Going on vacation

Hi all!

I will be taking the trip of a lifetime to Rome, Florence and Venice from June 10 until the 23rd!

See you when I get back!

Yipeeee!!!!

Last page of my first ever art journal

This is the first art journal I ever started, a year ago in February. I have started several others since then, mostly the 16 page journals demo-ed by Teesha Moore.  But this one has been my favorite. It is a Strathmore mixed media journal I got on clearance at Michaels. I never see this version anymore, I don't know if they are still out there. This is now the first journal I have finished. I did this page with inktense pencils and my beloved black smash pen. 

Mulberry paper portraits

I recently learned this technique from a Cloth, Paper,Scissors mini workshop with Rachel Pannagerry. This technique is magical and forces you to be loose. Here are 2 examples of portraits I did with this technique. 

The first one is from my art journal, and the second is a work in progress

 on canvas. 

Art journal fun!

Exciting news!

First of all, look at my new little baby grand child!! 

This is our first and we already know its a girl and her name will be Amy Ren.

We are SO excited! She is due June 26!

Her middle name, Ren is the same as my daughters middle name. All of our children have Japanese middle names, because my husband is half Japanese. Its cool that they are continuing that tradition.

And the other exciting news is that I have a doll and article published in 

Prims Magazine!!!

How exciting is that!!!

I have been so busy I haven't been completing a lot of art, so hence not much to blog about.  But I am taking an acrylics painting class at my local art league, which is keeping me sane during all of the chaos.

Isabel is recovering very nicely from her torn ACL, doing all of her exercises and going to PT(physical therapy)  twice a week.

She doesn't even have the crutch or leg brace anymore! Woot!

She is also graduating from 8th grade this month. Anyone who has had an 8th grader in a catholic school knows, the spring is loaded with "last time" activities. Last home games, last May Crowning, last school play, etc etc. In the next 2 weeks she has an all day school trip to Chicago(a little worried about her being on her  leg all day), 7-8th grade banquet, Confirmation, and graduation. 

Isabel and her best friend Brittany at May Crowning. Brittany got to crown Our Blessed Mother!

THEN...

on June 10th my husband and I leave for an 11 day trip to...

ITALY!!!!

Whoo-hoo!!!

Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Rahpael, here I come!!!

So excited!!! And 4 days after we get back our little Amy is due!!

Happy days at the Belcher homestead!!!

xx

~Annie

 

Amy is on her way!

My first grand daughter in there!

A new painting, my first in a while.
I am taking an acrylics painting class at a local art league and just loving it!
Also starting to do some collage work and working in my art journal again!

Missing in action

I'm still here! I promise!

My 14 yr old daughter Isabel has just had knee surgery after she tore her ACL playing basketball.

Isabel having her dressing removed-we'll spare you the gory details!

Life has been a mess, and I have only had time to keep up with orders and check in once in a while.  She is a brave girl and I cannot believe what she has had to go through so far. And the therapy is just starting.
Meanwhile...

I have been playing with raised embroidery on wool felt whenever I can catch a moment.

I had the idea to create a wool embroidery piece for my soon-to-be-born grand daughter. My daughter is trying to put together a nursery with bright colors and a woodsy theme, so my mind  turned to the Waldorf inspired toys and rainbow palette. I have been having some fun with this!

Wool picture using a Salley Mavor pattern as a jumping off point

I will be framing this in a shadowbox type frame when completed

So that's where I've been.
 I am enjoying using the bright colors-makes me feel like spring will actually come!
 We have been having a really late winter with January type temperatures in March!
Hopefully that will end soon, I mean its almost Easter!
xx
~Annie