Day 13: Use tea leaves or tea bags or even just liquid tea to create something today. I used both liquied tea and tea leaves to create the famous image, at least to me, of my boyfriend, Drew on the beach.
Day 14: Make something microscopic. I made tiny little love designs. I used pencil and colored pencil for the design. It is the size or smaller than a penny!
Day 15: What can you do with just a dollar? Use a dollar bill as your medium or inspiration today. I made a dollar bill ring. I think I made one when I was younger but it didn't turn out well. I was excited to make one, it doesn't look exactly like the picture on the instructions but I like to be different!
Day 16: Make a unique print by cutting up a potato or sponge, use it to stamp on material of choice. I made a potato stamp, by cutting a flower shape into it. I thought to use an interesting material with it, so I used this shiny red nail polish. I think it turned out well. I would like to try it again someday!
Day 17: make something inspired by/and or that goes over an eye. I have to say I thought I'd make something a bit cooler, but was a bit strapped for time. I just made a simple eye patch using material from an old skirt. I like that it is a bit loose and surprising pattern for an eye patch being that it is floral and a sunny yellow.
Day 18: Work with things that you find in your car. I used cards from my mom's car. I thought they were so cool and they really touched me. They are used for inspiration to gain personal happiness. They are called The Four Agreements . Here is a link for them on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-48-Card-Deck/dp/1561708771I picked four cards, one for each agreement and illustrated them using my own special touch and artistic license. I used colored pencils as my medium. I really am happy with them! I love the art styles of the cards.
Day 19: Create something that floats on water. I tried making a paper lantern but when that failed I made two boxes. One did not hold up too well in the sink filled with water. But the one that has a cute sort of monster/star shape did well. I really liked it, I decorated it with ink drawings of flowers.
Day 20: Buy or make some clay and then use it like you never have before. I have some green and yellow clay. I decided to make something for my wonderful boyfriend, and make a green lantern ring, something I definitely never made before. It is really big and kinda silly but awesome. I'm excited to show him. I don't know how to harden it though. The clay melted in the oven before...as you might remember from my first challenge and again when I did a test drive. Hopefully after few days it will harden by itself but I'm too scared to heat it in the oven and risk melting it.
Day 21: Write a ten-word love story. I wrote the love story of me and Drew.
Day 22: Create a bridge. Connect two things in a creative way. As you might have guessed it again I decided to use my boyfriend for inspiration. I think it's because Valentine's day is coming up and because I really miss him. I cut up a bunch of hearts using this fancy catalog filled with romantic Valentine's day goodies. I then threaded it with red thread. I know had my "bridge" sort of a tightrope kind of bridge, a bridge filled with love. I connected two things, me and him with our pictures, and I had this great J for my name Jessica paper I wanted to use. Drew gave it to me for Christmas. I tried to make a heart by with the read thread to connect my side but made more of lips, for a kiss instead. Still I'm thrilled by that! I then gave two kisses with my pink lipstick stained lips. Thus sending my kisses to my boyfriend via the bridge of love. I connected his side to the doorknob on this cute tiny white hutch. His picture behind the door of the glass with adorable puckered lips.
Living in a chilly place like Illinois, has always made me look forward to the end of the freezing winter chills and the beautiful bloom of Spring! I want to share how I have been celebrating Spring, with yummy Easter inspired treats and a visit to the Chicago Botanical Gardens!
Tired of the classical Easter basket? You should try using a Chinese take out box instead, I got the one above at World Market. I decorated it with lots of stickers to give a personal touch. I really like the Chinese take out box because it allowed me to seal up all the candy and goodies. I didn't have to worry about them falling out during my travel for delivery. It also is a good size portion, especially for kids. It is really easy to over do it on the holidays, too much sweets always ends up in a tummy ache. I think it'd be perfect for handing out party favors for Birthdays!
I did something I haven't done for about ten years, make chocolate lollipops! Above is an Easter basket full of eggs mold. They were a huge hit with my boyfriend's family. I'm totally in love with making chocolate molds, the chocolate just tastes better homemade and its always more special because of it comes from the heart!
Chicago Botanical Gardens was a fun date for my boyfriend and I this past weekend. Although some of the flowers weren't in bloom yet, like the roses. There were so many stunning flowers, such as the one above. I like it because it reminds me of snake skin and is such a pretty color! I really enjoyed seeing some spring flower favorites like cherry blossoms. My favorite part of the trip was going to Spider Island, although don't let the title fool you, it is not spooky! Instead there were many hungry Koi swimming close to the bridge leading to the island in eager hopes of visitors dropping some crumbs. One of the greatest treasures of the Chicago Botanical Gardens wasn't the flowers but the animals, the ducks, the geese, the swans, and all the many tiny birds gulping down worms. I definitely will go back in the Summer, but it is nice to go in the Spring because it is cooler, less crowded and has Spring features like daffodils.
