Two Book Reviews by Shells in the Bush

Hi everyone!! 

I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team. 

I recently purchased two books about drawing and painting mixed media faces which is something I am focussing on creating this year. One of my first mixed media faces I created was based on one of Pam Carriker's so I was thrilled to be able to learn more about faces from her.

1. Mixed Media Portraits with Pam Carriker - Techniques for Drawing and Painting Faces

This is Pam's third book but her first on faces and it covers the following areas: Purpose, Proportion, Personality, Palette and Projects. This is an excellent book for learning how to draw faces and then add your own style and personality to them to make them your own.

Pam gives instructions on how to make different face colour palettes with different mediums such as watercolour, watersoluble crayons and pan pastels.

There are fifteen step-by-step projects on differing substrates using differing mediums and techniques for you to try to see what works for you.

Pam's book includes comments from contributing artists such as Andrea Matus Demeng and Mindy Lacefield so you can learn if they use a sketchbook or art journal, their style and techniques. These contributions are like special extras and do not dominate the book.

2. Drawing and Painting Beautiful Faces - The Mixed Media Portrait Workshop with Jane Davenport

This is not Jane's first book, she has published books about ladybirds!!  As she created the projects for the book she filmed it for her online workshops (which I am doing and will review when it's finished!!). The book covers the following areas: Supplies Me, Drawing the Basics, Drawing the Details and Paint & Create.

Jane shows you how to draw your own whimsical girl and has some great info on hair - eyebrows, fringes, curls, twisted and braided!

Jane's book also has fifteen step-by-step projects to help you create beautiful girls.

Both books are great reference books as they have loads of information and inspiration to help you create some awesome artwork.  The step-by-step instruction to draw and paint faces are easy to follow too and the photos are great.

Which book should you buy??? I hear you when you say you can only buy one book and don't know which one to buy.

Ask yourself:
- whose style of art and face do you prefer/like best?
- what style of face do you want to create? More realistic?? or More whimsical? 

I love both books even though my style is more similiar to Pam Carriker's I found loads of useful information and inspiration in Jane's book.

For more about Michelle please explore her links:

Website: http://www.shellsinthebush.com

Blog: Shells In The Bush

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShellsintheBush

Instagram: ShellsintheBush

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shellsinthebush

Pinterest:http://www.pinterest.com/shellsinthebush/

Flickr:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/shellsinthebush/

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MichelleReynoldsshellsinthebush/posts

January is National Organization Month!

Did you realize that this is National Organization Month?

It seems normal to re-organize during this month of renewal (also our gr8full theme on Instagram for the month)

We wanted to share with you some of our organizing tips and how we feel about the topic in general.

Here goes:

Laney from Sugar Plum Patchwork says...

My room is quite small - only about 9' x 9'. I have a large table that serves as my my sewing and cutting area. I have to make use of all the space so I keep rolling drawers beneath the table. I keep sewing notions, ribbons, trims and thread in the top drawer and have fabric scraps organized by warm and cool colors in the other drawers.

From Kelly Campbell Corso and her Bird in a Tree Creations

Organization: my friend and my enemy!

This seems to be a concept that I am constantly fighting to integrate into my life, for my studio and my house! I have come to accept that my brain doesn't totally work that way so I do what I can. I picked one thing in my studio that is the most organized and that is this shelf. It is great to keep all my glitters, liquid pearls and alcohol inks. Being a fiber/mixed media artist can be a bit overwhelming with the amount of supplies one can collect over time. I like this shelf because I can see everything that is available instead of searching. Hope this is a helpful hint for anyone out there in supply overload! 

P.S. I was going to crop the picture but didn't because you can see part of my inspiration board, which could be a whole other blog post!

From Lori Leissner of Leissnerart

My favorite organizing tools in the studio are these vintage crates. I have two soda crates and another wooden box. My paints, mediums, and all kinds of other arty things fit great and look so pretty (when I can actually get the stuff back in there).

Lori also has a great post about her word for the year, reclaim, and her closet.

Reclaiming and My Closet

 Michelle Reynolds from Shells in the Bush shares...

For me, Susan of Susan's Art Circus, my re-organization or new year renewal starts with every day spots in the house.

The rest of my kitchen re-organization post is here.

In my studio one of my most prized possessions for organizing is this tool caddy. It's almost as tall as I am and it holds my rubber stamp collection. Each drawer is labeled with a theme so I can find, most of the time, what I'm looking for.

How are you re-organizing for the new year? Do you continue to find spots that need some TLC through the month? What area is your priority?

Let us know over at our Facebook group or here in the comments!

Until next time!!

