Paintings from 2014

"Painting is the from the chaos of the emotions to the order of the possible." -Balthus

So, this is my second year of doing a end of the year painting review.  Enjoy!

January: Olympic Torches in Oil

April: Spring Blossoms in Acrylic

May: Super Hero Trio in Acrylic

June: Hank the Ballpark dog in Acrylic done at a paint bar

July: Bridge over water in acrylic done at a paint bar

October: White Pumpkin in acrylic

November: Olaf in acrylic

December: Minion(s) in acrylic

December: Winter Lamp Post in acrylic

Last minute wine glass gift

"Christmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence." -Joan Mills

Looking for that last minute gift?  There is nothing like a bottle of wine and a personalized wine glass.  This one reads "He sees you when you're drinking". How perfect for the holiday season.

Materials:

• Wine Glass
• Red Enamel Paint
• Paint Brush

Directions:

1. Paint the words "He sees you when you're drinking" onto the glass. Let dry overnight.
2. Bake in the oven at 250 degrees for 30 minutes.

It is so simple!  Add a mini bottle of wine inside the glass and it is perfect!

Snowman Salt and Pepper Shakers

"A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, but softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small."  -Eva K. Logue

Looking for a fun craft project to make with kids? Try these easy salt and pepper shakers.  The salt and pepper shakers came from the dollar tree.

Materials:

• Salt and Pepper Shakers
• White Paint
• Orange Polymer Clay
• Black Puff Paint
• Two Different Colors of Yarn
• Buttons
• Crochet Hook
• Paint Brush
• Hot Glue Gun

Directions:

1. Paint the shakers white. Let dry. 
2. While waiting crochet a tiny scarf for each of the shakers.
3. Dot the eyes and the mouth with the black puff paint. Let dry.
4. Make tiny carrot noses and bake according to the clay directions.
5. Glue nose onto the snowman.
6. Glue the scarf onto the snowman. Glue the button onto the cross section of the scarf.  

The one with the black button makes the most sense for the pepper shaker.  Do whatever makes the most sense to you.

Candy Cane Vase

"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." -Harlan Miller

I have missed two days this month already, so it is the 22 crafts til Christmas blog, but I think I have enough to finish out the task.  Here is a simple one for the day.

Materials:

• Small Glass Vase
• Candy Canes
• Hot Glue Gun
• Green Ribbon of String

Directions:

1. Glue candy canes to the vase.
2. Tie decorative bow onto it.

That is it.  Add floral elements for finishing touches.

Two for one: Wheatley and Pikachu ornaments

"A man wrapped up in himself will always suffocate. But his loved ones forever hold in their hearts the memory of that Christmas." -Bauvard, Some Inspiration for the Overly Enthusiastic

Pikachu

Materials:

• Gold ornament
• Black. red, and white paint
• Paint brushes

Directions:

1. Paint two black oval eyes.  Paint the mouth/nose. Let dry.
2. Paint Red cheeks. Let dry.
3. Paint on white pupils. Let dry.

Wheatley

Materials:

• White ornament
• Blue and white paint
• Black Puff paint

Directions:

1. Paint a blue circle in the middle of the bulb. Let dry.
2. Outline details in black puff paint. Let dry.
3. Paint a white circle in the middle of the clue circle. Let dry.

Star Earrings

"Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind." -Mary Ellen Chase

Materials:

• Yellow Polymer Clay
• Black Polymer Clay
• White Polymer Clay
• Toothpick
• Earring loops

Directions:

1. Mold two yellow stars out of clay.
2. Mold a 4 small black ovals.  Attach two per star for eyes.
3. Mold 4 tiny white balls.  Attach to the pupils.
4. Using a tooth pick to poke holes through the top of the star.
5. Bake in oven for 15 mins at 250 degrees.
6. Attach to earrings.

Boo ornament

"Everyone wants a Christmas tree. If you had a Christmas tree Santa would bring you stuff!  Like hair curlers and ... shoes." -Janet Evanovich, Visions of Sugarplums

Materials:

• Christmas Bulb Ornament
• Red, White, and Pink Paint
• Black Puff Paint
• Paintbrush

Directions:

1. Paint bulb white (if not white already). Let dry.
2. Paint red mouth on. Let dry.
3. Paint pink tongue. Let dry. 
4. Draw on black eyes, top of mouth, and arms. Let dry.
5. Paint on teeth and pupils with white paint. Let dry.

Classic Boo for your Beau.