EDiM: 7

An envelope(s)

I stayed true to my desires yesterday after my Day 6 rendering, and I totally went loosey goosey today by doing my sketch in an etegami style.

Part of my reason for picking up these daily creativity and drawing practices has a lot to do with my first pregnancy.  During my first pregnancy, I discovered Etegami and soon after became a part of a beautiful international community of Etegami mail artists.  I received so many sincere and beautiful pieces of artwork many which decorate my home.  During that time I was extremely productive at making art, and creating Etegami was my daily creative practice.  I truly believed that the euphoria from creating and receiving etegami had a lot to do with giving birth to such a happy healthy baby.

I've thought many times that my current pregnancy is just SO DIFFERENT than my first.  Aside from being responsible for an existing little human, I've had so much pain, stress, and discomfort associated with this pregnancy to the point where I started worrying "How is my mental state going to affect baby 2?!  I don't want Rosemary's baby!!".  No worries, I've completely avoided the raw meat cravings.

Fast forward, upon completing the #CreativeSprint 30 day challenge, I learned of the Every Day in May sketch challenge and I'm into my second month of creative euphoria and a considerably less amount of stress.  Thank you Art.  Thank you Rachel!

My envelope today is from an Etegami I recieved from my friend Carole in Australia back in July of 2012. She is an amazing artist, Etegamist, and stamp maker/printer. Here is a link to Carole's blog: origam-me origa-me.  The envelope is decorated with a sock monkey stamp that she carved. I've saved it, like I've saved so many wonderful envelopes, because it's just as much a piece of artwork as the Etegami itself.

xoxo
Char

Post Script
For those of you who would like to learn about Etegami, check out this informative blog post by one of the leading etegami artists of the world, Dosanko Debbie:
Review of Rules of Etegami by Dosanko Debbie

Creative Sprint Day 16

Make a gift for someone and give it to them.

The gastrointestinal nastiness has spread to me now... I spent most of my day wallowing in my own misery while trying to be present for my Kai Baby, who has bounced back to his normal energetic self.  I decided to nap with him this afternoon and I'm sure I fell asleep before he did because the last thing I remember was him patting my head and singing "Rock a bye baby" to me.  It was the sweetest thing.  Despite the crud, I've been looking forward to making my gift all day.  Thank goodness he fell asleep at a decent time!

The "gift" I made is an etegami.  Etegami is a Japanese folk art; it's also mail art.  Etegami is characterised by: Debbie the Etegami Guru's informative post

the tools of the trade

I've had a care package I've been meaning to send to my friend Aya in Japan for a few months now! I wanted to include a note so etegami was the perfect thing to make. We shared an office together in NYC.  Our time working together was probably the best period of time at that company for me, and though that time and place was so long ago, so far away, and we are in completely different places than we were in our 20's, we are still friends and that makes me happy.  We always pick up right where we left off and I appreciate her so much!

"I wish we could have tea together"

Happy giving

xoxo

Char

Last push of the year

Another magic-phone post. Finished up the year of easing into "making" with some holiday etegami. Xoxo Char

You are my sunshine

The things I accomplish when my husband and baby are both in bed by 8:30. Two additional sunflower etegami  did not make this photo. By the time I was writing in quotations, it was 11:30pm and my tired brain would not allow my tired hand to write what my tired eyes had read. The "mess ups" will be used in a collage.  Stay tuned!

Xoxo

Char

P.S. This is my first attempt to post a blog entry from my magic-phone. "Hold onto your butts!"

Tomato & Mango

Here are my latest etegami creations.  I've been setting aside time every week to do some etegami and other drawings, and this is what I created on Monday.  It took all week to get them scanned and ready to post on the blog, but this is a time frame that is much easier for me to live with (compared to my recent 3-12 month turn-around time).

mangoes and tomatoes, all in a day's work...

"yoropiku" it's an inside joke with my auntie

Summertime...

heirloom cherry tomatoes from the la jolla farmer's market

  

We had some visitors last week and ended up doing a lot of site seeing.  As soon as I saw the first local tourist map, I planned to repurpose them as envelopes once we were done with them.  I got the idea from the members in my Etegami group who make their own envelopes from maps and old calendars. They are so much fun and turned out pretty cute. Can't wait to mail them out! 

