Auntie's Workshop

The month of July is when my sister Clara and I usually start our "Christmas in July" crafting.  We get a jump on holiday gifts and decorations, plus it gives us time to try new ideas to see if we like them.  In previous years I've missed getting started, but not this year.  I began with a revisit to a 30 Day Art Challenge 2024 project.    This time I solved the problems I had with my first attempt at these: I used wood glue instead of hot glue to put the wooden pieces together.  I only used hot glue on the insert and that worked much better. I made use of the eye hooks I use to add picture wire to my paintings (I've got plenty). This makes a much better looking and functioning hanger than twine held down by an unsightly amount of hot glue. I cut the backings slightly smaller than preiously, plus I cut the chipboard backings with a sliding blade paper cutter.  This was so much more accurate than the ruler, pencil, and utility knife method I was using...

  If you read my other blog, you know that I'm a listener of Gretchen Rubin's Happier  podcast.  I've also read a few of her books; some I liked, some I didn't.  For the past few years I've participated in her yearly challenges and themes she has presented (To learn more about the 26 for 2026 challenge, please see the Happier podcast here ).  This year, I thought I'd double my fun and participate in the 26 for 2026 list on both blogs.  This list is more along the lines of my "artsy-fartsy" hopes and dreams for the year...and beyond (probably). Yes, I'm late to the game, but I know that finally getting this posted and on my mind will do much to benefit my psyche and ramp up my motivation. So here's my list.  As I complete each item, I will mark it as complete.  If it is blog worthy, I'll post it as a link, or where applicable include a photo, Pinterest pin, or Instagram post.  NOTE:  List is subject to change without notice. WAR...

 Let's have fun with this one: One of my favorite YouTube quilters is a gentleman named Mark Darrell, aka "The Quilting Marine."  Mark took up quilting to help deal with PTSD.  He says that while quilting is not a substitute for therapy, it is a way to pour his energy into something constructive when dark thoughts crowd in.  I learned about him from a couple of interviews he did for Missouri Star Quilt Company and Just Get It Done Quilts . I am inspired by his style because he freely admits that he doesn't necessarily follow all the rules of quilting, yet he still produces colorful intricate quilts.  His attitude is essentially "If you don't like how I do things, my channel is not for you.  Move on."  He posts when he can, doesn't chase the mysterious YouTube algorithm, and is very down-to-earth. He signs off his videos with the phrase, "Remember, it's only fabric and it's only thread."  I like that; it removes the pressure of perf...

The prompt for today is:  Here's what I came up with. I know that this isn't a new idea, but I'd not tried it before.  This is a 12x12 canvas coated in black acrylic paint.  I printed the sheet music on some parchment colored paper and used Mod-Podge to glue it to the canvas.  Then I painted the holly and cardinal beneath.  This was fun and I may try it again in the future when I can slow down and take my time.

 The word of the day is... When I pulled this word my first thought was to make an art project with food somehow.  I thought of various things:  painting with Kool-Aid (think watercolor), finger painting with pudding, making Christmas ornaments with wrapped hard candy or plastic fruit.  None of those sparked any inspiration, plus I didn't want ants.  So, I thought "why not paint a picture of food?"  It's been several years since I've painted a still life of food, so why not? Painting guide and instructional video from Paint With Lovejoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7KabNzVQhw

What's the word for today? Ah, Pinterest. The land of FOMO, uh-oh, and Honey Bunches of No.  In all honesty, my "Create" board (divided into MANY sections) has more projects than I'll ever complete.  On occasion, I do go through and pare down my boards.  I'll take away (or move) completed projects or those that no longer pique my interest.  The problem, however, is that in a fit of "Ooh, that's pretty," or "I can make that," I add more pins that I remove. Today, I scratched the slimline card form off my list of pins (one of them anyway).  Unlike the standard A2 cards that are 4.25 x 5.50 inches when folded, slimline cards are cut and folded to fit in a standard #10 (what we commonly call a business-sized) envelope.  I made cards that were both horizontal and vertical orientation.  I also found a free SVG file so that I can use my Cricut to cut envelopes to match. I had a fun time with these and plan to make many, many more.