Turning

Feeling the wheels turning - slowly, slowly - as if beginning to release from some chink in the works - my creative bend starts to roll. The process seems to have order - yet, is free and almost wild in nature. Excitement is building within as that which was blocking my  creative production is crumbling and becoming mere dust - leaving an open path to fulfillment and purpose.

Sitting at my desk, I purpose to move into the creative posture that ignites my very soul. Art is an active form of the faith that I live by - and which runs through my veins with an energy from my Creator above. Presently, I find myself jumping back and forth in mediums much like a firefly darts through a meadow in the misty dusk of a summer's eve. I am filled with promise and expectation as I take the tools of my passion in hand. My breath catches in anticipation as I lay a stroke of charcoal on a sheet of creamy, toothy  paper - delight spreading with each line applied. My inward being swells with every word that flows from the folds of my mind - thoughts tumble like liquid rushing through a channel - ephemera depositing onto  the page - line upon line. Silver shears slicing through fibers of various textures and hues seem to separate and categorize the ideas and plans that flow from my imagination. Surrounded now by ribbons, bits of lace, and silken floral pieces - Bohemian meets Romantic in style and execution. Creative yearning now takes form from the Divine source that steers my ship, and I delight in my session of "making art". Heady with emotion, I stand back to survey the result of my most recent undertaking and I recognize the satisfaction of yet another encounter in the arena of creating in the pattern of the One who began it all!

Simple and Easy

Summertime and the living is easy - with "simple and easy" being the theme of the editor's post in one of my favorite magazines - Artful Blogging. It is true that I am one of those people who find myself in the midst of slowing down and simplifying my life. Not that I have stopped "making art" but rather, I am paring things down so that I have time for the things that matter. New and improved methods of organizing and storing my papers and supplies have been a priority this month. Arranging tools and materials at my fingertips make production easier and allow more time to capture the creative moment and get it three-dimensional. Digital recording is also a more prevalent habit in the past six months also, allowing projects to be viewed online and in my scrapbooks for many years to come.

Memory-making Lane

Fueled with papers, fibers, and other necessary embellishments, the engine is awaiting the signal from "creation station". Having gathered and culled elements from the cabinets of my studio station, I am nearly ready for the roll-out of paper art education. Now packing my bags with tools and visuals which will aid in a successful journey through color and design theory, the first SDU classes in the area will soon be underway. The interest sheet of prospective passengers on this trip through memory-making lane is filling up quickly, with yet one more forum to entice and urge purchasing a ticket to better scrapbook completion. If you are reading this and have not yet made your decision for a fun-filled trip through unscaled mountains and picturesque meadows that is sure to change your perspective on album-keeping, climb aboard - because this soulful train is pulling out.

Paper Passion Shared

Paper and adhesive strewn all over my studio desk, I am preparing for the roll-out of the new SDU color and design theory class as it pertains to scrapbooking. All new in my county, I conducted a demonstration on Saturday at my local JoAnn's (Fabric and Craft Store) in order to generate interest and comment. Sitting at the demonstration table, EK Success products carefully arranged and displayed, I watched as people entered the store. Many dressed in traditional red, white, and blue attire, they scurried this way and that to pick up that last minute embellishment for their Fourth of July extravaganza. But wait, I soon saw women making their way to the scrapbook aisles! Within minutes, I shared with several customers, showing them the nesting, flower-shaped Paper Shapers by EK Success and demonstrating the ergonomic ease with which they punch even heavier cardstock. Interest piqued in the tools and paper, I moved on to the well-written four session class that will be available in September. Soon, my interest sheet was filling up and I knew people would enjoy this informative opportunity to increase their scrapbooking awareness and expertise. Now back at home, I look forward to sharing with others one facet of my paper passion - recording memories through scrapbook design.