Sketchbook Practice: Painting Shoes and Bags

Welcome back to my blog!

Many years ago, I wanted to learn watercolor. I took a class and watched several on-line tutorials. And I practiced. A lot. 

Looking back on my old sketchbooks, I started with flat/one-dimensional sketches and over the years, I think I've improved. I don't consider myself a good watercolor artist but I've been brave enough to show my work. It's proof that I tried and I'll keep trying until I become better. That's why I maintain a sketchbook practice and I fill it with all sorts of things like travel memories and floral sketches.

Sometimes it's hard to know what to put on a blank page. But one day, I was cleaning out some junk mail and came across a shoe catalog. Shoes! That's something I've never painted before. 

Here is my attempt at shoes that got my attention in the catalog, then when I ran out, I looked for inspiration on Pinterest. 

Notice that I've been attempting adding shadows, too.

On another day, I painted bags.

Just one or two sketches a day, until I filled the page...TADA!

If you're feeling overwhelmed facing a blank page or starting a project you've always wanted to do, here is a little reminder:  

Keep at it. Show up daily. Try. Fail. Try again. Then applaud your efforts. It's the baby steps that turn the blah to TADA!

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Things To Look Forward To

Hello there!

Today, I'm going to share a book that I absolutely love. It's written by Sophie Blackall who is an Australian author and illustrator based in New York. 

I was first introduced to her work in her book, Missed Connections. She illustrated stories she found in the "Missed Connections" postings on Craigslist. It started out as a blog and then became a book! Here's a sample:

"Owl Lady in the Red Dress: We both purchased owl statues today. 

You are the classy looking dame in a red dress. 

I am the mustachioed gentleman. I think we should meet up and 

discuss further wildlife decor." 

I love how Sophie Blackall drew how these people would have looked in real life. She captured the feelings of attraction, regret, and hope -- maybe, these people would meet again after reading the postings.  Wouldn't that be romantic?

Sophie Blackall wrote and illustrated another book for grown-ups called "Something to Look Forward To."  She worked on it during the pandemic with this premise: Everyone needs things to look forward to -- big things and small things, on good days and on bad days; things that will buoy our spirits and make us laugh and help us feel alive. 

 

I think this is her most personal work yet and here are a few of my favorite things that she mentions in the book:

Item Number 2: Coffee
"When I ask people what they look forward to in life, the answer I hear
more than any other is coffee. Coffee is the boost we need to get going --
and to keep going."

Item No. 4: Baking Something for Someone
"We have carpenters working on our barn, and I look forward to baking
them muffins...I've noticed the muffin days are always more productive.
For me, that is."

Item Number 11: Drawing on Eggs
"If you have an egg in your house, you can draw a face on it.
No one will stop you. Then you will look forward to opening the
fridge. You will amuse yourself no end."

Item Number 12: A Cup Of Tea
"If coffee is the boost that propels you into the day, a cup of tea is
the soft landing when you inevitably come back down. Comforting,
reassuring, procrastinating tea. Sometimes the idea of tea will
suffice; it's enough just to put the kettle on."

Item Number 29: Rereading Favorite Bits of a Favorite Book
"There is enormous comfort in beloved, familiar books.
New books are exciting, but in times of need, I turn to old friends.
They're always there when you need them."

Inspired by these thoughts, I made my own list, too:

I look forward to SPRING FLOWERS

I look forward to GOING TO A BOOKSTORE and browsing
each aisle, with extra time at the magazine section

I look forward to WEEKEND BRUNCH

I look forward to SENDING AND RECEIVING SNAIL MAIL

"Things To Look Forward To" by Sophie Blackall is a feel good read and a thoughtful gift for someone going through some challenges. This book might just turn their day from "blah to TADA!"

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Painting on a Glass Bottle

Howdy folks!

It's been said that to improve your craft, you have to practice. One of my chosen crafts is painting and I like to practice in a sketchbook. But I've tried painting on the cover of notebooks, on greeting cards, and on tin containers, too. 

I attempt to paint on any surface, including this one:

It's a maple syrup bottle. I just love the shape! Once empty, I cleaned it and removed all the sticky labels.

Here's one trick I use to easily get the sticky stuff out: Goo Gone. I apply a small amount on a rag and scrub off the goo on the surface of my bottle. I wash the bottle again with warm soapy water to remove any residue. Then I let it dry.

I drew my design on the surface of the maple syrup bottle using a water-based marker.

Because it's springtime, I'll be including these forsythia blooms...

As well as these cherry blossoms.

I'm using a selection of acrylic paint that I squeezed into a small palette.

I added color on the forsythia and its leaves using a small paintbrush.

