Wordless Wednesday

Sketchbook Pages: Joy

As I mentioned yesterday, this layered journal page incorporated all my new supplies: masking tape, India Ink, black Plaka, a duotang label and fluid acrylic medium (another new-to-me supply: gel medium is what I've used previously). Since this page is a bit more involved, I thought I'd give you a bit more of a step-by-step on my process. Unfortunately, I didn't take in-progress photos, so you'll just have to imagine the beginning stages.

First I mixed some paint. I wanted a watermelon shade for the background, and I wanted to use my new fluid acrylic medium, so I blended my Golden acrylics into some of that; I used a bit of Titanium White, Naphthol Red Light and Hansa Yellow Medium and obtained the pink you see in the background. Once that was dry, I dripped orange India ink from the top edge.

As I was waiting for that to dry, I went to check the mail. Lo and behold! I had a package of washi tape waiting for me! Thus, the next step was easy: washi tape! The first piece I laid was the small bit with pink polka-dots: it was part of the wrapping for my tape. The red and grey geometric prints and the grid washi tapes are new - they were a perfect complement to the orange/grey floral and orange washi tapes (and the masking tape!) I already had.

Once that was done, I wasn't too sure where to go next. So I pulled out a box of supplies and came across the vintage page protectors, the birds and the brass letters. Perfect!

These were glued down randomly until I was happy with the composition. Then I chose a word ("JOY" seemed appropriate based on my limited letter supply and the fact that a dear friend of mine chose this name for her baby girl) and framed it with one of my new labels.

I sat back to let that dry but wasn't satisfied that the page was quite done. Something was missing...


Of course! Black Plaka polka-dots! After watering down the thick black paint, I simply used a brush (the wrong end of the brush actually) to flick paint all over my page, concentrating on the upper left corner:

Once I started scattering paint, I needed to try the same with the orange India ink. Great results, I think! A few days later, when I bought the brown and violet ink, I was tempted to add a few dots of the brown... but so far I've restrained myself. I think the spread is done. As is, it makes me smile every time I look at it. JOY indeed!

What do you think? Would you add to this page or leave it as is?

Sketchbook Pages: New Supplies

A week or so ago, I picked up a few inexpensive supplies, all items that were new to me and my sketchbooks. Needless to say, I jumped right in. I think this "try-out" page says it all:

Masking tape - a no-brainer, but I'd never picked any up before. Fun labels. Black Plaka, which needs to be watered down (as I did later). Orange India ink - awesome! I love the transparent and liquid consistency; I was dripping and blowing it all over the page. In all of these try-out pages, I used the built-in eye dropper to "paint" or drip the ink.

I loved the India ink so much I went back to Mixed Media (a great shop on James N) and picked up another two bottles: brown and violet.

Straight out of the bottle, these are both pretty dark. But I'll be able to dilute them with water for paler washes.

Now I'll just have to go back and get the red, blue and yellow bottles so that I can start mixing my own colours!

I have one more page to show, but it's a bit more layered and polished, using all of my new supplies, so there are quite a few photos. I thought I'd keep those for tomorrow.

Have you ever used India ink? Any tips? 

A Look in my Sketchbook

Here's a glimpse at some of the doodles in my sketchbooks. A bit later today, I'll show you some more pages where I've experimented with new (to me) art supplies.

I've been using words in my journals a lot lately, as you can see above. Song lyrics are particularly fun to record since it gives me a feel for what I was listening to at certain times. I also jot down words and phrases from books and my imagination if I like the picture or feeling they convey.

That last pages shows me putting to use some of the photos I took at the RBG. I was trying to stick to the barest outline and I think they turned out pretty good.

What have you been doodling lately? I'd love to see!

Mosaic Monday

It's Mosaic Monday! I hope you'll join us - it's really easy! Just make a photo mosaic - you can use whatever photo editing software you like, or a website such as the mosaic maker and photos from Flickr - then post it on your blog. Go ahead and pick a theme if you want, but don't feel like you have to. Have fun with it!

Make sure to include a link back to my blog so that everyone can participate. Then come back here and submit a link to your blog post (using the "add your link" button at the bottom). I'll be looking and commenting on each one!

Here's mine for this week: peonies - I took these photos at the Laking Garden, part of the Royal Botanical Gardens!

1. Peonies at Laking Garden, 2. Laking Garden Peonies, 3. Laking Garden Peonies, 4. Laking Garden Peonies

Here's the list of mosaics for this week. Once you've blogged, click the button below to add your blog post link.

Sunday Seven

Here are a few things I'm grateful for this week:

Sunday: walking the Royal Botanical Gardens with family 

Monday: Alex Trebek

Tuesday: having Pat home for the day

Wednesday: pasta for breakfast because it's that good

Thursday: India ink

Friday: Game of Thrones TV series

Saturday: journaling 

What are you thankful for this week?

Project 52: 22/52

Week 22 - here's my photo:

This was taken at the Laking Garden, part of the Royal Botanical Gardens. Pat and I went last Sunday with his aunt and uncle. It was a beautiful day and this garden was full of gorgeous irises.

OK, I admit - I laughed out loud when I saw the goose butt I snapped. I love how the other goose is looking away: "I am not with him!"

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I'd love it if you'd participate with me in this challenge! The rules are simple - take 1 photo a week, for 52 weeks. No theme, just a photo of something that sparked your interest during the week. Feel free to use my Project 52 banner as well. Either right click on the image above and save it on your computer, or follow this link and download it from Flickr.

Once you've taken your photo, post it online somewhere and add your link in the submission box below.

Monthly Forecast: June

I've decided to switch from weekly to monthly forecasts. I found the weekly ones were getting a bit tedious, so I only did them half the time. Plus, as useful as I find them, I tend to overestimate the amount of stuff I can get done in a week. Presumably, by giving myself a month to accomplish these goals, they may actually get done! I'm also going to print out this list and post it above my desk so that I don't forget.

I can't believe it's already June. And I'm still unemployed. And I still haven't restarted my yoga. Terrible. What did I do in May? Where did that time go? I must get back on track. Here's the plan:

• JOB SEARCH: top priority! Apply to at least 3 posting each day, Mon-Fri.
• daily yoga - start blogging about it again for accountability 
• hike every weekend, go for walks during the week - enjoy the beautiful weather!
• eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables - hit up a few farmer's markets for extra freshness
• spend a weekend visiting with Pat's aunt and uncle 
• journal daily by keeping up with the 30-day journal challenge hosted by Janel 
• work on my Sketchbook Project(s) - send the collaborative one to Angie by the end of the month
• catch up on Etsy things - edit listings, post new items, keep up with the MSOE team

As for blogging, here are a few things you can look forward to:

• lots (and lots) of photos from our hikes and walks around Hamilton
• pages from my many sketchbook, including the Sketchbook Project
• collections: beautiful coffee table books 
• recipes: making the most of fresh seasonal veggies
• recommend: great summer reading
• tutorials: at least one quick and easy how-to (likely one sketchbook and one fashion related)

I also really need to revisit Science Byte and update with a new post or two over there. 

Lastly, you'll notice that no ads have gone up for June. I didn't have any bites, but that won't stop me from blogging daily! I have quite a few great posts prepared already, with many more in the works. Hopefully the fun content for June will encourage some sponsors for July!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and productive month!