Decor Delights - An Assemblage of Arts and Sorts

Tablerunner Finished

2008-04-10T11:57:00.005-06:00

You thought I didn't finish it, did you? :)

Sorry I haven't updated for so long - I got a part time job, so I'm not able to make art as much as I would like to. This economy is tough for a family and I felt I needed to earn extra income outside of Decor Delights. But, not to fret - I'm so lucky - I have a job where I can put my creative uses to work, I help people pick out nice clothing outfits along with shoes, jewelry, and handbags!!! Its so much fun working with clothing again like I did in college - meeting new people and helping them look good!!!

Here is the finished runner....

And just for fun - I loved the back of the top piece looked before I put it all together...

It went really well using the plastic templates and the precut fabric strips. This project didn't have a bound edge, but I did sew a 1/4" around the edges for extra security - problem... I must have pulled the edges as I was sewing because the edges don't sit flat on the table. Oh well - I'm always learning, learning, learning!!!

Strip Quilting Table Runner

2008-02-27T21:01:00.006-07:00

I know it's been a really long time since I've posted. It's been a year and half of dealing with aging parents and numerous trips to the doctor and hospital and taking care of them as well as my own family - FINALLY things are settling down so I can get back to the things I love to do, make art!!!

I saw this adorable table runner in American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine April 2008, it's made from a jelly roll of fabric strips. Strip quilting looked like so much fun that I decided to give it a try. Another reason I chose this pattern - NO BINDING!!! (I'm kinda bad at binding)

I've gotten as far as cutting out the diamonds - it was super easy using the template. I took a photo because I love the fabric - it's Moda - I love Moda fabric.

Here is the link to the fabric store when I got the kit from, and you can see the table runner... Stitchin' Heaven
I'll post my table runner when I'm finished.

New ATCs and ACEOs images in the gallery

2007-09-04T13:03:00.000-06:00

I just uploaded some new images in the "paper arts" gallery. My new ATCs and ACEOs.

Please stop by for a visit!

http://www.decordelights.com/art/

Back to School Digital ATC

2007-08-31T15:34:00.000-06:00

Hi Digi Scrappers,

Today I wanted to make a digital ATC with some of my favorite ScrapGirls digi-items! This ATC is entitled "Back to School".

The following list is what I used from ScrapGirls - click here to visit their website.

Pretty Primavera, Solis Green paper

Waltz to Remember, flourish

A Collage Unleashed, birds

Collage Children for girl, wings, and crown

The sheep is brush from a website called brushes.500ml.org

I resized the paper to 2.5" x 3.5". Next I added the flourish and the sheep. The little girl was next along with her wings and crown (all linked) and then added a soft drop shadow. The words on the chalkboard were erased and I added "Back to School ABC" with a chalk-looking font. Last but not least, the cute birds were added to sing this cutie-pie a happy back to school song.

Thanks for looking!

Weird quotes we heard at the zoo today

2007-08-24T17:18:00.000-06:00

I took my kids to the zoo today. As always, we are entertained by the things other people say. Here are few gems I wanted to share with you... And as a reminder, these are adults talking...

Looking at a week old, white baby Colubus monkey,
"He looks like an alien" said a lady in her rhinestone-studded shirt, sunglasses, and yappin on her cell phone.

Also while watching the baby Colubus monkey, "Look, the dad is eating lice of the baby". Okay I know that it is a monkey instinct, but that baby was too cute and too protected by it's mom to have lice. LOL

All through the Great Ape building - adult after adult
"Oh look at the cute monkey!" Sorry folks, but there wasn't a monkey in that whole building.

In an animal building "It smells in here" - well duh, you're at the zoo! LOL

Also, there were swans being called geese and a tortoise called a turtle.

Maybe I'm being overly sensitive, but I always want my kids to sound intelligent when they speak, so we all read the signs and learn what animal we're looking at. It was a lot of fun and we just smile and enjoy the sights and sounds at the zoo.

Painting books on Ebay

2007-08-15T23:19:00.000-06:00

Attention decorative painters!
I'm auctioning off some of my painting books at Ebay. These are all great books and are pretty much in brand new condition.

