Paint Party Friday (Week 7)

"I. Am. Yours."

9 x 12 Watercolor paper

It's PPF!

And I'm on a bit of a roll in that I actually completed the pieces I told myself I would two weeks in a row (she bows excitedly ;)  . . . Remember this one from last week?

"I. Am. Mommy"

(You can view the entire post here)

Well, the daughter version is now ready to be placed beside her. Here is the companion piece in it's entirety:

As you can see, I used the same colors in reverse and attempted to create a similar style and texture. I used a blue foil butterfly (cut in half) to mirror the bird above and created another house (this time only one, placed upside down) to tie the two together. 

Now here's the really interesting part: as most of you know, our daughter was adopted. As a result, most of my work focuses on the theme of adoption and mothering. Well, when I created the first page, I choose to include three houses on the bottom right corner. I do not know why I did that. I think it just felt "right," but at the time even I wondered what it meant, as we have only one daughter. It did not occur to me until I started photographing this second piece today that there was a reason why: we had three adoptions since Kendra was born six years ago that fell through. Each for a valid reason, each just not "meant to be," but each of which - understandably - left a little hole in my heart. However, as I see these two together - Mommy & Daughter - and read the title that I struggled to come up with (and wrote on her neck) it is very clear: 

"I. Am. Yours."

And look at that: it's "True Love!"

Thank you for your time! Check out all the art & inspiration at the party, I know I'll be there . . .

Kristin xo

Mind. Body. Soul. (Art Journaling)

Journal entries for Mind. Body. Soul.

I've been keeping up with my homework for Leslie's art journaling e-course, Mind. Body. Soul., and I have to say, this book is turning out to be entirely different than I originally intended. More on that later, but for now, here are my pages for the second-to-last word to ponder, Renew:

"I found an eyelash"

Black Uni Ball Signo pen enhanced with yellow Stickles glitter

Art papers from the latest issue of Somerset Memories

"Renew": It's in there, under all the scribbling . . .

"Who among you are willing to be dark so that the others can shine?"

Decorative and vintage papers cut into haphazard stars

Caran D'Ache crayons, Stickles, fine glitter, and silver leafing

A vintage teardrop crystal wired onto a punched hole on the top of the page

That's it for now - and almost for good - the class ends soon with the final word(s) for us to contemplate: Anxiously Engaged. Wish me luck . . ..

Kristin xo

Sommerset Studio!

Somerset Studio

May / June (p. 121)

Original post can be found here.

I was poking around Pinterest Friday (yes, you are all right - it is totally addicting - and I'm in love ;) when I noticed a congratulatory comment from our friend Diane regarding this piece I had on one of my boards. Apparently, she'd been to her mailbox before I had and let me know that this was in the new issue! And the best part? I'm opposite sweet Ellen and her gorgeous feature, "Spreading Sunshine Banner" (p. 120). 

Check it out when you can: it's a beautiful issue and I am honored to have been included. 

Thanks for indulging me,

Kristin xo

Paint Party Friday (Week 6)

"I. Am. Mommy" 

9 x 12 Watercolor paper

Happy PPF!

If you saw the Mother / Daughter sketches in my last post, then you may recognize this one: I'm happy to report that "I. Am. Mother" is finally complete:

I have to say, I didn't expect it to come out like this - the blue foil bird and tiny houses in the corner were a last minute addition - but I enjoyed going with my gut and seeing what came of it. The color scheme was inspired by a gorgeous photo I saw on Pinterest (just joined, wicked fun!) that had these bold blues and yellows I couldn't wait to play with. In the end, I hope it captures what I was hoping for: a colorful, whimsical take on a Mother's love and devotion. . .

Blue foil bird with Swarovski crystal eye

Distressed decorative papers, pencils, crayons, glitter gel pen and Stickles glitter

Thank you for your time. Do check out all talent at The Party for a lot of fun, art and inspiration . . .

Kristin xo

Mother / Daughter WIP's . . .

"I. Am. Mommy." WIP

Been drawing a bit and thought I'd share a couple WIP's with you here:

Finger's crossed, I'll have The Mommy portion of the duo done by PPF . . . 

