Progress

I really wanted to show you the magazine I got my inspiration from for my silhouette wall. It's Better Homes and Gardens issue Summmer 2009. I adapted their project a bit for the wall hangings by using Artists' Canvas boards, instead of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF). The MDF would've been much cheaper but I felt it would've been harder to work with. At least with my Canvas boards I can take the fabric off and re-use them someday.

I also preferred the look of fabric than the look of decoupaged papers adhered to the boards. My way will take longer but I think it'll be worth it in the end.

I need to buy some more fabric for this project because some of what I used went into my Gypsy skirt. Versatile, yep, gotta love those versatile fabrics.



I think this wall that you see the Silhouettes leaning against will be a good backdrop for this type of display. I will need to make at least 3-5 more. Depending on the sizes I chose to use.

I really must FINISH something in this room. My energies are pretty scattered at the moment. Going to the beach next week and I'd like to take a couple silhouettes with me to applique. It should be easy enough to do and Lord knows I'll have the time in the car. If I can keep the car-sickness at bay while I stitch.

Progress......it's coming ever so S.L.O.W.L.Y.........

Colorful Gypsy Skirt

Do you ever have a bunch of projects that you are working on, then you come across something So cute, adorable and fun that you just drop everything until you see the “new” project to completion?

Yep, guilty! As charged! This skirt didn’t cost me a thing (well, only because I’d already built up quite a FABRIC STASH). Wait, I did have to buy something..... a package of “non-roll” 1-inch elastic for the waistband. For the whooping price of …..da-da-dum….. A dollar fifty.

I love summer skirts, I love all these fabrics, I love RED/GREEN/BLUE and YELLOW together! I really should’ve been a pre-school teacher. I am so drawn to these colors! I also adore that age……ah…well, that was a long time ago.

I digress…..
I adapted Moda Bake Shop's pattern a little, I used:

Top Layer: 5- 9.5” Squares (which I later clipped 1.5” off
before fastening the waistband. I’m short wasted)
Middle Layer: 44- 16.5” x 2.5” Stripes
Bottom Layer: 26- 7.5” Squares

I took one day to cut the Stripes and Squares. One Day to serge/sew the stripes and squares. The Third Day I did the waist band and cut numerous threads from the inside. I’m so glad that Vintage Farm Lady mentioned using a serger, BIG DIFFERENCE this made. I did not line this skirt because the fabrics are fairly high quality and not at all see through! Whoa!

Tomorrow night, I already know what to wear for dinner! Hee hee.

Here's One for $52

And one for $120

Too many Projects?

I have got so many things that I want to get completed this summer! I'm re-doing my Family Room, and since I bought white Ikea Besta cabinets, I wanted to crochet a granny square afghan throw for the room. After much trial and error, I've relearned how to crochet. I love the colors red and green together. I'm excited to get this project done.

I saw a neat idea in Better Homes & Garden "Do It Yourself" decorating magazine about adding color to your walls with white shapes on colored paper. I wanted this to last so I thought I'd needle-turn applique the shapes onto fun fabric and staple it to the white artist canvas' they have for sale at shops like Michaels, Joanns and Hobby Lobby. The article called for particle board, but I think that may be too heavy for my tastes.



I have a whole wall that I'd like to bring in some Family Pictures. As much as
I love COLOR, I think I'll do these pictures in Black and White. It'll help
to make them more timeless. But I have to tell you this is hard for me, I have
seen some really fun things that people have done with color images.I saw a
kind of Andy Warhol images where someone took their daughter and made the image very "sketchy", then brought in bold single colors for the background. It looked outstanding. But I don't want to overwhelm the room, so I'll do black and white. Which I've never done before.

My Grandmother made some super neat Embroidered pillows for my mom when we moved
to St.Louis a long, long time ago. My mom had white living room couches and
these embroidered pillows in a colorful patchwork design really popped on the
couch. I've always loved those pillows. So......20 yrs ago, I started my own
take on the embroidered pillows, but I cross-stitched them. Well, little did I
know then how much longer cross-stitching would take than if I embroidered them (which I didn't know how to do). So, I would put it down then pick it up. Well, after babies, moves, tennis, and whatever my latest passion was at the time, I
would come across this project half done and not feel inspired to complete it!
Well, I'm here to tell you, I found it again last month and I CAN'T WAIT to get
it done. I've even bought the piping. Just a little bit more work to finish it
up. I've got all the patchwork done in the center, it just needs a bigger
border! Woo-Who! I think this has been 22 yrs in the making!

