Randomly speaking

Perfect timing-

I met Jeanne while teaching at Creative Escape last year.  Sometimes when the class is moving along just right, I have the chance to share just a bit about myself and where i come from. (a whole blog post in itself) The long and the short of it is ....I came from a time when there was often less than nothing, a transient lifestyle was the norm, and home was certainly not what would normally comes to mind.

I am not always sure how my students will respond to my stories or what they will take from them. Jeanne how ever...was brave enough and kind enough to share with me her thoughts. It just goes to show you never know whom you may inspire,or  whom you will touch for the better...and given the way i have been feeling these past few weeks. I felt like i needed a sign that i am where I am supposed to be ...i needed to focus . 

_{then i received her sweet email in response to a call i put out for people to share their projects.This was just affirmation that i needed to tell me i am doing exactly what I should be}

Hi, Marah.  Here are 3 pieces I made after taking your class at CE '09.  I LOVE using your technique of recycling cardboard to add embellishments to my mixed media pieces!  In tough times, and in "thinking Green," this is a great way to make something out of nothing.  Doing so also is a great reminder to me of the lesson I learned from you about life in general; I CAN be something, irregardless of where I came from or what struggles I've had in life, ;). this email may just be what i needed to get out of the funk i have been in.... To get to know Jeanne better check out her blog. to see her other pieces check out my fan page, become a fan and keep connected

I love google alerts!

I get oodles of google alerts every day, and yes I read them ALL. I guess its my never ending case of curiosity that killed the cat. or that by clicking google alert links it makes me a kind of voyeur into so many peoples creative world.

A couple of days ago I clicked on a blog called "Just a Girl in the World" and stumbled upon these....Kick ass layouts using  alot of my recent and not so recent collections.

Love all the textures she uses.

what struck me most about Susan's Layouts were the obvious passion for her creativity and her  edgy meets pretty style. You can check out her blog here. 

    

It's in the details...

My studio doubles as my kitchen...my kitchen doubles as my studio. which means that i do all of my misting in my kitchen, which also means that I always have a bottle or two of some sort of mist out, and I always have a box to spray in. In my world I can NEVER leave well enough alone. Even my mail is subject to a little mist and journal blocks...

 I spritzed the front of this envelope with my trusty Luminarte....as usual a couple of colors, blended together.

blot with a paper towel (and save that towel of course ;-) 

 
 
 
   

 

I added color until it was just right... i added a journal block, and this envelope is ready to mail. I am sure the recipient will be just a tad bit happier knowing a little extra time was spent...not just on the card but on the envie as well.

Paper Towel Posies-A Tutorial of sorts

If you have taken any of my classes you know that I use everything...I hate throwing things away...especially if there is a way to turn what was headed to the trash,into something beautiful. 

These paper towel flowers were a happy accident...I was spraying white paper flowers with LuminArte with a paper towel under them to soak up the extra mist

I love to mix colors---not too many flowers are one single color.

after picking up the flowers...i realized just a tad bit more spray and perhaps a spritz or two of plain water and the mist would spread creating something of a tie dyed effect.

then let the paper towel dry (or hurry it along with a heat gun on low or blow dryer)...the use your personal die cut system and cut flowers or borders.

 I use an AccuCut machine..I have a few and they are my all time fav craft supplies I own.

I chose flowers ....Of course!

Layered 3 flowers on a fancy brad (I should say...paper towels have two layers I separated the layers after layering on the brads...so it appears there are 6 layers)

Kinda pretty don't you think?

a few I made last week 

 Join my facebook fan page-  great way to keep up on my class schedule, studio plans, share your projects...I would love to see you there!

     

Scrapbook Island in San Jose this Saturday****UPDATE****

We were sold out yesterday...but......we decided to move the classes to a larger space at the store and add 12 more seats. So if you wanna get  your pretty lil hands dirty...then join us on Saturday Morning for my Techniques class and Saturday afternoon for my  Birthday mini album.

Lori--the owner of Scrapbook Island said the phones were ringing off the hook...so i suggest giving her a call today to reserve your spot. Luckily I live near Creative Imaginations and am able to pillage and plunder the warehouse for these 12 new spots  (ok not really but it sounds good right) 

For Class info Supply lists and Store info....CLICK HERE

gonna have to drink a few of these to get all my prepping and packing done...I am flying in and flying out on saturday...that means more goodies for you since I dont have to pack clothes and make-up! Just class kits and supplies!!!! make sure you come fully caffeinated or otherwise ready to rock....it's a technique class Creative Boot CAmp Style!

Playing with Foil papers and my beloved Luminarte mists

just a quick post--

This little tid bit is part of my saturday class at ScrapBook Island this weekend.

I am starting with an ornate foiled paper from Creative Imaginations LoveBirds collection.  Before using any colored mists...spritz paper with clean water first...this will allow mists to cover the paper evenly much like creating a background wash.

Use your favorite colored sprays...(I love to combine 2 or more similar colors of the Luminarte mists, it creates a nice watercolor effect)Spritz the paper and using a 1" wide paintbrush moves the mist evenly over the paper....remember you can always add more color to paper but you cannot take it away.

use a dry paper towel to wipe the foil clean before spray drys. and your paper should look something like this. 

if you are coming to my class this Saturday Feb 20 at Scrapbook...dont get a manicure in the next couple of days :)

And on another note...

my FACEBOOK page is full...who knew i'd have 5,000 friends. So I started a FAN page to keep everyone updated on all things creative that I am working on (and even things YOU are working on) We would love to have you JOIN us in sharing our creative journey.

 

Heading to Scrapbook Island in San Jose this weekend

Long time no blog---I was sick for no less than 7 weeks. I still dont have all my energy, but I tell you what...it's good to feel human again.

This weekend I am heading up to a dear friends store in San Jose  this Saturaday Feb 20th to teach a 2 HIGH ENERGY classes.  A Bold and Bright birthday celebration mini album which means...

 I am  die cutting 

Hundreds of pages so that you will have lots of choices to make your mini book just right!

there are a couple seats left in this class and I am bring several extra kits...just in case.

The second class I am teaching is my Tips Tricks and Techniques class....a 3 hour creative boot camp that will totally get  you out of the box.

in the techniques class you will learn  how to make these fabu flowers, play with mist, alcohol inks, gesso, gel medium,flocked papers, foils,glitter, wood, super seal, paint....and what ever else strikes my fancy.....your head will spin with ideas and inspiration...be sure to bring a good pen because you will be writing a ton of notes to put next all the beauties you will be creating!

for class info CLICK HERE