Journal Box

The journal box from a recycled cookie box is finished.

Zentangle

I very much enjoyed Bonnie Browning's Basic Zentangle and Zentangle for Christmas classes today at Ephemera Paducah.

I like the Christmas onrnaments and see potential gifts.

Before we tangled on the ornaments we did a practice sheet.

 

We then moved to a tile.

 

 

I have been tangling for about 2 months, using The Joy of Zentangle Book (available at Ephemera Paducah). Below is my first attempt.

 

 

Here are some tangles I did before taking the class.



Aworp
 

 

The inside cover of one of my journals.

 

 

The cover of my first sketch book of tangles.

 

A tangle I created.

It is very addictive! Zentangle is used a lot for various types of therapy. You can learn more about Zentangle patterns at the web site, Tanglepatternscom 

.

I Did It!

I cut into one of the beautiful papers I have been hoarding since 2010! I think I like it.

The inside got smeared a bit with the gold paint. Should I use brown paint and clean it up or leave it artsy?

I finished this little mixed media necklace started in Kristen Powers’ class.

Below is the journal box I am covering with paper made using the Gelli Plate. I am using Martha Stewart Decoupage Glue and Sealer. I like the way it finishes but it doesn’t go as far as a gel medium or Mod Podge and it takes longer to dry.

 

I am so excited to be taking Bonnie Browning’s Zentangle class on Saturday! I bought Joy of Zentangle by  Suzanne McNeill and Sandy Steen Bartholomew a couple of months ago and have drawn almost all of the 100 + tangles. It is sooo relaxing and much easier than it looks. I am looking forward to taking it up a notch and learning how to tangle on Christmas ornaments. You can see a video of Bonnie's previous class at Ephemera Paducah on her blog.  If all goes well, I will post my art over the weekend.

 

 

Hand Crafted Cards

              

Yesterday I came above ground and moseyed over to EphemeraPaducah for a card making class. The Art of Correspondence is a pretty good deal. For $20 you can make 10 cards and have the use of hundreds of stamps, a variety of papers, paints, paint pens, punches and lots of ephemera. In addition you will be inspired by the proprietor, Kristin Williams, as well as other local artists.

I only completed these two cards in the two hours as I was a bit overwhelmed with the choices, taking longer to make decisions. More accomplished artists whipped out several.

                       


I didn’t get this one completed. It needs something but I don’t know what. Any suggestions?

 

 

When I signed up for the class, I had the grand idea that I would send hand crafted Christmas cards to everyone this year. Given my crafting speed (or lack of) I have rethought this idea. Maybe I will get a few made to send to some special people.

 

A Bit of Disappointment

Over the weekend I had an opportunity to visit a Dick Blick store for the first time. Looking at their catalog as well as online, I made a list and told my husband to bring his iPad as I expected to be there awhile. Expecting a mega art store, I was a bit disappointed. Located near the Washington University campus in St. Louis, it is primarily a store for fine arts and didn’t have a lot for mixed media artists. However I did spot a nice display of hand crafted paper.

 

I came home with these two.

                                                                                                              

 

 

   And added them to the ones I bought in Savannah a few years ago.

I love the papers but haven’t a clue as how to use them. They are so pretty I hesitate to cut or tear and certainly don't want to paint or cover them. I welcome your ideas.

  

 

Love the new stamp I picked up at Ephemera Paducah! I used it on a note card for one of my granddaughters.

 

 

I will leave you with this little jewel; a link to the blog of a local artist and friend of mine, Carol’sArt. Be sure to look at her journals under the Mixed Media tab.

 

 

 

Something New

 I spent a little time this evening playing with my Gelli Plate. Watching a video on Carolyn Dude’s web site, A Colorful Journey, I became intrigued with a technique. Using cardboard and Tulip Dimensional Paint she made a texture plate. Cheap, disposable, original…. had to give it a try!  

 

I made the texture plate last evening, as it needed to be dry for stamping.





I stamped on some paper I had previously textured, using the Gelli Plate, with free-hand drawing and stencils.

Also on some plain paper.

I think it worked pretty well. 

If you are not familiar with the Gelli Plate, it is used for a monoprinting technique. Click here to see a video showing how it works.

 Also..........

I tried Martha Stewart’s Decoupage Glue and Sealer for the first time on the lining of the little green box. I really like it. It isn’t sticky and doesn’t leave streaks.  The box is covered with paper I made using the Gelli Plate. Little green box is finished!

 

Works in Progress

Welcome to the very first post on Crafting from the Underground!

Since the motive for starting this blog is to acknowledge I have AADD, and to bring my crafting above ground, I will share some in the works projects currently in my basement studio.

This gourd bird needed a little rework on his beak, now is waiting for some paint touch-up.

 

This garden flag needs something else; any suggestions?

 

 

 

I created this cute little box in a recent Kristin Powers class at Ephemera Paducah. Covering the inside and a little paint touch up, it will be finished.

 

 

 

All this decoupage bracelet needs is a final coat of gel medium.

 

 

Experimenting with tangles and watercolor.

 

 

 

The start of a journal cover.

 

 

This will be a box to house the journals.

 

These are only a few of my unfinished projects. I used to think not finishing a project before starting another one was a discipline issue. As I talk with other crafters, I realize it is very common among creative folks. I now choose to think of it as part of my creative personality.