canvas with tissue paper, which is what gave the texture. 

Then we had a free period before the evening concert.  We did a little shopping at Dear Lizzie Boutique.  OK - maybe more than a bit of shopping........

 The closing event was a concert by Sarah Sample.  All very inspirational.

This was one of the best events I've been to.  All different projects, almost all finished, and all so fun I can't stand it.   I am definitely in line to attend Spark No. 4.  Can't wait!

SPARK 2011 - part 3

We had the best class with Amy Tan.  She is such fun, the sweetest personality, and super crafty too!

 

We learned reverse applique, and I love it.  We were all very intent on sewing our shirts and she kept telling us the cutest stories.  Such a fun class.

This is the shirt I made - all finished in class.  Love how simple this is!!

 Next up - stamp carving with April Meeker.  I was prepared to just skip this class.  I was just sure this would be a disaster, at best.  And just look - I actually carved a stamp!  And let me tell you - this was super easy.  After all, if I can do it.............

One of the things that is so great about Spark this year is that in most of the classes we actually finished our projects.  I have shelves of unfinished projects at home (admit it - you know you do too).  I love that I didn't have to add to that (for the most part).

OK believe it or not, there is still more Spark to come.  Spark post #4 coming soon.......

SPARK 2011 - part 2

One of our mixed media classes was She Art with Christy Tomlinson.  I had so much fun in this class.  All sorts of messy!!  I am anxious to try this again and modify the pattern a bit.  And add some of my own things..........hmmm.....

 

We had a jewelry making class with Cathe Holden and made this nest necklace.  Mine left something to be desired, but still I managed to do it. 

Our fourth class that first day was a Junk Journal with Jen Jensen.  As is normal for me - I was exhausted by this  point in the day and did not really do anything in this class.  It was a very ambitious project, and not so much my style.  Jen's finished book was very cute though.

The idea is to take an old hardbound book (I made a trip to Goodwill), and alter it into a crafty journal.  We removed many pages, strategically, so that there would be room in the book for embellishments. 

We cut the pages into shapes (decorative edges) like the butterfly shape here.

And in some parts we cut out frames for photos. 

 

OK - more to come!

 

SPARK 2011 - part 1

Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.         ~Golda Meir

I was so fortunate to attend Spark No.3 this year.  Inspiration was everywhere and it was so contagious.  The attention to detail was amazing.  The event was held at Noah's in Lindon, Utah.  This is a perfect 4-story conference center that was transformed into a mecca of creative energy.

Look how cute the tables were decorated. We each got these journals and storage boxes with the Spark no.3 logo.

We started the event with an inspirational message from Mindy Gledhill.  She has much insight into the creative process and the message definitely hit home.

Then we were off to our first class - Fleting with Emily Falconbridge.  I had no clue about how felt is made!  We took fresh wool (already died) called Roving and made these felted soaps (these are Emily's soaps).  this is like a washcloth and soap all in one.  as the soap is used, the felt shrinks with it.  So the fresh wool, combined with moisture and friction, eventually, turns to felt.  This was a pretty fun project.  We were so soapy when we were done that our hands were self-foaming for several hours after.  This process can be used to make scarves, beads, anything "felt".

This was the view from our class.  It is just georgous country there.
More to come later........

Inspiration Unlimited 2011 - part 3

In Janet Hopkins class we created this Story of Us album.  I am tickled pink with how we bound this album - it's just two pieces of acrylic bound with cardstock.  Sounds strange right ? But it's really brilliant. 

We took strips of cardstock, scored down the middle, and attached to the edges of each page -- see the photo --

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our last class was with Joey Otlo of Bazzill.  By the time we got to this class, I was mentally spent.  I just didn't have the energy for any more creating (crazy I know).

This was with the Bazzill Devinely Sweet Collection.  I still have a hard time thinking of pattern paper when I think of Bazzill, but this Devilely Sweet Collection is pretty cute.  I have to rethink my image of Bazzill.

Inspiration Unlimited 2011 - part 2

Teresa Collins taught this A-Z album at Inspiration Unlimited.

The cover is a Provo Craft Your Story binder, which is a very nice hard cover with a spine filled with glue.  The Your Story machine melts the glue so your papers are then set in the spine.  Then you have yourself a nice, custom, hard bound book. 

I actually own a Your Story machine and had never used it.  Now I think I need to pull it out and use it!

