I attended my friend Shannon of Musing on Realities blog’s Craft Fair yesterday – there were some awesome works of art for sale!

Here is a display at Shannon’s table – some of her vintage handmade art journal books (created from children’s books) and handmade cards.  I bought one of her mixed media envelopes made from recycling a grocery paper bag! 

I love the textures and hand sewing that went into this handmade envelope.  Wouldn’t you love a handwritten letter received in such a funky envelope?

Here is one of the vendors – Melissa Peacock selling her lovely wares – she creates beautiful handmade journals, prints from her art journals and mixed media pieces and also adorable stickers. It was so awesome connecting with someone in real life whom i had only met on the net! It was so great to meet Melissa – i hope one day we can journal together!

I bought some of Melissa’s stickers to put on my envelopes – aren’t they sweet?

Yet another purchase -  this small handpainted art journal/notebook to carry around in my purse to jot down ideas and notes in.  Isn’t it darling?  It’s only 3 1/2” x 6” and is created by Debra of Debrascollage Art.

Passionate Packages tied up with Strings

If you are interested in creating your own e-books, e-classes or workshops then you might want to take advantage of this great offer:

Marney from ArtellaLand.com is hosting a 5-week program called "Passionate Packages Tied up with Strings: Wrap Up Your "Favorite Things" into a New Product by the Holidays!" and it begins TODAY! Get info here!

I’m taking the course since i need a kick in the seat of my pants to create my next artsy product.

Just letting you know that i am an affiliate of Marney’s products – i only recommend products though that i believe in!

Love, Violette xo

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Finally!  Here is the Go Vancouver Segment where the magic cottage is featured!  You can scroll ahead to my segment if you like – at the 7:28 mark.

if you’d like to watch the video on youtube you can go here.

I’m very happy with the way the crew – Paul McLellan and Gallant Ly (cameraman) and the two interns were able to capture the essence of the Magic Cottage in under 4 minutes!  I don’t know how they could distil two hours of shooting down to 4 minutes .  Whenever i create videos it’s very difficult for me to do so. I struggle with the music too – what music goes with which clips.  There is an art to it that’s for sure.

In the video i talk about Dumpster diving or more delicately put – Revamping – turning trash into treasure – recycling at it’s finest! 

Strathmore 2013 free online workshop series

Strathmore has a series of free online Workshop Series happening again if you would like to sign up for them! I really enjoyed last years series – especially Traci Bautista’s workshop.

I know many of you have today off – for Remembrance Day (in Canada) but some of you may still be online and see this blogpost . I’d love to know what you think of the video – my hope is that you get the message that it’s good to let your home reflect your heart and soul……after all you spend so much time there that it’s important you feel at home and at peace.  As Martha Steward would say – It’s a good thing!

See you on Wednesday!

Love, Violette xo

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I have so many videos (close to 50) that i thought I would make it easier for you to find what you are looking for by curating them for you.  The most popular video of all was the Weird Homes TV show video from about 11 or so years ago.

Art Journaling videos

Visual Journaling Step by Step 1, 2, 3

Supplies for Visual Journaling and Collaging

Visual Journaling Tutorial Part 1

Visual Journaling Tutorial Part 2

Art Journaling: Journal Prompt – fruit or vegetable

Homelessness Visual Journal Page

Creative Ideas

Creative Ideas: The Idea Factory

Mixed Media

Going to Pluto Collage Tutorial

Mixed Media Graffiti Purse

Ladies Christmas Craft Night – Making a Crow Ornament

Art Tool Caddy Part 1

Art Tool Caddy Part 2

Dragonfly Revamp – Papier Mache

Doodling

Violette’s  Studio Tour

Magic Cottage: a tour

Well there you have it!  I hope this makes it easier for you to find what you are looking for.  You will find lots more videos at my youtube channel.

Just wanted to let you know i won’t be blogging tomorrow as I have a booth at the B.C. Homeschooling Convention tomorrow and Saturday.  I’ll be showcasing my Teens’ Dream Journal DVD and also promoting my workshops.  If you know of anyone who homeschools their kids please let them know about the Convention!

Have an awesome weekend my friends!

