Thursday, September 11, 2014

Handmade Art Journals

I've been playing around with paints and papers again. Papers and paints just go together like peanut butter and jelly!

A few years ago I made a couple journal covers and then there they sat on my shelf. I used up wrapping papers, vintage music, library cards, buttons, invitations and more. I sewed them up on the sewing machine and added a pile of various papers for the insides.

Until this week when I added a flower to one.

I also worked with a new size, making front and back covers from a children's dictionary book. I added paints, various scraps and a piece of netted yarn to close it. This one just has watercolor papers inside. I used purple, which is a color I don't prefer but I think it was perfect for this particular piece.

I watched a youtube video to learn the coptic stitch. Part 1 and Part 2. It wasn't too bad if you follow along. A few places I pulled too hard and it ripped just a bit but is still attached fine.

These two I completed for some friends but I think I'll finish one the other square ones for myself! So fun to play and sketch in. The others will be heading to Etsy.

 

Monday, September 08, 2014

Doctor Who Art!!

We're a family obsessed with Doctor Who. I'm not even as bad as my youngest. She's watched all the old stuff. Me, I started my Doctor Who experience with Christopher Eccleston, who else?! I wish he had stayed more than one year. Anyway...

Last year while my youngest was at camp, hubby and I painted her bedroom door as the Tardis! Isn't it sweet?! Needless to say, we won parents of the year. Hubby also sent her postcards to camp of Doctor Who characters. Yes, we rock.

Recently I swapped some Doctor Who art with an online friend. I attempted to weave a Tardis. Not my best endeavor and maybe it would have een better if I used a designated loom instead of making a wobbly one out of sticks. No matter, she seemed to like it.

I also sketched and painted three ATCS (Artist trading cards) of characters too. Okay, being honest here, hubby sketched the cyberman and I painted him but the rest were all me.

Are you my mummy?!! Hehe

 

Friday, September 05, 2014

Decorating With Personal Art

A quick little Friday post. I like to do art. I like to sell art. But don't ask me to know how to hang it, decorate with it or know anything about putting it in the perfect place.

My oldest scolded me a few years ago, "Mom! We have no art on the walls and you have piles of finished pieces sitting in the art room. Hang them up!" Okay fine! Over the years I have added things, sold things, taken some down. No rhyme or reason really.

This is above our fireplace. 3 larger canvases, yes I know the girl is not 'content' like it says. I need to repaint her. It was my first face ever. I have a little obsession with owl collecting, do you think?! Ha

I have these 2 unfinished pieces hanging in my bedroom, 1- to have a place to put them and 2 - so I can see them when I wake up each morning and maybe an idea will hit me about how to finish them.

Here is a recent wall grouping I did. It has some finished and unfinished pieces. The big poppies I think need a word or saying, and I'm still working on the portrait of my youngest on the top right. She also contributed with the middle flower painting as well as the owl. Both done by her about 5 years ago when she was 10. A few of the small pieces were gifts from artsy friends.

The plate was a gift from mom and it says, "My house is clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy!" I definitely agree!

Do you hang your creations? Have a wonderful artsy weekend!