Back to Blogging and Stepping Out

After a long break, okay an extra long break I am entering back into the blogging world. It was a long extended summer, now I'm back and ready to get back into the art scene.

Soooooooo........ For this next quarter, I will be stepping out of my comfort zone and trying some new stuff, working with colors that frighten me; that is that I don't usually use and stay away from. Like red and orange. Working on some small pieces and a large one.

Let's begin with this black and white. I found this piece of wood and it was asking to be doodled on. It was a little intimidating to make the first line but I survived it.

In my next post you will see the next steps cause it's not done yet.

Trying to work on some shadows here

The full piece created on wood

Wood doodles part two

After many hours of ink work, I was happy with the outcome. Now to add some color. It screamed "make me red". Red is not my thing- truly it isn't but I needed to try. If I didn't like it, it was worth the risk.

Diva Challenge #179 - B.Y.O.B

BRING YOUR OWN BEVERAGE (B.Y.O.B)


Our challenge was to spill our favorite beverage on our paper. Mine is Green Tea; well some of them. There are many flavors.

So i managed to get a good splash of tea on the paper and left it to dry. It was a nice spill something I could work with. Nice. Nice. But I forgot to take a picture. You can see the tea stain slightly in there somewhere.

With so many tangles to choose from I didn't know which ones to choose. Eventually I chose those beginning with G and T. Clever right?

The tangles I used were TIPPLE, TWILLE, GROOVY, GIRDY.

Happy weekend, thanks for reading.

Documented Life Project - Week 29 - Make a Wish List

The week 29 challenge is to make a WISH LIST.

While I do wish for many things to happen, like an end to the war in Syria, and between Israel and Palestine, and for the kids to have normal lives, these are totally out of my control I can only pray for them. However, there is only one wish I have right now, and that is to go home for a visit.

 Journaling reads:

WISH LIST

To hear the rain falling on the roof tops. To smell the earth as the cool rain drops splash on the parched ground. To feel the breeze gently touch my face. To wear flip flops in the sand. To watch the sun set behind the horizon. To see the colors that make up the plants and trees and flowers. To be quenched by the cold sips of the coconut milk. To bask in the warm sun under an endless blue sky. To enjoy the beauty of my home. To hear the crazy laughter of my family. To listen to the quiet wisdom of my sister.

Living in a desert is difficult for natural island dwellers. I have lived in Doha with my husband and children for the past 3 years, and those things that we took for granted once, we miss them so much especially during the summer.

As one would expect, summer in the desert is very hot. It is not healthy to go outside for very long during the day. Especially during Ramadan when Muslims fast during the day, life becomes nocturnal. Most people are out and about after sunset. For us this has become our new normal. But sometimes I just long for the old normal.
Hopefully, this time next week I will be on my way to get a taste of the 'old' normal.

Thanks for visiting.

Diva Challenge #175 - CRUX

Hi folks, to begin with the truth: I forgot I had a blog. Seriously, I don't know if this has happened to any one else, but any way shame on me. Now that life has slowed down considerably, I now have the time to spend doing things like updating this blog. Thanks to those who have not given up and clicked the unfollow button. Wow and even in my absence this blog has made it to a total of over ten thousand page views. I so appreciate all those who take the time to visit.

Now for the Divas challenge. It is to use CRUX by Henrike Bratz.
Here is what I came up with. Now I'm off to see what everyone else did.

Have a great weekend all

Documented Life Project - Week #18

 ADD AN INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE TO YOUR GUIDE

Hey Y'all, I've been a busy bee for the last few weeks thats why I havent been around these parts lately. Since I have a couple of art projects literally on the table, all screaming for my attention, I am finding it difficult to keep up with weekly challenges. Hopefully this up coming month will be kinder to me time wise.

For this weeks documented Life Project prompt we are to use an inspirational quote on our page. I like quotes, and every now and then I try to work them into my journal pages. So this one was right up my ally.

I first started with some splashes of pink watercolor paint, then put parts of the paper under running water, then continued adding more paint. In areas I use a purple twinkling H2o paint to give some shimmer but this cannot be seen in the photo.

A few swirls and circles with a white pen and voila..... a finished page. I tried to get a drop shadow effect by adding a light gray underneath the words.

The quote reads:

And forget not

that the earth

delights to feel 

your bare feet

and the winds

long to play 

with your hair

           Kahil Gibran

Thanks for checking in. Have a great week.

