karenika
big sur
archives • main
52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 48


This week's question is: "What's something you do over and over again?"

This was easy for me. Photos. I take photos over and over and over again. I love taking photos. I love capturing my family.

One of the few items on my list that I hadn't done yet was using rubons on a tag. Just rubons. So I picked this beautiful Jenni Bowlin rubon which was so apt. I rubbed it on and then inked the tag. I love the way the silver makes it look embossed. I then put a tiny camera sticker just for me.



I now sell some of these tags in my etsy store. If there's a tag you like and are interested in, email me or leave a comment and I'll be happy to add it.

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

Weekly tags are posted every Thursday, you can see all of them by clicking here.

December 09, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 47


This week's question is: "When you think back to your childhood, what moment first comes to mind?"

The first childhood memory I have is of my sister teaching me how to read. By far, the best memory I have. This was the biggest gift anyone ever gave me. Thank you, Yona!

I covered the back of the tag with a page from a Dickens novel. I inked around it. Added a butterfly wing to show how reading gave me wings. Another button with words on it and a little flower and that's it for this tag. I gave a big of a sparkle with some Stickles around the edge.



I now sell some of these tags in my etsy store. If there's a tag you like and are interested in, email me or leave a comment and I'll be happy to add it.

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

Weekly tags are posted every Thursday, you can see all of them by clicking here.

November 28, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 46


This week's question is: "What makes you glow?"

The first thing that came to my mind was laughter. Laughter and love make me glow.

Simple one this time, I pulled all my scraps, a bunch of border punches and just had fun. Simple but I still love it.



I now sell some of these tags in my etsy store. If there's a tag you like and are interested in, email me or leave a comment and I'll be happy to add it.

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

Weekly tags are posted every Thursday, you can see all of them by clicking here.

November 21, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 45


This week's question is: "Which song do you have on repeat right now?"

I've been stuck on the Google Android song. Each time I see the commercial, it makes me happy. It's "If you want to Sing out, sing out" by Cat Stevens. Wonderful song. So many simple but amazing lyrics.

Simple tag this time. I covered it with a music sheet. Inked edges. Made a little birdie from fabric, stitched around it. Put it on a brown "branch" made out of ribbon lace. And wrote the song title.



I now sell some of these tags in my etsy store. If there's a tag you like and are interested in, email me or leave a comment and I'll be happy to add it.

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

Weekly tags are posted every Thursday, you can see all of them by clicking here.

November 14, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 44


This week's question is: "How do you make decisions?"

I make all the big, important decisions with my heart.

I wanted something different this time. I cut out the canvas, put some watercolor paint, a lot of water, wire heart, rope heart, felt heart, and a bunch of sewing. Not my favorite but had fun.



I now sell some of these tags in my etsy store. If there's a tag you like and are interested in, email me or leave a comment and I'll be happy to add it.

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

Weekly tags are posted every Thursday, you can see all of them by clicking here.

November 07, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 43


This week's question is: "Wwat were you doing this time last year?"

Honestly, this time last year, I was throwing up. I was quite sick and in the hospital a few times. But I decided to focus on the happy and I made this about how thankful we were to find out that we were having another baby. Our little Nathaniel. He has brought so much joy into our lives.

I covered the tag with fabric and stitched half hearts on both sides. A little piece of fabric on the bottom covers my attempt to stitch the word "family" and I placed some hearts. A bling, some beads and ta-da!



I now sell some of these tags in my etsy store. If there's a tag you like and are interested in, email me or leave a comment and I'll be happy to add it.

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

Weekly tags are posted every Thursday, you can see all of them by clicking here.

October 29, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 42


This week's question is: "What's your favourite holiday?"

Bar none. Christmas. I love Christmas. Everything about it. My favorite time of year. It used to be New Years but now it's Christmas.

I wanted to use this week to test out a cover I was planning for my December Daily album. So I covered it with fabric and put buttons. Stitching is bad cause I had to use the machine. But it turned out ok. Since then, I've also made my December Daily cover, it's different but I love it.



I now sell some of these tags in my etsy store. If there's a tag you like and are interested in, email me or leave a comment and I'll be happy to add it.

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

Weekly tags are posted every Thursday, you can see all of them by clicking here.

October 22, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 41


This week's question is: "When you close your eyes and imagine yourself as passionate, giddy, inspired and joyful...what are you doing/creating in that moment?"

