Happy Friday and TGIF!!!
It’s time for a new challenge, and boy do we have a fun one this week!!! It’s called Doodle Bug. At first, I was a little apprehensive. I probably never would have thought of doing something like this on my own. But that’s the exact reason why challenges are so great! They encourage you to try new things and think outside of the box. I ended up having so much fun, and I love my project.
Please click on the link to go to the TGIF Challenges website to see all the designers’ projects for this week. At that site, you can also link your own project to the challenge. Each week, we select a winner, and it could be you!
When I first saw this challenge, I immediately thought of schooldays when I would sit and doodle in the margins of my notepads during class. I mean my notes were COVERED in doodles — swirls, loops, flowers, waves, dots, you name it! I was actually listening … in fact, I think the doodling helped me get in the zone and focus more. I’m not so sure that my teachers agreed when they walked by, but I did always get very good grades, so it never seemed to be a problem! Haha!!!
For my project, I had two doodling ideas. First, I decided to draw doodles inside a bold image (the butterfly.) And second, I decided to create a chalkboard doodle background.
For the butterfly, I started by stamping the Beautiful Day image with StazOn ink on Shimmery White Cardstock. Both work well with watercoloring. Next, I watercolored the butterfly wings with coordinating ink colors that matched the Garden Impressions Designer Series Paper that I planned to use in the background. After thoroughly drying the butterfly, I cut it out with scissors and started doodling!
I used Journaling Pens to doodle on the butterfly. The fine tips are perfect for small details. I practiced some designs on scratch paper and then just started playing. It was so relaxing and fun!!! You’ve got to try this!!!
OK, I’m probably going to date myself here, but this totally makes me think of the 1970s. What do you think?
For the chalkboard background, I did a similar thing, but this time I used a Chalk Marker on Basic Black Cardstock. I started by stamping the floral images from the Beautiful Day stamp set multiple times with White Craft Ink. After the ink dried, I stamped over the floral images using the same stamp with Melon Mambo ink. I did it all freehand, because I really didn’t care if the images were slightly offset. I wanted a shadow effect. Afterwards, I drew the stems, leaves, and border with the Chalk Marker.
I curled the butterfly with a bone folder before adhering it with dimensionals so it looks like it’s going to fly right off the card.
Finally, I added a few Blackberry Bliss Faceted Dots to the butterfly body and chalkboard area for a little added interest. I also stamped and embossed the sentiment in white on Vellum Paper and trimmed it very close to the Happy Birthday. That way, you can still see that gorgeous designer series paper underneath!
Supplies used on my card:
