Painting with PanPastel -- Yikes! A Landscape!

Yes, ladies and Gents, I stepped out of my comfort zone to create a landscape last night during my USTREAM broadcast!   I was a little nervous creating it live to the world but I'm so happy I did!  Now I can go into tomorrow's "Paint the Grand" event (where I will be painting on an easel along side the Grand River) with a little more confidence!  *smile*

Here's last night's broadcast!   Enjoy!   AND THANK YOU to all who joined me live last night!  It was a HOOT!

Lovely Knots - Chinese Knotting Cord Blog Hop

Hello everyone!
Today I am happy to be participating in a fun blog hop hosted by my friend, Carmi Cimicata, for Dazzle - It!

Carmi challenged us to work with Dazzle-It's new "Lovely Knots" Chinese Knotting Cord and book "Lovely Knots - an introduction to Chinese Knotting" by Fernando DaSilva.

Those who know me well are chuckling now...   they know that I'm not too patient with "knotty" things.  *smile*   But, here is what I created:  a necklace that uses 2  of the knots in Fernando DaSilva's  book.  YAY!

The "focal" knot is a variation of Fernando DaSilva's "Good Luck Knot".    This is one of those knots that looks complicated but if you break it down, follow the steps, you'll see it's actually quite easy to do.   Now, I must admit, I did have a little help.  My daughter is a Sea Cadet and knows her knots!   She did help me a bit with this. It was her that gave me the idea to pull the four smaller loops out a little more to make it a little more floral looking - like one of my flower doodles *smile*.  Love it!

The "chain" embellishment was created by threading beads and securing them with 2 "Button Knots"  on either side .

My tip here...   I found it easier to work with smaller loops than is showed in the book.   I still need to practice this, but I found it much easier to tighten the knot with smaller loops.  Made is less messy.  Otherwise, it's all good and I love how it turned out!  I think I might just wear it today! *smile*

Thanks Carmi, for the challenge.   I am always encouraging people to step out of their box - thanks for making me do the same!   I think I might have to try some more!!

Have a creative day everyone - Go ahead!   Try something new!!!

I'm in awe...

...of this wonderful lady and this gorgeous piece of art she made!   It's simply spectacular!

Inspired by a photograph of her sister (shown below), this large canvas was plastered, etched and painted with Silks - like she did in my "Plastered Luminescence" class earlier this year.  It's to be her sister's wedding gift.  WOW.   Simply Wow!

Love what you created, Stephanie!  Thank you so much for bringing it into the studio to show me.   I wish everyone reading this could have that experience as this picture does not do it justice.  It is truly luminescent and magnificent!

Have a creative day everyone - I know I will....   because I am truly INSPIRED

Bowling Pin Art

If you watch my USTREAM videos, you'd know that I am participating in a " Mixed Media Art Contest" put on by the brand new bowling alley opening here ( Kingpin Bowlounge ) at Bingeman's.

Well, here's my finished piece.

The pins will be on display throughout the summer and will be auctioned off for charity at a later date.   How fun, right?

I created this pin using the same techniques I use in my "Plastered Luminescence" class - etching into plaster, then painting with Silks by LuminArte.  The flower petals are Japanese Tissues coated with resin.   Yippee!!!

Have a creative day!!

Don't Hold Back - Canvas Collage USTREAM Broadcast

Well, I didn't think I could record this broadcast...  but I was able to!  YAY

Friday evening was the Mayor's Celebration of the Arts and since my studio is located near the festivities I thought I'd broadcast from the window of my studio.  LOL   That was fun.  If nothing else, I caused a little stir!  hehe

This is what I created.....

A little departure for me...   kinda back to my ol' grungy self - which I loved!

Thanks for joining me live on Friday!  Hope you had fun too!   Here's the broadcast in it's entirety.

Make sure you do something creative today!

Susan's Garden Dies and Anna Dabrowska's Designs

I am counting the days when Anna Dabrowska returns to the Art House Studio next month!  I can't wait to host her in my new studio and play with some fun techniques.

Today I noticed that Anna posted about some projects she created with the new Sizzix flower die line - "Susan's Garden".  I had to share that with you here.

These projects were not only created with the Sizzix dies that create gorgeous dimensional flowers (that I just happen to carry here in the studio *wink*), they also use some of the papers from her line with Polish paper company - 7 Dots Studio.  A paper line that I also might just carry AND just happen to have on sale this week in the studio and online!  HA!

These projects were downloaded faster than I can say "download".    

 Link to Projects by Anna and Daria Pneva 

So, above is the link to the projects by Anna and some really super cute projects by Daria Pneva too!  I hope you check them out and enjoy!

I do have some of the Susan's Garden dies in stock.  You will find them here:

And Here is the link to our 7 Dots Studio papers (Sale ends June 30)

....and check out the rest of the paper sale too!!   40- 70% off all our in-stock scrapbook papers is ON NOW!

Have fun creating!

Join us tonight! Mayor's Celebration of the Arts

I will be broadcasting live on USTREAM in the window of my studio (Studio will be open) during this event!  YAY!   COME ON BY!!   Say HI  and enjoy the event!