Un-Forgetable Frogs

 

Hello, crafters! Today I feature a couple of deck decor items. Whenever I see a lonely frog figure in a thrift store, I often buy it to paint or alter it and put it somewhere in my garden, yard or on my deck. These two fearless friends are standing on front my deck, although I took their photo while still in the house. I used one of my paintings on wood as a background. 

I inherited both of them from my neighbor across the street, with whom we became fast friends. Unfortunately, she passed away and her daughter offered them to me as she cleaned out her mom's house. I gladly accepted them as a remembrance of Sharon. She had an artists' eye.

When I got them, they were not painted at all, For my little amphibian, I sponge-painted his body with a couple of greens and a little gold for texture. I gave him black arms, legs and head while keeping his eyes a shimmery green.

As for my garden-loving frog, I painted her a bright green and gave her facial features. Her watering can was black so I gave it a rusted, coppery look. I was going to use hot glue to give the illusion of water trickling from the can's spout, but decided against it. The base on which she stands is almost the same color as my front deck so it blends in with the stair step she's on...

Challenges I am Entering:

  

On the 20th Day of Christmas Crafttng...

 

I wanted to take a class at my local junior college. I've tried water colors on my own but there's so much I don't know, never taking an actual art class ever. So a couple weeks ago the college sent out a brochure for continuing ed classes starting in January, and s Sketching & water Color Painting Class was offered.  I was so set on taking the class...

until I discovered that all their non-credit, continuing ed classes are only offered at their other campus, with which I am not familiar, and would likely skip on those January class days when the the temps are sub-zero or the roads are unplowed or icy. 

So I decided to check out YouTube and Pinterest and fill my art journal with exercises in sketching, as well as inspiration tips and tricks from  other artists. This is one of my art journal pages, although it is more mixed media than plain old water colors. The main scene is water colors, but I added the snow using white acrylic paint. I think I did an okay job. In fact, I just might print this up and make holiday cards for next year. What do you think?

We are now at Day 20 of the 20 days of Christmas crafting. Have any of my crafts, artwork or upcycling inspired you this month? I hope so!! 

On the 15th Day of Christmas Crafting...

 Hello, crafters! Today I offer you a hybrid canvas. It's a cross stitch canvas stretched onto a wooden frame, with a painted background and stitches using embroidery thread. I also embellished my canvas with a felt wiener dog, a sticker (bells) and small sequins for tree ornaments. The branches and the ribbons and bows on the presents showcase my stitching. I guess you can call it a mixed media project!

Back from an Alternate Universe

At my most recent trip to a thrift store, I was lucky enough to come on a Monday, when the whole store is 50% off. I found two flat-backed vases (urns?) and paid $7 for the pair! They are ceramic and heavy and the perfect size for my newly-sealed and painted front deck. Perfect in size but not the right colors!

So I pulled out my spray paint and acrylics and colored each a creamy white. I even spray painted the cording and beads on each side and bottom. I left the cording near the top opening gold.

When I bought the vases, they each had some old, moldy fake flowers on their fronts. I decided against adding new ones, since I would be filling each with faux flowers. And here are the finished deck decor standing on each side of my front door!

Note the mailbox and address plaque. I had painted them both, along with the light post (not pictured), to coordinate with the deck before the new blue sealer/paint. So I took them off the siding and painted them as well. 

I Love the Smell of Leather

 When I was a kid, my family lived on a city block where all my neighbors had sons. I grew up as a tomboy with one desire - to own my own baseball mitt. I never got a new mitt, but I did get a "throw-away" one from my uncle. No matter, I could catch with it just as easily as a new one. 

I think that's where my liking the smell of leather kicked in. Awesome memories playing ball with him and his friends (uncle was only 4 years older than I) and forever throwing the ball against the front steps. You had to throw the ball just at the edge of a step for it to "throw back" at you. 

My make today uses a leather kit (and that's where the story came to mind). I  had to piece together and sew the leather to create an art journal cover. I traded the twine for my own silver twine and used a blanket stitch on the covers instead of the recommended simple stitch. The stitches are a little messy, but it did its job. 

After admiring my sloppy work, I pulled out my Posca paint markers and got to do what I do best - doodle!! If you are wondering whether to put out the money for a set of Poscas, they are truly worth the cost over other paint markers. The effect is more opaque than all the rest. I outlined everything first, then went back in with some colored paint markers. I love the end result. Using another piece of colored twine, I rummaged through my jewelry supplies, finding a few beads and charms to complete my journal. Now I just have to put paper in it and we're ready!

When I think of the isolation of COVID, I think of all the new techniques and supplies I tried. Some attempts were laughable while others stirred a desire to continue learning. Now I'm not only a card maker, I am JOAT (that's Jack Of All Trades, thanks to Anne McCaffrey's science fiction/fantasy Ship book series. I also stretched my taste in books and music.  

Challenges I am Entering:

A Perfect Time to Craft - A/G    

Ally's Angels - A/G

Daisy Chain Challenges - No Design Paper

More than Words - Art Supplies (art journal)

Meow's It Going?!

 Last time a attended thrift therapy, I picked up a lightweight, carved wooden cat. She was pretty beat up, but I saw her inner beauty so I paid the dollar and took her home with me. After several color changes, I ended up with a medium pink. I used cotton swabs dipped in various colors of paint to give it a general flowery coat. I recolored the eyes and tail as well. She now poses gracefully in my living room window. I used both acrylic paint as well as Posca paint markers.

Thrift therapy is what I call it when I have the urge to roam a thrift store. I may not have something particular in mind while shopping. I may not even buy anything. But it is perfect for destressing. I just need to remember that when I do find something to upcycle or paint, that I take a photo of the item BEFORE I change it! LOL