Hello! I am a little late in welcoming 2009.... I hope you can accept my apology. I have been awful at updating my blog. I promise to do better! I would make that a new years resolution... but then all my efforts would be doomed. ;)
I was shocked to see how many of you had the same fond memories associated with the super sweet Sylvanian families. I really enjoyed reading all the comments. :)
I am bringing in the new year with a stack of new paintings. I've had way to much fun trying out new techniques. I am learning to use acrylic's and also introducing some embroidery and felt to my paintings. It seems the sky really is the limit, and its been fun! I planned to do a huge shop update, but I think I'll just start introducing them little by little. Here is the first and my personal favorite.
"Love happens"
The pictures really do not do this painting justice, and I MUST get some better ones! :) Anyhow, the flower on his hat is made with white felt, along with the flowers he is holding for his sweetie.
I have worked in a little embroidery on the center of the flowers, and also attached her hair bow, and his bow tie using embroidery floss.
I love how it turned out. If this doesnt sell on etsy, I think I may take this down to our local art gallery. Its been a year since I have talked to the owner, and I have really been meaning to make a trip back in there. It seems my originals dont move quite as fast as on etsy. Although I did just sell my second original via etsy last week. I was super excited to say the least. :)
Mom and dad watched the girls for us yesterday afternoon and Jaydon and I went shopping. He was nice enough to go into Michaels with me... I was completely out of canvas panels, so I was able to stock up on those... and I also bought some ceramic paint. I'll have to let you know how that turns out. I have had a few projects I have been really excited about starting.
One: Painting my own china! How great would it be to have my own hand painted dishes in the china cabinet? Matching plates, saucers, and mugs? I even came up with a design I would use if I could ideally design my own dishes... I would like to maybe use this design, but modify it for a white plate, with a simple black graphic flower?
I bought some paper to make stencils from, so we'll see how that goes. I think I'll practice on mugs first. :) I'll be sure and show some pictures with some more detailed info.
Two: Making Valentines cards for the shop. Both single cards, and also some of those super cute cards you buy for your kids to hand out at school? Like in a pack of 34, with a few different designs. I think that would be fun to work on. :) Maybe I could even adapt them to birthday party invites or something similar after Valentines day.
Three: Gift sets! Example, for your book lover friends, one of my book prints along with a pack of bookplates, and also a bookmark?
Four: Anything using shrinky dink plastic. I have every kind imaginable! I planned to do luggage tags, or even key chains, charms etc...
Too many ideas, and too little time. Since Christmas it seems I am needing to clean three times as often! Where do all these new toys go? :) Yesterday I took some time and went through Trinity's toys, and filled a box with toys to go into storage. Some she has outgrown, and others she will still enjoy when she hopefully gets her own room again. :) But even then... the house is seeming to demand so much more attention. All the Christmas decorations are put away... but I think having the house a work in progress is starting to affect me mentally. Which reminds me, we did pick up a new bathroom vanity. We need to order the top, and sink fixture... but soon we will have that in the bathroom! yay for more space.
Here is the vanity, we went with a travertine top, and an undermount sink... but the vanity itself was only 379.00! We seen some really neat looking vanities, but since we are trying to make the biggest impact on a tight dollar... this one seemed to be the best bet. We have also decided to use ceiling tiles on the ceiling, and I think that will make the room feel much more richer. We also wanted a faucet with a higher neck, so we found one we both liked. I'll be sure and include some pictures when its all installed. :)
wheew... what a menagerie of information... :)
