Art Journal, Gaffer Tape, Free Image, AND THE GIVEAWAY!!!

Seriously. I love peeking in on all the creativity happening in blogland! More often than not my inspiration for heading off to create something is a direct result of seeing someone else's work.

Such was the case yesterday...The bug that bit this time was art journaling. A little sweetie by the name of Autumn posted some fun pages here and here and also in other posts. I recently became blog-acquainted with her after we exchanged visits during the Where Bloggers Create party hosted by Karen Valentine. 

Not to mention all the online classes happening, or happened, or going to happen...and all the other bloggers who share their art journals... here's a few to peek at:

~~Teresa McFayden's online class: Between the Lines. She also has a Flickr group site where class participants can post their work.

~~Here's a fun blog devoted to showcasing journal pages happening around the blogosphere.

~~I first read about Dispatched from LA's online course from Cherie. This one is a start-anytime-you-like class... and it looks way fun.

~~Patty recently did a splurb on her blog for La Dolce Vita's Transfer Love Class that also looks yummy! It began yesterday...I also learned via Patty of this e-course taught by Carole. It's also one that I would love to take...still can until August 8th, I believe.

~~Autumn had a link on her blog to a journaling e-course called Nourish Your Soul. It is currently underway but another will be offered in the near future. Here's a peek of a few journal pages from Hope's blog {the instructor}, Besottment.

No shortage of inspiration available, for sure! So for all these reasons and more, I hopped back into one of my art journals...

In the beginning, Sue slathered gel medium to the pages using a foam brush to spread it evenly. Next, a crumpled piece of aqua tissue got added, then a few torn pieces of a napkin this doll shared with me {same blog where I often learn of lots of the fun online classes happening}, and even some diluted pink paint...

a random tidbit (also known as rambling): Once upon a time I wallpapered my daughter's bathroom with crumpled tissue paper and incorporated pressed flowers and glitter. It was unconventional to say the least and she loved it...of course, she was only 11 at the time...

For the longest time I've been wanting to get a roll of gaffer tape and play...finally ordered some from a tape company online...let the possibilities begin! {{7 Gypsies is responsible for my inspiration where Gaffer tape is concerned. They have tons of great ones.}} This particular piece I ran through the printer...first I printed my image on a plain piece of paper. I had "presized" the image in my photo software so it would fit on my 2" strip of tape.

All that's left was to place a piece of tape directly over the print on the paper and run the paper through again. Once the ink has a chance to set up, carefully remove the tape from the paper. I found that the ones I left on overnight were grabbing some of the printer paper...

And just for fun...do you see the humor of what happened during this photo shoot?

Maybe he saw the word "fly" and decided to check it out! Moving right along...here's a few more tape creations...

 
...a rubber stamped piece...would be a fun little return address label on an envelope for something mailed to a dog lover...

This is a Tim Holtz stamp I scanned into my picture file and then resized and printed...gaffer tape tears nicely and before I use this piece I'll most likely tear a chunk off each side for a little more interest and texture...

...progress on the pages....just waiting for me to capture some thoughts in writing...

...here's a few more close ups...

...and before I forget, would you like a copy of this lady? Her name is Dorothy Sutton. I grabbed her from the Library of Congress site, and you can now grab her from me. She was a little scruffy in the original photo, but I've cleaned her up a bit. She looked like she needed a fresh infusion of hope...

I'm sort of feeling like a news reporter...you know why? Because I threw out the words "giveaway" way back in the title of the post, and then rambled on and on ad nauseum making you wait until the end of the program to hear about the giveaway. Yep. That's just what they do on the news. DRIVES ME CRAZY when they do that...esp. when the opening bait line turns out to be more exciting than the final catch...

Hence, without further delay, here's my giveaway celebrating 100 posts...there will be two of them...the first winner will receive:

A 12" x 7.5", 290 pages journal...and added to this prize I will include...

...but that's not all...once the winner is chosen...

...I'll peek through your blog and choose some extra little goodies from my stash that I think might tickle your fancy...

For the second winner, there will be a $25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble and some extra goodies from my stash as well.

You know the drill...leave a comment on this post and your name goes into the pot. If you want to double your chances, blog about my giveaway and leave a second comment letting me know you've done so! Entries must be blog-marked by Sunday, August 8th, 9PM EST.

