Making Art is Good 4 U

Arty things you can do to make your life better

Don't focus on the outcome; just loosen up and have fun

• Doodle. Make time to doodle daily. Treat yourself to a set of brightly colored markers and go wild. Date your doodles and save them in a box or bind them together to make books.
• Start an art journal. Get a notebook - a cheap one will do - and write and doodle and draw in it. You can paste things into it. Write about your life. You can make lists like "I'm grateful for ..." or "Funny childhood memories" or "People who inspire me".
• Make your own paper dolls. Draw and cut out a basic human shape - arms and legs are optional! You can draw the faces or cut them from photos of your family or friends. Start with a paper doll of yourself! Consider the person's attributes as you are making the doll. Paper dolls look great as refrigerator art, or can be fun alternatives to birthday and greeting cards.
• Make an "Affirmation Box". Decorate a slip of paper cut to cover an empty matchbox. On other slips of paper write your favorite affirmations. Keep your box on your bedside table so you can review the contents at the end of each day (or the start). Variations: Make a "Wishes and Dreams Box", a "Gratitude Box". Or how about a "Reasons I Love You" box as a gift for a special someone?
• Display a collection. It could be a bowl of buttons, an assortment of childhood toys, a bunch of old bottles in assorted shapes and sizes. Make a centerpiece for the table or group the items on a mantelpiece or shelf. The simple act of creating a decorative feature like this can give great pleasure.
• Make collage cards - postcards or greeting cards and send these to your friends and family on their birthdays. Make them in batchs so you always have some on hand. You'll find your own personal style will emerge. Most people love the thought behind a handmade gift (and if they don't, they need to learn to)!