I can collage too!

Last night I took the Mixed Media and Collage class. It was so much fun!  Good timing too because the teacher is moving to Montreal so it was the last time they were going to run the class.   


I've always loved mixed media art but I never understood how people did it. My collages always turn out wrinkly and peeling.  This class taught us about photo transfers - super cool. Matte Media transfers - also super cool.  Dry media, wet media and basic collage. They taught us how to glue elements down without too many wrinkles and what type of paper won't curl too much.  Now I just need to figure out where to get all the supplies -although most of them are highly flammable so maybe my apartment is not the best area for it. 


I scanned in some of the images we made in class.  I didn't expect to bring home a fantastic collage after a 3 hour class, but I am satisfied with how silly and neat these are.  I hung them on my fridge because i wasn't sure what else to do with them. 


Collage 1: Matte Media Transfer

Collage 2: Paint, Collage, Photo Transfer, Pastels, Stamps

Collage 3: Paint, Collage, Photo Transfer, Stamps

I'm going to read some of my collage books I've been saving now that i know how to do some of the techniques...and maybe look up even more classes I can take.  

Moving Closer to New Craft Goals

It's disgustingly hot out this weekend - 95+.  I don't have air conditioning in my apartment, so it's not pleasant.  There are a handful of days that I actually wish I had air conditioning, that's the reason I didn't feel it was necessary to pay for it.  I did a lot of cooling activities - walked around the Duane Reade, hung out in Best Buy, hung out in Starbucks, got an iced drink, bought ice cream, took cold shower, etc.  The best activity is just sitting on my couch with two fans pointed at me and not moving.  Usually I retreat to my parents house on the beach but unfortunately I had some birthday events to attend this weekend.  I'll be there soon enough for 4th of July. 


Speaking of sitting on my couch, today I watched two documentaries I checked out at the library (I love love love the library).  One has no relevance to this blog at all because it was about food stamps, but it was pretty interesting. The other was about art quilting.  I mentioned one of my goals is to finally start quilting and this PBS special made me want to start even more.  Some of the quilters used unconventional materials like candy wrappers, paper, or construction fencing.  Others used the art of fusing to make quilt designs.  It was so fascinating.  I need to learn basic, traditional quilting first of course.  I don't currently own a sewing machine. I'm also not so good at learning things on my own, so I'm going to look into quilting classes in the city.  


Speaking of classes, I signed up today for a mixed media - collage and assembly beginners class.  It's a one day class and was pretty affordable. The only downside was that it was in Brooklyn but I feel that is kind of inevitable. All the good craft/art classes are in Brooklyn. There is a bigger artist community there.  I am excited to take it. Collaging has always been one of my favorite types of art. It's the reason I became interested in scrapbooking after a brief run with decoupage.  I feel like a class would really enhance my knowledge and skills.  I'm excited for it. It's not for a few weeks. 


I think this is the longest entry I've ever written in this blog.  I did work on my smash book as well.  I made a page with a movie stub (men in black 3, surprisingly good), the cover of my apple manual, and a great quote I found on Facebook.  The other side is another "girl crush" page, this time with Emma Stone.  I read an interview with her in New York magazine and fell even more in love with her.  Still need to find a way to take the photos without the dark shadow of my arm looming over them. 

Color Me Fun

My hands are covered in crayon and killing me.  No, I did not just play a game of tug o' war with a three year old, I just colored in a page from a coloring book...or a coloring book clip art page as I do not own a coloring book (wish I did).

As I've written about in previous entries (if you are a loyal reader..if not.welcome! I'm excited to have more than 1) I've been lacking for creative inspiration.  I own a book called The Crafter's Devotional by Barbara Call.  It's pretty awesome and it gives me a lot of inspirational ideas when I'm fresh out.  One of it's suggestions for overcoming creative block is to color with crayons.

So, I went online and found a website that allows me to print out a coloring page (clipartandcrafts.com). I printed out some celtic circles.  Luckily, because I'm sort of a weirdo, I still have crayons in a ziplock bag from when I was little...and I for some reason brought them when I moved into my new apartment.   Coloring is actually very calming.  When I was little my mom used to take me to all the PTA meetings and concerts, etc for my older brothers and all she had to do was give me a piece of paper and a crayon...I never said a word or complained. Sat quietly drawing and coloring for hours. That's exactly what I did tonight.  I colored for hours and hours. 

Here is the blank page:

And here is my completed creation:

Enough being creative for tonight....definitely time for bed!