Documented Life Project - Week 15 - Monochromoatic

Our prompt for this week 15 is to use a MONOCHROMATIC color.

I chose Phthalo Turquoise, and mixed with blueish grey, yellow, titan buff, and white.

 This reminded me of my days of studying color theory. I used the left over paint on the back of the tip in and did some journaling.

Enjoy the rest of your week folks, my weekend starts today. Toodles for now

Diva Challenge #160

USE A SPIRAL AS YOUR STRING

I am playing catch up here. I'm doing the challenges but have not been posting them.
Being stuck with what to do with this challenge, I used cruffle to make up the spiral. I think it kind of looks like a string of beads.

Have a great weekend all.

Diva Challenge #161 Quandry

IN A QUANDRY OVER QUANDRY.

Gggrrrrr.... I think quandry is one of the most difficult tangles to get a hang of. But its just to go with the flow and don't over think it.

Unfortunately I am a perfectionist with my lines, and for certain things everything has to be set just right. QUANDRY gets the better of me. Seriously. But hey it's worth the try anyway.

Documented Life Project Week 13

"Let someone else draw something on your page and you finish it."

This was a nice challenge, since I was able to give my daughter a page for her to doodle on. It is not uncommon for her to sneak away with my book to look through, and write messages on random page for me to find.

She drew some flowers and clouds and rain drops, then scurried off to do her homework.

 Since I am all about forming positive habits these days, I wrote out a quote about keeping positive thoughts because your thoughts become words. I think this is from the Dali Lama?

This was quite fun to do. I think I would like to do some more pages like this in the future.

Documented Life Project week #14

Unfortunately I need to play catch up. So here goes. Week 14 of the Documented life Project: Write Your Name and Embellish It.

 I didn't like my name while I was growing up, I've seen so many comments about that from other people. Well I didn't like my name either.

I was actually teased about my name. People used to joke and tell me that's a boys name. To make bad maters worst, there was a boy about my age who lived next door who had the same name. I don't know why my mom did not name me Melody or Hope or something like that.

As I go older, my name was no longer a problem for me. After all there is a shade of green called Kelly Green - or so I am told.  Although my embellishments don't show up here. I stuck some sequence around the page to give it a little dazzle.

Diva Challenge #159 - "Top O The Morning"

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY. That's the theme for this week.
It's been an odd couple of weeks don't ask why it's just been odd. And this week it's the flu. I have not had a flu in years. I had actually forgotten what it feels like to have a cold or even a stuffy nose.

But whatever I'm looking forward to feeling better again. I forced myself to work on the challenge this week. I used LUCKY and CORNER BOX, and of course I used my prisma colors to do the green. I'm loving the S curl off to the side. What about you?

Documented Life Project Week 11

I've really neglected this blog for the last two weeks. Shame, Shame. Hopefully, today can be a fresh start.
The prompt for the Documented Life Project week 12 is to "collage, paint, or take a picture of a bird".

Well since I've been on a bird trip for a few weeks, I had lots to choose from. I started painting these little whimsical birds since last year, and throughout the year they have been evolving.

But for my journal this week, I created something new.

 Here is a peacock in all its glory. I used stickers and doodles to embellish.

So I did not stop at one bird. Nope not at all. Another flap emerged and these lovely creatures appeared, Aren't they cute?

Then here came another set. They look like they have something to say. As usual, after completing a page, I have nothing to journal about, or just can't think of anything to write so the pages just stay blank or with empty spaces until something comes up.

Hey have a good weekend everyone. I hope to be out and about enjoying the beautiful weather before it all disappears next month. We've had on sandstorm already and I can only guess there will be a few more before the heat arrives.

Diva Challenge #156 Curvy Gridlock

Ok I am not sure if I did this challenge justice; curvy gridlock. The idea is not to follow the 90 degree rule.

For this I used grid tangles which I had never used before. There is Tink, Luv-a, Da'deal, Moving day, and Bales. Of course I needed to break it up a bit with something organic.

Documented Life Project - Week 9 - Collage Something Recycled

The prompt for the Documented Life Project this week is to "collage something recycled."
That wasn't very difficult as someone like me, a pack rat, finds it hard the throw anything out especially if its paper.

For my collage, I used an illustration of a horse from Where magazine; a tourist magazine from Hong Kong. The horse was used to depict 2014 as the Chinese New Year of the Horse.

I colored the background and added some stamps. Isn't the horse lovely?

