Creative Tuesday: Mistletoe (#48)

It's Creative Tuesday; and I admit that it felt so nice to reconnect with my silliness today! 

Wondering what a Creative Tuesday is?  Every two weeks we grab our pads and something to color with to create for the theme over at Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday's assignment -- neat, no?

This week's theme is Mistletoe.  I have to admit that it's the first time in a long time that I went with the first image that popped in my head.  Let's have a look-see!

Any surprise that it's one of my goldens?  This this Katie -- our older one and who we claim is the fastest tongue in the east.  She is notorious for meeting someone new and trying to sneak in a kiss. 

Who wants a smooch??

I sketched and doodled this idea out several times over the week so that when I sat to do it for real... it was pretty natural.  Next, I went over the lines that I wanted to keep with a ball point pen.

Then I got to work erasing the pencil lines, adding a few more details, adding a greeting, and adding color with color pencils and markers. 

And, you can see here, that yes, I am working on the back of a used envelope.  I love the charm of working on reclaimed paper!

Here is a close up photo of my final version.

And the scanned version with minor touch ups in GIMP.

I think I may have to make a second version of this with Sammy, the puppy, in it and use it for a Christmas mailing.  Maybe I could put her under the tree with a bow on?  Wouldn't that be fun!! 

 

I hope you consider joining in this or the next assignment (really hope you do) and please take a look other artists in the community here.

Creative Tuesday: Three / 3 (#47)

It's Creative Tuesday and I'm excited to show you what I tried today! 

Wondering what a Creative Tuesday is?  Every two weeks we grab our pads and something to color with to create for the theme over at Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday's assignment -- neat, no?

This week's theme is Three or 3 -- as in draw three of something.  I thought of so many things that I wanted to draw.  It began to get difficult to figure out what to do.  This time I let my creative room inspire me and decided to loosely doodle a trio of horses that I have hanging on my wall.

Horses are definitely animals that I adore.  I find them intelligent, inspiring, and elegant.  And incredible difficult to draw -- but that's part of the fun of this challenge, right?

I also wanted to play with my water color pencils to add some texture and light hints of color.  Here is what I came up with.  I had fun and have to say that I would definitely give horses another try!

Here is a closer picture of the doodle, since I am short on time to scan.  The overcast day isn't helping much, but you get the idea!

I hope you consider joining in this or the next assignment (really hope you do) and please take a look other artists in the community here.  

Creative Tuesday: Tree(s)

Let's try this again... I couldn't log into Blogger yesterday, so let's pretend for a moment it's still Tuesday.

Update 5/25 AM... still doesn't look like I can log in to leave comments.  *sigh*

It's Creative Tuesday!  So exciting!  It's that time of the week where I open my sketch pad and see what comes out for the theme over at Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday's assignment!

This week's theme was Tree(s).  We had to be sure to have at least one predominant tree in our creation.  I am great with the Tree theme -- it's a comfort zone even.  In fact, looking back on my previous entries I have done trees with circles, trees on a hike, and trees with flying apples.  So, how to make this one special?  That was the dilemma.

Noodling around in my mind I knew I had a dancing ballerina tree just waiting to come out.  It was time.

Putting together the original sketch lead me to want to add more. 

More texture. 

More color. 

More meaning and magic! 

This quote seemed spot on..."there are shortcuts to happiness and dancing is one of them" by Vicki Baum.

This truly became a multimedia as I kept reaching for things to add texture and depth.  I started with color pencils.  Added bright pink highlighter.  Then finished it off with soft oil crayons.  Pencil and pen were also used to create the original outlines.

I'm tickled with it.  It really brightens my spirits and reminds me that happiness is but a twirl away!

Mr. Toast, thank you again!  Even though I put these off to the last minute I enjoy each moment as I reflect and create with your theme in mind!  I already say YES! to accepting your next challenge! 

I had so much fun unleashing my creative through this process, hope you consider joining in this or the next assignment (and I hope you do) feel free to check out other artists in the community here.

日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan

Creative Tuesday: Short and Tall

It's Tuesday!!  And, this particular Tuesday is a Creative Tuesday!  Whoop, whoop!  It's that time of the week where I open my sketch pad and see what comes out for the theme over at Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday's assignment!

This week's theme was Short and Tall.  So many ideas popped into my head for this one.  I also decided to up the ante a bit by only using mediums within arms reach of my desk chair.  Ok, yes, I was really just being too lazy to get up and dig out my color pencils, but I have to admit that this made the assignment extra fun!

Let's see what mediums I had close by in the lantern, shall we?

I see a pencil, pens, sharpies in black, silver, and blue, a few peachy-pink and orange color pencils that weren't put away last time, and photo markers.  Good stuff to start with!

For weeks I have had mushroom houses on the brain.  It's probably an art quilt idea stewing and I still haven't worked the idea through to get started.  I decided it would be a fun concept to play with for short and tall... as in short mushrooms and tall mushrooms.

Yes, it's simple. 

Yes, it has pops of color!

Yes, there is a bit of whimsy with the swing and wee little doors. 

