Dr. Seuss' Lorax inspired Truffula Tree Seedlings DIY!

Hello everyone... today's post will be quick. I have to rush out to play practice for my daughter, son had youth group and I am on my own tonight to get them from here to there. LOL!

I put together some Truffula Tree Seedlings for the Dr. Seuss window display. I painted up some clay pots with +Shabby Paints Betsy Ross Red, Alamo White and Licorice. then created the tree trunks and the truffula tops with feathers.

Here is the full window display... with the night stand and the end table I repainted also. I am loving this chalk paint!

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Facebook: Uniquely Grace
Twitter: Grace Lauer Artist @gracelauer
Instagram: @gracelauer_henna_artist
Pinterest: L. Grace Lauer

Guardian Warrior Angel Christmas Tree Topper - OOAK Male Clay Sculpted figure

I am so excited to finally show you all this creation. A year ago I was in the middle of moving across country when an old friend of mine contacted me with his idea. Due to the move I was unable to create this piece for him last year and now this Guardian Angel of the Lord sits atop his Christmas tree this holiday season!

He is constructed with polymer clay and a wire armature. The armature began looking like this...

His face is hand painted and he has red leather accents. I always have to use some sort of recycled goods in my work so under his clothing can be found a soda bottle with the bottom cut out to create a slender cone to help secure him over the top of the tree.

His wings are based with the same wire armature so they are secured from the inside out. They are covered in 3 kinds of feathers, white goose, white ostrich and marabou feathers. There are over 60 goose feathers in the wings and all are hand trimmed into the shapes you see below. 

He holds a broad sword with the scripture of Luke 2: 8-20.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Here is one more over all look at this OOAK (one of a kind) Guardian Warrior Angel Christmas Tree Topper.

My friend is very pleased with him as am I, especially since I have not carved a human figure since high school... which was long enough ago I won't say how long... LOL!

If you enjoyed this piece please comment below, pin or share I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you all for your support.

Find me on...
Facebook: Uniquely Grace
Twitter: Grace Lauer Artist @gracelauer
Instagram: @gracelauer_henna_artist
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Angel Warrior Costume with Articulated Wings - Halloween/Christmas (video included)

Angel costumes have been favorites for girls during Halloween and then there is always that angel in the Christmas play at church. So I was not surprised when my lovely daughter said she wanted to be one. She changed it up a bit and wanted a bow, arrows, a quiver and some armor. She's unique like that.... not sure where she gets that urge to be different. With those additions, the idea for her Angel Warrior costume was born.

This costume was 100% DIY and handmade, it was even designed in the mind of this very creative 9 year old girl. The three talented people who worked on it is Linda from Living Sew Beautifully, Grace from Uniquely Grace (that's me) and this young beauty (my daughter) in these photos Trinity from You are Tutu Cute (she makes tutu's to pay for her own dance classes) Head to toe you don't want to mess with this deadly combo.

Look here at her quiver, satchel, armor and dress. All were made by Living Sew Beautifully. From nothing more then my daughter's imagination and a artist's rendering.  One of a kind, no patterns used! Linda is awesome like that. Also one little detail look at the bottom of this image, you will see a little red dot. Her arrows have laser pointers in the tips. COOL HUGH?

From behind you can see the cape made by Living Sew Beautifully. Also the bow I designed and my daughter painted. It is inspired by the shape of angel wings. The back of these wings show how large they really are. Each one about 3' in length.

That gives this angel a 7' 8" wing span from tip to tip when they are open. Pretty darn impressive! We love the size of these beauties. Lately my goal with the kid's costumes is to create something that will grow with them or that can be used by an adult even (like me... lol) for years to come.

Now let's see it in action! Here you go!

Thank you all for viewing. Please leave a comment below or share this across social media. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Please see more of our costumes in the following links:

Angel Warrior with Articulated Wings
Jack Skellington  - Disney's Nightmare Before Christmas Puppet Costume

Parks and Recreation's Leslie Knope Wedding Gown Tutorial

Moon/Lunar Fairy - with articulated wings

Tron Lightcycle
Peacock Princess with articulated tail
Iron Man - 3D
3D Paper Doll Ballerina
Literary Work of Art

"Troisième Presenting" a Canvas Diptych - Peacock & Ballet Inspired

Good morning everyone!  Today I am very excited to show you a painting project.

My daughter is my biggest fan to say the least. She makes me smile, giggle, feel loved and I adore her like any mother would. I have been wanting to do an art piece for quite some time for her room that she could keep forever. We are military so painting her walls is something she can't keep with her.

"Troisième Presenting"

An Acrylic Painting with Pastels on Canvas

Troisième Presenting 2' x 4' (Click on image to see larger)

This painting was inspired by my daughter, her face, her body, her eyes and her passions. She loves to dance and for almost two years now she has loved peacocks and everything that has to do with peacocks. It started with a Peacock Princess Costume for Halloween in 2012. Then her love for the bird and colors moved into making Peacock Ornaments for her little Christmas tree she gets to keep in her room. I started to see a trend in her clothing choices from pink to peacock colors as well. In 2014 her birthday party was an international theme with the focus on India and the colors of a peacock. Now we have moved to a new home, in a new state and one thing we did for the kids was let them redecorate their rooms to help them get excited about our family's transition. Can you guess what she chose? She calls it...

