Back... sorta

*pling* (new mail)

A reaction to an (almost) two year old post makes me frown. At first I didn't even know what it was about! When I went to check it out, I realised it has been a looooooong time since I last posted something here! (shame on me)
I had loads of stories to tell, ideas to work out and pictures to show, but as usual, life got in the way. A lot has changed since June 2014. Here's a little update:

1. We bought a new house and moved in August.
2. I started my new job in September.
3. We found out we were expecting our first baby in October.
4. Not much happened for about half a year.
5. I gave birth to a wonderful baby boy in May 2015 (born 3 weeks early, but apart from his weight, all was well).
6. Since then, I haven't had a lot of time to draw or tangle :( busy busy busy mom!
7. Our apartment was finally sold in January of this year! (we've been paying double mortgages for 1,5 years...)
8. It is now February. I'm finally finding some spare time for myself when the little one's in bed. Still haven't tangled a lot though.

As I said: life got in the way and I'm still trying to figure out how to balance work, being a wife and a mom and findingtime for myself... But I guess that's the way it goes.

Anyway, I'm not promising anything, but I'll try my best to update once in a while, so check back soon!

30-day Creative Challenge Day 30

Wow, can you believe the month is already over? I can't...

Here's my final entry for this wonderful challenge, Diva #163

Rixty

This challenge was all about trying Zentangle's new Rixty pattern. And a trial it was.. I'm not 100% satisfied with how it turned out, but I got some pattern play time while making this little tangle AND a little extra shading practice. 2 for the price of one, so I'm not complaining!

That's it for this month. Kelly had us all entertained, and I had a lot more creative time than I would have had without this challenge. So thanks, Kelly, for offering us this!

I hope you enjoyed looking at as I did making my little art pieces. Now on to the next challenge!

30-day Creative challenge Day 29

I can't believe the month is almost over, where has all the time gone?

For today's challenge, I completed another of the 3 parts needed for the complete 3-part card. I also glued the 2 cards together already. This is what it looks like at the moment:

 

This card is the first one I made using watercolour pencils. I must say I really like the effect it gives. Colours blend together nicely (especially like the way the dragon turned out) and I can't wait to get it done and see the finished card myself!

One more day to go!

30-day Creative Challenge Week 4 + DC #173

June's almost over and so is this challenge, I'm afraid... I really had loads of fun creating every day! Here's week 4 for my Creative challenge (a day later than planned, but the camera was hiding from me yesterday...).
Head on over to Kelly's whimsy and zen to take a look at what she and the other participants made these past weeks!

Day 22 - Find an image or symbol that calls out to you.
When I first started on the Hamza hand, it really was because it called out to me. For some reason a million ideas came to mind when I printed it, but they were all far gone by the time I wanted to start drawing. This template was a "nightmare in disguise" for me. A project way out of my comfort zone, but one I'm determined to finish anyway!
So it was time to put some more work on the Hamza hand. I really want to get this one done, so I can start a new template. It has given me headaches trying to come up with fillings! All it needs now is some colour and I'll have another Ben Kwok template done!

Day 23 - Use your favourite colour.
Hmmz, Don't really have one favourite colour.. But I have used 2 colours I really like: purple and red. Combine those watercolour pencils with a sticker and this is the result:

It still needs to be cut out and mounted on different cardstock before I can add it to the foldable card I'm making. But one step closer!

Day 24 - No prompt.

Camelia

Some more Dive catch up! Challenge 165 was a UMT. Every first challenge of the month, the Diva asks us to use a pattern from one of the other contributors. This time it was Camelia.

I had used Camelia before, but not in a monotangle. To be honest, I found it rather hard to come up with tangleations without straying too far from the original pattern.






Day 25 - Take inspiration from a how-to book.

Sand swirl, Well variation

Challenge 164, was originally posted on April 21. Every 22nd of April is Earth Day and the Diva always puts an Earth Day (or Amanda Day, as her son calls it) challenge in.

I didn't do anything fancy, just did what came to mind when I started drawing. The idea behind it is not using straight lines. Because the Earth isn't flat and is constantly moving; The flow of the ocean, a breeze of fresh air, even the center is filled with boiling magma. Everything is in motion and that's what I tried to achieve with this little tangle.




Day 26 - Revisit a project you did way back when. (Diva Challenge #173)

Bales

When I first started tangling, Bales was my go-to-tangle. I used it pretty much every time. Because of it's simplicity and versatility. By discovering more patterns, I used it less and less, but still showed up once in a while. So today is a Bales monotangle! Because I wanted to add a little extra challenge for myself, I tried out a different version of Bales I hadn't used yet in each section. Black: aura the lines, purple: no grid, blue: organic grid and yellow: shrink (instead of biggify).

I like how the tile turned out. All different and yet all still Bales!




Day 27 - Get out of your comfort zone.

The end of June, vacation has finally arrived. Two months of free time to draw, tangle and catch up with friends!
Not sticking with the prompt today. Every last schoolday of the year we have a BBQ with the teachers. A moment to say goodbye to those who won't come back next year and discuss the (usually turbulent) year that has passed. Because it got rather late, I didn't have much time to do artsy things. So I just picked up the card I'm working on and glued the pieces on that were already done.











Day 28 - Sunshine

Today started with a lot of sunshine, but late afternoon some rainclouds drifted over and they haven't left since. Thankfully it's still warm, so I'm not complaining. The plants were in dire need of some water, because we had a pretty nice June this year, with loads of warm sunny days.
No sunshine in Belgium, so I made my own today! I used patterns that make me happy when I look at them.

The patterns are (starting in the upper left corner and going clockwise): Featherfall, Buttercup, Kandy ribnz, Well, Jitterz, Printemps, Bales, Henna drum, DL Sunray, Hearty and Miasma.




 
This was the last full week of creative endeavours, 2 more days to go and this challenge will be over. And then what will we do???

30-day Creative Challenge Week 3 + DC #172

Here we are with the third week of this challenge. Going so fast, we've passed the halfway mark, June's almost over! If you still want to participate, you can! Head on over to whimsy and zen and check out how to join in on the fun!

Day 15 - Family.

Not family-related, but I continued my work on the card. Almost finished 2 of the sides: One Japanese garden and a kimono-girl. She still needs a second colour on the coat and will then be cut out and pasted on the card!

Day 16 - Create something that reminds you of your childhood.

Again, not following the prompt. Over at Lineweaving.com forums, I'm participating in another fun swap: "Mandala slice and dice" 2 for 2 ATC swap! Hadn't made time for it earlier, but the deadline's drawing closer and I managed to complete my first set.

It was so much fun that I'm thinking about doing another one before choosing the 2 ATC's I will send!




Day 17 - Round.




I guess, unknowingly, I stayed with the prompt today, since I made my second mandala. "Mandala" is the Sanskrite word for circle, which, obviously, is round!
Now on to some slicing, dincing, packing and sending!




Day 18 -Something basic.

Wednesday usually is a busy day, I go on family visits and in the evening I get together with a group to make some art. This Wednesday I worked some more on the cards: Another 2 done, only 2 more sides to go and I can start assembling!

Also finished the girl-in-the-kimono. Got her robes done and cut her out.


I really need to install my scanner, because the gold stickers don't photograph so well... Oh well, another thing to put on my to-do-list for when I have some time.

Day 19 - Find inspiration in a piece of candy. (Diva challenge #172)
I have no idea how this would resemble a piece of candy, but it was our Diva's weekly challenge: a duotangle, Auraknot and Mooka. Two simple, but elegant tangles.

Mooka, Auraknot

Day 20 - Mandala (Diva Challenge #167)

Well, Punzel

I kinda completed this challenge on day 16 and 17, so not going to do a mandala again. Instead I went with another Diva Challenge (because I have a LOT of catching up to do) #167: another duotangle, Well and Punzel this time. A love-hate-relationship, I must say... Love Well, hate Punzel. I just can't seem to get the feel for this one and make it look like a whole...










Day 21 - Use a medium you don't normally use. (Diva Challenge #166)

Diva's Tangle

Today's the last day of this week and I'm afraid I'm not feeling too well... Having some sinus problems and they come with Mr. Headache and Mrs. Snot. So haven't done a lot on this Summer Solstice day.

Since I don't own mediums I don't (normally) use, I thought about sticking to our wonderful Diva. Still have plenty of challenges to do, so here's number 166 U(se) M(y) T(angle). Every first Monday the challenge is to implement one specific tangle. This time it was one of her own creations, still nameless.

Another easy one to draw, but I had some trouble trying to shade it.




That's it for this week. Please leave a comment, because I like reading what you all think of it :)

Remember...

... in my previous post I told you I was going to update day 14 with a picture? And remember how I didn't? Life got in the way and I totally forgot about that!
So to make up for that, I'm giving the pics a brand new post, all of their own!

The three parts of the card.

The card isn't finished yet, but to give you an idea:
I used 3 squares, which I folded in half three times: Once diagonally and twice in the middle of the sides.
I then cut small triangles from patterned paper and glued them on.
Each "white" square (without patterned paper) will get a different image on it (that will be 6 total).

This is how it will sorta look like when glued together at the outside of the small squares. Each part can unfold seperately, revealing different pictures!

A view from the top.

I've already worked on some of the square pages. I decided to go with a Japanese theme (pics will follow in Saturday's post), but you could also use family photo's for this!

30-day Creative Challenge Week 2 + DC #171

Alright! Here's the second week of this creative challenge. If you want to find out more about it and join in the fun, check out Whimsy and zen!

Day 8 - Think color.
No colour today, not even a finished product. I started working on a Ben Kwok template, the Hamza Hand. I'm finding this one a bit difficult to fill, not really sure what patterns to use. Guess my muse was on vacation...

