Challenge 263 and The Sunny Window

Challenge #263

It's been quite a while since I have posted and participated in the challenge.  Life gets so busy at times that when you need it the most you don't even get a chance to relax and create.

This week's challenge (here) was quite fun... even though I just saw it today, I just had to do it :).  I'm not thrilled with it, but since it is the first I have created in weeks, it will have to do.  I still had fun, so that's what's important.

The Sunny Window

In our bedroom we have a wall of windows; I absolutely love them as I love light.  The only problem is that the semi-circular window lets in a lot of light as it does not have a shade. 

So, I have been thinking about what I could do to block some of the light, but not too much.  Here is my solution - window art made with used tea bags, and lightly painted with Inktense.  We will see if it will last :)  If not, then at least I loved using recycled materials.

2 layers of tea bags (one horizontal, another vertical) on top of freezer paper.  I used about 1/2 of Mod Podge mixed with 1/2 of water.

While the tea bags were drying, I drew the design on a large piece of paper.

Added the design to the tea bags.

Went over the design with 3-D paint.

And this is what it looks like at this point when you turn it towards the light.

Then I painted the different shapes in yellow, green, and blue tones of Inktense.

This is what it looks like against the dark floor...

... and here held up against the light.

Here is the window now with the sun hitting it.  The colors sort of disappear in the sun, but at night they are quite visible.  I will leave them as is for now; can always add more color later if I want :)

Of course, now I want to try small pieces, and experiment with other materials sandwiched between the teabags.  Lots of ideas, just need to find the time :)

Update and Junk Mail Journal

Update

The last few months have been hectic:

• Took on further responsibilities at work and so it has been pretty crazy!  Hopefully it will settle down in a couple of weeks :)
• Sold our condo, bought and moved to a new house.  It will take a while longer to get it in shape and organized, but at least I have most of my art stuff now :)
• Finally went to the doctor and found out why I have been feeling so crappy for so long - need iron!  OK!!  That explains it!  So I should be feeling a bit better in a month and back to normal in 9 to 12 months.  Back to normal is good :)

I hope to start back on the Diva Weekly Challenge soon, and posting more regularly.

Junk Mail Journal

New video of my art journal made with junk mail and other recycled papers (including used tea bags for the covers).  I wrote about it in this post here, but it took me this long to finally create the video :).  I can finally play with it now that the video is done :).

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all those small pieces in the pockets, but I certainly have a lot of them!  I do love to play with hand-carved block prints, using different materials and techniques.

I hope you enjoy it.

Challenge and Handmade Art Journal

Diva's Challenge #169: String theory - Circles

The challenge this week (here) was to make your string out of circles, and then tangle.

I had fun with a couple of tiles, the top one is my favorite even though the circles are very crooked

Handmade Art Journal

A couple of weeks ago I made a mini art journal to test the pages, binding, and basic concept (you can see it in this post).  

My idea was to create a larger one for me to use once I start working full-time again.  Since I won't have that much uninterrupted time, it will be important to be able to pick it up and work for 10 or 15 minutes if that's all I have.  

So, I wanted to start with a journal already full of backgrounds I can just keep adding details or layers to, some empty pages, of course, and also lots of pockets to keep other work-in-progress pieces.  So, this is what I came up with.

Art Journal Cover and Binding

Pages and Closure

Some of the pages

One of the pockets with work-in-progress

I will probably make a quick video going through the journal pages, but wanted to post these pictures now.  I hope you enjoy them.

OH!  And the mini album has been given to my 4-year-old niece who promptly got some pens and watercolors and started using it.  She loves all the pockets and says she will keep it forever :)