creativitE by Erin Bassett

Art Journal Swapping!

A bunch of Instagram friends and I are swapping art journals this year and like always I procrastinated until almost the last day before I got started working on it LOL.  The good news is that I'm done and it's on it's way to the next friend.

Here's the page I did in Pia's art journal...

Here's a closer view of those sea horses...
I wasn't quite sure what type of eye they have so I winged it.  ;)

For the lettering side of the layout I hand wrote "peace" and stamped the rest.  It reads: PEACE: It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be there in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

If you want to see what others in the group have created so far, search "#fjswap" on Instagram.  I will keep posting about the pages I make here and when I get my art journal back I will definitely post about it!! So excited!!

A New Art Journal Page {with video!}

When I sent out a survey to my email subscribers recently they overwhelmingly said that they wanted more videos...so your wish is granted.  I'm going to try to film as I work and share those with you along with other technique videos.  Please give me feedback!  Do you want the whooooooole thing like I did with the video below? Or do you prefer it to be shorter in length, with minor parts that are chopped out?  I'm thinking of not talking so much too...maybe no talking, but add in visual notes? Is there any other kind suggestions and preferences you have?  -Speak, I'm listening.  :)

Ok, here's the finished page...

I came across that quote online and just had to use it!  I also used the new Detailz Doilies dies with nice, thick Letterpress paper for each of the flower centers because the cool thing with these dies is that when you run it through your die-cut machine they get cut out and embossed at the same time. Love that! It works really good with the Letterpress paper, but you can use cardstock or patterned paper too, you just need to change up the "sandwich" your layer up before running it through the machine, here's how.

The markers I used are Faber-Castell PITT^® Artist Pen and Stamper’s Big Brush Pens. They are great to use directly onto the page or you can use them as a watercolor...both of which you'll see in the video.  And I also used some Dylusions and Adirondack spray inks.

Speaking of videos...here it is...don't forget to give me some feedback!  Thanks!

 

A Few Reminders....

• There's still time to get in on this book giveaway!
• You, yes you, get 20% off your ENTIRE order at lifestylecrafts.com when you use coupon code "ERIN"! So stock up!!

 

Sponsors: Lifestyle Crafts, Faber-Castell

My Sanity Keeper: Art Journaling

Things have been very crazy around here lately, from finding out that our 11 yr old Golden Retriever's crucible ligament has snapped and needs surgery...to trying to decide what to do about where to live (they are raising our rent a crazy amount) there are times when I'm barely keeping it all together.

Enter art journaling.  Well, God first, then art journaling.  ;)

I really should get better at posting what I create, but for the most part I'm busy in the making and doing and either forget to take a photo or I'm laying in bed at night thinking that I should have done so and am just too tired to do it!

Well, today I'm doing it...albeit late!  I made this art journal, my "For The Love Of Art" art journal, a couple of weeks ago for the Little Yellow Bicycle blog, you can read the post HERE.

They had sent me their new Naturals collection of products to work with which was really fun! Here's the cover...

And the rest of the pages {click on photos to enlarge them}, I used some of the collection of quotes I have saved...

Well that's it so far...I'll post about the art journaling swap I'm doing soon!! Fun, fun!

 

Also, in case you haven't heard, it's not too late to join us at 21 Secrets of Art Journling! It's a great community of people learning more art journaling and mixed media techniques online in the comfort of home.  Hope to see you there!!

A Sneak Peek...

Here's a few of the fabrics I've been working on creating lately.  I can't wait to use them in my online workshop at 21 Secrets of Art Journaling!  I'll be teaching about using mixed media techniques on fabrics and other accessories so you can wear your art.  So fun!  {Click HERE for more info.)

Also in other news, have you seen the brand new hope{full} line from Lisa Leonard Designs?

Each piece from the hope{full} collection is fair trade and sustainable, giving work to Ecuadorian women and building families and communities. Additionally, with the sale of each piece from the hope{full} collection, Lisa Leonard Designs will donate a portion of the proceeds back to Jungle Kids. Each piece sold will buy a school lunch for a child in need!

There are beautiful scarves, bracelets, earrings and necklaces...I'm seriously in L.O.V.E!! 

