The Art is Found

Hey! My name is Kara. I started this challenge blog in March of 2008. It is something I feel passionately about and love the inspiration that it holds. Over time I've kept adding to my dream team. My lovely girls

I am super excited to have Mandi, Rhi-Pants, Ashley Wren and, of course, Kimberly. These lovely ladies are a sampling of my favorite artists and online friends. They all bring such excitemet, talent, and uniqueness to the team. I am thrilled to have some more help around these parts and to give readers some more amazing inspiration.

Every prompt we have a new, surprise Guest Designer in addition to the permanent girls.

Here's a little sampling into the lives and thoughts of the TAIF Girls--

Mandi-

Tell us a little about yourself- I am:

- a college student who tries desperately to make time for the people and things I love. Like donuts and my super cute husband Phil.

- a lover of old movies, 60s and 70s music, and food.

- inwardly shy, outwardly goofy and outgoing.

- either a compulsive cook/baker/housewife or a complete slacker in all areas of the home.

How long have you been creating art?

Since I could pick up a crayon, draw a picture, and then ask mom whether she liked mine better than my brother's.

What is your favorite type of creative expression?

I love anything that allows me to "speak" through writing or meaningful photography.

Your biggest source of inspiration?

Graphic design magazines and European posters.

Your blog?

Is how I remember who I am and where I've been.
http://candimandi.typepad.com/

Your favorite arty product?

I guess it's not really a product... but I'd have to say magazines. When I get tired of the same patterned paper everyone else is using, I turn to magazine pagesfor a fresh style.

Your go-to technique or thing you love to do?

I've found that I like using transparencies, you can print onto them from your computer and layer them over difficult journaling areas, like cardboard.

What is one random fact that you feel the world shouldknow about you?

I can't roller skate very well.

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Rhian-

Tell us a little about yourself-

I am a crafty girl who stumbled into the world of scrapping by mistake. I love holga cameras, blurry photos, desaturation, bright red lipstick, wedges, hula hoops, green grass, it has been said fairies reside in my head, and i love brave and soulful journalling. i can often be found dancing like a maniac in the middle floor of my three story house, baking cupcakes, and not tidying enough. i have an easy going geek boy husband, who films me doing stupid things on the sly, and supports me and my mess extraordinarily.

How long have you been creating art?

i've always "made stuff" - but i didn't truely start art journalling untill my youngest brother died 4 years ago. thats where things got real messy. i journal to keep me sane, and i make stuff to keep my hands busy.

What is your favorite type of creative expression? Like painting, scrapbooking, art journalling, etc...

i'm fickle. some days it will be paint, others it will be sewing, others yes it will be a pen and paper. it changes each and every day, with each of my many moods and passions.

Your biggest source of inspiration?

Trees, books, music, fairies, emo-ness, friends, skype conversations, indie styles, other peoples conversations, the crazy that goes on in my head, sheer randomness.

Your blog?
http://rhiancaroline.typepad.com/rhiancaroline/
my old way can be found on the sidebar under "history".

Your favorite arty product?

Paint and gesso all the way.

Your go-to technique or thing you love to do?

i like to gesso, paint, stick, paint, and unstick. and those are the technical terms ;)

What is one random fact that you feel the world should know about you?

somedays i don't get changed out of my pj's coz i'm just too lazy.

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Kara-

Tell us a little about yourself-

My name is Kara. I like wearing dresses, talking to myself, laughing really hard, wearing black toe-nail polish, making "art", The Office, taking naps in the rain, my iPod, puddle jumping, and Jesus.

I am almost 16. I really like mango smoothies and steak tacos.

How long have you been creating art?

A year.

What is your favorite type of creative expression? Like painting, scrapbooking, art journalling, etc...

Favorite? Matters on the day and the mood. Sometimes I like to go free and crazy with art journalling. I love me some minis and layouts are super inspiring.

Your biggest source of inspiration?

