I choose joy ~

Hi sweet friends ~

I hope you are doing so good and staying cozy this winter.

It's been quite frigid here in Georgia lately and

you know good and well, we do NOT do cold around here!

I've stepped out of my comfort zone lately and began drawing a little.

I've always loved sketching and have been wanting to try out

a new set of watercolor pencils too.

I drew the little girl first then

used a fine black pen to outline my drawing.

Next, I scanned her into my computer because

I loved her so much, I thought I'd better save her at that stage.

I didn't want to take the chance of ruining my original when
I began painting.

After scanning the original, I printed out a copy.
Then I transferred the copy onto some wonderful,
heavy watercolor paper.

Next I outlined the drawing again with a thin, black art pen and
after that she was ready for painting!

I even had to add a bit of inspiration for the new year for us all...
Choose Joy!!!

Here she is in more subdued tones:

And here in a little stronger, brighter tones:

An in-progress photo as well...

So I've scanned and saved just the little girl and balloon drawing

into my computer as a blank slate.

I can re-create her again just by printing a copy out and

transferring my original drawing onto

a new sheet of watercolor paper.

Now to decide what to do with my finished painting.

I think this image would be adorable on some note cards!

And so, I'm on to something new.

As I was going through my fabric stash

I found the most beautiful quilted pillow sham

that I had purchased a few years ago.

It's white with little pink roses all over...I'm thinking I might

make a few pretty needle books from it, we'll see!

Thank you always for stopping by to see what I'm up to ~

Wishing you a wonderful Monday my dear friends,

hugs and love,

Dawn

Just a little experimenting...

I guess you've noticed that I've still not finished

my little paper clay doll yet.

That's what I do.

When I worry I'm going to mess something up, well,

I stop.

Yes, I know when I paint her little face that if I don't like it

I can simply paint over it all and begin again.

But I really don't want to.

I want her to be precious right away!!

Anyway, I love Karen Milstein's beautiful paintings and

she offered a eye painting tutorial in her shop SO

I had to try it. Just to give me a push to finish the doll especially.

I didn't have the materials that she requested but I made

an attempt using paints that I have and winging it!

I just wanted to share my first attempt at painting an eye ~

I used simple craft acrylic paint and water.

I'm pretty pleased with the outcome but it doesn't really look like a little girl eye....

I'll definitely have to practice more!!!

I also wanted to share that I'm having a little August sale in my Etsy shop!!!

Simply type in

AUGUSTSALE

in the coupon code box when checking out

and receive 25% OFF your entire purchase!!!

Just four days only...sale ends Sunday night, Aug. 10th.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT!

I hope you're having a wonderful week!!!

Wishing you a great Thursday sweet friends,

hugs and love,

Dawn

Blog what you love....blog what you live ~

I really do think that's what I love about my blog...

I simply blog about what's going on in my life ~

Don't you just love this photo?

I

Can you tell we are chomping at the bit
to live in this wonderful old home??!!

These pieces were in our living room before and I just knew

they'd look so amazing in the foyer ~

The glass doors still need to be put on the book shelf...

The beautiful old radio will have a mirror hanging over top ~

I need to touch up the white paint on the door ~

I have some gorgeous old lace to hang on it too....

.

Finally! The dining room is done!

Ready for our buffet under the window and our dining table and chairs.

I'm so sorry about the different tones of the photos,

the lighting kept changing as the sun was going down.

My hands are cramped...and covered with paint

(kilz is nothing to mess around with you know!) ~

and only four more rooms to go PLUS the two bathrooms....ugh ~

but I can see it all finished in my mind!!! :)

Thank you so much for joining me on my farmhouse makeover journey!

Wishing you a great Tuesday precious friends ~
hugs and love,

Dawn