New Whimsical Candlesticks

Here are my newest beauties!  I really love the colors on these.  And I enjoy painting the whimsical patterns.  It's very soothing.

I like to paint while I watch TV.  I say watch but I really mean listen.  I concentrate on painting and only look up when something interesting happens.  It's amazing how little there is on TV that's interesting enough to draw my attention!

I have developed a work flow for my painting.
Step One:  Stare at object to be painted for hours trying to get an idea of which way I want to go
Step Two:  Pick out a couple of patterns I want to include for sure
Step Three:  Pick out my color scheme
Step Four:  Get to painting!
Step Five:  Fix anything I don't like

Originally I intended to go with a Christmas theme in blues and either gold or silver.  But I never could decide on a shade of blue.  So I ended up with green, tomato red and a custom mixed gold.  I have some other candlesticks that may end up a wintry blue.  Maybe I just have to stare at them a bit longer!
Sharon

Available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/sharonstrouddesigns

#whimsicalart, #whimsical, #paintedfurniture, #aliceinwonderland, #wonderland,

A New Whimsical Jewelry Box

Here's my latest creation!  I really enjoyed painting this one.  Actually I've had this box for a year and just got around to working on it.  I've been concentrating so much on the scrapbooks my painting has kind of taken the back burner.  It seems to be good for my creative juices to alternate between scrapbooking and painting.  Keeps me from getting burned out.

I really love the detail on this piece.  I will admit I resorted to wearing my magnifying glasses a few times!

I normally don't paint anything on the back.  But I decided to add a bit of pretty detail and besides that it makes a great place to sign my work!


I finished this jewelry box over the weekend while I was snowed in.  At least one thing good came from that snowstorm.  On a sad note my beautiful guppies were casualties of the storm.

We lost power on Saturday and the temperature drop stressed the fancy guppies.  I never realized they were so fragile.  The guppy tank is in my studio which is the coldest room in the house.  The power was only out for 3 hours but it was mighty cold outside and hubby was having some issues getting the generator started.  I wasn't worried about the turtle tank as it sits in the den right next to the gas fireplace which I had blazing nicely.

When the power came on I thought everything was fine.  The water temp had dropped down in the 60's but warmed back up quickly.  But the very next day my newest guppy which I just got last week wasn't looking so happy.  When I looked closely I could see that he had the dreaded ick.  I then had to brave the icy roads to get some ick medicine from the pet store.  I started treating them right away but it didn't help.  Alas within 3 days all the fish were dead.  Poor little things.

OK enough of the sadness.  On a happier note this jewelry box sold the very first day.  I had to quickly take photos before I sent it off.  A lucky lady received this for her wedding anniversary.  Another satisfied customer!

I have two more jewelry boxes to paint.  Hopefully I can get started on them this weekend.  Right now I have two whimsical candlesticks and a scrapbook to photo and list.  I think need a longer weekend.

Sharon

#whimsical art, #whimsical painting, #jewelrybox, #sharonstrouddesigns

Back To Work After The Holidays

I took most of December off as far as creating new pieces.  I didn't really want to stop working on projects but I knew that it would be best to just enjoy the season and come back refreshed in the new year.  So I've got a couple of projects I'm just finishing up.

The first one is a whimsical trinket box clock.  This one is actually a reclaimed clock.  I wish I had taken photos of the original.  It was quite cheesy!  I really like the way it turned out and it was so much fun to paint.

It's listed on my website as well as my Etsy Store.  I call it Whimsical Trinket Box Clock.  Inventive, I know!

I have another jewelry box in the works and it's 90 percent finished.  As I'm waiting for the blizzard of the century (not!) I intend to wrap it up today.  My plan is to get into the studio, crank up the space heater under my desk and work like a madwoman!

Stay warm wherever you are,
Sharon

New Christmas Scrapbooks Ready

Winter Woodland 5x7 Mini Scrapbook

Be Joyful 3x5 Mini Scrapbook

Running Behind or Way Ahead of the Game?

I'm still working on some Christmas projects.  I don't look at it as being late.  After all most people haven't even printed their holiday photos yet.  I've still got quite a few photos to process as well.  So with that in mind I am still working on some Christmas and winter albums.  Today I have two new listing in my Etsy Store and at Sharon Stroud Designs.

I haven't made the videos yet although I really intended to get to them today.   Even did my nails!  But then I somehow got distracted in the kitchen.  I was a real cooking maniac.  I made BBQ chicken, a pot of cabbage and corn muffins for dinner.  I also cooked a pot of beans for tomorrow and to top it off I tried a new recipe for banana muffins.  Yum Yum!

