Artchain Art Challenge

Artchain Art Challenge - Day Five

Watercolor on Yupo Watercolor Paper

Artchain Art Challenge

Artchain Art Challenge Day Four

Here is a ZIA (Zentangle Inspired Art) I did with Alcohol Inks.  Drop some color down on the waxy side of "Freezer Paper" and swirl it a bit so that the colors blend a little.  Be careful what colors you put next to each other, so you don't create mud.  Take a piece of cardstock and lay it face down on the freezer paper.  Lightly press the cardstock down onto the colors.  Now, gently lift the cardstock up from the freezer paper and set it aside to dry.  When the cardstock has dried, TANGLE to your hearts content.

52-Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journals & more...

Week FIVE - WOW!

Here we are, already at week five. 

This week, I made a Sketch Journal our of a paper bag and Strathmore Sketch Paper.  I found the idea to make the Sketch Journal online.  It's called, "How To Make a Notebook In 5-minutes".  I must say, however, that it took me more like 30-40 minutes to make mine.

So, to make the Journal, you need a paper bag, and some sketch paper.

Cut the bag and papers down to any size you want your journal to be and fold the pages and paper bag cover in half.

I am going to punch holes for the binding and want to make sure that they line up when I do the stitching, so I marked "TOP" on both the cover and papers.  The is optional, but does help.

I punch five holes to stitch.  1-inch from the top and bottom, in the center and then again between the top and middle holes.  Same for the bottom.

The stitching is a basic in and out stitch, which is called a pamphlet stitch.

And that's it.  Your done!  Easy Peasy.  You can add a title to your Sketch Book/Sketch Journal, or not.  It's up to you.  Note: you can make your journal whatever size you want and add as many pages you would like to have in your journal.  My journal measures 6"X8" and has 10 pages (20 when folded).

Artchain Art Challenge

I was tagged by Deb Prewitt from Blue Twig Studios to participate in the Artchain Art Challenge.  You post your artwork for five days and then you tag someone to join in.

This is day two of my Art Challenge

Basic Zentangle 101

Yesterday I gave a class at Monica's Quilt and Bead Creations out in Palm Desert, California. Although the class was small this time around, it was still fun and we learned a lot.  Just because your the teacher, doesn't mean you can learn from your students too.

Zentangle Tile #1

Tangle Patterns: Crescent Moon, Nymph, Vega, Tipple and River.

Student's tiles from left to right: Leslye, Anne & Charlotte.

My students with great big smiles on their faces.

From left to right: Anne, Charlotte & Lesley.

My students were such fast learners, we not only had time to complete three tiles, 

we had enough time left over, we got to play after.

Next class: "OPUS Tiles"

52-Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journals & more...

Week Four

This week I created an Inspiration Journal.

Here is another super easy, super fun journal to make.

Supplies needed for this journal are Bristol Board, Photos (your own or from magazines), a paper cutter and prong fasteners.

The pages for the book are cut at 5" X 11".

Once all the pages are cut, measure the width of the fasteners, mark and  punch holes in each page.

Choose pictures that inspires you.  You can use pictures you have taken or pictures from magazines.

If you have chosen your own pictures, print them on photo paper from your printer.  Once you have all your pictures, cut each picture 4-1/2" X 4-1/2"

 

Glue each picture to the end of your pages, add lines for journaling (optional) and score 1" from the left end of your page.

Assemble your pages together.

Choose a front cover for your journal.  I thought this picture was appropriate for my cover.  I liked the idea of a door opening into the pages that inspired me.  As you look through your pages, look at each picture and tell a story.  How does the picture inspire you?  What do you see?  Does it bring back memories; good/bad?  Reflect and let each picture speak to you and see what happens.

52-Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journals & more...

WEEK THREE!

For this week's post, I could not decide what I should post.  I already had something in mind for this week, did not know whether to go with my original plan or change it, last minute.  I hemmed and hawed and then hemmed and hawed some more.  I thought and thought and then thought some more. I was trying to decide whether nor not to post what I had in mind originally or ....

Actually, I had something else in mind for this week's post, but when I received a complimentary copy of the book my artwork is in, Zen Doodles, I decided to post it instead.

The name of the book is, "Zen Doodle: oodles of doodles".  Some of my artwork is on the front and back cover of the book.  What is not in color that is.  The book can be purchases through Northlight Book, for anyone interested.

I had the honor of being one of the spotlight artist:

Along with the Q & A, are some of my ZIAs (Zentangle Inspired Art).

52-Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journals & more...

Here we are, second week of 52-Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journals and More...

For this weeks post, I decided on another simple booklet.

 

I started with Tan Cardstock for my cover and Strathmore's Tone Tan paper for my signatures

(about 7 sheets).

I cut the tan paper to fit inside the cover (8.5" X 11").

I folded he cardstock in half, creating the cover for my booklet, and folded each sheet in half.  I used a bone folder to crease all the papers and the cover.  I marked both the cover and the first folded paper with a "T", so when I sew papers and cover together, everything will line up.  

With a pencil, I made a mark 1" from the top and bottom and in the center.

I nestled he papers together and added the cover.  

Using a large eye needled I sewed the papers and cover together.

I drew a grid on the front cover, to do a design similar to the one I posted on March 1, 2014 .

That one was more free form.  This one will be more geometric.

Here is the finished booklet.  

I added Washi tape to the fold and rounded the corners of the cover and inside papers.

(NOTE:  If you going to round the corners, it's easier to do before you bind the book.  ASK ME HOW I KNOW ;-)

Making Embellishments from Clay

I am one of the Design Team Member for Blue Twig Studio.  I created a tutorial for Makin's Clay Products and Sculpey Flexible Mold, which can be purchased at Blue Twig Studio.

Here is what I created from these products:

To see the complete tutorial, go to Blue Twig Studios, here.

I hope this gets your creative juices flowing.  Have fun creating.

52 Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journals & more...

Week one of 52 Weeks of Book Binding, Art Journaling & more...

This holiday season was a busy one for me this year.  With visits from relatives, and friends popping in and out and all the preparations for the holidays, it left very little time for anything else.

The book I created for this week is a very simple one.  An "According Fold Booklet".  Super easy, super simple.

I started with Strathmore Watercolor Paper, size 6" X 18", 140#.  I bought this paper awhile back thinking I would use it for watercolor landscapes, but never did.

I scored the paper every 4", which gave me four folds.  After cutting off what was left, it gave me enough to use as a bookmark to make at a later date,  if I choose.

I then folded along the score lines and creased each fold with a bone folder.

I chose these two pieces for my front and back covers.  I found the one on the left on Pinterest, which I thought was so apropos.  I cut each 4" X 6" and glue them to the front and back of the booklet.

Finiahed Book