You can hop on over to the Lark Crafts blog site right now and check out my latest last minute gift idea! The tutorial is all there and then of course you can attach the tag to my Simply Stitched Gifts book!
These tags are the thing I do when I'm feeling creative but don't want to spend too too much time on a big project.
And, add a few words of Thanks, Birthday Wishes or Encouragment and they'll make a nice little gift all by themselves!
Click here is find the exact tag!
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It's always a thrill to be asked by Stampington & Company to submit art projects ... in fact I'm working on a batch for some upcoming article as I type!
Here's the funny thing about the Guest artist post I did for Stampington Place. I was poking around the internet one morning and I came across Stampington & Company's blog! I didn't even know that they had a blog! So I was looking and ckickin here and there and thought, WOW this is really a fun blog that I need to check often.
I got up and went outside to water the plants ... you, know, it was Tuesday morning and that's one of the two days that us Californian folks are allowed to water the plants and lawn!
I came back inside, check my emails and sure enough there was an email from a Sarah that works at Stampington. So I opened up the email and it was from Sarah, Stampinton's Blog editor and she was asking me if I'd like to be a featured guest artist on the Stampington Place Blog! SERIOUSLY, I kid you not ... that's how it all started!
Hope you'll hop on over to the Stampinton Place Blog and check out the entire post. You'll soon learn that these free motion stitched girls were inspired by an online class I was taking through Jeanne Oliver, by Danielle Donaldson. Thanks friends for allowing me to post and share these girls!
She's a little awkward ... She's my favorite free motion stitched girl!
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Stitchy, stitchy goodness ...It's all I want to do these days! I love to free motion stitch ... ok, not that perfect type stitching where you have to follow a pattern and all but that freehand type of machine embroidery, where you let down your hair and let loose!
About a week ago I joined a friend of mine, Tracy Schultz and off we went to LA to take a class at French General.
Mandy Patullo was teaching here in the states for the first time ... The Bonny Birds! What a treat and what a delight to hear her story, inspirations and to learn a bit about her finger turn applique process while creating a bonny bird on an antique quilt square.
Here's how my bird started out ... didn't finish the bird that night cauase of course I started chatting with some of the gals including French General owner Kaari Meng ... only to find out that she's working with the same editor I'm working with at Sterling Publishing in NY ... Small, small crafty world!
So I pulled out my Boony Bird last night and I just started adding bits of fabric here and there to make a wing and an eye.
Added a little chain stitch around the eye and popped in a little button, right there in the middle!
Nexted I added a few French knots to the under belly and the wing, oh and embroidered a couple of bird feet as well.
The little tail was missing something so I grabbed some gold metalic thread and added a few sparkly feathers to the end.
And then the most fun part of this whole project ... a little free motion stitched tree with branch for the little bonny bird to perch on!
At this point I walked away from him for a few hours ... went to a football game then came back and without even thinking, I started painting the tree teal! I was moving so fast here that I didn't even have a water bowl around so I was using my ice tea to water down my paints and to clean my brushes!
Truth be told ... this is not the first time nor the last time I'll be using my tea as water ... gives it all a little antiqued look, don't you think?
I love the teal painted tree!
And branches!
Filled in a few little dots with red paint and set it all aside to dry.
At this point I'm not sure where this quilt panel will end up ... I may mount it to watercolor paper or even stitch it to this tote to carry my knitting supplies back and forth from my knitting group!
Stay tuned ... More stitchy, stitchy goodness to come ... for sure!
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So a few us artist types have been painting away for a few months now and the day has finally come to show our work ... Come see what we've been up to.
You may remember here where I shared a few of the paintings I've been working on ... these pieces will be there for sale as well as a few other!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
7:00-10:00
Santa Ana Artist Village Walk
Santora Building
207 N. Broadway St. Suite L
Santa Ana CA 92711
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
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Here's a funny thing you might like to know about me ... when I have lots of projects on my plate and it seems like I don't have any time to really work on them, I tell myself to just start, just start even if I only have 10 minutes before I need to run out the door ... just start.
