Behind the scenes: Life Book 2014 and me

Few months ago I was posting my BIG NEWS - I was invited by Tam from Willowing Arts to join as a teacher her on-going online class - Life Book 2014.
I seriously couldn't believe my eyes when I saw 22 names listed on Life Book website - wow, so many great artists in one place! Lucky me!
Of course in the beginning I was overexcited, hyperventilating and a bit panicked in one - I guess this is my usual reaction to new big and scary challenge I want to try. And then I said to myself - Oh, what the hell... - I closed my eyes and jumped into the big rabbit hole.
And that's how it all started! I've created my first Full Online Mixed-Media Collage Class - and although I had to fight with some technical difficulties (as always - I wanted to try something new...) I'm very happy about the final results: videos, pdf files and the project... you can see a small peek below :)

I cant reveal everything about it (sorry!)- you need to join us and experience it yourself - but I'll share photos from my studio from the time my Collage Class was created - ready?

This may give you a hint what kind of supplies we will be using in this class...

... and a bit about the techniques!

 

It is all supported by pdf files and videos :)

And now - good news! If you want o join Life Book 2014 - you still can! 

Registration is open till September, but the weekly classes by tam and all the talented teachers already started - so why not starting now? My class will be launched in the next couple of days - so if you want to try it, it is perfect time:)

How does it work?
Easier than you think - you will find all the information here, on the Life Book website,
but in short words: for 70 GBP/about 85 EUR/109 $ you get:

- 10 In depth Mixed Media Art Lessons by Tam 

- 22 In depth Mixed Media Art Lessons by Guest Teachers (me included!)
- 20 (Smaller) Bonus Activities like: extra PDF prompts, step by steps/ artist interviews/ ATC swaps/ give aways/ audio meditations/ writing prompts etc by Tam and Guest Teachers

- access to forums and company of lovely people who are passionate about creating :)

 To register simply follow the link below (Just one little note: this is an affiliate ink and this is how the teachers get paid. When you register through this link I get a small percentage. Thank you!)

Register now!

I'm sure it will be an incredible journey and I hope I will see you there!

Welcome to my Mechanical Garden

Hi, everyone!
I guess you know me by now, I love the concept of combining things that may not seemingly go together too well. ;)
I incorporate all sorts of "improbable" items in my collages and I love seeing how they create completely new worlds.
Mixing elegant and industrial, delicate feminine textures with harsh metal accents.
That's also the case with my cards - metal and delicate lace? Why not?!!! ;)

For this card I decided to create a "botanical" feel and played with a delicate color palette, countless layers and dimension.
You can read more about it on Sizzix blog.

And I'm very happy to say that March 15-16th I will be teaching a Mechanical Garden class in Stockholm!
We'll be having fun with layers, mediums and many great techniques to create some home decor and cards similar to this one. Can't wait to see you there!



Cards and tags are such magical little beings... ;)



They make perfect little gifts and when they're hand-made, it is even more special...




Cards and tags are a very special way to say thank you, send our feelings to people we love even without a special occasion...



I strongly believe that each card contains a piece of the personality of the person who made it – that makes them so unique and special.



Some of the materials I used are obiously Sizzix dies, embellishments from my Mechanicals collection, Prima flowers (that never fail!), papers from Vintage Vanity collection,lots and lots of 3D foam to create dimension and delicate lace, twine and thread as subtle details.

I hope I managed to encourage you to create some small gifts like that for your loved ones or...for yourselves. I'm sure you deserve a treat! ;)
Lots of love

Going with the flow - "Imagine" sample collage

Hi again, it's me.
You know what is great about teaching classes? It is a great way proving myself that I CAN be creative no matter what the conditions are :) The limitations are only in my head it is not important to have this particular set of supplies, colors, tools. It is about starting - and going with the flow!
This is the way it works for me: when the time for the class comes I just go there, smile, take canvas, gel, paint, embellies and start the project... and you know what - he magic works every time - it is the first step which is always the hardest!

One of my favorite classes to teach is "Imagine" collage - as most of my projects it shows the way how you can recycle the stuff you already have in your stash, techniques which are fun and easy to do... and the effects are always mind-blowing! I am always amazed with creativity and talent of my students - I learn so much from you!

