Jane Davenport's Lady Pencil Cup

February 26, 2018

There are a few crafty designers that I admire. One of them is Jane Davenport from Australia. She has journals and journals filled with artwork of women and mermaids and she makes it look oh so easy to do. She recently got a contract with Michaels stores to carry her line of mixed media tools and supplies and boy was I excited about that!

I've had my eye on this pencil cup for awhile and I finally picked it up last week.

   

It is meant to be decorated on the outside and the inside is already glazed.

I propped her up on the cradle and got to work. I didn't have much of a plan other than I wanted her colors to be warm with some glam mixed in there so she would fit in with my Paris-themed studio.

 

I just used acrylic paints that mixed for the skin and hair colors:

 

Resting her head peacefully, while I did her hair.

Her hair is styled in a bun in the back.

   

I used Art Alchemy Acrylic Paint Sparks in "Unicorn Hair" for her eye shadow. Her lips are 2 shades of pink acrylic. I used a faint pink crayon for her blush, you can't really tell in the photos. I didn't want her to look like a clown.

  

I did her necklace with a gold metallic acrylic and Art Alchemy Metallique in "Mermaid Teal."

I am really pleased with how she turned out and is a perfect addition to the Paris room.

New coupon caddy!!!!

February 5, 2018

I've been carrying around this ugly, atrocious coupon box for a very long time. So long that I won't even tell you how many years but if you know me, you might be able to figure that out by looking at the stickers. (Hint: there was only a brief time of my life that I was a huge Mickey/Disney fan.)

In recent times, I just don't bother taking it the store with me. I don't want to carry it. I don't even want to see it. Although many coupons are digital now, paper coupons still hold value. I take the ones that match the items on my list. That is, if I remember. When I get home I realize that I had a coupon or two that I could have used.

Last week, I lost $7.00 for that reason and that was the end of my relationship with the coupon box. I set out to purchase a new coupon carrier. Nothing really fit my needs and desires. I carry a tiny purse, if I carry one at all, so most pre-made coupon caddies just don't appeal to me. I then sought out to find a sewing pattern for one and still was coming up empty-handed. Then I found a pattern online that fit better than anything I found so far. I purchased it and tweaked the features I didn't care for or wanted my way.

Old on left, new on right

It's so cute! I can wear it cross-body or when I have a shopping card the flap flips open and attaches to the cart. There is a pocket on the front and on the back with a pen holder on the right side and a key fob on the left side to hold key cards or hand sanitizer, or whatever I want! When I'm not the store it can sit on my desk ready to receive new coupons. I made the dividers myself in all sorts of colors. I think I am finally happy with it.

~Paula