Creative Block Challenge

It’s been hard finding the creative energy to do anything being in lock down and dealing with all the red tape that comes with it. I decided to go with my method of getting out of a creative funk and just slap paint down. Was inspired by an alter art photo I saved on Pinterest a while back making little houses from the paper used to protect your work surfaces when you paint. Made several backgrounds while enjoying spending time outside. Also inspired by Sandy Allnock and Tim Holtz videos on trying something different

Water Color Pencils - Beach Backgrounds 2020

I've been practicing working with my watercolor pencils to make background. Being very heavy handed, it's hard of me to get that airy brush look. 
I've started turning them into cards. I couldn't find the sentiment I wanted (it's somewhere in my stash) so I used words from a Hero Arts set (think it's the Koi Fish set) which I think works out well. It is very hard to get it to line up and to stamp well on watercolor paper plus the ink isn't as dark as I would like. But I have to work with what I have. ;)
There is a great story about throwing a starfish back into the ocean. You may not be able to save all of them but you did save one. It's a good little story you should read. If I had a printer (it's on my list to buy when I go back to work and have a savings account again) I would include it in my cards. 
I like the look of the stillness with just the starfish but I also like the sentiment. They just don't work together, at least in my mind. ;) 

Staying Positive 2020

Beach 2020

It's hard to stay positive and creative during these very stressful times. It's like always waiting for the next pin to drop or that last straw that will break the camel's back. 
Card making for me is a hobby I enjoy and I do have enough supplies (other than tape) to last me forever. Having this much time at home I've realized that for me it's getting into the creative zone that I like. Making a card is just the result. 
For many years I made and sold cards but never sent any out. I decided that was so silly so I make the effort to mail them out now too. 
Depression doesn't help the creative process at all and I have to force myself to sit in front of work table and stare at my stuff. Surfing online for ideas is like going down the endless bunny hole and at the end of the day having done nothing. I'm trying really really hard to spend a few hours  a day internet free but boredom is a killer! Even my garden is on hold becasue the garden centers are closed and my landlord has decided to increase my rent by 20%-30% (he said it's an adjustment not an increase) so my water and electrical use has to be monitored more closely now.
When life overwhelms me, I escape to the beach when I can. The hour spent walking on the beach gives my mind a break from having to be an adult. Seeing Annie so happy and relaxed is an added bonus. Annie is getting older so marathon hikes or multiple walks a day are just too hard on her. Annie does enjoy a car ride so she's loaded up into the car every time I go out even if it's just to the post office. My car has to be driven everyday to keep the small starter battery charged, it's a hybrid. 

watercolor pencils 2020

With all the lock down free time, I've finally sat down and worked with my watercolor pencils. Many professional artists don't understand why someone would want to use watercolor pencils instead of regular watercolors in a pan. The pencils work great for card makers since we don't work on big canvas and most of the time just need a little bit of color. 
I'm very heavy handed with any type of color media but I like the wispyiness (sp?)  look of watercolor. So having the time to practice with my pencils and brushes, I finally found a way to  get that look. The fun part is every painting comes out different. I do have two sets of watercolor pencils and the cheaper brand worked out better, at least for me. That was a total surprise! So now I'm going to try and turn them into cards then try once again try to file for unemployment.
Stay safe everyone and see you at the other end. :)

Creative Cakes 2020

It’s been a really bad month and I ran away to my happy place - the beach house. I decided I didn’t want to be an adult for a few weeks and just spend time being creative. 
I know there are others being bored and stressed during this lock down. These cakes are from a very bored baker with a lot of talent. The TP cake made it to the beach house 😄
The creativeness of her work is impressive and tasty! 

Annie is very sad

It's been tough on Annie with all that is going on. Getting out to play and freely roam the property isn't something she can do anymore. With more people hike up our road all day, I can't take the chance Annie will go up and say hi and ask to play. I've fenced in part of the yard and that has made Annie very sad. No more chasing the bunnies or turkeys off the property, no more picking the best spot to do her busy. We still go for our walks but it's not the same. 
I made some ginger and mint tea since my mint plant is going crazy in my garden.  Very refreshing!

Brown Cow Towels

Before the shut down, I had special ordered these dish towels to be made for my daughter's baby shower. A brown cow was my mother's lucky charm, so the theme for the baby shower was going to be a brown cow. But now with all that is going on I don't think there will be a shower but still the towels turned out super cute! Fingers crossed that the baby's daddy will be able to be there when the baby arrives and my daughter stays healthy. 

Keeping Busy

It's nice to keep busy during this very stressful time. Someone on Nextdoor posted about nurses needing these straps to hold the their masks on without having to go around their ears, which are getting sore. Being a paper crafter for so many years, I have tons of buttons and fabric ribbon to make them, so volunteered to not only make them but put together kits for others to make. You can see from the picture I have plenty of supplies on hand. I also donated most of the thread to someone making masks when she ran out. Happy my stash is helping out even if just a little bit.
I'm getting pretty fast on sewing on buttons! :)