Showing posts with label a musing rambling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a musing rambling. Show all posts

Sunday, August 7, 2011

The "Humming Belles" Had A Magical Day!

Hi Everbody!

Wow!  The "Humming Belles" had an wonderful day at the August 6th "Hip Happening" Arts and Crafts Show!

I awoke Saturday morning with a sense of foreboding and did not feel at all like setting up our displays for the day, I wasn't sure it was worth the effort.  A feeling of gloom seemed to foreshadow the day but, never one to give up, I made sure "Danny Boy" was all set up with treat balls hidden for him to find throughout his day and off we set with the "Humming Belles".

We arrived at the hall and set up our tables and arranged our displays, one table for the "Ireland Brady Etsy Shop" and one for the "Humming Belles" Etsy Shop.  We had the background pictures framed and stood the little belles in front of their scenes complete with matching outfits and props.  A gentle breeze blew through the hall and their little wings fluttered and they looked like they were ready to take flight in happy delight!

We had settled back in our chairs as customers began strolling in, seeking out new discoveries and one of a kind treasures.  Forty-five vendors were scattered throughout the inside of the hall and outside along the front and down the side.  Beautiful creations and ideas over flowed the tables welcoming patrons to come and explore.

We noticed in unison that something a bit unusual was occurring; as people walked into the hall and looked around, to get their bearings before beginning their explorations, many would stop in mid hall, look over at the "Humming Belles" and slowly walk over as if magically drawn to the little fairies on the tabletop with their gently fluttering wings.  We sat back and watched as they slowly scanned over the display and would finally look up and begin asking questions with sweet smiles of  past remembrances shinning on their faces.

Some would relate tales of their first paper dolls, others would share stories of family members and friends who loved paper dolls, many just marveled at how our little "Humming Belles" were beyond what one expects.   The "Humming Belles" were in their glory  and had a hard time trying to just sit still and smile.  Inside they were bubbling with excitement, people loved them!  They were giddy with delight!

People were pleased with the concept of being able to choose their own favorite scenes, outfits, and wings; plus the fact that this is a collection that will be ongoing and ongrowing.  They favored being able to color the pages, completing what I had started, and thereby making each set of wings, each outfit, and each scene personalized.

We listened as people spoke up and let us know what they felt we should also have to offer.  Many were disappointed that we did not have illustrated short stories about "Humming Belles" adventures for each doll; BUT the biggest item we are missing are Boy Fairies!  Well, this is an ever growing collection so I guess over the next few months you'll be finding stories and boy fairies joining in on the fun!  We may just have to change the name to the "Humming Belles and Beaus", what do you think?!

As the day grew to an end, we realized it had been a wonderfully magical day and the gloom of the morning had been sent fleeing by the sunshine of loving acceptance and charming new friends!  Eight "Humming Belles" and many coloring pages of scenes, wings and outfits have been taken to new homes were they will share their lives and adventures with new families and friends!  One "Humming Belles" Starter Kit will even be flying overseas to a young girl in Croatia!  Imagine that!

The "Humming Belles" have taken flight!


PS   I had meant to bring along my camera to take pictures of the displays and the many new friends we met yesterday but it sat, fully charged, on the seat of the old oak hall stand next to our front door.  Other than that, it was indeed a grand day!


May you always have
Love to Share,
Health to Spare,
And Friends who Care!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady aka HummingBelles
MY FIRST ETSY SHOP:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/IrelandBrady?ref=si_shop
MY SECOND ETSY SHOP:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HummingBelles?ref=si_shop
MY BLOG  - "IrelandBrady - Musings To Ponder":
http://irelandbrady.blogspot.com/
My "Humming Belles" Blog:
http://hummingbelles.blogspot.com/





Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Featured Artist of the Week!

Oh, this is so exciting that I just had to share ... I recently learned that I am the "Featured Artist of the Week" at Top Artists Directory!  Take the time to visit this wonderful site and become introduced to many, many outstanding artists and their beautiful works of art!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Graduation Announcement Illustration

Hi friends!  My eldest granddaughter, Darien, will be graduating from high school this June.  For her graduation party announcement invitations she asked me to draw her in her softball uniform in front of the school logo. 

I had done a pencil sketch back in 2008 for her older brother's announcement invitations and she wanted the same for her invites.  I have learned a lot since 2008 so her illustration has been done in watercolor and colored inks.  She was delighted with the final art piece and I am very happy with it as well.  So, I thought I'd share with my friends .... here it is:


May you always have
Love to Share,
Health to Spare,
And Friends who Care!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady
 

Monday, April 25, 2011

The Times Of Danny Boy

Good Day!  I have four new ACEO's to share with you.  These little drawings are all based around the character and antics of our little min pin, Danny Boy.  Danny Boy loves to be outside when it is warm and the sun is shinning.  But occasionally he does get
"Caught By April Showers"

At other times he will be outside, enjoying a warm breeze and soaking up the sun when out of no where he will be surprised by 
"Danny Boy's Nemesis"

Most of all Danny Boy loves going on long walks in the early evening hours with his "Dad".  Danny Boy especially enjoys the springtime and is constantly stopping along the way and 
"Taking Time To Smell The Flowers"

Once he and "Dad" get home from their evening walk, Danny Boy proudly bounds into the house to let "Mom" know he has done his job and exercised "Dad"!  For this outstanding job he earns a reward of some kind, in this case it was one of his favorite treats - A Chew!  Unfortunately, this presents the poor little fellow with 
"A Dog Gone Dilemna"

And he is confronted with the challenge of finding the ultimate safe hiding place for his treasured treat!

