Zentangle® Dingbatz: Patterns & Projects for Dynamic Tangled Ornaments & Decorations

Zentangle® Dingbatz are a fun and easy way to incorporate the fundamentals of Zentangle® into a wide variety of creative projects and bring attention and mindfulness to the smallest corners of your life.

Zentangle® Dingbatz: Patterns & Projects for Dynamic Tangled Ornaments & Decorations is a new book by Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT), coach, and speaker Brian Crimmins. Available in June, this book includes a variety of projects that will allow you to practice using Dingbatz not only as stand-alone designs, but also as accents and enhancements to other art projects.

 

About the Author:

Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT), coach, and speaker Brian Crimmins has taught the Zentangle(R) Method in art museums, tea houses, and in private homes. He has also exhibited and sold his own Zentangle-inspired art in galleries and at community art shows. Inspired by a concept called "Dingbatz" introduced by Zentangle(R)founders Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas in 2017, Brian started creating his own inspired Dingbatz designs, and quickly began teaching them in classes and to other CZTs at conferences. He loves to demonstrate the unique anatomy of Dingbatz with Zentangle(R), and he challenges his students to make their own.

My Thoughts

I know, I know. Your first question is what the heck is this book about. What is a zetangle? What is a dingbatz? Let me help. So the zentangle is a method of making structured patterns into beautiful images using simple shapes and lines in a relaxing manner. Dingbatz are decorations on paper. In a book there may be a design underneath the chapter title or on the corner of some pages. This book will help you to make both. Awesome words.... I know. This book's goal is to combine the two and use zentangles to make interesting dingbatz. I love writing like this. I feel like J.K. Rowling. It will help you to make eclectic and different types of items. Some of the items in the Table of Contents that this method can be used for is scrapbooking, name tags, place cards, gift tags, etc. 

I can tell you one thing, it is definitely relaxing. I had a particularly bad day with my two year old. We are entering "those" years an the tantrums were epic. My normally laid back child had been a "child of the corn" that day and I need to relax. Being pregnant, I can't drink so I pulled this book out and decided to give it a whirl. Next thing I knew, two hours had gone by. It lets your mind shut off. Things like this are my version of therapy. It feels so good to zone out sometimes and not have to think. I definitely could see this being something fun to try for a holiday place card or some gift tags. If you are a calligraphy or any kind of pen or pencil drawing you definitely should give this method a try. 

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Show off your cat pride with this new book from, The Quarto Group!

Doodled Cats is packed with creative prompts, fun feline facts, and step-by-step doodling projects for the feline fanatic in you—the perfect book for on-the-go artists.

In Doodled Cats, beloved artist and illustrator Gemma Correll provides inspiration and ideas for doodling a variety of different cat breeds in a fun, quirky style. From a Persian and a Sphynx to a Scottish Fold and Siamese, doodle enthusiasts will learn to draw and doodle all their favorite feline friends, in addition to anthropomorphic cats, fashionable furballs, and even cats in hats! A bonus project demonstrates how to create your own cat-doodled mug.

This compact, hardcover book makes the perfect gift for on-the-go creative types and cat lovers alike.

DOODLED CATS

By Gemma Correll

9781633226531

160 pages

US $14.99, CAN $19.99

June 26, 2018

Walter Foster Publishing

My Thoughts:

Cats are one of my favorite animals! They're so independent and full of vigor. When I saw the adorable designs of Doodled Cats, I knew it would be a hit in my classroom (and for me personally). My students range from around 8 to 15 and this book has designs for all types of artistic levels from beginners to experienced. I loved the step by step guides to each design, as well as the cats designed as known figures in our society today.

The other adorable aspect of this book is the cute little illustrations and stories. These can be fun to read or to try and recreate for your own customized designs. You can even add your own real life feline friend!

If you're looking for a gift for your favorite cat lover or a fun activity book to enjoy, I highly recommend Doodled Cats!

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Try a new art technique this summer with books from, The Quarto Group.

The lazy days of summer are great times to try out a new art technique, and The Quarto Group has you covered. Whether you want to create a collage with The Creature Garden, or improve your drawing skills with Ten-Step Drawing: Animals, these books provide step-by-step instruction and fun projects for you to tackle.