Another tag about art. Sorry. I am really enjoying these now so I want to celebrate that.

I wanted to try a technique the amazing Rebecca posted about last week. I can't sketch to save my life so I traced some Maya Road chipboard and stitched using that. I then inked a little bit in the inside and lined the stitching with tiny beads. Put some stickles on the edges and here we are. I included the the back of the tag so you can see the stitching.







I now sell some of these tags in my etsy store. If there's a tag you like and are interested in, email me or leave a comment and I'll be happy to add it.

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

Weekly tags are posted every Thursday, you can see all of them by clicking here.

October 15, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 40


This week's question is: "What am I taking for granted?"

The first thing that came to my mind when I saw this was time. Time is passing so quickly lately. And sometimes I find myself wishing for it to go faster (so Nathaniel can sleep through the night, so the weekend can come, so Christmas can come, etc. etc.) but I really need to appreciate the value of time so much more. Time with my loved ones. Time to practice my art. Time to read. Even time to do my work. I don't want to take a moment of my life for granted.

I was originally going to make another fabric piece for this week and started to but after a failed attempt, I decided to use the Maya Road clock. I inked my background and put the clock on it. I added a few buttons, some words, a little fabric with stitching, some bling and some small alphabets and that's it.



I now sell some of these tags in my etsy store. If there's a tag you like and are interested in, email me or leave a comment and I'll be happy to add it.

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

Weekly tags are posted every Thursday, you can see all of them by clicking here.

October 08, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 39


This week's question is: "What brings me joy?"

This was easy for me. Making these tags brings me so much joy lately that I wanted to celebrate them. Celebrate art. It's such a joy to have the luxury to create art.

I've been stuck on fabric lately. Took a bunch of my favorite ones cut little squares, glued, stitched, added a few jewels and metal joys, punched a few eyelets with twine in them and here we are.



I now sell some of these tags in my etsy store. If there's a tag you like and are interested in, email me or leave a comment and I'll be happy to add it.

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

Weekly tags are posted every Thursday, you can see all of them by clicking here.

October 01, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 38


This week's question is: "What are you eating right now?"

This week's tag was interesting. I originally did it a completely different way but I wasn't happy with the results so I redid it last night. I will show you both versions just so you can see the stark difference. I love this one much more but the other one had me trying techniques too so I wanted to keep it here to remember.

As soon as I saw this topic, I knew I would make it about my morning coffee and my favorite lunch which is a poppy bagel toasted really dark with cream cheese and tomatoes. I cut out the definition of each from the dictionary and just did my art around them making sure they are highlighted.



One more detail.



The original idea I had was to create a cup and a bagel and use flocking with glossy accents to create the poppy seeds on the bagel and some inking and glossy accents to create the glass with coffee. Here's how it looked:



I just didn't like the way it turned out.

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

September 24, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 37


This week's question is: "What sparks my creativity?"

Lately, I've been looking at a lot of other artists amazing work. That sparks my creativity more than anything else. The other thing that sparks it is limitation. These tags and their small size have made my creativity explode. I love doing them more than just about any other piece of art.

This tag is mostly fiber with some metal embellishments. Some hand stitching and some machine stitching.

Some recent events inspired me to open an etsy store to sell some of my tags. Just for fun.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

September 17, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 36


This week's question is: "What do you never want to forget?"

This one was easy. The very first thought that popped into my head was "I am so lucky, I need to remember that more often." I am blessed. Lucky. So lucky. And here's the tag to remember that.

Originally I wanted to use a wire this week but the wire I have isn't malleable enough so I decided to punch four hearts and create a clover from that. I then glued sequins on each heart and since the only sequins I had were gold, I used alcohol inks to paint them green. Some fabric for the background, and some letters, some stitching, that's about it for this tag.



The photo doesn't really do justice to how sparkly this tag is and how the angle at which you look at it changes its colors so here's a mini collage that shows it better.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here. ----

September 10, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 35


This week's question is: "What kind of goddess am I?"

Well the first thing that came to my mind, as usual, was someone who loves a lot. But I've done a lot of love themed ones lately so I wanted to do something different. I decided to make this one about nature. Nature is what calms me and makes me peaceful. Nature is what centers me. Nature. I am so thankful for it.

