Free Christmas Painting Project!

Even if you’ve never painted before, give this a try. It may seem like a lot of steps, but I just took a whole lotta photos. You can definitely do it in an afternoon. You don’t need to know any blending or shading techniques. Just color it in. Really.

So, what could you do with it once you’ve painted it? The possibilities are endless. I take pictures of my original work and print them off on transfer paper, canvas, decals, you name it.

Or you can upload to Zazzle or Cafepress and create some wonderful gifts. (You have my permission to use your own painted art for this, not mine, please.)

Take a look at a few pics. The full tutorial with supply list is here. I left my background white just for reproduction purposes. You might want to paint yours in, tho.

Basecoat the ribbon, berries, leaves & background petals.

Apply shading & highlighting. Just follow my pictures or use the pattern for guidance.

Apply topcoat colors everywhere. This will smooth out any rough strokes.

Dip a cotton swab in yellow paint to add center berries. And you’re done!

Let me know (with pictures!) how yours comes out!

Colleen

Wreaths on Wednesday!

I’m a little late, as usual, for this post, but I think I’ll make it. I was too busy switching my blog from 2 column to 3. So far, so good. Just have to add more gadgets and buttons.

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These are wreaths I’ve made for sale. They’re not on Etsy yet, so if you see something you like, contact me directly. I will put them on Etsy, tho.

If you follow me, you know I used to be a floral designer (yeeeers ago). In 1995 I started working at a California-based craft store as their floral/display designer. This was a huge switch from fresh floral design.

Once Christmas sets in though, I’m all over it. I used to do a lot of private homes for Christmas. But, ah, the economy took care of that. Now only a few, which I’m always grateful for.

Thanks to Rene @ Cottage & Vine for sponsoring Wreaths on Wednesdays! Check her out as she has wonderful ideas!

Colleen

Mural Registry for Nurseries is launched!

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Ever had a dream? A notion? An idea? One that you thought was truly great? But, for whatever reason, it was always on the back-burner? Me, too. I’ve had a ton of ‘em. My husband told me I should have a website just for start-up business ideas ‘cause I drive him nuts with my daily ideas.

But this one, this dream is special. And so very simple. Every pregnant Mommy goes to Target or Babies R Us and uses one of those cool scanners for everything she wishes for. But what about wall art? What about a custom, handpainted original painting? Too expensive, right? Well, that’s what registries are for – to let family and friends know what Mommy wants and Baby needs.

Now Mommies can register on my website. And they don’t even need a scanner thingy. I work with Mommy & Daddy to create a design for their mural. Then I create BabyPage where family & friends can see the mural and contribute thru Paypal.

I ship the mural on canvas to Mommy & Daddy, along with a Certificate of Authenticity (an artist thing). On the back of the COA, I list all the contributors to the mural, along with the well wishes for Baby. So there’ll actually be 2 keepsakes – the mural and the COA.

I’m so excited about this launch, I’ve been dancing around the house. Why it took me so long I’ll never know. I’ve had the idea, notion, dream for a couple of years now. Doesn’t matter. It’s in place now.
So while other artists are into reproductions, greeting cards, Zazzle.com and the like – which is truly fine – I’m excited about painting originals for Baby. Original for an original, get it? Personally, I’d rather have a custom piece of artwork on my baby’s wall rather than something I just picked up in the store.

Plus, I match bedding patterns, wall colors, etc. And since they’re murals on canvas, they can be rolled up and stored as an heirloom when Baby becomes Little Boy/Girl with tastes beyond Nursery decor. Isn’t that cool?

These dragonflies match “Scribbles” bedding by Glennajean.com.
So, if you know any Mommies, please let them know they can register for an original mural at http://muralmaker1.com/. Maybe I can help make their dreams come true, too.

Colleen