Happy Arting,

Kristin xo

Mind. Body. Soul. (Art Journaling)

Journal entries for Mind. Body. Soul.

After Spring break for the petite first grader, hosting Easter for a crowd, and then having company for the last week, I'm happy to finally get back to the studio (er, "guest room") and get some paint under my fingernails. I worked on a couple of journal pages (one of which I attempted to start during the hiatus) and wanted to share the results with you here.

The following pages are inspired by sweet Leslie's Art Journaling e-course, Mind. Body. Soul, and are based upon the word of the week (4), "Overcome:" 

"O. ver. come"

"To get over, surmount difficulty . . ."

(like getting a photo of this in the rain!)

To create this background, a base of blue Caran D'ache watercolor crayons was covered in a mixture of crackle paste and black ink before being dried and then sanded down. Additional layers of blue crackle paint and black marker complete the base for a ripped, distressed and highlighted (with glitter gel pen ;) dictionary definition of the word, Overcome. 

"Who'll carry the torch?"

Mother Goose images and text covered in Distress Ink and acrylic

Stamped, painted and highlighted Baby Buggy 

with vintage milk cap & Swarovski crystal wheels

Decorative papers & Stickles glitter

Did you know that Christy Tomlinson had a line of scrapbook and papers and embellishments!? Okay, you probably did, but I was thrilled to find a gorgeous, colorful collection of double-sided papers that would make anyone squeal. I found them on a recent trip to San Diego, CA, in the most adorable paper boutique called Paper Tales. The new line of papers can be seen on their beautiful Paper Tales blog.

I started this one with a base of orange watercolor crayons which was layered with yellow acrylic, various stamps and a vintage Mother Goose image and nursery rhyme. The quote reads, "To overcome difficulties is to experience the full delight of existence." (Arthur Schopenhauer).

Thank you for looking! Check out Mind. Body. Soul. for week 5's journal word, Renew. . .  

Kristin xo

Dumb Bunny Gets All the Attention

And he didn't even bring Me any eggs . . .

"I lied on my Weight Watchers list. I put down that I had 3 eggs . . . 

but they were Cadbury chocolate eggs."

- Caroline Rhea

Happy Easter to you and (all of) yours,

Kristin xo

Mind. Body. Soul. (Art Journaling)

"Do South"

5 x 8 Strathmore Watercolor Journal

I've been having so much fun with my friend Leslie's online course, Mind. Body. Soul. Each week - among beautiful words of wisdom and positivity - she has suggested a one word journal prompt for us to explore. I'm happy to report that not only am I up-to-date (sorry, Life Book, I'm coming for you, I swear!) but I am also learning from the process of "letting go" within it. 

I have to admit that although I've always strived to make my journal pages "authentic" and from the heart, they have until now still been an attempt to create pretty pictures as well. In other words, I usually have the end result in mind while I am creating . . . . But not these days. I find myself learning more by doing more and working fast. Learning to go with my gut and not think about what it will look like in the end. 

The first page for the word of the week - DO - is below:

Rub-ons, stamping, vintage text and clip art.

"Ma" and "Pa" are written on the body of the birds.

A punched hole shows a sneak peek of the next page.

The back of the tag from the previous page, which you can see here.

The second page for the word, "DO" was inspired by a picture of Kendra and her tiny tot pony tails. I knew I wanted to incorporate this shot for a page inspired by her baby hair. Here is the original:

Easter, 2007

"Do you know?"

Stamped images colored with watercolor crayons and gel pens.

Text reads: "I am afraid this may be the last time."

Image printed with low ink and glued to the page.

I wanted to share this discovery ( new to me ;) I made today while trying to incorporate Kendra's picture on the page. When I went to print it out, I noticed that I was dangerously low on ink. Instead of changing the cartridges right away, I thought I'd see what would happen if I didn't. The result was a pink, distorted image that I loved. So I glued it to the page and went for it, color lines and all. Hmmm, I think I may print out a few more shots like this before I get fresh ink . . . .

Thank you for your time! 

Please feel free to check out Mind. Body. Soul. for next week's word, "Overcome." 

Kristin xo