Rock Your Life Your Way!

I created this 12x24" mixed media canvas for my oldest son. He liked the butterfly canvas that I made for his sister, and I rarely make artwork for my kids, so I thought I'd make something special for him. The only suggestion he gave me was something with a guitar. I immediately thought of Picasso...

so this ended up in sort of a Christy Tomlinson meets Picasso style. He loved it and so did I! This is how the background started out:

The canvas was already painted red. I adhered a variety of textured and book papers here and there, painted, slathered on texture medium (tinted green) through punchinella, and did a bit of stamping. The guitar was created with cardboard and scrapbooking papers. I went on to add lots more paint, glimmer mist, drips and drops of alcohol ink, charcoal and more. Here is a shot of the finished product without any additional filters or photo editing. (All of these photos were taken with my iPhone; most were "enhanced" with Instagram.)

And a few more details...





It's true, isn't it? Go and do something that makes you happy today! Life has enough dark; sometimes you need to create your own light.

"We should do our utmost to encourage the beautiful, for the useful encourages itself."

 Goethe

Texture Obsession

So I've really been into creating canvases again lately. I guess it helps that I have finally moved into my new studio in the shop (drive-in shed)! It is fantastic! And I feel like I can really get down and dirty. In fact, it is a disaster of a mess right now and that's not likely to change! I do really need to get it organized though; I managed to get everything in there, and most of it made it into a cupboard, drawer or onto a shelf, but it is in no particular order at all. I will post pictures soon, mess and all.

I've also been taking Christy Tomlinson's online workshop "Your Living Canvas." It is really good... I'm learning a lot about creating balance in my life. You know, really being present in the moment, trying NOT to multi-task, spending time on the things and people that really matter. And I'm learning some awesome and MESSY art techniques!

So voila! Canvases are born. My daughter ended up liking the first one I started, the purples and yellows caught her eye, so I finished it for her. I'm now making one for each of my 3.

I like using lots of different things to create texture on the background... paper, fabric, texture mediums. I'm having so much fun with this. It allows me be free, working intuitively. These photos were just taken with my phone. I used a variety of paints, stamps, alcohol ink, charcoal, glimmer mist and more. If I get a chance, I will take another photo with my camera so that you can actually see the whole thing.

I'm not going to make any excuses for not blogging more, but I think I might just have to keep it simple and yeah, just post photos from my phone. Quick and done! And like I'm learning from Art and Christy, I have to use my time and efforts wisely. Here is another angle that shows the texture a bit more:



Belated Garden Photos... from June

Belated Garden Photos... from June

Pad Thai Inspired Salad

This is one of the best salads I've made recently! And it came together so easily. Hubby was making Pad Thai for supper, but I had already fulfilled my quota of starches for the day. So I took most of the same ingredients, minus the noodles, and came up with this amazingly similar and super zingy salad. Perfect for a hot day!

Simply arrange on your plate:

bed of lettuce
1/2 orange bell pepper
1/2 c bean sprouts
a few slices Vidalia onion
1 green onion
Fresh Cilantro (I like a lot, but use as much as you want)

Add 1 chicken breast, sliced and cooked in a non-stick pan with a tiny bit of peanut oil and a pinch of chili powder and salt.

Wisk together in a small bowl:

1 Tbsp Thai chili sauce (such as PC Memories of Thailand)
1 tsp lime juice
few drops fish sauce
1/2 tsp low sodium soy sauce
1/4 tsp Agave syrup or honey
1/4 tsp (or more) Sriracha hot sauce

Pour dressing over salad and garnish with chopped peanuts.

I will defenitely be making this again!

More from the garden

garden...

What's Blooming in my Garden Today...

What's Blooming in my Garden

Weekend Crafting

Just back from a wonderful weekend of crafting with the girls! It's such a great break from everyday life. We all need that so badly sometimes! Gabbing, scrapbooking, knitting, collaging, painting, eating, watching movies, drinking, staying up too late... It is renewal, restoration, just plain good!
I wish I could say I accomplished more, but I got what I needed. And Aidan is so happy with his new slippers. I will try to get some better photos of other projects I worked on soon.

This was the first time I used this pattern, called "Non-felted Slippers" which I got from Ravelry. I made them just as the pattern suggested - same needle size and everything. I made them with a couple of shades of a chunky weight yarn that I have had for a while. The pattern says they make a ladies size medium and with a 5.5 mm needle they are plenty big enough for me and will fit Aidan for at least a year or two. If I make myself a pair, I will go down one needle size. 

Organization is Good

I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner! This rake has been in my room since we moved here and I just thought to use it to organize my necklaces. I have untangled you wily beasties for the last time!

What's Blooming in My Garden Today

The gardens at my place are amazing! I'm going to document what's blooming every week for the entire growing season. I can't believe how warm it is this week! 22 degrees and sunny today! It's just not natural! I know it's a bad thing, this global warming... but so hard not to be happy with such a gorgeous day.