Finding my Go Go Juice Again....

   Last year I was diagnosed with cancer.....it's now gone, along with my kidney. Whew!!
In 2012 my son was diagnosed with mental illness....it's still there and what an adventure that's been.
I moved to the Georgia coast in May of 2013. I thank God every day for that change. I needed it
Fresh air and beautiful surroundings, plus less traffic than Atlanta. I started a ministry immediately and named it "Glittering Starfish". It includes mental health advocacy along with therapeutic arts. I had no clue what I was doing and I still don't. I just gave it to God and told him I am his servant. 
   That being said, I have met some lovely people and done many amazing things in the past 6 years. However, my personal writing and creativity have suffered a little. Perhaps it's the fact that I am a little stretched for time and energy. I purchased an old antique house in 2014 (originally built in 1876) and began restoring it and the "garden" surrounding it. I named her "LaBelle" and finally decided to christen her as a Creative Women's Artist Retreat. I guess I am trying my hand at the Air B&B thingy too. Every dime and extra minute I have goes in to fixing her up. It's a serious labor of love.
   I've been studying and adding to my educational goals along the way as well. Integrated Mental Health, Brain Health, Teaching Students with Autism, Accounting, Excel Basics, Cognitive Behavior Coaching, Art Therapy Instruction, Landscaping & Garden Design, Project Management..... and I'm getting ready to finally earn my associates degree in Business Management. I was never really good in school at a young age. Never really "settled" long enough to get a good foundation. I changed schools 30 times before graduation. Crazy..... so better late than never, right?

   I'll be 50 years old this July. Time keeps on ticking. I praise the Lord for every day, I've found newlove along the way, and I try to celebrate every single moment. You are invited to my party. It's on Saturday, June 29th from 11-4. Kinda open house style. We'll be having hotdogs, chips, cupcakes and sweet tea. . Plan a weekend getaway here to the Golden Isles. There's plenty of fun for everyone. Please stop by to see me at my birthday picnic. I'd love to hug your neck.

 

    I also wanted to share my most recent artistic endeavor. I am finally painting a portrait for the first time in 6 years. God is good and this young lady, Eliza, is beautiful. I am honored to be doing this for her sweet "16". Pray I finish it before she turns 17 :-)

Finished !!! 

I'm Back Baby!!

444

Tomorrow will be exactly 4 years, 4 months and 4 days since I last Bloggered. Wow!

Where has the time gone? I'm ready to start it back up and I have a lot to share with you.

There are now 4 Facebook Pages under my name & 1 website. I'm getting ready to publish

my 5th book of poetry & I'd love to take the time to finish my 4th album of songs. 

Wish me luck. Stay in touch and tell me what you've been up to. I'm always curious and I need

inspiration. Remember, Creativity is Contagious!!!

Kimbo 

Valentines

Love is in the air so I felt like making valentines. 

I pulled out the simplest craft items to make these fun cards. 

(I think I sent out almost 100)

It's fun to share your heart.....

don't be afraid to let someone know you care about them.

 Glitter, glue and a hole punch.

 A little bit of brown ink makes the paper's surface look "antique"

Pinking shears and rounded corners dress up plain card stock.

A little bit of pink ink on the paper's edges looks pretty. 

Just rub the pad directly along the edge.

 I printed my messages on the computer on to labels

because no one can read my handwriting.

 Pretty colored envelopes embossed with my 

return address look extra special in the mail box.
(My sweet aunt bought me the embosser & I LOVE it!)

A few extra touches make these love notes more fun.

They can now be hung almost anywhere.

(I found that raffia
actually worked better for mailing purposes.
The twine was too thick and bumpy in the envelopes).

HAVE FUN SHOWING LOTS OF LOVE
THIS VALENTINES DAY.

Repainting a Chest of Drawers

These are some of the steps I took to vamp up and freshen an old, tired chest of drawers.

It's now being used as a "sofa table".

It is full of arts and craft supplies. Working double duty in this small home where space is valuable.

Painting a Portrait of Parker

I have done portraits with photography, pen, pencil, charcoal, crayon, pastel, acrylic and oil.

but

Watercolor is my favorite medium for portraits so that's what I used for this piece.

I started this portrait in early December in order to have it ready for Christmas.

These are some of the steps I took in getting in finished. 

