Ronda Palazzari Designs

Moments Like This

Have you figured out i've been on vacation?  Martha flew in from Orlando a week or so ago and then the next day we flew to Seattle.  From there, we drove to the Pacific Coast to spend 8 days exploring the Olympic Peninsula, and finally, getting back to Ruby Beach.  

More details (and LOTS of photos) on that later but my desire to return there & the upcoming vacation is what sparked this layout for My Mind's Eye.  The gray background paper is a lovely neutral paper for my previous vacation photos.  I used the teal Necessities 6x6 paper pad and layered rows of the foiled vellum over it to give it that beachy feel.  I used a border punch along the edge of the vellum to give it texture.

Got leftovers?  Line up little pieces of chipboard, patterned paper, buttons, die-cuts, and other items to make your own adorable banner.  I love the pop of color in the little banner, especially against my photos.

Did you know you can sew through the chipboard?  No needle change, just use a regular sized needle.  Because of the adhesive on the back of the chipboard, you should wipe the needle with alcohol after sewing.  It removes any sticky residue.  

Have you ever scrapped your wants/desires/life lists items?

 

Collective 5: Art in Action Photos

Every two weeks i head into the RINO area of Denver (RIver NOrth) to Michael's studio at the ArtHaus gallery.  i love going there not only for the lessons but also for feeling inspired every time i am there.  One of the things that always tends to happen is photographs, inspiring photos.  I cannot help but to take out my camera or even my phone to document my day, his art work, & both of us creating.  Both of us being camera junkies & documentarians, Michael will often grab my phone to take shots of me in action.  Here are five of some of my favorite shots from my days there.

i love that he writes out his thoughts any where and every where.  i walked into the studio earlier this week and found this on his drop cloth in front of his new painting.  i just had to step up and take a photo as a reminder.  "Marks that Matter."  It makes me think i need to put up some of my words around my studio.

i don't always just paint in my lessons.  Sometimes i draw or practice strokes with compressed charcoal or sketching pencils.  i always bring my sketch journal into class to take notes & do these kinds of practices.  This day was about loosing up the left hand as well as the right hand.  My background in drawing tends to make me very heavy handed as a painter so these techniques are imperative to loosen me up.  i absolutely LOVE this shot Michael got of me in action especially with his colorful piece in the background. 

A couple weeks ago or so, i was practicing strokes.  Simple movements that can have a huge impact and getting comfortable with odd movements.  All of this was on my pad of watercolor paper but then he told me stepped up to one of his pieces.   "WHAT?"  "Step up there and make those mark on that painting!"  I gulp, step up, & start making marks on a painting that is almost finished.  He laughs and says "Just don't screw it up."  So very cheeky.  

First lesson in his studio and i have a toliet brush in my hand painting.  i have many photos from that day that i just love thanks to Michael.  This top down view really says it all.  i love the color on my palette even though i never touched color that day.  The dark water showing how much i painted and that toilet brush in hand.  This photo reminds me of that day and the leaps i took.

Being in his studio, i always keep my eyes open for photos.  i cannot help it since i find inspiration in every corner.  He's so used to me pulling out my phone to take photos.  He was standing up against his newest piece as we were chatting.  i couldn't help but notice this great photo opportunity.  i began directing him, no turn this way, head down, etc., like i do in a photo shoot and he willingly obliged.  This is my favorite photo from the set.  It's like the art is exploding out of him. 

Do you take photos while you are creating?

 

 

 

Into Project Life

i blame julie.  It really is all her fault.  i think she just wanted someone else to share in the love & not so much love relationship with project life.  i have done a couple pages in the past.  i really do love those pocket pages and used them to fill in my album when i had multiple photos of an event that i wanted to document.  But i never really got the week to week thing...until now.

i have to admit it is totally addicting and completely frustrating.  

i first started into the pocket pages as a way to capture my garden.  Plannning & planting my garden requires some documentation because if i want to be successful next year, i need to know what worked this year.  On top of that, i also need to know how old my seeds are, what i planted & where, etc.  i thought pocket pages in an album would be the perfect way to have a visual record. 

