Cathy Michaels Design by Cathy Bluteau

Blog Hopping

It's always fun to discover new friends.  I love finding new shops, new blogs, new ideas.  Today, for your creative inspiration I am leading you to some new blogs that I have found in a recent trip over the internet.

It always amazes me how many wonderful artists there are out there.  I always think about how if you gave the same pieces to 10 different people you would get 10 completely different works of art.  It's amazing to me how the mind works.

Sometimes I look at a piece that someone has done and I think - what goes on in a mind to create such wonderful things.  How does that process work?  How is it that our minds contain these elements of creativity that are spurred by different sources of inpsiration that end up making beautiful pieces of art such as some of these artists have done.

I hope it's sunny in your area (been raining here for about 2 weeks straight now) and that you can sit outside with your computer and do some blog hopping.

Check these out!

 Sara has a new book out - check her out here:

http://sarahearn.blogspot.com/

 

This is a beautiful site - check out what she does with old books

http://lifeisabeautifulplacetobe.blogspot.com/

 

This is a great blog with wonderful ideas all the time - check out the no sew clutch

http://papernstitchblog.com/ 

 

I may have talked about Alisa Burke before but she is worth check out again

http://www.alisaburke.blogspot.com/

 

Jodi Ohl is well known but if you haven't already "met" her - go on over here:

  http://www.sweetrepeats.blogspot.com/

Check out this beautiful handmade jewelry:

http://www.bijouxka.com/

 

Have I mentioned dottie angel yet - you have to go visit and read her story - she is crazy (in a good way!)

http://dottieangel.blogspot.com/

 

So enjoy!

 

See you tomorrow!

 

Cathy

 

 

New Doodle Art Video being released!!

Some great summer news for you – a great way to loosen up and let the good times roll.

 

 

After some hard work (don`t let anyone tell you it is not hard work) and lots of help from my new friend Gail over at Creative Workshops

 

My Doodle Art Video is being released!!!

 

Here`s an excerpt from Gails newsletter

 

Hello Creative Spirits!

We have a new class  I think is perfect for reducing stress.  Doodling!  You may have seen some of  Cathy Bluteau's work in Somerset publications, she is also known as Cathy Michaels Designs.

Cathy has joined Creative Workshops with her new class  Doodle Art with Me ~ Using Doodle Art to Create a Dream Board

 

The class opens June 16 and the cost is $45.00

Here is what Cathy has to say about the class:

This workshop is all about letting yourself go and seeing the great art that you can create when you are not thinking about it. Doodling is an art and once you start,  I guarantee you will not be able to stop. 

For this workshop we will play at drawing different shapes, coloring to create different textures all the while creating your own inspiration or dream board.  You can use my goals and dreams of course as you follow along, but it will be more fun for you, to use this time to actually think about your own goals and dreams and incorporate them into this fun workshop.
 
Although doodling is certainly playful, there are some techniques that I will show you that will turn doodling into art.  Composition and color play a key role in art form and so we will be spending time on this.  Basic drawing skills and tips and tricks to make great scrolls, flowers and leaves will also be included to get you started on your way.  Don't worry, you don't even have to be able to draw to take this workshop!
 

So you can find out more about the class and read more about what I have to say about it  from either here or here or even by clicking on the Creative Workshops badge in my right hand side bar there!!

You can also register for the course right here - just scroll down to the bottom once you are at that link!

 

YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

Have a great week!

 

Cathy

On my back

I have been a little under the weather this week.  Actually, most of this is because I was under a ladder on Monday lol lol.  I was cleaning out my closet on holiday Monday and I fell off the step stool.  Right on my back, right on the ladder, right on my bathroom floor.  THUD!!  After much screaming and crying out for my husband I made it up on the bed, but have found myself with a sprained ankle and covered in saucer size bruises.  It’s amazing what a fall like that does to your body.  I’m not 20 anymore and so any thoughts of jumping back up and getting back on the horse (ladder sort of speak) that I may have thought were possible, were no longer!

 

Well it gave me a chance to create some new items for the SHOP.  And so I did.

