Zen Living

I've been enjoying a lot of zen time with my doodles in my old mixed-media journal. The journal was last year's calendar and note space for doctors visits and other obligations. I've gone through and picked pages that didn't get much notation, erased the notes that were no longer necessary, and turned them into tangling space.

I'm really liking Linda's new string challenges over at Tangle Patterns. You should play along - you just start with her string, and fill it in with your favorite tangles. It's a blast!

I filled this one with the fantastic K-Ning pattern by Sandra Strait. She is a wonderful source of ideas so check her out on Flickr, and her Blog. As usual, this is a 3.5 inch square tile on mixed media paper with my Copic multiliner pens and Copic markers for shadowing.

Treasure Dragon pattern ©Kyra Sanders 

I have used this pattern many times, but I haven't documented it until now. I love the motion it gives to any project, and how varied you can make the 'fill' or treasure the dragon leaves contain. If you use it, let me see!

Daisy Chain pattern ©Kyra Sanders

Another tangle I created is the daisy chain. It reminds me of summers when I would sit and pick asters and daisies and patiently split each stem to weave together a chain. If you use this, link me up - I want to see how you adapt it for your work.

So this is what I've been up to lately. I have some other things I'm working on for you to see soon. I hope you have a beautiful day. Thanks for stopping by!

~ky

A Zen Frame of Mind

Since I'm living in a tiny bedroom, I've got a bit more time but fewer supplies. I'm really getting pleasantly reacquainted with my zen doodling. Here are a few items I've created since being fired as a wife.

Puffin Maze
©Kyra Sanders

I started this 8x5.5 inch journal page while at Copic Certification in Milwaukee. I just randomly scribbled Copic markers all over the page, then started following the doodle muse as it guided my Copic Multiliner. There are some credits for patterns and some patterns I've just created. You can see the details of the Puffin Maze here.

Modern Cube Zen doodle
©Kyra Sanders

I learned Linda at the Tangle Patterns blog has begun issuing starting string challenges. I think it's really cool how everyone starts from the same design, but no two even come close to being the same. You can play along too! There are 9 patterns in this one, and you can see the credits at this link.

If you're looking for a neat way to keep track of things in your life, check out what my friend Samie Kira Harding is doing. She's created a mini-tutorial with downloadable art journal starter pages and she's putting it out there for... get this... Whatever You Can Pay! It's a great chance to document your health concerns, your diet plan, or even a project you're working on. Check it out at the Journal Girl!

Thanks so much for stopping by - I am thrilled you came to visit!

Ta for now,
♥ ~ky

Down the Rabbit Hole

Yep, I fell down the rabbit hole again. It's hockey playoff time, the beginning of baseball season, and I'm in the process of MOVING! I've been in the Chicago area for 2 years, so naturally it's time to move. Watch out, Texas, I'm coming home!

I've been working on some new ideas for the ArtLab Studio, including teaching some new things. Right now, I'm sitting in Milwaukee enjoying the excellent instruction of Debbie Olson in the use of Copic markers. Yes - I will be certified. Yes - I will be teaching! It will take a little while to get all the components to start teaching, but I plan some video tutorials that you can do with markers you may already own.

Change is once again the active verb in my life. I just didn't realize how much change there would be! I am certainly getting a lot of mileage out of my one little word - Distance. This piece is a bit of book text, adhered to the sketchbook, then acrylic paint stenciled through diecut paper. I dripped Golden glazes from the top, splattered it over the page, then drew in some simple flower/leaves.

I love the quote: "Courage is tiny pieces of FEAR all glued together." Irisa Hail. I need a bit of courage in the next few weeks to gulp down the changes coming in the next month. So pull out your toys and get busy!

Ta for now,
♥ ~ky

Tutorial, Custom Embossed Letters

I have been swamped lately with deadlines and due dates. In making those projects, I've created a little tutorial for you to enjoy. Here's the project I made using this tutorial.

Monthly Journal Page - click to enlarge

First, you will cut your letters out using dies and any die machine. You can even do this with precut letters - pretty much anything you can cut from cardstock. I cut mine out using my Vagabond and Tim Holtz (Sizzix) Vintage Market Sizzlit on Gina K Designs Pure Luxury cardstock. I ran the letters through my Sticker Maker by Xyron (yours might be the "X" design).

Sticker Maker applies adhesive to the letters

I really love my little Xyron for alphabets. Just be sure to burnish the letters once you get them in the adhesive. I rub my embossing tool around the edges of each letter so I get a clean adhesive application.

Next, find an embossing folder you like that has a fairly detailed pattern. Since you are working with small surfaces, your detail pattern will have more of a chance of hitting all the pieces.

When you are satisfied with the placement of your letters in the embossing folder, run it through your machine.

Close up of embossed texture

I usually emboss my letters with the shiny plastic sheet still on the letters. It just keeps residual adhesive from building up in the folder. Isn't this simply gorgeous? I love all that dimension!

Sparkle it up with a Gelly Roll Star pen!

Now, you can do all sorts of fun stuff with this dimension. If you use Core'dinations cardstock, you can lightly sand the surface to remove the color and expose the inner paper. I wanted a chilly feel to this, after all it is a January page, so I used my favorite Gelly Roll, the clear star! Delicious bits of shine without the mess of glitter. I outlined my letters with a black Copic multiliner to help them stand out from the background.

Play around with this technique and see how many other ways you can use it. I would love to see your work! Have fun!

Ta for now,
♥ ~ky