I met a Starr!

Last Friday I drove down to Nashville (IN) to take art classes with the famous Jen Starr. When I learned about the classes through Papertrix, I checked out Jen's style and liked what I saw.Me and Jen. I'm holding my shabby chic book that I made in class.Everyone gathered around Jen to learn her technique.Jen mixed paint with gesso and then blended different colors together.

my friend Mary Jo joined me for class

Mary Jo is good at everything she does

Cindy from Papertrix joined us in class And I met my new friend Lisa

First we created on canvas (photo above -Lisa and me with our artwork) using medium and dictionary pages. Then we used stencils and gesso. Then we mixed paint and gesso and then stamps with letters to spell out words. Some class members used stickles to add sparkle.

Secondly, we used stencils and card stock and sprays and created card fronts. We combined those with embellishments and stamps. Finally, we made shabby chic books. We used corrugated cardboard. Jen taught us how to make cabbage roses from a flat piece of sticky-backed material. We used the sprays to color our roses and material and for a couple of pages in the book. We also used flourish stamps and white flat crackle paint. I like to take classes because I learn new techniques. I learn about myself. I see what other participants create and I learn from them. We all teach one another.

When I take classes, I also learn what I like and don't like. It is a good way to experience technique without buying supplies that you may not use. It is also a way to learn how to use materials that you've already purchased, but wasn't certain what to do with them once you got them home.

Jen Starr is very down-to-earth making everyone comfortable. She is from Jersey and has the greatest laugh. Her classes were reasonably priced- especially for someone as talented as she is. If she is in your area, be sure to jump in and take a class with her! I'm glad I did!