Learn something New--Slipper Camp Exercise Two

Today’s Slipper Camp Workout:

Learn something new.

 

Keep your mind and yourself growing by learning something new at least every few days. It doesn’t have to be complex, just something you’ve never learned before today.

Who knew there were heated slippers?

Examples:

·         Learn a new word

·         Learn a second route to your destination

·         Learn what complimentary colors really mean on the color wheel

·         Learn the middle name of someone you contact regularly

Tips/Enhancements:

·         If you can, use the new thing you learned today

·         Learn a new thing was learned from a child 11 or under 

·         Find a new thing that makes your everyday life easier

 

Slipper Camp: A kinder, gentler boot camp designed to assist you in living well.

Camp Motto: Being Kind to Yourself Makes you Strong

 Follow along with the  Slipper camp tasks on the Live Safe, Live Well FacebookPage: https://www.facebook.com/kNACkofit?ref=br_rs

 Postscript:

Have you ever used Reddit? Click above video for wonderful and simple explanation. There is a page I like there called "What I learned today." Great resource for learning something new topics range from cancer research to Star Wars...all are documented.

 

 

Art Doll Collage Card

My cherished friend Cindy was having a birthday and I wanted to make a fabulous card. I have been viewing a lot of the "she art" lately and thought I would incorporate that theme.


I used an 11.5" by 4.25" card base and layered on dictionary paper, ink, pale yellow cardstock and then the doll.

I made her head first and then fitted the body, crown, arms, legs, and hair to work with body. I started to write "fitted to scale" but this dolly is not really to scale at all, is she?

I used print paper scraps (I think it might be Basic Grey, but don't quote me). All the parts are outlined in black ink.

I had a cool envelope in my stash for the card. This one took about 2 hours to complete and I loved every minute of it.

Dictionary Pages everywhere

This design is adorable with the ballet skirt
cut separately and slipped on the doll. Makes
a pretty hanging ornament.

After buying two huge dictionaries at a yard sale I began working them into all kinds of projects. The paper is thin, so it collages well and light background so it can be stamped and colored.


Try those paper chain dolls or just a solo dancer for a design reminiscent of childhood treasures.

All three of the dancer cards were featured
in a make-n-take at the FCC Crop & Stamp
fundraiser. They can be assembled quickly

Adapt and change patterns to work with the dictionary paper. I used one I found through Pinterest that was designed to hang. The pattern was large and the skirt had cuts like a snowflake.

Friendship Blooms in Open Hearts--Recycled from previously used greeting cards

Shaping up Nicely

All of these cards were drawn and cut from circles. We used recycled greeting cards and paper scraps.

The card blanks, including the printed file folder ones, were purchased on sale at major craft store and are manufactured by DCV. They are really handy for quick cards when affordable.

Just Cuttin' Up

More designs from the Recycled Greeting creative session taught this summer:

Designer note: Use a black
pen to make borders around
the shapes and around the edges
of the card. Stamp or write
word greetings on the front
to balance design.


Circles and leaves--simple easy fun.
Reminds me of the amazing and
talented Mary Engelbreit.



Just one big bloom & handwritten sentiment.            



Just draw, cut, and paste. This design used print
 paper from scrapbooking scraps.

Let's give some art away

Wish Big with three candles.

Designing and delivering creative arts classes for the first time in years has been a joyful experience for me in 2013. These creative art sessions are free and designed with the premise that it doesn't take a ton of supplies and tools to make fun cards and gifts. One of the philosophies of these programs is that when we create we honor our Great Creator.

Wish Big sentiment printed from computer.
Candle and flame cut from greeting cards.

The sessions are held monthly (except November and December) at First Christian Church in West Palm Beach, FL. We meet on Saturday morning from 10am-12pm. Feel welcome to email me if you wish to attend or start a similar program in your area.

One of my favorite sessions featured recycling previously used greeting cards into new cards. We starting with free-hand drawing of shapes onto the cards, cut them out, and pieced the shapes together. We used a "guide sheet" of shapes to get us started and I've published that here along with a few samples. Stay tuned for more designs from this session.

Pattern/guide for freehand drawings

Experience Discovery

"Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead." 1 Peter 1:6, 5x7"
 original art card by NAChattin 2013

For the last few years I’ve had an annual “one little word” with me throughout the year. I didn’t call it the “OLW” until later when I discovered that lots of writers and art journalists were doing it too—and doing it in ways I really liked. (http://aliedwards.com/blog/one-little-word  and http://onelittleword.typepad.com/ for example) I combined their techniques with mine.

One of the many awesome God-things about joining First Christian church in WestPalm Beach was that they do a “OLW” for the entire congregation. The words are printed on stars and drawn by every member. I drew EXPERIENCE as my OLW for 2013.

One of my wonderful art EXPERIENCES this year has been to start doodling and painting and collaging on cards and occasionally canvas. I’ve had a sketchbook near me when I am relaxing and I’ve been studying the work of scads of other artists online, mostly on Pinterest. From simple shapes to Zen-tangles, I love using pens, paper, and glue to make designs that are unique.

 

"Just my size" 5x7" original art card by NAChattin

 

 

To see all of the posts of my original to me designs click on key word Uncharted Destination tour.

 

 

RSS Feeds--Nothing like Catching up with the times

I use bookmarks like a banshee on my internet browser. I have them all in labeled folders and across the toolbar. I also have a home page that my browser opens to each time I use the internet.

Just last month I discovered a faster, better way to check in on my favorite sites and blogs. I learned how to use my browser home page as a reader and now when I go on the internet I can see immediately if any of my favorite spots have updated information.

