Bookmark #3

I really wish spring would make an appearance already!  One thing I have learned from living in the New England area is that just because a season changes does not mean that mother nature is ready to change too.  She will do as she pleases and too bad if it is suppose to be Spring but still feels like winter.  Plus she does not care if we complain about it, either.

I was feeling kind of gloomy since it is a little cold, rainy and the sun just can’t win the battle with mother

earth, so I wanted to make something that would make me smile.

 I got my trusty stencils out (have I mention how much I loveee stencils!!) and found a flower to inspire me.  I finished this stencil in about 40 minutes.  I used the following tangles and colored it with Primascolored® pencils.:

• Cubine – Zentangle®
• Crescent Moon – Zentangle®
• Ennies – Zentangle®
• Kaleido – Sandy Batholomew®
• Bubbles

One last note that stroke me as funny is that I do have some tangles I just can help myself using quite a lot in my work and one of them is the tiny bubbles I used on the background of this bookmark.  For some reason putting does tiny bubbles everywhere is very soothing to me and is like a little trance where nothing penetrates.

A little calm before the thoughts come rushing in, if that makes sense.  I just love these little bubbles, they make me happy!

Ok enough already, have a safe day and find you creative joy!

WonderingMindField : 

Art Journal Page #8

UHH! I’m feeling very fashionista.  Love Dylusions stamps by Dyan Reaveley.  They are fun and you can do so many fun things with them.  Most of them have a bit of “Beetlejuice” feel to them and many quirky characters.  I happen to like and own Dylusions Couture Clean Stamp: Walk in the Park.  It’s a very snazzy stamp.

Materials I used:

• Dylusions Walk in the Park (click for link) Clear Stamps
  
• Dylusions Dirty Martini Spray Paint
• Clear Stamp Letters
• Pattern Tissue Paper
• Paper Scraps
• Handmade Paper Scraps
• Gel Medium
• Mod Podge
• Washi Tape
• Tim Holtz “Crushed Olive” Pad
• Ranger Archival Ink Pad
• Misc. Stamp (circles)
• Gelli Roll® Black Glaze Pen
• White Recollections™ Opaque Marker

This page took about an hour and half and I must say it was the most fun and effortless art journal page I’ve created so far.  I give the stamp all the credit because it s fun, snazzy and unique. 

Steps (Summary):

1. Sprayed page with “Dirty Martini” Dylusions Paint
2. Distressed the page with “Crushed Olive” Tim Holtz Pad
3. Stamped “Walk in the Park” on the center of the page as well as the words with clear stamps.
4. Pasted strips of handmade paper, old dictionary paper strips and washi tape on both sides of the page to add balance.
5. Stamped circles to add interest.
6. Stamp the Dylusions stamp to pattern tissue paper and then cut out the image.
7. Using mod podge I carefully pasted the tissue paper dress inside the stamp dress on the page.
8. Using the black glaze pen trace the line on the stamp and did the same with the white opaque marker
9. Covered the whole page with clear gel medium to seal everything in.

A few materials, and a cool stamp and VOILA!  I must move on…tata!
Always be safe and find your creative joy,
WonderingMindField

Zentangle Tile #7

I called this tile, “waiting for him”".”  I started this tile while waiting for my husband to come home from work.  

Once a week my husband works the second shift from 10am to 10pm.  So while sitting on my kitchen table waiting for him so  I can get him his dinner I decided to take advantage of the quite.

I took my phone to play some music and grabbed my Zentangle® –to-go pouch and created this tile.  It took me about 40 mins and I was calm and in a good place.  I did finished his dinner!

This is a breakdown of the tangles I used:

As always be safe and find your creative joy,

WonderingMindField

Bookmark #2: “Pipe Dreams”

Bookmark #2:  "Pipe Dreams"

Here is my bookmark #2, which I created in about an hour and there is no real logic to it except I felt like doing stripes that then turned into pipes.  I was listening to the radio which was playing 80's music, I knowww...I'm showing my age since the 80's are my era.

Is funny how different songs bring different parts of your youth to mind and some of the dreams you had.  Life really takes you where it wants and how you embrace or reject the destinations it takes you to, depends on you. 

I called this bookmark "Pipe Dreams" because some of my dreams when i was younger where a little out of it.  I wanted to join the air force, marry a guy with long hair who would play the drums on a rock band and we would have one child and live the jet setting life!

The only think that came true was the one child!  Ha! Still love the husband I got even if he has a crew cut.

The tangles used in this Bookmark are (top to bottom):

• Crescent Moon (SM)
• Rain (Variation) (Z)
• Cubine (Z)
• Printemps
• Double Florz (MB)
• Bubbles
• Hallibough (background thinner pipes) (Z)

Perfection is overated, I made two mistakes, which happens when you try to finish a drawing at 11:33pm.  Can you spot them?? 

