camille scheewe

Creative Wednesday.......became creative Thursday this week!

Well, Wednesday slipped on by so this week it is Creative Thursday! 

I am a fan of Jeu de Paume Japanese books.  Every so often I look to see what they have published lately and place an order.  They are in Japanese, so it is all about the photos.  I must admit I am in a pair down, purge and simplify phase but I still love these jam packed little books.  The photos are brimming with creative things, color and eye candy, not for the minimalist at heart!

If you have not visited their web site it is fun and inspiring, I was looking at their web site today and spotted a few new titles that I do not have, yet.   Jeu de Paume

This title is "Ateliers de Filles", roughly translated, Studio of Girls!

 

 

 

I love the Asian and Indonesian treasures in this photo grouping.

Creative Wednesday.......Owl Journal Cover

Here is a fabric journal I had been playing with creating. 

In progress.  Needed a little more zing, this owl print added the perfect whoot.

Stitching on the back side.

 

Front cover.   Next step journal pages.

Trust in the journey

Hi I am back again.  I am a true believer that we each have a purpose, a path, a journey here, that we are each watched over and that there are no coincidences. 

Two weeks ago today, my stepfather Stan had an Aortic Aneurysm the size of a grapefruit that began to leak, the aorta is the primary artery that carries blood from the heart to the body.  There were a string of perfectly coordinated events that came together so that he is still alive, to list them all would create a long read so I will share the big ones.  First amazing miracle, Stan and my Mother Susan were suppose to be in Korea, their trip was canceled 5 days before they were to leave!  50% of all people who make it to the hospital with an Aortic Aneurysm, die at the hospital, once it bursts there is nothing they can do.  They brought in a priest, pre-surgery.  They had him in the operating room within two hours of arriving at the ER, they were able to get in a specialist to perform a new surgery.  When Stan left for the operating room, my Mom started making phone calls to ask their close friends for their prayers.  He is recovering, he survived!  IT IS A MIRACLE.  There are follow up CAT scans at 4 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months to make sure that there are no leaks.  We have a journey ahead but at least there is still a journey.

A reminder that when a trip is canceled, plans fall through or change you never know why, you might just have an Angel watching over you, keeping you safe.

Creative Wednesday.......Doodling

I love doodling.  I doodle all the time, flowers, loops, dots and patterns have been a constant theme since I was a little girl and used to make a flower on top of the i in my nick name Cammie.    I had an doodle thought that I wanted to play with so I grabbed a piece of graph paper, girly doodles.  We all have a personal doodle style, expand on yours, it is important to play and experiment not being focused on the end product.  Have fun and doodle.

Creative Wednesday.......Journal Page

This page was a challenge, I kept passing over finishing it because, well it was jut a bit blah, I didn't like  it.  Seems to be a theme in the process of creating for me.  But then a little light went off and I had been doodling this organic mod vine and the rest is history, it saved the page for me.  I am really attached to this mod little vine.  My advice is to always push though the places that you don't like in a journal page, painting, or something creative, it may not be your favorite piece in the end but it is the process that is important and it may end up a favorite!

 

Creative Wednesday.......Organizing

I have been organizing this last week.  Filing, sorting, grouping, purging and placing 'some' of my treasures in notebooks.  Notebooks are such a invaluable tool, they are a place for me to organize and bring visual clarity to all my papers, tears and gathered scraps.  I found that once I started categorizing all of my collage ephemera it became much easier to search and find that perfect little gem. 

I decided to spiff up my plain, boring white ring binders with a collage for the end.  I had a bunch of colorful scraps lying around, snip, cut and paste and now they are fun.  If you have a boring ring binder around grab some paper and fun it up!

 

Since I am organizing in notebooks at the moment I had to include this green binder which I am loving from Target!  The Japanese influenced journal is from Urban Outfitters, great resource for fun journals.

Bits and pieces in my collage binder.

My inspiration binder.......

Eye candy filled book......Etcertera etc.

Etcetera etc. Creating beautiful interiors with the things you love. by Sibella Court.  

I found this copy at Anthroplogie but I have been unable to locate it online so if you feel inspired run on over and purchase a copy in store.

This lovely book has been on my night stand for the last month, I have been relishing bits and pieces of it pre-sleep.  The book itself feels like a dream to me.  The paper and printing style of the book give the images a soft satin dream like feel.  This book is a delectable visual journey through Sibellas creative thoughts, collections and inspirations.  Her color palette sources the natural wold, her travels and treasures gathered.  Below is a small tatse of this eye candy filled book.

 
 

 
 

  "MY HOPE IS THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR POSSESSIONS FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE AND BE ENCOURAGED TO CONFIDENTLY RESHUFFLE, PIN, PAINT, PASTE, SCRIBBLE, AND ORGANIZE YOUR INTERIORS SO THEY FEEL SHINY AND NEW.  IT IS ABOUT BECOMING THE CURATOR OF YOUR OWN STYLE".  Sibella Court

I have personally been in the process of redefining my style it on all levels, our interior, my clothes, my art, change is in the air it feels refreshing and exciting.  I still am strongly rooted in my personally style, I guess it would be better said to say that I am stretching the edges of it, I am "re-curating" my own style.  Sibella's book has inspired me to re-group, photograph and share my collections.

