Wire Wrapped Cuff Bracelet, Lighthouse Painting and Moonlight Sail Painting

If you follow this blog, then you know I have not made any new jewelry pieces in a while. Last night I got out all the supplies to make a cuff bracelet today. I told myself I was going to paint, crochet and make a piece of jewelry. These Amethyst colored acrylic beads were the only beads large enough that I could use. I need to get some new beads, so I can make more of these. However, I do have watch faces, and may try that with some smaller beads in between. I had tried cuffs before, but couldn't get it quite right. Thanks to all free jewelry and this tutorial, I now know the basics of how to do it. I do not like a lot of wire, but I do like wire wrapping, just not too busy. I also painted this Moonlight Sail painting, which I absolutely love.  I had to use two coats of the blue paint, to get it as dark as I wanted.  I would have liked a navy color too, but that might have been too dark.  This was my first try, and I must say I did really good.  I started the lighthouse at sunrise, also, but it was a much lengthier painting than I anticipated.  It is about half done, and will be finished soon.  Be sure to check my Etsy store for all my fine items.  I offer a free layaway service, so shop now and pay as you go. 

Day 8 Water Challenge Purple Spotted Swallowtail

For day 8 of my water challenge I decided to paint the very beautiful Purple Spotted Swallowtail. This was a very difficult butterfly to paint. And my water didn't exactly become the focus, so I will try a different approach next time. I love this butterfly and so wished they lived here where we are. They only live in New Guinea. This painting is available in my Etsy store, which you can visit by clicking on the widget above. I might get away from butterflies over water for a bit, but not for too long, because I am going to be a vendor with my mom at the 3rd annual Monarch Butterfly Festival in Sept at the Greathouse Butterfly Farm. I am so excited.

Hail To the Prince or Princess!

This week's Theme Friday topic is all about princes and princesses. Since no crafters with boy prince items joined in, I picked one that I liked from an Etsy shop. Each of these items can be purchased at their Etsy stores by clicking on the links. Tell your friends and join in each week on my Facebook page. I get your item seen in several different places, including in a special blog post right here.

 Princess Bottle Cap Necklace
 Preemie Princess Crochet Cocoon with Crown
 Little Prince Diaper Cake

Day 7 Water Challenge Red Butterfly Over Rippled Water Painting

Once a month my mom comes to paint with us. She is the one that got me painting to begin with. Yesterday, I did a Monarch butterfly on a purple flower over water. Today I did a beautiful red butterfly over rippled water. This is my first attempt at circular ripples in water. The butterfly just lightly lands on the water, causing soft ripples in the water. I am so loving the butterflies, that I am going to incorporate three of my favorites in future paintings, water, butterflies and flowers. Can't wait. I have 23 more days in my 30 day water challenge. That is a lot of painting. I did not get to finish my glass jar from yesterday, or start any new ones. Maybe tomorrow, especially if it keeps raining here. Our butterfly feeders, that we have put around the garden, have attracted some butterflies and moths that we don't normally see. We even had a blue butterfly last week, and some sort of a red butterfly or moth. We have three Milkweed plants, also, and got two caterpillars off of them so far. They are getting real big and hopefully we will get to see them make a chrysalis. Caitlin painted the rest of her butterfly stepping stone, then drew a baby lion and a lovely fish. DJ drew a sword from his Skyrim game. I tried to get him to design his own, but he is not ready for that yet. However, Caitlin and my Mom both designed their own girly swords, as they called them.