Upward Beauty

So after drawing two faces that are looking straight ahead I thought I should again get out of my comfort zone and try to have a lady looking upward toward the sky. So I started sketching and this is what I came up with.

 

 

By this stage of the retreat I had gotten forgetful and was having too much fun so I forgot to take a picture of just the sketch on my wood panel canvas. I again decided to have lotus flowers in the background and am yet to decide if I will put a quote or favourite saying on the panel.

 

For this project I used Neo Colour II Crayons, Prisma pencils and a bit more acrylic paint the on the last panel.

I also created a third wood panel which makes a series of 3, however I didn't get a chance to finish her before I left the scrapbooking retreat. I am hoping to have time to finish her on the weekend and then I can share her with you. And whilst I am no amazing artist I am happy with my progress drawing/sketching faces just from the practice I had on the weekend. I don't think that next time I go to sketch a face I will be so daunted. Infact, I think I'll be a little excited cos I don't even know how they will turn out lol.

 

Thanks again for stopping by

 

Cassandra

 



Woodpanel Beauty

So today I am back to share the first wood panel canvas I created on my scrapping retreat as mentioned in yesterdays post.

 

Below is the sketch of the face I did on the wood panel, and one thing I can say about working on a 12x12 square panel compared to working in a large, tall moleskin book is that I found the faces I was sketching were much rounder. I wasn't intentionally going for that look, so I may have to get hubby to cut a few rectangle wood panels for me to try sketching on and see how the faces turn out then lol.

 

 

I used a mixture of ink, neo colour II watersoluble crayons, paint, paint pens and pencils to complete this piece. I'd never drawn or painted lotus flowers before so they are my first attempt. I am happy with them for a first attempt and I was lucky enough that my friend Jodie had some lotus flowers she had drawn with her so I could use them as a reference too.

 

It only seemed fitting that she should have blue hair! I mean hello, I love blue hair lol.

 

I'll share another one tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by.

 

Cassandra

 



Luckiness and Art

I have been very busy but very lucky the last couple of weeks.

 

On Grand Final weekend we went on a 4 day caravan/camping weekend with friends and took our gorgeous rescue dog Daisy! It was Daisy's first camping trip so that was exciting and nerve racking, and apart from some anxiety on both her part and mine, she loved it!! And then on the weekend just gone I was lucky enough to go on a 4 day scrapbooking retreat with some awesome ladies! It was only about 45 mins from home too, so super convenient!

 

I must admit I had no idea what I would do or create on this retreat. I felt I had lost my mojo. So I just took as much junk as I could fit in the back cab of hubby's Navara and thought even if I don't use it all, at least it is there so I have the choice.

Funny thing is I ended up only using the items that were packed onto my craft trolley! It was fantastic. I grabbed my Jane Davenport book and just began drawing faces as per her instructions on her book. I am not keen on drawing tiny faces so I decided to draw a big face. Here is my first attempt.

 

 

And below her wavy fly away hair.

 

I loved the proportions of everything I had drawn on this face! So I decided to add some colour using Neo Colour II Watersoluable Crayons, Prisma Pencils and various other goodies.

 

And yeah she has a long neck, but I don't care! I wasn't going for realism here, I wouldn't like to put that pressure on myself for starters, I am more then happy with a whimsical look.

 

Anyway, I never expected her face to be so beautiful, so I was spewing I had drawn this face in a moleskin journal with paper that was not suited to water as it is buckled. I knew I should have used my Mixed Media Journal instead lol. So then I started getting out my wood panel canvases. I'll share the first one tomorrow.

 

Thanks for stopping by

 

Cassandra

 

 



Announcing Technique Class #5

Announcing!!

Technique Class #5 - Self Levelling Medium Canvas!

 

Where: Kaisercraft Geelong
When: Friday 16th October
Time: 10am til 1pm Kaisercraft...
Cost: $50 (Frame not included)
(Non Refundable Deposit of $20 Required for this Class)

 

I've been dying to teach a class on this wonderful product by Derivan! Self Levelling Medium was only introduced to the market in April this year!

