Black and white handmade cards

Yet another swap. This time a challenge to use the colors black and white only, but a dash of other colors is allowed. I was thinking too difficult and after a while it went well. The card slowly was built up and it came out beautiful. These will be sent out today to the USA and Canada. It is a swap so what will I receive? Surprise, surprise ..... There will be less cardmaking for me. I noticed that quite some people asking me to make them a handmade card. Till so far I did, but I can not make cards for everyone. I wish I could. I am joining some Round  Robins and I had to make the art journals myself. It takes some time, so you know where most of my time is spend on:-) I finished one art journal and it is now time to paint and decorate the cover and the first pages. I'll update you on this journal. It is a lot of fun making an art journal by yourself! What am I writing about art journal? The title says handmade cards! Here are the pics, guys. Thank you for visiting and reading.

Some other works 2

Blogging in a super long post did not feel good. So I split chapter. Now the last pictures for today. I had to sent my first canvas painting I ever made for a swap to the USA. So I did my best to create another canvas for myself. Yes .... I am so glad with the first canvas for ME, MYSELF!!!:-) I just feel like I have not yet discovered my own style .... Maybe this is my style .... But to be honest .. I think I see to much of those I have learned from and would like to go there where I can only recognize myself.

With the last pictures I want to let you see the details on the painting.

Some other works 1

Here some projects I have done. Most of these projects I started before the summer, but are finished through the time. Acrylics seems to be my favourite medium at the time. But I just started and I am still learning. Not to talk/write a lot .... here are the pics.
The pics of the drawings are posted here. And I said I will post the finished page. So here it is!

My small Moleskine art journal is the moleskine I work in most of the time. I started to work in my A4 moleskine as well, but I am going slowly. Here pictures of my first page in my small Moleskine. Of course, you will see my dollies and that what I have learned at dolldreams.ning. I added a close u so you can see at least some of the small details. Please enjoy ....

Some other pages in my small moleskine. 

This page is not finished yet, as you can see.

These pages are finished. Just pages I created as how I felt at the time journaling. Thank you for visiting my blog. Please leave a comment and feel free to ask questions about my topics:-)

Art journal pages

I am in a art journal pages swap. Two prompts are given and participants have to make two art journal pages. As a newbie on milliande.ning.com I decided to participate. The prompts are: Angel and demons, the second prompt is Word/Phrase - Open a dictionary or book, without looking, point to a word or phrase and use it to create a page.

This is my Angel and demons entry:

It is drawn and painted with acrylic paints. At the left you'll see that one inch is free of journaling. You can not see it on the picture, but there is some structure on the page. The dress of the angel is in gold acrylic paint.

The drawn word is Spiritual. How applicable for an art journal. The second entry has pretty colours. The mix of the turquoise and pink makes me happy. I just had some black acrylic paint I did not wanted to waste. On top of the black I used some silver acrylic paint. I attached an feather on top of the turquoise flower; maybe hardly to see on the picture. The word spiritual is stamped on the art journal page.

Painted postcard

Today is a lovely day! Not much sun, but the wind feels quite warm. I am crafting again and I am currently working on several projects. A canvas painting, a painted postcard and I am painting and paperpiercing in my small Moleskine art journal. So I am switching a lot between these projects. If one has to dry I´ll pick up another one. Here a picture of the postcard I made. I started yesterday and it is finished today. Wondering if I could duplicate the postcard, I tried to make a copy of it. My goal was to get a black and white (not white actually, because the cardstock is kind of grey). What I got is a full copy of my postcard, so it has all the colors of the original postcard. Yes, I forgot to hit the black & white knob. But I was surprised and satisfied. I have to sent two postcards, so I could use the copy. And I don't like to make two of the same, so I add to each postcard its own details. E.g. the quote on each card is different. The quote is from labels of my favourite tea at the moment: Yogi tea.

This is the original painted postcard. Destination: a postcrosser in the USA.

The copy of the original above. This one will be sent to The Netherlands.

Wishing you all a peaceful Sunday. Stay well!