 

I created a couple of new kits - The Write and Summer in Pink.

 

First for the writer:

 

 

 
Lots of fun stuff in there, papaya art cards, little locks, text pages, tags, text ribbon ... on what I could create with that - hmm - why didn't I think of that !!!  LOL LOL

 

 

 

And then because anything pink inspires me I created a summer pink kit too:

 
That giggle strip is made of tin - doesn't it make you giggle.  And yes yes that flower if from PRIMA - I was feeling very generous!!

 

 
Don't you love those little pendants, and oh yes, my fairy stickers.

 

Well you have to go to the SHOP to see more detail.

 

Oh an yes I almost forgot.  The first nested heart that I created went so fast that I decided to create another one.

 

 

Bursting with buds ....

 

 

 
and read to hang.

All in the SHOP

 

Also, in case you missed them initially these moleskines are also available:

 
Repurposedand recovered moleskines, cuz who wants a kraft paper moleskine !!!

There are lots of other lovely things in the shop so go have a look as a Friday treat!

 

Have a good, good, enjoyable and creative weekend all.  Looks like rain all weekend here again!!

 

Cathy

Shimmerz Giveaway

So you know how I have been posting some of my journal pages using the new Shimmerz paints well now they are also on youtube @  SHIMMERZ PAINTS TV!

 
So you will be able to watch videos using shimmerz paints on SHIMMERZ PAINTS TV! 

But the real reason I wanted to tell you about this is because they are doing a giveaway and I thought you may want to take part in that.  Here is what they will be giving away:

 
Here's what you need to do to participate in the giveaway,  directly from the gang at Shimmerz:

 

1.... Visit the ShimmerzTV channel on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/user/shimmerzpaintsTV
2. Watch one of the videos
3. Like us on facebook... 
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Shimmerz-Blingz-and-Spritz/93365529240
4. Leave a comment on facebook telling us what video you watched, and what you liked about it!

We will be randomly drawing a winner in about two weeks, so head on over now to ShimmerzTV - trust us, you won't be able to watch just ONE video... there are so many awesome techniques and trips, that we know you will want to visit over and over again!!!

I thought it would be fun if any of you would like to try out those pages.  Let me know if any of you win okay

 

Cathy

I didn’t mean to be away for so long ... but something happened here in Montreal which started .... oh on Friday I guess.

Do you know what it is....

 

Summer arrived

 

 
bright and clear and warm ....

 

 

and so we spent the weekend getting the pool ready...

 

 

and planting new flowers

 

 

 

and reaquanting ourselves with our cocooning neighbors

We had a great long weekend in sunny, warm Canada

Have a good week all

 

Cathy 

Up and Down but still kicking

Sometimes I think I push myself too hard, and then other times I think I don't push myself enough - does that make sense. I have many things on the go right now but sometimes the 40+ hours a week at my day job, a 13 TEEN your old son, a husband and what I want to be a full time art business - all of this really gets to me. I was working on a new video and when I replayed it I saw the dark circles under my eyes and though ugh - why are you pushing yourself like this. So then I feel like that and then I start making something new, I get all excited to share it with you and I think oh - I so want to do this everyday!!! So … for now, until art becomes more lucrative (hey any licensing managers, book publishers etc etc out there watching???!!!) I need to keep plugging away.

But in all of this there is good. Because it is at those times that I like to hid myself in my studio and make some things.

 So I listed these yesterday in the shop but I love showing them to you over here as well:





                                                    A pretty nested wired heart!

 

Just because ....




an altered moleskine ....





or two ....



all wrapped up pretty and ready to go



 

 

and they are really - "handmade from the heart"



Have a great day everyone



Cathy

 

 

 

Art Journal Every Day Wednesday

Last week I was over at Shimmerz again and I forgot to tell you to go and check out the post.  I decided to just show some simple backgrounds I had made with Shimmerz.   This is actually the page before I start adding details.  The background though is what inspires me for the rest of the page! them.

The post went something like this:

 

Green and lightly stamped chandeliers...

 

Can you believe the texture here - this is gesso sprayed over with Shimmerz and then some letters rubbed on.

