Camel Painting

Brittany has been looking for art to decorate her walls, not the mass produced prints available at large department store chains, but nicely framed paintings, preferably original works. We are fortunate to live in an area with several small galleries that carry paintings by local artists but these pieces are not within the budget of someone who has just finished grad school. 

Brittany loves camels, they are her favorite animal and she has a small collection of camels. I decided to give her an original camel painting in a decorative frame for Christmas. I have been working on the painting for several weeks and now it's almost finished and ready to frame.

It's almost finished! Just a few final touches and some shading.

This painting is based on a sketchbook sketch that I developed into a drawing. The painting is acrylic on an 11x14 inch canvas. I primed the canvas with two coats of white gesso and let it dry. I transferred my drawing to the canvas with Saral paper.  I mixed Unbleached Titanium, Raw Sienna, Naples Yellow Hue and Burnt Umber together on a ceramic tile using a palette knife to blend the paints. I applied a light coat of paint to the drawing. Once the camel's basic shape was on the canvas, I began to paint in the background. The background is painted in three steps. I mixed Windsor & Newton Galeria Deep Turquoise with Liquitex Resin Sand (on a ceramic tile with a palette knife) and used the palette knife to apply the mixture to the painting. I let it dry overnight. The resin sand gave the painting a deep almost metallic color when the paint mixture dried. Cool, but a little to harsh. Definitely not the effect that I was going for.  For step 2, I mixed the Deep Turquoise with Golden Molding Paste and a touch of white acrylic paint and mixed them together. I applied the mixture randomly, with a palette knife over the resin sand background. I wanted the background to have a stucco like texture. I let some of the darker paint show through in areas. For step three, I will shade areas of the background with a mixture of Deep Turquoise and a touch of white.

One Pattern, Three Yarns

On a recent trip to Williamsburg, I stopped by my favorite yarn shop, the Knitting Sisters, to buy some yarn. The Knitting Sisters stock a large variety of yarns and it usually takes at least 30 minutes for Brittany and me to browse through the entire store and make my selection. My husband joined us to escape the afternoon heat and the Knitting Sisters invited him to sit in the comfy, over stuffed "husband chair" in the corner of the store. This chair was placed there so that men would have a place to sit while their wives shopped for yarn.

I found a copy of the newly released Sockupied by Anne Merrow. The book contains "20 Knit Projects to Satisfy your Sock Obsession" and after browsing through the book I wanted to knit most of them. Besides the patterns the book has a lot of useful information on sock construction-like stranded color knitting, cast-ons, and sock conversions and flipping stitch patterns when converting from toe-up to top-down knitting. My copy of Sockupied in hand, I went off searching for yarns. I found Crazy foot by Mountain Colors in Sun River color, Tosh Sock in Fathom (deep blue) and Vishnu (blue and purple), Malbrigo Sock in Impressionist Sky (deep blue similar to the blue in Van Gogh's Starry Night), String Theory Bluestocking Blue Faced Leicester in Laguna, and String Theory Caper Sock-a merino/cashmere blend in Cobalt.

 I couldn't wait to start knitting one of the patterns in Sockupied so I chose Cookie A.'s Passerine pattern and Dream In Color Smooshy in Dusky Aurora. The pattern is easy to knit and it knits up quickly even on size 1 needles. I really like the finished result. I like the three dimensional design and the way the sock fits, especially with my clogs. In fact I liked the pattern so much that I decided to knit two more pairs of socks in different yarns for Christmas gifts. The first pair was knit in Dream In Color Everlasting in Galaxy and Malbrigo Sock in Tinzano Red.

Bottom: Dream In Color Everlasting; Middle: Malbrigo Sock; Top: Dream In Color Smooshy

Passerine Pattern knit in Smooshy.

Close-up of Passerine Pattern.




So which yarn is my favorite? It's hard to pick one because each yarn has it's own attributes. Smooshy is thicker than the other two yarns and feels cushy. The thickness of the yarn shows off the three dimensional effect of the pattern. Everlasting is not as thick as Smooshy so the three dimensional effect of the stitches is more subtle. The variegated deep purples of the Galaxy color give the sock a rich sheen. The Malbrigo yarn is so soft and joy to work with. The yarn is thinner than the other two and the lace pattern of Passerine is more pronounced, when stretched on the foot.