Usually that piece that I really quick "just start" creating, will become something at some point.
This piece above was one of of those quick start projects. Seriously ... the kids were all hanging out at our house, which is almost always the case, and they were hungry, of course, so we all decided to go out for dinner. While everyone was putting on their shoes and deciding what's for dinner, I quick created the background for this little panel.
Then, when I returned from dinner and did have a bit more time, my creative juices were flowing and next thing you know ... this little free motion stitched panel has been stitched, painted and embroidered on!
The same thing happened with this stitched and painted panel. While at first it was just a stitched and painted panel, I thought how fun it would be to make a little free motion stitched sampler book.
To make the pages for the book, I used vinyl that I bought at my local fabric store, and stitched pockets on several pages ... slightly wider than the tags I wanted to use.
Next I free motion stitched on a big panel of layered muslin and batting, then cut up different motifs and patterns that I liked. Then, stitched the samples onto the tag and there you have it ... a little book of free motion samples.
NOTE: Before I free motion stitch any project, I do warm up drills on a sandwich of muslin and batting and more often than not, I'll use these stitched warm ups in project or cut them up and make them into a banner or bunting.
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It was weekend of work, work and even more work ... and I couldn't stop the ideas from flowing.
In fact I got up early Saturday morning and then went to bed late that night with my mind still spinning over new ideas to stitch/sketch/doodle/paint on fabric and paper.
I couldn't stop thinking about all the possibilities for this type of organic, free motion stitching, doodling, sketching, painting ... or whatever you want to call it.
Here's what I did:
I first adhered a panel of muslin to a panel of white batting, using spray adhesive. Next I cut out a few circles in a variety of colors and glued them down using a fabric glue stick. And then the fun began ... I free motion stitched around the circles creating flowers and just random shapes.
Next I painted the panel using these acrylic paints. I added color to the insides of the petals and to the outer edges of some flowers. At some point I even went in and added some white paint just to pop a few areas.
And then ... of course ... a little embroidery with white perl cotton adds the little perfect details that I love so much.
So fun don't you think? More samples to come ... Lord knows I made a ton!
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It's a funny thing ... I have never thought much about art journaling, except to think that that's just not for me. I'm not an art journaler type. And then again, maybe I am, but not in the way most people think of art journaling ... Who knew?
I have a few books, old book, that I carry around with me and when my mind needs a rest from life, baseball, photography, I'll whip that book out and just start doodling.
I've found out that before I can paint, like on a canvas, I have to get paint on some sort of surface, just to get the juices flowing again and to be reminded of the feel of the paint ... and ... to quiet my mind.
So what do I paint on, you might ask. Well sometimes it is a panel of wood, canvas or, as of late ... the doodles in my books.
Without thinking too much and often late at night, like tonight, the paint comes out and happens to land on these doodles.
And of course being the stitcher type that I am ... next thing you know ... I'm hand sewing on the pages with big running stitches and French knots. Oh how I love to hand sew!
I'm not sure if these pages are "done" ...
I'm not worried about finishing anything right now, just happy to have my doodles and these old books to embellish, paint and sew!
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I have lots of work to do and all I can think about is ... when can I paint again!
While most of these paintings are not complete, I am so loving the process, a process/style that has sort of naturally morphed after taking Flora Bowley's class and Jennifer Mercede's class.
Truth be told ... I'm a little bit afraid of forgetting the process that I have discovered here and so, I just keep on painting, when I've got a extra minute that is.
During Jennifer's class ... we were told to use our non-dominate hand to draw and doodle with. This technique has changed my paintings!
Jennifer also encourage us to try Blind Contour Drawing, something I had done years ago in my college art classes, but had simply forgotten about!
This little elephant was actually a blind contour drawing done by Christy Nimeh's daughter Maddy! So adorable! Thanks, Maddy!
As you can see I am out of my mind crazy these days, in love with painting! More to come ... for sure!
