Toes in the Water

My ATC for Grumbacher's 53rd ATC exchange. The theme is Song Interpretation.

I tend to over think my projects and still struggle trying to find my niche. I guess more practice is the key!

Adding this to PaintPartyFriday.

Adding this to Simonssays Anything Goes Wednesday Challenge!

I used Sakura Koi Watercolors available here at Oriental Trading. I am a beginner painter and these paints are very good for me. I used a palette and added dabs of each color. I rewet as needed. The colors are vibrant and spread easily.   

Disclosure - these paints were provided to me by Oriental Trading but the opinions are my own.

Thank you

One type of card I make quite a few of  is Thank You cards. My go to lately has been any kind using watercolors.

I received this set of Watercolors from Oriental Trading

I decided to make my own set of watercolors using this palette which I had. This way the paints can be more easily available. The dollop of watercolor on the tray will dry. To use at another time just spritz with water to reactivate.

Here are two different cards I made using my set of Watercolors.

I generously applied paint to the paper. Once I had it the way I wanted, I covered the paper with cling wrap and let it dry. The result is this gorgeous pattern.

For the second card, I stamped the image and then filled in with the watercolor paints. I purposely kept it loose. 

Adding these to PaintPartyFriday.

Stay tuned as I work more with these paints! 

Disclosure - the Paints were provided to me by Oriental Trading. All opinions are my own.

To the Moon and Back

For those who don't know, and I don't know how you could have missed this, but I have a new granddaughter! She is 3 months old. Unfortunately she lives far away in Phoenix but I am lucky enough to get out to see her every month or so.

I love creating home decor projects for her room. When I saw this canvas, I knew it was something I would like to do for her.

Here is a link to it at Oriental Trading





 

These canvases have a design already on them. Once you apply your paint , the design shows through.

Working with Koi Watercolors, I started the background with a soft layer of blue.

I continued adding blues and then some purples. Yellow and gold for the stars.

I thought the finished canvas needed some embellishments before hanging. Here is my finished canvas. Perfect for my granddaughter's room!

 Here is a close up. These canvases are such a joy to work with! I have learned not to use too much water and not to overwork the canvas. But it is really fun and I love the results!

 Thank you for visiting! I appreciate your kind words!

If you are interested in these products or any of the other 40,000 items available at Oriental Trading, here is where you can shop!

Disclosure - products were provided for my review. All opinions are my own!



Adding this to SimonSays Work it Wednesday!

At the Lake

I will be selling my canvases at the Rogue River Artists Summer Market tomorrow.

Here is one of my new ones

I painted the background then added layers of paper, stamps, texturepaste. etc.

Adding this to Paintpartyfriday

Thank you for visiting. I appreciate your kind words!

Color Reveal Frame

It has been a busy year for me because my daughter was pregnant and had a baby! I have been back and forth to Phoenix visiting them. One special event was for her baby shower. I had a lovely photo of her that I wanted to frame.

I saw a frame at Oriental Trading that I thought would be perfect. It is a Marble Watercolor frame from American Crafts. There is a masked and gold design on the paper. You add your own watercolor to create the frame you want.

I started with a light application of red.

I decided that was too light so waited until it dried and added darker tones. I continued the process until I got the effect I wanted.

 I also added flowers and a tag to complete the project. I love the way it came out!

Here is a close up.

I had fun personalizing this to the colors I wanted. I did learn that you need to be careful not to get the product too wet and it is best to let it dry between layers.

Want to give this a try? Head on over to Oriental Trading to shop for frames, watercolors and so much more!


Disclosure - I was sent this product to review. All opinions are my own.

New Projects in the works.

Have you ever heard of Oriental Trading Company?

I am partnering with them and here is the unboxing of what I will be working with.

My apologies for the sideways video!
So stay tune as I put these products to use! Here is a link to Oriental Trading which I hope you will visit and check out their wonderful catalog of products!



Disclosure - Oriental Trading has sent me products to review but all opinions are my own.

Paint Party Friday

A mixed media canvas. 

Something different for me.

Adding this to PaintpartyFriday.