pamgarrison

italy travel journal 1

Getting so excited for teaching in Italy this month! As part of our class prep, Amy and I got together to make "sample" travel journals, to provide examples and possible ideas to the students before they make their own, and for our travels around Italy before and after class. The week of class we'll be making travel journals alongside the students from the same materials in their kits. 

For this journal, I used some of the marbled paper I made earlier this year on the cover. 

When looking through my papers and ephemera, I came across this old advertisement card and thought the boot was a fun nod to Italy, so cut an opening in the cover. 

Amy gave me this pretty piece of Italy- she had two, so we each used them on our covers. 

For my back cover, I used another piece of the marbled paper I made, and the spine has an alphabet printed on some cardstock. I printed it so long ago, I have no idea where I got the orginal image, I think a font book like those from Dover or this royalty free filled book, but not sure. 

Here's the inside cover. I bought that ship bookplate, and the old envelope with Italian address in Rome, so I thought it particularly fitting to use them here. 

Couldn't resist a little pre-trip playing in the book...

I used a lot of found papers like this piece from an Anthropologie catalog, a scrap of watercolor sample from Sketchbookery class, and a piece of an art instruction catalog. 

Of course, I put in some "good" papers, like watercolor sheets and marbled sheets etc., but the everyday fodder is fun to use for a base that gets covered up with found items, photographs, or postcards. 

I also gathered supplies from my recent order from Tina's  Life Love Paper shop. I love all she makes and often miss out, her collections sell out so fast. 

She makes the coolest things...and has a travel journal of her own in progress on her blog right now. 

These are the specific items I've selected to pack and bring along for use while there...

...but I'm so tempted to tape or staple this one in right now...it is so fantastic after all!

And, she has a sale going on for a few more days...for the paper lovers out there like me...

More of my own marbled paper on the right side with a piece of doodled on paper peeking out from underneath, and some stamps, part of a paper placemat, and marbled paper all bought in Rome on the left side. 

Oh man, I can barely stand it now...so ready to start filling it in! I'll be back with another post on what other supplies I'm taking and more suggestions for students of things they might want to gather and bring along soon. 

But for now, it's back to the list of ten thousand things I need to do before leaving ....

 

embroidery class at French General coming up!

Summer is really going by all too quickly! So quickly, that I'm not sure I've even mentioned here that I've got a class coming up at French General in a couple weeks (August 30, to be exact). We'll be using one of my embroidery patterns to stitch on. Specifically, the Happy Day pattern, but I'll bring my others if participants want to swap for another. 

I'm gathering goodies for the kits now, having learned that everything takes longer than I expect it to. 

...and I'm making little strawberry pincushions for each stitcher that cares to join us. Well, these look a little bit like strawarrots, I might have to revisit my design a bit and make them a little less long and a little more plump!

We'll be taking my pattern and embellishing the edges (if desired) with French General scraps and the sewing machine, then we'll use beautiful Cosmo floss to hand stitch on the pattern. The class is for those that have never threaded a needle before (I bought lots of needle threaders to give out too, it's harder for me than it used to be!) to those that are quite comfortable embroidering and just want to be inspired, pick up a new stitch or two, talk design and color choices, all while in the charming surroundings of French General. 

It's a lovely place to spend a sunny Saturday, and we have room for a table more. Everything's provided, you just have to show up. We'd love to see you! Go here for more info. 

 

hello!

Man, time is flying by for me this summer! Before I know it it will be time to board a plane for class in Italy!!! Once the plane ticket is booked (it is! $711.00 and 65,000 frequent flyer miles...am I crazy that I felt like it was a good price?!?), the planning and dreaming about where to go and what to do is much more enjoyable. Of course, we'll be in class in Orvieto for a week, (still not too late to jump on board and come too!) it's the time before and after the class that is the variable. Kristin sent this video to all of us going, so we can better understand the language, haha.

 

Anyway, with my daughter home from college and my son out for summer, life has been full full full. Last week we three went up to scour my daughter's new apartment for school next year. The actual cleaning wasn't my favorite thing, but a little adventure with the two of them was fun despite our task at hand. I did a little weaving while riding shotgun:

Still enjoying exploring handweaving, still have so very much to learn, but appreciate that it's a craft form that you can make something you like while learning. I think I'll be bringing some of these weavings to sell while teaching at French General this August. More on that soon, since it's nearly August! 

