Happy Holidays!
Source
Happiest of Holidays from my family to yours!
I adore the art of Rebecca Guay, and I highly recommend you check out her incredible new website at http://RebeccaGuay.com !
Wednesday
Tuesday
Norman Rockwell Cave of the Winds Poster
I found this poster a while ago and even though I'm not working at the Cave of the Winds anymore, I just love this! This is a Norman Rockwell poster, and I think it is for the Cave of the Winds in Colorado, although chances are it may be the Cave of the Winds at Niagra Falls that was visited by Rockwell. Maybe he never visited either cave. If you know more, please let me know, I love reading your messages and comments!
Happy Holidays!
These last few days before Christmas have been busy. With Dom home from school the babies are happy, but subject to his sense of humor. I don't think Simon wanted to be a reindeer, but his big brother thought it was a good idea.
I will post PART 2 to Project Dollhouse, as I am taking pictures as the house nears completion.
The Acrylics vs. Oils comparison Will be published soon, sorry about the wait, but it will be awesome.
Look forward to sweet holiday pictures I want to share with folks here.
I am bringing Vintage Finds into the Celtchic.Etsy.com store, so look forward to posts about these eclectic treasures.
Enjoy your Holidays! ~Laura S.
Sunday
Denver Downtown Aquarium
We had an awesome day at the Aquarium with all of our little people. The babies sat back in strollers transfixed by the shapes floating around them. The tunnels leading visitors through large tanks fascinated both of them. To me the tanks were dream like. To a baby, it must have seemed like the fish were somehow flying around us. Both babies spent the day laughing and shrieking and with amazement. We were lucky to go on day with very few visitors.
This is a great attraction for kids and I recommend it especially for younger children, who are free to explore a range of interactive displays.
Saturday
Pancake Breakfast With Santa
We've been busy with the Holidays, and going to the pancake breakfast at the Ute Pass Cultural Center started our family weekend of fun. It was perfect for the kiddos who got to see Santa, and get toys in addition to the awesome pancakes and goodies provided by the local Kiwanis Club. All the kids needed naps when we were done, and despite the unseasonably warm weather our plans for Santa's Workshop were postponed, since we still wanted them to have energy and fun at the Denver Aquarium the next day. I'll scan in the cute picture of the babies in Santa's lap soon and post it here. Dominic loved the little reindeer under the christmas tree. It was a little animatronic toy that moved and played music.
Tuesday
Baby Bear
This is an update on the "little" baby bear that wandered lost and malnourished into the Cave of the Winds parking lot earlier this year. The cave employees kept him from running away and got him away from guests by luring the bear with hot dogs. Feeding an animal like that would normally not be a very good idea, in this guy's case, he had been separated from his momma bear for a few weeks, and was nearly starved. The wildlife department that picked him up reported he had gained weight and had successfully grown large enough to be rereleased into the wild, that's good news! 
This photo was taken by Alexa Acord,
freelance journalist, and contributer to the Colorado Springs, Independent
Sunday
Dominic's Dragon Costume
I looked for a dragon costume for my five year old, and the only one I could find was two sizes too small and three times the amount I wanted to spend. I had to ease him into the idea of making something, and he was eager to help, so I give a lot of credit to Dominic who throughout the process retained artistic control. He needed a tail and wings, and he needed to have scales on his head. He wanted to be a green dragon yellow dragon or a green and yellow dragon which is what we ultimately went with. Under my advisement we added a few dark blue tones to make the scales on the tail and wings a little bolder. 
Here's how we did it:
Found some inexpensive light gauge wire *slightly* lighter than hanger wire,( if its too light it won't stay, it needs to bend easy enough, but retain its shape and support cloth. ) We used old drop cloth, but canvas would work or whatever (kinda wish I had used a fabric that was a bit stiffer.) It helped painting some solid "Primer" colored acrylic based paint, it made a base for more detailed painting later, as we added scales, both with paint and occasionally glueing on "scales" made of canvas and painted to match the tail and wings. The paint helped give the fabric some more body. The wings where not sewn at all, we used a glue gun to fold the cloth onto itself and stick. The gluing was all done and dried and cooled off before we started painting.
