Architecture Can Be Inspiring

 

There's a saying that "Idle hands are the devil's work." If you look at my art journal, you will not see any "idle hands" LOL When I sit down to relax, my hands automatically reach for my black gel pen. Sometimes it takes a couple days to finish a page, but I always finish my doodles.

I decided to break the page into parts to give me more freedom to create different doodles. I like the architectural look I achieved. I hope you do too!

More Spring Door Decor

 I created a second Spring hanger, this time using fishing wire and sea glass only. It was a lot quicker to put together, but needed extra time for the E6000 glue to dry. I'm not liking the pearls on top of the stick, so will take them off before selling this at the craft fair.  I think I will be very busy for the next 2 months. I'm so glad I retired...

Looking forward to Rainbows and Butterflies

 

I am never far away from my art journal, so when it rained earlier this week and the sun suddenly burst out, I found a rainbow curving over my neighbor's house (no pot of gold, though). I've been want to create a rainbow in my journal, but all alone it wouldn't look "postable" (as in Blogger).

So I drew out a few butterflies randomly across the page before adding the rainbow. I didn't want the rainbow to take over the world the page, so I drew my favorite way to doodle - drawing lines close together and all in the same direction.

It was very relaxing, taking my mind off the little day-to-day worries and anxieties I may have had. It's one of the best therapies I've discovered so far!!

Happy crafting, y'all!

Challenges I am Entering:

Country View - Things with Wings

Triple B - A/G with Blossoms, Birds and/or Butterflies

Card, Craft & Art - Pastel

Back to Nature with Spring Decor

During Covid, I went a little crazy trying new techniques and media. One of my new hobbies was wired jewelry. I now have a bin full of sea glass, polished stones, seashells, wires, needle-nose pliers, etc. I was just about to give the whole lot away to my niece since I either sold or gifted family members my jewelry.

Until my gf sent me a photo from Pinterest featuring stones, sea glass and shells hanging from a large stick. Since my sister had her tree cut down, I grabbed a thick branch and cut a piece of it off and got to work. Wiring items that have no holes threaded and are oddly-shaped and slippery is a very tedious, time-consuming job. Half my time was spent picking up those slippery stones or rewiring a shell that kept slipping out. My patience was tried, believe me.

But I persevered and managed to finish my first hanging decor using this technique. And I love it!! I'm already planning which stones, glass and shells to use for my next hanger. I may even have to buy a table for the Memorial Day craft fair if I can make enough of these to sell.

I'm glad I kept my supplies...

Challenges I am Entering:

Creative Artiste - Anything Mixed Media Goes

Creative Fingers - Anything Goes

Morgan's Art World - Always Anything Goes

Halloween is My Thing

Took me a little longer than expected, but here's my second Halloween decor item created from the item pictured below.

I created a scary Halloween scene the first time, but wanted to create a more kid-friendly one to sell at the Fall craft fair. Although it was a Christmas calendar, I couldn't utilize to holes and pegs after revamping it. It still turned out well, I think. I painted the triple-layered scene orange this time instead of black. I discovered I had a lot more cute Halloween craft items than I thought. Everything came out of my Halloween craft tub.

I used designer paper, ribbons, adhesive candy corn stickers, buttons, and even a cake topper that read Happy Halloween. You can see the candy corns on the sides of my piece.

Now the big question. The original Christmas pieces sold for $20 at Michael's.. They measure 8"x3"x6" high. I've been accused of underpricing my artwork and need an opinion. The craft fair is at an RV park where I own a trailer. I'm getting a table for the Labor Day weekend. There is a huge Halloween weekend that is open only for owners and their guests. I roughly give away over 200 pieces of candy to trick-or-treaters. There are prizes given to best-decorated trailers, carved pumpkins, costumes, etc. I've won three trophies from the pumpkin carving contests through the years.

The craft fair is close enough for Fall and Christmas holiday items to be popular as well as only available to owners and guests. I got the items on clearance for $2 each. My question is: How much do I sell these decor items? Anyone have any ideas?

Challenges I am Entering:

Arty Divas - A/G

Morgan's Art World - Anything Goes

The Creative Crafters - A/G

Two Old Bats Halloween - Mood Board (I love the pumpkin head)

Worldwide Crafters & Colorists - Anything Goes w/an image

Using Books to Inspire Your Own Creativity

 

Today was a good day. My Muse returned to me in the form of a diorama, or what I like to call a "short-cut shadow box". I didn't have any action figures from the Harry Potter series, so I printed and colored images from Bugaboo Stamps. I found the perfectly-sized box and background paper, and then painted the inside "walls" a matching blue.

The castle was free clipart that I fussy-cut, along with my characters. To give the illusion of distance between my friends and Hogwarts, I used good old Mod Podge (homemade) and small stones. They clumped and stayed together after I placed them against the back of the box.

After posing the kids at different distances from the back to add more dimension, I added florist green moss to look like they're standing against a stone wall in a field. My finishing touch was the full moon with the sentiment, "Believe in Magic" that I printed in Old English Text.

This month, the Path of Positivity Challenge blog challenges us to create something positive, with an optional twist of "Literature". I of course chose the Harry Potter series as it offers readers a look at loyalty, friendship, courage, justice, perseverance and sacrifice for the good of others.

The challenge at POP begins today so get your Muses started and show us what you created. Anything goes as long as it's positive. You can click HERE to enter the challenge. Meanwhile, happy crafting!

Challenges I am Entering:

    We Love2Create- Anything mixed media goes

   Arty Divas - Anything Goes

   Classic Design - Anything Goes

   Morgan's Art World - Anything Goes

   Worldwide Crafters & Colorists - Anything Goes

   Your Scrapbook Place - Anything Goes

A Fruity Doodle to Tickle Your Noodle

 Today I just have a fun Zen doodle. I love puns, riddles and funny memes. I actually drew the pineapple first and then searched Pinterest for a quote that fit both my doodle and my sense of humor. I will say that creating tiny doodles in each segment of the pineapple was challenging, but I think it all came together well.

I love comments. Tell me what you think. Did it makes you smile? If so, I'm happy. A happy crafter is a creative one.