Thursday:) This is my Gift

“Find out your talents and gifting and invest your whole time into perfecting them and becoming the best of yourself.”
― Sunday Adelaja

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We’ve been hit with a severe winter storm here in North Texas. So far, it hasn’t been too bad, just sleet, icy streets, and frigid temperatures. Nothing like last year’s disaster.

I didn’t get my sorry butt out of bed till after noon today. It was too warm and cozy under the covers. But, I was determined to do something productive today. So, I went up to my “Crap Room,” really my studio, to do some painting. Empty Bowls Charity Event is coming up, and I have a couple of bowls I want to paint and donate. I always like to paint one of my signature yellow roses. The other one is quite unusual, and will have to wait for inspiration another day.

One large clear glass bowl, like an empty canvas.

A few hours later.

I also have another tradition. While the iron is hot… so to speak, while I have glass paint and brushes at the ready, I usually paint a few other pieces.

A tall vase. This will look awesome with a dozen yellow roses.

I love this angular shaped vase. Very different, very fun.

Tomorrow, Helene and I will go to Towne Creek and have the seniors paint some smaller bowls. That is, if the weather allows the trip. Fingers crossed. They enjoy painting and donating their bowls for the charity event. Stay tuned…

I love sharing my talents, and I love painting my yellow roses.

Toni’s Tuesday True-time Video:) Easy Painting red Roses on a Glass Vase

“Everything’s coming up roses. Well, at least on my glass vases. I love to paint roses, but not great at growing roses.”

“Handmade from the heart ❤️ is always the best.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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My friend Miss Pat received some lovely flowers from her daughter for Mother’s Day. When they had all faded away, she was left with a nice clear glass vase. She asked me if I’d kindly paint some red roses on the vase so she could have a special remembrance. She already had a yellow rose and Bluebonnet vase , but no red roses. The vases would match her wine glasses that were a gift painted by yours truly a few years back.

This gave me an incentive to paint. While I was at it and the paint was handy, I decided to paint 10 vases all together. I also needed a birthday gift for Miss Linda today. A good time to build up my gift inventory.

Here’s a quick video demonstration…

https://youtu.be/SC9YhKpjs18

The finished products. There were many steps and many hours involved, but well worth the effort, as you can see.

I start out with a bunch of blank clear glass vases and ivy bowls. They get wiped down with alcohol to remove dust and fingerprints. I use FolkArt Enamel Paint that is made for glass. I paint one layer on all the vases, then by the time I get done with the tenth, the first is dry enough to add a second layer.

I let the paint dry at least overnight, sometimes a whole day. Then, I bake in a 350° oven (no preheat) for 30 minutes, turn off oven, but don’t open oven door for several hours so they can cool down slowly. This heat sets the paint.
(Miss Pat’s vase is the one front and center.)

For Miss Linda, I decided a nice ivy bowl with a flickering tea light would make a nice birthday gift.

I like unusual shaped glass vessels to paint on. It makes them unique, many of my glass items have been given to me by friends who know that they will be transformed into something special.

Aren’t these pretty! You can see why I love to take something ordinary, or a discarded thrift store find, and turn it into a lovely work of art.

Toni’s Tuesday Time-lapse:) Painting Blue Crab Wine Glasses

“I never realized why people are called crabby sometimes. Did you ever see a crab? Not very handsome.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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My dear friend Joni asked me if I could paint some lobsters on some wine glasses for her, and I said I’d give it a try. She gave me a tea towel with the picture on it and she said, “Oh, I guess it’s a crab and not a lobster.” I wouldn’t know the difference. I don’t eat anything that swims in the water.

I always have to research, practice on paper and do a test sample on glass before I get to the real thing. It may look easy, but it takes several days to do a simple project. But, a challenge is a challenge.

https://youtube.com/shorts/pmudbOFpzdU?feature=share

After researching some clip art photos, I painted a repurposed vase with variegated blues and white to simulate the sea. This blue FolkArt Enamel glass paint is not very opaque, so it doesn’t show up well on clear glass. Thus, the white background. The practice vase turned out pretty good, so that will be an extra surprise for Joni. Surprise!

After a practice sample, I discovered it I base coated the crab first with a light blue combo blue/white, that the white paint would make the blue more opaque. Then, after it dried, the cobalt blue would stand out better on the glass. The tricky part is painting exactly on top of the previous layer. It takes a steady hand and nerves of steal. I laughed because I literally found myself holding my breath on the fine detailed parts. 🤦‍♀️

I think they turned out pretty darn good. Now, they need to dry over night and bake in the oven tomorrow.

Now, for a glass of wine. It’s National Wine Day. I’m running out of time, 11:40 pm. 🍷 Cheers!

Friday:) Feeling A Little Creative

Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely. Light and colour, peace and hope, will keep them company to the end of the day.
— Winston Churchill.

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It was a kinda dreary day today, and I must admit that I haven’t felt very motivated all week. Well yah, I did laundry and vacuumed, but I get so intimidated by all my artistic friends on Facebook who have been creating all sorts of fabulous art work just about every day. So, I decided to go up to my crap room… oh wait… it’s all tidy and organized now… I mean my studio, and spend a few hours working on something creative.

