Midwest Creative Collective

So, after following JoJo’s lead and getting into ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards), I decided to go the lazy route … uh…. make that the cheap route (creating can get expensive, you know!) and try my hand at digital scrapbooking.

New camera in hand, I took the girls to Dawson Lake in Moraine View State Park last week, and snapped a few photos, then I filled up my hard drive with scrapbook layouts and Photoshop brushes and new fonts, and went to work. This is my first attempt at digital scrapbooking. It’s not the look I was going for, but it’s not too shabby for a first attempt!

(As a side note, the green butterflies in the larger butterfly were Ceil’s addition!) Please click on the thumbnail for the “in your face” size!

Does two mean “rut”? Two is usually my limit. I’ll make two of anything - then I consider myself to be in a rut. I’m trying to break out of that mindset, honest! I’m on my second kumihimo braid right now -does that spell death to kumihimo in my mind automatically? We’ll see … but for now, here’s the second of my finger woven treasure bracelets.

This bracelet was made with waxed linen and some beads that I forget the name of! They are some type of wood. Very light, like bamboo - but not bamboo. (Can you tell it’s past my bed time?) It does utilize one of my lampwork beads as a clasp.

For me, it’s “whatever’s quick”! But when the opportunity came up recently to support our local Arts Council, I jumped at the chance. The theme was loosely based around 5″x7″ (I tried putting that in quotes but it got confusing with the inch symbol!), and the only rule was that the artwork should be something that you don’t usually do. Well, I mainly usually make glass beads, though I’ve been known to try my hand at pretty much anything. I had recently started delving into the “altered widget” concept - “widget” being books, jewelry, altoid tins, or whatever else took my fancy. So, I took the 5″x7″ canvas that we were supplied with and set about altering it!

I love the whole twenties to forties look, and anything with wings is good, so I tore up some magazines, found some old photos, and came up with the following. Just for the record, it’s copper-taped and silver soldered around the edge, making it self-framed!

I am not a patient person. I’m into instant gratification. So, when it takes me longer than 30 minutes to make a bracelet, it had better be worth it! I think this one is worth it

The beads are kyanite, they have a flash like labradorite - click on the thumbnail to see the bracelet up close and personal!

Vikki

- frozen in Central IL