Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Autumn Journal Pages




I am influenced by the color
around me, including the
colors of the seasons.  This week
in Ohio, the light seemed golden, 
the autumn colors of the trees were
silhouetted against gorgeous blue
skies.  I spent quite a bit of time
walking at various parks this
week, enjoying the sunshine.

Above, a collage in my 
Documented Life Project journal.
The month of October challenge
was Translucent Papers.  The strip
of paper on the left of the spread is
Deli paper, painted with gouache.
 You may be able to see the 
yellow lined paper that is visible
beneath it.  The Jack-o-lantern and
moon are copies of watercolors
that I did, inspired by vintage images.




Next, I used painted tissue paper
on the pages above and below. The
 tissue was painted with watercolor,
let dry, and torn into leaf shapes.
Wet tissue paper is very delicate and
tears easily! Let dry after gluing, and 
draw outlines and details. (I used purple
gel pen) The oval leaves are from
 a vintage child's 'Shape Book.'




I think the above page is actually
my favorite.  The torn tissue paper shapes
were glued down for the leaves and the
shapes of the trees at the bottom. I also
used some highlighter, and fluorescent
gel pen, but not sure that detail is 
visible on the scan. (click to enlarge)




A 'Happy Halloween'
Artist Trading Card...
washi tape, markers, pen
and scrapbook paper.




Linking up with 
Bleubeard and Elizabeth for
T Tuesday, when I generally
have coffee instead of tea...
but no one seems to hold it
against me as we are all very
individual in our tastes!
Stop by Elizabeth's blog for
 a cup of something...








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Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Cross Stitch Halloween



Halloween cross-stitch designs from
The Prairie Schooler, Book No. 181.
I painted the grapevine wreath
 black and dusted it with black glitter.
I may never get all of the black glitter
swept up in the spare bedroom...
I swept, I used masking tape to collect
the bits that wouldn't sweep up. Now I
remember why I don't usually use glitter.
The kids will probably wonder if 
there are bed bugs next time they visit!
How's that for scary?!!
I did use paper underneath when I 
sprinkled the glitter, honest. It still 
went everywhere...




I heard that Prairie Schooler designs is
 closing up shop, and so I ordered
several of their patterns. They are easy
because they don't have half-stitches,
and are often in a square format.  I think
the 'angel-skull headstone' is my 
favorite on this wreath.



"Of course I can drive a (broom) stick"
was finished into a pincushion. Pretty
happy with the results...




The 'ghosty' version of
Pumpkin Jack is hangin' around nearby.





I stitched the wreath designs on 11 count cream
Aida fabric, so they were easy to see to stitch.
They are mounted on cardboard, with some
frayed black fabric as backing. The pattern
called for black felt for backing, but I used
what I had on hand.










Linking up with 
Bleubeard and Elizabeth's
T Tuesday party,
where you never know what
we will chat about...but there
is always a beverage involved.
Mine is mocha, because 
chocolate for breakfast is
cool.  Right?!





Tuesday, October 13, 2015

I Can Drive a Stick




Continuing to share Halloween
themed items this month...

"From ghoulies and ghosties and
long-leggity beasties and other things
that go bump in the night,
Good Lord deliver us."
I stitched this sampler from a printed
kit when I was a newlywed, so it's 
about 40 years old! It has been removed
from its frame with the intention of making 
a pillow from it, but somehow it hasn't
happened yet...




A few of my favorite things...
old books, paper crafts, doilies,
Halloween characters and fall color.




A card received from a past Halloween,
 thank-you dear Elizabeth!




Here is Pumpkin Jack...he doesn't sit
very gracefully...and there is a
'ghost version' lurking somewhere about.




One of this year's projects, above.
I designed this myself. It was fun to stitch,
 and just makes me smile.
Will post photos when I get the
project finished. It's going to be
a pin-keep, or small pillow.




Joining Bleubeard and Elizabeth
for tea or coffee, or whatever
shenanigans I can get into

Do you decorate for Fall
or Halloween?






Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Halloween Sketches and Tutorial



Sketches for Halloween
from vintage images.  These
are in my art journal from 2008,
pencil, pen, and colored pencil.
I plan to celebrate Halloween on
this blog for the whole month, so
stay tuned for Halloween fun,
both old and new!




Sketches for Art Dolls, also 2008.
The paper doll on the right
is the one I ended up making
from cardboard. You will get to
see 'Pumpkin Jack' later on in
the month of October...



Above, a sketch for an ATC
that I was planning. I don't remember
if the final card ended up looking exactly
like this, but I really liked the way this
sketch turned out. Look out Blues Brothers...




Above, is the art journal page
that I made for a TUTORIAL
this week. It's over on my 
weight-loss blog, Healthy Momentum.
You can also find it on the Tutorials Page
of this blog in the side bar. (look for the tea cup)
 The Tutorial was designed to be easy,
 for people who are just getting started in
journaling, or aren't confident in
their drawing skills. Try it!



Linking up with 
Bleubeard and Elizabeth for the
T Tuesday blog hop.  Above, a 
cute Rooster Tea Pot and matching
cups that I saw at Sauder Village.
Join us for a beverage and
creative pursuits.


Friday, October 2, 2015

Creativity Is...



"Creativity is Risk-Taking" ~  Sting

Many things can prompt a page
in your Art Journal.  If I see an interesting
 image or hear a snatch of phrase that 
gets my attention, I grab a bit of 
paper and write it down. The 'notes to
 self' get slipped between the pages of 
my art journal until I decide how to 
use them in my art. 

In this case, I was listening
 to a National Public Radio
broadcast about creativity. I hadn't
really thought about what creativity
actually IS, but these quotes
rang true for me.




To roughly paraphrase 
Elizabeth Gilbert, author:
We've often heard the phrase,
"follow your passion," but that puts
a pretty strong sense of intensity 
(and perhaps stress) on the individual. 
Curiosity is much more doable.
It gives us 'permission' to work our
 day job and follow our curiosity where
 it leads us without the pressure 
of having to become
a tragic figure or 'starving artist.'




Another place I've found art journal
fodder is on blogs.  Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
does pod casts with her mom and
 a guest artist. They are full of gems of
wisdom and laughter. 
"Creativity is about exploring possibilities"
is a remark from Julie.  When I listen
to a pod cast, I take notes!
  It's fun and informative, plus I can doodle!
Where have you found inspiration lately?






Linking up with Julie's
Stop by for some inspiration!


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