Kaleidoscope FREE Taster Week 😍

 

It is that time again when you will be able to join Kaleidoscope FREE Taster Week.  I am looking forward to being on the other side of teaching and gain insight into the work and play of other creatives and artists and have fun.

There is a fantastic opportunity to take hold of that starts tomorrow, Monday 12^th June 23.  The Kaleidescope Taster Week is finally here, and it's going to an amazing time of creativity with 17 FREE taster art classes.  So, block out your calendar and get ready for an unforgettable experience starting tomorrow.

Taster Week is special because you get to glimpse the teaching styles of the artists and some fantastic lessons from painting to sculpture, photography and mixed media, they have got it all covered. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting your creative journey, there's something for everyone.

Each artist will be sharing a Giveaway which include free printables, PDFs and free classes and you will also have an opportunity to win a spot on Kaleidoscope 2023? Each teacher will be giving away one spot for Kaleidoscope. 

You can sign up to the Free Taster Week HERE.

Get ready to unlock your creative potential, make new friends, and embark on an artistic journey that will leave you inspired for years to come. This is going to be a fantastic! See you there!

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Join the Full Program 

Sign Up for The Full Course

The Full course registration doesn’t formally open until June 19th, you can now pre-order the course if you’re a YES already. Be sure to use the Early Birdy Coupon Code to get 30% off!

Sign up for The Full Course HERE

Use: COLOR23 at the checkout

Developing your Creative Practice and Dealing with the Critic

Developing a creative routine and managing the critic are integral aspects of nurturing your artistic practice. We don't always have the hours we crave to be creative, but you can look at ways that can help you identify areas that you can incorporate into your routine.

Here are a few things you can do to develop your creative routine - 

Developing Your Creative Routine:

1. Allocate time for play: Make sure to dedicate time to indulge in activities without any specific end goal. This helps you enjoy the creative process and explore without restrictions.
2. Create a schedule: Establish a morning routine that sets the tone for your creative day. Consider incorporating elements like gratitude exercises and spending time in nature to stimulate inspiration and mental well-being.
3. Be Flexible: While having a routine is essential, remain open to adjusting it based on your needs. Allow yourself the freedom to spend more time on certain activities or projects when necessary.

You can find additional tips on my Patreon platform.  

Why not check out the 7 Day FREE Trial to take a look at some of the informative videos and digital downloads that you can have access to.

Learn More HERE

Enchanting Discoveries in the Garden - Tropical Garden Tour

Hello and welcome, time for a garden treat and you can join me for a stroll in my tropical garden.  I will give you a quick update on what has been happening in the space.

First off, I'm thrilled to share that my passion fruit vines are flourishing. Out of a hundred plants, I'm proud to say that five have managed to survive. These resilient vines have encountered a challenge in the form of spiky, brown caterpillars. I've been diligently picking them off to protect the leaves from their ravenous appetite.

Despite the daily battle, one of the vines has grown quite tall, winding its way up a tropical black sage tree. The plan is for it to eventually hang down and bear delicious passion fruits, minus the catapillars. That would be a tasty sight!

Check out the video and see some of the changes for yourself.  The plants were struggling, but a good rain shower last night seems to have revived them. With a combination of sunshine and rain, I anticipate a lush and vibrant garden in the near future.

One challenge I'm currently facing is the overwhelming growth of my Clammy cherry tree. Its branches have extended beyond my reach, and it's encroaching on my neighbor's space. I need to trim back the branches and maintain its shape. I often repurpose the pruned branches for my deadwood hedge. The tree had another unexpected issue when all its leaves suddenly fell off. However, it has bounced back and is now adorned with lots of fruit.

Now, let's talk about mango trees! One of my mango trees has started to flower for the third time, and I'm hopeful that this September will bring some delicious fruit. I have a few more mango trees in my garden, but they are not mature enough to bear fruit yet. I've been researching techniques to keep them at a manageable height for easier fruit picking.

As we continue our garden tour, we come across a tree that I believe to be an apple blossom tree. I've been investigating its identity for a while, and the flowers seem to resemble those of an apple blossom tree. If you have any insights or different information, please leave a comment and let me know.

Throughout the garden, the lush scents of various plants fill the air. The henna plant, with its tiny flowers, adds to the delightful fragrance. Even the shack shack trees, known for their unique fragrance, contribute to the amazing aromas of my garden. Their delicate yellow flowers and sweet scent create a tranquil and enchanting atmosphere.

A lot of the plants in the garden are good for attracting pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. They love the flowers of the moringa tree, scaevola plant.  It is good to have a variety of plants which provide essential food sources for these important pollinators.

I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into my ever-evolving garden. It's a place of constant discovery and joy, where nature's wonders unfold before my eyes. Gardening has become my creative outlet, allowing me to express my love for nature and cultivate a sanctuary of beauty and tranquility.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about specific plants or gardening techniques, feel free to ask. Happy gardening!

More information

Garden Freedom Micro Course

The Backyard Homestead

Medicinal Garden Kit

Creating Your Own Paper Ephemera with Unique Designs

Creating Your Own Paper Ephemera

I'm excited to share with you a fun and creative project that will add a personal touch to your art journal pages. I discovered this idea from an artist named Shemi Dixon, who uses book pages as a base for creating beautiful ephemera. You can join me in transforming these book pages into unique additions for your art journal. Plus, if you join me on Patreon, you'll have access to the full video tutorial!

I've chosen a book of promises filled with various scriptures that have been with me for years. The pages may have yellowed with time, but I can't bear to throw away such valuable content. Instead, I repurpose them as the foundation for my art journal creations.

I experiment with different techniques creating shapes, doodling, painting on the pages, which then can all be collaged separately or used together on a painting page and then added to your art journal. For instance, I've created leaves, birds, and flowers using cutouts and added them to painted pages. The effect is like mini collages that perfectly fit into my art journal. Additionally, I've tried using Pro marker pens and simple doodling on the pages to see what unique designs emerge. It's amazing how these playful experiments can yield unexpected beauty!

To make the most of the paper, fill any empty spaces with additional elements, such as leaves. Once you're satisfied with the shapes, it's time to cut them out. Don't discard the remaining scraps of paper—keep them for future paper mache projects or other creative endeavors.

Enhance Your Art Journal with Unique Designs

In addition to this technique, you can also cut out circles or other shapes from the remaining painted pages. These shapes don't have to be perfect; irregular shapes can add visual interest. Once you've cut them out, choose another page as the backdrop and arrange them in a visually appealing way. This will create a contrasting pattern that enhances your art journal.

By repurposing book pages, experimenting with paint, and cutting out shapes, you can create unique elements that add depth and character to your art journal. The possibilities are endless, and I hope this has inspired you to embark on your own creative journey.

Remember, if you're interested in watching the full video tutorial and exploring more art journaling techniques, consider joining me on Patreon. The tiers start at $3, and you will find over 90 patron only resources.  Join me and other art enthusiasts as we dive deeper into the world of paper ephemera and unleash our creativity!

I can't wait to see what you create. Happy art journaling!

You can also access some of the Free paper ephemera that I produce on my Course platform -  You can check out my free Mixed Media Art Tags course and creating your own stamps using recycled materials.