Art Journal: Watercolor Faces

Many years ago, I bought this children's book from a thrift store:

I really bought it for crafting purposes. I christened it as my art journal and the pages are filled with collage, watercolor paintings, and even blackout poetry. 

The inside pages make for a fun background, as I did here:

 

The text behind my cherry blossom painting add some dimension.

However, with a layer of gesso (I put a small amount on the page and spread it evenly with an expired gift card).

This is what the page looks like with a layer of gesso...TADA! The text is still visible but tamed down.

One of the recurring themes in my art journal are watercolor faces: 

Repetition and practice help improve my work. These sketches are a mix of techniques I learned from Jane Davenport, Dina Wakley, Amarilys Henderson and the classes I joined on Workshop Week, Summer Creative Retreat, and Sketchbook Revival through the years. 

I'll keep at it and maybe someday, I can create more lifelike portraits.

Who knows, my work can become surface patterns like the ones I see at the shops:

T-shirt designs, perhaps?

Or pillow covers? 

That's how we can turn our everyday sketches from blah to TADA!

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A Painted Gift Pouch

Last week, I featured the many ways we can wrap gifts using fabric. 

Let me continue that theme today: 

This fabric bag was packaging for food. I just had to save it and turn it from blah to TADA! 

I'm adding a band of paint at the bottom of the bag. I marked the area (where the paint should end) with some masking tape. I also put some newspaper inside the bag to absorb excess paint, and another sheet of newspaper to protect my work surface. A few binder clips keep the bag from moving around.

I choose a pink paint that I applied with a paintbrush. I applied two coats, making sure to get into the sides and edges of the bag. 

Once dry, I painted the other side, too. 

Here's what the bag looks like with a new coat of paint...TADA!

The creases were tough to iron out, but I think they add a rustic charm. 

All I need to do is to add a gift inside, tie the built-in ribbon, and add a personalized gift tag. This gift is ready to be given away!

Here's an alternative look: add some wooden beads to the ends of the ribbon (knot the ends to keep the beads in place) for added color and decoration. 

That's how I turned a plain fabric bag from blah to TADA!

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Gift Wrapping with Fabric

I just love the idea of gift wrapping that can be used over and over again, specifically gift bags made from fabric. They are reliable for wrapping odd shaped gifts (no need for boxes), they can be used to wrap a gift for the next big event, there is less harm to the environment, and if we make these gift bags ourselves using fabric from our collection, that's blah to TADA! all around.

I appreciate how department stores like this one encourage the use of fabric gift bags during the holidays. 

Here is another shop that has fabric gift bags available all year round. 

Here is a pouch I made from fabric remnants and decorated with an iron-on patch...TADA!

This is a gift bag that I made using my sewing machine...TADA!

I also made a pouch using the same fabric...TADA!

A similar pouch made from plain fabric and decorated with Indian block printing...TADA! 

If you're not keen into sewing but would still like to use fabric to wrap your gifts, use a handkerchief or a bandana like what I did here: 

A handkerchief with a block print...TADA!

A classic bandana, embellished with a handmade gift pendant...TADA!

A dinner napkin made of cloth...TADA!

And this is a new dish towel...TADA!

These are just some ideas to turn gift wrapping from blah to TADA!

*****

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Three Things for May

Hooray, hooray it's May! 

The trees are fully bloomed and the weather is warmer. That means more time outdoors!

 

More time in the park - to exercise, to take a walk, fun in the playground, and art-making using sidewalk chalk...TADA!

More time to relax - whether it's at the beach or a fun picnic. The sun in our face, the breeze on our skin, and sharing meals with friends are just a few things to look forward to.

Entries in my travel journal - mini adventures (even just around the neighborhood or to the next town) is an opportunity to collect some ephemera and simple memories to add to the travel journal...TADA!

Wishing you all an adventure-filled May!

Boho Floral Hand Lettering

Watercolor and hand lettering are some of my favorite ways to make art. I also love that there's always something new to learn. 

I learned this technique, boho floral hand lettering, from Kelly Klapstein at Workshop Week. 

This is what she made: a framable artwork that combines line drawing, watercolor, and a quote done in brush lettering...TADA! 

She used a light pad to trace the flower onto her paper (but we can use transfer paper, a transfer pencil or drawing the flower freehand). Then she used a waterproof fine liner pen to trace the outlines and add details. 

She painted watercolor circles, allowing them to dry in between adding a new color so they don't bleed. 

Once the paint was dry, she added the quote (also with the aid of a light pad). Using an alphabet stencil or freehand lettering are other alternatives. 

Here is my attempt using quotes that I've come across recently:

A tiny version in my small sketchbook...TADA!

A useful reminder that can be framed to decorate a workspace...TADA!

This lovely quote is from J.R.R. Tolkien. 

And finally, a motto I use whenever I turn blah to TADA!

I hope this inspires you to practice your lettering as you ponder wise words and affirmations. 

*****

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Wise Words on Alphabet Bead Bracelets

Hello everyone!

I stumbled upon these greeting cards that came with a little gift:

"I Am So Grateful for You" made by Little Words Project 

"Happy Valentine's Day" spotted at HomeGoods 

These are bracelets with wise words that you can wear...TADA!

I really like this idea, an alternative to personalizing a bracelet with your name. Every time you wear the bracelet, the word is a reminder of a desired state of being: gratitude, love, peace, courage, grace, etc. A version of our higher selves.  

Of course, I had to make some myself:

Using alphabet beads, beads, and elastic string or stretchy cord that I found in my craft drawer, I spelled out "Bloom" and "Shine" on these bracelets...TADA!

Using a key ring, cord (rescued from a paper bag), and alphabet beads, I created this bag charm that spells "Love"...TADA!  

I found some scrapbook paper and paper that I decorated myself (using rubber stamps and paint). 

I attached my bag charm to the cardboard backing. I can write a message on the back side and put this inside an envelope when I'm ready to give it away. 

The message on the scrapbook paper and the word on the bracelet make perfect sense -- This moment: Bloom.  

Same for this one -- You glow differently when you're happy: Shine.

Accessories that are handmade with words that uplift. These can turn someone's day from blah to TADA!

*****

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