My Thoughts:

The Quarto Group was kind enough to allow me to review both of their fantastic books. As an art teacher year round, I'm always looking for new projects to add to my lesson plans. I also love doing these activities myself as a way to relax after a long day. The summaries were so good that I couldn't help but be excited to read these! I received both The Creature Garden and Ten-Step Drawing: Animals. Here are the descriptions:

The Creature Garden takes you on a step-by-step expedition through the natural world, teaching you how to draw and paint 50 beasts--both real and imagined--in a whimsical folk-art style.

The Creature Garden

An Illustrator's Guide to Beautiful Beasts & Fictional Fauna

By Harry & Zanna Goldhawk

$25.00 US / $33.00 CAN

Hardcover / 160 Pages

ISBN: 9781631064272

Rock Point Gift & Stationery

The blank page can be daunting, but Ten-Step Drawing: Animals offers a quick and easy starting point for any doodler, illustrator, or aspiring artist.

Ten-Step Drawing: Animals

Learn to Draw 75 Animals in Ten Easy Steps!

By Heather Kilgour

$14.99 US / $19.99 US

Paperback / 128 Pages

ISBN: 9781633224889

Walter Foster Publishing

I adored both of these books. The artwork was so unique. The best part was there's something for everyone. Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate artist, you are able to follow the instructions. The first picture is from Ten-Step Drawing: Animals and the second is from The Creature Garden. Those were two of my favorite designs as I'm a huge fan of Sloths and Narwals. I loved how vivid the designs were and detailed. It really added an element of both realism and fun. I cannot wait to take these books into my classroom for my students to enjoy!

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The Art of the Moulin Rouge - Book Review

If there is one trip on my bucket list, it is going to Paris! I have always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower and enjoy all the French cuisine of the region. Some day I hope it will happen. As a wish, I have decorated my guest bedroom in Paris décor including prints from the famed Moulin Rouge.

I am excited about this book - The Art of the Moulin Rouge! This interactive book features more than 25 projects all inspired by the famed Moulin Rouge. The first part of the book details the coloring projects with color patterns to use. Behind the tutorial are beautiful full color prints of many of the posters.
The details on the prints are fantastic! I love the descriptions of the years of each design. Each of the colored prints can be used to help color on the activity coloring page for the corresponding print. The colored print mentions the matching coloring page for ease in finding.

There are 15 coloring pages, all on single sided pages. Dot to dot pages come next followed by several color by number pages. These color by number pages are my favorite. The book includes a suggested color by number template that can be matched to most colored pencils.


At the back of the book are postcards in full color that can be removed and mailed.

This book has a lot of activities to enjoy! I like the several types of activities. This is a crafty book for any coloring devotee. Fans of Paris and its Moulin Rouge will love the assortment of colorful prints. This is a piece of history and artistry in a fun to complete book.

Buy The Art Of the Moulin Rouge from your favorite online bookseller.

The Art of the Moulin Rouge by Walter Foster Creative Team

More than 25 interactive projects inspired by the artwork of the world-famous venue

Author: Walter Foster Creative Team
Format: Paperback / softback, 112 Pages
ISBN: 9781633223042
Publisher: Walter Foster

Enjoy Hours of Fun with Modeling Clay!

Modeling Clay with 3 Basic Shapes

Model More than 40 Animals with Teardrops, Balls, and Worms

Bernadette Cuxart

PUB. DATE: SEPTEMBER 2016

Paperback, 96 pp., 8 7/8" x 10 1/2"

ISBN 978-1-4380-0908-7

$11.99, Can $14.50 

Teachers, parents, and kids will adore this book that's bursting with fun-filled projects. With three basic shapes (ball, worm, and teardrop), children will learn how to create personality-filled critters. All techniques described are easy for children to master, and kids will be delighted by the wonderful array of animals they can make with a little bit of clay and a whole lot of imagination.

A step-by-step guide to creating more than 40 clay animals.

