Art in My World

Lavender Eye Masks There is nothing like lavender to relieve stress and calm the nerves, and as stress can be centered often around the eyes, especially in the evenings, what better way to relax than to lie down with this wonderfully scented mask? These masks can be heated in the microwave for 10-12 seconds. The heat will not only release the lavender scent, but heat will also help in the relaxing process. Some people also like a cooling feeling for their masks, so put these in a zip lock bag in your freezer and take out when you want to use. Here is a PDF for the eye mask and directions: Lavender Eye Mask Directions 1.Using two types of material, one flannel (this will lay next to your eyes), and one calico or material of choice cut out using pattern. 2. Having material wrong side together sew using 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave a small hole to use for filling. I use the following funnel I found on Amazon. 3. Fill mask with a mixture of flax seeds and lavender flowers. 

I could not go to sleep without giving this another try. I like the rendering of the large tree a bit better, but miss the depth my other painting had with the trees in the background...mmmm...another try today?

Into the Swamps Trying to stick close to home as I practice once again with oils. Our assignment is to create a warm color scheme while practicing a landscape with a boat in it. I loved this picture Ruth shot of James out Kayaking. I will try it again. Oils can un-nerve me at times. I need patience to let the painting develop. I tend to still rush things. I need to learn to leave a painting alone and come back to it...not try and finish it all in one sitting...patience...the lesson of a lifetime.

Happy Valentine's Day! What is Valentine's day without a little Card making and gift making as well? I broke out my card making supplies again, hardly got them put away for Christmas, and found my heart stamps and went at it. This February I bought a new heart edger, as seen in the cards above, and a nifty little gadget that lets you make envelopes to match your cards. I used my fifty percent off coupon at Micheal's and it only cost me $10. In my next post I will show how easy and wonderful this gadget really is... Along with my cards I also sewed up some lavender filled hanging hearts. I think I saw these cute hearts almost a year ago and went hunting for embellishments to glue onto them, so my supplies were ready when "The Day" came around to assemble them. Just cut out two heart shapes, sew wrong sides together leaving a small gap, fill with lavender flowers (I used a thin canning tool for this), hand sew up the seam, and embellish away with lace, buttons

Flower Thoughts Worked on watercolor clouds all last week. I still didn't get any that I was pleased with. I use to love painting clouds in watercolor...until I really wanted to practice them that is. I think I am over-thinking this whole thing! Well, after another disappointing session with the clouds I just went wild with the paints and tried out some new brush strokes and color mixing. Sort of like it...I think.

Knitting Headbands I am still doing the knitting thing. While continuing with the dishcloths, which has taught me so many things about knitting, I am knitting some headbands too. I've knitted some for myself, learning lace pattern, some easy ones that my daughter can wear to cover her ears while walking in the cold, and some I can wear to keep my hair out of my eyes while exercising. I never knew knitting could be so easy and useful! Now, I think I am going to start a large project: and afghan. Yes, it might take me months, but who cares! I think it will be beautiful. Here is the link for the video to learn how to knit the lacy headband in the top picture:  http://www.to-knit-knitting-stitches.com/easy-lacy-headband.html

Into the Heavens Abstracts are so much fun. It fulfills my love to create. It fulfills my love to play with color. This piece is made with three panels and is the largest painting I have done thus far. I've wanted to do a three piece painting for a while now, they won't be so scary next time. This week I have also done some watercolor pieces, but not too happy how they are turning out. My lesson is on creating clouds in my landscapes. Can't say they look much like clouds yet. They need more work. Next week, yes, next week.