CRUSADE No. 27 ~ Shape Up!

 

Ok, I crack myself up.  This crusade isn't about getting into physical shape, but I couldn't resist the title since getting in shape is all you hear about after New Years.  If you've been following along on my main blog, you have noticed I tend to pick a shape and obsess over it.  I think it's a great lesson - to investigate a shape - seeing it in positive and negative, and trying it on in several sizes.

 

If you've been playing along, then you have the experience of making new tools such as cutting a stamp or stencil.  Didn't you love using your own stuff?  You have the skills - now you just need a shape. 

 

Here are some examples - I was on a circle kick, and collected every size of punch that existed.  Then I started scouting for stencils.  Then I started making stamps.  Then I added in "X"s.  I had to make alot of my "X"s since they are not popular like circles.  There is something empowering and authentic about using your own tools.  Obsession is a good thing.

 

  

Another favorite shape - the 5-petal asterisk.   

 

And one of my first shape obsessions:  a house.  I cut many sized stamps, and it evolved into a book form, which became a class, which started the GPP line of rubber stamps....you can see that one shape leads to many things.  Maybe another shape, maybe another perspective.

 

I obsess about many shapes:  the maltese cross, a quatrefoil, architectural domes, hands, roses, chess pieces....  One shape always leads to another. 

I challenge you to pick a new shape for this crusade.  You are welcome to revisit a favorite shape if it means introducing yourself, and your journal, to new sizes and using the negative as well as the positive.  With Valentine's Day approaching, maybe you could start with a heart if you can't think of anything else.  A circle or square is always good.  Show us your tools, and your pages, on your blog, then come leave a link here (in the comments) to be eligible for the Top Hat Pick.  I'll add you to the list with the newest at the top.  As you visit the links of other players don't forget to leave your words of encouragement.

EDIT:  Archived links have been oved frm sidebar to here.

CRUSADE No. 27

• Belinda Schneider
  
• Carin
  
• Carlene Federer
  
• Cath Sheard
  
• Cath Sheard (more)
  
• Cath Sheard (more)
  
• Cheryl Gebhart
  
• Chris Miser
  
• Chris Miser (more)
  
• Diane Knauff
  
• Dianne Carey
  
• Elizabeth Woodford
  
• Hanna Andersson
  
• Inge Bekaert
  
• Iris
  
• Jacquie
  
• Jane Royal
  
• Jane Royal (more)
  
• Jane Royal (more)
  
• JeriAnn
  
• Judy
  
• Judy (more)
  
• Julie Prichard
  
• Julie Thornton
  
• Kathleen Green (C26)
  
• Kathryn Antyr
  
• Kathryn Antyr (more)
  
• Kim H
  
• Kim Mailhot
  
• Lay Hoon
  
• Lydia Fiedler
  
• Megan Warren
  
• Megan Warren (C21)
  
• Megan Warren (C24)
  
• Melissa Sabin
  
• Michelle Brown
  
• Michelle Ward
  
• Monica Magness
  
• Paula Long
  
• Regina Rook
  
• Regina Rook
  
• Robin Mayberry
  
• Rosie Rowe
  
• Rosie Rowe (more)
  
• Rosie Rowe (more)
  
• Rosie Rowe (more)
  
• Steff
  
• Taska

Comments

[forcryeye]

Thank God Michelle. I thought I was going to have to start a diet tomorrow. PHWEEEW! I can't wait to get started on this one! xo

[Julie Prichard]

You're awesome. :)

[Barb]

I've got a shape that I have been so thinking on lately...and now I have reason to do something with these thoughts. YAY! Thank you.
Peace & Love,
♥Barb♥

[Megan Warren]

I finally got around to completing crusade 21 - I did the rubbings at the time, but I have only just got around to doing something with them and posting to my blog.

[Maj Carita]

Hi Michelle, this is a great crusade! I am in love with the asterix as well! And I have been pondering which shape to make "mine" ever since I saw you obsessing with the x and o's on your blog... I wish my name had an & in it, like &ndrew's... but I only have a "car" in Carita... not really my shape! ;)

[Kathryn - Collage Diva]

Oh how clever you are. This will be a fun one. Now to pick a shape. I think I will treat myself tonight to a new stencil or stamp. I have a couple of images that I've selected to be my power images for 2009. I think I'll look for one of those. oh yeah a new adventure!

[Nisipici]

YAY! I am a new Crusader and was chomping at the bit waiting for you to post the first one of 2009. Thanks for the fun.

[Chris]

You know, Julie is right about you.

But now I have to ask you something: is a spiral a shape? I mean, not just a spiral, but a curly-cue. I am way into curly-cues right now, after a lifetime of thinking they're too girlie. I love the ones on Julie's All Knowing Tree canvas, and on vines, and on all sorts of things.

Hey. I'm just going to use curly-cues. And I hope I can do the positive/negative thing with it. I can't conceive that yet, but I'll work it out.

