Three books to inspire, challenge and fill you up creatively this week:
True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling
by LK Ludwig : I got to meet LK at Artfest last year and enjoyed her art just about as much as her personality. I ordered this book last night and am looking forward to some new ideas (it's been quite awhile since I picked up my art journal). After looking through the next book on the list (see below) I have some good ideas for backgrounds to try.
Acrylic Revolution by Nancy Reyner : This book is packed full with techniques for working with acrylic paint. I have been looking through it the last couple of evenings, dreaming about potentially doing some painting, and being really inspired to get out my paints and try something new and different (new + different for me).
Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wingsby Kelly Rae Roberts : I was lucky to see an advanced copy of this book on my recent girl's weekend and I can't wait to get my own. There are a bunch of mixed media how-to's as well as a lot of words (of which you know I am a fan - I like to know the thoughts behind the actions whenever possible). According to Kelly Rae, "this book isn't a traditional how-to book, but rather a book that dives deeper into telling our stories about how we came into the creative life - as a way to inspire others to stretch their wings and see what is possible for their own creativity."
Here's one of the Amazon reviews on this book:
I have two copies of Taking Flight to give away this week. To be entered into the drawing leave a comment below and let me know about your favorite creative technique is these days (it can be scrapbooking, mixed media, anything). Comments will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday) at 5pm Pacific and the winners announced shortly after.
[ Three Things is a weekly product series : check out the archives here. ]
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912 comments
Hi Ali, my favorite technique is stamping right now.
Crystal
Fountain, MN
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I would love to win this book. I could use some inspiration, as I'm in a bit of a creative funk.
Thanks for your great blog.
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I'm most inspired these days about how to incorporate my scrapbook with my journal. So that it's neither just a scrapbook or just a journal. It has the opportunity to take on a life of its own.
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photoshop!! and all its possibilities
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My favorite technique is layering different elements on my pages and mini albums!
Thanks for the inspiration!
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Paper tearing and distressing of the paper in different way is what I am experimenting with most these days.
I want to get into more painting on pages and in journals, etc.
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I just love scrapbooking and everything about it. I am loving mini books lately, I feel I have completed something and it's not as daunting as an album sometimes. Thanks for the contest and the info about these books!
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My favorite techinque these days is to try and incorporate depth into my pieces. I am liking the look of charcoal and/or watercolor crayons to accomplish this.
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Current creative technique: origami with my kids.
Not sure how it started in this house, but it has been a big hit. There are origami books and websites with ideas even my 3 year old can follow. So far it seems to bring out great things in my kids!
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Anytime I can get my hands dirty and try new creative things it's a good thing. I have been trying more mixed media lately and love it. Still so much more to learn.
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my daughter started 1st grade yesterday too! this book looks so right up my alley!! you offer so much inspiration to me i wish that i had an ounce of your creativity. i used to consider myself creative until i found your blog! thank you for being someone to challenge me!
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I would definitely say 2 of my fav things right now are darwing lines, dashes, cirles etc on pages with an ultra fine point sharpie. Addicted to the black on my white only cardstock. I also have always been a big user of acryllic paints....especially if there is a canvas near by!
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I have read your blog for a while now and have found it to be such an inspiration. I am a graphic designer and have been searching lately for something more. Life seems to have clouded over the original spark that lead me down the creative road. I need to re-ignite it and have just started sketching again. Just simple pencil and paper. Thanks again for inspiring me to look for something more!
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I have read your blog for a while now and have found it to be such an inspiration. I am a graphic designer and have been searching lately for something more. Life seems to have clouded over the original spark that lead me down the creative road. I need to re-ignite it and have just started sketching again. Just simple pencil and paper. Thanks again for inspiring me to look for something more!
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I seem to keep increasing the sizes of my canvas. Right now I'm playing with combining charcoal and acrylic on these - keeping the colors more muted and focusing on the lines and form.
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Hi Ali, congrats on the new baby to be...I love your blog and am inspired by so many of your ideas. Especially love how you give us all permission to not be perfect! XOXO
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I am crazy about art journaling!! I was never really much of a dear diary girl. I was one to abandon an "old school" journal.
I love mixing collage and words. I love that it can be messy and it doesn't have to be perfect!!!
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Congrats to you and your sister! yay for babies! My favorite technique lately is using Tim Holtz Distress Crackle paint and sealing it with a coat of UTEE (after it has dried). You just have to be careful that you do not heat the paint too much or it will discolor. Thanks for a great giveaway, I cannot wait to see that book.
Erin
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Wow! Picking a favorite creative technique is quite a challenge. The first thing that popped into my head is cutting up fabric and sewing the pieces together. I really enjoy piecing quilt tops. The amazing thing is that the simplest designs are some of the most wonderful. Today, I am deciding which colors of fabric to cut into to strips to sew together to make my own striped fabric.
Congratulations on your pregnzncy. I wish you all the best.
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I have heard alot about all 3 of these books, they are on my "wish list".
Currently, I have been into mixing fabrics into my altered art. I have recently cleaned my "fabric stash" and was surprised to find things I had long forgotten about! I especially like to also add old stamps into my project and layer them with alchohol inks and modge podge. Layer, Layer, Layer that has been my motto!
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