doodling class in april

.

I know, it's a tough life ...

lately I've been spending more and more time just doodling!

But really, I do have a good reason.

In April, Rachel Velder McGough will host her Second Semester of Handmade U near Omaha, and I'm so excited

to be teaching a fun doodling class during the weekend!

This intimate retreat held April 19-22 will take place

in Minglewood Lodge, where classes and meals will be held

and the majority of those attending will stay.

So cozy!

Registration for the event has just opened on

Rachel's blog.

On the Friday, my journaling buddy Michelle Geller will be teaching

a full-day bookmaking class called Stitched and Stashed.

In the morning we'll stitch our journals together,

using Michelle's fresh take on the Coptic binding technique.

During the afternoon, we'll add to our journals

with papers and ephemera from her wonderful stash and our own.

The next morning, in my doodling class called Doodle Ink,

we'll make a small sampler book and then practice the fine art of doodling!

More than just a mindless gesture, doodling in art journaling

can be a joyful form of stylistic drawing.

Starting with my tips about tools and process,

we'll approach doodling as a a serious but playful addition to one's pages,

including lettering, borders and frames, and stylized birds and flowers.

It will be all hands on!

In the afternoon, Rachel will teach her prize-ribbon class,

using her fantastic ribbons brought back from France!

I hope you're coming!

Please say yes!

p.s. By the way, I doodled this "Yes!" in response to another invitation

to participate in more doodle fun!

Hope to be able to tell you more soon.

rest, recover, resume

--Spanish proverb.

Do you, like me, occasionally need a reminder to sit still for a few minutes so you can settle your heart and appreciate the beauty around you?

our hearts are full

This weekend we remembered and repledged ourselves to live both with our history and for our future. Our hearts are full of sorrow and hope. At the top of my wish list is a visit to the beautiful memorial pools at the regenerated Twin Towers site, where state-of-the-art engineered waterfalls cry for us as we face our depths. And today we have the incredible gift of starting fresh, choosing again to build beauty.

These simple sketches were made using these magic tools here, which I just found this morning on a past post on Geninne's blog. With a little exploration, I quickly found the line options and color wheel but not yet the eraser. :) You, too, can take a moment to brighten your morning!


Note: The linked Mr. Doob tool page may look blank at first, but you'll see the short but sweet tool bar at the top. Just click on things and play around with it like I did. :)
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