Posted in Art

As with so many things that come into my life, I have always wanted to sell my creations, but have never been able to get over the fear to do so.  However, with a little encouragement from a friend, I decided to plunge in. 

I opened my store online at www.etsy.com.  If you haven't been there to shop, it is a wonderful online community store of handmade artisan crafts.  You can find an eclectic items; everything from Lightbulb Mobiles, to Custom Buttons, to Jewelry for Kids, to Handpainted Yarn (this is soooo cool!), to Note Cards, to Wood Burned Art (i never saw a rolling pin like this), to Baked Goods, to Pottery, to Drawings, to Organic Menstrual Pads.  Well I think you get the idea of the variety of art work offered on Etsy.

To start with, I opened my store to begin selling my handcrafred bags of all types.  Currently, I listed a few tote type bags.  I will be posting some cloth grocery bags this week or weekend; which I must say are simply fabulous!  I make a variety of sizes and styles.  I placed just a few on, as I don't have a large stock on hand.  However, my totes are rarely on the small side, because....well because I am a homeschooler and I always have kid stuff and books with me. 

We will soon be expanding our store to include bookmarks, created by my daughter, handcrafted stationary, and children's aprons/smocks.  I am currently building my stockhouse now.  I do not use patterns or guides, so each of my works is unique.

So if you get a minute, check out My Etsy Store.  Let me know what y ou think of the photos, the descriptions etc.  I will need all the constructive criticism I can get my from my friends to help me perfect my store.  If you find something you like, or a tyle you like and you would like something custom made, don't hesitate to email me. 

Thanks for your time and helping to support our artisan homesteading business!

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Art

As with so many things that come into my life, I have always wanted to sell my creations, but have never been able to get over the fear to do so.  However, with a little encouragement from a friend, I decided to plunge in. 

I opened my store online at www.etsy.com.  If you haven't been there to shop, it is a wonderful online community store of handmade artisan crafts.  You can find an eclectic items; everything from Lightbulb Mobiles, to Custom Buttons, to Jewelry for Kids, to Handpainted Yarn (this is soooo cool!), to Note Cards, to Wood Burned Art (i never saw a rolling pin like this), to Baked Goods, to Pottery, to Drawings, to Organic Menstrual Pads.  Well I think you get the idea of the variety of art work offered on Etsy.

To start with, I opened my store to begin selling my handcrafred bags of all types.  Currently, I listed a few tote type bags.  I will be posting some cloth grocery bags this week or weekend; which I must say are simply fabulous!  I make a variety of sizes and styles.  I placed just a few on, as I don't have a large stock on hand.  However, my totes are rarely on the small side, because....well because I am a homeschooler and I always have kid stuff and books with me. 

We will soon be expanding our store to include bookmarks, created by my daughter, handcrafted stationary, and children's aprons/smocks.  I am currently building my stockhouse now.  I do not use patterns or guides, so each of my works is unique.

So if you get a minute, check out My Etsy Store.  Let me know what y ou think of the photos, the descriptions etc.  I will need all the constructive criticism I can get my from my friends to help me perfect my store.  If you find something you like, or a tyle you like and you would like something custom made, don't hesitate to email me. 

Thanks for your time and helping to support our artisan homesteading business!

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Art

No, not my son's room.  That's still a work in progress.  Nope, it's not my office either.  That's well, not on the top of my list right now.  It's my quilt.  Back in the winter...like in February or something, there was a quilting class on the Front Porch, taught by Randi.  I got through the lessons 1 & 2 and then had to put it aside due to other family obligations.

I committed myself to finishing it this summer.  Well, with the extra projects I took on (like an idiot), time was slipping away.  However, yesterday I found myeslef with nothing to accomplish in ds's room, SO I declared it a quilting day.  I worked yesterday and this morning, and it is finally finished!!!  

I used printed flannel on the back, so it would be extra snuggly and 2 sided. 

This was a wonderful project.  Randi gives concise directions and clear pictures to help you along.  DD has fabric cut for this same quilt, so now that I can guide her, she will work on hers next.  I am thinking I will make another one to give to a charity to auction, but perhaps I will increase the border and the number of pinwheels. 

