Splitcoast Stampers Sketch Challenge 593

I saw a cool sketch at Splitcoast Stampers this week and thought I'd give it a try.

Everything on this card is hand drawn with the exception of the sentiment which is from PTI.  I used a Copic multi-liner to draw everything then colored it with Copics.  Now that I have it posted, I can see that some of my lines are really wobbly...guess that's what makes it "hand-crafted" LOL!

Thanks so much for stopping in.  I appreciate your visit...and I appreciate each and every comment!

Hugs!

CASology 189

I love the cue word for CASology this week!  It gives me the perfect opportunity to get out my pens and do a little doodling!

I actually doodled two cards for this week's challenge (Actually I doodled 3 or 4 cards, but I only really liked two of them!)

Definitely not rocket science....but definitely FUN!  I used a black Micron 01 pen to doodle the image, then colored it with Prismacolor pencils.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  This is a one layer card.  I rounded the bottom corners with a corner chomper.

This was actually the first card I doodled.  Not much too it.  I doodled the image with a Micron 01 black pen, then colored it with Prismacolor pencils.  The sentiment is from Paper Smooches.  This is also a one layer card with rounded corners.

I've also finished a couple of cards for the widow's group. Can't say that I'm thrilled with the outcome, but I think it's because I tried to use water colors and I REALLY have a difficult time when I don't have "control" over my work!  I might be just a little OCD!

I used distress inks to smoosh my watercolor paper into...then added a sentiment strip stamped on velum and edged in gold metallic pen.  Relative simple card.  Maybe it's the big white background is just too much...what do you think?

I had pretty much much the same reaction to this card when I finished it.  The lack of control I had over the water color just makes me cringe!  At least this is a big piece and doesn't have that big white glaring background!

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by for a visit!  Hope you'll come back soon!  Your comments are greatly appreciated! Until next time...

Zentangle Challenge #110 - Outside the box

I haven't had time to play along with Laura's Zentangle challenge at I am the Diva in quite a while...well, technically, I've played along some of the time, just never got my tangles posted.  This week's challenge is to:

"find something way out of your comfort box.  If you shy away from colour, now is a good time to try it... if you always do something small, try something big.  If you always do a larger piece, try a few teeny tiny ones.  Maybe you've never tried a zendala. Maybe you've never tangled an object and those bookends have been staring at you saying: "TANGLE ME"..."

So, that's what I did.  I had purchased a few ceramic tiles from Home Depot months ago thinking that I would make some coasters with decoupage, but I never got around to it...then when I saw this challenge, I thought I'd try doing a few tangles on a tile.  I think I probably will have to heat set it in the oven or something...not sure what...to keep the pen from smudging off (even though I used a microperm pen from Sakura)...I'd hate for it to smudge!  Anyway, I digress...here's my tile for this week's "out of the box" challenge.  This first one was taking with the tile lying flat.

This second one I stood the tile on one edge to take the photo.

I couldn't figure out how to do any shading, so I'll have to leave them as is.  So...what do you think....should I heat set them or try spraying some type of fixative on them?

Thanks so much for stopping by! Your comments and your visits are always appreciated!! Until next time...

Hugs!

LIM86 - Let's get Cooking!

The weekly challenge this week at Less is More is one of my favorites.  This week is "recipe" week, and we get to create cards using any of the requirements from any of the 85 previous challenges!  How fun is that! I'm finally getting back a bit of my mojo that seemed to have been on vacation for the past few weeks...so here we go...

This week's challenge was a great opportunity to get started on some of my Christmas cards. For this first card, I used my new Flourishes stamp (you can also get the Silhouette cut file to go with it). I cut the shape on the cameo, colored with Copics, then added a touch of sparkle with some glamour dust. The sentiment is from the same Flourishes collection and is stamped in versamark and embossed in gold.  This card fits:  Challenge 55 - Die Cuts, Challenge 47 - Just one word, and Challenge 15 - embossing.

