Playtime

Meet my new play journal.

 

 

I made (well, really I am in the process of making) it using the Restoration Hardware Fall 2012 Source Book. It came in the mail a few months ago and I really wanted to alter it and make some kind of a journal/altered book with it. So, now that I'm setting aside more time for painting (January goals), I decided to get going on my idea.

 

 

 

I glued 3 pages together with Mod Podge, just a quick swipe of the edges with a paintbrush.  I did this to make the pages sturdier.

 

 

 

Then 1 brushed on a thin layer of gesso. In that perfectly imperfect way that I'm so fond of. So the images are peeking through and the edges may or may not even have any gesso at all. It's not meant to be a pretty book, but rather one that looks a little beaten up and touched a lot, and loved.

 

 

 

My kids thought I was nuts as they watched me gluing and painting last night. But I actually enjoyed it. No thinking, yet still getting to move paint around (well, Mod Podge and gesso) with a brush.

 

 

Then, this afternoon, I painted my first piece in the journal. Nothing fancy. I scraped some paint splotches using an old gift card, then drew some big circles to make floweres. I painted the circles in, added stems, and brushed on a layer of Mod Podge on top (I just felt like it needed to be shiny). Finally, I added some details with oil pastels and Pitt pens and stamps. And I had fun. And I didn't worry about it being "good enough" for my new journal.

 

 

All of this made my heart very, very happy.

 

Now my wish is for you to do something this week to make your heart very, very happy!

 



Clay Hearts

Hi everyone.

I made these hearts a few weeks ago, but have been tweaking them ever since. Now that I'm finally happy with them, I thought I would share.

I bought a big bucket of Crayola Air-Dry Clay (Michael's 40% off coupon). At first, I thought I would make ornaments for the Christmas tree. Then I changed my mind and decided on New Year's Day ornaments. Then I changed my mind again. Anyone else do this, or am I the only crazy one?

I rolled out the dough and tried out a few cookie cutters and settled on the plain heart. I pushed a pencil through a corner of the heart, to add a ribbon for hanging. Then I pulled out some letter stamps and stamped the word "happy" in each one. Super simple!

Then you just have to be patient and wait for them to air dry. It takes about 2 or 3 days. I am not patient though. So I tried to microwave them. I doesn't work. Don't even bother to try. They just bubbled and baked uneven and fell apart. Then I let the rest air dry. See, I can learn from my mistakes.

Then I painted them.

With acrylic paint. But I wasn't crazy about the colors.

Then I added a layer of gesso.

Then I painted again with watercolor crayons. Better.

Then I got wild and finger painted the backs and sides with india ink. Oh. This is liked.

So then I added a layer of india ink to the front, and used a paper towel to blot some of the ink off. This left them different shades of pinks and purples with a hint of shininess. Now I'm really happy.

So, today's lesson is to try something new. I never use my india inks. But I'm really glad that I gave them a try. And I like the way they look finger painted.

Kinda perfectly imperfect.

Just my style.

Have a great day.

Hello January

Yes, I know. It's already 7 days into the new month (and new year).

But who has time to sit down and decide on goals for the new month when the kids are home for winter break. And there is family in town to visit. And that job (have I mentioned how it gets in the way of my fun time?)!

So a goal of mine for the new year is to set monthly goals. Ones for us as a family and ones for me personally.  I'm starting with 3 goals each. Just trying to keep it simple....and doable.

Did you set any goals this new year? Wanna share with me? I love comments!

Can't Into Cans

source: pinterest

I Spy...Happy Like Yellow



A few pics from a recent grocery store trip. Searching for anything yellow. Then my phone died.

Just trying to look at my world in a new perspective.

Have a happy day!

Friday Wrap (InstaFriday)

Happy Friday/Saturday everyone. 

 

I'm experiencing technical difficulties with uploading my photos. Grrrrr!

 

I missed last week's post so this week's will be a bit long.

 

These were taken Christmas morning. Since we opened presents on the Eve, everyone slept in Christmas morning. It sure was different now that the house if full of teens/tweens, but in a good, relaxing way.

 

 

Since Mark and I were the first awake, we had some time to take some self-portraits and create a photo booth strip.

 



 

 



Christmas night we went to Zoo Lights. This is a long-standing tradition for the Bell family. We've been going since Trev was a toddler.

This was our simple tree this year. Lots of clear lights and a star on top. That's it. I just didn't seem to get into the Christmas spirit this year. But, it turns out, I really liked the simple tree. And it was so pretty at night to look at the twinkling lights.  Christmas cards were finally addressed and mailed out a few days before Christmas. And I even got a special surprise of flowers from my hubby.



 

We bought Alec his first car (he has to pay us back 1/2 the money). He is a very, very happy boy! 

 

 

I made clay ornaments for New Year's presents. I rolled out the clay, used a cookie cutter heart shape, imprinted words with some letter stamps, allowed the clay to dry for 2 days, then painted and wrapped them in a bag with an attached New Year's wish. 

 

 

And I'm currently on an Amazon frenzy. See book. Order book. Open book 2 days later. Happy mama!

 

 

Hope your week has been full of fun memories.

 

Wanna join in the fun? Click on one or both of the buttons below to share your photos.

 

 

 

 



5 Pins I Love

Happy New Year everyone. Sorry I haven't been around much, but the holidays will do that to you. Steal your blogging time. Darn holidays!

And work. So pesky. Getting in the way of my creative time!

Here a 5 pins I'm lovin right now. Enjoy!

1. One to squeeze and kiss.

source: pinterest

2. One to rock your world!

source: pinterest

3.  One to remember why you adore Phil.

source: pinterest

4.  One to think about while being bored out of you mind on the treadmill.

source: pinterest

5.   One you wish the UPS guy would bring you.

source: pinterest