Script School - Progress

It's been a month since I started this journey into scripting.

Last time, I said I would buy myself a pack of paper and cheaper gouache and just go all-in with this project, not worrying about wasting. So I did just that, and I even found a few tubes of cheap gouache that was on sale for half price because they were phasing it out. Score!

Over the past month, I've learned that I feel compelled to script at random times. I never plan a time to sit down and practice. When I feel it, I just sit down at my desk and go at it. Because of this, I keep all my supplies out and ready on my desk for when the urge strikes.

I've noticed that I can only script about 10 sheets before it starts to feel forced and unnatural. I need it to flow so once I begin overthinking what I'm doing and the words I'm creating, I stop, clean off my brush and walk away.

It wasn't until my fourth practice session that I felt comfortable enough with my technique to script words. And words grew into phrases and sayings. Some of them have turned out well and I scanned those into my computer. I haven't decided what they'll be used for but the point is, I'm starting to like the way my script, my own handwriting, looks.

I still have a lot of learning to do; my twirling needs work and my loading could be better but I'm getting closer to where I want to be.

Script School - Day 1

As I was unpacking, I looked at all the supplies that had arrived in my Studio Calico box for the life | scripted class I signed up for and thought maybe I'd start scripting later, when things had settled down a little more so I could really spend some serious time learning this art. 

But realistically, when would that be? There's always going to be important things that need to get done. If I really wanted to do this, I'd have to make time so why not just get started. 

I watched Kal's videos a couple times through, soaking up everything she was saying, then I got to it. 

I went through my blob of gouache and 10 sheets of paper in a matter of minutes. Towards the end, my pigment was so watered down, it was grey. I'm still learning to find that sweet spot on my brush that she talks about. My strokes aren't coming out the way I'd like them to yet - my lines were passable but my letters were atrocious. I have a very long way to go but I'm determined to be better. 

It still bothers me that there's so much "waste" - all the paper and gouache. But I've decided it's worth it so the next thing on my to-do list is buy a new pack of printer paper and cheaper gouache to practice with because that stuff is expensive!

Art Afternoon | Playing With Paint

After spending an entire morning immersed in Australian National Curriculum documents and various math and language workbooks, I started planning out some (educational) activities for Nathan's upcoming school holiday. Yes, I am that mom. At least, this term I am.

I brainstormed ideas for exploring history through constructing a family tree, and I wrote notes for ways to explore colour and texture. In my research, I stumbled upon Eric Carle's work.

I've always appreciated his books, so full of colour and imagination. Then I found out about his museum devoted to picture book art, watched this video of Eric Carle in action, and heard him speak about being an artist. Once I learned more about the person behind the art, I was even more captivated.

By the time 2:45pm rolled around, I was totally inspired and ready to do some art with the boys, despite not having dinner prepared. Nathan was a little disappointed I would only let him play until the bell rang but I think he forgave me once we brought out the paints.

At first I wanted us to paint the cover for a book we'll be (hopefully) making, but as soon as we dipped our brushes in the paint and water, all my plans went out the window. We just painted and painted with no restrictions.

We mixed colours and tried different techniques. We copied designs and created ones of our own. It was a whole lot of messy fun.

In one of his videos, Eric Carle says, "In art, you're supposed to be free" and that is exactly how we felt.

I'm hoping to somehow get my hands on his Picture Writer film and to eventually visit his museum. I think it'd be such a beautiful way to spend the day.

Experimenting With Paint

Ever since I bought a dozen canvases on sale, I've been meaning to paint something to hang in the house.

Last year, I made a couple handprint canvases with Nathan and Caleb's handprints. After that, I took a break from painting because I had no idea what else to paint, nor did I have the skill to paint anything decent.

And then we moved into this big house. There were bare walls everywhere and I knew painfully well, from carrying the boxes, that I still had quite a few blank canvases. Wanting to decorate the house frugally, I thought about painting something again.

And I kept on thinking but never got around to developing a solid idea.

Eventually, I bought a couple prints from Ikea just to fill the space.

That made me even less motivated to paint.

Until yesterday.

I'm not really sure what pushed me over the edge but I decided it was time.

This was going to be a practice piece so I just used a canvas that had already been painted on.

I used a nice blue called sea breeze, and white.

There were many times, even in the early stages, when I thought, oh man, I should have left it the way it was...

I had seen some really gorgeous bokeh paintings by Kal Barteski on her Instagram so I thought I'd give that a try.

Let me tell you, staring at pictures will not magically turn you into an artist.

Studying layers of colour will not automatically teach you how to mix colours or where and how to layer them on.

Visualizing different brush strokes and brush handling techniques will not make the brush move, or the paint come off the way you want it to.

And if you have absolutely no idea of what you want the final product to look like (except for the fact that you hope you'll know it when you see it), you probably won't know when to stop.

So you keep going for a little longer, adding a bit here and a bit there. You start to get the hang of something so you keep going.

I was painting to pass the time as Andrew finished his assignment, so around the time he finished his assignment, I decided to call it a night as well.

I think I'll sleep on it and decide if it's done in the morning.

I'm not sure this painting will be hung in any prominent area of our house, but I'm really happy I pushed myself to try something new.

Apologies for the awful photo colours/quality. I blame the paint fumes for clouding my judgment. Probably should have painted in a more ventilated area (aka not at my computer desk). Thanks for your understanding!

Ninja Ornaments

What does our home need?

More ninjas!

I found this super cute ninja ornament idea on Pinterest and I knew I had to make a set.

Can you see the little guys hiding in our tree?


Here's a better look of one of the little dudes:


I think they're especially adorable because I used the mini ornaments to make them.

Caleb's Handprint

Remember a month ago, when I did that handprint canvas with Nathan?

Well, after Nathan finished his own canvas, I had him paint another one green for Caleb. We were supposed to get Caleb's hand painted and printed that night when Andrew got home but it didn't happen.

Now, a month later, I finally decided we had put it off long enough.

I brought out the canvas and the paints and had Andrew hold Caleb while I painted his pudgy little hand.

Caleb loved squeezing the paintbrush which really helped to spread the white paint all over his hands, but we had a really hard time getting him to unclench his fist afterward.

I had to wait for him to open his hand and once he did that, I smushed it down right away, resulting in a less-than-perfect print, but it's done!

Crafting Binge

Four weeks ago, I signed up to do Amy Tan's The Good Life online class to learn some new techniques and push myself to be more creative, more consistently.

I started off strong and churned out all sorts of reverse appliqué goodies: a pouch, a sewing machine cover, a t-shirt or two.

Then, towards the middle of the class, I slowed down a little because the projects required a bit more self-reflection and effort. I chugged along, making sure to at least try each of the techniques out if I could.

Yesterday was the last day of the class and wanting to finish strong, I spent the night completing a few more projects to share in the class gallery. Here's what I made:

Our friends just had a baby boy, and the father happens to be a photographer so I thought this onesie would be quite fitting.


I was playing around with some watercolours and a straw with Nathan over the weekend, and I thought I'd make a sign for my side of the computer room (aka. the disaster area).


And finally, a mini travel journal for our trip home next year.


This was the first time I used my sewing machine on paper and because I used so many sheets of thick paper, I was a little nervous about the needle snapping in my face.


I just wanted to make sure I had enough pages for me to document our time back home.


I managed to use up some of the stuff I got from Studio Calico's Last Call!


And of course, a little envelope in the middle to hold any little bits and pieces that can't be stuck onto the pages. I used a bit of washi tape to alter a regular letter-sized envelope.


And there you have it! After an intense three days of Andrew studying and writing exams, and me trying to keep the boys occupied and the house in order, this was my much-needed crafting binge.

I love the feeling of being productive.

Handprint Canvas Tutorial

We've been looking for some simple and affordable ways to make this rental apartment look and feel a little more like our home so when I found canvases on sale for 50% off, I bought a bunch. I wasn't sure exactly what I'd do with them since I'm not much of a painter, but they were so cheap, it wouldn't really matter so much if I made mistakes on them.

When I was in kindergarten, we made little handprints by pressing our hands into a plate of drying plaster. I thought I'd do the same except with paint - home decor and keepsake all in one!

Handprint Canvas

You'll need:
- a small canvas (mine was 8"x8")
- acrylic paint (1 colour for your background, one for the handprint)
- black permanent marker (optional, for writing child's name and date/age)
- paint brush

Directions:
1. Paint the entire canvas with the background colour and let it dry. We covered our work surface to catch the drips!


2. When the canvas is dry, then comes the fun (read: messy) bit. Paint your child's hand with the handprint colour. We watered the paint down a little so it wouldn't dry too quickly and we laid on a generous amount of paint. Not too much, though, or you might end up with a big blob instead of a handprint.


3. Have the child press their hand down on the canvas. I went and individually pressed down each finger, just to be sure it would show up.


4. Let the print dry.


5. Then take your permanent market and write the child's name.


Tada!