New Class: Art Journaling 101

If you've been fascinated by the art journaling movement but a little nervous about actually starting...

Technique Arsenal: Art Journaling 101 is for you!

We'll be covering fun techniques, what products to use, how to find your creative style, how to be more creative in your life, and how to apply what you learn in class to all your artistic endeavors including scrapbooking and mixed-media projects.

Class is on August 28th from 10:30 AM-1PM. The cost is $35.00.

The class kit includes a handmade journal, masks, die-cut chipboard, patterned paper, and a few special surprises. During class you will have access to paints, sprays, oil pastels, stamps and punches and will have time to experiment with all these products! It's going to be a messy creative blast!

Due to the nature of this class, size is limited so please sign-up early to reserve your spot.

See you soon!

xoxo
Bethany

Cutting, Pining, and Sewing

The past few weeks I've begun sewing dresses for my brother's wedding in September. As you may remember, I'm making all 3 girls' dresses as well as my own. An enormous task. I'm not so nervous about the girls' dresses, but my own...I'm so nervous about sewing for myself that I'm practically paralyzed.

Here's the pattern. (I'm making the one pictured on the very right.) It was quite the feat to find a formal maternity pattern, let me tell you! (I ended up getting it directly from the Vogue source. I feel so important.) Apparently women either don't sew when they are 8 months preggo or they simply don't go anywhere of grand import. I'm not sure.

It doesn't help that the fabric that I chose is so amazingly gorgeous, I almost had a conniption when I cut it today. Here's the fabric for the dress part.

 
And this is the jacket that goes over it.

I know! Beautiful! I found both at Vogue Fabrics which is a wonderful resource for really gorgeous (kinda expensive) fabrics. (In case you are in the market.) I spent more on these fabrics than I've ever spent in my entire life. No, I don't regret my purchase, but it does put a certain pressure on my sewing quality. Plus, the fact that I don't have a back-up plan (besides some sort of floral mu-mu or those awesome grey sweats) really heaps on that pressure.

Whew...can you just feel the stress people? (giggle...)

Back to cutting. And pining and sewing.

New Shimmerz Release

We are so excited to announce the newest colors in the Shimmerz family!

Aren't they beautiful? The newest Vibez colors: Fiery Fiesta and Pop Art Pink have a two toned gold effect that is stunning. I've never seen anything like it! The three Pearlz colors are absolutely luscious! PeasBeMine, Luscious Lilac and Blue By U are gorgeous paired together or separately.

These fabulous colors will be available for purchase in the Shimmerz Shop on Tuesday, July 27th. Be on the look out for a special online CHA promotion next week as well. Plus, if you are attending CHA stop on by the Shimmerz booth. They are partnering up with Glitz Designs in booth #839!

Happy Shimmering!

xoxo
Bethany

Dream Big

As I perused the latest Stampington email, I came across an advertisement for the next GreenCraft.

The cover caught my eye because...I...well...recognized the artwork. The french fry boxes turned into bulletin board pockets was a project that I submitted about 100 years ago. I hadn't heard anything about them until June of this year when I was told that they would be appearing in the next issue of GreenCraft. I had absolutely no idea, however, that they would grace the cover! None. A complete and utter shock.

Of course, I gasped and screamed with excitement. I mean...who wouldn't? Being on the cover of a magazine wasn't something I deemed possible in my lifetime. Yes, I've set certain artistic goals and one by one I've reached them, but being a cover girl wasn't one of those goals. Seriously, only really talented people (true artists) get to do that, right? Not people like me without any formal art training who basically flunked art class in elementary school, who never considered themselves at all artistic until a few years ago, someone with kids, and problems and insecurities and...and...and...I am humbled and grateful.

This experience made me realize that oftentimes we set subconscious limits on ourselves. We don't even dare dream big. Oh, we think we do. We set certain goals, totally ignoring loftier ones because they seem way too far outside our little box. I have to wonder how many times I've done this. How many times have I evaluated my talent, my abilities and decided that I can realistically go so far, but I didn't even imagine that I could extend past that. How many times have I been afraid to even allow myself to dream big? Thomas Edison stated once: "If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves." Well, I'm astounded.

