Book in a box

I've completed my final project for 2022. It's a book of gelli prints from a combination of the first two months of lessons in Fodder School 2. We started in October with lessons from Rebecca Sower on Colour mixing, Gelli printing and Collage composition - so much in there to refer back to again and again. These are from my first gelli printing session.

I didn't manage to make any finished collages, but I knew our next lessons were with Drew Steinbrecher, another gelli print artist, and perhaps his project might work in combination with what I'd already done. I had already made these prints with inspiration from his free sessions in July

His project was to collage a board book. He re-used a children's book, but I already had this board book in a box that's been in my cupboard for a number of years (sorry no idea where it came from!) 

I combined gelli prints from both sessions with what I had learned from Rebecca about composition, and it seems no project is complete for me without words (these are Tim Holtz Idea-ology : Big Chat). 

It was challenging to work in this narrow format to begin with (20cm w x 8.5cm h) but then I enjoyed the stretch and got into a rhythm.

I thought that I would want to add more marks and embellishments to the pages, but once it was all glued down and I paged through, I decided I enjoy being able to focus on the simplicity of these colours and patterns. Click on the photos to see the words larger. 

Happily there were some perfect spaces on the back of the box for me to stamp and date my project.

I learned so much from these lessons. I was limited to not include as many layers and texture as I normally would so the book would still fit inside the box and am happier with the outcome than I ever thought I'd be. 

It's New Year's Eve morning in New Zealand so I'll wish you a 2023 of discovery, love, laughter and creative joy  💜

December review

It's a little early but I'm ready to share my review of projects for December. I am very happy to say I am on my summer holidays. December is always a hugely busy time with school events and I don't get to create much in the first half of the month. I did manage to make birthday and Christmas cards which I shared HERE, and then went on to create a gift card holder inspired by BB Henry's instructions on YouTube

Mine has a wee variation in that my holder has a full lining

I've managed to start putting together my November Fodder School project and I'll hopefully get that finished to share soon...

Mostly I've been trying to do a December monthly journal. I did some gatherings at the end of November and created my base on my last remaining file folder

I decided to stitch in a couple of lovely cards that were sent with my order for the fabulous Ellen Giggenbach calendar this year (she has an inspiring shop in Petone, New Zealand, plus online although closed until mid-January). They will be extra space to write about my December events and feelings.

My cover is inspired by my fodder school Christmas card project which I shared here. 

These pages are again inspired by some of the techniques from Megan's class Journal into your Art. This time I used a lot more quotes and photos to capture my month. These are my favourite spreads and I've done a flip-through for you too.

The back cover is included in the first picture at the top of this post, and there are a couple of pages at the end of this journal reserved for a family gathering on the 30th and whatever we do to celebrate New Year's Eve.

I'm going to do a review of the year post soon and I'll show you how I'm storing this set of journals from the year. 

Another reason to share a few days early : Did you know that if you sign up for Megan Quinlan's newsletter, she's dropping a free mini class on 1st January just for her newsletter subscribers?

I'll be back soon with a review of my year and looking ahead to what 2023 may hold. 

See more regular postings from me on my FB artist page and Instagram. 

December cards

My Mum, Mother-in-Law and Aunty all have birthdays in a run of 3 days in December. This year, I went simple and stitched lovely pieces of gelli printing with meaningful words to my card bases.

Last weekend I made Christmas cards inspired by a couple of our bonus teachers for December Fodder School 2 : Karen Elaine and Rebecca Chapman. I was thrilled, because I didn't think I was going to manage to make any this year. 

Previously printed gelli papers, simple shapes, some pen work and Christmas tape for my words made this a fun project.

I am also thrilled to be using my new stamps on the backs

If you're in New Zealand I ordered mine online from Rubber Stamps by Montarga.

Wishing you days that are merry and bright this December ⭐