The Art of the Family Tree

Reported by: Kimberly Brimhall

Back in February at the winter CHA, I was given a copy of The Art of the Family Tree: Creative Family History Projects Using Art, Fabric & Collage. I immediately loved the cover so of course I kept it. Author Jenn Mason references why she believes she was destined to write this book because she has a big family, her mother made family trees, her family members are interested in family research and she is an artist. She includes tips for getting started from finding and organizing your space to tools and materials.

This book really made me look at the family tree in a different light. Rather than looking at pages of random names printed on paper, Mason shows the art of making a visible record of family members. She outlines step by step how to arrange your family tree, even solving tricky dilemmas for things such as divorce and adoption.

The Art of the Family Tree is filled with so many ideas for making a a visual family tree or documenting it. Some are done on canvases, some in shadow boxes, some in journals. There is something for everyone's style from journaling to collage art.
I decided to make a collage family tree and a library of relatives mini journal collection...
The idea was to take an old hardcover book and remove the pages and use the the outside for the journal holder.



Eyelets were used to string the ribbons that hold the mini journals inside. I made one for each member of my family...here I can record important events, awards, allergies, things that might not go in a scrapbook. I also added a small envelope for little memories such as movie tickets, stamps, things with the date so years from now we can look back on the past.



This book is step by step easy to follow. I am usually not a big "project" person, unless I can figure it out in under 5 minutes, so this book was perfect for me. Mason and other artists are spotlighted in this book. There are visual examples of projects from canvas art to family wreath trees to postcards. If you are someome who has is interested in family history or just want to make a family tree, this book is a good fit. It's easy to follow steps are wonderful for people who are just getting started as well. I enjoyed this different perspective on family history and I am still working on a canvas family tree. Have you taken a look at this book? Let us know what you think!

The rest of the new reporter bios

Sorry, this was supposed to run this morning with Simone's first article, but I forgot, so please welcome our new reporter.

Simone Collins : Featured Reporter

My name is Simone Collins and I live in Chicago with my 12 year old son, "The Max". I've been scrapbooking since before I knew what scrapbooking was. My first book is from when I was in 5th grade and it celebrated my then love for the King of Pop (embarassing, I know!). I've always loved creating little projects as a child and love it even more now that I have more than my $5 a month in allowance. I also teach classes at a new LSS. And if that is not enough, I work full time as an office slave. My gal pal and I recently started a new challenge blog recently called Scrap Your Crap to inspire ourselves as well as our crafty pals to use up what we have been collecting for years. I also keep a blog on my own and have started to fill it with video tutorials, scraproom tours and store features, totally fun.I love candy, the color green, watching tons of movies, 80s music, black clothing, trashy reality tv and sleeping 8 hours a night. I talk to much and rest too little....but I love it that way. I'll try anything twice!I can't wait to get started with Craft Critique!

And also welcome Kim, who also hasn't been formally introduced.

Kimberly Brimhall : Featured Reporter

I am a 26 year old new soul, mother of two creative souls, and wife to one old soul. I am really from no where and everywhere because I have lived all across the country and now call Texas home. My background is in journalism and home design, but recently I have joined the scrapbooking world and found my niche. For the last five years, I have been writing, painting, doing photography and have been involved in many different aspects of design from home décor products to digital imaging. My favorite things are my children’s art hanging on my fridge, snowcones, creative blogs, and sweet, inspiring people. I am most happy when I am dancing and when I have a new canvas, new paper, and new photos. I am excited to be a part of such a lovely team!

Elsie Flannigan Interview

Reported by Kim Brimhall

It's been a little over a month since Martha and I had the chance to sit down with Elsie Flannigan, scrapbooker/artist, and the designer of the Love, Elsie line by KI Memories. When I approached her on doing an interview, she was completely accepting and polite. Sitting with her, hearing about her thoughts on her creative process, her art and her life, was such an enlightening experience.

In speaking with Elsie, we got a small peek into the creative mind of such an inspiring artist. Her new line of products were revealed at the Winter CHA expo, and we were not disappointed. The Claire, Cody, Daisy, and Forrest kits were adorable.

We asked Elsie what she was most excited about and she said her New Recipe Idea Book (which will be out in May)...it is something she is truly proud of...

...And her new Hobby Lobby lines, Emma and Josie, were announced recently on her blog, A Beautiful Mess.

When asked what people would be surprised to know about Elsie, she said that "I usually work late at night, sometimes until six in the morning," and that she felt it was more peaceful, without distractions. She also stated that she gets her inspiration from many different places, from books, from movies, and even her Flickr photo account.

She is inspired by everything around her...art, her boyfriend's music, the DVD Sigur Ros, the film Amelie, and especially hardworking, ambitious, and creative people. Surrounding herself with artistic people makes her more creative she says. She also spoke about her parents influence on her work, saying, "My parents have always been really supportive with everything I've done," mentioning her past interests in comic books and fashion. She spoke gently of doing art with her mother, and it was obvious that she finds that time very special.

On her style itself, Elsie says," I like to keep the basics and add fresh new pieces." She says she is excited about constantly evolving and having fun with her work. Elsie admires other designers as well. We asked her what her favorite of the winter CHA and she said "BAM POP!, it's different but fresh, and is an artistic compliment to my lines."

Whatever your style, Elsie Flannigan is definitely an artist anyone can relate to. Her fresh outlook on scrapbooking and her artistic approach is truly inspiring.

Thank you Elsie for such a lovely experience and for sharing with us.

You can find her new Hobby Lobby line here and her new CHA lines at your local scrapbook stores or online boutiques.