Bless all your sweet little souls for all the fun, inspiration, nuggets of wisdom, doses of encouragement, delicious giggles of humor, and what not that I've come to enjoy by visiting all of your blogs! 

Xo, Sue 

Comments

[Lynn]

Wow, I don't know where to start. So I will start at the end LOL. That photograph is absolutely devine, did you take it? Love flowers :)

Super duper giveaway, although I think I am first so I doubt that would help me, oh and we have no B&N stores here in Canada, but lovely, lovely gifts all the same :)

As for your journal, A maze ing......
I love the colors, that poor lady, the texture is so yummy, you make me want to journal, and I just love your sense of humor, so glad I found your blog :)

Thank you too for the list of online classes too :)

Lynn

[~*~Patty]

My goodness Woman! This post is jam packed with info, links and temptations temptations temptations. HOW in the world did you keep it all straight! You are the link Queen amongst other most deserving titles heehee ... the lady you're sharing with us reminds me of the serious look of a suffragette ... thank you for her AND your pages ... good golly Miss Molly talk about inspiring! You used the cherry blossom tissue so sweetly ... have I told you today you inspire me and make me punctuate with exclamation marks LOL
Thank you for always being so gracious, generous and grand *ggg* (ggg means *giggle* when typed in German).
My head is spinning with delight ... must go back for more lookie looks.
Many thanks dear friend
oxo

[Linda]

Dear me...I followed a link to your blog from another and now I've been lost in all this beauty for the past hour! Congratulations on your milestone and thank you for the lovely image and the inspiration you've shared.

[Linda]

PS...I've added a link to your giveaway on my blog...had to share!

[Autumn Clark]

Oh, Sue! You've made my day with this little shoutout. I am thrilled to have contributed in any way to your inspiration. I adore your page. What a fun image! Thank you so much for all of your ideas on graffer's tape. Back in the day when I first began altering books I was crazy about using cloth bandaging tape. I covered book spines with it and was able to paint it any way I desired. Meager, but rewarding...
xx,
Autumn
PS. I've posted about your giveaway on my blog. You are so funny in your reporter tone. I often get on a proper English tone. Ha ha!

[Leanne Shawler]

Sue!!! My oh my :) Not only do you create beautiful wee velvet flowers but that is just an amazing journal page. I'm doing Hope's "Nourish Your Soul" journaling class right now and this technique will be PERFECT for this second prompt.

There are so many journaling classes but I can't take them all, alas ...

And your giveaway is awesome :)

[debi]

Oh my goodness! I love your journal page! Now you've inspired me to work on an art journal this week.

And what a beautiful giveaway! Congrats on 100 posts!

[Susan Tidwell]

Just found your blog through Autumn. Love your journal. Thanks for the vintage image and for the opportunity to win your very generous giveaway! How I would love to win that ledger.
Susan

[Danielle]

Fab artwork you created as well as a FAB giveaway. Please enter me.

-Danielle

[Jill]

Wow Sue! What a great giveaway!! Please throw my name in the hat! I am planning on taking the Remains of the Day Journal class as soon as my kids start back to school. One of my blog buddies, Joy is going to take it along with me. Maybe you would want to also?!

[caterina giglio]

wow! what an amazing blog and giveaway! nice to meet you here, Patti sent me and I can see that I will love your blog! come visit mine, La Dolce Vita and Bell'Antico, when you get a chance! your journal is lovely, please enter me!! ciao!

[Knickertwist]

BEAUTIFUL blog! Wonderful stuff :)

[Terri@PringleHill]

Sue, this post is fabulous! I've never tried printing on gaffer tape, and now I realize that I've got to add some to my art supplies pronto. Thanks for the quick tut!!! And your art journal is fabulous! Thank you so much for the great freebie - truly appreciated! And then, if all of that isn't enough, there's a giveaway too!!! Thanks so much for your generosity! Hugs, Terri xoxo

[Thespoena McLaughlin]

You are too too generous with your giveaway. I've loved your blog for some time now and this is just the icing on the eye candy. LOL. Thanks for the chance to win, hope you are having a wonderful summer!