I wish I could have had time to paint projects from each of these great books, but the older I get, the less time I seem to have to get things done! LOLI hope these find loving homes!

http://stores.ebay.com/DecorDelights

Listed are...Splash by Susan PisoniA Snowman's Smile by Susan Pisoni
May Sugarplums Dance in Your Head by Susan Pisoni
Sentimental Holidays by Sharon Buononato CDA
Jens Garden Gallery by Jen Sykes
Ladybugs on the Loose by Annie Lang signed copy
Ginger's in the Bread by Annie Lang signed copy
Over the Garden Wall by Fiona Hayward
Nature's Wonders Book 2 by Karen Hubbard CDA
Hexology, the History and the meaning of Hex Symbols by Jacob & Jane Zook (Pennsylvania Dutch)
How to Paint and Decorate Furniture and Tinware 1960 by Jacob & Jane Zook (bronzing powders)
Birds in all their Glory by Nancy Dale Kinney
I Like Folk Art by Norma Lea Riddell
Forever Roses by Annette Stevenson
Harmony Grove by Linda McFadden

Happy 4th Card

2007-06-29T16:40:00.000-06:00

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

Here is a fun free card idea for you!

This card is designed around the flag stamp. It ended up with an interesting shape and I love the colors. Here is what you need to make your own card!

Flag stamp: this is one I carved out of an eraser. There are lots of flag rubber stamps at scrapbook stores and online.

Cardstock: blue, dark red, white

Corrugated paper: dark blue

Pigment ink: blue, red

Pigment pens: blue, dark red

Brads: pewter squares

Paper trimmer or scissors

1 Color the flag stamp with pens and stamp on white cardstock. Trim and ink edges with blue.

2 Mat piece on corrugate paper. Trim and ink edges with red.

3 Mat piece on dark red cardstock. Trim and ink edges with blue.

4 Make a card base from blue cardstock. I chose a rectangular shape to mimic the shape of the flag. Ink edges with red. Attach brads. Adhere matted piece.

Enjoy!

Glass Show in Salt Lake City - gallery stroll

2007-06-12T13:59:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone,
The annual Gathering of Glass show has opened at the Patrick Moore Gallery in Salt Lake City. Please stop by this Friday June 15th from 6-9pm for the gallery stroll.

This show is put on by the Glass Art Guild of Utah and there are some wonderful pieces and jewelry this year. Also, stop by and meet the artists and we'll be there too!

GAGU creates fused and lampwork glass art pieces.

Gathering of Glass - Glass Art Guild of Utah
Friday June 15, 6pm - 9pm
Patrick Moore Gallery
511 W 200 S
Salt Lake Cty, UT 84101
(801) 521-5999

See you there! Melinda

My first Ikebana

2007-05-25T11:29:00.000-06:00

Here is a feeble attempt at Ikebana - Japanese flower arranging. I chose odd things from my garden because I thought they were beautiful and unique. Next time I promise I'll pick a better vase LOL I used a branch from my Japanese maple tree, flowers from my chive patch, and flower from my bishop's week.

New sewing patterns, New cord maker

2007-05-08T15:53:00.001-06:00

I had a terrific time at the International Quilt Market that was here in Salt Lake this weekend. I grabbed my checkbook and headed out to find new and exciting items to put in the shop. Let's just say right now - I didn't have enough money. While I walking around the show I wished I had a fabric store and endless money. Also, I have never seen so much new fabric in my life! I seems like my local fabric stores only carry a teeny-tiny portion of available fabrics. I saw a lot of trends in fabrics such as batiks... CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

See the new stuff I got for the shop and all the other fun things I did! Just visit www.decordelights.com/quilt.html

A Card for Mom - free project idea!!!

2007-04-24T10:54:00.000-06:00

Here is a cute, cute, cute card you can make for Mother's Day, your mom's birthday, or just to let her know you appreciate all that she does!

www.decordelights.com/free

I just love the Daisy D's paper! And, the rhinestones just give the card a lot of fun bling! I also used Stampin' Up ink for the flower stems.

