My design teams vanished, but I must admit I was ready for the break. Ever since I started crafting, I have been on at least one design team. I was working full time and still had one child at home. I just knew that when I retired, I'd want design team work to be my "new job". Retirement afforded me freedom from responsibility and deadlines, and I soon realized I wanted that in crafting too. I decided to stop being on design teams when 2016 rolled around. Little did I know the stars were aligned because the design teams also were disbanding in 2016. (Admittedly, two pretty much had disbanded in 2015.)
My craft room became a disaster. Definition of "room": the entire basement. Everywhere I have piles of unfinished projects. My goal for 2016 is to finish those projects. They are personal projects which is why they always were on the back burner while design team projects met their deadlines.
My artistic style floundered. With many family commitments, I found myself creating in comfort--mostly papercrafting that was familiar and therefore easy to get done. I did try a couple new things. I took a Finnebair class to learn her techniques and style. I watched some Carolyn Dube You Tube videos while experimenting with the Gelli Plate. Other than that, I bought products but didn't try them out.
2016 is my break out year. I'm breaking out those half-done projects. I'm breaking out those unopened products. I'm refilling the Copic markers that dried out from years of unuse. I'm breaking away from craft crap that has collected over the years but never gets used. I'm participating in a year-long mixed media class to help me break out from my comfort zone.
Free from Design Team Deadlines, here's what I'm attempting in 2016 (all of these being in the no pressure, if nothing else going on category):
Wanderlust year-long on-line mixed media class
Vera Lane Studios FaceBook group- (playing with her digital images)
Complete the unfinished personal projects
Coffee Loving Papercrafters Blog Hops
40 Bags in 40 Days (decrapifying the craft room)
Digital scrapbooking
We're in Week One of Wanderlust.
We're encouraged to keep an art journal. We'll be provided 2 prompts per month. Here is my first attempt. I think it would have been easier to do one page instead of a 2 page spread. I need to get away from thinking I need to "make a scene". I will work on abstract backgrounds. I did enjoy the doodling and scribbling so maybe there's hope for me yet.
The word "free" denotes my freedom from design team deadlines in order to pursue my craft. I found it ironic that when I finished, it looked like a "flower child" from the 60's/70's when the word "free" had another meaning. A fluke because I was experimenting with gesso and sprays on textured flowers which also seemed like a good place for the fairy to stand.
The fairy is a digital stamp from Vera Lane Studio (which I digitally colored before placing on the page).
I'm going to enter this in the STAMPlorations ARTplorations Mixed Media January challenge HERE. You must use a stencil. I used one from the Crafter's Workshop to make those black rectangles with texture paste and the Dylusions stencil for the trees. I also used several of the background stamps from the STAMPlorations Mixed Media Grunge set.
6 comments:
I completely relate- I had a year off crafting last year- well blogging and creating to deadlines- great to be free and enjoy creating from your heart! Heres wishing you a fab 2016! Debi x
Hi Helene...
It sounds like 2016 is going to be a good year for you. Have fun testing new products and techniques...it keeps the crafting mojo flowing. I love the journal page you created with the Vera Lane digital stamp. Keep up the good work...
Love this layout you are sharing! So very happy to see you playing for you. Your 2016 is off to an amazing start. I love the whimsical image and brilliant colors. The stencil details are a fine touch. Thanks so much for sharing at STAMPlorations Mixed Media Challenge. Looking forward to seeing more of your journey!
~kim
Hi Helen, long tme no talk to. LOL Its Carla Oliveira (NOW DINE) but Im back into the paper crafting and updating my blog etc, checking in on old time paper crafting friends and just wanted to say HI!
Helene!
Absolutely does look like a flower child! Wonderful!! I will look you up n Wanderlust and friend you!
Very happy to be sharing journey together.
As for your first journal spread here- Free is a perfect word to have chosen! After reading your post, I was exhausted for you!
Truly beautiful page filled with color and heart! Off to a great start! Happy Wander-lusting! heehe
Jackie ")
Good for you! Can you hear me standing up and cheering you on? Hooray hooray for freedom! I am so excited to see what this year will bring for you! And I love the blue sky background. I predict that just like this little fairy, you are going to find your wings and soar!!!!
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