Lots to celebrate this weekend: July 4th and my Birthday! Woohoo! Are those fireworks for me? LOL ;)
And how about we celebrate with Free US Shipping this weekend? If you spend more than $25 on physical products through July 5th in my online shop, you can get free shipping in the US. Just enter the coupon code BDAYFREE when you are checking out and all those goodies will get shipped to you for free! Who doesn’t like something for free?
Shop around and see what there is – all physical products are part of the deal and the offer ends at 11:59pmEST this Sunday, July 5th. Just use the coupon code BDAYFREE when you check out :)
This project has been a long time in the making – I began during the renovation of my house last year and then put it all on hold until this spring. Anyway, I’m happy to share with you my DIY vertical garden that I made with simple terra cotta flower pots, some acrylic paint, my rubber stamps, and stazon inks.
Here’s how I did it:
I painted a bunch of pots on the outside with a colorful array of acrylic paint. I know these may not last forever, but I am happy to enjoy them for definitely a few seasons :)
Can you tell I like happy colors lol
Then I went for rubber stamps that would work well around the rim. Here is one from my Hex Set Large set – and that set has 6 stamps that would work perfectly for this. I used Stazon inks.
Here is one of the stamps from my Floral Tile Small set in action – another great stamp set option for making a group of pots with an array of designs.
I created quite a few in a variety of colors and patterns.
I installed the pots on the fence in our back garden. The fence is old and a bit shabby and a new one is not in the budget right now, but until it is – here is a nice pop of color. I used some nifty brackets to hang the pots – see the link in the supplies below.
I got a variety of different flowers in a mix of colors to fill them.
Like these! I got a flat from a local plant shop that created a mobile plant store in a truck that they drove all over the city, selling plants, while we were being careful during the lockdown. Pretty cool way to support a local small business!
Ta-da! My colorful vertical garden :)
And a view of our happy oasis. I love spending time back here with hubby at the end of each day.
Are you planting anything this year?
Here are some of the supplies I used for this fun project:
Hello from my Creative Squad! Today we have a project from Judi Kauffman. She’s sharing a fabulous way to personalize notebooks and folders using my Art Deco Summit stencil and my Nightingale, Arts and Craft Motif, and Solid Triangle rubber stamps. This month’s theme is: Sing Your Song – Everybody has their own voice, their own groove, their own one-of-a-kind personality. What is something unique about YOU that you are proud of? Don’t be shy, Sing YOUR Song!
SHE WHO CLIMBS A TREE by Judi Kauffman
I wasn’t sure how to approach this month’s theme because I was taught that ‘kvelling’ (the Yiddish word for publicly celebrating someone’s achievements) was left to others and not the person who had won a prize, graduated from college, or had just purchased their first home. That would have been bragging.
And yet, I was also given a mantra that – in a toned-down form (no hollering!) – served me well during the years that I worked freelance as a graphic artist, copywriter, illustrator, and then in the craft and needlework industry. It goes like this:
She who whispers down a well About the things she has to sell Will not make as many dollars As she who climbs a tree and hollers.
I learned to market myself, to cold-call potential clients and visit with existing ones to drum up more design work, and later to reach editors of publications I wanted to work with and manufacturers whose products I wanted to incorporate into my assignments.
The ‘tear sheets’ with my projects from magazines are proof that I once climbed that tree! (Not literally, of course, I can barely scale a kitchen step ladder…)
My Creative Squad project is a stenciled 3-ring binder with stenciled pocket folders to hold a small number of my favorite tear sheets (what I would like to think my nephew will someday keep as a remembrance).
I up-cycled an old denim-covered notebook and gave some damaged pocket folders a facelift for this project.
INSTRUCTIONS
NOTEBOOK:
1. Paint a denim- or canvas-covered 3-ring binder (inside and out) with white gesso, allowing some of the original color to remain visible.
2. Stencil the Art Deco Summit pattern randomly onto the front, spine and back of the outside of the notebook using acrylic paint a single color as shown. Repeat on the inside. (Alternatively, use two or more colors.)
3. Using permanent ink in a dark contrasting color, stamp the Nightingale bird stamp once on the outside of the front and back cover, and once on the inside of the front and back cover. (The bird is proudly standing alone!) Stamp Solid Triangle stamps along the spine in another dark color to accent that part of the notebook.
4. Use a label maker to spell out SHE WHO CLIMBS A TREE (or whatever words suit you!). Cut the words apart and arrange near the bird on the front cover.
FOLDERS:
1. Use black gesso and/or a mix of permanent inks to color the edges of the pocket folders. Set aside.
2. Using permanent inks, stencil an 8.5×11 sheet of heavyweight, glossy laser printer paper for each folder using the same Art Deco Summit stencil. Vary the colors as well as the amount of ink (light- or heavy-handed) and placement of the pattern.
