Creative Awakenings - Book Review & What If?

 

I will be resuming my twice monthly book reviews of the books that I have brought over the years and have had a chance to work through them and see how I liked their lessons.  I think it is important for us to be continually learning and expanding the mind, especially creatively, there are so many tools, supplies and techniques that you can learn that might add something to your own creative practice.

Todays book is Creative Awakenings by Sherry Gainer 

The back reads - what if you could unlatch the doors to your heart and allow yourself to explore hopes and dreams that you haven't visited for a very long time?

Creative awakenings is the key to opening those doors showing you how to use art making to set your intentions creativity coach sherry gainer will guide you through the mile posts of this exciting journey.  Creative Awakenings envisioning a life of your dreams through art which is such a lovely way to look at things. 

It has got several chapters and in between each chapter a mile mile markers.  In the first chapter she talks about how it all came about and connecting with other artists and how she how she contacted with them and building your dream journal.  She's also got examples of supplies that you can use and setting yourself up for the journey so the envision process is a specific process that she walks you through step by step.

Check out the video on Amazon for more details HERE

Book Review - Sew U

Come and check out the book review Sew U 

Watch the Video

I have also found additional supplies on Amazon that you can check out to help you on your way - some additional books and sewing supplies.  Let me know if you have any favorite sewing books that you have come across.

Thank you for Joining Me

Altered Books - Studio Essentials

Thank you for joining me in my studio for the Art Studio Essentials Daily Series which I hope will kick start your creativity and enable you to check out some of your supplies.  Today I will be showing you my Altered Books.  These are a great way to recycle old and worn books.  Why not pay your Charity or Thrift store a visit to see what interesting books they have that you can use.

You usually find that the Children's section has a good selection of hard back books and they usually have some that have a variety of flaps that are used to tell the story that you can use for a feature in your own altered book.

Don't neglected your art supplies that are screaming to be used.

Check out the video below for more on some of the books I altered and why they are on my studio essential list.

I AM TEACHING

I am teaching on the BADASS Art Journal Course, and I will be offering a Free Bonus if you sign up using my link on the page.  Check it out here and see what Great additions that you will be getting!! 

BADASS Art Journal and Bonus sign up

Check out the bonus line-up HERE

If you are interested in learning how to alter a book check out some of the books I found on Amazon, also check out some of the art supplies listed in the video that available at a discount!

Altered Book Special Effects

The Following books I own and they have some really useful ideas for you to try.  Look out for my review

Altered Board Book on Amazon

Altered Book Collage on Amazon

Finally, sign up to my Mailing list and receive the publication 25 Ways to fit Art and Creativity into your Life!

Christmas Fair - Emmanuel Centre! - more giveaways!

It is approaching at a phenomenal rate, as it does each and every year around this time, the reminder that Christmas will soon be here.  Each year I have been taking part in EEC Christmas Fair and will be having a stall selling some of my art and crafts.  It is a really lovely event that ends with a concert. 

There will be a wide variety of stalls, with lots of gift ideas for those who are seeking inspiration and want to get in early with their shopping, lots of tasty treats from the international food court, and activities to keep the whole family engaged.  it is an event not to be missed and you will be able to finish your evening with the Westminster Community Choir and be engaged in so much more.

Venue:

The Emmanuel Centre, 9 -23 Marsham Street, London SW1P 3DW

***Prize Draw***

Come down and say hello!

I will be running a free prize draw for all those who attend the show and sign up to my mailing list.  You could be in for a chance to win a copy of:

 Crafting with Nature in a Weekend: Over Twenty-five Inspirational Projects

It is full of ideas for some lovely things that you can do with the materials that you can collect, and some of the things that you can make are delightful!

I would love to see you at The Fair you will definitely have a lovely time on the day. 

For those of you who won't be able to attend, don't forget the free bonus giveaway that is available for signing up for the 'My Color is Beautiful Art' Course.

I am excited to be able to offer a bonus gift for all those who register HERE for the course.  For everyone who registers here you will receive a free paper and embellishment pack, filled with lots of goodies for you to use as part of my lesson on the course and for any other creative activity that you might have...

I will include in the pack a selection of:

• Paper ephemera
• Patterned and hand painted papers
• Handmade paper
• Die cuts
• Ribbons
• Findings
• Handmade Stencils
• Beads and embellishments and more

Once you have signed up via my link I will arrange to have the kit sent out to you before the course begins.

If you have already signed up else where for the course and would like to purchase a paper embellishment kit you will be able to do so from the beginning of next week for $7.50 including P&P.

Register here now and receive your free bonus embellishment kit by clicking the button below!

I will be sharing over the weekend some images of the pack and how you will be able to put the contents into creative use!

Book Reviews Return

Book Reviews

 

I have been doing quite a bit of reading since I brought my Kindle.  The idea that you can carry around hundreds of books at a time and have your pick of what you decide to read is great.  I haven't shared my reviews for a while and will be picking this back up in a few weeks time.  I thought I would share with you some of the books that I have read so far, and the review is available on Amazon or my Creative Writing Blog.  

Every few weeks I will be reviewing a book that I have either brought or have been asked to review.  I will share what I found interesting about it, and a bit about the author.  Where possible we may also do a video review which will also be available on Amazon for you to see.

Books so far...

(click on the text to take you to the review, click on the Book to take you to amazon)

Unlocking the Heart of the Artist

DIY Gift Guide

Ask, Listen & Repeat

 

Altar Ego

Art Saves - Jenny Doh 

Briliant Employability Skills - Frances Trought

The Chocolate Diaries - Karen Scalf Linamen

Ekidz in Cyberspace - Alan Springer

George Washington Carver - John Perry

Image Transfer - McElroy & Wilson 

Just Like Jesus - Max Lucado

 Where has Oprah Taken Us - Stephen Mansfield

Book Reviews - Unlocking the Heart of the Artist and Live Ten...

I thought I would share a couple of books that I found really encouraging and are great reads...

Unlocking the Heart of the Artist

Matt Tommy has written a book that all artists who are seeking to dive further into their spirituality and creativity should read.  I read this book over a weekend having seen a sample on my Kindle and knew that I would have to buy it.

It is not a weekend read, mind you, it’s a book that you have to dive into again and again.  You will come up with insights, revelation and ‘ah ha’ moments as you go on your journey.  It said things that I have been thinking about my journey over the past few months.  Read More Here

Live Ten: Jump-Start the Best Version of Your Life

John 10:10 “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” Are you living a life that is full? Does life present itself as an opportunity for joy and success? This is one of the many questions that are asked in Terry Smiths’s book.

You are challenged as a reader to look beyond the life you are currently leading and question whether you could be getting more out of your life, and live to your full potential while also impacting on the wider community that you live in. He shares with us that there is much more available to us, that God wants us to live, but we have to take action rather than be passive and basically move out of our own way so that we can live our best lives. Read More Here

What are you reading, why not share

Let me know what you are reading at the moment, and why you would recommend it.  If you are a writer and want to be interviewed check out my Writers Share page on my Wordpress blog, you will have an opportunity to share what inspires and motivates you and let others know about your work!