Christmas Sewing Projects

I've recently taken up sewing...something I've always wanted to learn to do and decided I now have time to learn.  This year for Christmas I decided to make several gifts.  My aunt and uncle just recently remodeled their home, so I made my aunt these cloth napkins and a matching table runner.  Their kitchen and dining room is decorated in a Vineyard theme, so I chose this grape vine material that should go really well with their decor.

I also made casserole carriers for Meme (my grandma) and my grandma-in-law.  Hopefully, I can make myself one later on...they're really handy!



Autumn Blooms

Back in October/November, I was inspired to paint one of my fall flower arrangements.  Fall is probably my least favorite season, which is likely disappointing to many of you since most people love fall.  I think I dislike it because of the weather, which in Oklahoma is cold and windy, not ideal for running outdoors.  However, I do love the warm colors associated with the Fall season.

"Autumn Blooms"

8" x 10"

Acrylic on Canvas

Creative Wall Decor

These are some of mom's latest projects.  This bulletin board below would be really great for pictures and notes.

Next is a shelf for your knicknacks!

And a chalkboard for personal notes or a kid's room!

The Wapiti

Elk are also called wapiti, a Native American word that means "light-colored deer." (From http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/elk/).  Just a little trivia.  I was asked a couple of months ago to do a commission pencil drawing of an elk.  The drawing would be given as a gift to someone who has just gotten into the hobby of keeping elk.  Luckily, I had a reference photo from Yellowstone.

Sold

Trash to Treasures

My mom and I have a fetish...and I have to say that my mom is a little worse than me about garage saling, but here's the confession.  My name is Elizabeth and I'm a garage sale junkie.  We basically like to buy things at garage sales that have the potential to be really cool, like furniture, wall hangings, decor, or whatever catches our eye.  You can do a lot with spray paint, decoupage, and other creative methods to completely turn something that was junk into a treasure.  We bought this miniature dresser and bench/stool this summer. 

It could be used as a vanity table for a little girl's room or maybe a jewelery box.  It's so cute!  It's difficult to see the true size, but it's actually no more than 2 feet tall.  Notice the little clear handles on the drawers...really neat!

Pickin' Wildflowers

"Pickin' Wildflowers"

12" x 12"

Acrylic on Masonite

In the Collection of Si Perkins

I just recently finished another Yellowstone inspired painting, titled "Pickin' Wildflowers".  Funny enough, the title just popped into my head because my mom and I just adored the beautiful purple and yellow wildflowers that overflowed in places throughout the park.  And by the way, you're welcome if you are now humming "Pickin' Wildflowers" by Keith Anderson!...because I'm humming it right now, too!  When I started this painting, I wasn't planning on using the impressionistic style, but it just sort of took over and so I went with it.  The wildflowers were the finishing touch and I just love the bright colors!  You can see the pictures behind the inspiration below of my mom and I amidst the wildflowers.

 

Inspired: Summer Vacation

"Buffalo Study"

8.5" x 11"

Pencil Drawing

We took an absolutely amazing summer vacation this past July to Yellowstone National Park.  Unless you've been there, you cannot imagine the land formations, animals, and much more you will see, some of which I  didn't even know existed.  It is incredibly awesome just to experience the majesty of God and all that he has created.  There were times that I was just in complete awe of the sights I was seeing, from beautiful sunsets to intriguing geologic formations and lots of other things!  Anyways, it inspired me in several ways, and I have to admit that it occurred to me when I was back home that I was experiencing some sort of an artistic block.  Sometimes as an artist, I find it difficult to capture photos that I can work from and in this specific situation, not sure how to depict what I saw.  One of the animals that intrigued me the most was one of the most common animals you will see in Yellowstone Park, the buffalo. 

I had so many pictures and was still unsure of what I wanted to do, so I began a buffalo study.  The first one above is Buffalo Study 1 in pencil.  I have yet to finish this buffalo study as I determined I would like to get away from wildlife and create something I'm more passionate about.  Following my buffalo study was a landscape inspired by my Yellowstone photos, which will soon be posted.