lauradodson:art+craft

Summer Art Camp

Art camp was a huge hit this June and I have to say I loved every minute. My young student artists were so enthusiastic and willing to jump right in and create. For me, that is what makes teaching art to children rewarding. 

Our class them was Woodlands and Forest Creatures. The students made 5 projects. One of them was a Deep Space Sparkle unit on Emily Carr. Are you familiar with DSS? If not, head over now! You won't be disappointed. Owls, Fantasy Forest Sculpture, Deer in tempera/soft pastel, and a free draw "create your own forest" for early finishers. 

 

 

 

More Hearts

I added some more happy hearts to the shop today. I even included a photo for a possible display option. Yay!

Here's how I like to display sweet heart dangles.

You can check out the rest of my happy hearts in my shop. Link in sidebar.

Embroidered Hearts in the Shop

I listed some hearts in the shop today. More will come tomorrow. Head on over to my etsy shop and check them out.

Boerne Handmade Market April 18

Are you coming? It's going to be a funfilled day with lotsa vendors, food, music, and creative folks. Put it on your calendar now. 

I've been stitching and painting my little fingers to the bone preparing for Boerne Handmade Market! More embroidered hearts and a few whimsical paintings and a few other little bits of happiness will be offered in my booth.

There's a long history of hand stitchers in my family.  My mom, Nana, aunts, and grandmother were all stitchers. I grew up either surrounded by their work or watched them sew. It's my turn now! And I am happy to take the next spot. 

The process of cutting hearts, stitching sayings, and appliqueing the felt is quite relaxing to me. I enjoy stitching in the evening while we watch TV. This year I decided to try to make some key rings, too. I'm pleased with how they are turning out! I hope you will be, too.

As a young girl, my mom enrolled me in painting class at a local frame shop. One evening a week, I opened the doors to color, possibility, and the scents of oil paint and turpentine. Heaven on earth! I have painted in a variety of styles, but I always seem to go back to a place of whimsy and color.

 

Stop by my happydreamer booth and say Hi. I hope to see you there!

Spring Walk

Spring has sprung in S. Texas! Yippee! I brought my phone with me on my a.m. walk and discovered the lovely evidence. Sigh.

Sent from my iPhone

Vista Print Postcard!

I made a postcard of my hearts for Boerne Handmade Market on April 18. I love it. Vista Print is have a 50% off sale that ends today. Hurry up and get busy.

hearts galore

Whew! After Boerne Handmade Market, my fingers fell off. I have stitched over 100 hearts. 34 for the market, and the rest for custom orders. I think my socks were blessed right off my feet. 

I have never had so much fun in all my life. First with the making of all these little bits of love, and second with the show itself. I met lots of wonderful creative people. It was all so insipring. I am looking forward to the April market.

I will be adding a custom order listing in my etsy shop today. I have surfaced for air, and am ready to get back to stitching. Valentines is right around the corner! 

Boerne Handmade Market::October 25

I've been a maker since I was a child. My mother has a picture of me as a little girl sporting fancy milk carton shoes. I began painting soon after that , and I've never looked back. I like bright colors and whimsical subjects--birds, flowers, hearts, and houses. My paintings are well suited for vibrant happy homes. Including uplifting messages in some of my paintings is one of my favorite things to do. I want to encourage others through my work. Bringing smiles, joy, and light to others lives and homes are some of my chief goals. 

My primary job is wife and mother to our 5 sons 3 of whom came to us through adoption 5 years ago. The last few years I taught K-12 Art at a small Christian school. However, this year I am home and loving it! I volunteer at our sons' school, substitute teach, and MAKE. I will never stop being a maker. It's in my blood.

If I could choose anyone in the world to have one of my paintings hanging in their home, it would be you. My hope is to bring you cheer through my paintings. Why wouldn't I choose you? This is why I make. It's for you. 

Romans 5:5 says this, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us."  It is my desire to be a communicator of Christ's love, hope, and joy. This is one way I do it.

Come by my booth, happydreamer, on October 25 in Boerne and say hello. I'd love to meet you! There will be bits of lovely for all budgets. Wool felt door knob dangles/ornaments, paintings of all sizes, funky wooden houses, and more. I sure hope I'll see you there! It's gonna be a fun day!

you are loved with an everlasting love

Did you ever listen to Elisabeth Elliot? Her first husband, Jim Elliot, was serving in Ecuador and was killed with four other missionaries by the tribe they were trying to reach. After his death, she stayed in Ecuador serving the Quichua Indians before coming back to the States. She had a long time radio program on BBN, and would start off every broadcast with, "You are loved with an everlasting love. That's what the Bible says. And underneath are the everlasting arms." The passages are taken from Jeremiah. I listened to her program nearly everday when Joshua and Caleb were small. It made a huge impact on my life. Well. She's back on air! BBN is rebroadcasting her Gateway to Joy program. 

I've been in a painting mood. This one is inspired by Jeremiah 31:3 and Gateway to Joy. It's in my shop.

Friend of Africa

I finally finished up my Friend of Africa embroidery + pattern. Whew. I will not say how long that's been on the table. Erm...ahem. However, it is now COMPLETE. Boy howdy does that feel good. I am offering it as a PDF pattern in my happydreamer shop on etsy.  Please have a look for yourself.

I added a felt heart + bead to mine where Uganda is located. In 2009 we adopted three little boys from Uganda and it holds a special place in my heart. The heart could be placed anywhere...Ethiopia, Ghana, etc. Visit my shop to see for yourself.  April 2013 I was able to return to serve in the orphanage where our boys began their lives. The people, orphanage, and landscape with its vast array of colors are never far from my thoughts throughout the day. Uganda is in my blood.

take a gander in the shop when you have a moment. Enjoy.