Rainy Day Art

Hey,
My apologies to my loyal readers for my absence lately.
So many things have been happening that I neglected you, and I am sorry for that.

After a big wedding, and traveling back to the Midwest, and various visitors, and then we visiting, and then the death of my beloved little cat, several craft fairs and just day to day stuff, I'm feeling like time has zipped by, and I want to get back into my routine. 

Does that happen to you? Time seems to speed by when you sit back and take a breath and tell yourself  "don't worry about it, relax, don't stress about keeping on a schedule".  And before you know it...
not just days, but WEEKS have passed and you kick yourself in your butt (yes, you can do this), and you take the time (and it REALLY doesn't take that long) to do what you need to do.... you fill in the blanks (whatever YOU need to do)...write, create, compute, communicate, relate, interact, organize.

I want to encourage you to take 1/2 hour a day to do those chores you don't want to do, but need to do. Then smile, and take on the rest of your day. You can do it, and I will be there with you doing it, too.

My project for today is:
PAINTED UMBRELLAS

You will need:
an umbrella
acrylic paint
brush
hair dryer

First, get online and look up your favorite artist. I have used 3 artists: Matisse, Van Gogh and Monet.

If you are not confident in your artistic ability, pick an artist whose art is not precise. Such as impressionists, abstract, etc.

Paint onto the umbrella, and when it is dried, blow the hair dryer onto it to set the paint. This will make it waterproof. Nothing like having your umbrella drip paint in a rain storm, ugh.

This is not only pretty, one of a kind, handmade, recycled, but functional. EVERYONE can use an umbrella, right? And if it doesn't turn out just right, who cares? Art should be fun, instead of signing the artist's name, sign your own...That way...it's yours, and will always be just RIGHT!
Did you ever see a Jackson Pollock? He splattered, dripped and blobbed paint on. Go for it!

Hey, how about getting a kid to paint it? What a great gift for a parent to use something their child did.

tip of the day:
Winter is coming and with that comes dry skin. Try using Vaseline instead of expensive lotions. If you wear running shoes or gym shoes, and get dry feet, slather on the Vaseline, then white cotton socks. After your workout, or walk, you'll have softer tootsies. Also a little on your hands will help with dry, chapped fingers. Spas use stuff like this, then slap on mittens and sockies and let it soak in. So why not you?

That's all for now...
:D

Punkin' head

I love making new things from old stuff

Hi!
Well, things around here are looking very Halloweenie!
My neighbor and BFF Gianna was wavering between being a dragon and a knight.  So cute! I love to help out with costume dilemmas! I gave Allie, her mom, an old blouse that was silver and sparkly for her knight's chain maille cowl. And found G's dragon costume at a resale shop. Afterward I had my favorite Kindergartner Gianna over to help me with this great, simple holiday project. I found it in Family Fun magazine, and embellished it.

Today's project is:

Jar Pumpkins

You will need:
~old jars, no lids (labels off)
       pickle, olive, jelly, etc.
~orange paint (acrylic or tempera)
~green raffia, green silk leaf
~votive candle or battery candle
~painter's tape, or masking tape

To remove the labels, I soak a paper towel and wrap around the jar. Let it stand for a few hours, re-wetting periodically. The label should come off easily. You can use a single edge razor blade to scrape off any remainder.

Cut eye, nose and mouth pieces from the tape and adhere to the dry, clean jar.

Paint over the whole thing, on the outside. Not the bottom, but do the top edge.

When it dries, remove the tape to reveal the face. I sprayed it with fixative to help keep the paint from scraping off, but you don't need to do this, if you are careful with surface.

Take the green raffia and wrap around the top several times, and tie securely. Take a leaf and glue gun it to the raffia. (optional).

Put the candle or battery operated candle in and let the punkin' glow! The painting part is so easy, any age can do it. Gee had a ball, and loved her pumpkin family (she made four different sizes). These look great on the front porch steps, or grouped on the fireplace mantel.

tip of the day:
If you ever buy a cake or pie or veggie tray and it has a sturdy plastic lid, don't throw it away. Take off the paper. This is great for using under a large planter pot to catch the excess watering.  I have used these for a salad or casserole that I am taking to a potluck, and don't care if I get the container back.  It holds candy for Halloween trick or treaters and lots of other uses. Be creative and recycle!
that's all for today!
Dee