ireland
issue #25
january 2009
js 2009
Greetings!

Happy New Year! I love beginning a new year, its like starting with a new blank piece of paper and letting your art be your guide. Its also a great time to empower yourself with new ideas and set new goals.
 
inside the studio
gearing up for a NEW year
js 2009I literally spent all of December tying up loose ends (another words I had to stop procrastinating), I finished up work on a new line of fabric scrapbooking products I designed for PRIMA which will make a partial debut at CHA this winter. I have never turned over ideas, artwork and production to a third party before...kinda scary and exhilarating all at the same time.

I also finished prepping, filming, editing and uploading 4 of my planned 7 new video workshop classes I had wanted to have ready for January. I still have 20 some odd days left it still may happen.

I am excited about my latest release of inspiration journals. I love to watch the transformation of my favorite fabrics become keepsake books. I have begun playing in mine and hope to keep my journal religiously throughout the year. My plans for it are to create a visually really happy place to turn to for ideas. It will not be a story or a readable book, but more of a visual experience.

I am also going to try to make my "A PAINTING A DAY" more of a priority. I love the whole process of blank canvas to finished product and just looking through the art journals and canvases I completed last year I can actually see my changes, as if at some point my world got brighter and happier: a visual transformation through art. (I am no psychologist, but I am pretty sure living healthier attributes a lot to the change).

Yesterday i read this, it was linked from the yahoo home page and no I am not an astrological guru, but i did feel all tingly inside when i read it!

i just feel good things for 2009!
inspired by...
RENAISSANCE
renaissance defI was at the gym the other day, running on the treadmill listening to my ipod, letting my mind wander and dream (oh yeah and TRYING TO BREATH) when I looked up at one of the televisions mounted above. It was tuned in to the Today show, I couldn't hear it of course, but I was able to read the closed captioning.

I have no idea who the guest was, but he was commenting on the recession and how recession inspires creativity. As he talked more about the human need to overcome tough times and the renaissance that is born of ingenuity, invention and this creative need to change and think outside of the box, I began to feel inspired!

I immediately thought about the Campaign for Creativity and the power of creative thought. It is not just for the "artsy", but for everyone. The need to think and act creatively no matter what situation you find yourself, a positive movement that results in this "renaissance" of spirit and the forward movement of self.

It is empowering to think we can be a part of the change...a change for the positive a chance to BELIEVE and have a voice.

2009 the year of the Renaissance. I like it!

"live a life inspired. dream in possibility."
trash to treasure
POSTAGE STAMPS
We are going to recycle this one!!
Now that the holidays are over, lets see how creative we can get with this one!
and here's a couple ideas to spark your creative juices flowing!
How to Reuse a Postage Stampjs 2009

Stamp Desk Set Craft - fun for kids!

stamps.com - make your own photo stamps!

scrabble tile pendant - crazy daisy studios
VALENTINES HEARTS - vaartsuppliescom
Glass Tile Magnets- CrowBiz
Write me a letter collage - Mipiacekatedesign
BRACELET - fungifantasy
Postage Stamp Collage Frame - PinkBird
Postage stamp bowl - Bombus

If you're up to this month's Trash to Treasure challenge, email your page and/or project photos using recycled postage to donna@donnadowney.com by January 30th and write "postage" in the subject line and you just might find your work may be featured in the next Creative Playground newsletter.

Ask Bill
New Year Updates
usThe New Year is finally here and the official countdown to the inspired. Artist Workshop can begin! The event is only a short 4 months away and we are sold out!  However if you were not able to register earlier and still interested in attending the event, we have put together a waiting list. Just email me your information at bill@donnadowney.com and we will add you to the list.

We have been adding some new goodies to Donna's website for the new year, be sure to check them out. Also please let us know if you have any questions about any of the products or orders that you may have placed.

Donna and I are kicking off the new year traveling to some very exciting events in January. We are first sailing into the new year on the Ultimate Scrapbooking Cruise from Jan 11th - 17th. We are then heading out west to California for CHA and will be visiting a couple great unique local stores.

If you live in the San Diego area, please be sure to come visit Donna at Stamping Details on Jan 22nd and 23rd where she will be teaching some of her new 2009 classes. This is a fabulous mixed media, rubber stamps, embellishment store located in Poway CA. You can contact them at info2@stampingdetails.com or 858-513-8024 to register for Donna's workshops.

Also if you live anywhere between the San Francisco and Ventura area, please come visit Donna on Jan 24th in Santa Maria, CA at JR Designs Scrapbooking. This is not just a wonderful local scrapbook store but rather a studio with some great product and a main focus on teaching. Please contact Julie Ryver at 805-714-5961 with any questions or to register for the workshop.

We hope to see some of you in the new year! Also feel free to contact me with any questions at bill@donnadowney.com or at 704-875-0971


Bill 
In This Issue
inside the studio
inspired by...
trash to treasure
NEW video workshops
40% off
4 NEW video workshops!
art quilt video
step-by-step instructional video with printable photo donloads

see all video workshops
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS DONNA?
January 11-17 ULTIMATE SCRAPBOOKING CRUISE
877-887-1188

Jan 22-23rd
Stamping Details
Poway, CA 92064
858-513-8024

Jan 24th
JR Designs
Santa Maria, CA
805-714-5961

January 25 -28
CHA WINTER
Anaheim, CA

Feb 6-8th
Scrapper's Playground
North Babylon, NY 11703
631-539-9888

2009 calendar magnets
js 2009
join the
Campaign for Creativity
js 2009
APRONS back in stock!!
js 2009
while supplies last
$38
Join Our Mailing List
js 2009
Save $10
We only have a few more of our
 FA LA LA! Christmas kits left
and I KNOW you have the photos to put in it,
so don't miss out on this incredible deal
while supplies last!

++ kit purchase includes downloadable video workshop.                            HURRY, less than 20 kits left!