"Art In Flight" My Main Blog!

MAKING AN OWL

2011-12-29T19:24:00.000-08:00

Made an owl for a school project with my niece!

This owl comes complete with eggs in the nest.

We had to trim all the feathers outside and it looked like a bird was killed on our lawn.

His big google eyes were so funny!

This owl was made with a Styrofoam ball carved a little bit for shape. Then we added wire wings and tail. Next we glue gunned tons of feathers. We cut the feathers for more shape. Finally google eyes and sponge beak complete the owl. At first he the owls didn't look like it was going to be a good one but we hung in there and committed to the design. Finally it looked good after the last feather trim. I love owls! Owls are my favorite. On at least one of my new paintings I think I will add some owls. New show coming up in April. I need 30+ paintings for the gallery. Whew, now I need to make sure to take pictures as I go for this darn blog! :)

TIME TO REELLAAXXXX!

2011-12-17T16:15:00.000-08:00

Try something new and be inspired,

hang out with friends,

don't get bored,


eat lots of junk!

After all the soap making and all the bazaars trying to sell soap I am looking forward to NOT MAKING SOAP! Time to hang out and be silly.....but I can't wait to use my gift certificates and get something new at Blick for my paintings. I have a meeting with Rose Spring Gallery on the 27th. I need at least one new painting for that. Well not need but really want!

CHRISTMAS SOAP!

2011-12-15T19:33:00.000-08:00

All the elves at Trendy Soap have been working hard to create the perfect soapy gift!

So busy I can't stand myself.

Can't wait for some time to relax :)

BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON

2011-11-28T15:17:00.001-08:00

Bazaars with my Sis!

Getting Trendy Soap business going.

Aren't the cupcakes cute?

Those signs were harder than one would think to make!

Sketching some chickens.

Making my penguins...who are afraid of birds by the way.

Celebration my oldest, Andy's 15th *14 NOT 15 I always jump ahead!* birthday! So fun!

MOONSTRUCK CHOCOLATE!

2011-11-11T07:59:00.001-08:00

I had an art reception on October 7th at Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe in Beaverton Oregon! What a great experience. So many great people came to hang out and give me support. Since then I've sold about five paintings and it looks like I can have my paintings up on Moonstrucks' walls for most of November.

Teddy is gone and so is Big Balls. So so so glad!

I'm glad that Enchanted, top left, is NOT gone and hopefully it won't sell. It's priced pretty high. It's my fav. :)

My SIL, Denise is admiring Big Balls. Wish I had a good picture of that painting. I forgot to photograph it before I hung it. Honestly, I didn't think anything would actually sell.

Moonstruck provided us with yummy chocolate fondue!

John and Cheryl hanging out!

The boys, always there to support me!

Goofing around with my family. As usual!

Paul and one of his besties grabbing coffee and making me feel loved.

We were also provided free chocolate samples!

KATHY! Hugs Kathy. :)

Finally, Karen and I. Karen you are a great friend!

Many thanks to Paul, Andy, Tommy, Peg, Tod, Mark, Minh, Tina, Gabe, Blake, Seth, Tim, Denise, Hayley, Hayden, Curt, Shannon and Family, Karen and Family, Christie and Family, Kathy, Mark, John and Cheryl!

CHRISTMAS SEASON IS COMING!

2011-11-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

Halloween was so great this year! Not sure why? Maybe all the scary movies and festivities. It seems like there were more than the usual "fun things" to do this year for the scary season. I LOVE scary! The haunted houses are still too scary but we made it to a haunted corn maze. We thought we made it all the way through the maze when we were chase by a masked chainsaw "killer" across the field at the end. Whew, that was fun!

My paintings are still hanging in the Moonstruck Cafe. Not sure if anything has sold. I'm to chicken to ask and they haven't called so I assume nothing is selling. BUT I have to look at it like an opportunity and just having them hang around at the cafe is an accomplishment....so she tells herself. :)

cranberry pomegranate

Also, getting ready for the first bazaar of the season. I have some amazing new products and fragrances. The favorite this year is still the cranberry pomegranate. Such a sweet fruity scent! I'm off to make some lotion to match some of the soap fragrances. Here I go.....

WHAT'S UP?

2011-10-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

This is called "Steampunk" this is one of the painting I was working on for the Moonstruck Chocolate art reception.

The new "Big Balls" painting but it's not finished. I forgot to get a picture before I hung it in the cafe!

Here it is hanging...with Andy.

Here is the original "Big Balls" now named "Tammy" that's the girl who loves this painting!

I was so busy with this art reception. I got 25 paintings framed and on display at Moonstruck Chocolate in Beaverton Oregon. NOW for something completely different.... I am getting the soap done for the Christmas bazaars. Trendy Soap.com is doing really well so far. I'm excited about the lotions this year and I'm thinking about adding lip gloss next year.

TREETASTIC

2011-10-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite painting so far....

THIS is my favorite painting so far....I realize I need a new camera. It's getting more and more tricky to get a crisp picture.

Love the owls!

Each new painting is my favorite painting for about 20min. after I'm finished. Then I just want to get rid of it. I usually love the painting I'm working on but the feeling doesn't last long. My sis loves her paintings forever. She is sad to let them go and always feels like she needs to make two of everything so she can keep one for herself. I'm an odd person.

I have an art reception coming up Friday 5-7 October 7th at Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe in Beaverton. Very excited and nervous about that! I've never had my painting hang somewhere public.

Here is a better picture of the Owls 18! I think that's what I will name this painting.

I don't know how these professional bloggers do it? I don't have time to paint, take pics, upload, then blog about what I'm up too....everyday? Wow, they sure are impressive to me. :)

PEPPERMINT SPARKLE

2011-09-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

Peppermint Sparkle!

This is the most refreshing soap. Such a great peppermint scent! Really strong so I have to keep it away from the other soaps. It's quarantined.

I love the sparkle. Duh!

Rockstar is my new afternoon energy drink. Instead of coffee. Only 40 calories in the sugar free kind. :)

I would have crinkle cut the peppermint soap but I broke the metal in half under the wooden handle. Which torqued the whole cutter. Lucky I got a discount for another one from Brambleberry. I'm a really whimpy person so I'm shocked I was able to break it!!

CRANBERRY POMEGRANATE CUPCAKES

2011-09-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

These were fun to make!

There's a purple layer on the bottom and hot pink on top.


After letting the purple completely cool and set I added the soap buttons then poured a layer of hot pink on top.

I made the soapy buttons with one of these molds used for fondant.

I found out the key to pouring soap in the fondant mold it this big syringe. The dropper is to small and pouring is out of control!

Here is a baggie of all the soapy fondant mold creations.

Pouring the second layer was hard because I had to be patient. I needed to let the soap cool a little before I pour it onto the first layer and the little white soap pieces so the soap pieces wouldn't melt and turn the clear pink soap cloudy. I've done that before so so many times. Turns out my superhero cryptonite is patience! (I'm not really a superhero)

CRANBERRY POMEGRANATE SOAP

2011-09-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite soap of the year!

It was my last batch of soap....didn't realize how cool the layering would be.

If I had known how cool layering looks I would have done it to another batch or two.