And then those little pockets sucked me into capturing life this way.  i know for me it won't replace scrapbooking but i do love the challenge of documenting in a whole new way.  Well new to me.  i guess i resisted as long as i could.  

So here are some thoughts & realizations from my beginning perspective.

• trying to find my style in pockets has been challenging but i love a challenge 
• i don't need a picture for every day & can use as little or as many photos for each day as i want
• i should keep a calendar of the days events somewhere somehow 

• thinking beyond the pockets and not letting them limit me
• it takes me forever right now. i scrap in 30 mins or less but not in these pockets

• i like writing on photos
• i love little font stickers & thin chipboard letters for these pages

• my stencils are great for project life
• i need a way to organize materials for the pockets

• i like my backgrounds to be artsy like me
• it's a great way to use up leftovers

Just loaded into my downloadable store is my Seeds & Blooms Life Fragments.  i am not only using these in my project life pages but also in my Garden Album.  This set includes a two-page printable .pdf and 8 individual .png files for $3.99.  

 

 So have you jumped into project life? 

 

 

Create Daily: Art On the Go

Last week i shared a couple different ideas about traveling with art journals and an artsy travel mini album.  i hope you realize you can always be creative on the go.  Today i want to share a couple ideas about how to carry these items with you while you travel and what i actually have packed in my mini tote.  

i bought this tote years & years ago from Creative Memories.  It is one of the best crafting purchases i have made.  i bought a second one and use them both frequently.  i use it for crafting supplies, to carry my art supplies to class, and when i am traveling.  i searched the internet for something similar since these aren't sold anymore (you can still find some on ebay) and the closest i could find is this tote from Storage Studios.  Don't be afraid to shop at home stores or office supply stores to find solutions outside the craft industry.  An inexpensive toiletry case is great for supplies.  Another good option are those plastic zipper cases sheets or bags that shower curtains come in that you probably already have in your house. 

This little case measures approximately 10.25" x 6.5" x 3.5" and fits perfectly in my carry-on tote or my travel backpack.  i love it for it keeps all my supplies together and holds a lot of items.  i keep my larger items "loose" and place smaller items in a zipper pouch.  A couple things to note:

• Make sure the water bottle is empty before boarding a plane
• Scissors need to have less than a 4" blade in the US
• make sure your waterbrush is empty too 
• a plastic baggie (or two) can be very useful

i like bringing a plastic bag to collect ephemera for your art journal, mini album, or even project life pages.  i place items in the bag, sometimes marking the date on the piece if i am going to cut it down to help remember what happesn when.  i like to keep rubber bands around my inks to keep the lids in place.

So here's what i have in that one small tote and what i am bringing on my trip.  

• 4 watercolor brushes (Flat, Filbert, Round, & Spotter)
• Sketch Pencil (2HB)
• Black Pen (Waterproof)
• White Pen (Waterbase sharpie)
• Compressed Charcoal
• a few hand-carved tiny stamps
• Label Stamp
• White kraft mini Jotter Labels
• small scissors
• 5" x 8" Journal
• small moleskin "mini album" with decorated pages
• Travel NeocolorII set
• Sakura Travel Watercolors with Waterbrush
• two washi tapes
• small punch
• gluestick
• Tim's tiny attacher
• Date stamp with plastic block
• Plastic baggie
• Mister Bottle (small water bottle)
• Grey Stamp Pad
• Empty plastic container for water

Quite amazing isn't it?  All that fits into my bag & can go on the plane with me.  i'm packed & ready, now if my vacation would just hurry up and get here!

Art on the go could also mean just embroidery supplies.  i usually throw mine in a plastic baggie & go.  In this art on the go kit i include scissors, smaller embroidery hoop, floss on a ring, and a plastic needle carrying case.

