Oh imagine the possibilities when you say I'll try instead of I can't. Well today I have a fun little project for you to try. A little doodle art. I'm using these great stamps from Yvonne Blair, to finish off my project, to create the perfect card!
These little doodle projects are easy to do and I find them very therapeutic. You can easily complete one in a matter of minutes, and look at how fabulous they look on cards.
You can keep them black and white or watercolor them like I did here to give them more interest. The possibilities are endless. I think these little guys would be fabulous on Christmas cards, Birthday cards, and even Holiday Tags. If you only filled in part of the circle they would even be interesting.
Wasn't that easy as pie? Ok I want to start seeing the internet filled with doodle wreaths. If you decide to do one, make sure you #YBArtGirlFun in social media so I can see what you did!
Hi everyone, I'm home alone this awesome Saturday afternoon, and decided to do a Live Free Ustream. I'm going to create a layout using the techniques that I taught in the class on May 4. I hope you can join me live, but if not I will try to record.
Oh my goodness we had a blast last night. We played around with some super simple watercolor and doodling techniques, and made these beautiful cards.
We discussed super simple methods for creating roses, rosebuds, and daisies. Then we combined these into a floral swag. Everyone was simply amazed at how easy it was to create these designs.
My best advice is don't over think it, and practice practice practice!
Also Note: The products listed here, are products that I love and use often. I have not been compensated by these companies to promote these items.
I have linked to Amazon, but I got mine from Michael's.
PEN SUGGESTIONS:
Of course there are lots of pens on the market that are amazing, and perfect. I am only going to talk about the ones that demoed last night. I have the Microns and love them as well, so if you have them, use them! Also remember that everyone writes different, and their hands are shaped differently. Left handed vs. Right handed makes a big difference too. I am suggesting what works for me, but you need to experiment to find your perfect pen!
I'm linking to Amazon for these, but I got this one at Office Depot
OMG - I LOVE THESE! I used these after I turned the recording off. I wrote the Thank You then Water colored the blue in the background (see pic above). They are water proof and smear proof almost the second you write. I would set them with a heat gun just to make sure the fibers of the papers are dry before applying water.
I'm linking to Amazon for these, but I got this one at JoAnns
This one is one of my favorite outline pens. It writes the best over the water colors. The line is kind of thick, but for this technique I'm good with it. It has a great flow, and I found that I wanted to write with it when I tried it out. This pen is truly the inspiration for tonight's show. When I busted it out of the package, I couldn't stop scribbling with it. I found that it is water proof, but only after I set it with the heat tool. It takes a bit to dry before it is smear proof.
I'm linking to Amazon for these, but I got this one at Office Depot
Sorry Sharpie - but I wasn't a fan. It is water proof, and maybe if I were drawing before applying watercolor it would work better. But I found it wanted to skip a lot on top of the watercolor. To be fair though - I was rushing the process and maybe the surface of my paper appeared dry but really wasn't. I'll test this theory out on some doodles that were made in advance before I pass judgement. I did use this pen for the first 30 mins or so in the show, so you can see for yourself.
CARDSTOCK:
In addition to these supplies, I also used 110lb Standard Cardstock. I would avoid watercolor paper if you plan to doodle. The texture in the paper may cause issues with sketches. The GP brand paper at Wal-Mart is PERFECT!
We also discussed using a template to practice your hand lettering techniques.
HAND LETTERING TIP:
I recommend opening your word processor (Word) and type the word you would like to appear on your card, then write the several times down the page, in the font you would like to duplicate. I chose a soft grey color for the font color. Place as many of these on the page as will fit. Do different sizes if you wish. Then print them out. This will be your practice sheet. Trace over the letter shapes until you develop a muscle memory and the lettering techniques become second nature.
I have created a sample using the word Happy Birthday. In this example I have used several different fonts for you to practice your handwriting skills.
Here are a sample with multiple font styles
click on the image to open, then print.
Here is a sample with one font style. click on the image to open, then print.
Just print these out and write them, until your brain can tell your hand how to do it! Practice Practice Practice is the best advice I have. Try making your own for sentiments you use a lot.
Here is the recording if you missed the show live:
Here are a few other cards that I created when prepping for the show:
Thanks again for coming to the show live last night, and hanging out for the post - show! I had a great time with our "Creative Play Time" and I hope you guys did too! Best of all I got to meet a few new friends.
If you try these out, please please please share them with me! I would love to see what you create. Tag me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and don't forget to #FollowingTonyaGibbs
I love seeing things you create using my tutorials or project shares. Please use the following handles/tags in social media to insure that I get to see your creations:
