art

Family-themed art is a look into one's living room; it depicts celebration, crises, and the quiet moments of familial interactions.

They can skate, I will sew
I've always been a bit of a tomboy; I grew up with just my dad and two brothers- all of whom spent their free time skateboarding, spearfishing, bridge jumping, wakeboarding, etc. I didn’t play with dolls, and I assuredly never sat down to draw or do any arts and crafts at the table with them. Although for a short period, I had a step mum who once did a fabric crafts project with me when I was seven. I enjoyed it so much I can remember the exact project we did to this day. This ended abruptly and I was back to fitting in with the boys. I wanted to join them at the skate park although we all knew I didn’t fit in. Ultimately, what I wanted was an avocation of my own.
By Schyler 5 years ago in Families
Love & Acceptance (re: your own art)
Art, in any form, is a funny thing. We all know that an artist is their own harshest critic, right? Based on my experience, I believe this is because they have a very clear vision in their head when they begin a project. They start out with certain expectations for the finished product, maybe a certain message they hope to convey, and a very specific end goal in mind regardless of the art form or medium.
By Jessica Anderson5 years ago in Families
She created a life she loved!
When the sun rises, I rise with it, I open my eyes to a new day of possibilities, With new projects to explore, And creativity to be discovered,
By Melanie Rose5 years ago in Families
A Gift of a Lifetime
My diningroom table has been turned into a construction zone. Begun during Covid quarantine, my latest project is a Victorian 45" tall dollhouse, complete with gingerbread, period furniture, and all the details any diehard crafter could imagine. For many years, I had seen dollhouse kits and wished I had someone to make one for. My son was never the dollhouse type. In April of 202, my wish was granted in a perfect little granddaughter named Ely. This blond bundle came into my life bringing smiles and laughter and dreams of how will spend time together. Always happiest when I'm working on a project, I knew it was time to start a doll house.
By Rebecca Sullivan5 years ago in Families
Underwater Basket Weaving
In the early days of the pandemic, with not much to do outside of my work and wanting to find some alone time, I found myself in a stuffy closet pondering how much joy I might have for an old pair of jeans. I recognized my old faded friend and remembered the good times, but that was at least 20 pounds and 2 kids ago, so into the discard pile they go. This process continued throughout the whole house and I slowly filled the corners of my garage with the unjoyful discards of my family’s past. As the weeks and months passed in the house, I also immersed myself in a weird collection of hobbies and crafts, including but not limited to: making masks for everyone I know, raising monarch butterflies, canning jam, making pickles, spoon carving, growing sprouts, keeping a pet sourdough starter, turning rocks into paint, and making baskets. That’s right, my free time had become a course in underwater basket weaving.
By Lisa5 years ago in Families
Arts and crafts
Arts and Crafts 1 Having a hobby is good for the mind and body. Sewing and knitting are great skills to have. It works your hands while making great outfits, blankets, bags, and more. Tools needed include Scissors, fabric, sewing needles, thread, knitting needles, yarn, and/or a sewing machine. Some people use fabric, and some use rabbit or alpaca fur. According to a recent interview with a guy who took interest in sewing, after his grandmother and mom. He made a pair of jeans, and a poodle skirt for his wife. He also mentioned that he bought old sewing machines, and a machine that makes letters.