Or maybe my art on the go is a knitting or crochet project.  i like to keep it simple by bringing one or two small projects.  Again i just use a plastic bag to hold my items: crochet hooks or knitting needles (both are allowed on planes), small scissors, yarn, & instructions (not pictured).  

Not going anywhere soon?  Use these tips for Staycations to the park, swimming pool, and other favorite local passtimes for your art on the go.  

Julie joined me at Rocky Mountain Memories this past weekend for my make & take.  While driving Julie to the airport, we hatched some plans for an art retreat here in beautiful Colorado in September.  Once we work out the details, we'll fill you in, but we are seriously super excited about the whole thing.  Doesn't a weekend making art with Julie and Ronda sound like trouble the most awesome thing in the world?! ;)

 

Finding Art Lessons

i love learning.  It's just part of who i am.  When i decided to look into art lessons, i was a little scared and a lot excited.  How do i find a place that's right for me?  What if i don't know anything they expect me to know?  What kind of classes do i want to take?  How do i find a teacher that's good for me?  Taking those first steps into finding lessons can be intimidating.  i know, i've been there.  So i wanted to pass on a few things i have learned along the way.  

First is deciding what kind of classes you want to take.  Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone a little.  i personally think drawing classes are always a good place to start if you are unsure where to begin.  Next is finding a place that offers classes.  Here in the Denver area i started with the Art Student League.  Not every town has an art student league, but most likey there is an Art Guild of some kind, so start there.  Just do a google search for "Art Guild" & your town to see what pops up.  Community Colleges & Community Centers will often offer classes too so don't be afraid to check those out as well.  

Once you find a place that offers classes, check out the instructors.  You can always ask others for your opinion on the teachers.  Not every artist makes a good teacher.  It is a separate gift, so it's good to get opinions.  You can also talk to the instructor to get a sense if they are right for you.  Check to see if they are consistent in their art too.  Ask them what makes great art?  i personally like to look for answer based in fundamentals and not just a philosophical answer.  

You've signed up!  GREAT!  Check the supplies list and don't be afraid to ask the instructors for specifics.  If they have acrylic paints on their list, ask them if there are colors they prefer, etc.  Now you're in the classroom and are ready to go.  Just remember there's always something to learn, even if the lessons aren't exactly what you wanted.  i believe praise is great but there should be a balance of praise & constructive criticism from your instructor.  They should be able to tell you what's wrong or better yet help you realize the weak areas so you can move forward.   

Jump in & most importantly, have fun!

 

 

Collective 5: Older Scrapbook Layouts

i've been scrapbooking for a long time, a long long long time.  Back when sticker sneezes & triangles in the corners were cool.  i still have & love those albums.  i flip through them every now & again.  i might have to share those really old layouts one day but today i'm sharing 5 older scrapbook layouts from 2008 and on.  

Colors is one of my all time favorite layouts.  It's from 2009 and a challenge from one of Cocoa Daisy's online crops.  You know my love for rainbow order and this is homage to that love.  i totally love the drips of colors using all kinds of mixed mediums, paints, spray inks, fabric, stitches, embellishments, patterned paper, & ribbons.  It was the background of my business card until i updated it recently.

Noted:  Combining graphically clean with "messy" is very pleasing.  Small photos can have a big impact.  Selfies are important for telling stories.   

Still Here is another mixed media layout that combines paints, spray inks, rub-ons, stitches, patterned paper, etc.  It was one of those layouts that fell together so quickly and quite by accident.  i was creating ATC cards and using a piece of white cardstock behind them to cover my table.  After i was finished i noticed how beautiful the page looked so i used it to create this layout.  

Noted: 8.5 x 11 layouts are fun.  Break out some old products to use (like those awesome rub-ons). 

Seeking Joy. Still one of my all time favorite layouts filled with such emotion & pain. The layout literally fell together with all the goodies from Kenner Road kits. Gosh i miss Kenner Road from Kerry Lynn Yearly.  Behind the aqua paper is lots of journaling, things i couldn't say out loud at the time but felt i needed to write them down.  i felt a huge relief once i got this story out.  

