Love List

When my friend Sherry suggested writing Love Lists for Christmas, I knew immediately who I would write one for and I had a pretty good idea how I would execute it.  The book itself was inspired by Tim Holtz and the design by a collection of (primarily) October Afternoon product that I got as part of one of the Santa Sacks they offered over the holidays – oh my how I adored putting this together and the sweet recipient (my daughter Meg) started to sniffle a teensy bit as soon as she opened it!

Happy giving like no other!!  Can’t wait to do it again next year – maybe for more family members!!  Check the flickr window (right-hand sidebar) for more photos.

Window Art

I’m very delinquent in sharing the “big project” I’ve been working on… well, to say “I’ve” been working on it is a bit of a stretch, but I’ve helped.  A few months ago, Hubby asked my daughter, Meg, if she would be interested in painting something “artsy” on his store windows (you may remember, Hubby owns a retail liquor store).  I wasn’t sure if she’d be able to swing it since she works full time and is working on her master’s degree in her “spare” time, but she was excited by the idea and quickly drew up some sketches for Hubby to consider.

The large-scale execution of those sketches has been such an inspiration for me – mostly I’ve just watched her work, but the last few weekends, I’ve been pitching in on some of the priming and base coats.  She has me itching to try some portrait work of my own now and to look at things in a different light – trying bold colors and different ways to depict an idea.  For the past year (at least), I keep noticing these odd little portrait-like shapes in the patterns of my shower tile (I know – I’m a bit of a nut that way ) and I am determined to get my rear in there and sketch some of them out!

Anyway, I wanted to share a few photos of the project and would love to know what you think.  I know Megan is anxious for subjective feedback (she says Hubby and I are prejudiced – I say these are just GOOD!!)…

Dry Erase markers worked great for working out size and placement...

We bought the window paint from Dick Blick (pricey!! but seems to go far)

Every painting started with two (!) base layers of plain old flat white latex house paint (we learned this by searching YouTube - "Signs of Life" window painting out of Arizona has a great resource video).

Week One - we've been averaging about two windows per weekend...

Love the door soooo much!! You can see the finished bottle (small right-hand window) in the next photo...

It got dark before we finished this one (time change tripped us up) so this is not quite at the finish point...

The community has seemed very interested in the work as it’s developed.  I notice people walking by (on the way to 7-11 next door) watching the whole way past.  The best compliment so far was a young gangsta-looking guy last weekend who came around the fence and right up to us for a closer look…  he took a good long look at each window, then just nodded his head and said, “cool.”  Loved that!

Joy Journaling

Journal page inspired by my Joy Journey post Sunday night.

The die cuts are from Pink Paisley; paper from Melissa Frances; coat check tickets are from the bounty Meg took home after our Joni Russell class (she won the door prize and she shared!!); for the garland at the top, I cut medallions with a Martha Stewart punch, then sewed them together (I predict more of these showing up in the future); and the  “Live the Live You’ve Imagined” sentiment is a Tim Holtz stamp on a tag from my stash.

Stargazing

I was inspired by Kim to pull out the art journal today – so inspired, in fact, I even attempted a face!!  Message was prompted by the Stargazer exercise from Steering by Starlight (loving this book!!)).

Coffee Tin Business Card Holder

I almost forgot to show you what I made for my art group last month!  This one was my challenge for the group and I’ve been planning it ever since the group started in January, so had saved plenty of these…

My project was inspired by MA Moss’s ROD style and my ever-growing collection of artsy business cards…

There are three signatures, sewn pamphlet-style, to the plastic lid.  I covered the top with a piece of scrapbook paper before sewing in the signatures, then I finished off the strings with mismatched beads…

Each of the pages have a strip sewn to the side for tucking in cards – some narrower to highlight Moo cards…

The whole thing then tucks down into the tin for safekeeping…

Must drink more coffee now so I can make one for myself!!  Check out my flickr stream (upper right) for a few more photos.

Box Love

I’m not sure why, but I absolutely adore boxes.  Maybe it’s something about the potential for found treasure inside or the sanctity they offer for hiding treasures of my own?  I just know I love them and will be making lots more!  Here are those “better” photos I promised of the Joni Russell (Artful Illusions) class I took at my favorite paper craft store last Saturday…

My lid wouldn't quite sit down all the way, so I added a Tim Holtz knob to the top and a key hole to the front to just round things out.

This box is all about layers - this first one lifts out to reveal treasure compartments below.

That center piece also lifts out.

We may all the goodies you see inside too - and OH MY this little tag booklet just made my day - LOVE those little corner protector thingies and the trade beads tied to the tag strings? Delicious!!

I still need to add to my little trinket circlet on the right (Joni's was LOADED with goodies) and I'm planning to go back and add nature quotes and maybe some found objects (feathers, leaves, etc.) to personalize the whole thing.

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I’m plotting a trip to Wichita to visit Mrs. O’Leary’s Mercantile and learn some more (jewelry making, macrame, metal-smithing and more – OH MY!!).

Painting Bee

Spent last Saturday splashing paint around with a perfectly lovely group of friends and family.  We had so much fun and the end result was just GORGEOUS!  Once the big pieces were dry (which only took about 10 minutes in the hot Oklahoma sun!!), we cut them into smaller pieces, then everyone chose what spoke to them and punched out butterflies to make their own little butterfly shadow boxes like the one I shared a few weeks ago.

It reminded me of a quilting bee in a very real way – only with paint.  Everyone just talked and shared and painted and played and learned new things.  I adore that sort of connection in any flavor, but combined with art… heaven!!

Plaster Fun…

Sharing Pieces

“Happiness is a risk. If you’re not a little scared, then you’re not doing it right.”
~Sarah Addison Allen (The Peach Keeper)

This is another take on the butterfly box I shared a few days ago.  The inspiration for these came from a piece I saw on Pinterest by Catherine Swan – click here for more info on her beautiful hand-cut artwork.

I Heart Plaster!!

In over my head a little with online classes (again), but THIS one – oh my goodness I heart plaster and Judy Wise and Stephanie Lee and did I mention I REALLY heart plaster?

Registration is closed – but this is so good, I bet anything they do another round – check out the details here.