Photo of the Week

 I wish I was here!

Artist Inspiration

Watercolor Textures by Ann Blockley

 When I checked this book out from the library last week, this lady instantly became one of my new favorite artists! She uses watercolors in such a unique way.  Her paintings are full of life, expression, textures, and beautiful colors.  Sometimes, they don't even look like watercolor because of the richness and texture of the paint. 

I know it will take me many years to every attain this level of skill in watercolor, but I had to try right away anyway.  Here are a few of my water-coloring- Ann Blockley- Style experiments.

Crochet Flower Headband

Here is my first head band for an adult!  I usually don't have the guts to wear things like this outside the house, even though I think they are cute.  Most of the time, I'll put it on and get out the door, then let myself get all self-conscious and I take it off by the time I get in the car.  Ya, kinda lame.  So I decided I wasn't going to let that happen again and I wore this to the store.  It kept my ears nice and warm and I felt cute that day!

Since I can't remember exactly how I made it and I've never written a crochet pattern before, I'll just give you some specs on it, in case anyone out there wants to make one :)  Its very simple and quick to make.

Crochet Flower Headband

11 Double crochet wide using an H hook
About 32 rows long- or just make it long enough till it fits snugly around your head

Flower: variation on flower pattern from my Crochet Flowers post.

Watercolor Cards

I have some new card designs using only watercolor and ink!   The only problem is that I made the mistake of making them on cheap card stock and the watercolor bled through a little on the other side.  So, next time I make these, I'm going for the good quality paper- the thick stuff.

A Look at my Sketchbook

One goal I have for 2011 is to photograph my sketchbooks.  Its been fun to look back and see all the random stuff I've drawn over the years.  Like...

A potted plant in the Wilkinson Center at BYU

Plants and a bird bath from my parents' yard in AZ

Sun bathers at Huntington beach in California

And a dancer, I used to be so obsessed with drawing and painting dancers :) 

Watercolor Fruit

Oil painting is still my favorite art form, but I'm learning to love watercolor too.  I love how it turns out when I'm patient with it.  Here are a few fruits I painted last year.

My first sewing project

 My wonderful loving mother gave me a sewing machine for Christmas this year and I was a little scared to use it at first.  I have used a sewing machine before, but not since my high school days.  So, here is my first sewing project with my new machine!  Its more fun than I remembered!

I opted to start out with the most simple thing you could sew, a pillow.  I hope to advance to sewing skirts one day, but that may be a while :)

Grey and Orange Crochet Hat

I made my first ever single-crochet hat over the Christmas break!  It took a lot longer to make than my other hats, but I think it is warmer too.

Cranberry Stamp Cards

I found another awesome idea last week!  Using cranberries for stamps!  I never would have thought of that myself, so its a good thing I found the idea over at AlisaBurke.

So, to start out, you cut some cranberries in half.  They have a cool design inside that I never noticed, probably because I had never actually bought fresh cranberries before :)

And to make it easier for stamping, I stuck toothpicks in the ends.

Then you dip them into ink or paint and press them onto your paper.  This first card here I used ink.  For the other two below it I used tempera paint. Its really easy and you also have lots of cranberries left over to make some yummy bread with!

Photo of the week

I'm back from my vacation, so on to more crafty stuff!  But, first, let me say... 

Happy New Year! May 2011 be everything you hope it will be!

Ok, now here's a lovely winter sunset to enjoy.