Crafty Blogger

The kids and I are doing some art therapy and we decided the Gut Art class would be perfect for us because it starts with making an art book. So far, we have made it partway through the first lesson and have our covers partly done. I think doing art with your kids is a great way to have quality family time and just de-stress together.

It is fun to see the kids approach something you have done before with complete awe and excitement and has you looking at it all in a new way. I’ve made books before, but this is probably the most enjoyable book I’ve ever worked on!

If you’ve been feeling stale and blah and in a rut, I totally recommend taking an online class. Hey, if you aren’t feeling stale and are feeling ready to get creating, I still recommend it. We wanted to have the accountability of a class to keep us working on art a few times a week together.

Have we really gone through an entire week already? I’m still on my Monday to do list! I guess that’s what happens when you spend too long in the art studio and out taking photographs of all the spring things, huh? Speaking of art studios, there are some really fun things going on in the artsy blogger studios this week. Let’s take a look:

Cyndi from Beading Arts worked out a pattern for a simple but pretty floral seed bead chain!

Creative Dreamer says, “It’s a month of give-aways over on my blog…and I’m half way through. Come see what’s going on and toss your name in the hat!!!” I slipped over to take a look and wow! Gorgeous little pieces of art.

Gadabout Media DIY helps you turn a fabric remnant into a pretty and stylish fringed scarf in an afternoon.

Home and Garden Cafe helps you whip together a lovely Easter decoration with directions for an easy to make paper mache egg Easter table centerpiece.

The Artful Crafter asks, “Looking for canning jar art ideas and supplies?” Let Eileen help you out with resources and tips.

Tottie Talks Crafts says, “Doodling is so much more than mindless twiddling with a pencil- it can be the source of all kinds of design inspiration.”

I stayed up til the wee hours working on this mixed media canvas that should have been finished a few months ago for several days straight to finally get it done. I consider it my mission statement for 2010. A reminder that, when you dream impossible dreams, they can come true. Let’s start dreaming, people!

On to the nitty gritty. I used acrylic paints and a dab of Radiant Pearls on the background. The shimmery stuff is a really cool children’s product from Faber-Castell called metallic gel sticks. I love these things and would advise swiping them from your five year old to give them a try. The flower is a piece of canvas I painted. The bird is tissue paper with Progresso unleaded colored pencils, gel sticks and a few other things layered on top. Oh, and his eye is another piece of canvas. I used several different ink pads on the tag and used a couple of different products to write the saying. My favorite is the Zig chalk pen, which I used to do the top layer on the black words.

Do you make yearly mission statements with your art?

I used to be a member of the talented Artsy Blogger Friday Round Up when I was the Stamping Mad blogger at b5media. When the blog was axed, I stopped participating. I am excited to report that I have rejoined the group and will be putting a Friday round up here and co-posting it over at Gadabout Media, where I’m blogging about holidays.

Cyndi from Beading Arts has a fabulous Zulugrass bracelet to give away this week!

Creative Dreamer is finishing a book and says, “Here’s the last part of how I created the latest book…come see how it was done!”

Gadabout Media DIY says Easter is coming soon, so why not use your sewing machine to help decorate for Easter?

Gadabout Media Holidays (That’s me!) is springing into warmer weather with mixed media wooden letters.

The Artful Crafter recommends that we take a spin with Eileen and Shaaron on the Craft-N-Spin crafting turntable.

The Kid’s Fun Review has some fun St. Patrick’s Day craft ideas for kids.

A friend of Noreen’s mentioned that she uses her doodling for inspiration in crochet. That inspired Noreen to make a Doodle Doll with spool knitted arms and legs. Tottie Talks Crafts tells how to make a Doodle Doll.

Now that you’ve browsed through all these artsy links, I know you’re filled to the brim with inspiration. Happy weekend crafting!