Watercolor Beach Landscape

Life got busy this week so I didn't get as many posts together, but I still have this little beach landscape in watercolor to share.  It combines my favorite colors- greens and blues!  

Doesn't this painting make you want to go on vacation?  I haven't seen the ocean this year, so yep, it's getting me antsy for a trip.

I actually got the inspiration for this watercolor landscape from a junk mail brochure.  Shocked? Junk mail is good for something other than padding for the recycling bin?

The brochure had the most beautiful ocean landscape on it and I knew one day I would get around to painting it. It's proof that inspiration can come from unlikely places.......... like junk mail!

How to Paint a Watermelon Slice

Are you tired of watermelon yet? I started eating it in May this year, but I could eat it all year long. Plus it's fun to paint :)

So, I have a fun watercolor watermelon tutorial for all you watercolor painters over at the Craftsy Painting Blog. This is my first post as a contributor at Craftsy so check it out the tell me what you think!

Photos of the Week

This is how we spent our last week of freedom!

We went to an aviary, took a small paddle boat out on a scummy pond, went swimming with my sister, went peach-picking, visited family, and spent some quality time at a beautiful park.  I savored every moment of that week because I have to admit, I hate sending my only child back to school each fall.  It rips my heart out! Does anyone else feel that way?

I thought that by second grade, it would be a little easier to let him go, but not so much for me.  Our summer was better than in years past.  I had better health to do more and so I'm sad to see it end. At least my little guy had an excellent first day of school. That eases the pain a bit :)

Party Decor: Cardboard Cactus Tutorial

Who loves the cactus trend?  Me! pick me!

Cacti have such lovely organic shapes and they come in more colors than you would think.  And not all cacti have to be green. They can be blue, purple, or even pink! And for craft purposes, they can be any color you want.  So go ahead and dream of coral or teal cactus- your options are limitless.

If you're in the mood for a Western or Mexican-themed party or just want something to liven up your wall space, try out this cardboard cactus tutorial.  You won't be sad you tried it!

Materials:

cardboard

scissors

acrylic craft paints

paint brushes

tissue paper flowers or silk flowers

masking tape

Instructions:

1. Draw cactus shapes on cardboard and cut them out. Don't be too picky about the shapes. Cactus are very round and oval-ish.  Improvise or look at some cactus to get an idea of their shapes.  You can draw a variety or saguaro or barrel cactus.  Even prickly pears are easy to create. You can draw them on cereal boxes, shoe boxes, any cardboard you have lying around.                                                                                                                                              
2. Using acrylic craft paints, paint each cactus shape completely on one side.  You may want to pick an analogous color scheme like my blues and greens, it's up to you! Let the paint dry completely.                                                                                                                                                   
3. Using a contrasting color, paint lines for the spikes of the cactus.  You can paint long lines to give contour and shape to the saguaro cactus or short little lines for spikes on the other cactus. Let the paint dry completely again.

    4. Make mini tissue paper flowers or use small fake silk flowers.  Get creative with the color             and have fun with this part.  Attach the flowers to the tops of the cactus with tape or glue.  

        See my Tissue Paper Flowers Tutorial to make your own flowers!

Step 5: Place masking tape or wall dots on the backs of the cactus and stick them to the wall. I grouped my cacti all together.  I think they look happier that way!

 Enjoy some seriously bright and festive party decor!  I'm saving mine for next year's Cinco de Mayo  party.

Photos of the Week

 Hello pretty trumpet vine!

I'm so happy I stopped to photography you on the way to pick up my son from science camp.  It was worth the stop :)

I love driving around older, more established neighborhoods just to admire the plants sometimes (as long as it's in a safe area).  I love my new neighborhood, but the trees are puny and there is a general lack of greenery at the moment.  A neighborhood takes time to mature and ours is only a year old.
So while I wait for everyone's plants to get planted and grow up, I content myself with driving around greener areas, collecting ideas for what I want in my own yard.  I'd love a trumpet vine!

Pink Cactus...... again!

Well I did it....... I went and painted another pink cactus piece!

This time on a larger scale- 12x18 inches of coral and pink cacti for you to feast your eyes on.  I think I like pink cactus better than any green cactus I've ever seen :)

Photos of the Week

Pineapple anyone?

What is it about pineapples that make them so fun to photograph?

 It must be their cool leaves and texture.  And maybe the fact that they are tropical and make you feel like you are somewhere fun and beautiful.  I plan to print one of these photos in a large format for my kitchen one day.  I took so many photos- it will be hard to choose!