Spring Has Come to Magnolia Farm!

Spring is here! Just look at these pictures on of my Star Magnolia Tree!

 

This tree is one of the best birthday presents I ever received. 
I love watching it bloom

The pink streaks in these flowers are so amazing. 
It even has water drops for the recent rain.


I haven't been feeling well lately, but when this tree flowers I always feel better.



Have a happy and prosperous week!


 
Luna Charms


 

 

 

Planning Our New Dog Fence!

Today we all went outside to decide on where to put our new dog fence. We already have a German Shepherd mix named Chloe, so it has to big enough for both her and our new Pug. Chloe hasn't really had a doggie playmate since our other dog, Buddy, died 4 years ago.

Chloe - 11 year old German Shepherd Mix. 

My husband drove some stakes into the ground so we would have something to measure from. It was also a good math exercise for my 9 year old. LOL

Top of fence stake looking toward the road.

We still have a lot to do to our old farmhouse to Pug proof it. We also want to build a small patio in the fenced in area so we can sit outside and enjoy the dogs.


Have a Great Week!

Watercolor and Baby Wipes

 Here's an art project that makes a mess, but you can't mess it up. This project is from Artist Trading Card Workshop: Create, Collect, Swap.  Look at the Books I'm Using section to find out more. 


This technique involves taking baby wipes (I used the unscented kind) placing them on card stock or some other paper on top of palette paper. Then sprinkle it with different colors of Liquid Watercolor. As you can see in the photo below I used Yellow, Green, Red and Blue. 

When the wipes dry, they the look and feel like a felt cloth. The cardstock I used also makes a great background. 

The biggest problem I had was that if I tipped the bottle slightly, a lot of color would run down the side of the bottle. If I tip it too far the liquid comes out to fast, but it leaks down the side of the bottle less. I'm sure like many things in life; there is a trick to it. If any of you know what it is please share.

Next time I do this, I going to use an eyedropper. Hopefully I will get a different effect. I think the wipe's cute little elephant design adds to the whole effect. If you don't like it just flip it over then its barely noticeable. My next adventure will be trying using my new heat tool and embossing powder. Of course my husband and son had to try it out first, but not in the way you might expect.

Happy Creating!



 
 
Luna Charms

How NOT to Do an Image Transfer with Gesso

A couple of weeks ago I got out my copy of Image Transfer Workshop: Mixed-Media Techniques for Successful Transfers. The directions seemed very straight forward. It said to use a medium coating of gesso. As you will see in the following photos, my idea of a medium coating and the author's were to totally different things.

This was supposed to be an ink jet image transfer of a pug and a wolf.

I didn't notice until I did this that the wolf eyes look weird because he's squinting in the snow.


 
The author had stated in the directions that if it was too thick the image might stick and not transfer well. Well I got that part right. LOL


This is a great book, so I know that I'm the one who did it wrong. Check out this book along with the other two books I'm using on the bottom left of the page.


I love Altered Art even when I mess it up its fun! Let me know about your adventures in learning art techniques. Have a great weekend!

Don’t Miss March of the Pugs

March of the Pugs Info

 
This Saturday March 7^th Join the Kentukiana Pug Rescue for The March of the Pugs in Lebanon Indiana (near Indianapolis). All dogs are free. People are $5 each or $15 per family. There will be contests, games, raffles and lots of fun for everyone. Pugs that are up for adoption will also be there.

My son won a great raffle prize in the at KPR's August event. It was a big box NASCAR/Jeff Gordon items. We went there to find out more about Pugs. It was amazing, the KPR volunteers were terrific and Pug owner's shared a lot if information about their dogs. I've never seen a more laid back, happy group of dogs in my life. We hope to adopt our own Pug this summer. So if you're near Indianapolis this weekend stop by and support the Kentukiana Pug Rescue and the great work they do.

An Altered Art Newbie

For the last 6+ weeks I have been stuck at home due to some health issues. It seemed like the perfect time to get out some of those Altered Art and Mixed-Media books I've been buying over the last few years.

This kind of art fascinates me, because there is no wrong way to do it. However, learning to do some of these techniques is not as easy as it looks in the book or blogs. I never know how it's going to turn out. Of course that's part of the fun.


My follow up posts will show you my successes and failures. I will also have links for the books and blogs I use.


Have fun creating!