More Drawing Lab...

These holidays from school are blessings for Katie and me. With only laundry and groceries on the "to-do" list, we were able to spend a large part of the day just creating. I pulled out "Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists" and delved into the watercolor section titled "Imaginary Creatures." I'd never tried the exercise before but had a lot of fun with it and got some unexpected results. Add in a little picnik text and frames and I'm pretty happy!

 Katie and I also had fun on a great site watching Jan Brett (one of my favorite children's book illustrators) paint the Gingerbread Baby and a rabbit. It was helpful to watch a real pro painting, 

step-by-step. She's such an inspiration!

Faces in the most unusual places

 

Am I the only person that sees some sort of unusual animal face in this picture? 

Nature's beauty never ceases to amaze.

(taken on a hike at Crowder's Mountain, NC)

There's A Reason They're Antique

It's been a long time since I treated myself to an all-day antique shopping spree and I decided today 

was the day. I hit my favorite spot, The Sleepy Poet, the biggest and best antique mall in Charlotte.

As always, I browsed for hours, finding myself inspired by the colors, novelty, and curiosity of my discoveries. But several items stood out above the others and had me scratching my head.

 

Like everyone else (right?) I love gnomes. So when I saw this little guy, I headed over 

to check him out. Then I had to ask the question: When did gnomes start wearing suits? 

Seems a tad formal for woodland folk. But maybe that's just me.

 

I'm pretty sure my parents are glad I missed this hot fashion trend: paper party dresses. 

Why didn't that catch on?

 

This one seems destined to make a come-back. Just sayin'.

 

I'm already kicking myself for not buying this. I can't believe I'm denying Katie

the wholesome fun of playing with Pee Wee Herman Colorforms.

There are no words...

Messages Everywhere...

I found this card hanging from a tree at the playground...

A helpful Tuesday reminder from the Universe. So grateful.

Fairy Houses

Today, Katie and I made our annual visit to check out the fairy houses in the woods at Latta Nature Preserve with our friends Catherine and Anya. As usual, the fairy houses were only part of the attraction of this beautiful landscape. The girls never fail to revel in nature, not wanting to leave, wanting to work on their fairy pool or castle just a little longer. I, too, find myself replenished after our journeys into nature. The feeling of calm and gratitude reminded me of one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver, and her poem "Praying." Enjoy...

Praying

It doesn't have to be 

the blue iris, it could be

weeds in a vacant lot, or a few

small stones; just

pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don't try

to make them elaborate, this isn't

a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

Paper Crane Mobiles

First off, thanks to everyone for the positive feedback and support on my new blog. I really appreciate it! I'm still trying to work out some photography kinks (basically, my apartment is dark, dark, dark) and I'm having trouble getting a great shot of the crane mobiles I've been working on. Here are my first few attempts.

 

Can't you just see her flying through the trees?

 

 This one is my favorite. Notice the Bead for Life bead? I love the bright, turquoise loveliness.

 This girl is pretty as well.

What I'm having trouble with is showing you how several of them are attached to a lovely branch so they fly across the opening between my kitchen and dining room. Again, the apartment is dark so I can't seem to catch a good shot of it. But I'm quite pleased with the result. 

I'll be adding these to my etsy shop as single mobiles (to hang from your rear view mirror, as a sun catcher, or in whatever way catches your fancy!) They make me feel happy and peaceful every time I look at them. I'll take as much happy and peaceful in my life as I can get! 

Have you met the dog diva?

I don't think you've been properly introduced. This is one of my favorite creations: a dashing dog doll with a fashionable bow in her hair (chosen by Katie, of course.) I followed a pattern from the lovely book Sew Me, Love Me by Hsiu-Lan Kuei. It has many more wonderful patterns I'd like to try!

I had a lot of fun adding a cute "button" belly button to my little pup and playing around with her luxurious yarn locks. I also embellished her with some gorgeous Bead for Life beads (awesome present from my mom!)that I used for her fashionable necklace. Watch for those beads to show up in the latest addition to my etsy shop this week-end....paper crane mobiles! (as soon as I get some photography bugs worked out they'll be ready to go.) What do you think?

Welcome to my blog!

I've wanted to put this together for a loooooonnnnnggg time but it wasn't until I had a loooooooonnnnnngggg string of sick days (she's finally feeling better) that I had enough time on my hands to finally do it. And I'm so glad I did! In this space I will share my creative projects, inspirations and info on my new etsy shop where you can find my stuff.

The bird, above, was a joint project between Katie and me. While laid up on the couch, we played around with some drawing projects from my very favorite (at the moment) art book: Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists by Carla Sonheim.

My father gave us a wonderful new magazine subscription to Birds & Blooms which became our drawing inspiration for the afternoon. We took out our Sharpies and drew to our hearts content. I loved Katie's drawing of a female sparrow so much, I asked if I could embellish it. I colored it in and collaged the whole thing up to the piece you see above. She's excited to see her art up on the wall and I'm happy to have some new decorations for the apartment!

Thank you for stopping by to check out the site. I hope you'll keep coming back and leave me some comments. I love your feedback!