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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Magnetic Bookmarks

Hey there!

I love books and that is why I love bookmarks, too. I like to make my own bookmarks out of ribbon remnants and paper clips, brown paper bags, old magazines, clothing tags, collage, and watercolor.

I spotted these magnetic bookmarks at a bookstore: 

These are a nice souvenir or gift to take home from a vacation.

These ones are adorable! I can see myself using them to mark cookbooks, craft books or a daily devotional. 

There are so many kinds. But I thought, "Why buy when we can D-I-Y (do-it-yourself)?"

I started off with thin sheets of adhesive magnets. 

I'm using washi tape and printed scrapbook paper as the design for my magnetic bookmarks. I trimmed the adhesive magnets so that they are the same size as the washi tape. Make sure to leave a 1/4 inch margin on the washi tape so that it can easily fold at the center.

I carefully attached the washi tape (or scrapbook paper) to the adhesive magnets. Try your best to align the edges but don't sweat it because the tape peels off easily and can be repositioned. Leave a small gap at the center of the magnets to allow the washi tape part to fold.

Here's what the magnetic bookmarks look like on the reverse side...TADA!

To use the magnetic bookmark, put one side on the page you want to mark, fold it at the center looping over the page until both sides of the magnet attract each other.  

Make several magnetic bookmarks because don't we read more than one book simultaneously? It's also a nice surprise to mail to a friend. 

The cute prints peeking out just brings me joy!

With very simple materials, I was able to turn blah to TADA!

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Five Things for September

Hello there September! Summer is winding down and slowly, we transition to a new season.

In September, we remember. We remember all the lives lost during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. This Tribute in Light, done every year, shines brightly where the World Trade Towers used to stand.  It honors the brave heroes of that day and symbolizes New York's unbreakable spirit.  

September also means back to school. While I've not been a student in many, many years, I love the feeling of new beginnings. I also love back to school shopping! I avail of the bargains at the shops to replenish frequently-used supplies my home office and craft stash...TADA!

Outdoor brunches during the cooler temperatures of September are a lovely luxury. Of course, sausage and eggs, pancakes or French Toast, and coffee are my top choices on the menu...TADA! 

PopUp Swap photo from last year (2023)

Spring cleaning doesn't have to be dedicated to spring. We can do it all year round! When I switch out my summer clothes to autumn dressing, I put aside clothes and accessories that I no longer use. I usually donate them at the thrift store but I found about clothing swaps like this one from PopUp Swap. Maybe there's something similar in your city? You'll never know who might find use for what you no longer need. Plus, we all get to save clothes from the landfill...TADA!

And finally, sharing this piece that I found serendipitously but truly resonate with. Let's all cherish ordinary, normal days!

Have a sweet, sweet September!

A Sketchbook Practice: Travel Journaling

How's it going beautiful people?

To flex my creative muscles, I've been doing a regular sketchbook practice. 

This is what a use: an inexpensive spiral-bound watercolor sketchbook. Like many of you, I was always intimidated by the blank page. But by learning from books, art classes, prompts, and regular practice, I've learned to look at a blank page more as possibility rather than dread. 

One of the ways I like to fill my sketchbook is by using it as a travel journal. It serves as a nice souvenir from a vacation and it combines the things I love -- photography, collage, lettering, collecting, and watercolor. 

Abbey Sy is someone who has an extensive collection of travel journals. This photo is from an on-line class I attended where she demonstrated how she builds a spread in her travel journal. You can check out her work on her YouTube channel.

Abbey Sy also wrote a book called "The Art of the Travel Journal" that came out in 2022. It's filled with tips on how to start and sustain a travel journal. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

1. Create a travel art kit that has everything you need, is compact and ready when the travel bug bites. This is my travel kit and it contains: a pocket watercolor tin, a small sketchbook, water brush, pencils, pens, glue, scissors, washi tape, and an envelope for ephemera. 

2. Postcards as travel journals - whenever you're in a new destination, pick up a postcard from the souvenir shop, address the postcard to you and write down some anecdotes or trip highlights. Then mail the postcard to your home address. It serves as a nice memento from your trip and a collection of postcards (strung on a ring binder or stored in a dedicated postcard box) will tell the story of all your  travels.

3. Gather proof of your travels - these include tickets, maps, brochures, packaging material, coffee sleeves. These are called "ephemera" or printed matter produced for a specific short-term use. When we add them to our travel journal, they a longer-lasting use and will always remind us of our journeys.

4. Get creative with collage journaling - combine the ephemera you've collected on the pages of your travel journal. Abbey reminds us: there is no right or wrong way to collage. The simple act of cutting and pasting is the only thing you need to know to start.

5. Remember what food and drink you tasted during your travels by including these in your travel journal. It can be through pictures, written descriptions, and even sketching. These don't have to be perfect, just enough detail for you to remember them. It would be good to include the address, too, in case you want to return or recommend them to fellow travelers. 

I can only agree with this quote from the book. Travel journals help develop our creative vision, is a form of creative expression, and the process promotes mindfulness, intention, and reflection.

Travel journaling is one way I turn a blank page from "blah to TADA!"

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Brown Paper Bags as a Canvas for Collage

I love that you're here with me today!

I'm very pleased that plastic bags and containers have been banned in many places. Stopping their use is a big step in protecting the environment and has encouraged more people to bring their own reusable bags.

In restaurants and shops, it's back to paper bags:

I've collected a stack in my cabinet and I can't help but think, "How can I turn these from blah to TADA!?"

Remember this paper bag that I transformed using collage, rubber stamps, and packing tape transfers? It's such an easy way to give a brown paper bag new life, plus it's an efficient way to use up paper scraps. 

With the same technique, here's how I dressed up a few other brown paper bags:

This brown paper bag collage has a summer theme using pink, mint green, and gray as the central colors. I used scrapbook paper remnants and security envelopes for the collage. Peony and fern rubber stamps, plus butterfly cutouts add to the soft nature-theme...TADA!

This brown paper bag collage uses two elements: circles made from security envelopes (made with a round craft punch) and patterned butterflies (also made with a butterfly craft punch and magazine pages). I played with symmetry and color...TADA! 

This brown paper bag collage is based on a travel theme: scrapbook paper, washi tape, ephemera and rubber stamps provide the wanderlust...TADA!

Finally, this brown paper bag collage gets its color from painted paper and magazine pages. A simple rubber stamp contributes to the celebratory theme...TADA!

Brown paper bags are the best canvas to experiment. You can try out paint, markers, washi tape, and seasonal cut-outs to turn them from "blah to TADA!"

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