Enjoy today and keep looking for your creative joy!!
WonderingMindField

Art Journal Page #7

The last time I did a art journal page I had a bit of a disaster with a Halloween web that I though would have made a good textured background for my art page.  Yes, it went wrong.  So this is my next attempt at the art journal business. Not too bad, in comparison to the other. 

I had this cool stencil with a heart and two wings on the sides.   Unfortunately I can't remember where I got it from.  I did start a inventory list so I could keep better track of the designer names and companies I get my stencils from in order to give proper credit.  I used Dylusions® spray ink "cut grass" for the background where I also glued some strips of dictionary paper.  I used washi tape that had words on it for a bit more color and then took a bubble wrap slip and imprinted bubbles in red and black to add texture without bulk to the page.

For the heart I took modeling paste and mixed with a little black acrylic paint, then carefully taped the stencil to the page and spread a thin layer of the colored paste over the stencil, making sure I got all the nooks and crannies and always careful not to over do it and get smudges under the stencil. I let the heart dry and then added a bronze colored leaf.

Before I started this I had seen the work of Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, who is one of my favorite mixed media artist, and she writes quotes and thoughts down on most of her pages.  This is my first attempt and I wrote on the page what the heart represents to me:   

“To have a heart is to be human and to be able to feel the energy around us…No matter who we are or how we came to be is what we do with this energy that stays…Lead with your heart and enjoy good energy!  Be compassionate and caring to your heart and be yourself with others” –Consuelo Morales

I covered the entire page with a clear gel medium to protect it and off to the next project!

Thanks for reading..be safe and look for your creative joy!

WinderingMindIField

Zentangle® Tile #6

I was cleaning out one of my many bags and found among some paperwork this tile. I completely forgot about it and thankfully I had written on the back of it the date it was created . 

Thanks to Jean Theurkauf, who was my first Zentangle® instructor, and who taught me that it is always important to write the date and maybe a short description, title or phrase to remind me what was happening of any special thoughts I had at the time the tile was created.  I wrote on the back of it when and where I created this tile, which was on my first class.  So technically this is tile #2 but I have labeled it # 6 the order published on the blog. 

The class was very relaxing and this is a very simple tile that I remember taking my time and feeling calm and relax while creating. I don't remember all the names but I will try to find them and then update this post.  

I believe now I am on an artistic road, since I started to find my art in obscure places..

Be safe and find your creative joy,
WonderingMindField

Bookmark Series: #1 “Readings”

Bookmark Series #1:  "Readings"

I love to read!  I mean I have read hundreds of books since the first time I got my hands on a little western picture novel my grandmother had left on top of the kitchen table some 30 years ago.  I am specially a paranormal romance junkie and completely obsessed with JR Ward Books as you can see on my book review page in this blog. 

I read on my computer, my tablet, hard cover, and paper backs, I do not discriminate reading formats as long as the price is right.  With all the technology, paper is still my favorite.  The feel of the pages and the weight of the book is something I really enjoy and is part of the reading experience.  Lucky for me my only daughter shares the same passion I have for reading and it is always a great source of happiness to discuss book with her and obsessed about the characters and the plot.  We always either want to rewrite the books or if we really love the story we‘re trying to guess the outcome.  It is a bit crazy to see the two of us discuss the stories, we sound like we are describing a movie.  That’s how caught up in our imagination we get.  I absolutely love it an in many times it is the highlight of my day.

Because of our love of books and the fact that we both feel the same about paperbacks and hardcovers (Love them) we love bookmarks.  The only difference is that I loose mine a lot faster than she does.  I have own and lost a few dozens of these buggers.  I compare them to socks!  You know how you can’t explain how the darn pair got separate and how you can only find one.  Is crazy what happens to them and so is the case of the my missing bookmarks. So when I started to learn Zentangle I thought bookmarks would be a great way to not only practice the tangles but a more economical way to replace the lost bookmarks.

I purchased a pack of 50 blank bookmarks for $1.80, since I used a 50% coupon and started my bookmark series.  Here is my very first bookmark and I will continue to show all the others I create.  I will also have a page where I will just keep pictures of the bookmarks.

Thanks for reading, be safe and find your creative joy!
WonderingMindField

Brother Scan & Cut Machine

Yes!  I Finally owe a fancy cutting machine.  For years I have been using the scissors, which is still great but my hands are getting tire and after a few months saving for it and with the encouragement of my husband I purchased the "Brother Scan & Cut" this weekend from Angel's Sewing and Vacuum Center in Salem NH.

I will be taking some time this week to test and really see what this machine can do and will be creating a separate page on this blog to talk about this machine.  I do say it better live up to my expectations after the kind of money I gave out for this thing. Wish me luck!

Be safe and always look for your creative joy,
WonderingMindField

Art Journal Page #6

Another go at the art journal and this mini disaster was the result. I always crack myself up when I try a new experiment with my art and it really looks amazing in my head but the execution, NOT so good.  

It started when I was at the dollar store to get some stickers and saw this Halloween spider web that resembled cheese cloth and I got this idea in my head that it would make a cool texture.  So I purchased the package and off I went.

