SK's Wildflower Mural

Hoping To Make Dreams True.

It's a tough task making new friends in a strange new location. Far away from family and lifetime buddies.

But this is what I must do. Although I'm more antisocial than most, I blame it on the artistic side of the brain. I seem to love being around amazing people. I soak up their talent like a dry sponge. But I grew up a very lone wolf.

So seclusion is not odd for me. I love the peace and silence. But it's a conundrum as I am inspired by joyful people.

So there it is. The split personality that is mine to bear.

Jo was one of the very first people to put her arms around me and welcome me to this Idaho Rocky Mountain, small town home.

I soon learned she was a masterful gardener, which I am not. (my farmer father would be ashamed)

Her gardens are a joy to behold and I can simply sit and watch the hummers spin around and through the colorfully lined flower paths.

She has a garden shed. Poor baby. Brown and neglected. I simply suggested an update. Who knew what I was getting into.

This is the first proposed mural.

My studio is yet to be completed. The roof was going on as I painted.

The painting was inspired by these lovely wild gardens.

 

Her whimsical fairies are a delight. I found one around every corner. Hidden or dancing in a corner of delphiniums. 

I used a heavy duty painters tarp for this mural. When push came to shove, the owners couldn't and wouldn't take the chance of having to leave the mural if they chose to move. 

So canvas it was to be.

After dampening the canvas, we stretched and stapled the fabric to a plywood backing. I primed both sides of the canvas three times.  As the canvas dried, it became taut.

Favorite flowers, a favorite verse and beloved animal and insect visitors.

 

As the mural was completed, I painted a clear matte marine varnish on both sides of the canvas.

The completed mural canvas,  was re-stretched on it's new garden shed home. Each edge was sealed with a primer and a frame was created to cover the attaching screws. 

 

We were blessed to have a local professional volunteer to make a timelapse video. In time we shall see how the work turns out.

Thank you Chuck. It was a pleasure working with you.

Chuck Smith, Sandpoint, Idaho Videographer.

Thanks for visiting. 

Thanks for visiting.

SK & Modern Masters Paints

http://www.hometalk.com/sksartell/project
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A Life Long Wedding Round One. Kimmie's Paper Flowers

Kimmie

It's not often an artist has the privilege of planning an event such as this. And I'm not totally sure how to document the three months of work and planning.

Kimmie asked me at the age of ten, if I would "do" her wedding when she grew up. Of course I said yes. That was twenty some odd years ago. I had no idea of what I was in for.

Tiny, Tiny Bath with SK

I have fun with tight spaces, especially baths. I have been known to go a little crazy with fun, bright colors and patterns.

Poppin Up Posies

What can be more fun than redecorating a babies room?

An Old West Themed Wedding

Thought and thousands of hours were needed to bring this western themed wedding to a successful conclusion

 A full musical was performed on the specially constructed stage

 I have planned and carried out many a wedding and event but this one was over the top. And I just did the final touches of floral on the three tiered cake and the brooch bridal bouquet.. Boy was I glad this is all I was expected to do..
.

 Burlap and Lace.

 

Fresh Flowers finish Summer's three layer cake. 

 A pretty antique cupboard was used to display the delicate chocolate espresso

 and white chocolate cupcakes.

Lemon Poppy Seed with Blackberry frosting and Drizzle

Chef Darcy of Silver Spoon Catering

What mother wouldn't take the opportunity for bragging rights! 

Daughter Darcy, or should I say Chef Darcy is continuing her quest of the best food possible.

Visit her sites and get your holiday orders in soon.

http://www.chefdarcysilverspooncatering.com/

http://chefdarcysilverspooncatering.blogspot.com/

 We Love you and am so proud of you Darce.  Mom

Sam's Anitque Brooch Wedding Bouquet

SK's  Diamond and Pearl Bouquets 

SK's Floral Design

Just a few of SK's Floral Designs

♥ Handmade Gifts ♥

Whether it be for that special holiday or birthday a handmade gift is so much more memorable.

These pretty little wool felt booties were a gift to our granddaughter. I wanted to make something very special with bits of mink and a few pearls I had left from other projects.

Mercury Glass, Rabbits and Snowflakes

Autumn Leaf Rose Bouquet For White Oaks Fall Season

Fall Beauties

Fall at White Oaks is a world of discovery. These autumn leaf roses are beautiful for all our fall occasions.

Fall White Oaks Leaves

These natural floral oak leaf formations drop onto my yard every late summer and early fall. I am struck by their form and how naturally beautiful they are. No one could tell me what they were. So I am using them in floral arrangements on my tables and wreaths and such.

I decided I needed to study what they actually were and how they were formed: I mighta, shoulda done this first before I fell in love with them. So here is the story:

Oak Apple Galls

These are large (1- to 2-inch diameter) rounded growths that are filled with a spongy mass. A single wasp larva is located in a hard seed-like cell in the center. Galls are usually found on the petioles or midribs of leaves. They will dry to a brown, paper thin wall. Removing and destroying galls before they dry and wasps emerge from a hole may help to reduce the infestation. While large and spectacular, they cause no measurable harm.
                                    http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef408.asp

So all this time I have been making arrangements and pretty gifts with WasPs in them. Ugh! But they'er so cooool.

I guess this is a gentle reminder that all that glitters is not gold. Check your gold for wasps before bringing them into the house or giving them as gifts. There has to be a deeper lesson here somewhere...My word, you'd think I'd learn after all these years.

I still see them as natures art. And cool. I just check for any stingy thing which  might reside inside before giving it to a friend. A not so good a friend, maybe not...Oh all right. I will AllWays check  for resident creatures if I must. Picky, picky, picky you all are. Love ya anyway.

Still think they're cool.

A Summer Cake

A Summer Cake

Summer Heather’ cake was a three-month production from start to finish.  I actually was trying re-invent the wheel with this eye-popping cake.