It’s been a little bit since I shared a What I’m Working On. I often wonder why I start writing blog series as I very often forget about them. I have been having lots of wonderful time in my little creative corner and getting so many projects done and completed so it reminded me how much fun it is to share them with you. I also will do my best to provide updates for these projects and share once they are completed and for some I will have some process videos where you can watch me make them start to finish. Once those posts are up they will be linked within this post for you.
So what have I been working on? Well, lots of things. I am really enjoying having several projects in various stages going at once. While one coat of paint is drying I work on something else and while that coat of Triple Thick dries I paint this piece. It’s a lot of fun and keeps me from getting board or getting too precious with any one project because they all just feel like play time.
I had a wonderful afternoon this past Sunday with the house to myself, a cup of tea, a little chocolate and my paints. I started painting this box I bought online. It has a special purpose that I will share in my process video to come out next week where you can see the ins and outs of how I made it and what it will be holding. It was a fun and easy project. I painted it, added some tourn paper scraps from a gelli print I did and added some Tim Holtz grout and paper tile. I have never used the paper tile before and the glaze seems to have a bit of a yellow tint to it. Not sure if it’s because it’s a little older (I got it back at Christmas) or if it still isn’t totally dry. Either way it was so much fun to make! Of course I realized after that I could remove the hardware so as not to get paint on it. Something I remedied when painting the second box.
These boxes came in a 3 pack of varying sizes and I am going to use the smallest one to house my crystals. I started painting it blue then decided I would rather pink and as I tried out the pink and saw the two colors together I fell in love. It looks like cotton candy and is so happy and fun. I also am going to sew a little cushion to go in the bottom of the box that all the crystals can sit on.
I have also been addicted, uh, having fun making cardboard buttons. This idea didn’t originate with me. I first saw this on Jennibellie’s YouTube channel (link in the reference section below) and thought I had to try it! I make mine differently than she did in the video but no matter how you make them they are really fun and simple. The best part is it’s a great way to use the off-cuts of cardboard when you have left behind when making a journal as well as small paper scraps. You can also use those 6×6 paper pads we tend to end up with stacks of. I am working on a little process video to share with you but they really are super simple and fun to make. I love using recycled/repurposed materials in my art. The photo here is of the buttons just about done-I only need to punch out the 2 holes in the center and seal the edges.
Another item I have been working on is my clay doll. This is a project from a class I am taking at Willowing. It’s a really fun class and I have been letting my little angel doll emerge slowly. Right now she is sitting on my table waiting to be painted. I am still trying to decide if I am going to use yarn for her hair or paint it on. I think I might start with painting and if I’m not happy with how it turns out cover it up with yarn 🙂 I don’t have a process video for her since she was part of a paid class but I will share a blog update once she’s all completed so you can see her.
I am also making a photo album that’s going to be a gift. We have some ideas here in our family about what we may or may not do with it as it’s an anniversary gift for my kids grandparents. My oldest 2 have been having a lot of fun with The Wreck this Journals I bought them and my husband had the idea to make this album a “wreck this photo album” and to put all sorts of prompts for the grandparents to complete. Like “take a photo in front of the world’s largest ball of yarn” and things like that. I haven’t included a photo-namely because I forgot to include it when I was taking photos and also it doesn’t look like much yet since it’s just a cover but once we decide on how we are going to make it and I have it all done I will be sure to share it with you all.
And lastly I am working on another felt doll. I really love making these! They are so nice because you can sit in a chair and hand sew them together-something I love to do. I might do a whole post on just my felt doll set up because I have really made it all very easy and contained-let me know if you would be interested in a post on that. For this doll I am making Harry Potter. My oldest daughter was invited to a birthday party and the theme is Harry Potter. My kids hadn’t shown much interest in the books or movies before and this past weekend we had a family movie night and watched the first movie-they really seemed to like it! Now we are reading the book together and of course, making felt Harry Potter dolls. Well, I’m making the dolls. I am going to try and make a complete set of Harry, Ron & Hermione for my daughter’s friend as a present and I am also thinking I need one to add to my felt doll collection.
If you would like to see the pattern I am using I have linked it in the resource section below. I would love to hear what’s your working on. Please comment below and if you have a blog share a link so we can all stop by and see what you are working on this Wednesday.
Until next time…
-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante
Resource Section
Jennibellie YouTube Channel: She has a wonderful channel with TONS of tutorials and amazing inspiration for your art journals. She also is great at using recycled materials and making do with what you have on hand. She’s where I learned to make the cardboard buttons I mentioned. You can also join her free community site here.
Willowing: Tam’s site has some AMAZING classes! This is where I am taking the self-placed Sacred Self Care Art Doll Class.
Baul de la Malinka: This is the Etsy shop where I purchased my Harry Potter felt doll patterns. There is a 3 pack that includes Harry, Ron & Hermione that I opted for.
*Note: All of the items listed above are being shared for your convenience. I purchased any and all materials with my own money and have not be paid or sponsored in any way for sharing these items. I share them because I like them and I love supporting small business. I hope you find them useful!
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