I pasted some dictionary paper in the page and then proceeded to mod podge the cheese cloth-like web.  I was doing pretty good until it dried and it was not a good look or feel.  At this point I was committed, since I have this crazy rule that once I start a project I have to make every effort to see it to the end (that OCD thing rearing its ugly head again).  I then proceeded to add some color and then realize that green and lavender do not mix well together. A bit of a mud effect there, yikes!

You know when you reach a point that tells you is time to throw the towel and just change course, because the one your on has disaster written all over it?  When this happens to me I just go over to my scrap box and start pulling odds and ends.  From the box I got some fine glitter and sprinkle it over the still damp paint.  Added a dress form cut out, mini beads and paper swirls as well as some embossed paper strips.  I did the best to cover up the eye sore that was the fake web (cheese cloth like thing).

Lesson learned?  No idea what that one was.  I did finish the page with the world happy as the finish touch at top, to remind myself is ok to mess up.

Thank your for reading this and as always, be safe and find your creative joy.

WonderingMindField

Traveling Zentangle® Kit

While cleaning my purse (more like a tote) I realize I had way too much stuff in it.  I had a bunch of pens, papers, cardstock, and even books.  I was trying to carry all my stuff with me everywhere yet all of it was inside what I like to call the black hole that resides inside my purse.  You know the one, where everything that you need to have right now goes into. 

So I took a breath and started cleaning the black hole in my purse.  I have a rather impatient personality and I seem to always be in the move, either physically or mentally.  My mind like the title on this blogg wonders a lot, so I like to have all kinds of little projects with me so I can entertain my mind and if an idea strikes me I can just jotted down.  It occur to me that Zentangle is the perfect traveling partner, since you do not need a lot of supplies to enjoy the method. 

Here are pictures of my supplies, starting with the really cool zipper pouch my daughter had lying around in the desk and was not using.  We bought is for $2 and It is perfect for what it is carrying. Seriously, It had tangles on it.


What I carry in this nifty pouch are some of my favorite supplies:

• Copic 1.0 pen—Eraser
• clear quilters ruler
• Pencil
• BIC® Intensity Fine marker (my favorite to draw since it is sturdy, affordable, and does not bleed through)

Also among my supplies are of course Zentangle® tiles, black cardstock tiles and some round coasters. 

I also like to carry some stencils to add interest to   a tile if the mood strikes me.  These stencils     comes in packages and are distributed by Plaid® and the best part they cost around $3 dollars.  The coasters are great for zendalas and are very affordable.  I got mine at Amazon and they came is a pack of 50 for under $15.  The last piece I like to carry are blank bookmarks which are my favorite since I love to read and have been a great fan of bookmarks.


Carrying this little Zentangle kit is great and I love it. Now I can create my own unique pieces and never have a boring moment while on the go.

Be safe and continue looking for your creative joy!  

WonderingMindField

Zentangle® Tile #5

I decided that I need to find a way to let some of the stress at work leave my brain.  This tile was created on a specially bad day at work when nothing was going right and everyone was on the edge.  The bank statement wasn’t reconciling, the salesmen needed help and the phone would not stop ringing and then lunch time was getting near and I was out of my mind.  So while looking in my purse for some letters I saw my little Zentangle® purse (see my previous: “Traveling Zentangle® Kit” and behold I found my break in this mad day.

One o’clock came about and I took a break.  Took a couple of deep breaths and finished this tile that was in the kit for the last couple of weeks.  I must say, in the half hour I had for lunch I was able to find a little calm in the middle of the storm.  I am really glad I created this kit and now I realize how important it is for me and my peace of mind that it stays always in my purse.

Here are the tangle patterns I used:

• Webz (J.Theurkauf)
• Cubine (Zentangle)
• Hollybaugh (Zentangle)
• Bubbles
• Fyddle Head (J.Theurkauf)
• Leaves Vine
• Printemps (Zentangle)
• Crescent Moon (Zentangle)

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

WonderingMindField

Etsy Shop Adventure

My new Etsy Shop is OPEN – WONDERINGMINDFIELD!!!  I am so terrified.  I have never put my crafts out there for others to buy or worst criticize them!!!  Go check it out if for no other reason than to be nice to me.  All the art is inspired by  Zentangle®**.

This shop is one of my bucket list items.  It is very difficult for me to open up or show others my art and crafts.  Sometime before the end of the year I decided that I needed to be more open and try to overcome my insecurities about my crafts.  This is a big step for me and whether I even sell one little bookmark or not, at least I took myself outside of my comfort zone, after all that is what living life is all about.

Thank you and as always be safe and find your creative joy!
WonderingMindFIeld

Etsy link:  etsy.com/shop/WonderingMindField


**Please remember that my Zen-Inspired works are inspired by the art of Zentangle®. The Zentangle® art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and is copyrighted. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at www.zentangle.com.