Happiness Page Project - Celebrate Your Victories

Well I think you are well on your way with your Happiness Pages...I hope you are enjoying your project.

This week I want to share a variation or an addition you might like to add to your journal.  Celebrate your Victories..

This is the title plate I draw on the starting sheet, just like the Happiness Pages.  Next thing is to colour and shade.

This is the layout I came up with.  Seven boxes, one for each day of the week with ample room to right three fantastic things your did that day.  I made a mirror image on the facing page just to balance it out and make it pleasing to the eye though you can make your boxes any old way you choose.

Let's do what makes us happy and celebrate what makes us unique.

Enjoy your weekend friends and happy drawing.

Sheila

Happiness Page Project - Colouring and Shading

So now that we have a few of our Happiness days filled in lets do some colouring.

With this smooth paper I like to use my Staedtler Norris Coloured pencils.  They are a dense lead which produces a highlighted effect.  I don't want my colouring to take away from my words, I want them to enhance the overall feel of the page.

In the month of April I used a orange/pink/purple combination.  I find these colours go very nicely together...they are very bright and cheery.

For the month of February I started with a blue/grey then eased into the green hues and finished with purples/pinks.  It's fun to play with your colours.  You could do themes for each month...that would be fun!

Highlight some words that you want to stand out...important to your entry and colour with a complimentary colour.

Something I love to do is shade the outside of the block a little darker than the centre so as to give the block some dimension.  You can see this on the February plate.  After I colour I use a soft white eraser to lift out some colour from the centre...it's like reverse shading.  I love this technique!!!

Have fun colouring this weekend.  Come on over to my Facebook Group and share some of your creations...I would love to see them!

Sheila

Happiness Page Project - A bit of Lettering

Good Friday Morning friends...looking forward to a long weekend and a switch of seasons.

So we are well on our way to creating some wonderful Happiness Pages.  In my last post I promised some tips on a cool lettering for your pages.  I'm not sure where I saw this ( really have to write things down) but I incorporated the elongated letters into my own printing.

This is the upper case lettering I like to use most for titles.  It's in a way fancy like script but not too involved.  There are really only 9-10 letters that you would elongate...if you did too many it would all become very messy looking.  The 'H', 'M', 'N', 'R', are the most used and you can elongate them as much or as little as you want.

Here is the lower case letters.

These are the numbers I use for my day blocks.

This is a small example of the lettering at it's best for a title block.  As you can see I put the work on it's side running down length wise.  I rotated it for you to see better.

Next week we will do a bit of colouring.  I will show you my pallet of colours I find go well together.

Enjoy your doodling and don't forget to write down your Happiness every day.

Sheila

Happiness Page Project - Laying out your page

Hello All, looking forward to the weekend?  I have decided that Friday was a good day to post about the Happiness Page project as most of us are happiest on Fridays and it gives you a chance to work at your pages all weekend.

So this weekend lets lay out your boxes for September.

I use basically three different shapes but feel free to explore many more.  I like the basic box using double lines, squiggly double lines and the cloud/scalloped edge as seen above.  These can be made any size to fit on your page.  I make long boxes, square, rectangular what ever suits your fancy.

The graph paper helps keep your box structure but if you have a good eye lined paper works.

This is my two page spread for September.  I alternate my month block from one page to the other but you can also put them in the same spot for easy access when looking for a particular date.

This year I put little leaves in the corners of my month block to make the stand out.

The key thing you need to keep in mind is the number of blocks you will need for the month.  For the most part it is either 30 or 31 which means 15 or 16 for your two page spread.  Use my spacing here to get a feel for your layout...you will find it easy to judge your own after you practice a little.

You can have extra spaces left which is perfect for adding little doodles or inspirational words.

As I fill in my blocks with my 'happiness thought' I colour them in as well.  Some months I choose a pallet others I pick on a whim.  I like to use my Norris colour Staedtler pencils for their very muted colour.  If you prefer markers test their saturation first before you commit to your page, they may bleed through.

Next week I will share with your a style of lettering I like to use for my month titles.

Happy Drawing this weekend.

If you have any questions drop my a line, I will help best I can.

Happiness Pages - Step One

As many of you know I am a huge fan of these disc journals.  If you are not familiar with them what makes them unique is that your paper is removable.  Yes, I said removable!  That means your layout or sections are not permanent which I believe is why many people are reluctant to use up journals...it's just so final.  I like to move my pages from section to section depending on what is needed.

