Girls' Night Out-Painting Edition

This weekend was an exciting one, and not just because of the tropical storm that came through (however, that was crazy weather!). My mom had been brainstorming with her churches' ladies group for Girls' Night Out ideas, and thought of me, and suggesting I teach a painting class for them one month. I was ecstatic!

My mom and I had done a painting class with a very good friend of mine at Painting with a Twist months ago, and had a BLAST!!! We wanted to borrow the idea, and skip the wine. ;)

I have been painting as long as I could hold a paintbrush, have done many murals, and I've always loved teaching and helping others with art, so I was comfortable with the idea. Mom said she estimated maybe 10 or so ladies would come out, and we started from there. Mom hunting for great sales and bargains, she collected the supplies we needed. I wanted the girls decide what they would like to paint. After seeing Mom's previous handiwork, and also being from Pensacola, they gravitated to a beach scene, that would be easy, fun, and unique for everyone. It looked like it was going to work out fine.

Mom's painting, and mine when we were the students--you can see where I get my artistic side from, right?

Once the day came, an announcement was made in church one last time, again showing my mom's beautiful painting, and that sign up sheet filled to the MAX! It was very exciting!!! But also made me so nervous! Would I do a good job? Would I be able to show them something great? Or will it all turn to a mud pie? Eeeep!

I just took a big deep breath (well, a few), and going in early helped to ease the butterflies. I had come in nice shorts and a pretty shirt, and thankfully I made the smart choice to change clothes before everyone showed up! I ended up getting quite messy. =) We had 29 ladies and girls show up, and it was a GREAT time. Other than my canvas taking a dive into my palette once, I was able to stay neat and on top of the lesson with little trouble. (Well, no trouble, actually!)

Every seat was filled, and every hand was painting! It was wonderful!

Loving all the smiles. =D

Cindy requested a miniature version of the night's project...and she did great!

My Mom and I share the love of little things--her Sand Dollar painting, with a cute display easel.

My Mom and I!

All of the ladies and their masterpieces!!!

I had SO very much fun, and hope maybe we can do it again sometime! It was more than a success. =)

New Squish Monster Photos!

Hello! I've been very very busy lately, but I've just been DYING to share these wonderful photos. A very talented and good friend of mine, Vicki Curtis-Stoner stopped by my house just before the roller derby bout a few weeks back to take photos of my stuffed monsters. I'm so very glad she came by at such short notice because I ended up selling an animal! Hooray! (Unfortunately, I was so busy watching the bout and manning the vendor table with friends that I forgot to take photos--sorry!) Still, enjoy the great photos below!

Clawford the Crab!

Olliver the Alien got a new home!

Handy Henry always has a good time!

Lanky Ned loves to cuddle.

 While we were taking photos, Vicki and I came to call my stuffed creatures "Squish Monsters", and I just loved the name!

Olliver the Alien hanging out with Big and Little Neds.

Thank you to Mrs. Susan for helping me with my embroidered tags! (The eyes and nose are my initials.)

My favorite Squish Monster buddies photo!

The bout was a fun one, and there were lots of kids that came out too (our roller derby is fun for the whole family!) and I loved watching the kids playing with my stuffed monsters. Overall, it was a great night. Hopefully I'll have a vendor's table at the next home bout, and I remember to take photos to share with you!

Time for a Change

Well, there have been a few changes going on in my life, and the biggest one of them being that I lost my "real job" very recently. (Hence the time away.) I took about a week to just relax and try to enjoy the sudden vacation--I certainly was not happy in my "real job", but I've been waiting to jump into creating for a living...for too long. Losing that job certainly had it's impact-loss of insurance and great paycheck, but that boot seriously started me thinking about making my own income. I know it will  be a hard and slow start, but I'm willing to fight for the freedom I have now. I do miss having the routine, but the freedom really has opened up my creative pools--I'm convinced I can do this!

So, what really concreted this for me was making a "Care-Panda" for my best friend's one year old. I was doing it for fun, but every time I make another, it gets easier, and looks better. I'm trying better sewing techniques each time, and learning along the way, and ultimately, I get to see the little ones loving on the animals--it's so worth it.

I cross-stitched the care bear years ago, and my friend always asked me to keep it. I think she knew what she wanted me to use it for. ;)

My boyfriend had the adorable idea to do a little trouser flap like he's in long johns! Ha!

Well, I have also been involved in our local roller derby league since I'm out of school, and today they are offering us vendor tables at the bout! I will be selling more of my creatures, like those from the Funky Flea Market, and hope to get some great photos to share! I'll post more pictures of my new Squish Monsters soon--my good friend Vicki took FANTASTIC product photos for a makeover on my Etsy shop at sewvictorious.etsy.com--I can't wait to share them!