And I'm grateful, as I previously stated, that there is someone bigger than me out there. With bigger plans than my tiny brain can even comprehend. And that once in a while He opens the curtain just a little crack and allows me to see myself as He sees me. Thank you.

May all of you have this experience whether it be by gracing the cover of a magazine. Or by curing cancer. Or by solving a community problem. Or by caring for a sick parent. Or by loving the unlovable. Or by beating that terrible disease. Or by learning something hard. We are all capable of greater things than we know. And that, I now know to be true.

Don't be afraid to dream big. 

xoxo
Bethany

Shimmerz Junque Journal -- New Video

I first saw this project when I visited Tangie Baxter's booth at Bliss Fest in Mesa, AZ. I fell completely in love with the Junque Journal and knew I had to make one. So I did...Shimmerz Style!

Let me show you why this project rocks my socks.





I hope you're convinced of the necessity of a junque journal (giggle...) and the necessity of some Spritz and Vibez to add awesome shimmer!

Thank you for watching!

Happy Creating!

xoxo
Bethany

More Big News

I'm just full of news this week.

Check out this great announcement!

I'm so excited!

I've Kept a Secret

I've had a delicious secret wrapped tightly in my heart for a few months now.

I'm finally ready to share it.

I'm so excited that I'm giggling and I have butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

It is a most wonderful little tiny secret.

It is a little baby boy. A tiny little guy. He's due on November 12, 2010.

The whole family is thrilled (except for the 3 girls who really wanted another little sister, but you can't please everyone.)

I can't wait to hold him and kiss his soft little forehead.

I love him already.

Birds Galore

In September and October, I'll be teaching 3 sculpting classes using paperclay at Scrapbooks Etc. in Mesa, AZ. Because of those exciting events, I've been fiddling around with paperclay projects this past week and loving every minute.

One of my classes is a little teaser so I'll only have 15 minutes to complete the entire project and I have to prepare for 50 students. A daunting task when one is working with clay that needs at least an hour to dry. So I've been experimenting with simple projects that I can prep beforehand without too much hassle. I figure that the students will only have enough time to paint, distress and glitter. (If that!) My first project, Little Dancing Red Bird is a prototype.

I like Red Bird, but I don't love him. He needed a few tweaks here and there to become the project that I envisioned. Plus, making 50 of him with those sculpted wings would make me absolutely crazy. Too much prep!

And so, Blue Bird was born. In my opinion, he is a masterpiece of cuteness and simplicity in preparation.

I adore him. From his cute fluffy wings to his big beak. Who wouldn't want this guy perched in their house?

He is a little bigger than the one that my students will be painting, but the overall shape will be the same.

The kids all love him too. However, there remains a very hot debate over googly eyes versus black eyes. The children prefer the googles (of Red Bird). I'm leaning toward the black eyes (of Blue Bird). I seriously need your opinion, though. Google eyes or black eyes? What do you prefer?

Quiet Contemplation

Dani, my oldest, is a thinker. She really contemplates life on a deeper level than most 9 year olds. (She takes after her wise father in this regard.) I wanted to document this personality trait so I created this layout.

Supplies: Donna Salazar papers, background paper is my own design, Shimmerz Spritz, tulle, trims, American Crafts Thickers, embroidery floss

You may or may not recognize the paper cloth background that I made ages ago on this video. I finally used it! But not before I toned down the colors with a wash of white gesso. I wanted to use it as-is, but the black and white picture was completely lost with the raucous of background color.

I tried something new when I tied a big piece of tulle to the page and added my journaling to a tag. It didn't quite turn out the way I had envisioned, but I still like it.

Believe it or not, that jewel is actually paper. Donna Salazar is the manufacturer. Isn't it beautiful? (This layout was originally part of my Donna Salazar review on The Scrap Review. 

