Sketchbook Sunday & A Paddle on the Pond

Hi friends, Today for sketchbook Sunday I have a beachy (kind of) themed sketch. A mason jar of seashells:

I really didn’t know what I was going to work on. I’ve been in a funk but I had this jar of shells on a shelf in my studio for years and I thought that this is as good as anything and I also wanted to use my PanPastels so I decided to use them both.

I hope you enjoyed the time lapse video. The real-time tutorial is available in Critique Club right now. Critique club is a monthly membership group ($5/month) that allows you to submit 2 paintings a month for customized feedback from me. You also get 2 real-time tutorials each month from my Sketchbook Sunday series explained step by step.

Supplies:

• Pan Pastels & Applicators
• Toned Grey Sketchbook

If you want to learn more about pastels check out my comprehensive online course Soft Pastels for Beginners. *Save 20% with coupon code TRYME Working with pastels is so fun, if you ever wanted to give it a try but you don’t know where to start this is the class for you! You learn the basics and create 4 complete paintings utilizing the skills and techniques I teach you. It’s a lot of fun too! I hope to see you in class!

I went for my first paddle of the season today…

Wait, let me back up a bit.  I ordered a stand-up paddleboard a month ago because I always wanted one and I thought it would be easier to take that out than a kayak when I want to get on the water. I don’t like to inconvenience anyone to go with me because I often want to stop and paint and it can be boring for others. I knew the paddleboard was heavy (53 lbs) so I started doing some resistance training to build muscle so I would be able to lift it on and off my van to get it to the water. I knew I had plenty of time to “muscle up” before the weather was warm enough because we have been living in perpetual winter since October. I was sitting on the couch drinking my coffee this morning and decided I wanted to go kayaking. Much to my surprise I could now lift, load and manage the kayak all by myself! Also to my surprize, I could shove it in my minivan diagonally! I grabbed a paddle, my life jacket and off I went. It was so peaceful, I was the only person on the pond. I paddled out to an island that is uninhabited as far as I know and took some photos.

I was thinking about pulling up the kayak and getting out to paint when I spotted this:

So many questions! Whos is it, how long has it been there, why is it there? As curious as I was I have watched too many horror movies to know better than to hang around to find out so I high-tailed it out of there as fast as my arms could paddle! After feeling that I had narrowly escaped The Island of Dr Moreau I paused to watch a pair of fishing loons and paint the view towards a marsh that opens up to a larger lake.  I kept drifting and my view kept changing but all in all, I am happy with my sketch.

I used the Meeden watercolor fan palette that I hadn’t used since last summer and the water in that waterbrush sure was musty! I had just put it in the van because I wanted to make sure I always have something handy, I guess I should give that a good clean LOL! That’s all for me today. It’s been a rough winter so I don’t want to waste a single decent day. Don’t take your time on this earth for granted. Do something good today! Happy crafting!

 

 

Double Pocket Card-Seed Packet Holder

Hi Friends! Need an idea for clever mother’s day card?

This card is perfect for any mom with a green thumb. Pop in a packet or two of her favorite flower seeds and write a note on the tag and you have a lovely mother’s day card. You could also slip a gift card in one of the pockets. There are so many options!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry  Use coupon code: LINDSAY and receive 15% off your retail order of $10 or more of peg stamps, peg stamp sets, and unmounted stamps! Coupon expires a week from this video publication. Continue to receive great deals by becoming a PegStamp VIP here. As a PegStamp VIP you’ll get a weekly deal via email plus links to fabulous tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers

Supplies:

• Handmade With Love Unmounted Clear Stamp Set
• Mom and Dad Unmounted Clear Stamp Set
• Poppies for Remembrance Peg Stamp Set
• Poppy Wreath Peg Stamp Set
• Pink/Purple inks (memento)
• Double sided pattern paper or cardstock cut to 8.5”x11”
• Ribbon
• Die cuts: Tag, Punched circle, doily
• Embellishments: Eyelets, bookplate, wooden butterfly

Directions:

1. To make the double pocket fold base: Fold paper in half each way, then cut a slit on the fold on the left. Fold the bottom right corner over diagonally so the edge meets up with the middle bottom fold. Fold the upper corner in so the edge is 1” from the center top fold. Fold that portion over the right side. Fold the bottom portion up but unfold the bent over triangle. This will fold to the front and you can add a decorate edge where it folds over if desired. Then fold the rectangle piece to the back of the card and adhere down for stability. Secure edges of the pockets by setting eyelets, stapling or sewing it shut. *Refer to the video for a demonstration.
2. Fold the circle punch out in half and stamp on a poppy motif. Stamp poppies on the tag as well. Stamp “You’re amazing” in a scrap of cardstock and adhere to card behind a bookplate. Add ribbon to the bookplate and tag.
3. Adhere the folded circle to the seed packet and place in a pocket.
   Stamp reuse info on the back of the tag and insert in the other pocket.
   Glue down embellishments.
   *This card will fit a standard A2 Envelope