This was actually the last card I made, but I really like how it turned out.  The ornament is cut with a Spellbinder die. I doodled the design on the ornament, then ran it through my sticker machine with the doodled side down, then dipped it in glamour dust for a glittery look.  The white panel behind it was embossed with the PTI texture embossing plate.  The sentiment is from SU and is stamped on a Spellbinder die cut that actually only has one "cut" end...I just cut out half the die shape, turned the die around and cut out the other end and embossed it with basically the same steps.  I also added tiny strips of gold around the sentiment tag and the embossed textured background.  This card fits:  Challenge 55 - Die Cuts, Challenge 63 - doodling, Challenge 9 - touch of red, and Challenge 15 - embossing.

I wasn't too happy with the way this card turned out, but it's usable.  The silhouette images were cut with the Cameo.  I cut an oval with a Spellbinder die, masked the center with the negative paper, and sponged in some blue inks.  The star is a MB die and is coated with glamour dust and glossy accents.  I managed to get ink on the edges of the card, so I just sponged all the edges lightly with some of the blue ink.  This card fits:  Challenge 55 - Die Cuts, Challenge 85 - ovals, Challenge 59, masking, and Challenge 28 - inking.

Love how bright and cheerful this card turned out.  I cut the word JOY with the Cameo, the greenery was also cut with the Cameo, then stamped with and image from the new Flourishes Christmas stamp collection and colored with Copics.  The word "joy" is popped off the card as is the greenery.  This card fits:  Challenge 55 - Die Cuts, Challenge 47 - Just one word, and Challenge 56 - using scraps.

This last card was made with something I pulled out of my "later" box.  The strip across the card was originally on a one layer card that I managed to muck up with inky fingers, so I had cut this strip off the old card and put it in my "later" box.  This card was super simple.  I adhered the strip with the butterflies (from my "later" box) to a white card base, scored a line above the panel and below the panel, then stamped the sentiment in black.  The sentiment is from Sweet n Sassy stamps. This card fits:  Challenge 55 - embossing, Challenge 56 - scraps, Challenge 29 - things that move, Challenge 58 - script, and Challenge 28 - use ink. 

That's my take on this week's challenge.  Thanks so much for stopping by! Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated!  Until next time...

Hugs!

OLW88 - 2 x 2

This week, the One Layer Wednesday challenge is hosted by Heather Telford at Bits and Pieces. You should visit Heather's blog...it is filled with gorgeous creations!  Heather's challenge to us this week is to keep it small;  to create a mini masterpiece. Your stamped image area has to be no larger than 2″ by 2″. You can add a sentiment outside that if you like. You can choose one stamp or a few stamps or mask off a 2″x2″ area like me if you like, just keep it within the limits.  What a super challenge....had to put the thinking cap on for this one. 

For this first card, I masked of a 2 x 2 area and sponged in a background using three different colors of DI (peeled paint, spun sugar, and tumbled glass).  Then I stamped with a stamp from SU Pocket Silhouettes, added a few dots from a TH stamp, then stamped my butterfly (Hero Arts).  I stamped the SU and TH images with HA wet cement ink (it's kind of a light grey).  The butterfly was stamped with Mementos black, then I colored him in with TH distress markers to coordinate with the background inking.  The sentiment is from Flourishes.  Then, unable to leave well enough alone..I added a bit of glamour dust to the butterfly's wings.  I like how this turned out.

My second card for this challenge is a bit different.  I masked off the 2 x 2 area, then stamped my butterfly (HA) in the center of the square.  Using a black micron pen, I filled in the background with lots and lots of circles (doing a little tangling here!).  I colored the background and the butterfly with Prismacolor pencils and used a colorless blender pencil to smooth out the colors.  Then, just because I can, I decided to add just a touch of glitter to the butterfly wings....so cool!  The sentiment if from PTI and is stamped in black.

That's it for me...Thanks a million for stopping by!  I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and leave me a comment!  Until next time....

Hugs!

Challenge #56 - Non-Dominant

Our challenge this week from Laura at I am the Diva was a big surprise for me.  This week we've been challenged to do an ENTIRE tile or ZIA using only our non-dominant hand.  Since I'm right handed, I did my string, tangles, and shading with my left hand.  It was very difficult for me to "let go" and let my left hand take over control of my tangling while my right hand just sat idly by doing nothing!  The result is a bit wobbly and shaky, but here it is: 

I thought I would add....about 2 years ago I had surgery on my right thumb which put my right hand out of commission for about 3 or 4 months.  During that time, I had to use my left hand for some things, so even though my lines are a bit wobbly and shaky on this tile, I think if I had not had to use my left hand so much two years ago, it would definitely been messier looking.

