Instagram & Such . . .

Teeny Tiny WIP

Happy February!

It's been a busy week around here, but since I've been hopping from project to project, I don't have any completed artwork to show for it. Having said that, my current obsession with Instagram (and I know I'm not alone ;) does give me some WIP's to share. Wanna see?

Okay, I'm almost done with this teeny tiny assemblage that I've been working on. Can you guess the subject? (Hint: it's about one of my favorite childhood stories). Here's another bit of it:

My first attempt at working with Paper Clay. 

Thankfully, the project calls for "rustic." Whew.

And here's the altered box that all of the elements will live in. (I'll share the whole thing in it's entirety on my next post).

Beeswax and glitter. Swoon.

I've also been working on this collage piece using vintage children's dictionary definitions:

The Instagram shot

And where it is now. Still far from completion.

And in the spirit of truth, here's a picture of what was a new favorite piece. . . 

Working BIG WIP

Until I totally messed her up. This one's headed for obscurity (or under the bed), so you may never see her again. Humph. (And lesson learned). 

And lastly, I'm thrilled to say that I'll be attempting my first round of 29 Faces, beginning today! I bought myself a pretty new Strathmore Visual Journal (the big one ;) for the occasion and plan to work in it throughout the month. I expect to share a week's worth at a time, so wish me luck and keep checking back to keep me accountable. I'm looking forward to stretching myself and I know this this challenge will do it . . . .

That's it for now. Have a great weekend and keep arting, 

Kristin xo

Paint Party Friday: Art Journaling

"Hide Me"

Strathmore Visual Journal

Happy PPF!

I hope this finds you happy and well. 

I had a go at art journaling this week and wanted to share my progress with you here. Not sure if I'm really done with these pages as I often wonder how much of my art journals are complete without much, um, journaling, but nevertheless, this is what I've come up with:

Vintage Bingo card serves as a hidden flap

Glittered girl underneath

And this page features a fabulous picture of my Grandma (printed on a transparency) back in the day:

"The house the Grandma built"

Thanks for looking! I look forward to seeing all of your pretty pieces at the Party . . . .

Kristin xo

Paint Party Friday: "Damn, You're Hot"

"Damn, You're Hot"

12 x 12 Wood Picture Frame with 5 x 7 Opening

Happy PPF! 

I hope this week has found you happy and well. I've been having a bit of fun lately working on this painted wood picture frame and wanted to share it with you here . . . .

One of the things I discovered while drawing her (on a gessoed surface), was that anything caught in a kneaded eraser will scratch. Of course she was almost completely drawn when I noticed that I'd inadvertently made huge horizontal marks across her face with said eraser. Humph. But then, I realized that I loved the look of it, so I made more marks (and dents and gouges) until I was satisfied with my "distressed" frame. 

After that play, I painted her in with a combination of watercolor crayons, acrylic paints and glittery gel pens. I was going for a "made up" girl with "smoky" eyes and glossed lips (thank you, Stickles) and when I was done, my dear Hubby said that she looked hot, which of course is where the hand-drawn title came in. All that was left to do was some further distressing with sandpaper and she was complete. It's a bit saucy I know but, but . . . what the hey . . . .

Looking forward to seeing all of your painted pieces this week as well. Thanks to Kristin and Eva for inviting us all to the party.

Kristin xo

A Clean Slate . . . .

(Really, really big) WIP 

I love a new year. It carries with it the same air of possibility that you get as a kid at the beginning of a new school term; where fresh notebooks and new classes are replaced with goal setting and resolutions. It's endless potential, a blank canvas and a clean slate all wrapped into one . . .

And for me, this year truly is a new beginning. This is the first year I'm walking into without the expectation of having another baby by the end of it. Our decision to stop chasing after a second adoption after years of trying has given me a freedom that I never expected to have, and it has allowed me the opportunity to pursue my creative dreams sooner than I had expected to. I'm excited to see where this whole art thing leads and am grateful for the chance to go for it. 

