Round Robin Sketchbook Swap

Waiting Is The Hardest Part

2010-10-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Tom Petty. I'm just itching like nobodies business to get my hands on the next book! It's going to be a surprise, as the kittens knocked off my list of swappers from the desk and the slips of paper flew everywhere. I'm trying to find the email I sent out of who sends to who, but am unsuccessful so far. Teach me to write things down on a single sheet of paper and post it on the bulletin board... Not leave little slips of paper around, loosely paper clipped together where Monster Cat (yes, Stink, I'm looking at you) can futz with them!

Still no word from our AWOL gal. Hoping that she'll come back to the fold... The girl is seriously gifted and it would be a shame to not have her work a part of the swap!

I still haven't made it to MIA. Hopefully on Tuesday. I'm in need of a day there or maybe just a walk around the neighborhood taking pictures before it gets too cold out. We're being blessed with really amazing weather right now and I need to take advantage of it before those cold days and long freezing nights return.

At least I have a little project (or two) to keep my hands busy until I get the next book. I'd write about them, but they are wedding gifts and I don't want to spoil any surprises!

Roadblock

2010-10-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

One of our participants has gone AWOL. And two books have been sent to her already. This is tragic. I've emailed her several times and no answer. I truly hope that if she has cared to drop out, that she could forward the books on so the swap can continue.

I'm devastated. This is a swap of serious trust and commitment. Even at this early moment in the trade, it cannot be afforded to have someone go missing. And it makes me feel somewhat of a failure myself. I'm not sure why.

*le sigh*

Pages 2 and 3

2010-10-01T00:57:00.000-07:00

Well, tonight I finished Jing's. Sort of. We need a coat of Mod Podge on the last page. I'm rather pleased with myself. The theme of "Play" was a lot of fun and I look forward to the next book to work on. And it's nice to have paint on my fingers again.

I've been in something of an artistic rut lately, and this has really brought out my excitement again. After watching way too much "Project Runway" and seeing Mr. Gunn (YES, I KNOW), I have been more inspired. Am I sad that television makes me more enthralled to re-work and do more art? A bit. But it's better than wallowing in self-pity and weeping "woe is me, I have no inspiration...". It can be hard sometimes to come up with new ideas and think outside that stupid box without feeling like a Taco Bell commercial. As much as I love Taco Bell.

I think on my next day off, I shall travel to the MIA and just hang out and wallow in it's glory. I haven't been there since LJ was in Mpls for Art A Whirl a few years ago. I'm long overdue. I'll bring Rosie along with me for maybe some sketches or notes. She's feeling left out.

Pg 2

2010-09-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

Is done. But when I was seeing Mr. Gunn (okay! I know! GET OVER Mr. GUNN!), I bought the new issue of Somerset Studio magazine. While a lot of the time they wick me out a bit because so much of it is rather similar and oh so the same in every issue, occasionally they come out with a good one. Or maybe it's because I haven't purchased a copy in a year. It's given me some inspiration to make some changes. Not ripping out pages changes, but small alteration changes. So, I've been putzing in my head with stickers, rubber stamps and more watercolor/acrylics. But using them on separate sheets of paper to attach, rather than just jump right in and potentially mess it up.

Thanks to the help of a wonderful girlfriend, the craft room is nearly clean and not so much of a Room of Doom. Room of Doom Lite? Kind of like lite beer? I guess it's because I'm attempting to make sure now that all the major crap is out, I want it organized. Not one of my strong suits. But if I do it gently and slowly, I may have a chance. I just look around thinking.... "Well, I can use THIS for THIS project, and THIS for THIS one, and THAT..." I just need everything freaking tidy. If I do this, I can clear my brain and eventually work on my outfit for next year's Saints series. Problem is, with moving in the sofa loveseat, I'm using up space that could be used for a sewing table that would be separate from my painting area. But I love the idea of having a space for friends to crash.

Tomorrow shall be a big day for artsy and cleaning!

PLAY!

2010-09-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

Page one of Jing's is done. I kept thinking about adding more to the page, but I'm going with "less is more" and "don't clutter it up". In my head, I'm using a different word than "clutter", one that actually starts with eff. It's pretty and delicate just the way it is, and I think adding more would not be productive to it.

I'm still working on the interpretation of her theme. It's broad and there is so much to think about! I'm trying to step away from the literal and think in a different direction. Things, colors and feelings that are fun and light and playful, rather than pictures of kiddos on a jungle gym. God, I believe I have been watching too much "Project Runway" and am still on my Tim Gunn high. I'm hearing his voice in my head when working on this... At least it's a calming voice!

Next mail out date is October 7th. It's not like I don't have time to dwell on it and let something start to simmer. I'm loving every minute of this, but at times I find myself overthinking it, and taking what is supposed to be a wonderful and fun project into something way too serious. Must. Relax.

I believe a cup of tea is in order now...

Jing!

