"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade".
-- Gertrude Jekyll
Helllloooo & Happy {almost} Summer!
To celebrate, I'm HOPPING with the Jessica Sporn Design Team where we'll be sharing Summer-inspired projects and offering a GIVEAWAY of Jessica Sporn's newest stencil, "Women Will Heal the World."
Pretty fabulous, right? It's such a unique stencil, I can't wait to share what I did with it. Here's my take on the theme; a DIY canvas tote for all our Summertime Art Journaling needs. . . .
Now, Let's get hopping! Be sure to comment here and on each blog listed below for multiple chances to win Jessica's newest stencil. All comments must be entered by Monday, June 12th, 6:00 pm EST. The winner will be announced the following day, Tuesday June 13th, on Jessica's Blog.
Today I'm playing with the Jessica Sporn Designs Creative Team as we create Valentine-inspired artwork for our Valentine Blog Hop, featuring products from DecoArt Media!
So what did I make? Why something sweet of course! Or, better put, something to put something sweet in. Check out the video below for the whole process.
And if you'd like to try it, please help yourself to the following TEMPLATE:
Leave a comment here and on the blogs below for a chance to win your own "Seven Hearts" Stencil. One lucky winner will be taken from all blog comments and announced on Jessica's blog next Monday morning, February 13th.
I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your help and enthusiasm in spreading the word about our colorful community! I can't wait to get playing, can't wait to dive into our first color palette and can't wait to see what you do with this year's anniversary addition! And really, if the opening week is any indication of how much fun we're gonna have this year, then I'd say we're in for a drippy, sparkly, colorful Summer indeed. . . .
Last Week:
During our Introductory Week we discussed all the ways we can participate in The Summer of Color. If you'd like a review of the event, just pop over here and take a gander. I promise, this is one arty party you don't want to miss.
This Week:
The real fun begins! We'll be working with our first - of six - color palettes. For The SOC 5: Color by Number, you'll be prompted to choose a combination of colors that you prefer, based upon a generic color palette that I will provide. Each week the palette will be 2 of one color plus 1 of another. So, we'll all be working within the same general color palette, but our choices within that palette will be as varied as we are. And as always, you can create anything your little heart desires, with color being the only stipulation.
Got It! Now Gimme The Colors!
You bet. Since this year's SOC materials are all pretty in blues n' green, I thought we'd start there. Soooooooo, (drum roll please) our first color palette of the Summer is . . . .
1 Blue + 1 Blue + 1 Green
Again, which particular blues and greens you use is all up to you! Want a little help? You got it! Here's our first anniversary addition: a PDF you can download and use to record your very own version of the palette!
And this year, we're taking the SOC to YouTube! That's right: from this week on, you can see how I approach the challenges by watching them unfold before your eyes (okay, that sounds dramatic, but you know what I mean). Ready for my take on Week One? Yes? Eeeeeeep, here goes. . . .
And What About Our First Colorful Giveaway?
Well now, you know I wouldn't disappoint. Our pretty fabulous giveaway for Week One is:
{One 2 x 3 mailable photo frame / card, three gorgeous leather-bound Poppin mini notebooks, three Luminere metallic and pearlescent paints in Halo Blue Gold, Pearl Emerald and Pearl Turquoise, three (amazing, my favorite!) Golden High Flow Acrylics in Flourescent Green, Fluorescent Blue and Teal, two Gel Xtreme Pastel Rollers in blue and green, six (yes, six!) Caran D'Ache Neocolor 1 (water-soluble wax pastel) and 11 (wax oil pastel) crayons, several decorative napkins for collage and - last but not least - a sprinkling of iridescent confetti stars.}
I know, I know! Oh!
And last week's Winner of a $50 Gift Card to Blick Art Supplies was selected at random and is going to none other than. . . .
(please note: all winners will be selected at random via a Random Number Generator.
The photos / proof of each week's winners will be on file and happily sent to anyone who would like to see them.)
