Tuesday, November 18, 2008

My "Paintings"

I've been working on these little canvasses/wall hangings for the past few days, and I'm pretty happy with them. I could only dream of being TRULY artistic. But this project incorporated some painting and something else I love -- Children's books! I began with 2 very inexpensive children's books from Half-Priced books, and then took them apart for their artwork. I know, it's terrible, tearing up books. At this point, I felt like the value of their illustrations was higher than their value as a whole. One was a Golden book of counting animals, and the other was an old illustrated version of Tom Sawyer (don't freak out -- it was abridged, and only 98 cents).

Tonight is the Holiday Christmas Exchange for the Pendergraph Women's Ministry, and I'm bringing my "paintings" as my gifts. Last year I brought these little sets of children's books, which were wonderful, but I decided to go a little more inexpensive and try to make my own thing. I really like my "paintings", but they don't stack up to those sets of books, in my opinion. Anyway, if you'd be so kind, let me know which one is your favorite! (if you like them at all).

This one is of Tom and Huck, so I made the theme "friends". I was pretty happy with the colors.


I loved this one with the 2 lambs. My friend is adopting 2 babies -- one boy and one girl -- and she took this home because of the little poem, as well as the color scheme! I admit, I thought of her while I was making it.


You might not be able to tell, but on this "N is for Nest" one, the chocolate colored N is 3-D, and really cute and thick. I tend to like the letter N.


This last one might be my favorite, because I like the colors. My sweet friend Jo is from England, and her little girls love horses, so she nabbed this one for them. Just what I was hoping for!

15 comments:

sara said...

So cute, Gretchen! I like the N is for Nest the best! Great work!

Anonymous said...

I definitely like the N one, I like the colors and the 3-d. it's probably my favorite. I really think the foal one is really cute too.

~Anna

Gretchen said...

I forgot to say that the letters that spell "foal" are flocked. So, fuzzy, you know? I think that's another reason I like them.

Donette said...

Oh, I love the N one, too. Probably because I am in love with that shade of blue right now, but I'm not brave enough to paint a room that color because I think it's too trendy. Is that possible, to be too trendy?!? :)

Unknown said...

Gretchen,
I love them all. The friends one would be great in a boy's room, especially possibly brothers sharing a room. The flocked letters on the foal sound cute. Most girls love horses, I know Amanda did. What a lovely idea for inexpensive and creative gifts. Gifts from the heart are much better than gifts only from the pocketbook.

Barb

Jason and Andrea said...

Great idea Gretchen! I should try something like that for Aaron's room. I still have the banner up that you made for his shower. :-) I guess at 5 months he has been sufficiently "welcomed".

Jason and Andrea said...

Oops I forgot our profile on blogger is Uncle and Auntie...sorry its Andrea

Rebecca said...

What a really cute idea, Gretchen. I may have to give this a try sometime!!

Anonymous said...

You are amazing!! I was unaware that you could draw, paint, be an arTIST. I am impressed, my lady!! Hope you two are coming home for some holiday soon. Would love to see you. I really enjoy my time in the nursery with your mother. She has a lot of patience. I don't yet, but am learning. Fran

Chelsea said...

Those are really good Mrs. Gretchen!!! i think the hose on is my favorite.

Robin said...

Just wanted to leave a note letting you know that I really enjoy your blog. I found it through SBC blogs in Kentucky.

Thanks for sharing your reading and your faith! I find you to be an inspiration.

Sarah said...

Gret, those are so cute! I adore the lamb one too.....that Golden book is one of my favorites. The illustrations are heart-warming.

Great job! You are so creative!

James and Christen said...

I like the B!

You are so very creative. I think it is a marvelous idea!

Anonymous said...

Gretchen! I didn't realize you had a blog. I love the "friends" picture. I will have to try my hand and this sometime!

P.S. This would be a great and inexpensive way to decorate a nursery!....I'm so happy for you and Josh! =)

Emily said...

hmmm, i thought for certain you would have posted pictures of Pendergraph on here. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to fo it. That was hands down my favorite Pendergraph ever. period.
-emily

PS-I love your paintings, but you might should have kept some for your nursery. :)