Art Happens

Together But Apart Kitty Kat Art Journal Page

Together But Apart!

I'm staying busy making art because I really don't feel like doing much else. The art that I want to make is just for fun, like these two silly cats in my art journal.

I don't feel like sewing any aprons for my Etsy shop. I don't feel like making anything for sale.

I really hope everyone in the USA is taking this seriously. I keep seeing these people in mass gatherings on the beaches among other places that I've seen on the news. It's such nonsense! It's kinda making me mad. All this craziness is making me crazy!

Wake up people! Stay at home!

But I know I should not preach, and I won't.

So I'm taking this time to figure out what I want to do with my Etsy shop, with my art, with my life. I just can't see pushing my aprons in these times.

I know this will pass and we are all in this together.

Just taking one day at a time.

Trying to stay sane and healthy.

Stay safe everyone,

Hugs,

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass but learning to dance in the rain.

I started a mixed media art journal at the beginning of the year, like I always do. Then because of some madness on my part I decided to film myself working in it for my YouTube channel.
I'm doing a four part series on easy ways to make backgrounds for an art journal.
The second video is how to make a collage background. The picture above is how it eventually turned out.
With all the craziness going on I felt an uplifting quote was what we all need.
I'm trying to stay positive even though I freak out at least once a day, but then I go do some art and I feel better again.

Here is the link for How to make a collage background

Here is the link for Easy Color blocking

Hugs to everyone, and stay home #flattenthecurve.
C

Things To Do If You Are Self Quarantined But Not Sick From The Coronavirus / Practicing Social Distance

I'm sure everyone has been affected by the coronavirus at this point in some way shape or form.

I'm upset because we were supposed to be on vacation this week. I spent hours Thursday rescheduling the event. Now I've decided to just stay home as much as possible. I'm not sick, my husband is not sick, but I'm going to limit myself from crowds and unnecessary trips to the grocery store or out to eat. You know that kind of stuff. I don't even want to say I'm doing a self quarantine, because I'm not. I will go to the store when I need food. I did not panic buy, besides I was supposed to be away on vacation so I did not stock up on food.

I started thinking about what to do for the next two weeks assuming the virus will start to die down by then.
I actually think this will be good for everyone to stay home and sort of reset.
So here are a few ideas on what to do if you are self quarantined and not sick.

Take a walk around your neighborhood and take some pictures. It's spring and our bluebonnet season is in full bloom, so I bet there are spring flowers blooming in lots of places. It's a good idea to stay active and get some exercise.

Next idea is quite obvious....start spring cleaning, disinfecting, because I'm sure you bought a multi-pack of Clorox disinfecting wipes, so use them. Don't stop there. Wash pillows, blankets and items that have not been used in awhile. Start to declutter closets, drawers, go through your clothes and start a donation box, get rid of clothes that you have not worn in a year.
Clean out the laundry room, rearrange your pantry, vacuum under the fridge and under or behind the washer and dryer. Wipe down blinds, clean windows all those things you hate to do. Do them now!

Oh and here is something I will definitely be doing and that's polishing my grandma's silverware. I couldn't use mine the other day for a family get- together because they were all tarnished. I might even pull my husband in to help me with that chore.

If you have any hobbies that you have not done in awhile now is the time to get back into them. Of course hobbies that don't involve crowds, but things like reading a novel, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, cooking, gardening, learning something new.
Weed the flower bed or lawn. Get the kids involved in that. Give them a plot to work on....I'm sure they will love that.

Meditate, learn if you don't know how. There are tons of meditation apps out there. I use Insight Timer. It's free. I love it.
Just get creative. I don't think we should panic.... stay busy, relax, write letters, talk to people on the phone, stay in touch with loved ones.
I know I feel better when I have a plan.
Take care everyone.
Hugs and lots of love.
C
PS I hope you liked my bluebonnet photos. All taken with my iPhone. The first one is a live shot with the bounce effect.

Sew With Me: Pink Polka Dot Full Apron

Here it is.... as promised, the 2nd part of the video I did for my YouTube channel. I hope you enjoy it. It was a lot of work and I know I'm learning the ropes. I'm not sure how many more sewing videos I'll be doing. I'm thinking I'll switch gears and do some artsy, crafty video's next.
This video's intention was not so much a thorough step by step instruction video on how to sew the apron but more of sew along. While there are some tips for sewing especially for a beginner, it's mostly meant to give a peek into my process and my creative life.
As always thanks for watching and enjoy.

How To Sew A Ruffle On An Apron

Here is another video from my YouTube channel. I'm trying to learn how to edit the video's so bare with me on this one. I'm enjoying it and it's addicting but also very tedious.

This video only shows how to sew a ruffle for the apron.