The tail itself had to be a more durable material, and that is where most of the canvas went. I used a long skinny end piece and simply rolled it and sewed the seam shut. I coiled three strands of the light gauge wire to exceed the length of the tail. Carefully duct taping the three ends together to avoid any "pokey" pieces for the tail end, and then wrapping the three wire tips at the top of the tail with duct tape (again to avoid pokes and ouchies) I left those sticking out of the tail to attach at three points to his belt. (I cool belt with green dragons on it by the way.) The green jogging pants and hoodie were outfitted with canvas scales and belly stripes, all painted canvas and all glued in place with the hot glue gun. The only sewing I did was the seam of the tail.
I used just a little elastic for two little arm loops that i just tied in loops round the wire, and If i had spent more time or money i would have gotten dark, or green elastic. Luckily my five year old, IS A FIVE YEAR OLD! He was highly impressed and so happy he was "flying" in his homemade wings.
Saturday
Why is Lumpkin still smiling?
Lumpkin the Pumpkin, as Dominic named him, is still smiling! This picture shows him glowing with candle light. Doesn't he know Halloween's Over! It's almost sad that we'll be throwing him out in another day or two. First we'll let him shrivel a bit, that makes even the nice pumpkin faces take on a sinister appearance of a stretched grimace. I can't wait till NEXT halloween! At least pumpkin pie will be served all through the holidays! It's my FAVORITE! Sorry~ See ya' Lumpkin!
Friday
TRICK OR TREAT!
Yes, we went Trick or Treating during the day this year. For preschoolers, the neighborhood shopping plaza was hosting Trick or Treat candy throughout the day, with the main event later in the evening for the "big kids". Dominic started Kindergarten this year, and remembering last year, with just one baby and a very tired and cold Dominic, we decided this would be a good thing to try. We kept Dominic home from Kindergarten today so he could out with the little ones. The weather was cool, but nice and the sun was bright if not really warm, no big jackets were necessary today. Trust me, in Woodland Park, Colorado the last night of October can be C O L D. This was easily the best Trick or Treating we've done! The babies are mistaken for twins whenever we go out, today was no exception.
Carving a Pumpkin: No One Said This Wouldn't Be Messy, Kid
Last night was an exciting night of finishing Dominic's costume and carving the pumpkin. Dominic loves being big enough to help, but he didn't like getting his hand sticky.
Once he got into the spirit of things, Dominic cleaned the pumpkin out and listed his requirements for my cuts. The pumpkin would need to be friendly, NOT scary. He would have to be named Lumpkin, like the one in his story at Kindergarten. Lumpkin needed a triangle nose, and round eyes, not triangles. We negotiated the teeth. I wanted teeth, so the deal was: I got to give him teeth as long as his smile was still not scary. Dominic and I were both pleased with the result, Here's our Lumpkin:
Visit My Store In November!
Well, October is almost done, here's where I am in my plan. Tomorrow I go to Boulder, Colorado, for the 2008 Rocky Mountain Speleoseminar, which promises to be an interesting and fun opportunity to meet some incredible people and see some of my favorite ones. The ACRYLICS Vs. OILS post I promised is nearing completion and should be up very soon. Sophia's dollhouse has come to a virtual stop in production with all of us suffering from colds right now, and I am in a mad rush to complete Dominic's dragon costume. The Dragon ACEO's need to be listed in the store, I'll post them here too, so you can have a look.
I encourage you to buy handmade this Christmas. November won't just be bringing new listing to my store, Visit ETSY.COM for all sorts of Handmade and Vintage Items, and supplies.
That is all for now, but more soon. Thanks for reading! As always, I love reading your comments! ~LS
Wednesday
Where Did They Go?
Where did they go?