Planet Earth on Discovery Channel

2007-04-19T14:52:00.000-06:00

We've been watching the Discovery Channel's show "Planet Earth". This series is absolutely wonderful and stunning to watch. I do have to admit that I cover my eyes when one animal eats another - yes I know it's nature and I know nature can be cruel and violent, but that's just me :)

What a spectacular planet we live on!!!! The whole show is a moving experience - absolutely breathtaking! I just loved seeing the birds of paradise do their mating dances, the humpback whale mom holding her baby on the water's surface, the tiny creatures that live 2 miles in the deep, dark oceans. There was one mushroom on the jungle floor that spread out a net-like fiber - it looked like a work of art. I was also fascinated how water snakes and fish work together to find food in the coral reefs. Also how dolphins herd bait fish into the shallows so they can catch them. One moment I won't ever forget is the great white shark catching sea lions. The speed of the catch and how high it could leap out of the water. Those photographers must be the most patient people on Planet Earth. The guy who photographed the birds of paradise stood in and hid in the same place for 2 weeks - all day long.

I feel as artists we can help protect our planet. Our creations can maybe inspire others to respect and love our planet as much as we do. I already try to do some things to help - we are avid recyclers, we have a compost in our garden, my paint water (non-toxic) goes on my grass or bushes instead of down the drain. I try (when I can) to use papers that have recycled materials in them, and we're switching out the incandescent bulbs for the new florescent ones. My kids take the bus to school instead of my driving them, and my husband is lucky enough to be able to telecommute his work from home one day a week. I know it's not much, but we feel good doing what we can to keep this planet and all it's awesome creatures around for future generations. One little change from everyone will make a big difference; many big changes from everyone will save the world! Peace!!!

Fun shops in Vegas

2007-04-13T15:43:00.000-06:00

I had a great Easter weekend visiting family in Las Vegas. I got a chance to visit some new shops - new to me at least! LOL

Quiltique - what a super cute and fun quilt store. I wish I could have taken classes! They had awesome quilts on the walls and wonderful quilted bags! The fabrics were fantastic! They have a web site! www.quiltique.com

Las Vegas Art Stamps - this was another super fun store! Everything you need for a paper artist. Stamps, papers, fibers, tools, inks, polymer clay, classes and more. I'm definitely going back on my next visit. They also have a web site http://www.lasvegasartstamps.com

Glass Art Studio Inc - we always visit this store for our stained glass supplies. They carry different items than our local shops, and of course it's always fun to go shopping when you travel. If you're into glass they have fusing, stained, and mosaics too. Here is their web site http://www.glassartinc.com

Soft block carving

2007-03-28T13:33:00.000-06:00

I just learned how to carve my own rubber stamps! It is so much fun. I used the chick and egg stamps I learned from Luann Udell's book "Rubber Stamp Carving" and made them into a card idea.
Project is located here...

http://www.decordelights.com/free

Book review - Rubber Stamp Carving by Luann Udell...http://www.decordelights.com/reviews/products/carving.html

Happy Anniversary

2007-03-12T11:26:00.000-06:00

Yes, we've been online for 11 years! Stop by for a visit and if your a painter, here is a free online idea for St. Patrick's Day. www.decordelights.com

Added to the shop - Easter Brunch punch needle pattern

WAD - and as always the watercolor a day picture. (I don't think I'm improving anymore LOL)

Yea! Another finished project

2007-03-04T11:57:00.000-07:00

Yea - yippeeee! Another finished project. This one dates back to the SDP Nashville painting convention in 2000. This project was purchased in Sue Bailey's booth. It is a resin shape painted with acrylics. The photo doesn't show all the great trompe l'oeil effects (love the water droplets). I'd been promising my hubby I'd paint this for 7 years - at last it's finished! How are your unfinished projects coming along?

A Finished Project

2007-02-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

One of my New Years Resolutions
was to finish up my unfinished projects. Here is one of them! I started this
before Easter - hmmmm, not sure which Easter - but here it is. I just love it!
It is wool appliqué on a quilted table runner. The pattern is from Ginger
Cookie Company called "Hippity Hop". Here is their website
www.gingercookiecompany.com

Free Valentine Idea

2007-01-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

FAUX CHALK HEART POCKET

Here is fun Valentine idea for you to make. Please visit my free project ideas page www.decordelights.com/free

Watercolor a day

2007-01-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

I received a Watercolor A Day calendar - come laugh at my attempts
and hopefully I get better as the year progresses CLICK HERE

Quilting and more quilting

2007-01-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

I've been having fun quilting. This fun bag pattern was designed by Christine Lockhart. All of the fabric squares are from the Moda Charm Pack named Sweet Hearts. The lining was fabric I picked out at JoAnn Etc.