Disposable Cupcake Holder by Shells In The Bush

We know that everyone must be headed out to parties and family get togethers for the holidays. Here is your tutorial for the best cupcake carrier for your event!! 

You all need to make one and post your picture of your creation to our Facebook page!! We will be looking for them!

Hi everyone!!

I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.

I'm here today to show you how I made this pretty disposable cupcake holder and to inspire you to create your own.

I've just baked two dozen cupcakes to take to my high school reunion and needed a way to transport them safely so I decorated an old cereal box.  This is a great idea if you have to take a cake or cupcakes to an event such as school party or a fair donation and you don't want to be worried about getting your plate back or the plastic wrap touching the icing - a couple of toothpicks will help with that if your cake is bigger than the sides of the box.

Supplies 

~ an old cereal box
~ craft knife or scissors
~ tape, sticky tape and double sided tape
~ paper to decorate - I used gelli prints but you could recycle wrapping paper or scrapbooking paper.
~ washi tape

 1. Tape up the opening of the cereal box.

 2. Use the craft knife to cut away one large side - I put this back into the bottom of the box to strengthen it.

 3. Measure and cut the side and bottom panels and place in box.

4. Use the double sided tape to stick the paper to the inside of the box - just one small piece in the middle of the side is all I used. I used sticky tape at the bottom of each outside corner to keep the paper in place.

 6. Measure and stick washi tape to each corner edge - this helps keep the paper in place and makes the box look prettier.

There you go - one pretty cupcake holder...hmmm...maybe too good for cupcakes...will try to take it home and re-use it for something else if there isn't too much icing on the paper...

I hope you have fun creating your Diposable Cupcake Holder.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to use to create this cupcake holder or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

Little Books Part 3 - Binding by Shells in the Bush

Have you gotten your papers and tape finished?

Here you go for binding all your pages!Imagine how cute these would be for gifts!

Hi everyone!!
I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.
I'm here today to show you how to bind the pages you've created with the washi tape you've made into Little Books.

Part 1 showed you how to make different backgrounds and pages for your book.

Part 2 gave you some tips to make your own washi tape.

Part 3 binding the book together - no needles required!!!

Supplies:
Pages
Washi tape
Scissors
Paper


1. Use a ruler to keep the pages lined, allow a small gap in between the pages to allow for bending.

2. Stick your washi tape down the spine.

3. Trim excess tape. Fold page over, add another page and stick more tape down the spine.

4. When the book gets too thick then tape one side at a time, flip the book over and place the page on the tape leaving a small gap. Continue on until you have finished all your pages.

5. The spine of the book will be all stick and will need covering. Measure the width of the spine.

6. Cut a piece of paper, not cardstock as it will be too thick and inflexible, the width and the length (add a little extra length, similiar to when the edges of the pages were taped) of the spine. Stick a strip of washi tape to each side of the paper.

7. Lay the spine on the table and place the book on the spine, leave a small gap between the book and the paper. Then fold over the spine towards the cover of the book.

8. Trim excess tape from your spine and your book is ready to write in, for doodling in, drawing in and decorating.

I hope you have fun creating your book.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to decorate your pages or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

Little Books Part 2 - DIY Washi Tape by Shells in the Bush

Part 2 of Michelle's book series...

Enjoy!!

Hi everyone!!
 
I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.
I'm here today to show you how to make washi tape for your Little Books and to inspire you to create your own.

Part 1 will show you how to make different backgrounds and pages for your book.

Part 2 will give you some tips to make your own washi tape.

Part 3 we will be binding the book together - no needles required!!!

Supplies 

~ Double sided tape - 18mm/0.7 inches wide
~ Paper - use very thin paper as the tape will be folded over and this is much easier to do with thin paper.  (I once tried to use vellum but it was too thick and did not fold over.)

I'm in Australia and I love to use greaseproof paper - it is $2/roll, thin and soaks up the paint on the gelli plate. If you are in USA or elsewhere then I suggest tissue paper or deli paper or if you have another suggestion then leave a comment below.  Thanks.

~ Ink Sprays
~ Gelli plate and acrylic paint, brayer
~ Stamps and ink pad

1. Decorate your paper.

I only have 3 inks and spray them onto the paper inside a cardboard box so I don't get ink everywhere. I need to be careful not to mix the inks altogether to get brown.

 I always have greaseproof paper around when I'm using the gelli plate as it's great to make texture, it sucks up paint and therefore cleans the plate up nicely and I put it next to the plate to roll off any excess paint from the brayer.

2. Stamps add a bit more interest to your paper:

3. Before adding the double sided tape cut the paper to desired lengths adding a little bit extra - 10cm/4" and 20cm/8" are required for the book. Stick the tape to the back of the paper.

