Decorative Bali Lantern Workshop

Decorative Bali Lantern Workshop

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of teaching how to make a Decorative Bali Lantern which is fashioned after the Balinese lanterns made for celebrations.  The twist is in the material used to make the lantern.  My student, Kristen graduated from college with an art degree, and is now teaching art to high school students.  So this was a time for Kristen to explore and be inspired and possibly teach this to her students in the future.  After talking about products, materials and doing some demonstrations, it was time for Kristen to work.  In this workshop, I gave Kristen the option to make a large or small lantern.

 demonstration with a smile

Kristen working on her background

Kristen lettering her panels 

Kristen's lantern panels

One happy student!  Love It!!

Here are a couple of lanterns I recently completed.  This quote is all mine!!!

It's also fun to make triangle shape lanterns

This is the lantern that was published in Somerset Studio Magazine

In closing, I would like to thank my dear teacher Lisa Engelbrecht for the inspirational video.

Your Creative Friend

Susan

What's New in the Studio

As I promised, I'm sharing one of the projects I'm working on in the studio.  The piece below was about to receive the finishing touches when I noticed the error I made. 

OMG.......I HAD LEFT OUT A WORD........A CALLIGRAPHERS WORST NIGHTMARE.

Back to the drawing board, and unfortunately I managed to get ink spots on the next 2 attempts.

This is a small corner of my work table, my original pieces is in the bottom right hand corner, above it is  the one missing a word, the center piece is ready for me to paint.  

My final attempt included inspiration from the previous attempts. All painted and ready for the next step, so I'm going back to work now to complete this pieces.


Alright, here it is completed.

powered by creativity

Susan

Birdhouses

 I recently stopped by JoAnn Fabrics looking for inspiration and some fabric.  Just outside the store I noticed this large basket with wooden birdhouses for sale.  They looked so cute, just plain wooden birdhouses waiting for someone with some creativity to scope them up.  My creative juices began to flood my head with the possibilities on how to enhance these birdhouses,  So naturally I had to claim a few for myself.  

  The front is left blank for the new owners names and maybe a special date.  

powered by creativity  

susan

Celebrations In Our Lives

Wow, so much has happened since the last time I posted.  My life has been packed with so much recently. Beginning with our daughters 8th grade dance and the her promotion to freshman! Next I went on a trip to Boston to see my brother. Upon my return I volunteered to work the band banquet for my son Jacob.  Next came the our twin boys graduation from Hight School.  Family came into town for both the promotion and graduation.  It's been a whirlwind of activities, laughter, happiness and love.  An AMAZING time in our lives that we will always treasure.  I'd like to share some of those moments with photographs.


Sarah's 8th Grade Dance

Boston

In Boston I was thrilled to tour Chihuly's work at the Museum of Fine Art.  I attended the First Friday Art Show. I also went to Symphony Hall and saw the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the chorus, which my brother has been part of for years, perform "Romeo et Juliette".  The picture below is Copley Square, the tulips were in bloom!  I saw China Town, Fenway Park, Isabella Stewart Gardners Museum and did some shopping on Newbury Street.

 I ♥ Boston.

Band Banquet

 I designed the gift tags and certificates for the senior class band members.  The music notes were found on Etsy.  I painted them black, drilled a hole and added the year, which was in the gift bag each one received.  The banquet was enjoyed by all that attended, including my son, a senior, and my daughter who will be a freshman in the band next year.

CLASS OF 2011

                            

 Alex and Jacob after graduations and the cake for their party.

   

I write this blog today with tears in my eyes, I'm so excited and so proud of our children and completely in awe of everything we've accomplished over the years.  I have to thank my husband, who is a ROCK STAR,  he always keeps me centered (not an easy job, trust me)!  I'm thankful for all the family and friends who shared in the celebrations. 

 Powered by Love

Susan

Face In A Dream

I had a very moving dream the other night. In it I had a vision of a woman, I felt her beauty and her strength. At first, I tried to capture it with a sketch but, I found myself having to paint her to pull more of the dream out of my head.  My mission was to find a way to express what I saw in my dream because dreams are so fleeting.  I am experiencing artistic angst trying to capture the emotion in her eyes.  I hope to complete her sometime this week.  

Have a wonderful Sunday. 

xx

susan

Music Notes

Happy Wednesday to all, it has been a beautiful sunny day here in Northern Kentucky.  I'm in the middle of a new project that keeps evolving, and I'm loving the journey.  This is a look into the creative madness of my studio.

What are U up to today

Today I'm in the process of designing a logo for my daughter's school dance.   Make sure to stop by, the messy nest, and don't forget to leave a comment.

Time to get back to work, have a wonderful week.  

LOL 

Susan