Art Meetup for The Art In You

April Art Meetup

2010-02-25T15:30:00.000-08:00

Hello Ladies:

Tuesday, April 13th at 10am we will be gathering to work on altering a book. This should be fun because you can use all kinds of media when you alter a book.

If you don't feel this is the project for you, come away and make something from my stash!

What to bring:

A BOOK, this can be a kids book or a novel. I have shown examples of what I am using below. In my case, I wanted to make a book about my family so I picked the book ROOTS so I could use the printing as part of my book.

Your book can be about SOMETHING personal or just a book to alter and play with different techniques. You can paint, collage, sew, journal and mored!

Please note: slicker pages are not recommended for altering. You can get a hard bound book at 99 cent store, Big Lots $2 or thrift store OR Elena has offered a Readers Digest book for those that can't figure out how or where to get a book. If you want her to bring one for you, email me.

EXACTO KNIFE or BOX CUTTER - If you wish to cut a niche in your book, this is something you will need to bring.

Here's some examples of my book just as an idea of what we will be doing.

It will be fun, if you have any questions, email me. Can't wait :}

January Art Meetup

2010-01-12T19:04:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I really said we wouldn't start art meetups til February but thought I would invite friends over for some advice to finish up decorating and furniture placement of new studio.

Unfortunately things happen but, hey that is life and we can't be everywhere all the time.

Feel no guilt, Art Meetup is NOT a JOB it is a way to get together and share with friends WHEN IT WORKS FOR YOU.

Kat and June came over and even my friend Bonnie M. came by to check out the room.

Hey it only takes one or two and we are creating!

June, a little new to altering wanted to make a birthday card for her friend Helen so she grabbed some stuff and went to it. Kat and I "offered" suggestions and she was off and running. "What? you want me to rip the paper?" What? You want to put ink on the edges?" I guess it used to seem silly but now it's like a way of life. ha ha

Here's her card (plaque) for her friend Helen. I think she has potential to be a BIG paper ripper and see more good creations from Junie in the future. What do you think? (double click on picture to see closeup)

Kat made a artsy card in remembrance of Marilyn Monroe being inspired from some Marilyn playing cards I had. It turned out fabulous, darling don't you think so?

February Art Meetup will be a another chance for us to all get together and CREATE! Yay! Since Maryam is pregnant and having some issues with smells, I thought we might want to work with our hands to create but leave the gel, paint and fumes behind.

We're going to create these fun button flowers. I know each one of you will add your own twist to them and come up with wonderful bouquets. Just think how cute these would be on ATC cards, scrapbook pages, altered art.

February Art Meetup is Tuesday, February 9th 10am. I'll be sending out a reminder when the time nears.

New Year, New Art?

2010-01-05T16:04:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year My Dear Friends,
It’s time to put away the Holiday decorations and grab a paint brush or gel medium, etc. and help Jackie finish up her art studio.

The studio still needs a few finishing touches but probably always will. One thing I noticed is it’s lack of art by my friends.

So, I am asking you to come over on Tuesday, January 12 around 10ish and pick your pallet and leave me a piece of you in your art. I have walls; I have inside cabinet doors, bottoms of folding chairs, secret hiding places begging for your art.

Don’t bring a thing, use all my STUFF. Come and play and check out what our February Art Meet up project will be.

Let me know you'll be there! Email me

Art Meetup for September

2009-09-10T16:08:00.000-07:00

Well there is just so much going on around San Diego that this will be our last meetup until February 2010 whew...seems like a long way off but if how the last few months have whizzed by is any indication.....we'll be back and creating soon.

Here are a few pics of what my creative friends did.

Merry Christmas :}

What We Did at the August Meetup

2009-08-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

We came together and wow'ed ourselves with our shrine creations. Everyone is so creative and comes up with something so fun.

My friend, June wasn't sure she would be able to make a box but came up with the idea of a "Money Box" kinda like a wish box to bring wealth and happiness into your life. She did a great job.

No one should be afraid to explore altering because each of us have a view of what we consider art and we can all be creative..............none of us should be afraid to create.

