pamgarrison

i love to repurpose

I love this little planted wooden bowl so much. 

Thought I'd share this in case you want to make one too. 

I found the serving bowl at HomeGoods, it had a big crack in it all down the side and on the bottom. Which meant it was super marked down. I couldn't resist getting it to use as a planter. I had already gotten some succulents from Home Depot that were in need of a home, so I just tucked some dry moss in the crack to keep the dirt in but still let it drain, filled it with a little succulent fast draining soil and tucked the plants in. 

Really couldn't be easier. I love it on our outdoor dining table. I think it would make a great gift to bring to someone's home too.

I thought it was a fluke, but then a friend mentioned she saw another cracked wooden bowl at a different HomeGoods, so maybe they bought a whole lot of the damaged ones. I know I'll be checking the clearance isle first the next time I'm in one! 

recently downloaded

Suddenly, I am feeling a little less intimidated by technology. It's probably largely due to my continued learning at the hands of my computer tutor Sarah, but certainly also a change in my attitude must play a part.  I'm open to trying vs. shutting down my mind at the mere thought. Those that embrace it seem to be having a lot of fun with it, and I want to be able to have that kind of fun too...enough that I'm willing to keep at it, even though it doesn't come easily. I thought I'd share what I've recently downloaded and started using in case you might be interested too. (I use an iPhone 4S and mac computers, not sure if these apps are for every device or not.)

The three photos above were taken with my phone and altered with an app called Typic:

Typic App from Typic on Vimeo.

 

 

The two photos above were altered with another app called PicFrame.

But one of my favorite new apps is walkjogrun. Here's a screen shot of a walk with my daughter last week (she's training for a 1/2 marathon, thus the long walk...I'm too out of shape to run, thus the walk vs. jog :) )

It's a great way to track your exercise, even has options to select hike/hills/bike etc. So far I have only planned out a trail before going or started the gps when I began and it tracked my route, but just using those two features has been super fun and a bit of motivation to exercise. (Which says a lot for the app!)

Another non photo related app I've downloaded is Feedly because she told me to, and she is much more tech knowledgeable than I. (Since Google Reader is stopping service soon, there's a need to replace it if you ever used it for blog reading.) However, before I downloaded Feedly to replace Google Reader, I had downloaded bloglovin' and was liking it, so I think I'll try them both for a bit to see which I prefer. The truth is, I rarely checked into Google Reader, so I'm not sure how much I'll use either of these apps, although ideally, I'd like to use them and see more of what's going on out in the blog world. (On this post Mary Ann describes why she likes Feedly better than bloglovin'.)

This app could be fun where you live: rumgr . I didn't take to it, but you might, it looks like it has a lot of potential to be useful. 

And, another favorite new app is the app for JoAnn's fabrics- I know, what? But hey, when standing in the checkout line all I have to do is click on the app and it opens up at least two coupons they scan in addition to any paper coupons you might have, I get excited. I never seem to remember paper coupons, but I always have my phone with me. Wish Michael's crafts would follow suit...have any of you tried to download extra coupons on your smart phone for Michael's and had it take forever? Not fun. 

Oh, and not new at all, but my favorite app, and the app where all these edited photos were posted in the first place...ya, you know...instagram...I do love that app. (user name pamgarrison).

Any favorite new apps you'd like to share? We're open to hearing about them...for today anyway, until I reach my tech info overload. Baby steps, I just keep taking baby steps. :)

project life • week 11

 

Here's my Project Life spread for week 11, March 11-17, 2013.

As I've said before, I'm really glad I decided to attempt this project this year. I'm very pleased I'm sticking with it too!

 

This week I downloaded these printables to use in a couple pockets. I just printed them on my everyday desk printer, which is what I print my photos on as well. I've used this printer for every photo in my PL this year, and I've used this photo paper. However, I did just buy some of this photo paper to see if I prefer it. I think printer paper is one of those things that I'll have to try a bunch of different types to see what I like best, since printing photos is really pretty new to me, (I didn't want that to stop me from doing the project, so I just am going for it now, even though I may prefer something else in the long run). Keeping the focus on making it do-able for me.

Someone recently asked me what page protectors I'm using. I bought this variety pack at the start to give myself options. But then I saw another big variety pack so bought it too. The way my brain works, if there are options, I usually want to have them in my supplies on hand, then I feel I've got all the bases covered and can create in any way I want, it's not necessary though, to have it all, just the way my mind works, and like I said, I'm trying to make this project as easy as possible for me to stick with it. Getting it done is my priority above all other concerns or wishes I might have with it. 

On this week's spread, the left side is Page Protector F series specifically (included in one of the big variety packs I bought). and the right side is the more traditional Page Protector A.

