Not quite New Years

The holidays commandeer a load of time so I'm finally returning to post after two months. I've had a lot of wonderfully inspiring time to create lately. My friends and I had our art retreat which is the genesis of the name of this blog Artapalooza!!  We hunker down in my studio and create. 

After receiving a gift of tiny canvases 4x4" I created one today. Coincidentally, the online show Make It Artsy had a segment where an artist showed how to create these using paper scraps and a little paint, plus some tissue paper. 

http://www.makeitartsy.com/programnotes_100.htm

It's great to hang on to tissue papers, particularly white for these projects. White tissue allows you to soften or correct a work. It also allows you to add a stamped image and not commit until you like it, so that's really helpful. 

Here's mine, which is a quote by Frida Kahlo!

More to follow!

Tiny boxes

My friend made me this adorable little box for a swap. I loved it and even more when I learned that I could make it with a template I already own. 

So here's my box, made from 6x6 double sided paper. 

This is the envelope template used to make the box!  

The template made by We R Memory Keepers and it punches and has score lines to make various sized envelopes. It comes with a plastic folding tool. 

Just line up to 1 3/8" and punch, then use scorer to make score ling along the groove starting in the bottom right corner.  Then move to 4" and repeat.

Turn the paper counter clockwise and repeat on each side.  You'll end up with the following.

Cut along the score lines and use a corner rounder!  You'll then just tape up the sides and have a little box!  You can punch holes and attach ribbon to decorate.

Great for party favors!!  Here's a blog post that has the complete instructions tiny box template

Makeshift Billboard

I happen to pass an intersection on my way home from work and I've noticed that there is a very basic wooden sign. Periodically, some mystery person decorates the sign, customizing it according to current events, or their take on life. 

Don't know who's doing in this but I'm starting to really be entertained by it!!  Here's one of the recent displays, voicing an apparent opinion on the election. 

The latest, a take on the horrors in Syria. I love this homemade billboard. 

Let's see what comes next!!

Dahlias!!

My neighbor grows these beautiful dahlias and I thought I'd send out a virtual bouquet!!!

Beauty speaks for itself. 

Love this use of paper!

Went to the Chicago History Museum and saw this creative display with a costume from the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Love the paper hair!!

Chicago!!

I used to live in Chicago over 35 years ago. Just visited and the city looks amazing. Chicago has amazing architecture and there are so many cool things to see.  I was eager to see Millenium Park. They have fountains where they project photos of native Chicagoans and they "spray" water on people!  Whimsical and clever and the kids love them, particularly at this time of year. 

Public art that is interactive is the best!!

We saw "the bean" as locals call it. Amazing from every angle, and it's great watching people interact with it. 

Love this selfie!!

Then we went across the street to the Chicago Cultural center. Totally amazing building beautifully preserved with intricate, gorgeous inlaid mosaics everywhere. 

This stained glass rotunda is breathtaking. 

Loved this tour!  

How about this table at a restaurant we passed by?

Then we walked past the Tribune building and embedded in the outer walls are relics from all over the world. Fascinating!!!  Too many to take pictures of, but there is a piece of a moon rock on the building. 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tribune-tower-wall-artifacts-htmlstory.html

Here's a link to a story about it!!  

I just adore this city, the people are nice and it looks fantastic. There is a lot of pride and those stewarding this town are doing it well. 

Kirigami

I think I have a new addiction! It's KIRIGAMI, which is similar to origami, using knife cuts, in addition to folding.  

A search of Pinterest opened up my world to this topic. I found some amazing templates, which I was able to print on the back of cardstock. Doing this allowed me to cut on the back and reveal the design.

The one below is one of my favorites. It's supposed to be a pencil/pen holder, but I cannot help imagine Ida, the charming protagonist from the game Monument Valley, walking up and down these steps.

I found the template at the site below:

http://www.extremepapercrafting.com/2010/01/improved-pencil-holder.html

The card below is a castle that I found on YouTube. I love it because it's primarily straight cuts, only a few curved ones. Plus, it's a great pop-up card.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmEolXRQd4s

Give it a try!!  It's really rewarding!

Have a great week!