 

In this class you will get a 250ml bottle of Self Levelling Medium of your own to create a 11x16inch canvas board! You will use your own choice of colours ofcourse to suit your personality or to suit a room in your house!

 

 

 

 

Canvases will need to either stay instore overnight to dry, or be taken home at your own risk, as the Medium does need to dry.

 

Deposits can be made instore with cash only or by Bank Deposit to my account.
Details:
Account Name: Cassandra Bright
BSB #: 063523
Account #: 10561283

 

Call KaisercraftGeelong to book your seat (03) 5222 3965
Feel free to contact me on fb or by email if you have any questions

 

Cassandra

 



Craftroom Clutter

So for about a week now I have been sitting in my craftroom unable to create, study or do anything in there as a matter of fact because it has been driving me insane!!!!!

 

Now, let me also start this post also by mentioning that I am very grateful for my craftroom. I know there are a hell of a lot of people out there be they scrapbookers, mixed media artists or any arts or crafts persons of any kind who would kill to have a craftroom, let alone one as big as mine. So I am very grateful for the fact that also have a very supportive husband, who just so happens to be a very talented DIY type as well.

 

 I remember in our last house we sold, I had one of the single (children sized) bedrooms as my craftroom. But when hubby, myself and my two Labradors where all in there I was suffocating. And I joked that I would love to take over the main bedroom as my craftroom. Well, that weekend I went to a 3 day scrapbooking retreat and came home to find my hubby had spent all weekend moving my entire room of supplies into the master bedroom for me! And setting up the bedding in my old small craftroom! I mean HELLO! What wife doesn't dream of her hubby doing that for her lol.

 

Then I wanted to start teaching at home. So hubby converted the single car garage out the back into a classroom! He put carpet in and heating and set up a coffee station. It was great. But yes, we sold and moved out.

 

But, I now have a craftroom/classroom that is the size of a single car garage in our industrial shed where we live! So I have never been neglected, and once again I am grateful for that. However, lately that room has seemed so small!!!!!! It has felt like I have product and junk caving in on me and it has beyond stifled my creativity. I spent the last two days just sitting in that dam room not knowing how to change so I was happy enough in my environment again to begin creating. Ofcourse money is a huge factor as I have not been lucky enough to be working very often lately. So I needed a change that was achievable.

 

So today after lunch I thought stuff it and hubby helped me attack my room. We were just going to move a bookcase. But we ended up moving a absolutely HUGE air compressor that has been taking up a corner and looking ugly. Then that left room to move a few other things. I also got my butt into gear and removed class trestle tables and extra chairs back into our shipping container as I don't have a class at home for a few weeks and that opens up so much space instantly. We moved the tv slightly and rejigged the peg boards and product.

 

Here is a pic of the backwall after todays efforts:

 

 

And we also added more art to the walls and layouts too:

 

It just feels so much more spacious.

One major major MAJOR thing my craftroom lacks that continually makes me unhappy and which I consider a necessity under normal circumstances is.......

NATURAL LIGHT

arghhhhhhhhhh the fact I don't have any natural light saddens me to no end. Unfortunately there is no change of adding any natural light to my craftroom. The closest I can get is leaving a roller door up (which is next to the entrance door to my craftroom) and letting light from our industrial shed come through. Before today I had a big bookcase and peg board not even allowing that. So I changed all that today, so that on nice warm days I can open the roller door and let the warm northerly winds come in and the natural light too.

 

We do have to make the best of our situations :)

 

I am so relieved that I can now walk into my craftroom without a heavy heart and lack of creativity. I can instead walk in excited again with my space and ready to create!

 

Woooooo!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Cassandra

 



A layout for me

It's been so long since I did something crafty and creative that was actually for me, and not for a class. So the other night a few crafty friends came over and with the encouragement of one friend who turns junk into craft gold! I actually looked through some of my craft items and even found things I forgot I had brought. It was like winning a craft lotto lol. So I ended up with a pile of product on my table and I just began. And this is the finished project.

