Sketchbook Challenge Blog Hop

I've been away from home so much this year, that I'm really really missing my studio time.  Over on the Sketchbook Challenge Blog, I talked about some of the things about my studio that make me feel cozy and comfortable and allow me to create more freely.  If you want a closer peek, pop on over.

I've been making art in hotel rooms most of this year.  It's been fine, and I've really enjoyed my busy schedule teaching.  But I really really miss my inspiration boards and all my color coordinated stash from home!

I separate everything by color.  Paper, Threads, Markers, Pencils, Paints.  It helps me work faster.  I can just hold a piece up to my ribbon caddy and see what looks good with it, rather than pulling piece after piece and trying it.  Paper too.  I just pull the entire drawer out and put it on the table if I know I need blue.  I can sort thru the blues easily to find just the right shade.

But my inspiration boards are a tumbling rumbling active force in the studio.  No matter what direction I look, I am rewarded by glimpses of friends work, articles or postcards I love.  Mike and I've made my boards ourselves.  Most of them I found antique frames, and painted them to match the color of the walls.  Mike attached chicken wire, or metal to the back to make clip boards and magnetic boards.  I dug out my most treasured antique buttons and hot glued them to magnets, and now I can look at them daily!  I painted clothespins to match the frame color, and they work great with the chicken wire.  Mike also made me floor to ceiling bookshelves, and we wrapped rigid house insulation in muslin.  Attached to either side of the bookcase, I now have 2 floor to ceiling pin boards.

Finally, we found vintage spice racks, and painted them the color of the walls, and filled them with my beads!

So IF you've hung on this long, here's the scoop-

Leave a comment in the comment section of this blog post with your favorite home organization tip for a chance to win a DVD copy of my "Backgrounds to Bindings" Cloth Paper Scissors Video Workshop.

On the 26th, I'll randomly draw the name of the winner and announce it.  Make sure I have your email contact information!

Here's a quick link so you can visit some of my fabulous friends!

Sept 9 - Gina Lee Kim http://ginaleekim.blogspot.com/

Sept 10- Jacqueline Newbold http://djnewbold.blogspot.com/ 

Sept 11 - Sue Bleiweiss http://www.suebleiweiss.com/blog  

Sept 12 – Jackie Bowcutt http://stitchworks-jackie.blogspot.com/

Sept 13th - Kristin La Flamme http://kristinlaflamme.com/musings  

Sept 14- Jane Davies http://janedavies-collagejourneys.blogspot.com/

Sept 15- Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/blog/

Sept 16 - Terry Grant http://www.andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/

Sept 17- Carol Sloan http://www.carolbsloan.blogspot.com/ 

Sept 18- Leslie Tucker Jenison http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com/  

Sept 19 - Lesley Riley  http://www.lesleyriley.com/weblog/  

Sept 20 - Traci Bunkers  https://www.tracibunkers.com/blog/  

Sept 21 - Lynn Krawczyk http://smudgedtextilesstudio.com/blog/

Sept 22 Desiree Habicht  http://myclothesline.blogspot.com

Sept 23 – Jamie Fingal http://jamiefingaldesigns.blogspot.com/  

Sept 24 - Mary Beth Shaw http://mbshaw.blogspot.com/ 

Sept 25 –Kari McKnight-Holbrook http://backporchartessa.blogspot.com/  

Sept 26 – Deborah Boschert http://deborahsjournal.blogspot.com/  

Sept 27- Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/  

Sept 28- Laura Cater Woods http://www.cater-woods.com/weblog/  

Sept 29- Jane LaFazio http://janeville.blogspot.com/  

Sketchbook Challenge Blog Hop-Giveaway

Hello to one and all!  This month is the Blog hop for Sketchbook Challenge, and I'm so happy to be a part of such a fantastic group of artists/educators, that I will be doing a give away!  I'll be giving away a copy of my Cloth Paper Scissors Workshop Video "Backgrounds to Bindings."  That way, you too can stay home in your comfy jammies and make sketchbooks and play along with us!

So- to ENTER TO WIN my giveaway, On the 25th of September, come back and leave a comment here on this blog -(make sure I have a way to contact you email wise).  On the morning of the 26th, I'll print all the comments out, cut them apart, and put them into a hat.  Mike will draw the winning number, and we'll post it here:)

While you are waiting, take a peek at some of the amazing art going around!

