Journaling The Garden Week 13

Tutorial: Cupcake Decorating

Having MORE FUN! with the stencils from
my NEW! Line by Stencil Girl Products.

Today, I am sharing a tutorial, using my adorable
stencil images as decoration for your Springtime
and Easter Cupcakes.


1. First, trace the bird image on to a piece of
heavy cardstock. I am using the Swallow Stencil
in the above image.


2. With a small pair of embroidery scissor, cut
out the bird shape.


3. Using your favorite color of acrylic paint, cover
both sides of the bird shape.


4. Once dry, punch to small holes- one at the top,
one at the bottom. Make sure the holes are in a
straight line.


5. Using a cocktail toothpick, thread the toothpick
through the two punched holes. The bird shape may
bow just a little.


6. Finally, place the decorative bird toothpick in the
center of the cupcake.


YUMMY! And Beautiful too...


Order both the Song Birds and Swallows Stencil Sheets...HERE.

HAPPY SPRING!!!

In The Studio - Portraits Galore!

It's a busy time here in the studio, I have been
painting just a few beautiful treasures to offer
at Artfest Vendor Night.

Each one an original, decorated with vintage lace
and finished to perfection in aged antique metal
frames.









If you are coming to the Artfest Vendor Night,
be sure to stop by my table and pick out your
favorite little portrait to take home for your
very own...See You There!

Journaling The Garden Week 12

Inspired by the grid of paint chips of Spring colors
that I collected from my recent trip to the hardware
store, I decided to create a similar grid background
for my latest journal page.




Once the grid was painted, I added a bit of sparkle
with some gold leafing to help offset the very matte
paint.


Using Daniel Smith Gold Metallic Powder Watercolor
and spritzing the page with Glimmer Mist in Iridescent
Gold was the perfect way to bridge the wide gap between
the matte paint and shiny gold leaf.

GO AHEAD... STENCIL YOUR He-ART OUT!

These first days of Spring have been filled with joyous
excitement, as I can hardly wait to share my news with you.

It began with the delivery of a large envelope containing
the evidence of another dream realized. Carefully packaged
inside were my NEW Stencils - Song Birds and Swallows
by Stencil Girl Products!!!

I AM SERIOUSLY IN LOVE WITH THESE STENCILS!!!


They are beyond adorable, and I have been playing with
them non-stop. I started creating garlands to decorate
the bookshelves in my studio.



Next, I stenciled a sparrow on muslin with acrylic paint,
then stitched a little heart and tea-dyed the background.


Finally, I stitched the little sparrow fabric to the front of a
lavender-filled piillow. PERFECT! as a decorative accent.

My mind is simply a whirl with ideas... so more to come!

I just could not be more proud of this product. Made from
7 mil mylar, a plastic film that is heat resistant. The stencils
are thick enough to be strong and long lasting, yet they are
thin enough to provide a seamless look in your art. The
stencils are also laser cut - can you say precision!! - right
here in the USA.

You can use the stencils with paint or texture medium (Wood
Icing rocks). They will work with encaustic products and you
can clean them on your hot palette if you are quick about it.
Use them for rubbings or as a template for drawing, incising
or stitching.

I know you going to LOVE with them, as much as I do!!! Order here.

The Wonder Of It All

There is something magical to behold on every
journey...following the daily happenings, changes,
progress from the very beginning.

Only a week ago, two small House Finches began
gathering all manner of remnants from the
surrounding land.

Even from my basement studio, I could hear their
cheerful song, as they collected found treasures,
that were left in a sort-of heap, amidst the branches
of my front door wreath. By end of week, this mass
of materials were woven into a cozy nest.

And if you look carefully, you will see bits of colorful
yarn tucked in and around, as part of this wonder!

Journaling The Garden Week 11

Before mid-week there was not an outdoor bloom
to be seen. But I satisfied my Springtime longings,
making a visit to the local floral shop, taking home
several bundles of Tulips to create an indoor garden.

I adore having live flowers in the house, carefully
arranged in my favorite white pitcher in the kitchen
and also a vintage white vase in my studio.

Beautiful bursts of color to cheer, inspire me
to the arrival of this new season, and a new
subject to capture in the Garden Journal.


I always start with a rough pencil sketch on muslin,
then paint a base coat of acrylic.


My favorite part is adding the details to the subject
making everything really come to life and "POP!".



I can hardly wait to visit the city's Botanical Gardens
soon, where there will be quite a gathering of Tulips
on parade. As well as traveling south to Belle Plaines,
Kansas for the annual Tulip Festival on April 14th.

BUNNIES, BEES, and BIRDS... OH MY!

I have updated my shop with NEW goodies!

There are fabrics from my new collection,
Garden Tales by Windham Fabrics and other
treasures.

To celebrate this Grand Re-Opening, I am
having a Sale!!!

See below for details...

Grand Re-opening SALE!

Buy two item, get 10% off.
Buy three items, get 15% off.
Buy four or more items, get 20% off.


*Please write "Grand Re-Opening" in your notes
to seller to receive a refund through PayPal. This
sale does not apply to shipping, tax, or previous
purchases.

This offer applies to all items in the store thru
Midnight EST on Sunday, March 25.

Tutorial: Painting Bird's Egg

Watching little birds build a nest in the wreath
on my front door has me inspired by the arrival
of the Spring. I invite you to create along with me.


1. Cut a piece of 200-thread count bleach muslin
fabric and draw the outline of a bird's egg


2. Take your favorite brand of acrylic paints,
and apply a base color of cream or warm white


3. Once the base coat is dry, paint a top coat
to match the color of the bird's egg.


4. Once the top coat is dry, use white paint for highlighted
areas and raw umber or indigo blue paint for shadowy areas.
Build up each area with thin layers of paint and water, called
a wash, to achieve a sense of depth.


5. Most bird eggs have spotted or streaked markings.
One way to add subtle spotting to the egg is with a technique
call spattering. Using a warm brown color, thin the paint down
with water, dip a small stencil brush into the paint/water mixture
then use a finger to bend the brush bristles toward the body and
release.

*Be careful to cover and protect areas not to be spattered.


6. Add additional marks by using the side of the paint brush,
a skewer, toothpick, and small dowels.