Hot, Hot, Hot

(This necklace will be added to the shop later today. It is a larger version of the necklace in the giveaway. )

Summer has finally arrived in my corner of the world. It apparently has decided to come in full force, August-type weather, with the sun and humidity competing to see who can be more wicked.

When its like this, I just try and survive. We don't have central air in our house, which normally isn't a problem but now it is. There are a few cool pockets here and there, usually right in front of a window air unit or fan. But you can't spend all day in front of an air conditioner (believe me I've tried), you have to get on with the business of life.

So one of my favorite (air conditioned) places to go when its like this is the library. The library is great for so many reasons but most of all for free books. I can pick up some new books for my daughter and a few Charlaine Harris books for me (I love watching True Blood so I picked up her books and love them too, perfect summer reading).

I have also started perusing the art and craft books the library has. I've recently picked up Altered Art by Terry Taylor. I put Kelly Rae Roberts book Taking Flight on reserve and can't wait to get it. I love these kind of books because they really spark my imagination. I get so many ideas and I can't wait to try them out, even if they are just for play. And I will, once I get a new fan for the studio.

Day 37 - Proud

For the first time in my life, I sat down with a paint brush, scissors and glue and made the exact piece I was envisioning in my mind. Well maybe not exactly the same, because I think it actually turned out better than I imagined.

So many times I've sat down and the piece I was working on didn't turn out. I think that is the reason I've always said I can't draw, that I'm not an artist. Because I have high (sometimes impossibly high) standards, I can never measure up. But then I did.




I saw an ad in a magazine using several levels of cut paper. That intrigued me and I wanted to do something similar. I drew out a design and cut out the template. I had some scraps of mulberry paper which I used for the stems. I had some of my own watercolor paintings that I used for the flowers.

I planed on having a base layer which I would cut the flower shapes from and lay the stems on top. I had an idea for the way I wanted it to look but I didn't know if it was possible to achieve. I'd never done anything like that before. But I bravely grabbed some acrylics and got to work. I layered the paints, hoping that it would turn out. Each time I added a new color I was scared, would it work or would it ruin it? I held my breath when the brush touched the paper. If I could have closed my eyes I probably would have. When I finally put the brushes down and really looked at what I had done. I was amazed. It looked just like I hoped it would. It looked good.

When I assembled the piece it looked good too. I got goosebumps thinking that I had just made art. I wasn't just goofing around. It was art and I was an artist.