KOWABUNGA!!

[Chris]

And no fair anyone else picking the curly-cue! I know it's a genius idea on my part, but just stay away!!

Oh, but wait: Michelle is all about inclusiveness, isn't she?

Okay. I'll use Maj's asterisk idea, too, then.

YAY!

[julie thornton]

I've been on a roll lately so have been really looking forward to this one Michelle...I think I shall keep it simple...with something I havn't really explored before.

[Marie]

G R E A T idea for a crusade !
Here's to my favorite shape !

[Monica Magness]

o' lordy...

I've 'come heart OBSESSED this week...

you've now given me an outlet for sharing!

(exercise of the mind... 1..2..3..4.. I can keep this pace up for days!)

post coming soon!

[Chris]

Came over here to follow links and see everyone's shapes, and there aren't any yet! I guess we're all having the same speeded-up new year, struggling a bit with journals and projects. But if it's because I said you guys can't use my curly-cue idea, I was just kidding! Let's have a curly-cue year!!!

This isn't about me?

well

okay.

[Chris]

Came over here to follow links and see everyone's shapes, and there aren't any yet! I guess we're all having the same speeded-up new year, struggling a bit with journals and projects. But if it's because I said you guys can't use my curly-cue idea, I was just kidding! Let's have a curly-cue year!!!

This isn't about me?

well

okay.

[elizabeth bunsen]

ok Michelle - this is "shape lite" for sure but I am working on it...

one day at a time...

shaping up - 4 SURE - over here...

http://elizabethbunsen.typepad.com/be_dream_play/2009/01/positives-and-negatives.html

xox - eb.

[Cath]

Michelle this has been incredible - I spent much of the day on it and had a blast. Thanks so much for the inspiration. http://cathsheard.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/crusade-27-shape-up/

[Rosie]

Oh what fun! You've done it again... I'm carving more hearts... oh dear! Thank heavens this has nowt to do with weight-loss - that'd just be cruel! Hugs

http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/shape-up-crusade-27/

[Cath]

Oh dear Michelle - what have you started... You know I said I would take the pear onto canvas - well guess what I spent today doing? Two of them in fact! I am covered in paint and ink and varnish - but very happy. This Crusade has really got me :-)
http://cathsheard.wordpress.com/2009/01/11/pear-ing-at-my-canvas-new-pear-painting/

[Megan Warren]

Hi Michelle
yet another great crusade. I'm trying to catch up on some that I haven't participated in previously.
crusade #27 - http://4ravens.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/shaping-up-crusade-27/
crusade #24 - http://4ravens.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/final-wishes-crusade-24/
crusade #21 - http://4ravens.wordpress.com/2009/01/03/prompt-9-web-of-love/

[julie thornton]

I have had a ball with this Michelle.

I dont know why some of my images can be enlarged and others can't but hopefully you can see whats going on ok

http://julie-justme.blogspot.com/

[Belinda]

you're too funny and i've been picking my brain like some others! a cool not yet acquired new "scent" made me find a new old shape, so i'm shaping up too ;)
http://belindaschneider.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/john-galliano/

[Chris]

hi, Michelle. for some reason, can't remember if i tell you here, or what, but i got mine up tonight.
xo

[Rosie]

You made me laugh with your cartoon-character hearts buzzing round your head... and are so responsible for more hearty madness!! However, DD gets a new art print, so that's a plus!!

http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/shape-up-part-deux/

[jacquie]

Hey Everybody, Im new here. I thought I would just join in this looks like fun!
http://madamjacquie.blogspot.com/2009/01/crusade-27-shape-up.html

[Taska]

Wheh! I finally joined in after a lot of to-doing. I hope to participate more because I love the art challenge. The computer logistics challenges weren't so inspiring. I do wish that every time I got to a new page on your website I didn't have to scroll down to find the pause bottom on the music....
Anyway I still love your sites and your move to get us all working out here.
Thanks!
www.posttaska.com

[Rosie]

Here we go again... another journal page, more hearts, be still my beating - whatever!!!

http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/2009/01/17/shape-up-more/

[Diane]

Loved this challenge, Michelle (and I'm amazed that I am posting so early in the month...not my usual timing). I had just signed up to take a class with you at Valley Ridge and it just put me into a "Michelle frame of mind". My entry for the challenge is http://www.stoneangelarts.com/2009/01/gpp-street-team-crusade-27/. Thanks again for the endless inspiration you provide. Now I'm off to check out other's work.