As I mentioned last time, I screen-shoot a lot of texts with my daughter to include her life at college in our family album. This week, it dawned on me that I could change the colors when editing in iphoto since I don't particularly care for the usual text screen appearance. Just one of those, "um, duh" moments.

I used my favorite white pen to write on the journal card and circle the "Happy" flair.

Oh, and looking at this photo I can see that I'm not quite done. Since the bottom right pocket is a 4x6, but I've used two 3x4 pictures, I'm going to stitch a line down the center on my machine to keep the photos in place. Then this week will be done and I'll be onto the next :)! 

I hope I've answered those that had questions. Please feel free to ask in the comments if not. As I am just beginning this project this year, I'm doing lots of learning on the go too, so am happy to share what I've found to work and not work for me so far. I'm glad some of you have decided to jump in this year too. I'm enjoying the challenge of a whole new type of play.

washi tape love

 

I'm sure I've shared with you before my love for washi tape, and really, colored tape of all kinds while we're at it. I've collected quite a lot over the past few years (I have bought online from Freckled Fawn and Cute Tape before, and in person at Michael's and anywhere else I've come across it. I even bought the kids' colored tape from Target. As I was looking for links for you, I stumbled across this which I might need to get, darn it, and this, which I am getting for sure. As far as art supplies goes, it's a pretty inexpensive item with a lot of bang for the buck. I store mine in something similar to this, (I can't find the exact item) and it makes it really easy to see what I have and easy to access it too. 

I started making a bunch of striped journaling and weekly date cards for my project life album that I'm keeping. I used these cards for a base for the most part.

For this one I covered an old date journal card that I had, that's why you can see through to a design under a couple of the stripes. That doesn't bother me though.

I had used all patterened tape before, but then started loving the solids.

For the card pictured above, I used my little dream machine to cut out the oh yes on scrapbook paper and then did stripes of washi behind it.

I find the washi cards easy to help tie in colors on a weekly spread. For example, my printer was acting up, so the photos came out with pink and purple hues. I added in a digital card from here, and decided to use the washi tape to make some cards that would match, as purple is not a standard supply color for me.

It's a fun way to choose your colors. I took the photos above just to show the difference adding or changing one color makes in a color palette. 

 

I started making diagonal cards, and then used the triangles cut from the edge to make cards themselves. You know me and my love for scraps of all kinds...

I used some Project Life arrow stickers here, as well as an old card that I covered in washi tape trying to make my own chevron design.

Oh washi tape, I love you!

Have a favorite source for wahi tape that you'd care to share? Tell us in the comments.

More washi tape love on my instagram  ( pamgarrison is my user name).

Souvenir Spring issue

 

Heather's been working hard to bring you another great issue of ideas and eye candy available now here.

(And good news for those of you that order yours in a print version, Mag cloud is running a sale now thru the 17th, $7.00 off your print copy price.)

Here are a couple teasers:

Bring on Spring!!!

schmincke water-colours

I've been having so much fun playing with my new watercolors, the delicious set I was oh-so-generously given by my friend  Jenny for my last birthday. Last time I taught at her Studio, she had a set and I flipped out. It was very sweet when months later she gifted me with my own set, because she was so joyful, knowing that it was something that I really wanted but wasn't going to get (they're pricey!) for myself.

They are by far the most beautiful watercolors I have ever had. I first learned of them via Geninne; her set was so amazing, and I assume you've seen her beautiful creations. She had many different sets and brands, but I was taken with these Schminckes that I had never seen before.

I started painting in my handbound journal, made with my favorite watercolor paper:

And then I grabbed my water brush and  my little handbook where I've been documenting all my watercolor sets, and added my new set:

The colors are so rich and beautiful!

I've shown this book (my watercolor-set-documenting-book, for lack of a better name haha) before on my instagram feed, but in case I haven't here, I'll go take some photos and post them here tomorrow. It's a fun little book.

But before I go do that, one last pic of the pretty Schmincke paints

in action:

Happy Friday!!!

creative lettering

 

I received a copy of Jenny's newest book, Creative Lettering, in the mail and I love it!

And I'm not saying that just because I am a contributor, nope.

I love a book that pays attention to the details, like the inside cover and title page above, 

and throwing in some extra eye candy, like my lettering on the materials page.

 I am honored to be one of the contributors, and I love what Jenny and her team did with my artwork.

But the true star of the book are the letters themselves, created by a whole bunch of talented artists. I can't wait to try some of the other contributors' techniques and suggested materials. So fun.

Jenny will be signing copies soon too, here's the info.

If you are a fellow letter lover, especially of hand drawn fonts, you're gonna love this book.  If you try your hand at any of the letters or projects from it, let me know, I'd love to see them!

pop up sale this weekend!

(click on above to link to event info!-don't worry about the tickets,they're not needed)

Friends Tara Whitney and Emily Falconbridge are putting together an awesome pop up vintage/handmade sale this weekend in Irvine, CA.  I'm going, and thought you might want to too. I've been over to Tara's and seen the growing pile of fun, and know Emily makes rad stuff, so...