Fashion Icon Card

Several years ago I bought the New York Socialite stamp. I use this stamp quite a bit for birthday cards, especially when I want a card that has an air of sophistication and is out of the ordinary. While the woman's outfit and hat can be colored any color, I prefer to use black with pink accents. Lately I have been experimenting with Copic sketch markers. I really like the deep saturated colors of these markers. When using Copic markers to color an image, I like to stamp the image on Bristol paper using Staz-On Ink. I like the way the Bristol paper holds on to the ink, giving a crisp image and the markers tend to glide over the smooth surface of the paper, making it easy to blend colors.

Directions for Fashion Icon Card:

Strathmore Bristol paper
Black and white card stock
K & Company 8 1/2 x 5 Designer Paper Pad- pink print
Copic Ciao Markers- skin tones
Copic Sketch Markers- Black, RV 17-Deep Magenta, RV00-Water Lily (pink), C5-Cool Grey
Stamps Happen, Inc.-New York Socialite stamp
Staz-On Ink pad-Jet Black
Tim Holtz Distress Inks-Tattered Rose and Tea Dye
Small pearl, gold and crystal embelleshments
Stickles Glitter Glue- Pink and Platinum
Pink ribbon with black dots


1.   Fold a piece of white card stock to make a half-fold card.

2.  Stamp the Socialite on Bristol paper using the Staz-On ink. Let the image dry before coloring.

3.  Color the lighter areas of the image first. Color the face and hands using the skin tone markers.  Use E000 to color the face and hands and then shade with E11.  Color the lips with RV00, highlight with RV17. Add blush to the cheeks with RV00 (go over the area until you notice a faint blush).

4.  Color the gloves with RV17 and the center of the bow with RV00 and then use RV17 to color the bow. Color the inside of the hat, ruffle on the jacket and highlights on the outfit with C5.  Color the hat and outfit with black.  Go over the highlighted areas again with C5 to blend with the black.

5.  Add pearls to the center of the bow, the necklace and earring.  Place a small crystal on the hand and a gold bead on the cuff.  Color the dog with a mixture of E15, E93. Add highlights with C5 and E18. Color the dog's collar and bow with RV17. Apply the pink and platinum Stickles randomly to the pin on the jacket.

6.  Lightly apply the Tattered Rose distress ink around the image, leaving areas of white showing. Lightly apply the Tea Dye distress ink in the white areas and blend.

7.  Cut a piece of black card stock 1/4 inch (on all sides) larger than the Bristol paper with the stamped image.  Cut the pink print paper 1/4 inch larger than the black card stock and cut another piece of black card stock 3/8 inch larger than the pink paper.  Glue the Bristol paper to the smaller black mat and then glue this to the pink print mat. Finally glue the pink print mat to the larger piece of black card stock.

8.  Cut a piece of pink dotted ribbon 1/2 inch larger than the length of the card, fold the edges of the ribbon under the top and bottom edges of the card and glue in place.  Attach foam dots to the back of the matted image and center on the card.

Mona Lisa Progress

Summer just isn't summer unless I can spend time outside. After the miserable weather that we have had for much of the year, I am taking every opportunity to enjoy the summer. Every year I make it a point to photograph my flowers in bloom. It not only gives me a visual record to help me direct my efforts for next year's garden but it cheers me up to see my beautiful flowers when I feel like winter is dragging on and on.
I grabbed my camera and photographed one of my Rose of Sharon bushes while it was in full bloom.

I have been working on the Mona Lisa in cross stitch. Instead of doing the traditional cross stitch I am working in half cross stitches or the needlepoint tent stitch. I am happy with the results so far and after two months of stitching, most of Mona Lisa's face is in place. I had a hard time at first stitching with the half cross stitch because it was a new concept for me but once I treated it as needlepoint on Aida cloth it got a lot easier. In traditional cross stitch I tended to jump around when I got bored. I found that you can't do this with a large charted design. If the stitching is not done in 10 x 10 blocks it is easy to lose your place when you take a break from stitching. You will notice the gaps of boredom on fabric.

Mona Lisa after 2 months of stitching.

Chanel Glass Block Light

I have always admired the ultra chic, elegant and outspoken Coco Chanel. While browsing through Stamp Francisco's on-line catalog, I discovered the Fashion Icon stamp. I couldn't resist ordering the Chanel stamp for use in my projects. After all I have always considered Mademoiselle a sort of mentor to me. It is from her that I learned that "fashion fades but style remains" and pearls (not diamonds) are a girl's best friend.

Now that I have acquired the stamp I wanted to use it in a project. I floated several ideas (a mixed media canvas, cards, journal projects) but none of them were right. Suddenly the idea hit me. I had bought a glass block that I wanted to turn into a light-what about a Chanel light?