4. Cut stenciled/stamped sheets to fit the curve of the pocket folder. Sponge on a bit of ink to darken the edges of the sheets. Using double-sided tape or adhesive of choice, adhere to folder as shown.
THOUGHTS ON THE PROJECT:
The light color triangles stamped on each bird’s face echo the shape of the beak. I had thought of turning them in the opposite direction so they would look like megaphones, in keeping with the theme of singing my own song, but decided against it.
This project was created during a time when those who are seniors or have health issues are still quarantined at home due to the coronavirus pandemic and by the time it is published that may still be the case. Therefore, I thought having the bird look like she’s wearing a protective mask made more sense.
Though you have to listen more closely than usual, you can still hear a person’s voice when she’s wearing a mask; you can see her smile in her eyes. I’d like to think that no mask could ever mute a bird’s song.
Thank you Judi – love the way this turned out but also your thoughts that you share :)
Give it a try: you can find all my Stencils and Rubber Stamps in my Online Shop and here are some of the other supplies Judi used:
Feel inspired? Working on something yourself that you’d like to share? I love to see how you interpret our monthly themes. Email me how you used my stencils and stamps with the theme and email me an image – I would love to share your projects in my next “n*Spiration From Around the Globe“.
“Be loud about the things that are important to you!” After all, they are the things that really matter, right?
I built up quite the background here with acrylic paint, a brayer, and my Mini Fan foam stamp set. I also used the black Moonlight Duo ink pad and stamped in both the black and white sides to get gray, and used my Triangle Love rubber stamps with that.
I also went back in and highlighted some of the shapes with Posca markers.
Hello from my Creative Squad! Today we are having Emilie Murphy sing with a wonderful set of patterned cards. She is using my Granada stencil, and my Birds, Mini Motifs, and Fan-fare stamp sets along with our theme: Sing Your Song – Everybody has their own voice, their own groove, their own one-of-a-kind personality. What is something unique about YOU that you are proud of? Don’t be shy, Sing YOUR Song!
Hi there! Hope you are doing well.
I really hesitated about what song I would sing to you this month. I decided to make some cards because that is something that I love to do. Sending personalized cards to friends and family is one of my favorite things to do.
I first used my 8×10 Gelli plate to create some monochrome backgrounds using the Nat’s “Granada” stencil 9×12 and blue acrylic paints. The Gelli plate is a great tool to make a diversity of background quickly. I showed here just one example. If you are not familiar about what a Gelli plate is and what we can do with it, I encourage you to go on the Youtube channel of Gelli Arts.
I started to apply a dark color of blue first.
I right away placed down Nat’s Granada stencil then removed some paint with a piece of copy paper.
Then I applied a mid-tone color of blue and an off-white color to get a gradient of different blues.
Here is what I got:
Then I kept going to get a variety of monochrome backgrounds.
I always have fun playing with my Gelli plate but I have to say that the best part of this project was to play stamping with Nat’s new Mini Motifs stamp set. The possibilities are really endless to make patterns. I also used some Fan-fare stamps to complete my patterns because these two stamps sets go so well together.
Let me guide you now how I made my cards. They measure 4 ½ x4 ½ inches. I used white cardstock as base.
I cut the backgrounds made previously in 3 ¾ x 3 ¾ inches pieces and darkened the edges with my black Moonlight Duo ink pad.
I cut also some 2 ½ x 2 ½ cardstock pieces that are going to be the centered pieces of my cards. I colored them with my Moonlight duo Ink Pads. I just rubbed directly on the paper, both of the color and white parts of the pad, until I was satisfied with the tint of the color I got.
Then I stamped on them different patterns using the Mini Motifs, Birds and Fan-fare stamps set with my Moonlight duo Ink pads.
Following are a few examples:
I also used some embossing white powder for some patterns.
To add some interest I added details and final touches with some Posca pens and a 0.5 Micron pen.
Finally, I assembled my cards. I matted my centered 2 ½ x 2 ½ inches pieces on a 2 5/8 x 2 5/8 piece of black cardstock to have a thin black border.
I finished my cards by adding a black border with a micron pen around the background piece.
Hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and would like to give a try. These new stamp sets offer so many possibilities to make nice and unique cards in a short period of time.
Have a good rest of the week and see you next month!
Thank you Emilie – love all the different patterns you explored through these! What fun to see the possibilities!
Give it a try: you can find all my Stencils and Rubber Stamps in my Online Shop and here are some of the other supplies Emilie used:
Feel inspired? Working on something yourself that you’d like to share? I love to see how you interpret our monthly themes. Email me how you used my stencils and stamps with the theme and email me an image – I would love to share your projects in my next “n*Spiration From Around the Globe“.
DISCLAIMER: This Blog Post contains images that will show you that I am a supporter of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Some might think of it as totally inappropriate to post, hate me for it, think this has no place on an art related blog or social media. If you have a problem with this, you might be better off looking at something else . Don’t email me to complain, don’t visit my blog or facebook anymore because I might post things like this again and that might get you in a grumpy mood..