Fabric Painting & Crochet Headbands

While I may not be posting a lot right now, it doesn't mean I haven't been creating a lot. I've been working on a lot of surface designs for my Altered Art Attire online workshop (aka: using mixed media on fabric to make accessories & other fun stuff) and also I've been crocheting up a storm at night when I can.

If you're curious about my workshop (or the rest of my life) you can follow me on Instagram for a peeks at some of what I'm up to like this piece of fabric I started creating...

 

So here are some quick headbands I made using the Jenna Headband pattern.  

 

Yarn used: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice "Purple Mist"

Yarn used: Loops & Threads Impeccable Yarn "Grass"

 

I love that there's room for a button at the end...in fact, on the green one I ended up making it a wee bit too long because I was too lazy to get up and grab a ruler and so I added two buttons, and now it's adjustable!

 

Making Gift Bows!

 

I've been making some bows with the NEW Notty Gift Set dies.  They are so easy to put together and you can customize them with whatever paper you want.

There's actually four bows in the set, but one three of them were available when I created this blog post....see all the bows here.

 

I made a quick video of how the most of the bows go together (I'm missing one), so you can watch that below, or here's a FREE handout to help you assemble them.

And like always, you get 20% off your entire order at lifestylecrafts.com when you use coupon code "ERIN".

Also, the holiday issue of Make It magazine is available here, or check it out below...and it's FREE!!!  There's so many great projects in there!!

Open publication - Free publishing - More card making

 

sponsor: Lifestyle Crafts

Jazz up your coffee sleeve!

Today's the day I finish up my term on the Faber-Castell guest design team. (Boo-hoo!) I have a blog post up over there with a tutorial on how I upcycled this Starbucks coffee sleeve and altered it to be a bit more artsy!

It was pretty quick to make since they are so small, but I think it really has a big impact! 

Now I'll always know which coffee is mine.  :)

In other news, guess where I am right now?  Inspiration Unlimited!  I can't wait to tell you all about it next week when I'm home.  It's always so fun to see everyone again...it's kind of like a reunion LOL.  And there's always great projects there too.  So fun!

Also, tomorrow is the last day to enter to win this True Scrap 4 prize...so go enter to win if you haven't already!

 

Sponsor: Faber-Castell

Mixed Media Giveaway!

First of all, I've gone and done it again!  More doodling that is.  :)

I just can't help myself! For details on how this art journal page (which turned into some wall decor) was made check out the Faber-Castell blog.

 

Now, for some exciting news!!!  

Faber-Castell, Fiskars, and myself have teamed up to do an awesome giveaway!!  Check out what's in this prize package:

* $50 worth of Faber-Castell Mixed Media Aquarelles and Ink Kits

* Fiskars SureCut Delux Craft Paper Trimmer & replacement blades

* Mixed Media fun kit....includes at least 2 bottles of Glimmer Mist, various scrapbooking papers and embellishments, ephemera, and a lot of other goodies! (I'm clearing out my new & unused products & you get the best of it!)

 

 

To enter:

    - Go check out the True Scrap 4 classes and comment below on what class you are most excited about. One random winner will be chosen on 9/19/2012 and promptly emailed.

 Comments have been closed & a winner has been choosen & notified.

Disclaimer: Faber-Castell, Fiskars, Tattered Angels and other companies are providing some of the products for this promotion at no cost to me.  Prize fulfillment will be done by Faber-Castell and myself.  I will provide the sponsors with the winner's name, postal address, and email address.  I have received a review copy of these products and other compensation.

Making Snazzy Pencils For Back-To-School

 

With it being back-to-school time already I got to thinking about how much I love a good, standard, old-school  pencil! And I like them even more when they look cool, so I embellished mine!  I shared how I did it over on the Faber-Castell blog, so go check it out! They would be awesome to make with your kid's name on them!

 

 

 

Also, I wanted to give you a head's up that True Scrap 4 will be taking October 19 - 20 online.  Get on the mailing list now so you'll know when more info is available! 

 

 Sponsor: Faber-Castell

My heart is so thankful!

I have a tutorial up on the Faber-Castell blog that is inspired by my 6 year old niece. She stayed with  us for a good chunk on the summer and we did a lot of kids art projects together...most with hearts and girly colors. I'm so thankful for that time together! Head on over to their blog to see how I made this.  

 

 

We had such a great time together!