Love, Violette xo

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On my art table today

A couple of weeks ago i received an envelope with this flyer “Do you Doodle?” and three pieces of cardboard from the Surrey Hospice Society. I am not sure how they got my address but of course I’ll participate. I’m having some problems working on the cardboard – it doesn’t take pencil crayons and watercolours too well.  Maybe when i start playing with micron pens I’ll have better luck!  After going to the Hospice societies website i see that they have asked celebrities, artists, politicians and Sports Stars to create amazing doodles that will be auctioned off during an event.

Since Mr. G and I live in a small magic cottage we don’t have tons of storage space. So I thought it might be nice to have a face cloth towel caddy to mount on the wall.  I began drawing up some ideas (I’d show you the sketches only Mr. G already threw them out ) and gave Mr. G a couple of options.  As always he tends to create something even fancier than i had drawn. I’m very happy with the results.  It’s fun to collaborate with Mr. G – he can pretty much make anything i can envision out of wood!  If you’d like to view two videos where Mr. G and i collaborate on a sketch of a crow caddy i came up with check this out:

Art Tool Caddy part one

Art Tool Caddy part two

The project was featured in Studios Magazine (Spring 2010)  a couple of years ago. It was a project focused on recycling – the wood and tin cans are all discards.

That’s it for today – i plan on going to a coffee shop while the housecleaners come today to work some more on my doodle/creation for the Hospice Society.

See you all tomorrow!

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This morning i was assembling some props to bring along to a photo shoot taking place in the forest nearby later today. I have a pair of buckskin boots, leopard print scarf, old paint brushes and a suitcase with lettering on it.  I like what the suitcase says:

Journey

we journey from life to life overflowing with words flutters yearnings hearths

we turn corners cross thresholds start anew rekindling dreams left behind by others

I didn’t create this suitcase – it was part of the Journey exhibition at the Surrey Art Gallery i was involved in about 10 years ago. They had these cool suitcases with stories/poetry written all over them hanging from the ceiling. At the end of the exhibition the gallery was giving the suitcases away and i chose this one.  It’s been in my living room ever since. You’re probably surprised that it’s beige however i really was moved by the poem on it.

My exhibition was an installation – a makeshift room which had my Rockin’ Moroccan Door as the focal point.  I also had a Moroccan Poof, mosaic mirror, painted revamped old suitcase and an art journal.  It was such a fun exhibit!

Here is the Moroccan Door – the mirror mosaic was made with broken mirrors found at the side of the road during “recycle days”. Peeking behind the door is a definitely younger, slimmer Violette .

So you Say You Can’t draw: An Art Journaling Event Hosted by Quinn McDonald

There is still time to sign up for Quinn McDonalds FREE webinar tomorrow – So you Say you Can’t Draw: An Art Journaling Event

I plan on attending are you?  Quinn is a creativity coach – you’ve probably read some of her helpful articles in paper arts magazines.  In this webinar Quinn will demonstrate several techniques featured in her book Raw Art Journaling.

I’m sure it will be a fascinating event.  I can’t wait!  Hope to see you there .

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I FINALLY finished making the coffee table revamp video!  I’m so happy to have changed up the dirty, tatty pink fun fur with juicy magenta fur!  I created this table about 12 years ago i think and it’s held up pretty well because of the resin over the painting.  What i did was create an acrylic painting and then i poured two part resin over top.  You have to do this outside as it’s pretty toxic – make sure to wear gloves too!  The table has held up to hot tea pots and coffee cups.  I think creating a table such as this really highlights your personality!

I hope you enjoy the video!

Artistically Speaking Radio Show

I have fun chatting with Rebecca Parsons of Artistically Speaking yesterday.  Thank you so much Rebecca – i learned a few things about you too! We spoke about the Sketchbook Challenge and how what makes you “freaky” is what makes you so special!   Congrats to Betty Ann who won a copy of my book Journal Bliss! You can listen to the replay here:

I wanted to share this fabulous article written about Diana Trout called Making a Splash with Art. I learned some new things about Diana – for example she was discovered by the folks at North Light books and asked to write a book!  How wonderful is that?  I think you’ll enjoy learning more about this fascinating artist and just how many creative activities she’s involved in!  Congrats Diana on the lovely piece.

See you all tomorrow – hope you had a fabulous weekend.  We were so lucky to have had a sunny weekend!  Hooray!

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