Help [ME] Ronda

Weekend Update & Multi-Layered Canvas Class

This altered hipster canvas bag class was such a fun class to teach this past Saturday at Rocky Mountain Memories.  In the description i said we would begin with a blank canvas and that they would finish with a bag that is uniquely them.  It's always my goal that people walk out with something they love, they had fun creating it, and hopefully learning something new.  i was thoroughly impressed with the all the people in the class and the bags they created. 

I love how Marcie's bag turned out.  She used all my favorite colors and her design was just stellar. 

I love the variety of the bags even when the theme was similar.  They had fun with stencils, color, spray inks, and embellishments.

The camaraderie of the class was just great.  I love it when laughter and generosity abounds.  The sharing of products, ideas, enthusiasm, and compliments was truly uplifting.

all in all it was a fantastic day and the bags were just stellar. 

Coming up at Scrap 2 it on June 8, I will be teaching this multi-layered canvas.  Class Cost $60.  If the little doll isn't your thing, I will have some other alternatives.  You will create this piece in the colors you love.  I will teach you many techniques including transfer techniques, layering, embossing, and metal work.  Call 970.797.2174.

Student Supply List:

• Acrylic Paints (Colors you love including white & black)
• Gesso
• Bone Folder
• Paint Brushes
• Matte Medium
• Your favorite distress ink
• black waterproof ink (*i highly recommend archival ink by Ranger)
• Pop Up adhesive
• Liquid (*i highly recommend glossy accents)
• regular adhesive
• Scissors
• Brayer (*optional)

Inspired

Last week i taught this Art Journal Basics class at Scrap 2 it.  This week i am at Rocky Mountain Memories in Estes Park.  I'm not sure planning two classes back to back was the smartest idea but i do so enjoy teaching.  I feel like i get to use my degree and combine it with art.  I am always inspired by what my students create and I love seeing things through their fresh eyes. 

I love seeing people gain confidence as they create.  it's always my goal to make sure you walk out of my classes feeling like you can achieve it. 

i love walking around the room seeing all the cool color combinations.  And i cannot help seeing beauty everywhere, including paint palettes. 

I love having young adults in class too.  they are free in their styles and always are willing to try something new, out of their comfort zone. 

I get lots of ideas both for teaching and in my art, new ways to explain things, things i need to work on, and much much more. 

i just love being in this creative atmosphere.  It's funny how even water that we used to wash stencils can make me smile.  i always come home inspired.

For the love of grids

Over the years my style has evolved.  i have learned to embrace all sides of me and know that it's ok to change things up as i need.  i love seeing art and "messy" cross over onto my layouts.  But one thing that hasn't change is my love for grids.  They are really graphically pleasing to me. 

This is a layout (& sketch) i did for the My Mind's Eye blog.  You can see all the details there along with the sketch.  I went back to my love of the grid to create this layout with the new lines from Rhonna Farrer.  i stitched vertical lines & horizontal lines on the bits & pieces grid and layered a photo over top.  A favorite photo from this unexpected play date. 

Here are some other grid layouts, for some of them i dug deep into the archives.

Even on a messy artsy background, i love the grid.  i made the cardstock background by layering gesso, paints,spray inks, and watercolors.  I then added the bits & pieces of patterned paper, embellishments, and photos in a grid pattern grounding the whole piece.  Still one of my favorites.

This layout dates back to 2008.  Remember scenic route?  I still miss their papers.  I had lots of photos from this vacation and thought a nice grid would do.  I added bits & pieces of patterned paper and journaled around the edges.  I added the painted punched butterflies to create some movement.  Look at how young the kids look, especially Anthony. 

This is one of a few grid layouts found in my book Art of Layers.  In fact, it's on the cover.  My editor is a graphic designer who shared my love of grids so we both agreed to put this one on the cover.  I love the bits & pieces in the stamped frames that make up the grid. 

Still one of my all time favorite layouts.  This hand stitched grid took a fair amount of time to create but it was totally worth it.  I love the photos placed over the grid as well as the little stamped images. 

Is there a design element that you find yourself using over & over again?

Digging in

I created this Art Journal for an Art Journaling Basics class at Scrap 2 it, a local scrapbook store.  After making it, i sent it off to the store for people to see what we'd be making in the class.  I have plenty of other art journals in my stash but i found myself missing this one.  I don't know if it was because i created all of it including binding it or because of the size, a 6 x 9 journal.  After teaching last weekend (more details on that later), i was happy to have it in my hands again.  The need to journal daily has been insatiable so i have been working in this journal every day.  Here are a few of the pages:

A collage page of left over bits & pieces.  I have a thing for butterflies so it was easy to include them.  I toned down the patterned paper with gesso and then layered stencil & paint over it.  I love that tiny herringbone stamp and could use it on all my pages.  Believe me it has taken great resistance not to do so. 

