A Bit in Watercolor

For my water color class, my professor asked us to paint three water location studies. One at dawn, midday, and dusk. I decided to pick one of my favorite locations in Coast Mesa, Noguchi Gardens. Its a secret sculpture garden just a couple blocks from South Coast Plaza, located behind TGI Fridays and the Comerica Bank Building. Its a perfect place to relax and enjoy the engaging sculptures.

For the paintings, I used Shinhan Premium Water colors and a variety of sable and synthetic brushes. Watercolor can be a bit tricky but quite enjoyable.

Mid day around 12 noon

Around dusk, 7pm

In the morning about 7am

Pumped for Pumpkins

It’s that time of year again. Time for pumpkins and gourds, corn mazes and corn stalks. Hot apple cider and pumpkin pie. It’s time to pick that perfect pumpkin, either to create a masterpiece decor or delicious treat. My adopted kiddos and I ventured to visit the pumpkinee patch and enjoyed a good pickaroo!

The Pumpkin Patch is filled with wonderful ideas for October and November activities that revolve around everyone's favorite fall symbol, the pumpkin.  I smile at the site of pumpkins and enjoy the many things you can do with them.  You can incorporate pumpkins into your decor and harvest baking! Time to get Pumped for Pumpkins!!

Let's Make Some Acorns, Y'all!

Inspired by my recent new find...acorn caps! Time for some A-corny creations:) Here are two crafts made from felting wool then gluing them into acorn caps.

Here I used the felted acorns to decorate a paper wreath made for my sister, Myrna's birthday. The wreath was made from paper leaves cut outs, then creased to create a more leafy texture, and after glued to a styrofoam ring. The acorns were added to the fall mix. 

I’m thinking you could also use them for gift tags, napkin rings or adornments for glass jars.

 

And finally, this nature-meets-fashion necklace is a great accessory for the season. So cute!

The acorns can be made in an assortment of earthy and fall colors and would be wonderful for a woodsy, acorn-and-leaf, fall motif.

Birds of a feather...

         While on a random Michael's run, I came across these beautiful golden peacock feathers. The color was so gorgeous I just couldn't resist. I ended up paying a very cheap amount considering I had a 50% coupon. So I purchased them not knowing what I would make!
          Recently, I got a haircut and wanted something to put in my hair. These feathers could make a lovely hairpiece. After scrummaging around my craft drawers, looking for accessories, and gluing a few of the finds... I came up with this feather hair clip. Love the colors!

Acorn Hunt

"Goin' on an acorn hunt, Goin' to catch a big one!"
There's just something delightful about going on an adventure quest. Better yet, discovering what you were searching for! Lately I've been inspired by genus Quercus, what we know as Acorns! I've been wanting to find acorns, specifically acorn caps, for the past week but have had no luck finding oak trees locally. My brother-in-law mentioned a park in Orange called Santiago Oaks Regional Park. "With that name...there must be oak trees!" We took the trip to this hidden gem hoping to find some treasures. At first we thought our journey's path had come to an end without any acorns. But then...we saw the LIGHT! Ahoy! Acorns!!

            Lying peacefully, the hidden acorns were in a nature lover's paradise. 

            In the end, I left one happy camper. Thanks Johnny. Now off to create!

Autumn Lovin'

         You know summer is saying her final goodbye when the leaves turn from green to yellow and then others turn into orange, red or even purple. You breathe in the crisp air and notice the sweet aroma of summer has turned into the smell of autumn rain. Autumn has arrived and turns your head with her palette so bright as she begins to paint the landscape in hues unimaginable.
        Autumn is simply my favorite time of the year! Soon thoughts turn to pumpkins, homemade pies, raking leaves, juicy turkey and steamy hot cider.  It is a wonderful time to be a child again and find yourself playing in the leaves! So invite your loved ones and hold on tight...for the leaves are just one jump away to finding yourself enjoying Fall, perhaps for the first time this Autumn. Harvest these memories and cherish the beauty of a great season.

Our tree of thanks we decorate every year...to remind us of the many blessings the Lord gives