A Galloping Start

 Since the tip-in became a double page spread, the back of the page was adorned with stickers and Chinese lanterns, as well as the Kanji symbol for horse.

While I was at it I went on to find out that according to the Chinese Zodiac, I am a Rat. A very un-glamorous animal indeed, but I will admit a rats' description is just like me.

Documented Life Project - Week 8 - Add a Flap To The Flap

Add A Flap To The Flap?

Inspired by our kind hosts, I eventually got to creating.

This week I have kept it super simple (as usual). I just used scrapbppk paper and markers and glue.

SCRAPBOOK PAPER

Instead of one flap I managed to get 5 in. Somehow could not control myself. But hey for good reason. 

3 FLAPS

 There is a bit of Bruno Mars going on here. You know that song? "'cause you're amazing just the way you are....". 

"'CAUSE YOU'RE AMAZING JUST THE WAY YOU ARE"

All of my flaps are attached with washi tape. Perfect!

2 MORE FLAPS

 

Here is the back side of the flap with 2 more flaps. I just used some scrap paper that I was testing the markers on, and stuck with washi tape again.

My new favorite song is "DEMONS" by IMAGINE DRAGONS. And while I was working on the pages, I had the song on repeat.

There's lots of space for some journaling or even for writing the lryics for the song.

But here is a note to all those who think that they are not creative enough and not artsy enough to make special pages. I am seeing this a lot in the comments in the group. Although they are nice to have, the lovely paints and tapes and pens and "things" are great. But keeping it simple is just as special. It's the process that really matters. Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and create, open them again and see what happened.

Toodles for now.

 

 

Diva Challenge #154 - Ventangle

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY in advance to one and all.

My interpretation for this weeks challenge is very simple and to the point. A HEART or maybe four.

The Documented Life Project - Week 7

Today is Qatar's National Sports Day. Yep one whole day dedicated to sports. It's also a public holiday.  Everyone is up early this morning visiting the parks, beaches, and sports stadiums doing something sports related. Activities began at 7am and will continue until 10pm. A long sporting day.  I'm not sure if my family and I will take part in any of the activities. A public holiday in Qatar to me, means confusion, crazy inconsiderate drivers, no parking at chosen destination, etc. So today just might be my day to be couch potato. However, there is some plan to go out with friends to an Italian restaurant and exercise our mouths by chewing good food.

Now on to a more colorful note. The week 7 prompt is to draw a shape and repeat. How cool is that?

The shape I chose was a flower, then repeated it several times.......

Added color, a little shadow and highlights.......

......then one of my favorite verses.

Some people have been asking what others do at the back of the tip in. I usually add quotes, or continue the artwork, or glue in used tickets or other scraps of paper of things I might like to remember. Here is something I just started, and I added it onto the back of this page.

I saw it somewhere on pinterest. Make a list of things that I am currently doing. So for this list, I have: currently....reading, wearing, feeling, needing, thinking, weather. This is not quite the list I saw but its close.

I won't do this every week but just at random times when I can't think of any thing to put at the back of the prompt page. Perhaps once every one or two months.

I don't know about any of you, but I find myself opening the journal/planner after completing the prompt, wishing I had more things to write or more things to doodle so that blank space is reserved for random stuff. Well that's it for now.

Thanks for checking in.

The Documented Life - Week 6 - Inspired By

For week 6 we were asked to search our Pinterest Boards or other blogs for inspiration. There are so many wonderful artists out there who I admire. One of them is Valerie Sjodin. Her blog,
Visual Blessings.
I took a class with her once called "embellishing edges". I totally enjoyed the class. And totally recommend it to anyone who wants to add some flare to their art journaling pages. Her pieces are fun and whimsical and colorful. Not only is her art inspiring, but so are her journaling thoughts.

While researching her blog to write this post, I noticed that she recently joined the Documented Life Project. I'm so happy that she did.

photo and art credit to Valerie Sjodin

Above is one of her lovely Journal pieces. And this is where I got the inspiration to do my own. As a matter of a fact both were inspired by her work.

 For both pages, I used a white signio pen, and pastel pens from sakura, as well as a white prisma color.

This second page is inspired by her as well but some how cannot find the original picture again. Will have to keep looking.

Have a great week. Thanks for checking in.

Zendala #89

Happy Weekend peeeeeppppssss!