By Kelly Vedder5 years ago in Families
My Legacy
“Didn’t you forget something Oma?” These words came from my gorgeous little granddaughter staring up at me while putting her still wrapped birthday present on the table next to her. “What might that be?” I said with a knowing smile. “Ummmm my card!!” she says now with her hands on her hips tapping her foot impatiently. Most kids would be excitedly tearing open the wrapping paper on their gift with their card tossed, given little thought. My grandchildren however were so eager to see what design I had come up with for their birthday card that year, their present now took second place or third really, second being their cake. This little exchange brought so much joy into my heart, what had started off as a little hobby of mine had now become something very meaningful to my family and friends. I had no idea landing a job at a newsagency some years ago would lead to so many wonderful memories and treasured keepsakes for those around me. I began collecting cardmaking magazines and the freebies that came with them that were about to be thrown out. I thought this creative outlet would complement the cakemaking I already did for my loved ones. As well as a cake of their choice they would also get a customised card for birthdays and special events. So my passion began. While I had amassed an assortment of papers, card and stamps etc, I didn’t really have the essential tools needed so off to Spotlight I went. That’s when I discovered Fiskars who thankfully have loads of reasonably priced good quality gear perfect for cardmaking with scissors being at the top of my priority list. There isn’t a card I have made where having a pair of super sharp scissors hasn’t been a godsend. From cutting pretty papers and card to size to meticulously cutting out tiny little pictures to perfectly enhance my cards, scissors are at the centre of what I do. Having seven children and three grandchildren at the time there was plenty of inspiration to get me started. This spread to friend’s birthdays and I even became the go to in the office to create personalised cards for some of my treasured colleagues as well. With seven more grandchildren coming along, friends giving birth and a few weddings to boot I am never short of an occasion to get creative for. Even when it has unfortunately been for the few funerals I have had to attend, I can express my sympathy in a way a store bought card and words never will. Everyone who receives a one is always so delighted by how “them” the cards are. I often get commentary about making them to sell at markets or online however given that the person at the centre of the card is the sole inspiration for the card design, making them with no one in mind or en masse is not something I could do. They are a love project meant to bring joy to people I care about and joy to me when I see their faces as they receive them. My little hobby now takes up a substantial portion of my living room, luckily most of the kids have moved out now and hubby doesn’t mind. As the grandchildren have grown they have also started sharing the love with their friends, coming down for cardmaking weekends when they have special events coming up. I have even inspired my super macho sons and husband to get creative every now and then when they want to show their love in a way only a personalised card can. This is the legacy I have passed onto my family that it really is the thought time and effort taken that means more than anything money can or more specifically cant buy and Fiskars scissors have been an essential part of that legacy
By Kate Lamers5 years ago in Families
Scrapbooking : It's Actually Not So Lame
Have you ever wanted to travel? My entire life, 36 years and 5 months, I have always dreamed of traveling. I want to travel the world. I strongly believe that I will someday. Hawaii, Ireland, Germany; the list goes on and on. Daydreaming during class, as a little girl in Croydon, Pennsylvania, of the far away places I would voyage to. My days would be filled with the most eccentric locals. I would spend hours listening to their history. Not just the country's history, but each individual's story; their own, personal graphic novel . I could not wait until I was outside of those decrepit walls of my local Roman Catholic Grade School and able to roam this beautiful land. I wanted to explore and learn about anywhere imaginable, but life doesn't always go the way we dream.
By Sharon Smith5 years ago in Families
Leviathan
Shhh… it’s a present for my sister. Don’t tell her, though. She will have to wait til we get to Cape Cod in July. If I have to enlist a grandchild to distract her, somehow I will manage to have it waiting on her bed at the rental house. We love whales for their intelligence, grace and the enormity that belies their calm, gentle demeanor. Besides the wild salty breeze, family time, treasure hunts at low tide along Corn Hill Beach, and seafood fresh-caught, our annual whale watch is a memorable thread in the fabric of our Cape Cod retreats. I can’t wait to see her expression!
By Laura Rachinsky5 years ago in Families
Mad Craft Skills
When you enter my house, you know you have entered the domain of people who craft. There is embroidery on the walls, and home made pillows on the couch. If it is winter, my children are likely to walk by you in home made pullover and hoodie sweaters. Year round there is a crochet afghan on the back of all the living room seating.
By laura reinhardt5 years ago in Families
Colourful Covid Creations
Moving twice in the last year, during a pandemic, has had its challenges and blessings. There is nothing like purging, physically and metaphorically, to have you assess the container we hold our thoughts, feelings and belongings inside.
By Angela Dacey5 years ago in Families
Fussy Cutting
As a very young child I was introduced to fussy cutting by my Paternal Grandmother. In her youth she worked as a dressmaker, often being teased, primarily by her five brothers and 2 sisters because she wasn't very interested in boys! Her retort was that one day she would bring home the rag man. This rag man went around on his early model one ton flat tray truck to dressmaking establishments collecting the material off-cuts to make into flock for mattresses.
By Glenda Inverarity5 years ago in Families