Not Picasso

I have to admit that painting is a lot quicker then rug hooking. I do love the process of hooking though! I love the texture, planning and the rhythm of hooking.
Even dying the wool is fun. The color doesn't always turn out the way you plan once hooked up so you try again. It can be a long process. Painting I find quick and satisfying. Sometimes I walk away and think about it. Then when I go back it comes together the way I see it. No I am not Picasso nor will I ever be famous for my art. I do know art relieves stress and takes me into another place. I am at ease!

Some of my favorite primitive artists are Maude Lewis, Grandma Moses, and Hemmerling.

Great Grandparents

Who are some of your favorite artists?

Elaine

Weekend Projects

Who knew a chandelier could take a day and a half to hang! Well all I have to say is thank you to my wonderful husband for working on this large project. It is a vintage chandelier. The problem was the old chandelier was not centered over the table. It took some work but the new vintage one is we're it should be and the room is taking on a new look.





Another small painting/paper project of mine has been snowmen. The weather here has been rainy and cold. No snow in our area. That is far and few in the land Texas. I just felt the need to make a few snow people! I don't think I am quite ready for warm weather. I do know a few of you bloggers are looking forwards to spring! Last summer did me in with the heat.



Well one more photo. Here are the boys...... I should take note that if I get up and out of my chair it gets over taken by the aliens.



Elaine

It's Been Too Long

I wasn't sure what to call this post because it has been so long!  It was a needed break.  Today my daughter wanted to know if someone taught me my signature or if I just learned to do it on my own. I laughed because I would have never thought to ask that question.  I never really put a lot of effort into practicing my handwriting.  I also really don't like my handwriting and feel as though it is like a doctors scribble!  The reason my daughter asked is because she needed a paper signed for school.
What have I been doing besides answering questions on handwriting?   Finishing up a few things around the house and starting to feel more relaxed.  With the relaxing part I am able to create!  The paints and brushes came flying out.    I am a primitive painter at heart and I should say that about all of my art!  Besides painting I started a couple of small hooking projects and need to get back to them.   I do need to get the dye pots out and work on some new colors.  So that is what I am doing. A little of this and a little of that.  So what are you working on?

Jumping

Elaine

: Moved and Sorting

Yes, We are moved and I am still unpacking and sorting through stuff.   I never knew that I could accumulate so much stuff!  I guess that I did but just didn't want to admit it!   We are still painting and redoing to make our new home ours and it is slow going but I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!   I am also slowly getting back into my art as well.  My most recent project using Sculpey clay was introduced to me by my sister in law!  I had a blast working with her. She was getting ready for a art exhibit.  I told her my art is not realistic as hers is and very beautiful!   So this is what I came up with!

Clay Sculpture 2012

I'm not really sure what it is supposed to be.  My kids think its a monkey creature!  

Next up is a picture of my new work room!   I am very happy about this space.  It's not all finished a few more things to work on but I and the family have been spending some good quality time creating art.

Luke making himself at home

My husband grumped because he had to hang my cubbies cabinet and it weighs a ton!  We have hauled this from many homes.  I found it in (umm... my husband found it!)  the trash from a daycare center that closed.  It is great for storing all of my dyes.  I guess he can't  grump too much because he knows how much it makes me happy!   

The one thing that has kept me sane through this move is looking and reading everyone's blogs!  I certainly have used a lot of ideas in my new home.   

  I am really glad to be back and hope to post soon.

Elaine

Friendship

Having good friends is a wonderful thing!   My good friend, co-worker and blogger friend has always been very generous in her crafting!   I have been the lucky recipient of some of her many talents.    If you have time please visit her at: Beautifully Exquisite Experiences.   You might just find a new inspirational idea to make.  I was trying to think of some way to thank her when I thought that she might like a little hooked mat for her home.   I know she likes dogs so I decided on this antique rug adaption.

8x11  using a six cut

 

When I finished the binding I made a little tag and rolled it up and tied a ribbon around.   She really loved the rug and that made me very happy!

Happy Hooking Friends,     

Elaine

ps i must say that i really loved working on this small project!

Changes

In a lifetime I wonder how many changes we make?   Millions or possibly more?  I do know that I have had many in my lifetime.  Some good and some that are just bad.    My family's big change for this year is selling our house.  So if I am not blogging very much it is because I am boxing up and sorting things that go to charity.   There are many reasons for our move.  We would love to live in a ranch home and have more land. The good news for my husband and I that we are not doing a cross country type of move!  We have done this and those are very hard!  This is just going to be a neighborhood kind of move.   I found a blog that had a few good tips for moving:  The Moving Planner Blog.
 Now our house hasn't sold and goes on the market this week.  If the market is good we hope to sell quickly.  It took us two years to sell our last house.  That is partly because the market at the time fell apart in the state that we lived in!  The thing that I most look forward in is finding a new home that fits our needs.   If you Pinterest you may have seen some of the homes that I have pictured below.   These are just a few of my favorites that I have on my Pinterest boards!  These homes are not for sell but homes that I just love!   Most homes here in the Dallas Fort Worth area are made of brick.  At least the area we are looking in and they are newer.   When we moved back to Texas it took sometime for me to get used to the brick look again.  
 I do love that my husband pointed out that some of these are two story homes. I also love the way they look and think that they would make wonderful hooked rugs.

 

www.oharainteriors.com

www.southernliving.com

www.bhg.com

www.bhg.com

Wishing you a Happy Easter!    Elaine

Spring

Spring is here and  I think it has arrived a wee bit early.  It also is not doing well for me!   Having to stay home from work....I have no voice today.  I didn't think that this would go very well with my preschool friends at work.  On the other hand my boys at home are enjoying  time with their mom!  Luke has patrolled the yard most of the day looking for birds and other critters and Mr Pudge well he just wants to be close to me.   So we had a little photo shoot out back!

Luke

Mr Pudge

I would of had them sitting next to each other but that is near impossible!  They really like to chase each other when they are outside.  I must say that I do love my rescue pups.  They each have such great personality's.

My brother and his family will be arriving tomorrow for a wedding so I thought it would be a good time to give him his gift!   I finished it up last week and snapped a few better photos for you to see!  Plus it is always a good way to catalog your rugs that you make.  I have a album that has all the rugs that I have done in years past.

close up

35x22    #8cut

Label I made with printer.

Now onto next project.......must be smaller!  Have I already said that!!

Wishing you a happy spring and if it hasn't arrived yet hoping it will soon! 

  Elaine