Green

This was a really fun swap!  The challenge... create a piece of art the size of a postcard.... any medium, style, subject.... THEN hang it outside to 'weather' for a week... bring it in, let it dry if neccesary and then send it off 'naked' through the mail....

We created two and sent them out into the world. 

what color would your art be?

...scatter joy...
lindy

artist at work

I have a couple larger projects I'm working on... they are taking longer than mere hours which is different for me.  I am working on my submission for My Art is Love (see link on the left side of page), as well as a journal page entry for a swap I'm in on the Milliande Art Community for Women. 

I'm also making a few tote bags with some gorgeous fabrics I have and handmade invitations....   ; ) 

Baxter is most often by my side keeping me company but sometimes Bax gets so tired he falls asleep before he makes it all the way into his bed....

Be patient... some deliciousness is on its way!

What has been holding your attention lately?

...scatter joy...
lindy

trash to treasure

Our task: create a bookmark from items destined for the trash or recycling....  it's a salvaged goods bookmark. 

For the front I used a discarded paper I had used as a paint pallet and added a piece of a paper coffee cozy, some plastic that came as extraneous packaging, scraps of craft paper, old foil, & an old coil.  To which I added scraps of ribbon with attached charms.

On the back I added some fun sentences from a rescued book.

This was a fast, fun project .... I LOVE functional art. 

What have you re-purposed recently?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Creative Journaling Kit

One of the things I truly love to do is give gifts.... there is a fantastic pleasure in giving with joy something that you think the person will truly love.  I recently took part in a swap that was to pull together a Creative Journaling Kit.  We did not need to include the journal, just items to make the journaling fun... and we needed to make it something that could be transportable.... 

I chose to go with the colors listed in my partner's profile... she mentioned she loved black and white with punches of teal.  I took that into the contents as well.... I hope she loves receiving it as much as I loved creating it.

The container: A cigar-like box purchased from Michaels... used scrapbook papers to cover the front and sides... painted the edges and inside lid teal.

Inside the box: journal prompts (on the lid), pens, pencils, watercolors, squirt bottle, tags, paper ribbon, stamps, stamp pad, tape roller, scrapbook papers in shade of grey, white, teal, alphabet rub ons and probably a few other things I can't remember... lol

The key to journaling is having things readily available... gather your own kit together... make it easy to write/paint/sketch your story.

What is your 'must have' in your journaling kit?

...scatter joy...
lindy

aLtEReD ArT!

Here is my first attempt at an altered art doll.  The parameters were to use as many 'found' objects as possible, and paper, pens, paint, pencils and tape were not allowed.  We had to use a minimum of 10 different objects, meaning if we used 10 of one thing (like buttons) that would only count as 1 item.  Per usual, I had no idea what I was doing... lol... do you see a theme with me?

Attaching metal to metal was my biggest challenge... I initially tried liquid nails and even clamped it, but it didn't hold.  Next I tried an epoxy.  That worked well (at least well enough for it to hold together through the mail.)  A friend suggested I sand it a bit to add some 'grip' so I think that definitely helped.

This was a very fun project for me because I tend to see facial images in EVERYTHING so it's simply a matter of filling in what my mind's eye sees.  And I love repurposing items... and making something out of 'trash' or junk.

The more I look at her, the more pleased I am... perhaps I've found an Etsy item for my empty shop???

If you had your own shop, what kind of shop would it be?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Score!

On a recent antiquing adventure with friendsI found this great package of beer coasters.  The owner of the store was keen on telling me that she thought they might be extra special because she doesn't think that particular brand is still brewed (I think that it is... lol... but it doesn't matter either way) because all I could see when I saw the stack were canvases for zentangles... these coasters measure 3 1/2  x 3 1/2 which is the zentangle 'standard' size (although they are most definitely done on ALL sizes on all manners of canvas!)  I can hardly wait to get started...!

what's your best 'score' lately?

...scatter joy...
lindy

hope, believe, create

 

I recently did a series inspired by the phrase 'manifesting kindness'.  The goal was to create 3 pieces of positivity and send it out in the world.

I wanted to create cards that were linked...I liked the idea of 3 pieces that were similar but different.

I love inspirational cards... I collect inspirational card decks.  Maybe one day I'll create an entire deck that speaks to the soul.  

I started with 3 playing cards, gesso and paint.  I added layers of old book pages and more paint.  Then I began adding another layer which included stamped words and images, metal on which I embossed, wire, and metal word charms.  I think I am finally getting an understanding of mixed media and collage.  I'm excited to continue the education of lindy!

What makes your soul sing?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Warrior

This tangle was done with a dark blue micron on water color paper.

And, as usual, when I was done it looked like something to me... so this one is a warrior mask.

What do you see?

Interesting that it looks like a warrior to me... does this mean I feel I'm at war? or preparing for battle... ? or simply protecting myself??? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. lol.

What does your armor look like?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Funky Bird Part II

Here is the REAL funky bird.... I didn't set out to draw a bird, but after I was done that's what it looked like to me... do you see it??

What does YOUR funky bird look like?

... scatter joy...

lindy

layers

This was another from the set of 7 private swap...I was experimenting (well they are all sort of experiements, aren't they?)

And I'm getting ready to take on a new challenge with my art soon.  I have long been an admirer of all things 'altered' and find the layers and layers of textures, colors, words fascinating... so I'm going to teach myself that technique and see what happens.

Oh and I read something on a blog I recently stumbled upon and found it an interesting perspective:  The difference between art and craft is with craft you have a step by step process you follow to recreate the original and art is where you take that process and then MAKE IT YOUR OWN. 

