Monsters – Page 2 – Play. Create. Discover…

Blog, Crafts, inspiration, Monster Monday, Monsters, play, Self-Love

The Hungry Monster: Let’s Celebrate!

December 7, 2020December 7, 2020 Kristy Fae

For anyone who’s noticed a gap in blogs here, don’t worry, the computer has not been eaten by a monster (though there may have been a few innocuous attempts!). No, we are all safe and sound here, and I promise, we have been anything but idle in the area of Nonsense— we’ve just been busy with it behind-the-scenes. We have been scheming, gathering, pondering and learning all kinds of wonderful things in order to bring you the ultimate goal: oodles of top-notch NONSENSE! We have been very creative-hungry monsters and I’ll be dropping a few hints today as to what is coming, but first—

Let’s turn to another important subject, one that we think greatly deserves the Art of Nonsense theme of the month for December 2020: Celebration!

I know COVID-19 has brought a tough year for many, and I’m not minimizing that— AT ALL. But let me explain myself before you will a monster to actually eat my computer. Despite any and all hardships, I think it’s important to take some time to celebrate in new ways that are safe and yet still meaningful to us. To celebrate making it through this hard year; how resilient we have been; how adaptive. Yes, many of us have slogged through seething swamps, tamed herds of wild, bouncing beasts, and put on more creative caps than we can count just to get here today. And of course let’s not forget to celebrate those incredible beings that have journeyed alongside us, keeping us hopeful, cared-for, and afloat. Let us take time to celebrate the lives of those we have sadly lost, keeping them close in our hearts and minds. Let us celebrate the holiday season, even though it will look different than usual this year. Let us celebrate all the small achievements and joys we’ve found amidst the chaos (really, no matter how small!).

For me, one such thing has been having the time to give my creativity and my monsters the attention they so deserve and crave (and believe me, their appetite is relentless!). I’ve been celebrating by investing in myself, starting off on exciting new endeavours, and following my dreams. I started writing a book about the importance of play, am at last finishing some of my children’s books, and am getting Super Max into the limelight he so loves. For me, the symbol of all these accomplishments is my new and improved Art of Nonsense “Monster Studio”— which I’ve now got set up properly, stocked up sufficiently, and ready for creation, unequivocally! How great is that?

Super Max and Friends Hangin’ Out in The Monster Studio!

As for different ways of celebrating the holidays, I’ve brought back some childhood traditions like advent calendars and Christmas candles, I’m finding dates for group video calls with friends and family, and am planning a special evening with my significant other. Also in the name of spreading joy this season, I’ve got a few more fun surprises coming your way— including a free and whacky tree ornament craft tutorial (if you’re eager to prepare, go gather and dry out a few medium-to-large sized pinecones: driftwood pieces or smooth stones would work nicely too). I’ll also be introducing a fresh batch of monster hand puppets into the Shop in new and exciting colours very soon! Make sure you’re subscribed here to the Blog and are following us on Facebook or Instagram to get all the updates!

Collect a few pinecones to prepare for our *upcoming* craft tutorial on how to make your own fun ornament!

In conclusion, let’s all try to take more moments for gratitude this month and celebrate what we do have and what small or big joys we are blessed with. Oh, and spread that sentiment like jelly on toast— remind those around you, young and old, friends and strangers, that we all have something to be grateful for. We have the power to make a moment or an occasion special if we are creative, mindful, and compassionate enough. Perhaps we can all help lift one another up with kind will, a promise of hope, gentle words, and loving actions.

Now it’s your turn. What can you celebrate this month? Or this week? Or even just today? How can you get creative this year to celebrate the holidays safely? What new traditions might you start? What can you and your loved ones plan so that you have something to look forward to, despite external factors? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading and have a safe and happy holiday season everyone!

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Pssst- what I write in this blog is a reflection of my own ideas and experiences and/or interpretations of any referenced material. The content of this blog is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only. I am not an expert or therapist and cannot be held liable for any content provided or how it is used. Please enjoy at your own discretion. I reserve the right to change the content or management of this blog at any time. That said, I hope you enjoy it! © 2020 Kristina Durst All Rights Reserved.

