9/25/2011

The Creative Source

I know. I've been MIA after telling you I was back. I've missed you and can't wait to tell you what I've been up to.

First, I'm learning not to beat myself up for having bad days- days when I barely make it out of bed much less get into the studio or write. I'm also learning to pace myself on good days. While this is extremely hard to do, it is a must to having more good days than bad. So, what have I been doing on those good days? I've been getting back into the 21 Secrets Art Journaling Playground. This year, instead of 8 weeks of fun, the workshops have been extended to the end of 2011. (You can still get in on the fun. Head over to Dirty Footprints Studio to sign up!). I'm using the wonderful techniques I'm learning there in my Promises Journal.

There is one thing that I've observed not only in the 21 Secrets classes but in most of the art classes and communities that I've joined. They all believe that art, in all of it's forms, is a spiritual gift and experience. However most think the source of this is either within themselves or from the Universe (celebrated as a deity). I for one, have a problem with relying on a created being for my spiritual growth and artistic expression. Here is a snippet from a blog post that I wrote on the 21 Secrets Ning site:

I have loved this round of 21 Secrets.  I also went through 21 Secrets last fall.  At the time, I was emerging from a pretty deep depression over my recent disability due to a sudden and mysterious illness.  I was at the height of my corporate finance career, holding a CFO position at only 29.  I was a great analyst, manager, visionary, accountant, and information technology specialist.  I could prepare corporate financial statements with the software that I wrote to do it.  I was on top......  And then, I wasn't.  I couldn't bathe myself, dress myself, swallow food, see, think, or breathe well. 

 

21 Secrets helped me get past the sense of uselessness that I felt, but I learned that I could not look to the universe for answers.  It was created for a purpose just like I was, but still, it was created.  Instead, I found that I had a direct source to the Creator.  God not only made a way for me to have a relationship with Him, He wanted to have that relationship intimately.  That meant that my illness was not the end of me, but the beginning.  He's allowed me time to give my left brain a rest and let my right brain get a work out. 

 

So, my big project for this round of 21 Secrets is to use all the things I learn here to create a Promises journal, an art journal filled with all the promises of God found in His Word.  Hopefully, it will be a project that I can do over and over to share with those who need something to cling to, stand on, hope in, and claim before they slip into the darkness that I was in, or perhaps bring them back from a place that I became way too aquainted with.

 

I look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones here.

 

God bless you all!

 

Luke 24:5  "...Why do you seek the living among the dead?"

7/25/2011

Wedding Cake Challenge

I've often said that I have creative ADD.  It all started with sewing with my grandmother when I was little, then drawing and watercolor in highschool, then scrapbooking and card making, cake decorating, jewelry making, acyrlic painting, and collage.  While this may seem like a progression, it's actually compounded.  I never realize how bad it had gotten until I was asked to make a wedding cake for my cousin.

I haven't made a cake in a couple of years, so I had to dig out all of my tools and supplies.  I mean literally dig.  My 10 x 11 studio/home office houses all of my hobby supplies along with my coupon collection and business books (I'm also an accountant).  So, out came the paint and paper scraps and the rolly cart with all my beads and wire.  Then, I had to push aside the fabric scraps and collection of "I-can-do-something-with-this" items.  Finally, I found my cart of cake decorating supplies, fondant, and icing sugar.

Now, time to make the cake.  I actually had the cakes baked by Publix.  This was going to be a monster 4-tier cake, and I didn't have the right pans to make every tier.  The bride and groom left all of the planning to the groom's mother, my first cousin.  So, I had complete freedom on the cake design.  I wanted it to be elegant but simple.  I found an awesome technique on I am Baker for a rose cake.  This is the simplest technique imaginable and it was just the wow-factor my cake needed.


The 6" tiers were alternating chocolate cake with raspberry mousse filling and white cake with lemon curd filling.  All of the layers were iced with homemade buttercream.  The bottom and third layers were covered with fondant with a fondant belt embellishment. 

It's obviously not a professional job, but everyone thought it was beautiful and delicious.  I'm on a gluten-free/ sugar-free diet, so I didn't actually get a piece.  My wonderful husband was so great to help me with the fondant, delivery, and set-up.  But, strongly urged me to never do a cake this size again :).  I will say that if you decorate cakes or want to learn, check out Sweet Wise.  They have awesome technique videos on YouTube and you can order online from their store.  I'm lucky to live about 45 minutes from them and have taken several of their classes.  One thing that I cannot live without is The Mat which the owners actually invented.

Now, time to go put everything in my studio back in its place. 

