this has been an incredible creative journey for me, almost too incredible to put into words, but i have taken chances, experimented and definitely learned a ton. thanks for walking along with me and exploring the process of "artbooking".
video recap and an extra special giveaway...
inspiration week - day 9 thank you from donna downey on Vimeo.
inspiration week ("iweek"):
Thankyou so much for sharing all this learning and
inspiration with us Donna, we have really enjoyed it too!!
Posted by: Sam Grant | March 20, 2011 at 05:14 AM
really cool!! thanks!
;)
Posted by: emanuela | March 20, 2011 at 05:17 AM
Looks awesome all together! I would Lurrrrrrrve to take this as a class!! Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 20, 2011 at 05:34 AM
Thanks again Donna, for sharing this week, it was really cool ! I'm now really addict to your creative job ! see you next week for inspiration wednesday ?
Posted by: panaka62 | March 20, 2011 at 05:34 AM
WOW WOW WOW Donna you did it again. What an amazing journey you have travelled and thank you so much for sharing it with us. It is so cool to see all the pages together.
Posted by: Irene | March 20, 2011 at 05:34 AM
I have had such fun watching this week, and now want to put some of what you have done, onto some pages of my own! Thank you SO much!! How great do all the papes look together!!!
Posted by: Helen Lindfield | March 20, 2011 at 05:39 AM
Hi Donna, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for being so generous, creative, funny and so inspiring to us all. AND the pages look absolutely fabulous put together.
Posted by: Dianne | March 20, 2011 at 05:49 AM
you are an inspiration.
i have loved watch the pages evolve, thank you for sharing
christine
Posted by: christine | March 20, 2011 at 05:52 AM
taking your inspiration journal class next weekend. how awesome is that? can't wait to experiment and play. thanks so much for being an incredible teacher. i love how you enjoy yourself so much. so fun.
Posted by: laura huffman | March 20, 2011 at 06:01 AM
Thakns for inspiration ****
Posted by: Ewa | March 20, 2011 at 06:03 AM
Absolutely fantastic, I do hope you'll keep the links to the vids live as i would love to be able to pop back when i have time to have a proper play.
Think my fav page is the stampotique one :D but there all amazing and look great together :D Thank you so much for sharing x
Posted by: Minxy | March 20, 2011 at 06:08 AM
Thank you so much Donna.
I have just completed my very first Art Journal page, thanks to you. If if wasn't for your Inspiration Wednesday's and this past week, not to mention the goodies that you have in your shop, I'd still be sitting here looking at a blank page. You have given me the encouragement to just give it a go.
You are a true artist, your energy and talent is just amazing I don't know how you continue to create such beautiful pieces of art all the time.
Thank you so much.
Cheers
Gayle in Aus
Posted by: Gayle | March 20, 2011 at 06:20 AM
Really enjoyed iweek with you and would love to see this repeated some time down the track.
Posted by: Kim Price | March 20, 2011 at 06:24 AM
I have loved this - thank you Donna. I'm attending some of your classes in London in a few weeks and I am now so excited - though I'm very tempted to have a go at these techniques in the meantime. I love those foam stamps so much and can think of endless possibilities for making gifts. Thank you again.
Suzanne
Posted by: suzanne | March 20, 2011 at 06:34 AM
Wow, I have just had a look at the comments for yesterday and there are 900 comments. OMG!!! I shouldn't be surprised as your reputation is world wide, but 900 comments (the main page says 400 though)
Wow you have really touched a lot of people. :) I am glad that I am one of them.
Posted by: Gayle | March 20, 2011 at 06:37 AM
oops my bad...my computer doubled them all...wonder how that happened.
Posted by: Gayle | March 20, 2011 at 06:39 AM
Good Morning Donna.
Thank you for a fabulous experience. This has been a great opportunity to have you show us all the parts of the creative process. THe best part for me was thinking " what is she going to do next?" or "WOW that turned out fabulous." or "never would have thought of that." Your willingness to share your ideas, strategies for changing things up and always approaching it with an upbeat attitude is the real gift. My favourite expression now is - "think I'm loving that" or "not loving that".
Thanks for an inspiring week. I learned a great deal. The best - just go for it and take a risk.
Erin
Posted by: Erin | March 20, 2011 at 06:43 AM
It's been a fantastic week! I've learned so much from you. Thanks so much for doing this. Looking forward to your next video :)
Posted by: Limar | March 20, 2011 at 06:53 AM
Thankyou. Thanks for showing us freedom in creating, for truly inspiring me and for always being entertaining.Laughter is great. Cheers.