 "Vintage Peacock" 

Troisième Presenting Diptych Piece #1

Troisième Presenting Diptych Piece #2

This painting was created to go in her room, solely inspired by her. It is called "Troisième Presenting" because her arms are in the third position for ballet (bringing in her love for dance) and the representation of a peacock plumage in all it's glory with the hair, peacock feather stencils from The Crafters Workshop, the colors chosen and the peacock feather in her hair.

Close Up of "Troisième Presenting"

My daughter had input through almost every step of the process this piece went though. She even made the suggestion to lightly color in the eyes to match hers, a beautiful light blue.

"Troisième Presenting" close up of half of face

The peacock thing has gotten out of control here, but out of control is how we have fun in our family. I too went as a peacock for Halloween the following year using her tail we extended with longer feathers. I have made a Peacock Tutu Halloween Costume with coordinating hair piece. I have made an adult sized peacock tail for a local art gallery owner. Her peacock costume inspired an entire altered dress, pair of wings and a peacock crown that was created for +Elena Lai Etcheverry at +Charity Wings for the Live Stream from CHAW (The Winter Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show). The Peacock Couture Outfit was again used during the CHA Gift Lounge at the 64th Emmy Awards. It is currently entered into a craft awards called "The Craftys". You can go vote for it there though the 26th of May.

I created this piece while taking two online Bloom Girl classes from Jamie Dougherty. They were her Bloom Girl Workshop 2 class and her Bloom Girl Elements class. I highly recommend +Jamie Dougherty 's classes. She gives thorough instructions and support. She teaches how to use acrylic paints, PanPastels, India Ink and other products properly within her project.

Thank you all for your time. If you desire to learn how to make such a project then please check out these classes. I would love to know your thoughts about this project as well, please be so kind to leave me a comment below and follow me here on my blog or on Facebook on my artist page L. Grace Lauer Artist.

Mixed Media Artist and Paper Crafter
Coordinator for Party Time Tuesdays Challenge Blog

Peacock Crafty Couture - Altered Dress, Crown, Wings & Articulated Tail

What better way to make a statement then a Peacock Couture Dress? There are so many parts and details to this Crafty Couture project I can't even try to share them all with you. This will be a fun photo heavy post so enjoy the eye candy.

The Dress

Tulip Fabric Paints, from I Love to Create were sued to distress the dress and to create a henna, mehendi inspired motif.

  

The Sash/pendant was created with May Arts Ribbons, Prima Marketing Flowers and peacock feathers. Held together with Helmar Adhesives.

Finished Sash/Pendant

 

Close up of the sash/pendant on the dress.

The Wings

The base of the wings were created with PVC piping and a custom harness so they float on the back of the person wearing them, they are not tied on in any way. Makes for a comfortable piece that is able to be worn all day without any strain on the shoulders, skin, or even back.

The harness was created in two parts. One part is very easily built into any dress or corset. This harness base is padded and can be worn all day. The second part is what the wings are build off of. This part slides into the base for a quick and easy dress/undress with the wings.

The wing decoration was created mainly with  May Arts Ribbons (some hand cut into gold feathers), feathers and Prima Marketing Flowers.

This photo is the back of the wings.

 

Details of the center back

Here is the front.

 The Articulated Tail

The tail was engineered with my own design. It moved freely to be fanned out like a live peacock on display then to lay down the back of the dress in a resting position like a dress train. It works with the pull of two strings. It was created with up-cycled items, netting, hardware and over 300 peacock feathers. Accented with May Arts Ribbons, Prima Marketing Flowers . 

 

Close up of the details on the back of the tail when open.

Close up of the top of the tail with the many smaller feathers.

 

The Crown

The crown consists of bits of metal Prima Marketing  findings, some Prima Marketing Flowers and a few wisps of gems on a string from May Arts Ribbons. 

 

Photo of the crown while adhesives were drying prior to shaping. 

 

The Entire Peacock Couture Creation: 

 

The outfit was created for Elena, from Charity Wings Art Center. She hosts a Live from CHA show every CHA event! 

The work being done over at Charity Wings Art Center is fantastic please make sure you check out their webstie and join up as a member for online classes and to help support the arts!

I hope you enjoyed this post and project details Have a wonderful day!. Have a wonderful day!

Please go vote for this project at The Craftys under Home Decor/DIY category. Don't forget to enter your project today, there are many categories!

 

Please see more of our costumes in the following links:

Angel Warrior with Articulated Wings
Jack Skellington  - Disney's Nightmare Before Christmas Puppet Costume

Parks and Recreation's Leslie Knope Wedding Gown Tutorial

Moon/Lunar Fairy - with articulated wings

Tron Lightcycle
Peacock Princess with articulated tail
Iron Man - 3D
3D Paper Doll Ballerina
Literary Work of Art

 

Coordinator at Party Time Tuesdays