Spittin Toad

Painting with Kids: Tree of Hearts

2012-01-28T20:55:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun little Valentines project I did with the kids in my after school art class

(grades K-5)....

(Autumn helped me paint and plan this simple lesson)...

The first thing we did is paint the trunk...talking about how it is larger at the bottom or base and then gets smaller as it goes up. I know this sounds basic but it isn't for them...even after the directions a couple of the younger kids still drew a very thick trunk with branches growing out the top.

We also discussed how the branches grow in the same way...larger at the base where they are attached to the tree getting skinnier as they grow towards the sky.

Autumn painted most of her branches in before she add the hearts....

I painted my trunk and just a couple of the main branches and then started in on the hearts... adding the smaller branches later.

For class we decide the best way to go, was to have the kids paint the trunk, large branches along with most of their smaller ones before they added the hearts.

I always give the kids a scrape piece of paper to blend colors on and I had them use it to practice painting hearts, getting my approval before they got to add any to their tree....This gave me the opportunity to work with the kids who were struggling.

Here are some AWESOME results. :)

I love this picture (above) it is the perfect example of what I try to teach the kids, that when you think you made a mistake...Turn it into something great! :) Which is just what this student did!!....

Water color accidentally got splashed on her painting so she covered it up by adding more dots...brilliant!!!

Here are more trees...

each one as unique

and lovely...

as the child...

that painted it!!!

Well have a great week and
take some time to volunteer at your school...
you will truly be amazed !!!

Denise

(I will yet again, be linking up to many of those parties in my side bar)

On a Snowy Winters Day...

2012-01-19T18:47:00.000-08:00

Well the storm finally hit...they had been promising it for a couple days now,but it seemed like it was snowing all around us...just missing the "Hood Canal Area". :)

But then...On Wednesday we finally got the snow!! :)

School was canceled...Yeah!! And we stayed home and played!!

My kids do have a snowboard but that would be to ordinary....

Ok..not as much hang time as he is use to but he did get air

Garret had to use an old skateboard that he had taken the wheels off of.....

And...

His sister surfed (???) down the hill on an old wake board...

Angel enjoyed the fun too...although she ended up with huge snow balls stuck to her fur.

We went for a walk and enjoyed natures beauty...

Then we went for a drive...Because we could. :0

Don't you love our old jeep?

For a couple of hours we even had freezing rain....

which left a sheet of ice on top of the snow...Interesting!!

We enjoyed all the birds at the feeder....

When the family came in to warm up...Autumn sewed and...

I worked on Haley's Hat... :)

All in all...it was a darn good day!!!

Stay warm!!

Denise

Picture Frame Dry Erase Board

2012-01-16T20:58:00.000-08:00

I first saw this done at brown paper packages and thought "What a Brilliant Idea"!!

It seems that everyone in my house hold has something to express...Not to mention, I had two picture frames (I purchased this summer for under $5.00) that were just waiting to be updated!!

So I got to work....

I first tore them apart, being careful not to loss any of the tiny little screws (they all went in a glass).

I then sanded the finish....just enough to ruff it up, so that the paint would stick..

Both frames were kind of beat up, but I decided that added to the charm....So I choose not to fill any of the marks! I painted them with KRYLON'S Dual Paint Primer in a wonderful "Cherry Red".

I then cleaned the glass and sprayed two coats of KRYLON's indoor/outdoor gloss in Ivory on ONE side of the glass. (When putting the glass back in the frame make sure the painted side is on the backside...so you write on the glass not the paint)!!!

Here are the results....

Pretty nice if I may say so myself!!! :)

(The other one is off to my church for the preschool)

So this is what's on it right now...the news keep promising us snow...so....

"LET IT SNOW"!

I will be linking up to many of those way cool (get it cool...snow...) link party's on my side bar...check them out you won't be sorry!!

And as always...

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Denise

Vintage Coats

2012-01-09T20:30:00.000-08:00

You probably don't know this about me (unless of course you live in my home town...and go to my church) but I have quite a fetish for vintage coats !!

It started many years ago when I added this lovey to my wardrobe:

I was working at Nordstroms at the time and was out rummaging through thrift shops with a friend of mine when I found it. (Yes, even when I was at "Nordies", and before shopping at Good Will was trendy, it was one my favorite haunts.) I instantly feel in love with the big wide collar....the way it lay on my shoulders...and then I saw the label...

It was sewn in upside down....but never the less, it said Best Apparel...The company that Nordstroms purchased when it started venturing into the apparel market...I had to have it!

I loved the way I felt when I wore it....Glamorous, artsy and a little quirky all at the same time...It said Denise! :)

Since the I have added a few more to my wardrobe....

This is my most recent purchase...I found it at the GW for just under $10.00...

I was giddy for a week!! You can't beat the price...Yes, the pockets are ripped and there are a few moth holes but the color green is awesome and you could probably sell the way cool buttons for $10 each. I believe the fur is mink.

This lovely teal coat was also a GW find, priced at only $7.00. The lining is in good shape and my boys say the collar is probably raccoon.

It has 3/4 length sleeves and big purple buttons!

Here is a close up of the buttons...Don't you just love the texture!?!

My girl friend purchased this coat from a thrift shop, in Kingston, but decided she didn't like the fit, so she past it onto me...The rabbit fur collar is so soft...Thanks Paula!!! :)

Ok, here's one I know nothing about...the lining is totally shredded but I loved the texture of the fabric and again the price was right so I bought...I think my kids hate this one most of all. :) But to be honest they don't care for any of them....Oh well these coats, kind-of grow on you...or not!

I also have a "big E" Levi jacket that was my dads but that's another post!

Have a great week and thanks for visiting!

Denise

I will be linking up to many of the "Link Party's" on my side bar...do check them out they rock!!!

Too Cute Turkeys Bowls...How Too...

2011-11-23T20:06:00.000-08:00

Here's a whole Gaggle... Ummm Herd...No Flock...that's it...of Turkey Bowls that my "art kids" made....Get it Turkey bowl...Like the football game...Tee-Hee. I planned on posting them much earlier but life got busy! :0

They were done by a little group of grade school kids that I teach after school art to...Grades K-5.

I love the colors they choose and

how each one has it's own personality!!!

So here's how they're made:

We start out with a ball of clay ( terracotta is my favorite for this project) and make simple pinch pot with very thick sides.

Then we pull up the neck and head out of the original pot...My theory is the less pieces you have to attach the less chance you have of them falling off when the clay dries....

With that being said some of the kids did make the neck and head and then attached them to the body and none of them fell off. :)

I did use another small ball of clay to make the tail and then attached it by scoring both sides then adding a little water and pressing them together.

The eyes are little round balls of clay that are pushed in with the end of a pencil.

I also used a pencil to draw the front feathers in along with the eyelashes.

I fired them in the kiln and the next week the kids painted them and I fired them one more time.

Here is my finished turkey...And

Better yet the kids!!

Well that's it, a real simple fun Turkey, that are already a cherished treasure!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Denise

Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

2011-11-01T21:21:00.000-07:00

Being a good cook is certainly NOT something I'm known for!!

But I do have a few...Ok...VERY few good recipes and I today I am going to share one of them with you....

This is the one I am most famous for and believe it or not everyone wants a couple of jars of these babies!

Ya...and I am the one who makes them...cool huh!

In my family it wouldn't be the Holidays without Pepper Jelly!!! This is because once you have spent an afternoon canning your pretty much done....It is such a quick fix for any party...pour a jar over a brick of cream cheese serve with crackers,,,and instant hit!! Which is, of course, why I bring it to almost every party...people have come to expect it now...I can always bring something else...but I better have Pepper Jelly too! :)

Sooo Here's My Recipe for:

JALAPENO PEPPER JELLY

6 Jalapenos

2 Med. size Peppers...One Green and One Red...Seeded and cut into pieces

1 1/2 Cups White Vinegar

1 (2oz) pkg Powdered Pectin

6 Cups Sugar

Prepare 6 half-pint canning jars. Cut stems off jalapenos then chop and place in food processor or blender. (For a milder batch of jelly remove about half the seeds). Remove stems, seeds and chop red and green peppers adding them to processor, along with 1/2 cup of the vinegar. Whirl until finely chopped.