Project Life in progress, always. I try to keep it open in the Family Room so I tuck things in it and can jot down notes on post its as life goes on. I'd say it's a method that works 50% of the time for me ;). If only I'd get better about printing photos regularly instead of at one big sitting, I think that'd make things a lot more enjoyable.

I'm working on finishing up book one of this year. Three weeks to go, but I made the last page anyway, and the first for book 2 as well:

Still love the project, still hate that the weeks go by so fast that I fall behind equally as quickly.

And of course, I've been playing along with MaryAnn's Sketchbookery class. Not as much as I'd like, but that's sure to change this week, as I'll be seeing her and it is part of the plan! 

I'm thoroughly enjoying learning and practicing when I take the time.

I wanted to mention this new find that Minnie told me about, in case you're interested...Aaron Brothers Art store has a buy one get one for 1¢ sale on these cold press journals. I've only gotten to try them out a little, I don't like the paper for watercoloring and sketching, but like it for art journaling and acrylic painting exploration. In case you fancy a good blank book like I do...

I see that the Amazon price is about half the Aaron Bros price, so, if you don't have shipping costs (Amazon Prime), you might prefer to go that route...but if you like to feel the paper first, Aaron Bros has them.

Here's a page in it:

Mostly markers, with a little paint for background. The paper is heavy, almost like mat board, so it doesn't warp having been painted with acrylic. I'm still experimenting with it. I'm not used to cold press being so smooth, Minnie knows I like smooth wood and paper, that's why she told me about them.

And then painting...someday I hope to say "always painting", but the truth is, I still don't have anywhere set up for painting on a permanent basis...so instead it comes in bursts of focused painting spells. A wave hit Friday and I've been enjoying the process so very much. I would like to get a few more up for sale soon. I've been sharing a photo daily on instagram documenting the changes. I am an impatient painter, I don't mull things over or let things grow on me, but the good part of that is I don't get attached to anything as I explore...which can lead to better things, but can, of course, also lead to a little regret at times too.

I'm in the process of cleaning up the whirwind of a mess I've made before the weekend comes to an end...

so many creative interests, so little time...same 'ol same 'ol, right?

Hope your days are filled with creative pursuits too, any new passions to share? 

(Wait, maybe I shouldn't ask that! You know where that can lead me...)

 

Italy on the brain

Ciao! I'm still here dreaming and planning and prepping for our class in Italy in the fall. I've got the little mini pennants in production, and just can't wait to see them in the students hands once there. Will everyone put it in their travel journal? Or will some hang it in their room? Tie it on a travel tote? Time will tell. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the fun of imagining it's uses! 

I thought I'd share a few of my favorite trip resource purchases so far for any students out there beginning their planning as well. Amy and I plan to visit Florence when there and I loved that the Fodor's Travel guide has Umbria (and our class city, Orvieto) in it. Most of the Florence travel guides I've found so far have Tuscany, but not Umbria. The little black book is similar to one I bought when traveling to Rome with my family a few years ago. I loved that guide. It had great fold out maps, and pages of cute little illustrations that I included in my Rome Travel journal I made when home. I know I'll be tearing pages out of this one to do the same. I even bought one to give to Amy as a birthday present, as I know she'll want to do the same as well. The book, Lady in the Palazzo is "An Umbrian Love Story, and sounded like good summer or airplane reading to transport me to our destiny. 

I also bought a big map with Florence and Rome city maps. Since we fly in and out of Rome, I bought the Wallpaper City Guide to that as well as Florence. I've asked on IG for any favorite Florence hotels, restaurants, shops, sights, but don't think I've asked here yet. If you have any tales to tell, or advice to share, we'd love to hear! 

The planning stages of a trip can be so fun once I stop being overwhelmed and start breaking it down. I found myself doodling that iconic boot in my art journal last night. It seems so far away, yet I know it will be here before I know it. {We've got room for 3 or 4 more if anyone wants to join us for a week of dreamy living and creating in Italy!} I really am so excited! 

 

join us for class in Italy!

