from the studio of: ann mabee

postale mini library drawer

by ann mabee

when the gypsies gave me the assignment for CHA, it was to be a project using the mini library drawer and any of the new release products I wanted to use! talk about free reign!! i immediately went to my computer to see what I had pictures of that hadn't been used before and were of something I was wanting to document for myself. when I came to the file of the trip my husband and I took last summer to Oregon, I knew that that was what I wanted to use.

then I took a look at the new release and decided the Postale line would be perfect! it had an "all American" look to it and it would nicely compliment my pictures and our journey. i formatted my pictures to fit the mini library drawer and sent them off to be printed. then i went to work!

i knew it would take a lot of cards/pictures/stuff to fill the drawer. about the time i started this project, 7gypsies was acquired by Canvas Corp and the artists were given the opportunity to incorporate some of the Canvas Corp products into our projects. so I went in search to find some things to use.

i found several suitable items. their products are neutral tones and can easily be dyed to match whatever color palette you are using. so my project is a mix of 7gypsies and Canvas Corp. i put all of my supplies around me on my workspace so i could easily see what i had to use and went to work (it's that old gypsy thought...within arms reach!)

i wanted to do the project in a chronological order so one could see our trip from beginning to end. most of the items in the drawer are individual cards that help tell our story. i made a few mini books to tie together larger groups of pictures in a cohesive way. once i got started, the project came together easily. it was a fun way to document our trip to celebrate my husband's retirement.

thanks Ann for sharing your thoughts with us!!!

projects & inspiration: paula cheney

we received this unexpected surprise from gypsy Paula Cheney and just had to share it with you.

remember the atc & photo display? 

paula took this gypsy classic to a whole new level....

see for yourself!

you can hop on over to her blog

she has been posting all kinds of holiday delights that any gypsy will NOT want to miss out! 

projects and inspiration: christmas gift ideas part 2!

we all know that holiday's can be a very stressful time.....

why not help someone relax a little? 

grab some lotion, bath salts, whatever you prefer - find a fancy book knob to place on the front - place items in drawer and you've got yourself a pretty-adorable-can't live without-bath and beauty kit!

ranjini did a fabulous job displaying the kit in spectacular mini library drawer!

we love hot cocoa here in the gypsy workshop! 

and what a perfect little gift for someone in your life that loves it as much as we do...

ranjini added those little extra touches that make this simple gift so fantasticly delicious!

 vicki created this beautiful gift with our photo shadowbox tray!

 the little details she added gave this a personal touch that you just can't forget...

 just grab the 7gypsies photo shadowbox tray, some photos sized to fit the compartments and all the embellishments you can find....

and just start placing them in the tray to see what you can come up with!

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from the studio of: sande krieger

photo shadowbox tray

by sande krieger

we love the way sande always create such fabulous-detailed projects! 

so many elements were put into this tray that we just HAD to ask her to tell us all about it....

sande: I had all these fabulous family photos that my friend Terra had taken of us but wasn't sure how I wanted to display them since there were so many that I loved from the shoot. 

Then along came the photo tray which solved my dilemma.  It had plenty of photo-sized windows so that I could put my favorites in and still have just enough room to put my vintage spin on it so that it would fit in nicely with the rest of my decor.

To add dimension, I used the metal hooks and loops to tie and hang things from. To add texture, I used a metal #5 (we have 5's all over our house), the 7Gypsies optical lens, domino, #8 medallion, metal clock hands, the 7Gypsies studs, waxed string, 7Gypsies charm, 7Gypsies ruler and some rhinestones. 

The easel is perfect for displaying the tray in my living room on the sofa table since I have no wall space to hang it. 

gypsies: thank you sande for sharing your creation with us!!!

from the studio of: vicki boutin

mixed media art board

by Vicki Boutin

This gorgeous art board is layered with several techniques and mediums.  

If you look closely you'll notice that it is an 8x8 board collaged with new off the wall papers mounted on a 12x12 board covered with 7gypsies tissue, paints and finished off with brand new color rubbings!

Vicki was awesome enough (as always!) to share her inspiration and techniques with us:

I have a thing for tissue paper.  It is one of the most versatile mediums to work with as well as being light, delicate and oh so pretty!!  One of my favorite things to do with tissue paper is to create textured backgrounds.  

When I created this art board I wanted to move beyond a basic scrapbook page and make something dimensional and textural.  I covered the 8x8 book board in patterned paper and added a thin layer of gesso to create a collage look.  For the 12x12 piece, I decoupaged tissue to the base and added some color with paint.  Once it was dry, I rubbed the surface with gold paint and added the new 7gypsies butterfly rubbings.

The tissue is a great solution for imperfect surfaces, too!!  Super fun and easy!

You can see more of Vicki's work in our online gallery or by visiting her blog at: vickiboutin.typepad.com

from the studio of: Ranjini Malhotra

Our latest featured project is Ranjini's art journal.  

Ranjini has been has been designing creative projects for the 7gypsies design team for over 2 years.  She once told us: I believe that the world is an unlimited source of inspiration and creativity, the journey and what you learn about yourself along the way, is always more important than the destination. 