Pour into 5 quart pot, using remaining 1 cup vinegar to rinse processor or blender, then add to pot. Stir in pectin and bring to full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Add sugar and continue stirring until mixture comes to a boil again. Let boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and skim off foam. Pour jelly quickly into hot jars, filling to about 1/8th inch from top, wipe mouth, set lid on and gently screw down.

Love the color of the red and green peppers!

This year I made little tags with a Vintage Pepper Image I got from The Graphics Fairy ...If you haven't visited her You probably should!!! ;)

I uploaded her image into picnik and added the background color and the letters and then pasted it into word...printed and ta-da this is what I got.

Well, that's it in a "nut shell"...If you have any questions please e-mail me...I would be happy to answer them...I wrote the recipe with some presumption that you have made jelly before but if your a "Newbie" it might not be clear enough.

Have a Groovy week and MAKE SOME JELLY!
(I will be linking up to many of the parties on my side bar)
Denise

Up-Dated Book / Magazine Rack

2011-10-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Finished...One Magazine / Book Rack (FINALLY)! :)

I don't know about the rest of you but once school started I've had a hard time keeping up...or maybe it's that ridiculous goal of getting 3 stockings done a week (last week I only managed two)...could be all those Volleyball games of Autumns. Awe..I do enjoy watching her play!!!

But I DID get this little baby done...check that off my list (happy sigh)!

And I must say I'm pretty pleased with it!

I used homemade chalk paint (because the price of the other is just not an option...someday maybe).

Anyway Jane at Mamie Jane's was my inspiration...She painted one white and wrote "READ" at the top...Too Cute!! I have been looking for one ever since I pinned hers!!

My twist on the idea was to put a TV on it, suggesting reading, instead of watching...

And of course because I LOVE CHALKBOARDS I did the inside of the TV with Chalkboard paint.

(Did You know I make little chalkboard Pendants out of clay and sell them on t Etsy?? I'll have a new batch out next week).

So this is what I started with. I got it at my local Good Will for $5.00.

The metal sides were Hunter Green so the first thing I did was...

Tear it apart and spray paint the metal sides Flat Black. I used KRYLON Dual Paint +Primer...

And I have to say I LOVE IT! Two coats and I was done. :)

I then whipped up a batch of "Chalk Paint" by adding Plaster of Paris to a sample BEHR's "White Truffle"...

After painting I went on line and searched images for a vintage TV...I choose this one because of it's simple lines.

I used my son's paint pens and a sharpie for the silver and the thin lines....

and Krylon Chalkboard Paint (left over from a project or two ago) for the TV screen.

After painting I did my best to distress it. This is something I don't quite have the hang of ...but I'll keep working on it!

And side view...

I used a vintage green to add some color to my TV and added water to acrylic brown paint for the front.

Well...That's my project for the week...

Thanks for visiting and as always leave a message...I love to see who's stopped by!!

Denise

Oh yes...I'll be linking up to most of those wonderful parties on my side bar. :)

Time to get a KRACK-A-LAK-KIN

2011-10-15T10:43:00.000-07:00

OH - MY - GOODNESS.... I just made a trip to BOTH G W's in my area and came home with a pile of sweaters...Now I have got to get Kraken!!! The Holidays are almost here and I am way behind in my little Stocking Business!!

I found a ton of pastels (which are harder to come by) but make such lovely stockings...that is if I don't shrink them to far! :0

I ended up with 17 sweaters....17 Yikes...I don't think there is anyway possible for me to get 17stockings done before Christmas...

But I will try!!
I have goaled myself to get 3 stockings done a week...This may not seem like much to you but they take longer than you might think!

First of all I have to shrink or felt the sweaters...I then cut out the stocking shape and start my design....No two stockings are alike...That's what I love about making them...The Alien below is a special order for a wonderful customer...She had already purchased two Alien stockings for her babies and now wants one for herself (A Knitting Alien) and one for her Husband (A Tool Guy Alien)....Gotta get started on that one.....

The problem is...I'm somewhat of a moody artist...and I seem to be in more of a fall mood....so instead of making what I needed too...

I started working on a squirrel stocking....I wonder where I got the inspiration for this one? :)

These pictures show you how I "build" a stocking...I have an idea in my head and just start cutting the shapes out of felted sweaters...I lay them out on the stocking adding and rearranging as I go. When I like what I have, I pin it and start stitching...almost always by hand.

For the cuffs I hit my stash of yarn laying different colors at the top of the design until I find the perfect combination...I then knit and it too is hand stitched to the top of the stocking.

Well that's where I'm at and why this post is so late. :)
Anyone else in a "Pre-Holiday Panic" like me...
I would love to here from you and find out your managing to get it all done!!
Denise

Bench Job and Burlap Love

2011-10-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

Hmmm...Where do I start? I had this old bench that I really didn't love, but was useful (at my front door...as a catch all, for everyone in the family...Maybe I really don't need it) :0 Anyway after being inspired by all the wonderful benches I have seen here in "Blog Land'...(I must say I am dyeing to make one out of a old bed)! I decided to give mine a face lift!!!

Sooo...

This is what I started with, an out dated beat-up oak bench...

With a woven seat that I never really cared for!!

A friend had given me a foam pad, that he had used for camping but was tired of storing. (Yee-Haw...I knew there was a reason I took it)! I placed the seat down on the foam and traced around it. I then measure in 1" on 2 sides of it. A long side and a short side...does that make sense? This way the foam would be 1/2" smaller all the way around than the seat....I then cut it out....

I laid the seat and the foam on top of my burlap and cut it so there was enough fabric to cover the top, sides and be stapled to the bottom....I forgot to take pictures of this step but I think you can figure it out!! :)

The next step was to paint the bench. I first primed it with Zinsser Cover Stain primmer and then painted it this AWESOME color from Walmart's Glidden Brilliance Collection. It's called "Dusty Gold"...Sometimes it's hard to tell if it's gold or green....BUT I LIKE IT!

The bench now brightens up the hallway and the burlap matches beautifully with the rug!!

This is one of my favorite pillows, it sat on the bench before the re-do...I used it to help pick the color.

The wreath was made out of the same warm brown colored burlap....I cut it into strips 6" long by 1 1/2 inches wide and then tied them on to a wire frame...

I don't think my pictures do it justice...It really is quit lovely!!

( I edited them on picnik to make them look more interesting but I'm not sure it helped).

The leaves I just pinned on so I can change it with the seasons...I admit the wall need more work...maybe some Halloween bats on it!??

Anyway that's it for now.

Take care and check out all those link parties on my side bar...I will be hooking up to many of them!

TTFN

Denise

Mid Century Modern Table, by Lane

2011-09-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

Well here it is...My first attempt at refinishing furniture...I found this baby at GW for $13.02 it was originally 19.99 but they were having a 40% off all furniture special...WOW

I saw it, grabbed it and carried it with me...I knew I didn't dare leave it behind!!

Like the "CREEPY" picture of Autumn? More about that later!!

As I was headed to the check out line, some kind lady stopped and asked what I was going to do with it. When I told her my plans, she asked me if I had refinished furniture before...The truth is...For a moment I wanted to say yes and act, just for once like I knew what I was doing...but true to my nature, I was totally honest.....

Which was awesome, because she called her husband over who apparently does it all the time, he told me how he would go about getting this table back to it's former glory!

