So I made a little progress

At the expense of some much needed sleep last night, I made some progress on the first of three backpacks. The pattern has been very easy to follow so far - lots of steps but not difficult. Next up is the lining, which includes a zippered pocket, so we'll see how well I pull that off. J's not too excited so far, but I think once he can put it on, he'll be hooked. He loves to have a bag to put all of his things in to. And there are all kinds of pockets and hiding places in this backpack to carry his beloved treasures.

Earthborn Pottery

Through a random coarse of events, I ended up being introduced to an incredible Birmingham artist a couple of weeks ago. I had noticed Cahaba Clayworks on a recent drive through Leeds, and then I was able to meet Tena Payne of Earthborn Pottery who owns part of the Cahaba Clayworks studio. It is a massive building out in Leeds, Al where several potters have studio space. I fell in love with Tena's work after seeing her website and then getting to see some of her work in person. It is so, well, earthy... I love the heavy feel of it and the rough edges... Tena was very generous and gave me a small plate that I have been using as my utensil holder on my stovetop. It's a welcome addition to my kitchen. If you have a chance, check out the earthborn pottery website or better yet check out the studio. They offer pottery classes periodically - I think a new one is starting this week. I always love finding local artists whose work I admire.

Call me crazy....

Our school year is going to look a lot different this year than it did last year. Last year, I homeschooled my second grader, had both of my little ones at home, and taught two art classes during the week... This year, my oldest is going to school and the two little ones will be at preschool two days a week. I'm excited for them and for myself but also a little anxious about what the year will feel like. Anyways.... as a going off to school present, I decided to make each of the kids a new backpack. Yes, I do think I'm crazy. But I found this very cute pattern, and couldn't resist when it went on sale for half off. The kids and I picked out fabric for each of their backpacks, and I've gotten it all washed and ironed - ready to go. I began cutting out fabric last night, and I definitely think I'm in for a few weeks of hard work, but I think it will be worth it in the end. I'll keep you up to date on my progress.

Chocolate Chip Yumminess

Just thought I'd show you a picture of my new favorite cookies... For my birthday, my in-laws gave me a grain mill, and I have been baking ever since, using freshly ground wheat. Soon after I got my mill, I discovered a yummy recipe for whole wheat chocolate chip cookies, and they have become a hit around my house. What's funny is that I am so not a baker, but I think this mill was just the thing I needed as inspiration...

Flower Bag and Craft Bazaar

A couple of friends of mine are holding an arts and crafts bazaar this weekend, and I'm so excited to see all of the great handmade things that will be for sale. I will have a table, but I'm afraid I won't have enough to fill it! My plan last night was to spend all night sewing, so I could build up some inventory... well, I did spend all night sewing, but I got sidetracked by making this new tote. It took me much longer than I thought it would, but I love the results! It was very inspiring to make - gave me lots of new ideas of things to include in future projects. Maybe tonight will be a more productive night sewing, though! I will have some new zipper pouches, some tote bags, and a few paintings for sale this weekend. The location of the arts and crafts bazaar is the old Alpine Skating Lodge, located at 160 Oxmoor Rd in Homewood. Come check out all of the great vendors: there will be jewelry, stationary, paintings, hand sewn bags and totes, clothing, and furniture!

how i misunderstand you

And here is the second.


and another detail...

Neither picture really does the painting justice as far as color. The first is a little too dark, showing more of the shadows of the texture than are apparent in real life, and the second is way too blown out, but it shows a detail of the stitching that i included. I'm still trying to figure out how to photograph my paintings...
This is a mixed media painting... fabric, stitching, encaustic on wood. And it's pretty small, measuring 6"x7.5". I've never included imagery such as a heart in a painting before, but i'm playing around with it in several paintings as representative of the unseen...

darkness covering, but there is a thin line between

Here it is, my newest painting...

And a detail...


It is encaustic on wood panel and measures about 12"x12". I began this with the intention of it being a fabric collage with encaustic, but yesterday, this is what it became. I am loving working in encaustic again. I feel much freer with it now than I did eight years ago.

finished two new paintings!

I have started painting again recently for the first time in over six years. I can't believe it's been that long, but finally I feel like I am ready again to paint. It's a little scary - wondering what will come out, but exciting too... It feels like a fresh start, and i have so many new ideas. Now to find the time to actually work on them!
I started a couple of paintings several weeks ago and put them away to finish some sewing that i've been working on. Well, I had time this afternoon to work, and I think these two are both finished. I want to see them in the morning light, and hopefully I'll be able to post pictures of them tomorrow.

framing a child's artwork

After seeing so many of the little gems of artwork that came from art camp last week, I wanted to post about some easy and inexpensive ways of framing those pieces. I know that when I've finally finished a painting, there's this feeling that I get when I see it framed. It somehow feels more complete, even important. And i think that children need to know that what they have created is important.

I'm using two of the things that my son created at camp last week in these examples. The first is a charcoal drawing. What you'll notice with both of these projects is that i have had to do some major cropping before i start the framing process. Children tend to draw and paint in the middle of the page. No matter how large or small the paper is, they tend to leave a lot of white paper around the edges. Children also like to write their names BIG on the front of their paintings and drawings. You will notice that I have to crop Cole's name out of the first drawing.







I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up an 8x10 matte board that was already cut for a picture and a ready made frame. I placed the drawing in the middle of the matte opening and situated it just how I wanted it and then placed a small piece of tape on the top of the drawing to secure it to the matte. Then all I had to do was place the matted drawing inside the frame. One thing to be aware of with the easel backed ready made frames is that sometimes the easel can cause the frame to stand out from the wall when it is hung, but these are easily removed from the back of the frame, which will allow the frame to lay nicely against the wall.

The next framing project is of a watercolor cat also done by my son Cole at art camp.

I purchased some large 20"x25" charcoal paper from Hobby Lobby, located in the art supply section of the store. It comes in lots of great colors. I chose a bright blue... I also purchased a 12"x15" plain black ready made frame and used the picture from the frame to cut my fake matte from the charcoal paper. Here's how:

I took the picture insert (the one with girl and woman with matching striped hats!) and used it to cut a piece of the blue paper the same size as the inside of the frame.

I then cut the boarder off of the picture insert and used it to trace inside the blue paper, making sure that i am lining the picture up in the middle of the blue paper. This will be the template for my fake matte.

I then cut the inside of my fake matte out, and it is ready to place the painting inside.


Here's what the finished framed artwork looks like. (I had a hard time photographing this on the wall in the boys' room, so here it is on the den wall and then on the sofa with two other paintings i matted and framed to go with it.




I think they turned out pretty well, but the best compliment came from Cole. He did not want me to frame these... but when he saw them complete, he was excited to hang them on the wall! I purchased all the supplies I needed at Hobby Lobby, and all of the frames were half off this week, so I spent under $35 and framed four pieces of his artwork!

Happy framing!