Thanks so much for popping in! Love your awesome comments!  Have a wonderful day.  I'll be drawing for the winner of the gift card later today, so stay tuned to find out if you're a winner!!  You still have a few hours to post a comment on this post if you want your name entered in the drawing.  Good Luck!

Until next time...

Hugs!

One Layer Wednesday #73 - Ohmmmmm

Oh My! Three posts in one day!! I am seriously behind!! 

This week for the One Layer Wednesday challenge, Susan at Simplicity has challenged us to make a card that says peace to me....I guess that could be anything, but I've chosen to use the word peace.

As some of you know (those that follow my blog), I've been doing a bit of Zentangle Inspired Art.  I recently drew these "balls" and filled them with tangles.  Before drawing the balls, I traced the word Peace across the front of the card in pencil, then added the balls behind the letters.  I didn't want to send out this card (now why is that?), so my son suggested that I scan the card and then print copies of it.  What a wonderful idea that turned out to be.  I was afraid to add color to the original sketch, but with the copies I could color all I wanted too!

The other cool thing is, I was able to make the few extra Christmas cards I need to finish for this year.

This second card doesn't say "Peace", but when I was drawing it, I felt peaceful.  This new hobby really helps me to relax and be at peace. I haven't copied this card, but it might make a good birthday card...or who know...with a touch red on the flowers, it might make a good Christmas card.

Here's all the different variations of the card after I printed it out on the card stock (I was able to get two cards with each 8.5x11 sheet of card stock). Some I added a glittery pen stripe too, others I added glitter on the word Peace, and some I just colored the ribbon.  Overall, I'm pleased with the way these turned out.  Some of them, not so much, but I learned each time I colored another card.  If you'd like to see them bigger, just click on each card.  You'll see that I even cut the image out and popped it on one card, and on another card, I added a popped up blue sparkly "Peace".  I know that not strictly one layer, but most of them are definitely one layer.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I truly appreciate your comments! Until next time....

Have a wonderful week!!

Hugs!!

Challenge 41 - Duo Tangles

This week's challenge from Laura at I am the Diva blogspot is to do a tile or Zentangle inspired piece that uses only these two tangles; Jonqal and Opus. These are official Zentangle patterns...neither of which I've ever practiced. So...it's about the process...really.  Can't say that I'm overly thrilled with how these two piece turned out, but I definitely have a better comfort level with these tangles.  

This is actually the first tangle I drew.  I used a 4x4 tile..no string to start me with.  I just started with the center swirl which is called Opus.  Then I added Jonqal around it.  

This was my second attempt at the two different tangles. This is a 4 x 4 tile also.  I basically did the same thing here....first I put in the Opus tangle, then added the Jonqal inside it.  I do like this one the best. 

What about you?  Which is your favorite?

Thanks so much for stopping by!! I truly appreciate all your fabulous comments! Until next time...

♥ Hugs! ♥

LIM29 - Something that Moves

This week's challenge at Less is More is a theme challenge.  We've been challenged to make a card with things that move...that could be an image or something on the card that actually moves.  I have a feeling this week the cards will be a-flutter with butterflies!  

This week I've made two different cards - both with something that moves.  This first card is actually a card that moves.  This first photo is of the card closed. The card base is green and I've used rusty red/orange and yellow as accent colors.  The sentiment is computer generated.  The butterfly on the front is punched with a MS punch.  The flowers on the front are hand drawn.  I couldn't find a stamp that would "fit" like I wanted it to, so I just drew in some flowers with a Copics multiliner pen and then colored them with Copics.  I sponged the edges of the white paper with some Memento bamboo green.  The butterfly is only adhered at the body so that the wings can be lifted.  I used 3 small orange pieces of bling for the body of the butterfly and added a dotted trail with a black pen.

Here's what the card looks like opened up.  The yellow panels slide open when you open the card and under that I stamped a butterfly.  Butterfly stamp is a Flourishes stamp and I colored it with Copics. I also added a bit of Sakura sparkle with a pen.  Sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  I got the idea for this card from a tutorial that I found online (HERE).  She gives a very nice video tutorial for how to create this card.  I LOVE how it turned out, but I will tell you that it took me a while to get it right.

