Reviving my love of crochet

When I went to Lucky Star Art Camp in November 2014 I roomed with 4 fabulous ladies, one of which was Cal Patch, a teacher at camp.  Cal teaches the basics/not so basics of sewing, pattern drafting, as well as crocheting.  She revived in me my love of crochet which I had left behind somewhere along the way, I got side tracked into quilting, bicycling, online art classes and art journaling - which I love and still spend time on.

When I got back home from camp I decided I wanted to make some crochet caps to give away to family for Christmas.  I found a book of hat patterns and yarn and hooks at Hobby Lobby and the first one I made was entirely too small -- I suppose the yarn I chose was not the right "weight".  Anyhow, I perservered and tried a different pattern called the Turnbuckle hat, made it and it was too big but I was determined and undid it and started again with a smaller size hook, finally, success.  So I made another, then another, and then a friend at work wanted one (I had taken my project to work to get a little done on my lunch hour), so I made another - by this time I had that pattern down!  It is a nice hat that fits a little looser than most crochets caps with the idea that it would not give the wearer "hat hair."

Here are some pictures of the finished product - note I failed to take pictures of the first 3, this is a picture of the same hat and a scarf I made for my sister's birthday:

I then felt brave enough to try something more challenging, I went to Cal's etsy shop etsy.com/shop/hodgepodgefarm and found a beautiful shawl pattern called Borealis.  I also purchased another pattern for a cloche.  These pics are from her site:



                   



The shawl pattern is made with lace weight yarn which is just slightly thicker than string (think embroidery floss) and a small hook.  I got about half way through when my instincts told me that it didn't look right so I sent a email and pic to Cal.  She informed me that I did indeed have an error, on Row 1!  I was disappointed but undid all my work and started again.  I am happy to say that the second time I got it right and it is about half way done now and is turning out really pretty, here is a picture of the WIP:

I plan on giving this to my SIL since she  is always doing nice things for me.  Of course, since I love this pattern so much I bought yarn to make myself one, although not in the lace weight, so it will be a little bigger and heavier.

I also want to make myself one of those Turnbuckle hats so looks like I'll be crocheting for sometime to come and fitting in all my other beloved crafts as well.  It is good to be busy crafting!

Weaving Potholders + Feeling Like a Kid Again

Do you remember going to Vacation Bible School or Summer Camp as a kid and learning how to weave potholders to take home for your Mom?  I recently stumbled onto this again, my sister was visiting from Albuquerque, NM and we went into Comfort (the small town I live close to) to shop, we ended up in this wonderful store, The Tinsmith's Wife, http://tinsmithswife.net/, full of yarn from all over, some hand made and hand dyed, I could spend hours in there!  Anyway my sister spotted this kit that includes a loom and the cotton loops to make 2 potholders and immediately we both had to have one, luckily they just happened to have two.  It is called the Pro Loom, there is a smaller version called the Traditional Loom.

The loom is made by a small family owned company called Harrisville Designs, harrisville.com, and they have a great website that has a potholder design template which allows you to choose a design and the colors so you can see what the final product will look like.  There are lots of cool designs, here are some that I have made:

They are a really nice size, 10" and are sturdy and thick.  I would recommend purchasing the loops from Harrisville as well as they are a very nice quality, I haven't been able to find anything as nice at the local craft stores.  You can finish one in about an hour.
 
I gave some away as Christmas gifts along with a chili and cornbread mix.  These are fun and easy to make and I feel like a kid again whenever I pull one off the loom!

Hand Made Art Journals by Tricia Alexander

I recently purchased three hand made coptic bound art journals from Tricia Alexander, tricia-alexander.com.  I met Tricia at the Lucky Star Art Camp and saw her work there, another great advantage to attending an event like that is the opportunity to purchase from independent artists.

Tricia makes these journals from vintage books, takes them apart and then makes signatures of 80 lb drawing paper and binds them all back together in a beautiful coptic stitch.  She can do a custom order if you have a special book request.  I asked her to make one for me from a Black Beauty book since that was one of my all time favorites as a young girl, she even bound some of the book text pages (some include drawings) into the journal.

