Hi Everyone,
Thank you to the 40+ coloring & patterning enthusiasts who signed up to help create the inspiration samples for my new Zenspirations® Color, Create, Pattern & Play books. I can’t wait to see what you guys do! But remember– I can’t send you sample pages if I don’t have your e-mail address—and there are several of you (Terri, Melinda, Susan, ANg, Janet & Linda) that I don’t know how to find. If you left a comment last week, please take a moment to make sure you included your first AND last name (which will allow me to find you if you are a blog subscriber) and/or your e-mail address if you don’t subscribe to the blog. I won’t be sending pages out until the beginning of June, so if you can still sign up if you would like to participate.
I also want to thank everyone who posted their Zenspirations Mother’s Day creations to Instagram and Facebook with the #Zenspirations. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that certain privacy settings would prevent me from seeing what you posted– even if you added the hashtag– so I could only find a few designs. I’m sorry if I missed yours—and would really like to see it. If you don’t see your creation below and would like to share it, please e-mail it to me: [email protected].
My friend Tracey Lyon, CZT extraorinaire, created the saturated pastel background of the card below with Copic markers, and then drew on top of it with Sakura’s white Gelly roll pen.
And then Tracey went the extra mile and created a design with an alternate effect. First she patterned it with Sakura’s Pigma Micron 005 pen, and then ‘popped’ the color with Tombow markers. Tracey shared “I am thinking about adding family member names in the brown pebbly-looking pattern… Mom would love that!” I love all the patterns she added– especially the pebbles, which remind me of my Written in Stone notecards. These are both great examples of how to ‘color, create, pattern & play’.
Shearin Lee also did some awesome pattern enhancements, shown in her card below. I love the dramatic border; it really helps unify the design.
Yvonne Snyman Sandlin took patterning one step further, and did her pattern enhancements tone-on-tone!
Then there were a few people who created their own Zenspirations design rather than coloring the card I posted. Susan Stewart made the dangle card below for her daughter. I was touched by the words Susan used on the card: “To the Best Mom… My grandsons could ever have”. What a wonderful way to let your daughter know you think she’s a great parent!
Susan shared a little about her card: “Joanne, I was inspired by your YouTube video so here’s my M-day card for my darling daughter (who really is the best mom to her two boys!!)”
My friend and fellow calligrapher, Alison Clement, created an absolutely beautiful Zenspirations card for her Zenspiring mom, Genna, who I had the privilege of meeting last year.
I love everything about this card, especially the uplifting text Alison used across the bottom.
The talented Jamie Torres, founder of Peace Hoops, created a wonderful Peace Dangle Design:
But my favorite card was the one my daughter made for me.
The background was created with Sakura’s awesome Koi Coloring Brushes, and then Sam used Gelly Roll Moonlight, Metallic and Stardust pens to color the design. Here is a close up so you can see how the shimmery Metallic and glittery Stardust contrast with the flat, opaque Moonlight on the translucent background wash.
Sam had so much fun making the card that she made a bunch of backgrounds to use for future projects. Here’s a photo of some of the colorful washes she made:
The technique she used to color the background involves applying the color to acetate rather than the paper. If you’d to see a step-out of how to do it, leave a comment. If enough people express interest, I’ll explain the technique– with step-by-step photos in next week’s blog. It’s fun, fast and easy-to-do, and I’d love to share it with you if you are interested.
This is going to be a very busy week for me– Zenspirations is hitting the road! On Wednesday I’m going to Ohio to film a couple of episodes of the PBS television series Scrapbook Soup. While I’m at the television studio I’ll also be filming some new videos for Sakura, which I know a lot of you have been asking about. Yes, there will be some lettering ones! And one on flourishing, too. Please let me know what else you’d like learn in case there is time to film an extra video.
After the filming, I’m heading to NY for The National Stationery Show and SURTEX (the Surface/Textile design show). It’s been a while since I’ve been to NY– and the show– and I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with all my Art Licensing and Greeting Card industry friends. Let me know if you’ll be at the show– maybe we can get together.
Stay Zenspired,
Joanne
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Hi Joanne, hope you have a great trip away, cant wait to see your new video's – how exciting, l always love watching you work, Joanne l was wondering did you receive my email with my shipping address for my name KATE , that you did for me, l never heard back from you, just wanted to know if you got it, thanks …….kate
Sam's backgrounds are beautiful. I would love to see a tutorial please.
Have fun on your trip, travel safe x
Michelle
Australia
I am inspired by your current videos and look forward to new ones. My birthday is approaching, and Sakura everything is on my wishlist! Thank you for introducing me to them. I love the card your daughter made for you, and I would love to see the instructions. I'm sure I'll be implementing them once I open my birthday presents.
