Yak Yak Art

Leap Day and Art

2012-02-29T09:52:00.001-06:00

In this Leap Year, it's Leap Day!

Billy Blue sits in the garden wondering if

this will be the day he finally leaps

out of it. I don't think so Billy.

Yes, Spring is near, and I've resorted

to watching the Weather Channel

just so I can see snow.

Heavy sigh...

Two projects that I'm working on:

I need to update my daily art journal

This project is almost complete but

I've been sidetracked with other things.

Tootles For Now My Art Friends,

D~~~~

Daily Journal~1st Half of February

2012-02-21T15:39:00.002-06:00

Here are some photos of my daily art journal page from the first half of February.

I love the colors!

They are very me.

And here's the girls hanging out in the studio with me.
Daisy loves laying in the sun.
She's just across the room here.

Sally almost always has to be right next to me!
She's just below my chair here.

Tootles,
D~~~~

Daily Art Journaling

2012-02-06T12:15:00.000-06:00

I decided to keep a daily art journal this year after reading Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's article in the premiere issue of Cloth Paper Scissors' PAGES magazine. I'm using an 11x17 mixed media journal, and I used two pages in it for January.

On my first January page, I tried out some recently purchased Smooch Spritzes. They come in cute little glass bottles the same size as a tube of mascara but a little taller.

The first January page is below.

I do NOT like the colors at all!

The Spritzing was cool though.

I'm not a big orange/gold fan most of the time so the colors are not me, and I didn't add anything else. I merely did a spritz and go! I couldn't wait to get off that page either. I kept telling myself to make the next page better.

Here's the second January page,
and I like it much better!
Acrylic paints and various markers were used.

And here's the start of the first February page.
I like it a LOT better!
I'm bordering on love!
More acrylic paints.

Below is a close up of one area.

I love using drywall tape to create texture.

(It's the yellow grid lines.)

Each month has a theme too as you may have noticed. January's theme was "Meaning," and February's theme is the obvious one~~Love. The purpose of it is to make me pay attention! I want to observe the theme in my life (and anywhere else it pops up) during that month, and especially in the little things. These observances will be noted in journal entries.

The themes are meant to be fun and not stressful! This is all about having an enjoyable experience so I do not want to try to find something relating to my theme every single day. That could create pressure and take the joy out of it~~my journal, my rules. Why not?

Big Blog Hugs to You All,

D~~~~

Journal Play

2012-01-22T14:49:00.000-06:00

I made a few marks in my 9"x6" journal while I was working on another page.

This is the way it looked.

I decided to doodle over it, and here is the result.

It sure was fun!

I used Copic markers, Zig Brushables and Scroll, acrylic

paint, and my very favorite, white Uniball Signo pen.

Happy Doodles,

D~~~~

Store Window

2012-01-14T13:50:00.000-06:00

As I stated in the last post, The Sketchbook Challenge theme for this month is doodling. This doodle below was inspired by the first episode of Project Runway All Stars. The contestants were standing outside a 99 Cent Store while being told about their first challenge (to make their fashions from items bought in the 99 Cent Store). The colorful store window caught my eye so I decided to doodle one and this is the result. It's done with pencil, watercolor, Zig Brushables and Sharpies.

Store Window

Have a Creatively Fabulous Day!

D~~~~

Mom's Doodle

2012-01-08T13:14:00.000-06:00

I am participating in The Sketchbook Challenge this year. The theme for this month is doodle. For some folks that means drawing or sketching and for others it's collaging, painting, or sewing over a sketched motif. Each person has their own interpretation and preference.

For my first contribution, I asked my Mom who is in a nursing home with Alzheimer's to doodle something in my art journal. At first, she wasn't sure what I meant so I took her hand and led it around to create a floral shape. At that point, I let go and told her to continue. Below is her doodle. That evening, I went over her lines in black marker, added the text, and colored it in a manner that I thought would be pleasing to her.

I wondered if I should have let her color it but I suspect it might have been a bit overwhelming. In any event, this doodle is priceless to me!

Now I'm off to watch the playoff games and do some doodling of my own!

Tootles & Doodles,

D~~~~

New Year Scripture

2012-01-03T15:28:00.000-06:00

At the end of the year, I was reading Dr. Charles Stanley's devotional, I Lift Up My Soul, and this scripture jumped out at me so I had to add it to my art journal.

It certainly makes a statement

about New Year's resolutions!

I've really been stuck on bright greens, purples and pinks lately.

Oh well! They're certainly happy hues!

I hope you're having an Artfully Creative Day!

D~~~~

Alphabet Action to Close Out 2011

2011-12-31T18:52:00.000-06:00

I was playing around in my art journal, and as you can see, I had a little alphabet action going on.

It won't be long now before 2011 is over and 2012 begins. I wish you all a very Happy New Year, and may it be filled with an abundance of blessings!