6/16/2011

Etsy Treasuries

I must admit that Etsy is my favorite online shopping experience.  And, I'm not just saying that because I also sell there.  (Warning:  Shameless Plug!!!  Dandelion Designs (dandedesign))  Browsing is easy, searching is fun, and finding treasures is exhilerating.  You can chat with artists and makers, request a custom item, and chat with other Etsy users.  You don't have to be an Etsy seller to sign up and experience everything that Etsy has.

One of the coolest features is Etsy Treasuries.  Treasuries are lists of items curated by an Etsy user.  They are often put together based on a theme, color, or keyword.  For example, here is one of my treasuries that I put together.  See if you can guess the keyword.




It is truly an honor to be featured in a treasury.  As an artist and maker, I really get giddy at the thought that someone searched hundreds of Etsy listings and thought mine was the perfect fit for their treasury.  It's like being featured in a gallery among so many wonderful pieces.  I have been fortunate enough to be featured in several treasuries.  Here are a few:










Be sure to click on these and leave the curators a comment that you saw their treasuries here.  You can even make a purchase straight from the list.  To see all the treasuries that I belong to, or to create one of your own, log on to Etsy and get your shop on!

6/13/2011

Is Simple Better?

I have been at work on my first commissioned painting.  It is an abstract landscape of mountains and a field of wildflowers inspired by photographs taken in Denver, CO.  I've been creating studies, trying to determine the best media and exploring all the ways that this landscape can take form.  However, everytime I lay down what I think will be the underpainting, I step away and think, " Wow! I really like that."  I'm drawn to the looseness and simplicity of it.  It has movement and seems to already be telling a story.






As a new arist, I'm still developing my style and aesthetic.  I have so many interests that my style seems to be all over the place.  One day, I'm loose and working with wet paint and a big brush.  The next day, I'm in paper, texture medium, and working almost exclusively with a pallete knife.

However, ever since my visit to Savannah, something about the loose paint with lots of movement just speaks volumes to me.  Is this my signature style?  Who knows.  I'm not sure I definitely want a signature style.  What I do want is to stay authentic to my muse and just go with the flow.  I think that is what Savannah is all about.

I'm currently reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.  It is so full of the sights and sounds that I remember of Savannah and the characters are just like the city, full of old southern charm and larger than life.  That is what I want to capture.  So, perhaps my style will be more of a state of mind rather than a brush stroke or color story.

6/08/2011

Improvisational Journal Page

I just completed a journal page in one of the 21 Secrets workshops, "Improvisation Station".


 Natasha Reilly is the teacher and her effervescent personality is infectuous! I watch her videos over and over.  I actually joined her workshop and watched all her videos before we went on vacation, but I didn't actually do any of the journaling.


While we were in Savannah, I let the concept of the class really sink in and all the sights and sounds and emotions that I experienced there reveal to me who I really am.

The class started with us writing a standard introduction of ourselves.  You know like, "Hi, my name is Jenn.  I'm a wife in my 30's.....blah blah blah.  After I was finished with this exercise, I couldn't believe how many labels I put on myself.  Here is my first introduction:



After we wrote our introductions, we tore them up and wrote a new introduction in our journals.  This one was an intro without labels and without limts.  Everything that I had experienced in Savannah flooded back.  Here is my new introduction:



I plan on writing this on a big sheet in my "big girl" journal (a 18 x 23 watercolor pad) and keep adding to it.  Now came the fun improvisational part.  Natasha provided prompts that we were to choose at random.  I ended up with senses and the word "sensational".  I decided that the sense that I wanted to journal about was my sense of sight.  The things that I find sensational are all in nature.  So, I took my torn pieces and created a rose and dragon flies.



I really urge you to try this process.  Get out of the boxes that you put yourself in and discover who you really are.  Then, play a little improv game to get your journaling going.

6/07/2011

Promises Journal....Don't leave home without one!




 

My first vlog!!  I'm liking it.  I'm working hard in the studio today and will have new works to show you tomorrow. 

P.S.  Blogger is not letting me upload videos, so I did it through YouTube.  I know the video lags the sound a little, but I'll get the kinks worked out for next time.


Have a great one!!!

6/06/2011

Re-Post: Father's Day Folded Shirt Card

Father's Day is fast approaching.....June 19th for those who need a reminder.  This folded shirt card was a huge hit last year, so I thought that I would share it again with you. 

I am a Daddy's girl and proud of it!!  The trouble is that I always want to do something special, but my Dad is tough.  He hates ties, he doesn't have any hobbies--no golf, fishing, or tools--and the only thing he collects is Dallas Cowboy memorabilia.  After 53 years, I think he has everything ever made with a Dallas Cowboy star on it. 