I am really fond of this type of graph paper.  Grey lines which are framed so it gives you a boarder.  Staples used to have this paper for the 5.5x8.5 journals but I can't seem to find it in Canada anymore. I have created my own 'Think Pages' which I have available for purchase.  You can also make your own or use the lined paper which is provided with the journal.

This is the explanation plaque I have at the beginning of my Happiness section.  I came across this idea on Pinterest where the author was keeping her Happiness in a jar on pieces of paper.  I wanted to keep it a little more contained and portable so I came up with the Happiness Pages where we write in bubbles of different shapes on a two page spread.

We will start by opening your two pages.  These will be your facing pages to create one month of Happiness.  Happiness pages can be started at any time of the year.  I decided to do my pages by the month and date so I can look back at a particular time of the year and reflect on what was happening.

I pick a corner section to place my month block which varies in size depending on the month.  Still only two squares high but 6 long for short named months and 8 to 10 long for longer names.  I draw leaves on the corners of my boxes...it just gives it a little jazz, you can doodle anything on yours.

I use black ink for my bubbles as I like to colour in each as I fill up my pages but feel free to use what ever colour you like.

Next week we can begin to draw our bubbles, I will show you how I space things out.

Any questions just drop me a line.

See you soon,

Sheila

Let's Make Some Happiness Pages

As many of you already know I am a HUGE fan of the disc bound journal.  

I began using these a couple of years ago when I discovered the Right Brain Business Plan with Jenn Lee.  She introduced me to these wonderful journals from Levenger.  Later I found that Staples had their own line Arc...a little more affordable.

I began adapting these wonderfully innovated journals to suit my own artistic flare and soon I had many creatives on board embracing my passion for individuality.  You can customize them in so many ways to suit your needs...the possibilities are endless.

In the next couple of weeks I will share with you how you too can create your own pages for ideas, projects and so much more.

Materials you will need to get started:

1 5.5x8.5 Junior sized journal - if you can find graph paper for these, all the better but not necessary

a small 6 inch ruler

technical pencil

a black liner pen

a grey multiliner

eraser

Gellyroll white pen

I have journals with awesome dividers, graph paper I designed (because I couldn't find any) called Think Pages, pens (oh boy have I got pens) and coloured pencils for sale if you can't find what you are looking for...just drop me a line and I will see if I can help.

Here is an example of what we'll be doing.  This is my April Happiness Page.

If this is something that you might be interested in join me next week for the introduction to creating your very own Happiness Pages.

I hope to hear from you soon, 

Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #18

Good Morning folks, I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  Sorry I missed last week, I got caught up in preparing for the Art Journey Show and Sale and it completely slipped my mind.

The challenge for this week is an interesting line composition.  I love when lines overlap to produce a dimensional effect.

This one is called 'Hurry' though it reminds me of a flag for some reason

    

This is a very meditative pattern to draw...I love to see how it fills in as you build your lines.

Enjoy your week and remember 'Be Creative Everyday'

Talk soon,

Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week # 17

Can you believe it is May and we are on our 17th Challenge Monday...WOW! Blows my mind.

Grass is getting greener due to the rain we have had but we needed it.

On to our challenge for this lovely Monday.  It is called Cruze...not sure why I guess once you get going you just 'cruze' along.  This is a fun one (I try to choose patterns that are fun for you to tackle, makes it much more appealing)

Try this sone on the straight then play with the positioning of the initial square and twist it slightly...it has a neat effect.

Have fun this week, get outside, take a hike (in a nice way) it's all about BALANCE.

Talk to you soon,
Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #16

I haven't forgotten about you my doodle fiends...I had a little delay but all is good and here we go.

This week's Monday challenge is all about the lines.  It has a very mesmerizing effect on the mind don't you think?

It takes a little concentration, better to do it when your eyes and mind are fresh or just do a little at a time...especially when tackling the more complicated grid.

Try it in different colours as well.  Works well as a great filler pattern.

Happy doodling,
See you soon
Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #15

Good morning pen friends, it is Monday and our challenge is at hand.

Our challenge today is again more of a drawing than a pattern, I think it's where my head is at most days.  This one is interesting, simple once you understand the concept and it looks very cool.

I didn't do the step-by-step in the small boxes, I didn't think it would be as easy to see.  I did use a circle template for my centre but don't feel you need to...it's just a little more balanced this way.

You can join up multiples as you can see in the lower right box.  You could add pattern or shading to the sections if you like or add something to the centres.

I hope you have fun with this one,

Talk to you soon,
Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #14

Good Monday Morning friends, weather around here is still cold but it was sunny yesterday and I was outside starting my yard work...it felt good.

