Smashbook Tuesday

I should really think of more creative titles for these entries. Oh well. 


I was going to do a smash book page today using photos from recent nights out but unfortunately I bought the wrong printer ink cartridge. So frustrating. I'll have to go to Staples tomorrow and hope they have the one I need.  I hate going to Staples because they keep all the printer ink behind the counter. Then you have to ask the associate to get it for you and even if you have the exact name and number, it still takes them forever to find it.  I don't really like going to any store where I need to ask an associate for help. I know that's what they are there for, but I'd rather they left me alone.  Possibly snobby or possibly I hate awkwardly talking to strangers. 


Anyway, instead I did a page using an ad I ripped out of a magazine a few weeks ago. I loved the little boy in this ad with Muhammad Ali. I hate that the ad is for Louis Vuitton. I'm sure all boxers come into the ring with a Louis bag.  Actually, that wouldn't really surprise me. 


The picture is dark, all attempts to lighten it were made in vain. I promise I'm going to get better at taking pictures of my pages. It's on my list of things. 

New Orleans Album Finished!!

I finally finished my New Orleans album tonight and right on schedule! I like when I finish things..it's even better when it's on schedule.  Also good news, the "I put the screw in the tuna" episode of the excellent 90s show "Kenan and Kel".  It makes my night complete. 


I actually finished this page in less than 15 minutes. I think I just wanted to finish the album so bad, I sort of gave up on the last page. At the same time, I actually quite like it.  I don't think I'm going to start my Alaska album until after my mixed media class next week.  I really wanted to include more collaging in that scrapbook to make it more like an art journal scrapbook.  


This week,  I sort of want to focus on learning my sewing machine. It's been a long time since I used one. I'll be updating about my progress as the week goes on - get excited!


Anyway, as promised, here is the final New Orleans page, sorry for the blur:

Happy 4th!!

Happy fourth of July!!  I'm beaching it for the rest of the week at my parents house so there will be no new crafting going on this week.  That's ok there! Plenty of inspiration to be found while being lazy on the beach.  I downloaded an application onto my Mac called Day Map where I can organize my scrapbook/craft projects and write down my daily to do lists.  I'm going to take my mom's sewing machine back with me so I can finally learn to quilt. I'm also gathering magazines here for my mixed media class. 

Hope everyone has a happy and healthy independence day!!

One More Page Left for New Orleans

I keep forgetting what day it is, this weekend flew by.  It's so hot too it's gross. I think I'm going to be able to finish my New Orleans album tonight! Woot.  I only have one more page to do. 


I actually like the page I did this afternoon.  I feel like the pages in this album keep improving.       I don't really have anything else to write about so on to the page. 


I found a good spot in my apartment to take pictures of the pages so I don't get my arm shadow across the pic. 

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. 

Must.Finish.New.Orleans.

I feel like I'm moving faster on this New Orleans album because of my new computer. Did I mention I, a lifelong PC user, bought my first Mac? I believe I did. It was one of the best decisions I ever made - up there with Lasik surgery and the Bugles I bought as an afternoon snack last week.   


Scanning my layouts lately hasn't been too successful so tonight I decided to take a picture of my layout on my cell phone. I actually think it worked out better than when I scan or even take pictures with the fancy camera.  The lighting in my apartment is the only problem.  It's so yellow in here sometimes I walk out of the house and realize my outfit is completely mismatched.  Today for example, I really thought my dress was black but when I walked out it was totally navy..and not a super dark-almost-look-black-navy, a real obvious navy.  I can't complain though, I'm one of my only friends I know that actually has overhead lights in NYC. 


Anyway, on to the scrapbook pages - that's what you are here for after all (if you are here at a ll? hello? anybody out there?).  I actually really like this page. At first I wasn't sure if it was looking too sparse, but I think I am satisfied. I organized all my scrapbook paper last night and realized I had two giant stacks of this odd light blue color so I better start using it.  The dark shadow over the page is my arm. I'm still new at these new fangled cell phone cameras. 

Back from Alaska and Contemplating New Crafts And Ideas

Back from Alaska!!  The trip was fantastic.  I've never been on such an adventurous vacation before - biking, hiking, white water rafting, boat tours, bus tours and bears!  I actually was smart on this vacation and bought scrapbooking materials in Alaska. It's so hard to find a lot of travel materials for specific places in Michael's.  I got an Alaska photo album binder that I'm going to turn into a scrapbook. I also got a bunch of Alaska themed stickers. I get so excited about stickers, maybe too excited?


One of the things I loved about Alaska was all the artisans and small craft stores. Sure we have craft stores and artists in New York but its not the same. It's too expensive and commercialized.  Sure, you can find some really interesting artists at our craft and street fairs, but most people go to those for the funnel cake and curly fries.  Alaska inspired me to start trying new crafts.  Two crafts I've always wanted to get good at are quilting and art journals/book binding.  We went to a few fabric stores and I bought two small quilting kits to get started.  Actually get started this time, not just stare at.  


Anyway, before the new crafts and Alaska book get started, I need to finish this New Orleans album.  I don't have very many pictures left so I think I can finish within the next week. That's the plan anyway. 


Here is a bit of a page I did before vacation: