Recent eye drawings from the sketchbook

After a year of using my beloved Holbein Artists Colored Pencils in my art-on-the-go kit, I finally swapped them out for some Prismacolor Pencils instead because I was getting too comfortable with them. And you know, as an art supply junkie, I need to give love to ALL my art supplies, right? *winks*

Plus, I also have a gazillion pencils cases/pouches that need to shown some love. You know how when you go shopping they tell you to top up your purchases to a certain amount so that you can get the free pouch/box etc? Yeah, I'm the sucker that always tops up. *LOL* Would you like to see my pencil case/pouch collection????

Anyway, I've totally digressed...here's my new art-on-the-go setup. :)

For this one, I went a little crazy with the highlights. For highlights, I usually use a Posca Paint Marker (acrylic paint) or Faber Castell Pitt Pen (india ink) or Stabilo All Pencil (it works on every surface).

This was the one I did when debating if I should go for a swim before dinner and saw a bunch of screaming kids in the pool and decided to draw instead. I generally like having the pool to myself to swim uninterrupted laps (very early in the morning or late at night). 

Anyway, not a lot of blending on this eye because I was going for the "artsy" eye. Looks like a bruised and bleeding eye with all the purple and red, huh? Hahaha.

This eye is more my regular style. But I'm still assessing the colour choices in my new art-on-the-go kit...I may need to add some warmer toned colours.

Hope you are having a wonderful week so far my friends. 

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Will I ever get a nice photo?

Yep. Will I ever get a nice photo? That is the question.

You would think that with all the "stringent" training all these years by the overzealous aunt the Gangster Gang (aka niece and nephews) would all know how to pose for photos right?

Case in point:

1. Nephew #2 thinks that over-smiling makes a nice photo.

2. Nephew #3 refuses to look at the camera.

Nope. 

Not even the promise of Ferrero Rocher got me nice photos that day. These are 2 of the best shots...*LOL*...seriously.

Just a fun layout using lots of paper scraps. :)

Playing along with the mood board challenge at The Studio Challenges.

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The self-portrait from my sketchbook

They say the hardest thing to draw is your self-portrait because you don't see yourself the way others see you.

Which is true...because apparently, I think I have bigger lips than I actually do (see my initial sketch)

Here's the reference photo I used. What do you think? Does my self-portrait look like me? *winks*

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Someone got an At for floral arrangement...

So the other day nephew #3 came home very pleased with his At for floral arrangement. Never mind that 19 of his classmates also got an At. The other 16 in his class got a miserable A or Bt. *LOL*

Of course, any achievement deserves a scrapbook page in the family album because as you know, life is short so we celebrate everything! *winks*

Just a fun layout with bits and pieces from my scrap pile. :)

Happy week ahead friends!

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This week's quick paper bag makeover

Here is this week's quick 15 minute paper bag makeover...

1. Measure and cut red gingham patterned paper to fit front and back of paper bag.

2. Remove existing ribbon handles from paper bag.

3. Run the paper pieces  through  the Xyron Creative Station for an even layer of adhesive.

4. Plug in the hot glue gun.

5. Adhere papers to bag.

6. Adhere lace trim to bag with hot glue gun.

7. Adhere floral and leaf embellishment to bag.

8. Punch holes in bag and add ribbon handles.

Doesn't it look much prettier after its makeover? *winks*

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10 (more) ways to use up your scraps

Back in January 2015, I shared 10 ways to use up your scraps. Evidently, the scrap pile has grown so here are 10 (more) ways to use up your scraps. :)

The story about the cheese tarts

1. Create a paper weave

This is a great way to use up quite a bit of your scraps. Cut them into strips of equal width and create a paper weave out of them to use as a focal point or fun mat for your photos. You can mix and match different colours and patterns. Keeping the widths the same creates a cohesive look.

This little fella

2. Try a limited colour palette

Decide on a colour scheme then pick out your scraps to match. Sticking to few colours creates a streamlined feel that is pleasing to the eye.

The Yam circus

3. Punch them out into shapes

Use the punched out pieces and the negative piece as design elements on your layout. 

Let's take a stroll

4. Mix them up to create a whimsical "scene"

Have a bit of fun with your fussy-cut bits.

The layout with lots of stuff

5. Create a "messy" mat of fishtails for your photos

This is a great way to use up the paper strips in your stash.

Someone had an ice-cream birthday cake

6. Play with shapes

Shapes can bring dynamism to your projects. Here I played with rectangles, circles, hearts and stars.

My version of pocket letter

7. Use your scraps to make pocket letters.

The fun little bits are perfect for decorating pocket letters to send to pals.

The pile it on card

8. Run your scraps through a die-cutting machine

Every few months or so, I spend an afternoon running my scraps through my die-cutting machine so that I have a ready-supply of fun die-cuts to use on my projects...like on this fun card.

Paper scraps and rub-ons on an envelope

9. Tear them up to create a paper collage for a decorated envelope

Mismatched patterns and a gazillion small pieces? Glue them on a recycled bubble envelope and give them some mixed media love. The subtle patterns peeking from underneath all the media makes your project appear even more artsy fartsy.

One tip on the envelope if you want to actually mail it out: leave a blank space for the stamps. The lady at the post office had to give me a postage label because my design "overpowered" the stamps!

Japan travel pages Part 1

10.  Use them to decorate your travel notebooks

The little scrap bits are perfect for adorning your travel pages.

There you have it.  10 (more) ways to use up your scraps. What is your fave way to use up your scraps?

P/s: Like these Tips posts? Click here to get links to more Tips!

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An embellished tag for Maya Road

So I got hit by one of those 72 hour bugs and spent my weekend in bed partially sleeping and binge-watching designer fashion shows on YouTube. Any little attempt at exertion like making my bed, resulted in an avalanche of drippy nose and teary eyes so *insert dramatic music* of course, I didn't make my bed! *winks*

I did however, attempt to make something pretty, like this embellished tag for Maya Road. :)

I started off with two pieces of cardboard (from packaging) which I glued together to create a sturdy base for my tag.  

And then I just went in with my hot glue gun and embellishments.

P/s: Happy week ahead friends!

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This week's eye from the sketchbook

Hello friends! Just sharing this week's eye drawing from my sketchbook. :)

Here are the tools I used...

They are mostly Holbein Artists Colored Pencils except for the 2 flesh toned ones from Prismacolor Pencils (I lost my beloved Holbein one in a cafe). I also use a Prismacolor colorless blender, Stabilo All Pencils in black and white and my Posca Paint Marker in white for highlights.

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Repurposing happy mail packaging: 2 cards!

So last month I received some happy birthday mail from my bloggy pal Lizzy Hill. Her packages are always wrapped beautifully so I often repurpose the decorative bits in my projects. I mean, if you were very careful not to rip the packaging, you could use re-use each of them in its entirety. But I am totally hopeless at opening packages. Seriously. *too excited* My bestie says I need to invest in a letter opener because my opened mail always look like my dog ate part of it. Except for the fact that I do not have a dog currently. *LOL*

Sorry for the digression but let's look at card #1.

The original doiley that was part of Lizzy's design was torn so I added a heart-shaped one to extend the design and make it a little more cohesive.

I added some texture with faux pearls, twine and a button.

I also added an ice-cream sticker and a "make a wish" sentiment sticker to turn it into a birthday card. 

I used a pink card base to make it super girly. :)

Now on to card #2. This time the original doiley wasn't torn so I glued the whole piece on a card base. The doiley was a little big for my card so I glued part of it to the back of the card. 

You know me, I NEED my texture so I looped some twine and added a button and faux pearls (yep, trying to finish up my faux pearl stash).

I finished by adding a birdie sticker and a birthday sentiment.

There you have it. Repurposing happy mail packaging into 2 birthday cards that my bestie asked for. 

"Just simple ones will do, " said my bestie.

"I don't do simple." I exclaimed.

And of course, I just shamelessly built on Lizzy's original designs and sort of made them my own???*winks* Don't tell my bestie, okay? 

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