Eclecticism, Girl Power and Much More

Hi, I'm so happy to see you all again here!
Today I've got a really personal project to show you.
Not long ago, in the first days of May I was invited to teach in Khabarovsk, Russia. What a journey it was! First time in Russia for me - and THAT far Russia, literally on the bank of Amur river, next to China and not far from Korea. I had to look twice at the map before I could believe where I was going! Of course - one Everything was sorted - I couldn't wait, expecting an adventure, time really to remember - and I was right!
I'm not going to tell you all the details of my experience of Khabarovsk - as it would be far too long sorry, but I'd like to share the feeling I had about the event I was invited to - 2nd Scrap Festival,  organised by Irina and her friends from Scrap Club. There were 3 more teachers invited to teach during the same time, so I had a chance not only spend time with fabulous, talented people who decided to be my students, but also meet 3 big names of the Russian scrap world: Olga Znamenskaya known as Pastilka, Lena Vinogradova and Janna Khusnulina - and I even look over their shoulders during the classes! So fun! With Janna we went even one step further - and here my story happens!

During one of Janna's class I  had my time off - so encouraged with the fact she had come my classroom the day before and created an amazing journal cover I decided not to miss that chance and literally sit in my small corner and play a bit too - especially I received the kit! She was so graceful and kind to let me look over her shoulder and follow her in my own messy way - and soon her beautiful, clean, fresh and modern project turned into something much more on the grungy side!

I was doing my best to be a quiet, not distracting student - and I think she didn't regret letting me play along ;) I loved the base she prepared for the students and I patiently put all the elements together, but then - my nature took over... I pulled out all the leftover of my kit from the day before, some sprays, some Mechanicals, Art Basics I had with me. some Micro Beads and Art Alchemy Wax... but I still believe it is a great marriage of both our creative personalities, don't you think?

Here we are both - proud with our projects :) What a great time it was, and Janna is such a sweetheart!

What I loved the most about Scrap Festival was the atmosphere of those days - filled with creativity, authenticity, building and celebrating friendships and truly enjoying each others company. It brought to me so many memories from different periods of my life - including our early days of first craft and scrap meetings and crops in Poland -  and it was truly an experience. I felt so accepted and welcomed, in those few days I received so much love that I should have my batteries filled till the end of the year!
Sitting there, after Janna's class finished, gluing paper envelopes inside the cover to create mini book I decided I want to capture this unique moment. Again - I took whatever was left from both kits and my art mediums I made the first page of the journal, which later became a memory book where I was gathering the messages from all participants of the event.

Just look at those smiling facesI found somewhere in my stash - aren't they perfect?
I'm really happy with this eclectic mix of styles, colours, elements. I think it reflects the beautiful differences between us all - there is a bit of everything, but I think I managed to put all together in a coherent page, just like the Scrap Festival bonded us all for the few days - or for longer for some, I'm sure!

Here I'm trying to recall some of the supplies I used to decorate the cover of Janna's book - all of the linked to Mixed Media Place Store. I hope it helps!

I'm wishing you all a great, creative week - this weekend I'll be teaching in Coventry, during the biggest event in UK I was invited to... fingers crossed and wish me luck!

huge hugs