We all scream for ice cream!

My BFF Leona just loves ice cream!  Anytime we go anyplace, if there is an ice cream store nearby, I know we'll be stopping.  It was her birthday recently, so what better image to put on her card than an ice cream cone?

I zentangled the cone after drawing the outline freehand.  I then assembled it on to a glittery red card base and added an embossed red cherry on top.

This card makes me smile; I hope you enjoy it too!

Volunteering at PRC Art Class

About a month ago, I started volunteering at the local People's Resource Center art class.  The PRC gives assistance of many kinds (food, clothing, job hunting help, computer training) to the families that it serves in our county.

For the art class, I'm assisting the teacher, Cheryl, and helping to come up with project ideas and generally helping the ladies in the class.  Well, for the past couple weeks we have been building on the zentangling and bringing that to the class, to try their hands at it, and use their zentangled creations on cards.

Here are some of the samples that I made for the class.

 

The card with the turtle is actually going to be a birthday card for my friend Jenny in our walking group.  She collects turtles so this one is especially for her.

Found my Zen with Zentangling

Some months ago I discovered images of Zentangles online.  How cool, I thought. So I tried to self-teach myself how to zentangle, which is essentially a very deliberate, structured and repetitive doodle.

I found it to be very relaxing, which is odd given a pretty intense concentration level that you need when you do it.  But, I was hooked!  And it is immensely portable; you just need paper and a pen or pencil.

Here are a couple examples that I did a while back.  First, my crazy bird.  I love this quirky, bold fella.  I did him in my art journal, so unfortunately he hasn't been turned in to a card yet.  Not sure if he ever will be.



I also traced my hand and zentangled it in a henna color.  It reminds me very much of the Indian art of "mehndi" that you see done with henna on hands and elsewhere to decorate the body.


As layoffs were happening at work, I traced and zentangled hands of my Product Management and IT team members.  I added customized doodles to reflect their personalities and interests.  Very therapeutic, and a farewell gift to my co-workers.