Greeting Card Challenges

Are you like me with a closet full of paper, glue, and other supplies that only see the light of day once a year? Do you order things online--like stickers and stamps--only to add them to a bin, out of sight, out of mind until the next crafting retreat? Are you a tool collector? A paper saver?

If you answered yes, we might be twinsies! I recently made a vow to only shop from my stash and not buy any more stuff (already broken thanks to finding a like-new Cuttlebug at the thrift store). But I'm making somewhat of a dent after learning of the Bring Smiles to Seniors nonprofit organization that accepts greeting card donations for seniors. It inspired me to GET BUSY because if I donate 2,500 cards I'll get "Angel" status. Uh, oh...a challenge! Lol. So far I've made a bag of 50, so I  have a ways to go yet...hence, the list of prompts below:

52 Weeks of Greeting Card Prompts

 

And I'd be remiss if I didn't turn it into a BINGO game. You know...design...fun stuff. If you're on Instagram and feel like participating, be sure to tag your projects with #greetingcardchallenge and/or #greetingcardbingo to join in the fun. See you there!

Greeting Card Challenge - BINGO

 

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"She aint nothin' but a goal digger." ~ @DMarzDesigns

Coach Card

I took some time away from writing to create a thank you card for my kids' basketball coach. The session is over and the Jawbreakers' team of eight have officially retired their green t-shirts. 

Thank you from Team Jawbreakers

I've turned most of my creative energy toward writing (I've started Chapter 18...whoo hoo!), but this small project whetted my appetite to create another collage. I took a peek at Illustration Friday's theme this week. It's "dragon" for anyone who wants to participate.

"Slow progress is better than no progress." ~ Author Unknown

Story Map

Town Map

Project 44 of 365

I've been writing and writing...and writing. I'm loving it! Now that I have my characters figured out, I start to see story arcs where before I saw blank paper. I'm just going with it.

My first story is done with one major revision under my belt. I have sent it to another peer group for review and will learn their feedback at the SCBWI retreat set for the beginning of November.

My second story is finished with no real revisions made. I still have the last chapter to share with my regular writ crit group, then I will turn it over to a friend who is an exceptional editor. 

Now, I'm two chapters into my third book. At this time I was wondering about street names and how long travel would take between two set points. 

I had been using The Sims 2 Double Deluxe EA game to create my characters and their families. Then I was building some of the houses to match layouts with what I was envisioning. I laid out the town and added commercial lots...but then I found it tedious to flip back and forth between the game and writing. I also cannot label things, like street names for easy organization.

So, even though the game has helped me to this point, I had to turn old school and just draw out a map. I got a little carried away researching cool surnames and started adding them to my neighborhood. That's the creative mind for you...leads you down a rat hole when you least expect it. At least now, I have character last names at the ready :) 

Project 39 of 365

Fairy House

Repair and Painting Project - #39

A month ago, this little house sported bare weathered wood and a missing shingle. Back in its hay-day, it was painted all white with a green roof, sitting on a white post.

To fix the missing shingle, I sawed an old paint stirring stick to the correct length and nailed it in place. I coated the house and roof with primer, then dug through my house paint stash. I pulled out the cans labeled shutter paint, master bathroom walls, and fireplace. I up-cycled the latex paint and gave the fairy house a fresh look.

Fairy House

detail

Project 38 of 365

Characters

Project 38

I bought Creating Characters with Personality by Tom Bancroft and reviewed it last night. I puttered with a few doodles from the book.

Project 37 of 365

Ballerina Bunny

Project 37

I'm very behind in my illustrating projects, but for a very good reason. My writing has been in the front of my mind. I'm still working through revisions and having my book reviewed by a few readers for feedback. And, I'm already thinking of my next chapter book! Writing has become my latest addiction. When I sit at my computer, I write!

Back to the task at hand, illustrating! We went camping last weekend, so to honor my 365 project, I drew a ballerina bunny in the sand. 

Project 36 of 365

Heart Floating Shelves

Painting Projects

Tools!

I bought some unfinished floating shelves off Craigslist for a mere $25 and eagerly set out to primer and paint. Today, the paint was dry so I decided it was high time to get these things installed. Come to find out there is a huge space between the wall and the shelf unit so hanging proved to be a challenge.

I was amazed at all the tools I had to drag up from the basement shop for this seemingly simple project. Why is it, that house projects never go as smoothly as you think? Some kind of Murphy's Law on that one, I'm sure.

Project 35 of 365

Squirrel Ahead

Painting Project

I'm behind on my list of projects, so I decided some of my house painting projects could suffice. I painted this birdhouse about a month ago and cut a stand for it for my front yard. Just the other day I noticed that a squirrel (or a rat...gulp!) had chewed the bottom of the house and even the corner of the post itself. Ahem, that is treated wood, you rodent! That can't be healthy.

