simple Analogy

Bleach Painting

Handwriting is unique, and I wanted that uniqueness to be a part of my journal cover.  So I grabbed my brushes and bleach and painted some joy.  Joy in my own handwriting on the outside, and written "gifts" that brought me joy on the inside.  Very symbolic.

Let's play with brushes and bleach today.

I am using my watercolor brushes.  I've done this several times and they don't seem to be the worse for wear, but if you're worried about the bleach damaging your bristles you may want to use cheaper brushes.

A thin, round brush will be able to do finer work and smaller details.  Writing will be easier and "cleaner" with consistently thin lines.

A large, flat brush will give more bulk.  It holds more bleach, so the design will be stronger in concentration.  Writing will be chunkier with varying line thickness.  Detailing will spread a bit.  Using a dry brush, will produce lovely brush strokes. 

Pressure on the brushes will also vary the look you'll get.  Remember to rinse your fabric when it's cured to the color you want.

Grab some scrap fabric and have fun experimenting!

August Kid's Craft Along: Handprint Flower T-shirts

So once you do your lazy girl ombre dying, you have a great summer t-shirt that is just DYE-ing for some handprints.  We did these with the two and three year old children during VBS.  I'm not going to say it's not messy, because it is.  PAINT + KIDS = MESSY!  It's just the way it is.  But the kids had a fun time making their own shirts and even more fun wearing them.

So, are we ready?

Supplies:

Ombre dyed t-shirt (or any solid t-shirt)

Fabric paint (or acrylic)

Foam paint brush 

Approximate cost:  $1 if you have a t-shirt on hand.  A few more if you don't.

Directions:

Place a piece of press 'n seal (or cardboard) between the layers of your shirt to keep the paint from bleeding through to the back.

Paint a coat of paint on one hand.  Using the above picture as your placement guide place painted hand with fingers spread apart in position on the shirt.  Press firmly.  Lift hand straight off the shirt.  Repeat three more times to complete your flower.

Let dry completely, then heat set with an iron.

Line up with your friends and show off your creation.

You could add a green stem at the bottom and add lots of finger prints to the middle of your flower, but we were on a time constriant.  And truth be told, I didn't want to freak out my helpers any more than necessary to get these done. 

If you make some of these, I'd love to see your version!  Add pictures to the Kid's Craft Along Flickr pool!

Lest You Think This Is Becoming A Food Blog...

The last several months have been extremely busy.  I haven't had a lot of time to sew, but I did make some time to paint. 

Butterflies...

lots of them!  They were gifts for the sweet ladies in my Bible study class.  I've only ever given my "artwork" to my mom, so this was a big step for me.  I think it means I'm getting comfortable with my painting.

I drew them all the same, but each of them turned out differently.

I think that's my favorite thing about watercolors.  You never exactly know how the paint is going to blend, spread, and bleed.  You never know if that dab with the paper towel will leave some texture or make the painting look distressed and faded.

If you use more water the colors are softer; paint dry and the colors are vibrant.  I love the variations!  Each of these butterflies were a metamorphasis of their own.

My Finger Slipped

So I was editing my butterflies, and look what happened.  My finger slipped on the contrast.  I came out with this. 

Hey, I like it!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Winging It

I am not confident when it comes to scketching.  But when I start painting what I sketched, I find that my sketches arent' as bad as I thought. 

Maybe it's because the paint hides all the imperfections that I know are there.

Maybe it's because my scritch scratch comes to life.

Or maybe it's just that it's hard to mess up a butterfly. 

Anyhow, these little guys are making me happy right now.

On A Wing and A Prayer

Spreading my sketching wings...

Making My Own Antiques

Over a year ago, I found a frame at Hobby Lobby that was horrid - brassy metallic gold with black splattered dots, several gashes in the edges - but was heavily discounted.  I bought it thinking I could paint it and spruce it up, stuck it in the craft closet, and promptly forgot about it.  I came across it again as I was cleaning out the craft part of my closet a few weeks ago.  Alas, I forgot to take the before picture, but it spruced up nicely after a little bit of love.

I spray painted the whole thing with Krylon Ivory and let it dry completely.  Then I tried the new Martha Stewart line of paints at Michaels.  You're supposed to be able to use her paints on any surface:  metal, glass, wood, etc.  I used the antiquing medium mixed with Espresso, painted a coat over the entire thing, then gently wiped off some of the excess.  Fun, fun, fun!  

Here it is on my mantle.  And no, that's not a live orchid.  I learned early on in my marriage that my indoor plants needed to be silk.  The green thumb - she's not so green.

If your wondering, the print is a free download from Dear Lillie that I printed on my favorite watercolor paper. 

During Tebow Time

Yes, we are truly Tebow fans.  We appreciate his testimony and his athletic ability.  Sadly, our Tebow watching days are over until the football season starts up again in the fall.

While I am a fan, it's hard for me to watch hours of football.  So during the last playoff game, I brought out my sketchbook and watercolors.  I didn't have a plan... just started sketching.  

My mom was sitting on the couch behind me during the game, and it was nice to hear her comments as this painting progressed.  

She wants this one.  So since it is destined to be her Valentine's present, I subtly added a few hearts on a few petals.  Now all it needs is a mat and frame.  Oh and I guess to be official, it should have a signature.  Now if only my signature had a little more flair...

December Kid's Craft Along: Got Pinecones?

I bet you thought I'd forgotten about our craft along project for December.  Well no, I've just been too busy to put it together.  Usually posted on the first of the month, this one is slipping in just before Christmas.

Ok, so you have a ton of nieces and nephews that will be visiting for the holidays, and everyone is tired of decorating gingerbread houses.  What do you do to keep them busy and have fun at the same time?  Gather pinecones.  Actually if you gather some pinecones beforehand and do a little prep work, they'll be ready to roll when the kid's arrive.

Supplies:  pinecones, 18-20 gauge wire, paint, fabric or ribbon, hot glue gun, glue sticks

Approximate cost:  Less than $5

Directions:  Pinecone Swags from Family Fun

My nieces and nephews aren't going to be around for Christmas this year, so I'll be doing this with all the preschool children at church Christmas morning.  I made our ribbon (tore fabric into one inch strips) and glued the hangers onto the pinecones ahead of time.  All they have to do is paint...

Suggestions:

• Make sure children wear a paint shirt/smock over their clothes.  Acrylic paint will not wash out.
• An adult will need to do the gluing!

• Add a little glitter to your pinecone while the paint is wet for a little bit of sparkle.
• Use this idea to make individual pinecone ornaments.
• Write the year on the fabric/ribbon hanger.

• Hang these on the door, on the Christmas tree, on the stairs, in a window, on a bulletin board...  pretty much anywhere!

If you try your hand at these, I'd love to see your creations.  Upload pictures to the Kid's Craft Along Flickr group!

{PRESENT}ing Day 11: Paper Towel Flowers Part 2

Yesterday we made paper towel flowers.  Once they are made, it's easy to place them on a gift.  For adhesive use a large glue dot  (or a drop of hot glue) to attach it to just about anything. On this present I tied a wide piece of fabric into a bow around a shirt box and added one flower for a simple presentation. 

Of course if you want a little more drama add another flower.

Or three for a cascade. 

Paper towel flowers are a very cost effective yet glamorous way to spruce up a package.  And because you choose the color scheme, they are very versatile.  Use them to adorn wedding favors and Mother's Day gifts, or paint some red ones for Valentine's Day.  They can be used many other ways as well.  Make a few for a corsage for the mother-to-be at the next baby shower.  Place a few in a shadow box for a piece of art.  Use on your Thanksgiving table.

How would you use them?

***Add your gift wrap creations to the {PRESENT}ing flickr group to share your wrapping inspiration.