An Experiment With Plaster, Watercolors, Fabric and Embroidery.. Or Fresco Embroidery..

Ever since I dived into Plaster Studio: Mixed-Media Techniques for Painting, Casting and Carving, I've been experimenting with adding plaster to my repertoire. I have absolutely loved including plaster into my work, but I've been searching for ways to marry it with fabric. In the book there are a few projects that use it with burlap to create some beautiful pieces, but it wasn't quite me. I didn't want the fabric to simply be a substrate, I wanted it to breathe and have a relationship with the final piece. I have a number of ideas I want to explore with different fabrics and types of plaster (gesso, joint compound, plaster of paris, etc), but I'm so excited and I wanted to share my first piece with you.

This piece started with a single piece of linen and was frosted with a thin layer of joint compound. Once it set, I painted the background with a wash of watercolors. Then with perle cotton, I embroidered a primitive design of two homes. To add stability and color to the project, the piece was then deconstructed and hand sewn on to another piece of linen. Once it was secure, I free motioned it all together with a flannel batting and heavy canvas back.

It is delicate, simple and thoughtful. This piece is a gift and has a long story behind it.

It is the start to hopefully many more "fresco embroideries". I love the texture and fragility of it, though I hope I can find the right combination that will allow more detailed embroidery without impacting the plaster too much.

Nesting - Nursery Projects and Watercolor Fun

I apologize for the lull, it has been crazy here nesting and getting ready for Little Man. Baby Girl started to come 6 weeks early and I just knew this pregnancy would be similar. Sure enough, we are 6 weeks out and I'm already dilated and effacing a bit too quick. Eek!

Even though the blog and Facebook page have been quiet, I've been quite busy with projects, artistic experiments and enjoying the start of our summer.

I will write a full post on Little Man's nursery projects once they are all finished. Here are some sneak peeks..

When I'm not working on projects for Little Man, I've been playing with watercolors. I figure that maybe the easiest way for me to create for the first couple months after his delivery.

What's next? Little Man's induction is on June 17th and we're hoping he will stay put till then. I'll be guest curating on the amazing Jenny Doh's site, Crescendoh, this summer. I will have my first solo art display at the Sandy library in September. And I'm still waiting to hear if I was accepted at Craft Lake City.

For now I'm not accepting or seeking any teaching opportunities. The rest of 2013 will be centered on finding the balance in our family with our sweet little boy, gearing up for homeschool and enjoying these rare moments. In those quiet times, I'm eager to find my artistic voice and settle down with a few choice mediums. I hope that in 2014, I will be able to break open some doors with my art, embrace our homeschool lifestyle and find new ways to inspire others as well as connect with my fellow artists. There will be some blog and Facebook lulls while we adjust, but I hope you will stay connected with me as we enjoy this last chapter of babyhood.

Hilltop Consignment Sale Giveaway!!

It's that time again, I'm so excited! The Hilltop United Methodist Children's & Maternity Sale is awesome.. Literally jam packed with amazing deals. Everything from clothing to toys and sports equipment. 

You name it, they will have it! 

It will be on April 19th from 9am-8pm and April 20th from 8am -2pm.

Hilltop Christian School is located at 985 East and 10600 South in Sandy.

If you are interested in selling, please check out their site at Hilltop Sale.

Here is a glimpse of a previous sale..

The secret to getting the best of the best? The Thursday night presale.. 

You can earn a pass by volunteering your time or you can win one here!

From now till midnight on April 16th you have the chance to enter to win:

1 Presale Ticket & a $10 gift certificate!

But wait..there's more..

I'll be giving away ((2)) sets!!

How do you enter?

Just leave me a comment on this post and be sure to leave an email to reach you.

On April 17th I'll announce the two winners and will email you as well.

Good luck and hope to see you there!!

**Please note that on Thursday night, they kindly ask for no strollers or children in attendance.

It is very busy with all the amazing deals..**

What Symbrachydactyly Can Look Like at 5

A few times each year, I receive emails from families that have found my blog while researching Symbrachydactyly. My eldest daughter was born with it and while I don't discuss it much on the blog, I'm always open to discussing it. In fact, at any time you can click on the "Symbrachydactyly" link on the top of my blog to learn more or of course you can email me.

Why don't I mention it much? Honestly, it just doesn't come up much in our lives. The first year of Kiddo's life was dotted with visits to hand surgeons and specialists. I joined every limb different group I could find and researched a ton. I grieved, I questioned my actions while pregnant and then I came to terms with it. After that year, well yeah life went on. 

I could write pages on the all things my Kiddo can do, but it would be easier to maybe highlight the few challenges. She can't do monkey bars (I never could either and I have 10 full fingers). She has some trouble carrying very large objects. And that about wraps it up..seriously. She is at the very top of her class and has reached milestones beyond her 5 years. Am I worried about her? When I have worries or struggles in regards to Kiddo, they are the very same I have for her siblings. 

On Kiddo's 5th birthday she received a *pink* BB gun and real archery set (no suction cup arrows here!) My husband is a hunter - born and raised.. and so will my children. That's the start and end of my words on that matter. Rather, I'm incredibly proud of watching my daughter wield both her gun and bow without any issues in regards to her special hand. My husband is training her now to use both, but once she turns 6 she will be taking professional classes as well. The pride she exudes is contagious and whips the breath right out of me. She is truly in her element and is so very comfortable in her skin. It is quite simply magical to watch my husband and daughter when they are practicing.

How does symbrachydactyly look at age 5? 
It looks beautiful, confident and inspiring!

KSL Blog Of The Week

I was so honored to be chosen as KSL's blog of the week! I was starting to panic a bit last night. I still have my head cold and sound like a frog. I had broken out thanks to generous pregnancy hormones. And I wasn't quite sure of what I would wear - I wanted to show some artistic flair, but that's hard in the 7th month of pregnancy.

After a whirlwind morning and dropping my girls off with the most wonderful neighbor ever, I was finally ready for my television appearance.

If you would like to watch it, feel free to click on over here!  Thanks so much KSL for having me and welcome to my new readers!!