So where will I be this year? Well, here. I've adjusted my schedule to allow for more time in the studio to create. I now have an Etsy shop to fill and want to give myself the greatest chance for success. With that in mind, I have also determined to be brave and try something new. I'll let you know what that means when I've actually done it (so I can still chicken out ;) but in the meantime, know that it is my intention to push myself and put myself "out there." 

As for blogging and blog hops, I will continue to play with PPF as much as possible and plan to be more present over at Sunday Sketches. I also hope to join a round of 29 Faces, which I have not yet attempted. I've just joined Life Book 2013 and am excited about watching those fabulous videos and learning from the bevy of talented teachers as well. 

Then there's the next installment of The Summer of Color 3: Artist Choice. As the name implies, it's all about choice this year and I think you'll like some of the changes I've made in order to keep the event fresh and exciting. I for one can't wait as I know this will be our best yet. . . .

So that's it (well, for now I suppose) - a year full of potential and possibilities - for us all. 

Bring it on,

Kristin xo

Happy New Year!

"What will the world Look Like?"

5 x 7 Cardboard Insert 

(from Kendra's pajama packaging ;)

"What will the world look like when you. . . Live Your Dreams"

Here's to a Happy, Beautiful, Purposeful & Joyful NEW YEAR! May 2013 be the best yet . . . 

Cheers,

Kristin xoxo

The Light of Love . . .

"Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving 

the light of love to those who need it most"

--Ruth Carter Stapleton

Um, OK. So it's been a bit crazier this Christmas than usual. My typical stress-producing perfectionism over decor, food and everything Santa related has been pushed aside this year for a lesson in the real meaning of the season . . . .

In addition to the tragedy we're experiencing as a country, we've had a sick friend (and mother of four) in the hospital the whole month and our puppy hurt her back to such an extent that she couldn't walk for a few days. And in the midst of this pain and fear, somehow the presents and such has lost it's luster. But in it's place, I've learned to throw my hands up and just (try and) go with the flow. 

Still, we have done a few things that I put on Instagram and wanted to share with you here. Wanna see?

One of my favorite ornaments made the Christmas tree

(and my very favorite ornament in front of it :) 

Dutchy mad at Mama for making her stay put

Kendra making gifts for the grandparents

(Totally Pinterest BTW: take a plain plate (ours was from the dollar store), 

decorate with Sharpie pens and then bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Done!) 

Oh! And look. I did attempt to art at least once. Another picture frame in process . . .

And my baby just this morning as she made her way to the last day of school before Winter Break.

Oh, and one more thing: Our Christmas Card picture! Check out this 2012 shot (and the combat boots):

(I'm allowed to think that she's the cutest thing I've ever seen, right? 

Oh, and the kid's cute too ;)

And now on with the show: only a few days left before Santa comes and I for one am going to try and make the most of it. Wether everything is done or not. After all, it's all about the love . . . .

Wishing you and yours the very merriest, happiest, and heartfelt of celebrations. 

Kristin xo

Craft Store Frame . . .

"La La Land"

5 x 7 Wood Frame

I've missed you: I feel like I've been out of the loop for so long! I had an almost disaster with my computer which left me lost for quite a while. And when I say "lost," I mean not only lost without the technology (I never really realized how much of my life is in there) but that I also almost lost all of my images from the last 3 years of Kendra growing up . . . . suffice it to say that I dogged a bullet and gratefully, am now up, running and protected. Whew!

In the meantime, I did do a little something for my Mom's birthday that I wanted to share with you:

I took a wooden craft store frame and decided to embellish it. I started by applying 2 coats of gesso before drawing the girl in pencil. Once she was protected with a workable fixative, I colored her in with both acrylic and watercolor paints. She was highlighted with glittery pens (becoming a staple for me ;) and then actual glitter on the interior and sides of the frame:

Martha Stewart glitter on the interior of the frame

And here she is all dressed up with Kendra's second grade school picture:

What more could a grandma want? 

Thanks for looking!

Kristin xo