Congratulations, Kathryn! Please send your email address to Kdvanvalkenburgh@msn.com and I'll send your gift card electronically so you can start shopping right away!
So, Are. You. Ready?!
Let's get arting! You may link your 1 Blue + 1 Blue + 1 Green creations to the widget below. To qualify for the Blues n' Green giveaway, simply copy and paste the direct link (from your blog, Facebook, Flickr, Instagram - or any other feed that can be linked here) to the widget below. You have until this Sunday (10:00 am, Pacific Daylight Time) to do so. Only one link per person, please.
And Remember:
You can find us here, on Facebook and on Flickr. For all other social outlets, please use the hashtag #TheSummerofColor5.
I Think That's It!
Have so much fun with this week's challenge and we'll see you back here next Monday for Week Two's colorful Palette, Giveaway, PDF, Video and Randomly Drawn Winner. Okay? Okay!
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
- Eleanor Roosevelt
I've always loved this quote. As a matter of fact, in my former life as a cosmetics instructor, I used to plaster all the educational materials I created with it. There it was - on the top of every page I handed out - my tiny sermon on the power of possibility. Truth be told, I don't know why it struck me so, but it's been my "go to" pep talk - if even to myself - ever since.
So it seems fitting that on this day of exciting dreams come true, that I share my favorite quote with you. (And um, that I share what's so exciting). You see, in addition to being able to giveaway a FREE SPOT on Life Book 2015 today, I also get to express my oh-my-heavens-please-don't-let-me-pee-my-pants-in-public excitement as I just received the newest addition of Somerset Life and uh, I made the cover! Seriously, a cover girl?! Yes, Kristin, dreams really do come true. Thank you Mrs. Roosevelt, you were right all along. . . .
Now, on to more excitement! Who in the world won that FREE SPOT for Life Book 2015 that the lovely Tam from Willowing Arts allowed me to giveaway? Well, the random number generator did it's magic and - after removing all duplicate comments - the winner is (can you hear the drum roll?). . . .
Congratulations Gemma! Please send your email address to Kdvanvalkenburgh@msn.com and I'll get it right off to Tam & Gracie.
Now, for those who have yet to win a space on next year's Life Book, please keep in mind that there are still chances to win by following the the blog hop. For more on that, just check out my post below.
Of course, you can always join the old fashioned way by signing up when registration opens on October 6th. Should you decided to do so, I'd be ever so grateful if you'd consider signing up through me. As a Life Book instructor I receive credit when you join under me, which can be done by clicking on the Life Book link on my sidebar. Either way, it's gonna be a fun ride & I look froward to seeing you there!
"In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love."
- Marc Chagall
Hellllooooo & Welcome . . . .
I can't tell you how happy I am that you're here! And, thanks to the generosity of our lovely host Tam, how excited I am to be able to offer ONE FREE SPOT on Life Book 2015!
What is Life Book? Um, only the most amazing, year-long online course featuring Tamara Laporte & 25 mixed media artists who'll share their tips and tricks with YOU beginning January 1st, 2015.
Wanna know more? Here's what you'll receive when you win:
◙ 10 In depth Mixed Media Art Lessons by Tam of Willowing Arts
◙ 22 In depth Mixed Media Art Lessons by Spectacular Guest Teachers (see below who the 2015 guest teachers are)
◙ 20 (Smaller) Bonus Activities like: extra PDF prompts & step by steps/ artist interviews/ ATC swaps/ give aways/ audio meditations/ writing prompts etc by Tam & Guest Teachers
Speaking of Spectacular Guest Teachers, check out this line up!
Pretty amazing, right?! (I'm incredibly honored to be among them). For more information about all of the teachers, just pop over here. I think you'll agree that this is one opportunity not to be missed . . . .
NOW, to the business at hand! How do you win that ONE FREE SPOT from here? Well, as the host of The Summer of Color, I thought it would be fun to talk color.
