Check it Out

I happy to report that I am the Crafter of the week over at Create and Craft!

Crafter of the Week

Create and Craft is a store but they also have a blog filled with wonderful ideas and techniques! Check them out!!

Work in Progress - Autumn

 I came late to the artistic world. I fought it for years. You see my twin sister got the art and music gene while I got the math and science. I love numbers and straight lines and perfect shapes. I would fight tooth and nail when ever I had to attempt to do anything involving painting or drawing. Yes, in 8th grade I even made my mom go talk to the art teacher to explain that I could not produce works like my sister.

Fast forward to last year, when the store I was working at closed. I signed up for a continuing education class - Learning to Paint. The idea was to experiment and try different mediums. It was just a 4 week class but after it ended a group of us continued meeting. Working, sharing tips, and experimenting. 

I finally shared a canvas I had made - a mixed media project filled with paint, paper, stamping, etc. To my surprise they loved it and encouraged me to join the local art association. A perk of being a member is selling your works at the three shows we have. I was shocked when I made a sale at the first show and actually sold 12 pieces that day. 

I still do the canvases but, at the same time, am trying to find my niche with different paints and mediums. I love the effect of watercolors but struggle with how to use them. I think my problem is not letting them try before adding more. I also still struggle with drawing. I din't have any schooling so do not know about perspective, proportions, etc. Also I tend to struggle with symmetry. If I draw a face each eye should be exactly the same, etc. 

But, I am trying. So today I am sharing a little watercolor of a girl I made. Inspired by Sandee Setliff who paints such gorgeous girls and faces as well as many other things, I tried to not worry  about perfection. I call her Autumn and her hair was inspired by the fall colors around us. 

If you have stayed with me through this long dissertation, I thank you! If you are a work in progress like me, let's make a pact to keep working on it! We can do this! 

Thank you for visiting and for your kind words. They mean more to mean than you could ever know!

Adding this to Simonssays Monday Challenge - Autumn.

Would love for you to visit Sandee and check out her wonderful art! Tell her hi from me!

Autumn

I am just loving this weather! Cooler temps, gorgeous blue skies and colorful trees!

I created this little thank you card inspired by Diana Trout. She was demonstrating  Japanese Watercolor postcards. I used Gelatos for my card. I still need to work on the looser drawing techniques but was pleased with this!

Adding this to Simonsaysstamp Monday Challenge  - Autumn.

Rocking It!

Did you know that you can use Tattered Angels mists and paints on rocks?

I participated in a  Canvas Corp Brand Crew Team event which not only including decorating a rock but hiding it in a public place for others to find!

Luckily we have many rocks in our back yard so I grabbed this large, textured one. I had no idea what I was doing but jumped in anyway. 

I gave the rock a coat of Gesso followed by a coat of Tattered Angels High Impact paint in Wheat. 

I painted different flower shapes with the Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Brights set

I was able to achieve a sort of watercolor effect. Glimmer Glaze in Paradise Pink was perfect for the flower centers. 

Next I grabbed a sharpie and defined each flower and leaf. After doodling, I finished with encouraging words and phrases. 

I headed to town yesterday to find the perfect location for my rock. We have a dam and a wonderful walkway filled with gardens and trees and I knew that is where it should go. It was a beautiful, sunny day - perfect for hiding my rock. 

I chose to put it at the base of this tree overlooking the dam. On the bottom of the rock are instructions to post a photo to facebook or instagram using the hashtag #TatterAngelsRock and to re -hide it for someone else to find. 

I plan to head to town sometime this week to see if my rock is still there! 

What a fun way to share our work!! 

Be sure to visit Canvas Corp Brands for all of your creative needs!

Thank you for visiting! Your comments always make me smile. 

Saturday Afternoon Crafting!

I decided to work today on Christmas napkin rings using The Mix and Match  Pad - Jolly Christmas
from Canvas Corp Brands. This pad has pattern paper, burlap, canvas and kraft papers - everything you need to complete a project!


s  I pulled out the green burlap and the Red and Green Stitched Diamond papers to use.

Cut 4 pattern paper strips - 6 in. x 1/14 inch.
Cut 4 burlap strips - 6 in x 3/4 inch.

 Adhere the burlap to the pattern paper and glue ends together to form a circle.

Once they are all dry, decorate as desired. I used poinsettias and added the tags cut out from the Jolly Christmas Sayings paper. I can even personalize them so they serve as place card holders too!

These will be perfect for the holiday entertaining season! And no one will know how easy they were to make!! 

These Mix and Match pads  from Canvas Corp are a wonderful mix of papers, burlap and canvas! They are over 15 themed pads! I hope you give one a try!

Thank you for visiting! I appreciate each and every comment! Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Think Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month!

There is nothing worse than hearing the words " you have cancer". Back in 1994, I remember the radiologist calling and asking me to come in for a second mammogram. At first, I was not too concerned until my doctor called and asked me to come in. I saw a surgeon a week before we were scheduled to go on a family vacation to Disney world. My kids were 11 and 6. The surgeon assured me it would not be a problem to wait until I got home to have a lumpectomy. I was not sure I could wait. The stress would certainly impact the vacation but we went anyway.  Surgery was scheduled and after that I had 6 weeks of radiation. Life went on and I even almost forgot about the fact that I had cancer.

That was until a routine check up in 1997 was anything but routine. The radiologist had been going over my films with a magnifying glass and I heard her call my doctor. More calcifications were found. Back to the surgeon, this time for a mastectomy. Now  I panicked. I made lists for husband - lists of the kid's doctors, lists of their daily activities, lists of their classes, etc. I totally freaked out. The surgeon told me I did not need chemo even though I begged him. I told him I would do whatever I needed to do. He tried to convince me that my lymph nodes were clear and there was no need. I wasn't sure I believed him. The healing process was slow but I made progress.

Now it has been almost 20 years. There are days when I forget that this happened. But, we are vigilent that my 32 year old daughter gets mammograms and does self exams.

So I say to you - do self exams, get those mammograms and if you hear those words - do not give up hope!!

Thank you for stopping by and listening to my story. If you are going through this, and want to talk, please feel free to email me! It has been a while and I am sure many things have changed but I am more than happy to listen, share advice, etc.

Adding this to Simonssays Wednesday challenge -- Think Pink!

Thank you for your comments. They brighten my day!

Bundle of Joy

My daughter is having a baby - our first grandchild! We are beyond excited. It is a girl!! Jennifer created these announcements for family and friends using photos of their dogs and cats. Of ocurse, I had to scrap it!!

I look forward to completing many more scrapbook layouts!