So, I relied on my fellow bloggers for inspiration and saw the cutest card ever on Talk Crafty To Me.  This was perfect for my Dad.  He loves clothes and I can always remember that Dad had to have a shirt with a pocket on the left side for his cigarettes and pens.  It was a really big deal.  So, while in stash busting mode, here is my Dad's Father's Day Card.


See the little pocket?  If your Dad is a tie-wearer, then it would be super cute with a little tie as well.

Here's how I made it.  I started with a 12 x 12 sheet of scrapbook paper that I had in my stash.  And cut it to 8 1/2 x 11.

Hint:  Small prints work best!

Next, fold your trimmed paper in half and crease it well.  A bone folder works magic with this project!



This will become your first valley fold.  Create two more by bringing in the sides to your center fold.  Be careful not to overlap the center fold line.  It's ok to have a little paper showing between your sides.  This will keep your card from having too many layers.



Don't forget to use your bone folder or ruler to really crease your folds well.  Next, open up your paper and bring your right and left corners up to the outside valley folds.



Fold the sides back in, and then fold the bottom up just past the point on the triangle.  For those of you who like to measure, that's about 2 1/4 inches.




I hope you are still with me because now comes the tricky part.  Grab the point at the top of the triangle on each side of the center fold and bring it up and over to the outside fold.  The bottom flap will come up a little.  Don't fight it.  It will actually help you get a better fold.  Be sure to use your bone folder to crease the inside folds well.




While you are here, pinch the side flaps and fold the bottom flat.  A little something like this:



You've just made the shirt sleeves!  Cool, right?  I know.  It's a lot of work, but it's totally worth it in the end.  You've made it this far, so let's keep going!

Let's move up to the top.  Flip the paper over and fold the top down about a 1/2 inch.

Flip your paper back over and fold the top corners at an angle in to the center fold.  You'll fold about three inches down the paper.  This makes the collar.



One last step, then it's time to embellish.  Fold the bottom up and tuck under your collar.  Use your bone folder to press all of the folds and voila!


Now, raid your stash for buttons (I used brads), tags, ties or pockets.  Embellish the inside of your card with a party invitation, a sweet note, or a gift card. 



Here's the inside of my Dad's card.  The tag reads:  "My Dad didn't teach me how to love unconditionally.  He lived and let me watch him do it."



I hope you stuck with this.  As a "suppa-prize", as my sweet nephew calls it, go here to see a how-to video of the steps above and additional ideas on what to do with this unique little card.

LoVe YoU, DAD!

I'm linking to these parties:
Keeping It Simple
It's a Blog Party
Making BWS tips button The Girl Creative Sumo Sweet Stuff >BWS tips button Tip Junkie handmade projects

6/03/2011

Yes, I'm Back!!!

I know that I have been away for a while. I appreciate the time you have given me to focus on my physical wellness. I still have a way to go until I can be without a wheelchair or crutches, but I have grown tired of exercising my body and not my creative spirit. So, I will be posting about all of my new adventures here once again.

Recently, I have been most inspired by our recent vacation to Savannah, GA. Almost immediately upon entering the city, I felt that my creative spirit had finally found a home. The city is so beautiful, laid back, and full of artistic vibrancy. Not to mention, those who call it home are some of the nicest people I have ever met. Now, I live in Tennessee and we pride ourselves on friendliness and hospitality, but Savannah takes southern hospitality to a whole new wonderful level.


"A Walk Through Forsyth"  (c) 2011 Jennifer Seratt
I dream of living there one day, but my husband does not share the same dream, so in Tennessee we will stay. I know it might sound quite silly, but I am most broken-hearted over the situation.

But, I am not letting this inspiration go to waste. I have vowed to paint every day. I hope to even begin to sell my works beginning with an artist's reception in late summer or early fall. Hopefully, pouring myself into my paints and brushes will being to heal my broken heart.

Before you go, take time to check out some of the wonderful artists we met:

A. T. Hun Gallery
Carrie Kellogg
Savannah City Market

Thank you for allowing me share my heart with you.  Until next time...

1/29/2011

Pressing Pause

Photobucket


This blog has been an amazing outlet for me over the past several months as I came to terms with my medical condition and transitioned from being a corporate accountant to a full-time patient and part-time hobbiest.  When I was lonely, I could always blog about my latest project attempt or check in on your creative genius.

