April | 2015 | The Studio

Archive for April, 2015

Kids Paint Pears

Posted in Art Class, tagged kids class, pear, still life on April 30, 2015| Leave a Comment »

The Kid’s Painting Class painted a wonderful still life yesterday of pears. Great job everyone!!!

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A Found Treasure

Posted in Embroidery, tagged 50 States Embroidery, embroidery on April 29, 2015| Leave a Comment »

50 State Embroidery squares

While making my quick monthly stop at a local thrift shop I ran across quite a treasure. A large plastic zip lock bag was on a shelf where they display their sewing and crafting supplies. The label said 50 states + state map…$15 and I could tell it was filled with fabric that was cut into squares. I was in a rush and didn’t open it but curiosity got the best of me and I went back the next day and when I opened the bag I found these wonderful embroidered squares of each state. And they are all completed! The instruction sheet was even in the package where whoever did this wonderful work checked off each state as they completed it. It is going to make a handsome quilt.

It got me to thinking about who may have done this. Wonder what happened to them? I made up a little story in my mind that it was some little old lady who passed away and her relatives cleaned out her house and sold all her crafts. It makes me sad to think that all this hard work was discarded and not appreciated by her people. There is easily several hundred hours in this project.

I have found other treasures like this over the last year or two – in particular a wonderful needlepoint framed piece of art and a Crewel framed piece. (I will try to photography them for tomorrow’s post.) They are hanging on the wall of my bedroom and I will treasure them….and appreciate the creative people who made them. And I plan to complete the “50 States” quilt to honor that someone who got such a great start on it.

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Take Reference Photos Now

Posted in Flowers, tagged dogwoods, flowers, reference photos on April 28, 2015| 1 Comment »

: Reference Photo Dogwood on Gold

: Reference Photo Dogwood on Red

: Reference Photo Flowers

Over the past week there have been some beautiful flowers blooming. This is the perfect time to take photos of different arrangements on different backgrounds and at different angles to build your reference library. There may not be time to paint them all right now but you can have the photos for later when there is time to paint. Take lots of photos during this time of the year to increase your selection of subject matter. It’s the perfect time.

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A Weekend of Sewing Rag Quilts

Posted in Sewing, tagged lapquilt, quilt, Rag Quilt, sewing on April 27, 2015| Leave a Comment »

I spent most of this weekend sewing Rag Quilts. Lots of fabric in my stash and a free day on Saturday got me busy making them.

Since the class last month I have had several requests so here are a few that available in my online store. Just click on the photo and that will take you to the store for more information and photos of each lap quilt. Thanks!

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Happy Birthday John James Audubon

Posted in Little Known Facts, Trivia, tagged Birds of America, flamingo, John J Audubon, Wild Turkey on April 26, 2015| Leave a Comment »

American Flamingo, John J Audubon

Wild Turkey, John J Audubon

Born on this day in 1785, John James Audubon is recognized for his detailed study of American Birds and his watercolors and drawings of them. Read more about his fascinating life here.

His book, Birds of America (1827-1839) is considered the finest ornithological work ever written. He identified 25 new species. Take a minute to click the link to Birds of America or his life above and enjoy his wonderful work. Happy Birthday JJA!

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Ocean View

Posted in Art Class, Landscape, tagged Landscape, Ocean on April 25, 2015| Leave a Comment »

This little painting called “Ocean View” is a paint-along piece I did with the class at The Village at Orchard Ridge recently. They pick and we paint! This one is oil on canvas measuring 11″x14″.

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Open Studio Today!

Posted in Art Class on April 24, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Today is Open Studio day at The Studio-The Place for Learning. Open Studio is from 10 am – 1 pm and is a time where creative people can come together to work on projects while socializing and sharing ideas. If you like to create having a place to share ideas and create will improve your skills.

Need help finding the time to paint…or to catch up on that knitting or crochet project? If you need a place to let your creativity shine or just a little down-time to work on your project without the distractions of home then Open Studio time offers the solution. We do this on the 2nd and 4th Fridays. Having several hours to create with other inspired artists helps to keep your creative juices flowing. .Ideas get tossed around; lots of laughing occurs; FUN!

While instruction and supplies are not included in Open Studio time there is always someone there that will offer advice if asked. You are welcome to use any of our rotating galleries of paintings for inspiration or flip through the many reference books that are available. Ample space is provided for you to bring your own snacks and beverages.

Come create with us! We love the company.

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Bluebells Along the Shenandoah River

Posted in Art Class, Flowers, Landscape, tagged acrylic, Art Class, Bluebells on April 23, 2015| 1 Comment »

Kids Paint Bluebells

Bluebell Reference Photo with Lincoln and Jed

Almost every morning I walk my dogs along a path at the Shenandoah River down to the Dog Park. They love it and so do I. It’s a beautiful place in any season but it’s particularly lovely right now as the Bluebells are blooming. I posted several photos on my Facebook page earlier this week (check that out here) and everyone thought it would make a great painting. So at Kid’s Painting class yesterday they painted it. Great job everyone!

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More of Cindy’s Handiwork…

Posted in Furniture, tagged painted furniture on April 22, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Side Table

Sewing Box

Night Stand

Here is some more of Cindy’s work. She painted several pieces of furniture while visiting this past week. I love them all. Some I may not be able to part with!

Tray Table

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Cindy’s Handiwork

Posted in Furniture, tagged chalk paint, painted frames, painted furniture on April 21, 2015| Leave a Comment »

We have had an artist from Charleston visiting with us this past week. And when she hasn’t been busy teaching classes (see that here and here) and visiting friends she has been busy working on projects at my house. Look at all the things she has gotten done in just a couple of days. WOW! Thanks Cindy. We love it!