Here is one of the projects I made in the last couple of months during "Imagine" - Collage Class... I have a quite nice gallery of these, you know :)

Here are some details - and for your reference elements and art supplies which were used to create this project (you can find them in our Online Store - Mixed Media Place)

If you are wondering where on earth I'm going to be in the next months - you can always check my "Live Classes" section on the blog :) Maybe I you can join one of the classes too? Check it out!

See you soon - now I'm off to work on my usual things :)
sending hugs

Challenges are good for you - Collage on a Wall...

Certainly, challenges are good - it's a great moment to stretch your mind, conquer the fears, come with unusual solutions. I love to be challenged... so i couldn't say "no" to this surprising request... :)

This January, right away after CHA 2014 I had the pleasure of teaching classes in great, friendly shop "Absolutley Everything" in Topsfield, Massachusetts. The owner - wonderful person named Kate came with inspiring the idea of decorating her classroom: artists visiting her shop with their classes were asked to create something reflecting their personal style... directly on the wall! How honored I was when I was asked to put my "fingerprint" on it too!
My head was spinning with ideas and I started just after the classes finished - luckily I had a few hours to work on it, but for me - it was the quickest collage of this size I've ever made! I used mostly leftovers from my class kits - canvases, packaging and my Mechanicals of course. This is how I left it when we went home in the evening...

... and the next day I came back with new energy and my favorite colored supplies: black and white gesso, Primary Elements Pigments is Spray Bottles and beautiful, shiny Silks.

After next few hours the project was ready... well, it wasn't really ready but it was the best I could do in this limited time working on the classroom table! I'd love to work more on it, especially on the background... but hey, I did my best to finish! :) Here I am, a bit tired, but happy ;)

and with Kate:

Here you can see the finished collage - looks a bit better than the first day, doesn't it? I love this color palette and I've already tons of ideas for the next project inspired by it... just let me create! I found creating directly on the wall very liberating and I love the pressure of time - it didn't let me work too long on the details!

And what are your best challenges you've taken recently? Did it work for you? I'd love to know!:)
Sending warmest hugs

Black Beauty

Hi, everyone!
Some people say that black is an absence of color.
Well...I have to disagree. ;)
And so I thought I would encourage my students to find the beauty in black...

This is a sample from my new 2014 Black Beauty class during which we create the cover of a journal.
I will never get tired of playing with gels, inks and paints to get some texture magic going on.. I designed this journal having this particular idea in mind - it just had to be sturdy enough to endure all the mixed-media action I'm so passionate about.



Obviously, there are lots of heavy embellishments involved and during this class we end up with one-of-a-kind creations to prove that black can be beautiful, too.
Never flat, never dull!  Amazingly deep and iridescent!



You can find the journals of my design (large & small) in our shop, there's also a wide variety of Mechanicals - my metal embellishments and all sorts of media to create the feeling of depth: my favorite Silks acrylic paints, Primary Elements pigments, inks of all different kinds and many more!

So...have I convinced you that black can be exciting...?! ;)
Hugs

Save the date: UK, Sweden, France, Ireland, Spain...

Hi again friends!
I know what you are thinking - this girl, she is away all the time, running around like a headless chicken...
well - it's true - I travel  lot. This way I'm able to share my projects and classes and I'm happy to meet so many wonderful people on my way. You make this adventure so special and unforgettable - I can't even express  how rewarding, inspirational my travels are. Maybe I don't always have the time for sightseeing or enjoying the places I'm staying in - but teaching, visiting stores and events covers all that ;)
There is also a large group of you who don't attend the events but I can see you follow my projects and travels on social media - Instagram, Facebook, Twitter. You need to know how great  is to feel and see your presence there: all your comments are so heartwarming and they put a smile on my face :) Thanks to you I don't feel so lonely on the airports, train stations and in the hotel rooms - there are always some friends waiting "on the other side" :) Isn't that just amazing? :)

Travelling is about planning - so I've made a quite long list of the new coming events for the next couple of months. Check them out - maybe I'll be somewhere around? :)

First of all - this weekend is the beginning of the big show in Birmingham, UK - CraftHobby and Stitch.
I have to admit I'm very excited to attend it for the very first time - I'm sure it will be a great experience and I'm looking forward to meet you all in person... hey, who is coming? ;)
The easiest way to find me will be visiting Booth H 20 where I'll be doing  demos all days of the show:)
I can't promise I'll be there all the time, but surely this is the best place to start!