Then I free-styled the cherry blossoms.

I let the paint dry and added one or two more coats of paint where I thought needed it. Allow this to completely dry.

A new look for an empty maple syrup bottle...TADA!

Use it in your workspace or surprise a favorite co-worker with some blooms arranged in this DIY vase. It will surely turn her day from "blah to TADA!"

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Crafting With Empty Food Boxes

It's so good to see you!

In any home, it's likely that a pile of food boxes accumulates in an instant.

 

Cereal, pasta, cookies...name it! I usually collapse my boxes and stack them in a paper bag before they head off to the recycling bin. But I look at them longingly and think, "Is there a way I can give you guys new life?" And often, the answer is a resounding YES!

Here are some examples on how I transformed empty food boxes from "blah to TADA!":

This is a stationery caddy made from three identical food boxes. I cut each box in graduating heights, covered them in wrapping paper, and glued them together. It's a tidy way to keep greeting cards and envelopes within arm's reach...TADA!

This is a gift bag made out of an empty macaroni box. I wrapped it in scrapbook paper, used ribbon as handles, tucked the gift inside the tissue, and made a matching card. No need for a box, because this is sturdy on its own...TADA! 

I also use empty food boxes to neatly store ribbon. I trim the boxes in uniform sizes and wrap the ribbon around the box and secure the ends with tape. This will make them easier to store and keeps the ribbon in good condition until they're ready to be re-used...TADA!

With the help of some pretty scrapbook paper, I'm turning more empty food boxes from blah to TADA! 

I glued the scrapbook paper on the boxes to disguise the labels, then I cut them down to size. I completed the look with stamped prints and embellishments. 

Look at the charming postcards that I created:

This are just some of the ways I turn empty food boxes from "blah to TADA!" I hope it inspires you to recycle and repurpose the ones you find in your home.

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Five Things for April

Hey, hey everyone!

Here are the things I'm thinking about as the month of April arrives:

The bare trees of winter are blooming again...TADA! Cherry blossoms and almond blossoms are always a sight to behold and I never take this miracle of new beginnings for granted.

I read somewhere that, "You're never too old to read a children's book," that's why I'm never shy to borrow one from the library. This book, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, is a classic. Now that it's springtime and the trees are starting to grow their leaves, I thought it was a good opportunity to re-read it. The illustrations are simple but the story profound. It's about a boy and his relationship with a tree -- how the tree generously provided in every stage of the boy's life. Have you read this book? 

The arrival of flowers also mean the arrival of butterflies. I love butterflies and butterfly crafts like this bookmark will keep me inspired this season.  

Look how cute they look in between pages...TADA! Other options include a butterfly paper weight, a butterfly wall hanging, or a butterfly cupcake stencil.

Do you have impostor syndrome? I honestly have bouts of it and I'm finding different ways to overcome it. Here is a lovely read about impostor syndrome. 

If you want to participate in something creative where you'll get fresh ideas on how to use your sketchbook, I highly recommend Sketchbook Revival. It's fun and it's free! 

UPDATE: I've been participating in the Sketchbook Revival every year. It's usually done in the Spring (and I always block it off in my calendar). But this year, Sketchbook Revival will happen in the fall: 

I'm very sorry for the confusion! But here are photos from past sessions:

Sketch Notes with Emily Mills 

Doodle Blobs with Mike Lowery 

Doodle Journaling with Karen Abend 

Maybe these will spark some ideas for you to start a sketchbook or fill one that you already have...TADA!

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Decorating Easter Eggs with Rubber Stamps

Hi there! Easter is coming up (March 31st) and I wanted to try an Easter egg decorating technique using some craft materials that I already had on hand.

Let's begin with a few eggs.

Here are cherry blossom-themed stamps. They are cling-on stamps meant to be mounted on acrylic blocks so that you have a better grip when stamping. 

Without the acrylic block, the stamp is more flexible allowing the print to adhere to the rounded edges of the egg.

It's not a perfect print but I think the flaws add a handmade charm.

Now, let's try some alphabet stamps.

Just be aware that it might take two or three tries to print each letter -- just carefully follow the curve of the egg. 

Use them to spell out greetings or names. 

Here is another set of stamps. I used the words to make these Christmas gift tags.

Today, I'd like to use the flourishes.

They're a little tricky to use. Instead of a clean print, shadows or repeats are formed.

But they do add a unique pattern.

Here are my Easter Eggs decorated using rubber stamps and ink pads...TADA!

Use the eggs as table decorations or additions to an Easter basket! And if you need more Easter Egg decorating ideas, you can find them here, here, here, and here. 

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