Three Things : Creative Books (+ a giveaway)
Tags: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
I guess it is not really a technique (but I guess it could be) is to recycle and use what I already have in a new inventive way. I am really starting to become more conscious of the items I already have and not to over buy or buy unnecessary. I think this is a rule a lot of scrapbookers/artists are starting to adapt.
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Hi Ali my favorite technique lately has been inking...on everything.
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I am into sewing on layouts (by hand and machine) these days.
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I haven't had any time for paper crafting in the last few months, so I play in photoshop...doing some cross-processing stuff and playing with "Totally Rad Actions". :) Thanks for the fun of a giveaway. Blessings!...
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Scrapbooking is my first love. I am currently taking 'Have More Fun' at BPS and enjoying the process of being present in my life. And I'm experimenting with getting out of a rigid 'all my scrapbooks are 12 X 12' phase.
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Sometimes when I start a project by writing, it changes the outcome of what I create. So instead of sitting down with my page, pictures, paint and tools, I'll get out my laptop or sometimes a notebook and pen, and just start brainstorming. I might describe a project or several related pieces, write out questions that might be addressed or asked, throw in some poetry or quotes that I've read recently. Sometimes I'll end up with a few pages of writing that inspires me for different types of projects - experimenting with a photography technique, creating a collage, or a card or scrapbook page. It's nice too when I am on the subway or trapped in the waiting room with only "Dental Hygiene Today" to read.
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I've got a stash of fabrics and ribbons and have had fun incorporating those onto layouts and my art journal. I love my art journal, too! A quick way to get a little creative juices flowing without doing a whole big layout!
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My favorite creative technique this week is twitter.com. With school starting, a holiday weekend, and trying to get my classroom ready, twitter is an excellent way for me to jot down 150 words of what I'm doing at random points throughout my day. I've been too busy to do much else. I love going back and looking at what I was doing, thinking, feeling. I will later use my updates from twitter to do a day in/week in my life scrapbook page. :)
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Hi Ali! Great giveaway! My favorite has been mod-podge. I enjoy putting small pictures of family and friends on my planner--on my daughter's school agenda, and even using the mod-podge to seal a nice mini-book about vacation.
--Donna
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Ali,
My current 'favorite' creative technique is to layer lots of random bits and scraps of paper to create a very deep background for my page (think Tara Anderson). Then, I typically use one photo and lots of 'non-traditional' embellishments to help create the feeling I want. I'm trying to increase my journaling again, but right now, simple is working for me.
Thanks for all the great give-aways!
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Right now I am having fun learning about all the great things you can create with the Ranger/Tim Holtz products. Looking forward to your new book!
Sandi
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Staying creative in any way is my challenge, as life with kids gets busier and busier. Reading, searching, questioning are ways I keep it happening. Thanks for your inspiration!
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Neat books...thanks for the info about them, and for this giveaway!
I've been mostly making cards lately for some reason. I'm having fun playing with stamps and with learning new techniques with the stamps - I don't know as I have a favorite technique yet, but I'm enjoying all the distressing techniques a lot!
Cheers,
Katie
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My thing lately is using picnik.com to add digital elements to my pictures to scrapbook. Oh and paint on scrapbook pages!
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My technique lately is using up all the pattern paper I have in my stash. As I was looking back..most of my layouts are just solid cardstock..I love simple and for me pattern paper sometimes seems too hard to work with.
I never know where to put it and how much to use. I love your style..thanks for all you do.
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My favorite technique right now is using transparencies. Anyway that I can.
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Oh, just what I needed, a little creative inspiration. I've been using a lot of interesting pieces that I find in the mail (per a previous post of yours)!
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right now i love gobbing on a thick coat of acrylic paint and pressing items into it to give texture-- like buttons, mesh, fabric flowers, etc
thanks for the chance! sounds like a super book
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Ohhhh- this book sounds fantastic! Exactly what I am into right now...
thanks for the giveaway, Ali!
Tanya
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Hi Ali,
Love your blog!
Just did a digital paperback photobook. My huband's parents and mine visited together at our place this summer and the photobooks document their time with our son and us.
I hadn't done this before, but everyone seems to love the results. I tend to be a traditional scrapper, but can see the benefits of these digital paperbacks.
Thanks!
Wendy
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