Amy and I are getting together this week to book our tickets for class in ITALY!!!!!! We are super excited!!! We have a fun group of international students on board, but there are still a few spots open, so I thought I'd post some photos of the fun we're going to have making to entice any of you that might be thinking of joining us. ;) It really is going to be a wonderful week! Our hosts, Kristi and Bill Steiner, have it wired, having hosted hundreds of small groups for a week of slow travel and art learning. Their enthusiasm for Orvieto's beauty and history is contagious!

should one of these books have your name on it?

Amy and I have collected some wonderful vintage books for students to use as a base for the travel journal we will be constructing...which is just one part of class. We'll be packaging up a big box of goodies and supplies both bought and shared from our personal collections to ship to each student at the end of summer. We both have so much love for Europe, collecting, traveling, creating, living artfully and appreciating a trip via a travel journal, that we've gathered a lot already! Really, the more I think about it, the more excited I get. Here's the thing; I love traveling to Europe and especially loved Italy, but planning the trip and all it entails is not my favorite part. Being there and soaking it up is, and I've loved traveling to such places with my family, but, I am thrilled to be traveling with a small intimate group that wants to do what I do: make art, see the sights, experience the culture, take classes,  (with my family I have to find a way to squeeze in the travel journal making, this trip it's on the schedule!). Our group will be staying in a former palace that is now a convent B&B. Heavenly. 

The main project we'll be working on in our class time together is creating a travel journal. We'll be using the vintage marble covered books to hand bind our own travel journal and we'll be working on our books throughout the week. We'll also be making a small folding map made with our own hand carved stamps, illustrated icons, and watercolors. 

We'll be exploring calligraphy and writing with dip pen and ink also...

Because our larger travel journal might be too large to take on our adventures away from home, we'll be making our own version of marbled paper day journal that has a secret storage space for ephemera collecting while out and about. (Oh, to be with people that like to collect paper tokens while on the trip!- not something I get to do much of with my family of four.) We'll cover how to find it, and incorporating it into our travel journals of course! 

I am very excited about our day trip to a marble paper making company. I know it will be wildly inspiring for the pattern loving maker in me. I'm already planning on doing some shopping there, naturally! More journal fodder, right?!? 

There are other planned activities, like a wine tasting, Italian cooking class, visiting the gothic cathedral (if you watched this last season of Amazing Race, one of the last stops on the trip was right at the gorgeous Duomo! You can bet I rewound and watched over and over). We'll explore the Etruscan city, shop the weekly markets, visit a salvage hardware store full of treasures (which we can incorporate in our large travel journal if desired), visit a vineyard, and so much more. But although there will be lots of adventures, it will all be done in a slow travel, leisurely, enjoyable, soak it up pace. Nappers are welcome too, we've got a week to indulge ourselves! 

You'll go home full of creative inspiration, a beautiful one of a kind travel journal, and the ability to make them for every future trip, photos, artwork made, treasures found, great memories and new friends. If you've been on the fence, you've got until the end of July to jump in and join us! I can't wait to be enjoying Italy with those of you that are coming along on the adventure...it's going to be oh-so-goooood!

For more info and photos, visit the class page here. Feel free to ask me any questions!

 

page play from this weekend's class

I thought it might be fun to see some of the art that I started in class, as demos usually, for lettering, journal pages, and collage fodder all. 

I had my own Nova Paints and Copic marker charts with me so students could see colors they might want to purchase in the future if they liked the medium when trying my samples. (There is a giveaway for Copic markers going on over here, btw).

I bet most people would throw away these scraps that were used for various reasons. I never can. I see such potential. And hey, if the potential doesn't work out, I can always throw them away then! 

Lots of papers from Gelli plate mono printing and stenciling. I've since started doodling or collaging on them and they are evolving: 

 I'll use them to collage on some of my pages. 

There is never enough time, ever, in class to show all I hope to, but I try to show as many of the different ways I art journal as possible. . Here are some pages that were white when the day started:

I do find it challenging to have pages come together when used for demo-ing lots of different techniques. It's a bit more forced and often times busier than it would be if I weren't trying to show lots of methods I use. I usually like to keep playing on them once the class is over and I'm home. Here's an example of a spread at the end of class:

This week I've added a bit more to the right side page in full spread picture above and it now looks like this:

At the end of class above, today, below. Not huge changes, but moving toward a more complete page with each addition. 