Several weeks back, I did a reverse glass painting time lapse video of Elvis. My Dearest oldest friend from when I was 14 and my nextdoor neighbor had commented how much she liked it, so I mailed it to her. I was thinking that I needed to paint another one so I don’t forget how I did the first one. I always like to keep an original artwork for future reference. I’m getting old and forgetful, so it helps to have a visual.

I was only going to paint one, but as well you know, I am an overachiever, as demonstrated when I cook and bake for an army. I also have a friend with a birthday coming up who loves Elvis, so I better make an extra one or two. I lost all track of time because each painting needs a second careful coat and a background, so I was up there for hours.

Well, here we go. Just black FolkArt Enamel paint and an 8 1/2 by 11 glass frame.

Here they are drying on the carpet. (Someday I’m gonna mess up my carpet and be very mad at myself. So far, no mishaps. 🤦‍♀️)

Elvis #1

Elvis #2

Elvis #3

In case you missed my time-lapse video from last month, here’s an instant replay. It’s very instant.,. About 27 seconds…

Well, it’s rather late and it is Black Russian Friday. Cheers my friends!

Toni’s Tuesday Time-lapse Painting Video:) Yellow Roses

“The perfect gift from the heart is made with your hands.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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This year, I painted another large glass bowl with yellow roses for Empty Bowls. People love their yellow roses down here in Texas. So, I did a quick video of just the first layer of the painting process using only three colors of FolkArt Enamel Paint. Yellow, white and sage green.

https://youtu.be/aiS7Ojix4ok

As you can see, I like to work in a very neat and well organized environment…. said NO artist ever! 🤦‍♀️👩🏻‍🎨

The finished product… ta-da…

I was so honored that my donation auction bowl last year for the Empty Bowls auction sold for $350! Wow! Let’s see how well the yellow roses do this year.

Way cool!

Toni’s Tuesday Time-lapse Painting Video: Easy Elvis

“Elvis has not left the building. He lives on forever in our hearts through his songs.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

This needs to dry and add another coat of paint, but I wanted to share this quick video and demo now.

I just found an Elvis silhouette on the internet, printed it out, put in under the glass of a Dollar Store frame and painted with gloss black acrylic paint. I also printed out the song “Blue Christmas” to put under the glass. You really can’t really see the title or many of the notes, but I know it’s there.

In honor of Elvis’ birthday last week.

Tuesday:) Toni’s Time-lapse Video-Holly on Glass

the winter is kind and leaves red berries on the boughs for hungry sparrows…”
― John Geddes, A Familiar Rain

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Wow! It was a blustery misty miserable day out there today. But, that’s OK. There’s always something creative to do to warm the spirits. Speaking of spirits… I think I’ll have a glass of wine when I’m done here. Then, I have a lot of gifts to pack up by tomorrow. It will be a long night. A good long night.

A Berry Merry Christmas

Tuesday:) Toni’s Time-lapse Video-Trash to Treasure Vase

“When I think outside the box, I think, oooh, a box! This can become a castle or a dollhouse or a puppet theatre. Where’s my paint?”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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My friend and neighbor Kathy lost her furry friend last week. Stan was a beautiful tabby that loved Miss Toni, and he would often walk across the street and visit, keeping bunnies and mice away from my door. He will be missed.

I decided that I wanted to do something special for Miss Kathy. I found some colorful flowers at Kroger and decided to paint a colorful vase. Miss Kathy loves orange, so I had an idea. I took one of my many thrift store vases to turn into a colorful trash to treasure vase.

( Repurposed vases, Folk Art Enamel paint, and some makeup sponges.)

After I painted this one, I still had plenty of glass paint on my palette. I don’t believe in waste, so I painted a couple more vases for another time.

Fun trash to treasure project.

Tuesday:) Toni’s Real-Time Relapse Bluebonnet Wine Glass Painting

“Painting is not a hobby with me, it’s life. Now, life on the other hand, that’s just a hobby.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I think I did a time-lapse video of painting Bluebonnets before, but I thought I’d do a full-length version for those interested in some glass painting techniques. I only painted four last time, so I bought ten more to paint. I’ve already given several away as gifts. They don’t last long in my house. I’ll have to remember to keep a couple for myself. I like these. (So, this isn’t a time-lapse. I’m calling it a re-lapse.🤦‍♀️👩🏻‍🎨)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv7bmi0ijcg

Tuesday:) Toni’s Painting Tip for Today~ Red Roses

“Roses do not bloom hurriedly; for beauty, like any masterpiece, takes time to blossom.”

― Matshona Dhliwayo

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Roses do not get painted hurriedly either, for beauty, like any masterpiece takes a lot of time, patience and love. Always love.

Today, I decided instead of sitting like a lump on a log, I would sit like a thorn on a rose and do some painting. I gathered my supplies, six blank clear vases, put on some YouTube videos to listen to, and spent most the day painting.

(Check out my videos below)

I always feel so accomplished when I set a goal and finish. I sit back, look at my masterpieces and say…”Miss Toni is…. (yes, everyone chime in) AMAZING!” Plus, it’s always fun to share a quick video with anyone interested in the technique.