Auntie's Workshop

  Window Garden :  16 x 20 Acrylic on canvas.  Interested in purchasing?  Send an e-mail auntiesworkshop@outlook.com Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.  (KJV) Each season, God provides beautiful flora and fauna for us to enjoy.  Spring bursts with azalea and dogwood blooms.  Summer is a symphony of color from huge yellow sunflowers to tiny pink dianthus.  Autumn is filled with the changing colors of leaves and pots of mums.  Winter rounds out the year with violas and pansies.  With each season is the reminder that though the beauty of last season is gone, there's more to come. Our walk with God is like that. Each season of struggle against satan's attacks is replete with stunning bouquets of God's grace that make us "more than a conqueror" (Romans 8:37).  Song of Solomon 2:1 calls Jesus the "Rose of Sharon" and "The Lilly of the Valley."  H...

Why do we love handmade cards?  From the crayon-scribbled cards we made for our parents as children, to a store bought card with a genuine handmade, handwritten message, cards show caring and creativity. When I took painting back in the 90's, painting books full of card patterns intrigued me, but not enough to try it.  Years later, I saw a Pinterest pin of an embossed card to paint. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford the embossing machine or the paper to make these cards.  So, I tried an economical version. Nope, not as pretty.  Plus, since I used glue to try to get the embossed look, it made for a very sticky card. Since then, I've thought about cutting watercolor paper to the size of card I want and painting them one at a time.  But, what if I want to make a set of 12 for someone?  That would take way too long.  So it hit me. Why don't I paint something.  Scan it into the computer.  Use a program to create the car...

8x10 Acrylic on Canvas $35.00 unframed,  $50.00 framed + shipping (Frame styles vary by availability)   Late summer blooms and butterflies enjoying the reflection of sunshine.  Keep summer in those corners during the cooler months with this piece.   A replica of this painting is being donated to the Jacksonville Senior Citizen's Center as a door prize for their monthly dance. Interested in purchasing? Contact me at auntiesworkshop@outlook.com

Quilting has always fascinated me.  Taking tiny cuts of cloth and stitching them together to make functional art has been a staple of American society.  From  the intricate quilts of the Native Americans , to First Lady Martha Washington to the freedom quilts of Gee's Bend , quilts have warmed bodies and souls, told stories, and become family heirlooms.  I have longed to make fabric art of this magnitude.  My first foray into sewing was in 7th grade when I took Home Economics (which, sadly, isn't taught in many schools now--but that's a rant for another day).  Between high pitched insults and rants about how much she hated kids, the teacher (name withheld to protect the guilty) at least taught us how to thread the machine and to always backtack at the ends of a stitch.  After a semester of sewing C-grade items, I was glad to move on to something else...like 8th grade!  On of my best diaper bags After not touching a sew...

$50.00 + shipping This 11x14 watercolor painting welcomes spring with a fresh bouquet.     Interested in purchasing? Contact me at auntiesworkshop@outlook.com

  I posted on my sister blog last year.  I felt it was appropriate to share here.  Enjoy. I've been a crafter and artist for 22 years [23 now].  Yes, that's correct; 22 [23]!  I've sold my work off an on over the years and am currently selling, so I have vast amounts of experience with comments--good, bad, and downright stupid.  I'd never made it a habit of storing these comments (bless their hearts), but something brought them to the forefront.  Someone shared a social media post from the California Arts Council about such comments.  The ones they quoted were spot on.  These have been said to me and my other artsy-fartsy friends in one form or another. This week's Thursday thirteen:  Thirteen things never to say to a crafter or artist with their appropriate (or inappropriate responses).  Please insert tongue in cheek. Some of these are the art counsel's comments, some are my personal ones. "I'll just get my fri...

December 2014 was a busy month at the Workshop.  It was my first go at a multiple vendor craft show.  I didn't sell nearly what I'd hoped, but I did learn a lot and had fun.  I've got new ideas for next year's attempt. January had an early show of geraniums just in time for that month's senior citizens' dance.  This is my first experience painting this flower and there are many more varieties of this beautiful floral cluster.  So, be on the lookout for more later. This month's dance door prize was inspired by a quilt created by Eleanor Burns.  She is famous for her Quilt in a Day series of books and videos.  This quilt-ghan is called Peony.  It's a reminder to me that spring is coming.