Classic Doodling

So I gave myself a little present for making it through the horrible stress of the holidays. I signed up for this class by Stephanie Ackerman. It's called Scrapbook Life, and it will be a year-long journey for me. We have weekly assignments, and a terrific Facebook group to share and encourage one another. In addition, I get to really focus on scripture, which is one of my goals for this year. 

This is the header I made for my January page. I used some Tim Holtz letter masks, acrylic paints, pens and Sizzix dies (by Tim Holtz). I am not giving away the class info - but I will tell you it's fantastic. Check it out - oh, and you get an ENTIRE YEAR of instruction for just $40.24!

I created this page from collaged bits left over from other projects. I also used some packaging, old newspaper and book text. The White Rabbit looking at his iconic pocket watch, the ship, the plane, even the neighborhood celebrate the truth of the saying. It was a bit of a mantra for me in the last few months. I did so many new things during that time. I will be adding some secret journaling to explain it all.

I created this page for the Sketchbook Challenge. January's prompt was doodling. I love to doodle! It frees my mind up and really helps me zone out and relax. There are so many Zen doodling groups on Flickr - check them out! There's a great group that shares freehand doodle patterns on Flickr too. I get so many wonderful ideas from that group.

That's what I've been up to lately. I hope your new year is rolling along nicely. If you decide you'd like to join Stephanie's Scrapbook Life class, it's open until January 31. Come play along!

~ky

Painting with Snow!

We got snow, finally! I love winter, and snow is just like the icing on my frozen cupcake. I wanted to play in the snow, but I didn't want to make a snowman. I wanted something a little more, erm, permanent.

click any image to enlarge

 I pulled out my cheap watercolor paper, and my mini misters. I sprayed the papers liberally with my own concoction of Ranger distress inks and water. Water-based inks are the key in this technique.

I sprayed the papers liberally with plain water and tossed them out on the snow.

Then I buried them in snow! Caution, do not eat the ink-colored snow! LOL Yes, I know how corny I am...

The snow freezes the wet ink, and creates a unique pattern in the ink. Our temperature was around 18*F when I did this, and the snow was damp but not super wet. I dried the papers with my super quiet super hot heat gun - this took too long, so I switched to my trusty iron for the rest. There was no detectable difference between the ironed versus gunned papers.

You can see the texture the snow imparts in the ink in this close up. It acts a little bit like salting over wet ink, but yet it's different. I may try a different technique tomorrow with more ink and watercolor paper. If so, you can bet I'll let you know how it turned out.

I made 8 sheets of 9x12 inch watercolor paper using this method. I will use these as collage pieces or backgrounds for art journaling, cards and other paper crafts. You know, come summer, I will be petting this paper trying to reconnect with this cool day. Thanks for stopping by and sharing a bit of your time with me. See you soon!

Ta for now,
♥~ky

Home Sweet Home

A New Year, A New Calendar

I wanted something different. I needed a new calendar, but I want to use my calendar to keep me busy when I am working my calendar. I want to sketch and doodle and fidget and stash stuff when I'm waiting for the doctor, or getting the oil changed. There are these 'new' things called SMASH books, and they look cute, but they just don't fit my style. They are too cutesy, too kitschy, too... um... neat.

Click on any image to enlarge.

I don't want a lot of money tied up in the calendar, so I grabbed stuff I always have on hand. I pulled out a pad of Bristol paper, 9x12 inches, and cut 6 sheets in half. I marked my grids for the calendar, and drew them in with Copic multiliner in black, added the numbers and days across the top. I still have my pencil grid tics on the pages because I still have things to add.

I inserted some old (winter 2009 CHA) Teresa Collins papers, envelopes and folded cardstock between the months to hold ephemera, receipts, appointment cards and the like. I love being able to put a little piece of art to work on in my book, like this one from Terra Bidlespacher's Haven image, seen here.

I am working on doing an illuminated Celtic letter for each month name. As you can see, some of the inserts are folders, perfect for coloring while waiting, or doodling new things to color.

I always need little tabs to keep me focused and in touch with what I need to do. So there are little places for my post it notes and tabs - what fun! I love making my own calendar each year. It's never the same, and always a creative challenge for me.

I hope you enjoyed seeing this small work in progress. Let me know if you make your own calendars, or how you choose to stay organized!

Ta for now,
♥ ~ky