Coasters!

Coasters!

This month I made coasters using ceramic tiles.  I used modge podge to adhere them and an additional 3 coats over the paper.  I used a sealant spray to make them water proof.  I also used a glue gun to add felt to the bottoms, so they won't scratch the table.  I made a set of 4 of each design as gifts for my family.

Art History Class: Art Nouveau

One of my creative goals is to further my art education.  I am working on a World Art History certificate. I attended a lecture called "Art Nouveau: New Style for a New Century".  This form of art is noted for its organic, sinuous, and seductive styles which centered in France at the very turn of the last century.  This art movement can be found in paintings, jewelry, furniture, and buildings. Below are pictures from the lecture.  I also found online an art nouveau stain glass template that I colored in with color pencil (coloring is a great stress reliever). ~ JM

Posters from Jan Toorop, Henry van de Velde Tropon, and Jules Cheret

Philippe Wolfers Dragonfly Brooch (right lower corner )

stain glass/coloring template

Writing Excercise: Short and Sweet (Everyday)

  In the latest issue of Bella Grace there was an exercise to encourage writing everyday.  It provided two pages of a calendar-like outline with space dedicated for 2-3 sentences reflecting your day.  I wrote almost everyday for the month of June. My handwriting is not the greatest, therefore I typed out three of my entries below.  ~ JM

_____________________________

 

Wooden Letter

I made this letter by using paper that looks like wood and using modge podge to glue it and also over the paper.  I got this idea from Pinterest. The possibilities are endless with all the fun kinds of paper!

Garden markers

We recently planted our garden and I found this free way to make signs on Pinterest.  I used paint stir sticks that I had, painted them and used puffy paint to write the names on them :)

Sketching (Part 2)

As I mentioned last month my goal was to bring my sketch book everywhere. The nice part of living on the East Coast are the many opportunities to do quick day trips to beautiful places from Lancaster, PA to southern Maryland where the Patuxent and Potomac River empties into the Chesapeake Bay. Drawing is a skill and practicing makes it better. I will continue to practice ;-)  ~ JM

Franklin & Marshall College Campus
Lancaster, PA

Solomons, MD

Solomons, MD

Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House
Alexandria, VA

Freer Gallery of Art
Washington, DC

A cobblestone alley in Old Town Alexandria, VA

I Finally Painted My Living Room!

My project this month was to finally paint my living room!  Here is the before and after.  I love it so much and it feels so much more cozy :)