Mixed Media Learnshop!

Greetings Everyone!!!!

STC has been working very hard to prepare for the 2014 Festival of Learnshops that started last week with lots of creativity and excitement all about town. However, I wanted to pop into the blog with a quick post sharing some FABULOUS news!  I have been asked to take on two additional Learnshops that focus on creating Mixed-Media Art Journals!  The picture loaded for this post is an example of one of the pages we will create.  A shout out to Vicki P for the inspiration! Of course, many of you are not surprised to see that I chose one of my favorite images... pumpkins! I will share student projects in my next post.

The classes start this week and it is not too late to participate.  If interested in joining us or in the Festival overall, please click this link and find out more.  Please share with your connections and come participate!

Thanks for all your support and have a great week! 

Blessings,

Jeannette

Water and Oil DO Mix

Hi all!

Can you believe I have surfaced after over a month?! I truly did not mean to be gone so long but time just flew by as work and STC picked up the pace of the nicer weather. Even though I have been on the road, I have continued to learn new techniques to share and spread the STC mission.  To start the post, here is the other Mother's Day card I promised to post last month....Yikes.  I mixed pink and green Gelatos with molding paste and then spread it over a stencil on a thin sheet of canvas. The texture is really fun and something a little different from my norm. I used distress ink around the sides and some pattern paper to tie it all together. Mom loved the colors. 

Before I chat about some technique adventures, wanted to share some exciting happenings...

• STC getting enrollment in our largest fundraiser of the year... The Berea Festival of Learnshops. You can still sign up so check out this link for the complete variety of classes.  I am teaching two Stamping workshops and one on use of pencils and markers.  A really cool thing being offered for my workshops are teacher certification credits for K-12 teachers who need professional development over the summer.--love this additional support.
• STC volunteers and survivors participated in the June Relay for Life event.
• $190 raised through sale of survivor made cards.
• Amazon Smiles activated and received first deposit of $10...keep shopping everyone!
• STC a new designee for Thrivent Gives program.
• Community workshops scheduled for June, July, and August.

From the creative side of my world, I have been working on a few new techniques. As I meet with and provide stamping/art supplies to survivors, it is amazing to discover the large range of creative talent they possess.  One survivor shared her love of water coloring but that she now struggled with the drawing of the images. We took out the STC stamp set and played around with her paints combining types of inks and colors...I was fascinated.  When I got home, I pulled out some old water colors left over from my children and practiced some of the techniques learned that day.  The images below are all the same stamp set by Sheena Douglass but using a variety of water color and ink combinations.  Not so bad for a rookie. Maybe we should add a set of watercolors to our totes?

During my most recent trip for work, I was sharing some of my technique interests with a colleague and she suggested an after work outing to a local art store.  While we were browsing, she suggested I try oil pastels.  I was feeling so brave after my general watercolor experience, that I figured, why not.  The fun of cardmaking is that it is so dynamic and embraces all creative options. Remember, my New Year's resolution was to create an art journal and that would be a safe place to practice.  Bought a starter set and began practicing as soon as I got home.  Below are my first efforts. What do you think? I was quite tickled BUT no one told me that oil pastels NEVER dry..talk about a mess. I fell back on an old cardmaking trick and covered the whole thing with gell medium and it actually worked.  

What I have discovered this past month is that when it comes to survivors, love and creativity are boundless. When it comes to trending styles and techniques for Cardmaking, oil and water do mix!  

Thanks for stopping by!

Jeannette

Run for the Roses and Mother's Day Wishes

Hello and Happy Tuesday!!

May has started with many inspiring card making opportunities... May Day, Derby Day, Star Wars Day, Cinco de mayo (have you seen the silly mayonnaise in the sink posts), and of course Mother's Day! I didn't want to miss out on all the creative fun so here are my contributions to two of my favorite, Derby Day and Mother's Day.  While my husband was watching all the pre-race programs for the Kentucky Derby, I pulled out my art journal and created this page as I listened in the other room. The background was created by blending Pan Pastels across the pages, stamping the squares with Versamark ink, and then going over the area with the same Pan Pastel colors.  Because Versamark is clear and sticky, the pastel darkened where the stamp was placed. I then coated the pastels with gel medium and because I used a dry brush, the color did not lift off or muddy. The roses were stamped onto cardstock and I colored them using oil pencils and cut out.  The horses were stamped and colored with india ink. The entire project was covered with gel medium so I could do some shading and protect the layers. I hope this gives California Chrome some positive vibes for a Triple Crown Year....Sorry it wasn't a KY bred horse, but I love the rags to riches story :).

Before I share my Mother's Day creations, some Stamp to Cope, updates....

