CRUSADE No. 28 ~ Portion Control

 

After you determine you need to Shape Up, one of the next things to tackle might be Portion Control, right?  *Grins*  Practicing portion control can be useful when filling your plate, or making art.  What do I mean by Portion Control?  I believe that part of something is more interesting than the whole.  It creates a sense of mystery, an engagement of the viewer to try to figure out what they are looking at.  There are many clever ways to use part of something, but since we just tried on new shapes I thought now might be the perfect time to investigate portion control.

Try this:

 

Did you find you were drawn to the un-whole images or the whole images?  These samples investigate using portions of an image, while messing around with positive and negative.

 

 

Don't you think that mysterious is more interesting than obvious?  The left sample below shows a red paper that was crayon rubbed over the wallpaper sample, then monoprinted with paint to block out a portion of the image.  The right side is the wallpaper scrap - pretty image, but boring!

 

We KNOW what an alphabet stencil looks like - isn't the messy brush monoprint taken from the stencil way more cool?  Think of how to use your tools in a partial way, a backwards way, or even upside-down.  Build Mystery.

 

  

Use ink or paint, or torn paper, or pencil to "complete" a partial image.  Let's say you have a circle punch - use it to make a stencil.  Lay it over your page and paint in part of it, then pencil in the rest of it.  Am I making sense?  Below, you see the OBVIOUS stencil image of Xs on the right.  But on the left the image is less obvious, more myserious, by using two colors, and adding in my own lines. 

 

 

OK, I think you get it now.  Practice Portion Control with a shape or image on a journal page, blog about it, then come over here and comment and I will list you in the links under Crusade No. 28. 

A few reminders - even if you don't play along, please leave your comments for the participants you visit.  Everyone appreciates validation, and it makes the effort worthwhile.  The whole point of going out on a limb to share is to inspire one another while building a community of like-minded souls.  Technically - you would think if we had 50 players one month then each crusader should have 50 or more comments.  Ok, 50 is alot of comments, but you get what I mean.  Some of you a terrific commentors!!  Let's try something new - let's make sure each participant gets at least 13 comments for their crusade post.  Lucky 13.  Are you with me?

 

Show us your Portion Control!  Links will be posted with newest at the top for easy navigating.  Archived crusades will be alphabetized by first name.  Winners are selected from a Top Hat on the first day of the next month.  Come and play!  (you are welcome to come play on any previous crusade too)

CRUSADE No. 28 ~ Portion Control DUE MARCH 1st.

 

EDIT:  Archived links have been moved from sidebar to here.

CRUSADE No. 28

• Arlene
  
• Becky Hawley
  
• Cath Sheard
  
• Chris Miser
  
• Debi Mattingly
  
• Diane Knauff
  
• Dianne Carey
  
• Elizabeth Woodford
  
• Hanna Andersson
  
• Hanna Andersson (more)
  
• Hedwig
  
• Hedwig
  
• Jane Royal
  
• Jane Royal (more)
  
• Jane Royal (more)
  
• Judy S
  
• Judy S (C18)
  
• Judy S (C2)
  
• Judy S (C25)
  
• Judy S (C8)
  
• Judy S (more)
  
• Judy S (more)
  
• Judy S (more)
  
• Julie Prichard
  
• Julie Thornton
  
• Kathryn Antyr
  
• Kathy McCreedy
  
• Kim Mailhot
  
• Lay Hoon
  
• Marlynn Likens (C26)
  
• Megan Warren
  
• Megan Warren (more)
  
• Michelle Brown
  
• Michelle Ward
  
• Pauline Laing
  
• Regina D
  
• Regina Rooks
  
• Regina Rooks (more)
  
• Regina Rooks (more)
  
• Regina Rooks (more)
  
• Robin Mayberry
   

Comments

[iHanna]

It's tricky as it is so free and big - but I will do my best Michelle! Love the heart page, it inspires me! I'll come back with my link later.

[Chris]

I'm there, baby! Or...

... maybe I'm not...

.. 'tis a mystery...no?

I have been horrible at commenting lately, being so busy! I love the crusades and seeing what everyone does, but haven't been able to visit much. After portion control, I need multi-tasking control!!

This is a great challenge. Thanks, Michelle.xo

p.s. my favorite heart: the middle one, partially masked, partially stencilled and stamped, partially chocolate, partially caramel, partially covered in curlicues. So, there!

[Regina]

Excellent crusade, Michelle!

