All the Ways I Love — Valentine Countdown Tutorial

By On February 8, 2012 · 25 Comments · In Link Party, Tutorials

February is the month of love and instead of focusing on candy and teddy bears I wanted a way to tell the kids and my husband how much I love them.

I created a banner with tiny envelopes numbered 1- 14 with each day giving a quote, verse, remembrance, or just a simple “I love you.” I think of them as daily treats for the soul. Since I tell the kids every day that I love them this is just another fun way to reinforce it in a tangible way.

Materials:

tiny envelopes (you can find these at a craft store or make your own), cut out the large and smaller circles; a handful of tulle, lace and ribbon, glue

Getting It Done:

I punched out the circles and the tags, cut the tulle into small rectangles (about the size of my hand), and cut the ribbon.

After cutting out the tags, punch a hole at the top, and then tie the ribbons. I opted for a simple knot. I was too lazy to deal with the printer and did not want to buy anything so I used a marker on the smallest circle to write the numbers. I then glued the circles to the envelopes. If I had thought about then I would have used a glue dot.

After I cut the tulle I simply pinched it in the center, folded it half, and stuffed into the envelope.

After writing down Biblical verses, quotes, or my own thoughts on the tag I slipped them into the envelopes as well. I kept the sayings to what I felt exemplified love.

My son “helped” me put things on the table. I made it for my daughter and her tea parties. She uses it to hold her treasure box instead.

things I made

Result: simple, easy, and I got to use up more supplies from my craft closet.

Reminder! Don’t forget to check out the team-wide GIVEAWAY of jewelry, accessories, and home decor by participating members of the Blogging Business Artisans.

I am linking up to Jenny Matlock’s alphabet series for the letter L.

QUESTION: What do you do during this time?

 

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Building Your Composition — Transform It Tuesday

By On February 7, 2012 · 8 Comments · In Journal Pages, Transform It Tuesday, Tutorials

I look at an artist’s work and wonder, how did they know to put that there or to use that color combination? What do I need to do to add to my work?

As I work on my art journal pages I have found several things to work for me.

*I work with a limited color palette. I took a workshop from Regina Lord and she said to limit choices at first. Even when I add more it is normally for just highlight but not a major contributor. Limiting my palette forces me to feel my way through what I am working on.

*Add dimension with stencils and different textures. I use all kinds of odd things as stencils for my pages and gel medium is probably my current favorite supply for adding to a page. The gel medium I buy is transparent and glues objects to the surface as well as adds interesting texture.

*Write it down. Kelly Roberts is great about using words in her art and making each piece stand out. I have horrible handwriting so I try to stick with stencils, stamps, or words I cut out from magazines.

*Take a break. I will sometimes work on multiple pages at one time which lets me put one page aside giving me a break from it. When I return to the page I see it in a different way and can alter it accordingly.

I play with my paints as a way to relax. When I think of these steps I am able to build each composition in a way that is not stressful and leads me to want to come back again and again. To make a mess:)

QUESTION: Do you ever step back from your work to come back with fresh eyes?
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It’s A Wrap Link Party — 2/6/2012

By On February 6, 2012 · 17 Comments · In It's a Wrap Link Party

I like Mondays. They are like birthdays with the previous week’s activities freshly wrapped and gifted in our memory bank; ready to teach, inspire, and motivate us for the new week. So, I started It’s a Wrap Link Party as a way to share one of your posts from the past week. It does not have to be a tutorial or a recipe; simply something that you would like to share with others.

 

My husband had a big birthday, my dad built my cabinets, I made the house STINK from a wood stain, and I lost another two pounds. Which I am sure I have gained back after the cake and good food. Since I have quilzillions more to sand, prime, and paint and the smell is atrocious I just might lose more — who wants to eat? (And for those that care my dad surprised me by wanting to help us update our kitchen cabinets so he will be back next month. This is why I have the quilzillions to paint.)

Who in their right mind could pass up White Hot Chocolate? Check out this beauty from the Seven Year Cottage.

While your are sipping your hot chocolate you can get creating like storybeader with her hand carved heart stamp. So cute!

And after learning from Judy Nolan how to create this envelope book you can use the heart stamp for the pages. I really want to make one of these books — I could use them to organize my receipts.

There might be some kind of “rule” about featuring items from the same person two weeks in row but I cannot help myself — blame the fumes. I think Ode to Inspiration’s picture plaques are a fun way to dress up your art.

And to continue with my rule breaking I want to show off two adorable things I found while preparing this post: cute tutorial for a heart box by The Late, Young Family;

And Uncommon’s peg family with verse. There is something really beautiful in the simplicity.

QUESTION: I have managed to lose eight pounds since January 1. I still cannot do a pullup by myself but I am trying. How are you doing with your goals?

