Jewelry time! plus... SIX WHOLE MONTHS!

I have been asked to create something that I could put in local shops or to have on hand to sell and because most of my work is custom created, it can be hard to create and stock inventory.
So I tried something new. I was inspired by a fellow CZT who I admire a lot, she made the cutest thing and I had to try it myself!

First I took cotton fibers and combined them to create a very sturdy, very pretty paperlike material.

Then I cut and carved it into shapes by hand and created these.
I've made a bunch of different ones but I think these are my favorites

I'm really pleased with how these turned out. 

Today marks 6 months complete in our challenge. We are halfway there!
So, in honor of that I am giving away a pair of earrings done in this style (with your choice of patterns) or a pendant, chain not included)
You must comment on the blog to be entered though!

Celtic knotwork

I love Celtic work. I find it intricate, beautiful and mesmerizing. I'm not great at it, but I'm practicing. I'm also not good at stippling... but this is what I've got. This was inspired by a student who brought me a celtic book she had picked up at a garage sale.
What a cool book that was!
So anyway this design came from there and I think it's not bad for my first attempt at it, but it's going to take some work to master!

Are you working on anything new?

Guess what tomorrow is?!?!?!

Happy Graduation day!

Today my oldest daughter, one of my 2 greatest works of art, graduates from high school.

This is one of my favorite pictures of her.

So today's post is super fast and showcases some of the tiles I did yesterday and today.

I hope your weekend is full of at least as much awesomeness as mine.

Cards!

I like to have cards on hand and I rarely remember to create a stockpile so while the stuff is out, I've been using it. My newest creations.
 



                                          
I'm pretty pleased with them, especially the all occasion card.

Now, if only I could decide on how to make invites for the girls graduation party!!!!!

Tangled fabric anyone??

So, I'm not entirely sure why this didn't post today, I wrote it out today and hit post and just... apparently, nothing.
Thanks Beck for letting me know there was no post so I could get it on here!

A friend of mine does a lot of sewing and fabric collecting and introduced me to the world of having my designs made into fabric.
FABRIC.
I can make tangled fabric to then make into other things.

SO EXCITING!!!!!
So here is my first attempt.

And then because that was so much fun, I did another one! 

The first one I want to have made into a skirt, the second one I'm not really sure.

It's going to be a busy day for me here, so I hope you get lots done!!!!

Guitar progress

It's been a really busy week for me, but I've been making progress on stuff!!!

Here is how the guitar is coming!

It's not done, but it's getting there!
Hope you have a busy and fun week yourself!

Girl time! Cards and creation!

So, I made and fell in love with these super simple, and yet adorable cards. I used some papers I had from my scrapbooking stash and some die cuts and look how cute they turned out!

The front

And opened up

The front

And opened up

Ok! So the inspiration for these was actually spending the afternoon with these lovely young ladies.

Oh wait! That's not all of them!

These 4 young artists joined me in my studio for a Zentangle 101 class and the results were awesome.

Beautiful isn't it? I love to see the finished result but I also love how excited they get!

Behind the scenes stuff

Today I worked on creating handouts... they aren't done, and they don't translate into pretty pictures to share.
So instead... I show you today's plan.

:D
I hope your day looks similar!

Post it holders turn.... Tile holders!!

It's the end of the year and that used to mean a million teacher gifts, but now my oldest is graduating and my son is starting high school next year. Yikes. How did I get so old? Double yikes!

But anyway, teacher gifts are kind of not expected any longer and I can't send in a gift for each of their 6 or more teachers, but this year my son had 2 adults in the school that worked with him and were really beneficial to his growth and he wanted to give a gift. Ok, we can do that.
So I had him get each a Tim Horton's gift card and made up some of these cool post it holders that I used to make all the time... see how cute they are? 

and as I was making them, it occured to me that... 

THEY CAN HOLD TILES!!!! OMG! Lightbulb moment!

See? Where the tile is is where normally I would stick a pack of post its.

So here we are.... I just used papers I had on hand, going forward I see myself making these in tangled papers or at least black and white. 

So now I'm all excited about making something I've made a hundred times. I love when that happens!

We also made these yesterday in honor of Father's day.
Mmmmmmmmm so delicious. My daughter made the ricotta we used in AP bio. LOL

They might not be SUPER pretty but oh boy were they delicious! 

