Weekly Wrap-up (May 29, 2016)

Blog Posts
5/22/16:  W is for Watusee and Wiffles

5/23/16:  X is for Xeni

5/24/16:  Y is for Yoga

5/25/16:  Z is for Zedbra

5/29/16:  FO: April ATCs

Personal Stuff
I have an 18-year-old diabetic cat, and some weeks are very hard.  This has definitely been one of those weeks.  I won't go into detail; it's just been an emotionally draining week taking care of her.

Interesting Stuff I Found on the Internet
I haven't really had time to be on the internet this week.  I am so behind on reading all my blogs.  I'll catch up soon.  Promise.

Most Popular Instagram Post
My most popular Instagram post this week was my Y for the A to Z Challenge.

Y for the #atozchallenge2016 Day 35/100 #100daysinmycraftroom #100daysproject #ced2016 #365frandz #project365 #artjournaling #zentangle

A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on May 23, 2016 at 7:16pm PDT

Link-ups I Participated in
Creative Every Day on Instagram
100 Days Project on Instagram
And I am finally finished up my A to Z challenge

How did your week go?

FO: April ATCs

ATCs, or Artist Trading Cards, are small works of art that are made to be traded with other artists.  ATCs are the same size as baseball cards, 2.5" x 3.5", and every single one is completely different.  

Last month I participated in my first swap on Craftster, the Ongoing ATC Swap (here is a link to this month's swap).  I have wanted to sign up for a swap for a very long time, but I know that I am not always good with deadlines.  ATCs seemed like the perfect choice: small enough to create within a deadline.  Now I am addicted :)  I love making tiny little works of art and experimenting with new ideas and techniques.

During the April ATC swap, I created two cards.  The first was titled "Lord Shiva."  The person I made this card for listed two themes that I combined to make this card: gods and goddesses and collage.  I started by covering some cardstock with a page from an old book.  I then painted the page with acrylic paint.  Then I collaged an image of Lord Shiva (from a National Geographic story about a water park in India) and a yellow flower (also from a National Geographic).  Finally I added some gold  around the edges and glued a jewel over Shiva's third eye.

I made a little tangled notecard to send the ATC in.

The second ATC that I made in April was for a science fiction theme.  I checked out the swapper's Pinterest page and saw a board devoted to Doctor Who.  One of her pins was a Tardis necklace.  It was shaped like the Tardis and had neat circular designs cut out.  I tried to recreate it with paper, markers, paint and pens. 

I started this card with some water-soluble markers.  Then I painted over them with some pearlescent paint with smudged the markers a little and gave the whole card a blue hue.  I added details on top of the paint with gel pens, then varnished the whole thing to protect it.  I also make a cute Doctor Who themed notecard for this ATC.

Because I sent two ATCs, I also received two ATCs.  First I received an awesome drawing of a dolmen from Craftster member blupaisan.

I also received a sugar skull themed fabric ATC from audio.  It has little beads sewn on it.

I've signed up for the May ATC Swap and have already sent out 3 different ATCs.  Have you ever made ATCs?  Have you ever participated in a craft swap?

Z is for Zedbra

A to Z Challenge 2016:  Zentangle-Inspired Art

I will be tangling my way through the alphabet.  Zentangle is a form of abstract art formed from tangles: patterns of simple lines and curves.  A traditional Zentangle is drawn on a 3.5 inch square tile.  Since my art is in a larger format, it is Zentangle-inspired.  I will be using the list of tangles on Tanglepatterns.com to journey through a Zentangle-inspired alphabet this month.  Each day I will choose at least one tangle that is new to me.

Z is for Zedbra.  Finally the challenge is over!!

Y is for Yoga

A to Z Challenge 2016:  Zentangle-Inspired Art

I will be tangling my way through the alphabet.  Zentangle is a form of abstract art formed from tangles: patterns of simple lines and curves.  A traditional Zentangle is drawn on a 3.5 inch square tile.  Since my art is in a larger format, it is Zentangle-inspired.  I will be using the list of tangles on Tanglepatterns.com to journey through a Zentangle-inspired alphabet this month.  Each day I will choose at least one tangle that is new to me.

Y is for Yoga

X is for Xeni

A to Z Challenge 2016:  Zentangle-Inspired Art

I will be tangling my way through the alphabet.  Zentangle is a form of abstract art formed from tangles: patterns of simple lines and curves.  A traditional Zentangle is drawn on a 3.5 inch square tile.  Since my art is in a larger format, it is Zentangle-inspired.  I will be using the list of tangles on Tanglepatterns.com to journey through a Zentangle-inspired alphabet this month.  Each day I will choose at least one tangle that is new to me.

X is for Xeni

W is for Watusee and Wiffles

A to Z Challenge 2016:  Zentangle-Inspired Art

I will be tangling my way through the alphabet.  Zentangle is a form of abstract art formed from tangles: patterns of simple lines and curves.  A traditional Zentangle is drawn on a 3.5 inch square tile.  Since my art is in a larger format, it is Zentangle-inspired.  I will be using the list of tangles on Tanglepatterns.com to journey through a Zentangle-inspired alphabet this month.  Each day I will choose at least one tangle that is new to me.

For W, I chose Watusee and Wiffles.

