Silent Sunday- Better a little late, than not at all......

What's UP in the Studio- Progress on "Midnight in the Garden"

Hello all, I actually made a LOT of progress on my new painting these last couple of days. Tho' I'm pretty sure that I won't be done for IA's new challenge :) I do have something else I can use so it's not that big a deal....This particular painting is the biggest canvas I've ever worked with- it's 16" x 20" which doesn't sound that big, but for me, it's approaching HUGE! Anyway, here's what I have so far, and dare I say it without jinxing myself? I'm VERY happy with the way it's going!

So that's all for now, I'm off to get some more work done!
Happy a great day!
Stephanie

I feel like I've been missing in action.....!

Sorry it's been so long since I wrote anything. It's been crazy around here! My Mom and I host a home a Home Show twice a year and last week was our Fall show. So, while I've managed to poke my head in around other people's blogs and leave the occasional comment, I haven't had time to do anything on my own blog; not even Silent Sunday!
Right now, I'm trying to plan my entry for our new theme at Inspiration Avenue- Community and how it realates to food. Tough one! Plus, I need to get going on my new painting, so I'm trying to combine the two! AND, once again, I've got artist's block........
Here are a couple of pictures I took at the Atlanta Flower Show, that I'm thinking of trying to make work:

I'm not even sure how I can make this work with the theme, but I'm hoping once I get going with the painting I'll be more able to make it work. I think half my problem is that it's been a couple of weeks since my last painting, and I'm in some kind of withdrawal.....

Sorry for the bleccky mood.....

Hope everyone else is having a great day at least!

Stephanie

Weekly Challenge- "Create"

I love it when the weekly challenges match up with what I'm already working on! In this case, Tammy made the challenge relatively open ended with a nice long list of possible themes and her only caveat was that it had to be aged or vintage-y......so I decided that my vintage "center piece" for my Queen of Hearts chapeau was just the ticket! 
I used an image of an antique Queen of hearts playing card and mounted it on a doily.  Trimmed with a bit of red textile and mounted THAT on a piece of cardboard that I'd painted red and covered with micro glass beads.

My hat, cape and necklace

Peri was fascinated with my hat...

In hindsight, I wish I'd NOT used the white face make up it made my cheeks look weird in the pictures- but I'd wanted the heart on the lips to show up......and truthfully, I'm not wild about me with Heart lips as it is......ah well- maybe next time,I'll leave well enough alone!

but  there you go- my entry for this week's challenge at Inspiration Avenue AND my costume reveal as promised!  Pop over to Inspiration Avenue to see what everyone else whipped up for the challenge!  I'm sure the entries will be beautifully varied as always!
Happy Halloween for those of you who celebrate it~
Stephanie

Curiouser and Curiouser- Featuring Mermaiden Creations

"Ode to Persephone" by Mermaiden Creations

 Since it's almost Halloween and part of my costume was inspired by one of my favorite Etsy artists, I thought I'd do a feature on Julie Ferioli of Mermaiden Creations. I'm sure a lot of you are already familiar with Julie's magickal creations, but for those of you who are NOT; Julie creates the most whimsical beautifully crafted art ranging from her amazing handmade witches hats to a whole array of incredibly romantic and surreal jewelry.......I bought one of my favorite pairs of earrings from her- these "Gaze into my Eyes" and I always get the nicest compliments when I wear them!

I've been drooling over her statement necklaces, trying to find a way to make one work for my mostly casual style- I think I could pull it off with a cool shirt and some jeans, right?  Lol!  All I know, is that I love these designs, and one WILL be mine sooner rather than later!

Be sure to check out her other jewelry, her style covers an amazing range from romantic to steampunk to slightly surreal and the occasional homage to master artists

BUT, the main reason I'm writing this is to share my admiration for Julie's witch hats.....because in my post for tomorrow,  I plan on sharing MY humble witch hat inspired by Julie's art.....but, that's for tomorrow, let me move on to today.

Gothic Gorgeous Witch Hat Elegant Unique Chic

"There is a swathe of blood red roses hand formed from lush velvet to adorn the hat in the most striking manner....For the gothic gorgeous witch in you....be wicked."  This beauty is still available along with a handful of others at Mermaiden Creations, Julie's Etsy Shop.

"Dance with Persephone" (This hat is no longer available, but I love it so much, I just had to share it......)

"Channeling Frida"

So tho' I could go on and on about Julie's work, I must get back to my own piece inspired by her so I can A.Share it with you guys and B. Wear it to a party tomorrow night....I will give you a hint on my costume tho'- I'm going to be the Wickedest Queen of Hearts Witch ever there was.....see you tomorrow?  And be sure to take a peek at Mermaiden Creations....she has 99 items fror sale and each one is gorgeous!
I'm off to paint some roses.....Happy Friday!
Stephanie

Silent Sunday- Getting into an All Hallowed kind of Place....

Weekly Challenge- "Harvest"

Sorry Judy, I just couldn't squeeze any extra time this week to do something new for the challenge!  However, I do* have a fun little picture of my youngest in the ole pumpkin patch!  My sweet little punkin is now 11 and would never allow me to take such a picture now- so I cherish this one!
Anyway, here's my entry for this weeks VERY appropriate challege.  Ya'll go take a look at Inspiration Avenue to see what everyone else did- I KNOW some people actually made some new art for this....:)
Cheers,
Stephanie