4. Then cut the tape into strips. See first photo.

5. Optional - I like to do this as it adds colour and interest to the pages - add washi tape to the 3 out of the 4 sides of your page - stick half a strip on one side edge and the other half to other side, the back side.

My next tutorial will show you how to bind your book pages together with washi tape - you will need more washi tape.... :D


I hope you have fun creating your washi tape for the pages of your book.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to decorate your pages or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

Little Books Part 1 By Shells in the Bush

Now you're in for a real treat! 

This project will make you want to get started right now!!

Hi everyone!!
I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.
I'm here today to show you how to make Little Books and to inspire you to create your own.

Part 1 will show you how to make different backgrounds and pages for your book.

Part 2 will give you some tips to make your own washi tape.

Part 3 we will be binding the book together - no needles required!!!

Supplies - will vary depending what you use to create your pages.

~ Index Cards or cardstock cut into 8" x 4" = 20cm x 10cm rectangles

1. Index cards which have been gelli printed and brayered - using the left over paint not needed on the gelli plate.

2. Index cards which have been sprayed with ink spray, you could place a stencil or mask on top first. From here you could stamp them, collage on them, leave them as is for journaling on or writing poetry or quotes.

3.  If you have any punches then create some cut outs and glue them to the index cards. I decorated the hexagonals with a bee which is a free printable I found on Pinterest.

4. Glue paper napkins to index cards then add ephemera to make a picture. The ladies are free printables I found on Pinterest. Download them and put them onto a Word Document or Pages in Mac, you can them determine their size - I made mine 5-6 inches which leaves an inch above and below. I also added some lace and small doilies.

5. Glue book pages to index cards then decorate.  Use vintage books or old dictionary pages. Decorate with paint, gesso, stamps, gel pens or washi tape.

Check out second hand book stores, garage sales, op shops or fairs for vintage books.

Three of the above pages were given to me in happy mail - where you swap ephemera and bits and pieces with others - postage stamps, punch cut outs, lace, washi tape etc.  I joined a group earlier this year and have participated in many swaps and have three baskets of goodies - these are great to go through when looking for pieces to collage to your cards.

So there are some ideas of what you can do to decorate your pages for your little book. You could also choose a theme or just one way of doing your background too. You may wish to include some blank pages for writing on too if you have decorated both sides of the card.

How many pages? 10 - 15 is good

My next tutorial will show you how to make your own washi tape.


I hope you have fun creating your pages for your book.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to decorate your pages or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.

Mantra Mobile by Michelle Reynolds

What a wonderful project this one is! 

This project could also be a tree ornament, an affirmation for yourself or a friend, or just a beautiful mobile piece to hang anywhere! 

You’ll want to make lots of these!

Hi everyone!!

I'm Michelle Reynolds from www.shellsinthebush.com/ and the Cre8ive Klatch Team.

I'm here today to show you how I made my Mantra Mobile and to inspire you to create your own.

Here are the supplies I used but I encourage you to use what you have already or to check out your $2 shop for some special items.

Paper - gelli prints and scrapbooking paper, pencil, scissors, glue stick, alphabet stamp set and ink, hole punch, ribbon.

1. First of all you'll need a mantra - two to five words that resonate with you.  I've created a Pinterest board if you need some inspiration.

2. Decide which shape you would like your mobile to be - for example if your mantra is Live Laugh Love you might decide on a heart shape.

3. Choose some papers - I love gelli printing so I have a lot of gelli prints and I also have a stash of scrapbooking papers which are plain and patterned.

Choose a colour scheme - think of contrasting your papers - warm colours and cool colours, plain and patterened, or red/white/blue etc.

Your top layer with words on it should be plain enough so the words stand out and don't get lost in the pattern.

4. Cut out your papers - I have cut out three circles - using a round gelli print made the bottom layer easy to cut and I have already made up circle templates to use but look around your home - in the past I have used small plates and bowls and glasses to create a circle shape.

5. Use a glue stick to glue your layers together.

6. Put your words onto your top layer - I have used stamps, paint pens and gel pens. Another idea is to use words or letters from a magazine.

7. Then continue to decorate your mobile to your heart's content. You could use a paper doilly as one of the layers - see image below.

8. I punched a hole in the top and threaded some ribbon through.  If you feel your paper is too thin and not strong enough then you may have to glue some cardstock to the back of your mobile.

I hope you have fun creating your Mantra Mobile.  Please join our Cre8ive Klatch FaceBook Group and share your creations - I would be thrilled to see them and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you.

Michelle.

PS If you would like to buy some gelli prints to use to create this mobile or in your art journal, for collage and mixed media art then check out my Etsy store for some great Gelli Print Packages.