Mina

Based on the ATC stuff I’ve been getting ready for Mina’s Cottage Challenges @ DigiScrapStation and other stuff.

Oooohhh! Feel myself veering off in another direction. Found a really inspirational site by Milliande and joined her Creativity Club for Women. Here you make art from the Heart & Soul, explore Mixed Media Arts in a really nurturing environment. You go on “Artist Dates’ with yourself - these are bite sized art lessons you can do at any time. My art gears are packed up in another town, so I’ve just been doing what I can and adapting other things with the computer as best I can. Its a great place to learn in & try new things.

Subgroups include ‘The Closet Sketchers’ for those who wish they could draw, ‘The Letter Lovers’ for calligraphic type things, ‘The Art Journalers’ among other things. Still finding my way about, lots of good stuff there.

All for now, Mina

It’s been a wee while since I offered something, so got this template for you:

As per usual, click the pic to go get yours.

Have a nice day ok? All for now, Mina

Really trying to make a concerted effort to do layouts this year. So far, so good, but we’ll see how it goes as the year goes by. Hope I can keep up with stuff. If not it’ll be just too bad.

I printed out a brag book for my mate & my daughter and they were SO chuffed! I’ll be making more of them for sure.

All for now, Mina

This one is for those that like the art journal style, those who want a more artsy look and those that just want to try something new. There are different ways to turn your photos into sketches, this is one of them. (Photoshop & Corel).  I tried it and loved it. This is what I came up with:

Once you’ve got it to this stage (very easy), print out and colour or paint. Get the kids/grandkids to do it. Just have fun. Cut and paste to your journal/scrapbook/anything. Maybe you like it as is. I played about a bit in Photoshop:

Don’t know what I’ll do with it, but it is definitely a technique I’ll be using in the future. If you try this, please let me know how you went.

All for now, Mina

The ‘arty’ side of scrapbooking is beginning to emerge with people wondering how to achieve collage and art styles digitally. Scrapbookers have ‘begun’ to achieve this look with the popularity of the grunge, Victorian and heritage styles. I encourage people from both camps to try the other. There is lots to gain by learning something new. Here are some digital ATCs I’ve been working on:

There is a ‘kind’ sort of artmaking that is soulful and is about self expression and making art for yourself with no judgement. Its about exploring ways of artmaking. Do you have to be able to draw? No. Do you have to have all the bells and whistles - fancy paints & the latest pens? No.

Here are some ATCs backgrounds for you to download and work your magic on. If they are well recieved, I’ll be doing more. They are without dropshadows. Click the pic to go get yours. I would love to see what you make!

The single pic is so you can see the detail:

Have a good day and cuddle someone you love.

All for now, Mina

Got a nice write up in the Maori In Oz Panui 8th Edition for The Corner - thank you darlings! AND you’re welcome! Latest layouts:

made with mini-kit ‘The Brightness of My Dreams’ by July Designs

Sometimes you look at your kids and wonder ‘What are they thinking?’ As they get older you know they have secrets and they’ll probably tell you of them when they’re grown. This layout is from a Mother’s perspective.

Bkg paper ‘Waiting to Happen’ kit by mglscraps. My favourite pic of the boy.

All for now, Mina

I hope you’ll join me on this one! We’ll be building an ATC (Artist Trading Card) over a number of weeks. (In the hope there is more participation). These babies are 2 and a half inches by 3 and a half inches when finished. The small format means they can be quite quick to achieve.

ATCs are meant to be traded, not sold so you can dedicate your finished card to someone.

This is the posting gift (needed for next week). Click the pic for more info.

All for now, Mina

I was contacted by Heather of Kreative Kiwi Embroidery of Christchurch, New Zealand, for some Maori designs. She’s stitched them up and they look too gorgeous! Here are a few of the blanks:

You can click on the pic to go see them in action. I always like to hear from other Kiwis, so was absolutely chuffed for her contact. You can go see Heather here and see what she has to offer, some unique Kiwi stuff here:

Response has been positive, so I’m working on another set.

All for now, Mina

Here’s a QP for the Journal Series:

Click on it to go grab yours.

All for now, Mina