Sketchbook Practice: Inspired by End Papers

Welcome back to my blog!

I maintain a sketchbook practice. It's something I've had for several years now.

An inexpensive spiral watercolor sketchbook is all it really is. I try to make time for it each day. I'll make a small sketch if I only have 10 minutes, or a bigger drawing during the laid back hours of the weekend.

Sometimes, it's difficult to start when faced with a blank page. Some of my solutions: painting using prompts, nature themes, and mundane objects. 

Another idea is based on END PAPERS. Say what? 

End papers are defined this way: The endpaper, also called endsheet, forms the connection between the book cover and the book block. It is itself often a design feature of a book, but also a technically necessary part for the durability. Thus, the endpaper is often reinforced by a strip of fabric in the spine. Of course, endpapers do not always have to be white... definition is from here.

I really loved the book "Things to Look Forward To" by Sophie Blackall. The swoon-worthy illustrations begin when you open the book:

This is what the end papers of "Things to Look Forward To" looks like. The drawings are hints to the title: babies, a cup of coffee or tea, and reading a beloved book.

The images are so playful and I like the red-on-pink color combination because you don't see this everyday.

So I'll try this color combination, too. On a page of my sketchbook, I painted it with a layer of water. Then I added several coats of pink watercolor and I let the page dry for a few hours.

With a red colored pencil, I drew my favorite candies when I was a child. They may not be familiar because these are local brands from the Philippines. 

• "Lipps" were red candies that colored my lips (like I was wearing lipstick) 
• "Nipps" are similar to M&M's 
• Chocolate Coins in their shiny wrapping were always a hit
• "Curly Topps" are milk chocolates with a curly swirl 
• "Butterball" candies tasted like popcorn 
• Pink Cotton Candy was a birthday party treat (it was mesmerizing to watch the machine attendant spin this confection out of sugar)
• Serg's Milk Chocolate Bars and Chocolate Eggs 
• Lollipops in different flavors 
• "Choco Knots" are chocolate covered pretzels
• "Orange Swits" are orange-flavored gummies

Some of these candies no longer exist. That's why I thought it important to document them in my sketchbook. It helped jog my memory and I'm feeling lots of nostalgia right now.

So you see, inspiration from end papers and memory keeping are just some of the ways we can turn a blank sketchbook page from "blah to TADA!" 

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Learning from Suzy Ultman: Cardboard Birds

So lovely to see you!

Awhile back, I took a free on-line class on Creativebug. 

 

Our teacher was the talented illustrator and product designer Suzy Ultman and the session was hosted by adorable crochet artist Twinkie Chan. 

The craft we made was right up my alley -- we upcycled an empty cereal box to make this cardboard bird!

Suzy provided a template but it's easy enough to draw freehand on the cardboard (just think of an elongated plus sign with oval corners). Cut out the cardboard and paint it in any color you want. Once the paint is dry, add the details like the beak, eye, and patterns such as dots and lines. When this layer has dried, write words with a black marker. Suzy chose words that represent birds: happiness, soaring, freedom, feathers, and fly high. 

Here is the version that I made:

I used similar colors and found a quote about nature and gratitude...TADA!

It's such an easy craft for kids and kids-at-heart and the materials are readily available. I couldn't help but make a few more:

I tweaked the shape of the bird, decorated it with primary colors, and added some encouragement using brush lettering...TADA!

For this cardboard bird, I first made abstract prints on the cardboard using paint, markers, and rubber stamps. Then I cut the bird into this shape and added details like the eyes, beak, and feathers using a black marker...TADA!

Here's another bird cut-out that I personalized with my penpal's name. Imagine using this as birthday or baby shower banners, or seating cards for a party...TADA!

Here are other versions. Notice the flower in their beak!

Wasn't that fun? That is how I turned empty food boxes from blah to TADA!

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A Tin Box Decorated with Decoupage

It's so nice to see you today!

There is a stall at the Union Square Holiday Market that I always love to visit. They sell all these gift items from India and I'm particularly attracted to the enamelware decorated with flowers. They are vibrant and remind me of folk art.

One of the things I bought from them is this lovely bangle.

If I'm not mistaken, this style of decorating is called Kashmiri paper mâché.

I'm using this design as a launching point for today's craft.

This used to be filled with chocolate covered coffee beans. It's now empty but I saved the tin container.

 

After cleaning it inside and out, I painted it with several coats of plum-colored paint.

Once the paint was dry, I decorated the tin box this way:

I found some floral gift wrap remnants that I cut into smaller shapes. 

With a paintbrush, I applied white glue on the backs of the gift wrap cutouts. The paintbrush helps spread the glue in an even layer and covers the surface until the very edges. 

I attached the floral cutouts onto the tin container, a crafting style called decoupage. 

Here's what the tin box looks like after attaching the floral cutouts...TADA! 

We can leave it like this or add more flowers:

This is just one of the ways I turned a tin container from "blah to TADA!" 

If you like this idea, maybe you'll like this recipe box, paint palette, storage bin, trinket box or twine canister...all made from empty tin boxes.