Our challenge today is about contour lines.  You can use this technique in any shape, contour lines give depth and dimension to a drawing.  With a little shading you have a fabulous concept.  Depending on how dense or tight you lay your lines down, your drawing will appear more intense and detailed.

Try different shapes and spaces to use your contour lines.  

Have a fabulous day!

Talk to you soon,

Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #13

Greeting good friends, I trust you had a wonderful weekend?  Me too though it's really cold around here.

Your new challenge for this week is one I use a lot and one I think you will also.

You can do so much with this one when you add patterns inside the bands.  Always outline in pencil first for your guides then ink in squares and add lines then you can erase your pencil guides.

Have fun and we'll talk next week.

Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #12

Good morning pen lovers.  We had a lovely Easter weekend...lots of food, lots of family...two of my favourite things.

I took a little break as we had an extra long weekend around here...and today really feels like Monday to me so here is your challenge pattern.

It is called Leaf-let.  A fun and easy 'nature' themed pattern (my favourite for sure).  Use this one for a fill in or a background and fun to colour as well.

It's pretty straight forward and relaxing to boot.

Enjoy your week and we'll talk soon,

Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #11

Hello fellow pattern lovers.  I do hope you all had a fabulous weekend.  Lots of cooking and baking going on around here and we had a wonderful sunny weekend...Spring is here, the birds are back just need a little warmth to come too.

Now on to our challenge for this week.  I found it under the name Huggy Bear...very cute and again we can add shading which always makes it more interesting.

Many variations we could do here and add some colour too.  Some days it's nice to have a pattern you don't have to think too much about.

Enjoy my friends

Talk to you soon,
Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #10

We had a beautiful weekend around our neck of the woods...got out walking and enjoying some nature, I hope you were able to as well.

I think this week's challenge is a beauty...lots of depth and dimension.

This pattern works well when you vary the size of your circles and use contrasting colours for your secondary pattern that appears behind the primary.  

Experiment with different colours and multiple patterns.

Enjoy your week and I'll talk to you soon.

Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #9

Good Challenge Monday...I hope you had a fabulous weekend!  Always lots of creating going on around my place.

I am reading a few books all at once including 'Big Magic' by Elizabeth Gilbert...if you get a chance add it to your reading list, good inspiration for creatives.

Since our workshop for this coming Saturday is a Celtic Knot pattern I thought I would give you all a chance to learn it ahead of time or at least play a little with it.

This top step by step is a pattern I was toying with when I switched over to the knot pattern so don't pay too much attention to it, study the second step by step.

I love doing these weave patterns, it's the optical illusion that is appealing to the eye.

Enjoy your day and playtime.  Remember it is important to 'Play', it's how we learn.

Talk to you soon,

Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #8

The flu has been visiting our home...I do not like the flu.  Funny I keep typing 'FLY' I guess I want the flu to fly!

But we always have our challenge to look forward to.

This week's challenge is called Gotcha...catchy title don't you think? And appropriate.

This is a beautiful pattern on it's own and especially when it is joined together...very intricate indeed.

I love when patterns intertwine the way this one does.

Enjoy my friends.

Talk to you soon.
Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #7

Good Morning friends it's challenge #7.  This is a beautiful pattern called African Artist.  You can do so much with this one.

I don't know if there is any more I can say but...enjoy!  I hope you are having a good time with the challenge.

Talk so you soon
Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #6

Well here we are, the weeks have been just flying by...how about for you?

I hope you are enjoying the challenge so far.  I am discovering so many wonderful pen patterns it's been very exciting!

So on to your challenge for this week.  I have included three variations of what I find to be the same pattern and very cool too.  The first one is called Foxtrot which can be done in line form as well.  I found Rock 'N Roll to be very similar it's just created in the round...mesmerizing!

I left a spare work square just in case I find another variation I want to try.

Try this one in different colours as well...it would add lovely texture to a pen drawing don't you think?

Have fun and don't forget to relax.

Talk to you soon,

Sheila

Pen & Ink Challenge Week #5

Hey there, I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  We did our workbook workshop on Saturday, a great day at Dragonfly Dreamers studio...I love to show folks my process, how I set out to tackle my pen work. (though I think they think I'm a little crazy at times)

It is week #5 and we are just rolling along aren't we.  Our pattern for this weeks challenge is called Shasta.  It is the Cadent pattern but turned into a daisy of sorts by adding lines to make petals.  It reminds me of a bed of flowers in a field.  These would be lovely to colour.

This is a pattern you can try with many variations.  Give it a go and I hope you have an Inky day.

Talk to you soon,
Sheila