Painting Bliss

Love thy Home in a Thrifted Way

 

All this newly found happiness has me putting energy into all sorts of places I didn't realize I had checked out of. Like decorating our home! It has been so long since I took pride in decorating our love nest, and I missed it so much! The other day I did some antique/vintage shopping, found some lovely things I wanted to share with you today!

 

(Bright yellow Pineapple motif crocheted doily in a large size, now a front door curtain - Thrifted  $6)

 

(Hand embroidered pillow cover $1!!! All ready to slip a pillow in)

 

I think some folks (not all of course), hold back on how they want to decorate. Perhaps they feel that homes are supposed to be decorated a "certain way", or that they must be nice, neat, and presentable. Well... yes, and no! If you want to hang something from the ceiling or put twinkle lights across the bookcase, then why not!? Right? Right! And that's how I'm decorating. If I think something makes me happy, then I'm going to do it. Like... for instance... the top of our book case is a place where I keep candles and our incense... it's also where I let vintage dinosaurs roam! They have to be kept up high because when they get down they chase people and try and bite their ankles! Naughty reptiles!

 

 

 

 

Trippin' at the thrift shop (cue the song) found me with an armful of vintage scarves. A little hum hum on  my sewing machine and suddenly I have a curtain that would make Peir 1 Imports wet their pants! A pleasant reward was when I hung it up, the heat ran, and the curtain undulated in beautiful and flowing ways.

Or perhaps their is a ghost in the house and it's trying to put on the curtain as a dress?

 

 

(These two scarves - Thrifted - $5)

 

 

I have always admired crochet buntings, knew I could make them, but never did. Why? Laziness... hectic day to day living... I don't know... but I made one last weekend and it is one of the newest additions to our home that brings me the most joy. It brings me the most joy because it's something I didn't allow myself to make... or rather depression didn't. Well screw you depression, I have an army of pills and a good therapist now that trump your efforts ten fold!

 

 

 

 

Some of my left over silk scarves became pillow covers. With just turning them around into the diamond shape position, laying the pillow on top, and meeting the corners together in a knot... it's a no sew improvement that needs little effort for achievement! Not to mention they are silky soft and extremely lush to lay with.

 

 

 

(Thrifted scarf $3 - Pillow form $10 - Final Cost $13 for custom pillow! Plus it only took 2 minutes to make)

 

Next I'm thinking about hanging things from the ceiling in spots that just seem to scream for it. Like above our bookcase... it's caddy corner and so space is a lost. When I look at it I see that it needs pretty things on string I think... Here is an idea that I found on Pinterest. You can click on the picture and make some for yourself if you like. They are made of post it notes!

 

 

 

 

Love yourself, love the things that make you happy, love the space you live in!

 

 

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"Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable becomes available, the unnatainable become atainable. Have the patience, wait it out. It's all about timing" ~ Stacey Charter

 

If you enjoy my photography on Instagram and would like to follow me, you may do so...

@Paintingbliss

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A Purpose for a Pretty Face

 

I had a lot of fun showing you how I paint a pretty face yesterday, and as promised... today I show you what she came to be... A beautiful and whimsically painted mixed media butterfly.

 

 

She is completely Ashlie Blake designed, sewn, stuffed, and painted. I added some stamped whimsy to her body and wings as well as wee antenna's from her tiny head. Beauty the butterfly measures 6 inches from wing tip to wing tip, actual body measuring 3 inches tall by 2 inches wide.

She's are a real handful ;)

 

 

Hang her anywhere your heart desires. I have enjoyed her hanging in my home, and will continue to do so until she finds a happy home to flit about.

If you would like to visit her Etsy listing, you may do so here.

Faces From Beginning to Finish

 

 

When painting a face I never know where it will go, and if I'm being completely honest I'm nervous the entire time. Not nervous in a I don't think I can do this way, but more in a be careful - be careful - hold your breath - go slow kind of way. Especially when I'm working small. I'm always worried the next mark will be the mark that screws the whole thing up.

First of course is skin tone, picking the skin color you like and going from there. I feel in my own pieces that using a few colors that using less is more. I usually use a base coat of my primary skin color, a darker shading color for blocking in the shapes within the face, a tidge darker for the eyelids, then pink for the cheeks and of course your staple of every piece of artwork ever... black and white.

Oh and eye color of course!