[Cath]

I am so into this month's Crusade - my brain is in total overload LOL. Yep, you guessed it, I have been playing with pears again.
http://cathsheard.wordpress.com/2009/01/18/pears-on-the-brain/

[Michelle Brown]

Another fun, yet totally achievable, challenge. Happy 2009, Crusaders!

http://aztecmichelle.wordpress.com/2009/01/18/gpp-street-team-crusade-no27/

Michelle Brown
Melbourne Australia

[Jane]

HI everyone,
I am joining my FIRST crusade.
I've been playing with my shape today and I'm about to post. The biggest challenge so far - was to pick a shape and not change my mind 5 minutes later. Ha!
I picked a really simple one - square: because you know I'll do my BEST to make it complicated
(in a texture kind of way).
http://paintedheartstudio.blogspot.com

[kim mailhot]

Hey Michelle and Crusaders, (And to the New playmates !!!)

Thought this idea was a great one but was too stuck in the January Blues to do much...UNTIL TODAY !!! Yay ! I had a blast, playing with paint, and carving tools, and stencil burner, oh my !!!

Gotta HAND it to you, Michelle, You ROCK !

Thanks for my vacation from the blues !
Love and hugs,

[forcryeye]

I'm in! I'm in!!! Woohoo!

http://amothintoabutterfly.blogspot.com/2009/01/getting-in-shape-with-my-gpp-team.html

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

[Kathryn - Collage Diva]

Hi Michelle,

I actually have a couple of posts related to this challenge.

The first is on my Collage Diva site:
http://www.collagediva.com/collagediva/2009/01/gpp-27.html

The second is on my Soul Journal site:
http://www.collagediva.com/souljournal/2009/01/soul-journal-17-power-images.html

I have a new shape crush!
Many thanks,
k

[Melissa Sabin]

Is there any other choice but circles and diamonds!? There are 4 pages to see on my Flickr site. I could make backgrounds like this all day long. It is finishing them that I find hard to do! So often, I just leave my background pages undone, like this.

[Julie Prichard]

WOW look at all these comments...I am behind this month!

http://lostluggage.typepad.com/the_land_of_lost_luggage/2009/01/crusade-27-shape-up.html

Time to catch up!

[Lydia]

Hey chickie!

Wow - you always make me think.

http://projectreanimate.blogspot.com/2009/01/tiny-art-lives-again.html

[Rosie]

At the risk of sounding too 'Britney', - oops I did it again!! But seriously, I have to thank you too - it's the first time I've ever painted on fabric - yay!! Thanks for the creative shove!

http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/1649/

[Judy]

This is my first time to play but it was a good one for me. I have an obsession with letter forms. Check out here for my J obsession.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25838238@N07/sets/72157612934667518/

[Lay Hoon]

What a inspiration ideas for a new year.

This is mine..

http://mescrap.blogspot.com/2009/01/shape-up-your-power-images.html

[Cheryl]

This is my first time to do a challenge here, and I loved it! Here are my results:

http://scrappycat.blogspot.com/2009/01/diamond-jubilee.html

[carin.c]

Great challenge, Michelle! Hopefully I will do some more with my shape!
http://caliopeseye.blogspot.com/2009/01/shape-up-gpp-crusade-no-27.html

[Kimberly]

I somehow have happened upon the street team! What a great concept. I have been suffering from a case of creativity block so I have been enjoying reading through the crusades. I started with #2 tonight! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Kim H]

I finally finish this one!

http://runningonink.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/im-in-great-shape/

[Iris]

I too stumbled across your blog and challenges a while back and have been lurking and enjoying all the work that you and others have been doing. This time I have taken up the challenge and tried circles for myself. Now I am off to try circles with the sewing machine.

[Judy]

Got to playing with another favorite shape - tree we won't get into leaves.

Here's a link to some tree shaped things on my Flickr site

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25838238@N07/sets/72157613098885364/

I really like the ones cut from some not so successful paper painting attempts.

Judy

[Judy]

I've also added a couple things to my J obsession. I got to tangling with the letter forms - what fun.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25838238@N07/sets/72157612934667518/

Judy

[Elizabeth]

Hi Michelle!
Things have been going round and round in my head for quite a bit and I finally got things off the ground today!! thanks for another great challenge, which has served double duty with creation of class samples for a kids art class that I am teaching on Friday!!
Hugs!
Elizabeth

http://elizabethcreates.blogspot.com/2009/01/circles-and-curves.html

[Dianne]

This was a fun challenge, and begs to inspire a whole series of artworks! I chose to use pastels & stencils.
Dianne
http://artbeneaththecottonwoods.blogspot.com

[Steff]

Ok, I got totally inspired by this challenge, but I cheated a little! I used sewing instead of paper because that has been my obsession lately, but I couldn't resist another challenge!

http://mommycraft.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/joining-the-crusades-again-27-shape-up/

[Regina]

I've been thinking about joining in on the fun for a while & since Michelle reminded me about the shape prompt, here I am. I went a little nuts buying circle punches this fall for a project. After working on some cards last weekend, I'm ready to invest in a better/larger circle cutter. I save all sorts of cylinders to use for stamping circles. I didn't realize I was so obsessed with them until considering this challenge.http://rgrdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/01/art-journal-day-25-circles.html