doodlepaintdraw

Inspiration! Descanso Gardens

 

I just had to get out yesterday! I love to take myself on field trips to seek out inspiration and to work on my photography skills. Although it's not the perfect time and it's very hot here, I realized I hadn't been to Descanso Gardens in quite a while. I'll go just about anywhere, where I can walk amongst, photograph, sketch and stare at flowers. They truly are one of my favorite things. And yes, I do have a Pinterest Board titled Flowers-a favorite thing. I had a really beautiful afternoon. Mondays the Gardens are pretty quiet so it's a great day to photograph or sketch. I took a ton of photos, played with my iphone lenses (obsessed with the macro lense) and took several notes to use in my journal. I played with taking self-portraits, wrote a love note to PB & J (I ordered lunch off the kids menu :) And just soaked in some beautiful colors along with plenty of sunshine.

 

 

 

 

#rhonnadesigns App for iphone - I look so serious, I figured I should have glasses on!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a few Updates...

 

 

1. I've been working away in my little studio creating various mixed-media backgrounds on paper and canvas. I am leaving this week to go up to Northern California to collaborate with a very good friend of mine who is an amazing Artist! So excited for this collaboration. 2. A stack of freshly decorated and sewn zipper pouches coming to my Etsy Shop in August. I love creating these but believe it or not they are a ton of work! Thank goodness my Mom helps me with the sewing! 3. I've been returning to basics and drawing with pencil on newsprint. I sometimes forget how much I miss my pencil. 

 

On a more personal note, we have some big projects going on around the house! 1. This is our new driveway with pavers lining each side. The sand went in yesterday so it is looking a tad different but very cool! 2. Our new fence...and YES it is a white picket fence and I absolutely love it! 3. This is a photo of a chair that used to be white. I have always wanted to paint our dining chairs all different colors and I'm DONG IT! The funny thing is...I couldn't decide on which colors so as I stood in front of the spray paint cabinet for WAY too long pondering and envisioning...the voice of reason (my Father) finally said, "why don't you just choose one and we'll see how you like it?" Haha! He was right, I chose to start with yellow and I LOVE IT! So I will be going back soon for more colors...

So it's been quite busy over here as we try to steal any time we have away from work to get projects done. We still have a ton going on at the house, big and small, so I will be posting more as we move along and finish projects. I hope I can inspire some changes and maybe share some DIY and helpful hints! Like how to keep your sanity while your house is torn apart! In the meantime I will be back very soon to report the outcome of the collaboration! I can't wait to see what we come up with!

 

Tahoe : inside my journal

 

Also while in Lake Tahoe I made it a point to complete a page a day! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tahoe via Instagram

 

While in Tahoe I tried to post one Instagram a day...here's a wrap up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fabric Scrap Flag

 

 

1. Gather up supplies! 2. Cut fabric scraps to desired size. 3. Glue everything in place (I used Liquid Stitch) 4. Stitch! I did every other stripe and stitched around the blue. I did very large stitches with a doll needle by hand. 5. Add some stars. I used white 3D paint and made a little stencil from a punch I had. 6. Tie to a dowel or stick. I literally found a stick in my backyard. And Voila a cute little decorative flag for your 4th of July festivities. I love the cottage (kind of) rustic look of this. I think it would be fun to make a bunch of different scrappy flags. Be a great little gift to let people take home!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th of July! Enjoy the day and be safe!