[Barb]

I keep saying that I'm going to get one of the Crusades done and then I end up getting busy with something else and never get around to it...but this time, dang it, I AM going to do it...I've already got my own stencils/masks ready to cut! Woot!! Will be back to post my link later. Really. I swear! lol
Peace & Love,
~Barb~

[Elizabeth]

This will be another great crusade!!! Enough with the dieting references!!! ( Just kidding- you clever girl!!!) I don't want to fret about that now- just wnat to do art and forget to eat!!!!!
BIG HUGS!
Elizabeth

[johanna]

what a fantastic new challenge you came up with!! i hope i will find the time to play... have been a bit uninspired and uncreative lately, hope that gets me going:))
oxox, johanna

[deb]

Hi Michelle!

Just found your blog and I love your blog and your work. I will definitely try to take some time away from my store and play along! xo...deb (the junkin' yaya)

[julie thornton]

Looking forward to this one Michelle...I feel a new shape coming on...:lol:

[Judy]

I'm still catching up with some of the previous crusades since I just started playing. So here's gesso C25
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25838238@N07/sets/72157613398421934/
I think the red page is going to use some portion control

Judy

[Judy]

And here is C18

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25838238@N07/sets/72157613368406423/

I love carving stamps. I got started when I "found" my grandmother's carving set from making linoleum block prints. She used to make her own Christmas cards that way. I really got into it when I started letterboxing so many of my stamps are hidden out in the world in little plastic boxes. For carving material I like PZKut available from Stampeaz.com

Now onto that portion control.

Judy

[deb]

Okay...I have now finished "Portion Control" and have posted it on my blog at
http://thejunkinyaya.blogspot.com

Since, this is my first time....I hope I followed instructions correctly. :) I am pretty bad about going off in my own world when creating...even if it is a journal page.

Take care and have a great weekend!

xo...deb

[Kathryn - Collage Diva]

Fabulous challenge. I really wasn't satisfied with my shape play from last month because there wasn't enough mystery. I'm thinking I may go back and alter those pages to give them a bit of messy play. You are a clever one, "portion control."

I think it is wonderful how you are encouraging everyone to leave comments and reinforce a positive creative community.

Have a lovely weekend.
k

[Cath S]

Not as happy with these as last month's attempts; will keep playing with the idea and see what happens. But it was interesting to get into the challenge all the same. http://cathsheard.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/anyone-for-half-a-pear/

[Megan Warren]

Another great crusade, Michelle! I want to play with this some more so I will be back.
http://4ravens.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/gpp-crusade-28-portion-control/

[Judy]

Here's a first attempt at portion control:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25838238@N07/3264623783/

I'm not entirely satisfied with this so think I'll be trying again. Still working on catching up though.

Judy

[Judy]

C2 - playlist

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25838238@N07/3267262960/

Been having a great time playing in my journal. Thanks Michelle for the prompts.

Judy

[J to the P]

yee haw...happy February, Crusaders! (Cough Syrup)

Hope you enjoy my contribution this month:

http://lostluggage.typepad.com/the_land_of_lost_luggage/2009/02/crusade-28-portion-control-an-indepth-explanation-of-my-process.html

[Regina]

Hi Michelle,

This is my first participation in a crusade, Julie of The Land of Lost Luggage stimulated me to send my contribution. I only made it bigger than a journal page, but it is Portion Control, at least my interpretation!
My weblog:
http://mostlyturquoise.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for your ongoing inspiration Michelle

Regina
St. Maarten, DWI

[Robin]

I used portion control to make a Valentine's Day card and I loved it!

Check it out, yo!

http://alchemy-studio.blogspot.com

[Regina]

Michelle,
thank you for your welcome and your very positive comment!

Regina, St. Maarten, DWI

[Elizabeth]

Michelle! i managed to move several things from To Do to Ta DA with this crusade!! Multitasking makes time for all the fun stuff- like this crusade!!
Hugs!
Elizabeth
http://elizabethcreates.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-street-team-crusade.html

[Regina]

So much coolness here already. I just posted, but will be back with more later. http://rgrdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/02/gpp-crusade-28-portion-control.html

[hedwig]

Hi Michelle
funny word games 'shaping up' and 'portion control'. Here is part one of these crusades from me http://belle2create.wordpress.com/2009/02/14/valentines-day/
Thanks for the sparkling ideas, you keep inspiring me (although you see little of that.... i intend to play this month more than once).
Hedwig

[Megan Warren]

Some more portion control from me
http://4ravens.wordpress.com/2009/02/14/more-portion-control/

[Judy]

Still catching up. Cheap tricks C8 seemed appropriate since I'm on forced vacation this month (no pay) I enjoyed browsing what others had posted but I didn't see one of my favorite recycled materials so here it is:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25838238@N07/3278243879/

Hope to revisit portion control this weekend. Still haven't gotten what I'd like with that concept yet.