Now I was surprised to find out how many pinks don't go together very well. I had to take my piece in to pick out the lining fabric. I thought I could use the pink from the table runner (photo below) but it was to mauve-ish to go with the bag. LOL

I also had fun using some fancy stitches on my machine. Usually I just go with the straight stitch, but I found a fun heart shaped stitch and did the diagonals with it.

The table runner is from a pattern named "Four by Four" designed by Genii Lehmann. I know it looks crooked, but I photographed it on a soft surface. I free-motion quilted it (boy do I need more practice!) and have it on display on my coffee table. For more information about the table runner, go to www.lehmannquilting.com

I know Fabrics dot com has the Moda charm packs. I just think they are so cute!

You can get free shipping on your first order from Fabrics.com

Resolutions

2006-12-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's that time of year again where we are supposed to make resolutions. Well I do this every year and don't stick to them LOL LOL LOL! So in keeping with tradition, here are my resolutions for 2007 - drumroll please.....

Lose weight, exercise regularly, eat healthier - (blah, blah, blah, yawn, and roll eyes)

What I really would like to do this year is finish up unfinished art projects. So I've decided that I will choose once a week to get things done. NOTICE - if you're one of my painting students, we'll be painting on Thursday nights!!! Bring your unfinished projects and we will get them dusted off and completed!!!

I already started and it feels great. I painted up a knight nutcracker for my husband for Christmas. The nutcracker had been blankly staring at me from the dusty wood shelf for years - now he is bright shiney silver and proudly on display. Now I have to get out his dragon-smoker buddy and paint it for Valentines? Birthday? Father's Day? LOL

Happy New Year Everyone!

The Battle of the Dust Bunnies

2006-12-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

As we get into the joys of the holiday season, I find myself in a constant battle with dust bunnies. Is it because I worry my house must be clean ALL THE TIME in case joyful holiday visitors come knocking at my door? It must be the case.

What can be done?
1. I guess I could draw ornaments, gingerbread cookies, and Santa outlines in the dust and call it "Dust Bunny Doodleling".
2. Maybe wipe up the dust with a piece of canvas, spray it with a fixative, frame it and call it "An Abstract in Dust".
3. Or I could let it pile up and let it "tone" the colors in house to a bit more gray. It could be called "A Lesson in Dusting Down your colors".

If you have a great art-dust idea, please let me know? Anything to get out of dusting! Now - back to the studio to make more gifts.

Happy Holidays to you all!!!!

Shower Art - get involved!

2006-12-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

As artists we love to doodle everywhere. Come on - I know you are a doodler! You can find my scribbles everywhere: my sketchbook, phone book covers, post-it notes, back of envelopes, and my shower door.

In fact, I do my best doodling on a misty, clear glass shower door every morning!

It's a big canvas, so I can draw large or small. If it fades too quickly, I just add a touch of soap to my fingertip and the sketch lasts a bit longer.

My shower art tends to be abstract - swirls, geometrics, and very quickly drawn surreal flowers. It's extra fun to use all five fingertips at the same time - that really looks wild and free.

When my canvas is full and dripping, I use my shower squeegee to clean the artwork and let it mist up again for a fresh surface.

Although shower art is very, very temporary, it's a great way to start my artistic day. Why don't you give it a try??? ~ Melinda

Castaway Ink from Jacquard

2006-11-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

I played around with the new ink from Jacquard called Castaway. It inks on a stamp like embossing ink - very simple!

You let the ink dry on the cardstock for about minutes and then use an iron to get the stamped image to fade. Here is what my results were....

DCWV red textured cardstock - the ink changed very little, to a dark orange and was very subtle. I think this would look great as a background on an ATC or just to change a plain cardstock into something with a slight pattern.

Black cardstock with a very fine texture, manufacturer unknown - the changed quite a bit and looked great.

Provo Craft brown smooth cardstock - This was the best result by far! Looks fantastic!

I loved this product and look forward to using it in the future.