michelle my belle

Fab Etsy Artist

A few months ago I splurged on this darling typewriter painting by Michele Maule.

This Bicycle Painting is another sample of her cheery work.

If you've never perused Etsy... you SHOULD! So many talented artists and a very affordable way to get original artwork.

A Little Cereal Box Fix

Last year at Artfest I created this piece in Judy Wise's workshop. 

I had painted it on 1/2" board. Maybe it's just me but I feel like if the board is too thin it needs a frame?

On a whim to get it hung I grabbed some cereal boxes and cut them into strips and began tacking them into the edge of the board. If I were to do it over I would probably paint the strips first and then add some glue around the edge before tacking it on.

You can see here I just used short black tacks.

Then I painted it with a copper metallic paint.

After it dried I took a little sand paper to roughen it up and give it a slight worn look.

And, wala. All done in about 20 minutes and a few pennies!

Sunshine would make me Smile...

My finished piece from the other day.

I love this blog and how she's done the last few posts. Thought I would try my own version...

monday's blessings:

* coffee made by my husband

* a quiet day of sketching new designs

* actually feeling creative!

* my youngest brushed her hair for school today

* lots of good gardening tips from blog and facebook readers!

* an awesome track program for my kids

* a day without rain (so far)

Lettuce, Carrots, Strawberries - Oh, my!

My dear husband got the beds built and dirt in them ready to go. 

I'm already thinking I'll have plenty of lettuce to share! It's amazing how quickly you can fill up 4 beds. I've decided to make my strawberries part of the landscaping instead of in the garden. I called my mom to see if there was any "rule" on that since I hadn't seen anyone do it before. ha!

He likes the garden too!

I got seeds, rhubarb, lettuce, onions, garlic, sugar snap peas and strawberries planted today. Still looking for some peppers and tomatillos. Fresh salsa here I come!

Paulette Insall (pre) Workshop Fun!

The other day my mom, Teri and I went over to Paulette's studio to go through a trial run of a series of workshops she'll be doing at a retreat soon. Here is my girl, not finished. 

I learned some new techniques and a great way to get a good skin tone. Thank you Paulette for using us as Guinea pigs!

My mom with her unfinished girl.

(notice how she copied me with the neck choker!! ha!)

A little corner in Paulette's studio. I love seeing how other artists work. Always so inspiring!

A Kelly Rae piece she had on her wall. Super cute.

And her darling dog who kept trying to steal the paint brushes off the table.

A fun, productive day creating!

MT:

Coming down to the end. Ran 10 miles Sat. and I pretty much just have a few 2-3 milers to do for the rest of the week. Sunday is the big day!

Almost a Garden!

I would never have thought that I'd be the type to want to grow a vegetable garden to be honest with you. Too much work and still recovering from my mom making me weed ours as a kid.

I think I have my friend Stacey to thank for this new obsession. Last year she gifted us with a couple loads of fresh tomatoes from her garden that were so good and TASTED like... TOMATOES. Buying them from the grocery store I had forgotten what God originally intended them to taste like!

So, much to my husband's reluctance, he began making me some garden beds. Thank you honey!!

I'm really hoping that this spot gets enough sun and that I have somewhat of a green thumb after all of this work!

I'll post the finished beds... when they're finished! :)

I'm so excited, I bought my first rhubarb plant today! Do you know what kind of seeds are good? There are so many brands my head started spinning so I just didn't get any.

A few more Artfest Creations

Sorry to be such a lagger on the blogging. I've been pretty busy and really feeling the need to take a bit of a break from the computer... and the studio. I think subconsciously I'm getting rested up to begin creating my summer line and for my bi-annual trip to China for development of it. I can't believe it's already that time of year again!

These are the pieces I created in Linda & Obrien's class at Artfest. LOVED their workshop and tried to soak up as much of their creativity and knowledge as possible while in it!

They supplied us with a square cut of copper and the bezels to start. The rest was up to us.

MT:

I CANNOT believe that the marathon is only like 1 week and a few days away! Boy am I excited, nervous and just ready to get it DONE! Really though, I'm so thankful to still be healthy at this point. I think I'm ready, what's done is done and all I can do is my best.

I ran 14 miles on Monday (instead of Sunday cause I was at our church's women's retreat all weekend). Wed.- Katy and I went out to run an easy 6.5 miles and ended up running it averaging 8:15 miles. I don't really consider that "easy".

For more running inspiration check out my friend Tyler's (Lux Wu) blog. She's just started her training for the Boulder Marathon. Talk about inspiring!

Art Blox on Etsy!

We've posted some of our Allen Designs Art Blox on Etsy!

More Found Treasures

Last weekend I hit the very few garage sales and the resale shop that were within a few miles of my home. I scored! These lovely cigar boxes $1 each and 2 boxes of vintage glass ornaments $3.50 each. Let the garage sale season begin!!! (i'm sure my husband is running scared as he reads this)

My youngest has a little collection of Raggedy Ann & Andy's, she even made out with 3 little vintage figurines for $.50 each. 

Love this time of year with the cherry trees in bloom.

Artfest and more!

I was very excited to go back to Artfest this year. I looked forward to classes with Misty Mawn, Linda and Opie Obrien and Nina Bagley. I love learning about new tricks, techniques and materials. I probably should actually spend less time learning and more time just doing... that's for another post!

The first workshop was with Misty, she taught us lots of different painting techniques for backgrounds. Misty's style is quick and she kept us moving which I really liked. She's inspiring, kind and gracious. 

In this class I met a Janne (above) who came all the way from Norway to attend Artfest! She does beautiful artwork and is also a costume designer for theater. After Artfest she came down to the Portland area and we spent a few days finding cute shops and visiting. I love making fast friends!

My next workshop was with Linda and Opie. I'm just realizing that I didn't take pictures of my own creations... will try to do that tomorrow. But, this is one of the other gals. Isn't it just too clever! In this class we learned how to make and set a copper bezel, patina copper and set items in concrete. The two of them have a sea of knowledge to share. I love the way they teach and how helpful they are.

My last workshop was with Nina Bagley. We transformed a cigar box into a keepsake box of sorts. It was amazing at how much different everyone's looked. I didn't come this workshop very prepared, I had to work very hard at getting any sort of focal point or depth. (I guess I should have looked at the supply list more than an hour before I was set to leave!) So typical of me! 

I loved this one. Sorry I didn't catch her name to give her credit :(

Two of my roomies-Sarah and Adeola. 

My friend and talented artist Sonya Paz who come up from San Francisco.

 

Another new friend with her cute journal she made in Pam Garrison's workshop. 

My prized trade is this caricature that Cathy did. I swear I don't smile like that tho! 

I left inspired, exhausted and thoughtful. Wondering where else God wants to take me and my art. I will keep my eyes and ears open to opportunites that are put in my path.

MT:

happy to say that I ran my last long run (20miles) yesterday. 3 weeks till the marathon. tapering begins. not sure if i'll meet my goal of 3:45 but i will give it my best.