So, here goes: simply leave a comment below & tell us your favorite color combination to play with. That's it! You have until next Saturday, September 27th (10:00 PM Pacific Standard Time) to do so. One winner will be chosen at random and announced here the following day.
Of course you have many more chances to win by following the blog hop. Here's where we are now:
I have a project here that's been in the works since - believe it or not - this year's Summer of Color! I've finally gotten around to finishing her, and took copious amounts of pictures along the way to show the progression from a quick sketch to a colorfully drippy & waxy finished piece. Wanna take a peek? Okay then, here we go. . . .
The initial sketch
Addition of collage pieces including decorative napkins, tissue paper & washi tape
Washes of blues and grays and the beginnings of her face
The rainbow is colored using 2-3 hues for each segment in a variety of mediums
Texture is added with acrylic white paint mixed with fiber paste pushed through a stencil
Using a quilting iron and crayons, I carefully melted 2 colors for each segment and let 'em drip
The final result! Additional touches include iridescent stars, Stickles glitter in her hair and tights, hash marks made with pencil, wax crayon scribbles (Caran D'ache 1), stamping and charcoal.
Thanks for looking! Now I'm headed over to PPF to see what everyone else is up to this week!
But wait! Before you go, I'm really excited to offer you a chance to win a FREE SPOT on the next Life Book 2015!
To do so, make sure you come back HERE this Sunday, 9/21 and enter. It's that simple. I'd love you to join us and am thrilled to offer you a chance to play along for an entire year of mixed media goodness for nothing, nada, zilch . . . .
Cool, Funny, Generous, Uber-Talented & Pretty, PrettyAmy is hosting the best-est ever Brag Party / Blog Hop this weekend, All Together Now. The crux of the event? Each participant is to offer a little giveaway and do a little bragging . . . .
So, ready or not, (deep breath Kristin) here I go. Bragging:
* I am intensely loyal and generous. I'm the good kind of friend to have as I will always have your back, be your loudest cheerleader and never forget to tell you that I love you.
* I'm a great Wife and Mom and much more traditional than I ever expected to be. It's important to me to be there for Dave and Kendra and I know how lucky I am to be able to do so. I volunteer in the kid's class once a week and am at every school function helping out where I can. (Except for being the Otter Pop lady, a position I've successfully avoided for the last year). I also try to be the best wife to my (usually ;) sweet and incredibly handsome husband, whom I will be married to 10 years this November.
* I'm pretty stylish. I try to keep up with the latest fashion trends, eat well so I can fit into them (lotsa spinach around here), and when I leave the house, I'm always made up & put together. (Not the same story when I stay in, but since we're supposed to brag, I'll leave the description of PJ pants and old T-shirts out at this time).
* I have some decorating chops. My Mom is an interior designer / furniture restorer and as a result, I grew up with my room (and our home) being changed and "improved" every few months. Remember puffy fabric-framed mirrors? Yeah. I even had one of those at one point. As an adult, I've followed in those footsteps. I'm the girl you go to if you need any decorating advice, and I am also the one you ask to help decorate your nursery or kid's room. I've done over 13 rooms for my friends and their kids (see point one) in the last ten years.
* I know my way around some makeup. Before Mommyhood, my career was as a Beauty Director and Makeup Artist. I used to travel a lot, putting on fashion shows and speaking engagements for retail cosmetics. I would give Beauty tips and seasonal trends to audiences of hundreds of women and behind-the-counter beauty advisors. I've done makeup for the cover of an industry magazine and have even worked a couple of celebrity weddings.
* I'm lucky to get to do what I love art wise, and am pretty proud of the way I've gotten myself "out there" in the last couple of years. I am the happy host of The Summer of Color, a Blog Hop / Giveaway event that is going on it's second year this June.
