(21 Secrets Workshop) 2nd class

This piece was done in Cathy Bluteau's workshop.  Again, very well done videos and so easy to follow along.  My first thought was that I would never be able to put so much into such a small space.  But the more I worked on it and tried to incorporate as many of Cathy's ideas as possible, the more I began to visualize how to fill in those spaces.  This really could have been done on a larger page, but it is the size I cut my pages for the 21 Secrets Workshop.  I really want to make a complete journal of all my work done in this workshop.  Cathy encouraged us to use cut outs, but also to draw in some similar images.  The bottom background paper I used to mimic a white wooden fence, even using some white crackle paint over it.  All the strips at the center top are washi tapes.

 

21 Secrets Workshop

Dirty Footprints Studio is doing a 21 Secrets Workshop currently.  I participated in Carissa Paige's class to start.  She is so full of energy, imagination and did some wonderful videos for this class.  Here class is called "Following the Wild Winds" in this artful life.  I followed the wild winds on my daily walk and time of prayer and meditation and came back with these photos and reflections.  I compared the "tunnel" cloud to the tunnel in which I find myself  from time to time....searching in the dark for that "thing" that will spark an idea and give inspiration to do a work.  The spider web I used to illustrate the many paths in the art world and realizing that one cannot follow them all.  And, realizing that one's inner spirit will give guidance to the path that should be taken.

This little bench by the river is a spot that my husband and I both cherish.  It is a wonderful place to contemplate, give thanks to the Creator, and just praise His creation.  Fog was on the river this particular morning and reminded me of my foggy mind during times of difficulty with a piece of work.  The wind calmed as I sat there and the johnson grass began to stand up as it ebbed.  As I pray and meditate my soul began to calm and I asked for guidance as I contemplated my life and the joy I have in Him and His gift of creativity with me.  As I left, I turned and the fog had lifted, the little bench flooded with sunlight.  I was reminded of Jesus' words:  "Peace, be still."

Carissa asked us to paint a page with wild abandon and go on a Vision Quest with that free spirit we had as children.  I have always had a love affair with trees and birds.  As you can imagine, I see many of both as I walk to the river and back.  I loved climbing trees as a young girl and would not quit until I had climbed as high as the branches would allow.  I placed the little bird sticker in the top of the photo of the tree I used on this page.   The sentiment I wrote below the photo says:  Go all the way to the top!  HIGHER!                            

Carissa also asked us to look at the page to see if an image would begin to take shape as we worked on it.  I had stamped a large fleur-de-lis on both pages.  On the second page I could visualize a girl taking shape on this stamped image.  Since I am not comfortable yet to publically show my sketching skills, I cut out the head of a young girls and glued it above the fleur-de-lis.  I drew hands as in prayer on the very top part of the image which made the side "flags" of the image look like wings morphing from her body.  The I drew legs from the bottom of the image.  This is my "Wild Abandon" page.  I would like to think that the Lord God will allow me to fly like a bird in eternity as I sing praises to Him!

Art Doll for Judi

 This is the art doll I made for Judi in our club swap.  I had seen Catherine Moore's animated doll on her website and just loved it.  Of course, Catherine's doesn't look as clumsy as mine does!  I love Catherine's Time Keeper images.  I thought this really put a new twist to the TK's character.  ")  The stars are sticker and I used two for each wire.  They are stuck to one another around the wire so they will stay on the wire.  I wish I had had those micro mini brads to put her together.  The ones I used look too big.  (Judi brought me a box full of goodies for my b'day and she had some of those little brads included! )  The bra is glitter ribbon.  I love this 4th of July look for this doll.

                                                                    This is a folder that I made for the doll.  I continued in the red, white and blue theme.  I added stars also.  The paper is French General.

 Inside the folder I added some information on the left and a paper doll costume.  On the right I added a pocket to put hold the doll.  I stamped the paper doll string on the pocket and added some stars.  I wrote her name at the top of the page.

                                                            This photo shows Miss "Sparkles" out side the pocket.

Dresses for Dress Banners

 This is the first dress template I received for our club's Dress Banner round robin.  Sara is doing dresses and slips.  I love the little slip template.  I added lots of French ephemera that I picked up on our trip to Paris.  Also the little dress tag was so appropriate for this.  We are signing our work on the back of each piece.

                                                                                     This is the front of the slip.  The text and image piece is a scan I took from a fashion pamphlet I bought at an antique book market.  I loved the tiny flower print of the decorative paper I used for the dress and added lace to the bottom of the text piece and a strip of ribbon at the top.  The little heart is a button.  The "adore" is from my Smash stash.