"Boink" goes the palm of my hand to my forehead. Now I know all my high tech friends have had this going on for ages--but I also know some of my artsy followers are like me with the internet. We found a way that worked and we haven't changed habits since then....

Here's a great video (from 2007--blush) about how to make RSS feeds work for you. It's so easy Norma Anne can do it. Give it a try and be sure to add the Artful Tourist blog and web site to your readers. THANKS!

The Guitar--My Acrylic on Canvas Adventure

Funny how thinking about other people can bring you to new places in your own growth…Okay, it’s not funny, it’s fabulous and it’s fact. Serendipity is splendid.

I wanted to share a dose of creativity with Marina and ended up opening myself to new directions as well. We went to Uptown Art http://www.uptownart.com/landing.php  in City Place and created a marvelous painting of a funky guitar on canvas with acrylic paint in about two hours.


The guitar is my early Father’s Day gift to Sir Henry, who was thrilled to see me walk in the door felling great and bringing him a present. The time with Marina was precious and seeing her glow with the joy of creativity was inspiring.

In addition to accomplishing my mission of sharing time and art with Marina I enjoyed making something for my husband and I received a welcome infusion of self-empowerment and confidence

I am taking a summer sabbatical from Anton Academy, the fabulous school where I work part-time. This sabbatical will open up new paths professionally and personally. Check out my hire me page online and let me know if you are on this path with me. Thanks!

http://www.nachattin.com/hirekNACk.html
Put me in Coach—I’m ready to play today!


Artist's notes: This isn't the first time I painted with acrylics for Sir Henry. Here's his favorite that I painted for him. It's a tribute to the cover of our favorite Eagle's album painted on what I fondly refer to as the "speaker thingy" for our sound system.

Uncharted Destinations Tour Begins in the Land of Zentangle



Altered Art Journal Page-Horse of a decidedly different color.



When was the last time you did something for the first time? That question was asked of me (and possibly thousands of others) recently by Kandee Johnson http://www.kandeej.com/%20.

Yes, it’s cliché but clichés are often used because they’re often true. I believe I try new things frequently. I’ve decided to put my belief to the test and track some of my first time experiences. Of course, I have to add a codicil because it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t over-think. My codicil is that first time is defined as brand new or something I haven’t done in a quarter of a century.

Since the whole last time doing for the first time question is a bit complex (although catchy) I’ve renamed this journey as the “Uncharted Destinations Tour.” As the year moves along you can search on this term in the blog and check out my explorations.

My first Zentangle

Art Journals are not a new adventure for me; however, art journals are a great place to explore uncharted destinations. I posted a short piece on my Facebook page facebook.com/artfultourist about making a Zentangle. You can find out more about the Zentangle process here http://www.zentangle.com/ There are some enlightening You Tube videos on the topic too.

After I finished the black and white one in my journal I decided to see how much fun I could have doing the Zentangle techniques within an existing picture. I started small with the Arc de Triomphe and my Samsonella doodle dolly. Next I created my horse of many decidedly different colors from Raphael’s St. George and the Dragon.


Samsonella and the Arc



I am cheerfully accepting recommendations for my “Uncharted Destinations Tour.” If you know of a place where no Artful Tourist named Norma Anne has yet to travel, leave a comment or send me an email. Even better, tell me about your explorations and enjoy the moments.



Tiny 2 color zentangle spells a word



My Football Yarn

Project II-Prayer Shawl

Never thought about it much until recently, but it turns out I crave a yarn project every year during football play-off season. Last year I got out my crochet needle and some super soft baby yarn with the idea of making blankets for the two baby grands we were expecting in fall 2011.
In my mind, there were two things that I could crochet really well—baby blankets and hanging dish towels. Apparently crocheting is not like riding a bike. I could not get the stitch tension consistent and I had trouble working with the cool pastel yarn I purchased.



I stared at the crochet basket with the 6 rows of uneven stitches for the next 8 months. I finally convinced myself a month before the births that babies today couldn’t use crochet blankets anyway because little fingers and toes would get caught in the open areas. Whew…



Near the start of play-off season this year I decided I needed another yarn project. My church participates in the prayer shawl ministry http://www.shawlministry.com/ and that’s a great project for a Florida person to do with yarn.



Considering my crochet disasters, it was time to take an Uncharted Destination Tour.

Green Loom is 18" long

Enter the Knifty Knitter™ by Provo Craft. This tool takes me back to my Girl Scout days (Can’t think Girl Scouts without Tagalong cookies which can be mailed to my home address thanks). One of my Girl Scout Projects was to make a knitting loom and use it to create a project.

When you read on a package that this item is great for kids and teens—it’s a very good sign. I had only seen the round looms in recent years which make great hats. Knitted hats in Florida can only be used twice a year and one of those times is when you take a trip north. The long straight looms, however, are perfect for shawls and scarves. Even Floridians wear cool scarves from those fancy yarns.
 



Greetings from Knitter Land....

I purchased a set of long looms in December and asked for a pattern book for Christmas. (Thanks Dave). Before I invested in the yarn to make a shawl I used some of the baby yarn to make a scarf as a test project. Not only did the scarf turn out well—the knitting loom is a fun easy lap project.


 



The postcard from this Uncharted Destination Tour reads:

Having a great time with long loom knitting! I’ll bring you a souvenir when I return.

Hugs- Norma Anne

After the shawl I'm going to experiment with "plarn" which
 is yarn made from plastic grocery bags. I'm thinking outdoor placemats.