Yes kids...It does always pay to tell the truth!! :)

So here is what it looked like when I bought it home that day...It had one real dark spot in the center of it...

Along with some white spots where the finish was mostly gone.....

The gentleman at the GW told me to use Formby's Furniture Refinisher to take off the finish...

It worked very well on most of it but did nothing to get the dark stain out...

So I tried bleach and a lot of sanding but only managed to lighten it some, I couldn't make it truly go away...

Afraid of ruining it, I decided enough was enough, and set it aside to stain it the following day....

Off I went to watch Autumns Volleyball game...While I was away two of my hens got in the house and ...

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELEIVE THIS ...

One of them...well...how shall I say this... LEFT HER MARK on my little table...and if that wasn't bad enough she had been eating Blackberries ...I went back to sanding... :(

This is the stamp on the bottom of the table

I got MOST the "Chicken Mark" out and was feeling a little discouraged...

When a thought suddenly came over me that made me smile....

Whoever owned this table first left their mark on it...maybe I had no right to take it away...It's part of it's history....as for my "mark", you really have to know where to look for it...But it's there...My little bit of history!! :)

I stained it with a light walnut finish after conditioning it with Pre-Stain. I was planning to put a Polycrylic finish on it but my husband talked me into using wax instead...

All and All I think it turned out pretty dang good ...If I may say so myself...the dark spot is hardly noticeable and the contrast between the Oak boarder and the Walnut is truly gorgeous!!...

I just hope the wax is good enough to protect it from anymore "accidents"!!

Well that's my story...

Thanks for listening. :)

I will be linking up to many of those wonderful parties on my side bar!

Denise

Garden Art from Up-cycled Dishes

2011-09-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

Finally ...Here it is...(Now that Summer is about over)...My long awaited tutorial on how to make.... dat-ta-da-dat-tada... Glass Garden Flowers...YEAH!!

Don't they look great!?! This project probably never would have happened if it wasn't for my two accomplices...(Who are far more organized than I)!

Love this one!!

So here's how it all came to be...after another Visit to Dragonfly Farms...We were all inspired and started gathering up plates and glassware at the G.W. and garage sales...anywhere we could find cheap goods!

We set them, all out on my table and started layering dishes...trying all sorts of different combinations until we came up with the ones we liked...

Next step was to drill the holes...we had decided to use draw pulls for the centers, so we drilled our holes the appropriate size to fit their screws....We did break a few glass dishes so practice with a spare. :) What we learned was to make a "guide" hole with a smaller drill bit and then re-drill with the larger one. ...Also there is a fine line between to much pressure and not enough. Oh yes a little water in the bottom of the dish also helps!

The screw that came with the draw pulls were not long enough...so after a ton of help form the nice guys at Home Depot we purchased these long ...Hmmm..I have no idea what they are called...but they are like a long screw with no head...instead you put a cap on them...Then after assembly we cut them off.

For the stakes we bought 10 foot long pipe and cut them with the hacksaw....Now that was fun...sparks were flying everywhere!

Anyway we drilled a hole through both sides, for the long screw and then gently bent the ends so that the flowers would face upwards.

We assembled each one how we saw fit...Using washers to help steady the dishes. The two above photos show how we stacked them.

They took way longer to make than I had planned...but next time should go faster...now that we know what we are doing!! (Although it was the drilling that seemed to take forever)!

But...

Don't they look great!!

This one reminds me of a dandelion!

My girl friend brought the plates...something I will look for next time...they added so much color!

This is one of my favorites...but then again I like them all!

We used a silver basket for the base of this flower...I will be looking for more of these too!!!

Well there it is ... My tutorial on how to make Up-cycled Garden Flowers...

Now its your turn!!

Just think what Great Christmas present they would make!!

If you stop by...leave a message...I would LOVE to hear from you!!

Denise

PS:

(I will be linking this to many of those awesome parties on my side bar)!!

Garage Sale Find...Worth "Braggin" about!

2011-08-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

Oh my Gosh...I hate to brag...(Ok it really is fun now and then)...but look what I got a Garage sale for...

Drum Roll Please!

Only $1:00

Ya...That's right I got this TOTALLY AWESOME CHAIR for ONE DOLLOR!!! :):):)

I also got those four wooden (Couch) feet for $1:00.

I was planing in using them on another doggy bed...but wouldn't the make great pumpkins?

Hmmm....What to do - What to do?

How would you know it's me if there wasn't a chicken in at least one picture?

The metal plant stand was .25...I use them to add height in my garden and patio...

I slipped the one in the background as an example...It holds a concrete pot I made, planted with Basil.

He may be 17 but my kid is no different than yours...He thought the photo shoot would be better with him and a few critters in it...He was probably right! :)

I added theses two pictures to show you the detail on the chair...I LOVE the acorn and the oak leaf on the arm!!

Ok...Here's the funny part...I paid $2:00 for the Frog Planter...They were asking $4:00...Go figure!?!

Well...Thanks for letting me Brag!!!

I will be linking up to many of those AWESOME Party's on my side bar!!

Have a great Day!!

Denise

Kids Art: Self Portraits

2011-08-29T22:47:00.000-07:00

You may remember W-A-Y back in May...(when we were all looking forward to Summer vacation) :)...I shared with you a fun, easy and almost cheating way to do a portrait...That time I used our Chicken Pebbles as an example....This time you get to see how I use the technique with some young artists....

Aren't they cute!!

The first thing I do is take picture of them with my digital camera...I then edit it on Picnik (My favorite on line photo editing service)...I use the pencil sketch tool and make the lines as light as possible without losing to much detail....I then print it on Water Color paper. (I have to cut the paper some so that it fits in my standard size machine).

Here is an example after the portrait has been edited.

The next step is to have the children trace the lines they want to show, using a black sharpie... (I like the ones with a super fine tip). After that they simply paint their portrait using water color paints....The ink from the printer does run (not the sharpie)... this shows up more with the lighter colors....We just consider that shadows. :)

I let the children choose their background color...but we do discuss it first, to make sure it complements the colors they have already used.

Notice the mustache she drew on herself...I love this kid! She drew her Owl holding pistals..LOL...She cracked me up!!!

I also ask that they use more than one color in both their hair...(At least three) and their faces (usually two colors plus a "blush").

This is one of my favorite projects, not only because the results are fantastic but also because it teaches the kids to really look at a face or a picture and pull out the most important features....with that being said...sometimes...well almost always... I hear groans from someone part way through..." I hate my picture...Can I start over?" Hmmm, the answer is sometimes yes and sometimes no...all depending on if it can be saved or not....to me, the most important part is that the child likes it!!

Anyway this truly is a fun and easy way to do a portrait...so why don't you give it a try...Or better yet trot on down to your local school, volunteer to teach art and try it out on a whole "herd" of kids...You won't regret it!!! :)

As always thanks for visiting!!

I will be linking up to some of those Groovy parties on my side bar...Won't you join me?

Denise

A Visit to Dragonfly Farm...One of my Favorite Plant Nurseries!

2011-08-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I dropped Autumn off at Volleyball camp and headed out for an adventure with a couple of girl friends at Dragonfly Farms...Now why would I refer to a plant nursery as an adventure?

Well you soon will see...this nursery is full of wonderful surprises!!!

Like these two Bad .....! :)

Aren't they great!?!? Simply coffee pots turned upside down and welded to frying pans...I could do that!!! (Bought a pot on my way home at a garage sale) :)

The owner has wonderful gardens planted that are a pure joy to wander through....

These clay heads are made by an artist in Port Townsend. And as for the wine bottle wall...it would be easy to make... not to mention, one could have a VERY GOOD TIME gathering all those bottles!!!! Hmmmm

This bird bath inspired my son to make a similar one, out of old car parts for my parents for Christmas one year.

