Craft Room Re-Do

I moved 900  miles in the last year and my old craft room is still in boxes. :(

Our temporary home is only two bedroom and my hubby thinks we should share that room as an office.  >insert hysterical laughter here<  However can we really share our craft room? I mean, isn't space necessary to spread out all our goodies?

So I waited. Set up my desk in the corner, put up my peg board (A BIG must have for any craft room) and waited.  I wanted to see how much space I'd actually have to give him. I mean, all he does is work on the computer so why does he need a room? Or even part of a room? Isn't the kitchen table good

enough?

It's been a few months and he's shown no interest in the room. Mostly it's just a pile of (my) boxes. Maybe that threw him off? If I have all these boxes maybe the kitchen table is looking better?

So, I'm going to attack that room and set up my stuff. I'll need my work bench first. Which he has to put together - I'll work on that - and need to fix the storage. When I moved I gave away my cubes and for the life of me I can't remember what happened to my other storage stuff.  Hey, 900 miles is a long trip. Did I sell this stuff at a garage sale? Give it away? Is it in one of these boxes?
I have work ahead and I'll be posting progress reports as I go.

Wish me luck!

Hooked on Paint & Sip

I have to admit I'm hooked on these paint & sip places. They're much better than sitting in a bar or just going to a movie. I mean, I love movies, but it has to be the right one. There are so many duds among the great ones.

So, these places where they show you how to make a painting while you sip some wine (they have beer, too!) are the perfect mix between a nice night out with friends and trying something new.

I did the lion and had a great time. Now he's hanging in my office. :)
Monet's Waterlilies were next. That's now hanging in my kitchen.

Tomorrow they run a special and now I really want to paint this dandelion!
There's an old saying; Some see a weed, some see a wish. It's about perspective. Like the world show's you things and you can make the best of them. I love that. If I ever get another tattoo it would be a watercolor dandelion with the words "See the Wish" under it.

So, I think this painting is talking to me. Check it out here.
I gotta make some phone calls and see who wants to go!
See the Wish!

Palm Tree Husk Painting

Palm husk base paint.
(ignore the whale, he's not done yet)

Since moving to Florida I've discovered Palm Tree Art. It's the husks that palm trees shed throughout the year that people collect and use to create great works of art. So I just had to try!

I've been scanning the ground around here for pieces of palm trees. This husk I found out by a pond near where I live. It was a pretty solid piece. The edges were a bit fragile so I had to trim a few pieces off but wanted to leave it as natural as possible.

After coating it with a mix of grey, white, and dark blue I let that dry.

Then I started putting in the details. The eyes were the hardest part to get even. The husk has a big ridge down the center (which is why it fit the elephant face so well) and trying to get them even was a challenge.

The same challenge was there in trying to make those lines across the trunk to give that wrinkly elephant skin look. After trying a liner brush with limited results I got out a small fan brush and went back and forth putting in this guy's wrinkles.

To finish, I sprayed it down with a satin finish acrylic sealer. To hang I'm going to glue some self leveling hangers and then run a wire through them. I don't want to put holes into the husk because it will show on the front. 

So here's the elephant! What do you think?