Most items on my wishlist lately are articles of kids’ clothing. Adrienne’s a lot of fun to buy for! I won’t add those here, but I will mention a few things that I would like purchase or have recently purchased in April. Something that I’ve been looking forward to is a special issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors on art studios and spaces. I love seeing how other people have organized their creative spaces and am getting ideas on how I can better arrange my stuff. I finally found a copy yesterday and have been pouring over each page even since. It’s inspiring me to show more of my craft space, so stay tuned for that. I might get the chance to even make a video of it tomorrow, if everything goes according to plan.

Speaking of magazines, I really would love to get my hands on the first issue of Stampington’s Art Journaling magazine. They have long since sold out and are working on the next issue. The new one is coming out in September, so watch for that in an upcoming wishlist entry! My loving mother bought me the issue of their Artful Blogging magazine that features Dina Wakley. I love her work and didn’t want to miss it. So, it’s waiting for me in Canada. I love my mom!

Another item that I’ve been wanting is a large scalloped circle punch. They never seem to be the right size whenever I see them in the store. Now that I think I’ve found the right size, it’s just a matter of ordering it.

I’m also excited to see Kelly Rae Roberts’ new website. I wouldn’t mind her book “Taking Flight” either, but now I’m just getting greedy!

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!

Maybe it’s the fact that Spring is on the way, or that the end of my maternity leave is rapidly approaching, but for some reason I’m starting to feel super motivated. So much so that I’ve just signed up for some of courses.

First, I will be spending the next 10 weeks, with some other English-speaking mommies, brushing up on my Swedish skills. It will only be once a week, but it will help me feel more confident while speaking. This will be a great opportunity to practice without feeling as self-conscious as I do when I’m with native speakers. Plus, Adrienne can come along and maybe pick up a few words!

The other course that I just signed up for is learning about creating art journals. I can’t wait! Years ago, I made altered books but seemed to have switched more into scrapbooking. Hopefully, this will help me merge back into the messier side of creativity. I feel so inspired by the instructor and also by the other students. The overall message of the course is to go with the flow, make mistakes work and have fun! I’ve been collecting the required supplies for the past few days and only have a couple left to get. They are things that I can’t seem to find in Sweden, so I’ll have to get them sent from Canada or the States. More about that course later!

I’m also finishing up the “Design Your Life” course with Cathy Zielske. It officially ended on Christmas day but my trip to Canada made me fall behind on the assignments. I still have all the videos and handouts to work with, so it should be no problem finishing it. I have learned so much about design from that course, so far, I feel like going back and redoing all of my scrapbook pages.

It’s so fun being the student for a change!