Three Things : Creative Books (+ a giveaway)

Threethings_books


Three books to inspire, challenge and fill you up creatively this week:


True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling by LK Ludwig : I got to meet LK at Artfest last year and enjoyed her art just about as much as her personality. I ordered this book last night and am looking forward to some new ideas (it's been quite awhile since I picked up my art journal). After looking through the next book on the list (see below) I have some good ideas for backgrounds to try.


Acrylic Revolution by Nancy Reyner : This book is packed full with techniques for working with acrylic paint. I have been looking through it the last couple of evenings, dreaming about potentially doing some painting, and being really inspired to get out my paints and try something new and different (new + different for me).


Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings by Kelly Rae Roberts : I was lucky to see an advanced copy of this book on my recent girl's weekend and I can't wait to get my own. There are a bunch of mixed media how-to's as well as a lot of words (of which you know I am a fan - I like to know the thoughts behind the actions whenever possible). According to Kelly Rae, "this book isn't a traditional how-to book, but rather a book that dives deeper into telling our stories about how we came into the creative life - as a way to inspire others to stretch their wings and see what is possible for their own creativity."


Here's one of the Amazon reviews on this book:

Kelly Rae Roberts is an amazingly talented artist and apparently
equally gifted as a writer as well. This book is a journey from her
soul right into yours. It's part journal, part sitting around getting
deep with your girlfriends, part interviews with other talented artists
and part art instruction. So very different from other art books, even
from the same publisher. It goes above and beyond and straight into
your heart & head, making you think about your own creativity.

And until you find your creative spirit, the how-to make art
sections are very clearly thought out and well written. I know that I
will be able duplicate even the pieces that had materials I've never
used before.

This book is a treasure that I know I will refer to again and again.
      


I have two copies of Taking Flight to give away this week. To be entered into the drawing leave a comment below and let me know about your favorite creative technique is these days (it can be scrapbooking, mixed media, anything). Comments will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday) at 5pm Pacific and the winners announced shortly after.


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[ Three Things is a weekly product series : check out the archives here. ]

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912 thoughts

  1. Anita says…
    09/02/2008

    Scrapbooking, but especially journaling. I am still putting my European Vacation on paper so I don't forget a single details....and this will be included in the scrapbook.
    Love your blog and the inspiration you provide me.

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  2. Sylvia says…
    09/02/2008

    my favourite technique is using loads and loads of gel medium to stick all my bits and pieces onto a canvas. after painting everything anyway!!

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  3. Christine Villacarlos says…
    09/02/2008

    Those books look very inspiring indeed :)

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  4. Joanne says…
    09/02/2008

    Hi Ali...mixed media is definitely my craft of choice these days....I've been playing and combining scrapbooking and that together, but working in my art journal is definitely my first love! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  5. JoLynn says…
    09/02/2008

    I have been loving painting with acrylics. I am doing the Donna Downey Newspaper art journal.

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  6. Heather says…
    09/02/2008

    I am loving using glitter glue and popsicle sticks on paper with crayon and stickers - very preschool, very fun!

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  7. Christine Villacarlos says…
    09/02/2008

    oh my favorite technique these days is distressing paper edges :) tearing or curling

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  8. Cindy Mandernach says…
    09/02/2008

    boy you get up early... :)congrats on you and your sisters baby news. it will be so much fun to have babies together. lately i have been making a lot of house art, you know..the stuff you decorate with.. love your samples.
    cindy

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  9. marilyn says…
    09/02/2008

    I love cardmaking and scrapbooking but have been wanting to take a watercolor class. Maybe that will be my fall project!

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  10. Amanda Susan says…
    09/02/2008

    I've been doing a lot of stamping lately. Trying new things.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. christen says…
    09/02/2008

    i've been enjoying stamping a lot lately...getting my creative juices flowing :)

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  12. annie bw says…
    09/02/2008

    my current favorite creative technique is playing with handlettering/calligraphy. And photography--like you, I've recently reconnected with taking more photos.

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  13. Jo says…
    09/02/2008

    Scrapbooking is my favourite creative outlet, followed by making mini albums / books. I'm looking forward to receiving your new book through the post anyday (I live in England) - lots of ideas floating around. Can't wait to get started on more projects.

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  14. Maureen says…
    09/02/2008

    Thanks for the generous giveaway and links to books that sound really fascinating.
    Right now, I'd have to say mixed-media as I am happily in the kindergarten of ATCs and postcards combining paper and digital images. After getting my mind scrambled with the digital, it's sometimes soothing to switch to scissors, paper and glue. I've been amazed at how each piece takes off in its own direction, not always where I thought it would, but where the creation wants to go.

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  15. Terri Paulson-Sasaki says…
    09/02/2008

    Lots of ribbons, fabric and buttons for the grand daughters. I am excited to use them since I have 4 boys. Oh and lots of tulle.

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  16. Bethany Barger says…
    09/02/2008

    My favorite "technique" these days is to try to find a different way to use things. I like looking in my stash and finding some sort of embellishment and thinking to myself...how would someone use this...and then trying to find a completely different way to use it that someone esle might not have thought of. It's challenging and fun all at the same time.

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  17. Enjoli says…
    09/02/2008

    Ali,
    I love to stencil. I create my own images and use them for home decor and scrapbooking, and I also like to make my own journals. That's what I've been into lately and I love it.
    Have a good day...

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  18. Jenn Biederman says…
    09/02/2008

    I absolutely want to get the last book...Taking Flight! It sounds awesome!
    My favorite technique right now is adding stamping to my scrapbook pages...didn't do too much of that before I started making cards this year. I am having fun with the challenges over at Hero Arts. Happy Stamping!

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  19. Laura says…
    09/02/2008

    My favorite creative technique currently is organization. My desk is always such a mess (and I'm a digital scrapper, so I don't know why it gets so messy), but I found that everything was caught up in the mess and not the process, so I am trying out a new organization system (with the help of my uber-organized husband) to put to work starting when the kids go back to school tomorrow and am feeling completely inspired. [How was that for a run-on sentence?]

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  20. Jennie Gift says…
    09/02/2008

    Thanks for the give away. I have recently been inspired by all the mixed media works I have seen lately on your blog. Picked up a set of canvases yesturday and some gesso and hopefully I can get to work on them soon.

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  21. Anna Ely says…
    09/02/2008

    Mixed Media is my thing. I love the melding of my photographs, paper, paint and little things collected along the way. I'm still big into digital when I am away from my art desk as I love it for it's portability. Gotta love my laptop!!
    I love reading your blog and want to thank you for all the inspiration and wonderful links to books, blog and other things to feed my Muse!!

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  22. Jenna says…
    09/02/2008

    I'm in a bit of a creative slump right now, but I've been using mixed media techniques and canvas to get me back in my groove...

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  23. Susan says…
    09/02/2008

    Thank you for your give-away! My favorite technique is stamping. I make lots of cards and also stamp on pretty much every scrapbook page I make.

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  24. Mary says…
    09/02/2008

    Incorporating word stickers when writing my journal is my favorite lately. It helps get over the fact that I am not crazy about my handwriting and it works. I also like using punches like the one from Fiskars(threading water) on my papers, and of course stamps. I am mad about stamps. I would like to be an expert someday like Tim Holtz.
    Thanks Ali!

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  25. Midnight says…
    09/02/2008

    Fabric, glitter, watercolors, collecting oil painting supplies for a new class. Trying new things in my mind is my best technique.

    Reply 0 Replies

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