D~~~~

Afternoon Coffee in A Christmas Gift Mug

2011-12-19T15:57:00.000-06:00

I'm having my afternoon coffee in a Christmas Gift Mug. The six-mug set sports three festive and colorful designs. They were a Christmas gift several years back from my fun son and daughter-in-law. The set rocks!

I do LOVE my afternoon coffee

in the Christmas Gift Mug.

The cute gift design is embossed and

I often rub my thumb over it.

Oh the joy!

Afternoon Coffee + Christmas Gift Mug

Simply Delightful!

I hope you're finding joy during this lovely season too.

It's all around and in the littlest of things.

Merry Christmas All,

D~~~~

Peace

2011-12-14T17:22:00.000-06:00

While watching football on Sunday, I played with my watercolor art supplies and more.

I'm lovin' snowmen lately!

If we could only have some real snow.

Insert big sigh here.

Peace was done with my LuminArte supplies.

I wonder if they're the same as Twinkling H20's?

I don't know but I LOVE the stuff.

I'm really enjoying art journaling.

The heck with a barrel of monkeys, it's more fun than a freezer full of snowmen!

Creatively Yours,

D~~~~

Wintry Christmas Journal Page

2011-12-05T11:52:00.001-06:00

I purchased three Copic markers in blue, pink, and yellow, and a 9" x 6" spiral bound journal. Since Copic markers are a bit pricey I wanted to try them out before buying an entire set. My conclusion: LOVE!

I also like that the journal is spiral bound, and I can keep the pages next door out of the way. I played while sitting in front of the TV, and here's my first page in the new journal. I also used Zig Brushables, watercolors, a Black Sharpie, and a White Uniball Signo pen.

Making it wonky was so much fun!

Me + Wonky = A whole lot of joy!

Creative Joy to You,

D~~~~

Merry Christmas Tree

2011-11-26T10:59:00.000-06:00

I just recently started playing with watercolors and this is my first piece. The background was created with watercolors and I free-hand drew the stylized tree with a Zig Brushable. After creating the tree, I used the same method that I recently learned in an online Letter Lab class to widen various areas of it, and create the "Merry Christmas" text. The tree and text were finished off with a bit of glitter paint and a Sharpie.

The photo really makes the glitter stand out maybe more than it does when you see it live and in person. Doesn't the term "live and in person" make it sound as if the piece is making personal appearances? Well, it certainly does not make personal appearances at this time. Should it learn to sing Christmas carols, I will see to it that it goes on a world tour!

The Letter Lab class that I took was fabulous! It was taught by Lori Vliegen and her lettering is amazing! The class definitely helped me with my lettering, and opened up an entirely new world for me that I'm very excited about! I do love text and being able to make it look pretty just increases my joy! Click here to go to Lori's blog and see her spectacular work. She also has a link to the Letter Lab class on her sidebar if anyone is interested.

As I mentioned, the picture came out a bit too glittery. Does anybody know how to mute down the shine in a piece like this without altering the rest of it? I may have to figure that out when I have some time which is not now.

I really like Christmas trees and I'm thinking about letting this piece be my first in a series.

Merry Creating Y'all!

D~~~~

2011~International Quilt Festival in Houston

2011-11-15T15:38:00.000-06:00

The weekend before last I attended the Quilt Fest in Houston. I was only able to be there from 10:15 to about 3:30 on Saturday so I was like a whirlwind blowing through that place. There was way too much to see in too little time but I was happy to be there!

This post is to share some pics but first let me apologize for the quality of some of these, and especially the information sheets. I used my iPhone and tried to keep a steady hand but have you ever seen a steady whirlwind? I need to take a different camera next time.

I bought this 8.5" x 11.5" art quilt from the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative booth. It's a national grassroots effort to raise awareness and fund research through art. I'm going to make some quilts to contribute to it next year in honor of Mom and everyone else who suffers (or will suffer) from this horrible disease.

This one was made by Julie Sefton from Barlett, Tennessee and is entitled Fireworks. The Artist Statement reads: "Fireworks filled the night sky, mixing with reflections from the houses across the lake. Explosions of indigo, egyptian, cerulean and aquamarine. Memories like these should be forever - so I stitch for AAQI." She made it in honor and memory of her mother using Superior glitter thread and free motion quilting. Of course, the bling caught my attention!

As usual, there was all kinds of glorious stuff!
Colorful, life-size horses!
They were pretty!

A quilted SUV cover!
That's not something you see every day.

Info

Then there were dolls.

Lots of personality here.

A mermaid doll

And more dolls.

Clothes

Santas!

These were awesome!

The Santa makers buy vintage quilts to use

in the Santas, and the only place they sell

them is at this quilt fest every year!

