Ultimate Blog Challenge - Are You Up for Another? - Day 1

So I am taking part in April's Ultimate Blog Challenge where we blog every day for the next 30 Days - today marks the first day!!.  It coincides with my current 100 Day Project which I am half way through, so you will be seeing some of these posts included as well, and much of the other things that I have going on.

I thought for my challenge this time round on the blog I would share all the projects that I am involved with, from art collaborations, course creation, publishing a poetry book and more and you get in blog form to be in on some of the wonderful creativity, I will share some of the videos and reflect on some of the work that I am doing.

It is a great way to stretch yourself, and do some of the things that you have always wanted to do.  I like the challenge as it gets me to stretch myself a bit and really step out of my comfort zone.  One of my challenges this month is to type up my poetry and publish a book, I will keep you posted to how this is going along the way.

I have been enjoying doing the Homemade Foam Stamps, as an artist you never have too many supplies (ok as a collector then) so creating my own stamps was a great way to get some new designs without breaking the bank (all I needed was a sheet of sleeping bag foam).  You will see some of the designs, will be showing the past 50 at the weekend - that halfway mark.  I just need somewhere to store them now, might have to make something - I love creating and upcycling.

Next up you can see last weeks selection of stamps and the mixed media art piece that was created with them.

Home Made Foam Stamps Week 6 - The 100 Day Project,  

Here is the art page for this current week.  I will resume to share the pages on Saturday, but wanted you to get caught up with all the deliciousness that has been going on.  It has been a pleasure creating the pages, and I have loved how the stamps have turned out.  I have some ideas for future projects once I have completed the 100 Days.

Explore, Imagine, Dream

You can catch the Handmade foams stamps daily on my Instagram - HERE

As well as creating I have been reviewing some of the books that I have on my shelf and sharing them, you can see the latest one The Drawing Lab, which has tons of great ideas in it, and was a good investment as you can continually dip in and out of it.

In this video I review the book 'Drawing Lab' by Carla Sonheim

Thank you so much for hanging out with me today and checking out some of the videos that I have shared.  You can also check out some of the courses that I am teaching on, and the current discount available for the month of April. 

Blessings.

Courses to Check out

Courses - Enjoy $10 OFF all courses until 30th April Click on the image to see the course.

Use the Code at the checkout - Create2

DIY Foam Stamps - Week 3 Art Journal Page #the100dayproject

 

So another week has passed and here is the page for week 3, showing the stamps for the week and creating a page which I will put in my art journal when complete.  

If you haven't managed to see the stamps created and shared this week here they are as follows:

You can click on the image to take you to the Instagram post with details.

When I finished stamping, I added a foam board backing and then completed the painting.

You can see the 1 minute version by clicking on the image 

Here are a list of the supplies used to create the painting, that you can access on Amazon, substitute where necessary:

• Water color paper - https://amzn.to/35VbznX
• Handmade foam stamps by me
• Ink pad - https://amzn.to/3CePxsm
• Distress stains - the dabbers have been discontinued, but you can used the spray -https://amzn.to/3pAHcdp
• Neocolors water soluble crayons - https://amzn.to/3vHWdhs
• Black drawing ink - https://amzn.to/3tAibQC
• White drawing ink - https://amzn.to/375GbUi

You can also check out my Amazon Foam Stamps list for alternative supplies  HERE

DIY Foam Stamps - Week 2 Art Journal Page - #the100dayproject

 

Here are the stamps that I used for Week 2 - I created this page with them. I have also used a selection of Distressed Inks, Neocolor water soluble crayons as well as black and white ink.

You can follow along for each daily stamp that is part of my #the100dayproject HERE

Join me on Patreon for behind the scenes and Patreon Only Content.

Handmade Stamps - Recycled Projects -

In today's recycled projects I will show you what I did with my sons old foam sleeping bag mat.  I brought the mat when he was about 4 years old and it came in a roll approx 2 x 5 ft, and he has now grown out of it, it had served him well.  After having a clear out I debated over what to do with it, but I wasn't sure that it could find another home.  I cut a small section off in the beginning and experimented with some ink pads and it turned out that the foam is ideal for making stamps.

Foam sleeping bag mat useful for creating handmade stamp designs

I took a range of designs from magazines and doodles that I had done and created my own stamps.

Handmade stamps created from doodles and elements of images 

They are very easy to make and I was able to make a range of designs that I have been able to use in several projects

 If I am doodling or see an interesting design I have been able to transfer the design to the foam and cut it out...

Some designs are simple yet effective

Art Journal with doodle and hot air balloon stamped images

 The doodled pattern and the hot air balloon used in art journal above.  The foam cut really well!

Stamped designs

 A selection of stamped images.  I have used these for backgrounds, in journals and more.  I have been experimenting with faces.

 Using a craft knife or sharp tool you can get really clear results and can add as much or as little detail as required.

I really do love my stamps, and I hope you check back on Tutorial Tuesday and I will give you instructions of how to make your own stamps out of foam.