3 B Street

A featured artist on the blog "I'm a Late Creative Bloomer", is the creator of the 3 B Street website, Laurie Barron.  3 B Street features shops where one can buy and sell goods.  It's rather new and I think it's pretty cool so I wanted to share it with you.

Take a peek through the link above or here.

Have a Wonderful day!

Tootle Loo,

D~~~~  

NOT Flying By The Seat of My Pants Anymore

A couple of posts ago, I showed a large canvas on which I was going to create a mixed media piece for the living room. I stated that I was flying by the seat of my pants with it. It was true at the time but I am now walking on the bottom of my securely grounded feet (for now).

I started on the piece with collage and paint but I could tell immediately that it was not going to be what I want for the living room wall. Even though I knew I'd add some fabric to it, that just wasn't enough. 

I kept coming back to the fact that I want all FABRIC--yummy, soft, colorful, delightful--FABRIC! So today, this is getting cut into thirds and set aside. I'll use it to create some mixed media pieces later on. 

Also, this plywood-and-plastic-drop-cloth-on-two-chairs setup was a genius idea several days ago. Around here, however, genius ideas can fade fast! This  setup is Exhibit Number 1,642,387 in my Fading Genius Idea Portfolio. Working like this was killing my back!  I can't imagine doing the entire piece using this setup and for more reasons that just my back but I'll stop there.

The solution: I need a design wall! 

Don't ya think? 

I usually work in such small formats that I have been able to use an easel with fleece thrown over a giant drawing tablet but that's about to change. Today, I'm going to move the bookshelves and all that stuff off that wall, and see if I can come up with another genius idea! Hopefully, one that won't go into my Fading Genius Idea portfolio. I guess I'll get to it now. Have a wonderful and blessed day all!

Tootles All,

D~~~~

Word of the Year

I wanted to mention my word for the year!

FOCUS!

One thing at a time.

FOCUS

Tootles,

D~~~~

The BIG Flying-By-The-Seat-of-My-Pants Project

I've never really created in a very large format but that's about to change because I'm going BIG.  I have wanted to make something for the living room wall for some time now, and that wall is very high and wide so big is necessary.  I have had a rough idea in mind for awhile now--three painted and collaged panels with lots of things on them that represent hubby and I (and maybe some items that don't).  I have been compiling a list of items to include on the piece.

My idea took a delightful and more stable turn when I saw the "Exquisite Journey" group quilt in the February/March 2013 issue of Quilting Arts magazine.  What a collaboration!  I love, love, love it!  Once I saw all that yummy colorful fabric and the cool "stuff" on it (some of the items were on my list), I knew it was my inspiration piece and I would definitely HAVE TO include fabric in this project.

   

The magazine cover shows a close up of one area of this fabulous quilt.

I cut a piece of canvas a little over six feet wide and a little more than 4 feet tall.  I added some Gesso which was a bit of a dilemma.  I knew I wasn't going to paint the entire piece but at the same time, there would be paint directly on the canvas on some areas.  Where?  I have no idea!  So I compromised and didn't cover it completely.  I did want to stiffen it up a bit so that worked out.  Eventually, it'll be cut in panels and sewn on (I think). 

After adding the Gesso, I knew that the table I had it on was not going to work so here's my solution.  It's not the best pic but you can see the lovely morning light shining on it.

My awesome hubby had a piece of wood in his shop so we propped it up on chairs and I've secured it with binder clips at the top.  It's not the perfect setup but it's way better than the thin little table I started out with.  

Okay, so here I go.  I'm flying by the seat of my pants here.  If I get lost and happen to fly past your window, please throw me a snack (or some art supplies) and point me toward home.  Have a Creatabulous Day all!

Tootle Loo Wonderful You,

D~~~~

Street-Wise Owl Collection

I recently took Jodi Ohl's "Who Are You?" online class on the Creative Workshops website.  It was a blast too!  We did four 8x10 canvases.

Here they are:

Kelsey Gettin' Kicks

Stu Stands Amongst the Stars

Olivia Does the Fashion District

The Beat Owls Rock Owlbey Road

All together.

I loved Jodi's class!  

She rocks color and I love color.  

Toot-owl-loo!

D~~~~

The Cutest Little Snowguy Ever

I have a wonderful blogger friend named Faye.  She lives in Minnesota where she makes lovely quilts and does some very cool woodworking.  Faye loves to garden and recently became a Master Gardener too!  On her blog, Behind My Picket Fence, she writes interesting and very funny blog posts that I always enjoy reading.   

Not long ago, Faye did some woodworking and whipped up the cutest snowmen for an event in her area.  She had an extra one so she did a give away on her blog and guess what?  I won!

Isn't he the cutest little guy?

As soon as he arrived, he made 

friends with Heighty and Flighty.

 I named him Doc.

He specializes in Melting Disorders!

This morning we woke up to a fabulous surprise.  

It was snowing!  

Of course, Doc wanted to go out and play.

Heighty and Flighty wanted to go too.

 Lots of goofing around took place!

Heighty, Flighty and Doc attempted 

to make snow angels but there wasn't

 enough snow to make a good one.

So they rolled around in the snow and 

laughed and laughed and laughed! 

It was a very special day and a 

grand time for these new friends!

Faye~Thank you for Doc.  I absolutely adore him!  He asked me if I can keep him safe in my freezer during the warm months and I assured him that I would.  After all, he is the expert on Melting Disorders, and who am I to argue with that kind of experience!

Tootle Loo Everyone, 

D~~~~

Who Are You? Online Class

One of my goals this year is to take more online classes.  I'm currently taking Jodi Ohl's "Who Are You?" class on the Creative Workshops website.  I love the background painting techniques and creating the whimsical owls is entirely too much fun!  Is there such a thing as too much fun?

I got an early start on my goal because this class began in December.  Of course, the holidays slowed me down a bit but I'm back to working on my four canvases now.

Here they are in progress.  

I've finally started to add details.  

First up is the underneath canvas on the right.

The link to the class is in the first paragraph above and if you're interested in visiting Jodi's blog, click here.  

Oodles of Doodles to you!

And Tootles!

D~~~~