Drawing on photos!

 Drawing on photos...my favorite pastime --- what's yours?

A birthday card I created for a longtime friend that LOVES Chipmunks!

Latest "Canva" challenge! Drawing on a landscape photograph. I love how this turned out. It's a photo I took several years ago on top of "Big Rock" in Dupont State Forest...my son and my husband.

Happy Sunday! 

love and peace always ~ Kathy

Making protective masks!

Never in my wildest imagination would I have believed, if someone had told me, that I would be making protective face mask because of a global pandemic! I still can't wrap my brain around it all! But, on the flip side of that, I'm so happy I have been able to make these and get them to people that need them! And now, with the shortage of masks, I've decided to share how I make these and give you the links to the video and pattern, as well as links to materials I'm using. Sew, here goes! First of all, watch this video to get your pattern drawn out and ready:

This pattern is actually on the small side, so I use it for kids and petite adults. I added 1/4 inch all the way around for a "medium" size, which is the size I wear and 1/2 inch for a "large", which is the size I made for Wayne. You need to cut out your pattern and all of your fabric pieces to get ready for sewing:

On the masks I've been making, I'm also ironing on a fusible stabilizer to front outer layers of fabric

I'm using Pellon 931TD Fusible Interfacing  and cutting it 1/4 inch smaller than the mask [as shown in photo above]

Next, I cut two pieces of 100% Non-woven Polypropylene [which is what is used for filters in surgical masks] for each front piece and pin these layers right sides together and sew from point to point with 1/4 inch seam

After sewing, make several cuts along the edge, just so the mask will open up on a nice curve

Then turn this layer right side out and get it nice and flat

Then sew the other outer layers together...right sides together and sew from edge to edge. Also make small cuts along the edge on this layer, as well

Keeping this layer you just finished wrong side out, slip it over the other mask piece that is right side out [so the two right sides will be facing each other...and pin all along both edges

This is what your outside should look like

This is what your inside should look like. Make sure you pin your seams open, so you can sew them flat and then sew around both outer edges with a 1/4 inch seam...just go slow, since you will be sewing in a curve and over the seams

This is what your outside edge should look like when you are finished sewing the edges together

This is that your inside will look like...now, using one of the open ends, turn the whole mask right side out and work it with your hands to flatten and smooth out the edges. Then you are ready to finish the ends

Iron both ends of the mask and make sure your seams are nice and flat...be careful NOT to iron the polypropylene, since it is a plastic type material and will melt! And yes, I learned that the hard way! 

Work the mask with your hands and get it nice and flat and your edges ironed and smooth. Then fold your edges in three times on each end and pin

Then zig-zag stitch from top to bottom of each folded edge, making sure to backstitch, so your stitches will stay tight

Go nice and slow, so your folds will stay together good

This is what your ends should look like when you're done! Time to cut the elastic!

Be sure to use 2mm elastic cord for your mask...not only is the 2mm stronger, it is much more comfortable behind your ears. Cut two 11 inches pieces and string them through your end loops with a large eye craft needle, or whatever you have that can string your elastic through

Once you pull the elastic through, tie tight knots in it and work it back through the loop to hide the knot

And then you are done! Yay!! Stay healthy and well!!

Let me know if you have any questions!! I will be most happy to answer them!

love and peace always, Kathy

Being Honest with Myself!

It happens year after year! Every January, I start off with all of these plans to make my life better...discover new things, try new foods, take more time for myself, meditate, end world hunger, save all the animals, volunteer more, etc., etc., etc. And then, all of a sudden it's April 15th and I'm in a funk! What have I done so far this year, besides finish my taxes on time [I guess I can give myself a pat on the back for that]. And then today's meditation read was spot on:

 "Acceptance/Honesty" Some of us do not know the difference between putting ourselves down, thus refusing to accept our gifts and talents, and accepting who we are. Indeed, we often bounce between being worthless and being totally arrogant. Interestingly, "feeling like a piece of shit" and feeling that we are unique and wonderful are intimately related. In both illusions, we refuse to see ourselves as we really are. It is only when we are able to say "I know nothing about that," or "I am really good at doing that and quite knowledgeable about that," that we are moving toward acceptance of self. Seeing our shortcomings allows us to accept them. Accepting our strengths allows us to soar. Honesty about self is the key. [April 15 meditation from the book "Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much" by Anne Wilson Schaef]

I realized today that most of what I stress out about are things I "don't get done", when, what is most important, are the things I actually "do get done". It can be overwhelming to me at times when there are days my plate is overflowing with things to do. And then, I also realize, I am in charge of my own schedule, so when I overflow my plate, it's my own fault! But, I've always worked better under pressure, and with a deadline..."crunch time" used to be my BEST time to get things done. Basically, I'm just a procrastinator...something else that is MY fault! So the reading today was really a wake up call, of sorts and now I'm being totally honest with myself. What gets done, gets done...I'm not going to stress over it anymore, since I know "me" and I know that when it comes down to the wire, it will be done! Wow! That felt really good to say!

These cute little quotes in my post today will be made into "lunch box notes" and printed on 4x4 cards. I sure have enjoyed creating them [another reason I don't get anything else done, but again, MY fault ~ lol]

Have a great week! love and peace always ~ Kathy

"Today I have the opportunity not to be grandiose about either my shortcomings or my capabilities. I can be ME" ~ Anne Wilson Schaef

We could all use a little therapy!