Whimsy wall

A few weeks ago I requested a tile from my CZT friends around the world. I am feeling REALLY spoiled with the fact that I'm getting tiles daily from all over the globe!

Yesterday I was a little hectic and working on something I can't share because it hasn't been opened yet.... LOL .... but I also installed some of the tiles on one of my bulletin board walls.

I'm posting pics using the hashtag #whimsywall if you want to watch the progress or see new pieces as they come in.

So far I have nearly 30 tiles. I'll be doing a second section later today before the father's day festivities. Aren't they beautiful?

Each so unique, so distinct, so full of life and zen!

I also want to take this moment to appreciate the amazing Dad's in my life. :)
My Dad who is awesome in pretty much every way, including being a great Grampa to my kids.
My Husband who gave me the greatest gifts in my life!
My "little" brother, who finally got around to making me an aunt.
And to all my friends who are the embodiment of what is means to be a great Dad.
I am really lucky to know so many people who are wonderful fathers.
I hope you have the best day!

Shhh it's a secret

Working on a father's day gift... so I can't share too much here. :)

I also just wanted to let you know that if you need a last minute gift for a dad in your life, in case you forgot, or just didn't get to it, or you are a last minute, "oh my gosh I need SOMETHING tomorrow" type of person, I offer gift certificates for custom made sneakers ($100) messenger bags ($75) or ball caps ($30) that can be made with any of his favorite things on them! Fishing, sports, fandoms... the sky's the limit!
Tell Dad that you wanted to get him something REALLY special that was perfect for him... but you wanted to let him make the final choices on color/size/placement. 
Gift certificates can be emailed and look great printed even on regular paper and slipped in a card OR if you are local for another $5 I can have it ready for you in a handmade card for pickup tomorrow morning before you'd even head to brunch. 
Message me or email at whimsybykelly@gmail.com for speediest response. 

So that's my day. What are you doing today? I hope it's nice where you are! 

It's stunningly gorgeous here today! The kind of day that you dream of when you think summer. 

Color Palettes

So my newest obsession is playing with color palettes. While setting up the studio I looked at TONS of paint swatches, color palettes, etc and loved it. So I started taking a peek at some pictures and pulling color palettes out of them. I used Adobe Color, which I love, (Thank you kiddo! My daughter found the app and knew I'd love it!)  to make these and then I made a little collage of the palette so you can see what inspired that palette. I have them saved on my phone and in my "library" of color now, so whenever I fall in love with the colors of something I can use them in my work. 

I thought I'd share some of these with you now!

This was easy, colors from my logo!

Then I went crazy and started color paletting (that's not a real word I'm sure) EVERYTHING

The studio

Keeping this for when I want to match stuff!!!

Some of the flowers I got at my grand opening:

From my sister Katie

My fairy garden from my aunt

I love this photo taken of my son playing with my niece and little cousin in the backyard... the colors made it feel timeless, so that was a candidate for another palette...(See what I mean about it becoming an obsession?)

Warm summer evenings are made for playing outside!

Nothing is too inconsequential for me to say...oohhh that's pretty... 

Cherry ice cream anyone?

And of course... last, but certainly not least...
Dobby. She's kind of floor colored. LOL

Dobby selfie. 

Now I don't really know what I'm going to DO with these, but I like them, they're fun and they're something different. 

What are you working on today?

Colors today!

Not really tangled, but inspired by beloved tangle patterns. Created using watercolors, some sprinkles of salt and my markers.

I really like how it turned out even if I didn't know where I was going with it!

So today I encourage you to reach out and try something new or in a new way.
Have fun!

Milestones!

So this week, I have reached several huge number milestones.
My blog has reached 50,000 views and I surpassed 500 fans on my facebook page. Wow. I am kind of overwhelmed at those  numbers to tell you the truth.

I'm honored that you are interested enough in what I'm doing, and hopefully inspired to create yourself as well that you are part of my journey.
I'm giving away a piece of artwork on my facebook. You're all welcome to enter.
All you need to do is comment on this post to be entered.

Yesterday I taught 5 people who were brand new to Zentangle® to tangle and I drew this pinwheel which was inspired by another CZT.

So, thank you all, for joining me. We're nearly 6 months into the challenge this year <3 I'm so proud of all of you!

I hope you have a great day!

Zentangle 101

I love Zentangle 101 classes!!!! Look at the beautiful art they created!!!!

Tile one mosaic

Our second tiles