Bet brought her "Demented Cat". She was inspired by another piece of art she found on the net and darn if she didn't make her own little Demented toy.....darling.....I think Michael DeMeng would be proud :}

She proceeded to make her little Christmas shrine and put a music box turn key player in it.....soooo great.

Wish I could take better pics but you get the idea.........go forth and CREATE.

Let the Christmas Book Begin

2009-07-20T18:17:00.000-07:00

We were all a buzz here on Tuesday, July 14th. Kat brought the paper bags, everyone brought something to share and we all dug in and sorted out paper and pieces to start our Christmas Paper Bag book.

I think we all got a good jump on the book and will come back in September to complete. I know I have heard from a few that they are busy working on their books at home enjoying the vintage christmas look.

2 new artists came to play. Welcome June and Chris.

Here's some pics to give you the flavor.

I mentioned people brought different things to share: Kat the bags, Bet lovely vintage magazines and more, Sally scads of paper and a CD of vintage empherma, Elena paper and acetates, Maryam planned ahead and left us a box of lovelies, If I missed you sorry, if you didn't bring anything don't worry...you'll get your turn :} Jane made a little kit for each of us to make a Christmas ornament maybe to place in or on the book. Very cute....thanks Jane.

Christmas in July!

2009-07-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

Next Art Meetup

Tuesday, July 14th
10am

We will be starting our Christmas Paperbag book at our July meetup.

We have a basket full of Vintage and Vintage looking items for us to begin to assemble our book. Kat is bringing the bags and some of you have already contributed to the "basket of goodies".

Some have asked "what can I bring" or "I can't find anything vintage". I completely understand and I say "just come and have fun getting started."

We will finish up the Christmas paperbag book in September. This will give you time to find other things to add and share. You will take home 3 CD's of Vintage Clipart to print out for your book. I am sure we will be inspired and think of lots of things we can do after we get together in July.

I hope you can make it. I know that Melanie and Maryam cannot attend but I'll be assembling two additional books for them (with your help) so they won't fall behind.

We're also lucky because Elena will be bringing her Canon Photo Printer and the great photo paper to demo the printer for us. After you see it in action, you'll want one! I did! I ordered mine and it's on it's way.

To see pictures of the Christmas Paperbag book check out below on the post from Thursday, May 21, 2009.

ALSO, if you exchanged a magazine or book at last meetup, bring'um back and maybe bring some others to exchange. Anyone that has art books or Magazines they would like to exchange with others bring THEM!!!

See you next Tuesday, Happy Holidays!

Next Art Meetup

2009-06-11T08:29:00.001-07:00

July 14, 10 am

We're starting our Christmas paper bag book. Think retro when you're out shopping....you never know what you'll find :}

Paper Dolls Were Made and Played!

2009-06-10T08:29:00.000-07:00

We had our art meetup yesterday and such fun we had. We had scissors flying and glue a dripping. We were messy but in the end came up with Wonderful paper dolls of our own design. Take a look!

I apologize that the pictures are not clearer. I swear next meetup I will have my photo box out and a tripod for good pics. These are so wonderful in person but for now you will just have to admire the creativity it took to come up with these little dollies.

This little Dolly Dingle Dolly was done by Bet before the meetup. She is oh so cute with a little ball fringe on the bottom of her skirt. Notice her skirt IS a cupcake with fluffy marshmellows. Love her!

This little angel dolly was made my Maryam and she took clipart from Retro Cafe Art of the german head doll and put it on a base. Wrapped a fan around the bottom as a skirt and embellished. She took a transparency and stamped with black paint wings for her. GORGEOUS huh?

Okay so Elena breezes in LATE, checks out what's happening and bing, bang, boom her little girlie is done and quite chesty I might add. tee hee

Retro Bet! This has a REAL picture of Bet from the 70's and she decided she should be dressed accordingly. I wish you could see the detail. She put a gold chain around her neck and earrings. Cool huh?

Sally pulled different parts of her dolly from magazines and assembled her swiftly. I love the veggies on her head and her shoes are to die for :}

This paper doll was influenced by a Mother's Love. Kat took a photo of her beautiful daughter and used it for her paper doll. I bet her daughter will be smiling ear to ear when she gets this little dolly! Love her!

