Owls

We are starting to work on the nursery for our new addition. Since, I can't paint or sand his "new to us" dresser, etc. I have to keep myself occupied in other ways. So I decided to make a mobile. My mom started making me a quilt a long time ago. She picked out every piece of fabric to represent my favorite things about this world. Everything from the ocean, dragon flies, fish, to polka dots representing sand and other fabrics representing the woods, lakes and streams I love so much. She pulled it out again just around the time I found out I was pregnant. I convinced her to finish it for the baby. I loved the gender neutral colors of greens, blues, teals, purples, yellows, and browns. The colors are so brilliant and graphic that they will be perfect for the little one on the way. So that was the original inspiration for the room. Then I found these.

These amazing little owl prints were so perfect. They are unique, spunky, and gender neutral.

So this inspired me to make my owl mobile.

First I gathered some inspirations. These little guys were a great start, but I felt like they looked a little too much like penguins. So I made my own little pattern:

I grabbed some thinner fleece fabric, some felts, and some chenille for his back and wings.

Here are 3 more of his friends who are in the works.

When I finish them up I'll be sure to make the pattern available.

First time Watercolor project

For my second project at Place of Promise I chose to do a watercolor tutorial. This simple technique takes the "drawing" out of painting making it a much less daunting experience for a first time artist. The girls had trouble letting go as they maticulously taped off all the corners, but in the end they created an image they were truly proud of by just using simple clip art photos, artist tape, watercolor paper, and paints.

I was so impressed with their work. They all did a fantastic job.

Incredibly Easy "Screen Printing"

I have been teaching Art classes once a month at Place of Promise. The Place of Promise is a Christian non-profit organization that has a residential program designed to help those who are hurting, lost, and broken to choose and find Life. In many ways I believe working with these women has been more of a blessing to me than it has been to them. So far we have done 2 classes together that they have found challenging, relaxing, and rewarding.

The first week we used this tutorial.

I was able to work along side the girls. They really couldn't picture what I was doing in my little corner of the table so when I finally pulled off the freezer paper. They absolutely loved my creation for our son who is due in October.

I highly recommend giving this fun little project a whirl. I plan to make a few more robot onesies for our little Lucas due in October.