Friday, February 17, 2012

Live With Prima Mini Album Class!!

Happy Friday everyone. It's a three day weekend and I'm hoping part of this weekend will consist of paint, canvas, and a glorious mess . Last night I had a Live With Prima class and I thought I'd share with ya. Help get those creative juices flowing. This is pretty structured for me and i apologize if the measurements are a little jumbled in the video. I hate measuring :P But here are the accurate measurements you will need if you would like to follow along with the video :D




Here are the measurements for last night's show:
2 pieces of white card stock,watercolor paper, or chipboard at 12"x6", 4 pieces of patterned paper at 12"x6"

Fold lines: On one piece of white crd stock fold at 1" in and again at 4" from the edge.That will give you 3" between the two score lines. On your other piece fold at 3" in and then at 4" in. this will give you a 1" between the two folds. Fold the pieces and then adhere the patterned paper on top of the crd stock.

On the binding of the inside. Accordion fold at a 1/2" you will want at least seven folds. You can add more if you like.


Hope you enjoy and have a artistic three day weekend.


Hugs
Jamie D.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Live With Prima Valentines

Hello all!! It's Tuesday and only a week away from Valentines Day!! I wanted to share a technique driven project I created using Prima and a few art mediums. Even if you are new to using mediums this is a fun class to watch.




Here is the Live With Prima class. I hope you enjoy the techniques and the project. Have a creative week :)



Don't forget to check out Live With Prima tonight!! 5PM PST, Cari Fennell has an awesome tag class to share with you!

Hugs All
Jamie D.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Trying to Present Yourself at CHA

   I'm not even there yet and I'm already exhausted. A lot of work goes into preparing for the Craft and Hobby show. Elves do not come, in the middle of the night and put the displays together for you...Or make sure everything is set in it's place--if it were only that easy. You have two days to set up the eye catching presentations and when it's all over, you have an afternoon to tear it all down. I am making sure I bring my ibuprofen and a hot pack lol. But really after all the hard work, the show can be extremely rewarding. Not just for the vendors, or retailers, but for the artists as well. Artists as a whole strive to make themselves known and CHA is the perfect opportunity.
   I find it sometimes difficult though, trying to wade through the artists and designer who feel it's necessary to trample others to get their name out there. Respect flies out the window and the claws come out. Passive aggressiveness becomes a trend, and I end up at the bottom of the pile :/ I'm like the pretty displays; I work hard to build up my confidence and by the end, I'm in pieces at the bottom of a box. This year I refuse to be the one who ends up pushed aside. But I'm going to use my talents, presentation, and self respect to active my goals. If my talent and work ethic is not enough to give myself a leg up, then I guess I wasn't meant to be in this industry. I know and admire many men and women who strive to be morally sound artists and designers. They understand that throwing someone under the bus isn't going to help them achieve their goals in the end. You've just damaged a possible friendship or braking the will of  a person who could have become an amazing designer. I am grateful to know them.
   I hope that others take this in consideration when they walk into the convention center this weekend. Don't let the bright lights and fancy displays cloud your judgment and self respect. 
  

  Now I must go back to packing, something I should've started days ago ;) I hope to see some of you at CHA and can't wait to see all the people I have gained as friends because of this amazing industry. If you are planning to be in Anaheim, I will be working in the Prima booth. 

  Bring it on CHA! I'm ready!


Have a fun weekend

Jamie D. 

P.S. If nothing above made sense, I apologize I'm working on two hours of sleep. :) 

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Reflection, Life & Inspiration

Things have come about this past year that I could have never imagined happening. And this year looks like it might even have more in store.

I don't share this and actually haven't shared my feelings on this with anyone, (besides God and my husband) but felt it was something I needed to share. I needed to voice how I feel and maybe it will help me or others to see that what we are doing actually matters.

Short story...In 98' my now husband, a friend of ours, and I had gotten into a head-on collision. One that most people wouldn't have walked away from let alone survived. We were headed home when we came around a blind corner and was hit head on by a drunk driver. We went up and over the man's car and ended upside down. I hadn't been wearing a seat belt, and when I came to I realized that my head and half my upper body were outside of the front windshield. I remember looking up at the hood of the truck and was overwhelmed by the smell of gasoline and assault. The gasoline and dirt burned the small cuts in my scalp and a sharp pain shot up my leg. I had broken my leg and came out otherwise with only small cuts and bruises. All three of us came out without life threatening injuries!! The truck was totaled and the man got off scot free.

But you probably are asking why I share this horrible story. What has followed me through out the years is actually a phone call I had received a couple of days after that accident. A very close and long time friend had called me to see how I was doing. He had said to me that he didn't know what he would've done if I hadn't survived the car accident...His words stuck with me and I will remember that phone call for the rest of my life...

Because no more than a  few weeks after he made that call that same friend died in a freak accident while riding his dirt bike out in the desert.

I often ask myself and God why had I survived and he did not. What in my life would become more important than what he could have accomplished. I also question whether or not the things I have accomplished are what God had planned for me. Am I good mother? Will my children love me and know how much I truly love them? I also wonder that maybe them, themselves are who will become the great outcome of my life. Maybe I was just the way they got here. I also ask, do my parents look at what I have accomplished and have set out to accomplish worth the life they have provided me?

