Doodle art

Recently, doodling became a way of letting go. First I made a background.  Pick whatever colors I wanted, you say?  Okay.  I will and did.  But then it sat on my desk for two months.  I wasn't sure what I wanted it to look like or show or say or ...

You all know what I mean.

 

Last week lots of things went on at work that were so tragic and overwhelming I had to find a way besides journaling to release some tension, stress and grief.  I checked in on my favorite doodle master, Dawn Sokol Devries, via her website (http://www.dblogala.com/) and her books for inspiration.  The results of that time are below.  Although not as skilled as Dawn, I really enjoyed it.  I struggle with the letting go.  Give me a blank page to draw on and it remains a blank page.  I can copy anything I see (to a certain degree) but original drawings sometimes are a struggle.  But I'm very pleased with these doodles so far.

 

Try it!

 

Journals to go...

I've been experimenting with other styles of journals - easier - faster versions.  One day, researching surfing the items on Pinterest, I came across this adorable journal.   Gold has been my mood lately or shall I say golden?  That does mean I painted it gold and "aged" it accordingly.  My scrapbooking stash came in handy.  Sweet, easy and so amusant!

Finally - Framed Art

Well I think I forgot to mention that I liked one piece of artwork that I made in August that I wanted to mat and frame it! Done! What do you think?

It's dyed white muslin with collage, including tea bags (used and dried), tissue paper, inks, paints, and more...

You ask... where have I been...

I cannot believe that I haven't posted in a while. It doesn't mean I haven't been working/creating. I've been very busy in the "real world" AND have had several commissions to accomplish. Three more doll quilts and pillow covers. All gorgeous! and I did the worst thing...I didn't take PHOTOS!!!

I've asked my clients to do so and email them to me. I'll post soon!

Photos!

Painted Canvas with a metal image!

Paper Cloth using tea bags!

My first Journal! Thanks to Dawn Devries Sokol!

Art Journal - Paper Cloth based!
Thanks to Kelli Perkins!

It's been a long while...

since i posted. I truly thought I'd posted more recently than early August! Busy 6 weeks since then. A business trip to Bangkok, Thailand for 9 days, 5 days (six classes) at the CREATE Retreat sponsored by Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine (AWESOME - more later), the US Labor Day holiday, family functions, WORK, and an opportunity to be in the audience at the Oprah Show last week! Whew! I've loved it (most of it).

In the midst of it all, I've made several things including two baby gifts. Two family members are having baby girls so I made a receiving blanket using Amy Butler fabrics with a flannel back and a crocheted a lace trim to a fleece blanket for each other the girls. I can't wait to meet both girls!

At CREATE, the classes were phenomenal! We learned so much. Susan and I took 3 classes separately and 3 classes together! What a blast. I guess I truly learned to make paper fabric in three different ways.

I also discovered that I'm moving in a different direction -- or picked up a new hobby. In the class taught by Dawn Devries Sokol "Passport to Journaling", we made journals from an existing book with watercolor paper which she uses to document her travels to various cities and such. Sound simples but Dawn's ideas and talent are so inspiring. We are all creative in our own way and we have to remember that! Dawn showed various techniques on art journaling (and tools) and how to doodle. Now remember doodling is unique to each one and there is no wrong way (as Dawn says). I've already made another journal for future use!

One long term idea is to make a journal documenting my travels throughout the world - over 40 cities and counting. I've found the book to use -- I think. But the collecting of things to go into it has begun! I have stuff in my desk at work, at home, in storage.

Lest you think I'm moving away from fabric, don't despair. Remember that "t-shirt" quilt that I have been working on for a client? Well the quilting has begun. In fact I only have to bind it and add a couple details and it's done. I finished the "back" with a simple sand colored linen center with a French blue "provence" fabric border and a final border of blue dupioni silk. I wanted to have a "sophisticated side" that makes it fully reversible.

Susan is working on all kinds of new techniques including trying out encaustic techniques. They look so cool!

I think that's it for now... Photos are next!

Another idea...

I'm constantly looking at new methods for my art and collage is the newest thing on my radar. Mixed media as it's called, mixing fabric, paper, metal, glue, thread, paint, stamping and oh so more. Challenge 1 incorporated a lot of this technique but I've got a long way to go with it.

Stay tuned.

Class Projects

One of the classes we took was on "scrapbook quilting", laying paper and fabric, free motion quilting and using ink pens (Fabrico) that are fabulous!!

The second class was with Rebeckah Meier - making fabric out of paper and such! Such fun painting, stamping, glueing, fusing, embossing foam, etc.! I love my little project and how it turned out.

What we did when we were at the quilt show...

The needle case we made at the Make it University! So adorable. All fused.