Be ready to soar...

Soaring is not on my "to do" list lately.  More like "squeeze in some crafty time when I can".  However, this ink-speckled bird is ready to fly!  When I was shopping at Linnie Blooms in July, my items were given to me in a plain Kraft gift bag.  I told Linda Barutha (Linnie Blooms owner) that the bag would come back to her eventually.  I kept my promise and went wild!  I zentangled with a fine point Sharpie on a square blank and then added Distress Inks to this bird and its wing (which also doubles as a leaf shape).  Sharpies, Distress Inks...is there anything these Linnie Blooms shapes can't withstand?

And why stop there?  I crinkle folded some border punch cut strips and attached them onto the bottom of the bag.  I also spy a paper doily, a butterfly and flower (both punched from an old book), a little spritzing, and don't forget the burlap scrap!

How about you?  Ready to soar or just squeezing in some crafty time when you can?  Hope it's the first one!

~Kelly

Be meditative...

 

Often, I find it very difficult to clear my head.  I claim that my daughter is a "worry wart", but I think she gets it from me. 

 

I am not one to do yoga, but I do find a long walk can be helpful.  But, losing my head in a good project is the best way to distract me.  It is my meditation. 

 

Last week, Unity had a Facebook contest.  We were given this image to color any way we wanted.  For some reason, I was drawn to Zentangle it.  There were some AMAZING entries.  Mine didn't make it to the finals, but it did help to clear my head.

~Kelly

Don't forget to head over to the LinnieBlooms Facebook page and keep playing "I Spy" all month long!  There is a fabulous prize package for the winner!

Whatever is colorful...

 

Doodling has been upgraded to "Zentangling". So, I decided to take a plain journal (actually, I used a composition notebook---found for 25 cents in the Back to School clearance) and give it a makeover. On simple, white cardstock, I drew a letter/monogram in the center and squiggles out from it.

 

 

 

Let the zentangle patterns begin! I filled in each of the spaces with a different pattern. I recommend using a combination of bolder and simpler patterns so sections can still be distinguished from each other. Also, if you are going to have a central shape (like the "K" on my cover), it helps to give it a unique pattern so it will stand out from the others. As you can see, I didn't use circles/dots anywhere else except on the "K". Now, you could stop right here and glue this onto the cover of the plain journal. Along with a set of markers, this would be a great gift. The recipient can start coloring rght away!

 

 

But, I couldn't stop my self from coloring it all in! Using 2 different shades of the same color is all you need to add some dimension with shading. I glued my design onto the cover of the journal and then added tiny ripped strips of washi tape all around the edge. It finishes off the project and provides another level of adhesion. This would be a great gift for anyone. How about leaving it in the car as a place to zentangle while waiting in the carpool lane?

 

 

Now, head on over to Chicagoland Scrapbooker. 

This is just one of many journal ideas from the Design Team that you can see as Betsy starts her "Make It Mondays".  Great ideas that you can get done before the holidays are here!

 

 

~Kelly