Zentangles...

So a customer asked Heidi if we had supplies for doing Zentangles the other night.  We didn't, but she was curious and did some online research, and has since created Zentangles monsters of a few of us at work.  In case you're wondering, Zentangles are basically glorified doodling (they were actually included in my vocab post a few months ago before I even knew much about them).  Also known as Zendoodles, they're basically doodling with a purpose that tends to have a relaxing/hypnotic effect (hence, the Zen part).  I scraplifted (yes, that's legit in the world of scrapping) Heidi's book of patterns and have been doing some research online for more, along with templates and whatnot.  I think I'm going to make myself a letterblock tray of them to hang in my livingroom, and I'm SUPER excited about it.  :)  Here's some shots of my pattern book...more to come when I'm further into some works in progress:

That's all for tonight!  More soon :)

Inflating Lucy's ego...

I finished my canvas tonight!  I used Cosmo Cricket DeLovely paper, Bones Thickers, Hambly transparency, Making Memories Paint, and clear home decor gems.  Put it all on with some vellum tape and a glue gun, and voila :)  I like it...I'm not sure where I'm going to put it yet.  It doesn't really go with my apartment, but it wasn't really supposed to...it was just supposed to be Lucy-ish, which it totally is.  It'd probably work in the kitchen with my other random art.  We'll see...either way, it makes me smile.  I LOVE those dang Thickers.  And the added bonus is I'm pretty sure there's twice as many letters in that pack as the normal thickers packs since the letters are so much smaller...a much more reasonable size for most titles, I think.  Anyway, here's the picture (the glare kinda sucks, but you get the idea at least):

And that's all for tonight :)

Adventures on canvas begin...

So I guess canvas is hot this year in the crafting world.  We have workshops, samples, gift tags, and boxes and boxes of other canvas items at the store.  So...I figure it's about time to play!  I've always had sort of an interest in creating wall art with canvases.  I've actually tried a couple of times with limited success.  But that was back in high school before I had been introduced to the world of scrapbooking, and I was just using whatever paint, etc. I had lying around the house.  So I ran across this really snazzy idea in the idea book about doodling that I bought a few months ago...I was super excited when I saw it the first time, and then I got busy and kind of forgot about it...but I ran across it again a few days ago and was re-inspired, so my canvas project takes it's first baby steps tonight.  So here's the pic from the book that I'm working off of for inspiration:

First and foremost, of COURSE I'm doing my canvas with a picture of Lucy :)  I was thinking about doing one of both of them, but upon further consideration, I decided that I'll do one just for Millie later.  After having Lucy for almost a year now, I think I really have an understanding of her quirky little personality and can hopefully bring that to the piece.  I don't think I've had Millie long enough to say that.  So after she comes out of her shell a little more, she'll get her own picture :)

Now, that said, I think the most exciting little tidbit from this inspiration page is the little gems around the outside edges.  What in interesting idea...using a 5/8" circle punch for paper to put behind those gems you put in the bottom of vases.  I had never really seen anything like it.  It was, in fact, the whole reason I decided I really wanted to do this canvas afterall.  So while I haven't really figured out my whole concept yet, I got to play with the gems tonight to get a feel for how it might fit with the rest of my ideas.

So, the first column is just gems with paper behind them, the second column is with paper that has some Sharpie doodling on it behind the gems, and the third column is just the gems...which I'm thinking about mixing into the piece too.  I'm LOVING the Sharpie ones, though.  We'll see what happens.

Once I really get going on this, I'm going to have to figure out a better way to photograph it so you can see everything better (On that note, I'm seriously considering buying myself a new camera for Christmas.  The camera phone pictures aren't doing it for me, and I despise the camera I have...screw you Olympus with your damn XD card that isn't compatible with my computer and no auto-stabilization.  Gotta finish the rest of my Christmas shopping first and see if I have enough left for me!)

Anyway, that's all for tonight!  More tomorrow :)

Art projects...

Okay, so I didn't make anything tonight, but as I'm beginning to start on a new little art project (a letterblock printer's tray from 7Gypsies), I'm reminded of art projects past.  I'll apologize in advance for the pics...they're not of any real quality, but I took them on my phone in the poor lighting situation that is my apartment.  Anyway, you'll get the idea.  So, being flat broke upon moving into most of my apartments, and then moving in with a (now ex)-boyfriend who didn't believe in spending money on art, I had to find creative ways to make apartment white walls look not so miserably impersonal.  These are a few of my favorite things:

For the base:
- Ultra cheap frames from Ikea and Walmart
- Frames that have layers (i.e. multiple pictures sit in the same box frame at different depths...usually at Target)
- Basic shadow boxes
- Collage frames (usually a large selection at Kohls)

For images
- Greeting cards with interesting pictures on the front
*Bonus:  If you're trying to use a lot of pictures from an event like a birthday or bachelorette party, you can get a card to tie them all together and make a statement
- Giant coffee table books on mega discount at Borders or Barnes and Noble
*Bonus:  If you have trouble trying to match everything together, or if you're trying to pull something together quickly, this is super easy.  All the pictures already "go" together, just cut, paste, and hang!
- Anything an internet search has to offer, printed on photo paper and cut out
*Bonus:  This gives great options for obscure or very specific topics

For texture and a more handmade look:
- Napkins or placemats of interesting textures or patterns
- Discount silk florals from JoAnn's or Michaels
- Interesting little bowls or trinkets
*Make sure you've considered appropriate adhesive for trinkets and whatnot.  They make a great addition to a handmade art piece, but it doesn't do you any good if it falls apart a month after you hang it up. 

Here's a couple of my art projects, photographed with a crappy camera phone in terrible light :)

That's all for tonight :)  Have a good one!