 

san diego map envelopes

xoxo
Char

Japan Expo in Issy les Molineaux

I participated in an etegami call in France for the Japan Expo organized by an etegami friend of mine, Valerie, for the Pigmets et Arts du Monde.

This is a link to the video with all the etegami submissions for the Japan Expo:
Japan Expo 2013 Issy les Moulineaux
I hope you take a moment to watch it because so many awesome inspiring pieces were submitted!

I submitted 3 pieces which you can see at the 4:26ish mark.  One piece I included, despite the lack of words, was this camelia I made in Japan.  I created the two other pieces here in San Diego, and this call was just what I needed to get the creative juices flowing again.

xoxo
Char

a mistake!

 Today I set out to catch up on posting some stuff that I've made over the last couple months...  my previous post was actually created 3 months ago on April 13!!!  These asparagi were created on April 19th.  As I was searching my images to upload I came across a critical error;  I forgot to scan each individual final etegami so this is all I have to share, folks.

pre-gansai

asparagus on linen paper

modified quote from pablo neruda

xoxo
Char

back to basics

It's been quite a while since my last post... in between then and now I've been consumed in child growing, then child rearing, an international move, "healthy cookie" making, and finally a few days ago back to etegami and other things I've been neglecting like my love for tea, shortbread, and chocolate.

I'm still consumed in child rearing and healthy cookie making, but it's finally getting easier to juggle my responsibilities and the things I'd rather be doing instead of playing house.  Don't get me wrong, being a domestic goddess is very much a part of who I am, but the house stuff was being prioritized as something that I "must" do and the art stuff as something I just "want" to do... Well, not the case.  I need to create artwork as much as I need to feed my family delicious healthy food and I can do both if I just make the time to do both.  It's a simple adjustment.

I made these two drawings with one friend in mine who has been waiting about 9 months for a reply!  Sorry Emily!

As for the "healthy cookie" that I'm obsessed with, a friend of mine shared the recipe with me and I've named it Oat Nugs because they look like little oat nuggets.

Ingredients:

2 ripe bananas

1 C quick oats (Old Fashioned Oats have worked fine for me)

1 Tbs peanut butter 

some chocolate chips (and/or cranberries and pecans!)

Do this:

Preheat the oven to 350

Mash bananas, stir in oats, peanut butter and chocolate chips. Drop on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes.  And there you have it, Oat Nugs.  Let them cool for about 10 minutes before you taste them.

I've had friends use pureed pumpkin and honey instead of bananas; and I usually chop up some tart dried cranberries to balance out the sweetness of the ripe bananas.  

xoxo

Char

Snail from Yokohama!

"den-den mushi" is a slang term for snail in Japanese

I made a playful snail etegami this morning with a stamp that my friend Shungo made for me!

A Tribute

On July 9th, 2012 I found my dear Cool Hand Luke "floating" and not swimming when I woke up to check on him.  He had been pale in color and acting strangely by burrowing in the rocks for a few days prior.  I drew out this post card when I started worrying about his health, and I finally added color and finished it with my stamp tonight.

xoxo
Char

EDM #3 - Purses, Wallets, or Bags

This is my wallet.  

Other than identification, discount cards, credit cards, cash, and receipts I have a sticker of a chameleon that my stepson gave to me a few years ago when chameleons were his favorite animal. <3

Need I say more? The bag that goes within the bag!

EDM #2 - Draw a lamp

EDM 1: Draw a shoe

1. Draw a shoe (well, I drew 3)

My go to "shoe" I wear these everywhere, but bought them for a vacation to Kauai last year.

My silver ballet flats that have been with me since I lived in NYC.

I love my orange converse.

xoxo
Char

P.S. While I was at it, I commemorated my new passport cover that I've wanted for about 2 or 3 years now.  I gave in, and bought it for an upcoming trip!  I needed it like I need a hole in my head, but it's nice to treat yourself to frivolous things every once in a while!