This tag was inspired by the amazing Rebecca Sower who awes me each and every single time she makes a piece of art. I pulled out a few nature-colored things I had and just let myself go. I did this really quickly and videotaped myself doing it just as an experiment. It was my first time videotaping so parts of it are off-camera. Apologies. I'll do better next time. The only thing I added after the movie was some stitching. That's it.







The song is "Fell in Love with a Boy" by the amazing Joss Stone.

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

September 02, 2009 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 34


This week's question is: "How do you create your nest?"

I wanted to make this one simple. I create it with love. Lots and lots and lots of love. That's really the only needed ingredient. And a lot of laughter wouldn't hurt either.

I cut a heart out of this fabric I love and put some bling on it. I stitched around it and then stitched on a section on the top. I cut a smaller heart out of the same fabric and adhered it on the tag with some bling on it. I also inked the tag. That's all this time around.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

August 24, 2009 ~ 19:08 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 33


This week's question is: "What are you crossing your fingers for?"

It's always been my dream to get to work from home when I had kids. With David, I was able to accomplish this dream and I worked from home for the first 18 months of his life. It was totally what I imagined and dreamt of and I loved every moment of it. With Nathaniel, I didn't think it was going to be possible. I work at a much bigger company now and people don't work from home here. Especially in my position. So a few weeks ago, when I went in to talk to my manager, I didn't think there was a chance he would let me work from home. I thought I was going to have to quit.

As it turns out, I am the luckiest girl in the world. It will take a title change and learning some new things, but it looks like I will be able to work from home full time. This is what I had been crossing my fingers for, for months. I am still crossing them for fear of jinxing anything.

I used a lot of paint on this one. I picked some papers I liked and collaged them on to the tag. Painted with white, off-white, brown, and light yellow paint. Inked edges and added some inking on the tag for dimension. I then cut out a house from grungeboard and painted it white. I took wings and painted them gold and then heated it up close for the texture. I inked my house a bit and added some words and a little key and bling and voila!



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

August 22, 2009 ~ 22:08 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 32


This week's question is: "Why did i do that?"

I thought about this one for a long time and then decided to do it about something that's been on my mind a lot lately. I seek validation from so many people. Oftentimes from sources where I'm unlikely to get it. And I don't trust myself or my abilities and this is something I need to get better at. Each time the validation doesn't come I find myself asking "why did i do that to myself?" because it hurts so deeply.

I did this tag to remind myself that I need to "trust me" and my ability to judge my art, my writing, my photography, my coding, etc. and not seek validation elsewhere.

I looked down my list and realized hand-stitching was one of the few things I hadn't done so I stamped a few hearts and hand-stitched them.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

August 11, 2009 ~ 21:08 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES- TAG 31


This week's question was: what 3 words would someone use to describe me?

I asked Jake and he said: intelligent, persistent, and genuine. So I used a heart tree for love, a clock for persistent, and a chinese coin for intelligence. I used distress ink on my background. I stamped with black ink. Added some perfect pearl-like shiny paint and restamped. I then used my pencils and gamsol to blend the red in and then added dimensional elements. A little bit of bling and the mini letters and that's it.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here. <

August 09, 2009 ~ 22:08 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 30


This week's question was "who do you need to thank?"

This one was obvious to me. I need to thank my parents. They have been incredibly generous and it allowed me to have a huge dream come true recently. Thank you mom and dad, I love you!

I used sticky back canvas with acrylic paint (used like water color) and some pretty hero arts stamps. I played around with stamping on ribbon. And I added some dimensional pearls. That's it.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

July 29, 2009 ~ 22:07 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 29


This week's question was: "Do you have a recurring dream?"

Since Nathaniel's still not really sleeping much at night, I don't dream much so I decided to make this about how I stay up at night and love him. I put a love tree, lights for staying up, a clock that shows how I'm awake at 4 in the morning and how he's my #1 and this beautiful quote which I love.

I used stickles, distress stickles, liquid pearls, distress inks, embossing, and a lot of stamps.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

July 21, 2009 ~ 20:07 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 28


This question was: "What are your favourite days of summer/winter filled with?"

My days lately have been filled with dreaming about the life I want for myself and for my family. About making my dreams come true. So I decided to dedicate this card to that.

I painted the card green because I decided I didn't have enough green cards so far. I then used clear embossing powder to stamp dream over and over again. I highlighted one and embellished around it and ta-da!



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

July 16, 2009 ~ 13:07 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 27


This question was: "What have you found lately?"