Here is a little reminder:

I hope to see you there!

The next big event I'm attending is STOCKHOLM SCRAP AND PEARL EVENT 2014  at Ericsson Globe ANNEXET. This is a huge show - Scrapbooking and Jewelry Making Convention, where we can seat 1,000 crafters each day. I really believe it is the biggest show of this kind I've ever seen!
(just have a look at this photo!)

During the event I'll be teaching 2 mini-classes focused on smaller craft forms: dimensional cards and home-decor - both of the mini-classes are fun, technique-packed events which should be enjoyable for anyone:)
Here are further details:

To attend the event simply go to the Scrap and Pearl Blog and register.  To book my class - visit this link:)
I'm sure it will be a great experience :) See you in the classroom!

The next important point in my calendar are CLASSES IN FRANCE - last 2 weekends of March 2014. 

I'm very happy to share I'm visiting 2 events - please see below:

To contact the organizators and get info about booking please visit this link! See you there!

Next weekend I'm teaching: 

I hope you like the class selection - as far as I know the spaces are already very limited so if you are planning to come read the blogpost and contact Cat as soon as possible: catherinesiwczak@wanadoo.fr


Next event is one which is close to my heart for many reasons - first of all - it is DUBLIN, IRELAND, secondly - our Mixed Media Place Store will be attending the event too!
This event is one day only (26th april 2014 - Saturday) and I'm teaching 2 classes:

To find more details please visit our Facebook Event Page or email Elaine directly at: happydaymemories@gmail.com


And finally (I know it is early, but bookings are already opened!)
I'm announcing the event in CIUDAD REAL, SPAIN:

You can find more information about the event or bookings on the FB Event Page here - or email the shop directly: talleres@escrapearte.com

I should probably warn you it  is going to be a very long post - but you know? there is more! :)
If you will have a look at my Live Classes Page - you will find more locations and new classes which will be launched soon (let me just mention Norway, UK, The Neatherlands...) - so keep your eyes open! 

Wishing you all a great, creative weekend!

Family Matters

Hello, dear Friends!
Yes, family does matter. One of my very favorite things to do is to browse through family photographs.
And isn't scrapbooking just the perfect way to honor our families and all the stories our loved ones have to tell?

Today I'd like to show you a layout I created for Sizzix. The cutest kids in the photo are my four cousins. :)



And there's some good news - you can see my creative process and step-by-step instructions of how to make this wintery layout here on Sizzix blog !



The materials I used to recreate the atmosphere of a fun winter scene are: Sizzix dies obviously (they are just perfect to add depth to the work), my Mechanicals embellishments, Primary Elements Pigments, Liquid Pearls and this very handy little spray bottle. :)



I'm also very happy to say that this work of mine was published in a fantastic Russian scrapbooking magazine "Scrap-Info". Always such a huge pleasure to see my art there!

One more announcement today.
I'm traveling to Stockholm in March (so happy to be back in Sweden!) to teach a small but very exciting classes. We are going to create some great home decor and cards and I'd love to see you there!!!
For more information go {here}.

Sending you all lots of love,

! Create !

Hello, friends!
All the emotions and memories from this year's CHA still keep whirling in my head!
It was an amazing time and I'm extremely happy to have had the opportunity to be part of this experience.

Today I'd like to show you an art piece of mine that I created for Ranger Designer Challenge 2014.
This year the challenge was to use Distress Paints and apart from that all the artists were given complete creative freedom.



In my work I decided to go for a limited palette to make all the details and textures speak more loudly.
That's one. And two - well... you know me... I'm always true to myself and my style... ;)



As you can see I used lots of my beloved vintage trinkets and treasures from my countless boxes and drawers but also some Prima flowers and Mechanicals elements of my design.



For all of you who couldn't be at CHA this year, here's a little treat. :)
You can see all the amazing works submitted to Ranger Designer Challenge in this video.
I'm so thrilled to be part of this team!



I hope you enjoyed this beautiful little exhibition! :)
Hugs