Samara Gugler: July 2014

Art Journaling

It's official, I'm a guest Bloom Girl for Jamie Dougherty who in turn designs for Prima. Last week I received a box of goodies and to say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. I was and still am in SHOCK. I've been creating non stop. I even drug out my Copic markers! I been inspired to work in my new art journal. I'm taking Jamie's Blooming Through the Seasons class and during one of the tutorials she tipped up her journal to let the ink drip and when I caught a glimpse of her journal, I knew I needed one too!

I'm using Dyan Reaveley's Dylusions Creative Journal. I got the large size as I like to work BIG! As soon as it arrived, I got right to work. So far I've used a variety of media from spray paints to caran d' ache Neocolor IIs.

I'll take you on a short walk thru of what I have thus far.

The previous three pages were done with Caran d' ache. The envelope and cover were a Kraft. I drew with my Copic Multiliner 0.3 which is my favorite pen EVER.

The above three pages were all created with Dylusions. The middle one I created with the Sharon stamp, charcoal pencils, and colics. It's amazing in real life and I can't stop looking at it.

I plan on doing a video tutorial of how to create the backgrounds. I can't stop playing with the inks.

I've been trying my hand at Zentangling. I of course had to had color. I used Prismacolor.

This is the from the Blooming Through the Seasons class. I only used Dylusions inks.

My new Bloom Girl stencils arrived from Blue Moon Scrapbooking and OMG!! Aren't they delightful. The top one is on a gessoed page. I colored with Neocolors II.

The bottom girl is also done with Neocolor II but on an ungessoed page.

These last three pieces are all Copic on Express It paper. I have been having so much fun and I just can't stop.

Stay tuned for the August Challenge with the Bloom Girls.

Cocoa Daisy Crop 2014

I've been a subscriber to Cocoa Daisy for about a year and a half. I seriously LOVE LOVE LOVE getting my box in the mail each month. It's like Christmas each and every month. The packaging on the kits is adorable. There is obvious care put into each box. I've NEVER once had an issue with defective, missing, or anything else from Cocoa Daisy.

This past weekend they hosted an online crop in honor of their new improved website. I had so much fun chatting with the other girls, completing the challenges, and of course, seeing what the other croppers were creating!

I completed all six challenges in the order in which they were given.

Challenge 1: use triangles and circles.

Challenge 2: Use Panda Eight printables (July and Smile)

Challenge 3: Create something with a house

Challenge 4: Be inspired by album art.

Challenge 5: Something Old, Something New. Combine at least 3 kits

Challenge 6: Scraplift someone.

Phew.....I finished all 6 challenges and am so delighted!

Now I need to finish some of the other projects I have sitting on my desk. Perhaps the 4 weeks of Project Life would be a good place to start before it turns into 5 weeks!!! LOL

Bloom Girl!!! What?

Someone pinch me. Pinch me hard. I'm officially a guest Bloom Girl for the amazing and talented Jamie Dougerty! I've been a HUGE fan of her girls, they have such a youthful face. She's been an artist for Prima for a while. She recently started an online class called Blooming Through the Seasons where each month we create a project with a Bloom Girl and the flower of the month. Well, I've been even more hooked on her art. I love to watch her create through her videos. She announced a call for her Bloom Team - cause get this.....PRIMA created a BLOOM GIRL line!!!! I totally entered on a whim and before I could chicken out! I got it! I got a guest position!!! Serious dream come true to be working with other mixed media artists.

One thing though, I realize that I don't put myself OUT THERE enough. I'm all over Facebook with my friends and family, but I'm not OUT in the WORLD for others to see. So again, I'm trying this blog thing. Also, in the past I've been so critical of my writing skills or lack thereof. When I read some of my favorite blogs, Donna Downey, Cathy Zielske, and The Pioneer Woman, I realize that people don't care. They just want me. The good, the bad, and the funny! (not the ugly, no one wants ugly!)

With all that said, what have I been doing???

I'm in the MIDDLE of THREE art classes!!

I'm taking Juliette Crane's Serendipity class which I LOVE LOVE LOVE, but I'm seriously behind. Here are some pieces that I've created.

Next I'm taking In the Studio by CD Muckosky. She's amazing. We just started. I LOVE my first project! I painted this adorable canvas bag. I have received so many wonderful compliments on it!