 

 

Told ya, it's good stuff. Hope to meet you there!

 

journal it!!

 

Congratulations to my pal Jenny Doh for authoring yet another awesome art book, Journal It!   You know I'm passionate about art journaling, so I was very excited to get my hands on a copy. So much to see; 19 artists share their journals. I especially love seeing my friends, or fellow blogging/teaching artists that I know would be friends if only we were ever at the same place at the same time with our journals and supplies :).

 Like Corey Moortgat:

Alisa Burke:

and Julie Fei-Fan Balzer:

Speaking of Julie, and journaling with her, I  wish I was going to be able to join in the fun this weekend when she's teaching at Jenny's, but I'll be out of town. There are still a couple spots so if you have an unexpected opening, maybe you'll get to meet her and journal with her. I'm sure it's going to be an awesome art journaling time. 

Instead, I'll be taking my newest itty bitty journal that I made while teaching for a friend's private little gathering over at Studio Crescendoh this past week (isn't it cute?), 

and going to this special birthday party. Is she not one of the wittiest and most entertaining bloggers ever?!? That post made me laugh out loud. I'll do my best with the synchronized swimming routine...I love being in the water, but a water ballerina I am not! Anyway, surely my little book of mostly white pages will not look like this when I get back:

Until then, here are some relatively recent journaling pages of mine to share:

 

 

Hooray for Fridays!!! Hope you are having a good one!

my word for 2013

I have decided to participate in the One Little Word movement. It's something that a whole bunch of people do, (created by Ali Edwards), they pick a word to focus on throughout the new year. Here's a link to more info.

I've never picked a "word" for myself to think about and take action on as a theme for my year before. Interested to see how that goes. I chose order as my word. It's not a word that makes one want to have a charm made to wear around the neck, it's not fun like that, but with it in my life, I think it'd take me to some great places and I woudn't spend much of my life feeling like this:

I thought I was working on it last year, but mostly, I was just learning about how much order and structure I don't have built into my life...systems for operating, functioning, vs. fly by the seat of my pants. I joke that my gifts are my curse, which is probably pretty true for everyone...that yin and yang of challenge also being opportunity. My mind is interested in so many things, and I think about them all at the same time, which I choose to look at as a gift; it enables me to be interested and participate in so many things, especially creatively, vs. one focus, but, it does so without any order, which generally seems to lead to controlled chaos. And frankly, this system of operating has me worn out. So, I invite you into my life, Order, please accept my invitation and please be a kind guest and cohabitant. Please come willingly?

Fresh starts, do overs: love, love, love, them!

happy new year!

vintage party wear headband from my mother in law's closet :)

Happy New Year!!!!!

As December flies by, I've begun to think about the New Year. I LOVE fresh starts, especially New Years. They are rife with potential. Hopes and dreams. And thoughts about this past year and what I'd like to be different, what I'd like to do differently, in the New Year. Feeling ready for some big changes. And that leads me to two resources that I'm going to use, which I thought might interest you as well:

Susannah Conway's free 2013 workbook

Jessica Swift's goal setting workbook

 

Hope 2013 has great things in store for all of us!

See you in 2013, ready or not, here it comes!!!

xoxox

 

 

ciao bella!

I'm off to Italy with Mary Ann!

Ok, not really, but in spirit, via her latest, and quite possibly greatest, new online e-course: Ticket To Venice. She's awesomely talented...at traveling, and journaling, and teaching and sharing the story with blog readers...and I can't wait to experience her travels in a new way.  And not just because she's my friend, nope! 

Are you coming along?!? I hope so!

I'm actually off to Spokane tomorrow morning for a little job of sorts...Spokane, Italy...hmm...well, I've never been to Spokane before, but I'm thinking it's just not quite Italy, especially the way Mary Ann does it. Can't wait for the Venice adventure to begin! See you there... safe travels everyone.

marbled goods

I wanted to share with you a great source for marbled papers, the etsy shop of Heidi Finley, named Marbled Goods. I first ordered from Heidi a year or so ago, and was so pleased with the beautiful papers she makes herself. 

This past summer, Heidi very generously donated papers for a journaling class I was teaching. 

Always unique, always beautiful, now she's doing some new pieces on antique papers like antique dictionary pages. They were too beautiful for me to resist:

Yep, I placed another order. One of my favorite products she lists is her scrap papers. To know me is to know I love scraps! Big bang for your buck.

Just wanted to pass along an etsy shop with an awesome product and super sweet owner. In case you are a fellow paper lover...

