Art by Debbie Saenz

Mod Podge Monday: Recycled Birdhouse

I remember when I was a kid. I loved creating fun projects with whatever I could get my hands on. I only wish I knew about Mod Podge then! Elmers glue is just not the same! Oh, the things I could have made...

If your kids love to make things with their hands, don't deprive them of the magic of Mod Podge! This recycled birdhouse would make a fun summer activity that could be finished in one afternoon. You can find my complete instructions here. 

I designed this recycled project for Plaid and if you missed my Recycled Purse project, you should also check that one out. 

UPDATE ON MY NEW STUDIO: Three chairs upholstered and curtains almost done! I ran out of thread yesterday and need to make a run to JoAnn Fabrics. Also, my hubby and I have very different oppinions about the chalkboard paint on the front doors of the armoire. To ease his mind, I told him I would ask for your honest opinion....Pics coming soon :)

Mod Podge Monday: Recycled Purse

Instead of throwing away those cereal boxes and donating your old bandannas to Goodwill, with a little Mod Podge, ribbon and lace, you can turn them into something spectacular! Like this Recycled purse...This is just one of the recycling projects I designed for Plaid's website. 

You can use any fabric really, or even paper! I happen to have quite a collection of old bandannas because I had this really cool idea of making a Bandanna quilt. But, the probelm is, I always have more project ideas than time to do them! Yes, that's a topic for another time :)

This was so much fun to make. Young girls will love this project! And you can make your purse larger or smaller, depending on the size of the cereal box. Go here for my complete instructions.

Happy Creating!

 

A Budding Artist, He's only 6!

Yes, Yes, Yes, I know I've been gone a while; life has just been a tad bit, well, crazy!....But, I want you to meet my grandson Isaiah Micheal. Isn't he absolutely adorable? Isaiah has always showed artistic tendencies. I have many of his little treasures, drawings he's done for me over the last few years. Ok, maybe I'm a bit biased, but wait until you see his masterpiece, the surprise he made for his mommy!

Last month Isaiah and his siblings, my two other grandchildren, lived with us for three weeks. You can read my last post here where I explained the crazy and unexpected tragedy that happened to my daughter and her family. 

But before I show you his masterpiece, I want to thank all of our family, friends, and the many others we don't even know, who blessed our family with so much love during this difficult time! It was wild! Like the floodgates of help and support opened up (from many unexpected people and places) and poured down fast and furious....coming from everywhere! The amazing beauty and overwhelming love of God was so very evident! Our hearts were encouraged indeed...and still are!

Isaiah worked on the background first. He chose the colors and I showed him how to blend them. He did everything himself! 

I then showed him the bubble wrap technique. At first he thought that was a silly idea, until he tried it, and then he really got into it and I had to persuade him not to cover his entire painting with little bubble imprints. 

Isaiah started getting tired after about an hour of painting.Pretty good for a 6 year old boy!

His original idea was to quickly finish in one setting, but I told him how artists work on their paintings over several days, weeks, and sometimes years! As his eyes grew big, he agreed it was better to put it away until he was excited and ready to paint again. 

Here we are again, this is after several days. Isaiah wanted a heart that said, "love". I lightly drew a heart with the word Love inside. Of course he wanted a red heart! He chose a metallic red. Lots of concentration here!

Here we are again, session number 3. Notice his buzz cut? Yup, that was the work of my 17 year old son Nick. 

Isaiah painted in little areas at a time. It was hard for him to keep his hand from smearing the wet paint. He chuckled when I pulled out my hair-dryer as the drying tool. He said, "Nana" with a grin as he shook his head. 

He's ready again...a few days later, painting in his PJ's. He seemed to work much better at night after the other kids were in bed. His concentration was so intense. 

I figured it would be better for him to use a marker to draw the lines instead of painting them. When he was done I simply sprayed it with a matte medium to prevent the ink from running.

He painted Hologram Extreme Glitter over the heart. It goes on white, but when it dries, it has a beautiful iridescent shimmer.

Look at that proud little face! Isaiah kept saying, "Mommy is going to love this!". 

When his painting was completed and it was time for Isaiah to sign his name, I was so moved with emotion for him...almost like when I'm finally happy with a painting I have been working on and the time has come to add my signature. It's like, oh YES! the creation is complete and I'm happy with it!  

It makes me think of when God created the world. After each day of creation, He said, "...and God saw that it was good".  Being created in God's image allows us to create and then stand back and look at our creation and experience a sense of satisfaction. 

And Ta Dahhh.....drum roll please! Here's Isaiah's awesome masterpiece! Isaiah used the word "masterpiece" to describe his painting after the second time he worked on it...so cute, and yes, he was right ! I'm so proud of him! He did a fabulous job!