Ok...I know...Last year after my visit...I promised a tutorial on how to make these glass flowers.

Well, I think it is actually going to happen this fall...I have my girlfriends and our tools gathered ...we just have to pick a date...always the hardest part!

Don't ask me why, but I just adore old cement sinks...I have one by my pump house that has been just sitting there for years...I LOVE the way she built a stand for it!! Let me say it again...I could do that!! Hmmm but will I?

These two "Birds Nest" made out of wrenches and pliers are sooo creative... the nest is barb wire...who thinks of these things anyway???

I want one!

Of course there are plenty of wonderful plants there too...

Like these pink Echinacea...

And this tree I planted in my "Fairy Garden" a couple of years ago.

I adore it's blooms!

This year I bought some new succulents for the concrete pot I made...NICE!

I will be linking up to Sunday in My City...the easiest way to see the world form you computer chair!! :)

And ,Fishtail Cottage's "Flora Thurs."...I just discovered this one..:)

Love them both!!!

And as always..

Thanks for visiting my little neck of the woods!!

Denise

Etsy Treasury: "Autumn on My Mind"

2011-08-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

Such a lovely Treasury...I just had to share!

'Autumn on My Mind' by ComfortandJoyGifts

The leaves start to change the beauty of it amazes me, a cool autumn breeze, baking an apple pie, carving a pumpkin and chopping of wood going through a corn maze! Wonderful Season coming upon us hope your getting Autumn on Your mind.

Just Nutty Origi... RRLeath $75.00	Autumn Fairies Dres... emaleighscupbo... $42.00	Mabon Sabbat Kit 20... Vermorlian $95.00	AUTUMN FAIRY marileejanedes... $32.00
Needle Felted Waldo... darialvovsky $42.00	Autumn Gnome Cerami... spittintoad $8.00	Crochet knit scarf ... allmadewithlov... $49.00	CANDY CORN Mini Bat... SweetbodySoaps $5.95
Yellow Sunflower, R... bloomedtolastb... $45.00	Autumn Leaves Print... emelephotograp... $10.00	Carmel Apples 8x12 LoveBugPhotogr... $20.00	autumn vineyard det... kristaglavich $25.00
Halloween Decoratio... inspirationalb... $20.00	Autumn theme Tie Dy... GratefulDan $60.00	autumn bicycle - 8x... alicebgardens $20.00	Time for Apple Pie ... grissomrn $5.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

This treasury was made by:

Comfort and Joy Gifts

Give her a visit!

:) Denise

For the Love of Birds ....Hummingbirds!!

2011-08-18T13:06:00.000-07:00

So many people seemed to enjoy my post about my new bird feeder...That this week I thought I'd share with you my "Hummingbird Garden".

It's hard to imagine how such a little bird can give one so much pleasure...but they do!!

I have learned that if I plant my pots with the right plants, my patio will be full of those happy little guys zipping through everything...Sometimes right between us while were eating dinner.

Of course by now you know my favorite time to enjoy them..... is with that morning cup of "Java" when the sun has just begun to flood the patio...Ahhh Heaven!!

Salvia

So by now you are probably wondering what does she plant in those "Patio Pots"?

Well.....My #1 chose is any variety of Salvia this plant seems to be... by far the favorite of my "Hummers"!

Salvia comes in colors from coral to pink to blue....My faves are always the blue variety's...but I do love the white and pink of "Hot Lips" and often plant that one in my garden beds too!

As for the Hummingbirds...They don't seem to care what color...They are always drawn to Salvia!

Ecremocarpus..."Chillean Glory Vine"

I have planted many different vines threw the years and the "Chilean Glory Vine" is equally loved by both the hummingbirds and myself...Even the seed pods are fantastic!!

crocosmia

Although I don't have it in pots I need to mention that Crocosmia is also a favorite...I have it planted carelessly in the garden under the fire pit, where I can see it from my kitchen window and by August it is a major attraction for the little birds!

Fushia and a summer annual

We (the Hummingbirds and I) also adore the Hardy Fuchsia...I have varieties planted throughout my garden and in my patio pots.

Hardy fushia "Auroa"

The one above has survived in my large pot for 4 or 5 years now...There's no longer room for any other plants although I did manage to squeeze a little Chilean vine in just for the interest.. :)

Orange Black Eyed Susan Vine, Salvia

I love the contrast of the bright orange pedals against the black centers of the Black Eyed Susan Vine...but I have yet to see a hummingbird visit it.

The other thing I need to mention when planning a "Hummingbird Garden" is a place for them to perch....I have noticed that they like to have a spot where they can survey the area before swooping in to feed....They will also stop to rest there after enjoying a snack. :)

They use to perch in neighboring bushes around the patio but when I put this Hummingbird sculpture in my large pot, they added it to a favorite stopping place...

The fact that it is a giant Hummingbird makes it all the better!! :)

Thanks for stopping by and know that I will be linking up to some of the party's in my side bar...

Please check them out!! And don't forget to leave a comment and say HI!

Denise

New Bird Feeder

2011-08-09T22:32:00.000-07:00

To be honest I wasn't sure what to call this post...You see the bird feeders aren't really new and neither is the limb they are hanging on...So here's the story...

Sadly the arbor that covered this pathway fell down last winter and we had to remove it...

Which would have been OK, but my beloved bird feeders hung off of it and I SOOO ENJOY watching my birdies!!! In the winter I could see the feeders from my favorite chair as I enjoyed my morning coffee.

My husband kindly put my feeders on a ladder so that I could still enjoy the birds....

but we had a problem...

Autumn's chicks quickly discovered they could climb the ladder and help themselves to the food...

Not only were they eating all the food but they were also chasing of all the Woodpeckers...

In the spring, I go threw about a package of suet a day...This is truly AWESOME because so many of the birds...

bring their young to my feeder...

and I get to enjoy the show!!!

Anyway my solution to this problem was simple and cheap!! :)

I cut a limb off a tree that had fallen during one of our winter storms. The boys dug a hole and placed it in the ground for me. Now the birds have a perch that they are totally comfortable with and the chickens can't eat their food.

Don't worry they still scratch the ground below the feeders picking up left overs. :)

Well, thanks for stopping by!!

I will be linking up to many of the party's on my side bar...Check them out...They are full of great ideas!!

Denise

Summer Finds...

2011-08-05T11:47:00.000-07:00

Our summer so far here in Poulsbo has been anything but spectacular...We still haven't got the part for the Wake Board Boat..The weather has for the most part been...DREARY, (we are lucky to get above 70)...my oldest has Mono and his races keep getting canceled due to rain...

But on the up side...I have had a great time shopping at the Good Will...

So I thought I would share a few of my finds...

I got this tray the other day, before it had even been put on the shelf...

I think it's Silver Plated, but don't know for sure and for that part don't even know how to tell....

Although...truth is it doesn't really matter to me I-LOVE-IT!!

These are the markings it has on the back...If any of you know what that means I would love to hear from you!

I think my favorite thing about it...other than it's weight (It's nice and heavy), is the feet it has on the bottom...to give it just that little bit of lift.

I don't think you can tell from this picture but you can kind-of see that the stamped design shows slightly on the bottom of the tray too.

Anyway on to my glass finds.....

One of the days Garrets race was canceled Autumn and I discovered the G. W. in Shelton....now we always try to leave in time to stop there!!! (My son race's cars and often competes at Grays Harbor Raceway, in Elma Wa.). Prices are considerably less than the one at home...the first time we stopped Autumn got a Wet-Suit for $13.00...They run around $30.00 at ours which I find ridicules!!!

Last time we visited I found this lovely glass set with two large bowls and four smaller ones.

I also picked up a candle stick...Thinking I would glue it on the bottom a larger bowl...giving it a pedestal...but now I'm not sure.

What do you think?

