30 Journals in 30 Days Overdrive

My friend Connie, at Dirty Footprints Studio, has spent the whole month bringing us interviews of 30 great Art Journal artists. I was so happy learning so much from so many great artists - but then she extended the offer to everyone!

So....here's my self-interview!!

--How long have you been Art Journaling?

Less than a year! I stumbled upon art journaling in a bookstore, and picked up Diana Trout's Journal Spilling book. I was hooked immediately!

I have been a scrapbooker since 1996, and stamper for a long time; but this was the crown jewel for me. I absolutely love a craft that can incorporate any style AND accept our mental clearinghouse of issues. It's so very cleansing!! We've known this intrinsically since we were children, but we abandoned it when we left school as part of our childhood. NOT SO.

--How has Art Journaling impacted, changed, or enhanced your life?

It's been amazing. We just went through a rough period and a lot of change in our lives, and art journaling helped me get through all the stress and change. It also has allowed me to meet some wonderful people who have enriched my life! I really believe art journaling is great therapy, and a LOT cheaper than a therapist!

--What are a few of your favorite Art Journaling materials to use?

Wow...I love so many things! Probably my top two are Ranger distress inks and modeling paste. I'm a very textural journaler, so I love to incorporate "touchables". I'm also moving into the realm of needle felting, so I anticipate incorporating that medium soon. I also love bringing in other aspects of my life of crafting like beading, sewing, stamping, embossing (dry and heat), and fabric to the art journal. I also take requests. If you're wanting to do something, but you're unsure how, ask me to do it for you!!

--Who are some of your favorite Art Journalers?

There are so many! I hate to list them because I know I will miss somebody who is very important, just not in my head at the moment. I first learned about Art Journaling from Diana Trout's book, Journal Spilling. I began my adult crafting life as a scrapbooker, but I have moved far beyond that craft. Here is a partial list:


Diana Trout, Effy Wild, Samantha Kira, Jonathan (Blade), Deina, Paula, Juriaan, Connie, Willowing (Tam), Milliande, Natalie Malik, Kerri Love, Danny Gregory and so many more!

--What kind words of encouragement would you say to an Art Journal newbie?

There is no "wrong" in this sport! Dive in, immerse yourself. Play. Experiment. Lose all fear and just be. You are your worst judge and critic, so divorce yourself from your inner critic. Let the critic worry about the dishes.


Me? I actually shot my critic. He doesn't even get to comment on my lack of household management!

--Where can we contact you...give us some link LOVE!!

My primary blog: http://bunnynest.blogspot.com/
My recipe blog: http://scrapsrecipes.blogspot.com/
My design teams: Oh Alice!, All Things Unity
My Flickr: Scrapacat
Twitter: Scrapacat
Facebook: Kyra Sanders (or Scrapacat)
Various Ning's - Scrapacat
Running around any given local track or road.

--Short Bio.

Kyra is a retired wildlife biologist, federal enforcement agent, and wildland firefighter who has lived all around the US. She enjoys caring for her squad of rescued animals, crafting arts, photography and reading. A past semi-professional bowler, she enjoys almost every sport and has played many of them. She also runs, despite her disability. She is an advocate for self-health management, great home cooking, and auto-immune disease education.

CHAPTER 24: Windows and Broken Glass...

`Now tell me, Pat, what's that in the window?'


`Sure, it's an arm, yer honour!' (He pronounced it `arrum.')


`An arm, you goose! Who ever saw one that size? Why, it fills the whole window!'


`Sure, it does, yer honour: but it's an arm for all that.'


`Well, it's got no business there, at any rate: go and take it away!'


There was a long silence after this, and Alice could only hear whispers now and then; such as, `Sure, I don't like it, yer honour, at all, at all!' `Do as I tell you, you coward!' and at last she spread out her hand again, and made another snatch in the air. This time there were TWO little shrieks, and more sounds of broken glass. `What a number of cucumber-frames there must be!' thought Alice. `I wonder what they'll do next! As for pulling me out of the window, I only wish they COULD! I'm sure I don't want to stay in here any longer!'

Hello friends...it's CRYSTAL CLEAR that today you're all joining us for a fabulous challenge here at Oh, Alice! We have all sorts of lovely techniques for you to try today!

Your mission today with Oh, Alice, should you choose to accept it, is to try a technique using cracked glass, crystal effects (or glossy accents), or a window stamp/technique. There are TONS of possibilities with today's challenge and we are SO ready to see all of the fabulous creations you enter!

Be sure to link your project to the Oh Alice blog so we can leave you some LOVE!!

Ta for now - CHA pictures coming and an announcement!

~ky

Baby Now!!

We have so much going on this week!!

FIRST!!

We’d love to welcome

Savannah O’Gwynn to the team.

She’s amazing in her talent and we’re go glad she’s joining us.

SECOND!!

Have you thought about wanting to join us?

Would you like to be a Guest Designer?

All you have to do is play along with us this week.

Post your creation and we’ll choose a Guest Designer.

Can’t wait to see what everyone creates.

Wanna know the challenge?

Elizabeth, one of our fellow addict’s let us use one of her sketches.

 
So, here's my stab at the sketch. I hope you like it. I used several different pieces of Unity. One of my favorite things about Unity is how nicely all the sets play together!
 

(click to enlarge)

And a different view:

This was made using Basic Grey papers, some distress inks, a little bling, some distressing and a little copper embossing powder. Love this! Hard to read the sentiment - it's You Give Me Happy Butterflies!

Now - go find your Unity and stamp it out! Don't forget to link your project up at All Things Unity's blog!

Ta for now, ~ky

CHAPTER 22: Dancing under the Sea...

"Will you walk a little faster?" said the whiting to the snail;
"There's a porpoise right behind us and he's treading on my tail!
See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!
They are waiting on the shingle, will you come and join the dance?
Will you, won't you, will you, won't you-WILL you join the dance?"

Hello everyone! Greetings from here in Wonderland...or maybe today it's UNDERland? As in Under the Sea, perhaps ;)So, today's challenge involves all things sea-worthy and we at Oh, Alice are challenging YOU to create a card or project using sea life! Turtles, whales, dolphins are fabulous as are other sea creatures as in merfolk and those deep, dark creatures you sometimes hear about but seldom see.... the possibilities are as endless as the ocean itself!

We also have a FUN prize for you this week! One lucky winner will receive a Sweet Pea Rubber Stamp courtesy of Oh, Alice! These stamps are large and BEAUTIFULLY detailed and we just happened to have one 'swimmin' around!' Will YOU be the lucky winner? ;)


Here is my sample. She's comprised of a lot of technical work, bundled into a very small size. I really used my gem-viewing glasses for this:

I used Ching-Chou Kuik's Silk Dance stamp. I started with Ranger Distress inks, and stamped my Silk Dance over it. Then I filled in the areas of the mermaid with titanium white acrylic paint. I highlighted areas with Smooch, gold. Here's a little different shot:

When you use Copic markers over acrylic paints, it takes a lot longer to dry. There's lots of time to "push" ink around, so it can look like watercolors when you wiggle markers or dot them along. I loved experimenting and learning with my adorable Sweet Pea stamps! This is an Artist Trading Card, 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

Be sure to upload your card or creation on the Oh Alice! challenge blog! You have until Friday, July 23rd at 8pm CST to enter the challenge, so have fun and we'll see you back next week! Enter your submission to be considered for the prize! If you are uploading to a public gallery, be sure to include keyword OAC22. Thanks and enjoy the summer, sun, and sea!

Ta for now! ~ky