I still doodle and I thought it would be fun to "doodle" on an actual object.
Joanns is selling these birdhouses for a buck, and I thought I'd give it a try. Don't know what I'll do with this, but it was sure fun to make. I'd like to do
a series and put them in my Family Room.

My head is swimming because I'm so excited to get these projects done. It's
been awhile since I've had any clue what I want to do on the inside of my
house. I have to just keep telling myself "first things first, Eden". Yep,
first things first. I hope to show you some completed projects soon. I've
always been a multi-tasker in the project arena because it helps me when
i get a little bored with something I'm working on. The challenge for me
is to make this all work together! I think I can....I think I can...I
think I can.... :)

Are Artist's Introverts?

Quote: Without doubt, the most common weakness of all people is the habit of leaving their minds open to the negative influence ofother people. -Napoleon Hill

I came upon a poll at http://www.wetcanvas.com/. Something to the effect of "Are you an Introvert or Extrovert?"I stopped and read some of the replies, I was curious how the majority of these artistic folks answered. But, before I read the replies I answered it for myself. I answered YES! Now, I'm not saying I'm an "artist", but I've always thought of myself as kinda "artsy". I'm drawn to color, shape, texture. Yep, very visual. I also try to duplicate what I see, if I can to save a few bucks.

ME, an Introvert? But, I like people, I like my friends, my family, sometimes
even total strangers. But how could I not be an introvert? And what's wrong
with that? I love to get myself immersed in a project. I'll spend hours alone
trying to get the project finished. Then my extrovert will come out, and I'll
summons Mr.Man, and teen girl and ask them what they think... It's usually
best when they don't want me to make too many changes. But there are times
when both of them can state something so obvious and subtle and what fun it is
to run with their suggestions. I love to incorporate their tips when I can. Makes
more of a group project.

After many hours or days in a project I come up for breath. A break with family
or friends. I find that I've become more animated with them. It's like my enthusiasm for my new creation carries over into other areas of my life. I will become more extraverted. Huh???? Its usually best for the people that live with me if I have something brewing on the side. I am more relaxed that way. It's hard for me to be bored or stuck! Bring on the overwhelmed!!!

I'm curious, what are you? Do you need or tend to energize around people or
do you need to go off and recharge on your own?

Decorative Back on my IKEA chair

Customer Freebie bird from http://www.scrapgirls.com/, which I got about a year ago! Always loved this bird, but wasn't sure how I was going to use her.

I pulled the .jpg file into my photoshop program and adjusted the size to my liking, printed it out, and cut it up as my pattern. I absolutely adore RED, so that was an easy pick for the color of the bird. I found some really nice fabric at a quilt shop in town. The white fabric has a white-on-white pattern to it. It's pretty thick so I think it'll hold up to our abuse.

I debated on the white background. I was considering adding a cute little block stripe of different fabrics at the bottom of the back but in the end SIMPLICITY won out. And I think the green helps make the red pop out and not to have any other distractions in the white background fabric.

Voila!!!!

Crochet? Anyone?

I learned to knit when I was 5. My grandmother taught me. She said the hardest part about teaching me was that the knitting needles were so long and my hands were so small. Today, there are all sizes of needle lengths for even the smallest of hands. I knitted a few scarfs and afghans, and even learned to crochet while growing up. I haven't done either of these since college. I wish I learned more from my grandmother in this realm. She was the best at all things hand-made. She always inspired me and still does.

I came upon this picture in flickr and then checked out Attic24's blog. I am in love with her afghans. The colors are so beautiful. Bright and bold, just wonderful. It makes me happy just looking at these things!

I'd like to learn how to do "granny squares". Because I could do these on the go. A square here, and there. Also, with the summer months coming they wouldn't be so darn hot to sit under as I crochet. I found a shop here locally that can teach me. Note-to-self: Take crochet lessons this summer.

I want a Mentor

Build, yep, that's what I'm doing. That's what we all are doing! We are
building our lives. No, I really don't have a model or a personal guru
that I can run up to every time I feel stuck and need some help in the
decisions I'm facing. I've got to figure it out for myself. I've got
guidelines (the bible, morals, ethics), but on the day-to-day little
minor things it's pretty much up to me and the little choices I make.