Ooooo…….I can't wait to see your new videos!! Your work is always so inspiring!! Thanks so much for sharing!
would love to see the background technique! Save travels and can't wait to find your newest book at Michael's!
Love the cards you have shown today. Just beautiful. This is all new to me as I recently discovered this new world of Zenspiration. A tutorial on how the backgrounds were created would be wonderful. I can see it being so useful; I am a card maker also. Thank you.
Those backgrounds are beautiful! I would love to see a tutorial on how to do those! And Iove all the different techniques everyone used to make there Mother's Day cards unique to them. I get so much inspiration from your site!
Sam's background is beautiful, I would love to see a tutorial.
Enjoy your travels!
~ joey ~
I really like Sam's card and the backgrounds she made. I'd love to know how to do that.
Thanks!
Your daughter is beautiful, just like her mother!
Joanne you have such an incredible talent – and it appears your daughter shares it! I would love to see how she did the background for her card. Thanks for sharing so much and looking forward to the new videos.
I haven't yet sent you the photo of the zenspiration card that I coloured for my mom. I'll try to do it tonight. How wonderful to see the different finished images that started with your artwork. I love seeing what everyone did. I also love your daughter's backgrounds. She is beautiful and looks so much like you.
Thank you for all that you share with us!
Kara
Beautiful pieces! Yes please to seeing how you do the color washes using Acetate! x
I would love to see a tutorial on how your daughter did the backgrounds!
I'd love to see how your daughter did the background. Many thanks.
Your Sam is as talented as her mom! I'd love to see her technique. Thanks for sharing all the lovely cards. 🙂
Would love to see the tutorial for backgrounds. Thank you
Joanne, just letting you know I, too, would love to see the tutorial on the black splash. Also, when I first found Zentangles, I purchased all my pens, etc., on Amazon and your book, Zensperations, was my book of choice. I really learned a lot from your book. Thank you
Have a great time and good luck .. keep up your zenspirations. I look forward to your future projects.
Hi Joanne. I look forward to your upcoming videos. I always enjoy them very much. I would also love to see the markers Sam used in action. All of the cards are just wonderful. I have to mention also that I love the cards you posted on Instagram using the Foilux technique. Would love to learn more about that. I hope you enjoy your trips. Thank you!!
Joanne, I hope you'll keep zenspirating. I really enjoy your art.
I would love to see how you make these absolutely amazing colour combinations. Thanks heaps x
Each card you posted was so unique; I really enjoyed seeing the different designs used. Yes, please share the background techniques used by your daughter . May you have safe and wonderful travels. I'm looking forward to seeing your new videos.
Yes, do a tutorial please !! Those background washes are beautiful and I could see making some for handmade card projects.
These are beautiful, as usual! Thank you so much for publishing this blog. I look forward to seeing it in my inbox. I would love to see a tutorial on the ombre effect that your daughter gets for the background sheets.
…I've always been terrified to put pen to blank paper but followed one of your video tuturials and took a small step into the unknown! More videos would be wonderful!!! I can't stress how undaunting you make the whole process for beginners like myself…your approach is very nurturing and inspirational…xxx
Tutorial on the acetate idea please!
Hello Joanne. I can't wait to see you on PBS. I always enjoy your videos, your work and your posts. The above cards are very lovely. Each person did fabulous job. Yes, I would love to see a tutorial on your daughter's technique for color on acetate. Enjoy your time filming, and your time in NY……Linda E.
Praying for safe travels and the strength you need to keep up. I'd love to see the step out for the color wash when you have the time. Thank you for the inspiration.
Sam's backgrounds are beautiful and I would love to see a step out of the process. Thank you.
Would love to see directions on the background technique. Thanks so much
Your daughter's backgrounds are beautiful and I would be thrilled if you would share a video on how she made them using acetate.
Thaks you for all you inspiration
loved the background. Would love to see the technique.
Hi Joanne
I'd love to see the technique for the backgrounds please
Here's hoping xx
I, too, would love to see a demo on the beautiful gradation water color technique.
please do share the background on acetate techniques your daughter created. Looks like a great thing to try with a class!
I just subscribed! I adore everything you do and am already following on Instagram.. just found you on Facebook. I'm completely obsessed with patterning and would LOVE to be part of this group!
instagram.com/chrissymorin < I've already tagged you on a few things.. most of my pages aren't square so they don't look great on Instagram so I'm excited to find you on Facebook too. I'm so excited you are doing another book! I've read all of yours about 3 times now so I'm ready for more!