Have you hugged your inner artist today? AND have you told that inner critic to shut the #%!$ up??!?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Childhood Board Games

My family was a game playing family... we loved cards, board games, & sports... and one of my all-time favorite games is Monopoly.

Of course I just had to join the swap that was an ATC to interpret your favorite board game.

chalks, pencils, & ink on watercolor paper

What is your favorite board game?

...scatter joy...
lindy

city life

Today's tangle was part of a series for a private swap... I started with straight rectangular boxes, and after I was done it looked like buildings in a city to me.

What excites you more... the allure and buzz of the bright lights or the serenity of the country?

...scatter joy...

lindy

Breast Cancer Stamp

Here is my version of the Breast Cancer Stamp.  It's standard ATC size done on watercolor paper in ink, chalk, and pencil.


What is your favorite postage stamp?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Bookmark Tangle

You know I love me some zentangling.... ; )  so..... for this swap we had to do a bookmark.  I really liked how this turned out.... I wasn't sure at first because generally I keep my tangles in a smaller space but I took my time and didn't rush.... just went about it as I felt like it.  I used sepia toned pens on water color paper, charcoal for shading; the person I was creating this for loves all things vintage.  I had some great paper I used for the backing, too, that was an interpretation of an old pattern in blues and beiges...

tell you a secret??? i almost kept this one for me..... *giggle*

what do you use for a bookmark?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Take a bite...

Yes... I'm obsessed... obsessed with enjoying my food while making my beautiful body as healthy as I can.... (see post below this one for one of my fave breakfast smoothies!).... so much so that I've gone and done something some might think is crazy.... I signed up for my first ever triathlon!!!! OH YES I DID!!! AND.... I started a blog called Tri-umphantly to journal my journey to the center of ME!!!!  If you are a fan of fitness or looking for a different approach or simply want to cheer me on (cuz hey, we can ALL use cheering ON!!!) then please click on the link and follow along.... glad to have you!

Enough about that part of me... on to my obsession with whole food fabulous and making ART!  So this piece was part of a set of 7 different ATCs that I did on a personal trade with someone from Swap-Bot.  She was doing zentangles of letters A-G for me and I had free reign... so I tried to do some fun things for her.  This one came about because she mentioned she liked to collect postage stamps and I had this great one from New Zealand.... and of course one of my very fave foods is from there.... I wonder if it's the color or the fact that it is one of the most nutrient-rich foods you can fuel yourself with that has my heart.....?!?

In case you can't decipher my sketches.... these are kiwi.  What a cute name... kiwi....!!! This is chalk, ink, pencil on watercolor paper... oh and let's not forget the ephemera....

What's the last thing you sketched?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Bounce

Zentangle... circles.... bounce.... a recent swap challenged us to interpret a zentangle ATC with a single or multiple circles.... 

I took it literally....

And today's craft moment:  a very cool zippered pouch with reverse applique.... zippered pouches are a huge fave of mine... maybe it's because I seem to have so many bits and bobs flying about and this helps to reign them in...

check it out http://orangeflowerpatterns.blogspot.com/2009/08/zippered-case-with-reverse-applique.html

Have you zentangled yet?

...scatter joy...
lindy

En Garde!

For some reason this tangle looks to me like a swordsman, cape flying, shield wielding.... ready for the duel....

Please do not ask me to interpret Rorschach Inkblots... I have a feeling it would not be pretty... *grin*

this is for another swap... done on 130 lb cold pressed watercolor paper with micron .25 mm black ink...


... and to celebrate national craft month, one of my fave sites:
http://craftingagreenworld.com/


What puts you on your guard?

...scatter joy...
lindy

bloom

Spring is fast approaching... one of my favorite quotes is 'bloom where you are planted' and one of my favorite blooms is the sunflower.  Here is my zentangle interpretation for a recent swap... this one is on its way to the netherlands...

And here is a link to a fun craft site to celebrate national craft month:
Cool Craft Site

How are you blooming...?

...scatter joy...

lindy

time for a tangle?

It continues to be my new favorite art form... I keep thinking about how I could broaden this beyond making ATCs and trading... and the sweet thing is... everyone interprets the same designs differently.  AND anyone can do this... these two I did while listening to a podcast with Doug Graham about raw foods and his book
80-10-10.  I think it looks like I was happy... (which of course I was.... and I AM...!)

To me: the tangle on the left looks like a curvy woman with a cape who is busy shaking and grooving... and the center looks like all the inner workings of a healthy body doing it's thing..... and the one on the right ???.... lol... well maybe it doesn't always have to look like something...  (although when viewed with the deep curve on the top it definitely looks like my luscious produce overflowing from a bag as I leave the market...!

what does your happiness look like?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Hosting my first swap....

WELL.... I've decided to do it.... I'm going to 'host' my first swap.  I joined the Newfangled Zentangle Group on swap-bot and the founder, Tess, offered to make me an officer.  (It's a very official and everyone bows in my presence as I enter rooms....) ; ) 

Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little.... but I DO get to post and host swaps for this group... so my first one is SPRING has SPRUNG... the challenge is to tangle your interpretation of that theme on a 3.5 square (typical zentangle size) and because this group likes to experiment with color and design it is not only encouraged, but embraced.  I can't wait to see the designs and hope that I can persuade people to send me pics of their creations for a later posting here!  (I will add my creation this weekend to this post... in the meantime here is a place-holder... one of the very first tangles I ever did on a scrap piece of paper)

If, after all my blogging on and on and on and on and on about zentangles you still do not know what they are, here is yet another link (compliments of Tess)  Beez in the Belfy

So I urge you to stop reading.  Put pen to paper. Do the Spring has Sprung dance of the of the tangle.

EDIT: oh guess what?! This is my 100th post WooHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! 

What color is your spring?

...scatter joy...
lindy
.