Learning new techniques...

...and creating with new papers is always fun.  

I'm in the midst of using some small part of those papers I showed you last week as I work my way through Catherine Rains' Collage Kickstart. Here were the rules (aka guidelines):

• Use three of your papers in each of six 3" x 3" mini collages
• Use a light, medium and dark in each collage
• Ensure papers are different sizes
• Create high-contrast
• Finish with a fourth paper of same-type molding paste on tissue

Well, it was definitely a learning curve for me.  I'm adverse to working in any kind of a box, the method of securing the papers was new to me, and I'm not overly fond of grids.  So rules are made to be broken, right?  

I created nine collages, all of which are yet to be completed with the tissue paper/molding paste layer (and that may morph into something different to tie them together given the labour intensive method of the tissue).  I used 3 1/2 x 3 1/2" squares, and found it next to impossible to work with only three papers in those ones where the papers were somewhat humdrum.  

At any rate, here are the not-yet-final works using Hansa Yellow, Pyrrol Red and Black:

And even though I've already created nine smallish ones, there's a stack of papers waiting to be used in the same colour theme.  

I am, however, chomping at the bit to get to the cool colours, so these are likely going to have to wait a while.  

In the meantime, have a great week and enjoy your creative play!

Did I need more paper?

Of course not, but when I spied a free class from Catherine Rains, I just had to try it.  Now I'm snowed under with sheets of papers, all in the palette of Pyrrol Red, Hansa Yellow, and black and white as directed in Collage Kickstart. As always, I'm amazed at the number of colours that can be obtained with a couple of tubes of paint plus  B/W.

The studio is chaos again as always, with drying paper everywhere and piles stacked up and near-teetering over.  This is only halfway through lesson three of five, so goodness knows how many sheets will be in the end count before the last lesson.  That will be one of creating collages from the stacks.

Of course, you know I'll be wanting to try it all again in a cool palette...I'm already salivating at the thought!

I also managed to remember my phone on an early morning walk to the gym...it only took three months!!  I caught a host of photos of shadows and reflections on a dark and rainy morning - here are two of my faves.

 

I'm looking forward to checking out your blogs this week.  It's always so inspiring.  In the meantime, please send help in the form of a front end loader to help move these paper piles, will you?  

I promised myself...

...a gel print party, so the studio has looked like this for the past week:

In other words, from floor to ceiling, chaos has ensued.  The bonus is some lovely new background starts from 8 1/2" x 11" sheet size

to small tag/bookmark size bits.  

And yes - I was the only one at the party.  I swear that colour pigs live the best lives when paired with paint and paper, don't you think?  

How did your week go?  Heading over the check it out!!  

It's been a play week...

 ...and mostly upstairs relaxing on the couch, while I learn some (more) stitch witch fun with buttons.

Apologies for the quality of the closeups...some of these buttons are very tiny and difficult to photograph!  

I also got a chance to play a bit in the current mini signatures - I think there are possibilities in the two pages I started.

The first one will look much better when I knock the background back a bit, as I really like some of the areas.

I'm liking the colours on this second one, even being muted from my usual wild palette.

Apart from an unphotographed birthday card for a resident of our complex, that's pretty much it for the week.  I obviously need a gel printing session to jump start the creative juices!  Hope your week has been a whole lot of juicy fun in the studio.

It's been a week...

...and with not much creativity to show for it.

I definitely want you to see this gorgeous heart from Deann over at The Stardust Factory .  Not only has she created a stunning heart, but she's given me the most appropriate name for the series (Bright Heart) that I showed you last week.  

And if that isn't a great start to your day, I can't imagine what would be.  I love the floral motif, and the puzzle border just makes me so happy.  For love most certainly is a puzzle, isn't it? It's a constant learning process that starts at birth and continues throughout one's life.

If you've been following  this blog for a while, you'll know this is not the first time I've entered the Hall of Hearts.  Here are some more:

And they are no means the last of them at all.  You may find a few more in next week's post as well. 😉  Happy week to you all, and may you find more love than you expect in it!