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 :)