Me, Owww...

There are some times in your life where you just feel like being snarky.... but you still want to look cute doing it. Meow.

Thoughtful Thursdays: I Got Your Back!

Did you ever wish you could attach a cute little 3D embellishment to your project but were reluctant because it was hollow in the back with only a very thin edge? I know I've asked myself, "how can I do this and be sure it's going to stay put?" Well, I'm going to share with you my special method! So... here we go...

Step 1: Grab your embellishment and protect your work table with a non-stick surface. Here I'm using Ranger's Non-Stick Craft Sheet. 

Step 2: Tear up small pieces of paper towel. Paint one piece with a gel medium on both sides. Make sure it's nice and saturated, but not drippy. I'm using Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi-Medium, also from Ranger.

Step 3: Next you're going to take your gel medium-soaked piece of paper towel and "stuff" it inside your embellishment. You can use a toothpick to make sure it's pushed into all the little nooks and crannies.

Continue painting your pieces of paper towel with gel medium and pushing them into the back of your embellishment until they are even with the back edge of the charm (you can even turn it over onto your non-stick surface for one final "push" to make sure the paper towels are nice and even). Let this dry overnight.

Step 4: So now your embellishment is ready to securely be added to whatever surface you like. Here is the necklace that's waiting for it's little brass kitty cat. Put a glob of gel medium onto the backside of your "stuffed" embellishment and put in place. Don't press it all the way onto your piece too hard. Place it so that there is just a wee bit of "breathing room" for the medium. You'll get a much better hold that way, as all your glue won't all squish out from underneath your charm.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this process as I know I did when I tried it. Opens up a whole new set of possibilities!

Thoughtful Thursdays: Hmmmmm....

Sometimes.... there's just not a whole lot to talk about.

Thoughtful Thursdays: Excited About Cleaning!

Okay, well... you may not notice it, but there is cat hair covering every inch of this house. Holy moly! After 3 weeks... 13 Tillie pillows, 6 knock-down dolls and 10 carnival assemblages... I have to tell you that the household chores were neglected in the worst way. I think I've done dishes 4 times in the last 2 weeks... haven't done laundry at all... and the dusting... well, all I can say is... Achooo!

So, I'm actually looking forward to cleaning this house from top to bottom. Making messes is fun when it pertains to art, but too many messes make my head cluttered! A clean house will give me a clean slate to think up and work on my next round of projects.

What strange and unusual things are you looking forward to?

Thoughtful Thursdays: Furry, Four-Legged Friends!

If you've ever had a feline friend or a canine companion... you know what it's like to have unconditional love. And who doesn't want that? But for an artist, having a furry, four-legged friend can also be a source of creative inspiration! Here is my muse I like to call Juliet...

She loves to help me put the laundry away. Hmmmm... may have to wash those sweaters again!

We also enjoy hanging out on the upstairs deck, watching birds and bugs fly by. I have to keep an eye on her because she likes to sneak through the banister to the neighbor's porch. Bad kitty! But so cute. Okay... you're forgiven.

Kitties also make great artists assistants! Paper... they'll sit on it. Brushes... they'll bat them around. Jars of paint... oh, they make great toys because they ROLLLLLL!

They love to surprise you in so many special ways. Oh, my goodness! What have we here? A kitty IN the laundry basket.

And after a hard day's work... they are right there to let you know what a great job you've done. Don't they just look so adorable doing it!

Do you have any pets that inspire you? Do tell...

An Odd Bird...

Feel like an odd bird lately... with my head in the clouds... Cleaning and organizing the house because I have to... Longing to create because I want to... Needing to exercise to feel fit again... And wanting time for relaxation to recharge... Life isn't stopping to give me enough time for all of this... My head is spinning... What's an odd bird to do?

Drawing From Life...

Played around a little more with my Petit Dolls I learned to draw with Suzi Blu. Even though it's past Halloween... I really wanted to try drawing costumes... and I pleasantly surprised myself. I liked it so much I even gave her a little companion mousey...

But... I must confess... after this, I tried to practice some more... but did not like what I had drawn. I tried a little harder... and changed up my technique a bit. But sometimes you just have to step away. And I'm learning! Learning to let go of preconceived notions... of outcomes... of perfectionism... and of being my own worst critic! Doing something new and having it take time to get right is the perfect kind of therapy for me at this time in my life! And I'm embracing it...

Art As Therapy...

Since attending the Art & Soul retreat in Hampton, Virginia, I have been on this "high" from being so free to create, create, create. Having been through such a difficult year, I found that I am at my best when I am immersed in the process of creativity.

So I have decided that I will use this "elixir" to my advantage and when I am feeling sad, mad, angry, depressed, or anything else that I'd like to break out of... that I am going to create. I'm going to draw, or paint, or watercolor, or sketch, or collage... because that is where I find my joy.

My original thought was to create a cupcake—my favorite subject matter to draw and to eat!—in as many different ways and styles to suit my moods. But on the first night, my sweet Juliet was curled up on the couch and I couldn't help but draw her and paint my sketch with watercolors. I'm really digging this newfound escape. So, there will be more to come...

Time To Take Down The Christmas Tree...

Okay, so do you think I love my kitties or something? With all the air time they've gotten on my blog lately, you'd think so! But this one was just too precious to pass up.

Time To Do...Laundry?

Oh, don't give me that innocent look! This is just one of the unexpected things I find when I look in expected places. You've gotta love the element of surprise. And hey, the cuteness factor doesn't hurt either.