Inspiration

I have been soo busy over the last week! Friday was my 33rd birthday (YIKES) and I spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with a wonderful bunch of friends at a Scrapbook Retreat!

I was supposed to play hockey last night, but didn't feel well when I got home. We planned on seeing Gnomeo and Juliet yesterday afternoon, but it was sold out! The boys were soo excited and couldn't wait until I got home from the retreat to see the movie. I ended up going home and going to bed so Chris took the boys to see the movie without me! :(  It came out on my birthday, and the movie is meant for me (since I'm a gnome lover) and THEY LEFT ME AT HOME!

So I'm planning on seeing the movie soon...and probably alone! lol

So anyhow I am into my second week in an online sketchbook class called: "Sketchbook Delight" taught by the wonderful artist Alisa Burke!

This weeks class was about finding your inspiration! I have always thought that I was artistically challenged! I seemed to never come up with my own inspiration...I always got inspired by other's artwork! Let me clarify, I never copied anyone's work, but I looked for things in it that inspired me. And I always wished to find my own "style."

Over the years and especially this last year I have walked through life blindly...unable to see the beauty that is around me!

Well look out...I have finally opened my eyes and I see all the beauty that surrounds me! And it feels soo good to create, and do it on my own! Remember the bird nest I blogged about this past Spring? You can read about it here.

This is what I came up with! I have played with watercolors before, but haven't done any real paintings. This is my first attempt at a sketchbook page! I really love how it turned out! I first sketched it in pencil in the waiting room at my son's pediatricians. Yes, he's sick again and actually ruptured his eardrum! He's finally feeling a little better today, thankfully!

Here's a closeup.

Another closeup.

Another.

Another....you get the idea! ;)

And speaking of art...look what Alex made me on my birthday? A pink playdoh cake! He's my little artist...he loves to paint and just create anything! Wonder who he takes after? ;)

It's almost midnight and I have a ton of ideas that I can't wait to get into my sketchbook! I have been working at it non-stop and I just can't quit! It feels soooo good! I'll share more of my sketchbook in the next couple of days! Have a wonderful week!

Make Some Art Monday

Today is week 2 of "Make Some Art Monday" over at Chrissie's blog: In His Grace.
Usually she has a weekly theme to go from. And this week I totally had an idea for the piece of art that I wanted to create. Unfortunately, I've been sick all week long and was unable to even start it!

I did however manage to make this simple little wall quilt for my sister's birthday. She lives out of state and loves "Americana" themed decor. So this is what I came up with. I used muslin for the center of the quilt, and mixed equal parts of acrylic paint with a textile medium for fabric. I then used a foam brush and brushed the paint on my boy's hands and pressed them to the muslin.

I really didn't have to use the textile medium because this probably will never need washed. But I used it anyway- just in case.
It is both machine and hand quilted. The only thing hand quilted is the stitching around the handprints and the binding is hand quilted as well using a blind stitch. This was a really quick project probably took no more than 4 hours total. It would have taken less time, but I totally forgot how to add the binding...so I had to add it once, take it off and then add it again!

It measures approximately 11"x13."

I used no pattern, I just freehanded everything....it's more fun that way! I have many more ideas for little wall quilts that I hope to share with you soon! This was soo fun! I forgot how fun it is to make a mini quilt!

I'm going to be busy over the next couple of days. So I will not post anything until at least Friday! Have a great week!

Make Some Art Monday

Today is "Make Some Art Monday" over at Chrissie Grace! Chrissie is a wonderful and inspirational artist! I just love her work! She decided to have an art blog party, and I just had to join in!

Unfortunately, I just found out about it a couple of days ago, so I had to brainstorm for an idea. The theme was "favorite quotes" and I knew if I was doing a mosaic...I needed a short quote. So I love the quote "Love is patient, Love is kind..." Here is what I came up with.

Please keep in mind that I need to grout in some areas again, plus I need to seal it and shine it up! I used a wooden cross that I had with an inset, part of a vintage rose plate, and some glass that I purchased from Youghiogheny Glass. I am very lucky that they make this wonderful glass right here in my town! If I'm ever in need of a certain color I drive on over, and get my choice of glass! It's great! This was soo fun to make! Hope you enjoy!

Here's a closeup of the saying! I used alphabet beads for the quote!

Have a wonderful Monday!
-Ruth Ann