There has been a lot of healing on these virtual pages.  Thank you for being a part of that.  Now, I feel it is time to press pause on Seeds on a Breeze.  I am not abandoning the wonderful world of blogging.  I will always be the one lurking on your pages, borrowing your ideas, and leaving you some comment love.  However, as I move into another phase of my new life, I feel the need to focus on my rehabilitation and getting as much physical strength back as possible.

At some point, I hope to return again to this blog stronger and more creatively fit as well. 

Seeds on a Breeze is all about inspiration.  I hope I have inspired you to create at whatever skill level you are at.  I am a firm believer that the process is more important than the outcome.  A good piece is one in which the viewer can see the artist's creative process, both technical and emotional, in the final product.  I also hope that I have spread the simple message of God's love for each one of us through the gift of his son, Jesus.  He is the Great Creator, the only one to have created everything from absolutely nothing. 


JetSetJournaling_Plans

Be inspired by His creation and make something beautiful!

1/22/2011

Sunday Art Therapy #20

I have been quite under the weather this week, and I have not been in my little studio in several days.  Hopefully, this week will be more productive.  Let's see how creative you've been this week.  I need some inspiration to get me going!

Also, the series of classes, 21 Secrets: An Art Journaling Playground, hosted by Dirty Footprints Studio is coming to a close this week.  I'd love for any of you that participated to share your pages in the Sunday Art Therapy Flickr group.  You can upload your fabulous works by clicking the link inside the slide show.






This linky list is now closed.

1/15/2011

Sunday Art Therapy #19

I was drooling over all the great projects you guys linked up last week.  I hope you all visited each other's posts, learned something new, and left nice comments.  Our feature this week comes from Claire and her blog, Saraccino.  Claire has had our feature project before, but I had to share with you her great tutorial on acetone transfers.



Acetone transfers by Saraccino
  I've never thought of using acetone as a transfer medium, but her projects turned out great.  For those of you who use gel medium as a transfer medium, like I do, you will want to try this.  Think of all the money you'll save!

I love the vintage look of these and can't wait to use this process on my next project.  Be sure and check out the tutorial here.

It's that time again.  You can add photos of your projects to the Sunday Art Therapy Flickr group by clicking on the link inside the slide show.  Also, you can link up at the party below.  Be sure and visit each other and leave some comment love.  The party will be open through Saturday, so link often!






This linky list is now closed.

1/12/2011

Resolutions

I've never been much for making New Year's resolutions, however, I've also been a big goal-setter.  The trouble is that I'm an over-achiever.  I will make myself sick trying to reach a goal, which was usually way more than any human could do in the time frame I gave myself, and then be absolutely devasted if I didn't make it.

This year, though, I thought I would use the New Year to turn over a new leaf.  I'm going to make only three resolutions and give myself room to achieve them and forgive myself if I fall short.  So, here they go:


Jenn's 2011 Resolutions:

1.  Spend more quality time in prayer.

2.  Walk, unassisted, to the end of my street and back.

3.  Try something new.


These are not the type of goals I usually make.  No time frame.  Other than #2, nothing detailed or measurable by gathering data and analyzing trends.  (You wouldn't think that a creative soul could be so analytical, but that's the battle that I fight daily!)  But, that's my new leaf.  To let things happen and develop as they do.  Slow down and learn from my experiences and enjoy life.  Hey, maybe I can go ahead and mark #3 off the list!  No, no, no.  The spirit of these resolutions is for them not to be completed and forgotten, but to be a continual journey that I can look forward to.

Did you make resolutions this year?

1/08/2011

Sunday Art Therapy #18

Happy New Year!!!!  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season.  I had a great time with friends and family and even got some crafting in.  Here are some fabulous infinity scarves that I made:



I apologize for not getting a picture of them being worn.

I saw this idea on TLC when they did a special on homemade Christmas gifts.  These scarves were made from 100% acrylic sweaters that I found at Goodwill.  (I made sure that I bought the ones that still had tags on them).  I also upcycled one of my own acrylic sweaters that was already destined for Goodwill.

Here's the simple how-to:

1.  Make sure your sweaters are 100% acrylic so that they do not ravel.  Any time of wool, cotten, or other natural fibers will need to be hemmed.

2.  Decide how wide you want your scarves to be.  I cut these 5 inches wide.  The length of your scarves will depend on the size of your sweater.  Try to get some extra large or big & tall sweaters for longer scarves.

3.  Use a rotary cutter and a large ruler and cut away.

This was a great no-sew project and was a huge hit at my family Christmas.

Can't wait to see what you've created!!  The link party will be open through Saturday, so link away!!







This linky list is now closed.

 
Find More Free Layouts at April Showers