For anyone who has tried quilting but been dismayed by the difficulty in being exact, this is the project for you.  You will find yourself renewed in your quilting abilities.  If you were able to devote the time and could cut the fabric during the week, you could easily assemble this in a weekend.  Food for thought. 

Thanks Randi, for the opportunity to begin a new hobby!

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Art

Two of the modern greats in the art world are Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.  Now, Picasso is more well known, of the two, but in their day they were equally known in the art world. 

I have been studying the lives of these painters.  I am amazed at the course of their friendship, in adversity they admittedly still had their bond.  I have found each life fascinating. 

There is so much to learn about artists, these two are no exception.  Many times we focus on the long gone artists, e.g. DaVinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, etc.  I encourage you to take a moment to look at some of the more modern artists more closely; you will be fascinated.

For example, when people think Picasso, they think cubism.  However, his most well known pieces were those that truly pushed cubism to a new level.  He began much more "gently".  Often times when studying a later piece, I find it hard to see what he was painting.  Matisse does use cubism, but he uses a sifferent form.  There is much symbolism in his work as well and the colors are often vibrant!  Take a peek at some of his work and note the empty chairs.  In studying his work you will see what this tells you about himself.  Art is so revealing. 

Why study art?  I am sure many would have a more intellectual answer than I.  For me, I enjoy being able to view art and see the story behind the inspiration.  When visiting am exhibit that contained one of my favorite Matisse pieces, I was actually brought to tears.  Knowing what was happening in his life and what the picture symbolised, was like a window into his heart.  It is for this reason, I believe studying art is so important.  To really know a piece, is to know the artist and what his life encompassed at the time of the works.   

Use your time off to learn more about the works, minds, and lives of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.  You will be entranced with their intertwining lives. 

These are my thoughts.

Tagged: culture art art history Picasso Matisse homeschool

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Art

Last week my littles were begging for art.  I hadn't anything prepared, so I improvised.  I had the children draw on paper towels with regular old Crayola markers.  Then we took a squirt bottle and squirted them with water.  As the towels dried, the markers bled and look at the beautiful art that is hanging on our wall this week.

This one began as two people, an orange mommy and a purple boy.

WOW~ was this a hit!  The pictures don't do the pieces justice.  Even my olders were saying how awesome they looked, and hinting that they would like to try their hand at it. 

Try this anytime you need a nice little art acitvity.  It's simple, and quick.  I think these would look great on a window with the sun shining through them! 

Oh, and I should tell you that you should place a plastic table cloth or placemat underneath the towel while coloring and spraying, so you don't stain your table. 

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Art

Finished packing and just figured out how to upload images from my new digital camera.  I am becoming such a computer geek.  Julie knows I am making leaps and bounds, don't ya Jewls?

Anyway, I wanted to share some photos of an AWESOME and Godly experience we had the opportunity to be part of recently.  Our olders participated in a class with Barry Stebbing, author of How Great Thou Art.  I first met Barry at the FPEA conference last May.  While, I didn't attend his seminar, I met up with him and his most lovely wife at their booth.  I was so blessed by our conversation and the wonderful manner in which he presented art for everyone, that we purchased some curriculum.  We have been enjoying some of this curriculum as a family.  Even our littles have been blessed by this wonderful adventure in art.

When the opportunity arose for us to take a class of his, I knew this was not to be missed.  When you walk into the room you feel God's presence abound.  As I listened to Barry's opening comments, I was blessed by his deep faith.  Here are some of what our kids participated in.

The olders waiting instruction

Barry, teaching some fun face drawing techniques

A friend practicing his painting with lines

Here's his mom trying her hand at it

One of my olders works diligently

One more of an older enjoying the technique

Wonderful Mr. Stebbing working one on one with the kids

The olders helping Mr. Stebbing pack up all his supplies after three days.

