Long time no post...

Well, Feb and March took up my time. Had parties to take my kids to. A party for my now 4 year old, a visit from my Mother-in-law, etc. I managed to sit outside and do my next fave to crafting: Drawing! Here's what I've been busy with...

As the kids soon get out of school and the mom-in-law has left my guest bdroom/craft room/art studio I hope to get back to crafting. As for now, I'm enjoying some drawing time when sitting outside watching my kids play in the springtime weather.....

Happy Anniversary

For my husband Tom

Happy Anniversary!

WIP- graphite, charcoal and a little pastel

Met Monday

Met Monday! Here's a goodie I did a while back! Thanks to Between Naps on the porch this idea will be shared.

From Camp Rock canvas and animal print metal decor

TO:
Matching Bedroom Decor

Wall Art!

Target had the canvas' for a 1.48- The glitter border tape was already on there. I liked that it added some whimsy, for lack of a better word. I put Burnt Umber acrylic paint on top of the pink Camp Rock picture. I then took a sponge and splotched-spounced-squished (whatever the correct artistic word is...) wedgewood blue and silver paint here and there. Let it dry, then I decoupaged some antique looking scrapbook paper ontop of the words "Camp Rock" that were also glittered on there.
The convex and concave metal decor came from my fav. Flower Factory, (yep, not a suprise... once again- LOVE THAT PLACE!) Only 4.00 for 3 of them. I put a strip of masking tape on the metal wall decor and used textured brown paint on the one side. Sponged the same way on the smaller part. Pulled off the masking tape and painted that strip black to help pull the canvas together with the metal art.





The flowers I painted at the top of the post and this one below was from an image I found in a catalog I recieved in the mail.

Touch of class.com image

Altered Books

Altered Books
Altered Books are books that have been given a new life in the form of art. Be they old dilapidated books or new ones, their covers and pages can be altered in many ways. You can paint them, cut, fold, burn, sew, collage, tear, drill, saw, glue or adorn them in any way your imagination sees fit.

I've been told to alter old books that are sewn as the spine will hold together once you start painting and adding and such. I haven't got a chance to make my foam board book yet. It's been one of those months! Appointments, warm spring-like days outside, etc. I reallllllly want to get back up to my little crafty table and get my creative outlet going! Here's a few pictures from my book that has me itching to get my fingers full of glue!!!!

(above) This is from BookWorks by Mary Maguire. I got these pocket pages from Archivers on clearance! I'm going to sew mine as the pocket page I got has long pockets across. The book below is one that I found at a (now closed) Big Lots. It has several altered book ideas and how to alter metal tiles that you can buy from EK Success. My favorite altered book is the one shown:

I have to say, I don't think I can alter an old book. Ever since I have been able to read I hold books sacred. It's the only thing I'm OCD about! I don't like spines that are broken, dog-earred pages, covers that are bent---oooo gives me shivers.... (My neighbor friends will be laughing at me, because they know how I am with books) I looooove old books just the way they are. So with that being said, I'm going to have to do "make your own" altered books...sticking with foam board or chipboard....ya feel me? you understand me? do YOU dog-ear? or are you laughin'? It's ok, I'm laughing at myself, laugh with me....

Feeling Inspired

I love all things art, sometimes I sketch and occasionally paint. I'm not going to get into the personal self-esteem I have about my "art".... I did upload some old sketches onto my web album if you want to nose at what I have done...(see the sidebar on your left)

I found this wonderful website differentstrokesfromdifferentfolks.blogspot.com

it is an inspiring website. There are wonderful artists on this site and every two weeks Karin Jurick has a photo that you can paint, draw, etc. from then upload yours and she will show it off. Just looking at this website has inspired me to start sketching again. This week she talks about motivation and gives tips to artists on where and how to find the motivation to bring the artist out of you.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/

is also an inspiring site that makes me get my sketching pencil out. They have scavenger hunts each week and you can do part of the list or all of it. It's great for those who haven't sketched in a long time. Or for those who just need a boost for ideas. As they say practice, practice, practice... anyone CAN draw.... it just takes time and patience. (Something not all artists have.)