EDM Challenge List

Some members of my online etegami group and I have decided to do our own etegami style EDM (Everyday Matters) Challenges.  The subjects that we are going to be drawing are listed below.  We're practicing with #1 and will be posting #2 on Monday July 9, then continue up the list every week after that.  Hopefully I'll be able to keep up once my little one is here! I won't sweat it if I can't:


EDM Weekly Challenges - most current on top
328 - Draw something that has buttons
327 - Draw something super
326 - Draw something you can keep in your pocket
325 - Draw something blue -
324 - Draw a garden tool
323 - Draw something sad
322 - Draw something related to what you do
321 - Draw something forbidden
320 - Draw something you’ll give away
319 - Draw the condiments on a diner or casual restaurant table
318 - Draw something with numbers
31 7 - Draw your hair in the morning
316 -Draw a travel memory
315 - Draw something under water
314 Draw something that has a knob
313 - Draw something you look up at from below
312 Draw something very light
311 Draw something that you need two of to make a set
310 Draw your junk drawer
309 - Draw something with more than 2 legs
308 - Draw something slippery
307 - Draw something raw
306 - Draw a snack
305 - Draw something huge
304 - Something you can tie
303 - Draw something frozen
302 - Draw something in motion
301 - Draw something cute
300 - Draw something bright
299 - Draw a table
298 - Draw something strange
297 - Draw a bottle of water
296 - Draw something orange
295 - Draw some toast
294 - Draw something that makes you smile
293 - Draw something made of glass
292 - Draw a night scene
291 - Draw or paint an illustration for the cover of your favorite book
290 - Draw a teapot
289 - Draw an appliance you bought or received but don’t use
288 - Draw something with spots
287 - Draw something colorful
286 - Draw a shirt
285 - Draw something that loves the sun
284 - Draw your downtown
283 - Draw something shiny
282 - Something you’ve been putting off doing, or don’t want to do
281 - Draw what keeps you warm or cool
280 - Something you don’t see every day
279 - Something that starts with the last letter of your name.
278 - Something that starts with the first letter of your name
277 - Something that should have been invented by now
276 - Draw your grocery store
275 Draw a tube of toothpaste
274 Draw the cover of your favorite book
273 - Draw a collection of tools
272- Illustrate a line from a song.
271- Free choice
270 - Draw something you’d like to preserve
269 - Draw something annoying
268 - Draw something you need
267 - Draw something flexible
266 - Draw something or someone you cherish
265 - Draw your neighbor
264 - Draw your floor
263 - Draw your favorite cleaning supply
262 - Draw your shower or tub
261 - Draw a Winter Olympic event
260 - Draw a filled suitcase
259 - Draw something from a pet’s point of view
258 - Draw the inside of your closet
257 - Draw a house plant
256 - Draw something bubbly
255 - Draw a person near you on a train, bus or plane
254 - Draw something that represents joy
253 - Draw your socks
252 - Draw a pine or fir tree
251 - Draw perfume or a scented product
250 - Draw something you got for free
249 - Draw a coffeepot
248 - Draw a lock
247 - Draw something creepy
246 - Draw some gloves
245 - Draw something October
244 - Draw the oldest thing in your refrigerator
243 - Draw a pillow
242 - Draw a figurine or tzatchke you have
241 - Draw what you see from your kitchen window
240 - Draw a pencil, your favorite if you like
239 - Draw something that has scared you
238 - Draw something from a first aid kit
237 - Draw what’s under your bed or the view from under your bed
236 - Draw the palm of your left hand
235 - Draw a butterfly
234 - Draw something that belongs to someone else
233 - Draw your favorite drink
232 - Draw the last thing you bought
231 - Draw your junk drawer
230 - Draw a map
229 - Draw a summer joy
228 - Draw something that makes you laugh
227 - Draw a tote bag
226 - Draw a screw
225 - Draw something sticky
224 - Draw a jug or pitcher
223 - Draw your favorite sound
222 - Draw your favorite drawing tool
221 - Draw a hand held game
220 - Draw the moon
219 - Draw a window
218 - Draw a knife
217 - Draw an umbrella
216 - Draw your inner critic
215 - Draw your thumb
214 - Draw something representing a favorite hobby
213 - Draw a microwave oven
212 - Draw something with a mirror image
211 - Draw or paint an everyday object “in the style of” an old master or notable painter you admire.
