Fish-Inspired Paper Crafts

They say, you can find inspiration everywhere. That's very true, as long as you pay attention. This week's craft began with a Cantonese lunch on a sunny Sunday: 

I was drawn to the fish icon on the chopsticks packaging. I saved a few and took them home.

If we open up the packaging, there's a fish on both sides. Here's how I turned it from blah to TADA!

I made this journal page based on the prompt: "Imagine you're a child
that you deeply care about. Write a letter of reassurance to them.
Be encouraging, give praise, appreciation, and love."

I incorporated the fish on an art journal page...TADA! 

I used a limited palette of blue and aquamarine paint, as well as white and silver pens. I mimicked the flow of water with my strokes. I also added some words of encouragement, following a prompt from Kasia Avery's book "Creative Wanderlust."

Here is the art journal page in detail.

Another way I used the fish was adding it on this handmade bookmark...TADA! It's made from recycled cardboard, paper remnants, paint, and baker's twine -- a technique that I used in some of the other bookmarks I made in the past. 

I didn't forget to decorate the other side of the bookmark, too.

The final project I created was this journal...TADA!

The cover is made from foam board that I decorated with the fish, hand stitching the word "journal," and polkadots made from white pens. The inner pages are made from brown packaging paper.  

So you see, ephemera like chopsticks packaging can be a jumping off point to crafting something cute and turning blah to TADA! 

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Crochet Heart Brooches

Several years ago, I taught myself to crochet a heart:

I was really proud of this little achievement!

I turned the crochet heart into a brooch by sewing on a bar pin.  

Then I incorporated the crochet heart brooch on a greeting card. My literal way of saying, "I give you my heart" and sent lovingly to friends going through some tough times. 

It's not the kind of card that's easy to send but absolutely necessary. Because friends should be there even in life's low times: sickness, loss, and grief. And for the recipient, a small gesture like this can turn their day from blah to TADA!

Here are some recent cards that I made that include the crochet heart brooch:

A little bit of collage to decorate the card

A series of hearts made from a paper punch 

A sentiment written in brush lettering

After reading the card, they can pin the crochet heart brooch to where they can see it often -- to remind them that they are loved, thought about, and prayed for. 

If any of you, my dear readers, are experiencing a difficult season in your life, I am sending you a wish that you be enveloped in strength and that you overcome this with grace.  

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Blotted Line Monoprint Portraits

Hey, hey! I learned a technique called blotted line monoprinting to make portraits. Courtney Cerruti taught the virtual class via Creativebug. 

via Creativebug

In the class, Courtney mentioned a quote from Virginia Woolf, "For most of history, Anonymous was a woman." Since March is Women's History Month, this craft is a meaningful way to honor women, especially the anonymous ones or those we love who are living or have passed away.

Here are some of the portraits Courtney made using the blotted line monoprint technique: 

via Creativebug

via Creativebug

Aren't they beautiful? Let's try it, shall we?

We will need: (1) an image of an inspiring woman to trace (I'm using a cutout from a magazine for my first attempt), (2) transparency sheet, (3) washi tape, (4) drawing or mixed media paper as large as your image, (5) pointed nib pen, (6) acrylic ink (waterproof) in a container, and later, (7) watercolor and paintbrush.

Step 1: Lay the photo on your surface, making sure it is flat. 

Step 2: Position the transparency sheet on top of the photo and secure in place with washi tape. 

Step 3: Attach the drawing or mixed media paper on top of the transparency sheet with more washi tape. 

Step 4: Lift the paper so that the photo and transparency sheet are exposed. 

Step 5: Dip your pointed nib pen into the ink and trace an outline of the photo onto the transparency sheet. It doesn't have to be exact and you can use dots, dashes or lines. You have to work in sections because the ink dries quickly. Start with the hair. 

While the ink is still wet, lower the paper onto the transparency sheet and press gently. The ink should transfer on the back side of the paper. 

Step 6: Repeat Step 4 and Step 5 until you are happy with the image you've made. Put aside to dry. 

Step 7: Use a glass cleaner and a paper towel to clean off the ink from the transparency sheet. A little care allows us to use the transparency sheet over and over again.  

Step 8: A mirror image is produced...TADA! Let's add color, shading, and other embellishments using watercolor to give her more life. 

Step 9: I also added some shading with a colored pencil, highlights using a white pen, and some paint splatters...TADA!

Here is my first try using the blotted line monoprint style to make a portrait...TADA! 

I'll keep practicing and be mindful of the heaviness of the lines I make if I want to avoid the big ink splotches. 

The original image and the monoprint version. This is how I turned a blank sheet of paper from blah to TADA!

