December-Christmas: First and Last

Wow!  It's been a month or so since I posted anything.  I have been busy, and now that it's a mere three days until Christmas, and my husband is working late, I have a few moments to reflect.  So now for the 2009 List of Christmas Firsts and Lasts:

First year to participate in Black Friday shenanigans
Last year to stay up late the night before Black Friday; I should have had my butt in bed


First year to experience Christmas as a married woman
Last year to have no idea what to get for my husband


First year to have our real tree become a fire hazard within a week of purchase
Last year to launch a Christmas tree off a three-story balcony


First year to not have turned on the heater even once
Last year to stay up until 2am baking--one can hope


First year to not decorate the yard (because we don't have one)
Last year to go without Dove Chocolate Peppermint Bark--what was I thinking?

First year to make cheese straws
Last year to leave all of the goodies at my brother's house   :)


First year to ship most of my Christmas gifts
Last year to enter any Wal-mart store after December 20th

First year to attend 3 or 4 separate family celebrations
Last year (hopefully) to not have all of my family together at once


First year to eat carrot souffle-no offense to the chef
Last year to eat carrot souffle


First year to have a Christmas Budget
Last year to blow said Christmas Budget

Merry Christmas everyone!

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy" Matthew 2:10

October--More Hand Drawn Designs :)

Don't Let a Good Friend Go...or How to Save Your Favorite Blanket :)

Most of you know that I used to live in Korea.  One of my favorite places to shop in Korea is the art/historic district In Sah Dong.  Several years ago, I bought two simple quilted blankets one rainy Saturday afternoon in Korea.  Well, I've had the blankets for about 5 years now, and they are starting to show some wear.  After all, my cat loves to make them into her nest, and I have used them as part of my regular bed linens for that entire time.  Regular use and washing has left the white one with two unsightly tears...booooo!  I'm not about to get rid of my favorite blanket.  So I made a repair :) 

I was not able to fully cover the tear, but at least now I know the tear will not "grow."

I still have to sew a button on to make the "middle" of the flower, but I really like the way this looks so far.

 

Admittedly, I need more practice as a seamstress...

 I really had fun picking out the fabrics at JoAnn's.  They had all of their "fat quarters" on sale for $.99, so I picked out three patterns of white for the large petals of the flower, and then a really lovely cream for the smaller petals.  I'm very pleased with how these colors compliment the existing blanket--my favorite!! :)

A Collection of Whimsy--Colored Pencil Drawings on 3.5" x 5" cards

So my husband and I were sitting on the couch last night watching some "futuristic" movie made in the late 1990's.  During the movie, my cat, and I emphasize "my", came and sat on his lap.  She never does this!  What was my husband's explanation?  "Well, obviously, she inexplicably attracted to khaki."  That statement about khaki made me think of doing a couple of monochromatic-ish colored pencil sketches before I went to bed..."said the little red hen, and she did."  :)  Here are the results:

 

 

I've also been working on a few preliminary sketches...stretching my pencils/paintbrushes as it were:

September--Custom Name Paintings II

Here is the painting for my niece, Natalie :)

September--Butterflies and Distracted by Color

 

 

 

September--Bright Spots--sometimes you have to make your own.

 

 The results of a late-night/early-morning painting session. :)

This is a close up of the painting on the right in the previous picture.

All three of these paintings are on re-purposed materials.  I love giving something new life!

Custom Name Paintings

I've been working on two custom name paintings for my nieces: Natalie and Elise. 

Here is the one for Elise :)

11" x 14" hand painted original acrylic painting on stretched canvas with custom colors and name.

Beautiful muted pinks, greens and warm yellows make a sweet and sophisticated background for your daughter or granddaughter's name or initials. These make excellent gifts for new mothers and mothers-to-be.

Each piece is original to your loved one and colors and lettering can be customized to fit your specific decor.

Pictured: 11" x 14" original acrylic painting--stretched canvas on wooden frame; comes equipped with a sawtooth--ready for hanging.

Available in the following sizes:
18" x 24" --$50.00
11" x 14" --$45.00
8" x 10" --$35.00

Designs for boys coming soon!

Hand-drawn cards for fall

At my sister, Bekah's advice, I've started working on some hand-drawn/hand-painted cards.  This is the beginning of my fall collection.  

Other designs will be available later this week.  I'm also working on a Christmas collection!  

3.5"x 5" cards

 

  

Set of 3 hand-drawn cards with envelopes:

$10.00  Reduced: $6.00  :)

Custom Name Sketches

So I'm working on these for my sister, Bekah, (who is, by the way, a very talented photographer www.rebeccatoddportraits.com).  These are simply preliminary colored pencil sketches of the paintings I'm going to do.  They will be 9"x12"  (These are actually 11" x 14") stretched canvas on wooden frame. :)

September--Geranium Custom Painting--COMPLETE!!

Hurray!  I finished my first ever custom painting!  I am really pleased, and I have such a great feeling of accomplishment!  Here are the results:

 

  

 

"Geraniums for Tabi"

"18x"24 Original Acrylic Painting on Stretched Canvas with Wooden Frame

Custom Price: $40.00 which includes shipping :)

September--Embellished Quilt Square

This is a scrap square from the lap quilt I just finished piecing yesterday.  I decided to embellish it with beading and put it in a frame.  I love how the gold tones in the fabrics match the elegant beading.  :)

This particular framed piece is available for $15.00.

September--Lemons in a Stark World

This is my first attempt at still life.  Yay for lemons!

This is a 9"x12" acrylic matted to 8"x10".  It comes framed.

$25.00

September--Geranium Project Canvas Sketch

Here is the on canvas sketch.  :)  Now I've got to fill in the first layer of the background.  The geraniums in this painting are going to be red with yellow lights, so I need to choose a background color that will bring out the best in my foreground subject....hmmmm.

Okay, Here is the canvas with the first layer of background.  I'll go back and lighten it up a bit later on.

 

Here's the first layer of color and shading.  Many more layers to go.

More of the layering.

Even more detail in this last one.  I'm getting ready to add the center stem on the top bud, then I think the perspective will improve.  :)  Still many more layers and blending of colors and shades to come, but it really is taking shape.

The next progression...

 

I plan to add more accents with violet/deep red; I also plan to lighten the background as well.

September--Geranium Project

I have a couple of custom projects on my plate.  One of my friends from college asked me to do a geranium painting for her.  It's an 18"x24", so double the size of the paintings I've done so far.  I'm excited at the challenge knowing that my painting is going to be a meaningful gift!  Here are the preliminary sketches I did last night...simple ink pen.

 

Which one do you like best?