on the worktable: new bible covers

Pretty Bible Covers using re-purposed vintage quilt blocks are on the worktable today!

mailart: love your destination

It has been so absolutely crazy busy around here - but the good kind. The good kind of busy where you have to build posts for your blog ahead of time just so your three readers don't leave town and forget about you. In the middle of all that busy though, I had to have a few moments of creative time and this is what happened. LOVE YOUR DESTINATION  mailart.

Of course, like all things,  I had to use some cool recyclables on this pretty piece. I started with a simple print of my latest canvas, adding paint chips, fabric scraps, cupcake papers, washi tape circles, painted tissue paper and more....oh and lots and lots of stitching! Enjoy your Summer, wherever your destination may be!

on the worktable: bold color and stitched stacks

No matter how many times I sit and stitch these colorful hand dyed signatures, I never get tired of looking at them all stacked up like this.

Loving how my mini art journal is coming along! Almost finished and ready to share! Happy Summertime Creating!

on the worktable: mini art journal peek

Here are a few more peeks of my mini art journal. So happy with how this coming along and I can't wait to share the finished project with you all! This journal might be mini in size, but it rocks big color!

Happy Summertime Creating!

on the worktable: favorite upcycled stencil

Every once in awhile do you find yourself going back to one tool over and over again? Well this is my favorite go to stencil right now. It is an upcycled piece of I don't know what from an ancient bin of scrapbook stuff I purged a few months ago...

It is started life as a  heavy duty papery sort of material. Once it was inked, stained and gessoed a dozen times it built a tougher outer shell. Now it is the perfect tiny circle stencil. I love it so much that I only allow myself to use a tiny piece at a time - at least until I stumble upon some more!

on the worktable: mini art journal peek

With Summer in full swing my once huge blocks of art time are gone, soon to return with fall and the start of school. Until then I have mini amounts of time - so a mini journal is on the worktable.

 - more peeks soon!

currently: absence is bliss

Being absent isn't always a bad thing. A few good reasons I have been missing lately.

Week long fun with nieces, nephews and my own kiddos. Finally having time to watch my son play golf. Refinishing furniture and making baby bedding for the arrival of our first granddaughter. Putt-putt golf- rain or shine. And my personal favorite - beach days. Glorious beach days.

Thanks for sticking around in my absence. I promise to return on a more regular note. I just can't bear to let these summer days go by without clinging to the little and precious time I have with my children, both grown and not so grown. I know from experience LIFE HAPPENS and then we can't get these days back.

Enjoy your summer and CHERISH your time!

art journaling: journaling backgrounds

A little bit of creating going on here tonight ...

Art journal backgrounds in progress. Gelli Arts, doodling, water color pencils and book paper.

tutorials: chalkboard wall art

I am sharing an easy tutorial today! Chalkboard Wall Art.

This pretty chalkboard is so easy you can make it in just a few hours. To start with, just shop your home for a piece of framed wall art that you are not using or are ready to change up. Tape off the frame and grab some chalkboard spray paint. I like to use Rust-Oleum because it covers so well and doesn't seem to drip.

Next I spray the glass of the wall art according to the directions on the paint you are using. The hardest part for me was waiting in between coats, but it is important to follow this step. I sprayed two coats. Once your final coat is dry you will need to season your chalkboard. To do this you simply rub the entire surface with the a piece of chalk and then erase it.

After I seasoned my chalkboard I took the painters tape off and mixed up some craft paint to spruce up my frame. I mixed white and mint green to get a pretty coppery green color. After I finished painting, I immediately sanded the entire frame lightly.

Waaalaaa- you are done! This is a super easy way to change up your wall art while only spending a few pennies on supplies.

Easy, cheap and re-purposed!

21 secrets: christmas in july SALE!

Yea! Summer is in full swing! I hope that you all have been making time to learn and create! To make things fun and offer some freebies - 21 SECRETS is going to be on sale for just $49 this month! Please read all about this exciting and informative workshop, featuring myself and 20 other artists. A year long, self paced workshop, 21 Secrets is packed with new techniques, exciting projects and amazing instructors. READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE. WANT TO SIGN UP? YOU CAN DO THAT HERE!

Watch this sneak peek video to see what I am teaching! Have fun creating!