210 - Draw some underwear
209 - Draw a shadow
208 - Something out of place
207 - Draw something that has a shell, or draw a seashell
206 - Draw something familiar to you that you know is called something else in another region. (Example: soda is also called pop)
205 - Draw a soda can
204 - Draw something frosty
203 - Draw a glass of juice
202 - Draw a cookie
201 - Draw a stapler
200 - Draw something lucky
199 Draw a toe
198 - Draw some noodles
197 - Draw a remote control
196 - Draw a rope
195 - Draw a fork
194 - Draw a baked potato
193 - Draw a closeup part of something
192 - Draw something that floats
191 - Draw some paper money
190 - Draw your palette or selection of colors
189 - Draw a shaver or razor
188 - Draw a peanut in the shell or out
187 - Draw a fan
186 - Draw something you’ve always wanted
185 - Draw a cat
184 - Draw a park bench or other outside bench
183 - Draw something dangerous
182 - Draw a truck.
181 - Draw a trash or garbage can
180 - Draw something in your favorite color
179 - Draw an onion
178 - Draw something red
177 - Draw a flag
176- Draw something summer
175 - Draw a basket and what it holds
174 - Draw a bridge
173 - Draw something from memory
172 - Draw something that sparkles
171 - Draw some ice cream
170 - Draw a zipper
169 - Draw a piece of cake
168 - Draw your daily newspaper
167 - Draw something that needs fixing
166 - Draw a fish
165 - Draw the front of your house, apartment bldg, condo, dorm etc.
164 - Draw a camera
163 - Draw a deck of cards
162 - Draw your breakfast
161 - Draw something you think smells wonderful
160 - Draw a trophy or award
159 - Draw a favorite cooking tool
158 - Draw a kernel of popped popcorn
157 - Draw a towel
156 - Draw a sandwich
155 - Draw something with a step or steps
154 - Draw or paint a lemon
153 - Draw something in a plastic wrapper
152 - Draw a nut
151 - Free choice
150 - Draw a candle
149 - Draw a broom
148 - Draw or paint something soothing
147 - Draw or paint something made of wood
146 - Draw a favorite food
145 - Draw (or paint) a tree in autumn
144 - Draw something square
143 - Draw an herb or spice
142 - Draw something hot
141 - Draw something with bristles
140 - Draw an envelope
139 - Draw something with a handle
138 - Draw something soft
137 - Draw something you can turn on or off
136 - Draw or paint something that’s alive - a living thing - animal or plant
135 - Draw a salad
134 - Draw a familiar person place or thing, but from an unusual angle
133 - Draw a peach
132 - Draw a chain
131 - Draw a spray bottle
130 - Draw some school supplies.
129 - Draw people doing something.
128 - Draw a view through a doorway from one interior room to another.
127 - Draw a skyscape
126 - Draw a sponge
125 - Draw a bird
124 - Draw something yellow
123 - Draw a bell
122 - Draw something where shade is a prominent part of the subject
121 - Draw a coin or some coins and journal about memories about coins from your childhood.
120 - Draw a flashlight
119 - Draw some rocks
118 - Draw some hair
117 - Draw something round
116 - Draw something green
115 - Draw a shopping cart or basket
114 - Draw something ugly you love and keep for sentimental reasons. Journal about it, too.
113 - Draw or paint a fence
112 - Draw something fresh
111 - Draw a bowl
110 - Draw something with a flame or flames
109 - Draw a clock you have around your house
108 - Draw a light bulb
107 - Draw how you get your news - at a newsstand, vending box or on your porch
106 - Draw something tart or sour
105 - Draw some scissors
104 - Draw some salt and pepper shakers
103 - Draw some exercise equipment - what you use to stay fit.
102 - Draw a power plug
101 - Draw a bar of soap
100 - Draw or paint a landscape
99 - Draw something that represents a new years resolution of yours
98 - Free choice. Draw anything you like. We’re all busy before the holidays.
97 - Draw a present you have received. Why is it special?
96 - Draw something sweet
95 - Draw a holiday card
94 - Draw a spoon and journal a little about it
93 - Draw an egg carton, with or without eggs in it.
92 - Draw a brown paper bag
91 - Draw an apple
90 - Draw something with wings
89 - Draw a button or buttons
88 - Draw something breezy - something that blows in the wind - a flag, leaves, your choice…
87 - Draw your lunch and journal about it.
86 - Draw a traffic sign (stop, yield, crossing, directional, arrows, etc.)
85 - Draw a store in your neighborhood.
84 - Draw some bread and write about it if you like.
83 - Draw a nearby body of water - ocean, lake, pond, river
