When there are complications or contrasts, I journal….

I had started this page in early December, kept trying different ways to do the screen that I wanted….I should have left the holes until I had decided.  I am liking how it is now.

I had first used a dark embroidery floss, too dark….

Next came, a grey embroidery floss, too bulky…..

I settled on grey quilting thread. After several attempts of having enough thread on the needle to thread through the whole opening – first one way and then the other way, I ended up tying the one end of the thread to the needle and left the thread on the spool.  I would sew 4 or 5 rows, before pulling more thread from the spool and adjusting it accordingly.

My vision for this was to look through a screen window and after much trial & error, I achieved it.

The butterfly was made from the cut out portion of the pages (3 layers glued together).  The butterfly comes out and I can feed it back into the layers of thread in another spot if I want to.

Sometimes, a page in YOUR journal doesn’t need words.  This page speaks to me.

On the inside, I drew one of my naked trees and wrote STANDING TALL.  I did a white wash of paint over the tree once the marker was dry.

My challenge to YOU is to make a window in your journal – any size, any shape.

Today is the start of the Art Retreat at the Mainstay Inn near Riverhurst, SK.

Mixed Media: The Basics & Beyond

If you couldn’t make this retreat, you can book me to come to your own private workshop……or get 5 of your friends together, we’ll do a two day workshop!!!

Mixed Media: The Basics & Beyond by Dale Anne Potter

Location: The Mainstay Inn, Palliser Park (near Riverhurst), SK

Take an older book and PLAY with different techniques!

This is a process class in which you will create backgrounds, borders, collaged images, experiment with monoprint, image transfer, water soluable crayons, stencil, stamps and stamp pads, gel pens, handmade papers, various inks and gel mediums. Each student will leave the class with many journal pages filled with new techniques and inspiration. These techniques will give you inspriation for cards, scrapbook pages, fabric paintings or your own artist journal.

Cost will be $180, which includes your double-occupancy room for Friday and Saturday, and meals.

A $50 deposit is required to hold your seat (to the Mainstay Inn).

Remaining payment of $130.00 due March 1, 2009.

Supply list will be sent once deposit is paid. Other supplies will be provided at the retreat.