Art Reception

This weekend is the Art on Main event in downtown Stillwater Minnesota. Last night was the Meet the Artist Reception. The weather was nice, but there wasn't a huge turn out. But we had quite a few sales and we all had a great time.

Me and Randy Raduenz, one of the gallery owners.

 Me and Becky Benson.

 Jim, Randy, Toni and Nancy looking through an old photo album full of earlier photos of the gallery. It sure has grown!

Toni and Nancy, two lovely ladies!

Updated Gallery Wall

I spent my Sunday volunteering at the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery and putting up "new" work. I try to update my wall every few months, but I actually haven't done it since January. I had an animal theme going, and actually sold a couple of pieces. This time I thought I would bring in some of my earlier, more loose watercolor paintings. I don't paint like that anymore, but I thought someone might really like them. They certainly brought in a lot of color, so I think they'll be perfect for summer.

Meanwhile, all the animal paintings that I brought home with me are now relisted in my Etsy shop. Some of them are, "Hiding Spot," "January Snow," "A Pugs Life," and "Can You See Me?"

I hope you had a great weekend!

A Look Around My Studio

I love looking at other artist's creative spaces, so I thought I would make a little video of mine.

Have a great weekend!

Charitable Item of the Month for June

It's the 1st of the month and time for a new Charitable Item in my Etsy shop. My Charitable Item of the Month for June is this sweet little baby quilt. 100% of this sale will be donated to the Miracle Foundation. The Miracle Foundation works to ensure that orphans are given the quality of care that all children deserve. This includes family placement, nutritious food, excellent health care, and a high quality education.

This offer is good until July 1st at which point I will choose a new item and a new charity.

New Zoom Lens

I was trying out my new zoom lens for my Canon camera today. I've been noticing just how many birds we have around our area and this past weekend my husband and I created a bit of a bird haven in our backyard. We set up different bird feeders including a hummingbird feeder and a bird bath. These are a few of the photos that I got today.

 I have no idea what kind of bird this is.

 This Robin was just trotting around the yard before finding a worm.

 I love the bright yellow color of this Gold Finch. He's so pretty.

 And rather silly too! He hung out here a while before making it onto the feeder.

I think this hummingbird was a bit confused. The hummingbird feeder we set up is close to our deck, but it didn't stop her from trying.

I've always had a love of birds, I'm not entirely sure why. I suppose it could be a combination of their beautiful colors and sounds. I've been wanting to build up my reference library and even start doing some wildlife in watercolor. I've been overwhelmed with custom quilt orders, but I'm going to make an effort to make more time for painting. The only paintings I've done this year are 4 custom pet portraits, and I miss it terribly.

Sale Item of the Week

"Cosmos" is this week's sale item on Etsy. "Cosmo's" is a watercolor painting, size 5 by 7. It's being offered at a reduced price with free shipping (within the U.S. only) until this Sunday.

Don't forget about my Charitable Item of the Month, my Bloom and Grow Baby Quilt. 100% of the sale of this quilt will be donated to Feeding America. This offer ends in 2 days!

I hope you have a great week!

Family Tree Quilt & 300th Post!

I've been working on this custom quilt for the past couple weeks and it's finally complete! This couple contacted me on Etsy and said that they needed a quilt with 40 embroidered names (a memento for their parents). The thought was a bit daunting since I had never made anything like it before. It was a lot of work but I'm very happy with the way it turned out. In fact I'm so happy with it that I've decided to make it into a custom listing in my Etsy shop. I'm calling it a "Family Tree Quilt." I will have it listed soon.

By the way, this is my 300th blog post! Not too impressive considering I've been blogging for years, but it's still a big number. :)

Have a great weekend!

Hibiscus Watercolor Paintings

 "Hibiscus" 9 by 12

"Tropical Hibiscus" 9 by 12

I decided today to list my two hibiscus watercolor paintings on Etsy. I painted "Hibiscus" and "Tropical Hibiscus" a couple years ago. They were experimental doodles I guess you could say, but I ended up liking them a lot. I've also sold several prints of each. I've had them hanging in my studio, but I think it's time to let them go.

If you're interested in either of them please visit my Etsy shop. :)



Custom Memory Quilt

I just finished this custom memory quilt for a customer who will be giving it to her daughter as a graduation present.

This is a little bit bigger than the custom memory quilts that I have for sale on my website. This customer really wanted a lot of photos so I made her a twin size quilt with 27 photos. She sent me scans of pictures, poems, letters and story book covers.

I wish I could see the look on her face and her daughters when they see this quilt in person! It really is special to see these photos that mean so much to you, printed on fabric.

If you're interested in a custom memory quilt please visit my website or email me at: angela292@hotmail.com

Hope you're having a great weekend!



New iPad

When I saw what the new iPad could do, I was sold! I have an iPhone and never thought I'd have a reason to get an iPad too. However, when I saw how crystal clear the screen was and how you can zoom in while still maintaining the clarity I knew it would be perfect for using for painting. I can put all my reference photos for painting on it and use it instead of printing photographs. It will save me money in paper and ink, plus photos never look the same once you print them.

