A Sketchbook-Practice: Creating a Color Story

How are you doing today?

One of the ways I try to stay creative is through a sketchbook practice -- filling pages of my sketchbook with drawings or paintings of mundane observations. 

This is a plain sketchbook made of watercolor paper. Like many of you, I get intimidated by the blank page but I've learned to get some inspiration from other artists who show their work on social media, through their websites, and even in printed material:

This is an old issue of Uppercase Magazine. I love it because it's "for the creative and the curious" and its pages are abundant with methods of creative expression.

Lilla Rogers is an illustrator-entrepreneur and her studio represents artists and authors worldwide. She writes regularly for Uppercase Magazine and in this article, she suggests making a color story from foraged objects.

This is my collection of foraged items, randomly picked up throughout the year: seashells, a variety of flowers that I put in my flower press, leaves, and a feather.  I like how the colors come together, from the muted grays to the vibrant violet and orange. Now, I've created my very own color story. It will dictate the colors that I'll use on a painting. The limited colors might be a constraint, but many times limitations can make us more creative, don't you think? 

The first thing I do is to swatch the colors based on the items forming my color story. I use  watercolor and colored pencils and I apply these directly on my sketchbook page.

I drew these squares that will serve as frames for mini paintings. Breaking down the page into smaller chunks will make the process less intimidating.

Just blobs, shapes and shading as my first exercise. 

As you can see, I've filled the mini frames with my version of abstract art. It doesn't have to be perfect and nobody needs to see it. It's practice and who knows where the color story and the sketches might lead to? Maybe a repeating pattern for fabric or gift wrapping paper? A t-shirt design or even a brand logo. This is just the beginning.

And that is how I turned a blank page from blah to TADA!

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Valentine's Day Card Swap

What's up guys?

Let's talk about Valentine's Day. Do you celebrate it? Do you go all out and exchange cards, flowers, and chocolates or is it just another ordinary day?

Last year, I participated in a Valentine's Day Card Swap hosted by House That Lars Built on Instagram. All we had to do was make a handmade Valentine card and mail it to a penpal assigned to us. It's a simple way to spread love and share in some handmade magic.

I was paired with Michelle who lives in England. This is what I made for her:

It's a little scrapbook fashioned from empty bill envelopes and decorated with paint, paper remnants, rubber stamps, brush lettering, and ribbon.

It's inspired by children's pop-up books where there are hidden messages tucked in pockets.

When you open a flap or pull on a tag, there's a reminder about self love...TADA!

I'm proud to say that this scrapbook was featured in Strawberry Moon Magazine last year.

The Valentine card I received came from Caroline who lives in South Carolina. I just love what she created! It still hangs on a cork board right above my desk. Again, a reminder of self love...TADA!

I was so grateful, I sent Caroline a Valentine card, too! The concept was "I want to give you a hand," which means:

Everything associated with friendly hand gestures: waving, shaking hands, and high fives. It's also a literal representation of "handmade."

I included another handmade card with a more personalized message inside. 

I wrapped everything in this heart-shaped doily, put it in an envelope, and sent it on its way...TADA!

This exchange of cards may be old fashioned but I find thrill in making and receiving them. I also love the idea of encouraging others and being able to celebrate Valentine's Day in non-romantic and more inclusive ways.  

May these cards spur you to make and send your own to those who need cheering up. You might just turn their day from blah to TADA!

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Five Things for February

Hello everyone and hello February!

I live in the East Coast of the United States and February tends to be one of the coldest months of the year. 

Snow days in February are a sight to behold. When the ground has a fresh layer of snow and everything is white and peaceful. I like to take walks and watch the neighborhood kids build snow people or go sledding. The scene is like a postcard...TADA!

Because in winter, the days are shorter and all you want to do is cozy up under a throw, I like to put on this eye compress. It can be used warm (a few minutes in the microwave) or cold (keep in the fridge for a few hours). Wearing it forces you to close your eyes and be still. It's very calming after hours on the computer or reading and has health benefits, too. A face towel (warm or cold) can be an easy alternative...TADA!   

The Lunar New Year is on February 10, and from the year of the Rabbit, it will transition to the year of the Dragon. There are many traditions that go with the celebration and I'd like to recommend this book that both kids and adults can learn from. It's called "A Sweet New Year for Ren" written by Michelle Sterling and illustrated by Dung Ho. It's about family and feasting, and there's a recipe for Pineapple Tarts...TADA!

It's also Valentine's Day this February. I've always believed that you don't have to be in a romantic relationship to celebrate this day. Love exists in many forms (grandparent and grandchild, best friends, aunt and niece, etc.) and Valentine's Day can be the appropriate occasion to tell them they are appreciated. This handmade postcard was sent to me by my penpal. Though we've never met, I do feel very loved...TADA!

I stumbled upon this store in Chicago called "Worn Wear" (not a sponsored post) and I'm impressed by the intention of reselling, repairing or trading in gently used winter coats. It's the responsible thing to do to keep clothes out of landfills...TADA!