Here are some pictures of the journals I purchased:

 
I am totally in love with these hand made journals and cannot wait to fill them up with arty goodness.  If you are a mixed media art journal junkie I know you will appreciate these journals.  Visit her site and look around, you will not be disappointed.

Mindy Lacefields - Primitive Portraits 3

I recently attended, for a second year, the Lucky Star Art Camp in Hunt Texas.  It was amazing, even better than the first year.  The experience really opens you up and gets you out of your comfort zone (in a good way).  I met so many talented, sharing ladies, it was awesome.

One of the art classes I took was a full day class with Mindy Lacefield.  It was very laid back and non stressful, just like painting with your close friends.  Mindy showed us techniques and gave us prompts, even taking us for a walk outside to generate inspiration.

Mindy has a new online class that will start December 30 called Primitive Portraits 3, it is a follow up to the Primitive Portraits 1 & 2 (which aren't a prerequisite although it would be helpful).  You will have lifetime access and there is early bird pricing until December 14 (a Christmas present perhaps to an arty friend?).

There will be 3 guest artists which will give you a chance to be exposed to new artists, always a blessing.

Here is the link:  http://www.timssally.com/2014/11/primitive-portraits-3

I hope you will consider this class for yourself or as a gift to someone you love.

Overwhelmed but a better artist for it

Wow, has it really been that long since my last post?  I don't really have any good reason why I haven't blogged, it is not because I haven't been creating art.  I just finished up a year long class with Juliette Crane, Serendipity, and really enjoyed being challenged each month, pics of some of the resulting art work are below.

Juliette is continuing the year long adventure with Serendipity 2, so if you are looking for a class that will keep you stretching your intuitive side you may want to consider it.

I also took a class with the wildy creative Micki Wilde called a Hermits Compendium.  It was a nice change in my normal art work and was all about imaginary creatures.  She shows how to change an ordinary art journal cover into something that looks like an antique magic book, here is a pic of my cover.  She encouraged us to make it our own by creating our own title.

Another online class I am taking is Jane Davenports Express Yourself and it is all about drawing faces with expression and how the subtle changes in features can relay different emotions.  I am learning lots of new techniques and really being challenged.  I altered a book and am using it for the class:

I also enjoyed a class by the talented Mindy Lacefield called Wild Surrender, all about giving into the creative flow.

Although all the classes were a great experience I have learned a good lesson, DO NOT take 4 online classes all at the same time!  At least for me, I need to dedicate myself to a class and not feel like I need to rush through a lesson so I can get to the next one.

I will be attending Lucky Star Art Camp again this year, in November, and cannot wait to experience this event, it is like nothing I have ever done, creating with artists, in person, who you have only known online, being immersed into all things creative, and surrounded my like minded women is so incredible.  If you get the chance to do something similar go for it, it will stay with you for a long, long time!

Thank you for reading!

Painting on Cardboard + New Stencils

I recently splurged on some new StencilGirl stencils, I had a 25% discount to use! Here are pics:

 I've been wanting a tree stencil for a while and I found the perfect one, it even has a sun/moon on it, couldn't wait to use it and the opportunity arose through a year long course I'm taking with artist Juliette Crane called Serendipity, check out the button on the right for information on this class.  Each month she has a new lesson showing her process from start to finish and then a few weeks later she will post a bonus lesson.  The Dec bonus lesson was painting on cardboard, which was so much fun and offered so much freedom, no worry that I might mess up a "canvas", so I brushed on some complimentary colors - purple, magenta, pink and then used shiva oil sticks in red and brown, dragging them across the cardboard horizontally, which gave some really great texture.

I let that dry and then started playing with the tree stencil, I decided I wanted it to be a moonlit forest scene and I ended up painting a face on the moon, inspired by Juliette's characters.  I used a stablio marks all pencil to outline the trees so it wouldn't look too much like I used a stencil.  Later I added the deer.