Needless to say, we kinda like this gypsy.  A lot.  

When we received this project at the gypsy workshop, the details on each page completely blew us away.  

We just had to find out how she did it.

SO we asked Ranjini if she'd be willing to share some of her secrets and techniques, and here's what we found out! (p.s. we can't wait to use these ideas in our next projects)

7gypsies:  Ranjini, how did you start this project?

Ranjini: I started with a ready made sketchbook purchased at an art supply store.  I customized it by altering the cover with 7gypsies Global paper & assorted embellishments then removed the plain wire bindings and replaced them with a mixed assortment of crystal binding rings. 

7gypsies: Why did you decide to create this type of journal? Ranjini: My art journal was created out of a desire to have a single go-to resource/work in progress that I could constantly add to, and where I could try my hand at a number of different mediums as well as add lots of little bits and pieces of inspiration. My style has always been clean and simple, but I wanted a place to be able to express myself a little more freely and not worry about perfection, just draw and paint and cut and paste and scribble at random. It was very freeing!

7gypsies: This looks a bit intimidating!  What advice can you give to someone who isn't sure they should give this a try? Ranjini: Perfectionism can make you reluctant to try this type of journaling - but once you delve in it is very freeing and addictive. This style of journaling is very creatively freeing and it gives you a way to use those tiny bits of inspiration that you've been saving or hoarding! It is also a great inspirational resource and allows you to try new art mediums without worrying about the end product too much.

7gypsies: The sketches and writing help tell the story and make the journal feel authentic to you.  Yet, many people don't like their handwriting or consider themselves good at sketching.  Do you have any tips for those of us who don't sketch well?  Any sources for where we can gather ideas for what to sketch or write about? Ranjini: Try to start sketching things that are fairly easy to draw, you want to be able to create quick sketches without worrying about perfection. Look to catalogs, greeting cards, children's picture books, magazines and online for sketching inspiration. You can also try blogs such as illustration friday which have wonderful inspiration. Or Etsy - there are wonderful artists on Etsy!  Start with light pencil sketches in simple geometric shapes (a table, a lamp, etc.) and keep a good eraser handy. Once you get comfortable you can try more complex things like people and landscapes. I sketched images straight from the Anthropologie catalog, I like simple pencil drawings, then add watercolor and once dry, outline with pen and ink so that the water won't cause the ink to run. As to what to write, if you need a springboard, try online quotation sites such as Quote Garden or journaling prompts you can find online. Write about what inspires you, and why.

7gypsies:  The watercolors are beautiful! How can we start adding this technique to our projects? 

Ranjini: You can buy a basic set of watercolor paints fairly cheaply. I used a $4.99 Niji Pearlescent Watercolor Set purchased from United Art Supply.   Most craft or art supply stores offer inexpensive basic or starter sets.   (Here is a link to the one I used) In addition to adding the watercolors to sketches, I like creating a light wash (add more water for a lighter wash) to the background of a page, allowing it to dry and journaling on top of the wash.  You can also use masks, stencils or write with watercolors. For fine detail work, I used a brush called The Incredible Nib by Grafix, which you can find here. It has a wonderful dual tipped nib that allowed me to draw in fine detail with the watercolor paint that I couldn't have done with a regular brush.

7gypsies: what would be a great basic toolkit for art journaling? Ranjini: a supply of watercolor postcards sold in most craft stores for quick thoughts and sketches or a watercolor journal such as a Moleskin Journal, choose something with sturdy paper to support everything you want to tape/glue in. It also works well for adding paint without warping. gluestick or tape decorative tapes:  I LOVE all of the 7gypsies papertapes.  It's perfect for taping something in quickly. a small kit of paints, watercolors or colored pencils/markers - whatever appeals to you a small pair of scissors or decorative edge scissors photo corners a good journaling pen a magazine or catalog for inspiration mini label stickers by 7gypsies 7gypsies stamps~ there are so many to choose from and many journaling themed ones! 7gypsies:  Would you be willing to show us how you created that darling tissue paper skirt for our Friday post? Ranjini:  ;)  Thanks so much for all of the tips, techniques and secrets Ranjini!  You've definitely inspired us to try some new mediums and challenge ourselves creatively.   You can read more about Ranjini below.  Be sure to check back Friday, we will be posting the tutorial for how to create the tissue paper skirt featured in the pages of Ranjini's journal.

About Ranjini Malhotra:

I have been with 7 Gypsies since September 2009. I am a dreamer, storyteller, and artist. You can find me holed up in a local bookstore poring over magazines, reading a novel or children's literature, or looking for vintage or rare antique books and maps, all the while savoring a cup of hot tea. I love the eclectic, the unique, and anything Old World. I love combing antique stores and flea markets for vintage treasures that I can combine with new products to create something unexpected. I love the paper arts, but also have dabbled in watercolor painting, needle arts and photography. I live in Columbus, OH with my husband Bobby, our little girl Alekha and Murphy, our very lovable cream colored goldendoodle. you can see more of Ranjini's inspiring work on her blog at: http://www.scrapologie.blogs.com