Feeling Artsy and Oh, so Clever!

Surprise!  Who would have guessed you would be hearing from me today?

I know it has been a long time and honestly it's because I haven't been feeling so artsy lately.  Or, maybe it's not that I haven't been feeling it? It's that I've had no time for it.

Today, we are having a new furnace installed which means I have to sit tight and stay home.  Yep, no running around for me.  So, after walking the dogs, I decided to do an upcycle project that I've been thinking about for a while.

I think most of you know I sell on eBay.  So, I get a lot of stuff.  Sometimes, in my shopping daze I don't catch a major flaw in an item.  Like say this pair of Ugg boots.


I didn't even see the obvious patch in the center of the toe portion.  Oops.  Now, I’d have to sell them really cheap? Yet, they are like brand new on the inside and outside except for this darn patch.

I received a couple of what I call lowball offers that I declined.  I mean, I get it.  They're not perfect but still worth more than a few dollars.  Wouldn't you say?

They're a size 8.  In case you are wondering.

I thought to myself.  "I'm going to make these beautiful," and so I did!

I'd love to hear your thoughts.  Do you like the new and improved version?

My First Effort At Making a Rope Bowl - I love it!

A few months ago, I set an intention to finish the many projects I started and never got around to finishing.

This rope bowl was one that I started quite a while ago.

It was really fun to make and pretty easy once I got the hang of it.

I did run into some problems with my thread breaking.

I'm hoping the next time it will work better.

I love having it on a table by my front door.

There is something special about having products I created all around me.

It's not perfect, but it is perfect in it's imperfections..

Burlap Kitchen Curtain Valances

A while ago, I told you I would show you some curtain valances I made using burlap.

I really love the understated elegance of burlap.

I have it sprinkled throughout my home. These are in my kitchen.

I find it to be a great neutral, which is something I am really embracing this year.

This DIY project cost me $8.00 for the burlap at Michael's craft store.

I did find the burlap very dusty while working with it.   Give it a good shake outside before messing with it.  Better yet.  Find a fabric that looks like burlap..

Once, I got them all up.  I've left them alone and love the way they look.

What do you think?

Wall Stick Twig Word Art

Hi again,

I don't think I ever told you about this project I made last winter.

It's something I am still enjoying.

I had gone outside to pickup all the sticks that had fallen from my trees in the yard.

Then, I got to wondering.

What could I make with these?

Maybe, I could paint them with stripes and put them in vases?

Instead, I did this.

It has been one of my most favorite art projects.  I adore seeing it hanging above my kitchen table.

If, I get tired of the natural wood, I think I may paint it.

But for now, I have no plans to change it.

I'm sorry, I have no pictures of me making it.

It was very easy.

I broke the branches into the size I needed, and started to lay them out on my floor to spell out my word.

I used my handy hot glue gun to glue them together.

Another EZPZ project.

Quiet Reflection - New Painting

A friend recently inquired whether I had any new art to share.

I've been quiet on my blog.  

So this is for you my friend.  Thank you for encouraging me.

This is some recent work.  I hope you like it. 

                                                

                    Quiet Reflection 

What is Intuitive Painting To Me, and How Do I Do It?

To me intuitive painting means trusting the creative muse to show up and turn my painting into something I love.

This means, I start out with no idea what my painting is going to be.  (a lot like my doodling)

Painting like this is very intimidating, but also very freeing.  Because you just keep going until it becomes what it is supposed to become.

Another question that comes up for me when I am doing a large canvas.  How do I know if I am done, is it finished?  I trust my gut here.  It's something I'll just feel.  Almost like a tap on my shoulder saying stop, it is done.

I love the feeling I get when I am painting, and suddenly I am swept up in the muse.  I don't notice time at all.  Hours can pass in what seems to me like only moments.

Writing for me is the same way.  I remember once when I was working on a novel.  I became so engrossed in what I was writing that I didn't even notice that I had been at it for hours.  In the late afternoon my employer called me and inquired why I hadn't made it to work.  What?  I missed going to work that day without even realizing it.

I guess this is why I struggle to write, or even paint.  I need such a large amount of time to allow myself to find that muse.  Once, I am there, I do not want to be disturbed.  It feels so good to be caught up in all that wonderful creativity. Quitting to make dinner, or go to work is such a rude interruption.

This is a large canvas that I recently painted.  I loved how effortlessly this painting came together. Each hour was pure pleasure.

