I've been rejuvenated in my Hands AB

I've been plodding away at my Hands AB off and on for the last several months. I had gotten to that point when making any long term project, I get tired and want if finished. At that same point, I don't really care how it gets finished, or what the pages look like, so long as I can finish it and get on to my next AB project. It doesn't matter that I have tons of hours of good art invested in the book, so long as I can finish it with whatever s(crap) I choose to throw into or at it.

For those of you viewing my blog for the first time, I can start multiple projects, but no TWO the same at the same time. By that I mean I can work in only ONE altered book until it is finished, although other, unrelated projects can come and go with ease. I have no idea why that is, it's just me.

Awhile back I reached that I-don't-give-a-s(crap)-point in my Hands AB. I'd been collecting hand images for years and years, and still had many, many images from magazines, junk mail, wherever, that still sat begging to be used. I thought I might make a few tags, but truth be told, I'm not very good with tags. I just don't seem to make them look artsy, no matter how much s(crap) I throw at or on them. So, when I got the idea to make Halle's birthday gift, I got discouraged because I made the original pieces too large. As a diversion, I picked up my still bulging box of hand images, and set out to put myself back on track. I feel like I have accomplished four things.

1) I rejuvenated my interest in my Hands AB.

2) I am able to use many disparate scrap images together.

3) I now know what direction I want to take in Halle's journal, which is entirely different from the direction I am taking my Hands AB.

4) I have jump started a new direction in my art.

So here we go!! Please remember this 8.5 X 11 sheet will turn into FOUR A5 (5.5 X8.5) layouts.

On the left, I cut to size and sewed hand gestures from a pocket type book of the same name to the blue background paper. I printed and cut out the title.

On the right, I cut out three disparate and unrelated magazine images and sewed them to the background. This was the side I made first.

Tip: When sewing on both sides of a page, sew the side that has the most elements on it first.

Tip: Keep your images and sewing away from the edges as much as possible on this side.

For the second side, I made it an inside folio. On the left is a magazine image and a printed title sewn to the blue paper background. I added the flower, held together by a brad, before I sewed the image to the background. Note how I have now covered most of the sewing mechanics of the other side and provided a border for the other side. I also stamped a portion of a UM stamp Dana loaned me and rubbed the product label from a rub-on sheet onto the left side.

For those of you who don't want to stand on your heads to see the image, here it is at a 90 degree rotation.

Tip: For this side, use images and spreads that will cover a good portion of the page.

Tip: When adding your images, stay as close to the edges and as far away from unsewn areas from the opposite side as possible.

Today's blog owner came by way of WOYWW. I feel a real connection to Crafty Dawn. I enjoy her comments and really appreciate her posts. Dawn lives in Cheshire (not the cat) in the UK. Today's blog is not the typical blog I normally hype. It is however, one I really enjoy.

I can relate to Dawn's plight. She thinks she is in one of those places we all face, where our artistic voice has taken a well deserved break. I was there a few days ago. But I like the direction my AB pages are heading right now. I'm not sure that's the case elsewhere, but at least I've defined a technique that inspires me and gives me many ideas. Dawn will find her inspiration soon, too, although I somehow doubt Dawn is at a loss for projects and inspiration.

Here are some things I do when I feel my art isn't working for me.
1) I organize. I get the satisfaction of sorting and finding creative spots for my various media, and I love how it looks when it's all clean and organized.
2) I pick up things I'm sorting to see if anything jump starts an idea. Sometimes just holding a piece I picked up months or years before will bring that much needed inspiration for a new piece of art.
3) I check out art blogs that make similar things I make. I look at product galleries, whether I own the product or not.
4)I try a new technique.

I hope everyone goes to Dawn's blog. Let her know you have been there and take a look around. Her art is incredibly stunning and fun. BTW, if you think Dawn has really lost her mojo, just scroll down the first page and take a look at all the lovely art she has made recently. I'd say she's an altered artist supreme and one whose art I admire tremendously.