Sweet Willow Designs: February 2013

Monday, February 25, 2013

Tweaking with Gilders Paste

Quite a few months ago I purchased several colors of Gilders Paste but haven't really used them. I'm back home in my Colorado studio with a couple of days off so I thought I would try out the paste on some components I bought on sale from Joann Fabrics. The components are by Laliberi and are reminiscent of old lace. I love the various components and the look of lace and crochet but the finish is a bit too bright and jarring. I thought a touch of Gilders Paste would tone the brightness down and enhance the look. Here's my first experiment.

The Guilders Paste I bought so many months ago was dried out but their website says that if you add mineral spirits you can reconstitute the paste. That worked. I applied Antique Gold to a bright silver finish and love the new look. It will work much better with my design aesthetic. I have several more components to play with and will try alcohol inks and other patinas.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Focus on Life - Week 8 - Monochromatic

There's snow in the air. I'm home in Colorado this week after being in DC for the last 4 weeks. I'm snuggled up now but snapped this photo of the tree in our yard this afternoon. I didn't have to take much color out for the monochromatic effect as there is snow in the air which leaves a white haze over everything. This is week 8 of Sally Russick's Focus on Life photo challenge.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Bead Soup Blog Party

I received my bead soup from Denielle Hagerman of Some Beads and Other Things blog. The soup that Denielle sent is delicate and spring-like, my picture doesn't do them justice. Precious glass beads with flowers, polka dots, crystals and pearlescent beads with a silver toggle clasp. A garden theme. I love it and can't wait to get started. Thank you Denielle and thank you Lori Anderson for hosting the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Focus On Life - Week Seven - Beauty of Flowers

Anticipation. In the yard of my Colorado home I have a tree that was planted when the house was built in the 60s. Underneath the tree the most beautiful purple flowers emerge each March. These purple flowers, which I believe are grape hyacinth (I could be wrong as I'm matching the flower to internet pictures), are so precious because only a few emerge from the winter earth each spring and they don't last long. They come up despite the fact that I am not a gardener and haven't a clue how to care for such delicate beauties. This is last year's picture.

They give me such pleasure and I've waited for them to bloom each of the 20 years we've lived in our home. March is just around the corner.

This is week 7 of Sally Russick's Focus on Life blog challenge.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Focus on Life - Feel the Love

Week 6 of Sally Russick's Focus on Life asks us to feel the love. When I think of love, one person emerges. My husband, Steve. Steve and I have been married for 35 years in March. I feel the love every time I think or say his name. Enough said. :)

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Two for One - Trust Your Heart

I'm late these entries but decided to post them anyway. I'm participating in two challenges - Sally Russick's Focus on Life and TracyStatler's Wellness Words Jewelry Challenge. Weeks 4 and 5 of the Focus on Life Challenge was take photos with the themes "Create" and "Capture our Hearts". Tracy’s challenge was to create a piece of jewelry with an inspirational or wellness word. So, to combine all three challenges I chose to "create" a piece of jewelry with a "heart" and an "inspirational word". The word I chose was “trust”. Reflecting on these three challenges I designed and created a pendant I call "Trust your Heart".

The pendant is made from polymer clay, scrapbook pieces and parts and black rubber cord. I filled the scrapbook frame with red polymer clay, stamped the word “trust” in the clay and added a coordinating jump ring as a bail. Once the clay was cured and cooled, I applied black acrylic paint to highlight the stamped word. Then I glued the silver heart to the frame, did some light buffing to give the red clay a glow and added the rubber cord. This necklace is a gift for my daughter Emily for Valentine’s Day. Happy Valentine's Day Emily -- trust your heart. Love, Mom. See the links below the picture for the other participants in Tracy Statler's Wellness Word Jewelry Challenge.