Healing through Art Journaling

 I have started a new journey with my art journaling through two series of classes. One set of classes is with 21Secrets which is a group of artists coming together teaching 21 different lessons in art journaling. The other class series is taught by Tam at Willowing. The pages featured are from week 1 of Tam's lessons.

 The drawing above is the self portrait we were to do. Not bad for a first timer. =)

I loved the lesson for this week, especially in how to do the eyes. I have asked for help in making ears since I don't have the hair to cover them as Tam does. =)  I like the butterfly on the cheek which represents my new life as an artist. My theme was Create.

I simply can't stop looking at the eyes. I see me in them, knowing the depth I have seen and the path I have walked to get to this point.  I see them searching to learn more so that the happiness and peace within will live on forever.  Loving these classes....

Love, Blessings and {{{hugs}}},
RHC

A Layout Challenge!!!

I designed this layout sketch so that you could create a page for a prize. My layout is completed and posted below. I think this is fun and functional, with all the elements meshed to the bottom right corner, it would flow well alone or with a 2 page spread.  So have fun with it...

This is my finished layout based on the layout sketch challenge. The paper is K@Company and the stamps are from Close to My Heart I also posted a video about it on youtube! I totally totally love love love this photo of our sons, Ethan and Joel while we were at the beach a couple of years ago. I had to frame it for the time being! Adorable... The pocket and the title piece are from a product package. Using what I had was important to me in creating this layout.

Now, it's your turn. Create a 12x12, 8x8, 6x6 or art journal the sketch.

Love, Blessings, and {{{Hugs}}},
RHC

Tile Art using Unglazed Tiles

I am so excited about all the possibilities surrounding decorative tile!! I plan to make a series similar the one above for a wall mural in our home. The earth tones are symbolic of our life as a family because of our love for living within farmland and hayfields as well as living among family, four generations to be exact. Not to mention the earth tone elements will go with absolutely every color I might wish to use in decorating the room! LOL =)  The class I will be teaching tonight, demonstrates taking unglazed tiles, stamping on them and making them durable and usable in whatever element of decor you wish to use, like as a coaster or as a tiled mural.  The photo above is using Close to My Heart stamps which you can see at my online store.

There are so many ways to decorate the tiles. This one is a stamped image on a piece of card stock and transfered to the tile, so it is not a direct stamp to tile. Then I used various markers to complete the look I wanted for this lovely lady. When trying various markers on a scrap piece of prepared tile, I realized that some simply do not work. On this tile, I shaded in areas with pencil...I was very pleased with the results.  It is totally fun!!

Also, check out my new exciting adventure with Close to My Heart...you will love what you see and all that you have to work with. Loving it....

Love, Blessings and {{{Hugs}}},
RHC

My creation for Breast Cancer Awareness...

In 1980, a sixteen year old girl felt something in her left breast that didn't look right. After seeing that it was an obvious knot, she told her mother and her mother's best friend. They took her to a doctor that led to tests and a biopsy. Fortunately, the knot was fibrocystic. Imagine how difficult it was to tell the guy you were dating that you were being tested for breast cancer. Imagine the emotions that went with that. I would know because I was that girl. The guy showed up for the biopsy to be there with me and is still with me 30 yrs later. Not everyone is as lucky as I was. Many have fought the battle of breast cancer and won while many didn't have a chance to fight.

It is important to self-check and there is free information to do this. Many within our families are hit with this disease. 

Today, we have the gift of reminder and knowledge via the internet, friends and family openly talking about breast cancer. Wearing pink is a symbol of remembrance of the heroes that have gone before us paving the way for more research as well as representing ourselves or someone we know that has had the dreaded disease. 

In the past year, Facebook participants have taken this reminder to a level of creativity by asking one word answers to "what color bra are you wearing today" to "where is your favorite place to leave your purse."  Clearly for me some 30 years later, I self-check and have regular mammograms, but it is these reminders that help me do so. When I saw the mention of the purse on Facebook Monday, the purse stuck in my head. So when I moved on to other things, it was my actual purse that reminded me to call and schedule my mammogram. 

 An artist that I watch streaming live has a wonderful tool on his website called Boobies Wednesday. It was with that reminder that I created these art journals for October's Breast Cancer Awareness emphasis. It isn't meant to be distracting but a creative artistic reminder that self-check and yearly exams are important from your head to the top of your head, know your body and let your doctor decide if something that concerns you is something to really worry about.

My father lost his leg to cancer after fighting the battle four different times. Death came, but it wasn't cancer that took his life. He fought the fight. I am a fighter too, won't you join me as we represent breast cancer awareness this month, it's not just a disease for women, but of men too. Self-check.

One like these art journals/notebooks were created for someone that wishes to journal their steps into treatments for breast cancer. She wants to see the miracle unfold on paper. It is her story to share that I wish never had to be told. Through women and men like her, we have tomorrow before us.

Now, where did I put my purse?

Love, Blessings, & {{{Hugs}}},
RHC

Making my own FRED, Moving the Studio, & Some Exciting News...

I know this may not be the most amazing photo and background, but I was way to excited to show you this adorable inexpensive way of preparing my layouts PLUS it's hot pink! I saw someone using a tool called a FRED but when I checked into getting one, the cost was around $100. I found all of these items in my studio waiting to go up on the wall, adding a little hardware and a stand, total cost for me? No more than a cost of $15! Pretty impressive especially for me putting it together. This tool is easy on my arms, shoulders and ever pressure point Fibromyalgia can throw at me on any given day! It's not a total miracle but it will make scrapbooking easier for me and saved a few dollars too. =)

If you have seen my youtube videos of my studio spaces, the one unattached to the house and the annex station, I finally had to move the annex station along with much of my studio to our living room. The location is perfect for being closer to our son Garrett who has special health care needs. However, the video/streaming live and other station will remain in the annex portion for a quieter location for technological work. The living room is just the transition until the 28x18 studio in the new addition to our home is completed. This way I can teach classes in my home, have access to materials and supplies that I will need and still be available to Garrett.

Love, Blessings, and {{{Hugs}}},
RHC

www.RitaHutchesonCobbs.com