I used to be really afraid of black and white. Afraid the black would make a mess or the white wasn't in the right place. But black and white really are needed to bring true depth, they are the last two colors I use on everything I do. Most always, between the last two steps of my work - the step between no black/white and then black/white that there tends to be a huge difference.

I'm a big fan of using pencil... especially when creating a face. After painting in where each feature should be, penciling in after that helps me add subtle shading, pupils, and the nose shape.

 

 

Faces aren't really hard. Most of it is making sure you are harmonious and even. You can't have one eye bigger than they other eye... unless that's the look your going for or your doing one of those crazy low brow art pieces. I was taught that everything is an eye's length away, that the whole face can be measured by eyes. The size of the eye that is. Just like your foot is the same size as your forearm, our bodies aren't really clever with their measurements as you think they may be. It's more about not being afraid, understanding that less is more, and that nothing has to be perfect because people aren't perfect.

 

 

Lastly it's truly about practice. I have been drawing faces since I was a teenager and am just now comfortable with my skills. That's 15 years at least... cause well, this weekend I'm going to be 30! shhhh!

 

 

So get out that paper and try try try. If your really not good at it, then that's no big deal. Drawing and Art is about finding out what you are good at and fine tuning it until your happy.

Please make sure you come back tomorrow to find out what this beautiful little lady becomes! I'm really proud of this piece and she becomes something that truly takes flight ;)

A Creative Afternoon and Lots in the Making

 

Happy Friday!!

 

My favorite way of spending an afternoon lately is on my little porch sitting right on the floor painting and stitching the hours away. The kids play in the yard, hunt for frogs, and stop by to lean on me/watch what I'm up to. They like to watch me paint and I hope whoever picks up my talent is taking mental notes ;)

 

 

I had a lot of sewn goods backing up, but not getting gesso'd in preparation for painting so yesterday afternoon's mission was to get everything ready for acrylic. Thankfully it all panned out and I now have a hoard of goodies awaiting color and whimsical character.

 

 

There is a elephant in the works and he?she (not sure yet) is begging to be zen. Hindu face paint, bells, and eye makeup are in the plans for my floppy eared friend. There is a half moon headed man and his star twin friends. Tiny little wooden figures that resemble the fischer price toys of old, all have white faces and are ready for love. Who knows what they might turn into! As you can see I am very much into day of the dead skulls lately!

 

 

If you haven't checked it out yet, Paintingbliss on Etsy is stocking up. Slowly each day I am adding more and more items. I would love for you to stop by, check it out, maybe even give a softie a home. I haven't moved my actual paintings over, but will be soon!

Enjoy your browsing :)

 

 

Beatrice goes Buzz Buzz

 

Beatrice the fly knows shes annoying. She talks to much, gets in the way, and never knows when the party is over. Not to mention her food choices... she's really sorry about that as well. But besides the ill givings, and her stinky breath, she really is a darling and hopes that someday someone will want to give her a good home.

 

 

She fits in the palm of your hand and shines with a silvery sheen over her country blue body. Shes a garden lover and tries not to be too much of a bother when your in the swimming pool... though sometimes she just can't help it.

 

She doesn't appreciate being shooed out of the house, and it's not her fault she goes buzz buzz... so maybe you could give her a little break. On the outside she may be all eyes, but deep in her heart she just wishes  Butter was her first name instead of Beatrice.

Felix the Fox

 

 

Felix the Fox is a frisky fellow who enjoys frolicking throught the forest... WOAH!

Now that was a lot of illiteration, but it's all true! See?

 

 

 

Felix is super friendly, completely designed by me, sewn by me, painted by me, and loved by me! He is the perfect fall forest burnt orange and if you take a look see his eyes shine with life! Thanks to 2 coats of gloss that is :)

I hope you love Felix as much as I do, he will joining the new Etsy shop hopefully in the next few weeks. Hubby built me a proper light box for taking pictures of my creations. Eeeek excited!

Happy Tuesday! enjoy this mild weather.

 

 

 

Tutorial Thursday - For the Love of Felt

 

 

Felt isn't just for kids anymore, there are really lovely versions of it that you can buy by the yard in your local fabric shop. It's not the squares of fuzzy stuff you remember as a child but something much softer and better made.

Today's 4 craft tutorials are all made with felt! 4 tutorials for your 4th day of the week :) as always please click on the image to visit your tutorial.

 

{{Felt Bows}}

This may look like an idea to make for a child's headband but you can bet I want a dozen just for me and my headbands! also would make an adorable brooche!