Frowny face.

Revision Time

Robot and Mohawk
Project 33 and 34 of 365

My daughter came in while I was sketching a galloping horse. I was drawing circles and trying to get a feel for what the skeleton was doing. She said, "You're not very good at drawing robot horses, are you mommy? But you are good at drawing bunnies and kittens."

Then she proceeded to give me advice about either sticking with it until I get better or forgetting the whole thing. The way she said it was pure genius, of course.

I know I'm "nickel and diming" my sketches here...but I have been working on the revision portion of my childrens chapter book. Over the weekend, I went through all 11 chapters and feel like I have it buttoned up as tight as I can without outside input. I'm so looking forward to my crit group tomorrow to get some fresh eyes on my work.

Project 31 of 365

Flower Patch

Playing with digital colors. No textures this time. Fun just to dabble. Roger that.

Wee! A Writing Spree!

I'm behind on my 365 project because I've been deep in writing land. I have completed my children's chapter book, 11 chapters, and decided to forgive myself for my illustrating lapse.

Clip Clop Karate Chop
Project 28

I still think horses are hard to draw...all those extra limbs and hooves that have to be shaped just right. Still working it.

 

Three Floating Heads
Just a doodle - Project 29

Love the Bear
Project 30

While I was doodling a cartoon bear face, my daughter asked me, "What's the bear's name?" Everything needs a name! So I asked her what his name should be, and she said, "Love." There you have it. Love, the bear.

Project 27 of 365

You Complete Me.

On a skull and bones kick, so thought I would stick with it. A great Valentine, no?

Project 26 of 365

Afro Circus Polkadot

Took my kids to Madagascar 3 this afternoon, and they loved it! Naturally, there were requests for the Afro Circus Polkadot song, and I obliged. I downloaded the song by Cotton & Gin (a remix), and it's been playing on repeat all...day...long.

While I researched skulls--let's see, there's one for the Jolly Roger, one for hazardous materials...and...what?

Afro, afro, afro circus!

Project 25 of 365

Palomino

I just finished working on chapter 7 of my children's chapter book and will be starting on chapter 8. Three more chapters to write before editing!

Back to the art front...I need to start thinking about my horses in action. Upright horses would be funny.

Project 24 of 365

Standing Horse

Today, I worked feverishly on my children's chapter book. I completed chapter 6 and started chapter 7. I didn't want to quit, but alas, life interjected itself, and I had to step away. I think I'm really finding my groove. As I've gotten to know my characters more intimately, I'm now excited to write about them and tell their story. I'm over half way done!

Horses play a small part (minuscule, really) in the book I'm writing so maybe that's why I'm a little obsessed right now. I'm not doing a picture book...but I would like some pictures included. Maybe at chapter sections? If so, there would be around 12 or 13 pictures, plus the cover needed.

Tomorrow, I'll throw some color on this guy and see what happens.

Until then, g'night!

Project 23 of 365

Just a Bunny

I played around with just painting it digitally but, ultimately, I couldn't get away from adding texture. So it changed from solid digital color to a partial collage. It's a process.

Project 22 of 365

Bunny
Character Idea

I'm currently writing a children's chapter book, and the very first chapter written no longer fits. I am wondering if I can take this chapter and turn it into a stand alone picture book...There is a lot of dialogue, so it will take some work to make the illustrations compelling. While waiting for my daughters at their piano lessons today, I thought about the stuffed animal in my story...a lop eared bunny rabbit.

Catching up on Projects!

Elephants

Projects 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

Doesn't take too many days of being off schedule, for whatever the reasons, before the days slip on by. I suddenly found myself 4 creative projects behind on my 365 challenge. Decided to buckle down and sketch some elephants to get my mind back in the game.

Project 12 of 365

Horse
Shadowed with black and white

Horse Sketches

The top picture is shadowed with black and white, while Horse, Project 11 of 365, is shadowed with green and yellow (with minimal use of black and white). Nice to see the comparison. Project 11 is definitely warmer, but, IMHO, not necessarily better. Just different.

I worked on some more horse sketches today. I'd like to get a feel for facial expressions and anatomy so I can create a unique character. Not feeling it yet...

Project 11 of 365

Horse

Tonight, I decided to dabble in digital collage. I experimented with using contrasting colors for my shadows and highlights...in this case green for the shadows and yellow for the highlights. I couldn't get away from my usual black and white entirely and used these colors sparingly to punch up certain areas.

Tomorrow, I will go back and add my usual black shadows and white highlights so I can see the difference more clearly.