Go Doodle, APR #63

The Artist's Play Room weekly challenge is up to number 63 this week. Jenn's challenge to us was to go doodle. Doodle something that didn't necessarily have to be zentangle® art, just doodling fun.

I took a grid stencil that I got from Dreamweaver and taped it on top of an ATC card, and to the desktop. You can see that I have some craft paper protecting my table surface.

My supplies included: a zentangle® ATC tile, blue painters tape, a combination tray of Colorbok ink pads, and a sponge dauber.

I used the sponge dauber you see here (I ended up not using the sponge in the photo before this) and started softly tapping out some color onto the ATC. These little daubers are easy to find in the scrapbook section of Michael's. Your finger fits into one end and you literally tap it into the ink pad picking up color, then 'dabbing' it onto the ATC. 

I ended up using 5-6 different colors from my tray. Once you have enough color and everything seems dry to touch, lift off the blue tape and remove the stencil.

In this picture you can get an idea of how the two line up and work together.

This is what I had when I was finished adding ink. I like the fall colors and the way they work together.

Then I started adding in my doodles. I love the way this turned out. Super simple to make. Head on over to Jenn's page at Just Add Water, Silly and check out everyone's doodle art. You can add your doodle, too, while you are there!

Unfailing Love

The unfailing love of the Lord. A stronghold when things are tough. My life of late is just one stressor after another, to the point that sometimes just putting one foot in front of the other is a bit tough. I know I can't be the only person that feels that way. When my  heart feels heavy, when everything gets on my last nerve, I need to step back and feel that unfailing love of the Lord. And trust it.

String 041

This string came from Cheri Hartwick. Kind of intimidating to me at first. I never know what to do with those loops other than use purk. The background started out with a grid, that segued over into diamonds - that was kind of fun! This is what the string looked like without tangles:

You can check out Linda Farmer's weekly string challenge at Tangle Patterns. You really should give it a go!

String Challenge 056

Here is another string :). Hahaha! Just 21 more until I am caught up >.< ugh, it might take awhile! But I am trying. This is what string 056 looked like before I started working on it:

I turned it on its side, so you could get the right perspective. This string was courtesy of Jill Dobis. You can check out the weekly string challenge on Linda Farmer's page - Tangle Patterns. They are a lot of fun and really handy when you are having trouble deciding on a string to use.

String Challenge 057

I am going to hit you with one of these a day until I am caught up! Hahaha! This is my response to string challenge #057. (Yes, I do know that my tile looks upside down. Actually, it was upside down when I typed "The Creator's Leaf" on it. I'm just now noticing. Sorry.) The string was provided by Bambi Lint. This is what it looked like before I tangled:

It looks a might different once you add some patterns and shading. If you ever get stuck with your tangling, and you have trouble coming up with a string to use, just head on over to Tangle Patterns and click on "Strings" in the top pink bar. This will take you to a page where Linda Farmer has all the strings she's ever offered in one listing. That will keep you busy for awhile - it is me!

String 054

Still questing away, trying to catch up on my string challenges. Linda Farmer, at Tangle Patterns, offers a string each week that we tangle any way we want to. This particular string was offered by Hope Martin. This is what we had to begin with:

What a fun challenge! One down, a whole lot left to go!

String 045

Last week I had some time to catch up in a few areas. One of the projects I enjoy doing each week is Linda Farmer's String Challenge on Tangle Patterns. I don't even know how far behind I am, but I am going to keep going until I'm caught up! This was string 045, a really fun one! I don't think this is even a specific tangle, I just drew lines and enjoyed the way it turned out!

This is what the string we were provided looked like. Then I just added the drawing. The Diva's weekly challenge this week is called  Is It a Zentangle?, and the thought is ~ can you tangle a tile without using a specific tangle pattern? And the answer is a resounding yes! You can. The above tile is my proof. Head on over to the Diva's Challenge, #123, and see what everyone drew. You'll be blown away by the amazing artwork there!

Nature ATC Swap

ATCs have been really big lately. Currently we are in the midst of a nature ATC swap. These swaps are a lot of fun! For this particular CZT swap, we decided to forego the "black and white" restriction, and let anything work. Color, mixed media, attachments - anything we wanted to do. Anything that said "nature" to us.

You know I've really been having lots of fun with these gardens lately. That theme mixes excellently with our nature swap theme, so I drew several garden pictures. I loved this little wooden mushroom that I attached with a pop dot.

For those of you who might now know, ATC stands for artist trading card. They are little bits of art, measuring 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", that you typically make to exchange with other artists of like minds.

In my last post, I told you that I had just returned home from spending three weeks with Kali following her auto accident. I drew most of these ATCs while I was at her home. 

It was really fun figuring out what to draw and prepare with so little supplies on hand. 

I really love these little felt flowers. So much so, that I made two similar ATCs.

I just love the mix of these tangles with the flowers.

Then, to fill in with other nature-related thoughts, like the ruff and eye of this dragon :).

Or this little Arctic fellow.

And then there were these Floridian types of nature. Had to share these, didn't I?

Maybe more than one.

I love this little guy. I had a hard time sending him on to his new owner!

You know, we have a lot of these little guys in Florida!

One of my favorites - a Floridian sunrise over the ocean!

I had the occasional "just because" ATC, like this fun little brad owl!

Did I mention I love this little flower set? From K & Company, I got a whole bunch of flowers - about 20 - for next to nothing on sale. So pretty and delicate.

I wish this picture was more in focus, but I am including it anyway. The nature swap was a lot of fun. I have all my ATCs completed and in the mail. Most have already reached their new homes. And I'm receiving some pretty cool ATCs in return. Gotta love it! This is so much fun!

Back Home

You may have noticed it has been awhile since my last post. That was on May 20th. On May 23rd, Kali was involved in a head-on collision 800 miles from home. She was on her way to school when a man ran a red light and hit her head-on. Mark and I left right away and drove almost straight through to get to her. We stopped around 4 AM for a short nap, then drove the rest of the way. Kali is doing much better now, pretty much back to normal, and she has a new (pre-owned) car. I was gone for three weeks, got home last night. I don't think I posted this drawing before I left. I drew it the week before when we were moving Kali in to her new apartment. For those of you who knew what was going on and were praying for Kali's recovery, and for our travel time, thank you so much! We are blessed to call you friend!