I've even started collaging on older, previously started pages with the collage fodder from class:

Just looking at these photos has me itching to get back to playing in my art journal! Going to do just that tonight after first getting some more work done and then going to my son's baseball game. (I guess there is never ever enough time at home either!) Hope those of you that were in class have had a little time to art journal this week! And of course, those that couldn't join us as well! (Oh, and for those that have asked: I'm sorry, I don't have any extra kits left, we were a sold out class.)

photos from the weekend

I had such a good weekend spent meeting, making, talking about making,  etc. etc. while teaching at Studio Crescendoh. I'm super thankful that Jenny took some pictures, because once class starts, I pretty much completely forget to take any. I even said at some point, "I forgot to take photos yesterday, must not forget to today", and then promptly did just that (forgot to that is).

Both days were great fun and I'm very thankful to all that spent some or all of their weekend with us! 

 

Saturday was all about lettering, including pens, paints, brushes, nibs and on and on. Jenny shared some of what she'd recently learned in her weekly Japanese calligraphy class with us too, which was a fun extra. 

 

And Sunday was all about art journaling. Before breaking for lunch we shared all the backgrounds and collage fodder we'd been making all morning. It was fun to see the different colors, techniques, styles etc. emerging through the layers of play each artist had been doing. Again, thank you Jenny for the photos!

And as always happens, time went too quickly. It felt like we were just getting rolling, but really, hours and hours of art had gone by. People had flights to catch, Sunday night activities, and regular life to return to. But man, it was fun while it lasted! I'll be teaching at Studio Crescendoh again in 2015 for sure, but we might have to throw a single day in there sometime this summer too. So fun to spend time art journaling with others who love it too. Big thanks to those who made it happen this past weekend! xo

 

final class prep ongoing

Finishing up all the kits and class prep for this weekend's classes. Looking forward to getting to enjoy all the prep tomorrow and Sunday. Two full days of creating is the really fun part! 

A student requested I have some vintage wallpaper packs available for purchase (which I've still got to finish up), in the meantime, I pulled out some of my treasured vintage ledger and music papers for an additional option. Papers from the 1800's sure are pretty, I had forgotten how much. 

And for the first time ever, I put together some original art scrap collage packs:

Just bits and pieces from various art I've made. I thought Sunday's art journaling students might like to use some PG collage fodder. I'm hoping to have one or two handmade journals too, a few small original art pieces, and a few other goodies...

Never enough time for all the ideas...back to racing the clock I go...

Looking forward to seeing old friends and new in class. Hope those of you that aren't able to join us have a great weekend, and get to spend some time making art too! 

 

santa ana lettering class coming up

There are a few more spots for the Love of Lettering class on Saturday March 8 at Studio Crescendoh (Santa Ana, CA), so as I'm starting to prep, I thought I'd show you some of the fun we're going to have in case any of you are local and want to join in the fun. Here's some of what we'll be doing...

We'll be making a hand drawn font book:

And we'll talk about how to create unique letters and where to get inspiration, and there will be lots of inspiration on hand too. 

We'll address dip pens, nibs and inks, and touch on modern calligraphy...

Of course I'll have all my favorite tools on hand so students can try them out and see what they fancy. 

And we'll also be exploring script lettering with round brushes and Sumi brushes. 

There will be lots of other brush pens and self inking pens, markers, fine line black pens...basically, all the various ways and tools I use for lettering. They all make slightly different letters, so my aim is to provide a way for students to find their favorites. My plan is to introduce everything with enough time for students to explore them all, then do a little more in depth discovery with whichever tool/style they want. I'm looking forward to a day spent with others that love lettering as much as I do! If you're local and want to join us, go here for more info. I'm off to do more class prep! 

 

upcoming class at French General

Wanted to let you know that we're bringing back this stitched heart class to French General Saturday May 3rd. Sign ups have gone live over on the French General workshop page. Hope to see new and old friends in class, all you have to do is sign up and show up, we'll have everything you need to join in the fun!!!

