Create a Keepsake

One day while posting photos of my glasses on Facebook, someone asked me if I could paint her belly cast. I think this is a great way to remember how you looked while holding your beautiful baby inside. I'm not sure if she made the cast herself or had someone help her, but I sanded it down, added a thin coat of plaster to smooth it out, painted a base coat and then began to paint.

She gave me an image to work with, and of course I tweaked it to make it my own. The finished image was a hit...she loves it! I'm so thankful that I can make someone else's day by doing something that comes easy to me. What a great gift God has giving me.

Let me know if there is anything I can paint for you. ;)

DON'T BE A NEGATIVE NELLY!

Remember when you say something negative to someone it takes 10 positives to undo that one negative. Have you heard the sang, "You reap what you sew?" well if all you ever do is put out negativity that's all you'll ever get in return. "You get what you give." The more positive you are the more positive things will come to you in your life.

Check out a book I've been reading... It will do you good!
The Magic (it's part of The Secret series)

God Bless!

Crock Pot Enchiladas

As stated in another post... whatever interests me goes up in a post.
Here's an easy was to make enchilada in a crock pot...
What you need:
corn tortillas
shredded cheese
enchilada sauce
browned meat (I used turkey this time)

Layer the tortillas on the bottom of the crock pot. Add some of the sauce, meat, and cheese... repeat this process until all ingredients are gone... top with the remaining cheese.

Cook on high for 1-2 hours depending on your crock pot.

We like making this lasagna style because it's quick and easy. If you want to take the time and roll the tortillas with the meat on the inside, feel free. :)

MONSTER COOKIES RECIPE (it's a big one so feel free to cut it in half or in quarters)
1 Dozen Eggs
2 pounds brown sugar
4 Cups sugar
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
8 teaspoons baking soda
1 pound unsalted butter
3 pounds peanut butter
18 cups oatmeal
1 pound Chocolate Chips (butterscotch, white chocolate... also good)
1 pound M&Ms (plain or peanut or both)
Mix in order
Bake 350 for 10-12 minutes
Cool and enjoy!

If you make them really large like I do, baking time needs to be increase.
*Cookie dough will last in the fridge for at least 2 weeks.

I realize, after the fact, when I start making something I should take pictures along the way so all of you can follow my posts easier. I'm sorry for that. My main focus for this blog has change a lot since I first started doing it. It's a work in progress, as my interests change so does my blog. I'm an artist, homemaker, teacher, mother, business women... among many other things. When something hits me as interesting I'll probably post about it. When life gets too busy, which it usually does, I might not be posting often. That pretty much sums up things on this end! Happy creating!

A fresh look

Are you tired of your own hand writing or the same few ways you know how to paint, write or draw letters? Here's a quick trick I use when I'm painting glasses for different occasions and don't want the same boring letters.

After painting the  new font a few times you should be able to paint it without the paper in the glass.

Here's what you do...

• Using whatever word program you have on your computer (I have Microsoft Word) type out the words, letters, numbers or characters you want to paint.
• Highlight the characters and click on the font button. Here you can scroll through different fonts that your computer program has and chose the one that looks perfect for the occasion.
• You can bold it, italic it and change the size.
• To get more creative you can use word art to make even more designs.

It's a good way to always keep the lettering looking fresh and you don't have to be a calligraphist!

Pair the new lettering with a beautiful image that you created and you have created a one of a kind gift that they will love (or keep it yourself and enjoy your own artistic abilities!)

Happy creating!

I've seen so many posts lately on Pinterset about DIY painted glasses.

Here's the truth...

While it is very easy to create your own beautiful designs on glasses ACRYLICS will NOT last. If you want your paint to last you need to use ENAMELS. Fact is both cost the same and you can buy them at Walmart.

If you're not the artistic type find a picture you like online, print it out and tape it to the inside of the glass. If you can trace and color in the lines you too can make some beautiful glasses.

Etching is easy as well...

What you need is to tape 2 layers of painters tape on the glass, trace a design on the tape, cut it out and apply etching cream. Leave the cream on for about 5 minutes then wash off. You're left with a long lasting, usable piece of art!

Another Fact:

While some DIY projects are not hard, some people would rather pay the money to have it done for them. It doesn't hurt to try it yourself if you want. It also doesn't hurt to support your fellow crafters and buy it from them.

As a teacher/artist/crafter I appreciate both crafters and buyers. Happy buying and/or crafting!

To buy any of my glasses you seen on my blog or others check me out on FaceBook. https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/A-Glass-of-Art-More/194994627232729