Blog, Crafts, Creative Learning, Funny, Monster Monday, Monsters

“Fuzzies and Owls and Monsters, Oh My!”: Handmade Monsters

July 6, 2020 Kristy Fae

Hello to all my monster-loving friends out there! Between commissions and gifts, it’s been a busy few weeks in the Monster Workshop here. I thought you might like to see what’s been coming to life… enter fuzzy blue hand puppets and fun fleecy sleep masks! All handmade by yours truly, these puppets and masks have your play-time and rest-time covered. The fleece and felt monster hand puppets come in different styles and colours and have plastic enforced mouths for easy operation. They’re great for make-believe, role playing, story-time, sing-alongs, teaching, and fun. I’m also happy to bring back these much beloved monster sleep masks, with a new and improved design to keep light OUT and comfort IN. There will even be matching hand puppet and sleep mask sets- yes, “Oh My!”

Stay tuned for new hand puppets and sleep masks for sale in the Art of Nonsense Shop coming soon: https://artofnonsense-shop.square.site/

Monster Sleep Mask with a light-blocking nosepiece and 100% cotton backing for comfort.

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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Blog, Crafts, Monster Monday, Monsters

Gotcha Monster: Free Pattern & Instructions!

June 8, 2020 Kristy Fae

As promised, here is the pattern and instructions for last week’s fun craft, the Gotcha Monster!

Supplies:

Felt sheets

Pipe-Cleaners

Craft Stuffing/Cotton/Fabric Scraps

Scissors

Marker

Glue (hot glue gun & glue or white craft glue)*

Optional Supplies for Personalizing Your Monster:

Craft Foam Sheets

Googly Eyes (instead of cutting out your own felt eyes)

Craft Fur

Beads

Ribbons

Feathers

Whatever you want to decorate your Gotcha!

*Note: I used hot glue, which dries quickly as you press your pieces together but hot glue guns should only be used by an adult using caution as they can cause burns! If using white glue, be patient as it dries.

Supplies (Some are optional ideas only!)

Click here for the pattern!Download

Step 1: Print provided pattern or design your own monster shapes on paper. You can get as creative as you like with shapes and details! What will your Gotcha look like!?

Step 2: Cut out paper pattern pieces and trace them in specified amounts onto felt sheets using a marker. Choose your own colours! You can use craft foam for the horns if you have it, but felt is fine!

Step 3: Cut out all the shapes now drawn on the felt and/or craft foam.

Step 4: Use a pipe cleaner to form each of the monster’s arms and legs: fold in half, fold ends over to create a long “M” shape, twist pipe cleaner at fingers/toes and down the arm/leg to create a sturdy limb.

Step 4: Bend Pipe-Cleaners Into Arms & Legs

Step 5: Glue the Belly, Eyes, Pupils, Mouth, then Tongue (glue along the flat, cut edge of the felt to make the tongue stick out!) to the outside of the Front Body.

Step 6: Glue the Horns, Fur or other optional accessories if any (get creative!), Arms and Legs to the inside of the Back Body— all just a few centimetres in from the edge so that they stick out!

Step 7: Attach the Back and Front Body together by applying glue to the edge of the inside of either Body, a section at a time, leaving a small hole to push the stuffing into. (*If using white glue, let the glue dry at this stage before attempting to stuff the monster.) After filling the body with stuffing/cotton balls/fabric scraps, glue the remaining hole shut and ta-daa! You’ve got yourself a Gotcha!

Step 8: Give your Gotcha a name and have fun! See what your Gotcha can hang onto or what games it might come up with!

Happy crafting everyone…I’d love to see a picture of your Gotcha in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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art, Blog, Crafts, Monster Monday, Monsters

Playful Puppets: Embodying Play

May 4, 2020 Kristy Fae

I often find myself missing my childhood play time— the magic of disappearing into fictitious stories and make-believe worlds; the joy of embodying a character with uninhibited freedom of expression; the escape from the world’s problems into mystery, laughter, romance… the imagination is the limit. That is to say it is unlimited of course.

