Collage - A Year Long Project

WARNING: This post if photo HEAVY!

A couple of years ago I was into collage art. I joined a Yahoo group which shared ideas and projects. One thing we did was post a weekly topic that was to be used to create our collage. I actually managed to complete about 80% of the challenges, most of which I am posting here. A few of them were really bad and they've been relegated to the trash bin.

New Beginnings

Windows 

In case you're interested, the journal reads: Windows are a means of exploring further than our immediate surroundings. We look through the windows out of curiosity. Out of an eagerness to see what lies just outside the pleasant confines of daily life. Out of desire to go beyond what we commonly see. To enter an exciting world where we can embrace opportunities we have never before imagined.

Every time I close the door on reality it comes in through the windows.

"T"

mosaic of beauty

Circles 

Blue

It's all in the numbers

Junk Mail

Purple and Yellow

The Eyes are on You

"S"

It's all in the cards

Pretty in Pink

Flowers

"C"

Don't be Square

Greetings

Listen to the solitude

Genesis

"B"

Weaving the strands of life

Senses

words

Pink is for Girls

Mothers and Daughters

If Only

How's your shape?

Happy Anniversary

Brown

Climbing the corporate ladder

the Woman behind the mask

water

share the fun

it's that time

inside and outside

purple, violet, lilac, which is it?

if only women had wings

don't be yellow

not gonna happen

it's all in the form

help me!

men are different than we are!

it's all in the genes

confidence

life is NOT all black and white

trinkets

looking into my imagination

There you have it. If you're not "in to" collage you're probably thinking "alrighty now, this is different" but if you see collage as a viable expression of creativity, I hope you can "see" into my head .... trust me it's all there and then some!

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A Scrapbook of Me: Sorting Saturday - Making a Scrapbooking Area

I found a blog where the blogger posted photos of scrapbooking spaces she'd found out on the internet. If you're looking for ideas on setting up or changing your scrapbook area, this blog has a little bit of everything.

Here are three of my favorites:

 Check here for more inspiration. A Scrapbook of Me: Sorting Saturday - Making a Scrapbooking Area. 

Something for Mom

I made a book cover for my mother to use on her Sunday School book.




I hope she likes it!


I'm thinking I might embroider her name on it - yay or nay?

Another piece of paper embroidery

I tried my hand at paper embroidery and

 

the verdict is still out. I think I need to try a couple more pieces before I decide if I like it or not. Because of the colors I used, mine looks very different from the inspiration piece. But then, I was looking to go for my own look, not that of someone else.


Like I said, I will try another one (or two) and then decide whether or not to pursue it.

Tags

I don't know about you, but I'm the worlds worst for buying gifts. For someone who is supposed to be so creative, I am useless when it comes to buying the perfect gift for my family and friends. Therefore it usually comes down to the last minute before I make up my mind about a purchase. I'm also no good at being prepared with wrapping paper and cards once I have the gift. 

Thankfully I have come up with the perfect solution for packaging my presents. No more pattern paper! Generic white, black, or brown paper is perfect for any gift ... as long as it's accompanied by a decorative tag. 


Now tags - that's something I can do! It's time for me to get busy replenishing my stock but I have a few (ok, well it's more than a few) here to show you.

                     

Tags are fun and easy to make. Sometimes I use shipping tags  that can be purchased at the local office supply store, Walmart, or Target. Other times I want more than a simple shape so I will cut my own using templates  or my Coluzzle.


After the tag shape is cut the real fun begins. I pull out my paper (remember that tote of scraps? ), embellishments  , . 
I also use stamps, stickers, and markers, and anything else I can find. Before you know it a tag is born.


Sometimes I will make a tag for a specific gift/person but a lot of times when I'm feeling particularly creative I will just sit down and make tags. Before I know it I have a stash of ready made tags just waiting for the right recipient.


My tags range 
from simple 
to elaborate  
to whimsical  
to outrageous . 
They can be event specific  
or generic   in nature.


Whether you wrap or bag it  ,whatever the person or event, there's always that perfect tag just waiting to go on the package. And the best thing ... the blank backside is perfect for writing a personal message ... no need to include a card!