This poor piece of cardstock certainly went to hell and back lol. I think next time I might be wise to try using a piece of watercolour paper as the base. It would be less likely to buckle under all the sprays, mists and water being used on it. I even got out my craft iron to try straighten the paper a bit lol. 

 

I LOVE this frame by Prima! I've been saving it for a special project. I think I better try buy some more before they are a deleted product. I have also used some of the Prima Mica Powders, Micro Beads and Mica Flakes. Gotta love Prima, always excellent product and quality. 

 

It was so hard to think of something to put on this page by the way of a title. Especially where I had the stickers to make up the feelings I wanted to express. So this layout it titled 'beautiful' for short.

 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to get crafty!

 

Cassandra

Blog Neglect

WOW!

 

For the entire time I have had a blog, I have never neglected it as much as I have neglected this blog this year. I must say I believe the reason is because of my internet connection. Last year in July we moved only one suburb and we went from speedy broadband internet to boring, terrible, painfully slow old internet connection. And to upload even a picture to blogger or facebook for that matter is soooooooo slow! I mean kill me lol. Yes, yes first world problem I know. But once you have had broadband going back ain't fun. Even trying to watch a youtube video can be impossible argghhhhhhh!

 

Anyway I am going to try make a conscious effort to again give my poor blog attention incase anyone out there in web actually checks or follows this blog :)

 

So here are some pics of some projects I have been creating this year :)

 

 

A bit of a mix of drawings, mixed media and layouts.

As you can see I need a lot of practice with my drawing, I don't nearly do enough to ever improve. Maybe that can be a future goal :)

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 I'll be sure to be back more often from now on.

 

Cassandra

 



Scrapalong Crop Blooming Beauty Class

A while ago I was thrilled to be invited to teach my 'Blooming Beauty' Canvas class at Scrapalong's Monthly Crop Day by Tracey and Katie (owners).

 

Finally on Saturday the Crop day came around and I was welcomed with open arms, smiles and much excitement and enthusiasm! I was blown away at how motivated all these gorgeous ladies were! This is quite a challenging canvas to create as we work on natural sticky back canvas. No gesso, just extremely porous canvas with Distress Markers, Stains Sprays etc. So there is a large area for out of control bleeding of the ink colours. But these gorgeous ladies took it all in their stride and they couldn't wait to get started, they just jumped straight in!

 

 

Some ladies were very inspirational and even chose to choose the colour of the flowers themselves and make the canvas their own which I always encourage. And here are the end results!

 

Cheryl and Lesley

 

 Tracey

 

 Tracey had been waiting to do this class for a year and a half! She did a brilliant job!

Katie chose to use Brushed Pewter on her flowers as well and it looks gorgeous! What a great colour combination.

 

Bec altered the shape of the hair on her canvas and I absolutely loved it!

 

Below is a picture of Cheryl's canvas close up.

 

Lyn used each of Tim Holtz Distress Stains in Silver, Bronze and Copper and it wowed me! Her large flower was simply smooshed into the 3 stain colours and turned out brilliantly! I was very inspired!

I still can't stop saying THANK YOU!

Thank you to Tracey and Katie for inviting me to teach at their Scrapalong Monthly Crop Days in Caroline Springs.

Thank you to the gorgeous ladies who did and even didn't participate in the class. You were all so overwhelmingly excited and welcoming. I felt right at home and for that I thank you!

I hope you all have me back some day :)

 

Thanks for stopping by

 

Cassandra Bright

 



Steampunk Canvas

OMG, doesn't time fly!

I have to admit I just simply can't keep up this year and I think each year gets worse lol. In my last post I promised to share a Steampunk Canvas that I created at a retreat I went to a couple of months ago with Scrapalong.

 

So finally here it is!

 

 

I used the 'Face' stencil by Artist Jane Davenport as well as Tim Holtz Distress Marker, Stains and Ink Pads. I have added chipboard and metal cogs as well as metal findings. It was so much fun to make and no doubt in the future I will make more.

