CITY SCAPE DOODLING

 Everybody does it, in some form or another.  You probably did it when you were in school listening (or not) to that boring teacher.  In fact, it's been found that those that doodle can actually absorb more while they are doodling.  Yea, right, tell the teacher that.  So this is just one of my playful, childlike ways I relax.  I'm not a big TV fan and I don't play computer games, but I can do this while the TV is on and enjoy both more.  These were done in winter.  Now my days are spent in preparing for elder camp and kid's camp.  Doing crafts for both...so fun, but lots of prep.

Don't ask me why these photos turned out so weird.  They weren't that way in my files, but blogger decided to make them even more whimsical than they already were.

JENNIBELLIE ~ NEW YEAR JOURNAL EXERCISE

Jennibellie is at it again.  A very appropriate exercise for the New Year.  Such a clever girl:

FLOWERS ARE FUN ~ MIRACULOUS MOSQUITO

This is so fun.  If you like to doodle you're going to love this flower.  As I started the video to watch I had to stop and go get my pencil and paper so I could work right along with the it.  You'll probably want to do the same.  Enjoy!

WHIMISICAL WORKSPACES BY RHOMANY

 Get your workshop in order so you can be more productive and more creative.

FREE WORKSHOP with Rhomany
(Self study)
"Forget 'decluttering', 'minimalism' & 'organisation strategies'. Join me for a month-long nurturing of your creative space."
Watch the video, then access the workshop from below it.

FALL ART JOURNAL PAGE ~ FRIENDS

HAPPY FALL TO ALL!  I used napkins to create this journal page.  The page on the right says "A sweet friendship refreshes the soul."  Proverbs 27:9.  This was a challenge for September for Christian Paper Artists on Yahoo Groups.  I used text and music sheets for the background, then covered with some paints before applying the napkins.  The top and right boarder leaves, the pumpkin and the basket are all napkins.  The green leaves on the bottom are paper cut-outs. There's some stamping and the word "Friends" was done with a stencil and some wall paste.

ART ON COMPUTER

A cyber friend has shared this great site with me. Thank you Michele Poehler of Ontario for such a fun place to play.  So many people on Facebook send me game requests, but I'm just not a gamer.  I wasn't a gamer on boards when I was a kid.  I didn't do puzzles (I know, I'm telling my age) and I don't do computer games, but I do art.  That is my addiction, if you could call it one.  And now I've found a way to do it on the computer as well.  That's what this whimsical little drawing is about...being creative on computer.  Oh, Michele, what have you done to me.  I love it.
You can find it here: http://www.zefrank.com/scribbler/scribblertoo/

DOODLING IN EASTERN EUROPE

I did this curly doodle on a piece of Italian text sent to me by my friend, Fiorella in Italy.  I think text makes a great background for a lot of things.  I'm pretty new to coloring my tangles so this is just a start for me, but enough for this piece.  I consider it done.  Hope you like it.

TENT CAMP IN UKRAINE

 July is tent camp month.  I say that because in Ukraine's climate the nights in June and August generally are too cool for tent camping even though the days might be quite hot.  This shot is the camp leadership.  On both ends is Dan and Cindy Williams from Antioch Baptist Church of Conway, Arkansas.  The center four is the Dektyarenko family, all in ministry. L-R Nick, Sasha, Julia and Lena.

 Even the boys and their moms got into crafting.  Look at those happy faces on those cute boys.

 I can tell you these are still in use as it is still hot in Ukraine, but next week is to be cooler. Yay!

Last day camp picture I took.  What a group.  Thanks to the Williams for bringing the T-Shirts and lots of other fun stuff.  What a blessing they were.

CARD MAKING IN UKRAINE

Cards from my ladies class in Borydyanka.  They are doing such lovely work.  If you want to see more click in the right panel for FranksUkraine blog as these are just a few.  I travel about 40 minutes every two weeks to be with them.  We alternate between cards and their prayer journals.  Soon we will have those all set up.  Thank you to all who send materials.  I couldn't do this ministry without you so you are a blessing to many.  Love and hugs, Coleen

CEREAL BOX RECYCLE, WOOHOO!

I love using materials I have around the house. Not having a Micheal's or Hobby Lobby down the road makes me more apt to figure other ways of doing things. So, with that in mind I think you'll like this vid.

WHO IS THIS STRANGE WOMAN IN UKRAINE?

How does one encapsulate who they are in pictures in their day-to-day life? Well, I've made a stab at it below. It covers some of the things I like to do at home and out in the world. Hope you like it. Let me know. I love your comments and always am encouraged by them. Gardening is one of my summer pastimes. I have a large flower garden. My husband took this lovely iris shot last summer. Photography is his hobby, but I digress.