Red eye girl ATC

A postcrosser and I decided to exchange ATC´s. Since I started to draw and paint I really like it more to draw and paint my ATC´s. But I still enjoy creating ATC´s out of scraps or other media. Yesterday I started to draw the ATC. I got my inspiration from mycreativebliss on youtube and all the red eye people out there. There are more red eye painted girls, but I got more inspiration watching her video. Check her out! This is my version of the Red eye girl. I am hoping the receiver likes my ATC. This ATC is sent with another ATC, a written greeting card and as a present (for her to use) a handmade card I created. The envelope is very colourful, so I hope she´ll be surprised. This is my first acrylic painted ATC, which is on its way to Wendy in the USA.

I did not forgot my blog ....

No, I did not. But vacation was coming, then it was vacation .... so I just enjoyed my spare time. My oldest daughter, Michelle and I went to Italy and we had an amazing time together.

Another amazing thing is that I created a canvas painting!! It is the first canvas painting I ever created and I wanted to keep it. It is such a beautiful art piece. I love the dollies I learn to make at dolldreams, so most of my dollies will have those amazing big dollz eyes! Some pics for you to see my art ... the final piece.

A close up of the beautiful big eyes.

Special about this painting is that I made the canvas board and it is a mix media painting. I can not say where this painting is going to. Otherwise it is not a surprise for the person who has to recieve it and the chance of her reading my blog is there. 

 Another piece I created: an owl decorated hanging postcard. New for me is making the postcard a hanging one. I have made a lot of postcard, so that is not a new thing to me. But drawing and painting the postcard was something I have not done before. It was a real challenge, believe me. Here is the postcard:

This card is also sent to someone. She obviously is expecting a hanging postcard! I did put a dollie on the card, I had to .... It is another mix media product and the beaded necklace is for the hanging of the card.

It is really fun to use different mediums to create. The creator decides which medium will be used and how the art journal page will look like. Love the unlimited idea of creativity and medium!

I did not forgot my blog ....

No, I did not. But vacation was coming, then it was vacation .... so I just enjoyed my spare time. My oldest daughter, Michelle and I went to Italy and we had an amazing time together.

Another amazing thing is that I created a canvas painting!! It is the first canvas painting I ever created and I wanted to keep it. It is such a beautiful art piece. I love the dollies I learn to make at dolldreams, so most of my dollies will have those amazing big dollz eyes! Some pics for you to see my art ... the final piece.

A close up of the beautiful big eyes.

Special about this painting is that I made the canvas board and it is a mix media painting. I can not say where this painting is going to. Otherwise it is not a surprise for the person who has to recieve it and the chance of her reading my blog is there. 

 Another piece I created: an owl decorated hanging postcard. New for me is making the postcard a hanging one. I have made a lot of postcard, so that is not a new thing to me. But drawing and painting the postcard was something I have not done before. It was a real challenge, believe me. Here is the postcard:

This card is also sent to someone. She obviously is expecting a hanging postcard! I did put a dollie on the card, I had to .... It is another mix media product and the beaded necklace is for the hanging of the card.

It is really fun to use different mediums to create. The creator decides which medium will be used and how the art journal page will look like. Love the unlimited idea of creativity and medium!

Yes, I have a blog

Time runs by and I did think about my blog. Missing it and again postponed. Making time and wishing to have more time. Reading my own blog and want to write. So much went on here and I did what I have to do. No school, but vacation and now having some large projects. I will load up some pics! This project is about upholster old chairs. Nope, I have never done this before, but that is the challenge:) We have collected four chairs now, a table and one medium and a small cabinet. All old stuff, looking antique, but is not. We like the look of these old furniture. It is a big project so when started I'll have to keep it up. But I will take my time doing it, no hurry.

The medium cabinet is done with sandpaper and painted with primer. Saturday I will sand it again with fine sandpaper. And if we agreed to the color of paint, we will be able to paint the cabinet on Sunday. That would be nice, wouldn't it!!

As I said I would do ...

Post the last project I created yesterday. The theme is: use your stash: theme card: fashion. Honestly, this card is not made of stash. I had just fun and it gave me the opportunity to use the Cricut expression in this way again.

That is it for today. Not much to quack about today:)) Oh, forgot to tell that I have received my Moleskin watercolour Notebook! It's a size to carry easy in a bag or so. It measures 8 1/4x5". This will be the one I carry on trips, making my sketches whenever I feel to. No picture of it, because I posted a picture of my first Moleskin. They have the same cover; only the size is different. Still want to see it? Just leave a comment and I will post a picture. So I still wait for the last Moleskin of size A3. 

