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From the Art Studio | Watercolor Painting | 1 Apple and 4 Chicks

March 26, 2018 By Laura 6 Comments

I’m so glad you are paying a visit today to one of my favorite places in the world to be: my art studio.
I’m going to chat a bit about watercolor painting, and show you some fun pieces I did.

Not too long ago, I invested in more art supplies, some of which are shown above. Supplies such as professional-grade watercolor paints, some high-quality brushes, and some blocks of top-notch watercolor paper.

I promised myself that this year (2018) I would start spending very regular time working (creating) in my art studio again, for me, much like I did when I was in my 20’s. I’ve had the same intentions before, but I never managed to balance my time and other obligations, to really get up there very consistantly. Even though inside, I had badly felt the need to.

Well, this year I have really been really doing it! I go up and work up there almost every day, even if I only have a little bit of time.
And I’ll tell you what . . . . it fills that ‘thing’ in me, that needs filling. Almost as much as my faith does for me. It settles my soul, fills my heart, and sometimes even gets my head straight. Well, the last one is a little trickier, it seems. But, I try to think of nothing else but whatever it is I am working on. Because I’ll tell you what . . . . I have one of those brains that never stops, and it could really use the rest, anytime I can get it. I have to say that many times I pray while I work, too. If I’m not singing along with Pandora, that is. (Which is usually the case.) But neither of those things are the kind of thinking I can’t shut off, and the kind that I get so darn tired of doing.

So anyway, one medium I have always loved working in, and I have been dying to get back to, is watercolor painting. Thus, new supplies. Because I intend to really develop my skills in watercolor, over the many coming years. (Provided I live many coming years.) I have much to work on. I do clearly see myself in the future, as an old lady, drawing and painting in her art studio. So hopefully that is a good sign, eh? Anyway, while I am working on my watercolor skills, I decided I will just do small paintings for awhile. When I am feeling a lot more confident, and I’ve mastered some things, I’ll go bigger.

The blocks of watercolor paper I bought are 9″ x 12″, because I felt that was a good size to start working again with. No larger than that, anyway.
Arches, 300#, cold-press.

Ok, I’m ready to share with you a couple of my watercolor paintings.
[Read more…]

Sewing Easy Pillow Shams – Tutorial

November 8, 2017 By Laura 4 Comments

“Someday, I’m going to learn how to do that.”
I’ve got a list of things I’ve said that about. Doesn’t everybody? Do you? As for me, some of those things I’m actually working on now and then, and some are still sitting on the mental ‘someday list’, completely untouched. But learning how to sew, and run a sewing machine, is something I’ve actually gotten to! Oh, there is always more to learn, and I will. But my main motivation was simple: Pillow shams.

This girl loves throw pillows, as part of our home decor accents, as well as comfort. That include seasonal and holiday throw pillows. But seriously, I’m sure you could agree that there is only so much storage room available, for gads of interchangeable throw pillows. And the perfect solution to that, as far as I could figure, is pillow shams. I could just change up the shams on the pillows with the seasons and holidays! They would take up virtually no space at all, just folded nicely in a pile somewhere.

But first, of course, I needed to learn how to sew.

And I really wanted to learn how, using my mother’s Singer Fashion Mate (Model 237). It’s old, it’s ugly, and I’m pretty sure [Read more…]

A Love-Themed Watercolor Art Piece

February 1, 2016 By Laura 16 Comments

Being in my art studio, is way up there as one of my favorite places in my very small world, to be!
For the month of February, I was inspired to create something ‘love-themed’, to add as a decorative art piece for our home’s double-mantels. I was very much in the mood to get into a watercolor project, and I had some text in mind that I wanted to make a part of it, as well.
In this post I’m sharing the general concepts I used in creating this fun little piece, with a little chit-chat along the way. I hope you enjoy it.

Although I have sold several watercolor scenery or subject paintings in my earlier years, I still do not consider myself to be [Read more…]

A Simple Buttons and Love-Themed Craft Project

January 26, 2015 By Laura 1 Comment

I have promised myself that this year, I will spend even more time in the space in which I get so very much enjoyment and fulfillment in; my art studio. And so this past Sunday, that’s just what I did for myself! In anticipating our home mantels decor, for the month of February, I wanted to create something love-themed, in celebration St. Valentine’s Day, of course. I chose to do a simple buttons craft project. I have a certain kind of love-thing, for buttons! Do you, too? [Read more…]

A Free Thanksgiving Display Printable For You

November 24, 2013 By Laura Leave a Comment

Dear Friends (and Family!)

Thanksgiving is just days away. Although we won’t all be gathered together in person, we like to think we all are in heart!
We ask that you remember all of those this holiday, who may be sad, lonely, ill, grieving, or otherwise struggling at this time of year, or this year in particular. Reach out to them as you can, or remember to keep them in your prayers in a special way.

As a gift of our thanksgiving for you, I designed this 8″x10″ display printable for you!
You can frame it, and display it anywhere you please, as a heartwarming message for all.

*NOTE: In this post, you see below the web version…which would not print to size. (It would probably be very tiny, and poor quality.) So don’t try printing it from here! It’s sized for the web only.
Please use the provided link to download your full-sized copy, at the end of this post.
This is designed as an 8″x10″. You are welcome to print this on either regular printer paper, or a nice sheet of card stock, and frame it. Either way, those sheets are generally 8.5 x 11″.
Therefore, for your convenience, you will notice a light gray line to cut along, to make your 8×10″ to size just right, and fit in your frames.

—DO NOT PRINT THIS WEB SIZED VERSION—CLICK LINK BELOW FOR FULL SIZE PRINTABLE—
*Be sure to have your printer set for it’s best printing quality in full-color.

CLICK HERE for your FULL-SIZED free THANKSGIVING PRINTABLE

*Click the DOWNLOAD button in the upper right corner, and then print from wherever you saved it.

We hope you enjoy it. May God bless the abundant food on your tables, and all of you for whom it will sustain! Give great thanks, for all good things come from the hand of God!
We are always thankful for you, and although you are all in our daily prayers, you will be especially so on Thanksgiving, in a special way.

~The Richard Family

But first, of course, I needed to learn how to sew.

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