The weather here in Doha is warming up! wooohooo!!!!! So I'm happy. My brain seems to shut down when the temps go below 70 degrees. My body doesn't function well either. So I'm looking forward to February to take advantage of the outdoor activities.

Here's my interpretation to this weeks challenge. I did not like the template. It was hard to figure out what tangles to us. But in the end I figured it out and finally came to appreciate it. Erin always gives us these great challenges to stretch our abilities.

Have a great weekend all. Thanks for visiting.

Journal 52 - You make me smile

The prompt for Week 3 of JOURNAL 52 is "You Make Me Smile".

Lots of things make me smile, like my lunatic naughty dog when he gets into mischief, hearing good news, sunny days, gentle breezes, and the list goes on and on.

But what is it about a giant yellow chicken that make people happy? At our near by mall, a new McDonalds opened this weekend. I guess to celebrate its launch, there were balloons and all the fluff that goes on with store openings. Then enters this giant yellow chicken. It was interesting to just sit and watch the reactions of the people.

Little kids were confused, mothers giggled, and this goofy chicken just made a spectacle of itself. It greeted everyone, and even went to sit with people eating their lunch. All of a sudden everyone got up from the table, and got into a group to take pictures with this giant chicken. HUH?? It was nice to see people happy even if the joy came from a chicken.

 

YOU MAKE ME SMILE

Diva Challenge #151 - Moebius String

Last year  became aware of Moebius Syndrome from the Diva who's son was born with this rare nerve disorder. The Diva has two adorable sons, and often shares stories about their adventures. Although Artoo, her son has this disorder, it doesn't seem that way he is just like every other fun loving little boy.

As part of Moebius Syndrome awareness day which was January 24 (yes I know I am late), we were asked to use the logo/symbol as the string.

For this String I used Sandswirl and something that looks like ribbon and beads at the ends.
The color to represent Moebius syndrome is purple.

Diva Challenge #152 - Aquafleur

A new tangle pattern has been developed by Rick and Maria, and offered to us to try. This is the subject of our challenge this week from the Diva. Looking at the step-outs, it seems easy enough, but when you start working with it you will see that it is something that does need to be practiced to get a result you are looking for. There is so much possibility with this tangle, and is definitely one to try a few more times. As usual, I tried to keep it simple.

Aquafleur and Zinger

I hope everyone is having a productive week. Thanks for checking in.

Documented Life Project - week 3 - An Envelope

For week 3 we had to add an envelope which we recieved in the mail. Since I don't get mail very often, I had to dig up something from the past. Luckily I keep everything.

The sender of this envelope decorated it so nicely with stamps there not much left for me to do. I attached it with washi tape and made a blue background to symbolize the sea. "Across The Sea".

Zendala Dare #88

A simple Zendala this week. I used Hollibraugh and Angel Fish.

Somewhere; A Simple Place

As part of the Journal52 weekly challenges, our week two prompt was "SOMEWHERE, A SIMPLE PLACE."

My Simple place is always in a cozy chair near a window. I am missing home these days so my window is looking out towards the sea.

Documented Life Project Week 2 - A Selfie

For week two of he Documented Life Project, our task was to add a selfie. I tried the selfie thing taking a picture with my phone but I always seem to have an extra big head in each picture. Weird. So when I had to go get new passport pictures, I thought problem solved. At least in the passport photo the size of my head seemed more normal.

I didn't want to do a normal picture so I did my own thing.

I traced the picture on to a sheet of tracing paper, used carbon paper to transfer the image on to water color paper, then a light wash of gesso, Let dry.

Here I used caren d'ache watercolor crayons to lightly scribble color on, the smudged it all together.
Note about these crayons. They don't adhere well to the gesso. They spread very well but you would have to be careful of white spots. Next time I will use clear gesso. Let dry.

I gave myself some blue hair, and added some shadows with prisma colors. To add the black lines I used an ink waterproof pen. I tried to leave it alone until it all dried. The ink takes a while to dry especially since it is not being absorbed into the paper.

After cutting the image out, I stuck it onto scrapbook paper. By now I am thinking the picture does not look like me. But whatever, I'm having fun. Among my stash of "stuff" I found some old rub on's, and a 3D butterfly. Some gesso in a few spots will allow me to make a writing or doodling surface.

The finished product. Or is it? There is still enough space left to add more doodles or words or thoughts.

"A BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY". That is what I think I could describe my life to be so far. Many ups and downs and twists and turns but I don't think I would change a thing.