What fun to just sit and draw with no other reason than to smile and enjoy the process :)

Mr. Toast, thank you for hosting this fun Creative Tuesday routine.   I look forward to accepting your next challenge! 

If you are considering joining in this or the next assignment (and I hope you do) feel free to check out other artists in the community here.

日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan

Color Pencil Transfer to Fabric Frame

I am showing a few pieces in a "for fun -- at work" art show.  I wanted to include a few color pencil sketches in my display, but they just didn't feel like they fit the fabric theme of the three quilts I was showcasing.... so, I got creative.

I found fabric transfer paper.  The kind that you can put in your printer, print out any image, and then iron on to fabric.  Simple right?

Following the instructions this brand says not to use an ironing board, but instead a pillowcase on a hard and heat resistant surface.  It also asked that the iron be set to a no steam setting.

Here are my printed images set on top of pieces of white fabric... ready to be ironed on. 

I could have gotten a little more daring and tried different fabrics colors or a pattern, but I wasn't feeling gutsy enough.  So, white won out.

You iron a ton.  Then let the image cool for two minutes.  Then peel off the backing.  And voila!  I like how it has a little sheen to it.  Almost like the glass in a picture frame.  I was off  to a good start.

Keeping that picture frame idea in mind, I picked out a fabric that would pull colors and strength out of each pencil drawing.  Here is the fabric for my little neko (Japanese for cat).

I cut strips out at 2.5 inches and began to sew them in place around the image.

Using the same strip joining technique in quilt binding, I made my corners and then sewed along the seam to keep the frame flat.

Here is what the fabric frame looked like once I had all the corners together and sewn down.  Neat, right?

I did the same for the second pencil sketch I selected.  Find a fabric to bring out the colors and compliment the chaos!

Pin and sew down 2.5 inch strips to frame the image.  The overlapping ends are used to make those angled corners.

Here is the frame all sewn together, but I still had iron the frame and sew down the corners.

And of course... you did see the binding coming, didn't you?  Here is the binding for the tree image I am calling "Hope." 

I originally created this sketch for Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday for the theme New Year.

And now, here is "Hope" with the binding on!  I did some stippling around the sides of the frame.  Mostly loopy circles to keep a real organic feeling.

And here is my darling "Maneki Neko" (also loosely Lucky Cat in Japanese).  I choose a dark chocolate brown for the binding on this one.  I also did a simple straight line quilting around the center to create a beveled look.

I also originally created this sketch for Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday meme, but for the theme Luck/y.

And here is a quick snap of the two together!!  I am so pleased with how they turned out! 

Imagine doing this treatment of transfer and fabric frame for a piece of children's art or love letter from your special squeeze. 

The ideas are really endless... and I must say it gives a whole new dimension to the work.  I'd call this experiment a success and I can see doing this again in the future!

Our work art show opens today and runs through Friday.  I will be smiling ear to ear as I play hostess... demonstrate some quilting techniques, and enjoy the fact that we all get to talk about art for a few days!

-- I am joining Fabric Tuesday at Quiltsory --
Hug the ones you love!

日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan

Creative Tuesday: Springtime!

Happy Tuesday!!  And not just any Tuesday, it's Creative Tuesday time!

Creative Tuesday begs me to open my drawing pad and mind to fill in a page with inspirations from the theme over at Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday's assignment!

This week's theme is Springtime.  That elusive season that does not seem to be coming any time soon here in NY.  Well, at least we haven't had any real snow in the last week.

Spring makes me think of a great memory.  A few springs ago, my mother in law was cleaning out her garden bed and came across a tiny little burrow full of baby bunnies.  So small and hopeful.  So soft and new.  I used this memory as the start of my drawing.

Here is the starting sketch.

I began to fill it in with watercolor pencils and then used a pen to add the black outlining to emphasize fur and whiskers.

Tulips seemed to be a natural fit for this little bun-bun.  The tulips in my garden are showing signs of growing.  They pushed through and have begun to grow leaves.  No signs of buds yet, but I am sure they will bloom quickly once we get a bit of warm weather.

This is the same picture scanned in.  I like the textures and bright colors of this one!  I enjoyed the process of dreaming up something to put on paper and then making it come to life.

Mr. Toast, thank you for gentle nudging to get back into the Creative Tuesday routine.  It's easy in life for me to say I am too busy for things, but this is one thing I shouldn't compromise.  I always come away from this experience feeling so satisfied and happy.  I look forward to accepting your next challenge!

I hope you will consider joining in this or the next assignment and check out other artists in the community here.

日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan

Creative Tuesday: Luck/y

Happy Tuesday!!  And not just any 'ole Tuesday, it's Creative Tuesday time!

Creative Tuesday is my time to open a drawing pad to a blank page and dig deep to fill in the page with inspirations of the theme over at Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday's assignment!

This time we were challenged with the theme of Luck/y.  Easy right?  Eh, not so much.  I have been stuck with horseshoes, rainbows, pots of gold, and leprechauns in my head for the last two weeks.  Seriously. 