Sept 9 - Gina Lee Kim http://ginaleekim.blogspot.com/

Sept 10- Jacqueline Newbold http://djnewbold.blogspot.com/ 

Sept 11 - Sue Bleiweiss http://www.suebleiweiss.com/blog  

Sept 12 – Jackie Bowcutt http://stitchworks-jackie.blogspot.com/

Sept 13th - Kristin La Flamme http://kristinlaflamme.com/musings  

Sept 14- Jane Davies http://janedavies-collagejourneys.blogspot.com/

Sept 15- Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/blog/

Sept 16 - Terry Grant http://www.andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/

Sept 17- Carol Sloan http://www.carolbsloan.blogspot.com/ 

Sept 18- Leslie Tucker Jenison http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com/  

Sept 19 - Lesley Riley  http://www.lesleyriley.com/weblog/  

Sept 20 - Traci Bunkers  https://www.tracibunkers.com/blog/  

Sept 21 - Lynn Krawczyk http://smudgedtextilesstudio.com/blog/

Sept 22 Desiree Habicht  http://myclothesline.blogspot.com

Sept 23 – Jamie Fingal http://jamiefingaldesigns.blogspot.com/  

Sept 24 - Mary Beth Shaw http://mbshaw.blogspot.com/ 

Sept 25 –Kari McKnight-Holbrook http://backporchartessa.blogspot.com/  

Sept 26 – Deborah Boschert http://deborahsjournal.blogspot.com/  

Sept 27- Susan Brubaker Knapp http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/  

Sept 28- Laura Cater Woods http://www.cater-woods.com/weblog/  

Sept 29- Jane LaFazio http://janeville.blogspot.com/  

Really? 4 months? No way!

OH MY GOODNESS!  Where on earth does time go?  I am apalled that 4 months have gone by since my last post!  But then I think back to what I've DONE in those 4 months!  I've had my good friend from Australia, Jen Crossley come stay with me for 7 weeks and the time just FLEW by!  We kept thinking we would have time to just go do some fun sight-seeing things while she was here, but it did not happen!  The work-load was so heavy, it seemed we only got done what we had to for the next trip!

Then, tons and tons of workshops and travelling, (including teaching in France), plus I have been working toward online workshops and webinars and other good things to come-so I have just been pedal to the metal!  But- just to catch you up quick-

I'll be hostessing a LIVE WEBINAR for Cloth Paper Scissors magazine.   Thursday August 29 at 4:00 pm EST.  Here is a link to sign up: http://www.interweavestore.com/delectable-doodles-and-beyond

I'm still in the thick of it, and slammed busy, but will be calm, cool and collected on Thursday- Hope you can all join me!

***If you cannot attend live, sign up, and they will send you a wonderful download and you will be able to enjoy the webinar anytime at your leisure.  

I'll be popping in soon with catch up postings, and tons and tons of photos and eye candy from my trips... as soon as I can catch a breath!

Backgrounds to Bindings

It's here!  It's here!  I am so beyond excited!  I've practically been holding my breath since last year, waiting for today to come!  My Cloth Paper Scissors Workshop Video is here!

It's almost 2 hours long, and it is chock full of ideas for printing backgrounds, mixing your colors and several different quick ways to bind your journals without sewing!

More specific details are available here

A peek from the video is available on youtube here

To buy the DVD, you can visit here

To buy the digital download, you can visit here

I had such a wonderful time with the Editor Jenn Mason, and the crew and staff of Cloth Paper Scissors as I filmed this!  They were awesome and supportive, and made it very comfortable for me to be able to share this information with you!

~ France ~

 I'm so excited to share the details with each of you!  Only a few spots left!  One of them must be yours!



-Early Bird Discount Available!-

Create, shop, dine, wander and explore in this magical, inspirational week-long retreat in the charming village of Durfort. In the breathtakingly beautiful south of France, you will create innovative, soul refreshing art while exploring techniques and materials in a supportive, encouraging and productive environment – with a generous dose of inspiration from native son Toulouse Lautrec! Think color , movement and excitement, gentle waking life and vivid dreams -- we'll explore ways to capture this in our own active stories! Investigate ways to take your art further than ever before! Nurturing pushes, innovative techniques, inspirational tips, instruction and free play will release your inner muse to fearless creativity levels yet explored.

You will create several on the go journals, and fancy faux metal and leather journals, all waiting to be adorned with the perfect flea market charm or treasure! We’ll cast molds of even more treasures, multiplying our stash! You will be successful with watercolor and acrylic painting even if you’ve never painted before; you’ll be relaxing and sketching even if you’ve never sketched before! Kari will share photography tips from her award winning photography career so that you can capture perfect images to use in your art for years to come! The laughter, friendship, support, instruction and fun create the magic for memories and art of a lifetime! (Even a bit of jewelry magic inspired by our flea market treasures might surprise everyone!)

Just a few places we'll visit: the newly renovated Toulouse Lautrec Museum in Albi to draw inspiration from Lautrec's world. We’ll see the world famous patterned French gardens and Palais de la Berbie. When we're not energetically creating, there will be leisurely excursions exploring the glorious local colors and flavors in area flea markets, the En Calcat monastery (and its renowned art and bookstore), and the famous Saturday market of Revel, where visitors and locals both find amazing treasures. There is even the possibility of a personalized French cooking class or two! Once there we will have a multitude of seasonal events to explore!