I admit i am not a huge pink fan.  it's not a color i usually pull out but that's what i want to do in this journal, challenge myself.  Try things that scare me a little, try new techniques, and go for the unexpected.  I LOVE this page.  this is a pink i can do.  and the green leaves looks so scrumptious against it.  More vintage on the page, this time a cigar label & map index.  I painted on the stem & leaves along with the word.  must remember to do that again. 

Once again i am diggin the pinks on this page, especially with the orange and hints of red.  The ledger came from a day of junktiquing and i actually found quite a few so i scooped them up.  The film strip is from that same day of hunting.  I like the writing on the filmstrip and the journaling starting above the ledger paper. 

and today i know i will be picking up that journal again. 

Word Up #72: SURROUND

a new Word Up over at OLW -- Surround.  I really love this word Jessi selected.  My life is surrounded by so many good things-- family, friends, my church family, faith, HIS grace, laughter, etc.  i could go on and on.  But this word also does something else for me.  It reminds me to surround myself with things to help me stay positive.  It makes me want to take notice of all the blessings in life, to see the beauty surrounding me.  I want to drink deep all the love, all the comfort, all the inspiration this life has to offer.  I want to embrace it completely. 

For my piece, i created a mixed media canvas trying to capture that beauty that does surround me as a little reminder how blessed i am.  i wanted something serene, calming but full of layers.  I started with an 8" x 10" wood canvas building up layers of texture through gesso and fabric.  I collage some pieces on the background and then layered on lots and lots of color through many mediums.  Next i painted the small canvas after adding the music paper.  I colored the filigree piece and stamped the word surround on the metal accent, purposely turning the "r" upside down.  it's a reminder to me that even though i sometimes feel like my life is upside down that i am always surrounded by love & beauty.  I then used the cherry blossom stencil to pencil in the twigs & blossoms before painting the image with acrylic paints.  I embossed the metal leaf and burnished it before adding it as the last layer. 

I hope you'll join us this word up!

InLinkz.com

Create Daily: Art Journals

Do you art journal? Have you thought about trying it out but didn't know where to start? It's a great way to create daily.  It can also be a great way to try out new things, new techniques, new styles.  Here's the thing you also need to remember, you don't have to share any page or the art journal with anyone unless you want to share.  You choose.  So how do you get started?  First thing is to just start.  Keeping up with creating daily in your art journal is easier if you have backgrounds prepped and ready to go.  Start by doing a couple different backgrounds trying out different techniques.  Julie Fei-Fan Balzer has a great blog post on creating backgrounds here and here.  And you know i share lots & lots of techniques here on this blog.  Try them out in an art journal. 

Next, try out different styles that have interested you, even things that scare you.  Note what you like and what you don't like.  Be free and know it's ok to make mistakes.  Remember this is your safe zone.  Give yourself permission to create daily.  Set aside 10 minutes each day.  You may not complete a page but that's ok too.  Don't be yourself up when you don't stick to it.  Just start again. 

Don't forget the journaling part.  it's equally important as the art part.  Writing stimulates creativity, releases your emotions, and is all part of the process.  it doesn't matter if you don't like your handwriting, use it anyway.  it's as unique to you as your finger print. 

Have you created something this week?  Anything goes...doodle, scrapbook page, art journal, card...just something creative.  Share a link at the bottom of this post with the inLinkz button.  Just leave a link to a specific blog post or image on flickr, rather than a general url. This way we can see your stellar creation.

Altered Hipster Bag Class, your way

This weekend at Rocky Mountain Memories is my Altered Hipster Bag Class, your way. Only one more seat left so act fast! Begin with a blank canvas, finish with a bag that is uniquely you. I provide the bags, the inks, the stencils, the stamps, and the instruction to guide you in this creative journey. These pretty Maya Road bags are nicely sized for your iPad or other tablet, or just the items you'll need while on the go. Who doesn't want a new bag for spring? $35 for this class You'll need gesso, matte medium, fabric glue, black waterproof ink, your favorite paints, and your own scissors. Call 970-577-1415 to sign up.

May Stencil Round Up

I have to say that seeing my stencil designs in your hands is the greatest thrill.  i love seeing all the different types of projects & uses of something i design.  it's so surreal and makes me completely giddy.  i am always happy when someone shares with me their designs.  Feel free to tag me on twitter, instagram, or facebook, or add it to the Ronda Palazzari Designs Flickr group.  here are a few of the latest i spotted, pulled from flicker, scrapbook.com, and/or twitter.  Thank you for sharing with me!