Strolls through my hood get me out of my studio, they help me get unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and get new ideas to create something. It is part of my philosophy about Artful Adventures in Mixed Media – which is the subject of my book. Here are some photos that I gathered in the last couple weeks – as New Jersey and New York are slowly going to Phase one and now to Phase 2 after the lockdown.
The first time I walked from uptown to downtown again after months of lockdown was weird and felt as if I would see things anew. I noticed all those “Give Up” graffitis and love how different versions of “never” appeared on top of them.
This spoke “untold story” to me.
I love all those little messages on the stoops – I wish we had a stoop – our house apparently used to have one as we could see from old tax pictures but in the 40s it was taken down from most of the houses in our streets.
On our bike rides during the lockdown my friends Cindy, Paula and I had discussed how going back to using the Path and Subway to go to NYC for work and other things made us quite nervous and so we decided to actually do it while things were still very quiet to ease ourselves back into it. It was good to figure out how much you actually touch etc. before everything is cramped again. It took about half an hour before I could find my subway card as I had totally forgotten which bag I had carried 3 months ago when I last rode the subway.
This is the WTC station – which is usually packed on a Monday at 10 am …pretty eerie. Now I am sure it is way fuller again as Phase 2 is of the reopening in NYC started and a lot of people from Jersey City as well are going back to work. I am not using the Path or subway unless I absolutely have to …like for a doctor’s appointment but at least I have thought about how to tackle this.
Just a couple days after the horrible the murder of George Floyd by Policemen this mural popped up in my neighborhood. It is really powerful.
I have thought long about breaking with the lockdown to go to the protests here in Jersey City, but I have made up my mind that and decided I would make sure to stay on the edges, distanced, with a mask and go if it would get too crowded.
After the protests I made sure to get tested each time and stay home until I received the test results.
The protests in Jersey City and all over New Jersey were peaceful and businesses would hand out masks, hand sanitizer and water. One of the protests to which 4000 people came, was organized by a local High School. It was amazing to hear the young organizers speak for hours about the issues. It made me hopeful for our future.
And they have a lot of humor too ;)
One of our little cafes , Crema, in the neighborhood created this clever booth in front of their window. It makes it easy to order and receive pastries, ice cream and coffee contactless . So clever. We are hoping that most of the small businesses here will make it …what a tough time this was and still is.
New Kicks – I thought I would have some custom made with my painting for my Stroll through the Hoods :)
Mingus has a new hangout spot …lol- he cracks us up.
Loved this message and the font on the plywood of a construction side.
Two beautiful houses – the one on the left beautifully restored, the one on the right falling apart and abandoned.
I love this building – it is also empty.
This is the original wallpaper in a dessert place that just opened up , all these storefronts that haven*t been used for ages, have amazing hidden treasures. I am so happy that the new place kept this.
Detail of a beautiful Art Deco Entrance – love the weathered colors that are still visible and isn’t it just amazing?
Little bike ride along this mural.
I hope you are all well – sending you Love!!! Until next month with hopefully more strolls through the hood.
Nathalie,
i always enjoy your strolls and it is great that you share them with us. some of us don’t get much scenery on our own strolls. i adore your brutally honest disclaimer! the birthday balloons and flowers made me tear up … great grief comes from great love. i love the chalk messages on the steps. someone has chalked loving and supportive messages in our grocery store parking lot. i enjoy your architecture and kitty pictures. your shoes! your shoes!!! i do believe this is my favorite stroll yet.
many thanks!!!
I love your strolls through your hood. you have made me much more aware
of the beautiful architecture around in ‘my hood’. Your view of the surrounding is
so interesting and makes me THINK!
I always enjoy your ‘stroll through the hood’ photos, but today’s post really touched my heart. Thank you for marching! And thank you for your care to test, etc. after each one (a testament to your care for others)–it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, too, for sharing about the UnMuted series on Instagram–still checking out all of those amazing artists. Last, but not least, always love seeing pictures of sweet Mingus. Wishing you many, many more happy and safe strolls!
Great new kicks!
The “we can’t breathe” is incredible and beyond sad into angry for sure!
The pics of the two houses is sad, yet hopeful. I wish that the house on the right would get redone as well.
I wonder if it was hard for the owners of the house on
the left to make the decision to fix their home when the one next door is falling down? I wonder if that reflects on humankind.
Peace and wishing you well Nat.
“It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.” ― James Baldwin
I think we are seeing some of this terrible combination at work these days so I had to use this quote in my art journal.
Pretty simple to bring this page together with acrylic paint and my foam stamps. I used both of my Midtown sets for this page to show the size difference between Midtown and Midtown Minis.
And the quote in uni posca black with white signo overtop.
Here you can see the two stamp sets and how they compare.
So bright and cheery Nat. That’s a nice oasis you have there!
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