2010-09-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

So, I was running late to work on Saturday after blogging, but still made time to check the mail. Jing, your book has arrived safely and it is currently sitting in my craft room letting a watercolor and acrylic wash dry on the first page! "Play" is such an interesting theme to think about. I thought of childhood things and grown up things. Then I thought of Daisy. So, the first page I'm working on is about daisies. As a book, she's all about play and fun. As the flower itself, I consider it very playful.

I'm still dwelling on the next page's theme.

Rock'n Rose is doing well. I was going to tackle her last night, but when I had Jing's book, I couldn't help but jump in! I've also realized that I'm a little low on a few art supplies. Last night at work, I found out that a new Trader Joe's opened up very near a Michael's. That is a recipe for financial disaster. I may have to make a trip out to the 'burbs on Wednesday.

Tomorrow is Tim Gunn at MOA. My girlfriend, A, said she'd go with me, but when she agreed, she had been at a b-day party for the better part of the evening. I'm hoping she remembers. It would be nice to have a Tim Gunn wingbuddy. I've decided to wear the infamous eyeball dress along with the Me Ow denim jacket. Now the shoes. This has absolutely nothing to do with the swap, but the cats woke me up early and I'm rambly...

Introducing Rose

2010-09-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

Daisy's sister! When I got home from work last night, I was missing Daisy, so I created Rose. Thought it was only fitting that I named her after another flower and considering the color of the cover...

What I'm going to do with her is play around with the ideas that I'm getting for the next book coming my way. Rough drafts, I guess you could say. And doing cut and paste with NYTimes magazines is super relaxing for me after work shifts. Almost as good as knitting washcloths! Probably tonight after my shift I'll work on ideas for Jing's book in her.

I still can't believe that Daisy is probably halfway to NZ right now. Hope she doesn't feel too stuffy in her little baggie, all wrapped up tight in paper. Emotional attachment to objects is silly. I'm weak that way. Actually, I could chuck out 85% of the stuff in my place and be okay with that, but for some reason these books have really hit a soft spot in my heart. So, Miss Rose, you will be my comfort zone until I receive my next book to work on.

I'm Lonely

2010-09-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

For Daisy. Already! But it looks like I only have a few days to wait until I get my package from Texas to play with. I forgot to ask at the PO the other day how long it takes to ship to New Zealand. I DID use my noggin and get a bunch of customs slips to bring home so I don't have to take time up standing there and filling them out at the PO. Clever little robin!

I didn't take a picture of the packaging, as my stamp ink kind of ran out, and apologies to my partner (who I shall refer to as Kruss) that this one wasn't as pretty as I wanted it to be. I promise the next one will be much cooler. I guess the best I can do right now is plan for the package that Jing is sending me and come up with ideas for her.

Obviously, I'm making up names for the swap partners to respect their online privacy.

When I ordered the books, I got two of them. I think to keep me occupied, I'm going to work on the second book that I didn't send out. Maybe make a journal in mixed media about this. I'm not sure. I need to keep my hands occupied!

TODAY!

2010-09-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

Is official mail out day! As soon as I finish wrapping up my package, I'll take a picture before running to the PO. I've had this weird sort of love/hate relationship with this day.

Love:
The fact that this amazing adventure is beginning. Everyone involved is (I believe) equally as excited as I am. I loved putting together the cover and the inside starting pages. I'm excited to write my letter of introduction to be added to the book. I'm looking forward to decorating the packaging for the book. I'm super thrilled to be blogging about this!

Hate:
I'm almost loathe to ship the book out. I like to pet it and look at the colors. I've become emotionally attached to it. I'm jealous of it's adventure. It's become almost like a friend that you hate to have to say goodbye to, even though you know it/she will return. Yes, I named her. Her name is Daisy, after my favorite flower. But, on the other hand, I get to make NEW friends, so it's not too painful.

So, today, I wish Daisy safe travels and big adventures!

Cover and First Page Done

2010-09-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

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Last night we had a rocking rain storm that I played cut and paste to while watching hours of "Criminal Minds". Then I wrote out a little poem about the project (warning, co-participants, I am a lousy poet), cut out little hearts out of old NYTimes magazines (I knew there was a reason I was saving them!) and played with ink stamps. It came across as a nice quilted look.

Sorry about the lighting - I have no idea what was going on there. I also did a little watercolor wash on the first two pages, thinking I was going to do those, rather than the intro page. So, Kelly., if you don't want to use them, skip over them and do your own thing on the blanks!

I'm still finding random chunks of gluestick on my fingers...and in my hair... Last duty on this book is to lightly ModgePodge the cover and the page. I'll wait until after work tonight to do that.

I'm pretty pleased with the outcome. The cover came across very early 1980's punk rock, and the inside more crafty. Both kind of like me. Which is the theme of my book, Tell Me About You. In the next few days, I'll probably figure out a way to futz with it more. But one of the signs of a halfway decent artist is knowing when to say "when" and stop. I don't want to overdo it, but at the same time, I want this book packed with so much joy and love and creativity!