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Last Sunday, a handful of us painter types were invited to Studio Cresendoh to learn about Golden paints and to hear Chris Cozen talk about this wonderful product.
After I quick intro by Jenny Doh, Chris was off and demoing and playing with paint, glazes, pastes ans so much more ... my head was spinning right from the start!
Chris gave us a quick overview of how Golden paints came to be and how the quality and the care behind the products can truly be felt in every tube of paint they produce. She explained the difference between pigments that are mined from the earth and then talked about the colors that are developed in the lab ... I was amazed and loved hearing all this information. It all made so much sense and now I understand why some colors sort of glow and why some are flat.
Golden provided a ton of paint samples and well as already prepared boards with their Fiber Paste and different Molding pastes slathered on them ... then we got to play!
So much fun and such great vibrant colors!
I brought with me a 12 x 12 inch canvas to play with and to add a bit of color so that that scary white canvas wasn't staring at me.
Here's Christy Nimeh, showing me her canvas she worked on ... how come hers looks all finished and pretty?
Mine, not so! After I came home that day, I couldn't stop playing and painting ... not sure where this will end up, but for not, this is what it looks like.
And here's JenEve ... posing just a little once the camera was aimed at her! Too cute.
And Jenny, forever the art collector ... purchasing one of Chris Cozen's beautiful works!
Thanks for a great morning Jenny and Chris!
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Can I just tell you something? Jennifer Mercede's class this weekend was amazing. This was her first class she has ever taught and let me tell you ... it was amazing, and she was an amazing teacher!
This is the one painting I did finish ... and I love it! It's actually really big, like 30 x 30 inches. I loved all the doodling and and all the layers and then more layers ... then more doodling ... then we covered it all up and started again.
On Saturday, the morning started out with a few fun warm-up type games ... so fun!
then Jennifer talks with all a little about how the weekend was going flow ... and what we were to expect ... and she was constantly asking us if the pace was ok, or if she could help in anyway ... so sweet!
And in no time were all blind folded and had to doodle all over our big canvases! So fun.
I thought I had covered my entire canvas ... or that the pen was not working at all ...
Next we were to pick just one color and slather it all over the canvas ... not paying any attention to what was being covered up.
Then came the doodling and mark making ... and random words, what ever words were popping into our head were to be written down.
Next ... more doodling and random painting dripping and splattered.
And most of this painting so far has been done with these random house paints that I picked up a Home Depot for little to no money!
I was really having fun with the doodling ... these marks were all made with my left hand!
And just about the time I was kind of liking my painting ... we had to cover up 90% of it with random paint! I cringed at first, but then fell in love with it again.
Of course there would be a final challenge ... we had just one hour to finish our paintings ... needless to say ... I was sweating at this point ... but I did it ... I even had a chance to get some advice from Jennifer on a few things that were not feeling right. Finished with a few monents to spare and I loved my painting all over again!
This is one other piece I started to work on ... but ran out of time ... not sure where it's headed!
And this piece is still in the works ... hmmmm ... What to do next? Maybe more doodling ... always a good thing to do when you're stuck! I need to remember that!
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Let's just say that I a little bit of time over the holidays to play around with doodling ... I call them doodling day!
While visiting my in-laws in Michigan, I sat for a few days with pens and journal and doodled away.
Some pages were collaboratives with my sister-in-law Brenda ...
And some were just simple faces ...
And simple wispy flowers ...
And at one point a series of bumble bee looking things started showing up in my journal. That's the fun part of doodling, or at least doodling without a plan ... just start and see where it leads you!
Doodling Days = Happy Days!
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I'm not so inspired to find a word or words to live by each year partly becasue it would be the same two words each year. Go. Do. Nothing has changed, I live by those two words every day. Every day I have things I must do and I don't want to do, but I do them anyways ... Go. Do.
I want inspiration to just leap out at me and cause me to create masterpieces ... instantly, but this is almost never the case. Instead, I must go, do anyways ... just start.
