Digital Collage Using Picasa

I'm very interested in learning digital scrapbooking for a lot of reasons.  Firstly, I don't want to devote quite as much space to scrapbooking supplies as I currently do.  Secondly, I have TONS of digital pictures.  (No surprise there.) And finally, I hear that making a digital scrapbook page is pretty quick- much quicker than a traditional one.

My problem is that I don't have Photoshop on my computer.  I also don't know how to use it.  When I use a computer program, I just tend to play around with it. I don't necessarily explore every option.  I downloaded a free version of Picasa by Google, and I use that to edit my photos nowadays.  I like Picasa because it's easy to use, has lots of options, and it interacts with my Google Account and Blogger!

I like making collages, both by hand and digitally.  One thing I've thought of doing is taking a bad picture and working it over in a picture editor until it's cool.

Unfortunately I didn't keep the original picture, but this is pretty close to what it was.

Here's one of the collages I did.

And here's another.

But this one is probably the best.

Collaged Journal and Day Planner

I just wanted to share a few pictures of some fun (and quick) projects I did over Christmas break.  

Why yes, I did complete this craft while on a road trip.

This was so easy!

1.  I bought a $1.00 planner in the dollar spot at Target.
2.  Then I covered it in beautiful stickers I found in my stash.

The stickers are from the now defunct Eziba of North Adams, MA.  Eziba was a really cool website featuring fair trade items from all around the world.  I am sure I got the stickers for free, but I don't remember how I got so many!  Anyway, all I did was collage these stickers all over the day planner.  Voila!  It's so cute and it only cost a dollar.

I folded some stickers over the edges.

This two-year planner is month-style and I'm using it to plan my blogging.  :)

Using more or less the same technique, I later collaged this journal.  

I added self-stick crystals and secured them with Glossy Accents.

This time the stickers were from Fusion Bazar.  I LOVE these stickers.  Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the vendor, but if I find out next time, I'll let you know.  I love the crystals and reflective tape.

mad culture

 This journal keeps me on track with my ideas and to-dos.

From a House to a Home

On my recent trip to the US, I asked my good friend if I could take some pictures in her home and post them here for all to see.

I was so impressed with this hand-embroidered quilt (which I got to use in the guest room!).

My friend's grandmother made this quilt by hand (at considerable time and effort, as you can see.) It's completely beautiful and so detailed. I could easily tell how much love was put into this creation.

Think about the process from start to finish. Pattern design or selection, picking out fabric and threads, embroidering, cutting, sewing, and batting. And (how cool is this?) the quilt is also educational. The next time I see a Gnatcatcher, I'll know what it is!

Grandmothers rule!

<- My friend also had this awesome cradle that was made by her dad for her precious little baby girl. What a wonderful family heirloom.






<- And this is a cool collage-looking print from... Target! (Not everything has to be handmade!) It completely fits in with the baby's nickname: Monkey! :o)

I had a great time visiting, and I loved all of the beautiful, handmade (and just plain cute) touches.

Tiny Endeavors

It is hard to believe that it has been over a month since I last blogged. Yes, this renegade thing was a bit of a bust on the ATC front, but I decided to give my cards away. I went on a super-crafting-expedition in New York City, which brought me to the far-off Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. (Side note: Whenever I am in Brooklyn, someone seems to mutter "F*ck" on the street. The first time I was there, I was waiting to cross the street and someone yelled out their window "What the f*ck!", as though they expected me to cross in front of them. A simple wave would have done! This time, I heard someone sighing dreamily behind me as I was walking down the street. It was like this: "yaaawn... f*ck.")

The masterminds at Etsy were having a big ol' staff meeting in the craft area, so I couldn't use the machines like I'd hoped. Hm. At least I got a little tour around the place. Fun! I also hit the village and picked up some rubber at "The Ink Spot", then dined on the Upper East Side with my sweet friend Mary and her poochie Luna. I also hit Kate's Paperie but I wasn't all that impressed. Don't get me wrong, their selection is amazing, but it's all stuff I've seen before. I'm so entrenched in the mainstream that I need something totally different!

I'll be embarking on my book-making adventure soon, but since a certain person will be getting said book, until it's gifted, it will be shrouded in intense secrecy. Suffice it to say: Pearl Paints on Canal Street is the bomb when it comes to beautiful craft papers.

The pictures above are just some little business card collages I did while sitting at a craft fair table with my mom at St. Thecla's. She did pretty well that day despite the fact that the fair was not at all well attended! I went home and busted out the paper punches. Ahhh.

Renegade Craft Fair

Hello you blogging, artsy, craftsy, crazy friends and fools. In an attempt to be more closely connected to my artistic side, I've created this blog as a space to post my works. What you'll see here is mostly pictures at first anyway. New friends, use this to keep in touch with me. Let me know your comments on my work. I'm hoping this may lead to something... What? Who knows?

I just recently moved to Chicago and after 8 weeks of inertia, I snagged a job as a craft instructor. Ask me if I've taught any classes yet. ...not yet. I'm still in training. But being in that environment is very social and fun, as well as inspirational.

I've been podcasting with Michelle from craftedby.us, and through her I learned about Artist Trading Cards. I made a few and I am raring to trade them today at the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. (This is but one advantage of living in a world-class city... who knew?)

I don't have much time before I have to go. I'm so excited. I am hoping that some of my trading buddies from the RCF will visit me at this blog!

ttfn,
Caissa