MY MOJO MONTHLY JULY-FAIR & SQUARE

PLEASE VISIT THE NEW MY MOJO MONTHLY HERE!!!

Hello...
And a very big welcome to the first My Mojo Monthly!
Thank you for calling by, I really hope you will enjoy your visit and look forward to our time together. There's lots to read, see and maybe win, but I'm here all month so take your time. I have a huge passion for the creative arts and a desire to motivate and encourage others. There’s so much loveliness out there yet sometimes we run out of steam, need some fresh air or just want to share more of our creative musings. I truly hope that My Mojo Monthly can be a place for YOU and your art...because they both go hand in hand. Through interviews, ideas and  imagery - in many styles and forms, whatever your passion may be, I want to get you thinking, discovering, sharing and enjoying!  So without further ado, let’s get going!

FIVE QUESTIONS TO MY FEATURED ARTIST...
I always love to hear what other artists I admire have to say, and I’m very excited to introduce My Featured Artist Kelly Kilmer. A year ago I stumbled across Kelly’s work and was captivated by her truly amazing art journals that abound with beautiful imagery and honesty.

Each page a true expression of life...all straight from the heart.

So I’m just thrilled that Kelly is willing to share a little of herself and story with us.

Who is Kelly Kilmer in five words?
Curious. Sensitive. Imperfect. Silly. Passionate.

Where are you right now as an artist?
I still feel like that odd little twelve year old girl who liked to draw, paste and stick stickers onto the pages of notebooks and little diaries. I'm becoming more comfortable in my skin and those feelings are reflected upon the pages of my journals. I've been keeping a journal since I was in 4th grade. I'm now 36 years old. The journal keeping process has evolved and changed along with me as I've grown up. I'm still learning and will continue to learn and my hopes are that those changes will be documented on the pages of my journals. I'm not one of those artists who feels that she knows everything. No one knows everything, though some pretend that they do. I love the simple, daily act of experimenting, documenting, pondering, playing and reflecting upon the world events around me on the pages of my little books. I love letting the real me unravel upon the pages of my books.

Which of your creations is closest to your heart?

My art journals are my treasures. There's something to be said about pouring your heart and soul onto the pages of a book. I am always happiest when I can look at a page and honestly say that I've said everything that I've wanted to say on the page. 

I don't worry about pretty or perfect pages, but I do worry about honestly expressing myself and getting what I want to "say" (whatever that may be) out onto the page.

I love looking back (I don't do it often) and seeing how both my work and my own self have changed with time. I love finding little treasures that I'd forgotten about, journal musings about a certain day, photos of my family or a drawing by my son had glued in the books.

 Where do you find inspiration when feeling Mojoless?
I'm a firm believer in finding at least 10-15 minutes of time daily to work in my art journal so I rarely suffer any form of artist's block. I find that taking time (however short it may be) to sit down and work in my journal automatically inspires me and keeps me on my toes. I've always said that you don't need to spend hours in the studio (though that is nice) to be an artist. If you take the time you have and use it in small chunks it really does add up. My students also push me on a regular basis, especially the ones that keep coming back month after month to take new classes. They inspire me to keep pushing the mediums we work with and see how far we can take it. 

I love finding inspiration in any and everything from the simplest thing of looking out my window to taking a walk down the street and finding graffiti that inspires and amazes me to opening up one of my many art books and being visually inspired to watching an old black and white film to talking to my son or husband. I really believe that inspiration IS everywhere, you just have to open your eyes and be receptive to it!

You are going back-packing in the Himalayas for a year and may only take 3 crafting items. Which, and why?
I would definitely take my journal, a dozen (or more) Coccoina Glue sticks (40 gr.) and my refillable Koh-i-noor Rapidosketch pen (size .35) with my refillable black india ink. These are my basic necessities when it comes to making art. If I have my journal, a glue stick and a pen, I can make art anywhere!
Kelly's blog and on-line courses can be found here and details of her classes here! Check them out!

BACK AT HQ...
Wasn't that just a great read? Wise words to all of us. Thank you so much Kelly! Do visit her blog and better still sign up for a class and let your fingers do the talking. Well, how do I follow that? Keeping things on a personal theme and drawing inspiration from my own surroundings I want to share three simple ideas with you. Yummy products abound, our computers are bursting with photographs and still we feel stumped by a blank space. Yet inspiration is on your very doorstep. I love paper and ink. Story told. I have a box full of "didn't make its", off-cuts and orphan trimmings that I just cannot throw away. Something about the texture, colour or imagery still speaks to me so I decided to pull them out of the dust and let them talk.

