by Great Joy Studio | Feb 7, 2010 | Personal Touch, Spiritual
Last evening I continued the search for likely candidates to use on the valentine project scheduled for today. Among the many items retrieved from my dad’s work area last summer, I discovered his stamps. An interesting, melancholy but beautiful look back~
Earlier in the day at a local shop, my daughter Kate and I found some wonderful Austrian post cards with incredible calligraphy. It was fun creating some of the coffee soaked tags incorporating both.
A “Special” thanks to my friend Diane Knott for offering some personal instructions! Don’t forget to register for her Valentine give away~ www.dianeknottsmusings.blogspot.com
Make A Wish!
I can’t forget to wish Jason, our son (in law) a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! While the guys take in the BIG game we’ll be cutting, pasting and enjoying carrot cake?
by Great Joy Studio | Feb 6, 2010 | Collectables, Getting Started, Projects
Who doesn’t want to try their hand at the art of paper and mixed media? I have been admiring this popular trend for a while now and recently signed up for Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion Workshop in the Spring. (Workshop is April 30 and May 1, www.maryengelbreit.com for more details) When my granddaughter ask me to help with a Valentine box for school, I thought it would be the perfect project to get my feet wet.
Baby Buttons on red & Dress Forms - "Tiny Tailor" fabric
I’ve gathered a little bit of everything that looked very Valentine-y from my supply stash. A good friend offered her secret decoupage paste concoction. I’ve soaked a few items in this morning’s coffee. Hmmmn, I wonder what we do next. Let’s see, do I have anything else red?
"Camp Christmas" fabric heart - gift from Joan Ford
Of course Sydney believes that her gram can “make” anything, considering my extensive artsy, craftsy background. So, the pressure’s on. I’ve made my share of Valentine boxes in my day. Surely I can …..um, er, uh, well. We’re doing this after church tomorrow so, you still have time to post any helpful hints under comments!
shoes - "Tiny Tailors" fabric
by Great Joy Studio | Feb 5, 2010 | Art News, Quilting & Fabric
from "Woodsy Wonders" fabric
Often when I commit to a project that I do not want to do, I become stuck. This is the downside of working at your craft/skill that I do not enjoy. Creativity, for me, the work flows so much smoother, almost effortlessly, when the art comes from within. As a creative individual, ideas are always there, just beneath the surface, compelled to burst out through the lead of the pencil. However, when forced, such as a commissioned piece, it is a continuous struggle and not the ideal way to execute a drawing. Luckily, I have another project that I can bounce back and forth to. More, my cup of tea, or should I say coffee?
"Woodsy Wonders" - book panel
The bugs for instance, created one July in a hotel since we lost our electric & air conditioning, were pure fun to draw. The Woodsy Journal quilt was created and quilted by Joan Ford. www.humminbird-highway.com Project instructions can be found on the Home Arts projects page of – www.tidingsofgreatjoy.com
Woodsy Wanderer
The summer spent creating my Woodsy Wanderer group I remember walking, just a little closer to the Creator of all the little woodsy creatures. That helps too!
by Great Joy Studio | Feb 4, 2010 | Personal Touch
Illustration - John Tenniel
As a Rabbit once said, “Oh dear, oh dear, I shall be too late!” For a very important date, or a deadline? Juggling several projects simultaneously is wreaking havoc with my time management skills. Are meeting difficult deadlines supposed to come with the “artist territory?”
by Great Joy Studio | Feb 3, 2010 | Art News, Collectables, Quilting & Fabric
After posting my art find yesterday, I decided to showcase a “Tuesday’s Treasure” on my blog weekly. Hmmmn, I wonder when I’ll run out of items to post, 2050? So, I invite you to tune in Tuesdays.
background is "Tiny Tailors" book panel
I often include the collectibles in my artwork such as the buttons that I found in my gram’s & mom’s button tins. Antique and vintage items are among my favorite subjects to draw.
Tiny Tailor Fabric
These buttons made it into my “Tiny Tailors” fabric line which can be found in quilt shops now. www.quiltingtreasures.com
from "Tiny Tailors" book panel fabric
This is one of the blocks included on the book panel in the fabric collection. Amazing Designs will be offering the designs as machine embroidery software. I’ll post the update for that next week. I was very pleased with the result of this group from Quilting Treasures and it was really a fun group to create.