Creative Wednesday Inspiration

Studio Stories Inspiration Board.  Patterns that inspire me to create, paint and design.  

In the process of making this board I sat on the sofa and spread out all the images that I had gathered on the floor and began forming groups with the images.  Patterns, styles, color groups stated to appear, very fun process.  I have always torn pages from magazines and catalogs but creating small inspiration boards helped me see the styles that influence me in a new way when I started grouping them.  I found it helpful to limit my size so that I could focus in more. Great way to gather inspiration, get out of a slump, do something creative when you are not feeling inspired, a very helpful stress free tool.  Plus you might be surprised at your own discoveries.

 
 
 

Inspirtation Board

I am currently taking the "Blogging Your Way" e-course from Holly Becker at decor8  and Leslie Shewring from A Creative Mint who is co-teacher the class with her.  If you are interested in refining and defining your blog, your inspiration, style and direction that you would like to take your blog, then I whole heartedly recommend and suggest taking this class when it is offered again, Blogging Your Way.  Below is the assignment for this week, creating an inspiration board.

I have been in an organize, simplify, balance and create stage as of late.  "Balance" is the constant word that pops up continually in my life in all areas.  Balance, when I have been working on a piece and deciding when to stop, when I have reached the balance between breathing room and yummy design in a piece.  I can overwork a piece so for me, the space in this inspiration board represents that balance of space.  This inspiration board also reflects my desire to have my blog organized, clean, and still be filled with eye candy.  Simplify, reducing down to the essentials, for me this image is simplified and brought me clarity and direction in the process of working on it.  Fun.

Creative Wednesday Create Journal

Sometimes when I am creating I can hit the "I do not like this stage".  I almost cut this fabric into pieces to use on another journal!  But as I kept picking it up, adding bits that I liked I decided to just keep on.  As I have often found, unloved projects can end up loved by just revisiting the piece and pushing through it.  Now I like its carefree scrappy, patched look.  This journal is going to be home for my pastel signature pages below

Front and back cover...

 

Up close, I ended up hand stitching the word Create to get it to show up enough with white thread.

Journal Pages......Creative Wednesday

I have been stitching in a flurry of paper creating interior pages for my fabric journals.  I am in a less is more mind set and creating pages that have enough free area to journal, draw, collage and create on.  Below are my "soft palette" page set, I am working on another set blooming with color, be posting those soon.  I used my scraps, recycled paper, post it notes, stickers, paper that has sat for to long with no purpose or home and Japanese Tape!  A handful of pages in the early stages of creating.

 

A security envelope to tuck treasures or stuff into.

I can not wait to get started playing on these........

P.S.-there are not animals on every page of this journal, just worked out that way in the photos!

Creative Wednesday..........Remains of the Day Journal

After some soul searching, looking at my life, how I spend my time and how I "want" to spend my time I have decided that "CREATIVE WEDNESDAY" would create a healthy balance for my life.  So until Summer on Wednesdays I will be sharing my creative adventures and inspirations on "Wednesdays".  When Summer comes I will review the process and decide from there what is next.

Mary Ann over at Dispatch From LA has an online class, "Remains of the Day" (Journal).....just the class I needed for a jump start after the holidays.  If your feeling the need for a creative jump start, take a look-see at  Remains of The Day.   Mary Ann, is a Fun, Authentic, Creative Soul and I have enjoyed taking this class with her.

I own a sewing machine and can count the number of times I have used it!  I am loving playing with fabric, the colors and patterns.  I have been so inspired that I have been on a journal sewing binge, 4 in the last 3 weeks, I will be posting more.   Time to stop sewing and add some interior papers this week.

Fabric Journal covers, ribbons, scraps and a load of stitching.  In the process of making these I learned to use a  Free Motion sewing foot to stitch, being a novice sewer I found this amazing, you can stitch in any direction!  The attachment is around $8.00, I recommend trying one.

Dot Journal, cover & back.

 

My Niece the fashonista,
rescued this hat from our yard sale!

"I Love Paris in The Springtime....."

Journal page.  I had this great old photo of Montmarte in Paris and pasted it into my journal and there it sat, that large beautiful building on a barren page.  It sat for a while empty until I started playing with some new colors and new copic markers.  It is a page that reminds me of a lovely honeymoon, watching the the final stage of the Tour de France when Lance Armstrong was in his height (VERY exciting, fun and hot).  Full of wonderful memories Paris is.  Looking forward to making more some day 

"I Love Paris in The Springtime....."

At the beach.....

I spent a beautiful weekend at the Oregon coast with my
husband and family.
My Niece running, laughing and playing.

This painting/collage inspired me to want to simplify my work.
I love color, pattern, doodling, lettering so it is
a gift when those pieces emerge that make me STOP,
not add any more, complete.