 

I hope you enjoyed. Thank you so much for stopping by

 

Cassandra Bright

 



Live A Beautiful Life

 

I've got another layout today which I made a couple of months ago and haven't shared here yet. I have been lucky enough to work with a lovely and super talented crafter and now it seems photographer Shirley Hampshire Towan! Shirley needed a baby to practice her photography and I just happened to have a 12 week old niece who was growing way too fast for my liking.

 

So Shirley was nice enough to photograph her. And look at one of the results below! Isn't that photo amazing? I didn't want it to get lost in all the flowers and papers like most photos do these days. We seem to like putting tiny photos on a big page and not vice versa.

 

 

 

As usual this photo of my layout does no justice to the photo and layout in person, but hopefully you get the idea :)

 

I'll be back tomorrow to share a Steampunk Canvas. Thanks for stopping by!

 

Cassandra Bright

Happy Mothers Day! And some layouts to share!

Everybody knows my Labradors are my life!

So today I am sharing a few layouts I have done with my labs on them. Firstly below is a layout with the gorgeous Graphic 45 Raining Cats and Dogs Collection! I have to say this collection is the BEST animal collection I have ever seen!

 

Yes, we have all seen the cutesy same old papers with cartoon fire hydrants on them and plain old paw print papers. But honestly it was about time someone gave us animal lovers some real paper with real substance to scrap our beloved animals. And if anyone was going to deliver that it was always going to be Graphic 45!

 

 

You may have also noticed that Kaisercraft came out with a pet collection of papers too called Furry Friends! I really liked this range as the colours were nice and neutral. Unlike a pet range they brought out quite a few years ago that was purples and blues. It just wasn't nice back then lol. But I am loving this range because it is so versatile.

 

 

 

A Kaisercraft Collection I must have missed last year was Bow and Arrows. It is now a deleted line of Kaisercrafts. But is it gorgeous with its feathers, arrows and gentle colour palette. Again a very versatile collection.

 

That's it for today, but thanks for taking the time to stop by!

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Cassandra Bright

 

 

Mixed Media Canvas

A few months ago Kaisercraft brought out a New Collection called 'Shine Bright'!

 

I loved this collection for three reasons.

 

1. Being that the colour yellow reminds me of my beloved dog Missy Precious. And this collection has a lot of yellow!

2. It has the words 'You are my sunshine' printed on some items. I always called Missy Precious my little ray of sunshine and I would sing 'You are my sunshine my only sunshine ..... " to her when she wasn't well. I also got the first line of that song tattooed on my inner wrist and forearm when she passed away, right next to her paw tattoo.

3. It is called 'Shine Bright' and my last name is Bright lol!

 

So as you can see it was a match made in heaven!

 

 

So I made a sort of Mixed Media Explosion Canvas with a very bad picture of Missy Precious and myself. Unfortunately I never got many pictures of us together so I used what I had.

 

I cut open the canvas and glued another framed canvas to the rear of the orginal to make a shadow box.

 

These two photos give you a better idea of the dimension of the project.

 

Ow and here is a photo of the tattoo mentioned earlier :)

 

 

 

Thanks so much for visiting!

Enjoy your weekend :)

 

Cassandra Bright

 

 



Unshared Scrapping

 

I've been neglecting my blog this year haven't I?

I must admit it is easier to use and update my facebook page Cassandra Bright - Mixed Media Artist/Teacher on a regular basis. But it also hasn't helped that when we moved house last year, we went from living in a area with fast broadband internet to a area with plain of crappy internet speed, which means uploading pictures is a nightmare lol. I am not a person of patience when it comes to technology that is for sure!

Anyway here are a few pages I still had not shared here on my blog.

 

 

This layout above is of my gorgeous niece Esma when she was little. She is now 3 years old!

 

This layout above is of my beloved Missy Precious who is in heaven xo

 

And this layout above is of my precious niece Viola who is only 7 months old. She was born the day before my birthday! So I am very excited to have someone to basically share my birthday with from now on.

 

Thank you for taking the time to look at my pages. I'll be sharing some more projects I have worked on tomorrow :)

 

Cassandra Bright