Posted by: Aussie Emma | March 20, 2011 at 07:06 AM
You have created a spectacular piece of art and I espacially like your word "artbooking"
Posted by: Irma | March 20, 2011 at 07:10 AM
I have enjoyed and looked forward to each day this week, and it's been amazing! I loved watching and learning...thank you! I look forward to Inspiration Wednesdays and have now gotten my son and a few friends hooked on watching too (they used to think I was crazy for how excited I was...little did they know). I truly was in awe each day and one day was better than the next, but seeing the book all together (even though I've watched it all be done) once again puts me in AWE! Truly magnificent! Thanks for your inspiration and generosity! You've lifted my spirits every day this past week...thank you!
Posted by: Jodi A | March 20, 2011 at 07:11 AM
What a fantabulous week this has been. So sad to see it end.
Thanks for all the fun and inspiration.
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 20, 2011 at 07:15 AM
So enjoyed looking forward to seeing where your new "happy place" would take you. Learned a tons of coolness. Ideas are overflowing my brain. Thanks so much!
Posted by: bonnie | March 20, 2011 at 07:18 AM
Loved seeing all the pages together - absolutely gorgeous! The dahlia page has to be one of my favorites. So many great techniques and inspiration...I have felt totally inspired all week! Thanks for all the hard work just so you could share with us.
Posted by: joanne | March 20, 2011 at 07:21 AM
I have so totally loved this!! Thank you so much for the incredible inspiration and learning!!! I learned so much of the process that will help me in all kinds of mixed media art! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Posted by: Rebecca | March 20, 2011 at 07:27 AM
Thanks for sharing this journey with us, Donna! I loved every second of it. My favorite pages of this incredible canvas book are definitely the one with the bricks template and the one with the red heart.
Posted by: Sandra | March 20, 2011 at 07:28 AM
All this and you said we still get an Inspiration Wednesday this week?
Awesome!
Amazing!
Inspiring!
And I am thankful.
Love you,
Melle in FL
Posted by: Melle | March 20, 2011 at 07:36 AM
how cool to see it all together! the colors and designs, the layering...another Donna masterpiece! It gives me such joy in my heart...thank you for continue to inspire me, and thank you for giving me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and create, and grow and paint and live the life authentically as a artist.
Posted by: renee logan | March 20, 2011 at 07:36 AM
Amazing and fun filled week Donna! Thank you for sharing with us, and for all the inspiration to just go for it!
Posted by: Margaret | March 20, 2011 at 07:39 AM
I have thoroughly enjoyed this week! Your pages have been uh-mazing and inspied me to create more. As a result, I have manged to dye one hand pruple and the other green, have gesso in my hair and red paint smeared on my cheek. Essentially, I look like a science experiment gone wrong, but I don't care, it sure has been fun! Thanks for the inspitation!
Posted by: Lita | March 20, 2011 at 07:41 AM
Hi!
This was a FANTASTIC WEEK... A blessing in my life! I enjoyed every second of it! Thank you so much for sharing all this! You are an amazing woman! Thank you!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Marika Lemay | March 20, 2011 at 07:49 AM
Thanks for a fantastic week Donna have loved it and you put so much time and hard work into it, I'm loving seeing all the pages together I'm feeling very inspired this week and stayed up late last night creating Thanks once again xx
Posted by: Emma Tandy | March 20, 2011 at 07:51 AM
I joined in the second half of the week and i was so curious that i looked at all the video's yesterday....
I learned and enjoyed it a lot Thank you for the inspiration...my fingers where itching to create...
Marie-Anne
Posted by: Scrapbook Doll | March 20, 2011 at 07:54 AM
Creative play and discovery at it's best! Take a bow.
Posted by: Olive | March 20, 2011 at 07:55 AM
What a great week. You are my Go To blog for all things inspiration. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: lynna demay | March 20, 2011 at 07:57 AM
I am so glad to have had the opportunity to peek in on your art book making! I feel so honored. You have outdone yourself this week, missy! THANKS!! Can't wait to see what's up your sleeve next.
Posted by: micah holden | March 20, 2011 at 08:00 AM
Thanks for an amazing week of art. Your pages are beautiful and it was very inspiration to see your process. I hope you do it again sometime.
