MY MOJO MONTHLY DECEMBER-ANY OLD IRON, IRON, IRON!!!

SEE THE NEW MY MOJO MONTHLY HERE!

Hello and welcome! Can you believe it? It's December! The festive month and six months of My Mojo Monthly already. I'm excited, slightly frantic and way behind on the old card making but I am ready for this months new theme of Any Old Iron, so let's jump straight in. Whatever your crafty passion may be, do feel welcome and enjoy making art. I'm hoping to inspire those inky fingers and have got lots of loveliness to share and give away, so hop on board . Firstly, let's talk to December's featured artist, the uniquely creative Linda Cain. 

FIVE QUESTIONS TO MY FEATURED ARTIST...
Have you yet to experience Linda's beautiful and amazing work?

Prepare to be blown away by her fabulous designs, sumptuous colours, rich details and infectious creative passion. You will be coming back for more! Both technically and artistically you are in for a real treat...read on and enjoy! (Click on photos to see the wonderful details...)

Who is Linda Cain in five words?  Wife, Nana, Mom, Artist, Teacher.

Where are you right now as an artist? Sitting in my studio at the computer. No, seriously...
I love everything and want to try it all. Canvas art, home decor, stamping, painting, encaustic, photography. Everything! I love teaching and seeing the happy students with their projects, and helping my grandkids with Art Projects in my Studio.
Which of your creations is closest to your heart?
Probably the 1st thing I really did when we built out sunroom, the Row Houses that are my blog header. The piece is 12x36 inches framed and I've always loved it. Row Houses have always been my theme. But the things that have been chosen for Tim Holtz's CHA booth are some of my favourites as well.

Where do you find inspiration when feeling Mojoless?
Add layers to something. But when it's not working, it's not working for me. I usually don't like what I've done. So I wait....generally it will "hit" me if I'm patient.
You are going back-packing in the Himalayas for a year and may only take three crafting items. Which, and why? 
When I'm on vacation, I don't have much Mojo for art. But I could just not be without my CAMERA! I really love taking and editing pictures of scenery and architecture. Historical places are my real favourites.
 Linda has been featured in numerous publications and is a certified Ranger Educator. Her design credits include Inspiration Emporium, Vintaj and Tim Holtz to name a few. See Linda's blog for workshop details and more!

Back at HQ...
See, I told you it would be special. Just wonderful...Thanks SO much Linda. Now that's what I call go-go for your Mojo!
So, this month I'm doing the rounds shouting, "Any old iron, iron, iron!" Just like my local scrap man does at 6am... I love using metal and findings in my work and what better piece to audition that Ye Olde Tin! Dinky ones, rusty ones, vintage ones. I love them all and think they are wonderful inspirational foundations for creativity...
Creating a keepsake for someone special is always a joy and this vintage and petite peppermint tin is the perfect size. I sanded off the paint and then simply applied Alcohol inks with an old brush for a rustic look. I purposely kept the outside simple to emphasise the sentiment. The added more ink to the Idea-ology bookplate to give it a darker tone adding just three simple typed words.

Inside, the story continues. I lined the deeper part with torn pages, added Belgian lace and more metal love with an old key, a rusty nail, off-cuts of wire and a tape measure scrap. The wire is glued to the button and key giving a resting place for the stamped Grungepaper butterfly. I lined the inside with stamped and stitched card inked in Rusty Hinge Distress ink.

I added more words with my old typewriter and felt it was done. Hopefully the words, with the broken wire, the butterfly symbolise a mood of freedom. The tape measure is to remind us to go the distance. Life is a process! I love how the simplicity of the outside contrasts with the inside and makes the opening a little more exciting.
Maybe you'd like to add that special photograph or piece of personal ephemera...

Many of you know I'm a huge Wendy Vecchi fan and when I came across an old tobacco tin I just knew it would be the perfect home for this elusive lady. Except for a little Rusty Alcohol ink on the inside, I haven't done anything to the tin at all. I really love it's original design and that is, after all, part of the fun! I used a sturdy iron clock finding as part of the piece and upwards she did go...

I also used the lid as a fun and sturdy base and it also really helps to balance out the whole shape and lines of the piece.

I've gone inky with Wendy's stamps and Art Parts but this tin makes a great home for many styles of art.

And finally I couldn't resist this rusty old box lid. It was just waiting for some love... I love to collect vintage cabin cards and this is my absolute favourite. It says everything and more about a special Nanna. Collage work offers the chance to work with an endless array of wonderful vintage images, colours and patterns.

I really recommend a visit to Mary Green from Green Paper. Her collage work is just fabulous and she has a wealth of amazing images and designs to tempt the heart.

Challenge, Nice Stuff and Info...

So, I am all done again once. I hope you enjoyed a little bit of rust and metal and can see that even the simplest tins can be a really versatile fun substrate.  

HAVE YOU GOT SOME METAL MOJO IN THE FURNACE?

Remember My Mojo Monthly is all about the why AND the what! Have you got a great take on this theme, or other inspired artwork you'd like to share? I'd love to see and hear about your creative adventures...  
I'll be in everyday to take a look at your work but let me say Congratulations to November's winner Ingen for her creative designs! This months Giveaway is this great book all about Collage by the lovely Claudine Hellmuth and a little Tim metal to get you started. In 2012 (!) we'll be meeting the fabulous Anneliese Bates.

My Mojo Monthly welcomes all hand-made crafters and artists. A few guidelines on submitting your work:
- In the spirit of MMM please write a few lines in your post about your creativity and why you want to share your work.
- You are very welcome to share challenge pieces, just tell me a bit about your inspiration.
- Please link directly to your post and not your blog so I can find you.
- Please add a link in your post to My Mojo Monthly, thanks!
- Multiple challenge photos without description will be removed.
- Feel free to take the MMM button for your blog - please do!

The only thing left to say is have a truly fabulous Christmas! I hope you can enjoy a wonderfully festive and restful time with plenty of all you love, desire and need. Celebrate the season in style! Thanks once again for so much support...wishing you all inspiration galore!
Sarah.