Playing with Paint

I like to paint but sometimes I just try too hard. Then I get frustrated and upset with myself. I decided to play in my art journal. I wanted bold and simple. I did not think but just painted. I made these tulips which I then outlined using a sharpie. I wanted the lines to be rough not my usual ruler style. I also wanted to practice large, loose writing so I added words to the flower stems.

In the end, I was quite pleased!

 I wanted to make a spring canvas but again was struggling with trying to draw daffodils. I think they are one of the most difficult things to get right. So I found a design I liked and printed it on tissue paper. I modge podged that on and proceeded to paint. By covering the edges of the tissue paper with the background paper, it totally blends in.

I enjoy the painting process so much when I stress less. How about you? Do you struggle? I hope i have shown you a couple of ideas which can help!!

Paints used - Americana turquoise, Mustard Seed, Bright Orange, Royal Purple, True Red.

CSI Special Investigator

I have had the honor of being a Special Investigator this month for CSI. Color Stories Inspiration is a wonderful site that provides a case to solve each week. This weeks was

And here is my layout

Our 13 1/2 year old Golden Retriever LOVES the lake. he is the first to swim in spring and the last in the fall.
I want to thank Debbi for this wonderful opportunity! I hope you check the cases out!!

Paints used - American Turquoise Blue, Mustard Seed.

7Dots April Challenge

7Dots has an April Challenge . The theme is April showers bring May flowers and this is the mood board.

A few weeks ago we had a storm whip though our area. Although it was not a tornado, the damage was very tornado like. We lost power for 24 hours and luckily we did not have much damage.  Our neighbors were not so lucky. They have several acres of woods in their  front yard and many trees were just toppled. In fact, three trees covered the only road going into and out of our sub division. We had planned on visiting friends but could not because of the blocked road. We had 10 -12 people out helping, 5 chain saws and a tractor. It took about 90 minutes for us to clear our road. The entire time it was raining. Of course, I had brought my camera with me. At one point I turned around and got a glimpse of the sun as it was setting.

our street

the neighbor's yard

massive trees downed

Here is my take for the challenge. I chose to scrap the sunset after the storm.

The Nature Walk collection was perfect for this!

Paints used - American black

End of the Kit

I do believe this is the last project with my Beauty of Nature kit!

I had a wood plaq which had cheesecloth modge podged on it. It was shoved on a closet shelf.So I pulled it out and painted, stamped, etc.

Head on over to Frosted Designs to get your hands on this kit!

Paints used - Americana Turquoise, Sable Brown.

Navy Sailor

The papers from this month's Beauty of Nature kit from Frosted Designs just screamed vintage at me. I am not normally a vintagy person but I went with it.

I knew I had these old photos of my dad from 1954 or so. I wish I knew more of the story - how did he enlist, where did he serve, etc. I know my mom and sisters have that information and now I want to know more about his service too.  I went ahead and scrapped them.

I am entering this in SWAT's Flower challenge
f - flowers
l - lace
o - orbs:)  (Circles)
w - wings of the butterflies
e - edges torn
r - ribbon

Happy Easter

We celebrated Easter a few weeks ago when Jennifer and Shawn were here from AZ. Had no time to get to the mall for photos with the bunny but that did not stop me. Here is this year's photo!

Just love having them all together!

And a family photo!

Earth Day

PCC has an earth day challenge. The idea was to use something that would be otherwise thrown away. Bonus entries for including a world, the word peace and photo  instructions for your project.

I had been hoarding a  wood clementine box for some time now. This seemed like the perfect time to alter it!

I painted it black

Then I began decorating! I painted, stenciled, glued on shapes from paper scraps, old books, etc. I used old packaging from scrap embellies and even the hobby lobby plastic bag was cut apart to make flowers! The best flower of all if one made from the fabric from my bridesmaid dresses which is 39 years old!

\

Here are my flowers. I used a running stitch to gather the fabric into a circle.  

 I cut the plastic bag into a strip and then starting in the center glued it onto a circle shape then misted it.

The tags tied to the box are recycled from clothes and scrap products. I even have a feather from the yard.

I found a perfect quote for the inside of this box which I now think I use to store paints!

I have the word peace written on a side, I had the earth stenciled on and I have photos of the process!


Here is the finished box

Thanks for checking this out!

Paints used - American Black, Royal Purple, Mustard Seed, Truse Red