I am quite addicted to stencils, I'm a StencilGirl Club member and each month, for $25, I get three exclusive stencils, designed by one of the StencilGirl artists along with access to a video made by the design artist.  Each month there is a large one (9 x 11) and then two smaller ones, all coordinating together. Check out their website www.stencilgirl.com.  I like the versatility of stencils and the added texture and depth they can bring.

What have you done with stencils lately?

Lucky Star Art Camp Experience

A few weeks ago I attended my first ever art retreat/camp.  I was so excited when I registered, it was close to home (Hunt, Texas) and my favorite online instructor, Juliette Crane, was going to be teaching all day painting classes, how could I not go?  As the time finally approached, I started to get a little nervous about it, sharing a cabin with 3 other ladies who I would not know, sharing my art work with others (which is always a little scary), and just the overall fear of not fitting in.

I should not have worried, Lisa Hamlyn Field, the organizer of the event, thought of everything.  Even the cabin mates where thought out, I was in with 3 other ladies in my age group and we all really meshed - although our art interests were different.

The event wasn't all art, there was Yoga, gardening, canning, jewelry making, photography, how to write a book, quilting, crocheting, and more.  The venue couldn't have been better, Waldemar, a girls camp, is just beautiful with the Guadalupe River running right through it.  The food was awesome, I haven't had three square meals a day like that, ever.  I got to try paddle boarding for the first time, that was so much fun, and there were kayaks, canoes and paddle boats available as well as archery and horse back riding.

Each night there were key note speakers and I must say, I got a lot out of each one - from how to form a like minded small group of women to get feedback and explore creative ideas, the current state of our food system and what an individual can do to make an impact, or what it takes and how to dream big, to accepting/loving yourself through self portraiture/photos.  All good stuff.  At the end of day we sat around a huge campfire and were serenaded by Mandy Rowden, a local Austin singer/songwriter.

On the first day I thought, boy, 4 days of this is going to be too much, but by the end I was longing for more time there.  I recommend attending an event like this to everyone, just get away and off the "grid" for a while, it does so much good for the soul and reminds you how great female companionship can be.  The only thing that would have made the experience better is more time for more classes!

I don't take enough pictures, which is why I should have signed up for a photography class, but here are a few.  The venue was so beautiful.  In the collage below I've included a picture of the two canvases I painted with Juliette.

When Art Happens

Well it has been a while since I've posted, life, vacation, work......

I have started a year long course with Juilette Crane called Serendipity, check out the button on the sidebar.  The first months project was all about following your intuitive side, not over thinking things, which is hard for me to do when I'm creating, especially if I'm working on a canvas (in lieu of in my art journal).  I did the project 3 times, each time it got a little easier to let go and just create.  Then, this weekend, I was in my studio just creating some backgrounds and doodling, using up left over paint with stencils, cleaning up and reorganizing and that is when this bird showed up.

I found a mask I had made out of a pattern in a magazine and thought, why not!  Love it when art just falls into place. A good lesson that maybe rubbed off from Serendipity!

I will try loosening up like this more often.

Whimsy

Finding my whimsical style. My faces always looked too much like a fashion model. If i make the face round and the eyes big it is more whimsical looking. 

I had a background started in my art journal and started with that. After drawing in the character I did a white wash over the background which helped to bring the character forward. Here are before and after pics of that. 

I will keep fine tuning this style. 

Thanks for reading!  

For the love of Duke

The past 3 weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for me.  Our dog, Duke has been sick and loosing weight.  We took him to the vet on July 9 and he was diagnosed with a bacteria infection and put on antibiotics, no improvement.  Back to the vet on July 18, more antibiotics, still no improvement.  Third visit to a different vet, who took an xray, found a mass pushing against his stomach, MRI revealed that his intestine was collapsing into the colon.  He is only 9 months old and tough as nails, we couldn't give up on him, so he had surgery yesterday and we are hoping for the best.

Lots of prayers were offered and I believe that is the only thing that kept him alive.  The vet couldn't believe he had survived 3 weeks in his condition. 

I am thankful for the advancement in veterinary medicine, for God's blessings, and that Duke has a chance.

