Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Christmas craft frenzy!

Washi paper ornament
washi ornaments on tree
Paper Cup trees


I'm taking a break from painting.  I'm really not sure where to focus.  It seems to me that I have been painting pictures to sell.  I've enjoyed doing them, but I need to focus somewhere else - improvement of my drawing/sketching skills, and some new directions in painting.  I am so new to this that I haven't really found out who I am as an artist.

In the meantime - I've been making some Christmas goodies.  I made over 40 of these washi paper ornaments, using a Spellbinder nestie die and 2" canvases.  Some are in a local craft store and some will be gifts.  The other day, when looking through some blogs I follow, I saw these adorable paper cup trees on Alicia Burke's blog (here).  Of course I had to make some.  I did my own take on these - glitter, shimmery Silks acrylic paints and metallic paint on the pots.  Well, it isn't Christmas without glitter, is it?  They were a bit of work - so I only made these 3 and will make one more for a friend.  That leaves me with only 196 unused paper cups - good thing they were cheap.  I had too much extra room in my studio anyway - I needed to store more stuff!!! (LOL)

I'm done (I hope) with Christmas crafts for this year.  Usually, I can be found making complicated gifts a week (or less) before Christmas.  It's an illness - the Christmas crafting frenzy!  This year I am doing some anti-frenzy exercises (continuing to clean my studio which was a mess again after the crafting was done).  I sure hope it helps-I'm not pleasant when in the "frenzy" - it's almost as bad as having to wrap gifts (hail o mighty decorative bag!).  Thanks for stopping by - hopefully I'll be posting some drawings or painting soon - I really want to get back to both - with no other motivation than getting better at this "art stuff" and enjoying.

Linking to Paint Party Friday - go and check out the fabulous artwork listed there.

25 comments:

  1. Lovely stuff - those cup trees are gorgeous! Valerie

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    1. Thanks Valerie - I hope that you are feeling a bit better

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  2. These are gorgeous! very original! I need some of those anti-frenzy-exercices too!

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  3. Of course Christmas comes with glitter!
    And I'm with you with the last minute gifts - always something :)
    I love what you've done here - it will be beautiful in your home,
    xoxo

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    1. Thanks so much Kristin - actually every day comes with glitter for me! But Christmas is an special excuse for pouring on the shimmer and glitter!

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  4. I love all your ornaments! Great to have them in a store for selling! I really love the metallic look of your potted trees, too. It is hard not to get in a frenzy when in your mind you have so many ideas that are begging to come to fruition.

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    1. Thanks so much Gloria - I think my frenzy is under control this year!

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  5. I love what you are doing. I understand needing a break. I've done that from the cloth dolls I make. Blessings, Janet PPF

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and leaving an encouraging comment.

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  6. Wow great ideas for christmas decorations, love the little ornaments.

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    1. Thanks - I am waiting for my brain to wrap itself around sketching and painting again. So - fun to use pretty paper and glittery "stuff" in the meantime!

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  7. I am always jealous of people who can get crafty and make lovely little holiday touches like this.

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    1. That's what I did before I got over my fear of drawing and painting! But it was like a disease at Christmas time - I would see another cute holiday project and then another.... It wasn't pretty (not the craft, my craziness). Most of my ideas are inspired by others. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

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  8. Gina I think I could have written this post verbatim... I have found myself many years scrambling at the end to get a craft done. These are fabulous...I like your take on Alisa's trees and the ornaments are a great idea!! Very fun and they put the spirit in Christmas!! Good job all around!

    Hugs Giggles

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    1. It's so good to know that there are fellow sufferers! I really am done this year - no matter how many cute projects I see online! There's always next year! Thanks for stopping by and leaving your encouraging comment.

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  9. Really beautiful ornaments, just adorable! Happy PPF!

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  10. Thanks for the visit to my blog Gina. And thanks for your wonderful words in your comment.

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    1. It is my pleasure - I really enjoy your blog and your art

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  11. Wow! All that with washi tape. :) Makes me want to try.

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    1. Just don't get caught up in the Christmas frenzy!! Thanks for stopping by

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  12. Your washi ornaments are wonderful! You are so right about the Christmas frenzy being an illness. I am very excited that this year I have been taking my "medicine" (getting it done early or letting it go and not worrying about it) - the real proof will be as we get closer to the actual date if I can maintain the calm!

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    1. Hope you stay calm - thanks for your wonderful comments.

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  13. I love your washi ornaments on the tree- you have been busy - 40 is a big number!

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