Countdown and Progress and Inspiration

2010-09-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

Talk about serendipity! I was at the most wonderful summer treat ever (AKA The State Fair) and in the Creative Building where they show all the lovely quilts, knitting/crochet projects, etc., they had this little gem of an installation! I find it amazing and inspiring to our project. The pictures that I took of some of the projects turned out a little weird and fuzzy. Probably due to my excitement. There I was, a solo, overly tattooed, sweaty girl jumping around and squealing like a drunk monkey in front of this display. Wouldn't be surprised if I scared off a few small children in the process. While we, as a group collective, aren't doing a specific color theme for all, some of us did announce our color preferences. Maybe (not next year, but the year after), we can bind the books together and enter them into the fair! Just a thought. I'm a little squirrely that way. We haven't barely started, and I'm making plans two years in advance! Dork.

Anyhow, spent the better part of the morning (almost 3 hours) typing out the emails of who is sending to who while watching Top Chef. I probably could have gotten the list done faster, but was distracted by food. But it's done, the emails are out, and I have already gotten excited responses. What thrills me most is how everyone is SO genuinely into making this a success. I may have organized, but there is no way this could have happened without the other amazing women that I'm working with. We're a very lucky group of people!

Countdown!

2010-08-27T10:27:00.000-07:00

Has begun! I have the list figured out, and all but one email address for the group. I've done a couple of different sketches on the first page, but ended up erasing them. I want everything to be so fun! Then I saw the first few books posted on our flickr page, and realized I'm taking this too seriously and need to chill. Sometimes I'm too much of a perfectionist. I'm going to start with a nice watercolor wash on the pages and decorate the cover over the weekend.

The girls involved are so different and talented. Everyone has picked a great theme and the adventure will be exciting. I'm especially excited for Kendaljay who was hedging on joining the swap. She says she really isn't a sketcher, but this is more of a group art project. Not that I'm NOT excited for everyone else who is involved - you are all amazingly talented! I just didn't want anyone to feel like they couldn't participate because they weren't "sketchers". This was very important to me.

And I'd like to ask everyone who participates to remember to sign their page(s). Just so we know who did what!

Getting Ready

2010-08-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

I've spent a goodly part of the morning setting up the mailing list. And blowing my nose. We had a nice few days back in the low 70's here, but last night the humidity kicked in again, and I reluctantly turned the AC back on. Which gives me the snotties in the morning. Now we have a lovely rainstorm...

I put my name and addy in my new books and am thinking about how to start them. I've decided that getting a somewhat complete stranger's blank fresh book and having to be the first to "break it in" is intimidating! It's hard enough for ME to break in a new book of my own! My theme is "Tell Me About YOU". Since the books will be travelling the world, I couldn't think of a better theme. Hopefully, pages will be filled, and the participants won't feel compelled to just do one page. I'd like them to be filled, nay, jam-freaking-packed with little drawings, words, anything! I'm also including a letter of introduction of sorts that will hopefully be passed on from hand to hand. I have a fresh new black fancy-pants pen, and have been sharpening my pencils.

Beginning mailout date is September 1st. Annnnnnd then we'll be off!

Starting Already!

2010-08-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

Well, hell. I was just posting on "Flitter" about this website, when the dang doorbell rings. NO ONE rings my doorbell, unless it's a kiddo from downstairs locked out at this hour. And.........what do I see? A magic box already from Moleskine. I just ordered them on, what? Monday? In 100% retrospect or 20/20 hindsight, I should have gotten the slightly thicker ones with the cute little bindy thing. But I'm pleased.

Cool info on the books (I almost cried at the first page - lordy, I'm a wimp): On the first page it has "In case of loss, please return to:" and then "As a reward: $" The pages are a lovely ivory color. They came with history of "The Legendary Notebook"

"The legendary black notebook is once again being passed from one pocket to the next; with its various different page styles it accompanies the creative professions and the imaginations of our time. The adventure of Moleskine continues, and its still-blank pages will tell the rest." Which I think pretty much sums up our adventure here.

Both are 80 pages, and rather small, so I think (just to be safe and make sure that I get all my girls included to do what and as much as they want), I'll be shipping both out. Volumes I and II.

Introduction

2010-08-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, in a lovely land that rhymes with "Flitter", a group of brilliant girls decided that we would start a Round Robin Sketchbook Swap. Eighteen of us are getting a small blank page notebook. Jackierobin (as therefore I shall be named), is setting up a mailing list. The premise is for each of us to draw, sketch, journal, photograph, decorate and have fun in each other's notebook and mail it onto another participant. This is a world-wide adventure, scanning the globe from the US, to Canada, the UK, and New Zealand.

We're looking at about a year's worth of adventure and "sketching". I'll post photographs as the books cross my hands, and hope that others will as well.

I'm hoping that within the next year, with the adventure of each new notebook, I'll not only learn more about myself, but my worldwide girlfriends. I'll also treasure the resulted returned product.

More to come soon...