• Art - Blog - Creativity

    Take the scenic route

    May 22, 2016 - By 

    I’m finally picking up my art supplies again. I’ve been occupied with so many other things lately that I almost forgot that I had art supplies.

    Almost.

    Each month I put a sticky note on my computer monitor with the current Art Journal Journey theme and more often than not lately that note hits the trash without ever getting more than a passing glance each day. Today I made a point of making art.

    Not wanting to wait for paint to dry prompted me to use gelatos to create a background. Since there happened to be a ewe and her lamb on the page I decided that a road through a pasture was appropriate.

    Take the scenic route art journal page using gelatos

    I did a quick scribble drawing of the road and used several shade of green for the pasture. I blended with a baby wipe. I used a portion of a rubber stamp for the trees…without them the page was super boring. Pitt pens and craft paint was layered over the trees to add a touch of realism. Once I added the shadows at the base of the trees and the sheep I was satisfied with my quick journal page and actually checked a challenge off my list for a change.

    I’m not saying this is my first and last for this Art Journal Journey challenge theme of journeys but it could be.

    Art Journal Journey

  • Art - Blog

    Dramatic colors

    April 7, 2016 - By 

    After completing the cover on my last art journal, I had some scraps of stamped tissue paper laying around. I layered the lovely brown tissue on the pages. This gave my background instant texture and an even more aged feel than the original pages already have.

    dramatic colors | Halle's Hobbies

    I really enjoy this color combo. It’s bold yet not something that makes you search for your sunglasses.

    It didn’t occur to me until just now that this journal entry is very similar to a small canvas creation that adorns my livingroom.

    dramatic colors | Halle's Hobbies

    Someone is very curious about mom’s camera…

    Halle's Hobbies

    As I was saying…before my ADD had me running up to take a photo of the livingroom wall…this color combo is obviously something I like a lot. The complementary colors work so well and the black and white accents give a nice pop.

    dramatic colors | Halle's Hobbies

  • Art - Blog - Crafts

    A second look: Upcycling Projects

    April 2, 2016 - By 

    Secondlook

    Since it’s April and this month is Earth Month I thought I’d share a second look at a bit of upcycling from a few years ago.

    eyes

    Oct 6, 2013

    Upcycling Projects

     

    We all know how to recycle and I’m sure most do it daily. Newspapers, cardboard, glass and plastic are all readily recyclable in most cities, at least across the USA.

    This is wonderful! But I’ve been really focused on upcycling lately.  Finding a new use for something that would ordinarily be tossed out.  Wine corks, bottle caps, worn out clothing, stained linens, broken plates…you get the idea.treesI showed a sneak peek of these a while ago. I made a wine cork tree last year but this time I decided to change things a bit. I used a Champagne cork cut in half for the trunk.  I think they turned out really cute.

    sewing

    I’ve also been using some scraps from previous projects such as the denim remaining after completing a quilt or two.  As well as the remainder of the dress shirts that I made wine bottle gift bags from.

    cards

    In addition I’ve been making a bunch more cards. I’ll show more of these last two projects at a later date. The cards have much less upcycling in it’s truest sense but I am still attempting to include elements that might otherwise be considered unusable such as tiny scraps of fabric and yarn. As well as photo trimmings. I have a cigar box full of photo trimmings…they have such vibrant colors that it’s a shame to toss them out.

    It doesn’t have to be Earth Day to be a little “green”. Do a little more every day to be kind to our planet. Last time I checked…it’s the only one we have. 🙂

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    If you’d like to see more recycling and upcycling projects please use the tag cloud on my sidebar.