Art Journal - Floral Watercolors

While anticipating "wintery weather" here in Cary (really, it mostly just slushed with a tiny bit of snow that lasted 12 hours... but it was really beautiful!), I did a whole lot of movie watching and doodling/art journaling while hanging out under a blanket (a very nice weekend, indeed!).

Whenever I use watercolors, I always run into the big question... should I outline these paintings or not?

So, I thought I would line them up, side by side... before outlining and after. What do you think? Which do you like better?

I sort of thought of this comparison idea after I started outlining the first painting... oops.

And I outlined this one in white paint...

I have one card in the line that has the outlined watercolor flowers... I didn't think it would be a popular design, but it turned out to be a good seller! So, I'm contemplating more designs similar to this in the future. Very 1960's wrapping paper... which I fancy.

So, what do you think? Watercolor flowers and watercolor flowers with outlines... yea or nay to this design?

Glittered Cards...

There's something magical about glitter... how it dances in the light and creates an atmosphere of fun and enchantment. Why more things aren't covered in glitter, I'll never understand. And glass glitter... if you haven't used it, you are missing out. It's a bit more expensive, but it's like mylar glitter on steroids.

It's quite strange how glitter turns me into a boisterous 4 year old with little control. I make such a mess... slowly, but surely, the carpet in my office is becoming permanently glittered. And the dog, too. She insists on sitting directly underneath the spill zone when I'm working with the stuff. Better put on her doggles next time.

So, here are my cards... all glittered up with mylar and glass glitters and Swarovski flat back crystals, too. (You can buy them all dolled up on the website, if you are interested!).

And here they are more close up...

And here are all the cards, in display in my office on an old dresser:

And here's a fixture from the store that I HAD to have... and moved it cross country, too (everyone thought I was nuts):

I love this card rounder. It was one of those things at the shop that made it feel like a "real" shop... if that makes sense. It had one purpose and one purpose only... to spin cards in a circle. And I could hear the little ball bearings in the rounder as someone turned it. Squeaky floor told me where they were, ball bearings told me what they were looking at. We ended up getting a few other simpler card rounders, but this was my favorite. My little sparkling glittered cards have a carousel to call their own ;) Perhaps the card rounder needs a layer, or four, of glitter, too? hmmmm....

Happy Valentine's Day! :)

Hope everyone is having a fun-filled day with Cupid! I didn't send out any cards this year... I think I'm going to send out stuff for St. Patrick's Day instead ;) I should probably start putting that together now.

Being a little obsessed with mantle decorating (Check out the past 7 years of mantles here!), I'm going to share my handiwork on the mantle this year, which isn't as impressive as the past ones, but it still gets on the list!

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I made this garland in 2005 or 2006...

I distinctly remember glittering it while talking to a customer. So, this was a store prop :)

Now, to get to work on the St. Patrick's Day mantle. I've never done one before, so this will be a first! I don't own enough green or Irish-themed things to fill up such a large area so, best be getting to work. Pinterest, here I come! ;)

Tissue & Crepe Paper Valentine's Day Wreath Tutorial

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I made this wreath over the weekend. I went a little nuts with the glitter and add-ons. It would have been simple and cute just with the plain flowers... but... I just don't know when to stop. The great thing about this wreath.... very cheap to make. I used tissue, crepe paper and glitter that I already had. My only cost was the wire wreath form which was $1.40 after my 40% off Michael's coupon!

Here's how I did it...

36 flowers total, 4 of each design

The red and white flowers are the same as the pink. Start on the outside, twirl and glue until you get to the center. Glue a set of black construction paper leaves to the back of each flower.

Here is the progress:

When all the flowers are finished, you can attach the flowers to the wire form with their pipe cleaner stems. I started with a large gray pom pom at the bottom center, leaves facing in, and just added the flowers counter clockwise, rotating the leaves so that some faced inside the wreath, and some faced outside. The cool thing about the wire form is that you can slide the flowers around, too, making it easier to move them around a bit.

Seeing as I like to take things 8 steps too far, I glittered each and every flower and their leaves, too. Black and dark gray glitter on the leaves, silver glitter on the petals. It's up to you if you want to do this. I didn't show this step because I think everyone knows how to add glitter. (And if you saw my mess... you'd mock me. It's ALL OVER the place. Including the dog.)

Here's how the flowers looked all glittered up:

I also shoved in some white feathers... because I had them... and I added these rosettes for the same reason:

The centers of each rosette are stickers that I printed and added glitter to. Very easy.

I sell these rosettes on ebay for $3.99 each, if you are interested :)

And, here's the wreath with my Valentine's Day decorations:

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I had a lot of fun making it... especially since this is the very first wreath I've ever made. It's neat to watch paper turn into a three dimensional object. I'm thinking I'll use felt for the next wreath... St. Patrick's. And an Alice in Wonderland wreath at some point, too!

Ohboy... I'm hooked.