Posted by: Cathy Wegner | March 20, 2011 at 08:02 AM
donna
i have to tell you that i have been calling "scrapbooking",
"artbooking" for years now. I think it tells the "story" so much better....
thank you for this incredible journey - it has been an inspiration, a gift, a treat, the icing on the cake and i could go on and on....
thank you and i look forward to another week of this special event to all of us who cannot get to YOU!!!!
hugs and more
peggy
Posted by: peggy forma | March 20, 2011 at 08:15 AM
Wow - thanks for such an inspiring week. I have been excited every day - waiting to see what techniques and tools you will use. Each page is so gorgeous :) Totally inspiring!!! Thanks
Posted by: Sarah Kelly | March 20, 2011 at 08:15 AM
Merci, merci merci Donna pour tout ce partage. D'ailleurs aujourd'hui j'ai commencé ma une toile. J'essaie de mettre en pratique ce que vous nous avez montré, et j'avoue que j'y prends un immense plaisir.
Bisous bisous
Pascale
Posted by: Pascale | March 20, 2011 at 08:28 AM
I've always loved your Inspiration Wednesdays...it was a real treat to watch your process for the whole week! Thanks.
Posted by: Kim | March 20, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Thanks, Donna, for sharing your journey with us! You are truly inspirational. See you Friday! This last week of posts was perfect timing to get me inspired for the week-end ahead! Many thanks!!
Posted by: Deanna U | March 20, 2011 at 08:30 AM
You truly are an inspiration and a generous teacher. I have learned so much this week. I cant wait to put what I have learned to practice. Your style of teaching oozes with inspiring encouragment. You have made me believe that there is an artist in me.
Posted by: Lanie | March 20, 2011 at 08:33 AM
This week was so much fun! I loved each and every day! Thanks for sharing! You're totally amazing!
Posted by: Jen | March 20, 2011 at 08:37 AM
Thank you so much for an incredible week Donna, it's wonderful to see all the pages together. I CANNOT pick a favourite, each page is special & beautiful. By the time April 11 comes along, I'm going to be so excited, I still can't quite believe I'm going to be attending one of your workshops. Thank you again, have a lovely Sunday.
Posted by: Kirsten | March 20, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Thank you once again for this AWESOME week ... and for the neXt Inspirations you will surely give to us !!! :D
Posted by: Fred | March 20, 2011 at 08:41 AM
Thank you for giving me the courage to PLAY this week!
Posted by: Sarah Huizenga | March 20, 2011 at 08:43 AM
Thank you for this inspiring week and of course for your 'inspiration wednesdays'.I really love all the pages you did.
Posted by: Maudy | March 20, 2011 at 08:53 AM
What a fun week! My favorite page is the one using the dalia!! Awesomeness!
Posted by: Erika Davison | March 20, 2011 at 08:53 AM
Having a whole week of inspiration wednesdays was such a treat. The book looks fantastic all pulled together! Thanks for a wonderful week of WOW's...can't wait to do it again!
Posted by: Stephanie | March 20, 2011 at 08:58 AM
thanks for all the links in one spot! I had fun watching you play. I don't see a wrap up video for today (you and Bill)....I'll check back later to see if I can find it. (I'm interested to see if you added anything to the book after you were "done") LOL TFS!
Posted by: Dolly/scrapthat | March 20, 2011 at 08:58 AM
New generation taking off - fasten your seat belts - the trip (not the destination)? Artbooking! Thanks for an amazing journey full of inspiration and fun. Sure hope another trip is around the corner.
Posted by: Mary Werner | March 20, 2011 at 09:04 AM
The best part about your whole process is that is inspired me to be more creative about MY process. So hard for my type A to let loose but somehow I now feel more free (i think. HA!) Thanks for a great week of creating and inspiring. Thanks for a great give away, Donna & Bill. And thanks for sharing your passion with all of us.
Posted by: Mellisa | March 20, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Donna; Thank you so much for this week, it has been totally awesome (she said in her best California accent.) Obviously you are on to something. Look at the number of comments you have gotten each day. I don't think that is because we are all nuts over the chance to win a little bit of product; its about the excitement you generated with your process motivated approach.
Sincerely
Kathryn
Posted by: Kathryn in Benicia by the Bay | March 20, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Donna and Bill, you guys are fantastic what a wonderful giveaway - I'm registered slready but I know of some special people who would love to come if I win - my dear sister who is surviving by working 3 part time jobs, working 6 days a week just to keep living! She would be so surprised.
Wow .. what wonderful thing you are doing by giving away 2 spots .. I can't wait to see you all and enjoy all the creativity at INSPIRED ! Thanks for this week Donna it was great.
Posted by: Karin Hall | March 20, 2011 at 10:12 AM
I have so enjoyed this week...following you thru your journey...Congratulations on the new beginning...since we know this isn't an end to anything.