Noted:  Unpretty selfies tell life stories too.  Simple can be powerful.     

Lucca is another layout i adore.  The papers are so very pretty and i love those little grey strips of journaling.  The multiple photos are beautiful with that powerful large photo.  Simple touches like the lace & trims, the bordered paper, and the tiny flower bling make big impacts sitting silently in the backgrounds.  

Noted: Complementary colors are sexy together & pack a punch.  Break out the sewing machine more.  

Defining me is a hybrid layout.  i added those definitions, stamped images, & titles digitally and printed them on my patterned paper before tearing it.  Totally digging the stitching through the lacey trims.  

Noted: Try on unusual sized layouts.  Add red thread to your sewing machine. 

Did you note anything? 

 

 

 

Artsy Travel Mini Album, Part 2

i love traveling and i am really looking forward to time with my Martha.  The vacation/holiday isn't too far away and i want to spend most of it relaxing with her.  I also want to document every minute of it. So why not soak up that precious time together in an artsy travel mini album? 

After misting some of the pages yesterday, i went back in & added in some washi tape.  This helps give the pages some structure plus it's just pretty!  i didn't add it to all the pages but just a few here & there.  i also added some Earl Grey Maya Mist splats to every page to tie them all together (not pictured).  

Now that the interior pages have backgrounds, i am ready to travel.  i will leave the cover plain until i get back and decide what the title will be based on how i fill it up.  The next step is to decide what to bring with me to fill the album.  i can keep it really simple if i wish. 

Simple includes:

1. Mini Album
2. Glue stick
3. Small pair of scissors
4. A Cocoa Daisy label stamp & stamp block
5. Archival Ink (Wendy Vecchi's Watering Can)
6. Waterproof Black Pen

A little above simple is nice too.  It gives me a little more flexiblity in my pages.  

The next level includes:

1. Simple kit
2. Washi Tapes (i'm keeping with my grey theme)
3. Small Heart Punch
4. Maya Road White Mini Kraft Jotter Tags
5. Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

i can kick it up a notch and bring one kind of medium with me.  So many choices but what to bring?

1. NeoColorII Watercolor Crayons
2. Faber Castell India Ink Brush Pens
3. Faber Castell Colored Pencils

i don't know what i am going to bring just yet but i have time to decide.  i will coordinate it with the Art Journal i am bringing.  i want to limit myself so i don't overthink it.  

and that's my advice to you...don't overthink it!

 

 

 

 

Artsy Travel Mini Album, Part 1: Getting Started

Yesterday i talked about traveling with your art journal & limiting your supplies. Maybe art journaling isn't your thing but you do want to capture your vacation/holiday.  How about an artsy travel mini album?  

The first step is getting a little notebook to use as a mini album.  i like using these little notebooks with grid & lined pages because it adds another layer to your mini.  i used one before and it turned out ever so lovely.  i tend to pick up these moleskin albums in three packs just for such occasions (plus i also keep one in my purse for every day life). 

i decided to go with a little grey album.  There's three in a pack and so i thought i would make Martha one as well for our trip soon.  To get started, select a note book & grab a gluestick.  Simple as that.  To make the pages a little stronger, glue some of the pages together.  i like to glue about two or three pages together.  Don't skimp on the gluestick & cover the whole page before sandwiching the pages together.  When i was done i ended up with ten double pages or 20 pages total.  

Once they are glued togther, build up some of the backgrounds of the pages before you even go on vacation.  i am using some of my stencils and various spray inks to create my backgrounds.  i used some distress inks too.  

Tomorrow i will share with you how to add a few more touches before heading off on vacation, plus how to be successful while on your journey!

 

Create Daily: Travel Art Journal

Can you believe it is June already?  It's Summer time here in the States and i have vacation/holiday on my mind.  i am so excited to take time to relax with my friend Martha on our trip coming up at the end of the month.  Since i simply cannot stay away from creating daily, i will be bringing my art journal on the trip.  Today i want to share with you some tips to make it easy to create while traveling.  

