More sketches and matchboxes

Not sure what has been going on with Blogger but posting has been not very co operative so here are some things that have been piling up and while Blogger is working today, perhaps I can show you what I have been doing.

This first mixed media piece I am showing is an oriental style angel. As you know I have been sketching and I did this a couple weeks ago and decided I want to paint her. I drew her on watercolour paper then did most of her in watercolour then I painted the background in this wonderful green paint with a bit of white dripping down. I really like how it turned out but not sure I like the asian text now on the page. That might have to be painted over. I keep looking at this and wondering if I should have put it on there. I did tone it down a bit but still not sure....I might even do this whole piece over again but for now I am most pleased with how my sketches look painted. Have to do more of this. I don't own or have an art journal yet but I am thinking that maybe I should attempt one.

 And here are a few more sketches. I know these are whimsy but I plan on really expanding my sketching overall. These are just free and see what happens kind of sketches. Again good material to work with for an art journal....don't ya think???

 When I started this more rounded face, I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out but I really like it and the why my hair turned out. A little more mature looking. I call her Summer. She would look nice painted too...

 I like this one too, my faces are really turning out more proportional now thanks to looking in book and on YouTube how to draw portraits. I always erase my lines after I get the features situated. The eyes are really the hardest to get to look even, but it is coming along. I see great progress from my first 2 I posted a couple weeks ago.

 And I like this young girl. She has such innocense about her. Love that hair band....

 And last but not least....I was in a FlickR matchbox trade for the month of February and Gail chose the theme of  Love and Valentines. My partner Sherry made this lovely box and just filled it to the brim with all these goodies and if you click on the pic to make it larger there is a tiny bottle with lots of teeny hearts and love inside. Sherry made that too. I received some vintage images and a love tag and all wrapped in wonderful Valentines tissue paper. I made tissue tape out of the tissue last night for future cards and projects. Thank you Sherry, this is just wonderful. You do such great tiny work.

 And this is my matchbox for Sherry. She has already seen a pic of it on FlickR. This heart is made of acetate which has been shrunk after it was painted and stamped. I found a great source locally for acrylic and it shrinks just like the Shrinky Dinks plastic sheets you can pay a fortune for.  The rose and branches are from a dollar store necklace I saw potential in immediately. I took the necklace apart and it fit the bill nicely. Love all the little gems and colours just match the theme perfectly. The matchbox itself was gessoed, painted pale pink then I attached some pink lace, then some white fuzzy and sparkly ribbon on both ends. Really came together nicely. And of course stuffed with goodies too.

 Well that is it for now. I have been going easy lately as I am having some upper back issues and trying to watch my posture and not hunch over for hours on end. The pain has been affecting my sleep and the x rays are showing nothing so it is probably muscle and soft tissue issues which I suffer from in my shoulders. Oh well I am sure it will pass, it has to, I won't put up with it. :)

Take care and thanks as always for dropping by. I always love to read your comments.

♥



Some Google Friend Connect News

I am sharing this info with those that are not aware that GFC for non Blogger blogs will be ending March 1/2012 and rumors have it for Blogger by the end of this year.

I am directing you to this blog to read the info and get an alternative to your GFC posted on your blog.

The alternative is Linky Followers and is FREE so think about it before it is too late.

I will be adding my Linky about my present GFC Followers and if you come for a visit please add yourself to that.

Thanks so much and please spread the word.

♥

Happy Valentine's

1 Corinthians. 13:4-13

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

And now faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love.

Wishing you all a day of love, friendship, dreams and hopes.

♥

Some whimsy and more sketches

I haven't posted in a while not because I didn't want to just been on here later in the evenings and catching up on some blogs I follow. Sometimes you can't visit as often as you like and seems my Internet is better later in the evening, pages load faster and I can actually leave a comment.

Well I have been playing with watercolours and acrylics and watching vids on these whimsy faces that seem to be a big hit all over the Internet.