First I stamped the image on the block with Staz-On black ink, but the glass was slick and the stamp shifted causing the image to blur. I cleaned the glass block with nail polish remover and then washed and dried it. I decided to stamp the image on transparency film for laser printers. The image came out crisp and clear. I trimmed the film close to the image and ran it through the Xyron machine to make a decal which could be applied to the glass block. I embellished the block and put a strand of 20 mini white lights inside. I was originally going to use the light in another part of the house but I really like having it in my studio, so it's staying. The light was difficult to photograph because of glare from the reflection of the lights. The actual block is beautiful when lit.

Chanel decal.

Detail of the top-bow and roses.

Finished block.

Finished light.

Directions for Chanel Glass Block Light:

Stamp Francisco Fashion Icon rubber stamp- available from Stamp Francisco.com
Strand of 20 mini lights-white- available from Hobby Lobby
Glass Block-available at Hobby Lobby or JoAnn
Dark Rose 1 1/2 inch grosgrain ribbon- mine is recycled from a package
Pink self-adhesive pearls and one white pearl
Prima roses-one off white and one pink
Martha Stewart Rose Leaf craft punch
Scrap of dark green card stock- a piece large enough to make three rose leaves
Staz-On Black ink
Transparency film for laser printer-available from Office Depot or Staples
Hot glue gun
Xyron Create a sticker machine
Craft Wire

1.  Wash and dry the glass block to remove any residue.

2.  Ink the Chanel stamp with the black ink. Press the stamp on the transparency film and lift the stamp straight up off the film. Don"t let the stamp shift as you stamp the image or lift the stamp away. Shifting the stamp will distort the image.

3. Trim the film, leaving approximately a 1/4 inch border around the sides and bottom of the image. Trim the Chanel name away from the top of the image.  Run the trimmed image through the Xyron machine (face up) to make a decal. Peel away the paper backing and center the decal on the glass block. and press into place.

4.  Attach a row of pink pearls above the top and below the bottom of the decal.

5. Cut a piece of rose ribbon to fit around the glass block. Glue the end of the ribbon near the opening for the light on the bottom of the block. Wrap the ribbon around the sides and the top of the block and glue the edge of the ribbon under the block near the opening for the light.

6.  Make three ribbon loops, each one slightly smaller than the previous one. Pinch the center of the loops to make a bow and secure with craft wire. Glue a white pearl to the center of the bow (over the wire).  Cut a piece of ribbon to fit over the top of the block and extend over the edges to make a streamer. Glue this to the ribbon and then glue the bow on top of the streamer.

7.  Glue the Prima roses to the top of the block in front of the ribbon.  Punch three leaves out of dark green card stock, using the rose leaf craft punch. Glue the leaves under the roses.

8.  Insert the mini lights in the block and plug the light in.

Making Embellishments With UTEE

Lately I have started to experiment with some of mixed-media products found in the craft stores. I try to set aside some time every two weeks to search for new products. Ranger Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel or UTEE was one of my finds. I purchased the Ranger Melting Pot at Hobby Lobby but couldn't find the UTEE. Michaels carries both the melting pot and UTEE but it was out of stock. Since I really wanted to do a melt art project I decided to make a trip to Photo Scraps. Photo Scraps is located in Eldersburg, Maryland and the owner Tracy stocks a variety of scrap booking and mixed-media supplies. I walked in and turned the corner and found the UTEE, not just the clear embossing powder but other colors (platinum, black and white) as well.

Photo Scraps is an independent store that stocks rubber stamps, Ranger and Tim Holtz products, scrap book supplies including Graphic 45 papers, Memory Box and various mixed-media supplies. One of the things that I really like about Photo Scraps is that Tracy and her staff are happy to special order products- try getting one of the large craft stores to do that. Don't live within driving distance or have time to take a class? No problem, Tracy will ship the supplies to you. Many of the classes offered are available as kits. Check out Photo Scraps at 1213 Liberty Road, Eldersburg, MD 21784 (Phone: 410-549-5187) but go on a day when you have time to browse.

This project uses a variety of techniques: rubber stamping, distress inks, Cricut die cuts and UTEE.