Play is an incredibly powerful activity and, not just unfortunately— but tragically — is often left in the wake of adulthood. Play allows us to discover more about the world and about ourselves while expressing in ways otherwise inhibited. It is crucial, at any age, in my opinion (and in the opinion of many experts who study play).

Play can take many forms, from art and creative projects, to songwriting, to improv, to sports, to frolicking at the beach or amongst the trees, to laughing and goofing around with friends to — (insert your favourite fun activities here!). If it is coming from a pure, authentic, free place, and eliciting joy, I think it is safe to call it “play” though others may have a different definition.

As many of you know, one of my favourite sources of play is creating monsters— both on paper and off, the “off” part including HAND PUPPETS! Puppets are such fun and create an often immediate bridge of connection with children in different activities and environments as well as reacquainting us “older kids” with our childhood selves. What better than having a ridiculous character attached to your arm to elicit sporadic voices, movements, storytelling, and whatever else may come. I love puppets, and I’ve recently been called to create more of them.

You can make your own simple puppets by using an (old?) sock and some googly-eyes and get creative with other crafting supplies like felt, pipe-cleaners, fabric scraps, buttons, sequins, paper, popsicle sticks… oh how the memories of my childhood are dancing fresh on my mind right now! Perhaps I’ll post some tutorials on puppet-making here in the coming days… anyone interested?

Below are 3 different Monster Puppet designs I’ve created, please help me out by voting for the one you’d most like to see come to life! Option 1, 2 or 3!?

Let the play begin!

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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art, Blog, Comics, Monster Monday, Monsters

Your Inner Creative Creature: the Imagination

April 20, 2020 Kristy Fae

Thanks for reading! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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art, Blog, Comics, Funny, Monster Monday

The Beaster Bunny: Of the Easterly Kind

April 14, 2020 Kristy Fae

My apologies for the late blog this week.

I was temporarily… held up…by the Beaster Bunny!

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable long weekend!

Thanks for stopping by! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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Project Finishing- not as scary as it seems!

art, Blog, Monster Monday, Self-Improvement

The Finisher: How Finishing Projects Makes You Unstoppable

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 Kristy Fae

Some of you may have already seen the below acrylic-pouring paintings, because I created them on Christmas vacation when I was away visiting my family. I then shipped them back across the country— only to keep them packed in a box, until today, because they were awaiting a final gloss varnish and hook attachments. Well today I finally finished them.

Now there’s something especially satisfying about finishing a project that’s been ominously seeking your attention like a monster under the bed (the paintings were, in fact, being stored in a box under my bed). Here are the benefits of finishing projects that I’ve come up with:

It frees up space. No, I’m not talking about the space under the bed, though that is an added benefit, but more-so the crucial space in your mind that is needed for working on other awesome projects and goals. If you’re constantly thinking about, or even guilting yourself for, unfinished projects, what better way to clear your conscience than to just FINISH THEM?
It puts hair on your chest— or at least makes you feel like pounding your chest while hollering maniacally. Confidence and pride is boosted when you believe in yourself and feel like you’re accomplishing things that you are passionate about. Furthermore, finishing projects will help you grow and develop your talents and skills, further snowballing you towards more of the aforementioned desirable traits as well as improving your overall work. Win-win!
It stimulates the appetite. Seeing your work finished and out there in the world can help inspire and motivate you in ways you never expected. You may find yourself hungry for more or indulging on new creative ideas. Plus, you very well could end up with ogling clients or supporters drooling over your stuff. Every artist’s dream!
It’s fun. The joy of finishing a project speaks for itself, does it not?
It builds muscle— though unless your chosen medium involves lifting and building very large, very heavy structures, probably just metaphorical ones. Muscle memory is a real thing, routines are real as well, therefore it’s logical to deduce that a consistency in completing projects can become second-nature. The more projects you finish, the more of a habit project-finishing becomes.

*“The Finisher” … not as scary as it seems!*

Once you’ve become a brave, strong, hungry monster with lots of space to play in, you’re ready to take on the world— or at least the next project that starts bobbling into your head. So go grab one of those projects you have stashed away like a squirrel, and get crackin’! Sorry, I’m metaphor rich today. See? The project-finishing really does inspire the mind.