And what about my tray any idea on its make or worth....I payed $10.00 for it.

As always thanks for stopping By!

Denise

I am linking to these wonderful party's:

Easy Batik

2011-08-02T21:11:00.000-07:00

Finally...Here it is my..... recipe for BATIK...

I've been wanting to share this for SOOOO LONG but I was waiting for my Summer Art Class to start up so I could get pictures of all the steps along the way.

Cute Puppy Dog with Bone

Let me start with just a little history behind this project....

My son was studying Africa in his 3rd grade class and I was the Art Docent (At his school an Art docent was a volunteer that came in, gave art history lesson and the usually did a project along with it)....I was never very good at the history lesson, but I sure had fun with the art part...

Anyway I always tried to pull the lesson in with what they were studying...which is where the Batik project came in.

Cool Abstract Design!

The kids enjoyed it so much...That I have done it ever since!!

(Not to mention the finished project got rave reviews from the parents)!

I should also add that the melting wax...Hmmm shall we say... kind of smells...We had the Principle along with many of the teachers poking their heads in to see what we were up too. :)

So here we go:

First of all, I purchased muslin fabric, washed, dried, and then cut it into rectangles...(mine were 15" X12" ).

For the School project the kids had to draw African animals...but for my summer classes they get to draw what ever they want...The only criteria is that The drawing has to be LARGE...When your painting with wax its hard to do paint fine details and thin lines!!!

I mix my own wax using a 50/50 mix of bees wax and paraffin wax. (The bees wax absorbs better into the fabric..but the paraffin dries harder..making it crackle better when you ball up your project before dyeing it).

We add crayons to color the clear wax and of course the kids get to choose their colors...I melt them on two griddles using cup cake tins to hold the wax....

You want the wax to be hot enough or liquid enough to soak though the fabric...

Have the kids paint the smallest parts first...like the eyes...dots on the butterflies etc...Once the fabric has absorbed the wax anything painted on top of it wont show after you iron out the wax.

The other thing to remember is ... they have to move fast...dip the brush and then quickly get it to the fabric!

Drips of wax happen...That's OK it just adds to the "Batik Feel"!

When they have finished the front, have them turn it over and paint any places the wax didn't go through on the back.

I don't think I mentioned that I usually do this as a three day project:

The first day we design our pictures starting out on paper and then moving to the fabric.

Day two is of course painting with wax and....

Day three we dye!!

My favorite dye bath is black...I just like the way it makes the colors pop...with that being said I also offer the kids one or two other colors depending on what they painted.

I think one of the hardest part of this whole process is scrunching up that beautiful wax painting to put it in the dye bath...but they all do it!!! :)

Art work in a black dye bath.

Nicely Scrunched!!

I then go home and iron out the wax using an OLD iron (that I just use for crafting) and paper towels..

So here are some more of the finished Batiks....

Handsome Raccoon

Lovely Pony

Some of the kids choose not to paint the whole fabric piece in wax...This is just fine but it does leave a waxy outline or shadow around the picture.

The kids who do cover all of the fabric get a more conventional Batik look.

This Rat is one of my faves...I don't think my picture does it justice!

Yummy Cupcake!

So there it is in a "Nut Shell" ...Easy...Messy... Fabulously Fun...Batik!

Give it a try at home and then just maybe...just maybe... at one of your kids, grand kids, neighbor's kids...(you get the idea) School! :)

I will be linking up to many of those Awesome Link Party's in my side bar...

Check them out they are so full of great ideas!!!

And once again...

Thanks for visiting!!!

Denise

Kids Art...Drawing Owls

2011-07-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone..Let me first of all apologise for not posting anything for the last week and a half...but I have a good excuse...Really I do... (well at least I think so)...;) I was getting ready for the "Art Camp" I teach threw Parks and Rec....and of course I had great ideas.... But true to my nature I waited till last minute to put them together. On the upside I now have some really fun projects...(not to mention some AWESOME Kids Art) to share with all of you.

SO LETS GET STARTED!

One of my favorite things to do with kids is a directed draw. I show them step by step how to build a drawing by breaking it down into simple shapes....Here's a couple of finished pictures...Just to get you interested!

Many of the kids added the moon and stars to their painting.

So this is what I did..

I drew the Owl at home using several different references...I numbered each step as I went along so it would be easy to share with the class.

I draw on the white board as the kids follow along...

The first thing we did is draw the two circles for the eyes.

We then drew the beak...one line at a time...

I use simple terms...Like the top of the beak between the eyes, I called a upside down smile...the bottom of the beak is of course, is just two straight lines...coming together in a point...

I think You've got the idea! ;)

I is important to remind them to draw softly with the pencils...because there are parts that will need to be erased...

NOW FOR THE FUN...

Once the Owl was drawn...I let them choose what they wanted to color it in with...

Water Colors, Markers or Oil Pastels...

I also showed them different ways to do the breast feathers and wings....

The rest was up to them...

And as you can see...

Everyone of them is LOVELY...

Unique...

and totally AWESOME!!

Give it a try...the kids in my class ranged from 8 - 13.

I will be joining up to many of those wonderful "Bloggy Link Party's" on my side bar...If you haven't checked them out, please do... they are chalk full of ideas!

As always...Thanks for visiting!

Denise

PS: If you missed my Directed Draw for a Sea Horse You can find it here:

Directed Draw: Sea Horse

Coffee Table / Pet Bed

2011-07-12T20:43:00.000-07:00

Ever since I saw this floating around the Internet, I've been dying to make one...A coffee table converted into a Pet Bed...What a great idea!!! Anyway it wasn't hard to get Autumn on board (If it has to do with pets...she's in)!! So we hit some garage sales and ended up with two tables...I think we'll paint the next one black. :)

Calico really likes this idea!

This is the first one we found...it was in grate shape and only cost $5.00....Because really.....who would want a fake wood Formica tables out of the 70's????

We took the doors and the magnets that kept them shut off and then filled the holes with Glazing Putty (It was what we had around the house...after all my Son and Husband are "Motor Heads"...and they said "It will work great!!

Next step was to paint it with a primer (Zinsser, Cover Stain Primer).

Just one coat.

I then painted it with three coats of Valspar's Premium Decorator Enamel in Dover white.

To make the cushion I measured the inside of the table...Then using the old string and pen trick made marked and cut out a circle to fit...sew...fill TA-DA Done. :)

I must say we are sooo happy with the finished project and are planning to move it to Autumns room... a night stand for her and a get away for Callie. :)

I'm linking up to my favorite Parties (on my side bar) ...

Please check them out...there are so many great ideas roaming around you don't want to be left out!!

Denise

PS: leave a comment...I would love to know who has stoped by!

Kitchen Pot Holders

2011-07-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here's my "Crafty" post of the week...And you have no idea how hard it was to get up!! My goal was to post on Tuesday night. But then, my darling son was feeling so CRAPPY that he actually asked to go to the doctors.....He's been fighting something for a while and it finally got the best of him...he said the back of his throat was killin him...Well it should have been ...it was full of white blisters...To make a long story short ..He has MONO!! :(

So I got up early Wednesday morning only to find my Internet down....Another sad face :( ....

Well here it is Thursday morning and I am happy to share with you my KITCHEN POT HOLDERS...

YEA!!!!

These were so fun to make...Joann's had a 50% off sale on their cotton fabric so Autumn and I trotted down there to pick out our fabric....I had a tough time deciding....but these are the ones I narrowed it down to. (OK I admit it ...I'm not very good at narrowing down)! Anyway my kitchen has lovely brown counter tops with a Harvest Orange paint on the walls...This explains why my color choose looks kind of "fallish" for the first of July. :)

The first thing I did was cut the background fabric into 9" squares...

I then ironed Heat-n-Bond onto the wrong side of the piece I was using to applique...The cool thing about Heat-n-Bond is that you can draw your design on it and then cut it out!!

