I am an avid reader and that includes magazines. My problem is that I don’t like to store my unread magazines with those that I have already finished reading. It was becoming a problem until I found this project that I am going to share with you today.  It is a plain old magazine holder that I dressed up a little bit to make it look pretty.
Here is what you will need to start:

A light blue, or any color of paint for use on wood (I used  black)
Envirotex Spray Sealer
A can of gloss spray, any brand
A flat ¾ inch brush
A …read more

Wow, do I have a project for you. I can truly say that I have never seen a book clock, let alone made one, until now. This project looks overwhelming, but it was fairly easy to do. If you can glue and paint, you can create this beautiful book clock. I am so excited about this project that I want to jump right in.
Here is what you will need to get started:

1 Paper mache book box
Scrapbook papers: Brick Red, Musical notes (or anything you choose)
A clock kit
Acrylic paints: Barn red, Yellow-tan
A ½ inch flat paintbrush
A glue stick
Paper trimmer
Scissors
Black pen, or computer-generated text

Start by …read more

Last week my daughter had a painting day with her fiber artist friends.  They met at one member’s home and made a fun day.  Would you call this a “modern” quilting bee of sorts?
They did their fabric painting using gelatin.  Beth made several pans of colorless gelatin to take with her.
Then they spread paint in various designs and even non-designs over the gelatin and pressed the fabric onto it.  These then dried.  She now has numerous circles of delightful color and design to create with.
At home, she made smaller circles and is doing the same with it, creating numerous colored …read more

“I’m bored,” has become a comment I often hear from youngsters.  Unless they can play with something electronic, many kids nowadays feel they have nothing to do.
Being bored wasn’t something we admitted to when I was a child.  Mom or Dad would find more farm work and housework for bored children.  So we discovered all types of hobbies and creative play.
I’ve discovered, too, that bored children often grow up to be bored adults.  So why not encourage hobbies of many types for your children.  Become involved yourself and include your youngsters.  Introduce them to new activities.  These should include a …read more

I love art. Crazy, expressive, wild art. Our house is filled with folk art and comical pieces. We used to buy all sorts of paintings and sculptures in the days before Truman. Now we use that money to buy things like groceries and Timberland sandals and jeans that don’t hold up in the knees.
Through the wonder of Facebook, I was reunited with an old college sorority sister, Tina Mackin. It turns out she’s an artist (her Web site is www.SmackinArt.com) and her work is brilliant and colorful and completely fun. She copied me on a portrait of some friends she …read more

I must get out my art materials again and rediscover painting. At one point in my life I did quite a bit of art work.  Even though I’m primarily a writer, I have illustrated three of my books and designed cards and notepaper.
I took several painting courses and explored various medium.  I’m amazed at all the different types available today…those I see my daughter use for her fabric art and even pencils and inks youngsters bring to school where I substitute teach.
Do you have an urge to draw and paint?

Keep a sketchbook with you, even a small one, so you …read more

Just in case you needed more inspiration to pick up your paintbrush and decorate your own clothing…
 
Designer Vivenne Westwood has teamed up with a group of grade two and three students to create her latest collection of hand-painted garments!
 
I’ve used paint to decorate my clothing (yes, on purpose – I didn’t just splatter myself and even to enhance intricately pieced & quilted jackets.  There are lots of products on the market specifically made to paint on fabric, but as long as you use a fabric medium, any acrylic paint will do!
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