Crafty Saturdays - Glass Painting

Last year Angie, Pat and I started doing Crafty Saturdays. We've had a lot of fun with them!

Some of our first projects were glass painting. You can do so many things with glass paints, between the three of us we've made:

• Christmas ornaments
• Picture frames
• Glasses
• Vases
• Pencil cups
• Pictures

Many of these ended up as gifts - which made it even more fun. 

A lot of people asked how we made these projects - it's actually pretty simple and is not expensive.

We use Plaid paints. To get started, I recommend their book Glass Art: The Easy Way. You can get it on Amazon for about $4 used ($0.01, plus shipping). The book tells you exactly how to lay out the leading and create different paint effects. There are also several patterns in there that you can use for a wide variety of projects.

You can also pick up the paints on Amazon - individually or in packs. Michael's also carries them, and other craft stores may as well. The paints are a few dollars each, and are plenty big enough to use on many projects. 

Here are some of our projects:

This was for my friend Lisa - she had created the picture in the back, I recreated it on a glass.

This one always reminds me of Stephanie <3 td="">

I designed this one - it was my very first project. A Christmas present for my mother in law :)

A Christmas present for my step mom - more on these ones below.

One of my favorites - I just love his expression. 

Pat's kitchen cabinet doors.

This idea actually came straight out of the book I mentioned.

The process is very simple. 

Lay out the leading - either by tracking a picture under the glass or free handing it. 

These were inspired by an artist named Jean Paul

I purchased these canisters from Target - they worked great!

Then lay in the color, be sure not to add too much or it will run. For these, we swirled the colors.

Then let them dry. Finally, add Crystal Clear (it's another Plaid "color") around the edges of the leading to seal the paint. On these we also swirled Crystal Clear over the rest of the canisters to give them sort of a frosted finish. 

If you goof up, and we did a few times on these actually, you can simply score and peel off the portions that didn't work out and start over. 

Mondays

I think we can all agree that Mondays often leave a lot to be desired. Well, from now on you can think to yourself..

"Hmmm today sucked, but at least I didn't get shot with pepper spray!"

That's right, Lenny got pepper sprayed right in the face this morning. Don't worry, it was on purpose and he knew it was coming - it was part of his training to be a Correctional Officer. But still... pepper spray isn't the best way to wake up in the morning... I'll take my coffee, thank you.

In other news - I have yet to finish my first painting, but have started on my second...

I call it... Monday Morning. Or Remember to wash new paintbrushes before you use them.

Yes, the canvas is all black. I'm actually prepping it to paint something similar to the picture at the bottom, although I probably won't actually work on this one next. I think it's be cool to paint on a black canvas - can't wait!

Everyone has been super supportive of my new hobby - thank you!

Finally, for you sunset lovers...

Tonight's Sunset

So remember folks, next time you have a rough Monday... at least you didn't get pepper sprayed. Unless you did, of course. In that case... well... hopefully that's the worst part of your day.

Sad Trees - #AtoZChallenge

After much anticipation, I finally got to start my very first oil painting tonight. Actually, it's my first painting period. My assistant, Bob Ross, was his usual cheerful, encouraging self - even if I did have to pause him several times.

Boy does that guy move fast!

I didn't even make it through his entire thirty minute presentation in the hour and a half I spent working on my painting. To be fair, I did spent some of that time learning the ins and outs of cleaning my brushes and he had several on hand.

Note to self: buy more brushes and odorless paint thinner.

The stage is set. 

Blue skies and water below. The white spot in the middle is by intention. 

Here's my mountain.

Now you can see the water. My trees aren't happy like Bob's are, but it's ok.

Just to give you an idea, this is the sample picture of what I'm painting.

I've got to say, it really was pretty easy. A few things worked against me... my canvas is smaller than the one he's using, I don't have a multitude of brushes and I don't have a good brush cleaning system going. Overall though, I am very please with how I've done so far. My snow and happy tree techniques are lacking, but since my intent is to paint desert sunsets, snow really won't come into play often. Nor will pine trees, of which I am not a big fan of anyways.

Hopefully I'll be able to finish my painting tomorrow. So far I am very pleased. It's not perfect, but it's mine :)
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Oh, and today's photo prompt is bottle...

This bottle makes a great display. The wine however is awful.

Ross... Bob Ross - #AtoZChallenge

It's here! It's here! My Bob Ross painting kit has arrived!

I have purchased two canvases. I have studied the written materials. I have fondled the paint tubes inventoried my painting materials.

I am ready to go!

So excited! I thought about how to paint a sunset on the way in to work this morning. Then tonight I stalked shopped Ebay and found a few more Bob Ross DVDs.

I haven't been this excited about a project since I don't know when.

Things I don't have, but probably need...

• an easel - I guess I'll just have to wing it for now
• a pallet - Again... wing it
• a painting smock - my "hair dying shirt" will be doing double duty!
• an hour or two of free time 

Speaking of artistic endeavors, today's photo challenge is "something you drew". Try not to be jealous... it'll just be embarrassing for both of us...