Ransom Note Book

On the first Saturday of each month, the La Jolla public library has a bookmaking class at the Riford branch on Draper Ave. Classes are free, but you have to sign up for them, as there is limited space. The teacher is a lovely woman named Bhavna who is part of the San Diego Book Arts. You don't need to bring anything, but a scissors, glue stick and bone folder would be good to bring if you have them. Here is the current list, since the website for the classes still has the fall information. Click on it for a larger version!

I went to the "Ransom Note" class earlier this month. The book itself is made from one large sheet of paper, folded and cut just right. Here is a tutorial about making the book structure. We went as far as Glue step 4 for this book. For the covers, we cut a piece of a heavyweight magazine cover, and glued another sheet of random small words to it - but I used an image instead - and glued that to the front and back. Then we took one or two magazines and cut out a bunch of individual words, spreading them out on the table, then making little phrases for the book.

It was fun putting the words together. It reminded me a little of the "fridge poetry" magnets.

Paper, collage.
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Go make art!

Make some Art Everyday!

It's been a long time since I posted an ATC. I have not done much art lately in spite of the fact that I am unemployed - both things contributing to depression. So I have decided to continue the 365 theme with some art every day. I am taking a bunch of classes online, and one of them is via Coursera.com, called Learning How to Learn. It has been very interesting, but I'm not going to go into it here, though I do recommend the class. For the final project, I was inspired to do some "art journaling". Here is a page I'd like to share. This quote reminds me daily that I am trying to learn new habits.

Painted background, rub-ons.
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Go make art!

ATC #226 - Juicy

We are so lucky to be getting some delicious fruits from places with growing seasons different from our local seasons. Pears and blackberries have been my favorites in the last few months.

Stamped, collage.
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Go make art!

ATC #225 - Open the Door

So often we are afraid to go and open the mysterious door to our minds and see what's inside...

PanPastel background, photo, stamped.
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Go make art!

ATC #224 - Dream & Wonder

Photo, stamps on scrapbook paper.
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Go make art!

ATC #223 - Clan MacGregor

I thought I had lost this ATC. I went on a harbor dinner cruise in November. The bar didn't have my favorite scotch, so I tried their Clan MacGregor. I happened to have my ATCs and sketch pens with me so I took a few minutes to make a quick sketch of the glass of Scotch and soda, then added the color later at home.

Ink and watercolor.
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Go make art!

ATC #222 - Listen to the Trees

For some reason the picture came out very dark. The trees are from another new Washi tape.

PanPastel background, washi tapes, postage stamp.
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Go make art!

ATC #221 - The Sea is Calling

Another beach-themed card inspired by my vacation.

Scrapbook papers, Washi tape.
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Go make art!

ATC #220 - Beach & King Pelican

I got to go on a real vacation with a friend to a timeshare in Newport Beach near Crystal Cove. It was really lovely and inspired me to make a couple of beach-themed cards. It also gave me the opportunity of using some more of the cool washi tape I recently got.

Watercolor background, Washi tape, cutouts, gold marker.
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Go make art!

ATC #219 - Read Books

This one is made from washi tape. I recently got a bunch of washi tape that is really cool - it does not have straight edges. The books along the bottom are one of the tapes. The three blues at the top are also washi tape. I use the tapes mostly for journaling and collage, but I these new ones are really fun!

Washi tapes, marker.
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Go make art!