Mixed Media w/ GrandGirl

A couple weeks ago we had all the grandkids, sans one, at the house and Grandpa had a project that was boy oriented.  We have 3 little boys about the same age there ... and one granddaughter that was a year younger than them, but not really interested in doing a BOY project.  So I said "E come in here w/ me..."

I quickly sanded the rough edges off a small piece of pallet wood, propped her on a stool in the studio and discussed with her the concept of mixed media.  I brought over some paints, some scrapbook papers and some stamps ... and she began ......

Chatting to me the whole time!  So very cute .... I gave her a very sharp pair of scissors and told her "you have to be very very careful or your momma will kill me!"  She was very careful.  No fingers lost in the making of this artwork.

She cut out the houses and the roofs, and had me cut out the hearts and the clouds, etc cauz those were a little too tedious for her, but she painted the grass and the sky like a champ ... with her finger .... just like Grandma does!

She drew some windows, doors and put sunshine rays on the sun, then finished by stamping her name in the middle of the houses .... I gave it a quick poly spray and she was done!

I loved finally doing mixed media w/ SOMEONE in my family that can truly appreciate it.  Even if she's just a 5 year old .... she IS an artist .... and we made some memories that day.

The Goods are Finished!

So I am officially DONE w/ everything I wanted to take to Cinco de Mayo Ladies Nite on 5 May.  Here are some pics:

 Just one of these -- it's about 2 feet long ... 

 Vintage Advertisement signs -- some have hooks and some don't

 1" wooden magnets 

(made w/ gelli plate prints and sticker letters)

 3x3 chunkyArt

(made about 26 various)

7x7 and 5x5 woodArt

(my absolute fav piece I made is the grey house/yellow background)

I guess I'm happy with how they turned out ... like I said in the previous post, this ended up not being very much fun because of a mass production and deadline ... but my daughters and several friends have told me it's all great and should sell out!  (ha)

When I have the booth set up that nite I will make sure to take pics of the layout and post them.

Working Toward the Finish Line

I've been working my tail off getting ready for this 'show' on 5 May. 

What I have decided is that the craft show circuit is NOT for me.  I have been agonizing over WHAT I should be doing w/ my 'stuff'.  At least now I can check off craft shows.  I have not liked having a deadline, and that has caused the creation process to NOT be fun.  I go blank on what to do on the next board, what color to use next, etc.   I'm just doing assembly line work and not enjoying the art process.

So this has been a good way to find this out.  It's a small venue, no pressure ... and whatever I don't sell can go w/ LW to the flea market in Nashville next month ... so in that respect it has been a success.  It's going to be interesting to see if anything on my table is appealing to these women.

The chiropractic office has a Facebook page, and my daughter will be 'showcasing' each vendor in the next two weeks.  I sent her finished pics and she said I'm on for Friday.  <deep breath>

POWER TOOLS!!!

I work with wood alot ... love it!  Probably a throwback to my childhood.  My dad worked in his shop alot, espec when they were building their house 30+ years ago ... he also spent time down there creating beautiful furniture for my mom.  He was always working with wood, so the smell of cut wood is sweet perfume to me! 

With this "Ladies Nite" thing coming up, I have several quick ideas that will require me to be sanding alot of pieces.  My finger joints and my wrists don't hold up well to tasks that require repetitive motion and pressure, so my electric hand sander and a piece of sandpaper is hard work for me.  Espec when I'm doing many many pieces for this upcoming event.

Soooooooooo ... last nite when my H came home I told him of my dilemma and asked if we could go by Harbor Freight and look at their tabletop sanders.  OH yes I bought one!!!

 It is heavenly!  We took it out of the box and immediately tried it out on some pallet wood.  If you know anything about pallet wood.....crazy rough....and this thing smooooooooothed it right out!  What a great time (and hand) saver!!!  There's no stopping me now!

We also bought a scroll saw last fall, but haven't tried it out yet.  I have some cool ideas for using that thing too .... but the workshop area in the basement isn't quite done yet and I already have a chop saw and this sander taking up space on the portable bench we made on VD, so I kinda need to wait until we're finished b/4 I start pulling out ALLL the toys!

I'm so very lucky to be able to have all this equipment at my disposal ... thanks to my great great husband!