You then peel the back off...

And place it on your background fabric...moving it around until you get the look you want....Then simply iron it on.

Next step is to place the applique piece right sides together with the fabric you choose for the back....On top of that I added a insulated lining (Insul-Bright). I cut this piece just a little smaller (8 1/2" square) so the seams wouldn't be to thick....Now sew 3 sides of your pot holder together, clip corners and then turn right side out....

Pin the 4th side...sew along all 4 edges.

Stitch around you applique design...

Stop admire your work...and then hurry off to make more!!!

I spent $13.00 on materials and have enough fabric left over to make at least 4 more pot holders...

so the cost was under $2.00 each! :)

RIGHT ON!!

I'm linking up to those WONDERFUL LINK Parties on my side bar...

Won't you join me?

Denise

Sculpey Slugs

2011-06-30T22:38:00.000-07:00

I first did this project with Autumn's 3rd Grade class...(She had the most Awesome teacher)!!

Anyway the kids had so much fun I've continued to make them with the kids in my Parks and Rec. classes.

If your not familiar with Sculpey it is a bake in the oven clay that you can get in most craft stores...I by mine either at Jo Ann's or Michael's...With a COUPON of course!! :)

Garrets little friend JJ was over last summer so I had him help me make some samples for my class...We had lots of fun!!!

As you can see its hard to stop once your start making slugs......So here's how we do it...

First roll the clay into a tootsie roll shape...kind-of long and fat. Pinch or roll the end to make the tail.

Then pinch and shape the eyes...We like to add little beads to make them sparkle... Push the beads firm into the clay and they will stay put....I have used larger black beads to make spots on their backs too....Use you imagination and what you have around the house..."The only way to do art wrong...is to not do it at all"!!

JJ's first slug...Lots more to come. :)

Is that a Pack of Slugs or a Herd???

Of course Garret had to make Sponge Bob.

Autumn made flowers to go with her slugs.

So here is the finished tray ready to bake in the oven...Good times!! ;)

(Autumn made the Cupcake...Which has also been copied many times over).

Well thanks for visiting and Go Hug A Slug!!!

Denise

PS: I am linking up to those AWESOME PARTY'S in my side bar...Check them out!!

Spray Paint Love

2011-06-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

You may not know this about me but I L-O-V-E Spray Paint (So does my son...someday I'll have to share his work)!!!! :)

So when I saw this lovely green can of paint a Walmart...Well I just had to by it!!

You see I had this OLD table and chair set that had totally faded from years in the sun and it was in desperate need of a Re-do.

So here's my Before picture.....

You can see it was in pretty bad shape...The plastic was pitted and the metal rusted.

But after several coats of Krylon's Outdoor paint (4 cans altogether) and a little patience I hate waiting for coats to dry! :) I am very happy with the results!!

I also bought the new pads for the chairs at Walmart for $9:00....I was going to paint flowers on the solid side but I'm not so sure anymore....

I think they're just fine the way they are....but I do like to paint things!!

Now for some of my past projects....

I was Soooo excited when Krylon came out with their Fusion Paint for Plastics!!! Suddenly my cheap lawn furniture could match my outdoor palette....Happy Sigh!

The first thing I painted was an old Hunter Green Bench I bought when I was pregnant with Gar...17 years ago...WOW!! I painted it to match the play house door.....

I later purchased these Pool Chairs at Rite Aid for a VERY reasonable price and painted them in the same Fusion Paint for Plastics... :)
Well... I guess that's it for now....
Go paint something and thanks for visiting!!!
Denise
(I'm linked up to theses "Groovy" Partys)

Ruffled Purse

2011-06-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

I saw this wonderful ruffled purse years ago and even bought a pattern to try to make one....but never quite got around to it...I also saved an old dress of mine out of the 90's to use for the fabric...but there it sat in my fabric pile. Until.....I saw Alisa Burke do a fabulous make over on a simple $2.50 raffia bag from Target...Hmmm I thought this would be an easy way to get that bag done!!! :)

So here is my "Hippie" Dress although I still liked the fabric...You can see why I put it away a L-O-N-G time ago!!...

The first thing I did was cut down the seams of the different fabric panels.....

I the measured the top of my bag. (32") I now knew I wanted to about double that to make my ruffle.

I cut my first panel so that it was 4" wide and then sewed a very loose running stitch at the top to gather the fabric. I pinned it to the top of the bag and then glued it.....EASY!!!

I then added my second and third ruffles gluing them high enough under the top one so the was no straw or raffia was showing. To cover the unfinished edge at the top of the purse I glued a beaded ribbon.

I already had clear plastic handles left over from my "Felted Bag Stage" (I sold them at craft fairs)... Anyway the idea was to cut the handles off the purse leaving about 2" to run threw the bottom of the new handles securing to the inside of the purse...does that make sense??? (It's past my bed time). So here it is...

My brand new "Ruffled Purse" made out of an old dress...Total cost was $2.50...The price of the Target bag....Everything else I had laying around the house....Even the beads around the top...The funny thing is my favorite ribbon of beads weren't quite long enough so I used different beads on the back side. ;)

Thanks for visiting!

Denise

I Linked up to these Fab link partys...Check them out!

Solar Lanterns

2011-06-07T21:48:00.000-07:00

I got this inexpensive idea from Peace, Love, 2 Sisters...They made solar lights out of canning jars...Tooo Cute!!! But I wanted something a little more rustic and "farmy".....

Hmmmm....I thought what about tin cans...They are cheap!!

So I went out and bought several solar lights from Target ( The small one was $2:00 and the larger one was $3:00)

I filled a can with water, then froze it....thinking that it would save it from bending when I drilled the holes in it...That backfired...the ice bent the bottom of the can :(...Oh well it still worked but for the rest I just drilled with no ice and no problems!!!

LOL...No my arms are not that hairy...I took the pictures while my husband drilled. :)

Using the drill press I first drilled a hole in the bottom of the can for the solar light to rest in.....

I then drilled random holes for the light to shine threw...At night I discovered the more holes the better so I went back and added just a few more!!! I also drilled holes for the wire and then strung it with beads I had left over from another project.

This is what the look like in the day....

and this at night!
Best of all the cost for two lanterns was only $5:00...but of course I plan to make more...I think they would look nice hanging on the fence around the pool!!

I'm linking up to these Fabulous Party's:

Spring Tank Re-Do

2011-05-25T07:59:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been drawn to all the altered clothing that I keep seeing on blogs and in Magazines so I decide to attempt one myself.....and I must say I'm pretty happy with the results!!

I started out with an old ...and I mean old, yellow tank that I love but is way to short to wear in public...and yet I haven't been able to give it up...LOVE the color!!

I knew I wanted to try making some up cycled flowers out of T-shirts so I grabbed two of Autumns that I had in the "Good Will Pile"...Whew, glad I never got around to dropping them off!! :) I then zipped on down to JoAnns and found this butterfly fabric and some white lace (the lace was in the red tag area...right on)!

I then cut the lace in a strip that was twice the length of the hem of the tank and 6" wide. I pinned it onto the Back side or wrong side of the Tank...

So that I could sew it just above the existing hem.

I cut the butterfly fabric the same length but only 4" wide .....After melting the edges with a candle flame....so that it wouldn't fray.......which by the way was VERY FUN!! I pinned it to the right side of the tank...

I liked the way it leaves a little "top ruffle" after it's sewn...I then of course sewed it.

For the flowers I cut the Ts in either 1" or 1 1/2" stripes the length of the t-shirt. I then sewed them down the middle with a very loose stitch so that I could pull and gather them.....After folding them in half, I simply rolled each one into a flower....I then played around with placement....decide to sew four at the necks edge and add one down by the ruffle.....