Here are some tips that I use when making a ruffle for anything.
Decide the width and always allow for the hem.
I usually make mine at least four inches wide.
Then decide the length by measuring the area you want to place a ruffle and then at least times it by half.
In other words if the bottom of my apron is 30 inches wide then the ruffle should be at least 45 inches wide. This is just easy to work with. You can always make it longer but if you double it....it becomes very hard to sew.
Next I always hem the ruffle first thing, before I sew the gathering stitches on the apron. Don't hem the sides until you sew it on the apron.

I'm working on another video showing the complete process of sewing an apron.
I will post it here when I finish and can get it on my channel. It's taking me a lot longer to edit then I thought. I've been working on it for about two weeks. I have to be careful because of my shoulder, so I have to take a lot of breaks. Plus I can only look at the screen for about two hours a day then I get sick of it.
Hope you enjoy it!
Hugs,
Charlotte

How To Make A Valentines Card

Hi all! I started a youtube channel! I know, what am I thinking????, but so far it's been fun.
I'm learning how to edit and talk in front of a camera. EEK!
This is actually my fourth video not counting the one I did 6 years ago and thought "Oh no this is too much work".
I'm just thinking I'll record me while I'm sewing, crafting or painting.
So we will see how it goes.
Thanks for watching and if you like subscribe.
Hugs,
Charlotte

Big Bend National Park Texas

As you might know, (because I wrote about it here), I had breast cancer. I say had because I've been good for 2 years. I hate those words breast cancer! Nothing is more devastating then hearing you have it. I am lucky. They found it early and I did not have to go through chemo, but I did have the lumpectomy and rounds and rounds of radiation. Now for five years I'm on a drug called Tamoxifen. The side effects suck but at least I didn't have to go through chemo. Now I just live in fear of it coming back.
So I'm kinda of weird now. I mean it changed me. I don't think anyone can be diagnosed with cancer and not have it change you. One thing that has changed for me is I don't do anything I don't want to do. I let things go and stuff just does not need to be perfect...... I think that's a good thing.

I'm also doing more of what I want to do. I'm not saying that my life before I didn't get to do what I wanted, because that's not true. I had and have a wonderful life.

Moving on, my point is this blog might go through some changes as well.

I want to share my photos of our trip to Big Bend National Park that we visited last October.
The old me would think that it's too late to share something that happened 3 months ago.
But who cares when we went.

Going to a national park like Big Bend was not on my bucket list. I always wanted to visit the place. I just did not think it was possible to go there. It's a long drive and not on the way to anything. But we made it happen and I'm so happy I got to go. It's a beautiful place and completely secluded.

Halloween & Day Of The Dead Aprons From Charlotte's Collection

My 2019 Halloween Aprons are now listed in my Etsy Store Charlotte's Collection.

$30.00 price tag includes shipping.

And also two Day of the Dead aprons which can also be worn for Halloween.

Orange Day Of The Dead

Red Day Of The Dead

I really love this fabric....Such cute sugar skulls and happy flowers. I can't decide if I like the orange or the red trim better.

Girls Pony Tail Holder Fabric Flower Hair Bow Tutorial

I can't let anything go to waste and fabric scraps won't get thrown away in my house.

If I have one nice piece of fabric left it goes in the fabric bin. I know one day I might find a use for them. Sometimes I think it's a disease....lol!.....but at least I'm organized.

Actually making these flowers are a lot of fun to do with your friends or family who like to craft and a great way to use up left over scraps.

My sisters and I get together frequently for sister day so we like to do crafts instead of shopping sometimes and I say sometimes because we really like to shop.

These flowers make a great craft day project. No sewing machine required.

Here is a picture tutorial on how to make them.

But if you don't feel like making them yourself....you can head over to my shop to buy one. 😄.

Here is the link to Spring Mix Set.

Recycled Vintage Linens Turned Into Aprons

I'm still making aprons.

I had a nice order to make 6 exact aprons for a birthday party. They turned out really cute and are completed and shipped out. Yay, First time making so many at one time. I had a great assembly line going.

But these two in the photos above are recycled / refurbished vintage linen scraps turned into aprons.

While antiquing the other day I was digging though a pile of linens and found this cute cutout of Holly Hobby or Sun Bonnet Sue not sure who she is, and then this lovely doily with an embroidered victorian girl riding a bike.

Ding, ding, ding went off in my head that they would work perfectly on one of my aprons.

So voila..... here they are. You never know what you might find in those shops. Although these linens are fairly typical in antique stores and I always admire them, sometimes they just don't seem to fit my idea of what I want to do with them, but these were just the right size.

I think they are so cute!

They are a little smaller then my other aprons because they don't have a ruffle. Very simple apron made out of muslin fabric.

I think they would be great for someone who likes to sew.
They are listed in my Etsy shop.
Girl on Bike
Holly Hobbie