If you have any question, please leave a comment.

So... what have I done today?

Today was a calm day. After the test I had yesterday, I needed some rest. I don't think the test went very well. But I hope I pass. That's why I started to work on the swap I still have. There is enough time to make them, but I needed to be creative. Here are they; it's quite a few, so take time:))

Handmade Card Challenge

This card is part of a challenge. My first handmade card challenge ever. So I hope I win!

The image is a free image on coloring pages from Sarah Kay. She is printed on GinaK. cardstock and colored with copic ciao and sketch markers. The flower is originally white, but colored with copic sketch markers. The white line is done with my Uniball Signo white gel pen

Use your stash: Theme card: dog/cat

 

I had to make two cards for one person. So I decided to make one dog and one cat card. Cute, aren't they?
A Whiff of Joy rubber stamp, colored with Prisma color markers. The cat is a Meljen's free digital image, colored with copic sketch and ciao markers. The mat on which the cat is stamped on is cut with my Cricut expression with the help of Make the Cut.

Mojo card sketch (handmade card swap): july
The first swap I ever coordinated. Pfff, I thought it would take a lot of time. No, no, no, just some minutes. Of course I hope everyone keeps to the swap, so there will be no need for me to angel. My card for this Mojo card sketch swap.

The sketch:

The last image for today is for the "Use your stash: theme card: Fashion

At first it seems to be hard, but then I kept creating. Not much to say today, because I am really tired.

For this swap I had to make two cards. It is late and I will make a picture of the other card tomorrow. No, my scan can not handle the card, because it has a handbag which pops up and the picture does not come out very good. So tomorrow I will post the other card for this swap. She is a KennyK. digital image colored with Copic sketch and ciao markers.

I am so satisfied with my creations. I love the different colors and the patterned paper is so cute.

Letter ATC

Huh, what to create with a letter on an ATC? Mmmmh, thinking, thinking, ...... Aha, why not look for something to inspire me? I got it ... Betty Boop will inspire me! How? Take a look at this beautifyl ATC. It will be sent tomorrow.

The picture is not perfect. But you get the idea, I hope:))

My first Moleskine sketchbook A4 has arrived!

As the title says: I finally got it!!, yeahh. I am not going to work in it yet. I'll wait for the Moleskine watercolor notebook A3 and the Moleskine watercolor large. So I will be able to compare and make a choice which one to use first. Now for a long time I will not have to buy any art journal book. Why I went for the Moleskine, is because I hear a lot of these books and wanted to experience. Later I just went for this brand and as you read earlier and got three of them.

I will also wait for my Prismacolor premier pencils; I will use my Prismacolor watercolor pencils and use the premier as a alternative and as an addition to my workshop of drawing and coloring dollies. So there are a lot, lot of supplies I can use and not get bored. Of course I have some pictures for you:))

My camera gave me a hard time, so these are the best pictures I could get today.

I will not leave here, without showing you my art production of today. Tadaaaa ...

This is from my sketch book (no brand name), which I use as a art journal. In fact, this is my first art journal.The pages are too thin, though, so using gesso and layering are techniques frequently used in this art journal. It is also used as a try out book, but I am definitely making something of my trials:)) 

My art journals will be mixed media books. So, there will be a lot of techniques used and tried out. I keep you posted! Have a great evening!

The real arts thing

Here the page I created today. I started this morning with drawing and I could not stop. So this is how far I came. It is not finished yet, but I really have to wait until my other supplies arrive. There will be another post with, I hope, the finished page:)) Oh, she is holding a flower in her hands.

Close ups

Some pages of my art journal

Some pages I made last week. In a newer post I will add what I created today. Enjoy!

I did not use the right techniques on this face. But does it matter? I don't think so. It is a trial and I still love how it came out. It is my journal book, isn't it?

My first real dollie

Sometimes it is good to be impatient. Don't you agree? Hmmm, I have to wait and wait for some orders. Friday I was not at home, yes I was at work, when the postman left a message; it's a package. So I'll have to wait till monday! My daughter will be at home then. I can't wait!! So I started in my damaged Canson XL, lol ... My love doll is based on the tutorial of Adriana from doll dreams: Love doll. My dollie is holding a flower instead of a heart (as a start to find my own style).