I made this heart as an anniversary gift to my husband, inspired by Sailor's Valentines. You can use it as a little pillow, a sachet, a paperweight, a pincushion...in other words, anything you want ;). To see another sample, go to the French General workshop page. The heart I made for Kaari is a little oversized and wonky, but super sweet I think. We'll have both samples there for you to use as inspiration. If you are joining us, you may want to bring along some special trinkets like buttons, beads or broaches, but we'll have all you need if you don't have any special treasures. And of course, there's the entire French General collection of finds to shop and use on your piece too!

 

recent art journaling & teaching updates

Hey there, Happy Valentine's Day!!! Hope you've got plans to spend it exactly as you want to! For me most of the time it means home with no plans ;). 

Wanted to thank those that are joining me for the live art journaling class next month at Studio Crescendoh...Sunday's Art of the Page class has one spot left! Saturday, the Love of Lettering class a few more open, so there's time on that one if you're considering it. Both are going to be fun days with lots of demos and doing included, I'm looking forward to them.

As for the e-course, it is a long, slow, simmer. I'm thinking of it like a delicious, hearty, slow cooked month of meals that I'm making, and that just takes this girl lots of time apparently. Regular life goes on all the while, and of course, all my fun techinical challenges and learning opportunities (you see what I did there?) add to the snails pace that seems to be the norm right now. I keep thinking (and still do) that one of these days, most of the challenges and difficulties will be behind me and the pace will pick up and suddenly, the feast will be ready! I just want to keep you updated to keep frustrations at bay, I'm experiencing enough of them, I don't want you to have to as well ;). 

In the meantime, here are some journal pages either done, or added to recently:

xoxo!

 

southern california upcoming classes

 

I'll be at sunny Studio Crescendoh next month teaching 2 different one day classes.

 

I love days spent at Studio Crescendoh, a nice, happy place for art making. 

 

 

I hope you can join us for one day of fun or, better yet,  both! 

 

The first class is Love of Lettering. Because, you know I love to letter! 

We'll be going over hand-lettering, favorite lettering tools, dip pens and brush script letters all, with time for practice and exploration.

Of course, I'll be bringing all my favorites and will encourage you to try them out to see if they are your favorites too! We'll even be quick-stitching our own little booklet for your font collecting:

For more information/signups on the Love of Lettering class March 8th, go here. 

Of course, I'll be bringing my art journals to both classes, it's a perk of local teaching to be able to bring so many of my books. 

On March 9th, the class is called Art of the Page. Many times, when teaching art journaling, the book construction has taken more time than expected and we don't get to settle in and get working on our pages in depth. With this class, we're solving that problem, it's only about the play inside the book. We'll spend the day art journaling together, exploring my favorite supplies and techniques. 

 

For more information and sign ups for Art of the Page go here. 

Looking forward to spending the days with new friends and old, making letters and pages of art!!!

 

yesterday

I spent the day yesterday in Jenny's sunny studio sharing my love of lettering with a private class of artists and creatives. My friend Carolyn hosted a post CHA get together for some of her friends and craft/art/scrapbooking industry pals. (Did you know that you can rent Studio Crescendoh for your own private events? For more info, email: [email protected] )

It was a relaxing day spent playing with pens and inks, brushes and fonts. I'll be teaching a similar class open to anyone March 9th at Studio Crescendoh. The sign ups and class information will all be posted in the next few days over here. I'll blog more about that soon as well. 

After a day spent celebrating a love of letters, I couldn't help but continue in my journal at home last night. Love that quote. Good words for a Thursday, as well as any day! Just be happy. Sometimes I have a knack for overcomplicating things. I love the concept of simplifying down to "enjoy right now", just be happy. It's on today's to-do list!!

 

art journaling e-course and thank you!

If you missed the news in the last post, I'll share my big news again: a pam garrison art journaling e-course is really, truly in the works and on it's way!! In no small part due to Mary Ann agreeing to produce my first venture into the online class world. I know it's going to be as excellent as I've always hoped it would be thanks to her expertise, and I can stop worrying about all the very-unexciting-and overwhelming-to-me technical aspects required, and put all my energy into creating the content! Such a relief! We'll keep you updated of course, for now we don't have any details to share, still all in the works and all. But I wanted to thank all of you that have asked for the course over all these years, or left comments on her post or mine, or emailed to share in the enthusiasm of our venture...thank you!!! I really really am grateful for you, and your interest in one of my great creative loves; art journaling! Here are just a few behind the scenes shots, just to prove it's really truly happening. I have a hard time believing it fully myself, it's been on the back burner for so long.