Happy Creating!

xoxo
Bethany 

Put on a Skirt and Dance

As I make-over my blog, I ask for your patience. I'm learning some HTML and I'm sure that I'll make quite a few errors before I finally get it the way I'd like it. First thing on the list is that weird mini header. (Edited: finished with that project!)

Until I achieve perfection in the blog-o-sphere, I'm just going to wish I had a skirt exactly like this one.

Why doesn't Costco make these in big girl? Seriously, I don't think I fit into a child-size 5 since I was...ummm...3 years old?

It's hard not to be jealous...

The Girls

My friend Sara Jarvie is an amazing photographer. I love it when she takes pics of our family because I actually appear in them! She took this photo of the girls last year. I love the richness of the colors.

Supplies: Donna Salazar papers, Shimmerz Shimmerz, American Crafts Thickers, Ranger Grungeboard, black fabric, tulle, staples, ink, bling jewels, trims, small stick

This layout originally appeared on The Scrap Review as part of my Donna Salazar review.

I loved personalizing the background paper using Shimmerz products. To me, personalizing papers is extremely satisfying. I simply don't like having the same papers as everyone else in the universe. In fact, when a paper line is too popular and I start to see it everywhere, it turns me completely off. (I know, I'm crazy like that.)

These flowers are extremely easy to make and really cute. I'm going to have to create a video for you. I love making flowers!

On a completely unrelated note, I've read a few good books lately that I'd like to share. The first one was a historical fiction account of the Vel d'Hiv. Haven't heard of it? Neither had I before I read this book. In July 1942, the French police rounded up thousands of Jews in Paris and transported them to concentration camps. It was a horrific act that has been basically forgotten (repressed). Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay is a fascinating book written in short chapters that any busy mother can read in a few minutes. It is a perfect book for those times that you are waiting in the car or sitting outside a small child's bedroom to verify that he doesn't sneak out of his big bed. I wouldn't say that this book is uplifting. In fact, it is quite sad. Not so sad that I shed tears, but more hauntingly sad. It made me think a lot. It made me grateful for my family and for my freedom. In my opinion, it is a well done book that everyone should read.

The second book, Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali by Kris Halloway is another must read. This book isn't as heavy as Sarah's Key, but it will open your eyes to the difficult situation of women in West Africa. I have always been fascinated by French speaking West Africa. In fact, I tailored my Master's program so that I could specialize in West African literature by women in French. (Go ahead and say that three times fast.) This book is a biography of sorts. Perhaps more a memoir? As the title suggests, the main character is Monique, the sole mid-wife and health care worker in a small village in Mali. Written by a peace-corp volunteer that became her good friend after serving with her for 2 years, it is honest, simply written, non-judgmental and fascinating. Even though there is heartache interwoven throughout, the general feeling that I had after reading it was empowering and uplifting. Another great read.

Happy Reading!

xoxo
Bethany

Sad Times

This week has been a difficult one emotionally as one of my friends lost her youngest child tragically on Sunday night. As I help her plan the funeral, I've been struggling with my own feelings.

I've found during this time of sorrow, that I'm turning to my sewing and crafting to lift my spirits. I'm grateful that I have such a positive outlet. There is something very soothing about creating. Using my hands for a positive purpose. C and D have already benefited from my increased studio time. Cam has a new bag to carry his piano music (he just started lessons on Tuesday and loves them) and Dani has a new pair of pajama pants. I'm also beginning work on dresses for my brother's wedding in September. Since I have so many (3 dresses for the girls, 1 dress for myself, 2 little guy ties and 1 big guy tie) I'm working on cutting and purchasing all the fabric right now. I've never undertaken such a large sewing project and I'm cautiously excited for this challenge. I'm sure I'll be writing on this topic many times over the next few months as I overcome hurdles and experience successes.

In the meantime, I'm feeling very grateful for my sweet family. For my supportive husband whom I love dearly and for my own babies that are so energetic, funny and happy. This experience has caused me to re-dedicate myself to them. To try a little harder. To be a little better. And to do a little more.

I'm also grateful for my beliefs in an afterlife where families are together forever. I know that my friend will see her baby again and that brings me great hope and comfort.

xoxo
Bethany