Yes, you are right ... I didn't color her yet. But I am waiting for my supplies (Moleskine art journal, Prismacolor pencils, acrylics, etc.). I have some acrylics and I will start my 'art journal' (as the Cansons XL mix media will become), hehehehe. Have a splendid sunday:))

My poor Canson XL mix media acrylic block A3 and Winsor & Newton clear gesso ...

I received an order on friday. Everything was well packed, but inside the internal package was a BIG mess!! I ordered a Canson XL mix media acrylic block A3, Winsor & Newton clear gesso and Winsor & Newton matt gell. Well ...... the 'neck' of the clear gesso is broken. Can you imagine the mess? My poor Canson XL was totally covered with gesso .... as XL as it is ... just imagine. Just arrived at home, coming from work, I immediately had to clean up. Who likes to clean up after work??? Okay, my love for my 'artistic' adventure is very important, so love took over and I cleaned and cleaned, lol. But I could laugh about it: the company will resent the clear gesso and the mix medio block.

The resent is already on its way. Isn't that a good service? Applause for this company!

Keeping an art journal

Finally I get to my art journal. I kept a journal, but would love to do more in it. What kept me from it is me thinking I can not draw or do art. But I learned that anything I want to create is art for me. It is not meant for others untill I will publish it. But I had to find something to give me that confidence. In my search I found the art of doll dreams. Doll dreams is art made by Adriana. I love those dolls, the look you can create on their faces. I also discovered that she gives workshops. So up I went to her blog, flickr, youtube channel and finally I found her doll dreams ning network. And ..... of course I joined. My former ATC's are made after seeing the first video's and pdf's and much more. So my opinion has changed; I can draw and make my own art! And I would like to share my progress with you.

This is just a sketch book. I would not wait the Moleskine I ordered:)) THis sketch book is good for practicing. Although I have to say these pages will not be destroyed. I'll keep this sketchbook as an art journal. Watch the video here under to see what I created up to now!!!

The pages are kind of thin. But I adhere old newspaper or other paper to the pages. Then I add gesso to the pages and I am ready to go: draw, paint, use prismacolor pencils and so on.... Hey, that is called mixed media, yeahhhh!

No courage yet to draw arms or hands, hehehe ... funny, but no ugly arms or hands for me:)

I am waiting for my Moleskine art journal. So what you see here are my first official trials. Love to do it and play with alll kinds of mediums. The freedom to play with whatever glue, paper, paint, pencils, markers, drawings, book, embellishment is immense. Just mix your mediums = mixed media. You should try it!

Keeping an art journal

Finally I get to my art journal. I kept a journal, but would love to do more in it. What kept me from it is me thinking I can not draw or do art. But I learned that anything I want to create is art for me. It is not meant for others untill I will publish it. But I had to find something to give me that confidence. In my search I found the art of doll dreams. Doll dreams is art made by Adriana. I love those dolls, the look you can create on their faces. I also discovered that she gives workshops. So up I went to her blog, flickr, youtube channel and finally I found her doll dreams ning network. And ..... of course I joined. My former ATC's are made after seeing the first video's and pdf's and much more. So my opinion has changed; I can draw and make my own art! And I would like to share my progress with you.

This is just a sketch book. I would not wait the Moleskine I ordered:)) THis sketch book is good for practicing. Although I have to say these pages will not be destroyed. I'll keep this sketchbook as an art journal. Watch the video here under to see what I created up to now!!!

The pages are kind of thin. But I adhere old newspaper or other paper to the pages. Then I add gesso to the pages and I am ready to go: draw, paint, use prismacolor pencils and so on.... Hey, that is called mixed media, yeahhhh!

No courage yet to draw arms or hands, hehehe ... funny, but no ugly arms or hands for me:)

I am waiting for my Moleskine art journal. So what you see here are my first official trials. Love to do it and play with alll kinds of mediums. The freedom to play with whatever glue, paper, paint, pencils, markers, drawings, book, embellishment is immense. Just mix your mediums = mixed media. You should try it!