Stacy's Pick

Happy Friday!

I have a pretty cool job around here. I get to peruse our student gallery and pick something I love; and how could I NOT love this art journal full of bright, happy colors? There I was, scrolling through dozens and dozens of creative images when I suddenly meet yellow tissue-heart hair girl, with her uncertain expression, telling me to "Be brave dear heart!"It just strikes a cord. And I suppose that is the beauty of art journaling isn't it? It's freedom to express what's on the inside without any constraints or over-arching purposes. Listen to how instructor, Caylee Grey, describes what she teaches, "Art journaling is a place to collect your thoughts, tell your stories, practice and learn new skills, sketch, grow, dream new ideas, keep your secrets, and work out your emotions." 

Catherine, the creator of yellow tissue-heart girl is self-described as "A happy dabbler in most things memory keeping!" She is a mother of two bitty girls and she loves playing with divided page protectors. Catherine started scrapbooking in May of 2011 because, "I wanted to do something with those precious old shoe boxes full of childhood photos." She stumbled upon my Finding Photo Freedom class at Big Picture Classes less than a month later, and signed right up! She says, "I'll never forget being blown away by the layouts posted in the gallery once class started, and just had to take more classes at BPC so I could play too."

This past winter, Catherine enjoyed a foray into digital scrapbooking, so the class Art Journaling 101 caught her eye as a tactile respite! Catherine loved the challenge of the blank page—especially with all of the detailed prompts in the lessons. In addition to the chance to get messy with fun techniques, her art journal has helped her find her creative voice. She says, "Creating my own imagery with paint and paper gives me insight into what makes me tick, and also makes me appreciate my scrapbook stash!" 

I asked Catherine about her crafting happy place: "My crafting happy place is definitely a balance between playing with new techniques and creating projects I enjoy looking back on." 

The new Big Picture Classes is helping Catherine dip into new skills in a manageable way. Looking ahead, Catherine has her eye on Time Management with Jennifer Wilson and Summer Days Mini Album with Jen Chapin, and her summer plans with a one year old and a three year old? Lots of backyard adventures and hopefully plenty of vanilla soft serve ice cream with rainbow sprinkles!

Sounds delightful to me!