I added the white soap I made in the fondant molds ( suppose to be used for cooking) and it turned out so cool! The soap isn't decorated yet.

So all soap is cut and sealed but I haven't decorated everything. I have all the big cupcakes done with bows, the boxes of gingerbread men done, cream cheese frosting soap done, the toasted rice done and today I will work on the gingerbread bar soap and wasabi soap. Also I will finish the cranberry pomegranate. I wonder what color bows, felt and stuff I should use. Purple?

SOAP MAKING RAMPAGE

2011-09-08T16:33:00.000-07:00

Look at these awesome colors I bought this year. Dayglo pink!

Soap hardening, I think that's the wasabi soap under there.

Uh oh! I'm noticing that there are a lot of orange soaps. I think I need to make some other colors.

These are actually a deep brown. Looks orange to me in this picture. This is such a great color for the chocolate espresso soap.

SOAP FREAK!

2011-09-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

Melting soap...

making soapy designs....

they turned out better than I thought they would....

getting molds ready....

adding sparkle...

paper in the muffin pan...

apricot freesia cupcakes done!

Now I have to figure out which color bow to add. Usually that kind of thing is easy but this year I'm having a hard time finding ribbon at a good price! Boo Hoo!

WHO'S A BRAT?

2011-08-31T11:41:00.000-07:00

Not me! I'm not being bratty because everything I make I have to stage with perfect lighting, photograph with my wonky camera (I want a new one) and load into the computer and edit and then think of something clever to say about it.

This is a photo already in my computer....I'm eating these M&M's! Isn't this dispenser cool?

Somehow I'm going to use these boxes for the soap I'm making. I tried to pour soap directly into the boxes but the soap leaked out the bottom. I need a new plan! Ideas?

DREAMS ON A STREET?

2011-08-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

I don't know about "Street of Dreams" but there were some things that were dreamy. This years Street of Dreams in the Portland Oregon area was small in my opinion. Small in size and ideas. I think the best part of the show was the little details. Some of the details were wonderful and dreamy. Also, the outdoor decor was pretty neat. Not sure how one would keep all those beautiful decorations and televisions dry in our Oregon weather. Good luck!

HANDMADE ARTISTS' SHOP

2011-08-21T10:11:00.000-07:00

Handmade Artists' Shop

I am loving this site, Handmade Artists' Shop! It has been so easy to figure out and really easy to set up shop. A very intuitive site for me. Here is some information directly from the shop that was especially intriguing:

There are many marketplaces out there that an artist can sell their handmade wares but few are solely handmade. We think this is the one thing that will set us apart from the other venues. We are not allowing any resellers, unaltered vintage, or non-handmade supplies, basically we are throwing any big box mass produced mentality out the window. Our goal is to go back to basics and have a handmade site only for handmade artists!

One other goal we have as a venue on the HAFShop is to keep it relatively small. Our initial goal is 10k vendors and then we plan to close open registration. After that our plan, if all works well, is to create a waiting list and hand pick the remaining vendors capping out at 20k vendors. As we get closer to this goal we will iron out the details and keep everyone informed. The thought behind this is that one day we believe that the HAFshop will be the elite place to buy and sell handmade, and by keeping it small and of high quality we think we will over time develop that reputation.

These were two of the reasons I was willing to sign up with HAS! It is so easy to get lost in a sea of mass resellers and non-handmade supplies. Creating something special and unique takes time and energy. It's nice to know I have a place just for me to sell the art that I create.

HAS has just announced a giveaway! You know I love those. I'm hoping to get a free lifetime membership with HAS. Wish me luck. :) Below is the code and badge...I'll be adding it to my Art In Flight site! This should get me a double chance to win. Don't forget to check out Handmade Artists' Shop!

<a href=”http://handmadeartistsshop.com/” target=”_blank”><img border=”0″ alt=”Handmade” src=”http://handmadeartistsforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/blog_badge3.png”/></a>

WINNER!

2011-08-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

Winner, winner Willows Nest, congratulation Helen! I will be making something specific just for you over the weekend. Just shoot me an email with your address: milkywaymocha@yahoo.com. I'll post the art on Monday and mail it away. Check out Helen's blog, she's really an amazing artist. I LOVE her work. Thanks for playing everyone :) I'm going to have a special giveaway in September. Be watching for that!

Ever see these clowns?

They are called Q-Tee clowns.

My Mom has given me one for my birthday every year for years. Now I have this big collection but I don't think they make the clowns anymore. My Mom ran out a few years ago. I'm not a big clown lover but these guys are charming! They have such fun hair.

IN THE WORKS

2011-08-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

First I want to tell you about a GREAT site I just found called Handmade Artists' Shop! This is a great place to sell online. User friendly, great aesthetics and new so you aren't completely lost in a sea of artists. I'm all signed up and ready to go.

The sky on the owl painting is tricky! I have to use super clean water and wash paint around each little owl and branch. Anyone know of a better way? I used gamboge yellow on the trunks of the trees on the painting below. The yellow color I used on the birdie painting was yellow iron oxide not quinacridone. The iron oxide colors have a dull browish color. I'm still working out all my color blending. I need bright colors that POP! What color tricks do you have?

UNEXPECTED HAPPINESS

2011-08-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

This is my MIL Peg, she was expecting the worst of our beach house, just like me! She has a bottle of purell in her hand. The beach house we stayed at in Rockaway on the Oregon coast was small and I was expecting dirt and mess. I have to eat my thoughts because it really wasn't so bad!

Andy enjoyed it all. This is the 20th picture I took of him sitting on this couch. I was trying to adjust my camera and he was my test subject. He was saying, "Mom the flash is killing me your camera works!"

Peg and I all bundled up for the wind. I need lipstick.

Pops (far) Paul (close up) enjoying the beach and watching the boys in the water.

Heidi (the dog) got so excited when anyone got buried!

Yummy pizza for dinner!

Climbing all over the logs along the jetty after dinner.

Gathering wood....

more gathering wood!

Beautiful fire!

Tommy, the person laying dead in the sand in the background, has completely had it and wants to go home.

Finally asleep in the cozy house.

THERE'S A BIRDIE IN MY TREE DONE!

2011-08-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

I really like how the hills turned out. The colors seem to blend really well. I used a base of quinacridone yellow for the trunk which is more brown than I like but that's okay.

We are going to the beach on Thursday...should be interesting. This house we are staying in is interesting. Hard to explain....ummmm I'll get some pictures. I need to be diplomatic because my MIL is paying for it and she might read this. :) Peg, I would rather go than not but the house is....ummmm interesting.

Sign up for the giveaway!

I will announce the winner of the giveaway on Sunday!

SWEET PEA SOAP

2011-08-07T12:12:00.000-07:00

Don't forget the GIVEAWAY!

Sweet Pea Soap.

This smells just like the stuff at Bath and Body Works.

I LOVE LOVE this scent! I used to get it all the time and now I don't have to make the trip to the mall. Hooray! This is also my son Andy's new fav. Cute!

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY & GIVEAWAY!

2011-08-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

This painting was done for my Sister Tina!

There is a "SIS" carved into the tree.

Yes, she loves rabbits.