This is my kitty paper doll. I'm going to send it to my friend in Iowa that has a house full of kitties and loves Cats!!!

In the evening I decided to make one more dolly out of a digital collage sheet I had purchase last week from (again) Retro Cafe Art. When I saw it for sale on her site I just knew she needed to be a paper doll. The body was there, I just made legs and covered them from bits and pieces from the same collage sheet. I punched holes in the feet to tie a ribbon for her little shoes and cut out her arms and after gluing to a harder surface, reattached with little brads so they move. She's a little pixie to me :}

Everyone have a wonderful creativity day!!

Paper Doll Art Meetup BE THERE!!!

2009-06-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

Next Art Meetup, Tuesday, June 9th we'll be making paper dolls. Check these dollies out. Bet got these dollies in a paper doll swap. Hers are the black and white twin witch types (a pair)in the second picture and the little flower dollie (in the third picture), she is hinged and folds in the middle.

This should get your creative juices flowing. We'll start with a plain piece of chipboard and collage, paint, whatever your heart desires. If you want to personalize your paper doll, bring pictures of yourself or family.

Have a fun dolly day!

Introducing.......Sally's Bottle Doll..Ms. Regal Lady

2009-05-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

Sally worked on her bottle doll at my Art Meetup Makeup session. ha ha She decided to take her home unfinished and promised to complete her and send pics.

Well you can see she did her homework and finished her little Regal Lady. Sally says with her MORE IS BETTER and I have to agree MORE Works. She looks GrEaT!!

Thanks Sally for sharing.

The HUNT is on for Christmas Empherma!!!

2009-05-21T17:11:00.000-07:00

I announced at our May Art Meetup that we will be having Christmas in July at the July Art Meetup (Tuesday, July 14th) and will begin to put together our Vintage Christmas Paperbag Book.

To pull this off and make a FABULOUS book I'm asking that everyone be on the lookout for vintage christmas embellishments, recipes, postcards, greeting cards, vintage wrapping paper, candy molds, bells, old holiday issues of magazines, holiday napkins, coasters, don't discount old boxes that housed christmas toys, ornaments, etc. Lots of us probably have some of these things at home. Ask your friends, parents. In July we'll come together and share all our empherma and start to get the feel for our books.

We'll fold and bind our book and start our design process. Then we'll take it home and work on it for a month or so when we have time. At the September art meetup we'll finish up our books.

This book can be a great present for someone or yourself. It could be a photo album for vintage christmas pictures, a journal or even a recipe book.

Here are some pictures of the Bag book that is our inspiration. Click on the pictures to get a good view of the pages.

I am leaving a month between starting and finishing the book to give us time to reflect on the book a little more and maybe even gather more items after we get our focus. But, I'm open to a change in schedule depending on what everyone wants...just let me know. There are no lesson plans here :}

Art Meetup Makeup

2009-05-21T15:18:00.001-07:00

Sally came over today for "Art Meetup Makeup". It was fun just talking and analzying her bottle.

She brought "show and tell". Her great find of old tins. You can see them on her blog. She ordered German doll heads from Retro Cafe Art which she will use along with her tins to make some cute little altered dolls. Can't wait to see the finished dollies.

These pictures are of Sally's bottle doll. She choose to use a rubber doll head and take the scissors to the dolls hair. hee hee Painting and adhering to the bottle. She promises we'll see a finished product.

I got enthused again to do another bottle doll so I'm taking this doll head and painting...so I'll hopefully show you the finished dollie. Yeooooowwwww!

Let's Play Paper Dolls!

2009-05-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

As a little girl I had little paper dolls to play with. I remember magnetic little girls with clothing. The paper dolls where you cut them out and they had that little "hinge" to bend over the edge of the body to keep them on the dollies. It was always fun even though sometimes the scissors eventually got me into trouble :{

Next Art Meetup, Tuesday, June 9th we'll be making paper dolls. Check these dollies out. Bet got these dollies in a paper doll swap. Hers are the black and white twin witch types (a pair)in the second picture and the little flower dollie (in the third picture), she is hinged and folds in the middle.