For instance, I'm re-painting my Family Room. It was a light brown. This
room doesn't get much light. It faces South. When the sun is high in the
sky it doesn't really get into the room. I've been calling it THE CAVE.
The paint I've chosen is very light, almost a white. I like how it's
transforming the room. It's got a Beach House feel to it now. I want
it to be PERFECT! But I don't trust myself and my DECORATOR skills to
pull it off. I want someone to copy, someone to come running up and
TELL ME WHAT TO DO.

But I'm going to have to be BRAVE. I'm going to take it a little slow.
I'm going to have to ignore the voices in this house who don't like
change. And trust that the vision for this room will appear. I'm already
getting some ideas, and scrapping some other ones. It's fun!

How do you mentor yourself?

"Maybe being brave is no more than staring down the "less than" feeling and stepping up to the "I am worthy" feeling." -Terri St.Cloud

You Are What You Think

I have started collecting quotes that I love. I have a little 4x6 notebook that
I carry in my bag and when I see a quote that resonates with me I'll jot it down.
This quote is by Dale Carnegie. Wouldn't that have been fun to listen in on one of his talks? I can really get inspired by great speakers, speakers that tap into my self-reliance. My wanting to do more with my life, my self. I love to be around "Yes" people, it's like they give me permission.

What are some of your favorite quotes? Please share!

Mother's Day

I'm so lucky, I've been playing for the last 5 hours! I've finished up my "Doodle Alphabet" inspired by Sue Doodles at www.suedoodles.wordpress.com. I've sat
outside on one of those crisp 70 degree sunny days listening to my Kim Komando podcast as I played with my pitt, sharpie and faber-cast markers. And now my DH is making dinner, my DD is doing the salad and I get to enjoy the company of my DS for a few more hours before he goes back to school.

Yep! Life is Good!

Hope everyone is enjoying their own Special Mother's Day blessings as well!

Flicker Favorites Mosaic

1. in the dead of night, 2. trying to find my way home, 3. Party Dots Closeup, 4. Journal Page in Progress, 5. Journal Page in Progress, 6. hopscotch #2, 7. orange slide, 8. Pieces in Rhythm, 9. bfacetoon21, 10. 52Q: How do I feel today?, 11. Journal for today, 12. Babette-ish crochet cushion, 13. Beware the Grinch!, 14. Fanciful, 15. Easter Birds, 16. circle.doodle

Alphabet Doodles

I came across this blog from Sue Doodles. Isn't she so creative? I love the way she doodles. Being one that was fresh out of ideas but oh so willing to "do something" I was inspired to try my own set of Alphabet doodles. I use really good pens when I can. I have fallen in love with the 0.05 Black Micron pen. It allows me to outline real fine and it doesn't bleed into the paper.

I've uploaded the letters I have so far into Flickr. I've been doodling during my
break at work. I carry my son's old blue pencil case and a clipboard and doodle
for 30 minutes. I found some art paper at Hobby Lobby, but it's not as good as
the paper I bought from the Art Store. The down side of the art store paper is it comes in 24x36 and I have to cut it down to 8x10. The Hobby Lobby paper is already precut. I've noticed that the colors are better with the art store paper. This paper is much more forgiving to erasing pencil marks. The Hobby Lobby paper likes to take up the ink more. It has a bit of a tendency to bleed and absorb the colors and if I've erased, it grips the ink even more.

Ah well, at least I'm staying out of trouble! And having some fun at it too!!

SLOW, Mom's playing

I was wandering around Half-Price books children's section looking for a book that could teach me some fundamentals in drawing. I spotted a sticker book about SIGNS, so I grabbed it. The book is great! It's loaded with simple graphic designs. It was just what I was looking for. I was drawn to the "SLOW, Children playing" sign. Not only because I love the color yellow, but it made me think of my kids and how fast they've gone thru their childhood.

And well, now I'm in my second childhood!! LOL!! I feel like I'm a kid again, because I'm letting myself doodle, and play with paint and just indulge myself. Because now, I have some time. I think the hardest part for me is to just play with markers and paints. To allow myself to experiment with color and shape and to let it show that I'm a novice. It's so relaxing.

What are you doing that you haven't done since you were a kid?

Mandela and.....