 

More to come...!!!

 

date change!!!

 

We've had an oopsy with the previously announced class date for Brooklyn. The correct dates that Jennifer and I will be there inspiring/instructing/creating up a colorful storm:  October 26,27,&28. 

Hope that helps those of you that had conflicts! 

If you are interested, email Dara Troshane, our class host:

[email protected]

Thanks!

teaching in brooklyn

It's no secret that I love Jennifer Mercede and her art, but what you may not know is that we share a similarity in our approach to creating; a playfulness, a freedom, a focus on permission vs. specific processes. Of course, we both have our processess, and will share them- for both painting and art journaling, but we'll also be there to help you take the leap or loosen up or give you permission and encouragement to create the way your heart longs to. 

Jennifer and I have taught together before and are excited to present new exercises and content on a new coast!

click here for a little more info about the class this October:

Recently, I visited her art studio and got to see some pieces up close and personal. Love love love.

This pet portrait of hers hangs in an animal hospital in Portland:

Of course, we had to play a little too while I was there. Here she is doing a blind contour of me:

and some of the art journaling and painting I was doing at the same time:

 

Can't wait to see who's able to join us! 

To sign up, contact Dara Troshane: 

[email protected]

teaching at French General

French General is always a lovely place to spend an afternoon and this past Saturday was no exception. I do believe a fun time creating was had by all, I know I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Just look at all the cute parasols above. Of course, as always, time went too quickly and some parasols might receive a little more love at home, but they're great as is.

We were surprised to see how differently they looked closed vs. open:

Love them both ways. 

Thank you to all the students that came out to play! Such a sweet group. 

Also thanks to friends Jenny and Amy who helped, gifted books, and took most of these photos!

And a really big thank you owed to the marvelous Molly Meng, who runs a tight ship with a big kind smile and killer wit. In Molly speak, "dude! you're awesome", you really are Molly, and everyone appreciated all your hard work! 

After all the clean up was done, we got a little silly with the TimerCam app... practice needed, hahaha:

And then it was over, and we were onto Sunday...Mother's Day.

I hope all of you had a nice Mother's Day weekend! 

xo

prepping for this weekend's class

I'm starting to pull together items for this weekend's Paper Parasol class at French General. Always fun to gather goodies. 

I'm thankful that Jenny is gifting a copy of Creative Lettering to each student! (I hope she'll bring copies of her newest book Stamp It! for us to see too.) As for the lettering, it will be fun to see if they choose to use one of the specially designed fonts from the book on their parasol, or maybe none at all. I'll be bringing some good quotes in case they want to add one, like I did on this one that cute Sophia is modeling:

Or was trying to model until her Aunt Molly decided to photobomb her! 

Molly will be there on Saturday too...if you join us, be sure to mention her picture posing skills ;).

There's plenty to share and we still have a couple of spots if you have an opening in your Saturday afternoon, we'd love to have you join us. You can register here if so. Back to gathering more pretty things...

upcoming class at french general

I made two more Paper Parasol samples for my upcoming class at French General and sent them off to the shop without remembering to photograph them or share them here. I'll try to get some more photos of them soon and will post them here.

Here's the original sample post with more photos. 

Although we called the class Painted Parasols, truly, there is no paint involved. We'll be painting them with thread and notions and ephemera and colorizing a different way. I can't wait to share the fun supplies I found that work so wonderfully on these. (and those tools I found to not work so well), for those students that go home with the urge to make more. 

I'm telling you, I find this play rather addicting. They are just so pretty. 

I wonder if students will choose to personalize theirs or make them more like the original sample that I made. Will they be gifts, or personal treasures made to keep? 

You know I love hand lettering, and will be sharing some favorite styles, and fun new discovery which will make drawing letters or designs on your paper umbrella super easy. 

We'll have all the supplies and goodies needed but students can bring any special trinkets or a family photo if you'd like to add extra special meaning to it. Really, anything goes when it comes to these flights of fancy! 

Looking forward to spending the day creating alongside those of you able to join us. 

Painted Parasols at French General 

Saturday, May 11, 2013 • 1-4pm

Register Here

Off on a little adventure