I love how colorful Carolyn Dube is!  She lights up my world with her creations.  Can you see all the layers of stencils in the top art journal piece?  Gorgeous.  And those shoes!  It makes me want to go buy a pair & get decorating.  Keds or Connies, i think either would be stellar.  The last page looks so lovely with the quatrefoil stencil in the red poppies.  Go check out her website, it's filled with tips & tricks!

I spotted this beautiful layout titled Smiles, Giggles, & Dreams from Grace Wong at Scrapbook.com.  I love the kaleidoscope stencil in the shape of the hexagon on the background.  She used Distress paints to create the look.  Isn't it beautiful?

I have been wanting to make cards with my stencils.  I love the look on both of these cards by Cheiron Brandon.  She makes really beautiful cards & tags.  It makes me think i really need to leap into some cards with my stencils.  I found these over on the Ronda Palazzari Designs Flickr pool and had to feature them here.  Go check out her other creations too!

Kelly Foster creates beautiful colorful layers with that vintage flair.  I love how she adds bits & pieces of the stencils here and there.  The texture on the backgrounds is amazing along with the color.  I spotted these layouts on Scrapbook.com and then found more on her blog.  Beautiful!

I spotted this art journal like page over at Scrapbook.com.  Scarlett's creation is so beautiful and colorful.  I love the little bits of the kaleidoscope stencil in the background of the page.  The little bits of color on top are really beautiful and perfect amount of subtly. 

 

 

Distress Inks Tutorial + Captured Layout

I absolutely adore this photo i snapped at my neice's wedding.  It's of my sister Sandra and sweet nephew Jacob.  Taking in the deep south, hence the spanish moss on all the oaks.  I love all the love this photo captures.  I knew i had to document this special moment. On this photo i used my "This Life" photo overlays that you can purchase in my downloadable shop. 

The background of the layout uses lots of distress inks.  I love the colors against this photo.  it warms up the photo.  I used lots of Tim Hotlz Ideaology on the layout, layering the pieces together.  The metal pieces on the side are made with a texture trade from Tim Holtz/Sizzix on metal tape.  I also used a die cut to make the patterned paper tag.  I stamped the words alongside the patterned paper next to the photo along with the numbers at the bottom.  The key is a vintage find that i just love.  Below is a video detailing how i created the background.

InLinkz.com

The thrill of the hunt

Last week with Lisa in town, we had to go junktiquing.  We hit up a few places stretched across Denver and the burbs.  It was so much fun to watch the master hunt for items.  She also knows what she wants and finds hidden gems in piles of stuff.  I also enjoy the digging, finding treasures to repurpose.  Like this pitcher above that i found in a little antique shop.  It was a stunning color and i adore the shape of it.  The ribbon top and the funky handle were irresistible.  It's either going into the guest bedroom as decor or in my studio to hold my paintbrushes.  I cannot decide which thought i like more.

I spotted this mason jar tucked into the corner of the same shop.  The shape of the jar is quite stunning so i was quite attracted to it.  But to find it filled with sewing goodies, it was a done deal.  Some of the items inside are just so so but other things like the buttons or the seam binding are awesome.  I'm not sure what i am going to do with the jar itself.  I have many ideas running around in my head including painting the inside with this technique Claudine Hellmuth shared on her blog. 

i collect vintage cameras.  i am a photo junkie so having these cameras from the past makes me really happy.  I especially love the brownie camera as it really introduce the concept of a snapshot.  You can see my drawing of the brownie on my Picture Perfect stencil.  it's the first one of the bunch.  So having this little guy sit next to the others makes me so very giddy. 

We were in a large antique mall, the kind with booths and lots of vendors.  Lisa & i were walking up & down the aisles.  I spotted these film canisters sitting on the counter of a booth.  I have a couple of vintage reels sitting on my shelves in the studio already and i thought a couple more would look good.  I picked them up but the sides were taped so i couldn't see inside.  However they were quite heavy and the tag said something about films.  I had to take the chance and wow i hit it big.  Both canisters are filled with film reels and i cannot wait to use them.  So many thoughts in my head but i have plenty of film to use on all the competing ideas. 

I love turning vintage finds into repurposed art.  These items are great for collage, altered items, art journals, mixed media pieces, and lots more.  Lisa, who's been collecting for years (i think she's just steps away from Hoarders ;), is putting together collage kits for sale.  Not only does she have great finds, Lisa is also including a free step by step PDF tutorial with each kit.  She only has a few left so you might want to snatch yours up.  I already ordered mine and i cannot wait to create with it.  You can read all the details HERE including the kit contents.