Happy Paint Party Friday! This week has flown by...lots of soap and paintings done. I finished up the tomato, more bay rum and sweet pea soaps. I will get them decorated soon, then I can show some pictures of them. Still wishing I had smell-o-blogging. Isn't there an app for that? :)

GIVEAWAY TODAY!

Enter to win: Comment on this post. Feel free to follow me too.

I'll be giving away a little painting and some extra goodies.

Good luck!

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT 2012

2011-08-02T21:52:00.000-07:00

Two more additions in my little book. Not completed but you get the idea. There are a lot of pages in this little book...running out of tree ideas.

Another giveaway coming on Friday, Yay!

LITTLE IS GOOD...RIGHT?

2011-08-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

I worked small scale last night. This is a little 4x6 watercolor postcard. FUN!

Step one: Start drawing.

Step two: Get a snack so you have energy to keep drawing.

I used a 0.05 STAEDTLER pigment liner.

Step 3, 4 & 5: Tape the paper down and spray with water and add color.

Step six: remove tape. Done!

I WAS, BUT I DIDN'T

2011-07-31T19:02:00.000-07:00

I was going to add the paper leaves....

They don't look so bad in these photos, BUT they really don't show up very well. I'm not an intuitive collage artist. So I decided not to add them.

Here is the new tree I'm working on.

OH, and this is my new pencil cup. It is the most amazing cup! My neighbor made it from tulip wood. He makes the most beautiful things out of wood. I'm encouraging him to keep trying to sell his work online. When I have a link I'll get it out to you.

WHERE'S THE PAINT?

2011-07-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

Can you see the heart?

This painting will be called "Eighteen" Guess why?

These are almost ready for paint. I joined Paint Party Friday all the same. Hope I'm forgiven! Next post I'll have something painted...then it won't matter that I didn't link specifically to this post. OPPS! I read the first linky party rules after I posted to Paint Party Friday, next time, got it! The owl picture is blurry I know. Silly camera wouldn't turn it's flash on. It will be clear as a bell next time I get the shot.

What I really want to work on? Soap. SO silly! I flip back an forth between painting and soaping. Life would be easier if I would choose one. Not gunna happen. Sorry Hon, Paul hates the soap mess when I'm working on a new batch. I just got some new packages and ideas for presentation. I have to wait for a shipment and then I can get started. Ever heard of tomato leaf soap? I can't write about it enough, it's so unique and wonderful! :)

THERE'S A BIRDIE IN MY TREE!

2011-07-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

Another tree I'm working on! Little red birds on the branches.

Fred!

Fred, which is the artist signature on this painting, has been hanging in my house since the 1970's. My Mom got it when I was in elementary school. He has always been a source of inspiration for me. Not sure why? BUT I still love him and Mom let me take him and hang him in my first house. Which is still the same house we have now. So much for moving into a little home because it would just be a starter home. ANYWAY, I don't really know anything about Fred. No one really knows or has any ideas. Do you?

ANOTHER STEP IN THE PROCESS!

2011-07-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

Is it finished? Should I add the black and white news print leaves? I'm thinking so. My hesitation is that I don't normally take that next step and make my stuff collage-ish.

Funny story, I was trying to add the glue to the circles for the glitter when I squeezed the stupid bottle and a huge blob of glue splashed across the painting. There are mistakes in this picture (the lower left green balls are smudged.) Grrrr this painting has been a challenge. The leaves would cover the smudge issues. Have I properly given all the excuses to ADD THOSE LEAVES? I need to get over it and on with it. :)

There is a giveaway at this site: Dainty Squid One of my favorite sites! Check it out.....

WHAT I'M WORKING ON....

2011-07-24T10:11:00.000-07:00

Wish I had taken a picture of this before I "fixed" it. Oh man was it ugly. I don't like sepia. Every time I use sepia in my trees they look like they were in a fire. So I added some warm burnt umber and burnt sienna.

I think I want to use green glitter and some collage elements like leaves from news print. Not sure.....Any good ideas?

I should move on to the next painting. The challenge of, "make it work" screams out to me to finish everything I start. (Thanks Tim Gunn) So I have a ton of paintings waiting while I make this sucker work.

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

2011-07-22T13:33:00.000-07:00

Summer time collage supplies!

Three handmade ATC's made by me. :)

Someone approves!

Close up of the "Red" themed ATC.

This one is called "Pretty In Pink".

This one is called "Tones".

Pig Boy and Cow Boy call #3 is the winner!!

Raven wins! Hooray...I'll send a message to you as soon as I'm done with this post. :) For more inspiration and swaps please visit: ATC's For All

A great place to trade and chat and play. My mail art name is TangoAlphaMike look me up!

Thanks for playing everyone!

I ALWAYS FEEL LIKE SOMEONE IS WATCHING ME!

2011-07-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

I think this tree should be called the lollipop tree!

I get that feeling again.....

I LOVE LOVE these little birds. I think they should be sitting in one of my trees!

Don't forget my giveaway post a comment here:GIVEAWAY!!

There is a giveaway on this blog too: Diane @ www.mykissenmakeup.com Cool fashion blog!

I LIED!

2011-07-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

I'm starting the giveaway today instead of Monday! Comment on today's Post and I will announce the winner on Friday. What's the giveaway goodie? Collage supplies and some extra surprises to be announced on Friday. Good luck!

I really like the colors in this tree...it's not a finished page.

I'm still feeling that feeling like someone is watching me and I can't put my finger on it!

TRADITIONAL TREE?

2011-07-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

This is a brown tree...I was thinking it was more traditional. Brown trunk, green grass. NO this tree is still wacky! That's why I like it. :)

Ever feel like someone or something is watching you? While you work or watch T.V. or eat (especially eat) or PAINT? I get that feeling and I can't shake it.

I'm sure you've noticed the spazzy changing of my blog. I can't help it. I keep changing my mind on the design and colors. I really want to settle on just one thing but there are way to many options.

Remember the giveaway sign ups on Monday!

2011-07-16T11:50:00.000-07:00

Big green tree!

This tree wasn't suppose to be so big and wild. It started out tame and became a big mess! I can't erase the watercolor pencil....it is what it is. I like the color....

So I did some research at the Sketchbook Project site and it looks like people are coloring both sides of the page. Anyway, the ones who work on both pages look really good. I think I will add words to the left side of the book pages. I'm not very good at words. Wish me luck!

In honor of the sketchbook I'm working on I will have another giveaway! Fun little papers and art supplies. I will start the giveaway on Monday. Look out for it!

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ANOTHER PAGE IN THE SKETCHBOOK

2011-07-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

Page two in the sketchbook!

Should I add something to both sides of the page? I need to go research the site and see what everyone else is doing. I know, your not really suppose to "do" what everyone else does but they sure have good ideas and inspiration! :)

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT 2012

2011-07-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

Who's working on this?

I'm not sure if I should do something to the cover or not?

This is my first page. Notice the little path...


I picked the theme: A path through the trees!

If anyone else is working on a sketchbook let me know I would love to see what you've done so far!

Here is a link to the official site: http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

ROCKAWAY BEACH

2011-07-13T16:18:00.000-07:00

More great stuff we found at the beach. Andy even found a board floating in the surf. I told him it was from an old pirate ship wreak out at sea from the 1800s. He doesn't believe me. Although he was looking for gold coins a professional beach comber told him he had found.