Cute photos, numbered steps, helpful illustrations, crystal-clear directions, and some funny text help kids unleash their creativity and artistic talents. Projects include everything from pandas, owls, rhinos, kittens, puppies, snakes, koala bears, raccoons, snails, turtles, fish, and more. 

They'll look forward to rainy days!

A summary of projects and a helpful guide to techniques at the beginning of the book will help you create dozens of different, fun, and original clay figures. Perfect for a rainy day or art class project, or as a fun way to foster and encourage creativity. (Ages 4–8). 

My Thoughts:

As an assistant art teacher, I am always looking for fun ideas for my students. They love doing projects where they can have fun with clay. It was one of the main activities they all asked for during the summer and fall season of our camp. Nothing beats getting to craft their favorite animals. With ages ranging from around 8 and up, each child was able to find a fun idea that worked for them. 

Author Bernadette Cuxart, creates a step by step guide in her book. Each animal has it's own section in the book with instructions on how to create each shape, as well as detailed features. Any additional crafting tools are also shown as well. The instructions are very user friendly for learners of all ages, as well as parents, grandparents and/or teachers who are overlooking the projects. I enjoyed how intricate the animals come out. Although they are all made from three basic shapes, ball, worm, and teardrop, each creation had it's own flare.

For those that are teaching groups, it is nice that each student will generally be starting with the same basics. It makes it nice for the teachers, but also fun for the kids who can work together to help one another make something that is alike, yet they get to incorporate their own unique creativity with through the projects in this book.

I would highly recommend, Modeling Clay with 3 Basic Shapes, for anyone looking for activities that will lead to hours of fun for kids and adults alike! 

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Book Review : Creative Kids Complete Photo Guide to Crochet

Product was received for free in exchange for an honest review.

Are you looking for the perfect guide to teach your child to crochet? Look no further! Creative Kids Complete Photo Guide to Crochet starts with the absolute basics about stitching, beginning with a discussion about hooks and yarn and how to make simple chains, then gradually introduces skills and techniques until kids are crocheting confidently.

My thoughts:

My daughter is eleven and has never crocheted anything before, and she really likes this book.  It has very colorful pictures of the projects, and step by step instructions on said projects.  When explaining the different type of knots and other crochet vocabulary, it has nice size picture of said instruction.  

There is a section in this book of tools needed.  Which was very helpful, because we were able to go to the local art and craft store to get what we needed to get started.  I have never did Crochet either, so this was a lot of fun for me as well as my daughter to learn.  And it was great quality time together as well.  Of course we both started simple and made friendship bracelets, or as we called them mother/daughter bracelets since we made each other one.   We saw quite a few Crochet projects we want to do next. 

So not only is this great for kids, but for adults also who always want to Crochet,  but never knew how.

New Ceramic Surface Design

Product was received for free in exchange for an honest review.

New Ceramic Surface Design is a fully-illustrated manual covering a wide range of creative surface decoration techniques presented in an approachable and accessible format. Ceramic artist and expert Molly Hatch guides beginners and more advanced ceramicists through various methods for creating designs on clay. You will be introduced to several different and new approaches for using your own imagery and content on the ceramic surface. Techniques include Mishima, tape resists, rubber stamping, and doodling to create line art, stamping, nature resists, found objects, and shellac resists to create textures, and sticker resists, contact paper stencils, paper resists, and Sgrafitto to create shaped designs. Detailed photography and hand-drawn illustrations document the processes and show beautiful completed samples. Templates and stencils for all the featured designs are included in the back of the book to use as is, or to tailor to your own tastes.

My thoughts:

Love this book! First of all, it is a nicely spiral bound book.  Second, i enjoyed reading the Artists inspiration in the book.

What I thought was very helpful is that near the front of the book there is a section labeled "Gathering Tools".  It is a list of tools you will need for most of the beautiful projects throughout the book.  So before you go any further in the book to pick a project, you will have the tools.  

There are step by step instructions on each project, with very colorful detailed pictures of said project.  And the instructions are easy to follow. Since I am a beginner, i was happy about that.  I felt although I had my very own personal art teacher, but only in book form.  There are many beautiful projects in this book, it is hard to chose what one to try first.