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. Michele says…
    09/02/2008

    I took a class from Jesse Reno last spring that gave me the confidence to paint once again. We layered and added and subtracted and used inexpensive jars of brightly colored acrylics on huge pieces of plywood.I totally surprised myself and now I'm on a path to to understand techniques and color mixing to make my life easier! I'm a big fan of Kelly Rae Roberts and can't wait to see (or win) her new book.

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  2. Deborah says…
    09/02/2008

    Scrapbooking most definately, especially altering patterned papers with acrylic paints, and also a little bit of mixed-media work :)

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  3. Dianne F says…
    09/02/2008

    I just found Kelly Rae's etsy site yesterday and am trying to figure out which piece I'm going to buy for my living room. How wonderful that you recommended her book today. I love to scrapbook. I think I'd love to try mixed media, but I'm not sure I'm up for it.
    Dianne

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  4. Kim says…
    09/02/2008

    My favorite is acrylic paint. I love the texture, the mixing and getting it all over your hands. It's just awesome!

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  5. Pilar says…
    09/02/2008

    Congratulations to your sister! I suppose it is very exciting to experience pregnancy at the same time. My favourite technique...it's difficult to say because technically I have just started scrapbooking, but I love using ribbons and buttons.
    Thanks for the Q&A post.

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  6. Kim H. says…
    09/02/2008

    Working with paint and grungeboard!!

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  7. gina says…
    09/02/2008

    My favorite creative technique right now is reverse applique, a la Alabama Chanin. Hands down, absolutely obsessed with it. In a nutshell, you use two layers of fabric; stitch-outline a shape through both layers; then trim the inside of only the top layer so that the bottom layer shows through. I can't imagine visualizing that without seeing the real thing, so go to her site (or mine if easier). Why limit the technique to fabric? Endless possibilities!

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  8. Misty K in Ohio says…
    09/02/2008

    Not really a technique but I have been doing a lot of altering items latly. More so than scrapbooking. I just love how you can put the altered items out to enjoy and for all to see vs scrapbook pages being in a book.

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  9. Mel says…
    09/02/2008

    I'm having to add Glimmer Mist to almost everything---along with flocking anything that's not moving---although the cat has been accidently flocked once!

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  10. aida says…
    09/02/2008

    I am scrapbooker, who takes acrylic painting classes, and loves to play with altered art (modge podge, sewing, stamping, photos).

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  11. Leslie says…
    09/02/2008

    I've been busy with a digital project but I can't wait to move on to my next project, a painting for a friend. And guess what I just checked, "True Vision" out at my library!! Would love to get my hands on the Kelly Rae book! I'll be out of commission after foot surgery next week so I'll need to READ about creative things to tide me over!

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  12. Cindy R. says…
    09/02/2008

    My favorite technique right now is incorporating Bling somewhere on the page. (even for the boy pages)After I make my 2 page layout, I try to use the papers and Embelishments to make several cards. Can't wait to buy your book, just waiting for one of the local stores to carry it.

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  13. Debbie L. says…
    09/02/2008

    Right now anything scrapbooking is my passion. I also enjoy sewing and machine embroidery.

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  14. karen mcgowan says…
    09/02/2008

    my favorite technique continues to be inking the edges of everything - hides a multitude of mistakes!

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  15. rebecca says…
    09/02/2008

    i liked mixed media quilting. it's my new favorite thing now.

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  16. Lisa L. says…
    09/02/2008

    My favourite techniques lately revolve around ink. I'm trying to just play more and have fun rather than worry about the final product. Very difficult for me but I'm really attempting to succeed at it.

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  17. Kim Su says…
    09/02/2008

    hi Ali: I've been working on improving my photography skills in hopes of making my layouts more interesting and simply looking at daily life from new perspectives. playing with different angles, lighting, etc. is so much fun and the end results are amazing. thanks so much! take care, kim

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  18. Leigh Anne says…
    09/02/2008

    I just purchased a print from Kelly Rae and love it - would love a copy of her book.
    My favorite creative technique right now involves fabric. I have had fun combining fabric and paper and creating fun journals/notebooks for my friends. I have loved fabric since I learned to sew in the 4th grade and even went on to major in Clothing and Textiles in college I loved it so much! Thanks for this opportunity!

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  19. auntieanne says…
    09/02/2008

    Hmmm, acrylic paints on everything right now, that's my most fave technique/tool.
    congrats on your next "baby project."

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  20. Karrin says…
    09/02/2008

    I was just drooling over Taking Flight yesterday. Lately my favorite techniques have been whatever I can get my hands on....scrapbooking, art journals, knitting, photography.

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  21. Bev says…
    09/02/2008

    I've been doing something different for me with my scrapbooking. Keeping it simple.LOL...I'm working on a wedding book for my niece. Did a couple small practice ones for my mom (grandma of the bride) and SIL(Mom of the bride). I found I really really, REALLY like the look of consistency thru a book like that. So the big 12x12 book is very consistent. It's a bit of a challenge not to go overboard, but I am liking it.

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  22. Mary S. says…
    09/02/2008

    Fave creative technique...hm...well, I am going to try some layering, with KI Memories lace paper, and painting, and generally trying to mix things up more than I normally do. I just love minibooks for trying new things out! Thank you for all the inspiration you provide!

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  23. Abby S. says…
    09/02/2008

    I've been playing around a lot with watercolor pencils and fabrics to incorporate into my scrapbook layouts. We'll see what happens!

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  24. Gioconda says…
    09/02/2008

    Right now, I love using colored pencils. On anything, layouts, notes, calendar. It's so fun and a simple way to add a cute touch, doodling, highlighting or just playing around. I can't seem to get enough of them.

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  25. emily says…
    09/02/2008

    I've been rediscovering my love for watercolor paints. I haven't done anything really big or spectacular just little paintings that I can finish quickly. It's been very satisfying to wet my brushes again.

    Reply 0 Replies

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