Well, today was a true and complete exercise in patience!  I took a few days off work, and decided to do some paint pouring.  Let me tell you, it didn't work out quite like I planned.  After the 6th or 7th scrape and pour, I was ready to call it a day.  Do you ever have times like that?  I probably should have stopped after the 4th time.......

Suffice it to say, I continued on.  I was filming each pour, thinking I could, maybe, encourage some beginner artist out there to not give up.  When things don't go the way you expect, try again.  This is probably why those very successful artisans out there, are where they are.  I'm sure they had times like I had today.  Yet, they didn't quit, they continued on.  Maybe not the same day, but I'm sure they were right back at it the next day, or the day after.  

So, I decided I would try one more time.  I even said it during filming.  "If this doesn't work, I'm done for the day".  Yeah, right.  OK, I spoke too soon.  I did it one more time and filmed the scraping and 9th pour.  Am I happy with the way it turned out??  Not sure.  I'm happier than I was with all the other pours.  I think I need to let it sit, let it dry, then look at it with fresh eyes.  

Next step, loading the video on to my computer.  Now, I've done this multiple times.  Do you think it would go easy????  Nope.  It took me multiple attempts to load the video, and save it to a place where I could, then, put it into my editing program.  So now it's there.  Did I say today was an exercise in patience??  Of course I did.  Should have left it for another day.  No, I wanted to try a quick edit and download it to my you tube channel.  First thing I notice is how the video was not aligned correctly.  Ok, where do I go to fix that?  Took another 10 minutes and I managed to rotate the picture.  Next, the clip was very small.  Had to find out where I could zoom in so my video wasn't too small, or surrounded by this black and white checkered border.  Next up, watching the video to make sure things look good......notice I didn't say professional.  Not even there yet!

Ready to watch.  Well, the video keeps skipping, stopping, and repeating words.  More patience needed.  I'm definitely ready to stop for the day.  This too, I will look at with fresh eyes.  

Though, I shouldn't be surprised, even my meatloaf was a little over cooked and dry!

Til next time, stay safe and never give up!

P.S. PLEASE VOTE!

 Hi and welcome to my blog.  As you can see, it has been ages since I posted anything.  Life definitely has a way of keeping one busy!

This year has been one we will never forget!  I hope you and yours have been able to stay safe and healthy.  If you know, or have lost a friend or loved one during this trying time, I pray for your strength to carry on.  

I started acrylic paint pouring this past year and have become addicted.  I've always wanted to incorporate painting into my crafts, and never really thought of myself as an abstract kind of person.  Viewing hundreds of you tube videos inspired me to give it a try.  There are so many wonderful artists out there, willing to share their talents.  They encourage exploration into this great medium, as well as having fun.  I hope that I will be able to provide that same encouragement.

It's my belief that everyone is an artist.  Pick your medium and go for it!  Whether you craft for yourself and family, or are thinking about selling your works, have fun and never give up.

A few of my paintings...........

Til next time, stay safe and healthy!

So far, 2016 has been trying, to say the least.  Recovery of my thumb surgery took way longer than I expected, and I wasn't able to get back to work until February {from October}.  At least I didn't have to travel during the blizzard {except to go down my sister's for about a week - actually got there before the snow came, and had a week of working on another Wedding album for my niece!}
Lost my mother-in-law in March.  Alzheimer's is terrible disease and I know she suffered.  One can only hope they find a cure soon.

Last.... but not least, I had a flood downstairs in April.  It was a mess.  Carpet up. Two foot of wall removed and it took them two months to put it straight. 

OK, enough of my woes.  I haven't been able to work on my polymer clay with my thumb issues {it's still not 100% ...... I know, I said no more woes!}  So, I've spent time trying to perfect my paper crafting skills.  Like many people, I scour You-Tube for how to videos.  There are so many DIY projects out there.  For some reason, I like to build things.  One example are the mini albums.  I have many "in the works", and hope to get them finished soon.

Another project I like to build are desk organizers.  All right, so I've only made one so far.  I'm pretty proud of it though.

