envie envy

Trading these fabulous miniature works of art (ATCs) has been so fun for so many reasons... one of which is the discovery of mini envelopes to send them in.... (I know, it's the little things in life that gives me such pleasure!)  I've received some very cool envies and finally I took one apart to use as a template.  You could use any kind of paper, really... scrapbook paper, wrapping paper.... I had a couple Paper-Source catalogs on hand that I thought would be fun to turn into envelopes...

I'm going to work on making a template to share with you, but in the meantime here are the photos.... (and you can always make any size envies... just think of it as wrapping a package.  Tape runners (or 2 way tape) works wonderfully well.

template:

folded piece before taping:

new life as an envie:

envies a plenty:

and today's craft moment.... the Paper-Source blog is full of ideas and links to templates!
what color is your envelope?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Postage Stamp ATC

I promise that I'll try and start mixing it up a bit between showing my art and sharing more craft ideas, links and instructions... it's just I'm sooooooooo enamored with these right now... AND it's all I'm doing.... lol....

For this swap we had to take a postage stamp and build a theme around it.  I like the way it turned out!  It is difficult to tell but it is 3 dimensional.  It was my first time using a layering technique and having things pop off the page...

Do you believe?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Christmas Ephemera ATCs

I can't help it.  I'm hooked... so look at it this way... you will be able to watch me grow into my art.... ; ) 

These two were for 'Christmas Emphemera' ATCs in which we were to take old cards, wrapping, etc and use bits and pieces for our ATCs... I liked the surprise of using lime green versus a traditional 'christmas green' and really likes how some of the word images on the red actually look as though they are frosted with snow....

confession:  As I went to add the pics to this post I was already hesitant as I've made 'better' ones since I made these... which, then, gives me pause about why must I even judge... I can simply love them for what they are.

what does the word 'believe' conjure up for you?
...scatter joy...
lindy

Now & Zen(tangle)

Oh. MY. GOD!!!  I just received one of the best gifts!!!! I have recently discovered the art of zentangling and a very special person was paying attention and gifted me with the Zentangle Kit...

It comes packaged in its own gorgeous hand-made dark teal paper box... complete with step by step instructions on creating tangles, pencils, pens, hand crafted die cut papers and a mini dvd ... what a treat!

I am excited to be on this journey and can't wait to see where these tangles take my artistic endeavors...

and No... you don't NEED this kit to zentangle... their home site gives plenty of info to be able to strike out your own tangles and there are many other sites devoted to showcasing other artists' tangles.... but I sure am excited by this gorgeous gift!








And here is a piece of functional art.... a bookmark I tangled yesterday afternoon... too fun!

What inspires you?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Dancing the zenTANGO

I love arts.  I love crafts.  And I really LOVE learning something new... so my new fascination continues to grow... zentangles.  I am new new new so judge not too harshly.... and have to say... I love it.  It's easy... anyone can do it... and you end up feeling very artistic...!  I am currently in a couple of swaps involving the exchanging of these mini works of art on swap-bot (another new fascination...)

What has caught your fancy?

... scatter joy...
lindy

a merry mummy christmas!

I did it!  I finished my mom's christmas pressie and now it's on it's way to florida to arrive just in time for the festivities!

As many of you can relate to, each year it becomes increasingly difficult to figure out just what to give our parents for the holidays.  I came up with this idea last month while at the Craft Social... as I was learning how to make artistic doodles (aka zentangles) a million ideas on how to use this artform came flooding in... among them the brill idea I had for gifting my mumma.

As I reflect on my own life stories, it occurred to me that I really knew too few of my mom's stories and so what better way to get her to tell them to me than to present her with a 'journal' for writing them down.... including some touches of art throughout to keep it interesting.

It's easy peasy:

1. Buy a suitable notebook to use for the journal.  (I chose spiral bound because it will lay flat, and lined for ease of writing.)  I found this one in the clearance cubbies at Paper Source.
2. Modify and embellish at will (keep in mind how long it will take because once you start you'd hate to only get 1/2 way through)
3.Compile the thought starter questions and write them throughout the journal. ( It's much much easier to tell you a story if you ask me a question first, to get me started.)

If you'd like to use my questions to start from, just email me and I'll send you the file. 

There are so many stories we need to share with each other and this really is a great idea not only for our elders but also think about writing your stories now... as you live them... what a wonderful gift for your own family members and friends.

How does your story begin?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Post Again, Post Again, Jiggity Jig!

It's been a crazed summer... I am looking forward to a fall filled with transitions and forward movement. I have made great headway on my space and am filled with all kinds of ideas for decorating it.... I look forward to sharing my thoughts, pictures, and ideas about the the inner and outer spaces I occupy.

Here is a quick art project I created a few days ago... I have been hanging onto these canvases that I want to repaint ... but have paralyzed myself with over-thinking the design.... so to move myself through it, I opted for utilizing some of my favorite decorative papers.

It will definitely work for now....

...How do you help yourself through 'stuck' times?...

...scatter joy...

lindy

A Place for Everything...

.... as I continue to help my space evolve, I come up with 'crafty' ways to organize... I looked longingly at the pottery barn 'techie gadget caddy' (my description, not theirs) but was unwilling to part with the $$$... so, looked into the depths of a closet (which is in desperate need of some reorganizing as well.... it is ripe for a before/after makeover!) and found a small pressed paper box. With my trusty x-acto knive, pretty papers & glue, I created my own 'caddy'.... and I like it all the more.

what was one of your surprise discoveries recently...?

...scatter joy...

lindy

Art of the Ordinary

One of the things that brings me great joy is finding art in the everyday... I am striving to surround myself with art*full vignettes... whether in my workspace, my lounging space, or even the notebook I take with me to my meetings, there are objects that make me smile and are constant reminders that there is beauty all around me...

A recent piece of functional fun I created is my message board.... there are many different ways to create this or something similar from covering pressed paper board (available at your local lumber yard) to covering ready made bulletin boards... and loads of things in between... most cover or make these pieces of functional art with variations of fabric and ribbon... for mine, I chose to use this gorgeous paper from Paper Source this time...

What are some of the ways you put the 'fun' into functional art?

This piece is super low-tech... I didn't even bother to use a measuring tape... seriously, I went against all basic tenets of creating something... but I was really impatient and wanted it done NOW...

Want to recreate the look?

Total Time: <10>

Supplies: Whatever message board already on hand, begging for a makeover, favorite patterned decorative paper (I think I used 3 different prints although common sense would dictate to use 2 or 4....I've never been good at following directions, so I'm not sure why I insist on writing them ), 2 way tape, scissors

1- Take the board your bored with &

2- Figure out what configuration you want to go with this time (because if you're like me, you'll do this again when something even MORE gorgeous turns your eye...)

3- Hold up the paper(s) against the board and cut to the size you want to cover, maybe a teeny, tiny, bit bigger

4- Do this for as many sections as you are going to make

5- Use the double sided tape to secure into place (hint: start at a corner and then smooth across so you don't end up with wrinkles)

6- Cut one of the patterns into longer strips... aprx 1 inch wide (just eyeball it...enough so you can fold each side in for a clean line) and fold into thirds

7- Use double-sided tape to place in between the sections

8- Enjoy!