Seriously, what are you doing still reading this? GO GET TO IT.

Thanks for reading and be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on future posts! Also find @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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art, Blog, Monster Monday, Self-Love

The Peaceful Breezer: Finding Peace Amidst Chaos

March 16, 2020 Kristy Fae

If you’ve found even a bit more stress or disruption in your life than usual lately, you likely already know that you aren’t alone. Yes, the world is being impacted by COVID-19 in countless ways and I’m not here to talk about it. What I do want to discuss are the little things we can do to find peace, inspiration, grounding, and even joy when we find ourselves amidst chaotic, uncertain or confusing times— for whatever reason.

Yesterday I chose the simple act of taking a long, leisurely walk at the oceanside with a good friend. The sun was shining so brightly it sparkled on the water like a disco ball, while a seal popped his head up next to us and an eagle soared overhead. The wind was blowing the waves into a synchronized dance and scuba divers reminded us of the mysterious world that lay beneath them. The land felt at peace and, for a few hours, everything felt normal again. We couldn’t help but feel our interconnectedness with nature, the sense of how infinitesimal we humans are, and how much peace can be found by just stepping away. Away from the house. Away from the hustle and bustle. Away from routine. Away from social media and news. Away in whatever form of awayness is needed for you at any given time. By the time we left, I for one was feeling free of life’s problems, safe, in control, and enlivened— things I hadn’t felt much of all week.

When I later sat down to work on today’s artwork and blog, I could still see those beachy views in my mind’s eye: the grassy mounds in the foreground framed by stunning mountaintops and blue skies far beyond. While I had many illustrations that I “should/could” have been working on for my various projects, something from this vivid landscape was still speaking to me: whispering to the needs of my soul for further peace, freedom and trust. I knew there was a creature hiding behind the whisper but I couldn’t see her yet. But still, there she was encouraging me to gently put aside any additional pressure amidst an already stressful time; to “go with the flow” and create something just for the joy of it. I pulled out my oil pastels, a medium I rarely work in nowadays but one that I relate to a time in my younger days when I would draw for the sheer love of it, without (as much) concern for the end goal.

I knew this medium would help set me up for this “therapeutic art” session. And it worked. Instead of first sketching and perfecting the outlines of an image, I drew with the pastels directly onto the paper, trusting the permanence of the lines as I laid them down. I let it happen. I didn’t fight anything yet I felt in control. I limited expectations. I mixed colours. I smeared the oily pigments with my bare fingertips. And this is what came out— a creature seemingly born from those grassy cliffs of Ogden Point in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. I still plan on adding in that mountain crested background another day, but for now, this Peaceful Breezer sleeps in the caress of the sun without a worry in mind. She reminds me, and anyone else who wishes to take her lead, that stepping away to enjoy life’s simplicities, trusting the flow, and letting the breeze tousle your hair can sometimes be the best thing we can do for ourselves to come back to our centre. That and turning our fingertips green with creative delight…

So let your freedom flow like the wind and allow yourself to connect to those small things that make you feel as I did, hugged between ocean and eagle, in the shimmering sunlight.

Be well everyone.

Thanks for reading and be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on future posts! Also find @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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art, Blog, Monster Monday, Poetry

The Biscuit Monster: A Sneak Peek…

March 9, 2020March 9, 2020 Kristy Fae

Happy Monster Monday everyone! Today I have a special treat for you. You may have seen this kooky critter creeping around my pages before- but what you may not know is that she made it into the children’s picture book that I’m currently working on! “My Very Hairy Monster Friends” is a collection of short poems accompanied by wild and whimsical creature illustrations. Adventures, life lessons, and celebrating diversity are some themes that come out of this book. I’m ecstatic about releasing these unique creations into the world, and today I’d like to share a sneak peek of one of the featured poems along with the original watercolour painting I did of the Biscuit Monster (I’ll share the actual page illustration when I complete it)! Enjoy…

The Biscuit Monster

The Biscuit Monster is lots of fun,

She eats her cookies one by one,

And if she’s hungry when she’s done…

Hide your treats and run, run, run!

