December - photo summary and last day of 2012!

Last day of December, last day of 2012!
Great moment for the last picture summary in this year, right?
Last year was very important to me - I've made the hardest possible decision to quit my regular job and start to be a full-time teacher and designer. I started travelling a lot and had to learn how to menage my time in a totally different way. I can't say I succeed, but I hope I get better and better in that :) I try to think in a positive way, you know!  This year was the year of expansion, new contacts, new friends and on the other hand - loosing touch with the "roots"- friends and family I have here in Poland. Balancing that isn't easy :(
What is going to happen now? I hope to create a lot, I will travel even more and try to focus on the things that make me happy - designing, collage, painting, journaling... I really wish for a BIG change this year, so please keep your fingers crossed for that, as I do! I promise - I will dream and do all things possible to make the dreams come true! For me - and for you too :)
And I want you to know how much I appreciate your support, interest, all the love I get through this blog, email and any social media. It gives me the power to go on, to believe things I do are important and worth of trying, even if the day is bad and tea is not enough ;). Thank you so much for being with me! 

So, how was December?
 It was a busy, busy month for me - full of good emotions, family time, and hard, hard work...

1. travelling with my husband is always unforgettable - on the way to Rome. 2. classes in Rome

3-4 - classes in Rome - we had a wonderful time!

5. I love breakfast in the bistro. 6. - project from classes in Rome

7. Sweet (but tired) Barbara and real Italian dinner. 8. - Sightseeing in Rome

 9-10. - in Rome with Barbara and Andrew

 11-12. - in Rome with Barbara and Andrew

  13-14. - in Rome with Barbara and Andrew - we want to come back for sure!

 15. Rome by night. 16. New exciting projects...

 17-18. More of new, confidential so far, projects...

 19. I'm seriously excited about this... 20. Getting ready for the big tour in Australia - March 2013!

21-22. - Getting ready for Christmas

23-24. Cold, snowy winter in Warsaw

 25-26 - Christmas Time with my family

 27. Happy mail. 28. Paper bag project is back!

29. With Zuza, grandma dog - she got very sick last week :( 30. My desk is ready for 2013. 

And now I wish You a wonderful, inspiring, creative and happy New Year! 

May all your dreams come true!

Pure - mixed-media collage

Small collage on canvas - 20x20 cm. It was done during one of the "Imagine" classes - I like this one a lot, it's on the wall in my studio now...

Mixed-media supplies: Luminarte Primary Elements (pigments), Gesso, Acrylic paint, Heavy gel medium.
Embellishments: rubbish from my stash, Scrap Matrix chipboards and trinkets, Prima flowers and embellishments.
Best wishes for the coming New Year!!! I hope it will be full of wonderful moments and great creativity!
xoxo
Finn

Sizzix Friday: Back to Brown Paper Bag project

Yes, that's right!
Inspired by my last post with altered Christmas bags cards and boxes I decided to go back to my old and a bit neglected Brown Paper Bag Project - the one with simple paper layouts and old family photos:)
So, I took some of the leftovers I had, some more Sizzix dies and grabbed "Hopefully" paper collection from 7 Dots Studio... and here it is, sweet winter paper bag layout!

All the information and some step-by-step photos are already waiting for you on Sizzix.uk blog - take peek!

In the meantime I work hard preparing details for Australian and NZ tour, CHA projects and classes in France and Sweden - it is all so close and I simply can't make a mistake on this stage! Keep fingers crossed for me:) I'm happy that my classes in January, on the Prima Art Venture event are in the last stage too... I can't wait to teach this super-grungy journal class! Here is the peek what we are going to do in the classroom... but I promise to share more in the coming days!

xoxoxo
Finn

Prima and journaling my way :)

Hi again. It's me, from the middle of the big, fat, cold Polish winter ;) Woo hoo! It's frosty and white here - and it is really beautiful, but harsh time too!

Today I want to share a project I started last month - an altered book, which is my new journal now too. I embellished it and made pages inside using Prima products - and I love the effect :)
Should I mention there is not a single flower on it? :) Well - Prima has really, really a lot of amazing stuff - not only flowers!
Here is the cover - and you can learn more about this project in this Prima  blogpost. I really had great time altering this old book bought in Irish Charity Shop - "Odyssey" by Homer - real beauty with a lot of handwritten notes. I was so excited when I found it! Now the cover looks like that...

Close up - with great zipper and trinket...

Here is one of the pages inside - based on old family photo. You can see a bit of gesso, stamping and Prima embellishments too! The beautiful brown color is one of my favorite mediums - homemade sea stain:)

I've got something more for you too!
Here is the page inspired by Autumn and an old photo of my mother, Hanna - created in the same "Family book". But this time I've got it on video for you - done step-by step!

If you want to get more info about this project - please jump on Prima Marketing blog - there is not only the video, but also a full list of products waiting for you!

Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate all your visits and comments, even if I can't answer for all of them! I wish you all wonderful, relaxing Christmas time spent with those you love!

hugs!