Kill Them with Kindness at Ike's World Challenge Blog

Today I have two projects to inspire you to always stretch your comfort zone. I've used the lovely digi, Spanish Dancer, from Ike's Art. It's one of my favorite images; maybe because my cousin dances and teaches Flamenco. I admire her for that.
Anyway, I was trolling YouTube videos and came across an artist who used all manner of items, food and supplies in his project, so I thought I'd have a go at it. First, I colored the top half of my image with Copics. Then I emptied my supply of flowers and chose these white ones with the colored jewel centers.
I then played with each flower like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, slowly putting them together to form my dancer's flowing skirt. I love how it came out. So I tried another medium.

This time I used red lace. This was more difficult as I had to fold it over and back for the different layers of the image's dress. It was also harder to get the lace to sit right at my dancer's waist. I love the dimension of this one more, but I'll need to iron the lace next time so it lies on the canvas more accurately.

So which one do you like better? I'm definitely revisiting this type of mixed media canvas. The challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog this month runs to the end of November, so you should have plenty of time to experiment and try new techniques or materials. Just remember, treat yourself with kindness as you stretch out of your comfort zone. Whether you succeed with your attempts, or it ends up in the trash, you are trying to grow in your art and that makes you a winner!

Don't forget you could also be a winner of free digis from Ike's Art Store, so make sure you link your project to the main blog!

BE-YOU-tiful You at Ike's World Challenge Blog

It's said that artists reveal themselves in their work. This fortnight, the challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog is to create something that shouts "THIS IS ME." I was inspired to use my daily mantra for my "coming out."

Dance as if no one is watching 

I created a desk accessory for stray pens, markers & an occasional pair of scissors. I snagged an unfinished wooden pen holder from my local Goodwill store (99 cents!). 

Using four images from Ike's Store, I colored the images with Copics and a white gel pen. Then I created a scene for each dancing image with Copics again. I really like my backgrounds (is that vain of me?). LOL

Before adhering my colored images to the wood, I wrote an affirmation relating to dancing and life  on each.

The images that I used are "Fred and Gene", "Spanish Dancer", "Spring Fairy" and "Polynesian Girl." They are all available at Ike's Art.
I love creating background scenes for my images, and go to Pinterest for inspiration. I feel  that I am improving each time I create one.

Why does this project reflect who I am? Well, "everything in the Universe has rhythm. Everything dances." I am often inspired by music. I am eclectic in my tastes, meaning I like almost everything! I can't help but move when I hear the songs. I am more motivated to clean, work out, craft, MOVE, when music is playing.


So no matter where I am (like in the grocery store) my hips start swaying and if my kids are with me, they turn red and whisper to me to STOP IT MOM YOU'RE EMBARRASSING ME. I in turn tell them that one of the goals of a parent is to embarrass them. LOL

My quotes read, "Dance first, think later," "Life is a Dance," "Dancing is Dreaming on your feet", and "Dance to the Rhythm of Love."  When I spin bike, my iPod is urging me on. If I had the time, I would take Zumba classes just for the fun of it. And when I create,music surrounds me with inspiration.

So what will YOU create that screams YOU? Any project is welcome, from cards and layouts to canvases and altered art.  Let's see the REAL you at Ike's World Challenge Blog. And if you're too shy to reveal yourself, this is an OPTIONAL TWIST, so you can create anything for your chance to win free digis from Ike's Art.

Good luck and Happy crafting! And don't forget to DANCE

Anything Goes w/optional twist - Use a bow

 The newest challenge at Ike's World Challenge blog has reached its midway point. Their challenges are now Anything Goes, with some months offering a Twist. This month the Twist is to Use a BOW. I created my card with an image from Ike's Store called Spanish Dancer. I love this image because my cousin dances with a Spanish Dance Company, and she also teaches Flamenco classes.

My card has a surprise in that the image is part of a removable bookmark. My family and I love to read, and we're always losing our bookmarks, so demand is high. Mine folds over the top of a page. My bow  is actually a glitter sticker at the top.
My sentiment reads, "Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances. I'll talk more about that in the next challenge for Ike's World Challenge Blog. Meanwhile, share your art with us for your chance to win free digis from Ike's Art store.
Happy crafting!