- So excited to share that Stamp to Cope, Inc. in now an approved option for all Thrivent policy holders that participate in Thrivent Choice Dollars! Please consider selecting Stamp to Cope when making your choice.   See your Thrivent representative or check out the Thrivent Choice Dollars program for more details.
- STC was invited to  participate in a new project in Berea called First Fridays.  As part of a community sharing, the Village Trough and Berea Tourism are hosting activities every Friday through the Spring and Summer. I am in communication for specifics but it looks like the ability to have a table each Friday (or any amount of Fridays) to provide STC information and share our mission.
- Berea Festival Learnshops registration and advertising is picking up steam.  This is STC's largest fundraising event so I am excited to be receiving such wonderful public relations support to showcase our workshops.  Be sure to check it out, register, and spread the word.  THANKS!

Now, back to the creative portion of the blog :)!

I made this card for my most wonderful Mother-in-Love (swiped that saying from my sister)!  The fun part of this card is that I used the same technique from my journal page...see it is working!  This time, though, I layered the Pan Pastel colors...yellow first, then purple over top.  As you can see, when I stamped with Versamark and went back over with the purple, the layered colors just popped! The sunflower was stamped on cardstock, colored with oil pencils, and cut out.  I used layering tape to give it some lift.  I am mailing it today so she gets it in plenty of time!

Next post, I will share the card I made for my Mother...definitely an experiment (the card not my mom ;))!!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week.
love,
Jeannette

Easter Blessings

A Blessed Easter Everyone!!!!

For all my Lutheran bloggers... "He is Risen"...."He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!!"  Celebrate the miracle of the season!

Thank you to everyone that participated in our efforts for Kentucky Gives day and a huge shout out to all of you that have been using Amazon Smiles.  STC is so appreciative of the continued love and support we are receiving for our mission.  We are so blessed!!!!

Several things coming around the corner for STC....
- Still receiving cards from survivors and supporters to place in the STC Totes....beautiful work!
- Preparing for several local workshops at churches and community centers.
- Planning event with the Madison County Breast Cancer Survivors Group for November Women's Wellness...STC has a booth.
- Berea Festival Learnshops registration is now open.  This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and I am very excited to add Pencil Techniques to the offerings. The three I will be conducting in July are..
Alcohol Markers and Colored Pencil Techniques 
Rubber Stamping Art - Beginner
Rubber Stamping Art - Advanced

Please visit the links, register, and share the news!!!!

Hoping Spring has finally found its way! Enjoy!
love
Jeannette

KY Gives and Stamp two ways

Happy St. Patrick's Day Bloggers!!

I could not pass up such a fun card making holiday without posting a little "bit o' luck" for St. Patrick's Day! However, since I seem to be hitting the blog only once a month lately (I do hope to be post more soon), I wanted to share some Easter joy too! Doing them together gave me a way to share how one background stamp and the same pattern sketch can produce very different looks... The secret...just change the color focus.

To create the background on both cards, I used a variety of gellato colors on a "plaid" stamp by Hero Arts. When sprayed with water, the gellato color melts to give a watercolor look (very popular).  I then found a matching ribbon and selected theme appropriate images for the focal points.  For the Easter card the egg colors were created with distress markers put right over the rubber stamp and then moistened before stamping. The colors were a perfect match for the plaid. For the St. Patty's Day card, I used waxed colored pencils to project depth and threw in some orange for my protestant roots :).  Hope you find your Irish today!

BIG NEWS!!!!  April 9th!!!  

Before I sign off, I wanted to share some exciting news for Stamp To Cope, Inc. for 2014.  We have been asked, once again, to participate in the 2014 Kentucky Gives Day schedule for April 9th!!.  This is a chance for KY Non-Profits to fundraise for 24 hours.  Please click on this link to learn more and support our mission!!!  Remember, April 9th click on the link and show the love!

Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Jeannette

Warm My Heart

Hello Bloggers!

Yes, it has been a while since I posted, but be assured that Stamp to Cope has been moving forward in our mission for 2014!  While January is now behind us, we took that time to secure the following events on the calendar and planning has begun...

Fundraising Presentation event - April

Berea Festival Learnshops - July

2nd Annual Survivor pARTy - October

Table at Women's Wellness Day - November

We are also working on community and individual outreach with stamping workshops and tote bag give-aways for our Survivors. Please be sure to spread the word if you area aware of an organization that would benefit from a workshop.

Now that it is February, thoughts turn to Valentine's Day in the card making world. With the unseasonably cold and snowy weather here in Berea, though, I have been to cold to be inspired with the usual cupids, doilies, and dominance of red.  So, I decided to take a different approach to share my Valentine wishes. Every morning my darling husband makes coffee for me and it so warms my heart and body.  His kindness inspired me to try and share the same warm in spirit.  For the card I made my mother, I added an an image of the little girl since I am her youngest. 