I also ask if writing is what I was meant to do? If I don't succeed, will it matter, or is it that, I was brave enough to put pen to paper? Does my art matter, even if no one buys my work, or will it inspire someone else who will become a world renowned artist? Why was my life not up yet? What am I suppose to be doing and accomplishing?

I try to look at life with the thought that it could end at any moment and in truth it can! We never know when it can come to an end and while we're here we need to make the most of it. Put everything we have into loving and caring for those around us. Make sure you tell those important to you, that you DO love them each and every day. Make sure to tell yourself that you ARE important and no matter the outcome, what you do IS important as well. Don't be afraid to try something new, because that one thing might be what God had intended for you all along.

With a new year I want to remind myself of this and I hope it can inspire and help some of you as well. God has a plan for me and whether I have already accomplished his goals or his plan is still set out in front of me, I plan to put forth the time and effort to do it justice. I use my life as inspiration and I hope you all realize that your life in it's self is inspiring.

I will not waste this life...I refuse to waste this life and what it has in store for me.


Fear can hinder your life but Hope can encourage what it's meant to be.



Hugs To ALL
Jamie D.








Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Mixing Some Mediums With Canvas Corp.

Hi all I have some canvas fun to share with you today. I created this 12 x12 canvas using Canvas Corp canvas and burlap and 7 Gypsies embellishments. Did you hear!? 7Gypsies will now be part of Canvas Corp!! Now that is a match made in heaven. Their styles compliment each other and I hope my project today shows just one way they do :)

 12 x12 canvas with a 4 x4 stretched burlap. A burlap rectangle tag. a couple of the small paper bags, one ivory scalloped tag and T-Pin and three small clothes pins. I also used some of 7 gypsies ephemera, stamp, and glass bottle.
I used Gel Medium to adhere the ephemera to the canvas, which also added a resist to the canvas. I added Golden Artist paint to add a pop of color.  I gave the canvas an antiqued look with Glimmer mist in Walnut Gold, and Tim Holtz distressInk in Freyed Burlap. I added beads to the glass bottle and a crystal heart to accompany it on it's framed shelf.


Don't you agree that the two fit hand in hand. I hope this gives a little source of inspiration and can't wait to see what the two names come up with next. Have a wonderful Thursday.

Hugs
Jamie D.

Monday, January 9, 2012

CHA New Products

Hi everyone:) It's that time of year to save our pennies, bookmark those websites, and wipe the drool off of our computers. Yep it's CHA time again and this year I have a little bit of exciting news to share. Prima has used a few of my flower designs in their release!!! I know pinch me please. It is like a dream come true for me. I wanted to share a couple of designs today with you. (I have a few more to come) They are felt flowers I designed. I love the felt for it's warm and comfortable feel and the beaded accents add a quality feel. They even come ready with leaves and/or stems.  I put a lot of thought in these and Prima has brought them to you amazingly!(I expected nothing less). These flowers will be perfect for any project. Scrapbook pages, cards, mixed media art, mini albums, or wearable art. Their material with withstand being compressed in an album or worn on a hat. There is an array of colors and styles fit for everyones style. I hope you enjoy them as well. Again here are a couple sneak peeks and more to come!


"Encore" Felt Flowers. Look at the hand stitching and bead work. With rich color and diminution. 
"Cassie" Felt flowers. These can be opened up or kept closed. but inside is more beading detail. They have stems that can be twisted and curled to add detail to your projects.


Make sure to check out Prima's other release peeks. Prima's Blog
Thank You for stopping by the blog today. Have a wonderful week and create something amazing!!

P.S. I have a Facebook page now, where I share all of my artsy goings and doings and upcoming classes. I'd love to see you there and if you do so before this Friday you can be entered in for a creative giveaway.

Hugs
Jamie D.

Friday, December 23, 2011

A Happy New Mini For The Upcoming Year

Hello everyone!! I wanted to share with you my Mini album i created on Live With Prima. A great way to use the acrylic you have or bring back those mini albums. With all the mediums that are popular right now. Acrylic is the perfect product to use those mediums on. Take a look and I hope you enjoy.


Here is what I created. 



"US" Mini
In this class Jamie will show how you can alter acrylic using Staz-On inks, embossing powder and Sharpie markers, as well as using your heat gun to alter and manipulate the acrylic to add dimension. Create a beautiful Mini album for your New Year's celebrations or a memorable anniversary present.

  • 540319- Innoscence Collection
  • 552381- Miss Kate Petal Night Light
  • 544584- SIIC
  • 890179- Build a book scallop single
  • 890056- black Build a book pair
  • ??????-Scallop round Build a book pages. (I use two for the book) Not sure how many come in a pack)
  • 890575-Star Build a book tags
  • 533700-Cherry Blossom Branches Silver
  • 553524-Aglow Black Magic
  • 541835- Clear Paintable stamp
  • 553487- Medley Star
  • 921644- US canvas

  • White Opaque Staz-On Ink
  • Silver embossing powder
  • White Sharpie paint pen
  • Heat Gun
  • 3D foam squares
  • Adhesive
  • Ribbon (May Arts)


Here is the Product list if you would like to recreate this project :)
I wish all of you a Happy and Safe Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. God Bless

Jamie D.