The Bug Box

Bug Box Lid

I finished most of this project at the WWS Retreat but still needed to put the finishing touches on to call it done. Once at home with all my wares unpacked and put back in their rightful places, I rode the "retreat high" wave and finished it straight away.

This End Says Ruby

Previously, I made the girls a Monkey Box for all their toy monkeys. Since I have twins, one of something is never a good idea...so I thought to make another box. Since they are "The Bee" and "The Bug", I opted to stay with that theme for decoration.

This End Says Bianca

The only task left to do is to outline the bee's vellum wings in a metallic marker. After adhering with medium gel gloss, the vellum became too transparent and they are difficult to see. Otherwise, it's done and curing in the closet until Christmas time.

Western WA Scrapbook Retreat

My Group
Left: Lisa, Katherine (not shown)
Right: Ginger, and my table (front)

The WWS retreat took place at Fort Worden near Port Townsend, WA. A beautiful setting for three days of creative time. If one didn't find the place inspiring, then surely the car pool adventure or the ferry ride would do. It was a fabulous getaway coming, being, and going. Finally, some time for myself to just be, just create, or just engage with like minded souls. I will definitely return as there was something special about being with friends, meeting new people, and just plain having time!

Our Room
One of Many!

Last I heard there were 112 participants spread throughout the two story building taking up multiple working rooms. Accommodations were in old barracks with single or double bedrooms. These rooms were very basic and "institutional" looking...adding to the rustic allure. Shared bathrooms reminded me of college dorm living...and having my friends just down the hall...well, I felt young again!

"Let it snow!"
Christmas Cards 2009

When I first got there, I decided to work on my Christmas cards to get me in the groove...something easy, already thought out, where I could just plug away and enjoy the surroundings. They were time intensive with little pieces to glue for 32 cards. But this time, I truly felt like it was more about the process and less about the final product. It was meditative.

I started two other projects while there, a "Bug Box" and a "Craft Box" for my daughters. I also decoupaged a canvas using old piano music with a vague idea of an image I'll want to construct later. Nothing concrete just yet!

Hopefully, I can pull some other friends into the fold. It was a good time!

Ginger's Memories...

Ginger's Memories

Not just an empty box, "Ginger's Memories" is quite full! I created this collage box to capture memories for Ginger's 40th birthday party, themed Back in Black. Guests brought items to include, such as matchbooks and coasters, a banana comb straight from the 80s, the Back in Black album by AC/DC, pictures, postcards from Ginger's many travels, and pertinent aging quotes.

A Collage Box

I tore a map of Rome and newspaper pages into strips and adhered with medium gel gloss. After it was dry, I sponge painted over the strips with brown and black acrylic paints, then decorated with stickers and die cut shapes. I sealed everything in place with another coat of medium gel gloss, giving it a smooth finish. I lined the box with maps from Prague and Budapest. I'm sure Travel Girl has a lot of memories to store so this box should get lots of use.

Happy Birthday, Ginger!

Card Swap

Just a note!
Made with music, Espial Design

I'm attending the Western Washington Scrapbook Retreat next weekend for 3 days of dedicated creative time. I'm not a scrapbooker intrinsically, although I do enjoy making my own greeting cards.

I'm going because my friends go every year and some are the fearless leaders of this event. I dug in my heals last year thinking, "I'm not a scrapbooker and my toddlers need me." Now, my tune has changed. I'm now saying, "I'm not a scrapbooker, but I need to find my creative soul again." To me, the only way to do this is to have time for myself. Big blocks of it. Oh yeah! I'm looking forward to that!

To get into the groove, I signed up for the event's card swap. My inspiration was my piano. I've never been very good and don't have an ear for music, but I enjoy plunking out a "tune" (I use that word loosely) once in the while. I have TONS of sheet music from my Grandma, my Aunt Judy, and my mom. I went through it yesterday to see what could be deemed collage worthy and found some goodies to cut up for my project.

I made 14 cards on black stock with matching black envelopes. I inserted a cream sheet inside for legible writing.

Back in Black

"Back in Black" Party Invitation
Front with Insert

"Back in Black" Party Invitation
Back

"When young in the 80's
"Back in Black" she did crow.
Now, Ginger's getting older.
She turns the big four-oh!"

I'm really happy with my "Back in Black" party invitations! I created them for a 40th birthday party held on Halloween. It's a single card, invitation information on one side and AC/DC's lyrics for the song, Back in Black, on the other. An insert to bring items for a memory box was tucked under the ribbon before it was inserted into a matching black envelope.

The information on the card has been altered for privacy reasons, so if you're one of the attendees...don't freak out!

Rock on!

Inspire Me Thursday: In Good Company

Inspecting the Monkey Toy Box

Monkey Toy Box Lid

Stripes Are In!

All Monkeys Welcome
"You'll be in good company!"

I finally finished collaging the Monkey Toy Box for a toddler birthday surprise last weekend. I had an old lidded box that needed a new life and a complete face lift.

To cover it, I tore brown textured magazine pages into strips and using gel medium, adhered it to the box and lid. Then I dabbed brown acrylic paint on with a sponge to even out the color. I cut out flowers from scrapbook paper and used decorative hole punch cut outs and stickers for decoration.

Earlier this summer, with this project in mind, I had illustrated a monkey, called Monkey and Map. I cut out the shape of his head and adhered all the decoration with medium gel gloss, giving it a smooth finish and adding a nice coating to secure paper edges. Hopefully this will keep little toddler fingers from peeling up edges in their spare time!

Illustration Friday: Tango

First Tango

I'm listening to The Tango Lesson, which I can "hear" from my latest illustration, First Tango. Like first love, the dance is intimate yet exhilarating.