Inktense blocks coloring fabric

I got out my Derwent Inktense blocks again and made a lunch bag for my sister-in-law’s birthday.  I stitched the hummingbird first, using the free-motion attachment on my machine and then came back in with the Inktense blocks and fabric medium to paint the bird.  I really like this method.

Painted Rocks

I often get asked what I am working on, well this summer it is painted rocks.  It is so much fun to find rocks (free no less), paint them, then hide them for others to find.  My husband wonders why my purse weighs so much.  I invite family and friends over for coffee and a little painting.  Not sure how long the fad will last, but I am truly enjoying it will it last.

More rocks

Mason Jars

I love gifts in a jar.  This year my jar was filled with huckleberries, yum. So now to do something with that jar and maybe gift it back.  Here are a few ideas that I gathered.

Star Wars jars by Chica Circle

For the next big game from The Country Chic Cottage

I would like this next to my chair to keep everything within easy reach. From Wait ’til Your Father gets Home.

So cheery by My So Called Crafty Life.

Pretty lace jars from Crafts by Amanda

Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge

OK right up front I have not tried this product yet or even gone looking for it. (though it is available on amazon)  I just thought I would highlight it, because if any of you are making mugs as Christmas gifts it might be a great product to try.  It is dishwasher safe mod podge.  You use it like regular mod podge, but can wash items in the top rack of your dishwasher.  Would love to hear a product review if anyone has tried it yet.PS Did a little more reading: People like the product, but it does take 28 days to cure.

Christmas Dioramas

Recently of a trip to my home town to visit my family my sister and I went to a crafting night at the local art center.  We made dioramas, it was a terrific evening.

My home town took their old library and made it into an art center for the town to enjoy.  They have different artists work on display and offer many  classes and workshops through the year.  It is a wonderful place to go, have fun and meet people.  Nice to see this build put to use.

To make the dioramas, there were tea cups to choose from, a wide assortment of small decorations, and glue.  We used both Tacky glue and hot glue. Add glitter, pompoms and little snow flakes and with in an hours time you have made a diorama or two.

Webster definition of diorama is: a scenic representation in which sculptured figures and lifelike details are displayed usually in miniature so as to blend indistinguishably with a realistic painted background. Not sure that is really what I achieved, but it was fun and I am doing more of these little projects. You can use lids, match boxes, cookie cutters pretty much anything that will hold your display.  I have been collecting old Christmas cards to add as background.  Here are a few more diorama ideas: Click on picture to follow to link.

Weaving Paper

Do you like to weave?  I find it enjoyable if it is just in and out type of weaving.  If you start a pattern where I really have to concentrate then I can get lost.  It’s that left brain fighting the right brain sort of thing.  I found some wonderful examples of paper weaving.  I am starting out with There’s a Dragon in My Artroom. Phyl is an art teacher and she explains the basics very well on her blog.

Here is another example from Atostraddle.  Their weaving is in a pattern using pages from books.

I like how Can’t Stop Making Things made their paper for their weaving.

And from Blazer Designs I enjoy the heart embellishment.

Decorative Tape

This technique is from Birgit’s Daily Bytes.  She makes her own decorative tape using paper and clear tape.  This is a lot of fun and works well.  I started using packaging tape and like the bigger area it allows.  Different types of paper and print give you different results, so take time to experiment a little.

Journal Cover

Here is my journal cover.  I used wool felt for the outside.  The flower is three-dimensional with beads in the middle. Most of the stitching is done by machine except for the blanket stitching around the edges.  If the holes for the rings look a little off-center to you, that is because they are. I wanted to use my three-ring punch (yes I only using two holes) to punch my paper for the journal.  It was a hard battle between balance and ease.  Ease won.  I still have a few more ideas for adding decoration, but for right now it is ready to start adding journal pages.

 

Art Journal cover part 1

It has been a very busy summer.  My parents have been in need of extra help so I have been traveling between their home and mine most of the summer.  On top of that my husband and I are trying to get our home ready to sell.  Lots of painting going on.  Even with all of that I have found a little time to work on my art journal.  Here is my plan for the cover.  Still: Living came up with this idea for a soft cover book.  I took that idea and I am in the process of making the cover for my art journal.  I have the basics done, I am now doing the handwork. I wanted a cover that I could add the pages to, that way I have the freedom to use paper or fabric or anything I can put holes in. I will post pictures when completed.  These pictures are from Still: Living.

Still: Living

Art Journal

Well life has taking a different path than the one I thought was going to work.  I will not be teaching in the fall.  So to keep myself occupied I have decided to make an art journal.  I really try to do some kind of art work everyday and I think this will be a fun adventure.  Here are a couple of ideas I am using to get started.

From The Nerd’s Nest

From Amy Powers’ Inspire Co

Chad Alice Hagen have workshops on felting and I love the cover they make for books..