This one took a long time. In the end I decided to make it about freedom. I feel freer and happier than I have in a long long time. So here's to my newfound freedom.

I cut a transparency in a tag shape and used a collection of alcohol inks on it and some copper mixative. I then stamped it with a music stamp and put some butterflies and a few letter stickers. I don't really like how it turned out but honestly I can't ever get the alcohol inks right no matter how much I try. These tags are for experimenting after all so I am letting this one stay.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

July 13, 2009 ~ 17:07 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 26


This question was: "On my walls i would write... "

I can never remind myself this enough. Before David was born, I literally put this on my wall "Give up that there's something wrong." I need to live life happier and less worried.

Fabric, some leaves, a frame, buttons and a little baker's twine with some pretty trim and some small letters.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

July 12, 2009 ~ 20:07 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 25


This question was: "Have you had a hug today?"

I am lucky that I get and give hugs all day long. My husband and kids are very generous with that.

I stamped with the clock and used clear embossing powder. I then inked over it and added two clock faces and spinners.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

July 12, 2009 ~ 20:07 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 24


This question was: "Name something you don't understand, but you want to..."

I thought of math and science. I am good at math but I wish I were excellent.

I put chipboard numbers and painted over the whole thing.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

July 12, 2009 ~ 20:07 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 23


This question was: "How can i be kinder to myself...?"

I need to love myelf more. Be kinder to myself and allow myself to make mistakes without judging myself so much.

I covered the background in red ink, stamped the little hearts with embossing stamp, embossed with clear powder, stamped the tree, cut it out, tied a small baker's twine, and a little bling (of course), a few letters and I was done. It's hard to see the little hearts but in person it looks neat.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

July 05, 2009 ~ 20:07 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 22


Trying to catch up. This week's question was: "Which direction am I going?"

I am choosing to go in the direction of joy. I want to be happy and I am working on feeling more peaceful and helping myself bloom and be more joyful. I think happiness is intentional and can be self-taught.

I used dabbers paint and masking to do the butterfly and then just another simple stamp and Thickers and I am done.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

July 02, 2009 ~ 20:07 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 21


This week's question was "If you had a free day with NO restrictions...what would you choose to do?"

Family. Art. Books. Sleep. Honestly, it's all I ever need.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

May 25, 2009 ~ 22:05 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 20


This week's question was "what is your latest obsession?"

Ahem. A bit embarrased to answer this one but I've been obsessed with twitter a lot lately and it seemed appropriate...

Some ink, chipboard bird painted with glimmery paint, and some letters and bling.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

May 25, 2009 ~ 22:05 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 19


This week's question was "What gives me hope?""

I am in the middle of big changes in my life. Lots of new beginnings and exciting possibilities. They are making me giddy with excitement and hope. It's like the first day of school. The clean notebooks. All that possibility. All that hope of starting over and getting it right this time around. That's how I feel.

Just cut out some papers and added some bling for this one. And a butterfly of course.



I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here.

May 25, 2009 ~ 22:05 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 18


This week's question was "What's on your to-do list this week?"

Well seeing that I have a newborn, this was easy. Family is all that's on my todo list this week.

Stamps, epoxy, brads, and a bit of ribbon is it.



May 08, 2009 ~ 20:05 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 17


This week's question was "What is your superpower"

I had to think about this one for a while. My first instinct was to write what I might put down on a self-evaluation at work. I am good at getting things done. I execute. This is something that has allowed me to accomplish a lot in my life and it has allowed me to be successful in my career. But, then again, it's not really my superpower.

My true superpower, i believe, is that i stick by people and will do anything for them. Pleasing others and seeing them happy gives me indescribable joy and I will do pretty much anything to see them happy. I give and love wholeheartedly.

Just some misting and epoxies for this one. And stitching.



May 08, 2009 ~ 20:05 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 16


This week's question was "What is the truth?"

This was easy for me. I've been thinking lately about how wonderful life is and how lucky and blessed I am. So my current truth is just that: Life is wonderful.

Just some chipboard, punches and ink on this one. Nothing else.



May 08, 2009 ~ 20:05 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 15


This week's question was " what makes me me?"

Ok after two relatively challenging ones, this was easy for me. What makes me me is my capacity to love wholeheartedly. I can love, care and be there with all my being for the people in my life. I stick by them and I am there no matter what. My love is deep, true, and with all my being. So my theme was love.