So what do you immediately think about when you hear the word "therapy" --- I think about laying on a couch, pouring my life problems and things I'm "hung up on" out to a total stranger that is probably not even listening, or has already decided what "pill" he/she is going to prescribe for me to make my days better. But why should I pay money to "feel better"? It don't even make sense, if you really think about it. I'm 57 years old! I should know what to do to feel better...right! Not necessarily. It's not the same as taking ibuprofen for aches and pains...and then you feel better in an hour. It's not the same as laying down to take a nap and waking up feeling better in an hour, or so. It's not the same as taking a long hot bath with some yummy bath salts or fizzy balls [although that is an awesome way to unwind!]. When you have something going on in your head that you can't stop thinking about, there is not a whole lot you can do about it, except DISTRACT your brain!

I love bears!

...decided to draw in my journal...keeps my mind from wandering.

love and peace always ~ Kathy

Freezing Cold, Ice and a "Free" Pair of Earrings!

I'm really ready for Spring!  But there are some "good" things about being stuck inside in the cold...we actually cleaned the oven and the stove top today!  And I was on a roll making some new things and filling orders.  Slowly, but surely, the ice is starting to melt!  Yay!

I'm really in love with these!  I call them "Rustic Bling"...I love the contrast of the rustic brass circles with the beautifully faceted glass...they are gorgeous!

And I'm giving a pair of these adorable "Juniper Berry" earrings away!  All you have to do is comment on this blog post, or the facebook link.  I'll randomly pick a winner in the morning!  Good luck!

And this is another pair of cute little "Purple Daggers" that I made yesterday!  I'm loving the Spring colors!

And I'm hoping it will start warming up, so I can get back down in the basement to make some more little "encaustic journals" --- I love the smell of the melting Bee's wax.....mmmmmmmmmm

And I couldn't resist sharing this photo of Frankie!  Hope you are all staying safe, warm and dry!  Spring is on the way...I promise!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"Love is the spirit that motivates the artist's journey." ~ Eric Maisel

Conversation Starter...

 This is my 3rd journal drawing, using theme prompts from a journal group I joined.  The theme for this week was "conversation starter" --- I certainly think butterfly wings and a Hen hat would be enough to start a conversation...how about you!

And another conversation starter are these beautiful little White Squirrels that Brevard, NC is famous for.  This little guy was on a tree in my neighborhood --- they are so cute!  I just love them!

I've been on a roll making "minimalist" jewelry --- I just love this Black Onyx necklace!  A great conversation starter, for sure!  Check out the other minimalist jewelry in my Etsy Shop!

Off to make some Valentine's Day goodies!  Stay tuned for a coupon code...coming up next week!  

Have a wonderful weekend!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"If you cannot be a poet, be the poem." ~ David Carradine

New Jewelry, New Drawings, New Beginnings...

Sometimes I feel like I'm all over the map with my creative energies and then other times I feel like I can't focus on anything.  As of lately though, I've been on a roll making all sorts of things!  I love it when that happens, but then again, I have so many projects going at once it can be a daunting feat!  Wayne had to cut down several trees this year that were encroaching on some other trees we didn't want to lose.  With some of the smaller branches, my neighbor cut some circles for me and I'm busy turning them into Christmas gifts! 

 I ordered a wood burning kit from Amazon and it was way easier than I even anticipated!  So, if you are on my list of gift receivers, you know what you'll be getting this year!!  And my love of wood has also carried over into some of my new jewelry pieces...like this gorgeous Moth necklace!  I love it so much!

And these cuter than cute little bone Skull and Feather earrings were just made and listed today:

Those little skulls make me smile :) ~ they are so cute!  And, speaking of cute, this precious little Elephant came out of my brain the other night when I was drawing.  I just love him!  The innocence of animals is something I wish humans could embrace more of.

So now I've been trying to do a daily meditation session, using the challenges on this website!  I just can't relax my mind...I'm trying different times of day and different positions, to see if that makes a difference...I hope so, I need to relax more!  But then, I think..."oh my gosh, it's already November 20th and I'm cooking and hosting Thanksgiving at my house next week...and all the things I still need to do!"  And then, there goes my brain...certainly not relaxing!

Hope your day is awesome!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"What keeps life fascinating is the constant creativity of the soul." ~ Deepak Chopra

Drawing, swimming and wasting time [sorta]!

This was my calendar page for today!  So appropriate!  Although, it always seems like I take one step forward and two steps back!  My poor jewelry desk is just sitting there, unhappy and feeling unloved.  It seems as though my creative vibe has taken a hike and I don't know how long it will be gone [this time].  I did start drawing in my journal again, so that's a good thing!  I also started swimming at the local health club.  They have a wonderful indoor heated salt-water therapeutic pool and it is so nice!  My goal is to be able to swim for a 1/2 mile, continuous laps by the end of December ~ wish me luck!  I had forgotten how much I love to swim!  

I channeled this swimmer last night, while I was drawing.  I don't know who she is, but she insisted on that floral swim cap!  My sister thinks she looks like Angelina Jolie, but I don't think Angelina has ever swam....much less, worn a swim cap!

And then there was this awesome idea on facebook yesterday [yet another distraction from my jewelry] ~ you just cut your pumpkin[s] in half, remove most of the seeds [unless you are using your jack-o-lantern, like I did], poke some sticks through the sides, tie on some twine, fill it up with birdseed and wait for the action to begin!  Such a great idea and the birds LOVE it!

I've also started back on my digital paintings...especially since I'm doing a tutorial presentation on it in January!  Gotta keep my skills fresh in my mind [which is hard for me these days].  So, with that being said, I'm off to paint a picture!  

Happy Thursday!

love and peace always ~ Kathy

"time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time" ~ John Lennon