Something's Burning...or is it?

 This is an oil painting I did 27 years ago. It's been cut off the stretcher bars because I'd intended to burn it but let people talk me out of it...at least for a while.

 When it popped up out of storage we were at a loss to decide what to do with it so it's been thrown around here for a week or so before I rolled it up, tied it together and tossed it in a corner.

Yes, I had a lot on my mind that year but what do I do about it now?

This Little Light Of Mine

Just when I thought everything was done for the season I found this bright spot of color next to my driveway. Yes, it brightened my day and i thought it would do the same for you.

There's an old Sunday School song that runs through my head from time to time..."This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...Hide it under a bushel, NO!!! I'm gonna let it shine."

If you're reading this from some remote corner of the world, I've managed to make these half remembered lyrics real for both of us and that's really something to think about-don't you think so?

Every Last Scrap

 If this looks familiar, that's because it is. It's part of a piece from the last salt technique watercolor paintings that I did. There's also a lot of merchandise based on it in my zazzle store  http://www.zazzle.com/julia_art*  

 This card is made of scraps from several watercolor paintings and card stock mounted on a blank card.

 I thought about developing this piece into bunches of grapes and vines but decided to keep "playing" with it instead.

 Here are the results: That card is the one on the left of this photo.

Birch Trees and Falling leaves

 This is probably not an angle that most people would photograph them from but I love looking up into the trees, don't you?

 This is where I like to sit in the yard these days and it may explain the look and angle of the photos...I guess you could say that I'm "sitting down on the job."

Yes, I couldn't resist bringing out one of my crochet projects as well. This is going to be a mat to put on the table under a hot casserole dish. It's kind of funny that it more or less blends in to the rest of the yard.

Scrap Happy Christmas Ornaments

Here's a fun way to use up bits of jewelry, buttons or beads. Cut a few basic holiday shapes out of felt in as many layers as it takes to make them as firm as you like and then blanket stitch the edges together. I slide ribbon in between the layers to make the hanging loop and then pin or sew all of your treasures on to them. I made these years ago and think I traced some old fashioned cookie cutters to get the shapes for them.

Blues Quartet Acrylic Painting

 As you may have guessed by now I was busy knitting more slippers as well as working on the house and yard so I didn't get a chance to paint today.

 I did grab one of my old paintings and shove bits of it in the scanner so you'd have something different to look at today.

 looking at these together I'm seeing a lot of  other things I'll be able to do with these images and I'm enjoying seeing them as a group of smaller pictures instead of as one large and unpopular painting.

Yes, blue is my favorite color but I'm going to challenge myself NOT to use it in my next painting just to see what happens. I hope you'll continue to follow the results.

So Many Hobbies , So Little Time

There aren't any pictures this time. I've been busy sorting through all the knitting machine supplies and making 2 more pair of slippers. I'm also sorting art supplies and re-organizing the studio. meanwhile the house is a mess so there's been a lot of general housework to do as well.
The good news is that I'm ready to start painting again so tomorrows post should be bright and interesting. I'm still considering starting a separate blog for the craft items but am waiting for a bit of feedback from you as to whether or not it's a good idea.

Woodpeckers and warmer weather in the Paintersgarden

The squirrels are still having a lot of fun running around with the walnuts and the woodpecker is back at work remodeling one for the birdhouses that I built and painted last year. The birch leaves turned a pretty gold but dropped right in the yard before we had much of a chance to really enjoy the view from the living room.
With nicer weather I had planned to get out and work on the yard and garden but I got carried away with my mail and the knitting machine so I never quite got around to it.

It seemed like a good idea at the time

Here's a scrap crafted card I made for my hubby a decade or two  ago. I couldn't go shopping for him that year so I hot glued it full of pocket change. Imagine my surprise when we "found" it today while sorting through drawers in an old piece of furniture...of course when we picked it up it rained an assortment of coins but it was pretty funny anyway.

These days we're still busy making things. I'm crocheting here and he's untangling yarn for me.

Here's a photo from our first house (1978-2000) I hated the look of that air freshener in the hall so I painted that urn around it as part of the mural.

Eventually the mural was full of Iris and vines and  went up 2 stories. Yes, I've got more pictures if you're interested.

As you can imagine all of these projects fall under the heading of "it seemed like a good idea at a time"

Scrap Paper Note Card Project

 It's surprising what you can make while cleaning up your work area. These were
made from bits of card stock and watercolor paintings mounted over a greeting card.