Happy Valentine's everyone!  Stay warm and safe.  Now I need to go listen to the Thompson Twins version of "Hold Me Now" ...Warm my heart. 

Blessings,

Jeannette

Resolution Journal

Happy 2014 Everyone!!!

Hope everyone had a joyous holiday and thanks for returning to the STC blog for another year!

As we enter the new year, many people create resolutions...I, usually, am not one of them. My perspective, especially as it relates to Survivorship, is "resolve to be the best you can everyday"! Therefore, for me, deciding that at the beginning of a year to embrace enhancements instead of embracing growth everyday, somehow, makes me feel ungrateful for this second chance.

However, over the Christmas break, while in my ultra creative mode, I came across several vlogs, encouraging Art Journalling.  I decided to give it a try and was pleasantly surprised with the impact it had on my perspective and creative flow. It was a great way to test out techniques, make a mess, and expand my comfort zone. I was quite hooked. So, imagine my own surprise when I ..yes I.. made a resolution to keep an Art Journal for 2014.

A journal is usually quite a personal and private thing. But when my fellow survivor, mentor, and friend, Judy posted her beautiful art piece on Facebook today, I was inspired to share my creations.

 I look forward to this creative challenge throughout the year and hope you will consider trying an Art Journal option for yourself!

Blessings for a CREATIVE new year!!!
Jeannette

Merry Marriage Christmas!

Happy Christmas Eve Everyone!!!!!

I am done all my shopping, I have caught up on email (at least for the next 5 minutes), and I am finally accepting that Christmas is here...literally!  Before I head out to Church this evening, I wanted to give a shout out to my wonderful and loving support partner...my husband Greg!  Our 14th anniversary was on Sunday and it was fun to create a card and matching paper that brings together several elements of Christmas and a marriage celebration.

I could not "wrap" up the year for Stamp to Cope, without sharing my appreciation to Greg, my family, and my friends for standing by my side as we serve others.  THANK YOU ALL!!!

Merry Christmas and a blessed 2014!!!
love
Jeannette

The Color of Thankful!

Happy Greetings Bloggers!

Originally, this post was going to be a picture of a Thanksgiving card I made and some updates on what we have been doing here at Stamp to Cope.  However, when I sat down to type, I realized I was still riding on the excitement of being at Disney World for the Sloan C conference last week (thanks everyone who came out for my presentation!)! Instead of focusing on how I made my card and how it ties in with the holiday, I found myself flipping through my pictures, unfolding my Magic Kingdom Guide Map, staring at my extensive Disney Pin collection, and daydreaming about past trips with family and friends.   So many of my thankful memories coincide with trips to Disney World....

As a young girl, my first airplane ride and actually spending time as a whole family since my dad worked long hours.
As a young teen (16), going alone with my older sister (18) and finding out how cool she really was...we felt so grown up..(note to Cookie...remember Slimy Limy's)
As a young women, going to the grand opening of Epcot and discovering a behind the scenes world like no other.
As a first time mom, watching the magic and awe through my daughter's eyes.
As a wife, enjoying the romance of riding the rides with my soul-mate...I love you Greg!
As a second time mom, realizing on the Disney Transportation that my son has a gift for making people smile.
As a Cancer survivor, getting a "Disney Wish" granted that my husband and children would be rewarded for providing such wonderful support.
As an artist, amazed at the creativity in everything Disney.
As a career women, so blessed to be able to share experience and skills with others in such a glorious venue.

Like the picture of a Cinderella's Castle above (thank you my loving daughter Carly for merging it together for me), my thankfulness is FULL of color!

Love to all and a Blessed Thanksgiving!
Jeannette

Harvest Herd

Happy Fall Y'all!

Not sure what it is like in your area, but Berea is finally feeling, to me, like Fall!  Leaves just changed color and then quickly disappeared after a weekend of rain.  Seems like if I had blinked I would have missed it...happens in quite a few areas of life I suspect :).  It did remind me that Thanksgiving is right around the corner and more festive holiday events are coming my way...truly a card makers time of year for bulk! Now all I need to do is make time to actually create with time to send.

However, before I get lost in the pull of the Season, I wanted to play around with dimensional technique. I am so lucky to belong to a card making group called PaperKutz and mentioned my interest.  These wonderful ladies meet once a month and share tips, techniques, and the latest trends in the paper crafting world. Look what we worked on at a recent meeting! It is fabulous to know Stamp to Cope has so many talented women supporting what we do.

So, from my herd to yours, have a super week and enjoy the Fall while it lasts!
Blessings,
Jeannette