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.

♥



Help Me Celebrate 300 Posts....

I cannot believe I have reached this milestone and it is all because of YOU.

I started this blog because I wanted to share what I did with like minded people and of course meeting new people is something I have really enjoyed.

So here is to my 300th Post and to celebrate a little Giveaway.

As you know there is always rules for giveaways but you don't have to do any of these except leave me a comment.

I first have to tell you I redid my Giveaway Banner to include the link directly to this 300th post in case I post other things before the draw so if you have already posted this on your blog, please remove it and snag the new one with the direct link.

Rules because hey we need a few.....

1. Leave a comment

2. For an extra bonus place my Giveaway button on your blog

3. Post about my giveaway and leave me a comment so I know you posted about it and you will get a third chance

4. If you are not a follower and become one you get another chance, I would really like to reach 200 followers this year so that would make me really happy.

5. If you  know or remember my Cat's name you get another added chance to win.

And here is what you will receive, what you see is not necessarily what you get because the pile is already growing. There is even a little baggie you can't see with bonus items in it.

Papers, one of my key chains with ring will be provided, one of my shabby Angel hangers, the pic does not do this justice, sorry again I am no photographer. Burnt and painted glue butterflies, altered clothespins with butterflies to put on packages, give bags ie you can clip your birthday card to a package so it is all in one place!!!!, Artchix images, a couple mini dominoes so you can alter them yourself, some wood jewelery items from Artchix, apply an image and attach to a chain or your artwork.

 Here is a closeup of these altered Clothespins, I gessoed the pins then applied washi papers to them then added the butterflies. So addicting and they really transform those brown boring pins. New Addiction

 The picture does not do this any justice. I got this image free on Fripperies and Butterflies. I have just recently made a few of these little ATC sized fabric hangers. I added some vintage lace, (thanks Mum) satin ribbon adorned with a brad pegs removed with lovely pearls. I made the hanger and painted these mini clothes pins. I made a few of these at Christmas and they were a real hit. (Thanks Nancy for the inspiration)

                                                        

 And of course my Key fob made from counter top laminate samples (thanks Home Depot and Loews) LOL

The ring will be provided for you to attach, it is easier to send separate for shipping.

 And I was so excited to do a mini altered canvas with an Artchix mermaid image, the verse came with the images, shells from a swap and I added the crinkly ribbon and some micro beads, and.....I also made the dangly bead hangy thing on the bottom. Love how these turned out.

So there you have it. Like I said I am adding more as I clean up around my kitchen table studio and bins under the bed and stashes all around. LOL

Thank you to all who have commented and have become my blogger friends. Where would I be without you...probably not blogging.

Good luck, you have til January 14th to comment. I will pick the winner on Sunday.

Remember if you do not have a blog I will need to get in touch with you so please leave me your email address or some way to contact you.

Thank you so much Everyone!!!!!

♥

Bloggers are Angels

I say this because it is true. Right before Christmas I was visiting a blog which lead me to Cindy Adkins blog, Whimsical Musings. I had posted a comment on Cindy's blog and she responded back. We had a couple emails back and forth and before I know it Cindy had sent me a little gift....one of her ebooks called

which can be purchased on Amazon along with a few of her other titles the latest which I just purchased.

Cindy writes amazing articles which not only makes sense but also makes you see things from a different perspective. I have also been reading FREE on her blog "Blogging 101" for women, why we blog, how to set up your blog for more traffic and many other fine points to consider.

I would like to thank Cindy for sharing her knowledge and wonderful articles to blog land and I truly hope we get to know each other in 2012.

Cindy also does amazing artwork as well as her writing skills and talents.

Happy New Year Cindy and Happy Anniversary to you and hubby.

♥