 

Psychedilic no?

 

Molding paste and Shimmerz 

Color !!!

 

You can see other photos of how I used my Shimmerz on my post over here on the Shimmerz blog.

Cathy

Treasuries on Etsy

So Etsy has this cool little thing called treasuries. Treasuries are lists of items that people put together either of the same color, or made with the same materials, or any kind of lists they like. It's similar to creating flickr favs - but on etsy. So just yesterday I was featured in a treasury list and I thought I would also show you some other treasuries I was featured in - just for fun on a Monday!! Can you find my items in there! Happy Monday - talk soon - new items coming to the shop this week. They're made I just need to take some pictures and post! Cathy

Friday Flickr Favs - Shades of Grey

 

1. gathering hope for tomorrow, 2. Nest & Five Eggs ATC, 3. ledger journal, 4. Sketchbook-April Whooping Cranes, 5. P1290112, 6. Flowers, Bow & Metallic

 

Wednesday - Art Journal Every Day

Another Wednesday and another Art Journal Every Day.  I continue to work on my journals and I promised my self that now I would finish the many I have got going since I want to start on new ones – I have tons of new ideas.

 

But here are more pics from my experimentation journal and more pics where I am using the Shimmerz products (since I am now on the design team for Shimmerz Stacey just told me I’ll be receiving even more product – yippeee)

 

So here, for Wednesday are pictures from my experimentation journal.

 

I included some new ones and some close ups of ones I may have already shown you:

 

 

 

 

It's all about the texture

 

 

You can't go wrong with pink and green!

 

I normally don't lean towards orange but this one worked for me - again Shimmerz

 

 

I only noticed the little detail of the "GRAND TOTAL" once I took this picture - that;s the fun of journaling, every little detail counts - even when you're not aware of it.

 

This was one of my favorite pages so I took a closeup!

 

 

 

Subtle and simple but I like it ...

 

Another favorite that may end up being a blog banner.

 

So much fun these journals - guys you have to try this out - you get so lost in the process.  Try out my online course if you are still unsure - I would love to share pictures with you.

Also, wanted to say a quick thank you for all the great comments yesterday - thank you.

I am so glad if even one of my posts can inspire you as many of you told me via email or comment.  If I think sharing has even touched one of you I will say it was a good day!

Cathy

TO COMMENT OR NOT TO COMMENT?

Blogging is a crazy,wonderful,sometimes frustrating, sometimes rewarding, sometimes lonely affair.

I often tell people when they purchase items from my etsy shop that it is so great to get feedback that a)they received the package b) they love the package!!.  I always have this unsettled, anxious feeling when an order goes out. 

Since all of my items are handmade, each time I send an order out its like sending out a piece of me.  So this piece of me goes out into this black  hole (snail mail)  and I only hope I get some word that it has reached its final destination.  (Yes for each and every order this is true!) and so when I do get word from you all - there is nothing better to settle that anxious spot that remains in the back of my head until I hear word.

I say all this because this is also true of writing blog posts.  And I'm sure many bloggers feel this way.  I always wonder what makes people leave a comment on a post, or NOT leave a comment on a post.  I test out my own habits with this and make a mental note of what it is that will prompt me to leave a comment, and which posts do not prompt me.  Then of course, I wonder the same about my own posts - what is it that invokes a desire to leave a comment versus not leaving a comment.

In fact I just did the following search on google to see what would come up:  "why do people leave or not leave comments on a blog" and to my surprise I got thousands of hits.  Ahh I said, so I am not the only one who wonders about this.  I read a few of the entries and nothing too much more than the obvious reasons there and so I thought instead I would ask all of you  - my true sources:

• what is it in a blog post that will make you take that extra step to leave a comment?
• do you find the process of leaving a comment too long?
• is it not always clear on some blogs how/where to leave a comment?
• does the blog or post have to inspire you in some way in order for you to leave a comment?
• when you do leave a comment on someones blog, what makes that post or blog more encouraging to do so than an other?
• do you not leave a comment because it feels like the writer of the post already has said everything?
• do you not feel the writer is looking for feedback?
• what other reasons not mentioned above would you leave or not leave a comment

Well I never thought I would see the day where I was waxing philosophical about blogging but there it is.  ; )

Let me know your thought ... I'm curious!

