In this challenge, we were to draw a heart using two patterns from previous challenges. I chose to use stars & Ixorus:
Digital Whisper 100 Themes Challenge #18 Rain
April 11, 2011 Leave a Comment
I like to try to use as much of my own graphics for these challenges. It doesn’t rain very often around here, and when it does, I can’t seem to get very good photos of the rain. I did however have some nice photos of rain drops on plants. So, I went from there, and added some teru teru bozu’s. Teru teru bozu’s are traditional Japanese handmade dolls made out of cloth or paper. They are usually made by children to wish for fair weather. Some say to hang them upside down would mean a wish for rain. I chose to hang mine right side up:
It was fun making these dolls again. There is even a song associated with teru teru bozu. Here is a cute one I found on You Tube Teru Teru Bozu Song, and dancing Teru Teru Bozu.
Credits:
Butterfly overlay: Vera Lim Designs
Zentangle Challenge #7 Breathe
April 11, 2011 Leave a Comment
This was a bit difficult for me – to convey “breathe” in zentangle:
Kind of boring…
Digital Whisper 100 Themes Challenge #86 Mask
April 10, 2011 1 Comment
I made masks out of my blythe doll Hana and my little dog Koko, and put them on the other. It looks a bit creepy, but whatever:
Koko thinks she is Queen of the house – thus, the crown.
Here are the credits:
Background & elements: The Wee Faerie Ring
Crown: Irene Alexeeva Designs
Butterfly overlay: Vera Lim Designs
Zentangle Challenge #6 Ixorus
April 10, 2011 Leave a Comment
Still catching up … Laura of I Am The Diva provided us with a tangle pattern by Rick and Maria of Zentangle called Ixorus. We were to use this pattern for this challenge:
It was nice to actually get a pattern to work with. Even though I have only been zentangling for a few days, I am already at the point where I need new pattern ideas.
German Bead Babes Go Challenge!
April 9, 2011 15 Comments
Today is the German Bead Babes Go Challenge: Blissed out by… your favorite song! The hosts of this challenge are Stefanie of Stefanies Sammelsurium, Janna of Palimpa Lim, and Nicki of Nicki’s Reef.
We were to pick our favorite song, and create jewelry with this song in mind, then have a blog hop of all the participating artists. I have many songs I like, and for this challenge, I chose “Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” by the Fifth Dimension. I am not of that generation (just a bit younger :-)), but for some reason, I like it, and it gives me a good feeling. If you want to listen, click on the album photo below to open a Youtube video of this song :
It makes me smile to think that these crazy hippie kids in the video are now law abiding Seniors in their 60’s looking towards retirement :-).
I have always thought about making lampwork vessels (aquarius – the water bearer), but never got around to it. So, this challenge spurred me to do it, and here is the vessel pendant I made:
I basically made a hollow bead at the end of my mandrel to fashion the vessel. I guess it will take some practice. With a tiny hole, it caves in on itself, and if I get it too close to the flame, it gets all wonky. So, I kept it as simple as possible for now. And I used the wire wrapping technique that Jodi of Beadworx kindly shares on her tutorial. It can be filled with essential oils or perfumes. And here is the list of participating artists to visit:
1. Janna Harttgen – Palimpa-Lim
2. Stefanie Teufel – Stefanies Sammelsurium
3. Nicole Keller – Nickis Reef
4. Berit Borchardt – Berit Borchardt
5. Rebecca Anderson – Songbeads
6. Maryse Thillens – Glassbeadart Lampwork
7. Krista French – French Elegant Jewelry
8. Linda Djokic – Lutka and Co
9. Karola Stein – Karolas Fundstuecke
10. Doris Radlicki – Doralila Beads
11. Jenn Judd – Jen Judd Rocks
12. Saskia Kaffenberger – Perlendistel
Thank you Nicki, Janna, & Stefanie for this fun challenge!
Zentangle Challenge #16 Mooka!
April 9, 2011 4 Comments
This challenge is to create a traditionla zentangle tile using the new tangle named Mooka. Mooka was designed by Rick and Maria of Zentangle, and inspired by the artwork of Alphonse Mucha. I am an admirer of his work, and here are some examples:
And here is my zentangle:
Ok, you are probably wondering how they relate; just go to Zentangle and see how they came up with this design. My execution could probably have been better :-).
Cooler Weather & Banana Bread
April 8, 2011 1 Comment
After having summer like weather the last few days, the temperature dipped a few notches; enough for me to look at the ripe bananas in the basket and think – banana bread! So, I spent part of the morning happily baking away:
Here is the recipe if you are interested. I don’t recall where I got it from, but I replaced the butter with apple sauce. I have gotten in the habit of making this switch – fresh apple sauce the better. You can click on the recipe for a larger version:
Bird A Week Challenge: Week 14/52
April 8, 2011 Leave a Comment
As you can see, I have been on a zentangle kick. So, what better to do my bird a week on – but a zentangle peacock!
When I have caught up with my zentangle challenge, I will only post a zentangle once a week :-).
For the blog hop list of artists, or if you want to join the challenge:
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Drawing Lab 2011: Draw A Room
April 8, 2011 Leave a Comment
At first thought, I was overwhelmed to think about which room to draw. There is so much going on in every room of our house. Then I got it – draw the Foyer!
To put it nicely, our home decor would be “eclectic”, except for the foyer. DH’s grandfather was an antiques dealer in Rome. He grew up amongst real European antiques, and now has a slight aversion to it. So, when we got back to the States, and I happened on this mirror/console in an antique store, I loved it, but wasn’t sure he would like it. I took him to see it, and he replied “if it sings to you, get it”. So, I did, and it now graces our foyer. It is flanked by four Canaletto prints that belonged to his grandfather (I did not attempt to sketch those).
April Garden 2011
April 7, 2011 Leave a Comment
Happy April! Wow, it feels like summer here already! The garden is starting to bloom all at once. The fragrance of orange blossoms are amazing – the family are on claritin:
What’s blooming in your garden?
Zentangle Challenge #5 Orbs
April 7, 2011 Leave a Comment
This is another challenge I liked – drawing circles is kind of therapeutic:
lutkaandco.com 