May you always have
Love to Share,
Health to Spare,
And Friends who Care!

Karen Anne





Tuesday, April 19, 2011

I Could Use a Little Help ...

Hi!  I just completed a new zentangle type illustration that I'd like to list in My Etsy Shop but I am having a bit of a problem with the title.  You see this picture seems to have two sets of feelings, one is on the negative side and the other is positive.  I figure I'll present this problem to you and see what the majority feel and go with that title.  The following are the two titles .....

Negative title:  "Nearly Invisible" You know that feeling you get when no one seems to respond to you or even notice that you are there; like when you are in a store and the clerk(s) notice all the other customers but don't seem to see that you are standing right in front of their face.  I'm sure most of us have experienced a form of feeling "Nearly Invisible" at one time or another in their life; not a fun feeling.

Positive title:  "Absorbing Inspiration"  An overwhelming feeling that can strike at the most unexpected time and suddenly creative ideas just seem to be popping in and out, then one idea leads to another and that one leads to another and on and on and on.  I hope everyone experiences times like these, they are intensely exciting and inspiring!

Perhaps, however, you are seeing something entirely different?  If that is so, please feel free to share your feelings and the title you feel best describes this drawing.


Here's a thought, maybe I should list it twice, one listing using "Nearly Invisible" and the other using "Absorbing Inspiration"?  I do look forward to your input and help.

May you always have
Love to Share,
Health to Spare,
And Friends who Care!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady


PS  With the aid of all my dear friends I finally came up with a title that reflects the theme of this illustration - "The Art of Becoming One's Being".  Thank you all for your generous input!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

"Celtic Knot Design Exercises #23 through #51"

I have been a busy person today!  I was so excited about learning more celtic knot designs that I started in at 6:30AM today and finally pried my fingers off my pen tonight at 5:30PM.  I think I over did it, my fingers were locked in position!  And "Danny Boy" (my miniature pinscher) was not too happy with me today ... I guess he felt ignored, poor baby!

I did mange to complete two pages of celtic knot exercises from Chapter 5 of Sheila Sturrock's book "Celtic Knotwork Designs" and am pleased with how much I have learned.  I also received, in today's mail, "Celtic Knotwork Handbook" by Sheila Sturrock, which is a smaller condensed version of "Celtic Knotwork Designs".  It is small and compact and I'll be able to take it along on trips, etc. and practice designs whenever I find the opportunity.  Yes!

So... here are the two pages of exercises I completed today .....
"Exercises #23 to #38"


"Exercises #39 to #51"

As you can see, the designs are beginning to get more detailed and complex.  This is so much fun and exciting to be learning something I thought was beyond my comprehension!  I am now beginning to understand the plotting and how one can alter a design to give it a different perspective.  

My eldest grandson requested that I create a celtic design for him to have made into a tattoo awhile back and I told him I didn't think I was capable of doing one.  By the time I have finished this book I think I will have the confidence to create a special design just for him.  Won't that be grand!

Take care all and may your day be filled with blessings and love!
Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady
  

Friday, February 25, 2011

"Wacom Pad To The Rescue!"

Remember that first Celtic Knot Mount Mat that I made, which was to large to fit in an 8x10 frame?  Well, a reader (Lise Winne, Hi Lise and thanks!) of my blog, told me how to reduce it without reducing the center square in PhotoShop!  I tried it out and was 75% successful, the other 25% I innovated on, but it is working!  I then decided I wanted to try and spiffy it up in PhotoShop and began trying my hand at using the erasure and pencils tools.  Working with the mouse proved to be quite tedious and cumbersome, when I remembered I had a Wacom Pad with a pencil that I could use?

I had purchased it about 4 years and was learning to use it when we acquired "Danny Boy" (our little miniature pinscher) to the family; during his puppy teething stage he chewed up about 6 inches of the Wacom pad cord, which was NOT removable!  With the cord chewed up and wire exposed, it no longer worked.  So I stuck it away, meaning to get it fixed at Wacom (in Vancouver, WA) and then completely forgot about it until today.  I was thinking this would be so much easier with a pencil, then I looked up and saw the Wacom pencil peacefully sitting on top of my computer cabinet, so I pulled out the Wacom pad and checked the wire, it didn't look that great, yet it didn't look that bad.  I wondered if perhaps a little electrician's tape might be a cure for what ailed it and decided to try.  Wrapped it tight, plugged it in, said a prayer to "God" and tried it out ... it works!  I popped back into PhotoShop and tried it out and WOW! was I delighted!  Magnifying the image up to 300% and using the Wacom pencil works wonders!  So much easier than the sloppy work I was getting from my mouse!  Now I am going to complete the entire project until I become proficient in using it (Wacom) to clean up various pieces of artwork.  I think it will definitely prove to be a life saver. 

I am slowly beginning to appreciate PhotoShop and learning how to use the various tools.  Sometimes I get stuck and the program locks up, but I figure if I keep on trying I'll eventually get it somewhat mastered.

Will share the finished results of this project once it is completed and then you can compare it to the original and let me know what you think.


Or ... maybe I'll be sharing the frustration of this project with you?  Hope not!

Thanks a bunch for listening and happy day to all!
Karen Anne