 Since this project uses up scrap items on hand you can be more adventurous with your designs and take more chances, after all-it's not costing you anything but time.

Relax and have some fun with the idea. It's a great way to re-use all those odd cards that come in the junk mail. (if you like the insides but not the cover art).
I can't wait to hear how it works out for you.

The Return of the Knitting Machine

A good knitting machine never dies (or at least this one hasn't). It's  a Bother  KH-260  that I bought back in the 1980's and haven't had out in about 6 years. I was surprised to see it in perfect working order and just needing to be cleaned off. The only real evidence of age was that the colors of the plastic housing had changed.

As I've mentioned before, the weather has cooled off around here so the first thing I  wanted to do was make some slippers for the family. Of course after all these years I couldn't quite remember how or find my pattern so I was pleased to see that there are a lot of resources for machine knitters on the internet so I was back to work at it in less than an hour and happy to find that I still enjoy it. I guess some things never change.

I generally finish off my slippers with pom poms, bows or buttons to cover the area where they're all gathered together but I was so excited that I couldn't wait to tell you about it and shot this picture anyway.
Thanks for stopping by and why you're here I do have a question. "since some of my posts aren't about gardening or painting, should I start another blog for crafts and fiber art?"

An easy to make cover for CPAP tubing

There are 3 good reasons to sew your own cover for sleep machine tubing:
1. It helps keep water from condensing in the hose.
2. If you purchase them from a medical supply they're both ugly and expensive.
3. You can match the fabric to your bedroom decor which cheers you up and is a bit less annoying to your partner.

I haven't included sizes or measurements as the equipment you use may be different. The main point is to sew a long tube that will be loose enough to slide on easily and be removed for laundering. Be sure to take into account that your fabric may shrink when laundered so cut generously.

Finish with a small hem on each end. I usually do that first  when the fabric is flat instead of trying to reach inside the tube and do it later but the method you choose is up to you.

Here's the finished cover installed on the machine.  A decorator touch to bring comfort and cheer to your medical needs at home...now, if they'd just make these stupid masks in cute colors I'd really be happy. Sweet Dreams...

Drawing more Flowers

I drew iris on the corner of an envelope last night and picked wildflowers on the way back from the mailbox today. I'm planning some drawings and watercolors from them.

Tie Dye to the Rescue

I'm always getting paint on my clothes and when I don't have any luck getting it out  I figure I might as well add some more color.

I was pleased to see that things have changed a lot over the years when it comes to dye and setting methods. (I've been doing this off and on since the 1960's) My new favorite product comes in premixed spray bottles and  the finished garment just needs to be tossed into the dryer to heat set it.

I just did the old shirt (a "jammie" top I've been "living" in all summer) up with rubber bands and twisting. Then began spraying on the dyes.

I haven't done this in years but it was fun.

It needs to air dry before you remove the rubber bands and again afterward before you toss it into the clothes dryer.

THE EXCITING THING:
I discovered while reading the instructions for this kit that you can also use these dyes to to watercolor painting on your clothes and linens and I can't wait to try that!!!
I've found these little 3 bottle dye kits at both
Target and Menards so you can probably get one just about anywhere for under 10.00

Winter Studio (the Dining Room)

I'm settling in for the winter. All of the recent work I had room for has been hung and all of the supplies have been brought in.

I sure like the new wall color better than last years, don't you?

Not much of a centerpiece at mealtime but i love to have my pencils and brushes handy.

Preparing for winter in the Paintersgarden

I'm not doing much out in the garden these days except for a bit of clean up but as you can see the squirrels keep busy picking up the walnuts and tucking them into all of my planters, Yes, they're doing quite a job re-arranging the hosta too.

Like a lot of people we're having to make the choice on what areas to heat this winter so I'm rounding up all of the paintings and trying to incorporate them into our living spaces. This Iris oil doesn't take much room but some of the other pieces are presenting more of a challenge.

I've been hoping for years to find a restaurant or coffee shop that wants these. Having them stacked next to the sofa was never a plan...

These are just sitting on the floor in the corner right now. One thing for sure is that I'm glad  I've gone to working on 8x10 inch panels that can be kept in the bookcase. There just isn't room for large scale work or the big easel in a 400 square foot living space.
Yes, these are things that make winter a pretty interesting season around here...