UnPlanner 2016

For May, I've dispensed

with the monthly view calendar in

favor of a collage in my DLP

unPlanner... 

One of our challenges was to

create a pocket.  I decided I'd like

to have some scallops on the edge,

and make the size so that the

page behind it would show.

Haven't written anything on the tag yet.

I'll figure something out...I used mostly

highlighter on the tag. The pocket

page is a combination of watercolors

and highlighter pens.

Though still doing the

Documented Life Project,

it has been challenging keeping up

with both my Hobonichi Techo and

DLP at the same time. April was a bit

over-committed since I was also doing

a Fake Journal, and swap art too. 

My daily activities don't always show up in

my DLP, but it's a fun way to

follow the challenges of the group and

do a few more doodles and sketches.

And try to use up what's in my stash

without buying more stuff!

Techo on Tuesday

Watercolor and white acrylic paint

in my Hobonichi Techo, above. The paper

holds up very well. Even though the

pages seem thin, the paints do not

show on the back at all...

Our last snow fall was very pretty

sticking to all the trees. I could hear

the wind blowing clumps of snow

off of the branches and hear it

hitting the ground with a 

wet 'plop.'  It all melted the same day.

A friend gave me some pages from

a children's book that she was preparing

to use as an art journal.  I can't resist

Winnie-the-Pooh, and had to paste

this conversation into my Techo.

I am thankful we don't get many

earthquakes where I live, though

they have been known to happen!

Some days the Techo drawings

are pretty random...

A sketch of my travel mug for

the T Tuesday blog hop-- to 

qualify as my 'beverage reference.'

On Tuesdays, anyone can join in

the blog hop, as long as you reference

a beverage, with a photo, artwork, or even

a video clip. Join in for some fun!

There is usually a wide variety of viewpoints.

The Techo has somewhat

replaced my enthusiasm for

The Documented Life Project 2016,

But I am still keeping up with it.

I don't like to quit a project once 

I've started it. Modifications are definitely

in order though, as these calendars show.

The daily tiny drawings from January

became 'several days at a time' on

February's calendar.  In March, I

decided to do one large image

for the month.  The crocus photo

was taken by a friend, who permitted

me to draw from her photo. I am not liking

the distracting lines from the calendar...

the diagonal striped page is a pre-printed

scrapbook type page that I had chosen 

for my monthly divider. Perhaps not

the best choice. Maybe I should try this

image again on plain watercolor paper?

Happy Tuesday!

Calendar Obsessions

Here is the progress (above) on 

my January calendar that has

a bit of drawing each day...

and a weekly page on which I decided

to write a few quotes.

"I have decided that I no longer want to 

be an adult...if anyone needs me, I'll

be in my blanket fort, coloring."

There have been several days

of snow showers, but not a lot

of accumulation that lasted.

The wood pile, or rather logs

lined up on end, make an interesting

subject in the snow. When I got

the bluish watercolor shadows a 

bit too bright, I stippled some

gesso on with a nearly dry brush

to resemble snow.

Some Artist Trading Card-sized

pieces, that will go in pockets in

my ring-binder calendar. The

quotes came out of a women's

health magazine, and I combined

them with my own watercolor

designs.  Below shows the back.

We visited a pub-style restaurant

this week, known for its huge burgers.

I used images from their web site to

sketch a version of one of their hamburgers.

We had a good time with some

wonderful friends, and it was fun to

try a place we'd never been before.

Such large portions are not something

I agree with, and we did our best not to

overdo it!  The gyro I had was very

good.

In addition to my Art Journal Calendar,

(in a ring binder)

I also am using a Hobonichi Techo.

It is from Japan, with wonderful paper

in it, and I've been using it as an

"illustrated diary," although it can 

certainly be anything I choose to make

it. There is a whole page for each day,

and that gives me room for lots of

doodles! Above, some colorful

squiggles and circles, along with a 

sketch of the Rooibos Red Tea blossoms

drawn from my herbal tea packaging.

Also, I made Ginger Muffins after my

friend Elizabeth blogged about them!

Linking up with the T Tuesday blog hop,

and wishing you a creative week!

Possibilities

Collage: scrapbook paper, labels, vintage music library
index card

A new year brings a lot of

possibilities...

After the hustle and bustle of the

 holidays, when the house guests

 have gone home, and things get back

 to normal, (or what passes for normal at our

 house) there can be a bit of sadness. 

 Looking back at enjoyable moments 

from 2015, and the possibilities of 2016

 helps me keep a positive perspective.

There are new journals to be filled,

different techniques to be tried,

and new art to be made!

Some art friends talked me into

trying gelli plate printing.  The 

backgrounds did come out lovely!

 Not sure I will run out and buy one,

 but the gelli print made a colorful

 background for this tag.

I've had a lot of Peppermint herbal tea

this week, as I am nursing a cold.  But 

hopefully am on the mend.  I do enjoy

a hot beverage on a cold day! The cold

weather has finally arrived in Ohio - we

had an unseasonably warm December!

Linking up with the T Tuesday

gang over at the Altered Book Lover,

and planning on more peppermint tea...

just as soon as I finish my coffee!