Working Away & Some fun too!!!

A little sneek peak of a project I'm working on.  It is a garment that I'll be able to share it in May.  The fabric is  Birch Fabrics new knit line Elk Grove Knits - Coral Poppies.  I LOVE this fabric and it sews like a dream.  It will be in stores in April/May 2013.  I'll be sure to fill you in and link you to the stores that carry it!!!

I took the boys to a wonderful art exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum -  Elles: Women Artists from the Centre Pompidou, Paris.  I Loved it.  By happy accident there was an art docent speaking about the works.  It was such a treat.  It is one thing to admire a great work of art.  It is entirely another to have a skilled and knowledgeable art docent speak to the intricacies of the work and share fun tidbits about the artist!

Here are some of my favorite paintings from the exhibit:

Natalia Goncharova

Dorothea Tanning

More info about her Life and Work

Sonia Delauney

xo

Charise

Thrifty Thursday

A few weeks ago as my husband was walking home he happened upon a garage sale.  They had this painting for sale. $10.00!!!

  The artist is Stany Lemmer and the woman that sold it to him bought it in France. It is dated 1948 and I can tell it is old by the canvas back that is aged a light brown.  It is a bit moody and dark though it may just need a good cleaning.

I think it looks great with the other oil paintings in our "gallery".

 

A few weeks ago I was near a Value Village and had to take a peek.  My finds there have been hit and miss but it is always a fun "hunt".   I was intrigued by this "Georges Briard" piece.  Mid century collectibles are usually not my thing but for $5 I couldn't resist.  A bit of sloothing on Ebay put this right around a $15 - 20 value.

 

 

 

I then spotted this little compact in the jewelry case.  I love the buillion top and the patina. 

 

 

It has the original label inside.  I was able to find "Schildkraut" brand but nothing in this design when searching online.  Another $5 treasure that looks great next to the Briard! 

 I love to imagine the fashionable lady who brought this lovely compact out to powder her nose.

 

xo

Charise

Modigliani Inspired Self Portraits

I've been absent from blogging and missing it so. I have a few crafty projects in the works and will blog about them soon.

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We have been soooo busy lately. We are moving from our dream house in July (long story) and I have been busy sorting and purging. Amazing how much one accumulates in 4 years! I'm pretty pleased with the progress so far, albeit a rather daunting one.

**Thanks grandparents for all your help with kid sitting!!!**

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I've been the Art Docent for my son's kindergarten class this year and have been absolutely loving it. It has been such a joy to spend time in Liam's classroom getting to know all the wonderful kids. They are all truly amazing and talented!

There are tons of resources for art projects on the web, but my two favorite sites for kid's art projects are HERE and HERE. They are on my blog list as well.

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Today was our last art project. The painting we studied was Modigliani's Gypsy Woman with Baby. I followed THIS for the art project. We did a self portrait elongating our features as Modigliani did in his portraits.

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Here are some examples of the student's work:

I couldn't show the artists due to privacy issues, but I promise, the resemblance is pretty uncanny!!

My son Liam with his portrait.

Yeah, that is my portrait. If you have a bit of time, check out the link for the instructions and try it for yourself.

Everyone is an artist. I promise you won't be disappointed!!