Repairing a Damaged Picture Frame

 

A client recently approached us to do a repair job. Her ornamental corner was totally missing. She wanted me to recreate one for her. Although I have done a lot of touch ups, painting and refinishing frames, I do not hail myself as a specialist by any means. I do like to learn and I learn best when it's hands on. I am self taught in the art of frame restoration/repair. I read what I can, ask others and experiment.....a lot. I explained this to our client but she wasn't dismayed. She was ready to trust me to re-create a new corner for her extremely sentimental piece. This is what I did.......

 

   

Eagle Cake Decorating

 

"Eagle Cake" 
created by 
Ashley Anthony and John Cason
written by Kimbo Hewitt






I recently had the honor and privilege
of watching, interviewing and filming

an awesome eagle cake  being decorated 
during a party! I couldn't believe the focus 
and detail that was at work. Realize that this 
took place while people bustled all around

during a birthday party for one of my friends.
Be sure to check out the link below. So cool

Creativity is Contagious with Kimbo Hewitt
Webisode # 23

Kimbo interviews a dynamic duo as they create 
a one of a kind American Eagle cake.

Click on this link to see the video:

http://youtu.be/bfW66CVQbHY


you can find more info on the web at:ashleyswhippedcreations.com
andwww.facebook.com/whippedcreations

Painting a Sunrise

I wanted to share my newest creation
 with you. I am painting a picture
for one of my clients.

Getting Started: Usually the hardest part.
I've already sketched my image on to the canvas.
Let the painting begin!!

Finally an image is coming through with some 
painted details. Having a designated work 
area really helps. I'll leave my painting supplies
out so that when I get the "urge" I'll be ready.

There's no need to hurry.
Relax with some nice background music.
I am softly washing in some color. I'll start out light 
and gradually darken it.

The sky has been refined and detailed. Notice the 

darkening of the water and the sun's yellow have been 

added.  The reflection of the clouds has also been 

added to the beach. Next I'll continue 

to enrich the colors as I "darken" everything. 

 A lot more gray and orange have been added. 

Next I'll do a peachy/orange wash over the 

bottom portion of the sky and the top/horizon 

portion of the ocean. Then I'll be ready to 

add the blacks and reds. (Always save your darkest

 colors to paint last because you can build upon the 

light colors but it's really hard to soften the dark ones.)  

This "peachy" wash will become an important 
undertone. Next I will add the darker color
to the waves and clouds in the image. 
There's not much more to do and I'm getting 
very anxious to see this painting finished.



 

Finally Finished!!!

 

Pirate Ship Step Stool

You can check out this project and others with the links below

This is a step stool that I worked on along with talented woodworker, Gary Daniel. He built the two part creation so that it could get shorter as the child gets taller. I thought that was brilliant!! His daughter showed us the shower curtain that she wanted to match and away we went. Ships Ahoy!!!

        http://youtu.be/MD6BNpJzuik

Start with your wooden object. Prime it, sand it and then paint it the colors that you want. 

To get the lettering placed perfectly, I used carbon paper to mark it in place.

I made photos of the image on the shower curtain, then some computer skills to change them  around a bit.
Check out copyright laws before using someone else's artwork and designs!!!
Then I used an Exacto knife and scissors to cut out around the images.
I made "mirrored/flipped" images so that I could put one on each side of the stool.

Carefully apply glue or decoupage medium to the back of the image.

I painted a "water" area on the stool with acrylic paint and waited until it was totally dry. I made sure that where I placed the ship wasn't going to be covered up by the wooden bottom layer of the stool. (Notice it's been removed for this part of the application?) Apply your image very carefully to spot on your work surface. Be careful to put it exactly where you want it and wipe away any air bubbles. Use a paint brush to apply more glue/decoupage medium over the entire surface of the front of the image. Brush the glue and extend it past the image atleast 1/8" so that it seals it totally. You don't want air gaps between the paper and flat surface.
Follow the instructions on the bottle of glue/decoupage medium for more information.

To make sure that you are happy with the placement of things, use chalk or removable tape to line it in first.
They can be changed much easier than painting something over again!!!

I chose a 3D wooden pre-painted craft item that I found at the local craft store. It was perfect to finish this piece with. I painted in the island and glued on the palm tree. It nicely added to the layered look that the stool already had from the levels. I also chose to "rough" up the edges of the wood by sanding them down to give this a "worn" look. I coated the artwork and  painted surfaces with a matte finish sealant because this is going to be in the bathroom & needs protection. 

And here's the back view of finished piece.
A very happy little boy is now enjoying this and will be able to grow with it too.