JELLYFISH ATTACK!

2011-07-12T13:55:00.000-07:00

Jellyfish with rocks,

jellyfish alone.

Jellyfish hanging with my cup o coffee.

Jellyfish down front.

Jellyfish looking menacing.

Jellyfish in Andy's hand.

Jellyfish tangled in seaweed.

The family, mine and my brothers, went to Rockaway Beach last weekend. The weather was perfect! Andy and I stayed an extra night. I think we could live on the beach. SO I found these super neat looking jellyfish. little round orbs of awesomeness. These are just a few of the pictures I took. When Paul looked at the pictures, I made him sit here and look at a slide show, he gave me this face:

Then he started heckling my jellyfish! The nerve. Of course this is after 100 photos of jellyfish and about 30 of the family. hehe

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

2011-07-07T15:26:00.000-07:00


The mystery soap, coconut lemongrass!

The coconut lemongrass has the most amazing fragrance. This batch is particularly aromatic. I totally love it. So who wins this most excellent soap? A Meek Perspective!

Pig boy and Cow boy say CONGRATULATIONS!

I will be having the giveaways on a regular basis. I have a lot of fun stuff (soap and art) for people to try! Thanks for playing.

TEN YEAR OLD BOYS

2011-07-06T17:52:00.000-07:00

Last day to post a message for the giveaway!

Click the link below and post a message.

GiveAway!

Please MOM stop taking pictures of me!

Seriously!

My ten year old is so full of spit and vinegar. Sassy and smart but he hates to read. Loves electronics but nothing creative. So logical, just like his dad. At ten his attitude is off the charts. I'm looking for ways to connect with him and find some common ground. Being an artistic, creative, lover of reading we are at odds most of the time. How do you connect with your child/children?

FINISHED PAINTING

2011-07-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to stop by "Giveaway!" and leave a message for your chance to win some soap.

I will pick a winner out of a hat on Thursday!

Step one: Create a sky with clouds.

Step two: Make some hills.

Step three: Establish where the tree lives.

Step four: Branch out and give the tree attitude.

Step five: Add high lights and low lights and details. This is the hardest part.

Step six: Add some polyurethane and done!

Big canvas like 30x40 or something. I used craft paint for some of the colors. Big mistake, the craft paint is dull compared to the bright professional acrylic paints in tubes. The polyurethane fixed the whole problem and made everything shine and sparkle.

GIVEAWAY!

2011-07-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

Chai Tea

Cucumber Melon

Almond Biscotti

Apple

Four more fun scents! I am going to try some new scents and infusions next. Maybe peach with peach kernel oil (helps with mature and dry skin), lemon with lemon grass essential oil, blackberry, strawberry, ginger lime or mango....any preferences? Ideas?

Okay now for the giveaway!

Comment on this post and win a super amazing bar of soap. It's my newest batch and it's my favorite! The new bars are a little bigger than the original ones above. Should I tell you what the fragrance is or should it be a surprise?

Comment to win, good luck!

SOAPTASTIC FUN!

2011-06-30T15:30:00.000-07:00

Orange Spice

Rosemary

Lavender

Tomato Leaf

I love to make soap! The whole event is so relaxing. Making soap is like a "timeout" for me. From cleaning and sterilizing the kitchen to get ready for the process to decorating each bar. I love the little paper flowers on the soaps. They seem just right for spring time. The surprise soap scent is tomato leaf. I know I've mentioned it before but once you've taken a sniff you will fall in love. It is a truly fresh and clean smell. EXACTLY like a tomato leaf!

In my next post (on Sunday) I will feature a few more soap scents and I will be having a give-a-way! Come check it out :)

PURPLE PLUM TREE PAINTING

2011-06-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

This little painting is named "Yuka" pen & ink, watercolor, 9x12 140lbs hot press. Tommy picked out the purple color for some of the balls. He thought his teachers daughter would like that color. I really like the glitter and I also love how different it looks in different light. This time when I was taking the pictures I tried to capture the sparkle of the glitter.

NECKLACES! THESE ARE MY FAVORITE KIND...

2011-06-28T14:26:00.000-07:00

I made this one on Mother's Day weekend at the beach. It goes with my royal blue clothes. :)

This was for my Sister, for her birthday!

I adore the earrings!

This is for my black and white polka dot dress.

The white beads in the jewelry is elephant ivory.

My grandparents were in the import/export business. They imported elephant ivory legally (I have paper work) in the 1970's. I have a box full of scrimshaw or "blanks" for carving. I do not know what to do with all of it. I have used two little strands of beads for jewelry, for myself. As beautiful as the ivory beads are, it seems strange and sad that smart and wonderful elephants have given their lives for their tusks. Not sure what's the right thing to do. I hate being responsible for that box of ivory.

SORRY FOR THE LONG VACATION

2011-06-27T15:23:00.000-07:00

Big Balls for my friend Tammy

Close up of Big Balls....still need to add the glitter on the big white ones

Bunny for my sister Tina. There are little rabbits hopping around in there!

Teddy for Tommy!

After a nice long vacation from blogging I have tons of great things to show off! I can't wait to show you everything. first, some of the paintings I have been working on.

MURAL PAINTING MADNESS!

2011-04-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

This is one of the things I've been working on this past month. HUGE mural at Venture Kidz Day Care Center. The hall is 60ft long and I will be painting both sides. The tree above is the first named "big tree", real creative name, I know! All the colors were picked for me...I may try to pick my own colors for the next trees. We'll see if I can get away with it.

I was "OUT TO LUNCH" for way to long. BUT I have tons of work to share. I'll try to get on my blog more often and start posting regular like a good blogger.

OUT TO LUNCH

2011-03-03T08:13:00.000-08:00

We are at Portland City Grill hanging out with friends for a birthday celebration. The restaurant is at the top of a big building in down town Portland. Really cool view of Portland. Minh is 81/2 months pregnant and really ready for the baby to get here! I just got done with her baby shower. I will post pictures soon. Today I'm off to the beach, Depoe Bay for an art retreat! Yehaw! The only problem with all these events, I've run out of time for blogging....I'll be back with regular posts and fun pictures next week. I need to get some work done so I have pictures to post. :)

My SIL MinhHai and I!

RICH AND LISA

2011-02-24T16:08:00.000-08:00

140lbs. rough 12x16

140lbs rough 12x16

Finally done! These paintings have taken forever...now I need to figure out how to mail them to Seattle Washington.

OWLS ORGANIZATION HAIR

2011-02-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

This is a painting my sis did for me for my birthday!

My art desk and bins. NOT loving the tilted picture!

The new purple/red hair.

I really love the picture my sister painted for me. She uses acrylic paints. She is a huge fan of texture in her paintings. I hope she will start her heart painting series soon. GO TINA GO!

The desk and bins are located in my dining room which is connected to the kitchen. I read an article in the late 1990s about keeping your art work space in a central location. That way everyday you have to walk by your art and it would always be in your face. Good idea, for me! Those are dollar store black wash bins. They sure are handy. I am in the process of relabeling them. I'm not into stamping at all anymore and a bunch of those bins were for stamps and ink. I glued some metal sheets to the underside the bottom shelf. I added magnets to my bottles of glitter so they can hang there for inspiration. Yes, glitter is a big inspiration!

