Tuesday, September 30, 2014

A Handmade Birthday ~ OCTOBER



It's my birthday this week, so I joined A Handmade Birthday swap for the month of October. I had so much fun making things for my partner (whom shares a same birthday as me).

Here is what I made for her:

Cross Stitch Bookworm Bookmark

Source: Cross Quick - Premier Issue (pages 26-27)
Fabric: 16ct Aida Cloth - Tie Dyed Purple | Purple Felt for Backing
Date Completed: September 29, 2014
Birthday Card (Outside)

Materials: Cardstock, Scrapbook Paper, Sharpie, Marker, Cricut Machine,
Xyron Glue Stick, X-ACTO Corner Rounder Punch

Birthday Card (Inside)

Quote Source: 200 Happy Birthday Wishes from Wish Quotes

Envelope for Birthday Card

Materials: Scrapbook Paper, Martha Stewart Scoring Board,
X-ACTO Corner Rounder Punch
Handmade Envelopes

Variety of envelopes using Martha Stewart's Scoring Board.
Update: I contacted my swap partner if she ever received the package I sent her and she didn't. So I made another set and resent it. I am so upset that the first one never arrived. Because of this, I sent this one Priority Mail.

Date: October 22, 2014

Monday, September 22, 2014

New Blog Design for Autumn



Part of the "Inspire Me Monday" series on Create With Joy blog and the fact that today is the first day of Autumn, I've decided to give my blog a new fresh look. After searching high and low for something that would make my blog "pop".... In the end, I decided to create a unique one from my Paint Shop Pro program and downloaded brushes from the web.

I downloaded the Swirly Design Transparent PNG Files by Shelby Kate Schmitz from the About Technology website. Since I know some Graphic Designing from years past, I just had to refresh my memory on how to make a Seamless Tiled Background. In searching the web, I came across a helpful YouTube video titled, "Paint Shop Pro - Backgrounds One" by hunycards. Thankfully what was needed was at the beginning of the video.

After all the searching and downloading, I went to work... choosing the background color, cloning leaves onto the design, creating a seamless tile, and other techniques. With the same techniques, I created my Banner. It came together rather nicely when it was placed on the blog.

Finally, I downloaded the Free Retro Social Icons by Brainleaf and made the proper adjustments to my blog.... Deleting unnecessary links, adding a Scroll Gallery to my ebay auctions at the bottom of the blog, and rearranging my layout.

Time consuming, but fun when you get the results you want. What do you think?

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Lonely Sunflower ATC ~ White Crayon Resist

Here is yet another White Crayon Resist ATC that I made for my swap partner. This method is fun to make if done right to get the results you want. I just wish I owned more stamps that work well with this.

Title: Lonely Sunflower
Date: September 18, 2014
Swap: White Crayon Resist - ATC

Owls in Watercolor

I painted some owls in watercolor. Owls have become my favorite these days. They made a comeback in popularity again. How exciting!

As I was looking for inspiration, I found this website rather informative on identifying and learning about owls... Eyes on Owls: Learn About Owls.


Title: Eagle Owl
Date: September 18, 2014
Inspiration: Mark A. Coleman ~ Owl
Swap: Owl ATC ~ USA

Title: Eagle Owl 2
Date: September 18, 2014

Title: Eagle Owl Cartooned
Date: September 18, 2014


Saturday, September 20, 2014

Car Show ACEO

I painted a old Ford Truck from a car show my kids and I attended this summer. We love going to the car shows and try to go to at least a few of them a year as they roll in town. This watercolor ACEO is not going to be sold because my son claimed it and displayed it in his room.

Title: Truck at Car Show
Date: September 30, 2014

Monday, September 15, 2014

More Fall Frenzy ACEO's

Here are 2 more ACEO's for the Fall Frenzy sale.


Title: Old Ford Truck
Date: September 14, 2014
Medium: Watercolor

Title: A Splash of Sunshine
Date: September 14, 2014
Medium: Colored Pencil & Watercolor

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Fall Frenzy ACEO Sales

I'm a member of the ACEO ~ Art Editions and Originals on eBay group on Facebook. This week they are doing a Fall Frenzy ACEO sales promotion on ebay and I participated this time around. The following ACEO's are the ones I listed on ebay for this promotion and I would love that they would go to a new home to be enjoyed.

Title: What Do We Have Here?
Date: September 11, 2014
EBAY Listing
Title: Pumpkin
Date: September 11, 2014
EBAY Listing
Title: A Walk to Remember
Date: September 11, 2014
Title: Spiral Tree
Date: September 12, 2014
Inspired ByFinger Print Tree Plate by Fancy Frugal Life
Title: Baby Giraffe
Date: September 12, 2014
Inspired By: Doting Giraffe Helps Its Newborn Calf Take Its Wobbly First Steps
EBAY Listing

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Autumn ACEO's

In the spirit of Autumn approaching, I painted two ACEO's in watercolor to reflect it. They took less than an hour to paint. The more I learn to watercolor, the easier it gets, the more fun I am having.

Title: A Splash of Autumn
Date: September 10, 2014
Medium: Watercolor

Title: Harvest Moon
Date: September 10, 2014
Medium: Watercolor

Watercolor & Glitter ATC

Here is the art card I made for the Watercolor and Glitter ATC swap. 


Title: Sunflower Under the Stars
Date: September, 9, 2014
Swap: Watercolor & Glitter ATC

  • Painted using Watercolor
  • Signed
  • Sprayed with Sealant
  • Spread Glitter Gel in areas I wanted
  • Sprayed with Sealant again

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

My Latest Watercolor Art Cards

Here is the latest watercolor paintings. I taught myself last month and have been working hard at trying to perfect it to my liking. I'm getting closer and having fun. Been watching a variety of videos to learn certain techniques that I've taken a liking to. Some some my paintings have been inspired by a few artists I've found on the internet. Don't forget to check them out.... Links are listed under the photos below.

Title: Autumn River
Date: September 6, 2014
Inspired By: The Frugal Crafter ~ Lindsay Weirich
 How to Paint Fall Foliage in Watercolor Pencils
Title: Silhouette at Sunset
Date: September 9, 2014
Inspired By: Dreamscaping with June Rollins
 Watercolor Demo - Silhouette Trees and Sunset
Title: Butterlies and Daisies
Date: September 9, 2014
Inspired By: Pearl Nautilus
 Woman's Face & Butterflies in Watercolor
Title: A Walk in the Forest in Fall
Date: September 9, 2014
Title: Orange Cat
Date: September 9, 2014
Hopefully this has inspired you to paint. Have a wonderful day!

Monday, September 8, 2014

Round Robin # 23

Here is this months Round Robin on Swap-Bot. I'll be sending this sampler to the next stitcher in Slovenia. The numbers that I stitched are 24 (favorite number) and 1974 (the year I was born).  This is a fun and crazy sampler with numbers in all directions.


Round Robin #23

Source: CrossStitchCrochetOthers.com
Pattern: All Size Numbers
Section Stitched: Numbers 24 and 1974  (using IRIS floss #571)
Date Completed My Section: August 10, 2014
Theme: Numbers
Until next time... Happy Stitching!