For the one by the ruffle I added some of my butterfly fabric.......

So here it is my new tank that I can once again wear in public....

Not bad for a first try!!

I am a "Co-Host" at Blue Eyed blessings for this weeks, handmade Wednesday blog hop...

Check it out!

I also linked up to these Craft links:

Tea Rose Home
Night Owl Crafting
Idea Sharing Wednesday at Women Who Do It All
Dragonfly Designs
Beyond the Picket Fence
Somewhat Simple

Garden Shelf

2011-05-17T23:23:00.000-07:00

For Mothers Day my family helped me build this darling little garden shelf...best of all it didn't cost a thing!!! But I think I should start at the beginning....

This winter during a wind storm the arbor finally just let go and fell...It's not like it was a big surprise...My husband wanted to tear it down last summer...but I couldn't bear too...not with the garden in full bloom!! Plus...I guess ..I wanted it to hold up just one more year. :( This winter was not going to let that happen!!

Sooo...One snowy day we tore it down...somehow it seemed easier in the dead of winter, while the yard was still dreary and gray. We cut the wisteria and the trumpet vine...with no money to replace it, they need to go too! :(

With out the arbor the side of my house looked VERY plain....And I need a cheap way to jazz it up fast!! So I took inventory and gathered up some odds and ends that we had laying around the farm and got started...

There needed to be a focal point between the two windows so I drug an old water trough out of the pasture...it's bottom was rusted so it no longer held water....the perfect planter!!! I leaned a piece of the arbor behind it for a climbing annual or two to grow on...

It was now time to make the shelf....I found a nice thick piece of wood but wasn't sure how to attach it....That's when Bryan came up with the idea to use two old garden forks...He drilled them in two places...The first to attach to the board and the second hole to screw into the siding......

I added an roll of barb wire, the antler and a gourd form last years garden...the green pot was a garage sale find for .25 and the succulent I cut of off an existing plant....oh yes... the boys gave me the geranium for mothers day. :)

Well the new gardens not finished yet but I think I'm off to a good start...More to come!!

I linked up to these wonderful party's...won't you join me?

                                                           Night Owl Crafting
                                                    Wednesday at Tea Rose Home
                                         Idea Sharing Wed. at Women Who Do It All
                                  Handmade Wednesday at Blue Eyed Blessings
                                                         Some What Simple

Thanks for visiting!!

Denise

Whats Happenin on the Farm...

2011-05-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

Well...Autumn and Madison have deiced to go into an egg sell'in business...so two weeks ago they bought 5 new baby chicks (Yes, Autumn...I realize baby chicks is too "wordy"...every one know that chicks are baby's ..but I like the way it sounds)!

Anyhow, between really crummy weather and Autumns playing 3 sports...we haven't had much chance to take them out, But.....

It was a sports free weekend and the weather was good so the little gals finally went on a "field trip" to the garden... I was happily weeding...they were happily scratching....and Angel was happily watching....a little too closely!!

She has a hard time leaving baby chicks alone...there is something about those soft fluffy mouth fulls that are just to hard to resist!! Not to worry though...we watch her closely...

and once she's use to them...and they're grown up.....she'll guard them from the dangers on farm just like the rest of the flock!

Good Dog Angel!!

What's happ'in in your neck of the woods?

Don't forget...I love comments...It's just nice to know who's stopped by! :)

Denise

Water Color Chickens....Easy Art

2011-05-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

This is such a fun and easy...almost cheating way to paint a portrait...I have done it twice now, with grade school kids in my art class, with much success....the kids are always so proud...I will show you their pictures later...just have to get permission from parents...after all the are self portraits

Anyway Autumn and I painted a portrait of our chicken Pebbles (On Easter Sunday after a wonderful brunch with my family...Ahh the perfect day)...So here's how it's done.....

First of all I take the picture I want and then edit it with Picnik, using the Pencil Sketch Tool...I try to get it as light as possible... but still being able to see the lines.... I then print it on water color paper...The picture to the right is what I ended up with....

The next step is to trace the lines you want to show, using a black sharpie (I like the ones with a super fine tip). After that you simply paint you portrait using water colors....The ink from the printer does run (not the sharpie)... this shows up more with the lighter colors....We just consider that shadows. :)

You can see that I Autumn and I chose two different color themes...which is really the joy of it...If you don't like the first one you simply print up another!!! Or you could do four different color sets for the same print...Kind-of an Andy Warhol look...or have everyone in the family paint the same picture and see how different they turn out.....

I've seen so many great collages in Somerset Studio and have been dieing to give it a shot...So that is where I put my chicken....I'm now thinking collage may not be my style...but never the less I tried it!!

We still haven't deiced what to do with Autumns painting but we have been gathering up material...And over at Ucreate the "Create with me" project for the month of May is a jewelry holder made out of an old frame and ...you guessed it chicken wire....I have to think there a way to use Autumn's painting in that!! Go on over to Peace, Love 2 Sisters and check out their tutorial!

Any way that's my art project for the week....Join the fun and check out these link partys for more great ideas ....

Thanks for visiting and please leave a comment...I'd love to hear from you!!

You could always follow along I have so many ideas in my head ...just waiting to get done!!

Peace, Love and Hippie Beads!!

Denise

Project 64: Week 16, Color Pacific Blue

2011-04-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

Whew...I didn't think I was going to get my entry in for Week 16 of Project 64...But then...While feeding the bunny I looked down and saw the exact color I was looking for (Pacific Blue), there on the deck of the Play House. :)

You may wonder why I have old insulators sitting on the deck of the play house!?! Well...My plan has been (for the last 3 years) to build a little fence around the garden adjoining it, to keep the chickens out.....The insulators are to go on top of the fence posts. My plan was to make a wattle fence..but now I'm thinking something easy...like chicken wire. Maybe that way it will get done! :)

Anyway

Aren't they awesome? I collected them years ago when I was a kid... I loved the way the sun colored the glass...still do!!!

Join the fun:

Don't be shy...Leave a comment...I would love to hear from you!!!

Shag Pillow

2011-04-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

It's been a very busy couple of weeks with work and Autumn playing 3 sports (what was she thinking)!?! Anyway I'm kind-of disappointed in my self that I didn't find time (or make time) to post anything ...I haven't even kept up with Project 64...which is one of my faves!!

I did however manage to find the time to finish this darling Shag Pillow...That I saw featured on U Create by V and Co. For the super easy tutorial click here: Shag Pillow Tutorial

I choose a Cheery Orange for mine...Not a big surprise. ;)

The "Shag" part is made out of jersey knit fabric cut into 1 1/2" X 4" rectangles that you sew in rows onto a cotton background...It really was easy, but a bit time consuming!!!

As I stated earlier I don't have much spare time but do have the constant need to create!!......Other wise I will just shrivel up and die or go really crazy...either way I'm not willing to chance it!!!

Anyhow this was an easy project to work on a little bit at a time and the end result was better that I had hoped for!!

(Now Autumn wants me to make a couple for her room)

For more great ides click here:

And Here:

Garden Treasury by Magnificent 4 U...Time to Get to Work!!

2011-04-12T07:15:00.000-07:00

'Spring YaRd WoRk' by MAGNificEnT4U

Spring Has Spung. Oh What Fun...Not Until The Chores Are Done!

Custom Copper Garde... MakeThyme $35.00	Garden Dibble WoodElements $18.00	Seedbom - Throw It ... kabloom09 $9.95	Copper Garden Tools... Light76 $175.00
Spring Bird's N... jennyleigh1018 $12.00	Chalkboard Pendant.... spittintoad $8.50	A Toad Hall for Spr... PoFu $45.00	Leafcutter Bee Nest... andrewsreclaim... $29.00
Original Photograph... dashalee3 $9.00	The "April&quo... BittersweetTre... $16.00	Rock Planter: an at... greetingswalld... $15.00	The Kennedy Feeder,... kennedyglassst... $45.00
Natural Large Maran... natskreations $30.95	HOSE CLOTHES 25'... dirtcouture $24.00	Wheelbarrow Chair karlsanford $450.00	Green Thumbs Hand C... battysbath $7.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

This "Yard Working Treasury"...Hee Hee was created by:
Magnificent 4U

Please check out her shop...It's darling!