I used my upturned square punch as a frame to choose and then cut my favourite part. My squares are all 3.5cms but you can go with any mixtures of size and shape. I just fancied squares! I have chosen earthy tones, combining both soft and strong images for variation in detail. You want to be able to admire them all, without any of them fighting for your attention! I suggest making a "frame-finder" to help you select your image. Just cut the desired shape out of paper and slide that around (like making a movie!) You'll soon see the part that says "Choose me!" I've distressed and inked the edges and mounted them onto a French book page and then a piece of scrap cardboard swooshed with white paint. Just a touch of string and metal were enough for me. JUST THINKING... the last snippets of your favourite papers, a vintage magazine, wallpaper, books and photos...fabrics would look just fab with buttons!

Talking of photos... I used the same idea to create this piece using shots taken on my country walk in Shropshire. I'm no expert but these days even a simple digital camera takes a fine shot. By changing all the pics to B&W with a simple editing programme (see links below) and printing them out small, you end up with a concentrated image that hides a lot of imperfections. Many of these pics would not look so good blown up, but look great in a small format. If you're already thinking it's too technical I'm attaching a free download of these images for you to play with right here! I printed onto photo paper and punch cut the images as before. I used the punch upside down to cut the exact piece which gave a raw edge which I really like! But you can also cut by hand. Slightly inked the edges and then layered them onto paper and a canvas both painted in Snowflake by Paper Artsy for a chalky finish.
JUST THINKING...how many wonderful photos do you have but don't use because of "that bit". You know... a finger in a nose on the left, blimey, she looks miserable...who parked there??? Create an original scrapbook LO or keepsake. Hey Stampers! How about digging out all those stamps you've stopped using and rediscovering your favourite part. There's always a best bit on a flourish...

I know many of you adore cards, so here's one for you. I changed the colour of the flower photo to Sepia and printed onto ordinary paper this time. Trimmed, glued to paper and edged with ink. Layered up with a simple ribbon and stamped sentiment. Photo download here! But this could be your flower, your tree or loved one. It's great to be able to create personal gifts and designs that have more resonance, individuality or even commercial appeal if that's your line. But what I'm trying to say is...MAKE IT YOURS AGAIN!

NICE STUFF AND INFO...
So there you go, food for thought and your Mojo I hope. I would love to hear back from you and I invite you to share your musings and creations.
Where are you at, what moved you this week, what's your take on these ideas...? I'll be checking in regularly to take a look at your work and at the end of the month this wonderful book by Sharon Soneff will be winging it's way to an inspirational someone which could be you! In August we'll be talking to Kim Dellow! 
So now it's over to you...

  
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 if you can tell me a bit about your inspiration and art!
- 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!
- Feel free to take the MMM button for your blog - please do!
- Multiple challenge photos without description will be removed.

Now that's definitely a rap as they say...thanks for being here, the door is always open. Drop me a line if you have any questions and off you go now to play, ponder or just be. It's all good.

Sarah.

Useful Links:
Picasa free photo editor
Photoshop free photo editor

Grungeday - A Vintage Moment.

Good evening (well, over here),
If Grungy Monday was Grungy Thursday I'd be right on time, but I'd end up doing it Sunday so I'll just stick with calling it Grungeday...I hope you are all doing fine out there - in body, mind (he)art and soul. It's a busy old thing all this blogging frivolity...I love meandering through the streets of Blogland and wouldn't be without it but the logistics of getting it all from from my fingers to the screen can be a quite a task at times...  especially when Blogger fancies a foxtrot instead of doing it's thing. Anyway, enough of that and more of this...Over at Linda's we are delighting our selves in the joys and permanent finger staining qualities of Alcohol inks. Nice stunt-work from Mr. H here.
I was in a vintage mood which explains the romance, lace and  shabby green. I created three small tags to celebrate the beauty of a moment...

Alcohol inks dropped onto embossed metal is a favourite of mine. I also coloured a small frame, and cut a mica front to house these two lovebirds...she's blushing, but loving it too.

Just paper, ink and metal and a sentiment which is easy to stamp and a little harder to do...

Ah yes, the butterfly... stamped onto a glass fragment which I had first coloured with inks, creating a lighter pool with blending solution. I added a dictionary scrap definition of moment and a spinner because moments join together to create a journey. I cut a large tag shaped background which I stitched, stamped and distressed.
Another one for the collection, unless you might like to give it a home? I enjoyed making it but would enjoy it even more if I could make someone else happy with it. She's very petite. If you're into a little nostalgic green romance, let me know and I'll be more than happy to send her your way.

Also just letting you all know my new monthly inspirational feature, My Mojo Monthly started July the 1st. There's a great interview with Art Journal artist Kelly Kilmer, project ideas, great giveaways and a photo link to share your work! Do join in, I would love for you to call by and share your art and musings...



Thanks for being here - always glad to have people in my Bloghome.
See you soon,

Sarah.

My Mojo Monthly Sneak Preview!!!