82 - Draw your artspace - drawing board, desk, studio, table - draw where you create.
81 - Draw a streetlight
80 - Draw something that makes you happy, and write about it, too.
79 - Draw an ear, or two or three or more
78 - Draw a souvenir of a place you’ve been. journal a bit about your memories of the place.
77 - Draw something cold or cool. Chill, people.
76 - Draw some flowers (or colorful showy foliage if you’re in the S. hemisphere and don’t find flowers in bloom.)
75 - Draw the ingredients and/or process of a favorite recipe - and journal about it.
74 - Draw some clouds and write about them
73 - Draw a mailbox and write about the most important piece of real world mail you’ve ever received(not email - snail mail.)
72 - Draw somewhere new. Go somewhere new to you and draw what you find. Write about it, too.
71 - Draw something representing your favorite sport.
70 - Draw what you’re afraid of. Write about it, if you dare.
69 - Draw a beverage and write a little about it.
68 - Draw your computer
67 - Draw something Mom - your mother, something that reminds you of motherhood. Journal, too.
66 - Draw a fire hydrant and make a journal entry about fire fighters
65 - Draw your nose, a friend’s or a strangers. Or a pet’s.
64 - Draw your sink - at home, work or wherever
63 - Go on a nature walk, pick up items, draw what you find
62 - Draw a previous challenge in a different medium than you usually use.
61 - Draw a grouping of 2 or more of similar objects
60 - Draw an automobile or a part of one
59 - Draw a sign or spring (or fall if you live in the southern hemisphere.)
58 - Draw a hat, cap or other headgear. is it sentimental? Write about it.
57 - Draw a picture frame and the picture in it. Write about why it’s special to you.
56 - Draw a self portrait
55 - Draw a doorknob, plain or fancy
54 - Draw someone or something you love - and journal about it.
53 - Draw a mouth and journal about speaking out or holding one’s tongue …
52 - Draw a dog (yours or a friends or anyone’s) and journal about your dog relationships.
51 - Draw your TV and favorite show playing. Journal about why you like that show etc.
50 - Draw your home’s entryway and journal your thoughts and feelings about “homecoming.”
49 - Draw your refrigerator interior (and contents) or exterior (and what’s on the door)
48 - Draw something that represents your new year’s goal or resolution
47 - Draw a challenge from the past year 1-46 that you didn’t try before
46 - Draw something holiday themed (Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, winter solstice)
45 - Draw your medicine cabinet (the inside of it)
44 - Draw an animal - a pet, a zoo animal, a stuffed one …
43 - Draw something china or ceramic
42 - Draw something you are thankful for
41 - Draw a landmark of your city
40 - Draw something with folds
39 - Draw your toothbrush
38 - month long challenge until end of November 2005 - draw at a museum
38 - Draw something related to Halloween, All Souls Day, Dia de los Muertos, All Saints, etc.
37 - Draw some keys
36 - Draw out in public
35 - Draw a bicycle or a part of one
34 - Draw a fall leaf
33- Draw an eye
32 - Draw something metallic
31 - Draw something you collect
30 - Draw a chair or anything else you feel like.
29 - Draw something architectural or anything else.
28 - Draw an appliance or anything else you like.
27 - Draw a book or anything else you want.
26 - Draw anything you like. If you want to draw a vegetable, that’s fine, too.
25 - Draw a glass (the kind you drink from)
24 - Draw a piece of fruit
23 - Draw your foot
22 - Draw a piece of clothing
21 - Draw something old, antique or vintage
20 - Draw something “Dad” - in honor of Fathers Day
19 - Draw something you’ve made
18 - Draw the view from a window of your house, apartment, office, etc.
17 - Draw a musical instrument
16 - Draw a favorite tool
15 - Draw a tree or trees, leaves or branches
14 - Draw what you see in the morning when you get up
13 - Draw your telephone (land line, cell, old-fashioned?)
12 - Draw what you ate for dinner
11 - Draw your glasses or sunglasses
10 - Draw your hand or hands (or someone elses if you like)
9 - Draw a bit of “organized chaos” - your messy desk, your table stacked with books, etc.
8 - Draw your watch or other piece of jewelry
7 - Draw a bottle, jar or tin from the kitchen
6 - Draw your favorite well-loved object … or a childhood toy
5 - Draw your bed
4 - Draw your mug or cup
3 - Purses, Wallets or Bags
2 - Draw a desk lamp or other lamp
1 - Draw a shoe


