Another :)

I tried another piece using Sharon's technique. Of course, since I didn't have small canvases, I had to recycle a wooden plaque. I was also out of soft gel medium so doing transfers was out of the question. Instead, I adhered scrapbook paper with Mod Podge :)

I wanted to find a quote about going home or memories of home but most of the ones I found were too long and I just haven't found the right one to sneak in there. Or maybe I should leave it.......not sure. Will think on it some more.

We got about 6+ inches of new snow yesterday. I'm so very tired of winter. I want Spring and all the good feelings that come with it.

Off to do a little blog visiting myself..glad you stopped by! Have a great week!
Darla

First project completed :)

I wish I had additional small canvases to practice a little more but it's snowing here today and the wind is supposed to pick up so my anticipated 40 mile trip to Michaels is probably out of the picture :( I may try cardboard!

I used a 6x 6 canvas that I had painted before and just gave it a makeover, but Sharon says that Michaels has 5x5 canvases for $1 in the children's art section which I MUST go check out! They have designs on them but you can gesso over them and start fresh!

By the way, if you are interested in taking Sharon's class you still can! It's an open registration class so you can jump in anytime!

Thanks so much for all the encouraging responses to the step by step post from yesterday!! I've never taken the time to do that and I will definitely try to do more of that. I know I sure appreciate when others share the steps......don't know why I didn't think to give back a little myself! I will though ♥

Have a great SUPER BOWL Sunday!
Darla

Step by Step class project...so far :)

Hello everyone! Sorry it's been awhile since I've updated my blog, but it's been a long week. Dealing with a few areas in my life that need some attention at the moment :)

As I mentioned previously, I'm taking Sharon Tomlinson's class and here is my first project at this current stage. I believe we'll be doing more shading, etc. tomorrow.



The first step was to cover an old canvas with paper. She gives a really good tip about using the inside of security envelopes! There really are some cool designs in those bills and bank statements! I NEVER noticed that until now :)



Next was to sketch out a face on paper. I have my paper folded here over the canvas to line it up when transferring the design.


I just did a quick wash of different colors that I thought would match with the napkins I have on hand that I'll adhere in a bit. I also didn't have a laser printout of an old house so I printed an image onto inkject transparency film and tried putting it on the canvas that way. Not so great....but this is practice I guess :)


The face is coming in. I took this class because I want to learn to be more loose with my strokes and not so tight with definite lines. It's VERY hard for me to let things be and not putz with them more and more!


More color added


Napkin flowers added


More shading and hair!


Tried to add a butterfly on the neck with transparency film and it was awful.......so, another flower!


Hoping you are all having a wonderful and creative weekend!

Darla

And the winner is..........

Thank you to ALL who entered my one-year blog anniversary giveaway!!


With the help of Random.org I have a winning entry!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS COLLEEN
of Main Street Memories!!

I will be contacting YOU and I HOPE you'll send me
your address so I can get
HOPE






shipped off to you ASAP! :)

Thanks again for all the wonderful entries, comments and a year of great new friendships!
Here's to many, many more!

Darla

An afternoon with the girls

I had a wonderful day and hope you all did too!

First off, my middle son, Ryan spent the night after attending a Sioux hockey game up in Grand Forks. We went out for dinner to celebrate his birthday. His actual b-day was the 17th but he was on a business trip in Atlanta :) We went to our local 'famous' pizza shop and had a nice time!

When he left I headed to the basement and got my hands on some brushes and paints and upcycled a couple of 6 x 6 canvases.



I'm really having a great time painting these little angels, hope you're not getting sick of them just yet!

I finished them, came upstairs and vacuumed all the fur 'love' from Mieko and then hit my Pilates machine. I've had it a year and have used it 3 times, 2 of those times just this past week. Isn't that pathetic? I'm going to try and do it 2-3 times a week MINIMUM! It feels great!

I'd also like to wish my sweet little grandson, Cutler a HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY!


Cutler is with his parents over in Mpls celebrating Christmas with his mother's family. Hoping to celebrate sometime this week when they get home!

Have a wonderful evening everyone and I'll see you tomorrow for sure!
Hugs,
Darla

The kids like their new scarves!

And of course I had to have them model for me and my camera :) I tried to pick colors that would go with their winter coats. Cutler, of course, has a MN Vikings jacket!


Derek & Jeni in Aruba! Aren't they adorable?
They brought me a beautiful tote bag from Aruba and a very funny little desk accessory (flip book)! Here's what it says on the back cover:

'This bold and defiant book of affirmations is for mommies on the edge, self-styled divas, and domestic goddesses everywhere. It features full-color advertising images from the 40's, 50's and 60's paired with sly, laugh-out-loud sayings. This sassy little gift book tackles issues of womanhood with daring humor and a healthy dose of bitchiness.'

Here's the page I chose for today :)


There are SO many very funny, but somewhat naughty pages! I'd love to share them all in time ...but be warned. Like I said, some are naughty ;)

Have a great day!
Darla

Taking a new class!

I'm trying to pace myself, because I want to learn it all! I see a workshop and I want in! It just gets to be too much all at once for my little checkbook :) NOT to mention my brain can't soak up more than a little info at a time. ha!

This is a wonderful workshop given by Sharon Tomlinson. I love the soft, dreamy look of her girls. If you'd like to join me, click on the image and you'll fly over to her blog! She has some great videos on youtube as well!

I feel bad that I haven't posted much in the past few days. I've had some serious computer issues at home and it's been a little busy at work and I'm trying to get my priorities in order from 8-5 :)

Yesterday we had a blizzard here so my boss let us go home. It was wonderful! I made some turkey jerky, some turkey stock to freeze for cooking and crocheted two scarves. Now I have one for all three of my grandkids. I'll take them over tonight and I HOPE I remember to whip out my camera and I'll have them pose for a high fashion shot to share with you tomorrow :)

I wanted to paint the day away but it was just so chilly and my basement gets a little cool on days like that. It just felt cozier to curl up in my chair and crochet.

I'm hoping to paint at some point this week.......stay tuned!

Do any of you watch The Biggest Loser? Should be interesting tonight!!

Darla