Today I spent sometime in the studio, I had a art journal page that I had some background colors on that I really liked and had been saving (for who knows what), so I just started putting down some paint, then drawing in a figure and this praying girl showed up.  God is good.

I was also inspired by a print I purchased from Juliette Crane etsy shop  http://www.etsy.com/shop/juliettecrane.

Pets offer unconditional love and companionship, I cannot wait to get Duke home and watch him return to his old self.

Thanks for reading!

Whimsical face drawing w Jane Davenport

I bought the DVD by Jane Davenport available through Cloth Paper Scissors. Well worth every penny. Jane is a great teacher and takes the fear out of drawing a face. Here is my whimsical face, her nose is very long but I am happy with it overall.

I used col erase colored pencils, acrylic paint, tissue paper for background, distress ink for hair. 

If you want to learn to draw faces Jane's classes and DVD is the way to go. 

Owl Family Paintings

My friend, Kristin, had a birthday on Sunday and a few weeks ago I painted an owl family canvas to give to her.  I had some cute ephemra with family quotes and I picked one that said "family, forever, for always, no matter what."  I glued that down with Americana Decopauge glue (my favorite - dries clear and holds well), and started applying paint.  I used the edge of my pallete knife to apply some turquoise streaks to the background, really like the result:

I drew on 3 owls as she has a little boy 2 yrs old, and choose some colors to compliment the background:


Here is the finished piece:

Since then I've made another owl family painting for my step daughter representing their family of four:

I enjoy making art for gifts but there is always that fear, what if they don't like it and it ends up in a closet somewhere??  I usually have a pretty good idea how the person feels about my art so I don't worry about it too much.

What about you, do you give your art away as gifts to family and friends?  Do you sale your original pieces, and if so, how do you determine a price?

I appreciate your visit to this blog and any feedback!

Playing w art supplies

My intention was to start a new canvas for another Owl Family, got out inks, sprayed the canvas with water and dropped on the ink.  While I let that dry I thought I would work in my art journal, I had a  background already started & thought it lent itself to a under water scene so thought I would sketch a mermaid. Here's what I ended up with. I used LuMiere metallic paints for the mermaid and drew on the scales with a Zig  painty gold & silver pen I'd had a while and never used. Like the effect. Not sure the pic will show it. 

It was totally of the cuff so I didn't take any pics of the process 

Doodling Inspiration

I like to add some doodling to my art work, sometimes a little, other times more.  I like the extra element it brings to the piece.  I have taken some online doodling classes and would recommend Joanne Sharpe (joannezsharpe.blogspot.com) if you want to learn to doodle letters and Stephanie Ackerman (homegrownhospitality.typepad.com) if you want to learn to doodle images.

I have found that I do my best doodling when I'm not thinking about it to much but just going with the flow.  I have gotten some great inspiration from a book I bought that is all about continuous line quilting, the book talks about practicing the design on paper and that is what led me to use them as doodles on my art work.  Here are some examples:

The book is by Cheryl Malkowski, Doodle Quilting - here is a sample of what is inside

Where do you find doodling inspiration?

First Blog Post

While taking an online class with Juliette Crane, How to Paint an Owl 2, I was encouraged by some of the other students, via a private FB page for the classroom, to start a blog, so here I am. 

I was into scrapbooking and had amassed supplies and tools for that when when my local scrapbook store shut down and I had no other resource for live classes, I started taking online classes and was soon addicted. I got introduced to Mixed Media Art by Christy Tomlinson.   I have learned so much from a lot of wonderful, sharing artists out there, whose links you can find on the right column.

My hope is to use this blog to share art, tips and techniques - pay it forward. I would love to hear from you, since this is new to me, I appreciate any feedback. 

Here are some pics of some of the artwork resulting from the How to Paint an Owl 2 (which was before I started this blog, so I have no step by steps), in the future, I will post projects and pics of the progression.

 

Inspired by the Southwest

Flowers inspired by quilting design

Bleeding Art Tissue Paper Hearts

Ferns inspired by quilting design

Flying Owl

Inspired by Song Lyrics

Shy Owl

Sleeping owl

Inspired by Kachina Dolls