That's when it hit me.  What about a little Japanese luck?  After living in Japan for a number of years I came to understand the Japanese culture really knows a thing or two about luck!  Enter the Manekineko!!!

{the following snip is from About.com here and roughly explains what I was told when I purchased my own manekinko.}

"Do you know what manekineko is? Manekineko are cat-shaped lucky charms. Maneki means beckoning and neko means cats in Japanese. A Manekineko raises one of its front paws and beckons (maneku) by showing the palm of the paw. It's said that manekineko raising the left hand beckons customers and one raising the right hand beckons money. You see manekineko in many Japanese stores."

I choose to draw a raised left paw to beckon {welcome} you my 'customers' -- seems fitting enough!

And for those of you counting I only used six colors in this doodle... two pinks... two yellows.. black.. and red!

Mr. Toast, thank you for another fun adventure in, around, and through that crazy mind of mine... I have so enjoyed this trip and am looking forward to accepting your next challenge!

I hope you will consider joining in this or the next assignment and check out other artists in the community here.

Creative Tuesday: New Year

Do you feel that?  Take a nice big breath in slowly and let it out even slower.  Yes, it's time for  Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday's.  Oh, how I have missed you!

Mr. Toast, I hope you had the most amazing holiday season, love!  Thank you for all you do to host this community and give me this reason to connect with my creative side and sketch pad.  I'm not sure I would do it without your gentle nudge.

Today's theme... New Year.  Also known as (for me)... open slate.

I did my best to clear my mind and just let that wonderful open-clean slate wash over me and exit through the watercolor pencils.

 
All that hope, promise, dreams, determination, and confidence on what can be.  And what will be!

I've very proud of this one!  Feels like a great start to the year... a great sign of what's to come... a chance that this could be a great year for stretching and strengthening creative muscles!

Who's with me!?!!

And in keeping with my normal show of process... here is what my desk looked like toward the end of the drawing.

 
It's just not a proper doodle for me unless I make a big fuss (mess) all over!  And yes, it's important to dump all the pencils out of the box in order to be sure you find just the right shade of green *wink*

This is going to be a fun year! 

Other artists in the community and more information about joining in can be found here.

Creative Tuesday: Holidays

It's a holly jolly Tuesday, it's the best time of the year!!  Yo ho ho it's a holly jolly creative Tuesday!!!

I was excited to dust off my pad and break out a new box of watercolor pencils to see what would come out for this week's Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday's assignment!

The theme this week was Holidays - ho ho ho!!

This is another tough theme if you ask me, because golly... this could be anything.  Here us what popped out of that zany brain of mine.

I started by flipping through the mountain of holiday ads for inspiration and saw a cute little bear ornament with a red nose and bingo! I had my inspiration.

A bear, a mouse, a snowman - oh my!

Don't you just adore new sharp pencils!  They are sooo pretty!  I had begun playing around with a tree just to get the hang of them.

These are probably a basic set, but I couldn't pass them at the Michael's black Friday sale and I didn't want to commit to a bigger set in case I didn't care for them.  So here we are.

I filled my doodle in with ink and erased my pencil lines.  Oh my goodness, the bird and the mouse just tickles my cheeks!!

And voila!  A few watercolor pencils and Christmas songs sung later and I have a piece I am really proud of.  I scanned it in to capture more of the color and rough lines.

Wishing you and your family the most warm and sincere Christmas, Hanukkah, and every other festive celebration this season.  Hug and kiss the ones around you and continue to be thankful for every laugh that fills your ear!

Cheers to the creative juices flowing in your favor today!  You can check out the other artists or join us here.

Creative Tuesday: Heavenly

Happy Tuesday Lovelies!! 

It felt so good to pick up my pad and pen to put together a little something for this week's Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday's assignment!  The theme this week was Heaven or Heaven-ly!

For me, a heavenly way to spend my time is hiking with my family.  The Mr. and I had a hiking first date even and we still will use any excuse to run out into the woods for bit. 

I used pen and color pencils for this simple sketch and I scanned in the finished drawing -- really makes for a nice electronic capture!  It also saves me this time of year when I don't have a lot of time with good photo light.

Hope you're feeling the creative juices flowing today!  You can check out the other artists here.

Creative Tuesday: Little House

It's Tuesday!!  I have to admit that I have been really looking forward to showing you what I came up with this week for Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday's assignment!

Lookie!!  lookie!!

This week's theme is "Little House," which all on it's own sounds pretty darn adorable!

I started by sketching all the types of houses that I could think of ... and well, I wasn't all too impressed with myself.  Then I started drawing some of the same houses in a very small scale.  I decided that was a bit too literal for the theme.

Then it happened.  I decided to try a sketch loosening technique and then freehand.  So, with my hand all warmed up I started in with a new idea -- in ink!  A bit gutsy on my part as I typically start with pencil and then erase and re-do until I'm happy.  Then when I'm satisfied I trace what I like in ink.

Well, not this week.  I was bold.  I was gutsy.  I am loving the results!!

Hope you're feeling creative today too and also don't forget to check out the other artists here.