Go, do ... without a plan, just start putting color on a canvas, just start stitching on a piece of osnaburg.
Go, do ... put random words or phrases on that canvas and then add another layer of color ... don't think too much, write what comes to mind.
I love to sing Amazing Grace. It's the song I sing in my head all the time ... those are the words that spilled out of me while I was journaling on this canvas.
Go, do ... cover up the chaos with yet another layer of paint. Watch as the words are washed away with transapent paints. Not gone entirely but covered up just a bit.
And then ... know when to stop and start it all over again.
Go. Do.
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Ok so, I have been crafting for lots of years, and tried lots of different products that do lots of different things, but when it comes to something quick, simple and super fun ... Inkodye is it.
So i was moving fast here,not wanting to spend too much time on an apron that is going to get used while I'm painting ... in other words ... there will be paint everywhere on this apron in no time.
First off, I just painted the apron with a red and orange, blending the colors a little. The ink goes on sort of clear, so blending can be a little difficult. Next I place this stencil on top of the apron, the placed it in the window sill for just a few minutes.
You see, the ink is light sensitive, so when it's exposed to sunlight the color develops right before your eyes.
And here it is after I rinse, washed and dried it .. so fun!
Next I tried it on a file folder with this alphabet stencil ...
So fun ... to be used in a future project.
While I was on an apron kick, I decided to use masking tape to mask off strips ... The colors are sooo rich and yummy.
And here it is after I rinsed it and peeled off the tape. I love the way the tape worked ... possibilities ... endless!
Oh, No, I couldn't leave well enough alone ... no, no ... out came the black permanent marker for a little doodling.
Then I white permanent marker , just to pop some of the doodles.
I love the quick transformation of these very simple aprons. Possibilities ... unlimited.
What a great thing to do at a kids party ... they would think it's all so magical!
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The Painting Studio is a safe place to explore ...
A place to share heart felt stories ...
To be encouraged ...
It's a place to learn new skills ...
To make a mark or 10,000 ...
The Painting Studio is a place to listen ...
It's a place to connect with the essence of our loved ones ...
And a place to give a little piece of ourselves in every brush stroke ...
To try new things, then cover it up and start anew ...
It's a place to bring back the old and be willing to start fresh ...
And a safe place to make really bad choices ...
And best of all, it's the perfect place to see something through the good, the bad and then on to the even better and finally ...
To completion ... at least for now!
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What a wonderful experience I had this past weekend in Flora Bowley's workshop. Just to be with her and to watch her work and demonstrate techniques and create was truly a memorizing experience.
As the class members arrived and settled in, Jenny and Flora were there to greet everyone and to welcome them to a fun filled weekend in a very, very cool studio space in downtown Santa Ana.
In no time, Flora gave us just enough instruction to put paint on our large canvases (30 x 30 inches)... we were off and painting.
We worked on 2 canvases at the same time which is a great way to keep your mojo going. You see while one painting is drying you move on to the next painting and so on.
And then boom ... it happened! Just when you are sort of getting attached to your paintings, you have to gift your neighbor with one of them.
The above "work-in-progress" is the painting I held onto. The green and black piece is the canvas I gifted Lu Ann.
As the first day moved along and with instruction from flora, layers upon layers of paint were applied to our canvases.
And by the end of day one I thought my 2 painting were shaping up nicely. I was excited for Sunday to see how they would morph and to add the finishing details.
And ... here is one of the paintings after day two. If you can image, this painting is the one in the above photo that has a lot of black leafy marks on it, and the canvas that was gifted to me by a sweet workshop neighbor Kolleen.
And here is the other painting after day two. This is the very aqua and red painting you see in the above photo.
Can you even believe just how much these canvases changed over the span of a weekend? And here I am on Monday, looking at them leaning up against the aqua walls of my studio, plotting and planning that next layer of paint ...
Yes, I am thinking to change them yet again.
Thanks Flora for reminding us that everything is on our canvas for a reason and ... that everything can change fast and ... to trust our instincts and intuition.
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