For this tag, I was inspired by this paper from Prima Marketing. I wanted to use fabric but my punch wouldn't punch through so I used the beautiful "que sera sera" papers from K & Company. I put some thin white paint on the background paper just to dim it out a bit and then just stitched over the hearts. And of course added some bling. Can't seem to do without the small sparkle. That's about it.



----

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here

April 15, 2009 ~ 16:04 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 14


This week's question was " what is the last good book you read?"

Ordinarily, I'm a voracious reader and read two books, or so, a week. However, I haven't been doing much reading (or anything really) lately and even the ones I've read haven't been that great. The last great book I've read that really sucked me in and pulled me into another world was Twilight. I resisted reading it for a long long time since I don't care for vampires in any way. But this book managed to make me realize that any topic can be made into a great story, so I decided to pick it as my book.

I am not crazy about this tag, either but this week's technique was using glimmer mist. I put some thickers on the tag and then inked the whole thing. I then sprayed glimmer mist and put some pearl ink. I wanted to create the effect of "night." Afterwards, I pulled out the thickers and with some glue, put some glitter on the letters. The glimmermist made the tag all soft and wrinkly so that's why it ended up a bit odd and it's really hard to take a good photo but you get the gist. This, too, is not one of my favorites.


----
I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here

April 08, 2009 ~ 18:04 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 13


This week's question was "what was my worst (or best?!) hairstyle experience to date?"

This one didn't really speak to me immediately. In fifth grade, I decided to grow my hair and didn't cut it until after college. Once I managed to cut it, I had a strong sense of freedom and proceeded to try several hairstyles. I went blonde, black, red and then back to my original brown. During this period, I spent a few months in Japan. While I was there, I had this one haircut which was the shortest my hair has ever been. It was auburn and really short. To this day, it's the boldest haircut I've had, so I decided to commemorate it.

I am not sure I like this tag all that much but the technique I used this week was "printing on canvas." I took this photo of me from then and printed it on canvas and glued it to the tag and then just embellished around it and put some fabric behind the tag. Not one of my favorites to be sure.


----
I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here

April 08, 2009 ~ 18:04 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 12


This week's question was "what are you grateful for right now?"

I read this question at a moment I was feeling truly grateful for everything. The last few months have had their ups and downs but at this particular moment, I am so thankful for life. For my wonderful husband and amazing son. For this life growing inside me. Even for my job and the great people I work with. For spring finally coming back. For the beauty of nature. For getting to teach this class I am teaching. For getting to read books, watch TV, and in general do things I love to do. So I wanted my tag to just focus on how wonderful my life is in general and how very thankful and grateful I am for that.

I wanted to do something vintagy last week so I guess that stuck with me. I was inspired by two amazing people and my art cannot do justice to either. One is art like this by the amazing Rebecca Sower. The other is this beautiful white on white piece by Vivian Bonder. I fell in love with the white on white and have been meaning to do some art that only has tones of white for a long long time. Both of these women are incredibly inspiring and amazing. Besides a lot of lace, I used some machine stitching and that's really about it.



----

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here

March 26, 2009 ~ 22:03 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 11


This week's question was "what keeps me awake at night?"

To be fully honest, the one thing that literally keeps me awake at night is the baby, of course. Now that I am 8.5months pregnant, between peeing and spinal pain, there's not much sleep to be had. But since I did a tag on pregnancy two weeks ago, I wanted to focus on something else so I decided to choose another big thing happening to us: the fact that we might be buying a house for the first time ever. Deciding whether to buy or not, finding a house, and trying to do it all in the middle of a baby coming certainly has been keeping me awake so I thought it was a fair one to tackle.

I originally planned to do "vintage" this week but somehow when I started doing the tag, this is what came out. I don't know that it uses any specific technique except maybe a bunch of stamping and some layering. Nothing major or very new to me. I took a chipboard house and added elements of what I hope to have in my new home: music, words, flowers, sleep (moon), joy (butterfly), togetherness (key) and lots and lots of love.



----

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here

March 19, 2009 ~ 16:03 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 10


This week's question was "name 5 movies that inspire you creatively..."

I've had to think about this one for a long long time for some reason. At first, I thought about my favorite movies but then I reread the question and it talks about creative inspiration. Then, the first thing that came to my mind were these set of three movies made by a Polish director called Red, White, and Blue. So I decided instead of choosing five, I'll just stick to this trilogy.