 

Brought to you by I {{Heart}} Nap Time

 

{{Felt Owls}}

Hoot Hoot!! these would be super cute Christmas ornaments!

 

Brought to you by Minimoz - I had a dream

 

 

{{Felt Dahlia Flower}}

Nothing like a lovely flower that won't wither away, but stay beautiful forever!

 

Brought to you by Holidash

 

 

{{Felt Lampshade}}

This is so very cool! you'll be sure to get many a compliment and inquiry on this one if you so choose to make it!

 

Brought to you by Lost and Found

 

Felt is something I really like, and have really grown to like even more lately as I have had my sewing machine humming away making things for my boys! Go thee to the craft store and purchase your supplies, the weekend is on it's way and it demands some creative time!

 

 

Tutorial Thursday - Coffee

 

 

We all love coffee, atleast most of us. I know if I don't have my cup of joe out of my 1969 glass percolator in my vintage cup I'm just not me for the rest of the day. And I don't even think it's about the caffiene as much as  it is about the very routine of it.

4 Coffee themed tutorials for your 4th day of the week!

As always please click on the image to visit your tutorial.

Get your craft on!!

 

{{Owl Cup Cozy}}

Keep your cup of coffee warm longer as you meander about the house doing odds and ends, place this sweetie over your cup and keep the steam in! so cute!!

 

{{Coffee Pot Bunting}}

How cute is this! I am in love with bunting images lately, I'm putting them in my artwork - on my twitter background - and anywhere else I see they fit. I think I need a tshirt with a bunting across it now that I'm thinking of it!

 

{{Coffee Cup Cozy}}

These are great for yourself, or as thoughtful gifts! go ahead, make 10 and give them to your friends.

 

{{Recycled Coffee Bag Flower Necklace}}
Ok... this is just genius! no other words needed!

 

Go ahead, get your coffee brewing and make some stylish accessories for your caffeinated habit!

 

Project Anthologies Independent Sewing Shop Excitement

 

While away for a few days visiting my parents I hit up some really great shops. Some new, some old favorites... all of which I scored some great finds.

 

New to Oneonta New York is an independent sewing/craft store called Project Anthologies! Located at 261 Main Street, a local and exciting street full of hipster shops and good food - Project Anthologies beckons you inside with it's bright Etsy-like colored bunting in the window and pedal Singer sewing machine. I knew from a long distance off that I was sure to wander... ok, DASH inside this story head first (well only if I tripped... so right foot first if you want to get technical)... and I wasn't in the least disappointed! From it's gorgeous fabric with colors to drool over (not on, ha ha) and it's free flowing colorful atmosphere, it's a shop to spend quite a time in. Melany, owner and all around creative spends her days sewing and selling inspiring items to us quirky and seasoned, and even new to sewing, fabric enthusiasts.

 

 

Melany is as pretty as her store and shares a pretty white smile. Friendly and inviting she isn't afraid to have a nice conversation or talk about talent, art, and pretty things. I always enjoy meeting other creatives, and seeing this kind of shop in my home town was just a really big treat to say the least! I wanted to buy fabric, but it was all so grand and beautiful I didn't want to buy any, without a project in mind... you know what that means right? a repeat visit!

 

Besides fabric, there is homemade jewelry also drool worthy made by one of Melany's friends... small ready to go sewing kits, and the cutest tape measures I have ever seen! yeah... I bought a few!

 

 

A small section for yarn, essential to a fabric shop... for where there are fabric junkies there are also yarn junkies.  There were variegation's of sock yarn I had never seen in person before ,but was happy to put on my purchase list! take a look below at this absolutely delicious sock yarn that starts with a mustard green yellow and then somehow finds it's way to a neon'd hue! I have to say... I really don't like to crochet socks; and that's because I really don't like small crochet hooks... but I LOVE the yarn. I love it for it's amazing colors, texture, and oh did I mention COLORS!? (yeah I know I said it twice, hee hee).  So I'm on the hunt for weight 1 crochet patterns for sock yarn which the internet was truly limited on upon checking. Come on pattern designers, this yarn is just screaming to be made into light and airy tank tops or a sweet and delicate summer shawl!

 

So if your in the Oneonta area and your a creative... if you love fabric, bright atmospheres, and good company than you need to stroll up and down main street with the main purpose of checking out Project Anthologies.

 

 

Melany has a blog so check it out! There are tutorials, before/afters, sewing projects, and what she adorably calls happy ramblings!