This cute piece is and example of the kind of vintage art play I like to do. It was done for a swap I'm hosting on Swap-bot.com

This is one of my ladies classes. We are doing prayer scrapbooks for 2012. I love doing this sort of thing. It gives me a chance to share my faith and strengthen ladies in the art of prayer.

These two are a sample of one of my pieces of artsy fun. It went to West Virginia, USA.

This is me having fun with kids.

This picture you might call my icon. It's what identifies me across most of my social media sites. It was taken several years ago in a heavy winter not so different from what we have right now.

Kid's Class in Philipovichy, Ukraine

What do you do with calendar pages? Not long ago I had the great fun of doing this group. Now and then people have sent me old calendars. For a long time my use of them was limited because they were so big, but as often happens...if something stays around long enough, I think up a use for it. So now we are doing these puzzle pictures. The kids really liked them. I'm also making envelopes from them as well and we put them on the front of our scrapbook albums. My thanks to those who have sent them and we can always use your 2010 calendars now that you are done with them.

ART TAGS

Years ago there was an electrician working in our home. When he came to understand what I did he asked the question....."why isn't there any of your art on your walls?" Well, I thought about that for a long time. Some day there will be, but the reason there isn't is because I keep giving it away. That hasn't change over many years, but I still say that one day there will be. Just this last week we had another electrician in doing some work. I happened to show him the two tags below, saying, this is some of what I do. He knew that I work with children and adults doing arts and crafts. Well, as it turned out, he went home with the bottom one. He wanted to buy it, I couldn't sell it.

GLITZIN' IT UP

This fun piece was done for a sweet young gal who loves castles. It was fun to do, but long process of applying glitter and letting it dry, one section at a time. I don't usually do things like this, but sometimes the recipient is reason enough. Click on the picture to enlarge so you can see the sparkly detail.

COLORING YOUR TANGLES

This will give you some new ideas for coloring your doodles or zentangles. Some lovely ideas here so check it out.

COLEEN'S STUDIO, A LIFELONG DREAM

Many years ago after completing the remodel of our home we decided to tackle the attic. It had a high pitched roof with lots of room. We created a guest room and bath plus a big room with alcove and a kitchen. Then we also built a small loft area because it was that high. I love working in there, but I must admit, organizing the "stuff" is always a challenge for me. I gave up on waiting for it to get all neat and orderly to do this shoot. It is always a work in progress.

Alcove on a pretty sunny day.

This is my kitchen which is a room off the main hall of my studio. Of course, it serves as lots of storage and a sink in a studio is invaluable in saving steps.

Kitchen counter with storage underneath is opposite side of cabinets.

Studio from back looking towards the front of the house.

Overall picture looking from front of house to back. I have great windows a couple skylights. It's all knotty pine including the floors.

My writing/journaling station with stairway to the loft where I have some storage.

That's me in my main work area with two work stations opposite each other and of course the computer and printer near by.

Hubby was helping me shoot so I thought I might as well put him in there too. He is the one who wanted to proceed with this project and for that I am ever grateful and feel so blessed to have this place to create. It is here where I prepare many of the things I do with kids in camps, Sunday school and the ladies classes I do.

Free E-Book

Hey Folks, Check this out. The terrific magazine, "Cloth Paper Scissors" is offering a free E-Book of journaling techniques. Add these tools to your art journaling tool box and you'll be ready for some more fun and creativity. Just click on the title to go to the spot. Oh, and yes, that is one of my journal pages. I grow those ferns in my yard.

Art Journal, The Love Verses

This art journal page was made using "The Love Verses" from the Bible which start from 1 Corinthians 13. Since love seems to often be of more interest during the month of February I thought I would put it in perspective with what the Bible says about it. Romantic love is what most associate with love, but it is far deeper than that as demonstrated in these verses. Click on the page to make it bigger so you can read it. The heart in the lower right hand side actually is gold, but because it's shiny it photographed as black. Just wanted you to know. Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day. May it and every day be filled with joy and love as only He can give.

Handmade Flower Broaches

I had to show off these beautiful broaches (also spelled brooches) that my friend Sally in England sent me. They matched so beautifully with two coats that I have so I wanted to show you. Thank you Sally for your kindness and generosity. I love them.

A Message for New Visitors

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY TO VISIT. I WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU FOLLOWED. IF YOU ARE CRAFTY I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE A FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK FILLED WITH ALL KINDS OF TUTORIALS AND INSTRUCTIONS. YOU ARE SURE TO FIND SOMETHING FUN THERE. JUST ENTER vintageterrace2 IN THE SEARCH BOX. YOU CAN FRIEND ME ON FB: COLEEN FRANKS. HOPE YOU COME AGAIN.