Wishing you a February that's filled with warmth and coziness!

A Butterfly Embroidery

I'm so glad you are here!

Over the years, I've created butterfly-inspired crafts like this butterfly wall hanging, butterfly scent sachet, and butterfly watercolor painting. I've made it a tradition to make a butterfly craft at the end of every January. You see, I lost my Mom in January 31, 2017. She makes her presence felt through monarch butterflies -- during my walks in the park, when I see one in a book, on TV, or printed on fabric. Making these helps me honor her memory and is a form of healing for me, too. 

Last year, I made this butterfly embroidery. I love the simplicity of the black thread on white fabric. But I thought we can still turn it from blah to TADA!

I took out my embroidery thread selection.

I was drawn to the shades of pink and purple embroidery floss. 

Slowly, I filled in the little blank spaces, similar to a coloring book but using thread.

I relied on a satin stitch and a few French knots for dimension.

As you can see, I didn't complete the embroidery in one sitting. I would do a little each day (only a ten minute commitment). Sometimes I would repeat my Mom's name or told her stories as I sewed each stitch. It's my way of keeping her present.

Here is the embroidered butterfly...TADA! I'll add it to my gallery wall to remind me that Mom is always close by.

How about you, are there special ways you honor the loved ones you've lost?

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A Sketchbook Practice: Collage Fodder

As a creative practice, I've been playing around in my sketchbook. Most of the time, I make watercolor paintings, work on some experimental portraits or create travel sketches.

But I learned another exciting way to dress up a blank sketchbook page.

It's called FODDER or Collage Fodder. 

Fodder School (yes, it exists!) defines collage fodder as "anything that can be used in the creation of a collage. Collage fodder can be collected (think old vintage book pages or ticket stubs) or handmade (think gelli prints or handmade pattern papers)."

I've done a lot of the paper collecting over the years, filing them randomly in plastic folders. The "handmade fodder" part really got my attention. 

I was introduced to the collage fodder concept when I attended Sketchbook Revival hosted by Karen Abend and Fodder School teacher Tiffany Simply Sharpe.

The first step is to make the focal point. In this case it would be a mushroom.

We started painting mushrooms (I don't think I've ever drawn mushrooms in great detail before). I chose this color palette: green, blue green, purple and fuchsia. Then when the paintings were dry, I outlined the edges with a fine-tipped black marker.

Tiffany used watercolor paper. To make it my own, I repurposed an empty cardboard box, turning it from blah to TADA! The back side won't be seen anyway because it will be glued down.

Cut around the mushrooms to remove the excess white border.

I also made toadstools and flowers using the cardboard.

The second step is to assemble the background using a collection of paper remnants, fabric, packing tape, magazine tear sheets, gift tissue and gift wrap. Perhaps you have old magazines and catalogs or a library of collected papers? These are a good place to start.

Narrow down your paper choices to a color story. I chose greens, blues and purples to complement the mushroom I painted.

Using the page of the sketchbook, try out different layouts before committing to anything. Tiffany calls this the audition process.

The third step is to glue things in place (I used a glue stick).

The final step is to add some journaling or finishing touches like designs from cling stamps and an ink pad. 

Here is what I made...TADA!

This is another version using both the mushroom and flower that I painted...TADA!

And finally, this fairytale toadstool collage.

Collage fodder is another way we can turn a blank sketchbook page from blah to TADA!  

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A Hostess Gift Idea and How To Wrap It

Hello creative people! I hope you are having a nice day.

Whenever we are invited to a party, it's always good manners to bring something for the host or hostess. A few safe ideas include flowers arranged in a vase, baked goods and a pie server, and a few nice things for the home.

Another hostess gift idea is a candle. Choosing the scent might be little tricky. If the host/hostess is a dear friend, you may know what scent he or she leans to. If it's an acquaintance, it may be smart to ask around and do some research. The hostess I'm giving this to loves candles, loves coffee, and is into neutral shades...TADA!

And because it's a gift, let's wrap it! I'm trying to use more sustainable gift wrapping, something the recipient can re-use, too. This is a cloth napkin, also in a neutral shade. Other options include block-printed fabric, scarves/bandanas or vintage handkerchiefs. 

In Japan, this method of wrapping gift with fabric is called Furoshiki. It requires folding, tucking, knotting, and no need for tape.

Start by placing the gift at the center of the fabric.

Fold one end toward the center and tuck it under the gift.

Bring the opposite end towards the center and fold in the ends. 

Bunch the open edges so that it looks like this.

Twist each end and bring both to the center so they meet in a knot.

Make a second knot. Doesn't it look like a bow? No need for adhesives or ribbon...TADA!

Don't forget to add a card telling the host/hostess how much you appreciate the invitation and hospitality.

And that is how I turned a cloth napkin from blah to TADA!

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