I think this was a cross stitch booth but I
didn't see anyone looking cross or stitching!

There was LOTS of jewelry

This fabric jewelry was neat but it's
hard to really see it from the pic.
Click here to go to her website
for a much better view.

And more jewelry!

Of course, there were tons of fabulous quilts!

Tis the season!

I think this one won $7,500.

Info

This is cool and contains some human hair!

Info

This serene quilt caught my attention right away.

I have a friend who lived in Kemah

and it's a very neat place!

Info

Beautiful!

Info

Quite spectacular!

Info

So full of color!

Blurry but legible

I didn't get the name of the person

who made this quilt but I love it.

Oh how I wish it would snow!

I just want to stare at it and pretend.

Cute!

Info

More cute.

More Info

The Twelve by Twelve exhibit was really cool!

It's a group of 12 artists that make a

12"x12" quilt each month based on a theme.

This was the orange theme.

And can you guess

the color of this theme?

So fun!

Loved this exhibit.

For more Twelve By Twelve pics and info, click here.

Finally, I have to share this Artist's Village.

It was so neat, and I loved it!

I'd seen these houses on blogs and I think in a
magazine but it was so much better in person.

More blurry info

I think I was blowing through a back flip on this one!

This was just the very tip of the quilt fest iceberg.

I could have whirled around there for days and days!
Next year, I just might do that too.

Creative Tuesday to you!

D~~~~

Art Journal~Page 3

2011-11-02T12:24:00.000-05:00

I finished my 3rd art journal page! Can you tell that I've takin' a likin' to eyes? I wondered how they would look growing on springs in a garden. Doesn't everybody wonder that? Here's my answer. I'm pleased as punch with the page, and I had a grand time making it! I see more eyes in my future.

I ordered the two books below and was excited when they arrived yesterday!

The first book, Journal Bliss is by Violette Clark. I've been reading her colorful blog for awhile now. I really enjoy her happy journal pages so I knew I would find even more joy amidst the fun-filled pages of her book. I love the cute cover too!

In reading Violette's blog, I learned about a free Raw Art Journaling webinar held by Creative Coach Quinn McDonald on October 20th. I attended the webinar and found it very uplifting and interesting! It left me wanting more so I ordered her book too. I've also started following her blog. You can check out Violette's blog here and Quinn's blog here.

I can't decide which book to read first because they both appear to be chock full of fun stuff. I think I'll flip a coin to decide.

I'm attending the International Quilt Festival in Houston this weekend, and I can't wait! It's always such a blast!

Joyful Creations to you!

D~~~~

My First Ever Art Journal

2011-10-28T16:01:00.001-05:00

After reading blog after blog about art journaling, I got a hankerin' to journal. The idea of mixing art stuff together with words is magnificent and fits me perfectly! I started my first ever art journal earlier this week and below are the first two pages.

My first art journal page features

this gal. I've named her Ella.

Acrylic paint, Sharpies and Zig Brushables

were used. A dryer sheet and drywall

tape were painted to create her blouse.

My second page features two of my

favorite things. I didn't name this gal but

I will name them all from here on out.

This page is acrylic paint, Sharpies

and Zig markers.

Both gals have big eyes (the better to see you with my dear) and rather large lips (the better to kiss you hello & goodbye my dear) but I love them. I find that I'm very drawn to this art journaling thing! It's a blast! More to come.

I've been working on a doll too and it's been almost done for awhile but I got sidetracked to journaling and other things. I will finish her up and post her soon.

Wishing You Journal Joy,

D~~~~

Three Fun Visitors

2011-10-24T17:18:00.000-05:00

Our sweet granddudes Preston and Triston visited for a few days, and they brought our new granddog Isabella Grace with them. You can call her Isa! We do.

Isa is an adorable Mal-Shih, (Maltese-Shih Tzu mix) and only seven weeks old. She's a tiny thing too so I felt compelled to measure her. Turns out, she's 8-1/2 inches long, and with the end of the ruler on the floor, and the middle of her body against it, she's a huge 4 inches tall! I thought I'd share a few pics.

Isa napping.

Our Boston Terrier Daisy seemed to like Isa.

Our Mini Schnauzer Sally didn't want

anything to do with her. She kept her distance.

They were cute together.

Checking each other out.
Reminded me of mother & daughter.

We painted pumpkins on canvas.

Triston and I made Happy Halloween Houses.
Triston's place is on the right and mine is left.
If you're about 3/4" of an inch tall, you
might want to drop by our little haunts!

Tootaloo Y'all!
D~~~~

Some Enchanted Evening

2011-10-12T10:01:00.000-05:00

The song title, "Some Enchanted Evening" leaped into my my mind the second I asked myself what I should name this 9x12 art quilt. It's a canvas painted with acrylic paints (some metallic), and the flower stems are Mizuhiki. The pink garden ground and all the petals are Angelina fibers adhered with Misty Fuse. For the centers of the larger flower trees (I like to call them "flowerees"), shredded party paper was used. Regular and metallic threads further embellish the flowers and stems.

