holiday notecards in the shop!

I've got a small run of"holiday doodles" flat notecards in the shop! Remember all those doodles from my sketchbook? Well this is what they were intended for!

Use them as a holiday card or postcard

Or do what I did and turn then into little gift tags...

Or a garland!

p.s. Next week I'll be sharing more simple, last minute holiday decorating and wrapping ideas!

new online classes!

I have been working on number of things for the new year that I will be sharing in the weeks to come.

The first is a brand new online class that is a little different from the rest of my classes- called Create Daily. Recently, with all of the changes in my life, I've been doing a lot of reflection on how important it is for me to be creative and even more important to try and make time for it. As an artist, I need to be doing something daily to foster my growth and passion for art. Not only does it make me a better artist but it helps me to to survive everything that life throws my way. For years now, I have been setting aside time to do something creative every single day- it has become a practice that has brought clarity, balance and joy to my life.

create daily from Alisa Burke on Vimeo.

song-1901 by phoenix

Inspired by my own creative habits, I've created an online class that is structured as a 30 challenge for those looking to start a new routine that incorporates simple ways to be creative every day regardless of your schedule. From simple drawing and painting exercises to easy craft projects, photography, journaling and ways to find inspiration- I have assembled 30 posts- one SIMPLE idea, lesson or project to complete one day a time. The concept is that you commit to 30 days of doing something creative and small each day (or as much time as you are able to commit-there is no pressure!) and by the end of those 30 days you have developed a new habit or at least a new understanding of how to fit creativity into your daily routine!

The class goes live January 1, 2012- what better way to start the new year!

Just like the rest of my online classes you have unlimited access and the ability to work at your own pace so follow alone for the month of January or jump in down the road when you are ready for some creativity!

For all the class details head on over to my online shop!

I've also been hard at work on Sketchbook Delight Part 2! I really can't believe the feedback and amazing amount of participation that Sketchbook Delight has received and after many requests I have put together a sequel full of advanced sketching and drawing techniques, projects, drawing prompts, new concepts and lots of INSPIRATION! While the class won't be going live until February 1st I have decided to open registration it for the holidays (just in case you are looking for something unique to give or receive).

Head over to my online shop for more information

a couple of updates from the studio

I am one of the teachers participating in Christy Tomlinson's holiday class and today is the deadline to sign up!

Just in time for the holidays....

12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas... a five day mini workshop!

She has invited 10 of her artist friends from all over the globe to participate in this workshop. We will make ornaments and home decor projects for the holidays, get creative with paint, fabric, glass, glitter, metal and more! Each day for the first 4 days, 3 new ornaments will be posted by 3 of the teachers! On the 5th day.. there a few surprises in store with more artsy projects as well as fun PDF's and clipart for the holidays as well. Exclusive to this class!

The fabulous artists joining in the fun are-

Donna Downey, Margie Romney-Aslett, Danielle Donaldson, Junelle Jacobson, Kaari Meng, Shea Fragoso and Debbie Murray (the gilded girls!), Chrissy Gardner, Kelly Barton, Jeanne Oliver, and Alisa Burke!

So join us on December 5th.. for a fun filled mini workshop just in time to get your holiday juices flowing!

only 19.95!

Registration ends today!!! Can't wait to see you in the classroom!

I am thrilled to be teaching again at the CREATE Retreat May 30-Jun 3, 2012 in Irvine, California! Classes will be announced and registration will go live the first of the year so sign up for the CREATE Retreat email to stay connected!

In the next couple of days I will be announcing and opening registration for new online classes that I will be offering in the new year and my shop will have a few new things for the holidays so stay tuned!

guest post-repurposed plastic photo flower from tracie lampe post

I have asked a few of my creative friends to help me out with my blog here and there during my time with a new baby and today's guest post comes to you from Tracie Lampe

I first made a plastic photo flower pot for my friends children's birthday, she has 3 children so I made her a pot with a flower for each one. The best thing about this project is you probably have everything in your house! You can make them without the photo in the center for an event like a baby shower or birthday party!

1)Supplies
Plastic bottle
Scissors
Spray paint
Picture
3 inch circle punch
Plastic silverware ( for stem)
Rocks
Plastic caps
Plastic container ( yogurt cup, cottage cheese container or whatever you have on hand)
* Plastic glue- this is the one thing you probably don't have but you can find it at a hobby shop it's used for plastic models or you can use super glue.
Floral foam or styrofoam foam
Paper glaze ( optional )
Cardboard

2) cut bottle in 1/2 then cut petals ( they can be however long or short you want them to be), push petals open & spray paint (you only have to spray paint the front)

3) punch out picture & cardboard. Glue picture to cardboard & cover picture with paper glaze. Once dry glue into the center of bottle flower.

4) glue fork to back of flower with plastic glue or super glue. Let dry.

5) spray paint pot, let dry. Put floral foam or styrofoam in center of pot then push bottom of stem into foam. Fill with rocks so that it's weighted down then top with plastic caps.

My name is Tracie Lampe I live in Pinckney, MI with my family. It recently has been brought to my attention that I am an extremest! Recycling just wasn't enough I had to make stuff with it, crocheting wasn't enough I had to spin the yarn too, buying butter that too just didn't cut it I make my own now( working on making my own sour cream & yogurt too). My inspiration is Garbage, I know its not your normal inspiration but when I see a loaded up trash can I spot things in there and my wheels start spinning on how I can turn it into something useful! My husband says everyday is an adventure with me... So why not join me on my adventure check out my website/blog at RadicalRecycks.com.

online class- Stitched
FiberJuJu.etsy.com

a peek inside my sketchbook- holiday pattern

guest post- a look at a simple painted beach journal from Jill Berry

I have asked a few of my creative friends to help me out with my blog here and there during my time with a new baby and today's guest post comes to you from Jill Berry

Paint the colors of the beach, horizontally on a long piece of paper

Scrape the paint upwards, toward the sky

Fold in half, softly, to transfer the paint to the other side

Add salt or alcohol while the paint is wet to add texture

fold and stitch into a soft cover journal.

Jill Berry is an author, teacher of bookmaking, painting, mapmaking, artist’s books, journaling and storytelling structures. Lives in Superior, Colorado with two kids, one husband, and one big zen poodle.

Upcoming book, Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed-Media Mapmaking due 11/11

http://jillberrydesign.com/

http://jillberrydesign.com/blog/