The entire class

If you ever have the chance to take a seminar at a conference or attend a 3 day class, I highly recommend it.  At the end of the class he plays the Hallelujah Chorus while showing Christian works of art.  I guarantee you will be inspired and struck by God's awesome inspiration to these works.  My daughter and I were brought to tears.  Also, each day the children bring something in for Barry to review and he gives them recommendations.  My daughter brought in her notebook (thanks to Cindy) and Mr. Stebbing was so taken with her hand writing he encouraged her to start an art journal.  She was tickled by this idea!  He can make the most novice artist feel like they have the potential to be a Picasso for God.  God has truly blessed the Stebbings with this ministry.  I cannot say enough positive things about this experience except that if you ever have the blessing to participate in any of his events, don't hesitate to do so.  You will look at art through a completely new set of eyes!

Tagged: 

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Art

Recently, I was at a scrapbook event.  The leader asked what everyone was doing/getting for their spouse for Valentine's Day.  Upon my turn, I felt the butterflies rumbling as I said, "Nothing."  The room began to murmur as if I had spoken of some atrocity.  I am used to that response.  I was asked to clarify my comment, as some thought maybe my Valentine's Gift was on the indecent to say in public relm.  I repeated that I was getting him nothing because we don't celebrate Valentine's Day.  "You mean you don't love your husband!" came blurting from somewhere in front of me.  I replied that I do indeed love my husband, but I don't need a Hallmark holiday to say so.  I also don't want my husband to buy me an obligatory gift.  We buy gifts for each other all year long.  Some simple, some extravaggant.  We tell each other we love each other everyday.  Our year longValentine's is to try our best to appreciate each other every day. 

Then I was asked if I celebrate Valentine's Day with my children.  I replied No.  There was more gasping and guffawing from all around me.  "So you buy your kids gifts all year long to tell you love them, right?"  was a rhetorical question that shot from a woman who had seemingly not been paying attention due to her feverish scrapping pace.  I simply stated that we do not buy chocolate or stuffed bears with hearts or even cards for our children.  Valentine's Day is supposed to be for "lovers" firstly, and secondly, I hug my children and love on them everyday.  Again, no need for monetary gifts to represent this.  I mentioned that we make a craft and some type of goody, because it is a "holiday."  The room was silent for a few moments before chatter sprang up about a new topic.  The rest of the evening, I felt as though eyes were consistently peering at me.  Perhaps they were looking to see if some of my "fake" human skin was peeling away to reveal my true alien nature. 

So, as we finger painted some valentine's hearts this afternoon, I wondered what traditions others have to celebrate this holiday. 

Here's my kids finger painted hearts, and some that I cut out to place above our art bar.

Please share your family's Valentine's Day traditions.  I hope you enjoy our little Hearts for Art project. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Art

I know what you are thinking.  I really do.  I know you keep coming here waiting for my abilities to have come to an end, but I can't oblige today, my friend.  My techie skills are advancing by leaps and bounds!  Don't envy me, just send a monetary donation to my advancing my techie abilities for God's glory campaign.  Oh and checks should be made out to cash.  LOL~

OK, seriously.  We had an art lesson today.  We are starting into a "new" art curriculum.  Actually, we got this last spring from the fabulous Barry Stebbing.  We have really enjoyed other works from How Great Thou Art, so this is just a continuation for us.  Anywho...

Today's lesson involved us using our mouths to draw a butterfly.  This was so funny!  I hope the pics of some of the butterflies actually are visible here.  I was having a hard time not getting a glare, but here goes.

Here are the kids drawing with the their mouths:

Here's pics of the olders butterflies:

The kids actually colored these in using their mouths too!  I figure, I can at least tell what they are.  We really had a lot of fun with this, even though there was a lot of slobber on the pencils when we were done. 

Anyone else out there enjoy How Great Thou Art curriculum?

Blessings Leslie

Posted in Art

I am addicted to formatting my blog.  Eric came in this evening and asked if I would be having my meals in here.  I muttered.  Then he asked if anyone would be cooking anymore?  He came back a few moments later and asked if I was going to bed tonight?  Oh which, I snapped, Can't you see I'm on the verge of a break through?"  His retort..."Of what, insanity?"

I guess it's time for me to walk away for a bit.  I have a to leave by 7:30 am.  A little shut eye would not be out of line.  Tee Hee! 

I still can't believe I can do it all by myself?  Does this qualify as Art? 

=)

Blessings Leslie