I started by stamping Lapin Jardinier (available from Stamp Francisco) on white card stock with Archival Coffee Bean ink. Next I colored the image with Derwent Color Soft pencils. Using the Cricut Ornamental Iron cartridge cut the gate of your choice at 3 inches. Cut out the Lapin Jardinier image and run it through the Xyron Create a Sticker machine and remove the paper backing. Attach the Lapin to the gate. Heat UTEE in the Ranger Melting Pot on the UTEE setting until the powder is melted. Do not stir the powder while melting or it will cause air bubbles to form. Using teflon coated craft tweezers pick up the gate and dip in the melted UTEE. Continue to move the image around until the entire piece is coated. Be careful not to touch the image while it is hot to avoid being burned. Place the coated image on a non stick craft mat and let it cool completely. The UTEE will harden as it cools. Any imperfections in the piece can be corrected by remelting the UTEE at the site of the imperfection. To do this use a heat tool on the lowest setting until the UTEE melts.

Once the piece has cooled and hardened, cut a backing of light blue card stock and glue it behind the fence.

To make the background paper use Ranger Concord Grape, Evergreen Bough, Peacock and Vintage Photo distress inks. Apply each color randomly around the paper using the foam blending pad (one for each color) and the Ranger blending tool. Use the Tim Holtz distress tool to distress the edges of the card stock and apply Vintage Photo distress ink to the edges with the blending tool. Use foam dots to adhere the gate to to card stock.

Mona Lisa Plaque

Lately I have been experimenting with Ranger's Distress Inks. I decided to use distress ink to make my own paper. I gathered up my ink pads, a stencil, white card stock, some foam blending pads and spray bottle filled with water. After applying two different colors of ink with the blending pads, I laid a stencil over the paper and applied vintage photo distress ink. Then I misted the paper with water and let the droplets dry on the paper to create a mottled effect. Now the paper is ready for use in a project.

I had a picture of the Mona Lisa and Graphic 45 Couture Collection tags laying on my drafting table. The colors in the Mona Lisa painting worked well with the distressed paper. I found a small wood panel to use as the base for the project and grabbed my trusty Mod Podge and a foam brush.

Distressed card stock.

Mona Lisa picture and distressed card stock decoupaged to wooden panel.

Finished plaque.

Directions for Mona Lisa Plaque:

Mod Podge
White card stock
Ranger Distress Inks- Broken China, Vintage Photo, and Peeled Paint
Ranger Foam Blending Pads and Blending Tool
Tim Holtz Harlequin stencil
Graphic 45 Couture Collection Tags- A girl should be two things: Classy and fabulous.
Buttons
Self Adhesive Pearls- medium and small
Small violet silk flower
 Black gesso
Art Minds medium laser shape ( 5x7)- available at Michaels
Small picture hanger

1.  Print a 3x5 image of the Mona Lisa with a laser printer. Image of Mona Lisa courtesy Leonardo Da Vinci- The Complete Works. Plain white paper works better than card stock.

2.  Trim the white paper away from the edges of the picture.

3.  Coat the wooden panel with black gesso and let it dry.

4.  Fold an 8 1/2 inch by 11 inch piece of white card stock in half. Cut the paper on the folded line. Randomly apply Broken China distress ink to the card stock with the ink blending tool. Leave areas of the card stock white. Next using a clean foam pad, apply the Peeled Paint distress ink in the white areas of the card stock. Overlap some of the blue areas and blend in a circular motion. Using a clean foam pad, apply some Vintage Photo distress ink around the edges of the card stock.

5.  Lay the Tim Holtz Harlequin stencil over the distressed card stock. Apply Vintage Photo distress ink over the stencil until the diamond shapes appear. Go over the stencil a second time with the distress ink for a darker diamond image. Remove the stencil and lightly mist the card stock with water. Let the water droplets dry on the paper for a mottled effect.

6.  After the card stock is completely dry, cut it to fit the wood panel. Apply Mod Podge to the panel and glue the card stock to the panel.  Coat the back of the Mona Lisa with Mod Podge and center the image on the panel.  Apply Mod Podge to the wood panel to seal it. When the Mod Podge is dry apply two more coats, letting it dry between coats.

7.  Punch out the Classy and Fabulous tag from the Couture Collection. Brush the back of the tag with Mod Podge and glue to the lower right corner of the wood panel, slightly overlapping the picture. Cover the entire wood panel with Mod Podge and let it dry.

8.  Attach four small pearls to the bottom of the tag and glue the silk flower to the top of the tag.

9.  Attach the medium pearls to the center of the buttons and glue the buttons to the left side of the wood panel (evenly spaced).

10.  Attach a small picture hanger to the back of the wood panel and hang.