Painted Matryoshka Box

Lately I have been obsessed with Matryoshka dolls {Matryoshka Hot Water Bottle}. I don't quite know why really. I've always loved them (blame my Dad who got a set from some Russian sailors when we lived in Churchill) but now I love them even more, if that makes sense..... So I was doing my taxes at the tax office and next thing you know I was thinking about nesting dolls. Once I got home I went straight to the computer and started looking up pictures of dolls, things with dolls on them etc. Well the next day Aren and I were out shopping for some fabric to recover the kitchen chair cushions and I decided that I NEEDED to paint a Matryoshka. So I bought this little paper mache box and some wooden eggs (you'll see them in an upcoming post) to paint stacking doll style. First I primed the box with a couple of white coats. then I began painting on my little Russian lady.

This is at about the midway point in the painting. Very plain, no decoration yet.

Here is a little close up of the doll. I admit that it is not nearly as nice a face as you will find on many of the actual nesting dolls, but for me it will do just fine. To give an idea of size, the box is 3 1/4 long by 2 1/4 wide.

Here it is all finished!

Varnished and ready to go. I am happy with how it turned out. I left the base white so that the doll really stands out. Hope you enjoyed seeing this fun craft!

Two New Paintings - "Dragon" and "Wing"

Well obviously I haven't been been posting in a REALLY long time. I apologize to everyone for that. I really have no excuse since I have already been home from work for a week and a half!

Anyways, I spent some time at my parents place in Tumbler again and had a chance to do some painting. The first was inspired by this drawing of a cold-drake that I saw in a book about mythical creatures in Tolkien literature.

 

I used really warm colours and it almost seems that the whole picture is on fire. I really like how this one turned out in the end.

The second picture is quite the opposite with blues and greens and fluffy clouds. I was inspired by a pair of wings I saw in an Art Nouveau drawing. I had a little trouble with this painting as I wasn't satisfied with how it was turning out. It took me quite a while to figure out what it was that I wanted to do. In the end I added a lot of white highlighting and I'm pleased with how it came out.

Painted Candlestick Pt. 1

While shopping at this lovely craft store here in town I saw this plain wooden candlestick. Immediately I envisioned it intricately painted and gracing my dinner table. Lets hope it turns out the way I wanted! So far I have only got as far as giving it a good couple of prep coats in white.

Lots And Lots And Lots of BEADS!!

My mum gave me all of these really awesome beads the last time I was at her place. I can't wait to make something with them!

They are all from a woman who used to do macrame so they are quite large in size.

Four of these super cute owls are in amongst the mix.

Hopefully I will be able to think of some great projects for these. If you have any ideas please let me know! I haven't done a lot of beading in the past and I am not sure I am really up for macrame....

The beautiful window pane quilt in the background was made by my mum.