New Art 8x10 Mixed Media Canvas- The Owl Family

The first 2 photos are how this canvas started.

 So awful (in my opinion) but you have to go

thru the ugly phase to get to the end result. 

 

Below are the paper owls at the beginning,

cut out of patterned scrapbook  paper. 

I found templates online (Pinterest - love, love, love) 

for various Owls and modified them to make them my own.

Here are close-ups of the individual Owls.

 

And then the final piece.  Not my favorite piece but it was fun.

 

And of course I didn't realize the photos were

a tab blurry until uploading today, sorry.  You get the idea.  :)

Hugs,  Erin

My Babies are Young Men

December 25, 2012

My Gift from my Young Men - A current photo

 

 

Love you both so much!!

Mom

"You Make Me Smile" - New Art Work on Canvas

And finally, the last of my set of three new pieces. 

"You Make Me Smile" is listed for sale in my Etsy shop.

 

 

 

 

Lots more art in progress to show you soon.

Hugs, Erin

Polly Red Owl - New Art on Canvas

This is the second of the three new pieces I completed in December 2012. 

This one is called Polly Red Owl.  She is listed in my Etsy shop.

 

 

 

 

Check back tomorrow for more...

Hugs, Erin

Melody Blue Owl - New Art on Canvas

 Happy 2013 Everyone!  I have taken a much needed break from doing too much over the last few months.  Work has been too busy, home life too busy and the holidays....well, you guessed it.  Too busy!!  I took a vacation from work and life to spend 2.5 weeks at home with my kids.  they are 15 and 18 yrs old now, they will be off on their own before I know it.  It was a lazy, sleep late, movie watching, book reading, game playing, shopping, organizing and crafting vacation.  Lots of quality time with the kids which was a just perfect.

 

One of the things I did was some new artwork.  This is the first in a set of 3 new pieces.

This one is called Melody Blue Owl.  She is listed for sale in my Etsy shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check back tomorrow for more....

Hugs, Erin

Holiday Eating Tips....to live by

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS - To help us through the season!

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat.. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? LaborDay?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Hope this put a smile on your face.  Happy Tuesday!!  Hugs, Erin

Wordless Wednesday - Baby Animals to make you Smile

Have a great Wednesday!!

Hugs, Erin

Mixed Media on Canvas - Paint on Waxed Paper

A new mixed media piece done on a 8x10 canvas.  This piece was inspired by yet another online class I'm taking with Junelle Jacobsen. 



Close up of my new piece



Acrylic paint in varying shade were painted on wax paper

Wax paper was then cut into flower petal shapes (and leaves, not shown)



Corrugated paper was cut into vase-type shapes



Vase shapes were adhered with glue; flower petals and leaves adhered with gel medium;
vases painted with blue acrylic paint

 

Close up of a flower - this was stamped with word text, button glued to the middle,
black pen lined the petals and leaves for dimension with white paint pen added for highlight



Final piece - No title yet

Hope everyone had a lovely November (while I was busy with teenagers and chaos)!
Check back for tomorrow.  Hugs,  Erin

Stupid People are Amazing...

While reading two of my favorite blogs, written by the fabulous Amber, I watched this YouTube video about Deer Crossing signs.  Click on the video to hear the conversation.....I am shocked.

WOW - and I thought I had "blonde" moments periodically but this woman is either trying to be funny or is just plain stupid.  It is amazing to me that people like this survive, hold a job, manage to raise children, drive a vehicle, etc.

You can check out my friend Amber for other funny stories.
"Chronicals of Amber" (her personal musings - always makes me laugh)

Or for scrappy/crafty stuff, check her out below.

"Portrait of a Girl Who Scraps"( her crafty/scrapbooking fun - always inspirational)

Happy Monday!  Hugs,  Erin

The Altered Brush Project by Donna Downey

For those that are familiar with Donna Downey and her awesome art, you might already know about her "Altered Brush Project".  She is allowing anyone to create a paint brush art piece that will be diplayed in her studio.  How awesome is that!!  Of course I jumped right on buying my brush and recently shipped it off to her.  And on her blog today, my piece is displayed here.

I'm so proud to be part of her art project.  You can be too, read the details below (directly from her site) or click over to her blog.

Enjoy your day and count your blessings!!
Hugs,  Erin

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The Altered Brush Project

by Donna Downey

Display your creativity, market your skills, join the art collaboration and own a place in the studio.

US Artists $15      International Artists $20

1. Purchase one of our brushes & a spot on our wall. For your purchase you will receive one of our unfinished paintbrushes, space to display your altered brush and market yourself in the studio (price includes the cost of shipping).

2. Alter the brush anyway your creative spirit takes you. They can be as simple or elaborate as you like NOTE: do not obstruct the hole in the handle so that it can be hung on the wall

3. Sign and date the back of the brush giving it your artists’ signature!

4. Attach your personal calling card (business card size) with any information about yourself you feel comfortable sharing that hangs through the hole in the brush handle

5. Mail or return the brush to the studio:

Donna Downey Studios
501 S Old Statesville Rd.

Huntersville, NC 28078