Posted by: Holly Moon | March 20, 2011 at 10:14 AM
First off... *not* entering the competition as I live in the UK!
Just wanted to say, I've recently entered the world of creativity again after about ten years of absence (uni, then raising a family!) and seeing your videos has REALLY inspired me, along with getting some great tips along the way, so THANK YOU! :)
Posted by: Marylin | March 20, 2011 at 10:15 AM
this would, literally, be a dream come true!
Posted by: Mary Dawn Q | March 20, 2011 at 10:18 AM
No, thank YOU for sharing. What a great learning experience. You've given us such great creative ideas.
Posted by: Kim L | March 20, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Thank you SO much for this whole week--you are such an inspiration, Donna!
Posted by: Lisa | March 20, 2011 at 10:19 AM
donna, donna, donna...(usually when my dad starts a sentence with my name three times in a row, i am definitely in crap for something)..LOL
what an amazing gift you've shared with us this week...it looks amazing...i always learn something new when i watch you create....i've tossed the cutters and have become an "ish" kinda girl...i've opened my mind and "stuff" just come flowing out... you're an inspiration as always... thanks for this week girl!!!!
Posted by: dorrie saya | March 20, 2011 at 10:19 AM
That was an awesome week and an amazing give away! Thanks for all you do.
Posted by: Colleen | March 20, 2011 at 10:19 AM
That's a fantastic final giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity to toss my name into the hat.
Posted by: amy in Texas | March 20, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Wow! What an amazing gift! Thank you for the giveaway! My sister-in-law and I were just talking about how we'd like to go to the event, but it was too rich for our blood right now. So, I'm entering in hopes of going together with her!
I've never heard of your inspiration Wednesdays, but you can be sure I'll be back for them now.
I'd like to get a canvas book. Will have to check your links for resources. Thanks again!
Posted by: Mama Pea | March 20, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Two spots to Inspired?? Fantastic giveaway!!
Thanks again Donna for the inspiration and for all your hard work (even though it looked like a bunch of fun!).
Posted by: Sherry | March 20, 2011 at 10:22 AM
I learned so much this week!! I started art journaling a year afo after the death of a dear friend and artist LeeAnne Wallace, and it was a struggle at first being brave enough ton try new things, but with wonderful videos and online classes I am getting there. I would LOVE to do an in person seminar. Wow. Thank you so much for all of your time, energy and effort with this project, I even bought a canvas album!!! Thanks for doing this fabulous giveaway!!
Posted by: September | March 20, 2011 at 10:23 AM
WOW WOW WOW, what a great giveaway, sure would love to win this one! Thanks for the opportunity!!!!!
Posted by: francine vorbeck | March 20, 2011 at 10:24 AM
You are just simply amazing! I loved watching you everyday this week and learning something new everyday! What a fabulous giveaway!!! You are too kind! Can't wait for the next journey!!
Posted by: Wendy High | March 20, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Hi Donna,
You are so generous! I would love to attend one of your class but I live in Montreal so.... I am "NOT" entering the contest.
Thank you for this wonderful week, you're the best! See you Wednesday!
Merci!
Posted by: Johanne S. | March 20, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Amazing week of inspiration! Thanks Donna!
Posted by: Jeanelle | March 20, 2011 at 10:25 AM
You guys are so dang cute! Thanks so much, again, for the week of hard work! It was amazing. A special huge thanks for a chance to win the giveaway.
Posted by: Jewel | March 20, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Thank you for this wonderful week!!!
Love every second of it!! "happy place" :)
Posted by: Sophie | March 20, 2011 at 10:26 AM
What a huge giveaway! The whole week was already such a wonderful experience. I can't wait to start my own album. I have said it before and I will do it again: Thank you Donna (and Bill (because without his support ...)) for this
Posted by: Irene | March 20, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Are you kidding me? Seriously! You are offering up this incredible opportunity. Wow! Just Wow! I am on a creative journey myself and have just started mixed media. Your joy and energy this week has so inspired me. Lovin this colorful life.
Posted by: Heather Wartenburg | March 20, 2011 at 10:28 AM
WOW Donna! What an awesome, awesome give away to wind things up! I just found out last week that I'll be volunteering at Inspired for all four days, so I'm already coming (YAY, YAY, YAY!) Good luck to the very fortunate winner and thanks for a week of superb art instruction with these videos. I've loved it!
Posted by: Darla | March 20, 2011 at 10:28 AM