I know you are ready to party so here goes!
Etiquette for parties:
1. Link to the URL of the specific blog post not your blog, etsy shop, or other site in general
2. Link back to this blog somewhere on your blog or in the post.
3. Do not link to your link party. You don’t go to a wedding and pass out your invitations, do you?
4. Try to visit at least one other visitor and leave a comment. It is fun to visit and maybe you will be asked to stay for tea! I like mine sweet:)


 

Art Progression & Art Time with My Daughter

By On February 3, 2012 · 9 Comments · In Art, Journal Pages, Sketch

My daughter turned five in late November and everything tells me that she is a budding artist. She has an eye for color and art relaxes her. Even her pre-k teacher has noticed that part.

I was practicing with a new brush to work on new journal pages for the wood covered journals; and my daughter sat next to me. And we drew.

She wanted to draw the same things that I was drawing for my practice session.

mother and daughter art

I then wanted to compare markers to watercolor…

using markers

playing with watercolor

It was really dark and it does not show the tiny details of her lines and colors but my daughter said we were going on a trip because her teacher said so. I did not even realize that she had added us to the plane until I was trying to take this picture–I am just glad she said that I can go with her.

going on a trip

My son destroys my markers and brushes because he thinks everything needs to be done by sharp dots. Otherwise, I would show his, too. Just imagine lots and lots of dots. On paper with holes:)

QUESTION: What skill are you practicing?

 

 

 

Farmer’s Market is for the Dogs

By On February 2, 2012 · 9 Comments · In Animals, buy local, Home

A new Farmer’s Market opened up in town. We had one walking distance from our house but over the years the vendors dwindled in attendance and a different group decided we needed something more hip. It took a long time to get approved but it is finally here.

The day we went it was barely above 40 degrees and I was surprised by the number of people and vendors present. This time, the organizers have allowed artisans to sell handcrafted goods such as jewelry, bread, soap, blankets, and doggy treats. I think this appeals to a wider group and I am hopeful this group will be around for a long time.

The cookies were huge. And yummy.

And the dog treats were cute.

I told Sharla that I thought the BeadedTail journals would sell well here seeing as how folks brought their dogs out to shop, too.

My son decided he had to carry our bag of meat, cheese, and cookies back to the car. I know it was because it had the most important thing inside. Can you guess?

QUESTION: What do you get at a Farmer’s Market?

 

Knitting to Have it Taken Away! {Transform It Tuesday}

By On January 31, 2012 · 23 Comments · In Link Party, Transform It Tuesday

yes, I made this!

I have tried my hand at crochet and a couple of years ago I picked up the Knifty Knitter . I began working on a scarf and just finished it yesterday:0

With the prospect of clearing out the craft room and donating my yarn stash, I removed the scarf from the ring and finished up with a crochet hook. The color is one of my favorite colors and reminds me of my college days. As I worked on the piece I imagined the different ways I would wear it on cold Texas days. (That is a joke).

I was pretty amazed at how I transformed the yarn into something usable and more than a wreath.

My son had other ideas about the scarf. When he saw me wrap my head he asked why I was trying to look like Belle in the movie Beauty and the Beast. And then he said he wanted it.

I need a photographer

This morning I found him watching tv in the craft room (see my new pillow!) wearing my scarf. (He saw me sitting with the scarf while typing this post and he wanted to know why I had his ‘head thing’.)

my precious "thief"

QUESTION: How often are your creations shanghaied by others?

I am linking for the letter K for Jenny Matlock’s alphabet series.

 

It’s a Wrap Link Party — 1/30/2012

By On January 30, 2012 · 12 Comments · In It's a Wrap Link Party, Link Party

I like Mondays. They are like birthdays with the previous week’s activities freshly wrapped and gifted in our memory bank; ready to teach, inspire, and motivate us for the new week. So, I started It’s a Wrap Link Party as a way to share one of your posts from the past week. It does not have to be a tutorial or a recipe; simply something that you would like to share with others.

 

It has been a busy week cleaning. My parents are coming this weekend to help build cabinets for the craft room and start work (painting) on my daughter’s room. Of course, that will only happen if all goes as planned with the cabinets — Dad says to be prepared. In the meantime I cook with Paula Deen and lose weight:)

My husband turns 40 in a few days and is looking forward to the Super Bowl. I am interested in the food and Eli winning. Maiden D’ Shade has a fun recipe and pics of nachos that I think would be great this Sunday.

My husband still cannot decide what kind of dessert he wants for his birthday but Babblings and More baked cupcakes in these ice cream cones! Aren’t they precious?

Lori Hairston created another beautiful card. Are you ready for the day of love? Lori is going to try to print on fabric using freezer paper–anyone else try that?

Every birthday boy needs to have candles; Ode to Inspiration made her own and dressed up a cute box which I want for myself.

BeadedTail has gone to the dogs. She does not know this but I have a posted scheduled this week about the farmer’s market going to the dogs but her photo is cuter!

QUESTION: What are you cooking for Super Bowl?

I know you are ready to party so here goes!
Etiquette for parties:
1. Link to the URL of the specific blog post not your blog, etsy shop, or other site in general
2. Link back to this blog somewhere on your blog or in the post.
3. Do not link to your link party. You don’t go to a wedding and pass out your invitations, do you?
4. Try to visit at least one other visitor and leave a comment. It is fun to visit and maybe you will be asked to stay for tea! I like mine sweet:)