Lastest Work

So I know I have been missing from the blogosphere...but I haven't lost my passion for art. These days I spend my time going back and forth from watercolor to my newest favorite medium, soft pastels. Not as much down time these days for writing up blog posts between homeschooling three kids and just life in general. I am trying these days to find more time to create art and venture into actually producing pieces to sell since people seem to be showing in interest in my work and requesting specific art work. I love landscapes and botanicals, but whimsical art will always have a special place in my heart. It all goes back to my love for children's literature and the illustrations that go along with it. What types of art work are you drawn to? I thought I would share a few of my more recent things I have completed since it has been quite a long while! I hope you enjoy it!

Veggie Tales Christmas Quilt

I finally finished it. Or at least the first part of it. What's better than a nativity scene quilt! It can be hung on the wall for all to see or used as a snuggly throw blanket. It's definitely not breakable unlike most nativity scenes. It's a whole lot softer too! Now I'll send it off to my mom. She has the best machines to do the quilting part. She does great work. She really enjoys the quilting part, whereas, love putting the pieces together. It's like a big giant fabric puzzle really. I enjoy picking out the colors and picking a certain pattern. Mom does the really amazing freehand quilting stitches that really make the quilt come alive. So now that I did my phase I'm going to pass it on to her so she can work her magic skills! :) And of course I can't leave out my dad! He is always making sure we have access to the best of sewing machines to work our craft. I have yet to see a machine he doesn't manage to get running in top shape. He keeps the machines in top condition. He always seems to know what to do to fix a machine. I can proudly say I have three backup machines in case my main sewing machine fails. I could start a sewing class with my spares!! Now there's an idea!! Quilting anyone?? Maybe one. I haven't quite mastered certain parts of it. My mom is truly the "Quilting Queen! So direct your questions at her if you please! :) For now I'm off to figure out my next quilt project.

Creative Sunday School

I really like teaching Sunday school. I think they assigned me with the age group I am best suited to! I get to act like a kid too! I am teaching on Jonah for the next couple of weeks. The lesson plans suggested making a tunnel made with plastic garbage bags and decorated with fish. I thought....1)That's boring....2)That's a waste of garbage bags....3)Don't we usually avoid letting children play with plastic bags for safety reasons???.....Hello!!!! So that got me to thinking.....I decided to make my own giant fish to attach to a white sheet to make a safer version of a tunnel. I got to church a little early. Austin and Wes helped me set up the tunnel in the classroom. They of course gave it a few trial run throughs to make sure it met the kid fun factor. Then later when it was time for children's church the kids immediately saw the tent and made a run for the fish tunnel. The tunnel was almost a distraction. Couldn't keep them out of it. But, it was all good and we enjoyed it. We got to act out he Bible story and pretend they were Jonah getting swallowed by the fish. We even listened to a CD of stormy weather sounds while we talked about the story. I'm hoping all the stuff we did will really stick in their heads. We talked about how there isn't anywhere we can go, that God isn't around. He is always there. We also talked about asking God to forgive us when we do things wrong. Just like Jonah told God he was sorry from the belly of the fish, it doesn't matter where we are, God is always ready to listen when we talk to him!! :) He's just like our shadow, he is always with us!!

A Spurt of Artsyness

I started a spurt of drawing again when we went on vacation. I can't think of a better time to draw than when on vacation. When we were in NY I found these really nice thin moleskin journals. Since we've been back from our trip, I still have the drive to keep drawing. I go through stages of enthusiasm with sketching. For now, the creative juices are still flowing. Maybe it's because I've been working on lesson plans for the up and coming school year. I have all sorts of art related projects to do with the boys. I decided to start a mommy journal of sorts for the boys. Something that hopefully they will enjoy even years from now.

Under the Sea

Here is my next ATC card that I made yesterday. I really liked the Wise Octopus in the story Rainbow Fish! So that was my inspiration for this one. It's for a swap that I'm participating. This would be yet another hobby I have decided to embark on. I'm like a junkie for new hobbies/crafts. What else can I say. It's just my personality type I suppose!

My Tiniest Ever Watercolor Picture!

This is a painting done with acrylic and watercolors. I also used some salt to add some texture! I think I'm entering this one in an ATC Swap. I may experiment with it again....I have all these ideas in my head...so I want to try a few and pick the ones that come out the best!!

More Time For Art

So I have been on a kick to change my organization habits....I think I've made some major improvements. Still plenty more room to continue improving..but I do feel like I am more relaxed and enjoy drawing now because I have space and time to draw now! It's also nice feeling like the house is in order....so maybe that's why I feel better about some of my recent work!! Let me know what you think! :)