I have made a few designs to put on cards and then I found some mini canvases in my stash and thought I would do up a couple of those. These are fun and very addicting. Besides doing sketches in my sketch book at night I also, when in a whimsy mood, add these as well for future reference.

So here is a collection of whimsy.....

This was my first whimsy face and not sure I really like it but it's just fun to play and paint.

 This dragonfly girl is not really finished yet, I am not sure if I should leave the background, sometimes too much can... be too much...

Loving the bright explosion of colours, a nice change from my grunge.

Oooops I forgot her eyelashes, I just noticed....

 I think I know someone who might like ladybug girl....

 And the bottom 2 are mini canvases from the ole Dollar store, I think I might do a few more of these soon. I love using many layers of paint. Can you see a bit of sequin waste in the background? I used it as a stamp....

 This one below I love.....it started out with Twinkling H20's already painted background for something else. I didn't care for it so I put a layer of gesso over it first because being water soluble the Twinklers get all smudgy. So many and many layers and soft blending and slapping paint layers on and drippy paint, boy this was so much fun....a lot different than the old standard painting I am used to...
I also am having fun with coloured hair. They just make me smile.
I am thinking of making some painted pages for a dear Aunt in England who is having some health issues right now, I thought some cute whimsy faces would brighten a tough day....maybe put a smile on her face...

And remember my first sketches I showed you....well I have been at it again, and every night I put pencil to paper and I sketch before I read before I go to sleep. I can't seem to stop.

Mind you, I am showing you the better of them, there are some pretty horrendous ones in my book too but these ones I am rather proud of.

I am not going to show one I plan on painting as it is my most favourite of all, she is an " angel" of a sketch...he he...

Meet Rebbecca.....she reminds me of a good friend...you know who you are....

 This is Clarice....

 And the name has not come to me on this one yet.....I love how her hair turned out....and don't you love these luscious lips....I have been working on noses now....next hair is going to be a hard one.....seems I struggle with it but it will come in time...just have to keep sketching away. Like anything, the more you practice the better you get.

So thanks for stopping by.

I am now finished all the ATC backgrounds for Jenxo's ATC Technique book Woo hoo, I did 4 sets of 16...you do the math. It was fun. I am glad I don't have to do that many ATC's complete, but you know I would if I had to...but I don't.

Stay creative dear friends and thanks for stopping by.

♥

A blog award and some good news

My friend Jenny from Australia over at One Vintage Day presented me with this lovely award.
Jenny has a wonderful blog and has really taken off with her mixed media. Go over and take a peek and say hello.

Here is the award, thank you Jenny ♥

It is an award for blogs with less than 200 followers... (and that are lovely)...

And now I get to share the love with 5 other gorgeous bloggers...

1. Art by Wendy

2.Becky

3. Jan

4. Jenxo

5. Kathy

Please follow these simple rules.

1. Share your appreciation with the blogger who awarded you the Liebster by linking back to their blog.

2. Post the award.

3. Share the 5 blogs you are awarding the Liebster with and let them know that they have received it.

4. Enjoy the new attention this award brings to your blog.

5. And last, but not least - have fun.

If you get a chance, please stop by and say hi to these five lovely gals...

And today.....I received an email from Leanne Seed from Gecko Galz, who is also a big sponsor over at Bella Creations Ning group, asking me to be a guest artist in the near future. Leanne is going to feature paper artists throughout the year supplying us with digital images, some design papers, digital stamps etc. I am so excited. My first guest appearance. When I know more I will let you all know.

And today I cooked a turkey dinner for my MIL and her friend. They came after church and we had a lovely dinner and time spent together. We were supposed to have it in mid January but the friend was sick with the flu so we postponed it til now and weather permitting. Even the dressing was raved about. Hmm I didn't really do much but it was very good.

Well that is it for tonight. I will be showing you all my faces in the next day or so I have been working on for cards. I was busy so didn't have the time I was hoping and being almost bed time it won't be happening tonight.

Take care all and see you all real soon.

♥