The idea of this album is to document the "A to Z" of a particular person.  You could either create it about yourself, or sombody else.  Imagine if you were to create this book about a person, and then pull it out 20 years later.   

 

 

 

 

 

Teresa also taught this travel album.  This was such a great little kit.  In one small box is the 3-ring binder, pre-punched papers, and embellishments. 

Teresa said the idea is that you could take this little box with you on a trip, and then be able to document your travels during your trip.  I like the idea of having everything in one package, but pretty sure I wouldn't be taking this with me on a trip.  Travel is distraction enough, I would not be creating my album on the trip.

 

 

 

Inspiration Unlimited 2011 - part 1

I am a bit late posting about Inspiration Unlimited - which was held last month just outside Las Vegas.  This event is fabulous.  It is sold out already for 2012 - again.  One of the things that is so great is the hotel, Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa.  Isn't it just georgous ? 

There is an Italian restaurant at the hotel that is so good.  Terra Verde - their shrimp risotto - oh soooo good.

And this always ends up being a great girls weekend - love these girls!

OH - and we also did some crafting LOL.

We had 6 classes over two days.  Layle Koncar taught a great layout class.   This is one of those layouts with a photo of Val's daughter, several decades ago.  She is all grown up now. I handed Val the photo and made him blurt out the first things that came to mind, which is where the journaling came from.  Remember you can click on the photo to see bigger.

 

 This next layout is from Amber Packer's class. I haven't put photos with it yet, but wanted to share it because it's just so pretty.

I had never taken a class from Amber, and I've got to say it was good.  She is very together and laid back.  And her designs are super cute.  In the layout above notice the burlap and lace together.  I would have never though of this but I love it.   

This is also Amber's.  And Val's daughter once again -

OK -- more to come -- eventually.  I hate being so perpetually behind but I am growing to accept that it's just the way it is with me. 

 

Headed to Spark

This morning I am headed to Utah for Spark.  This is one of the most amazing crafting events and I am so excited to be going again.

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. -Albert Schweitzer

On the agenda this year --

• felting
• stamp carving
• reverse applique
• jewelry making
• mixed media classes
• collage

And the most amazing thing, the passion shared by these crafters and artisans is so contagious.

Now --I'm off to go rekindle my Spark!

Inspiration Unlimited - part 3

Melody Ross  was our keynote speaker at Inspiration Unlimited.  She is so cute, and funny, and just right on.  She is so inspiratinal (which I guess is why she is an inspirational speaker).

Melody talked about timelines.  We all have a timeline in mind for our lives.  Even as young girls we "decide" we want to be married by X age, have kids by X age, make CEO or partner by X age.  I admit it - I was guilty of this too.  But our timelines are not tied to what we want them to be - our time lines will write themselves.  And boy isn't that the truth. 

Melody's own story of her life is incredible.  She is a very strong lady.  If you ever need inspiration - check out her Brave Girls website here.  Their Daily Truth inspirational emails are so great.

Now - after all that hoopla - this was still a girls weekend RIGHT.   Love these girls !

We were able to find the bar that had $1 night (whoot) -

We braved walking through the hotel in the matching PJ's we all made.  Let me tell you - nothing like a group of women walking through a casino on a Friday night in their PJ's.  It was actually hilarious (and the $1 drinks - above - helped a lot).
 I had the BEST time and love my girlfriends for keeping me pointed in the right direction that weekend.  LOL

Inspiration Unlimited 2010 - part 2

We had 2 full (3-hour) classes with Teresa Collins.  What a treat.  

The first class was this Gratitude Album.  The idea is to keep a daily journal of things for which you are grateful.  How great that would be to look back on during difficult times.

 
 
 
 
 
The 2nd class we took from Teresa was this Celebrate Album.  She had hers full of birthday celebration photos - and it was perfect for that.

 

 
 
We also had a full class with Elizabeth Kartchner.  Love how her projects tend to incorporate a lot of fabric.  This mini-book is so cute!

 
 

We had a mini-class Friday night - we broke off into 3 different groups.  I was lucky to have Layle Koncar leading my class.  We did this awesome layout - (and I just love her too)

 
 

Now I know I am taking FOREVER to do this recap of the Inspiration Unlimited event - but it was a very full event.  More to come - look for part 3 soon (and by soon I mean sooner that it took me to get part 2 up).