Thanks for reading and be sure to subscribe to the Blog to follow the progress of “My Very Hairy Monster Friends” and other creative adventures…

Also find @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

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art, Blog, Monster Monday, Monsters, Self-Love

“The Self-Love Serpent: Finding Gems in Your Blunders”

March 2, 2020 Kristy Fae

Hey everyone, I’d like you to meet the Self-Love Serpent. Self-Love Serpent, I’d like you to meet the people on the other end of the internets.

This little sweetheart has been a lesson in the making for a few different reasons, which I’d like to tell you about, but first she requires an intro. This slithering slinky is part of a project I recently started called “The Self-Love Deck for Monsters”. “The WHAT?” you ask. Think Tarot Deck, but the inspirational kind instead of traditional Tarot, and where each card features a creature with a hint of wisdom concerning self-love. Within the categories of the deck are the elemental sub-categories fire, water, air, earth, and ether. The card I sat down to work on about a month ago was “Self-Love” itself in the air element. What I first envisioned was something fuzzy and cute, swimming and swooping elegantly through the air, smiling, with a radiant heart.

What came out on paper, though, was somewhat of an unlikely candidate for the job. I was thinking of something like the flying dog from “The Neverending Story” movie, yet what materialized was…a snake? Now there’s nothing wrong with snakes, but they don’t exactly elicit a warm and fuzzy feeling for me, personally. While I don’t always have control over what my pencil does, I’m learning to trust it, so I went with it. In the end, I loved her. She was sweet, interesting, and could wrap her sleek figure around herself in a warm embrace until she had tied herself in knots of love. Her two tails, for me, represented both giving love as well as receiving it (which I’ve come to learn are two very different practices). Her scales would symbolize the multitude of aspects of herself, each which she had learned to love unconditionally. Hence was born the Self-Love Serpent. I couldn’t have planned her this well. Lesson one— trust yourself and your pencil, as strange as either’s guidance may seem at the time.

Okay, so I’m not used to drawing creatures that can pretzelize themselves, and after drawing her and falling for her, I realized (due to the feedback from a close artist friend) that I’d drawn her without much thought and her anatomy made no sense. Her twists and turns didn’t work, her spine was impossible, and her “spikes” were pointing the wrong direction on her tails… in short, she was an anatomical mess. DOH! I so liked how her lines worked as she was! But being the perfectionist that I am, I took to figuring out the puzzle of her serpentine bodice. Well, she became a gruelling group effort involving that same friend, my family and my boyfriend. We became Team-Serpent as I drew, erased, redrew her lines, until finally we got her straightened—or not so straightened— out (thanks team!). Much better! And I needed only to misplace a bit of my sanity and a few too many sleeping hours in the process… ahem. Lesson two— it’s okay to make mistakes, get feedback, and ask for help! Even (especially?) if you have to hear something you don’t like in the process.

Finally, when her lead outlines were exacted in a way that filled me with delight, as interesting lines on paper do, she was ready to paint. This became a whole other undertaking. You’d think I’d never painted before, but I’d just locked down hard on “solidifying my style” and thus was putting a lot of importance on this painting. I’ve been using gouache for a number of years now but when I consulted the aforementioned friend, she informed me that I was using the wrong medium for the style I was trying to achieve. Back I went to watercolour; a medium I’d first started using for my illustrations a decade earlier, and realized it did work better for my desired results! My homework was to play around with painting, doing so more freely and sloppily and even more outside of the lines (sorry Granny!). As someone who despises redoing things, this was tough for me, but I decided to paint multiple versions of the same picture, each as quickly as I could, to practise (see image above). Well, voila, I am getting closer and closer to what I want with my medium, style and speed of painting. Yeah yeah, practise makes perfect, right? But seriously, the slogan warrants some credit. Lesson three— don’t be afraid to break the mould, try something new, and step out of your comfort zones. You never know where it will bring you.

In the end, here she floats in all her grace: The Self-Love Serpent. And along with all her bizarreness, frustrations and imperfections, she loves herself completely— and she inspires me to do the same!

Make sure to subscribe to the Blog to stay up-to-date on “The Self-Love Deck for Monsters” project and other creative inspiration and adventures…

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