And as always...

Thanks for visiting!!

Denise

Project 64, Week 14: Burnt Sienna...and My Sad, Sad Garden

2011-04-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

Burnt Sienna is this weeks color for project 64....Which was far to easy to find in my garden....

This little guy sits on a fence post to greet all who enter...His arms are made to hold a peanut. :)

He was made by one of my favorite local artist Victoria....I tried to find a web page for her but couldn't do so...If our paths cross again, I will defiantly get her info so I can pass it on to all of you!!!

I also found Burnt Sienna in the new leaves and buds on my Red Sargent Viburnum...Lovely.....

But now for the not so lovely you could say the "Bad and the Ugly"....

This winter did a number no all of my Hebe's...YIKES

This is a hedge I planted many years ago...I got the Hebe's at Rite Aid super cheap. I was planing on making a water garden behind it his summer...but now I need to rethink the hedge too...

Can you find the crayon?

This one is in my front garden...I stuck the crayon amongst it's dead leaves...It blends in all to well!! :(

Join the fun!

And of course....Thanks for visiting!
Denise
Leave a comment or just say Hi...I would love to hear from you!
Better yet why not follow my blog and see how my water garden turns out!!

Most Wonderful Etsy Garden by Catch Some Raes

2011-04-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

'Welcome to my (Etsy) Garden' by CatchSomeRaes

Shining Through - w... firstlightphot... $25.00	ZEN GARDEN V009 onceuponapaper $7.00	Fuana Whispers. Gor... japonicas $69.00	Vintage California ... LeeLeesCloset $8.00
Pink Flower Bow Cap... mojospastyle $32.00	Lavatera Flowers - ... NatureMandalas $30.00	Garden Gnome Holdin... spittintoad $8.50	5 oz. Spring Garden... StellasFiberFa... $25.00
In a Rose Garden, l... InmostLight $21.00	Shabby Chic Handmad... AMarigoldLife $8.75	Galvanized Watering... luvredford $15.00	Brooch Ivory, Apple... Floralworld $20.00
botanical drawing o... ArTrend $15.00	Floral Dragonflies ... greenvalley $3.50	May Day Bison Booti... bisongirl $25.00	Grow - Tiny Blue Eg... Floridity $4.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Hard to pick a favorite :)

This wonderful Garden was created by Catch Some Raes ....Check out her cute cards!

Thanks for visiting!
Denise

Just Off My Needles

2011-04-05T22:27:00.000-07:00

OK....OK...The truth is I finished this hat in February ...but I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to share it with you ....and it is a GREAT HAT!!!..... Far to Awesome to just forget about!

I have made this hat too many times to count...Well I probably could but, I'm far to tired to put that kind of energy forward....L-O-N-G day. :) To give you an idea though, if you look at the top of this page I'm wearing it in winter white and if you scroll down to the bottom I have a picture of Autumn in a green one....We do LOVE this hat!!!

The bobbles give it texture...(not to mention make it interesting to knit) and I love the way the crown kind-of swirls!! Angel like it too!!

Sooo.....now for the details I knit this one out of a wonderful Alpaca yarn and the pattern came out of my VERY FAVORITE HAT BOOK. I have knit six of the patterns out of this book and loaned it out to many friends...most of them have ended up buying the book for themselves...It's that good!!!

Just in case it's hard to read from the picture (some of us are getting old ya know) The book is Hip Knit Hats by Cathy Carron.

Both these sites are full of great ideas....Join the fun!!!

Leave a comment...I would love to hear from you!

Denise

Project 64, Week 13: Spring Green

2011-04-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

The Crayon color this week for Project 64 is Spring Green....and what could be more Springy or Green than a Spring Peeper??? OK..I know I've used pictures of frogs before...but the name of my blog is Spittin Toad after all. :)

I have always loved these little creatures...Salamanders too!! When I stumble across one I still have the urge to catch and just hold it in my hand.....

I'm afraid there is no hope of out growing it...I am 50 ya know. :)

The sound of frogs croaking on a spring night is music to my ears...After hearing a loud c-r-o-a-k on my patio I spotted these "little guys" in a small water garden ....last year a frog laid eggs in it....the tadpoles were so fun to watch grow... I wonder if either of these are the same frog..or maybe a returning baby?

Now hop to it (I know that's bad but I couldn't help it) and join the fun!!!

And don't forget to say Hi!!

Denise

Project 64, Week 12: Tickle Me Pink

2011-04-02T15:22:00.000-07:00

Spring is slowly arriving on my little farm and this weeks color for Projects 64...Tickle Me Pink was such a pleasure to look for!! I headed strait out to my garden....which always makes me smile....in fact you could say I was "tickled" to do so!! :)

Anyway I found a Plethora of Pink....

Pink Primroses

This shot of my Primroses is my favorite...I love the little white edging around each petal....Of course I edited it (along with the rest of my photos) on Picnik ...I am so happy I found that web sight...it's easy to use and has made a huge difference in my photos!!! I give it 3 happy faces!! ;) :) :-)

Here is and example of what one can do...pretty good...huh..OK for all you pros this is probably no big deal...but to me (with my very old camera) it's simply AMAZING!

Of course so is my Flowering Current...The hummingbirds (or as we like to call them the hummers) just LOVE this plant!!

Another close up of my Current

Here is a picture of my Daphne...It's not a fabulous looking plant...but the flowers are Oh So Fragrant... I have one planted by my front door.

Join the fun and see what others have posted!!

Don't forget to leave a comment...I would love to hear from you!

Denise

A Sunday Drive...

2011-03-28T20:17:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I had to take my son to a friends house to work on their History Day Project...It was way out in Indianola by the bay...Wow what a beautiful place to live!!!...Anyway on the way back I got kind-of lost....not super lost ...just kind-of lost...I knew if I kept driving up hill I would eventually hit the main road!!! Have I ever mentioned to you that I believe that things happen for a reason? I truly believe this....You just have to trust in God!!!

Soooo as I was driving up this super long hill...there it was on the side of the rode with a FREE sign on it....This WAY COOL TV.....Well of course I couldn't pass it by...There was a vintage dresser next to it but it was to big and heavy for me to fit in the car by myself...Both pieces may have been out in the weather for a day or two because none of the drawers on the dresser would open...but had it fit...It too...would have been mine!!!

The TV is a Panasonic and I have no idea what year it is...or what I'm going to do with it...Garret has already taken the back off trying to figure out if we could put a flat screen inside....at this point he says that won't work....Hmmmm...Don't need another aquarium!! :)

I did my usual and checked Etsy to see if the had any TVs like this for sale.....just to see what it's worth...but they didn't have any...not a big surprise.....it would be pretty heavy to ship!!

Anyway...while I was looking I came across this great little pin from Not your Grandmas Vintage that I thought was worth sharing!

Join me and travel the world:

Project 64: Week 11 - Scarlet

2011-03-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

This picture was actually taken last fall...but it was too perfect for this weeks prompt from Project 64...Scarlet (Not to mention I have been to busy at work to get out much).

Mr. Tree Frog wasn't hard to spot......He was just sitting there on my Peony plant with his lovely green skin showing up as a shinny contrast against the bright red color of the leaves.

I took several pictures of him before he decided to hop off....The one on the left I edited with picnik using HDR-ish on the effects page.....I think this just might be my new favorite tool!

Thanks for visiting!!!

Denise