I'm high on life. Well, most days. Internet. I'm a crazy blog reader.

Your blog?

http://oldladyinateenager.blogspot.com/

Your favorite arty product?

My date stamp, my pen, or scallopped scissors.

Your go-to technique or thing you love to do?

I really like sewing and as of recently Gessoing like crazy. Courtesy of Rhi-pants.

What is one random fact that you feel the world should know about you?

That my name is pronounced "care-uh".

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Ashley Wren--

Tell us a little about yourself-

Wifey to Sean my best friend since we met in 9th grade study hall.
Momma to Julian - who loves Pokemon, art, and bacon.
Momma to Sandler - who loves Power Rangers, Hershey, and is named after Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson.
Momma to Marley Jane Valentine - who eats dirt and then daintily applies her sparkly lipgloss.

I love cutting old magazines, I love hot tea, cold sweet tea, and coffee. I am guilty of loving celebrity baby names and bubblegum pop music. I can't sleep with socks on. I love to laugh so hard I can barely breathe. I like fresh new books and boxes of new crayons.

How long have you been creating art?
If the era of paperkins and Jolee's Boutique stickers count as part of my "creating art"...then 7 years.What is your favorite type of creative expression? Like painting, scrapbooking, art journalling, etc...

My love for writing is why i do all the above. I have kept a journal since I was a teenager. Then along came the marriage of writing and photographs...and with that getting painty and artsy. But my #1 love always has and always will be writing.Your biggest source of inspiration?My children, My life, and Sabrina Ward Harrison.

Your blog?

www.sandlian.blogspot.com
or
www.thoselittlebigthings.blogspot.com

Your favorite arty product?

masking tape, a black pen, and cut out words and images from magazines.

Your go-to technique or thing you love to do?

Draw random lines of all sizes and lengths with a black pen and write until i run out of room.

What is one random fact that you feel the world should know about you?

I am deathly afraid of metal can lids.

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Kim--

Tell us a little about yourself-

I'm just a girl in the world who likes to make things...share things with her dear friends...go above the standard for her family...take photos...take her time...love and be loved.I have an opinionated yet perfect husband.

I have two free-spirited, never-stop, genius children.

I love painted hands, crumpled paper, ink smears and stale flamin hot cheetos.I am constantly trying to evolve, get organized, and shut my mouth.I walk on the wild-side from time to time only to fall into a safe haven of a home.I love art...and so far it has loved me...that's all I can ask for.

How long have you been creating art?

I would say as long as I could hold a paint brush and pen. I have been writing since I was too young to even know what I was writing...and painting has always been a bit of a release for me. I have done so many types of art from writing, sewing, painting, embroidery, drawing...it has been my life.

What is your favorite type of creative expression? Like painting, scrapbooking, art journalling, etc...

Writing is my favorite type of expression...be it on a scrapbook page, a journal page, a blog entry...I love all types. I believe that the writing lingers longer than any other form...after the trendy papers and colors have faded...the writing stand strong.

Your biggest source of inspiration?

My biggest source of inspiration would have to be books...magazines...and the internet. In books, I find new ways of thinking and feel it broadens my box. In magazines, I find visual inspiration, whether it is the colors or the textures or the graphics...some of my faves are Pottery Barn...Skirt.com...flickr is amazing as well!

Your blog?

My blog is my safe haven...I am a blogger first and it has been a wonderful expressive outlet for me over the last 3 years...http://kimberlybrimhall.typepad.com

Your favorite arty product?

My favorite product would have to be ribbon and photoshop...I love the many uses for ribbon. And with photoshop you can make your photos better...create your own embellishments and letters.

Your go-to technique or thing you love to do?

I love the take paint to the edges of my scrapbook pages...almost all of them have them...almost like a little frame to finish it up.I also love letter writing...to any and everything...Dear_____

What is one random fact that you feel the world should know about you?

Sometimes I don't wash my hair but every three days:)