Every day does matter!
xoxo 
Char

Eternal Sunshine

 I experimented with a white colored pencil to capture the basic design on my little plate.  Not happy with my first attempt, but I'll try it some more.  Also I made a new katakana "charline" rubber chop... which is also still in the works!  I'm not happy with it either, so it might get scratched or remade.

More orange with a new "char" rubber chop that I made.

The problem with drawing while hungry...

After drawing and eating my orange slice, I moved onto something else that was interesting on my kitchen table.  My beloved pepper mill. Variety is the spice of life, especially when it comes to peppering my food.  I love having a mix of peppercorns in there.

 Last, but not least, this is where I've been keeping all of my rubber chops.  This was an empty matchbox from my grandmother's house!  I loved the color and the lion design more than anything.  It happened to be a good size for now.  Hopefully I'll get another box soon because I have a feeling I'll be making more chops in the near future.

xoxo

Char!

A few connections...

I'm happy to share the following links to the websites of friends who have received my etegami that I've posted on The Char Makes.

The first is Carole in Australia's website.  She had an etegami exhibition at a hospital this spring, and extended the invitation to submit work to her etegami community.  I gladly submitted, and was happy to see that my postcard made it!  Carole's Etegami InBox, Hospital Exhibition

The next is the King of Kindness himself, Shungo's website where he displays the etegami he receives: Shungo's Etegami Thank You

The third link is the Etegami Maven, Dosanko Debbie's Mail Art Gallery.  She is the coordinator and leader of our online etegami group, and through her kindness and dedication she makes it possible for many of the solely Japanese and English speaking members to interact with one another.

Following Debbie is my friend Ron who I met through my husband, by happenstance was an artist and introduced Mail Art to me several years ago, hosts ongoing submissions to his residence in Heebee Jeebeeland.  It's always a pleasure to visit Heebee Jeebeeland and even more exciting to receive a message from there!  I've been diligently checking the post box!

Lastly is my new blog dedicated to the mail art that I receive: The Char Gets.  I'm still tweaking the layout and such, but I'm really excited to share the wonderful surprises I find in my post box.

xoxo
Char

a fruitful walk

I decided to take advantage of the non-rainy day and went for a lovely walk this afternoon; on which I picked up a couple things along the way.  The first flower, is called nejibana.  The botanical name is Spiranthes sinensis, but the Japanese name translates as spiral/screw/twist flower.  I remember close to 25 (Yikes!) years ago my grandmother digging some white ones up from our house in Yokosuka, and they still come up in her yard every year.

Three of my botanical muses.

nejibana envelope

more nejibana

 The other thing I "gathered" is some relative of the strawberry that seems to grow everywhere there is a lawn, and has been growing since the spring into summer.  I don't know whether it's edible, but even if it were the Japanese name for the plant is hebi ichigo which translates as "snake strawberries".  Not very appetizing, but it's still very cute.

hebi ichigo

I also painted my cyclamen that is back in action after taking a 3 month break from blooming!  It has been sitting out on the balcony since April or May after blooming all winter inside my house, and the fresh air, rain, and sunshine must have been just what it needed to recharge!

cyclamen

 Lastly, I could not help myself from doing a couple more splatter cards!

"rainy season"

more splatter fun!

Thankful for the linoleum floors today!

xoxo
happy healthy summer
Char