Diana Trout's blog

Creative Jumpstart 2021, CyberMonday Sale!

I'm excited to announce that I'll be teaching with Creative JumpStart (CJS) 2021.

This year CJS, hosted by Nathalie Kalbach celebrates its 10th Anniversary and is bigger than ever! CJS, a dynamic one-of-a-kind online workshop, is designed to kick your creativity into high gear in the New Year. That even rhymes. Bam!

CyberMonday Only! Register today and get the special price of $49. 

 

CJS special 10th Anniversary edition includes

 

45 Mixed Media Artists

New videos everyday from January 1, 2021 through February 14, 2021

 

Participants get access to 45 downloadable videos from 45 featured artists, called “JumpStarters.”

 

You'll learn techniques, discover new materials, and connect with other artists and crafters. 

See for yourself here on my YouTube channel or here

 

Head on over to Nathalie's site to sign up and learn more: Go to NathalieStudios CJS21

 

With Creative JumpStart 2021 you get 45 videos - over 8 hours worth of downloadable video content. 

 

Sign up early to get a great deal:

 

Here is the pricing breakdown.

 

·  November 30th 8AM until 11:59PM EST - Cyber Monday Sale 49USD

·  December 1st 12:01AM EST until December 4th 11:59PM EST Cyber Week Sale 59USD

·  December 5th 12:01AM EST until December 31st 11:59PM EST- Early Bird Pricing 69USD

·  starting January 1st 12:01AM EST - Regular Price 89USD

 

So what are you waiting for? Jump with us! Sign up here at: N-Go to CJS21

 

Photos for download

In the Balance

Hello dear friends,

I posted this on Facebook and wanted to share it with you too. 

 

I'm committed to participating in the protests for social justice by sharing information on my Facebook page for local (Philly area) peaceful protests. George Floyd, an ordinary man had to die to energize us when this has been going on for so long. I feel disgusted by our government and orange man. But the disgust doesn't help. It simply is the catalyst that springs us to action. 

 

 

It's wonderful to see all of you folks out there protesting. You are doing a great job. I'm so proud and so relieved that Floyd's death may represent his brothers before him and be our springboard to meaningful change.

 

 

We can all help to make a difference. I'm convinced that our beautiful country is ready for this change. We have an opportunity to create a world that has progressed for ALL of us.

 

 

How are you folks holding up? Have you been in quarantine long? We are in week 12 and on Friday went to yellow phase. 

 

Are you reading? Watching TV? Getting buff with online exercise programs? Are you working?

Are you a health professional? I know there are some nurses here. I'm holding you in my heart. 

 

I'm holding you ALL in my heart.

I'm sending out all of the light, love, peaceful thoughts and encouragement that I can. I'm feeling a change in the air.

We make US proud. 

 

CJS Best of 2014/2015

Nathalie Kalbach is back with Creative Jumpstart in an instant download format!

Best of Creative JumpStart Vol. 1 is a collection of CJS video lessons from the archives.

You' ll receive links to 11 downloadable video lessons from Creative JumpStart 2014 / 2015. This collection includes project and technique based lessons from 11 different talented mixed media artists.

Download the lessons to your library and enjoy learning at your own pace from a diverse group of Creative JumpStart classics.

Look at how young we all look.

This collection is just $9.99 and available immediately. Get ready to JumpStart YOUR Creativity! Learn more and read a description of the lessons HERE.

• Anna Dabrowska
• Catherine Scanlon
• Pam Carriker
• Diana Trout
• Jimmy Leslie 
• Marsha Valk
• Natalya Khorover
• Jodi Ohl
• Ronda Palazzari
• Joe Rotella 
• Julie Fei-Fan Balzer 

Free Online Art Journal Workshop: Taming the Critic

Hey Gang, So many hugs to all of you during this time. When I get really bummed out, I turn to art and wonder if we'll maybe have another Renaissance? 

Mondays are particularly hard so I decided to open Taming the Critic for you guys. Get out your big juicy crayons and follow along with exercises and activities that relate to my book Journal Spilling and help you free up the boundaries in your mind. Included with your class are some bonus videos here: a journal flip, and talk about journals, a bookbinding project, and more.

Please do me a favor and have fun with this class! I love you all and miss you. 

Watercolor Wildflowers: Now Free For You!

Hello dear friends, In these frightening times ... 

I am happy to open Watercolor Wildflowers for you to enjoy. This is an online class and the blog is here

https://dianatrout.typepad.com/wildflowers/

I hope that you might find something inspiring to do to pass the time stress-free and creatively.

 

From the original post ...

Flowers. Lots and lots of flowers. I'm SUPER excited about this class.

What's blooming

Information about what kinds of pens and watercolors to use
Beginner line drawing techniques
Beginner level watercolor techniques
Clear instruction on how to doodle your favorite flowers
Creating composition using color and layouts
Finding and using visual references
Wet on Wet and dry layering watercolor techniques
Samples of petal shaps and flower centers to get you started
Two of my favorite simple watercolor resists

Just plain funky fun with some cues from nature and loads of your own imagination.

7 Videos, PDFs, blog posts on each lesson with personal attention for Q&A. 
Watch the Trailer ... 

Your Journal
Watercolors, cheap set is fine, I like Prang even though the colors aren't super interesting. 
Small spray bottle
Brushes: 1” flat, 1/2” flat, #12 round
rag
2 containers for water
pencil
pen: waterproof
white or yellow Glaze or Souflle pens
watercolor paper
crayons

 

 

Hello, It's March

Hi Friends, let me introduce you to my grandson

I know, Right?! He's amazingly adorable. LOL. Jack was born on 2/24, weighing 8.12 lbs and a whopping 22" in length. I'm smitten. Everyone is doing very well. 