This should get your creative juices flowing. We'll start with a plain piece of chipboard and collage, paint, whatever your heart desires. If you want to personalize your paper doll, bring pictures of yourself or family.

Have a fun dolly day!

Bottles UP!

2009-05-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

It was art meetup day at my house on Tuesday, May 12th. The ladies came and boy did we work. Here's all the bottle girls. Maryam had left already for the group pic but there is a picture of hers here too!

The mission take a brown medicine bottle and an old prescription label and make something! AND make something the did!!!

First of all it was Bet's birthday THAT VERY DAY and I was happy she chose to come to art meetup as part of her birthday celebrating. Later in the day she took off to Disneyland. So we'll all have to check out her blog to see what else she did to celebrate.

I couldn't resist making a little birthday hat for Bet and some ATC cards. It's hard to see but the cup has a cupcake wrapper that says "Happy Birthday Bet". I cut this on my Cricut Expressions, I'm praticing. I was too lazy to bake cupcakes so I put it on a cup filled with candy. Anyway, I think Bet took great pics with her birthday hat on, don't you?

Here's is Mel's Willow, yes she has already named her. Shouldn't all dollies have names? Mel thought "outside the bottle" and took a dollie and redressed and altered her and put her on the bottle. I think she came out so cute!

This is Elena's doll. It's hard to tell from the picture but the little girl on the left lost her feet in the name of "art". Elena wanted to use a smaller bottle...it's a "princess thing" :} and she cut the feet off of little pink dollie and put on her bottle. Later she fixed the problem of getting the little doll to stand, she glued it on a ruler. Sooo cute!

Below is Bet's doll. She chose an old ceramic doll...hammered, deconstructed and reconstructed into this little cutie.

This is Kathleen's dollie. It always amazes me what people pick and how it turns out. Now I have a bunch of plastic doll heads, doesn't everyone? Kathleen picked this little old lady looking head and I had my doubts but she turned out amazing. The first picture below is how she looked leaving art meetup. The following two were pics Kathleen sent me after going home and finishing her up. She looks so FANTASTIC!!!

I wish I had a better picture of Maryam's bottle, anyone? She chose to not add doll head but made a beautiful tulle wrapped, winged beauty. Hopefully someone will have a better picture and send it to me so you can get the full impact of it's beauty.

A few pics of us having fun.................

And.....can you believe it? It was Bet's birthday and she brought ME a present. A beautiful porcelain doll. Oh my gosh, the dress is so lush. She saw it at the swap meet and thought of me....she was right on the money for sure. It has a price tag on the foot of $825!!! Wow Bet that was so thoughtful tee hee Now I have to research this girl and figure out where she came from a mystery....love it. Thanks so much Bet, she will have a place of honor in my studio ALWAYS :}

Who would have thunk it........bottles aren't just for drinking. Have a wonderful, creativity day!!!!

TA DAA!

2009-04-30T17:42:00.000-07:00

Here's my rendition of an altered bottle. I call her LUCKY NUMBER 3!

Now this doll's head is a rubber doll head that I painted and then painted with a shiny glaze. I really think it looks like a porcelain doll head. I can't draw eyes very well so I decided to change it up with some typewriter keys. That's why I like altered art because you can substitute something to be representative of another.

Obviously, this is my bottle and "my look". I know our little princess (you know who you are :} would say "oooow it looks weird!" All art is subjective. ha ha Your bottle can be whatever you desire. It can be a bottle for bath salts, a candle holder, a soap dispenser or like mine, something to look at.

So start thinking, can't wait to see what we all come up with at Art Meetup in May.

Teaser for May 12th Art Meetup

2009-04-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

I'm going to provide participants of the next Art Meetup the following two items. A brown bottle and a vintage prescription.

What participants will do after receiving those two items is up to them. I'm working on altering my bottle right now and will be posting it May 1st.

Start your mojo working and think how you want to decorate and alter your bottle. If you've altered a bottle and want to share, give us a link. See ya soon.