This last card is stamped with a Flourishes stamp (Butterflies and Blooms), and colored with Copics. The sentiment is also Flourishes.  The dark background is layered on a white card base and is Bo Bunny paper.  I added three purple pieces of bling to the top corner.

That's all for me today. Hope you're having a great weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by! Your comments are always appreciated!  Until next time....

 ♥ Hugs! ♥

Challenge #34 - Opposites Attract

The challenge this week at I am the Diva blog is hosted by Christina (aka stART).  She has challenged us to Create a string using EITHER straight lines alone, or solely curving shapes and then fill the string with its opposite!

If you used the straight-line string, fill it with curves and orbs and other soft tangles.If you used the curvy string, try to fill it using only grid-based and angular tangles.

So, I chose the straight lines and filled in with curves and orbs....Here it is:

 While you're here, I thought I'd share a few more of my recent tangles.  A friend told me that she needed something with lots of hearts....this is just for her....

This next piece, I made just the other night while watching television.  I recently did a piece with pendrills and I've incorporated a few of those into this 4x4 piece. I really love how this one turned out.

That's all for now. Thanks so much for stopping by! Your comments are welcomed and greatly appreciated!  Until next time....

Hugs!

Challenge #32 - Using 4 Tangles only....

The challenge this week at I am the Diva is as follows:

The challenge: Use a 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 inch tile. If you have an official Zentangle tile, great, if not, that’s okay too. The frames I will be using fit this size tile. Use any string you like with these four tangles: Pais (by Mikee Huber), Zedbra (by Laura Harms and Margaret Bremner), Keenees (by Donna Hornsby), andBaton (by moi) to create a response to this challenge.

Since I haven't done these tangles before, I had to practice on the first tile and then draw another. Actually I think I have done the Baton before, but still...knowing that I had to use these four tangles - and only these four...okay, it was definitely challenging.  The first one here is actually the second tangle I made.  I believe I like it much better than the first one (which is the bottom tile).

Now...I'm not sure if it's allowed...but I didn't use a string on the top tile.  I just started with the big swirls (Pais) and then moved out from that.  For some reason that seemed easier to me than filling in a string.  I'm sure it wouldn't work all the time, but for this one it did.

That's it for tonight. It's late and I have to work tomorrow...Thanks so much for stopping by! Until next time...

Hugs!

Challenge 31 - Fairyland

I'm playing in the Zentangle Challenge again this week at The Diva's weekly challenge.  This week the challenge was given by Carol Bailey Floyd.  Her challenge is to create a Zentangle environment where fairies would feel at home.  There are lots of tangles that have full fairy approval and affection!

Well, I don't know much about fairies...having never seen one, but here's a little something I doodled in hopes that a good fairy might like to visit.

I'm really not sure if any of these "tangles" are any of the original zentangles, but it is what it is.  I may have the whole thing wrong, who know?!  Anyway, I enjoyed playing around with this.  I used a 3.5 x 3.5 inch card to doodle on.

Thanks a bunch for stopping by! Until next time....

Hugs!

A Zentangle Challenge - Initialize

I've been checking out a lot of wonderful blogs that feature beautiful Zentangle work. The Zentangle® art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.  When I first read about Zentangle, I had no idea what it was and I was curious,so after a little research, I've been doodling every chance I get.  I discovered the blog I am the Diva - Certified Zentangle Teacher and saw that there are weekly challenges.  Being the novice that I am with this art, I've been hesitant to join in a challenge with all the talented people that have been doing this for so long.  But, I figure, what the heck....let's give it a shot.

The challenge this week was to draw the strings by overlapping my initials.  I tried it both way...with block letters and with cursive letters.  I believe I'm more drawn to the block letters. Anyway, here are both tangles.

Being a perfectionist by nature, I sometimes have trouble when I "mess up" a line, but I'm slowly trying to overcome that trait! (mostly because I do mess up a lot...then I have to find a creative way to cover up my mess! LOL!)  Probably all of the tangles I've used in my work are original Zentangles...I'm not sure since 've never taken a class.  All I can say is.....This is FUN! Very relaxing...and I love the finished results (usually!).

Thanks for stopping by! Until next time...

Hugs