April 'Take the Challenge' with Mou

Hi everyone, Mou here and welcome to the fourth 'Take the Challenge' of 2013!

I feel that creative challenges help us experiment and learn new things. Challenges can help us get unstuck from creative ruts. They can also inspire us to create in ways we would not have thought of otherwise. So, I decided to take a few creative challenges myself and thought you might like to play along.

Every month, on the first Monday (April turns out to be an exception as we had a blog hop starting on 4/1 and so, challenge starts today April 8th), I'll post a challenge and my take on it. You'll have 12 days to take this on. Leave a comment to the challenge post with a link to your creation based on that challenge. The following Monday, we will pick TWO winners randomly from among the readers who participated in that week's challenge. And the winners will get a prize from Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft®.

Today I have a challenge and an announcement for you. Let's start with the challenge.

Today's challenge is about making something new from something used or old. 

 April is Earth month and I feel that upcycling something creatively might show a little bit of our love for our beautiful planet.

So here's my take: a journal spread using an old book and some security envelopes we got in the mail, and of course, some of my favorite Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft products.

I gesso-ed the background and let it dry. Then I cut clouds out of envelopes and attached them to the page. I outlined the clouds with Essential PITT Artist Pens BLACK and Stamper's Big White pen. I also sketched raindrops and wrote a favorite quote in block letters and colored them in with Stamper's Big Brush pens (CHROME YELLOW, LIGHT BLUE, and PINK MADDER)

Don't forget to share your challenge creations with us... just leave a comment to the challenge post at the Design Memory Craft blog with link to your project image(s) by Friday, 4/19 and we will pick TWO winners randomly to win these.

The prizes for this challenge are TWO 3ct. packs of Stamper's Big Brush Pens in the colors of your choice.

Don't forget to check back on Monday, 4/22 to see if YOU won! 

 And now for the announcement!

Starting April 25th, I'm teaching a 6-week online video workshop at Big Picture Classes called Get Artsy.

You will learn several different mixed media techniques in this workshop through detailed video tutorials ranging from 25-40 minutes in length. Plus there will be audio introductions, detailed handouts, and bonus inspiration every week. You'll see lots of Faber-Castell Design Memory Crafts products in action. Take advantage of the introductory class price promotion going on right now. Get details here!

Hope you play along and I look forward to seeing you in class!

Mou Saha  Mou won the Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame in 2007, was a member of their Dream Team in 2009 and you've seen her work in numerous craft publications. She currently collaborates with 7 Gypsies, Anna Griffin, Glitz Design and October Afternoon. 

 

Comments

[Barbara MacAskill]

This is a great idea! I love the pattern from the envelopes for the clouds. It is like they had that in mind when they put that pattern on the envelopes! I won't be tossing those anymore! TFS

[Larissa Heskett =)]

LOVE your FUN Layout!! Such a GREAT idea!! Looking forward to playing along!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)
P.S your class looks like FUN!!

[Nancy B]

Here is my page for this challenge:
http://jazzysfavoriteart.blogspot.com/2013/04/i-had-this-ruby-rd.html
I love your page, Mou, with the envelopes. I always thought that they would make some great art and now I see that they do. I always love to see your artwork in Creating Keepsakes too.

[Nicole Maki]

I love how you used the envelopes, Mou. I save them all the time and then forget to use them in my projects. Thanks for the inspiration.

Here's my painting for the challenge: http://madebynicole.blogspot.com/2013/04/mermaid-up-cycled-art.html

[Holly Woodcock]

I love those clouds!

heres my project:
http://taj-ma-holly.blogspot.com/

[Holly Woodcock]

Your class sounds wonderful!

[Melanie Douthit]

This was a fun challenge. I love repurposing thins. Here is what I came up with.
http://douthitgallery.blogspot.com/2013/04/mixed-media-bird-and-recycling.html

[Dina K]

Thanks so much for the fun challenge! I altered a metal cannister top - it's here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2358323?&cat=500&ppuser=17703

[Holly Woodcock]

heres the correct link to my project!

http://taj-ma-holly.blogspot.com/2013/04/birthday-buzz.html

[cyndi b]

What a fun challenge! Here's my take:
http://scrappychickcyndi.blogspot.com/2013/04/art-journal-challenge.html

[Susan]

Another great challenge. Love how you have made use of the security envelopes.
Here is my take:
http://mywritings-ariel.blogspot.com/2013/04/spring-again.html

[Salla]

How cool for a recycling lover! I'm so glad I made it in just about time. My entry is here:
http://pistojapiiri.blogspot.fi/2013/04/earth-day-challenge-use-something-old.html

[Diana]

i love the recycle challenge. we have a beautiful place to live and we so shouldn't take advantage of it. in my piece i use all kinds of stuff from my 'junk drawer'... everything has a reuse component it is just up to us to find it right!!
i so almost forget to post my link..
http://missusgmoments.com/canvas-family/

[Teresa Jaye]

I upcycled a wooden box - here is a link:
http://teresajaye.blogspot.com/2013/04/upcycled-box.html
Thanks for the challenge!

[sandeeNC]

Here is my wall hanging:
http://inthehillsofnorthcarolina.blogspot.com/2013/04/hot-air-noun.html