I hope you enjoy my new scrapbooks.
Sharon

#scrapbook, #premadescrapbook, #christmasscrapbook

Santa's Whimsical Sleigh

Santa's Sleigh Shoe - Second Model

Here is the sporty version of Santa's Sleigh.  This a sleep beauty, built for speed!  The whimsical paint is reminiscent of swirly snow drifts.  I'm really happy with how these shoes turned out and I'm definitely in the Christmas mood now!

This shoe is now available at sharonstrouddesigns and my Etsy Store.

I just have a few projects to finish up.  I'm hoping have everything wrapped up by Thanksgiving weekend.  Then I'm free and clear to enjoy my Christmas.  Of course I won't totally stop working.  I have a tendency to get lazy if I take time off and then I have a hard time getting back to work.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who has that problem.  So I will spend my time working on some fun projects and thinking up new ideas for the coming year.  If you have any ideas please feel free to share them.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Sharon

Santa is on his way with a new classy ride!

Newest Sleigh Models for 2014

Santa's new ride is fresh off the showroom floor and ready to take a spin.  There are two versions available.  The first one is called Santa's Monogram Sleigh.  Santa takes this one when he wants to make a statement.  It's a luxury model with just a touch of sporty pizazz.  The glittery gold runners provide stability as well as superb handling.

The second model is called Santa's Whimsical Sleigh.  It's has a custom paint job that showcases whimsical swirls.  This model is just perfect for frolicky fun!  I will post photos soon.

The Santa's Monogram Sleigh is now available on my website and Etsy store.

http://www.sharonstrouddesigns.com
https://www.etsy.com/listing/212624526/santas-monogram-sleigh-altered-art-elf?ref=shop_home_active_1

Christmas Fireplace Box Series

I'm having so much fun making my fireplace boxes.  And I love every one of them.  They all come complete with fireplace logs and handmade stockings that can be personalized.

The White Brick Fireplace is so much prettier than it photographs.  I guess I need to work on my photographic technique.  I really love the white and icy blue color scheme for Christmas.

White Brick Fireplace Box

The Red Brick Fireplace seems to be a favorite with men.  It's very realistic and rustic. And it looks really great when accessorized.  I haven't had time to take those photographs yet.  Hopefully this weekend...

Red Brick Fireplace Box

Brown Stone Fireplace Box

I almost want to say the Brown Stone Fireplace might be my favorite.  But this could simply be because it's the last one I made.  I guess you could say it's the baby!  We'll see if I feel the same when I finish the next one.

These boxes are all sized to fit one of my 5x7 mini scrapbook albums.  The ones I have available right now are the Fa La La and Bright and Merry scrapbooks.

Fa La La Christmas Mini Scrapbook

Merry and Bright Christmas Mini Scrapbook

The boxes would also be a great place to store your Christmas cards and memorabilia.  If you can think of any other uses please leave a comment.  I look forward to hearing your suggestions.

Sharon

#christmasgift, #miniscrapbook, #scrapbookset, #fireplace, #premadescrapbook

Digital Goodies

Digital Products - Back to the Computer

I used to spend hours every day creating digital art.  But since I've crafting again I haven't had any time to work on the computer.  A girl can only spread herself so thin!  Yesterday I had the afternoon off and instead of finishing the products waiting for me in my studio I played on the computer.

It took me a little while to get back into the swing of it.  It's amazing how much you can forget in just a few short months.  And of course some of my plugins weren't working anymore.  So after killing up a couple of hours fixing that problem I finally got down to what I wanted to do.

I've been working on some mini scrapbooks and haven't found any embellishments that I wanted to use.  It's especially hard to find journal cards.  I got to thinking about it and decided to make my own.  I figure the time I take in creating them is probably less than the time I would spend trying to find them in stores or online.

Here are my first creations

Christmas Journal Cards

Christmas Journal Cards - large and medium

Handmade ATC Size Cards

I've listed these on my website as well as my Etsy Store.  Never listed anything digital.  Hopefully I did it right!
sharonstrouddesigns.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sharonstrouddesigns

I'm a bit rusty with my digital skills but I like the way they came out.  Hope you do too!