[Anne]

My goodness, your work is just absolutely stunning!
Wow, whoever wins your giveaway is going to be very lucky, indeed. :-)

Have a wonderful week!
Hugs,
Anne

[Kimber]

100 posts! Congratulations!
Love what you did with the gaffer tape. Now I MUST get some!
Thanks for all the links you share - much appreciated.
And thanks for such a generous giveaway!

[Cynthia a.k.a. Cynnie]

First of all...Patty sent me here....from her wonderful blog. I am glad she did! Nice blog!!
Will visit more often. Congrats on the #100....I can only dream...mine is a long way away :)

[Leanne Shawler]

And I'm back to say I posted about this giveaway on my blog. Linky as proof!

http://provokingbeauty.blogspot.com/2010/08/arts-desire-has-giveaway.html

[Robin sanchez]

Wow that book is to DIE for!! I just love the color. Im keeping my fingers crossed.

Robin

[Pandora]

Beautiful journal page thank you for sharing. Congratulations on 100 and thanks for the chance to win.

[Jill]

Now, I have also posted about your giveaway on my blog!
Jill

[Angela]

Pick me, pick me!!

[Connie]

Oh Sue! Do you really think I could make beautiful pages like yours if I took any one of these classes? I doubt it cuz your's are just to.die.for. Of course, I love everything you do!

Congrats on 100 posts! Each and every one is amazing!

[Joanie Hoffman]

What a wonderful way to end a posting: "bless your little souls...". For some reason this just gave me a huge reason to smile.
and thank you, with giggles, for the giveaway.
Joanie

[Beverly]

Sue, you do know I love you, don't you? Just coming here makes me smile. And, just look at all of the pretties.

I do believe we need to be neighbors because I know you would keep me inspired and motivated.

Dorothy Sutton. My mother has Suttons in her family. Maybe we are related.

Your giveaway is fantastic. I will cross all of my appendages.

[Connie]

Of course I gave you a shout out on my sidebar! I sure hope I'm the lucky one you choose!

[Mosaic Magpie]

Wow! What a beautiful book for your giveaway, I love the color of it. Your post was so full of information and inspiration. Love reading your blog and will post this on my giveaway page.
Thank you for a chance to win.
Debbie

[creativechaos]

Count me in!!! I love your journal page....I'm inspired to get back working on mine!

[Claudia]

I would love to be included in your giveaway. Thanks so much for your generosity!

xo
Claudia

[Sweet Annabelle]

First time looking at your blog - I came over from Jill Ruth's to peek at your giveaway. WHICH I'd love to win! Must say that I picked up a journal similar to that a few years ago, much smaller in black and red.

Congrats on #100!

[Cathy Parker/LADYHIGHTOWER]

Just came upon your absolutely gorgeous, beautiful and breathtaking blog! Loving it! and what a suberb giveaway! [email protected]

[Cathy Parker/LADYHIGHTOWER]

Sorry about the previous comment! Here's the link! http://rememberwhenrememberthen.blogspot.com

[sharon]

Such a beautiful blog! I found you by way of Patti, and am so happy she shared you with us! Your talents are amazing! Thank you so much for this wonderful chance, and all the great info and infornmtion!
Hugs!

[Linda Jo]

I'm soooooooo entering this! ha! I dug out my art journal yesterday and am so ready to do some pages in it. Life (weddings) has gotten in my way lately... Love all your stuff...as always.

[Carole Brungar]

Just thought I'd pop by and let you know the journal class is now open indefinitly YAY! (due to pressure from the girls, not to mention bribery! lol)
Your journal page is lovely, I have never heard of gaffer tape? Sounds very interesting. Congrats on 100 posts, may you have many more!!

[Palma]

These pages are very inspirational indeed. Thank you for the great tips.They are much appreciated :)

[Zuzu]

Wow, Sue! Love your journal page (I don't create collage, but ohBOY do I ever love it). I'll be sure to visit the links you've shared - so many wonderful places to visit - so little time.
Hubby is rushing me off the computer, so I'll say 'Bye' for now - and thanks for the opportunity to participate in your gorgeous (GORGEOUS) giveaway.
I'm adding your blog to my blogroll & will visit soon!
HUGS,
Zuzu

[Anne]

Love your blog, love Dorothy Sutton, too! Pssst -- I'd love to win your giveaway, as well. Thanks for the post. . .

[crolildissula]

I do not know how relevant to this blog. A lot of talk but little that is specifically useful.
However, with the last author I agree.