Sewing Classes At Chanhassen Vacuum Sales Center

 

Last night, we hosted a sewing class at our retail vacuum store.  We've recently added sewing machine repair to our business.  My dream is to also start holding fun creative workshops on site. 

 

The class was taught by the Material Girls, http://www.materialgirlsewing.com/classes/classes-at-chanhassen-vacuum-center/

 

It was so fun watching the young eight year old girls come into our store carrying their sewing machine's  What a great idea, starting them so young.

Look at their little hands, just precious. 

Here are some photos.

They finished some aprons and went home wearing mittens they made themselves. 

 

Wonder what they'll be making next week?

 

Sewing Feed Bags With The Girls

This weekend was a lot of fun. 

I had my sister's over for a night of crafting.

We had seen these bags

on our Montana trip and thought they would be pretty easy to create ourselves.

 

We found a video on YouTube that was a little different.

My sister, Veronica furnished us with a lot of bags from her work place.

 

I should have done a short tutorial for you here, but you can find many on YouTube.

 

We'll be getting together to make more soon.

Perhaps, it will be daylight and I'll have enough light to get some good photos.  Please excuse my terrible photography.

 

 

 

Creativity Rocks!

DIY - Owl - Doodling/Painting/Mixed Media Tutorial How To

 I've been noticing a lot of Owls lately.

Have you too?

 

I decided to see if I could make an owl painting of my own.

Here's what I came up with.  It's easy, fun, and I'm guessing you can do it too.

 

Here's how...

 

First step - Sketch a picture of an owl.  I found a cookie jar owl and used it to get ideas from.

 

The next day, I found some of my favorite scrap paper.

Cut it up into shapes, similar to my sketch.

I laid it out on a canvas, and then decoupaged it down.

 

I was going to paint around my owls parts, but decided I'd rather doodle.

No surprise there.  So, I started by outlining.  Then, I doodled.

 

 

For the words, I decided to use. 

"Owl Always Love You."

Not sure

how these things just pop into my head.

 

But, I'm glad that they do.

 

I cut out some more scrapbook paper and used a stamp for

my letters with white paint.

I ended up doing my green background after, but you might want to do it before you

glue your owl down.

 

EZPZ.

 

Let me know what you think, or show me a picture of an owl you create.

I'd really love that.

 

Studio Snapshot

 

Studio Snapshot

Every once in a while I like to give you a glimpse of an art project I'm working on.  This one has been in the studio for a month or so.

I tend to let things simmer and brew a bit.  Inspiration on what is next, comes to me like a book, chapter by chapter.

This is a painting of my three sister's, and me.

It's not done, but my hope is, I'll be finishing it in a couple of weeks.

I'll post the finished project as soon as it is completed.

 

Creativity Rocks Project - Painted Basket For Beauty Supplies

 I've been wanting something to hold my beauty supplies in, on my bathroom vanity.  I guess the drawer is just not convenient for me, as I tend to leave them all over the counter when I'm done.

Of course, later I don't like the mess.

I searched for a container, thinking I'd like to make it special somehow.  Well, the other day while shopping at our local thrift store I found the perfect basket.  It was only $2.00.  Bingo.

But, I didn't want the zebra print.  I wanted it to go with the decor in my bathroom.

Could I paint it?  Well, yes. Of course, I could.

It was the perfect canvas.

This was a mixed media project.  I used Acrylic paint, some leftover

wallpaper, some scrapbook paper, markers, and Mod Podge.

I love the way it turned out.  It holds all my supplies perfectly. 

It feels good seeing it every morning.

Hope you like it.

Decorate Your Own Christmas Candle

It has been a while since I've done a creativity rocks project.  The thing is, I like to create things that I want or need.  Not just for the sake of it.  If I need earrings, a necklace, something.  Then, I will figure out how to get or make it.  That's just me.  Who needs all the clutter?

My house is really low key with Christmas decorations.  I keep it this way as not to overwhelm.  Still, I do like the smaller trinket and especially one that is personally made and makes me smile when I see it.

Here's what I made:  It's easy and inexpensive and it's FUN!

Dollar Store - 2 Candle Holders
                       1 White Out
                       1 Pkg. of Markers
                       2 Candles

It's pretty much self-explantory from here on.  Just have fun and be creative.

Because Creativity Does Rock - and it makes you feel good.