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. Catherine D. Jirikowic says…
    09/02/2008

    I love fabric, and any way to embellish said fabric, from paint to buttons, to fancy hand stitching. If it tactile, I love it!
    ~Catherine

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  2. kate bing says…
    09/02/2008

    I have been so into using my typewriter lately...I know it isn't super original but I love the way it looks!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Danita says…
    09/02/2008

    Hi! I'd love to be entered in the drawing.
    My favorite technique lately is stitching on paper...I just love the imperfections the thread leaves :)
    Danita

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Paula says…
    09/02/2008

    My new fave technique is paint and paper and modge pdge, gifts, frames, home decor items..love it! I would benefit from this book greatly..
    Cheers, Paula
    Vancouver, BC

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  5. Jawan says…
    09/02/2008

    My favorite creative technique is something simple: inking. I love the effect it has on the paper and how it draws attention to the people in the pictures.

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  6. mj says…
    09/02/2008

    I switch back and forth between collaging and quilting lately- which just means all of the supplies all have to be out!

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  7. Kim says…
    09/02/2008

    Lately I can't seem to find the time with working and the kids' schedules to do "big" projects but I always bring a notebook and pen and "sketch" out my ideas when I am running them around. Sketching out my mini album helps because I include a list of products I will use, it reminds me of how many cool things I have to work with, and it helps me to ORGANIZE when I do finally sit down and work on my mini albums. I use anything and everything -- I am one of those people that ran out and bought every cool thing I saw and then was overwhelmed by products. Thank you for simplifying the process and reminding us what our craft is all about!

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  8. Melissa C says…
    09/02/2008

    i have been hand stitching on pages a lot lately. it takes a lot of time but i am so proud of it in the end, people can see my hardwork. simple, yet classic.
    Thanks for the chance to win the book, it is a way to step out of my comfort zone....scarey but fun.

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  9. Tanya Ilnicki says…
    09/02/2008

    Ali, I have just returned from the store where I work and I have your BOOK! I have been waiting for weeks for it to be released and here it is! I haven't even cracked the spine yet. I am going to start reading it tonight and cannot wait. I loved Life Artist and still read it a couple nights a week for inspiration.
    Thanks for being the Artist you are!
    Take Care, Tanya Ilnicki
    We met at Artistry 2007 - Vancouver, BC, Canada and again at CKU - Houston, June 2008.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. amber says…
    09/02/2008

    i love to scrapbook...to tell the story of my family.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Jennifer Hisi says…
    09/02/2008

    Thanks for the book tips, Ali. My favorite technique nowadays is embossing. After watching Jennifer McGuire videos and learning so many different ways of using it, I became addicted!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Anne Thurlow says…
    09/02/2008

    I think my favorite technique is journaling. I want to work more with stream of consciousness journaling and get words on the page instead of focusing so much on getting the words just right. I often struggle with the design on my pages. I sometimes feel like they are missing something, but when I add more they seem too busy. I'm thinking about taking Cathy Zielske's design class. Then maybe design will become my favorite technique.

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  13. Kirsti says…
    09/02/2008

    I've been busy with gluing fabric & ribbon to my paper projects. I've also enjoyed making books with many sizes and shapes of pages (mini-books, really). This came from a "Studio A" column of yours I've read recently.
    kj

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  14. jodi says…
    09/02/2008

    scrapbooking, playing with clay, and making jewelry. I also love blogging - both writing and reading - does that count? lol

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. SmilynStef says…
    09/02/2008

    I love making cards ... and even more I love sending them ... nothing more rewarding than sending my art through the mail to its intended recipient. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Teresa says…
    09/02/2008

    What a wonderful book to receive! I haven't done anything lately. But I actually scrapped yesterday. I have bought quite a few stamps lately so I decided to use some of them. I am definetly going be doing more with them.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Dawn H says…
    09/02/2008

    pick me pick me!! Dawn H

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Krista O' says…
    09/02/2008

    I am going to have to go with painting, nothing like getting your fingers dirty!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Chastidy says…
    09/02/2008

    Scrapbooking is my favorite creative outlet, but with summer ending and school starting I definitely need some motivation and time to get back into it. Love your blog and the inspiration I get from you and your ideas!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. kayla says…
    09/02/2008

    my favorite technique is sewing on paper.

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  21. Tina Schadone says…
    09/02/2008

    My favorite thing to do lately while scrabooking is making my own transparency designs with my computor and with my stamps.
    Just the right color and size i need every time!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. collette says…
    09/02/2008

    have to say i'm wanting all of these books right now. i've had my eye on kelly rae's for quite some time and LK's too. so much to soak up.
    i've really been into paper and my sewing machine. not sure if it's considered technique but i decided that getting to know my new machine would be fun if i practiced with paper. it's been so much fun and i'm exploring all the possibilities.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Jennifer says…
    09/02/2008

    It's gotta' be dyes. They're so sloppy - and you can't control the outcome as much - so you're surprised when it looks good!

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  24. Monda DeWeese says…
    09/02/2008

    I love art journaling. It is such a different medium than the traditional scrapbooking I do for all family pics. Much more raw and deep. I struggle to get that in a"public consumption" format and hope Jessica's Type+Writer new workshop will help. Missed you at CPR, but was totally sending great wishes of joy and some calm to you and your family. Thanks for all that you share with us to inspire us to take flight.
    ~Monda

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Amy says…
    09/02/2008

    Photography, I am determined to make my digi photos better by Christmas. Then of course comes scrapbooking all those photos. Thanks for the chance!

    Reply 0 Replies

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