Holiday Art - Never Too Late Or Too Early To Create These Projects!

While the holiday season has just ended, I thought it would be nice to showcase the fall and winter projects that my clever art students created. Not only are they the wonderful results of artistic minds but serve as inspiration for projects you might like to try. 

The fall projects included wreath making using the rich, warm colors of seasonal leaves, acorns, gourds, and found objects. A pretty welcome to guests coming to the front door or when used as a tabletop centerpiece.

Lin's wreath in-progress

 We had big fun making Halloween dioramas out of hollow foam pumpkins!

Alicia and Nicole's fright-tastic pumpkins

Carol's witchy creation

Sandy's pretty pumpkin

Kim's sugar skull diorama and kitty card

We painted wood slices for home decor or table top display.

Gold lettered quote

Stenciled molding paste design

Nicole's handpainted fantasy

Stacked trays made from stovetop burner covers and wine glasses or candlesticks make lovely towers for serving holiday sweets and treats.

Rosa's intricate trays

9-year-old Sophia's showstopper

Nicole's handpainted designwork 

The Christmas season gave us lots of opportunities to make ornaments, wreaths, and gift items.

Mini winter hat ornaments made from yarn knotted over toilet paper rolls

Who knew empty wine bottles could look so good! We used ropes of glittery pipe cleaners and hot glued them around the bottles for a festive design.

Nicole, Sophia, and Rosa show their talents

A quick and easy ornament idea is to fill clear acrylic bulbs with anything!

Bulbs filled with snowflakes and greenery

Red Dollar Store bulbs on a wire wreath

Silver and gold bulbs and garland from the Dollar Store 

We made reversible garlands to hang during the fall and winter holidays.

Burlap leaves and tiny bags decorated with glitter paint and felt leaves and acorns

Turn the fall garland over to show the Christmas decor - the tiny bags perfect for hiding small treats in

A clear plastic bulb filled with foam dots and and a child's sock fashioned as a hat

Oh what fun we had! It's never too early to begin a winter project and present someone special with a handmade gift. Christmas is only 49 weeks away!

Falling For Wreaths

The seasons are changing - Mother Nature is beginning to show herself by way of fiery colors and crisp cold nights.

It's time to sit by a warm fire and get that glue gun out! Even if you don't have a fireplace to sit near, you can still create a fabulous fall wreath to adorn your front door, use as a table centerpiece, or present it to the host of a Thanksgiving party!

To make this wreath, here's what you will need:

Materials

• Wreath frame - I used a 12 inch grapevine wreath but wreath frames made of  wire, straw, or styrofoam are fine to use, any size you like.
• Various fall-colored faux leaves, flowers, berries, small foam pumpkin, gourds, etc.
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Optional: decorative ribbon for hanging the wreath
• Tip: I found many of these items at the local dollar store - nice quality and assortment without breaking the bank!

Let's Make This

Adding the details

• If desired, glue or wrap a pretty ribbon to the back of the wreath for easy hanging
• Use the glue gun to adhere leaves and flowers around the front and sides of the wreath frame so that the frame is hidden.

Lin's wreath in progress

• Add the decorative pumpkins, gourds, and other items in several places around the wreath
• Tip: Lin used a wire wreath and wrapped orange mesh ribbon around the frame before gluing on flowers (both from a dollar store!). This gave it a nice colored background to start with and ease in gluing items to a solid backing.

There you have it! A lovely showpiece that will last for years and you can say "I made it myself!"

Beat The Heat and Buy Something Cool!

Drew's San Francisco Blues print

It's hot here in California during the summer. I prefer this weather but, boy-oh-boy, it can get incredibly warm some days! These are fan your skirt and do-I-really-hafta-wear-a-bra kinda days. 

Today, while standing in front of the open refrigerator, pretending to look for a snack but really just enjoying the body freeze, I realized that I had the urge to buy something. Anything to make me feel good and happy. But I didn't want to brave the heat to go to the mall and rub elbows with other schweaty people. With my fan turned on high, I turned to my trusty computer for relief. Oh what a relief it is! I can shop at will in the comfort of my own home with next to nothing on (don't tell me you've never done that!). With that in mind, I thought you might like to do a little "comfort shopping" of your own. I happen to be having a summer sale of my Etsy merchandise and it's hot-hot-hot!

Scarves, handbags, jewelry, notecards, oh my!

After you've browsed there, check out my Society6 goodies. Here's a sampling of the sale on this sight: 

Wild Thang Leggings

Zen Lily Bedspread

Sunny Delight Clock

Cherry Delight Phone Case

Rockin' Rooster Tote Bag

Heavenly Hydrangeas Shower Curtain

It's not too early to begin your holiday gift buying adventure. Make your list, check it twice, and get something for everyone whether they've been naughty or nice. And, treat yourself to a little something too. You'll feel the heat of the summer melt away. That's more time to put your feet up and enjoy a frosty beverage or two!

Springtime

Nature is amazing. With each season, our earth metamorphoses and brings exciting changes. Spring is spectacular, unveiling itself with new growth and possibilities. A great life lesson!


Springtime Is Here

Spring rains bring floral sprays,
Lilies, lavendar, foxglove, and daisies.
Rainbows of color,
Comehither scents for the bees.

Nature renews what was lost in the frost,
A rebirth of sorts, 
A promise of hope.

Prepare for the future,
The new season is here.
Rejoice in the splendor,
The wonder,
The pizazz!