Tags are a fun creative project. Typically used in junk journaling, they are easy, and versatile.
You can decorate the one side and use the other write on, or just leave it blank. We have three monthly creative projects in our art group: lifebook, an art project, and a tag.
Here are a few of my recent tags (they are all 16x8cm).
Until tomorrow!
🇿🇦💜 Linzé
Today is Earth Day and I am celebrating with tiny paintings towards this planet that we all share.
Sometimes it is frightening to see what people are doing to each other, and the planet, our one and only home.
Whether you think we will colonise another planet in the future or not, until then this is our home.
Why not do something for our planet today?
Happy Earth Day fellow creative!
Until tomorrow!
🇿🇦💜 Linzé
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| A large prompt based collage challenge I did in Dec 2025 (70x50cm) |
An old Scots word literally meaning “to make something square,” but which can also be used figuratively to mean “to agree with or get along with someone.” (mentalfloss.com)
While I don't think I will be using this word in my writing any time soon, I do find the blog challenge always a good time to learn a new word or two. Q is a letter that definitely lends itself to such a learning opportunity.
Until tomorrow!
🇿🇦💜 Linzé
Everyone plans their work or other activities in a way that works for them. Whether it is a digital planner or a paper planner. Maybe even both. I prefer a paper planner.
Over the years I have adapted the Bullet Journal method to a style that works for me. No, I don't spend hours decorating the pages, because I need the space for planning everything.
When there is some space left at the end of the month, I will add stickers, washi tape, or stamps to decorate the space. I use a spread for a whole month. Then I can see everything at a single view. I draw a calendar, and a tracker. These are the only 'drawn' items.
I cannot add the individual activities of my work, there are simply too many, so I make a list of the highest level tasks that need to be done per job. I add my logbook (I need this for tax purposes), and then a list of everything else I have to do: pay tax, book a service for my car, etc.
How does it help with dealing with feeling overwhelmed?
Priorities. My work priorities are not in my control, but everything else is. By knowing my priorities, and the number of things I have going on, I can see what must be done by when, and what can be delayed by a day or two.
But I also plan to take breaks. Not hours, because I do take breaks during my workday, but days to relax and forget about my responsibilities. I do this as often as I can, and not when I have to. Something I learned the hard way!
And it is knowing my priorities and taking time off regularly, that has been the most useful to managing that near paralysing feeling of overwhelm.
There is no past tomorrow, so I will see you again on Monday!
🇿🇦💜 Linzé
With all the posts I have done so far, I have focused on my creative and blogging endeavours. Today my post is about my engineering work.
I work in a test laboratory as a senior safety certification engineer. I, and two younger engineers, test and certify high-tech equipment against international safety standards, before the products are submitted to the regulators for approval to sell. I also test industrial and specialised equipment for safety, and am systematically training my younger colleagues to do the same work.
Working in a laboratory environment suits my personality. The work requires extreme focus, every job is different, and I mostly work by myself. All three of us do, but we do consult each other when challenging products or tests need to be figured out.
Yes, I love my job. And I love that the work we do contributes to the economy of the country. I also have my own business where I assist companies to comply to the requirements for export. But that is a whole different story! 😉
Until tomorrow!
🇿🇦💜 Linzé
Our pesky geyser problem has finally been fixed, and I have started work on repairing the ceiling in my studio. It's mostly scraping off the flaking paint, and then repainting it. Most of the water damage was inside the cupboard, which made it awkward for someone who doesn't like ladders, to reach. But I managed.
Of course, I could ask Hubs, but it's my studio and I like painting walls and ceilings, which he certainly doesn't. And if you don't like something, you either postpone it, or you do a crap job. Since a crap job was not an option, it meant that I had to do it.
Reorganising is still a challenge. Since I want to move some furniture around, it is taking time with unpacking and moving and storing stuff again. Also a good time to get rid of things. I have already put aside a lot of pencils, and other materials, but they are still in the house. I want to put everything up on a website maybe in two or three batches to sell. I thought of donating everything, but advertising it might interest someone who actually needs a few things and don't live in my area. I will share where and when everything is available.
At least now I can get into my studio and work on some larger panels again. The tiny watercolours are still fun, but the big brushes are calling and those are the most fun to play with.
My 10th novel's editing is going well. The final edit is in progress, then it needs to be proofread and formatted for publication. The cover still needs some work, but I will have a chat with Hubs since he is my cover guy. This means I could actually make the new May deadline! Woohoo!
The A to Z blog challenge is underway if you want to have a look at the other kind of stuff I am up to in April. The next post is tomorrow.
Until next time!
🇿🇦💜 Linzé
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| Tiny painting No 2. 7x7cm - ink and wash |
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| `White ink drawing |
A favourite medium that recently came on the art scene. I like them because they aer easy to use, and work well acrylic paints, or on paper with water colours.
Versatile and a quick option that doesn't require any preparation to use - aside from shaking the brush pen, depending on the brand you are using.
Until tomorrow!
🇿🇦💜 Linzé
Hey there creative friend!
I really wished I could tell you that my studio is back in working order, and that I am painting to my heart's content. But as you probably guessed...it hasn't happened yet. How long can it possibly take for the insurance to make a decision? Let me tell you...one month! Yup, it took my husband many hours on the phone and many emails, and getting the complaints department involved. Then more phone calls...yes, even they had to be chased. What a freaking mess!
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| Acrylic marker on tiny canvas |
It is going to be a long day. Hubs decided to work from home, so that I can go to the lab to work. While I have to finish a report, and prepare for the next test, I already have another job going and I need to go in to finish the tests.
That's how life works for the self-employed 😉 So it's a good thing that I like the work.
You can see a few of my 100dayproject paintings, which I am managing to keep with. I am also writing a novel, and editing another. The editing is going well, and after I consolidate this edit, I have to work through it one final time before the manuscript will be made ready for publication. I am thinking early May. The next goal is to ask my husband to do the cover for me. I know what I want, but I need a Photoshop expert like him, to make it look the way I want.
 Acrylic marker - colouring page | ||
I enrolled in the A-to-Z blog challenge starting on Wednesday, if you want to check it out. It is a daily post around a theme of my choice.
An if that wasn't enough, I also joined the #100tinytreasures quest. This is not a daily painting, but still making 100 paintings, albeit tiny ones, in one year does require some serious planning and commitment. They are fun though and I have done three already. But more about that next time.
Until next time!
🇿🇦💜 Linzé
Tags Tags are a fun creative project. Typically used in junk journaling, they are easy, and versatile. You can decorate the one side and ...
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