[Regina Rooks]

Hi! I just put up 2 more posts with my circle play from the week. Now I need to get some work done around here. LOL

[Pauline Laing]

Hi,
I had some fun with paisley "Portion Control" - here it is:

http://springchook.blogspot.com/2009/02/gpp-crusade-28-portion-control.html

This is my first time here - what fun!
Pauline

[Arlene Mobley]

Hi Michelle

Your heART tags are beautiful! I had a great time with this months crusade. Thanks

http://alteredbyme.blogspot.com/2009/02/crusade-no-28-portion-control.html

Arlene

[julie thornton]

Here you go...my contribution...lovely challenge Michelle. Thanks again for your inspiration :)

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

[Kathryn - Collage Diva]

Here is my Damask Remix: http://www.collagediva.com/collagediva/2009/02/gpp28.html

You rock my dear!
ox ox ox ox ox ox ox ox ox ox
k

[Kathy McCreedy]

Hi Michelle, awesome Crusade... I tried a bit of my own "portion control" using MY favorite shape, the heart, which was JUST in time for Valentine's Day... and I must say, it was quite freeing to use so few elements in a design... and I love how it turned out. http://kathymccreedy.typepad.com/
Be sure to scroll down past the cartoon, to the first post I put up this morning. I found "X" & "O" cookie cutters this weekend at Target in the dollar bin... imagine my delight; wink, wink!!! XOXO

[Jane]

Hi Michelle, I am loving this crusade!!
Your work is just amazing and inspiring! You have also re-sparked my love for carving!

For the latest

http://paintedheartstudio.blogspot.com

-Jane

[Judy]

Gave this portion control thing another go.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25838238@N07/3286343868/

I think I'm getting more comfortable with it but still don't feel like I'm in control of the results.

[iHanna]

Hey my portion control post is here;
http://www.ihanna.nu/blog/?p=970

thank you Michelle, this is awesome!

[kim mailhot]

Hey There Michelle and Fellow Crusaders !

As some of you already know, I had a really fun time making the post for this challenge ! You can check it out here :

http://queen-of-arts.blogspot.com/2009/02/csi-new-hampshire-gpp-street-team.html

Thanks as always to Michelle for the wonderful inspiration and sense of community that she provides for us each month !

Onward, Crusaders !
OX OX
Kim

[hedwig]

Hi Michelle
LOVE this crusade (as usual, you always come up with great ideas) and here is my blogging about it
http://belle2create.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/more-portion-control/
XOXO,
Hedwig
(those snazzy green boots really rock!!! Wish i was nearer, 12,80 usd for a pair of rockin' boots, WOW)

[Regina Rooks]

good thing my shape is calorie-free, because I've been having LOTS of it. I just did another post and will be back with more when time allows.

[Regina Rooks]

Back tonight after posting what I promised. I hope I haven't made you dizzy with all my circles. LOL

[Judy]

Well the first sign of spring showed up here in the northlands today so I did a journal page in its honor and exercised a little portion control.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25838238@N07/3299417928/

This has been a great learning crusade for me. Thanks so much Michelle.

[Dianne Carey]

it's tough for me to obscure images after they are down...great idea for art journal pages and working outside my comfort zone!

[Judy]

Finally a page that looks the way I envisioned. I think maybe I'm finally getting a handle on this. Yeah I'm a slow learner.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25838238@N07/3311312091/

Please feel free to leave comments & suggestions on my posts I'm new & I want to learn!

Thanks.

[Lay Hoon]

Michelle,
I like this challenge so much.
Thanks for inspired me again.

my link

http://mescrap.blogspot.com/2009/02/crusade-28-portion-control.html

[iHanna]

another one if you wanna check it out

http://www.ihanna.nu/blog/?p=983

and then march is one, how quick that was!?

[julie thornton]

I have a little surprise for you over on my blog Michelle

http://julie-justme.blogspot.com/2009/02/surprise.html

[julie thornton]

I have a little surprise for you over on my blog Michelle

http://julie-justme.blogspot.com/2009/02/surprise.html

[Chris]

hey, Michelle, how are you?
Mine's up.

xo
C

[Becky Hawley]

Thought I'd finally give one of these a try! Thanks for checking it out.

Becky

http://beckydesigns.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/portion-control—the-incomplete-shape/

[Michelle Brown]

Sorry I'm a little late (we need a 30th of February!). Here's a portion of Portion Control:

http://aztecmichelle.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/gpp-no-28-portion-control/

Smiles,
Michelle Brown
Melbourne Australia

[Diane]

I'm a bit late on this one but "better late than never". Instead of playing in my journal, I decided to try out the challenge on a couple of pieces that I was working on. Thanks again for another great challenge, Michelle. http://www.stoneangelarts.com/2009/03/secret-7-and-crusade-28/