I love cards with a fancy fold or fun twist to them and I hope you do too! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

The Funny Thing About YouTube…

Hi friends, I debated whether or not to post this video on my blog because it has more to do with my youtube channel than anything (and how social media manipulates you to stay on their platform longer.) I decided to go ahead and post it because even though you guys probably follow my blog (if you don’t there is a handy subscribe button in the upper left-hand sidebar, it’s free) so you likely get notifications in your WordPress reader or an email when I post a new project. I am SOOOOOOOO grateful to all of my blog subscribers because you trust me enough to invite me into your email inbox:) With my blog, I can reach the people who opt-in to get emails. If you subscribe on YouTube or Facebook (I love those subscribers too!) you may or may not see my posts. I have no control over it. Social media platforms are going to push certain posts to you based on how they want you to behave. I’ll explain why in today’s video. If you have noticed that you are not seeing some of your favorite crafty people on YouTube or other Social Media platforms lately this is probably why.

***This is not a tutorial***

I feel like the art and craft community has been hit lately due to YouTubes shenanigans. I found I was missing videos from some of my favorite creators as well. Most of these creators don’t have a blog audience to reach out to but I am sure we share some subscribers audience so be sure and check up on your faves, you might have missed some good stuff!

Watercolor Succulents! You can paint this!

Hi friends! I have had many requests to paint succulents in watercolor, honestly, I may already have and I forgot LOL! After 2000 videos they start to blur together!

I picked up a couple potted succulents last month in a vain attempt to bring some springtime into my home. I don’t know how much more dour Maine weather I can take. The snowbirds are looking smarter every year! I snapped a photo of the potted succulent arrangement (I got it Home Depot, it was around $7) so you can see the plant I am working from.

I got a magnifying lamp from Brightech (today’s sponsor) and it made seeing the detail so much easier. I have been using it for a couple of weeks and it has tremendously helped in the eye strain department. You can learn how to paint the succulent in today’s video and see the lamp in action in case it’s something that might be useful to you!

Sponsored by Brightech! Click here for a Coupon good for 15% off any Brightech magnifier lamp. See all Brightech designs here. My lamp is the Lightview 2 in 1.

Supplies (Affiliate inks used)

• Watercolors (Paul Rubens set of 24)
• Hot Press Watercolor Paper (Paul Rubens)
• Zen Watercolor Brush set (3/4 cats tongue and #8 round used from the set) *Make sure to use the $5 off coupon on Amazon to get this set for $20

I think I’ll spend sometime outside this afternoon. I drove down the beach after I went to the grocery store today and walked around. The water is really high this year, there was hardly any beach at my little pond. I think I need to pack up some paint and go back and make my own sunshine. Til next time happy crafting!

PS if you don’t want to draw your own succulents I did design a set of succulent rubber stamps for Rubber Stamp Tapestry you might enjoy:)

Found Object Assemblage & How to Make a Reverse Canvas!

Hi friends!  The thing I love about mixed media art is that anything goes! I have been saving paint tubes as I used them up and ruined brushes because I thought they would make a cool art project some day. This basket of junk survived a studio purge and I have to admit I felt pretty silly holding on to this trash a few times but not any longer.

I used these spent supplies on this 12″x12″ mixed media project. I heard the term “reverse canvas” in a crafting group on facebook about a month ago and I had no idea what they were talking about so I searched it and I found delightful collage and mixed media projects on the back side of canvasses with the stretcher bars used as a frame. I fell in love! It reminded me of the altered books I used to make in the 1990s. I added it to my “someday” list and on a day I needed a dose of sunshine and play I did it! Watch the video for a tutorial!

Supplies (affiliate links used)

• Dr PH Martin Acrylic ink: Small bottles or big bottles (I have)  *You can Use the Bombay India ink in place of acrylic ink if that’s what you have:)
• Dr PH Marting Irridecent ink
• Jerry’s Artarama “worlds greatest” White gesso
• White Aleenes tacky Glue (cheaper at dollar tree)
• 12″x12″ canvas
• Art Stones
• Wing Mold
• Hot glue
• Paintbrushes
• Objects to college *Be creating and use whatever theme that moves you like game pieces, old toys, tools, and hardware, you name it!

Will you try this? What will be the topic of your assemblage? Don’t feel like you need something special to create, you can use a shallow cardboard box and leftover house paint as a base and colorant. Please don’t let supplies be an obstacle. There is no way our projects will look the same as we are different people with different junk. That’s what makes it so cool. You are unique, embrace it! Your journey will make your art one of a kind and specail. Don’t compare it to someone else. I hope this gives you the freedom to play with your supplies today!