 

Cathy

 

 

-

Lovely Clusters - the Pretty Blog

Hi All,

 

I hope you all had a lovely Mother’s Day.  I had a great meal at my sister in laws, some heartfelt gifts from my hubby and chocolate and cards from my kids – so sweet.

 

It’s the start of a new week and lots of things going on.  What with all the preparations for mothers day I forgot to tell you about a new online shop that I just love.  It is called Lovely Clusters and it is an online shop of special sellers from etsy.  Don’t get me wrong I love etsy and I love stocking the shelves there and meeting new friends and customers.  But Lovely Clusters is just a bit different in that it lists “pretty things”, lovely things that are near and dear to most of our hearts.  When you shop on Lovely Clusters it actually just redirects you to etsy where the source seller actually is.  It’s just a different view of lovely items.

 

I chose to list some of my items there just for exposure and also just because I love being included with all the lovely artists there.

 

Whn you get a chance go and take a peek here.  You will notice some of my items as well!!!

 

Have a good week.

 

Cathy

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

*****************************

  

*************************************
 

An early Mothers Day to you all.  To make things easier for you for this day I prepared first of all a GIFT CERTIFICATE which you can print out for your mom (or yourself) for mothers day so that they can use it towards a gifts for themselves from my Shop.

 

 

 

Also here are a couple of Mothers Day Gift ideas for yourself, your mom, your daughter, your grandmother, or any of us wonderful women who just deserve a little treat on this day that rightly honors us.

 

Of course:  My Online "JOURNAL WITH ME" Class is a great gift and I know some of you have already decided to treat yourselves to this for Mother's Day.

 

Or other pretty pendants - just for mom.  And because they may get there past Mothers Day (but you can use the gift certificate so that she has something on that day) I will give you 20% off any of my Mothers Day Lockets"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 (You can see more detail in the shop.)
 
 

I leave you with these final words for Mothers Day: 

Women really do rule the world.  They just haven't figured it out yet.  When they do, and they will, we're all in big big trouble.  ~"Doctor Leon," drleons.com

 

Cathy

 

What can't you do with Shimmerz and more!

Hey there, today I am going to redirect to another site. Why you ask? Well you may recall I did a post about Shimmerz Paints .. just last week I think.

 

This lead to Stacey (who is the owner of Shimmerz with her husband) and I exchanging a few emails and discussing the paints. So after a few this' and that's Stacey asked if I was interested in joining her design team! Well, what do you think I said.

So now today is my first featured post on the Shimmerz blog  and I wanted to invite you to go take a peak over there. And just before that post, on Sunday, Stacey introduced me as part of her design team. So if you go look over at this post you get to see my picture and a few nice words

 

 What's fun about these exchanges and entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs is that one thing always leads to another. Stacey also has a young daughter who is starting to get interested iin journaling so Stacey bought my Online Journalling Class Journal With Me for her daughter. Isn't that cool? 

What else is new is that I will be working on some new videos and once I have that more wrapped up I will tell you more. The feedback from my first video has been great - I am so happy to see some of the pages coming in. Please if you are experiementing while using the video please send me some photos. I want to do a post about all my "students".

That's all I got for today ; ) talk later this week!

Background of journal page above done with shimmerz paints

Cathy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Monday News

Stocking the shelves again in the shop!!

Last Monday I gave you a sneak peek at what was coming since I have a new obsession as I mentioned.

What's in the bag ...

This is the pretty packaging for my new tags ... tags galore - I haven't posted them all yet in my shop 
since there are so many - I'm telling you I must have made 50 different styles of tags - but a number are already in the shop and I will keep adding them throughout the week.

Here's some of the for you to see:

 
 And I also made some new kits ... these 2 are in the shop now:

 

 
 

And finally - I've relisted some of my muslin bags  here and here

 

Phew - have a great week all, off to post some more tags in the shop

 

Cathy