Tinted Bubbles

Hooray and Happy Friday!

Today's idea is something I picked up from Pinterest.

I found it so cool, I had to try it myself.

 We'll use bubble liquid and food color 

to make a patterned page.

Put a small amount of water into a blah, recycled cup and add several drops of food color. Add some bubble liquid and stir well.

Use this solution plus a bubble wand to blow some bubbles. The bubbles should land on the sheet of paper you've placed in front of you.  

When the bubbles pop, they'll make patterns on the paper. It's okay if the bubble-paint solution drips on the page.

Let me warn you that this craft can be messy. We really can't control where the bubbles go.  Some bubbles landed on my white wall -- but nothing that a water-filled spray bottle can't fix.

Once dry, this is what happens. TADA!

Next time, I'll try using a bubble gun and be less stingy with the food color for darker and more defined bubbles.

I wish you all a fabulous weekend!

Kissable Art

We're all about painting with non-traditional materials.

Today is no exception...we're experimenting 

with lipstick!

blah: lipstick that's almost empty or has expired 

 blah: blank mini canvas panels

Use the accompanying wand or a small paintbrush to apply the pigment onto the canvas {make sure to surround your work area with newspaper}. When you're done, allow this to dry in a sunny spot for several days.

TADA! A fiercely feminine piece of art!

A Watercolor Evening

As I've mentioned before, I associate summer with learning something new. When I was little, I'd go to art or dance class during my months off from school. It kept me active, involved, and social. I don't see why we have to stop learning a new skill even if we're all grown up, right?

So one evening, I attended a watercolor class. 

via Paris Breakfast

I've always wished I could create watercolor pieces just like this one. I guess with anything, I'll get there with lots of practice. But I've got to begin with baby steps.

We were a class of 6 women. Our teacher, Tina, established a relaxed vibe as she showed us step-by-step what to do.

First the materials:

via dickblick

She recommends using good quality watercolor paper like Arches. The paper one uses highly affects the outcome.

via dickblick

I used these watercolors that I've had for many years. Maybe I'll upgrade to watercolor tubes and a nicer paintbrush.

The first step is to wet the page using a damp foam brush {notice that we used blah yogurt containers to hold our water}.

Then add a generous amount of your chosen color {I was in the mood for reds and oranges}. I let the paint bleed and drip, following Tina's instructions to, "Let the paint tell you what it wants to do."

Then she encouraged us to add texture to the paint by using salt, colored tissue paper, bubble wrap, tulle, string or other blah materials that are available. Apply these in different stages as the paint dries.

Here's what I did:

It may remind you of a tie-dye t-shirt because of the color gradients and the white spots created by the salt {a technique I find really fascinating}.

It's my piece of abstract art -- a TADA! souvenir from a relaxing evening, and a reminder of the many things I can create with watercolor.

If you've got other TADA! tips for a watercolor novice like me, please share!

Art with Bubble Wrap

We're still painting and today's craft is something you're familiar with -- bubble wrap.

via alisa burke

 Did you know that it can produce pretty polkadots?

via preschool theme ideas

Just apply paint with a brush or dip a piece in a container of paint.

via i heart crafty things

Lay painted side on a sheet of paper. 

Repeat if necessary {to fill the page}, 

and allow paint to dry.

via i heart crafty things

Decorate with drawings, stickers, and other fun cutouts

to create a scene.

via skip to my lou

Or use the technique to add some patterns on

a brown paper bag...

via family fun

...or even an Easter Egg.

via parents.com

You can also use the paper as gift wrap!

Paint Projects

Did you have a beautiful weekend? I hope your answer is yes. Painting has been on my mind lately. I think it's because of the gorgeous days of summer we've been having. This has led to a desire to collect all the colors I see and preserve them in some form of artwork. Or could I be feeling some envy?

I saw this set-up along the High Line. The master behind the brush captured versions of the New York skyline and sells them to visitors. Now, my painting skills aren't up to par, but that's what we're doing this week. Let's paint!

Everyday this week, we'll explore different ways to play with paint, beginning with this craft I ear-marked from the Martha Stewart Living Magazine {July 2012}:

via Martha Stewart

It teaches us how to make our own fabrics using a technique called block printing. Traditionally, block printing makes use of wooden blocks with carved patterns at the bottom. Imagine a giant stamp that's dipped in paint and then printed on cloth repeatedly. 

via  Martha Stewart

But this project caught my attention because instead of block prints, it makes use of everyday objects like a potato masher, a trivet, buttons or numbers glued to a piece of wood! Door knobs, mini tart tins, and yarn wrapped around a block are just some of the other options. Very blah to TADA!, right? 

via Martha Stewart

Lookie here! They're using a berry basket -- who knew that it would make for a graphic print? I'm still gathering my fabric, paints and objects before I can begin, but if you're ready with yours, you can find the instructions here. Once dry, you can turn your very own printed fabrics into hand towels, pillow cases or tote bags!

Nature-inspired Necklaces

Still at the "Schiaparelli-Prada:Impossible Conversations" exhibit at The Met, this time let's check out some necklaces:

via rhondabuss

These necklaces were designed by Elsa Schiaparelli {shoes are by Miuccia Prada}. Notice that many of them have nature influences:

via labelholics.com

 Leaves turning color

via yeoldefashion.tumblr.com

Stylized leaves

via thecultureconcept.com

Pretty rosebuds

With these as pegs, I present to you today's blah to TADA! craft...

...A flowery collar necklace!

I started with a piece of felt {remnant from a previous project}.

Then I folded it in half.

Fold again.

Cut to look like a collar {it's a double layer with the center still connected}.

Make flowers out of the felt leftovers.

Attach the flowers to the face of the collar with hot glue. Two strips of ribbon work as the closure mechanism -- glue this in between the two layers, then glue both layers together.

Wear this with a t-shirt or a dress to 

add some TADA! to your outfit!

Here's to an enjoyable weekend, everybody!

A Parade of Hats

"Where do they get inspiration?" is a question I often ask after seeing a designer showcase, especially fashion where designers are required to quickly {and regularly} come up with fresh seasonal collections. It's the same question on my mind after I attended the "Schiaparelli-Prada: Impossible Conversations" exhibit at The Met.

Yesterday, we dug around to find where Miuccia Prada gets her inspiration when designing her collections. It turns out that she will use anything from an era, a car, to festivals from all over the world, and turn out a spectacular set of outfits and accessories.

Today, let's investigate where Elsa Schiaparelli gets hers, especially when she designed her outrageous hats.

via People.com

Remember the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton? Guests were dressed in their finest and the ladies wore hats. Princesses Eugenie & Beatrice came in these over- the-top hats. These were not designed by Miss Schiaparelli, but I'm quite sure they're right up her alley.

You see, Miss Schiaparelli loved to shock people with her fashion. This allowed her to be different. Here are some of the hats she designed: 

via metmuseum.org

A cocktail hat made of grapes and leaves.

via metmuseum.org

A hat that looks like a thatched roof from an 

exotic location or a gold Christmas tree. 

via met museum.org

A hat made of feathers that closely resembles hair. 

via ironingboardcollective

A lamb chop-shaped hat. 

via thecultureconcept.com

Her popular shoe hat.

At the beginning of her career, Miss Schiaparelli worked closely with other artists like Surrealist painter Salvador Dali. This collaboration could have sparked her out of the box thinking, inspiring her to create her most memorable pieces like this shoe hat and lobster dress.

So the next time we're in a rut, going through creator's/writer's block or feeling uninspired, maybe a collaboration with another crafter/artist/writer is in order? We might just come up with our best work yet.