Between the glare from the Angelina fibers, the metallic paints and threads, and the black background, it is a rather shiny piece. I had a difficult time trying to remove the glare when photographing it, and eventually I came up with this pic. It's not great but definitely better than others.

I also tried to remove the background using the directions in the Photoshop Elements 8 for Dummies but apparently this Dummy did not go about it the right way because it took forever and you can still see the background! Using that tiny little crosshair eraser was very nerve racking too! I think there's a way to designate the background as a layer and then delete it instead of trying to erase it manually but this must be in the "Photoshop Elements 8 for REALLY, REALLY STUPID People" book, and wouldn't you know it, I don't have that book!

Joyful Creations to You,

D~~~~

Cute Organizer Box

2011-10-05T16:32:00.000-05:00

I was wandering through Office Depot and saw this colorful, cute little box full of circles on a sale table for $7.00. I had to have it for my desk!

Jumpin' For Joy!

2011-09-26T13:56:00.000-05:00

This is a UFO that I started quite awhile ago. It's an 8" x 10" stretched canvas on which I had done some drawing and painting. This time, I added collage, Sharpies, more paint, and a few button embellishments. She's named Jumpin' For Joy!

I was really wishing I could get her under my sewing machine to add some stitching! Hey, a girl can dream, can't she? I did not want to do it by hand so there she is--unstitched, unplugged, probably feeling naked and vulnerable, but she looks joyful and I love her no matter what! Tee-hee!

I bought the stretched canvas before I realized that I love sewing on the stuff so no more stretched canvas for me! I still have a few stretched UFO's hanging around which I will drag out and finish one of these days. For now, however, they can remain UFO's!

Have a Creatively Fun Day!

D~~~~

Mizuhiki Cord

2011-09-19T14:30:00.002-05:00

I love Mizuhiki!

It's a colorful Japanese paper cord. I've had this stuff for awhile, and I use it every now and then. When I pulled it out the other day, my mind became a flutter thinking of ways to use it. That's always a fun thing!

I wish you a creative day,

D~~~~

Self-Portrait

2011-09-13T09:35:00.003-05:00

Here's a little 6" X 6" mixed media canvas done for a Quilting Arts magazine self-portrait challenge entitled, "A Little Me." I didn't include all of the features that I wanted to add because of the small format.

It represents me because I was born on Valentine's day, I love my two four-legged gals, God, trees, the NFL, and especially the Dallas Cowboys. The metallic paint and thread on the leaves (which may be hard to see) symbolizes my love for bling!

The tree, leaves, dogs, cross, footballs, and "Go Cowboys" area were all done on another canvas, cut out and applied to the main canvas. The piece consists of acrylic paints, thread, craft metal, and Mod Podge.

It's named "My Pals and Me."

Have a Happy Creative Day,

D~~~~

Home Sweet Home

2011-09-10T17:36:00.002-05:00

I finished up a UFO. Woo-hoo! I started it over a year ago and it's been sitting, partly because I just didn't do it, and partly because I packed up everything to move into my new studio. Big mistake! We converted the garage and it took longer than I expected.

This is a picture of our kitchen area.

This is the art quilt wall hanging inspired by that picture. It's entitled "Home Sweet Home." It's done on a piece of muslin--painted and stitched.

I really need to learn how to remove the background but this will have to do for now.

Have an Artfully Great Day!

D~~~~

My First Post

2011-09-09T13:58:00.001-05:00

Alert the media. I'm happy about to be sharing my first post!

My former blog was Nic Nac Quiltiac. I started posting on it in February 2008, and I've experienced a lot of art fun since then! Since the beginning of the year, I have slowly come to realize that the name Nic Nac Quiltiac didn't really represent me very well so I developed a hankerin' to start a new blog and here it is! I like to make art and talk (which in this case will be write posts), thus the name Yakety-Yak Art.

I am not a traditional quilter but I do love making small art quilts and anything else that strikes my fancy. One of the projects I'm currently working on is a cloth art doll, and when that's complete I'm thinking a steam punk art doll maybe but I have a million things floating around in my head so expect anything. In fact, I have some UFO's (unfinished objects) to finish up too.

Until I can post a finished project, check out my new iPhone cover.

I love it!

Not the best pics but they'll do. Speaking of pics, I'm about to take an online class entitled Discover Digital Photography. I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, my I picture taking skills will improve!

Have an Artfully Great Day,

D~~~~

Please Hang Tight

2011-09-02T15:21:00.002-05:00

Please pardon the nakedness of my blog.

It's currently under construction!

I should be posting very soon!!

Thank you and please come back.