All excursions are optional; this is a week to pamper yourself and invigorate your muse. You might wish to stay focused, read, catch up on emails, visit darling local shops, enjoy the terrace with a cool drink, relax, work on a personal piece in the studio, explore the local waterfalls on your own or, if luxury of luxuries, take a nap during the sunny French afternoons.

We have the pleasure of enjoying fine, fresh, local food prepared by our own personal chef, Nese. We'll meet for a delicious and sustaining breakfast. Lunch, which is served on the terrace, will nourish us for the afternoon's adventures. Candlelight, wine, and chef Nese's dinner, accompanied by laughter, memories and creative discussions will add to our delightful time in Durfort.

The Workshop

Art Instruction every morning, an optional field trip most afternoons, including flea markets, museums, galleries, open air photo walks, leisurely strolls and enjoying village shops.

The studio will be open for your pleasure any time your muse calls day or night.

Dinners will be an event unto their own each evening with lively unscripted discussions and reflections of the magic we’ve seen unfold that day.

Optional winding down art exercises will be held in the evenings for those who still have energies to spend, or want to capture the magic of the day.

The Accommodations

La Cascade's charming bedrooms are double occupancy (two beds) with three shared full bathrooms. The beautiful new art studio is on the third floor and available to you, whenever your muse strikes. Living room, dining room, and a large outside terrace that goes down to the river are part of La Cascade. Our own personal chef will provide delicious and healthy meals. The workshop price includes most meals.

The Price

Workshop price of $2000 includes (*early bird discount available!)

● Seven nights of lodging at La Cascade- double occupancy

●Many afternoon field trips

●All breakfasts, and almost all lunches and dinners

●Workshop instruction and many lovely supplies

● Marvelously rich goodie bags, including a collector’s edition of stamps and stencils, specifically designed for attendees of Kari’s workshop

Registration

● $500 deposit will hold your space

●Final Payment due by April 20, 2013

●Early Bird discount of 225$ if paid in full by April 1, 2013

●Registration limited for the utmost personal attention from the instructor (only a couple spots left)

●Participants will be mailed a registration packet with detailed information, itinerary and all sorts of fun preparation inspirations
To Reserve your place fill out the form below and mail your check, payable to me, to this address: OR Contact me for information about the paypal option!

• Contact Kari at karimcknightholbrook@yahoo.com with any questions.
Visit Gwen Gibson's website for more information about La Cascade

Happy Valentines Day!

Helllooooo!  After a very weird January that included a quick trip to Florida and a bad case of the chicken pox, I am almost back to full steam.  I hope you are all enjoying a lovely Valentines Day!  Mike was very sweet to me, and took care of me during my itchies, he even bought me chocolate kisses to cheer me up.  I will be making him all his favorites for dinner:)  I guess true love knows no bounds!  I was kind enough to keep my pox to myself.

But selfishly, much of what is in this post was just for me. For years now, I've been collecting quotes I enjoy, just for myself.  I started in lined journals, just page after page, with no organization, or system.  Just collecting them, because they touched something in me. 

The last couple years, I've been making these little "theme" journals.  In them, I keep quotes on one theme.  I also practice my sketching here.  I practice transferring my sketches here. I practice technique here, color combos, or work with new pens here. 

By working this way, I can finish an entire journal in just a few days!  15 minutes a night of lettering or sketching, to wind down.  And at the end of it all, I've got a collection that I can enjoy, rather than hoarding away in a scrabbley mish mash of hundreds of handwritten pages. 

When it was announced that February's theme on Sketchbook Challenge was "Sweets"  I had such fun, pouring over old journals to find quotes with the word 'Sweet' in them.  Here is what I've found so far.

So after the chocolates and sweets, take some time and do some art for yourselves, and please have a wonderful Valentines Day!

Welcome 2013!

Wow!  Can't believe this year is flying by ALREADY! 

I have been buried at my art table working on all sorts of wonderful polymer clay projects for Sculpey!  My blog on their site launches today, and I've been soo busy scrambling to creat new and exciting art to intrigue and inspire!

That and I've been getting ready to begin travelling for this years workshops and retreats!  Combined with proposals for 2014 workshops too- can you believe it that some of them are already due???

I'm so thrilled to kick off this years line up with my friend Judy Gula at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria VA!

•Friday, January 25:

Vintage Vessels as well as Relic Rings that evening!

•Saturday, January 26:

No Sew Journal On The Go! as well as Delectable Doodles & Funky Fonts that evening!

•Sunday, January 27:

Moodlings