WOODLAND EXPLORATIONS TRAVELING ART KIT...

"Necessity is the mother of invention"

38 days of my summer were spent exploring woodlands and waterways from simple streams and babbling brooks, to winding rivers and large lakes, to salt marshes and a deep wide ocean.  Each of these places inspired my creativity and the desire to create in that environment.  Each journey I would pack a little kit of supplies that I thought I might use.  First there was the plastic shoe box but it was too small, then there was the plastic boot box but it was too large, then there was the little brown leather train case but it was too bulky, then there was tote bag but it was too jumbled.  Necessity became my mother of invention.  I had a problem, finding the right amount of supplies in a ready to go traveling container that was flexible in function so I could easily change out media to suit my creative needs, this encouraged a creative effort to meet my need and solve my problem. 

Using two old book covers I designed a small travel size art journal and a book size traveling art kit that will fit in a small back pack:

I used vintage Victorian scrap to collage the fronts of the books with a nature theme:

An old broken harness buckle from my grandmothers farm found in the barn:

A plant press is tied to the front of the book for my nature gathering:

Underneath the plant press is another small nature collage using a vintage French post card and more Victorian scrap:

Pockets hold collage materials and little fabric pieces I can glue, paint, or stitch on:

The next section holds some loose dyed papers to use as collage or paint bases plus a piece of stitchery I am currently working on:

Behind the papers I have clips to hold journal pages while working on them if needed in a windy outdoor setting and a mini paint palette made from an old acrylic cd cover: 

Lastly the back section is constructed of compartments that hold supplies: basic water colors and acrylic paints, small tube of gesso, medium water brush pen, washi tape, sketching pencil, black sharpie, white gel pen, glue pen, water soluble graphite pencil, kneaded eraser, pencil sharpener, 2 spools of thin wire in silver and copper, folding scissors, thimble, needle, and 6 colors of embroidery floss: 

NOTE:  The tubes of water colors were gifted to me and this was the first time I had ever used this brand, I don't recommend them, horrible clean up if they get on your skin, its like permanent marker and the texture and spread-ability is not great.  These will be replaced immediately. 

The only thing that would not fit into the kit were a small set of water color pencils so I packed those in an old Faber Castell pencil tin.

I wanted a small art journal to work in as well as the loose leaf papers and fabric projects:

Hand dyed sketch book paper pages bound into an old book cover:

More Victorian scrap, handmade fabric leaves, and scrap bits decorate the cover:

The Handy Man and I took a 4 day weekend this past weekend and I was able to test out the kit:

My attempt at a young male Cerulean Warbler:

Perfect traveling companions!

I am looking forward to many more happy artful explorations with this kit!

What are your favorite take along art supplies and how to you carry them?

blessing,

Sandy

500TH POST/FOLLOWER GIVE AWAY SIGN UP (Edit Added)...

Please note, this give away sign up is closed.

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.

- Douglas Pagels -
Edit Added: I almost forgot to add the photos of the finished collage, scroll down to see finished project. Thanks!

When I started this blog it was to get back in touch with my artistic roots and create an online journal that was both visual and verbal. When I hit the publish button for the very first time it was with nervousness and anticipation. Ever so slowly a trickling of friends found me and some fast friendships were formed.(Gift #1, Handmade Lady Bird Shoe)

I had no idea where this journey would take me or if anyone would care to come along side me. I am, after all, an ordinary person leading an ordinary life and can that really be that interesting? I found that most people really are interested in other people, how they live, what they do, and what it is that makes them unique or special. I have found that I am embraced in a community of caring people that have touched my heart and life in a very profound way.(Gift #2, Handmade Baby Shoe)

When I was a young girl I wanted a pen pal so badly. There used to advertisements in the back of teen magazines where you would write to a pen pal. My best friend had written away for one and got the most interesting letters. I begged my mother but she was firm in not trusting who was on the other end of the letter writing and refused my pleading. I always felt I was missing out on something by not being able to connect with other people through letter writing.(Gift #3, Teeny Tiny Baby Boy Shoe)

Now all these years later, I have not only one pen pal but ever so many and my mother would probably still not approve or trust who is on the other end of the keyboard. But, you know what, I know for a fact that I would be missing out on something very wonderful and very special if I had denied myself the pleasure of pushing the publish button on that very first blog post.(Gift #4, Handmade Nature Notes Quote Journal)
I wanted you to know that you each enrich my life. Thank you for embracing me and drawing me into your wonderful community. Thank you for being my friends. I think of you often and hope to share something encouraging with you in this little slice of cyber space that is my modern form of writing to you, each dear pen pal. It is a very small way to say thank you, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart, to celebrate recently passing my 500th Post and my 500th Follower I am hosting a Give Away.
(Sorry this one is not finished yet but it will be by days end and then I will post the finished project. Who knew wedding plans would be so all consuming?)
The photos you see peppered throughout this post are the presents. I will be choosing 5 winners, each receiving one of the gifts. To sign up for the Give Away just leave a comment on this post. Anyone is welcome to enter, even my international friends. You do not have to be a follower and you do not have to have a blog. I will leave the sign up open until Thursday, February 10, 2011 and will post the winners on Friday, February 11, 2011.

Have a wonderful day!