Hello Everyone,
Welcome to my blog - nice to have you! Wednesday yet again so sharing my desk, antics and ramblings in good WOYWW tradition.

This is a work in progress scene as I put the last things together for my new monthly post MY MONO MONTHLY which starts this Friday July the 1st!!! Won't give too much away yet but there's an array of paint, photos, sticky stuff and snipping on the menu!

So what's it all about??? Well, it's not another challenge blog, but a monthly INSPIRATIONAL feature to get you and your Mojo on the go-go! If you're a bit off track, stuck in a rut, looking for a fresh take on things or just a place to share your work, then come on down! I want you to be in touch with your art and I just love to help people get moving!
I'll be sharing Monthly Musings with thoughts, links and ideas for the month, Delving into Design, and best of all an interview with An Inspirational Featured Artist!!! I am thrilled to announce that Kelly Kilmer, Art Journal Artist Extraordinaire, is July's Calendar Girl. Find out what she and her Mojo have to say...! How exciting is that???
Whatever your crafting passion is, you'll be able to share your creations, thoughts and photos with each other, there's free downloads, and giveaways too! Just once a month, so you'll have time to really get thinking, nudge that Mojo and also just be. It's good know about the why behind the what! Here's a sneak preview of what's on the horizon for Friday!

A touch of colour... and the simplicity of paper.

Up close and personal in black and white.

There's more too, but that's enough for today. I'm very excited, a little nervous but ready to rumble! I really hope you will call by Friday and take a look, it will be great to see you and you know what they say - the more the merrier! Do drop me a line if you have any questions...happy to help. I'll leave you with a small canvas I made yesterday - just dabbling around with blue, a tree and words...

 

Thanks for calling by...see you all very soon. Enjoy WOYWW and your day wherever you may be.

Sarah.

The Colour of Love...

On Saturday it was my wedding anniversary and when I heard some frantic rustling and an "Eyes closed!" command from outside the kitchen, I kind of guessed some floral celebrations were on the way from Mr. Hubby...  But when I opened my eyes they were soon welling up because... it wasn't just another bouquet, but an exact recreation of my wedding bouquet of 14 years ago!!!! I was totally overwhelmed and had to reassure my husband that I was truly happy in between the teariness. Sigh, to be a lady...complaining when you don't get flowers and blubbing if you do...

As you can see, such wonderfully pure yet vibrant colours. The roses are truly gorgeous and so full. And with that, my inspiration for Less is More, had arrived. I'm not normally so quick to work with purples or lilacs but Mother Nature does them so well and I felt moved to create an tribute to my husbands amazing and thoughtful gift.

I took some photographs, selected and cropped three close-ups and printed them onto glossy photo card stock. I glued them onto card for extra strength, rounding the corners of both the photos and the card for a more modern look.

The photo edges have been very lightly sanded and then layered onto a green satin ribbon. I stamped a very true sentiment in Ranger Deep Purple Archival which was the perfect match. I felt the colours and images were all the card needed.

So indeed, a tad different than my usual. In fact, I could even say it's rather chic... a touch of the designer wedding look. Although we celebrated with Fish and Chips Saturday night! Just wanted to share the story, the colours and the inspiration.

Hope you enjoyed a little romance,

Sarah.

Become...

Hello,

Welcome on this sunny day, the summer has come out to play. Monday morning means time for the new theme over at Simon Says Stamp & Show. We say show us a word...and mine is 'Become' - a journey towards the real me. After a few intense inky weeks I really felt the need to return to paper and scissors so I created a Personal Inspiration Journal from envelopes and design papers full of pockets, tags and journalling cards stamped with heartfelt sentiments. 

'I used Wendy Vecchi's Art Parts dress form and leaves and stamps from A Form of Art and Celestial Art .  I cut chipboard covers, all sanded and edged with Rusty Hinge and the whole journal is covered and lined with a myriad of papers from Glitz and K&Company. Dive into those papers and dare to snip, I say.

Here is a side view without the tags to show you the book construction and all the pages and flaps formed by folding the envelopes. Colour, patterns and distressing galore.

I over-stamped the dress form with just the word Become from the full sentiment which fits just perfectly! The Art Parts have been inked up with Distress Inks, stamped and then sealed with Matt Medium. It's funny how a headless form can still portray many thoughts...and those gentle curves give her that subtle feminine je ne sais pas... I also added a ribbon and a small scallop piece painted and distressed with Claudine Hellmuth paints for that pop of blue.

There is something very satisfying and cathartic about making a book from scratch. I like seeing it evolve and love the feel of it getting heavier and stronger in your hands. Here you can see a pocket underneath the flap, a mini pocket and the tag pocket on the left. I went for six envelopes which soon bulks out providing plenty of journalling and photo surfaces.

The journalling cards slide into the right-hand pockets and are stamped with fabulous sentiments and stars from various Wendy Vecchi sets.