 

 Next, I am going to make a storage organizer for my stamping inks and accessories.  Once again, I think I will be looking for ideas on Your-Tube.  I have already found several I like, made with foam board.  I may even do a video myself, once I come up with a design.

                                                                     

Til next time, stay safe and be happy.

            

                                                              

Finally finished the mini album I was working on and attended the wedding this past weekend.  It was a really nice ceremony {short and sweet!} and reception and a good time was had by all.  I'm working on a video for my you tube channel, but thought I would post a few pictures.

I want to give a shout out to Barb of Barb's Scrapbooking for the inspiration and tutorial I used to make the album.  Also loved the tutorial from Corenescreations for the handmade box that I placed the album in.  You can check out both of their channels on you tube and see the lovely work they do.

Til next time, stay safe and be happy!

Happy New Year!  I hope everyone had a blessed holiday.

Looking back over 2015 and I see it's been more than a year since my last post.  Work has taken much of my time and last year had many ups and downs.  I am still recuperating from surgery on my arthritic thumb and have not done any clay work for over a year.  I'm hoping when my rehab is complete, I will be able to get back to working with polymer without any pain!

I have made some cards for special occasions last year, but, actually have been focusing on making mini albums.  The process is slow since I am limited by my surgery, but, at least I can do something.  There are so many beautiful albums out there and multiple videos on you-tube for how-to's, and, I am really falling in love with some of the paper designs that are available now-a-days.  I'm really loving it.

This is one of the first finished albums I did.  I credit this design to Laura Denison of FollowThePaperTrail on you tube.  It was such a neat idea and not too hard to put together.  I'm working on other albums as I improve my skills and have even taken on making a small wedding album for a friend that is getting married in a few weeks.  I need to get over this cold that is lingering so I can finish it in time.

Who knows what 2016 will bring.  Hoping for better health, more energy and creative inspiration for myself, and, hoping you all find your wishes and desires coming true.

Till next time, stay safe and be happy!

Looking forward to the New Year

Wow, I didn't realize how long it has been since I last wrote.  Things have been pretty busy here and between family and work - including starting a new position - time does indeed fly.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and I wish you all a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.

While I have not been doing much blogging, I have had some time to continue working on my jewelry.  I have also started making greeting cards.  I'm hoping the New Year will allow me time to reorganize and make more time for working on my crafts.

Here are a few cards of my early cards.  I'm learning as I go!

 

Getting show ready

I've been working on additional flower applique pieces as well as cameos for a show we have next weekend.  I wish I had more time to devote to claying, but, what can you do??

This piece was made with a mold of a cameo my daughter found.  I really liked the whole body in Victorian dress.  I made the cameo with a faux mother of pearl mix and placed it on a purple background.  Twisted black clay was used for the outer edge and was lightly covered with silver gilders paste.  To finish the piece, I strung it on three thin purple ribbons.

I love tulips, but find they don't seem to bloom for long {might be my lack of a green thumb!}  What better way to enjoy them than to make them last forever in clay.  I placed three white tulips on a red heart and brushed the edges with rose colored pearlex powder.  Three red ribbons finish the piece.  I covered the entire piece with Kato liquid clay.

Hopefully, I'll have some time next week to make a few more before the show.

Til next time, stay safe and be happy.

Polymer applique flowers

I haven't been writing lately, my Mom passed and it's been a difficult few months.

I'm trying to get back into clay mode and have been browsing the internet for a spark.  I came across a tutorial for applique flowers {by Renee of Piper Pixie Designs} and saw many different, beautiful pendants on Pinterest.  I think it's just what I needed.

Over the last few weeks, I've made several pendants.  I think it's going to take some more practice to get them to the level of what I've seen, but, I really like the technique and am pleased with the results.

If you like the results, you can find many more examples on Pinterest.  There are also tutorials on You Tube. 

Til next time, stay safe and be happy.

Making button molds and buttons with polymer clay

and...here is the new tutorial I finished yesterday.  Enjoy.