It’s funny how things happen and turn out.  This is a smaller size canvas that had an ugly color painted on it, so I painted over it a lilac color (acrylic).  Then I saw a photograph of a sail boat and I just let the paint brush do its thing.  I always listen to music when creating, and the words to an old Van Morrison song just seemed to fit with this sail boat.  Music, art, and text just seem to marry themselves together.  Although the brush was in my hand, I was just along for the ride.

Found this old sled at a thrift store and painted it up for spring. (acrylic)  Now it’s ready for my front porch.

Some special places in Michigan.   Do you know where this lighthouse is?   It’s my favorite place to go in the summer time.

Trees are great fun to paint, and easy, too.

Paint parties are the perfect winter activity when you’re stuck inside.  So much fun!

These are two paintings that I do in the winter or for the holidays.  It’s so relaxing to listen to Christmas music and paint!

Another fun paper plate project you can do at home with children or grandchildren.

Here’s the process:

• Draw a wavy line across the plate about three fourths of the way down.  Cut with scissors, and lay aside the smaller piece.
• Using a damp piece of sponge and several colors of neon acrylic paint, sponge paint the plate on one side.  Let dry.
• Cut out the white part of an eye (round, oval, or any shape) out of white paper or white foam sheets.  Cut two smaller circles out of black paper or foam sheets.  Glue these on the plate  and allow to dry.
• Last step:  Collect any ribbon, ric rac, or other scraps of trim you have.  Cut them up in different lengths and tape them in a row on the back  (white side) of the plate.  (we used skinny duct tape).   There you have it: an easy jellyfish that pleases the younger set.
• PS  Allow the creators to cut their own plates, do their own sponge painting, and attach their own trim pieces.  The goal is to promote creativity and individuality.
• This idea originated on Pinterest.

 

 

It’s a given that when my granddaughters come for a stay over we make some kind of art.  This time we made Art journals, or they can just be used as a notebook (the paper inside is lined).  It begins with inexpensive notebooks you can find at the dollar store.  These were 50 cents apiece, but last week I saw the same ones on sale for 10 cents!   So you can stock up on these for future projects if you want.

Below is a list of the steps in the process:

• Paint white gesso on each cover.  Allow to dry.
• Choose three colors of acrylic paint for each cover.  Put four or five DROPS of paint on the cover (less is more here).   Then, using an old credit card, move the paint colors around until the cover is covered with paint.  Try not to mix the paint too much, because you want the individual colors to show, rather than one mixed color.  Allow to dry.
• Gather some favorite foam stamps (Michaels, Joanns, Walmart).  Using a Crayola black marker,  color on the foam stamp, and stamp anywhere on the cover you wish.   Use several different stamps if you want.  (Do not use a Sharpie or any permanent marker).
• Use some acrylic paint (we used white, and some neon pink, green, purple, etc.) and brush some paint on some bubble wrap.  Gently stamp designs on the cover with the bubble wrap.  I also used some homemade cardboard stamps I had on hand.  Use anything you have that will make a mark.   It’s ok to stamp over your Crayola marker designs.   When you are pleased with your cover, allow it to dry.
• On any paper you have, create a drawing and color it (or don’t color it).   Using Elmer’s glue or mat medium, place your drawing somewhere on the cover and adhere it well.   This makes the journal unique to you.
• Our last step was to take some decorative paper trim (from the scrapbooking section of Michael’s) and glued it on the left side of the cover for a finished look.  This step is optional.
• Once the cover is dry, spray it with Acrylic gloss clear spray OUTSIDE.  Allow to dry.

I got this idea from a you tube video I once watched, can’t remember.  However, I had already been doing this type of thing in my art studio.

 

 

 

Here are the new autumn window designs.  I chose Peanuts because of a suggestion by my granddaughter.  She said, “Everyone likes Peanuts!”

I have always liked dream catchers.  When I’m out somewhere and see one, I usually buy it or take a photo of it and try to make one.  Recently, while entertaining some grandchildren, I decided to try and make one with them that would be inexpensive and not too difficult.  I’ll be honest, I got this idea from Pinterest.  It is nothing more than a paper plate with the middle part cut out, and the back side  decorated with markers.  One side of the plate had its own design, so we pretty much left that part alone.  I punched 12 holes on the inside perimeter of the plate as evenly as possible.   We then cut yarn about 3 yards in length and weaved it in and out of the holes.  This can be done randomly or using a pattern, such as every 3 holes.  Whatever works for you.  Tie if off when done.

 

I also punched three holes on the bottom of the plate for the “tails” and one on the top for a hanger.  There is one hole on each side as well for side “tails”.  (I have no idea what they are really called).  The tails are just yarn strung with beads, and feathers glued inside the beads.   I used hot glue. The shapes in the middle of the dream catcher are those foam shapes glued back to back.  (Get from Joann’s or Walmart) This did take about an hour and a half, but was not messy and they turned out pretty awesome.  You can use any type of things you have around to add to your dream catcher, such as shells, etc.  So there you have it, a non messy dream catcher to make with your students or grandchildren. (PS If you want to go messy you can use acrylic paint to decorate the plate.  And did I mention glitter?}