"Lady Two"

I can't believe I finished her(O: Lady Two reminds me of my niece Chloe, she is down to earth and would do anything for you. I think this collection is going to make a nice series especially grouped together on a wall. I am having some white mats custom made for these prints. The inside of the mat will measure 5 1/2" X 8 1/2" and frame the image perfectly. The outside edge of the mat will fit an 11" X 14" frame. They're going to look fab!!

"Lady One" Before and After

This shows a before and after transformation of "Lady One". The first image is before I painted the mosaic dots throughout the painting. In the second photo you will see the transformation, I feel the mosaic dots add a richness to the piece that cannot be achieved without the layers of paint.

"Lady One" complete!

I'm quite excited about the way "Lady One" came out! Her exquisite details capture the look I was aiming for. She almost looks like a jewel since I added a shimmer of metallic accents.

"daisydolls" pattern journal - the progress

I went back into Hobby Lobby again this weekend and found a watercolor journal much smaller than the first one I did. It's perfect for "daisydolls" patterns!! Each page will have it's own unique doll painting covered with patterns from top to bottom. Here's a look at the progress. I love the shape of this journal and the way it opens at the top, the shape is really great for these dolls I'm painting. I have created a template shape to start with so each doll will look uniform but each will be so different apart from the basic shape. I have drawn out the first doll for page one with archival pen using fine lines and tiny stipple dots for shading. Then I filled in the pattern with Prisma ink. Now it's time for me to begin the intricate details I had mentioned before. It may look finished to some people but this is just the beginning for me. I like to now go into the pattern and mosaic the entire painting with tiny dots of matte acrylic paint. Often times I do dots inside dots inside dots. This may sound strange but I'll keep you posted and I'll post photos of what I mean. These photos here will give you a good idea of where I'm at now.

Pieces of Pattern

I have begun the first pattern of this series. These are a few cropped photos of the progress. They're all in black and white archival ink so far. I think it's obvious that a human figure is included in this pattern. I will say.........as I flip through the pages of a book or journal, I seem to connect and have more interest in the images when faces or figures are incorporated. I love patterns and faces and always have so this is a way to connect the two. Stay tuned for future progress.........

Pattern Journal Cover

This Journal Cover was inspired by the pillar in the photo. After designing a few Flower Hair Clips for me, my girls and my etsy shop, I'm ready to dive into the wonderful world of patterns. Some people think less is more........& I do at times but when it comes to designing patterns I can't help myself, I can go a little overboard. This Journal Cover design is just a a quick pattern, I did this one in a day and a half. The patterns I am used to doing take quite a bit longer. I will post photos of my daily progress. As my patterns begin to take shape and become interesting, I will post images of the Moroccan style and intricacy I will be adding as the days and hours go by. I may crop sections at a time to photograph and then reveal the final pattern once it's complete.

Pretty Purple Flower Hair Clip

Soon I'll post some photos of these flower clips being worn by children and adults. They work well on every type of hair and they're PERFECT for spring!
Now available in my etsy shop!
www.daisydolls.etsy.com

Colorful Supplies and New Flower Hair Clips

These are some of the supplies I use for my Flower Hair Clips. Also a few photos of my newest pieces. I will be listing these pieces are in my etsy shop today!!
www.daisydolls.etsy.com

Blue Flower Hair Clip

I just finished my first flower hair clip. It took a few tries to get the look I wanted but this one looks great. It's available in my Etsy shop
www.daisydolls.etsy.com

Flower's In My Hair

I realize I bounce around a lot with my projects but...... I just can't help myself. Each day things trigger new ideas. Last night I watched American Idol and was chilled with envy over Crystal Bowersox's performance. She sang a Janis Joplin song who I love to begin with. She also stood on this huge stage in the center on an Indian rug, the lighting was just right as she held her guitar and sang. She has an amazing voice and I can relate to her hippie/bohemian style. She wore a long dress to the floor with spaghetti straps and had her blond dread locks loosely tied up with a few small daisies to accent the flower girl appearance. The daisies stood out to me, as in my previous posts I mentioned making daisy chains as a child. I am going to make some tiny hair clips with daisies sewn on them. I think it will be perfect for the spring!

New Project on Patterns

This weekend I found myself drawn to patterns and architectural books. I am starting a new project today. I have put together a new journal that will soon be filled with inspiring patterns. My ideas have come from several architectural structures I found in this book called "India Sublime" as well as a book on tiles and patterns. I want this journal to be filled with rich colors and patterns from cover to cover. I plan to use these patterns later for other projects such as making a patchwork quilt out of paper squares reproduced from this journal. These are a few photos of the books that inspired me as well as a photo of my new very white, hungry for embellishments hand made journal that I made for this project.

Best Burger!!! & (Nigela's) Comforting Beef Stew!!!

I'm not sure if anyone has tried this but it's my fave!! Rick makes the BEST Burger's as it is but when it's made with goat cheese speared all over it and sliced avocado MMMMMMMMM MMMMMM GOOD!! Today happens to be cold and rainy so I've got Nigela's Comforting Beef Stew simmering for dinner tonight and that is also delicious!!

Dandelions & Daisy Chains

Dandelions are a sign of spring, they actually remind me of my childhood. When I was 6 I lived in England and we used to sit in the endless fields green grass that were filled with wild flowers. We would have picnics and make daisy chains to wear around our heads. Then we'd run around blowing the fluff of all the dandelions.

Spring Has Sprung

Here we are on the first day of spring and it's a beautiful day!! I have to say........ spring fever is really kicking in. I actually got outside in the garden for a little while today. A little side line cheering at Emma Grace's soccer game and then back home to play in the dirt. Now I'm going to make myself a cup of tea and sit on my patio.

Irish Dancer's

My girls have been talking about Irish Dancing a lot lately. That's one thing I never saw was "River Dance". I hear it's amazing! Here is a look at a loose & sketchy painting I did of some "Irish Dancer's".

Mood Painting Progression

This is a visual look at the progression of one of my mood paintings. The starting base to the painting is three or four layers of watercolors drying with a blow dryer in between each one so the colors don't become murky. The more layers the painting has the more texture and variety of color intensities the painting has. Not all layers overlap the previous one so some of the colors are more translucent than others. After layering the colors I go in and do my details with fine, black archival ink. This defines certain things I want to bring out in the painting. These photos show the beginning stage of the painting and the finished piece.

Mood Paintings

I have been diving into my watercolor journal by creating "mood paintings" lately. I'm not always sure what I'm setting out to paint. I begin painting and then just see where it goes. I just completed this new painting "Secret Garden". I believe everyone should have their own little paradise somewhere in their home. It's nice to have a place to go and relax, read, have breakfast or visit with a friend. It doesn't have to be extravagant, it just needs to be a space where you feel comfortable. For me something that is visually pleasing is a must. Spring is just around the corner and I look forward to the days I can sit on my patio surrounded by Geranium's. Geranium's are one of the easiest flowers to care for. I like to put them in big pots surrounding the sitting area of my patio. They don't require very much water and they love the blazing hot sun which we get a lot of in Georgia. In the fall I had a tree house built for my girls and the tree has just started to bloom with tiny pink flowers. It looks like the charming little house I had sketched out for the builder to go by. Now with the blossoms my vision has come to life.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

First up is "The Mermaid" (a new page in my journal).

This was a very stylish green Poodle at the Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade.

"Amelia" Nana's Precious Mice

My Mum has been knitting these precious mice. This is "Amelia" especially for my girls. It sits on top of our piano and I couldn't resist, I had to doodle her!!

Gotta LOVE the Mad Hatter