Day 9 - Find something inspiring in her video and create something new.

Not really "art" in the usual sense of the word, but I have been creating! A ceiling for our hallway, that is. By the time we were done putting in the framework and the first few rows, it was past 9pm and we still hadn't had dinner! I didn't even have the strength to pick up my pens anymore, so the ceiling, for me, is my entry for today!

Day 10 - No procrastinating
Today we finished the ceiling. Turns out? It looks amazing! Our dark hallway seems so much brighter now, I'm a happy little camper :D After almost 3 years of living here, we finally have our new ceiling, no more procrastinating!

Beadlines, Bridgen/Stone necklace

I squeezed in a little tangle time before going to bed. The Diva challenged us this week to be inspired by the word "Courage". I can't believe the amounts of strength (and courage) she must have to keep going. Though she has three wonderful boys in her life to make it all worth while :) Beads of courage instantly reminded me of Beadlines, Bridgen and Stone necklace. So I combined those patterns in a simple tangle 'moed' (the Dutch word for courage).

Day 11 - Use dots of some kind in whatever you make.

Tipple, Florz, Coaster, Jemz

Loads of "dots", though they're a bit bigger than usual. Circles, diamonds and orbs!
I've found out that Tipple is my go-to tangle for smaller spaces. Those little orbs turn up everywhere!





Day 12 - Growth.
I worked some more on the hamza hand today. It's taking a loong time to finish and I'm not sure whether I like the way it's turning out, but it's a process I'm going through, learning more about my own work and possibilities, growing into my own artistic self, so I guess that's a good thing.

Day 13 - Music!

Rain

Again not following the prompt today, but I did get to finish another Diva Challenge. #168 this was to only use the pattern "Rain". You can find it here.















Day 14 -Cards.
Though I have finished this one, I didn't have my camera nearby... Will update this post with a pic tomorrow! (little hint: I am working on a card!)

That's it for week 2! Almost halfway and so far I haven't missed a single one, yay!
If you have any tips&tricks or just want to let me know what you think, feel free to post a comment!

30-day Creative Challenge Week 1 + DC #170

Here we are with the first week of artsy things! I have included the daily prompts, but haven't always used them.

Day 1 - Consider using a theme from nature!
I used String 105 from TanglePatterns.com Strings, because of the leafyness of it. I'm not 100% sure I like it, but 'm afraid I'll ruin it completely by adding more to it...

Fescu, Aura-Leah, Bluebonnets

Day 2 - Shading
I just went with the flow, and this is what came out. I really have a hard time shading, even the Zentangles, that don't have a "wrong" way, seem odd to me when I shade them. I've looked up shading tutorials all over the net, but they don't seem to help... I still get the feeling of unrealness from my work...

Tipple, Knightsbrigde, Bales, Beadlines, River

The shading isn't really visible on the first photo, but it is there!







Day 3 - Just DO it!

Quib, Bugles, Fife

I don't think I've ever participated in the Diva's challenge, even though I've been wanting to jump in for a while now. My OCD self is holding me back, cause "You can't start at challenge nr. 5874520!!! No, you start at 1 and work your way up!"
Since that gets harder to do every week that passes by, I decided to JUST DO IT!

I think it worked out ok. At first I didn't like the way Fife was turning out, but when the tile was finished, I had a good feeling about it. Yay for me and on to the next challenge! Only 169 left to do to catch up . . .





Day 4 - GO with it!
For our fourth day I decided to start working on a mandala. I have a Chakra-mandala workbook which I've been planning to try out, but haven't gotten to yet. This challenge is a great way for me to at least start working on them!   

It's A4 in size and apart from this initial pencil drawing, I have no idea what I'm going to do with it yet. Let's just wait and see what comes up.

Day 5 - Consider doing something you've been wanting to try for a while.
Not going with the prompt today, I went with another Diva Challenge. #169 was up (I decided to do them backwards, or at least for now): Circles as a string:

'Nzeppel, Tipple, Auraknot

 I first drew an entire circle, I kept the compass width and drew 4 quarter circles at each corner of the page. Inside I drew the smaller circle to connect every quarter circle (it looked really empty without the center circle).

I think I might use this 30-day challenge to complete lots more of the Diva's challenges and try to catch up this way!





Day 6 - I'd like to encourage you to include a heart for today.
Today I continued working on my Root Chakra mandala. I inked the pencil lines and did the first colour.

Day 7 - Work on a multi-day project for the weekend.
What a coincidence! Today I worked on (and finished) the mandala I have been working on this week. I coloured the inner circles with a darker red and "shaded" with a green pencil. Since it's the root chakra, I tried to keep it as simple as possible. The knotwork looks pretty intricate, but if you keep the "over-under" in your head, it's hard to make a mistake.

Wow, can't believe the first week is over already! I had a lot of fun taking daily time for drawing and hopefully will make this a constant in my life. I feel a lot more relaxed and can't wait to start with the second week tomorrow!

Feel free to comment and let me know what you think!