I took this picture the morning just before we left to drive our three grandchildren back to Florida. I wrapped Isaiah's masterpiece between two pieces of cardboard for safe travels. 

We arrived in Melbourne, FL past midnight, after 11 hours on the road. We had a beautiful time of reuniting. And after we unloaded the car, It was time to give mommy her special surprise!  Kari Loved it and Isaiah's masterpiece has a special place on their their living room wall.

It's been several weeks now since we brought our grandkids back to Florida. Now I'm preoccupied with my daughter Sarah's dorm room. Preparations are well on their way with only one week until the big day when she moves in.  Wow! I still have lots to do! And my to-do list keeps growing...make curtains, duvet cover, build furniture, make headboards and  a million more purchases. Ugh! the list goes on and on....but this is sooooo much fun!

Here's what I'm currently working on. 

 I better get busy!

Debbie xo

Birthday Party Crafts & Lois Jackson

Girls Birthday parties are so much fun especially when a craft is involved! Paint, glitter, rhinestones, oh yea!

Darby is one of my little friends from my church family and I couldn't resist the opportunity to help make her 8th birthday party 'creatively' special...especially knowing how much Darby loves arts and crafts. 

 

 Here's Darby, the happy birthday girl.

There were 7 little girls, a perfect number for this kind of party.

 First we made scrabble tile pendants (you can find my tutorial here). The scrabble tiles were fairly quick to make, but needed at least 3 hours to dry.

Next the girls got creative with paint and painted little wood boxes. It's always VERY interesting to see how their personalities shine through. Some mixed colors...

some used Lots of colors...

and others used glitter and rhinestones too! Some chose to Mod Podge a paper butterfly to the tops of their boxes.  Here are just a few, but they all turned out so pretty! 

 ...and some of the girls' finished scrabble tile necklaces. Pretty Pretty!

 

Happy Birthday Darby!  XO

 

I want you to meet Lois Jackson, Darby's great-grandma. Isn't she cute? She recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Lois is an incredibly talented artist! HMMM must be where Darby gets her talent! Lois has spent many years as a freelance artist for Hallmark. I've only seen glimpses of her paintings and WOW! The Lord has blessed her with an incredible gift!  

 

I was honored when Lois gave me this set of note cards. They are absolutely beautiful...and this is a photograph of prints of paintings she had done! Imagine the originals! 

Printed on the back of each card, is says: 

"God has given us so much beauty all around us-

the azure skies, the evening sunset that bursts with color to tint the mountains;

Fields splashed with color and the birds singing praises to their Maker!

I try to reflect some of this beauty in my paintings, with thanks and

praise to the Great Creator of "all things beautiful"!       Ecl. 3:11 

 Lois Jackson"

Lois told me that she was writing down the story of her life. She said, "Do you know what I'm calling it? My First 90 Years".

I love it! It puts everything into perspective and reminds me of heaven with our Heavenly Father where we will be basking in the beauty of our Lord for all eternity!...a Perfect Picture!

He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. Ecclesiastes 4:11

BlessingsXo,

Debbie

One More Kid's Summer Art Class Left

Can you believe it? How can it be? Where has the summer gone? It seems like only yesterday since I was only contemplating offering these classes....and now I have only one class left to teach at Hobby Lobby and I taught my last class in my neighborhood clubhouse this past Tuesday. 

Sharing my love of art and watching the creativity of my beautiful new friends blossom, has been a real joy. 

It's been fun to hear that some of the moms have even been inspired to try some Mod Podge projects at home! 

 

Classes in my neighborhood were held in the Kid's Towne Hall Clubhouse. We gathered around the large island in the kitchen. I figured as long as we fit, it was better to stay off the carpet!

 

Their collages turned out so beautiful!  Fabulous job girls!

This was today's class at Hobby Lobby. 

We're in the classroom located in the back of the store.

 

As you can see, some of the girls got a little silly with the paint. 

 

More beautiful collages. They all did an awesome job!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Our Next Project at Hobby Lobby:

 

 We'll make a "Back to School" project...a clipboard and pencil holder

I realize most of my projects are very girlie, but that's what comes natural to me and has worked out perfect since my classes have consisted of mainly girls. I've always planned an alternative boys project, but out of all of my classes I've only had one boy. 

Now I'm contemplating a series of "Santa's Workshop" classes where kids can make gift giving projects. Do you have any ideas for me? I'd love to hear them. 

Blessings XO,

Debbie

Mixed Media Collage for Kids Art Class

I can't believe the last Kid's Towne Hall summer art class is already next week! And only 3 more at Hobby Lobby. Where has the time gone? It has been a real joy for me to work with these adorable kids and watch their creativity blossom. It's truly a God given gift!

