Mandala Cards

The art of drawing Mandalas is ancient and relaxing.  For some it is a spiritual experience and for others an artistic out-pouring. I can't draw to save my life but I can make ANYTHING with scraps of paper. After enjoying several original designs via Google images I found a tutorial. I learned the basic idea and started making Mandala designs on cards.

My first card was bright, cheery, and a little off center.

My second card was grander with touches of red and copper.

When I thought I had the general idea down I made a standard size card in gold and blue. This design is much more detailed and exacting. Not perhaps how the Mandala was meant to be produced, but I was VERY happy with the result.

The website I used for instructions has a basic step by step as well as a nicely done video with inspirational music.

The Tutorial I used:

How To Draw Mandalas

Supplies:

Paper:Craftsmith

Stickers:Heidi Swapp

Glitter and Pearlescent Glue:Ranger, Duncan

Washi Tape:Love My Tapes

Button:Momenta

Word Die:Elizaberth Craft Designs

Doilies:Kreaxions Circle Cutter and Punches #906, #907, #918

Scrap On!

~charity~

Part of Me

Moving means saying goodbye to friends. This time it was goodbye to my bestie, Courtney. I miss that lady and all the long talks, not to mention the parties! We still chat on Facebook and exchange images, but I can't drive over to her house anymore. But she will always be 

~ Part Of Me ~

I distressed the edges of this layout with cotton and aqua mist, then I went over it again with a brown ink pad. I also coffee-stained the bits of lace I used for photo mats.

Sketch:

Melodee Cloud

Supplies:

Paper:Craftsmith

Punch:Stampin' Up

Butterfly Die:Kreaxions

Wood Veneer:Momenta, Recollections

Cork:DK Parcells

Zipper, Burlap, Lace:Stash
Flowers:Prima

Words, Diecut, Book Plate:My Minds Eye

Medallion:Basic Grey

Brads:Spare Parts

Alpha:American Crafts

Scrap On!

~charity~

 

Happy

This sweet girls has always understood the value of a pretty dress and well trimmed hat! She was SO much fun to dress as a child. She had a definite style in mind, but at least she had good taste!!!
~ Happy ~

All the diamond shapes in the border paper create a nifty geometric edge. I used triangle shapes to echo that design and mat the title. A bit of doodling in place of inking keeps the layout light and airy, reminiscent of lattice.

 

Sketch:
Melodee Cloud

Supplies:

Paper:Craftsmith, Crate Paper, Elles Studio, Fancy Pants
Washi:Love My Tapes
Frame:Pink Fresh Studio
Stickers:My Mind's Eye
Heart Punch:Kreaxions #917

Scrap On!

~charity~

Love of My Life

My sweet Lori never traveled far without her thumb. She was a fussy infant but early on learned the thumb would heal all woes. I learned to dress her with types of cloth she liked the feel of. It wasn't till she was four that she was diagnosed with Autism and the fussy behavior fully understood.
~ Love of My Life ~

To reproduce the dripped ink/paint look from the sketch I decided to make verical rips in my background paper. It took a few tries to get the look I wanted, then I used Distress Ink on the edges. I also dripped mist over the area. A lovely dotted gold pattern peeks through the tears.

Sketch:
Sketchabilities #146

Supplies:

Paper and Burlap:Craftsmith 

Trim:Hobby Lobby

Washi Tape:Love My Tapes

Mist:Colorsnap

Ink:TimHoltz

Scrap On!

~charity~

Painting Piggies

When my girls were little I often babysat during the day to give them someone to play with and earn a little cash on the side. Being a house of girls there was plenty of dress up and nail polish to go around. I also learned that most tragedies could be smoothed over with a Freezie Pop.

~ Painting Piggies ~

This particular painting turned out to be Coleen's first time wearing toe nail polish. I'm sure it was a ghastly pink color and that it was smeared before drying properly. My memory of this is a very happy little girl who couldn't wait to show everyone her toes.

Sketch:
Shawn Lahr


Supplies:
Paper and Burlap:Craftsmith
Washi:Love My Tapes
Stickers and Trim:My Minds Eye
Brads:Spare Parts
Alpha and Flowers:Prima
Wood Feathers:Studio Calico
Medallion:Basic Grey
Ink:Close To My Heart
Glitter Paste:Bo Bunny
Stencil:Memory Box
Cork Stars:DK Parcells

 Scrap On!

~charity~