HomeARTWordsStudioTutorialsClassesShop

Thursday, August 5, 2010

INSPIRATION, MOTIVATION, AND A PINCH OF CREATIVITY...

Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.

-Bo Bennett-
I have a few fun goodies to share with you today. I really love learning from other artists. No matter how experienced or inexperienced you are there is always something to be learned or gained, some fabulous tip or trick, some new technique or construction method, and most importantly inspiration. I have long been an admirer of KC Willis and her work and have wanted to take a class from her for ever so long. But, geographically and financially that has not to date been possible. A few months ago while visiting her blog Lipstick Ranch, I saw that she had put herself in a box.


For my birthday my husband purchased her DVD series, KC in a Box which includes three wonderful DVD's.Collage Camp - a six part series where you learn the elements of collecting, project preparation, image transfer, laying out the design, sewing your fabric collage, and finishing the project. KC covers everything from A to Z in the construction of her famous fabric collage art here and this is the basis for the projects on the next two DVD's...Altered Books - Three projects are featured on this DVD, a Mixed Media Fabric Journal Book, a Book Cover Shadow Box, and an Altered Book Collage - trust me these are fantastic projects...Alters and Shrines - This is a part of KC's Mixed Media Mania series, there are three parts to making alters or shrines, this is an assemblage type project in shadow box form that combines found objects with her fabulous fabric collage technique...Each DVD set comes in a box with a piece of signed original artwork embellishing the box top...Each box also comes with an assortment of goodies from KC's studio...My set of DVD's were nestled inside some hand dyed fabric scraps from her studio...
Bits of dyed vintage lace...One of her famous "clumpies"...And a bag of baubles that she uses in her art...All these are little pieces of inspiration to get you going on your first project. I was so inspired by her teaching that I want to make my first project using her construction methods mixed with my own style for a large piece of family history artwork for the farm. I'll be sharing more about that in a later post. This is one of the best gifts I have ever gotten. Thanks honey!
If you are thinking of getting this series for yourself not to worry about skill level, this is great for a beginner up to an experienced artist. Some of you might say, but I don't sew! Well, neither did KC when she started and her sewing technique is super simple. One of my favorite parts is where she shows her first attempt, her second, her third, and then a recent piece of her work. You get to see the potential for growth, the learning curve, the advancement, and finally the achievement, very inspiring. Her teaching style is very down to earth, friendly, and funny with more than a pinch of creativity, inspiration, and motivation. You can learn more about about KC Willis Collage Camp, Art Kits, DVD's, and Classes at this link.

I stumbled across this issue of Victoria the other day and was thrilled...Victoria Classics Rooms of Bliss is a collection of beautiful room images from the magazine archives. (Sorry about the shiny shots below. I should have scanned rather than photographed.) This is not the regular issue, this is classic old Victoria! It is not filled with advertising and verbiage is kept to a minimum, the showcase of this entire issue are the beautifully styled inspiring rooms, much in the format of a coffee table book at a magazine price. Love it!

Lastly, I wanted to give you a better sneak peek at my latest project...Ruffles...Roses...Texture...A tiny shoe plus another thing or two...
I hope to have this one complete by this afternoon. It is down to the details and those always take me the longest to do. Yes, Lisa, I will show the finished project when I am done. She's on to me folks...I owe you some reveals ; )

This post is about a person, a publication, and a pleasurable project that have given me inspiration this week. I'd love to hear what or who inspired you this week.

Blessings,
Miss Sandy

16 comments:

kathy said...

SAndy always inspired by you -- Visually and in my dreams - your words also sing a melody to me --
Kc Willis is awesome -- she was in a mag many years ago -- Have visited her blog -- like you could not afford her art ( totally awesome ) Her look is so a part of my vintage country(aka countrychintz.blogspot.com) look I love -- Her pillows and wall hangings make me
swoon .. and my chintz (like fabric and my addiction to chintz patterned teacups ) make me love the magazine you showcased -- HAve many of the very old ons-- Blessings today to you -- KAthy - ga ♥

Rochelle said...

Hi Sandy

Can't wait to see the final project in all it's glory! And I'm so glad you shared about KC Willis' DVD's in a box. I had ordered mine a few weeks ago and should be getting it soon and I am so excited! Reading your post about it has put any anxieties I had about being too much of a "beginner" to create art work like her.

