Getting back into painting with watercolors

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While spending time on Pinterest I saw some lovely watercolors.  I have not used my watercolors in years.  I throughly enjoying painting with them in the past.  The warmer weather and seeing the posts on Pinterest inspired me to pull my watercolors out of the drawer.

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So far I have not created masterpieces but I find it relaxing to do quick paintings.  I want to continue and encourage you to try.  To start with you do not have to buy the best paints, student quality are fine.  Once you find you are enjoying watercoloring you can upgrade to higher quality paints.

I find it best to invest in good quality paint brushes.  Inferior or lower quality brushes lose their shape quickly so will not the results you are looking for in your paintings.  You want a brush that will hold the water and the paints, distribute the paint evenly and smoothly but also hold a point.  You can start out with synthetic fibers which will hold give you the effects you want but the disadvantage is they will not last for years.  fullsizeoutput_12ac

The website Art Is Fun is a wonderful resource for information on brushes.  I do not receive any compensation from any of these resources but I have been very happy with my purchases from Dick Blicks. I have found their customer service to be very helpful and knowledge.

I want to continue to work on painting to use for invitations, thank you cards, birthday cards and for general note cards.  I love to update some of the artwork around my house.  I will soon be switching some of my winter artwork for my watercolors.

How about some fresh lemons to welcome spring?  Perfect to add to grilled fish, make lemonade or to put in a refreshing gin and tonic on a hot afternoon.  fullsizeoutput_1485

I look forward to hearing about your watercolors and feedback on my paintings.  What activities do you find relaxing and inspiring?

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Photos of Pop-Up Cards

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Here are some photographs of pop up cards on my Etsy shop – BelleHarborDesigns.  The cards are approximately 6 inches tall and 4 inches wide.  They fold flat for easy mailing and a coordinating flat card is included to write your special message to the recipient.

Custom cards are available and take 1-2 days to ready.  Let me know the theme you want for the card.  Does the recipient an avid as reader dog lover, fan of cats, have a keen interest in science, or a devoted to a sport?  Just send an email to BelleHarborDesigns@gmail.com or fill out the contact form below.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

The cards are $9.00 plus shipping.

 

 

 

Spring Burlap Flag for Outside

| belleharbordesigns

Changing the garden flag in my garden which the seasons and holidays is may way of celebrating without spending lots of money.  Another plus it does not take up lots of space to store for the next season.

As the days are finally warming, the flowers are popping up out of the ground and the leaves are starting show I want to prepare my front garden.  I normally have a bolt of burlap on hand so after rummaging through my basket of paints I have decided to make a simple grouping of tulips. I know the width of my flag is 15 inches.  I generally make my flag 18 inches long.

You can trace a simple design or free hand onto the burlap with a marker.  I usually free hand a drawing but I do not always follow it as I am painting.  Sometimes I decide coloring outside the lines will improve it.

I cut my burlap allowing for a seam and loop to slip through the rod on the flag holder.  I allow about an extra inch for all the seams and loop.

I decided to paint my tulips pink and I am going to leave the burlap a natural color.  I need to protect my table so I layer it with some newspaper or plastic whichever is on hand.  I find plastic bags from the dryer cleaners are a perfect size to keep my table clean for many different projects.

My fabric is cut 15 inches by 19 inches.  I lay it flat and.quickly sketch my ghosts.  Now I am ready to paint them.  Using my pink paint I put 2 coats of light paint onto the burlap.   It is fine if ever square of burlap is not painted.  Once the pink paint is dry I am able to paint the in the green leaves.  I used a variety of greens to add some interest to the flag.

After the flag is throughly dry you could use a strong glue to make the hem and loop.  It should be throughly dried in less than an hour.   My sewing machine is always set up so it is just as easy for my to sew a few straight seams.  The hems could also be hand sewn.

Materials

Burlap approximately 15 inches by 19 inches

Acrylic paints – colors vary depending on your design

Seasonal or holiday simple design

Paint brush

Paper or plastic to protect your work surface

Sewing machine or strong glue.

Tan thread if you are sewing

About Elizabeth

| belleharbordesigns

Art, paper, paints, fabric, a tin of crayons or markers, my paper cutter, ModPodge, glitter, beads, my jig saw are some of the simple things that make me want to sing with joy!

I enjoy spending time crafting and making creative things.  I appreciate other artists’ work, creativity and their skills. Spending time traveling, visiting art galleries, street festivals and museums, searching for treasures in second hand charity shops in other countries is where I have found unique pieces of art. Searching for creative and interesting pieces are ideal ways I enjoy my free time.

Having art around me is important.  I have art created by my talents friends and relatives.  Art by my friends, family and that I have made is around my home.  When I look at the art it reminds me of the artists and my memories.  I have been so fortunate to have traveled to many parts of the world from Britain and Ireland, Europe to Eastern Europe to the Middle East, islands in the Pacific Ocean and many parts of the USA.   The art in my home reminds me of the my fun adventures.  A few of my newest treasures are lovely, delicate porcelain spoon and bowl along with a print from the Oxfordshire ArtFest from the printer that used an antique press.  I love my $5.00 beautiful watercolor I bought, in the mid 1990’s, from a street festival in Kraków Poland just outside the Wawel Royal Castle. My hallway has a beautiful wool rug I carried home from Iraq.

Decorating is a passion of mine. I enjoy rearranging furniture, painting furniture or making new pillow covers or curtains. Fabric stores are like trip to DisneyWorld for a child.  I am still a novice sewer but thanks to my talented older sister, an accomplished  seamstress and sewing instructor at Open Works In Baltimore, along with some informative YouTube videos I am learning.  I love the idea of lots of throw pillows on chairs and living room, on the beds in my house and lots of curtains to change with the seasons.  I have fond memories of my grandmother changing her curtains and rugs as the seasons changed.

Changing the items my fireplace mantle is such a fun, simple way to update my living room. Add a bunting, swap a few decorations and I am set for a bit.

Developing a company name was a challenge I enjoyed.  I was raised in a Navy family.  I was born in Belle Harbor, Queens, NY.  We moved before I was old enough to remember the area.  My parents talk about their fond memories of their home and friends there.  Belle Harbor Designs was created.