Banners, Lights, and JOY!

Oooooohhhhh, hurry up, nightfall!

I want to see the lights...

And, the colorful banner!!!

Today I completed my banner project.

I "colored" the last two pennants this morning, while sipping my coffee.

Then, it was time to heat set each pennant. I used paper towels to cover the colored side of the pennants, and ironed over the paper towel in a slow, circular motion. Done!

I took it a step further!

I coated each pennant with liquid gel medium. Because I want to use the pennants for outdoors (under a covered patio), I felt that a little extra protection would be helpful! Living In the country, my big concern is the dust.

I hung the pennants to dry...

Oh, my... How fun is this?!!!

In the meantime, I cut strips of canvas and painted them, using acrylic paints. (I later glued them to the pennants with a heavy duty glue, to create the "hanger thingys").

 

Love!!!!

I had a great time doing this silly project! That's the most important thing...

Whether silly or not, if you are enjoying the process and the results leave you smiling, then it was well worth it!

I hung the pennants directly onto a rope light!

We are into lighting around here.

The arch gate to my secret garden even wears lights!

I considered hanging the banner there, but it's a bit far away from the patio. The bold colors just wouldn't show up to my liking at a distance.

You can bet that we will be dancing and giggling under the lighted banner soon...

My girly friend,Lori,arrives here tomorrow!!!!

Blessings to you!

XO

 

Tutorial Time! (Pressed flowers & mixed media)...

Ooooohhhhh! Don't you just love trying new things and adding interesting elements to your projects?

With all of the lovely flowers in bloom, here is a fun project for you to start on now...

And finish months, or even a year later...

Guilt free!

So, grab a pretty basket, some scissors, and garden gloves and seek out some flowers for clipping! (I do not recommend clipping your neighbor's flowers). If this step jut cannot happen for you, or doesn't appeal to you at all... Just drop by a grocery store or florist, and purchase a small bouquet.

You may wish to enjoy your flowers for awhile, in a vase, or, you can hang them upside down using a rubber band, clothes pins, yarn, and allow some drying time. Just don't allow your flowers to become too dry and brittle. I took my flowers directly from the vase once I noticed that some of them were dropping petals. I did not want to risk losing the vivid colors.

 

I placed my flowers into a flower press.

Now, I realize that not everyone has a flower press just sitting around. You don't really need one. Simply lay your flowers on a paper towel or chipboard, add another paper towel or chipboard on top. ( I recommend the chipboard. If using paper towels, you may want to double up).

Next, sandwich your drying flowers in a big pile of heavy books. (Books, flowers, more books on top).

Walk away for 6 months to a year! ( honestly, I cannot tell you when your flowers will be dry because I completely forgot about mine... Until a year later)!

When I did remember them...

They were fabulous!!!!

 

Paul had given me this bright, cheery bouquet and I so wanted to keep a few of the flowers!

I decided that the perfect place for these flowers would be in my art journal.

So, I jazzed it up a bit by painting some quick watercolor flowers onto a page.

To adhere and seal the flowers onto the art journal page, I used this wonderful product from Golden.

I apply it with a paintbrush, first onto the page itself. I lay down the flowers and then applied a top coat of gel medium.

 

As I was doing this, MORE ideas came into my already cluttered mind!

Pressed flowers in picture frames, on wedding album covers...

Flowers on wooden plaques and given as gifts!!!! Hmmmm. How about putting pressed flowers on porcelain objects such as vases or those premade Christmas ornament blanks? I get so excited just thinking about it!!!! Oh, the possibilities!

For now, I am quite happy with the results in my art journal...

 

The gel will dry clear.

Once it has completely dried, I will add some words either with acrylic paint or a Sharpie pen.

I hope that you too, will enjoy pressing flowers and coming up with blooming projects of your own!

Have fun!

Until next time...

XO

 

How to Draw a Cup of Tea...

Wanna draw a cup of tea with me?

It's really quite simple!

All you need is a piece of paper ( I chose watercolor paper), a pencil with eraser, a black Micron pen, a paintbrush, and watercolors.

 

1. Draw an oval. If you want to look down into a cup, your oval will be wider. If looking up at your cup, a thinner oval. I'm going to keep this tutorial very basic, providing you with just a general idea. We will discuss more on perspective another day!

 

2. Now draw the sides of your cup.

 

3. Add the bottom, keeping your line somewhat curved.

 

4. Draw the handle. I always think of the human ear when drawing handles!

 

5. Draw the inner handle line, eyeballing the width. You don't want a cup or mug handle that is so thick, one could not slip fingers through it to hold!

 

6. Now add your "coffee" or "tea" line. Leave room for cream!

7. If you want to, you may pencil in very soft markings where you plan to leave white. Some artists prefer to use masking fluid. I have tried several brands and types... It just doesn't serve me well and bottles end up in the trash can because they dried up.

Ok. Now you have a mug (or tea cup) drawing. You could begin painting it now.

Or

Why not shake things up a bit and transform this chunky mug into an elegant teacup with curves?

 

8. Just erase and repeat the steps, only this time, YOU be the designer and create your own teacup. Add a base and a thinner handle with some swirls!

 

9. Let's add some color... Or shall I say, tea!

I'm using an aqua brush. They hold and release water as you paint, keeping your paper damp and watercolors flowing evenly. These brushes come in various sizes. If you often paint on the go, you may want to buy one... Or two... Or all sizes! You will discover that each size is very useful!

 

Oooooohhhhh!!!! How about a bright pink teacup?

I'm also using my portable Koi watercolor set, perfect for patio painting! Can you guess where I am sitting?!!!

By layering watercolor applications you can create darker areas and shadows.

 

10. These next steps are totally optional and you may tune me out at any time and choose your own path! Good for you!!!!

I am going to use my Micron pen to outline my teacup. I don't always like dark lines so I only use it when I want a more illustrated look, not a realistic look. I mainly use my Microns in my art journal. These pens will not bleed when used with wet mediums. Love, love, love my Micron pens- all tip sizes!

11. I want to create a pattern on my teacup. I simply dip my brush into a dark color of paint ( one that I think will look nice with bright pink)...

Then by using the side of the brush, I randomly push down, making petal-like marks on the teacup.

12. Once the lowers have dried, I outline them with the Micron pen.

 

Doodle until your heart is content!

13. Go make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy!

Blessings! XO