Souvenir holiday issue around the corner

Just around the corner from the holiday issue of Souvenir, Heather's Lifesyle publication. I had fun with Amy and Heather doing a little party themed article for this issue and am ready to start the holiday season with more fun ideas. If you want to be on the mailing list to be notified when it launches, go here. And see some behind the scenes from various contributors here. It will be released next Monday, November 11th in both digital and print formats.

Ready or not, the holidays are heading our way!

lunch with friends

Had a fun creative lunch with art friends yesterday. Pictured left to right are:

April Meeker, Heather Bullard, Jenny Doh, me, and Amy Hanna.

We met in the Santa Ana Arts District and, as always, topics flew as fast as the time.

April was sweet enough to bring treats from her etsy shop for the students enrolled in my journaling class at Studio Crescendoh this July. As well as treats for each of us, which included a CD made by Mindy Gledhill who is co- hosting a Moroccan retreat this October with April.

After lunch we went up to Studio Crescendoh for a little more fun and Jenny let us each choose one of her many books. Her books are awesome, all of them! They are like the classes offered at Studio Crescendoh, full of information and art by varied artists on varied art forms, I want to own each book and take each class.

Now that my son had his last day of school (yahoo for the last day of school!), and summer is in full swing, I'm looking forward to enjoying them all while spending time outside tending to the garden and plants like our little plum tree (above) that finally has some fruit on it.

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!!

time well spent at moss cottage

A weekend ago I packed up some bags and to head for Mary Ann's lovely patch of the world.

In our house, we tend to pile up all the "need to go with" items on the rug by the front door. Not the most attractive system, but it is effective. Here's an instagram I took right before loading up the car:

Before my visits, we always discuss what we want to do while I'm there, so that I don't do my usual packing job for art play dates (AKA"everything but the kitchen sink"). She's a good art supply editor and I'm relieved by a plan. So, what did I bring? My purse, my ipad, my oversized smash book, art journal, "orla journal" as Mary Ann has coined them here, a bag of small handpicked just-for-her hostess treats and hand me downs (works well as barter for her paper stash and other things that fit inside my purse), cameras and a few art supplies like scissors, pens, & small bits of scrap paper. 

I can't remember where we began, it usually starts with us looking through each others' things. I was loving her paper stash:

She makes even papers that I have given her look new and fresh the way she combines them. And she is soooo organized. Here's another pile after I started rifling through it:

We took some silly pictures:

And did some InstaGramming:

And then we got down to the business of playing in our little Orla books.

Our little books became fast friends:

{I brought up my Instax for some instantly useable photos.}

You can see inside Mary Ann's book on many posts on her blog, and here are some of mine:

It's full of mindless cutting and pasting.

{Don't you love her digital creation stating so? You can get your own for free here.}

And that darling Happy Day label? Hers too, part of her label line. I am crazy about them! So crazy I will have to devote a post to them one of these days. 

After it started getting dark, we went inside for some PhotoShop talk and demos of how she made her awesome Chevron paper (she sure is prolific, isn't she?), a google reader introduction how to (I know, I am far behind the times!), and even some issues I was having with typepad, and then retired to the couch for some dueling ipad SketchBookPro play like hers here, and mine:

And 8 hours later, I was back in my car, heading home, where shortly after my arrival, my daughter returned home from her first year of college:

The perfect ending to a perfectly lovely day! 

i do love MOO

Recently, I was contacted by MOO to see if I'd like to try some new products and review. Having loved MOO products (I even wrote a little bit on them for Teesha Moore's  Art&Life Zine quite awhile ago)  my reply was "yes please, and thank you!" And as with all my past orders of MOO products, they did not disappoint. I choose some business cards with my new logo, and some of paintings too:

One of the greatest things about printing with MOO is that you can use many different photos/artwork for one order. You can see that for some business cards I used about 10 different photos of paintings. That's unusual and really cool for printing vs. minimum orders (usually of 100 or more per design) that other printing companies require. I didn't fully take advantage of all that MOO can do, as I didn't print a photo on the back. Next time I'd like to try their new Luxe Business cards. There's lots of fun ideas over there that are sure to inspire. 

I also ordered some postcards, and new Sticky Labels. Love them both, but I was thinking mailing labels when I placed the order, so I didn't really design the sticky labels well. They are the size of those "hello my name is" stickers, and I failed to pay attention to size when ordering (I've done the same thing with things like ledgers on ebay... I must learn to read the measurements of items). These would be great if I had designed them properly and would be great on various packages etc. I did recommend they develop mailing labels as well.

(I included the Sticker Book in the photo I ordered long ago to show you another fun product - again, an example of how may different photos you can use per product order, very cool. )

I really do love the paper everything is printed on, it's soft and smooth yet sturdy (I chose the least expensive), and the super cute and clever packaging makes me happy too. The new, lower shipping rates are appreciated as well. Really, I love MOO, and think you would too...if you aren't familiar with MOO, you can check out their blog here. Do you MOO? Hmmmm? Do you?