I stumbled upon ihanna's blog and they were talking about Mandala's. Wow, lots of pretty mandala's out there. So, being the adventurous type I thought I'd give it a try. I think it's best if I limit myself to using no more that 4 colors. Because being a color-freak, I get very carried away and it's like mixing paint, if I use too many it'll start to look muddy.

Journal Quote (Norman Vincent Peale)
Believe in Yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy....Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture... DO NOT BUILD UP OBSTACLES in your imagination...Do not be awestruck by other people and try to copy them. Nobody can be You as efficiently as you can. Remind yourself that God is with you and nothing can defeat him.

Yes! The Weekend

I'd like to tell you this is where I'll be this weekend! I'd love to be going to the beach for Spring Break. I have big plans for my Beach Weeks! I'm usually lucky if I get half of what I set out to do accomplished! But what really matters does get accomplished. I come back refreshed, relaxed, a little tanner. Our family has a couple more stories from events. I find there is no place I'd rather go on vacation than a quiet beach. I get to dream here! I get to indulge myself here! I get to challenge myself as well!

But, this isn't where I'll be this weekend......
However, only in TWENTY short weeks, this is EXACTLY where I will be!

Have a great weekend everyone!

What are your TRUE COLORS?

I'm always such a sucker for the quickie quizzes that analyze personalities.
Because I truly believe that the hardest person to live with is the one in the
mirror. I think we can be our bestest friend or our worstest enemy. So, if I
stumble upon a little quiz that takes only a few minutes, I find I always have
the time.

Below is the analysis of my personality, just by answering about 20 word
choices. Here's the LINK. See what it says about you!

Your rainbow is shaded green.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is says about you: You are an intelligent person. You feel strong ties to nature and your mood changes with its cycles. Those around you admire your fresh outlook and vitality.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

These 2 feet

We had this picture sitting around and I was looking for something to do. So, I gridded it up and made a separate larger grid on my art paper.

I drew the outlines of the feet. I was awfully glad I had the squares to keep me in line. Hahaha. Then I traced the pencil lines with permanent marker. Erased the pencil grid and just started playing.


I used some markers and watercolor paints in the background. The paints give it a much more interesting look. They also can be marked over, whereas where I used marker in a colored section the paper tends to hold onto the marker color more. Doesn't lend itself to layering as easily.


I don't know if this is done yet. I'm fighting an urge to doodle all over the place here. I am finding I love using the black/white box strips. It's something that I enjoy doing and it tends to add a lot of POP to the drawing.

I came across this article by Anahata Katkin called "A grain of Salt" where she talks about "art journaling" and the way you use symbols I thought it was so interesting. She gives us permission to use and reuse any elements that we like in our art journals. Here's the Link, it's a really good read and gets my creative juices going. I think this can be applied to many other areas (digital scrapbooking, writing) too.

Unwavering Hope

Unwavering Hope
Originally uploaded by jenlemen

This lady Jenlemen has got some really fun art. I came upon her
thru Kelly Rae's
blog. I love the colors and the simplicity of these.
Just wanted to share.

Post-its

I received a free sample of this Sticky Picture Paper from Post-it awhile back......I wasn't sure what I'd do with it but hey, "it's free" right? Who can pass up free? So, today I created the "Create Everyday" sign with Erica Hite's Creative Spirit Collection from this month's Scrapgirls Club. See collection HERE

I printed it out on the Post-it paper and put it in my new Journal. Isn't it cute?

However, I'm a little disappointed that when it printed it left a white band on one side( see the right side). So, I'll have to play with this next time I go to print something on this paper. I think I'll have to resize to 3x5 then print it on the 4x6paper.

Self Portrait Two

I tried another Self-portrait while waiting for "dear daughter" to get out of school. Done thru the rear-view mirror. I was thinking I'd do a series of these. It would be fun to see how my face changes? In this one I look like I have the full "Angelina Jolie" lips! Yeah wouldn't that be nice! I'd probably rather have another physical characteristic from her other than her lips!


Self Portrait One

Make your own Camera Strap

For a really thorough tutorial, you've got to check out this site from "made by petchy"...Here


1- Gather your fabric. You don't need much.

2- Make a pattern from newspaper. Outline your strap, then do another line about .5 inch out from the first. Trust me it's better to cut more fabric then less.

3- Turn your edges in and sew.

4- Put the strap slipcover on your camera strap, reattach the strap to the camera body.

5- VOILA- you're new camera strap. That can be changed according to your mood. I made two. It can be cleaned if it gets dirty.