While at the Apple store I discovered the Square. It's a little card reader that you can use with an iPhone or an iPad. It's awesome! I can take it with me to the gallery or art fairs as a way to receive payments with credit cards. The fee is very reasonable and the money is deposited directly into your bank account.

As hard as I try I just can't keep up with technology. :)

Charitable Item for May

Here is this month's new charitable item. It's an adorable tied baby quilt. If this quilt sells, 100% of the sale will be donated to Feeding America.

Feeding America is a great charity that is trying to end hunger in America. They help feed over 37 million Americans through food banks all over the country. I heard a statistic recently that 1 in 6 Americans go without meals everyday. Which means that you likely know someone who is suffering from hunger. Isn't that hard to believe?

If you or someone you know is looking for a baby quilt, please consider this one.

I hope you're having a great week!

Bella

This is Bella, a sweet dog that I've been commissioned to paint. This painting really didn't scan well at all. The original painting is so much softer looking.

It felt so good to be painting again! I've been so overwhelmed with custom quilt orders that painting has taken a back seat.

If you're interested a custom pet portrait please visit my Etsy shop.

Have a great weekend!!

New Quilts

I managed to find the time to make 3 new baby rag quilts this week. They're all available on Etsy. :)

 Peachy Keen

 Sew Cherry

Peachy Keen

The two Peachy Keen quilts are flannel and are so soft!

I hope you're having a great week!



Charitable Item of the Month for April

Here is my new charitable item of the month for April. 100% of this sale will be donated to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). As you probably know the ASPCA is very active in fighting against cruelty to animals including puppy mills. If you're as passionate as I am about protecting animals, or know someone who is, please spread the word.

 I'm a bit disappointed that my last charitable item did not sell, but maybe I'll have better luck with this one.

I hope you're having a great weekend!

Exciting News!

So I have a bit of exciting news to share today... I was contacted by a production company working on the Smurfs 2 and they want to have my hand painted cigar boxes as part of the set again! Yay!! I had no idea they were even doing a second movie. So the release form is signed and it's a done deal! The movie will be out next Fall I do believe. :)

Other than that I've been hard at work on custom orders. I have about 8 projects lined up, 5 of which are quilts needing to be quilted on my long arm. Busy busy!

 I hope you are enjoying your week!

New Baby Quilts

I managed to whip up these 2 baby quilts yesterday. I just can't get enough of these little baby rag quilts. They're just so cute!

 Little Red Riding Hood Quilt

Scoot Baby Quilt

I intend to make several more of these soon! Some different sizes too.

Have a great afternoon!

Baby Rag Quilt With Embroidery

I'm in love with this new baby quilt! I've been trying to figure out how I can work more embroidery into my quilts and this was my first creation. I combined "Farm Fresh" fabrics from Riley Blake with embroidered farm animals. I think it's just too cute. It was time consuming, I must say. Each embroidery design took about 1 hour to complete (and there are a total of 8). I have ideas for some similar baby quilts with different embroidery themes and I can't wait to get started! :)

For anyone who might be interested, this quilt is available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Have a great day!



My Sewing Room

 

 

 

I thought I would post some photos of my sewing room today. I'm lucky to have not only an art studio in my home, but a sewing room as well. I have a very understanding husband. :)

 I spent my morning doing some organizing today. As my business grows I accumulate more and more stuff and I have to be pretty creative with storing it. My sewing room takes up half of the second floor of our house. It's a very large room, but the slanted ceiling makes it an unusual space to work with. I seem to make it work though. I really enjoy spending time in there, especially when it's raining or snowing outside because the room has a very cozy feel to it.

Well I hope you've enjoyed seeing my sewing space. I know I'm always curious about others creative spaces.

Have a lovely afternoon!

Blush Baby Quilt

This cute blush baby quilt is my new sale item of the week on Etsy. It's marked down $5 and will also ship for free. Of all my tied baby quilts this one is my favorite. I just love the fabric colors and how soft and cozy this blanket is too. :)

I have a very busy school week this week as the end of the quarter is near. Two big projects will be due and a test, plus more homework and final exams next week. I'm giving myself today to do whatever but tomorrow I'm hitting the books! Unfortunately I probably will not be making or listing anything new this week.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Charitable Item for March

"Tennessee Rose" 5 by 7, Watercolor

Well it's that time again and I have selected a new Charitable Item of the Month on Etsy. This month the item is this original watercolor painting. 100% of the sale will be donated to the American Red Cross. As you know the Red Cross does a great deal of different things from blood donation, recovery after a natural disaster, to helping military families. When you donate to the American Red Cross you know that your money will go where it is most needed at that moment.

My charitable item for last month sold and I was able to make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I was so happy to do it and to be able to give something back. I hope this one sells too!

Have a great day!!