From The Summer of Color, 2011
Featuring vintage nursery-rhyme imagery, vintage text, and a lotta shimmer and shine,
Speaking of which, we are meant to give something away here! I was racking my brain trying to figure out what I could offer, and thought of this original 8 x 10 on watercolor paper that I particularly love. I think it's appropriate for this event (and a group of arty souls) as it features this quote:
"We are the music-maters, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams; Yet we are the movers and shakers, Of the world forever, it seems." -- Arthur William O'Shaughnessy.
To win this original collage, all you need to do is (1) be a participant in All Together Now and (2) leave a comment saying so in this post. That's it. I'll pick a winner via the random number thingy and announce it here next Wednesday, May 23rd.
Why don't you join us? After all, every girl needs a chance to brag (and win stuff!) now and then . . . .
Thanks to all who participated in the Woo Hoo! Giveaway. Your kind comments were so appreciated and although it's always tough to choose just one winner, I'm so happy for the girlie who will be getting these to play with. . . So without further adieu, I put the Random Number Generator to work and she came up with the following choice . . .
If you haven't yet had the pleasure, you must check out this talented artist's work. I've been a fan for a long time now - and I know that the bright colors here will find a perfect home along side her bold and whimsical art . . . Have you guessed yet? Okay, the winner is . . . YOU!
Now, because I hate to leave the rest of you empty handed, I have scanned the cutest vintage children's card for you to enjoy. A lot of greeting cards in the 50's had images on both the front and back, so I've included both of them for you.
Vintage image from my personal collection
Yours for the taking ;)
Have fun and thank you once again for all of your sweet support!
So you may remember the illustration of Kendra that I recently made inspired by Joanna from Bird on her Head? She encouraged me to create something in my daughter's likeness and from that suggestion, "Future Paleontologist" was born. Well, what you did not know was that Joanna then asked for our address so that she could send a necklace to her! How sweet is that?! Kendra got her package (all the way from Greece - which added to the excitement ;) this weekend and. was. thrilled! Is this not the cutest thing ever? Joanna creates the most charming, whimsical pieces - many of which are based upon her poodle Daisy - and she was kind enough to send one to us. And I bet she didn't even know that Kendra loves dogs and that orange is herfavorite color . . . Thank you so much Joanna, that was so sweetof you!
Which brings me to a note about blogging: how cool is it that we can inspire and support each other in this way? I mean, one comment from a friend in another part of the world put a fire under me to create something that Kendra will always have from her Mommy. And in addition to that, she got to learn about Greece and a talented artist there that happened to send her something special that she will always cherish. Talk about full circle. We are lucky to bring our worlds a little closer here in Blog Land . . .
Speaking of which, today is the last day to sign up for my Woo Hoo! Giveaway. Please feel free to add your name to the list if you have not already done so. I will pull the winning name via Random Number Generator in the morning and announce it here. Thank you and Good Luck!
I've had an exciting day in Blog Land and want share it with you! I. am. thrilled to have just received my 200th Follower, so to thank you properly, I took a trip to my fav store Anthropology so that I could offer you some pretty little things to go along with the set of 12 Farb-Riese Color-Giant Lyra pencils I've been saving for just this occasion. . .
If you've never tried these pencils before, let me tell you, you're in for a treat! They're bright, soft and easy to work with. They're fabulous for collage work, journals and for anything else you'd use colored pencils for. In addition, they can be both sharpened or cut with a craft knife to get just the edge you want for your arty projects. And because they work so much better when displayed in a pretty cup, I got one of those for you too. That was going to be it, but then I saw the most adorable kitchen towel with soft blues and a whimsical list of wedding anniversary gifts, so I picked that up as well. After all, if we use a pretty mug for our pencils, then we should also have a pretty towel in our studio to go with it . . .
So here's the deal: if you're interested in having these in your home, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post before Monday the 18th (midnight, PST) to be entered. I will select the one winner via Random Number Generator and announce it here the next day. If you would like to be entered and do not have a blog that I can link back to, please just leave your email so that I can contact you when you win.
That's it! Good Luck and Thank You for your support. It really means the world to me.