The hair? UGH! I sat down in my hair dresser, Shannon's, chair and said, "Do whatever." Then we started talking as usual I talk endlessly to Shannon. When she was finished and blow drying the hair I noticed the DARK underneath. YIKES! During the course of the process Shannon was getting sicker and sicker. At the end I had to leave, she was throwing up! Now I'm stuck with this strange multicolored hair. Not sure if I like it? Mom, Gram and SIL do not like it. My Sis and other SIL, friends, love it. Maybe it's more artsy. :)

ART DISPLAYED ON WALLS

2011-02-17T12:52:00.000-08:00

Roberts painting...

Original tree paining. Wouldn't really be this big...

My favorite pink tree. It's so tiny you can hardly see it....

On another note, Happy Birthday Heidi!

Heidi's favorite, whip cream and carrots.

I always wanted to have examples of the art work above a chair or in a living room setting. I've asked some artists how they do it. I get either no answer or a vague answer which explains nothing. Does anyone know how it's done? A program? Or what I did? I found some images online and pasted the pictures on the walls.

My Corgi, Heidi turned five on Valentine's Day! We had a birthday party and everyone got gifts and goodies. Goofy, I know! Still a reason to celebrate Valentine's big time. :)

STEAMPUNK ARTIST TRADING CARDS

2011-02-14T12:27:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day! A huge thanks to all my new swap bot friends! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving comments. I really appreciate all the kind words and thoughts. LOVE YOU GUYS!! xoxo

Working on the little steampunk teddy. I am still really liking the "Bottle Of Ink In A Pencil" watercolor pencil.

All Done!

Steampunk collage...these were harder than I thought they would be.

Not sure I am completely clear on what steampunk is?

I sure like the idea of it. Gears and clocks and things from the late 1800s? If anyone has a better definition let me know. :)

WATERCOLOR TREE BEGINNING TO END

2011-02-12T22:52:00.000-08:00

I made a bunch of lightning like lines with watercolor pencil...

I made sure they were all square lines and smaller and smaller from the trunk to the branches. The smallest being flag looking branches(got to have the rules)...

I used two different colors of blue light and dark. Also a deep purple.

Then I ate smoked almond and some generic honey crunch cereal and watched CSI.

Finally I added water to the lines and scribbled the ground with blue and purple.

So that's it! Paul calls this my blue cubism period. I'm just getting this over all in one tree. Not sure the period will last. Got a green one started so that's next unless I get Kim done....she's almost done!

PROGRESS ON PAINTINGS AND TET

2011-02-10T17:02:00.000-08:00

Trunk is done...

Balls are almost done!

Tommy is sad because....

Paul is happy because....

We were playing this game and...

Mark never plays so....

Mark (my BIL)was happy too! For Tet (Vietnamese New Year) we played this gambling game. Put your quarter on an animal. I always go for the shrimp or crab and someone rolls the dice. If a shrimp or crab or whatever you put your quarter on comes up you double your bet! Fun! Tommy was sad because he lost all his money early in the game. Paul was happy because he was winning. Mark hates games so he never plays and he is always happy.

Need to finish the darn paintings! Need to get off this computer!

ORGANIZE YOUR ART SUPPLIES

2011-02-09T09:18:00.000-08:00

The old way...

The new way!

I used to have a green and black bag (top) that held all of my quick supplies. It was one of my favorite things and I will still use it for traveling. I packed it full of all different supplied I might need. It started to get messy, full and inconvenient. I just wasn't using everything that I stuffed in there. I feel like if things are messy looking then my brain must be messy. Silly, I know! So now I use this white organizer that swivels and has little drawers and it looks clean and organized. Like my brain, right? HA! Not totally sure if this is going to work. There might not be enough space.....we will see!

Goofy post I know. I love organizing. One of my favorite ways to procrastinate doing something I'm not sure how to do. Like my next painting. I'm going to start "Big Balls" today. Wish me luck!

BIG BALLS

2011-02-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

Trying something new! I used pen size 01 for the balls and 005 for the trunk. I think I'm going to make the balls crazy colors. I'll do the trunk traditional brown and green grass. I usually stick to three colors for the balls but there are so many designs. What colors? Need some rules! :) Hmmmm still thinking.....

TREE PAINTING FOR KIM

2011-02-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

Rules for this one include, classic swirls closed up and one size pen. Sometimes I keep the swirls open and they lead into other details. I usually use a size 00, 01 and 005 but this time just an 01. I've started the painting process. It will match the painting Rich. I'll use gamboge yellow, crimson red, and then some typical browns.

TREE PAINTING WITH BIRDS

2011-02-04T09:24:00.000-08:00

Some of the birds are asleep!

Strange swirls...they look like snails.

Another painting I'm working on. I added little birds and some strange circle designs. It's hard when I get half way through the drawing stage and start changing the design. Sometimes half of the drawing will look like a totally different painting. SO, I always have to mentally give the painting a set of rules. Like in this one, no full swirls without black dots or something like that....I've forgotten the rules already! HA!

FUN MAIL!

2011-02-01T17:29:00.000-08:00

We got the best mail EVER today! Both boys loved the book and Tommy especially loved Gilbert. Thanks Pam soooo much for having such a fun party and giveaway. Pam's fabulous blog: http://yoborobo.blogspot.com/ By the way, PAM you are exactly like that too. Hugs!

ARTIST TRADING CARDS

2011-01-31T17:22:00.000-08:00

These were hard for me! I can see all the mistakes now that they are loaded on the blog. Not sure what my problem was. They took a long time and things didn't line up, glue right, dry right or look quite like I wanted when they were finished. Really having an off couple of days art wise. I wonder if people have those kind of days when they try an art project and then never try to do it again.

JUST FOR FUN SATURDAY

2011-01-29T13:52:00.000-08:00

Saying goodbye to Heidi before school...

Hidden flowers no one ever sees in our back yard.....

The view my Tommy has when he sleeps on the bottom bunk....

Tattoo I designed for my SIL....

Yummy Oreo cookie milk shake!

FAIRY BABY SHOWER INVITATIONS

2011-01-26T20:32:00.000-08:00

Invitations for my SIL baby shower. She LOVES fairies so I found images online printed them on vellum and cut them out. Embellished with a little glitter and there you have it! :) These are drying on my craft table. One of my many craft tables.

On another note. I had a preschool assistant job for about four days. Hours 11:15am - 2:45pm PERFECT!Turns out, today, I went in for work (technically my first day) and was told I'm not flexible enough. It's true...I'm not able to be at work early or late. I needed set hours and I couldn't compromise the kiddos. You better appreciate that someday KIDDOS! :)

WATERCOLOR PROCESS

2011-01-24T20:46:00.000-08:00

DARN! I thought for sure I had an in between picture of this painting. A picture with just the first washes of color on the paper. I don't do a very good tutorial post. :) I'll get better! So this is 140lbs. watercolor paper. I am using alizarin crimson, gamboge, burnt umber and quinocridone rust for the tree. I just absolutely LOVE the quinocridone colors. They jump off the paper! Almost done....