Sharon

Christmas Is Coming and I'm Determined To Be Ready (for once)

I've finished my first Christmas project of the season!  It's funny to think we're not even close to Halloween and I'm already excited about Christmas.  I really enjoyed working on the Halloween stuff but I'm ready to move on to the holly jolly.  Christmas just makes me happy!

I was out shopping yesterday.  Sad to say I don't even remember where.  (Nothing to do with age, of course.)  They actually had Christmas music playing and for once I didn't think it was too early.  I guess I'm ready for it.  Hope my wallet is.

So I'm busily working on my new Christmas products.  It will be here before you know it!  I hope my latest work brings you a little early Christmas joy!

Christmas Red Brick Fireplace Box by Sharon Stroud Designs, Custom made, Hand painted, Christmas keepsake

Treasures Gothic Old World Style Mini Scrapbook

Season Confusion

As I'm trying my best to finish up with Halloween, others keep asking why I'm thinking Halloween at all.  Then I have to explain to them that in order to have products ready I need to be working months in advance toward that end.  I would have thought it would be obvious but I guess not.  OK enough of my whining!

I've been working all summer on Halloween and I'm now attempting to move on to Christmas.  Problem is I still have some ideas for things I want to do for Halloween.  So now I'm working on both.  Makes for a real mess in my craft room, let me tell you!

I have actually had some progress in finishing up a couple of things this week.  I completed my Gothic Romance and Treasures mini albums.  Both of these were custom made to fit into my boxes if desired.  I especially love how the Gothic Romance looks in the Deluxe Coffin Box.  The Treasures mini will fit in either the Old Wooden Casket or the Beast Within Box.  People say I have a slightly warped imagination.  I have no idea why.

Deluxe Coffin Box Scrapbook Set

Old Wooden Casket Scrapbook Set

Beast Within Scrapbook Set

It's Labor Day Weekend and I have all three days off!  Woot woot!  Should I work or play?  What a hard decision.  I think I'll do a bit of both.  And throw in a round or two of culinary indulgence!  What is a holiday without some not-in-my-diet food?  I hope you enjoy your holiday just as much!

Sharon

A New and Scary Adventure

So I've decided to try my hand at business.  I love to create things and after several people urged me to do it I've taken the plunge.  I've just opened my Etsy Shop and put a few things up for sale.  Here's what I have so far.

Yes, they are shoes!  But you can't wear them.  I've filled in the toes and totally covered and sealed the whole shoe.   They are meant to be candy dishes but you could use them for anything.  I think one would be beautiful on a nightstand to hold jewelry.  I'm guessing I'm not the only one who is sometimes too lazy to put my jewelry in the jewelry box!

Here is one with the candy in it.  If I had an office and a desk I'd definitely have this on it!

I have to say I really love this one.  It is just so much fun to look at.  I almost hate to see it go.  I do have more items done but I am still trying to get the listings ready.  Making the art seems to be easier for me to do than writing up an interesting description.  And to think at one time I wanted to be a writer!

Sharon

Halloween 2013

I don't normally get into Halloween but for some unknown reason I felt like putting more into it this year.  I started out by making some altered witch shoes.  I made a mess with the paper mache but it was a lot of fun.  Don't know what I'm going to do with them yet but I'm really happy with the way they turned out.

Next I worked on the porch.  I had never used chalk paint but I found some examples online and decided to give it a try.  I found a recipe for DIY chalk paint here.  It uses Plaster of Paris and powdered calcium.  The powdered calcium was not easy to find in my area but I finally got some at a vitamin store.  It was about $6.00 which will go a long, long way since you use very little of it.  Then I got a chair from the thrift store for $7.00.  As far as the painting it was a breeze.  This stuff goes on so easy and you don't have to prime first.  I put on a coat of blue, then a coat of teal green on top of that.  After letting it thoroughly dry I sanded it down, making sure to let the blue show through in various place.  When it looked just the way I wanted, I started waxing.  I just used some old Johnson wax that I had around.  I put on four coats of wax and it looked fab!  It also was a much needed workout for my arms!

Then finally the day was here.  This is my very modest (not!) look that I went for.  Woot woot!  I actually even wore these socks to work.  Haha!  Well, you know someone's gotta spice things up a bit! 

Normally we only get about 7 trick-or-treaters at our house.  This year we had a bumper crop of 26!  Wow!  And all of them were surprisingly polite.  Very refreshing.  I didn't take pics of many but here are a few.

All in all it was a fun day.  For once the weather cooperated...sunny 78!  Can't ask for any better than that.

Now I get to start planning for Christmas!