Every Mom Needs a Hobby...or 3: Quotes on a mixed-media canvas

I recently saw an amazing tutorial that inspired me to try my hand at mixed-media. I found a quote that I thought Kiddo2 would like and decided to make a picture for her room.

Stage 1: Conceptualization

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I started by crumpling up some crepe paper and then gently painted on some watered down white glue. Then I took a piece of lace and scraped some "wall filler" that we'd gotten at TESCO over the lace. I allowed it a few minutes to start to dry and then removed the lace to expose the lovely pattern left behind. 

I then rummaged through all my various collectibles to find bits and pieces to use as decoration.   

Step 2: Giving it life

I wanted to give the piece a very bright and hopeful look, so I chose a lovely shade of sky blue ink paint and (with a lot of water mixed in) placed color here and there between the textured bits. I then mixed a little acrylic red with some gold shimmer powder and (again very watered down) applied the pink/red to the left side. 

I finalized my arrangement, wrote the quote on the wooden thingies that come with the canvas (no idea what they're called...) and then proceeded to glue everything on. I actually ended up using white glue for everything, which sticks well enough, but not sure how durable it will be in the long-term. 

Step 3: The final touches

et voila: the completed piece. 

-The heart is a piece I made years back when first learning to use polymer clay 

-The dark key (also polymer clay) was made a few months later 

-The flower I'd crocheted and the center of the flower is a button from my collection 

-The butterfly is a piece of lace pinned together to form the shape. The rest are pieces of jewelry from my "art" bag (also known as junk bag) 

-The blue charm is a semi-precious stone that I wrapped with silver wire back once-upon-a-time when I dabbled in wire-wrapping

-and the curly thingie up top is from a bag of potpourri (Kiddo2 think it looks like a caterpillar and decided it fit the quote splendidly). 

Every Mom Needs a Hobby...or 3: Digital Art

Our fourth hobby post centers around a fantastic creative outlet. It's not something you can do while watching TV, such as crocheting, it's less hands-on than creating jewelry and it doesn't get you out doors like photography, but it certainly has it's own appeal and a special place in my heart: Digital Art.

I've had a relationship with Photoshop every since my dad brought it home on his new computer back in the late '90s. It started out with basic color adjusting and morphed into minor and major touch ups, photo manipulation and an attempt or two at an actual painting. Here are a few samples I've created over the years:

Give a Candle a Makeover in 3 Easy Steps

3 easy steps to turn a plain, boring candle into something beautiful.

Step 1: Start with a plain candle and using a paint brush, cover with white glue.

Step 2: Fill a plate with large grain salt and roll candle over (add some glitter for extra sparkle).

Step 3: Leave to dry for a few days.

It's that easy!

Seriously Stunning Easter Eggs

#1. This fantasy/medieval creation:

Found here

Every Mom Needs a Hobby...or 3: Photography

Continuing with our "Every Mom Needs a Hobby" series which has already featured jewelry making and crocheting, this week brings us the joys of photography.

The great thing about hobbies is not only the creative outlet, but the fact that it is possible to earn some extra income on the side. Many moms open an Etsy store, or sell their creations at craft fairs.

With photography there is always the option to sell photos on sites such as Shutterstock, Dreamstime, iStockphoto, etc.

5 Ways to Ring in the Spring Around your Home

Winter is fading, but spring has not yet arrived. If you're like me, you are getting itchy feet and can't wait for the promise of warmer weather. Here's a few ways you can springify (I know, it's not a word...) your home even if spring hasn't yet fully sprung.

Photo of the Day

Winter's blossom:

In the Shrouded Silver Wood: A Poem

http://www.deviantart.com/art/Dream-Believer-314670634

Faerie dance and elvin play

To enchant, to bid me stay

Voices echoed o'er the grove

Pledge an evermore abode

Every Mom Needs a Hobby...or 3: Crochet

I never thought I'd be the type of mom who wanted to crochet. After all, isn't that for grannies?

10 Fun and Fantastic Valentine's Crafts

Here 10 fun and fantastic ideas for crafts and projects to do leading up to Valentine's Day.

#1. This simple, cute yet elegant threaded heart card:

http://blog.starstraining.org/2013/02/threading.html

Love and Tea

Minecraft's Frozen Themed Birthday Cake

As I'm sure many kids are, Kiddo2 is intensely fond of both Frozen and Minecraft. They make up the better part of her daily thoughts and conversations.

For her birthday she asked for some Minecraft books. I'm always thrilled when my kids ask for books as presents so we decided to get her the Complete Handbook Collection. It is very nicely boxed, looks super elegant and "grown up". She loves it!

In light of this gift, I decided to make her a Minecraft/Frozen themed birthday cake. She has always loved mixing themes (such as her Tinkerbell/rocket ship of a few years ago) and I decided to give it a shot.

Poem of the Day

I wrote this during a difficult time in my life. It was a helpful reminder to me to find the beauty in every aspect of my life; the joy in sorrow.

Sorrow, come and be my joy
Join me here for midday tea
'Neath the shade of willow-weep
Share my broken company.

Leave me not for gladder souls
Share with me thy sweet refrain
Cold would be the carefree heart
That from sorrow would abstain

In thy sage and boundless soul
Precious jew'ls lay hidden deep
Diamonds rare and rubies that
Make those born in mirth seem cheap.

Would the faint inner churning
Lend to me a written prayer
Cause a dried and barren well
With thy waters more to bear

When my soul has given forth
All the sweetness sorrow brings
Then let joyousness return
Join the singing my soul sings.

Photo of the Day

As mentioned earlier, one of the hobbies I've dabbled in is photography. While I am by no means a professional, I do love to take pictures and have been lucky enough to travel around a bit and collect a few decent shots.

Following is a perfect example of  being in the right place at the right time:

Every Mom Needs a Hobby...or 3: Polymer Clay Jewelry

This hobby developed a little differently than others I've gotten in to. I had heard of and seen some polymer clay creations and to put it frankly, I wasn't impressed. It seemed to revolve mostly around miniature food, which is cute enough, but didn't really do it for me.

Of course, I hadn't seen much, had never searched the web (which I now spend a shameless amount of time doing and am always thoroughly impressed), and had based my opinion solely on the few examples I'd seen previously.

One day hubby decided that it would be good for me to get into some creative hobby type thing. I think he realized that I needed a break from being a mom all the time and that a creative outlet would give me the space I needed to just breathe.

After some gentle persuasion which included going and buying the clay and a few basic tools himself, he sat at the table with me for a clay-playing session, It wasn't long before I became hooked.

The Creative Corner

From crafts to DIYs, useful tips for home-making, to projects and creations. Anything creative will go here. 

I love to try out new things. I've dabbled in cake decorating, jewelry-making with polymer clay, beading, wire wrapping, acrylic painting, crocheting, photography, drawing, paper quilling, hand lettering, and more. 

Here is where I hope to share all of this with you and get your feedback, tips and ideas.