NURSERY DECORATIONS

2011-01-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

I helped my Sis-In-Law with her nursery awhile ago. The butterfly, dragonfly, moth painting is pen & ink and watercolor. My favorite medium to work with! Then we stuck a bunch of vinyl cling decorations on the wall. Above the door I painted an owl. LOVE OWLS! I think I'll make a few more owls up there and get rid of the vinyl clings. They don't match the owl. Anyway, it was a fun day.

SPIDERS JUST FOR FUN

2011-01-21T17:58:00.000-08:00

I don't like spiders! Well I'm not scared of them like Paul but they aren't some really awesome little bug. Are they bugs? I needed to make a creepy spider and a spider in a jar for a project I'm working on. Above are images I found online and then my sketches....

DOLL PAINTINGS

2011-01-19T09:17:00.000-08:00

Some finished "doll" sketches/paintings. The one in the blue was the best out of TONS! Little girls are hard to get right for me. The perspective, the location of the eyes, size of the head and body. Most of the dolls that didn't turn out looked like women.

AIRPLANE BARF BAG ART

2011-01-18T12:26:00.000-08:00

The last time I flew, in the summer to San Diego, there was a bunch of turbulence.

I'm use to that. I fly a lot. I grew up on an airstrip. My family owns two airplanes. We fly to Salem for breakfast on Sunday. My Dad is a retired Capt. for Delta Airlines. WHY ALL OF THE SUDDEN DO I HAVE A FEAR OF FLYING? Oh the mind is a tricky thing.

So while I'm having the panic attacks and near nervous break down, I drew goofy trees on the barf bags so it wasn't obvious that I might need them...the one on the bottom, which is hard to see I know, is an cool idea. A tree that's roots crawl down into the water and become tentacles like and octopus. Can't wait to design that one!

MAGGIE & MONSTER

2011-01-16T19:31:00.000-08:00

The little sketches I posted earlier were for these magnets.

Monsters are so much fun to draw...the combinations are endless....

The monster is trying to be gentle with his flowers!

New tree for my Uncle Rich...I don't like the octopus looking roots in the front. Hopefully I can "fix" them, somehow....

Also, I signed up for another ATC (artist trading card) swap! Valentine themed. I get so inspired by ATC swaps. :)

JUST FOR FUN FRIDAY

2011-01-14T22:11:00.000-08:00

My favorite fire work, Rock-a-baby....

My boys and my Dog....

My sister forgot her coat at my house after movie night.....

I took a picture of a flower at the Portland Rose Gardens, but not a rose!

Kisses from dad, YUCK!

My youngest, Tommy catching Mary in the Christmas play....

The Angel Gabriel and a demon fighting for souls in the Christmas play!

ELF LOVERS EVERYWHERE

2011-01-13T14:11:00.000-08:00

Elf sketches I made for my friend Dee! I was working on them before Christmas but then I got so busy I put them aside where they stayed for awhile. Elves are surprisingly specific. Not to be confused with gnomes, fairies, pixies or dwarves. I learned all this from Dee and then later from both of my sisters who had opinions.

OLD TEDDY IDEAS

2011-01-12T14:58:00.000-08:00

I had an idea to make a bunch of teddy bears with dolls.

I never really finished the idea. I know teddy bears aren't popular right now....

I just love teddy's so much! But I was sort of copying an idea of another artist.

Her work is focused on dolls or little doll like girls. She impressed me so much I went through a whole phase of dolls and bears and little girls. Funny how much someone can influence you and how you need to follow your own heart. Not someone else's heart. :) It's all a learning process. I think it was a really good lesson for me. Her dream and success was NOT mine.

MORE INSPIRATION

2011-01-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

Crazy light fixture...someday we will have fun lights in our house. For now we still have the same lights that are in the movie Poltergeist. Yes they are that old.

Some clever sculptures. These metal guys were climbing up a wall. Hard to see the scale. The wall was really big. The shadow they cast on the wall is amazing. Really smart art!

Everyone has a massage room in their house right? Gotta love the Portland Street of Dreams. Well, I do but some of my family can't stand it. I think for some people it might make them want what they can't have? Some of it seems excessive so I don't have that same feeling. However, I want new light fixtures. :)

JUST FOR FUN FRIDAY....

2011-01-07T16:48:00.000-08:00

What was on my lunch box in the 70's....

Sexy Tron pose.....

My Mom and Step Father and their daughter, uh hum, I mean dog.......

New pajamas.....

Owl salt and pepper shakers....

Owl coffee cup and matching journal!

THURSDAY BLEH...

2011-01-06T18:12:00.000-08:00

Aren't these lights great? Wish I had them....

I also love this outdoor fireplace in a screened in back patio area. Also wish it were mine. The man in the picture is mine. :)

Another gorgeous room with an incredible view. All pictures are from the Street of Dreams in the Portland Oregon area.

During Christmas I kept taking pictures and Paul's shirt would reflect the flash. He reminds me of Tron. So funny!

My MIL, my SIL's best friend, my SIL and ME!

I usually don't post on days that were kind of "bleh" for me. BUT since I'm posting everyday I guess I need to post the good, the bad and the ugly right? Why was it a bad day? Because I'm nervous about teaching the Art Literacy class tomorrow! I always do this. So dumb, it's easy and always fun. Nothing to be nervous about. Geez!

RANDOM NEWS

2011-01-05T17:40:00.000-08:00

The art bag on the lazy susan above is my all time favorite art supply organizer. I love anything that organizes. I will reorganize things that don't need reorganization just to put off something I'm nervous to do.

Another goofy button/badge idea for the site. TV's and Art In Flight don't really go together.

This one seems boring. It does have an airplane but.....

MORE IDEAS

2011-01-04T18:00:00.000-08:00

Isn't that tree neat? I'm going to use it for inspiration for a tree painting. I LOVE the trunk! I found the tree at Lego Land. Forget the Lego's LOOK AT THE TREE! No the tree is not made of Lego's. :)

The little cartoon sketches are of Maggie and Monster. My "go to" cartoon guys. When I need a quick birthday card or something. I used some monster guys in one of the sets of magnets I sold at bazaars. Monsters are fun...so many options! I'm going to design all new magnets and button this year.

THINGS TO DO

2011-01-03T11:46:00.000-08:00

Okay the dragon fly (above) was something I was trying to do....didn't work, but it was fun playing around with my photo impact pro program. I was trying to make a blogger button. Still not intuitive for me and somewhat confusing. Usually I get hooked on a computer game like Alpha Centauri or Civilization this time of year but I decided to focus on being productive and learning the photo program to help with my blogging. Wish my computer would still run Alpha Centauri ;)

The bird is a funny little guy that I want to finish. Part bird, part fish and in space. How does he live there? How can he breathe? Why is he part fish and part bird? What's up with the tail? Cracks me up!

The painting in the front is done. Not sure if you recognize it? It's called Elise. but the others I still need to work on.

