Some watercolor playing...

I put together this little journal before we left for the farm in early July. It's just a simple construction of whater color pages, (cut pages were 6" wide by 12" long, put together the book measures about 6" by 6") sewn together with some embroidery floss. I wanted something small and portable that I could work on at the farm.

I am still working on my drawing skills - but this is my rendition of the farm house. I did not draw the back addition, I couldn't see it from where I was sitting when I was drawing anyway. The front porch and columns are field stone. (I have yet to figure out how to paint depth.)

My favorite summer flowers are cornflowers and black eyed susans. I love there vibrancy and I find them very easy to draw and paint!

Both Fiona and Alexa were painting when I painted this. This explains the purple bow (Alexa's favorite color) and the light pink background (Fiona's favorite color). I'm still trying my hand at drawing outside of my comfort zone (anything besides flowers!). So tonight I am going to raid my neighbor's front lawn; they have a bunch of huge white mushrooms growing in there lawn -picture perfect mushrooms. They aren't real happy about them but I think they make interesting still lifes for me to practice drawing! Have a Blessed week:)

Needing more time in my day...

Fiona had her friend Rachel over to play - the girls took off as soon as Rachel stepped through the door. This gave me some extra time to finish the embroidered collage I've been working on all summer...

My girls, Fiona 7 and Alexa 5, are my universe. There are times when I look at them and I think "how did life exist before them?" This collage is my little tribute to them. Along with my niece Giada.

Now that school will be starting soon (less than four weeks!) my life will have a rythm and a routine again. I'm looking forward to having some uninterrupted time to clean the house and create art. I'm going to be very busy creating in August as I have a high school friend who has commissioned me to make her six collaged photo frames. I am flattered and gracious all at the same time. I will be posting pictures of the frames as I complete them. I really hope everyone's summer is going well, I know I am looking forward to the cooler wheather of fall:)

Staying very busy...

It seems like the month of July has literally flown by. Please forgive my late blog posts - there just has not been enough time in the day this month to keep up with everything...

I have several projects on the table; this embroidered photo is finally complete and I have just about completed the collaged background for it.

I start my collages with a base coat of acrylic paint and usually some old book pages.

Then I move on to adding lots of layers; wrapping paper, ledger paper, tissue paper, sometimes even my girl's school works gets added in.

Once the collaged papers are all dry I start layering with paint and ink; a little paint, some stenciling, stamping, or both, then usually some distressing and inking. My process is not exact and it varies depending on things like size, subject matter, and color. Once this layer dries I will add the embroidered photo and any other embelishments I find. I'll post the completed project on Friday. In the mean time I really hope everyone is staying cool and hydrated during these nasty heat waves. Blessings:)

Off to the Farm!

We are off to the Farm in Michigan for a long weekend of bug hunting, deer spotting, long lazy walks, and lots of frolicking in the sunshine! I'll be back next week to post pictures of my little water color journal that I'm starting while we are up there:) I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Photographic Friday...

Andrew and I took the girls up to Sheldon's Marsh last week. The marshland ends at Lake Erie so the wildlife is pretty abundant. This white crane was trying to catch a fish...

This gaggle of geese was having a nice early afternoon stroll. Guess we weren't the only family enjoying the afternoon together!...

This picture of Fiona, Alexa, and my niece Giada was not taken at Sheldon Marsh but I liked it just the same. Getting pictures of the kids "being kids" is something that I really love. I hope everyone has a great weekend - I hope to get some serious creating done before Monday.

Getting Caught Up...

I completed this embroidered photo of my grandparents (on the right) back in February. I haven't really known what I have wanted to do with it. I have had lots of ideas but none that have really sparked my motivation. I received some lace and antique white buttons recently and now I am ready to move forward. Isn't it funny how sometimes the simplest of things are what inspires us? What inspires you?

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope everyone has a save and happy Fourth of July! Summer-time business has gotten a little out of control the last couple of weeks around here but things are starting to calm down. I will be back to posting more projects and Photographic Friday this week. Blessings:)