We'll be making a mixed media collage. We’ll create an interesting background with paints using various techniques then we’ll add charcoal, oil pastels, inks, printed text, stamps, glitter, and three dimensional embellishments. 

These are several samples I've made..

 

I used a piece of poplar wood and made this with some paint and things that are easily found around the house. Do you see where I used bubble wrap to imprint paint?

 

Similar techniques with different colors and elements produces a totally different look. And the boys can make one using stars and more rugged elements! 

I'll show the kids each step to create their very own mixed media collage. This project will really allow their creativity to shine...and they'll cherish it for years to come!

A GREAT IDEA...One of the moms suggested doing a "Santa's Workshop" class series at Christmas time where the kids can make special handmade gifts for their friends and family. I love the idea and have been really considering it. What do you think? Do you have any good ideas of any gift-giving things we could make? I'd love to hear your suggestions! I thought of making scented soaps. 

Blessings XO,

Debbie

Trinket Box for Kid's Art Class

My hands are still decorated with paint and peeling glue from today's art class! I had a full class today with 10 kids. At times it was a bit chaotic but we're having a blast playing and creating. I'm so thankful for those moms who jumped in to help toward the end. 

I wanted to get the next project posted asap. The kid's are going to love the next class; they'll be making a really cool trinket box! I"ll show them how to transform a simple wooden box into a work of art. Mod Podge here we go again...they're getting really good at this!

 

We'll get creative with some more paint, fun papers, inks, stamps, rhinestones, and beads to embellish and create this awesome box. 

 

I plan on having several options of different coordinating paper sets for the kid's to choose from.  Each box will be different but still have a very "distressed" look. 

 

 It's not complete without some bling!

 

 And a little message inside...

XOXO

I better go scrub my hands! 

Name Banners for Kid's Art Class

I am totally excited about what we will be making in our next class! I know the kids will enjoy their very own special name banners hanging in their rooms for years to come. 

I've asked them the colors of their rooms and want to give them several options of different papers they can choose from....and then, we'll break out the Paint and Mod Podge, and finally, we'll dress em up with lots of really cool embellishments!

Here are the samples I made: 

 

We'll use 4" wooden letters that I've predrilled holes in. This one is obviously for a girl with blue and brown room colors! Like my daughter Sarah's room!

I'll teach the kids a simple distressing technique...then, It all comes together with pretty ribbons, flowers, and rhinestones! FUN!!

  And this is the boys sample banner. 

 Jute instead of ribbon and stars with studs instead of all the girly stuff! Oh yes, I think their gonna love it :)

Depending on the paper and the embellishments the kids choose, each name banner will be personalized to match their own rooms! 

I think I'm going to make one that says, "Happy Birthday" to hang instead of those ugly paper ones..Hmmm, now I just need some time :)

BlessingsXO

Debbie

Kid's Art Classes and A Father's Day Frame

Wow! I am exhausted but also very excited. Today I taught my first Kid's Art Class! It makes me remember how much I loved creating art when I was a kid...

I have wonderful memories of going to painting classes when I was about 6 years old. An elderly lady in my neighborhood held painting classes in her sunny living room for the neighborhood kids.  I can still recall sitting in front of that big easel while she lovingly taught me how to paint flowers in a vase. I knew I was in my element, even at a very young age. 

Even if they think of me as "the older lady that teaches art", I feel privileged to share my love of art with the children in my own neighborhood...and I felt like a kid again today too!

I will be teaching 5 different art classes in our neighborhood clubhouse throughout the summer. I didn't realize however, just how much work it is to design projects, purchase supplies, prep and lug everything, set up and clean up. Not to mention making signs, fliers and all the book keeping involved. Whew! I will sleep good tonight. But Oh yes, it's worth every bit of it. I just hope the kids will have beautiful, lasting memories of our times together experiencing the joy of expressing our creativity! 

   

I designed this special Father's Day frame especially for this class. I brought a basket of rocks for them to choose their favorite. They poured so much love into their frames; I'm sure their dads will be touched when they receive their special gift!  

Next week, we will have fun with more paint, glue, pretty papers and embellishments to create personalized name banners with wooden letters.

I will also be teaching Kid's Art Classes at my local Hobby Lobby store. My first class will be in 2 days. We will be making this same frame. 

Blessings,

Debbie xo

 

'Love' Tote

Every girl needs a tote bag. Right? I think so. This one is so easy to make; any girl would love to have one or make their very own! This would make a great Saturday afternoon craft project. 

All you need is a small plain canvas tote bag, some stencils, fabric, Fabric Mod Podge, and a little paint. Oh, and of course some satin ribbon and rhinestones!

If you jump over to Plaid's website, you will find the complete instructions. 

Lots of Love XO,

Debbie