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Decorating a Canvas Pouch with Rubber Stamps

Hey guys! I was going through my photos and realized I haven't shared this adorable craft with you. 

We turned plain canvas bags from blah to TADA!

The workshop was held at a Japanese supermarket in my town, where children and adults could participate. We  paid a small fee that included all the materials. 

We got to choose a bag to decorate: canvas tote, drawstring pouch, or zippered pouch. 

We were free to use rubber stamps made by Japanese artist Acha Hanko and a colorful array of ink pads.

The first step is to lay the bag flat on the table and decide how you'd like to print on it. 

Tap the rubber stamp on the ink pad several times, making sure the entire design is covered with ink.

Before stamping it on the canvas bag, make a test print on paper to check if the rubber stamp was properly inked. Tap the rubber stamp on the ink pad again and stamp the design directly on the fabric.

I chose to design a canvas pouch, just stamped randomly with these Japanese characters.

I was going for full coverage on both sides of the pouch. 

I even stamped on the inside of the pouch to always remind me of where I made it...TADA!

After use, dab the rubber stamps on a damp sponge until the rubber stamp is clean and no longer has traces of ink. Let the rubber stamps dry on a towel, a courtesy for the next user and to keep rubber stamps in excellent shape.

To seal the design, our canvas bags were ironed (a thin piece of cloth was put between the bag and the iron to protect it).

Here is how I transformed a plain canvas pouch from blah to TADA!

Apart from rubber stamps, we can decorate canvas pouches with patches, embroidery and more embroidery. Also, if you'd like to carve your own rubber stamps, there's a tutorial here and here.

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Three Thoughts for March

The month of March has marched right in and it always reminds me to be hopeful.  

1. The Spring Blossoms Begin to Appear

At the end of March, greenery begins to erupt from the ground after a dark winter. I always get excited when I first see a daffodil beginning to bloom. The earth turns rosy with color, a powerful reminder of the cycle of life.

2. The Church Bake Sale 

At our local Church, there's always a bake sale in March. One can participate as a baker (make and donate some sweets) or come in to support the cause by buying (and eating) the yummy baked goods. It's a lively community gathering and the proceeds help restore and maintain the Church...TADA!

Maybe you have something like this in your neighborhood that you can help with or why not start one for a good cause?

3. Donations to the Food Pantry 

During the pandemic, a lot of these community food pantries were created to share resources for those facing food insecurity, and many of these have stayed up. It's a place to take what you need or leave extras, no questions asked. 

A broken fridge repurposed as a food pantry in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

I came across this thoughtful list and had to share it, in case there's a food pantry near where you live: 

This March, let's bring value to our community. Kindness and compassion always turn everyone's day from blah to TADA!

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Art Journaling: Lessons from Dina Wakley

I've fallen in love with art journaling. When I don't have the words to express my feelings, bringing them to life through sketching, painting, and collage in my art journal is very satisfying. I try to keep at it regularly, making it a practice.

I also like learning new techniques from experts like Dina Wakley, a mixed media artist and teacher, who has her own product line and she's also an author.  

One of her books that I found at the library is Art Journal Courage. I like that the subtitle is "Fearless mixed media techniques for journaling bravely." Fear and self doubt are real and in many instances, they get in the way for us to even try.  

This is Dina's pep talk for us. Here's to overcoming all our fears!

Now, let me show you an art journal page that I made based on one of the projects in the book ("Painting the portrait" on pages 42 to 45). 

I'm using an old book as my art journal. The printed page and pictures add character but I wanted the words on this page to be less visible. I covered it with two coats of acrylic paint using a paintbrush. Then I let the page dry. 

I'm still in the stage of experimenting with gesso and I applied a small amount on top of my page. Notice that I decanted my gesso in a squeeze bottle (empty bottle of glue) so that I can easily control the amount. 

I used an expired gift card/rewards card to help spread the gesso on the page. I find this better than using a paintbrush because it covers a bigger surface and allows for an even layer. I let this dry for a few minutes.

Then I brushed on some paint. The under layers of white paint and gesso gave the paint some texture...TADA!

I sketched a self-portrait and added paint to enhance the hair and skin tone. She doesn't look anything like me but I keep reminding myself that with practice, I'll eventually get a closer resemblance. Practice over perfection.

Then I included some collage at the bottom left of the page. I also added some journaling: "I am grateful for my body's ability to heal from infection and disease. Thank you body!"

I made this at a time I had COVID-19. The red side symbolizes the infection and the green side represented healing. I wanted to honor my body for its strength and resilience, and that I should never take good health and wellness for granted.

On this page, I was able to express feelings of vulnerability, the lack of control, also relief and appreciation. 

This is how I turned a journal page from blah to TADA!

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