The biggest challenge of all! I want to figure out how to draw an airplane! I struggle with them so much. I'm not sure why?? I grew up on an airstrip and you would think I would have the hang of it by now. Nope! I keep drawing and drawing them but they look lop sided and droopy. If the trick is to be exact with the alignment of the wings or something I might be in trouble. I was thinking a blogger button with and airplane might be fun?

ROBERTS PAINTING

2011-01-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

This took a LOT longer than I thought it would. I finished it for my brother and his wife seconds before they walked in the door for our Christmas celebration. I was sprinkling the glitter as they were walking up the driveway! My Lovely Brother in Law was leaning over my shoulder taunting me the whole time. Gotta love the Brother-in-Law! It is a law? You have to love him? :)

This is the biggest tree painting I've done so far. I really like the size...I think I will have to go and get more watercolor blocks in this size. I need to finish my uncles painting and he is getting married so I will do one for his fiance Lisa.

Looking forward to working this year! I'm going to take my art seriously...I've put time aside, like a job, to work on it! Wish me luck. :)

ANNE

2011-01-01T15:53:00.000-08:00

This painting was one I worked on during the Christmas break. You can hardly see the glitter...it's yellow. Yellow reminds me of my friend Anne, so that's what I named the painting!

First day of the new year. It's been good. Puzzle making with Paul is always cute. I need to detox (mentally) from all the Seasons activities. Tough to be a do it all kind of person who has a fear of saying "no" to something especially when it sounds fun. Everything sounds fun. That's the big problem..for me. I guess my new move, this new year, will be to say, "Maybe, I'll have to see if I can do that?" Seems flaky and uncommitted but blah, I don't know? Did I mention the entire family lives within miles of us? How does one say no to such darlings?

FOR MY BRO, SETH!

2010-12-26T16:16:00.000-08:00

I painted this for my Brother Seth...

He Loves cars and racing!

This sooo reminded me of him. He really liked it. It was fun to have him open it on Christmas Eve.

ALL BAZAAR ACTIVITIES HAVE COME TO AN END

2010-12-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

My Sis (above) so excited at the Pit Stop Bar Bazaar!

The set up.

Margaret and Tina getting the tree ready with Margarets earrings.

There's my soap!

Margaret (right) Tina, my sis (left) hanging out and ordering nachos.

This was a fun experience. I guess it was the worst year for bazaars in this area but we did okay. The last one was the worst for me. It was at a Legion Hall. I did get a lot of orders for soap from friends and family so that helped! Next year I think I'll try to sell some paintings at the bazaars and maybe we will try to get into the prestigious Cornelius Pass Road House Bazaar. Lots of ideas!

TAGTASTIC

2010-11-30T08:30:00.000-08:00

I had a bunch of images that I drew and copied off for the pin back buttons....I copied them onto card stock paper. My button punch won't punch out the images, the paper is to heavy. SO! I decided to make them into gift tags! First I used colored paper, didn't look right, to many colors that didn't match the paper. Then I found this card stock weight vellum and it seemed to make the images POP. I love glitter so you know, can't do anything without glitter. :) I tried to sell them at one of the bazaars but they wouldn't sell. Maybe .25 a tag? 4 for a $1.00? Hmmmm

WARM SNOWFLAKES

2010-11-25T11:21:00.000-08:00

I was able to get the boys to sit down and make exactly two paper snowflakes with me.

That's it! Just two. But I'll take it :)

~Happy Thanksgiving~

WHAT'S UP BAZAAR NUMBER TWO?

2010-11-19T13:30:00.000-08:00

Here is a little pack of buttons I'm selling at the bazaar. $3? Never know how much to sell stuff for......Fun to draw, boring to assemble. BUT it's worth it. I just keep think of new designs (rabbits, fish, hedgehog, lobster) rather than just getting them made and packaged. The soap is still the hot seller. I may have to make the stuff every year now. I was thinking of doing eggnog and ginger bread cupcakes. It always sounds so yummy. Really good thing you can't eat soap. :)

HOLY BAZAAR BATMAN!

2010-11-05T23:44:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning is bazaar time and I'm getting up early.

I'm really excited. More than a grown woman should be, I think. :) Tonight was set up night, the boys helped me load up, get over there and unload so that was nice! My sis was happy and we did a little bazaar dance together before we set up our table. We have snowman soup, snowman gum, chocolate Christmas trees, cute hair clips, pin back buttons ( in the picture below), magnets, soap and jewelry made by Margaret Barzler. Whew, lots to look at. Hopefully people don't get overwhelmed.

I made 21 soap fragrances. That's a lot. I feel a little crazy.

Crazy for crafts! HA!

SISTER DORKS

2010-10-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

I love this picture!

I went with my sis and nephew to Baggenstos Pumpkin Patch, we had a blast.

My Sis and I are dorks. We ooohed and aaaawed over these jars of jam. They were stacked up on a cute little shelf in the harvest shop. I couldn't get over the way the light from the sun filtered through the window and jars making all kinds of colors. We went on and on about how we need jars like this in our kitchen window at home. Where could we get cute little jars like this and put something in them to reflect the light? Did we buy any of these amazing jars of yummy jam? Well, no! They were to expensive. We could get jars at the craft store for much cheaper.

Never mind what flavors they were or if it really was jam, maybe those are jellies? See! Dorks! If I remember correctly some of the flavors were really cool. Like, peach pepper and things like that. Hey, that doesn't matter! They just "look" amazing.

GUESS WHO THIS ONE IS FOR?

2010-10-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

Guess who this is for? Who's birthday is next? Who loves cars?

The tree originally didn't have any of the black checkerboard boxes but it was so boring! This is much better.

I am working on pin back button ideas right now too. I need a few more little drawings and then I can get busy making and packaging them. What do you think, 4 per package, 1 package for $5 or 3 packages for $13? I'll post a picture of the buttons next!

NEW PAINTINGS!

2010-10-24T12:18:00.000-07:00

Working hard! Lot's of birthdays right now. I have a bazaar to prepare for and I really need to get some little crafties going for that. Any ideas for something simple and quick and you wish you had it for a Christmas gift?

COCONUT LEMON GRASS SOAP

2010-10-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

Okay another time where I wish smell-o-vision were possible. This is the best soap ever! Well one of them. :) I only ordered this fragrance because my cousin wanted lemon scented soap. I looked at my favorite soap site and they didn't have lemon fragrances. This was the only "lemony" kind they had. I thought it sounded strange but it reminds me of lemon coconut pie. Oh it's wonderful!

NEW SOAP IDEAS!

2010-10-04T10:50:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited about these new ideas! The Cream Cheese frosting soap is unbelievable. It smells exactly like it sounds. Yummy!

I found the little chocolate candy boxes in a bakery supply store in Tigard. I made all the little sample soaps which happen to fit perfectly in the box. So cute! I know a few years ago my friends and I sold sample soap candy boxes, it's a really good idea.

SOAP SAMPLER

2010-10-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

Isn't this fun! Looks like little candies. I love this packaging idea.

I also figured out how to print labels on Avery Label paper. Wasn't hard at all! I thought I would be sitting in front of this computer forever trying to figuring it out. Nope! Those things really aren't so intimidating. :)

Still soap obsessed and still thinking of way cool ideas!

