Wednesday, September 25, 2013

This And That

In between classes I've managed to do a few artsy things on my own.  Without further ado, here are some of them:

Michele of Little Bird Creations hosts ATC swaps, and I've enjoyed participating in them.  The current one has a circus theme, and did I ever have fun with that!

I started with this image.

 
And a sheet of circus acrobat images I found on the internet.  A lot of coloring and fussy cutting later.....
 
 


 
Doing multiples for a swap can be boring, so I like to keep to the same design but change things up enough to keep my interest.....in this case, coloring each clown individually and differently, and using different acrobat images.
 
Over at the Everything Wendy Vecchi group, the monthly challenge is to use Wendy's embossing paste, but mix it with something else.  Since I belong to a birthday card club that sends 4x4 cards, I did my challenge piece in that format.
 
 

 

 
 

 
I mixed gold embossing paste with some green paint for the flowers (one of Wendy's stencils).  It didn't do much to change the paste, so I went a bit bolder on the swirls and dots (a Crafter's Workshop stencil) and star (a Tim Holtz stencil).  For those I mixed white embossing paste with a little Silks acrylic glaze in pomegranate.  The Wendy stamp I used is the small weed from her Botanical Art set.
 
 
 
I saw some absolutely gorgeous roll up brush holders at that Jane LaFazio watercolor class I wrote about recently.  They were made of fabric printed with Jane's gorgeous designs, and sewn together by a professional.  Like I said (twice), gorgeous.  I didn't buy one, because what I really wanted to do was see if I could make one myself.  Also, Jane's were sized for the water brushes she uses, and I wanted one large enough to accomodate some of my taller brushes as well.
 
I stamped some plain fabric with my own carved stamps, using archival inks (mainly the new colors under Wendy's name), because they are permanent.  I wouldn't want a still wet brush to muck up the stamping. 
 
 
 The outside:
 
 
The inside:
 

 
 
Rolled up, ready for travel:
 
 
 
I'm not saying mine is anywhere as beautiful as Jane's, but it is mine, and that makes me proud. I was happy enough to make another, this one for Teri's birthday.
 

 
 
Last of all, I recently received my friend Jen's field journal.  She calls it the Sisterhood of the Traveling Beaches, and everyone is to do a beach themed spread.  I've spent many a vacation in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and that's what I recall here:
 
 
 
I hope you enjoyed my little potpourri of projects.









7 comments:

Healing Woman said...

Nice post. I enjoyed seeing all the things you are involved in right now. Love the brush holder-the leaves make it really special and the stenciled effect you got-also the beach scene. Still haven't made it to Punta Cana but will sometimes soon.

Kathy Eddy said...

Great stuff Eileen. You are keeping yourself very busy. The brush holders turned out great!

Unknown said...

I'm LOVING my brush holder, and so impressed with your sewing skills, Eileen. I'll bet there are many people who would like a little tutorial on how to make that. Just saying...

Patzee said...

Wow, wow, wow! You have been busy. I love the mix of projects. Is there anything you can't do?

Lori said...

I always enjoy your ventures! These projects are just wonderful, and I LOVE the brush storage!

Marjie Kemper said...

Oooh, lots of eye candy in this post! That jester is one of my favorite stamps. Love how you have him holding the acrobats. Hope you have a great weekend.

Elena said...

I do not know why I am just now seeing this post. I love those ATC's! They are spectacular! You become quite the seamstress, LOL. Your brush holders are so pretty. I am sure they are just as cute as anybody else's. The important thing, as you say, is that they are yours.

I need to get my music back here, even if it is by force! I have had our blocks before, but this is ridiculous. You inspire me to jump back in the studio and give it another go.

Miss you my friend!