The hardest part of creating daily on the road isn't finding the time, it's choosing what to take with you.  Simply put, Keep It Simple Silly or KISS.  First figure out what journal you want to take.  Do you want it larger or smaller? Is it a sketch journal or a daily art journal? 

i picked up a few of my journals to show you some possibilites.  The largest journal here is 5" x 8".  It fits neatly in a backpack or suitcase.  The rest are smaller all the way down to a pocket journal.  

1. Dylusion Journal -- Bristol paper 5x8, made for mixed media
2. Sketch Journal -- plain paper, better for sketches, ok (but not great) for wet medium
3. Global Arts & Moleskin Watercolor Journals - landscaped & watercolor paper
4. Terraskin Journal -- made of stone, slick, very good for wet art
5. Pocket Sketch Journal -- thick paper, great for mixed media
6. Pocket Watercolor Moleskin - Perfect for mixed media
7. 7 Gypsies Pocket Sketch Journal -- less pages than #5 but similar

Think about your vacation and what will work for you.  Don't let this overhwelm you, just make a decision and go for it.  

Once you narrowed down the journal, next is setting yourself up for success during your holiday.  A great way to do this is to create backgrounds on your pages before your trip.  Add color however you like, acrylic paints, watercolors, spray inks, paints, india inks, acrylic inks, washi tape, etc.  Create without thinking too much about it.  

You can keep it simple with just one or two colors.  Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be.  i love monochromatic pages and maybe your travel journal is the place to try them out.  

You can also add a few more colors if you want.  This is the 7 Gypsies small journal and i just added a few splatters of spray inks, washi tape, & masking tape.

Insert leftover paper to your pages like in this journal where i added a piece of waterfolor with washi tape.  It flips open for more journaling and makes it interesting.  

Or how about a small tag?  i used Ranger's Color wash on the background for that splash of color.  Love it.  i then scored a tag so it bends and attached it to the page. 

This watercolor journal is fun because of the landscape direction.  i like to add masking tape or washing tape to the spine to make it stronger.  On this page i used mostly acrylic paints with some spray inks & stamped images.  Now start building a couple pages a day at a time so you don't have to drag out all of your supplies. 

Or keep it really simple & leave it blank so you can make it a sketch journal.  

Your sketch journal is a recording what you see & do each day.  In the above watercolor journals i sketched out things and then used watercolors to fill it in.  i journaled out some thoughts on the side pages.  i like doing this for capture places & people i see along my adventures. 

Next pick one medium to bring with you.  Keep it simple & pick just one.  i have lots of mediums in travel sizes so i am not weighted down when i am on the go. Just one.  Is it watercolors?  Watercolor crayons? Watercolor pencils? Colored pencils? India Ink pens? Or dual brush pens (these react to water)? Just one and go!  

 

Into My Sketch Book

i have many art journals.  Tons of them that line the walls of my studio filled with colorful pages and scattered thoughts.  i also have some "sketch journals." These types of journals are filled with my daily practices, ideas, and possible future projects.  i thought today you might like a peek into the journal to see my daily practices.

Most of the pages i am sharing today are with different size paint brushes and India Ink.  Sometimes it's about repeating a pattern or wrist movement.

These daily practices are important for many reasons, including freeing your mind.  You never know when an idea will pop into your head for an art piece, business idea, or even life thought.

i've said before that everything begins in black & white and color is the icing.  That is why i am only using black in this partical journal.  

It's also about seeing how far i can push one dip of ink onto the page, taking note of technique & different shapes.  

And if i got to that place, can i get there again?  Most of the time that answer is yes. 

it's also about how one place leads into another and another and feeling the excitement builds.  it's amazing how freeing this time can be.  

i like to play and see what i can do with the ink & paintbrushes.  Shapes, textures, lines, typography.  Nothing is off limits.  

Practical play really helps me develop.  It is such an important part of my life as an artist.  I block time on my schedule and really look forward to this time of day. Once i get going, one page turns into many, like i said...freeing!