November 26, 2011

Merry Christmas Tree

I just recently started playing with watercolors and this is my first piece. The background was created with watercolors and I free-hand drew the stylized tree with a Zig Brushable. After creating the tree, I used the same method that I recently learned in an online Letter Lab class to widen various areas of it, and create the "Merry Christmas" text. The tree and text were finished off with a bit of glitter paint and a Sharpie.

The photo really makes the glitter stand out maybe more than it does when you see it live and in person. Doesn't the term "live and in person" make it sound as if the piece is making personal appearances? Well, it certainly does not make personal appearances at this time. Should it learn to sing Christmas carols, I will see to it that it goes on a world tour!



The Letter Lab class that I took was fabulous! It was taught by Lori Vliegen and her lettering is amazing! The class definitely helped me with my lettering, and opened up an entirely new world for me that I'm very excited about! I do love text and being able to make it look pretty just increases my joy! Click here to go to Lori's blog and see her spectacular work. She also has a link to the Letter Lab class on her sidebar if anyone is interested.

As I mentioned, the picture came out a bit too glittery.  Does anybody know how to mute down the shine in a piece like this without altering the rest of it? I may have to figure that out when I have some time which is not now.

I really like Christmas trees and I'm thinking about letting this piece be my first in a series.

Merry Creating Y'all!
D~~~~

November 15, 2011

2011~International Quilt Festival in Houston

The weekend before last I attended the Quilt Fest in Houston. I was only able to be there from 10:15 to about 3:30 on Saturday so I was like a whirlwind blowing through that place. There was way too much to see in too little time but I was happy to be there!

This post is to share some pics but first let me apologize for the quality of some of these, and especially the information sheets. I used my iPhone and tried to keep a steady hand but have you ever seen a steady whirlwind?  I need to take a different camera next time.

I bought this 8.5" x 11.5" art quilt from the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative booth. It's a national grassroots effort to raise awareness and fund research through art. I'm going to make some quilts to contribute to it next year in honor of Mom and everyone else who suffers (or will suffer) from this horrible disease.


This one was made by Julie Sefton from Barlett, Tennessee and is entitled Fireworks. The Artist Statement reads: "Fireworks filled the night sky, mixing with reflections from the houses across the lake. Explosions of indigo, egyptian, cerulean and aquamarine. Memories like these should be forever - so I stitch for AAQI." She made it in honor and memory of her mother using Superior glitter thread and free motion quilting. Of course, the bling caught my attention! 


As usual, there was all kinds of glorious stuff!
Colorful, life-size horses!
They were pretty!

 A quilted SUV cover!
That's not something you see every day.
Info


Then there were dolls.
Lots of personality here.

A mermaid doll

And more dolls.

Clothes

Santas!
These were awesome!
The Santa makers buy vintage quilts to use 
in the Santas, and the only place they sell 
them is at this quilt fest every year!

 I think this was a cross stitch booth but I
didn't see anyone looking cross or stitching!

There was LOTS of jewelry

This fabric jewelry was neat but it's
hard to really see it from the pic.
Click here to go to her website
for a much better view.

And more jewelry!


Of course, there were tons of fabulous quilts!
Tis the season!
I think this one won $7,500.
Info

This is cool and contains some human hair!
 Info

 This serene quilt caught my attention right away.
I have a friend who lived in Kemah
 and it's a very neat place!
 Info

Beautiful!
 Info


Quite spectacular!
 Info


So full of color!
Blurry but legible  


I didn't get the name of the person 
who made this quilt but I love it. 
Oh how I wish it would snow!
I just want to stare at it and pretend.

Cute!
 Info

More cute.
More Info

The Twelve by Twelve exhibit was really cool!
It's a group of 12 artists that make a 
12"x12" quilt each month based on a theme.
This was the orange theme.  

And can you guess 
the color of this theme?
So fun!
Loved this exhibit.
For more Twelve By Twelve pics and info, click here.

Finally, I have to share this Artist's Village.
It was so neat, and I loved it!
I'd seen these houses on blogs and I think in a
magazine but it was so much better in person.

More blurry info
I think I was blowing through a back flip on this one!

This was just the very tip of the quilt fest iceberg. 
I could have whirled around there for days and days!
Next year, I just might do that too.

Creative Tuesday to you!
D~~~~

November 2, 2011

Art Journal~Page 3

I finished my 3rd art journal page! Can you tell that I've takin' a likin' to eyes? I wondered how they would look growing on springs in a garden. Doesn't everybody wonder that?  Here's my answer. I'm pleased as punch with the page, and I had a grand time making it!  I see more eyes in my future.


I ordered the two books below and was excited when they arrived yesterday! 

The first book, Journal Bliss is by Violette Clark. I've been reading her colorful blog for awhile now. I really enjoy her happy journal pages so I knew I would find even more joy amidst the fun-filled pages of her book. I love the cute cover too!

In reading Violette's blog, I learned about a free Raw Art Journaling webinar held by Creative Coach Quinn McDonald on October 20th. I attended the webinar and found it very uplifting and interesting! It left me wanting more so I ordered her book too. I've also started following her blog. You can check out Violette's blog here and Quinn's blog here.

I can't decide which book to read first because they both appear to be chock full of fun stuff. I think I'll flip a coin to decide.

I'm attending the International Quilt Festival in Houston this weekend, and I can't wait!  It's always such a blast!

Joyful Creations to you!
D~~~~