This week's technique was fragments. I honestly had no idea what to do with them so it was an interesting challenge for me. I went through all my scraps and picked all the red, white, and blue paper I had and glued them to the back of the fragments and then just had fun with it. I painted the tag with denim distress ink and then embossed it with clear, shiny embossing powder. The fragments I had were the ones with the holes so I tried to align them interestingly. I am not sure how I feel about the outcome but it was fun. I am sorry the photo didn't turn out that well, especially the butterfly.


----
I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here

March 12, 2009 ~ 21:03 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 9


This week's question was "what was the last brave thing i did?"

It might seem odd but the first thing that came to my mind was my pregnancy. Even though I really want this baby and I am so happy she or he is coming, this has been a long, hard pregnancy. I know it could be much worse but, for me, it's been a journey in being brave. Trips to ER, a LOT of throwing up, anemia, resulting in more medication than I wanted. But, I'm almost at the end of this journey and can't wait to meet my little one.

This week's technique was simple. I drew a profile of a pregnant woman looking down. I put glossy glaze all over it and then microbeads on the glue. I left it overnight and then put another layer of glossy glaze over it so the beads wouldn't fall off. I made a little heart out of wire with a small flower on it which I glued to the pregnant woman. I then inked the rest of the tag and wrote along the profile. That's it.

----

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here

March 06, 2009 ~ 13:03 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 8


This week's question was "what was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?"

I thought about this one for a long time. In the end, it always comes back to my family. My husband makes me laugh a lot and so does my 4-year-old son. Watching them play together also makes me laugh out loud often and all the memories I could remember of myself laughing involved either one or the other, or both so I centered my tag around family.

This week's technique was inspired by two very talented ladies: I used the wax melting (using a crayon) technique Claudine Hellmuth highlights in Collage Discovery Workshop and this beautiful art journal page by Ali Edwards that has inspired me for a long time. Besides the wax, I've also used acrylic paint rolled over with a brayer and green alcohol ink as well as several distress inks and brown chalk ink.



----

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the full list: here

February 25, 2009 ~ 12:02 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 7


This week's question was "what would you do, if you knew you could not fail?"

For me, the thing that I keep coming back to over and over is to write. I want to write novels and be published. if i weren't worried of failing, i'd be a writer. (and maybe an artist, too). So I made this little girl who's holding a book and the letters spell "write."

This week's technique was inspired by the talented kelly rae roberts. I tried to use one of the techniques she highlights in her book "taking flight." this tag uses old music, book, and mechanical drawing sheets and some stamps. Acrylic paint rolled over with a brayer and green alcohol ink as well as several distress inks. i really do wish i could draw better...but oh well :)

here's another look:

----

I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week.

see full list: here.

February 17, 2009 ~ 14:02 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 6


This week's question was "if i could do it all again, would i change anything?"

I don't believe in looking back. When I make a decision, I think for a long time and I work hard to make sure I believe it's the best decision I can make with what information I have available at the time. This way, I don't regret anything because I know I didn't do it haphazardly. I believe life is about moving forward and looking forward. I also firmly believe that we don't know how the paths we didn't take would have ended up, so I wouldn't change anything.

This week's technique was inspired by the amazing Loretta Grayson, specifically this piece. I've always wanted to try sewing more creatively and I used acrylic paint and the back of my brush for the while lines. It doesn't come close to comparing to her beautiful art but it was still a lot of fun to experiment.







I am combining Emily Falconbridge's art journal questions with trying a new technique each week. You can see the see full list: here

February 10, 2009 ~ 15:02 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 5


This week's prompt was "How do I feel TODAY?"

Honestly, I thought a lot about this one. The one prominent thought was tired since I've been so so tired all the time lately but then I wanted something that's more specific for these last few days as opposed to the last few months and since so many friends around me are struggling and it's making me blue, I've decided to go with feeling blue. It's not even that I am sad for myself, but mostly at all the hardships my friends are suffering and how pensive it's making me.

The main technique I tried to use on this one was resist. I used clear embossing to stamp the "blue" and then inked all over the tag to make the word standout. Then I covered the letters with Tim's crackle paint to emphasize the feeling of feeling broken/blue. I then used alcohol inks to make the bling, ghost heart, and the shells blue. I also used the sparkling H2O's for the edges and inside the letters a bit just to give it a glimmer of sparkle. I used stickles to cover a white heart and put the two hearts to symbolize relationship related issues my friends are having. That's it. I wanted the whole card to be tints of blue.