Here are the tags which echo the papers used to line the book, some of which are stamped too. Vintage dots and florals liking each others company! Everything is edged with Rusty Hinge which gives it all a welcome lift.

So there you have it. A journal ready to be filled with my thoughts and musings in life! Become was my word...what's yours? Hop over to the blog to see the other great creations by the Design Team. We're looking for three new top designs and there's also a $50 prize spree!

Thanks for visiting me - it's great to hear from you. If you have any thoughts or questions do let me know. For now, I'm signing off...over and out...

Sarah

Metamorphosis...

Hello again,
Time is sure racing along, but I am a happy lady when the weekend rolls in. Especially when I've done all the housework, finished my DT project, new stash has arrived, watched Glee and can lounge at leisure in Blogdom.

I'm still enjoying the ride over at Grungy Monday. Week 12! What does a lass do with 52 tags at the end of the year??? Methinks I must consult Hels Sheridan on that one. This week we delve into paint and resist techniques on show here by the fair and dapper Timotheus Holtz. I originally planned some wild colours and no butterflies but my musings had other plans. I choose vivid Cosmo Cricket paper, rusty paint and the Grunge Alphabet stamp. I've opted for a more distressed version of the technique to allow the paper to show through more and I'm really liking the results.

I stamped just one of the moths from the Papillon set, even snipping around the antenna (OCD of the scissor kind) and layered it up with a paper lace scrap onto a stitched mini-tag - also stamped with the Alphabet in black. I used a chain scrap from a candy tin to hang the tag, ran a paper strip through my Dynamo embossing the word metamorphosis and added Distress ink for extra emphasis. It's a great idea as the Dynamo tape can look a bit too glossy. I thought some black lace worked well with the tag too by adding a touch of black glamour.

I made my flower using a brad and patterns cut from the design paper. It looked a bit too modern at first, but sorted that with ink, distressing and some therapeutic scrunching. Now I really like it and feel like hacking into all my flowery papers! Didn't go for the pocket but decided on more black machine stitching, antique gold ribbon and a rusty ribbon holder. The tag edges needed some roughing up, along with a liberal dose of Black Soot, swooshes of Viva Gold and some rusty staples to finish things off. Not at all what I thought I might do, but a tag that created itself very easily.

That's me all done. I'm having a day off from creating tomorrow. I've been married to my best friend for 14 years, so we're off on a Steam Train! Do wave if you see us chug by...

Happy Weekending!
Sarah.

WOYWW???

Hello and welcome! Here we are again at the mid-week moment, so straight in with a shot of the desk to honour What's on your Workdesk Wednesday? I'm all done with some pretty messy affairs, so not quite the usual chaos.
I'm busy with a paper, snip and stick project now and I have gone through a whole roll of red-line tape. Looks just like 4th of July in my craft room with all those tape papers blowing around.

 I'm also really busy preparing some photos and pdfs for the first edition for my new monthly feature MY MOJO MONTHLY together as July the 1st is fast approaching. Eeek! I really hope you'll join in, gain inspiration and share your creative "heart-thoughts" and artistic musings! Full information next week...

Today I'm also going to, at last, share the gift I made for the WOYWW 2 year anniversary. I've not heard from the receiver Peggy yet, but I read she is globe-trotting so it could be a while.

 I decided to create a journal book and actually made this on the day itself as I wanted to choose a colour pallet that fitted the receiver. I colour washed, tore and distressed some old dictionary pages and glued them to the book covers. I then created a faux Batik look on the centre strip of canvas piece by stamping leaves in Matt Medium followed by a paint wash. I stitched and frayed it too for more detail, adding ric-rac and ribbon in red. Love the contrasting colours!

 I stamped the sentiment "Live your Dream" onto a small chipboard scrap, layering it up with some ribbon. The inside covers have also been lined paper and the stamp is repeated with some leaves.

Of course, a little WOYWW memento in the form of a hanging mini-tag which I've attached to the binding rings along with lots of pretty ribbons. Full On Girly going on here ...

I drew and cut the big flower layers by hand from a design paper that I had colour washed and swooshed with paint to get a different shade. It's definitely a happy shade of red! I finished off with a scattering of smaller flowers, polka-dot ribbon, lots of distress Ink and my signature gold thread! Enjoying the vibrant shades after a week of vintage sepia.
I think it's very Peggy - if you know her blog, you'll know she loves colour, so hopefully all is well! Come on Mr. Postyman...

So that's it for today, got lots to do before Saturday as it's a family day out so my DT work needs to be done. Back to it then... Thank you so very much for calling by and taking time to visit my blog. It means a lot and I'm glad to hear from you all. Take care and have a good week. Be seeing you very soon - time for a bit of blog-hopping I say.

Sarah