Back in the day (circa 2000--), I was a HUGE scrapbooker who cataloged every memory, both big and small. I am a very tactile and visual person and the act of combining heartfelt words with my photographs, pretty patterns, and textures lit me up from inside. It’s a way of storytelling and memory keeping that really vibes with who I am at the core.

My style of art has morphed since then and the way I document our memories has morphed alongside of it. I also have access to a much more robust portfolio of art supplies—which means that a lot of what I create these days is off the page and many times doesn’t even involve a single word or a sheet of paper. As I reflect on it, that evolution has been both a blessing and a curse.

Sometimes, when I’m looking for inspiration to hit, or when I want to get those creative juices flowing, I have an overwhelming desire to get back to my roots. Which is exactly what I did here. I had a few specific goals in mind when I set out to create my projects for this month’s MUSE blog post:

• Work small—each assemblage should be under 5x7.

• Keep it simple and mainly 2-dimensional (paper and embellishments only).

• Use lots of layers.

• Create additional backgrounds with Sandra’s wide array of stamps!

• Make it fun and playful.

I started by pulling out my R+A and ArtFoamies stamps, marveling in the collection I have amassed in a relatively short period of time. I also gathered up some patterned papers and scraps, fun embellishments, and some washi tape. Have you ever tried to create art while simultaneously and consciously limiting yourself to certain materials? It’s a great way to challenge yourself and get the pistons in the creative centers of your brain firing on all cylinders, so give it a try if you haven’t already.

Then I made some backgrounds, primarily using Sandra’s Air, Marrakesh, and Tenango Oscura ArtFoamie. I also used Cupola, Halo, Driftwood Crown, and the Portal series. Then, I unleashed my Inner Child and let her out to play! I tore papers, gathered up some whimsical embellishments, and layered with wild abandon. The result was these beautiful (and fun) multi-dimensional assemblages. What a feast for the eyes!

Are you curious about what you might do with such creations when they are completed? Well, anything you want! But, you can gift them, add them to books or journals, turn them into cards, swap them, pin them to a mood or vision board, or have them be the focal point in a larger art journal page. They can also be the centerpiece on a canvas where you add more 3-dimensional elements like the R+A craft blanks. The possibilities are endless! I chose to adhere them to an oversized folio I have been working in—they act as benchmarks in my artistic journey and reminders that some things come full circle.

Keep creating!

Jenn Pipe

MUSE Design Team 2020

P.S. Here is where I highlighted Sandra’s stamps in each piece. I used Marrakesh and Cupola in “Let Joy Be Your Compass.” In my “Enjoy the Journey” ocean pieces, I used Air, Halo, and the tiniest little scrap of Marrakesh. In “Be Brave,” I used a Tenango Oscura background, Air, and Esoteric from the Portal series. And, in “Forever in My Heart” I used Tenango Oscura, Driftwood Crown, and some of the smaller foamies hearts from one of Sandra’s retired pieces.