Art Meetup Day FINALLY

2009-04-22T07:52:00.000-07:00

I was so anxious to share my new studio with my friends. I impressed myself with how much I had accomplished as I looked around the room. Whew! so much STUFF and truth be told, probably not half of what I have STUFFED away--a bag lady in the making :}

I opened my studio with the thought USE WHATEVER YOU WANT but as I saw some of my "treasures" being used in my friend's art I had that sinking feeling of "oh no, what am I going to do without that?" I resisted the urge to snatch it back and say "no, don't use that!" I like the idea of letting go of "things" and sending "little pieces of art" out into the world to brighten all our lives. So glad I did as I feel lighter and happier :}

The dresser was set with goodies and champagne glasses and tea with my grandmother's tea cups and saucers. Melanie baked little Madeleines for my special occasion. Need some baked goods for your event, check out Mel's blog Bakemeacakesd.blogspot.com.

Lemonade, Champagne, donuts (thanks Maryam).

Jane, as usual, did not disappoint as she used her artist talents to make switchplate art of ancestors for her daugther. The techniques she uses is paint and pencil and more. Check out some of her art at her blog. Art Takes A Village.

Elena and Maryam mugging for the camera.

This is Bets piece of art. It's hard to tell from the picture but she made this a 5 X 7 cover. Great idea huh. She took it home and worked more on it.

She sent me finished picture of her creation....taa daa it turned out beautiful. You can read more about her finished piece on her blog.

Silly Sally made the 5 x 7 rendition of ladies tea time. She's still working on hers and hopefully she'll share when it totally done. It looked pretty darn good to me when she left but as artists we all want to add "just a little more :}"

UPDATE: Sally finished her little piece of art and email me a picture. Here it is....so cute!

and...........she decided to do another. We all need a little bird and flowers in our home.

Maryam, although, she didn't know if she would have time gave it a go and finished a beautiful piece of art. She chose to cover the hole for the light switch and ended up with a little piece of art she can place anywhere. Like I say "anything can be your canvas". Isn't it lovely? Check out Maryam's blog as she does amazing work at the Cancer Coping Center.

Kat made this amazing little piece of art. Again, she chose to cover the hole for the light switch to make a great pallete for her art. I'm really sorry I didn't get a closer view of this canvas. Truly a piece of art!

Snack attack! Thanks Maryam!

One thing we girls can do when we get together is have fun and TALK and SHARE.....it's so much fun.

Melanie made this cute piece of art. "Where does the time go?" So true, where does it go? All I know is it goes fast so enjoy every minute with friends and family.

Of course, our little princess, Elena used style and grace as her inspiration and it came out so cute. Do check out her website about all her charity events. Scrapbook Royalty.

Dawn made this cute and artistic switch plate "Spunky" She added a little "C" for her son, Connor. Love it!

We missed you Georgia, Bonnie, Matina and Gloria. I have a switchplate with your name on it anytime you want to come and create.

Well I don't know about you but I'm inspired to go and make somemore switch plate art!
Have a wonderful and artful day.........hugs to all my friends.

Art Meetup for Tuesday, April 21 at 10:00am

2009-04-05T16:01:00.000-07:00

I’ve been working hard to get my “studio” ready and although it’s not fully functional and may never be :} I am ready to open the doors to my friends and have Art Meetup Day. It is important to gather and be inspired. I hope you can attend. Come, play and bring a friend!

FREE PROJECT for April

A switch plate that has been modified with material and flowers. So Chic!

At April’s Art Meetup we are going to re-purpose some our everyday common old switch light plates into a pretty, artsy switch plate for your home. You can create a switch plate that reflects your personal style by painting, collaging, bejeweling, glittering, etc.

I am supplying a one switch light switch plate as shown in the pictures. If you want a different configuration, pull one off your wall or head on over to Home Depot. Otherwise, I have plenty of collage material, paint, jewels, paper and more so don’t worry about bringing those kinds of things.

A little Modge Podge and some vintage looking paper---new look for an old switch plate.

Buttons and Beads, I love playing with buttons!

It will be wonderful to have you all in my home again and we’ll be celebrating the “Opening” of my new studio with surprises and goodies.

Please email me and let me know if you can attend. Can’t wait to create with you!