February 05, 2009 ~ 09:02 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 4


This week's prompt was "when i look into my eyes, i see _______."

This tag didn't photograph well at all but I couldn't figure out how to fix it. It has a lot of techniques from my list. The bottom brown section is flocked, there's wax all over it which causes the blotches. The brown color is alcohol ink. The butterflies are embossed with glittery brown powder. And the stamping of course.

To me, the tree represents potential growth and opportunity. The butterflies, too, represent future full of possibility which is what I see.




January 29, 2009 ~ 20:01 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 3


This week's prompt was "Do you believe in fairies?"

I wanted something really shimmery so I took a purple butterfly and put pearl ink on it and then some white felt and then some white glitter just to be sure it would shine. I used UTEE on the hearts in the background (which was an afterthought, hence the not perfect pattern) and some alcohol inks with the pearl mixative on the blue in the background.

here's another look:



January 23, 2009 ~ 11:01 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 2


This week's question was "Am I afraid of change?"

With a new baby on the way, I decided change is inevitable for us and I might as well embrace it. Hence the heart and the clasp over it.

I used UTEE to stamp "laugh" and grunge board for the heart and the clasp. I put a little glossy accent on the heart swirls just to have them stick out a bit.



January 18, 2009 ~ 13:01 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - TAG 1


Emily's question from last week is: "what do i wish for this year to bring?" and as I've already spoken about many many times, mine is for peace.

The technique I used for this week is the Mini Misters and I took my inspiration from this tag by Tim Holtz. I've been playing more and more with his products and loving every moment of it.

January 11, 2009 ~ 13:01 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


52 QUESTIONS AND TECHNIQUES - COVER


I started this project last night and had so much fun. The technique for this card was water-soluble crayons.

January 11, 2009 ~ 13:01 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]


2009 PROJECTS - PROJECT 3 - 52 TAGS


I know I should stop adding new projects to what promises to be an already very full year but after this one I only have one more in mind so I think I'm close to the end.

For this project, I decided to combine my own version of Julie's Project 52 with Emily's 52Q. I wanted to spend more time trying new techniques, exploring and seeing what I like so I made a list of all the techniques I could think of (almost all of which doesn't require me to buy any new supplies of any kind.) I ordered manilla tags so that I can do a tag a week using Emily's questions as my prompts and a tehcnique from my list. I used Excel to randomize my list (I am a computer geek afterall) and I'm only allowed to go up or down 4 in the list each week for my technique just so I don't spend too much time picking one.

Since the tags are still on order, this might take another week to start or I might just make my own tag for this week, we'll see. But here's the list of all my techniques.

  1. Misters (tim's mini misters)
  2. 3-dimensional embellishments
  3. water soluble crayons
  4. brayer/paint
  5. Vinyl
  6. paper pleating
  7. paper piecing
  8. Wire
  9. make my own flowers
  10. something with a lot of ink/watercolor like debee
  11. play with transparencies (made at home)
  12. UTEE
  13. create a lot of layers/depth
  14. Metal embellishments
  15. resist ink/castaway ink...
  16. Fabric
  17. Sanding
  18. Polymer Clay (SculpeyIII)
  19. beeswax
  20. bubble wrap
  21. Diamond Glaze
  22. gum arabic/pearlex
  23. alcohol inks
  24. Chalking
  25. flocking
  26. Acrylic paint (dabber or golden)
  27. use only rubons
  28. Grungeboard
  29. masking
  30. spray paint
  31. microbeads
  32. Masking Tape
  33. bleach
  34. doodling
  35. Machine Stitching
  36. printing on canvas (using canvas in general)
  37. Something with stamping
  38. Fragment charms
  39. something with complicated stitching
  40. Alcohol ink mixatives
  41. crackle paint/glaze
  42. do one of tim's tags
  43. Stickles/distress or otherwise
  44. Vintage
  45. embossing
  46. Glossy accents
  47. Glimmer Mist
  48. Felt
  49. paper poking
  50. Distress Ink
  51. hand stitching/emboridery
  52. something with metal


I picked tags cause they are small and make this project more manageable for me. This will be my version of an art journal this year.

January 06, 2009 ~ 16:01 | link | 52 questions and techniques | share[]
©2008 karenika.com