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Five Things for October

Autumn rites and spooky vibes...that's one way to define October energy!

Plan a trip to the farm to pick some apples or pumpkins.

Then paint the pumpkins and make them part of your Halloween decor...TADA!

How cute is this Goldilocks and the Three Bears costume for a little girl? No need to buy...you can D.I.Y.! Find something similar in your girl's closet, make an easy apron, and add three teddy bears...TADA!

Halloween candy isn't just for kids! Which one is your favorite? I'd pick Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and KitKats first...TADA!

Before October ends, I'll definitely spend time outdoors to marvel at the colorful autumn leaves. The way Mari Andrew describes fall is true poetry!

May October bring you lots of treats!

A Sketchbook Practice: Line Drawing

Hey, hey!

Today, we're going back to our sketchbook to explore how we can turn a blank page from "blah to TADA!"

Every blank page is waiting to become a piece that we can be proud of. It only takes a few materials such as black pens, whatever you have -- Sharpie markers, fine liners or brush pens. 

Here I created a simple sketch of daffodils. I used different sized pen tips for a subtle background and more pronounced petals...TADA!

This is another flower accentuated with shading, dashes, lines, and crosshatches to give it dimension...TADA!

I learned how to draw in perspective from David Drazil during Workshop Week a few years back. I'll keep practicing so that I can use this for future entries in my travel journal.

Have you ever tried one-line art or continuous line drawings? Pablo Picasso used this style where he didn't lift the pen until the drawing was finished. It's quite exciting not knowing what it will look like, while being mindful to keep the line going. 

I was tapping into my memories when I made this piece. These are two of my favorite dresses when I was about 8 years old. I also added some fashion accessories that I liked to wear at that age.  Maybe this can be a page of a coloring book one day?

And finally, instead of drawing, why not write a favorite word or name? Use different pens to get different sizes, experiment with shading and fonts, too.  

I saw this artwork at a hotel and I thought it fit our theme. I love how you can tell a story with just some lines and shading made with a black pen. 

Feeling stuck with what to draw? Try out some line drawing! 

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A Field Trip: Parcel Gift Shop

Hello everyone, let's go on a field trip!

We are going to a destination in New Jersey, U.S.A. called Montclair. It has both the charm of a small town and the modernity of city living. 

Welcome to PARCEL! The word "parcel" means: a package, a present, a collection of things. This shop is all that. They describe themselves as a "purveyor of fine paper goods and curious objects." You can check out their items online and read more about the creative geniuses behind it, here. 

I love this place because of the vintage display cases like wooden bookshelves and antique desks, boxes, and baskets. 

They have a huge assortment of paper and crafting supplies.

One side of Parcel looks like a workshop! This is where purchases are rung up and packaged, but I wouldn't be surprised if this is where new ideas begin to take shape.

Look at this wall of paper lanterns and gift wrapping paper {swoon!}. 

All around the store are vintage embellishments like tinsel and twine that can be used to dress up a package or for other crafting purposes.

There is no shortage of handmade stationery either.

Writing utensils like pens, nibs, and wax seals. {I'm in love with this little desk!}

It feels like going inside a cabinet of curiosities where I can stay forever. 

Inspired by all the lovely things I saw at Parcel, I'm super stoked to make my own notebooks, like these ones up here.

I made these notebooks using recycled materials: printed cardboard for the covers, the spiral wire and unused pages from old notebooks...TADA!

Let me show you how:

This was packaging for some delicious artisan chocolates. It's now empty but I saved the box. 

I trimmed the box to make it into a notebook cover...TADA! If you are interested, I followed these steps.

You can't really see it here but the cardboard cover has some gold foil making it look extra fancy!

I used the same process to make this notebook.

The cover is from an old Cath Kidston catalog, showcasing an equestrian print.  

I now have these pretty notebooks that I can fill with new ideas...TADA!

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Sending You A Piece of My Heart

In 2017, I did a small scale art project called "Art in the Heart." I used watercolor paper cut into 4" x 6" rectangles. Then I made hearts by tracing a heart-shaped cookie cutter. With watercolor, I decorated each heart in many different ways:

Some were abstract and some had little things I love: flowers, popsicles, and colorful fish. 

It was a very therapeutic exercise and I have a body of work that I can be proud of. Over the years, however, they remained in a drawer, forgotten until I accidentally found them en route to retrieving something else. I looked at the stack of hand-painted hearts and told them, "I have to give you away."

Let me show you how I provided them with a new look.

I trimmed the paper to emphasize the heart shape.

I added floral elements (cut out from printed scrapbooking paper) and hand-stamped birthday greetings. I attached these to the heart with white glue. The layering of paper is so much fun!

Before sending it off, I'll write a personalized message at the back of the heart. Then I'll put it inside this reusable plastic sleeve together with other goodies like heart-shaped stickers and handmade bookmarks...TADA!

These hearts have a new purpose...they are now birthday cards that I can send to my dearest friends.

I feel these hearts are appropriate for birthdays because every time I send a greeting card, a piece of my art and a piece of my heart always goes along with it. I hope it will turn my friends' special days from "blah to TADA!"

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