Streamline and simplify. 
The theme has occupied my thoughts for some time
in relation to my work, my art supplies, my/our home and my
stuff.  I am in the process of realigning, and it is a slow process
that continues to unfold. 
I must add I am enjoying the journey.

PS-I have a new Mac hard drive and my computer is
all better now.......

This years egg gems...

OK.  Very belated!  

But I just had to share this years egg gems.
By my husband, egg master....

Devine Eggs for Easter

Theses are photos of my creative and talented
husband Greg's Easter eggs from 2008!  Tonight
we are having a family Easter Egg die dinner,
so I will be posting this years gems soon!!!

Dreamy Images

I love these images by photographer  Tim Walker. 
Magical.

 

 

Soldering for Virgins......

This last weekend my Sister Kim and I had the pleasure
of taking a "Soldering for Virgins" class with
Sally Jean Alexander in her magical studio in
Portland, Oregon.  Not only is Sally Jean wonderful at
teaching her craft, she is FUN.  Sally Jean, her husband Brad
and friend Chery were gracious hosts throughout the day. 
If  you have ever thought about taking
a class with Sally Jean in Portland,
you will not be disappointed, do it.

The class, Kim on the left. Each cubbie along
the left wall of Sally Jeans studio are filled with inspiring
treasures. (sorry no photos of the cubbies, I am lucky
to have snapped the few photos I did as I became so
engrossed in creating and soldering.)






My charms, I can't wait to solder more!





Fun.


Visit Sally Jeans Website
Sally Jeans Blog

Sally's friend Cheryl and Sally Jean.

Kimberly Scheewe Kirk . . . Artist

Some of my wonderful sister Kimberly's artistic journal
pages from the Play Retreat in Port Townsend,
with Teesha & Tracy Moore.

These are a sampling of some of Kim's creative foundations
 to play, doodle, paint and layer on top of.

I love her artwork. 
Her colors and design reflect her personality,
full of life, color and fun and a great sense of humor.

The cover for her journal.  She went for it and created
a colorful, playful patchwork from boxes.  Love it.

 


I love this owl.
(copyright 2009 Kimberly Scheewe)




Delicious colors.

My Favorite New Bike Basket....happy valentines day!

Love this bike basket, it is just too cute. 
I had to buy two, one for my cruiser bike which I
just adore to no end and a white basket to store art
supplies in.

If you feel compelled to buy one visit:
SFMOMA

Play-Journaling Retreat Port Townsend

A weekend of creating and making art with
my dear friend and fun sister Kimberly.  We had a fabulous,
time together at Teesha and Tracy Moores Play Retreat in
Port Townsend. They are both such generous, artistic people,
 it made the weekend a great experience. 

My wonderful and creative sister Kim on the right,
organizing and searching through images.
(I will be posting some of Kim's Journal pages shortly).
Across the table, Kathy our creative good souled table mate,
we loved sitting with her and her husband Vince. 
(And I thought they were in the photo),
to the left are Ruth and Adriana. 
We had a great group to sit and create with.

Busy little bees.  I was so absorbed in creating, I hardly took
any photos, got up and out of my chair, or could even engage
my mind enough to chat!  9am to 9pm! Create, paint, noodle
and play, play, play.

The in progress cover of my 16 page Journal.


The beginning background layering for some journal pages.




Journal pages further along in the process of playing.






Copic Markers: are my new very favorite tool to play with.
I love them.  They are instant gratification for filling in
doodles, adding shading, lettering and playing.



I loved the weekend, spending time with my sister and
making art together, dinner & lunch with friends,
meeting new friends,
being inspired by Teesha & Tracy
and waking up to an 5:15 am earthquake!!!

Journal Pages

Doodling

Doodling is like meditating for me, I feel so relaxed
and lost in the noodling and doodling.
I throw a little color on a page with some acrylic or ink
washes, paste down a few elements, come back and do
some doodling, writing, painting, layering and doodling. 
I may cut a page apart to use in other collages. 
No masterpiece, the whole purpose is to relax and
have some fun,
just for me.

 

Hello again!!!

 

 

It is a New Year!

I have been purging, organizing, cleaning out all the bits that no longer are relevant and finding a clarity of mind with it, breathing space and renewed energy.  It is amazing what a good house clearing can do for my being.  If change, subtle or grand is what you are looking for, I highly recommend a top to bottom, every drawer, closet, box and corner clear.   Lighten the load!

 

 

(my collage/painted pieces)

 

Snow and Daffodils

We live in Portland, Oregon and Spring has yet to arrive this year.  It is the spring of Snow & Daffodils!  Cold, cold weather and blossoms trying to wake up.  March 28th I awoke to snow falling!  Quiet, white beautiful clumps.  Some part of me wanted to run outside and stand there as it fell but, Greg had made me a warm cup of coffee that was to good to let go of.  I always feel that little tingle inside when I see snow, even thought I grew up skiing almost every weekend of my childhood during the Winter, I still get excited by its magic.
So I am longing for good weather.

Images from, Martha Stewart Living.