Slowly, I explore the boundaries of Fibromyalgia. It's my daily life. But it's ok. I don't expect much and am very proud of myself when I'm able to get something done.

Words are interesting.

Words need to be containerized. They become unruly. The steady stream of words flowing in and not containerized in any kind of order is a plenty big mess. It's raining wild words and they're wily critters. 

in order of photos

Words
Fancy Word Tags
Words
Rude Fancy Word Tag
Handmade Journal (Sizzix and Eileen Hull XL Wrap Journal Die)
Grids to Stitch, Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn
The Improbability of Love, Hannah Rothschild

I miss you folks. 

 

Cardmaking and Papercrafting, Beginner Information

Welcome friends :)

A bunch of folks joined me at Abington Free Library on Saturday. We made friends, cards, and a merry mess. I'm hoping to do a live stream later this week, Tues or Wednesday in the morning. In the meantime, I just uncovered this Crafty Christmas video from almost three years ago for you to enjoy.  

I have a playlist of card videos on my YouTube channel here.

My Favorite shops for cardmaking are: 

Scrapbook.com

Ellen Hutson

These are affiliate links. I get a % of sales. Thanks!

Basic stamping supplies: 

Stamps

Photopolymer Stamps are more cost-effective than red rubber. They are also easier to line up when stamping. 

Red Rubber stamps are great for mixed media, have great detail, and are all-around a great stamp choice. 

There is a huge variety of stamps and companies. Some of my favorites are Ellen Hutson's brand, designed by Julie Ebersole, Concord & 9th, Pinkfresh Studio, Tim Holtz (red rubber). Browse around to see what you like.

Acrylic blocks for mounting both clear and red rubber (cling) stamps.

Available at any craft store and online. I suggest purchasing a set of blocks. They come 3-5 in a set (or singly). Look for rounded edges and grid lines on the mounts.

Distress Inks by Ranger Ink and Tim Holtz are an excellent first coloring ink. You can get them in sets of  1" ink cubes, 4 to a set. They can be used for stamping (they don't provide a super crisp image though). In addition to stamping, you can wipe the stamp cube on a plastic surface and pick the color up with a brush to paint. The inks are very water reactive and provide a wide range of uses. 

Archival inks pads, also from Ranger Inks give an excellent image.

Versafine Onyx Black is my favorite ink for sentiment stamping and detailed stamps.

Pick up some pre-scored card bases at Michaels or one of the online stores. I like either white or cream. 

Pattern Paper: I love paper. It's my biggest addiction. My favorites are PinkFresh Studios, Maggie Holmes and American Craft. I tend to like forest animals. and "pretty." 

Glue: Tape runners are very convenient. I also like wet glue such as Tombo Mono Multi. The containers are small which is convenient.  There is always Mod Podge, Elmers and glue sticks. 

There are multiple ways to part with your Money. 

*****

Health Update: The medicine (Gabapentin) is helping with my pain. The Rheumatologist has been diagnosing and treating Fibromylgia for decades. Still waiting for the Lyrica from Pfizer. My sister has multiple autoimmune disease. If not for her experience, I wouldn't have known about FM and probably would still be struggling. And that is why I'm sharing information with you. 

 

Bookbinding: Prep and Cover for Hardcover Book

I did a spontaneous live stream this morning on YouTube. 

I used Yes paste and am starting to get used to it. It's a good paste as long as it's not dried out. It should be gooey. I cover it with plastic wrap before storing. 

Thanks again to all of you for your encouraging emails, messages and comments. I really appreciate it. 

In other excellent news!!!!!

My daughter and her husband are expecting our first grandchild! We are all thrilled. A little boy is expected somewhere around February 22.

My health is still unpredictable but I've been swimming, eating well and getting plenty of rest as my medicine is fine tuned. 

I've missed you guys so much!

Affiliate Links: I get a % of sales at no cost to you

Bookboard (DickBlick): http://shrsl.com/17k9b
Yes Paste and bonefolders also available at Blick
Lokta Paoer at Blick: http://shrsl.com/nrfq-n87-ahwv6s_1-1
Lokta Paper at Joggles: http://shrsl.com/nrfq-1h8i-bo7xx3_1-1

Coming in September & October

Hello Dear Readers and Friends,

Summer came to a sudden close not a minute too soon. It's time for an update: what I'm planning - tentatively. Thanks to all of you for your cheery emails, comments, calls and support. I wasn't able to respond to everyone. I've had to cut way back on my computer-ing.

The tendonitises(ii?) are much better. I can draw, paint, and stick things together for over an hour now. The not-so-good news is that I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.* I've started a medicine that is already helping. I'm sure once we get my dosage right it'll get better. In the meantime, I am trying to find a do-able pace. :) It's slow. v e r y  s  l  o   w. ,   o .  k .?

But some things are happening: This coming Friday, what's happening is a small, beautiful show. Come and have a drink with us. 

Here is my piece. The original is a rectangle. I will make prints available. 

October Open Studio: Saturday, October 13, 11a-2p. Light lunch and snacks. Donation Only. Please RSVP via email here. 

Make, RAK and Take Card Workshop: Abington Library, Oct 27, between 1p and 3p. We'll be MAKE cards, Donate 1 (or more?) to a community nursing home as a RAK (Random Act of Kindness0 and Take a few home. Details here at the Library's website. 

I'm planning* to start live streams on YouTube later this month. If you click over to my YouTube channel, subscribe and hit the notification bell, you'll be alerted. 

*Fibromyalgia is a disease. My body is in stuck in the "flight or fight" gear. It causes widespread pain, poor sleep and exhaustion. Medicine, diet and exercise help with the symptoms. Managing this disease will take a lot of my time and energy over the next few months.