Farewell to Summer

It's been a wonderful summer, and as the sun begins to set earlier and the mornings grow chillier, I'm not ready to see it go. School begins next week, and the only reason why I'm anxious for classes to commence is so I can be finished with the full-time job I've been temping this past month. I'm greatly looking forward to having more time for studying, thinking, and creating.

While walking yesterday through a meadow on a gorgeous Indian summer afternoon, I was inspired to paint summer's fading glow:

Mixed Media

My husband, who works at the seminary library where I attend, brought home this unneeded book of organ sheet music a while ago. I've been using the pages to create some mixed media work. Imagine my surprise when I recently found out that the book sells for around $90!
I painted a sheet of music with watercolor paints and added some glitter. Look at what I came up with:

I have been very inspired by mixed media lately! I'm already rolling up my sleeves and planning another one... :)

Review: Sewing Made Easy(er)

I love the look of sewn cards but don't own a sewing machine to create them. I've recently begun sewing my Starbucks coffee albums, but pushing a little needle through stiff cardboard is not easy on the fingers. Ouch.

When I saw that Making Memories recently came out with a product to make sewing paper items easier, I immediately placed it in my shopping cart. Finally, something to make sewing through thick paper and (hopefully) cardboard much easier!
Several different shops and video reviews said that this here tool would pierce through paper, allowing the user to simply sew through the holes. I don't know what they were thinking, but this is definitely misleading. The "Sew Easy piercer" does NOT pierce anything whatsoever- not even thin computer paper. It does, on the other hand, make small impressions in the paper that serve as a guideline.

I was definitely disappointed. This was not what I was expecting. My stitching is neat to begin with, so I don't really need a guide. Plus, given the nature of the head on the piercer, it's impossible to use a straight-edge to create a perfectly level stitch line. If your line slopes up or down, you can create another impression, but there will be awkward dots where you messed up.

That said, if you can sew neatly, don't bother with buying this item. If you would like a guide to help you sew by hand, this might be your thing.

Here are some cards I created and added some stitching for nice finishing touches:

(this card was made using the tool, which is why some of the stitching isn't straight)

Cute triangular stitches :)

Creative Therapy

Since this was my first weekend without any schoolwork, I went completely craft crazy! I am especially drawn to bright summery colors lately. Here's what I created out of that Starbucks cup (by the way, Starbuck's Coconut Mocha is my new favorite drink -- yum!).



And here is a sample card that I made. I think I probably made about 30 cards this weekend (but more on that later).
What are some of your creative summer plans??

Therapy

It has been SO long since I've blogged here, let alone done any artwork. Hello, schoolwork. The good news is, I just completed my first year of graduate work (yay!) and now am switching my brain to the creative side for the summer. Oh, art, how I have missed you!

On Friday, my first day of summer vacation, I took a trip to the local art store to pick up some therapeutic supplies.

A delicious cup of Starbucks coffee (Coconut mocha - oh. my. goodness.), kraft cards, ribbon and embroidery thread

I've been recovering all weekend and am anxious to show you all of the things I have been creating in a later post. :) I love summer!

A Change of Pace

Lately I have been setting the paintbrushes aside in order to undertake another project - a shoujo manga (Japanese romance comic) for teenage girls. I began this manga when I was in eighth grade and continued it during high school. Once I entered college, I set it aside to focus on my studies. I am just now picking it back up.

I've been especially motivated to draw this again because of all of the filth that is contained in manga for girls today. A quick trip to the bookstore will tell you just how few wholesome mangas there are. Sometimes I think that we shouldn't wait until God calls us to do something but should just fill a need when we see one.

You can read the comic at its main website (http://www.christyscomics.com) or through TokyoPop (http://www.tokyopop.com/Latreia/manga/3182024.html). You can also "like" Send Me an Angel's page on Facebook and receive news and updates (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Send-Me-an-Angel-Manga).

The Spanglish Eclectic Cow

A few weeks ago I had the delight of creating a super eclectic mixed media painting. The nicest woman requested this painting for her little girl who has a fondness for cows and kitties. This was such a fun change of pace for me from the more neutral, minimalistic art styles that are popular right now. It's always so refreshing to be challenged as an artist. Plus, I just adore bright colors. A cow + kitty + paper mache + bright colors + mixed media goodness... Here's the end result!
And I was thrilled when the client sent me a picture of her daughter with the painting. Isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen? The little one even had the idea to add one of her hair bows to the cow. ADORABLE!!

Ever since, I've been really inspired to experiment with more textures and colors... Interested to see what I'll come up with. Hands down, this has been the best commission ever. :)