Crafts: Art Journal

  • A Peek In My Sketchbook: How To Draw Knit Hats and Mittens

    A Peek In My Sketchbook: How To Draw Knit Hats and Mittens

    With cooler weather and lots of rain to boot at last a reality in my little corner of the world, my winter clothing themed crafts this year at last make a bit more sense decorating our home! I recently saw a tiny bit of clip art in a local ad that lead to this page…

  • A Peek In My Sketchbook: Mixed Media Owls

    A Peek In My Sketchbook: Mixed Media Owls

    This week on the blog is all about owls! Why you may ask?Well owls lend themselves particularly well to all kinds of crafts, and they do work particularly well with all things Fall and Winter, meaning seasonal or holiday decorations! And as you may know, I am all about decorating the house for holidays, and…

  • A Peek In My Sketchbook: An Abstract Pear and Peonies!

    A Peek In My Sketchbook: An Abstract Pear and Peonies!

    Yes dear readers, I am back on the road with my my sketchbook/art journal journey which took a short hiatus due to all the Jewish holiday preparations and celebrations. I have to admit, I REALLY missed drawing and painting, which came as a huge surprise to me, as the only specific creative activity I recall…

  • A Peek In My Sketchbook: Whimsical Watercolor and Pen Animals!

    A Peek In My Sketchbook: Whimsical Watercolor and Pen Animals!

    Now that I have finally embraced the idea of using my sketchbook to experiment with all kinds of drawing and painting, things are starting to get interesting! I have never drawn anything even remotely similar to the whimsical animals I’m sharing with you here, and I actually really love the results. Stretching one’s comfort zone…

  • A Peek In My Sketchbook: Simple Glass Bottles With Flowers

    A Peek In My Sketchbook: Simple Glass Bottles With Flowers

    Sometimes a super simple waterproof ink pen sketch filled in with some watercolor paint can look fresh and fun. After all of the floral sketches I did in various sketchbooks this summer, the time came to introduce some color, and this is the result……not a work of art, but a sweet illustration that one can…

  • How To Use Kosher Salt To Make Patterns On Painted Paper

    With the holiday of Succot now behind us and Chanukah coming in eight weeks, now is a great time to start thinking about Chanukah, as planning and creating ahead of time means you can fill your home with light and joy, which is really what it is all about. I’d also recommend taking stock of…

  • A Peek In My Sketchbook: Pomegranite Ink Drawing With Cross Hatching

    A Peek In My Sketchbook: Pomegranite Ink Drawing With Cross Hatching

    If you are having a hard time fitting an art practice of some kind into your busy schedule, a smallish sketchbook, might just be THE thing! After six months of a consistent sketchbook/art journal practice I am just thrilled by the concept in general, and have gotten over my fear of making mistakes or entries…

  • A Peek In My Sketchbook: Simple Glass Vases With Sprigs Doodle

    A Peek In My Sketchbook: Simple Glass Vases With Sprigs Doodle

    It is true, with the week long Jewish holiday of Succot coming up this Friday night, now is the time get to work on the Succah decorations! Truthfully, the little game going on in my head right now is whether to use existing decorations as much as possible (some of which haven’t seen the succah…

  • A Colorful Mixed Media Vase Of Flowers Painted In My Sketchbook!

    A Colorful Mixed Media Vase Of Flowers Painted In My Sketchbook!

    I used to have a fear of creating in my sketchbook, and now suddenly I am just as happy as can be creating in a large 8 1/2 x 11″ book, and being possibly more brave since I am telling a story about my creative journey within the pages. Every good story has its ups…

  • Negative Shape Flower Painting Exercise In My Sketchbook

    Negative Shape Flower Painting Exercise In My Sketchbook

    Negative shape painting is a great art technique that every crafter out to have up their sleeve, as it is great for making art and illustrations of all kinds, and especially wonderful when introduced to kids! This technique would be perfect for making art for the Succah, (think pomegranates, fig leaves, apples, olive branches etc.)…

  • A Peek In My Sketchbook: Floral Sketch With Colored Pencils

    A Peek In My Sketchbook: Floral Sketch With Colored Pencils

    Today was the minor fast called the Fast of Gedaliah, which always takes place the day after Rosh HaShana, and whose timing is excellent after all those festive meals! While fasting and catching up on some computer work after 3 plus days of being unplugged, I came across a few photos of the oleander blooms…

  • Apple Cake Cards For Rosh HaShana, Or Someone’s Birthday, Or Both?

    Apple Cake Cards For Rosh HaShana, Or Someone’s Birthday, Or Both?

    One of my sweet sons has a 17th birthday tomorrow, just two days shy of Rosh HaShana, and this year, unlike previous years when the men and boys travel out of town for the holiday leaving us women to bask in the freedom of just being women, ahhhh, but never mind, that is not happening…