In The Likeness of Picasso

Two years ago I took my first community ed class, an acrylic painting class. We were only allowed to bring the primary colors and had to learn to mix all the rest of the colors. I'm glad I was forced to learn this way!!! My teacher had me try painting after one of the great painters to give me something to go off of. I liked Picasso because of the colors and because his portraits were easy enough for me to paint. I was so encouraged after doing this, I was OMG I can paint. I am so glad I took the class. I learned about mixing colors, background washes, different layers of paint and that paintings only look good when they are done.

Savers Sculpture Painting

So it was another day shopping at Savers. I saw this awesome wooden sculpture. I wanted to paint it on a canvas because it reminded me of a Henri Matisse Piece. So I walked around with this beauty in my cart, but put it back on the shelf because I decided I wouldn't need another knick knack in my at that time one bedroom only living situation. My friend however was shopping with me at the store but we walked around separately by ourselves and when we checked out I was happy to see that she bought the sculpture. I was thrilled and wasn't too surprised. Now I could have access to paint it whenever I wanted too! We both giggled at our similar taste. I used metallic paint and tiny crackle medium.

Crocheted Stuffed Animals

I got these patterns off the Internet. 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fierce-little-dragon

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&&note_id=234956509874597&id=234956033207978

So crocheted stuffed animals are really cute, they don't have to look grandma-ee.  I found I like making huge blankets better because in the long run its faster and smoother. Working with a small hook in rounds and whatever the pattern calls for, calls for patience and it kind of hurt my hands after awhile. So I'm not saying boooooo to the cuties. I'm just saying there cute but for me they are a lot of work. I guess I'm just use to zoning out doing a blanket and only having my hands or arms hurt like after the billionth row. My great niece and nephew loved them. I still have one more to make for the youngest. It's winter again so I can start crocheting again.

Throwing Pottery

I got to have my try at the wheel about two years ago. I was in transitional housing for my Mental Health and this staff guy was storing his wheel in the basement till he moved to his new apartment and had room for it. Randy said we could try it out and he didn't even have to be around, we had his permission to use his baby. He gave me one lesson, all the steps in one. Randy wanted me to interact but I was too shy and worried about utter failure that I just watched. So I tried it by myself three times and made these items. Unfortunately I was never able to get them in a kiln so their fragile and not glazed. I think they are pretty good for a first time even though there a little thick. Sorry for dark fuzzy cell phone pics.

I hope to in the future to get to do this again and have more lessons, maybe this time hands on training. It was such an awesome feeling. It was very soothing, very tactile. Good for someone who struggles with self-injury to have something to distract themselves with and satisfy their sensory needs while creating a sense of mastery.

My Favorite Baby Blanket Pattern

I got the free pattern off the label of a  skein of Bernat Baby Coordinates Yarn.  I followed the whole pattern but I just added more rows of the border because I love the extra ruffles. This blanket makes people oooh and awwh at baby showers because of the lace like pattern, but on the pattern it states its an easy pattern!!! That's our secret though!!! 

 http://www.yarnspirations.com/patterns/lace-border-blanket.html

Random Wrap Designs Crochet Bracelets

I made this chunky green beaded one for my DBT Group Therapist when I graduated group. I wanted to keep it. Can you blame me. Sometimes it's cool to wrap them all straight, but I also love the way they look all tangled up!!!!

I made this pink one with hearts for someone in memory of her late husband, she loved it, it fit her funky personality.

Mans Crochet Bracelet

I tried my hand at making a man's bracelet. I think I would of used a smaller button or no button at all next time for a man's bracelet, I don't know. I haven't experimented anymore with making them.

Beaded Crochet Bracelets

Half the fun was just collecting the supplies for the beaded bracelet projects. Some of the buttons I bought new, but a lot of them I bought them in random button bags at Savers or Goodwill. I have collected way more buttons now that are not in these pictures. You kind of have to cut yourself off buying buttons. It's hard!!!

I made a thinner one on request, a less bulky one.

Even made a cute little one for my great niece. Not sure if it was too bulky or if she just has skinny wrists. I dont go by a pattern, I just wing it. She liked it. The buttons are functionable in all of them, but I also make them a little bit big enough to be able to just slip them on and off, because I know I wouldn't want to mess with a button.