V is for Vigne

A to Z Challenge 2016:  Zentangle-Inspired Art

I will be tangling my way through the alphabet.  Zentangle is a form of abstract art formed from tangles: patterns of simple lines and curves.  A traditional Zentangle is drawn on a 3.5 inch square tile.  Since my art is in a larger format, it is Zentangle-inspired.  I will be using the list of tangles on Tanglepatterns.com to journey through a Zentangle-inspired alphabet this month.  Each day I will choose at least one tangle that is new to me.

V is for Vigne

U is for Unyun

A to Z Challenge 2016:  Zentangle-Inspired Art

I will be tangling my way through the alphabet.  Zentangle is a form of abstract art formed from tangles: patterns of simple lines and curves.  A traditional Zentangle is drawn on a 3.5 inch square tile.  Since my art is in a larger format, it is Zentangle-inspired.  I will be using the list of tangles on Tanglepatterns.com to journey through a Zentangle-inspired alphabet this month.  Each day I will choose at least one tangle that is new to me.

U is for Unyun

Weekly Wrap-up (May 9, 2016)

Blog Posts
5/2/16:  April Monthly Check-in

5/2/16:  R is for Ragz and Rashell

5/3/16:  S is for Sprigs

Personal Stuff
Nothing much.  My eyes are still bothering me although they are getting better.  Work is getting stressful as it's almost the end of the school year.  Good thing I have multiple hobbies to help me relax :)

Interesting Stuff I Found on the Internet
I have not been on the internet much this week, only when necessary, as my eyes are still bothering me.  Allergies!

Most Popular Instagram Post
My most popular Instagram post this week was my post for S in the A to Z challenge.

The #atozchallenge continues for me. Day 15/100 #100daysinmycraftroom #ced2016 #100daysproject #artjournaling #zentangle #atozchallenge2016

A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on May 3, 2016 at 9:39pm PDT

Link-ups I Participated in
Creative Every Day on Instagram
100 Days Project on Instagram
And I am finishing up my A to Z challenge

How did your week go?

T is for Tamisolo and Triral

A to Z Challenge 2016:  Zentangle-Inspired Art

I will be tangling my way through the alphabet.  Zentangle is a form of abstract art formed from tangles: patterns of simple lines and curves.  A traditional Zentangle is drawn on a 3.5 inch square tile.  Since my art is in a larger format, it is Zentangle-inspired.  I will be using the list of tangles on Tanglepatterns.com to journey through a Zentangle-inspired alphabet this month.  Each day I will choose at least one tangle that is new to me.

T is for Tamisolo and Triral

S is for Sprigs

A to Z Challenge 2016:  Zentangle-Inspired Art

I will be tangling my way through the alphabet.  Zentangle is a form of abstract art formed from tangles: patterns of simple lines and curves.  A traditional Zentangle is drawn on a 3.5 inch square tile.  Since my art is in a larger format, it is Zentangle-inspired.  I will be using the list of tangles on Tanglepatterns.com to journey through a Zentangle-inspired alphabet this month.  Each day I will choose at least one tangle that is new to me.

Sprigs

R is for Ragz and Rashell

A to Z Challenge 2016:  Zentangle-Inspired Art

I will be tangling my way through the alphabet.  Zentangle is a form of abstract art formed from tangles: patterns of simple lines and curves.  A traditional Zentangle is drawn on a 3.5 inch square tile.  Since my art is in a larger format, it is Zentangle-inspired.  I will be using the list of tangles on Tanglepatterns.com to journey through a Zentangle-inspired alphabet this month.  Each day I will choose at least one tangle that is new to me.

I know that I did not complete the A to Z challenge in the allotted time, but I plan to continue until I complete the whole alphabet.  My allergies have limited my drawing and screen time, so I will take my time and get it done.  For R, I chose the tangles Ragz and Rashell. 

Monthly Check-in (April)

Most Popular Blog Post
The post with the most views and comments was my first post for the A to Z challenge


Most Popular Instagram Photo
This month it is a draw between two of my early posts for the A to Z Challenge

Borbz and BB #atozchallenge #atozchallenge2016 #365frandz #project365 #ced2016 #zentangle #artjournal #moleskine

A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on Apr 3, 2016 at 5:31pm PDT

C #atozchallenge #atozchallenge2016 #zentangle #artjournal #ced2016 #365frandz #project365

A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on Apr 4, 2016 at 9:52pm PDT

Challenges and Link-ups I Participated in
Creative Every Day 2016 - I participate on Instagram
Project 365(366) - I take a picture every day and post it on Instagram  
A to Z Challenge - I have been sharing on my blog and on Instagram  
Craftster ATC Swap - blog post coming soon


April Focus Projects
I didn't choose any this month.  I guess the A to Z challenge was my project.


Year-long Goals Progress
1.  Each month, choose three projects to focus on: one personal, one gift, one to sell
didn't happen this month

2.  Each month, choose one project from my Pinterest boards
I did not make progress on this goal this month.

3.  Each week, stick to my blogging schedule: Tuesday Tips and Tricks, Thursday Peek in my Art Journal, Friday FO
My schedule got messed up for the challenge but I did post pretty regularly, until my allergies took over

4.  Teach a crochet class
No progress yet.

5.  Send all birthday gifts on time
April birthday gift was sent on time