My new tabletop easel arrived! I bought the same style that my “Layer Love” instructor, Julie Prichard, uses to paint. A lot of the techniques used in her class require gravity, and working on the plain counter just wouldn’t do. It also lets me work on canvases, art journals, AND loose pages, since it’s not an open easel. Sweet! Isn’t it pretty? *Now* I’m ready to get started!
There aren’t many certainties in life, but I do know one thing: I am a lifelong learner who will always be looking for new and interesting things to discover. I love being a student, especially when the content is fascinating and the teachers are so much fun! Finally, some of the courses that I’ve been waiting for are about to start.
Everyone Can Write a Little with Cathy Zielske: Cathy is all about design and being able to share “your story” in a simple and visually-pleasing way. She is freaking hilarious and I loved taking her ‘Design Your Life’ class last fall. This class fits in with my lack of time to write long journaling about everything in my life. We will be taking little snippets of information (that have already been written in places like facebook and twitter) and using them in our pages. I really like the idea that all the information that I post about will not in vain. It can actually be used in an album about Adrienne’s milestones, or my first year as a mother, etc. things that I haven’t had a chance to officially document on paper.
Layer Love with Julie Prichard: I haven’t taken a course with Julie before but I love her work. I suspect that this class will be the polar opposite to the above class, as it is about making grungy layered backgrounds and getting your hands messy. The combination of all the upcoming courses are a perfect match for my split personality of creativity. I’m also excited that Julie will be making use of video as a main part of the course. I love watching an instructor at work instead of just reading about the steps that they’re taking. I actually learn best when I watch the video, try it myself, then watch it again to see if I can pick up anything that I might have missed or can do better. I’ve ordered everything I need for the course, and am raring to go!
Art Journaling 201 with Dina Wakley: I have been waiting SO long for Dina to start this one. I took her Art Journaling 101 and 102 classes and she blew me away with every PDF and video. Seriously! She makes everything look so easy and effortless. She can make a journal page or a scrapbook layout in front of your eyes, and you won’t know what hit you. She’s very detailed in her videos and can answer any and all questions posed to her on the forums. It will be a sad day for me when she decides to take the previous class videos down from the website. I’m that addicted to them! This course doesn’t start until the end of June, but I’ll be ready! I’ll be in Canada for most of it, which means I might not be able to do all the assignments until I can get back to all of my tools and paints. Luckily, I will be able to easily pick up an missing products before I head back to Sweden.
A lot of people might think I’m insane to take on so many classes while trying to juggle an almost one-year-old. They must wonder if I don’t have time to do long strings of journaling, how can I find time to tweet or write facebook updates. But believe me, there is a BIG difference. I can check my online accounts very quickly with the help of my iPhone on busses, in the dark during naptime, and odd moments here and there throughout the day. I really can’t say that about keeping my mind on the same thought for longer three minutes. Even writing this post, I’ve had to put Adrienne back to sleep two times!
Plus, I live in Sweden where we have, at least, a full year off for maternity leave. If I wasn’t able to focus on something other than my beautiful and wonderful daughter, I think I would have gone insane by now! I’m trying to fit everything in before going back to work in the fall. When that happens, I know I won’t have time for more online courses. That thought makes me very sad.
“Learn something new. Try something different. Convince yourself that you have no limits.” -Brian Tracey
After selling some craft and baby things, I’ve been using the extra cash to purchase some of the items that have been on my wishlist for quite some time. I have signed up for 3 more courses and have finally purchased a few yards of Amy Butler fabric. Take a look, it’s gorgeous! It’s going to make the sweetest toddler dresses! To see more of my daughter’s future wardrobe, check out the most recent entry on her blog. 
Now, I’m looking around to see what else I can sell so I can keep buying the rest of the stuff on my wishlist!
Two things that I’ve really been searching for lately and hoping to get my hands on are: The Concentric Circle stamp (by Studiowerx) and Amy Butler fabric (and paper) especially the Lotus line.
photo by: Christina Lazar-Schuler
I know the former will be the most difficult to get my hands on as Studiowerx have discontinued their rubber stamp line. Very sad news, indeed, but what makes up for it is that I came across some instructional videos that Christine (the owner) did on image transfers using inkjet transparencies. She makes it look so easy! If she ever does her “Art of Transference” online course again, I am SO signing up. Take a look what she does with fabric:
I bought some canvas, for this very purpose, during my last trip home to Canada, but have hesitated because I thought it would be too difficult. Now, I just need to add Apollo inkjet transparencies to my wish list, and remember to order some Kroma acrylic medium next time I’m home, and I’m all set. I want to try it now! Her videos are excellent! She explains everything so clearly and definitely makes it so much better than reading about transfer techniques.
As for finding the stamp, I think I will have to continue searching. In the meantime, I might have to think about making a digital brush of similar circles. It’s a shame, because I would really like to have that design in a stamp format.
Edited to add: I just realized that registration for the “Art of Transference” course is ongoing and self-paced, just the way I like it! I need to get myself signed up!