Have a wonderful day
Rochelle

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

Oh I LOVE KC! I bought her on-line course and would really like to take a live class, but, alas, it will have to wait.
Hurray for your hubby! What an awesome gift! I need to start dropping the hints myself..love YOUR work and all the inspiration YOU give as well..

Dorthe said...

Dear Sandy

I am one of KC`s students, in her online workshop, they are wonderfull, and I`m so gratefull for all she shows and teaches.I understand your joy of getting all thise cs from your husbond.
Your artwork is faboulous,and I can`t wait to se, what the shoe, the rose, the texture ends up with.

Dorthe

Tina said...

What a amazing great gift Miss Sandy - I can´t wait to see all your stunning creations using her technique - you know I love your creations.
oh - that little shoe is sooo cute - sign...
Wishing you a wonderful day
xo Tina

Anonymous said...

I ordered KC-in-a-Box too! Wasn't that a cute idea? I have two of her large collages and had a 5-day class at her studio last November! It was the most wonderful time, she is absolutely precious and I learned so much. If you can save up the $$$, it would be well worth your while! Hope you can go one of these days.
Marcy
mantle@piedmontcenter.com
www.queenmarcyoriginals.typepad.com

Anonymous said...

Sandy, I always smile when I visit here. Your hubby gave you a WONDERFUL gift. Obviously, the man is a KEEPER! I adore KC's work and yours as well. The new project looks like I must see the rest of it! Last evening I was browsing through my Victoria magazines too. Aren't they wonderful! I was so sad when they closed their doors. I know that there are so many women like us out there who are happy it's back!
Inspiration and beauty on every page. Just like here at Miss Sandy's blog!
Hugs, honey!
Blessings,
Diane

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Hi, It's my first time visit. I see you've been enjoying the Victoria Classics Rooms of Bliss too!

Isn't it lovely? I've always LOVED the Victoria magazine from the very first issue. I wonder if they plan to do more special editions down the road. That would be a treat.

Here's wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places.........

Beth Leintz said...

What a fabulous gift- and I'm sure its the kind of thing that you'll reference over and over, and find new inspiration every time you view it.

(Can't wait to see what you're making...your projects are always inspiring)

Lady Prism said...

Hello! I've traveled far across the seas in search of something else but was unexpectedly drawn here. SERENDIPITY. ^_^*

I've browsed through many of the posts and am' very enthralled at all the beauty there is. Everything looks magical, and inspiring as well!

Thank you for the smile I now have. Blessings. :D

creativelenna said...

miss sandy, thank you for posting about KC's class "in a box". It looks great and it was so sweet of your husband to give this to you for your birthday -happy birthday!
what has inspired me this week was working in my sketchbook, part of a larger project involving many artists. Simply making time to reach for my sketchbook, use items at hand, and do it -this inspired me to do more! You can view some pages here.
: ) lenna

Angela Richardson said...

Hi Sandy,
What a clever gift from your hubby. I am off to explore more and I can't wait to see what you create.
Lots of smiles,
Angela.

Vee said...

The other day when I was here, I was interrupted. I remember reading about the clumpies because I think I have a few of those around. Some are in my hair this morning. :D I have read about this artist before now and now find myself even more intrigued. Well, I know that we can expect lots of creativity from this corner if you are finding new inspiration all the time.

Jillayne said...

I enrolled in KC's class after reading about it on Dorthe's blog - it was the best thing I have done in a very long time! How liberating it is, and I have been buying tacky glue in large quantities ever since! Your work is beautiful and the little peeks at what you are doing now are a good teaser - can't wait to see it done! This week I have been inspired by a question, a piece of fabric, and a big mess in my workroom - sounds odd, but I'll take it from wherever it comes! It will be fun to see how KC's courses inspire you over the next few weeks...

Sonya Badgley said...

Hi Sandy,
Well, I checked out KC too and of course I couldn't resist! I ordered KC in a box too! Oh I can't wait til it arrives! Thank you for sharing!
I can't wait to see what you create too. I know it will be fabulous... it always is.:)
The Victoria magazine is so beautiful. I still have my old mags too. I never tire of looking at them. And I'm so glad they are back too. If I find their old issues at garage sales, I snatch them right up! Cause you never know...
Have a blessed week my friend,
Sonya

Charlene said...

Sweet Sandy I LOVE your KC Willis goodies. I had thought about buying those CD's because I LOVE the technique. My friend Lisa (Tarnished & Tattered) does amazing things after taking a couple of her tutorials. Thanks for sharing your pretties. Have a great week. Charlene

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin