My favorite Pink

I went to the Tumwater Historical Park, hoping to find some blooming plum trees.
I was disappointed, it must be a little chillier down there. But, I did find these daffodils.  My bouquet of daffodils at home are finished, but I have this picture on my desktop.

 

a little visit to my mom and dad...

they have a beautiful Wild Currant in bloom.

I love this color, as you will see later in this post.

 

A break to make a snack!

Spiced Pecans: a Pinterest recipe

I think I'll sprinkle some on our salad tonight

(if there are any left).

 

I keep grabbing 15-20 minutes here and there to work in my art journal.

This one is watercolor on dictionary page. I think there's a little acrylic mixed in there (the white dots).

 

The opposite page... more watercolors on dictionary page.

I write down stream of consciousness words of what I am thinking about.

Some day I'll probably look back and go "huh?"

 

See what I mean about that pink?

 

I started this branch below with watercolor pencils.

I didn't like how it was coming out so I went over it with

watercolors from my koi field sketch set.

I

I had fun with the colors - it reminded me of coloring Easter Eggs.

 

and another version in a different book.

 

 

A fun technique to share

Today I tried out a technique I learned on PINTEREST.

 

supplies: 

watercolor paper

watercolor paints

stencils

 

I just used the stencils I had on hand.

I looked at the dollar store, hoping to find some

children's ones - like zoo animals

but no luck there.

 

My plan was to see if it would be possible

for my grandchildren to do.

A successful technique with watercolors?

 

This one got kind of runny and messed up.

using the right amount of water is important.

 

but some sketchy outlining saved it somewhat.

 

Its easy to mix colors.

 

Yes, I think the grandkids can do this!

I'm thinking the images could be cut out and made into a greeting card, or place cards or a bookmark.

 

 

You might see me at Joann's checking out the stencils tomorrow.

Randomness

Have you seen this on Pinterest? A glass jar; salad dressing in the bottom; salad fixings next; lettuce on top. Transport. When it's lunchtime, give it a shake and pour out onto a plate.

 

It worked great.

The salad was crisp and crunchy.

I've done it twice.

 

Tuesday I went to my granddaughter's school to see her class's

 "Recorder Concert".

She's in the back row, nearly hidden.

 

The kids had so much fun. They were very excited and you can see how focused they were.

They played several numbers together, and then a special performance of "Cinderella" abbreviated,

 in the style of Peter and the Wolf.

 

They had a recorder color karate system.

Most were green belts, meaning they had mastered the first several techniques.

 

 

A moment (really!) of the performance.

I think my granddaughter noticed me filming her.

she's looking at me a little nervously.

 

 

...and today I was given a souvenir from Portland's Voodoo Donut Shop. The above creature is a "zombie donut".  Notice the stake (pretzel) through its head. Or is it a Voodoo donut? There is a rumor there is raspberry filling inside so when I bite into it, it will ooze gooey redness.

 

I'll let you know.

 

What I love ...

...about watercolor

1.  it dries fast
2.  you can mix any color under the rainbow
3.  If you mix a color you like, let it dry up, all you do is add water later
4.  cleanup is a snap
5.  I love the look of the vibrant colors
6.  it washes right off my hands
7.  it doesn't spill
8.  if my paper buckles, I just iron it.
9.  easy to start and stop many times during the day

 

I found a tutorial on these little "six stroke figures" on Pinterest.

They are easy! It's just a technique.

Look on my "watercolor" board if you want to see for yourself.

 

I've finished the "color" section of my online class.

 

warm colors (like sun and fire)

 

 

cool colors (like ice and shade)

 

...and many new background techniques...

 

When I paint, I set out FOUR water vessels. That way I can paint for quite a while without having to change water.  And if I'm using reds, and there is reddish water in one of the containers, I use that one.

 

Finally I am using all those brushes and paper and watercolor paints and things I've been collecting for years!

 

Soon I'll actually be painting objects (next lesson).  

Things I've done since Thursday

I started this post on Thursday. 

Now it's Saturday.

 Here's what I've been doing:

 

Helping Wyatt fall asleep for a nap, a drive and parking on East Bay Drive.

 

cold and clear 

 

 

Carving some Valentines stamps...

(Pinterest inspiration)

need some pink and yellow ink!

 

Using the panini maker, a lot!

 

Walker decided to treat us to homemade  bread.

 

Delicious rustic style foccacia.

 

 

just make something

 

a little tiny project

 

I've been reviewing last years' online classes, and pulled out my stamp carving materials. I also spend (too much) time on Pinterest, seeing what other people are carving.  (New Pinterest board: Rubber Stamp)...I made these in no time at all.  I did discover that I don't have many good ink pads. The color ones I did with Ranger Distress Ink, but I think they would come out better with a brighter permanent ink.

 

 

That was really fun, and now that my stuff is out, I think I'll try some more complicated carving. maybe something for Valentines Day. This is something I definitely need to wear my reading glasses for!

 

And just a little reminder to myself of the spontaneous art and creativity that happens around the house when one of the kids is home for a while...

 

 

A Pinterest project

Whew! 

I've been going through blog withdrawals.

For some reason I haven't been able to upload my photos onto my blog dashboard. Frustrating.  I finally figured out a way, by loading my photos into Picasa and then using them from there. Its many extra steps and not ideal, but until I figure out a better way...

 

If you are into Pinterest, and go to my board (Judy Shave) "Art Journaling". There you will see this art doodle tutorial by Alisa Burke.   Try it.  Its easy.

 

 

First doodle the flowers and leaves with two black pens, one thin and one thicker.

 

 

Then start painting in with watercolor.  I just put one blob of red watercolor from a tube on my mixing plate, and used these many shades for my journal page.

 

 

Then, write!

 

 

Relaxing with Sunday Dinner 12-2-12

Had mom and pop over for dinner this afternoon.

My favorite part about company is setting the table.

Is that weird?

 

 

above are two thrift store orphans,

repurposed as votive candle holders.

I especially like the black cup with the light inside.

 

They brought us a gift of six Christmas

wine glasses! Thrift store finds, three sets of two.

Exactly what I love!

 

I made pork roast, mashed potatoes, gravy,

 roasted carrots and butternut squash,

 home made bread and applesauce.

 

Good and easy. It all cooked up in about an hour.

 

A cozy fire in the fireplace.

a few decorations in place.

 

This is what I have on my kitchen windowsill.

Another idea from Pinterest.

I just noticed me in the reflection!

December 1 - Craft day

Craft Day with Friends...

 

 

First, coffee and "show and tell".

Everyone has projects they have finished, and

projects in progress. Fun to see everyone's

creations.

The above card is one I thought would

be fun to replicate with Tori.

Three circles, a bit of ribbon...

 

After working a bit, time to EAT!

 

Potluck lunch:

 

Green Salad, Vegetable beef soup,

foccaccia bread...

 

 

The dessert was so fabulous, I ate the whole

thing and forgot to take a picture!

 

It was chocolate mousse pie in a jar:

Chocolate graham cracker crust,

chocolaty goodness,

whipping cream.

Need I say more? The empty jar tells it all.

 

 

I made some of these tree tags, and

shared how to do them with the others.

 

I "pinned" this tree on Pinterest. I actually had to hunt around for directions. It looks easy, right? but it was not as easy as it looked, without the specific directions.

 

kind of fast and addictive to make...

 

...and I worked on decorating my collection of tins.

(potential gift containers).

 

A really fun start to the Holiday Season.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

If you are intrigued by the trees, let me know and I'll tell you where to find the instructions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pinterest

I admit I enjoy Pinterest. 

But, I realize I have just been collecting "stuff".

My idea was to actually make some of the

things I pinned.

 

I'm going to try to chip away at them, and post my results.

 

You have to go to my pinterest board to find the actual

links to the projects.

 

 

This one is making doilies, with paper and punches.

 

I don't know if I should show my favorite first --

but here is is. I used a 4" square of tissue

and the above snowflake stamp.

 

This one is simpler. I realized I'm limited by the punches I own.

 

I like the border of this one, but not the interior so much.

 

I think I could use this idea on several projects:

 

1.  Use on art journal pages - layered with other art;

2.  on a greeting card;

3.  A project with a grandchild.  Kind of more like paper snowflakes than doilies.

 

They were quick and easy.  I had to iron the tissue paper.