SOAP CRAZY

2010-09-26T11:47:00.000-07:00

I am having a blast this soap season. So many unique and fun fragrances. I've perfected the process to get the best of color and scent. OH and the tomato leaf is wonderful. I just wish we had smell-o-vision. Everyone is ooooing and aaaawing over the fresh clean smell the tomato leaf produces. I was able to get a really cool orangish red color for it too.

Please know that if you do want some soap they are in my Etsy and I can do a deal...3 for $10.

I'm making little mini soaps with the scraps so I'll put together some sample packs. I just need to figure out how to wrap em.

I can send free samples if anyone is interested.

MELT AND POUR SOAP!

2010-09-08T13:29:00.001-07:00

Every two years or so I make soap! My poor husband Paul does not like the soap making years. Not totally sure why...the smell? Which most people would LOVE! Maybe the space it takes up or how clean I demand the kitchen be the whole time I'm making soap? Well, now that I write it, I guess I see why. :)

Above is the rosemary bar. I found out how to shrink wrap the soap. So that will go a lot faster this year. So far I've made Bay Rum with cloves, peppermint sparkle and Cinnamon Chai Tea. I'll have more fun pictures soon!

WEDDING PAINTING

2010-08-18T14:33:00.001-07:00

Painting I did for my Brother and his new wife.

COOL PHONE!

2010-08-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

I found a site that can custom make a cover for your phone. I loaded my tree to the site and they mailed the cover for my phone!

I am still around. I thought I would have all this time to lay around and paint and draw and hang out and blog and play and WHATEVER! Not the case! We have so many little trips and birthdays that I am busy every minute. Can't wait for fall and then back to a routine.

I have a few more pieces done. I need to do some photographing so I can share them.

BOWLING PIN FUN!

2010-07-20T09:50:00.001-07:00

Alice (left) Me (right)!

The Mixed Media III bowling pin auction was a blast! Lots of great art and friends, beer, live band great atmosphere.

These are some of my favorite pins. Mine is on the left! I love the middle monster one.

Alice won the bid! She has my pin now. Paul was so excited about this event.

MIXED MEDIA III BOWLING PIN AUCTION

2010-06-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

Okay here it is....I was so nervous to paint it, then I was nervous to glaze it. Now I'm nervous to take it down to the auction and go to the event and see what other artists think and will anyone bid on it and will people laugh and jeez I'm insecure! :)

The most frustrating thing about the process was when I glazed the pin and some of the glitter smeared around. If I knew better I would have glazed the glitter parts first, then glazed the rest. I was afraid I needed an even coat of glaze but really the glaze blends okay. There, a "glaze lesson" for you!

By the way, the tree I submitted to be picked for the auction is on the poster above. Twice! It's the one with the pink balls. Also my name is on the poster as one of the artists. Kinda cool!

SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH A TEDDY

2010-06-21T09:17:00.001-07:00

Sorry I'm still a little missing these days. We finally got the amazing wedding over with..all the work was worth it! Then there was the camping trip that we spent the whole time up on a mountain in a cloud! 30 degrees at night! OH MY! Summer is here and I'm excited to start all my art projects. SO glad!!

I used to make teddy bears with colored pencil all the time. They were my favorite subject! This watercolor painting was fun to do. Very different from my whimsical ones.

I've been working on painting a bowling pin. I was picked (twenty people were picked) to paint a bowling pin for an auction fundraiser for PDX Pop Art and the Grand Central Restaurant and Bowling Lounge. Can you guess what I'm painting on the pin?

SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

2010-06-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

A family divided! No one can agree. I guess you either hate it or love it. I love it...I love strange! The boys, not so much. My sis, who usually is on my side does not like it. My MIL loves it! So fun to see peoples reactions to something different. More to come.....

TIM

2010-05-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry I'm not blogging these days. I guess I do go in cycles with painting then blogging and back again. I'm trying to get some paintings done for family and the Cooper Mountian Art Fair is on Friday! We will be working on ATC's. Hooray!

I finished "Tim" and gave it to him on Friday. I think he really liked it. :) So, "Tim" (my bro) and "Denise" (my SIL) are together. Awesome!

Now some family wants acrylic paintings of trees and whatnot. I tried to paint with acrylics last night and threw a little temper tantrum. The canvas is lucky it's still paint-able. I guess I need to try again. I think I might be getting mixed up, light to dark with watercolor, dark to light with acrylic. WHO KNOWS?? GGGRRROOOWWWLLL!

"Art In Flight" My Main Blog!

MAKING AN OWL

TIME TO REELLAAXXXX!

CHRISTMAS SOAP!

BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON

MOONSTRUCK CHOCOLATE!

CHRISTMAS SEASON IS COMING!

WHAT'S UP?

TREETASTIC

PEPPERMINT SPARKLE

CRANBERRY POMEGRANATE CUPCAKES

CRANBERRY POMEGRANATE SOAP

SOAP MAKING RAMPAGE

SOAP FREAK!

WHO'S A BRAT?

DREAMS ON A STREET?

HANDMADE ARTISTS' SHOP

WINNER!

IN THE WORKS

UNEXPECTED HAPPINESS

THERE'S A BIRDIE IN MY TREE DONE!

SWEET PEA SOAP

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY & GIVEAWAY!

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT 2012

LITTLE IS GOOD...RIGHT?

I WAS, BUT I DIDN'T

WHERE'S THE PAINT?

THERE'S A BIRDIE IN MY TREE!

ANOTHER STEP IN THE PROCESS!

WHAT I'M WORKING ON....

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

I ALWAYS FEEL LIKE SOMEONE IS WATCHING ME!

I LIED!

TRADITIONAL TREE?

NEXT PAGE

ANOTHER PAGE IN THE SKETCHBOOK

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT 2012

ROCKAWAY BEACH

JELLYFISH ATTACK!

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

TEN YEAR OLD BOYS

FINISHED PAINTING

GIVEAWAY!

SOAPTASTIC FUN!

PURPLE PLUM TREE PAINTING

NECKLACES! THESE ARE MY FAVORITE KIND...

SORRY FOR THE LONG VACATION

MURAL PAINTING MADNESS!

OUT TO LUNCH

RICH AND LISA

OWLS ORGANIZATION HAIR

ART DISPLAYED ON WALLS

STEAMPUNK ARTIST TRADING CARDS

WATERCOLOR TREE BEGINNING TO END

PROGRESS ON PAINTINGS AND TET

ORGANIZE YOUR ART SUPPLIES

BIG BALLS

TREE PAINTING FOR KIM

TREE PAINTING WITH BIRDS

FUN MAIL!

ARTIST TRADING CARDS

JUST FOR FUN SATURDAY

FAIRY BABY SHOWER INVITATIONS

WATERCOLOR PROCESS

NURSERY DECORATIONS

SPIDERS JUST FOR FUN

DOLL PAINTINGS

AIRPLANE BARF BAG ART

MAGGIE & MONSTER

JUST FOR FUN FRIDAY

ELF LOVERS EVERYWHERE

OLD TEDDY IDEAS

MORE INSPIRATION

JUST FOR FUN FRIDAY....

THURSDAY BLEH...

RANDOM NEWS

MORE IDEAS

THINGS TO DO

ROBERTS PAINTING

ANNE