Somewhere on that blue tarp are our two panels, now the 1st layer over the gesso is complete. My plan is to go in w/ a green/blue now, still acrylic. After I completed my cobalt blue wash, and swirls, I dripped water purposefully down the panels with the brush. I think i might be using oils over the acrylic underpainting. I have found that the oil paints are more moveable on the surface, than the acrylics. Combining them in this way, always oil over acrylic (never acrylic over oil), has worked for me, and I invite any comments on that. What are your thoughts? or techniques? I'll keep you updated on the panels.
Tuesday
Laura's Studio got a Facelift
This is a new look for the Studio. I love having a layout with three columns. Get your Free Blog Template where I got mine, visit
http://www.blogspottemplate.com
remember those canvases we stretched?
Remember the canvases we stretched? I've been busy, despite a mean cold. Notice the dollhouse in the background? It's waiting while I work on this for a while. I decided on a very blue underpainting for my two panels. The cobalt blue is artist's acrylic paint. I am finishing off a big tube of a recommended brand from the big chain craft store. I have since learned it is a better experience all around if you patronize your local art supply store. Not only are they often owned and operated on a local level, but the level of service and expertise will be much better. 
Well, it's coming along nicely, I'll keep you posted! ;D
A.C.E.O.'s Art Card Editions & Originals
Here are the links to my 1st 9 ACEO's
ACEO’s 1-3 <--see all 9 cards here
ACEO's 4-6 <--more close ups here
ACEO's 7-9 <--& here
The nine card are meant to go together, displayed in one clear page.
These 9 feature mermaids, but there are more to come!
A.C.E.O. stands for Art Cards Editions and Originals.
ACEO's follow only one rule exclusively, and that is that they must adhere to a standard ATC or Art Trading Card size.
That size is 2.5"x3.5" All ACEOs are based on the idea of a creating an affordable, tradable, collection of limited or open edition printed or Original Art Cards.
People do all sorts of things with ACEO's besides collect and hoard them. ACEO's are traded, and people find all sorts of ways to gift them, in greeting cards or as bookmarks. ACEO's are displayed in sets, or individually, matted or informally. One artists collects them in bowls, Filling up antique glass bowls, and displaying these tiny masterpieces.
There are also miniature enthusiasts, who love owning original oil painting in miniature. ACEO's are framed for dollhouses or displayed in groupings of miniature art.
They can brighten up your office space, they fit on the dash, but if you're like me you'll keep an overstuffed Art Book on the coffee table. A binder stuffed with the 3x3 clear collector card pages like the kind that baseball card collectors use, which can be picked up at any local hobby store.
Whatever you do with your ACEO's, know that people around the world are collecting, trading, and enjoying them in their own ways and inventing new uses everyday. Try making your own!
More on this topic later. ;D
Wednesday
Project Dollhouse part 1
In continuing with A Dollhouse for Sophia, I will offer Project Dollhouse updates from now until Christmas. 
I have been shopping on Etsy.com, as well as a more widely known auction site, and have been really surprised at the cost of dollhouse furnishings. I was already planning on making much of the furniture, but because Sophia is so young, most typical dollhouse materials are unsuitable. I was hoping to find better selections of gently used plastic and "toddler safe" furniture. It's out there, just much pricier than I expected.
Check back, later I'll add some links here of the best sites I found for dollhouse furniture for young children.
Meanwhile, the McBurger joint in town was out of Lego superhero toys and gave our son a doll from the Wizard of Oz. My son surprised me when instead of being disappointed he happily announced "He's gonna live in the house!"
Dominic, my 5 year old, has been playing with the little people and furniture we have in the "all-white" primed house. With his help we've been selecting which rooms will be which.
I used regular interior latex flat wall paint that I found in the crawl space leftover from the last tenants. There is still plenty left for touch ups in the little and for the real house. Since the first base coat, I have applied a few touchups. I used some wood putty to "mask" some areas in the "attic", then painted over that once it was dry.
I plan on using acrylic "craft" paints to finish the interior. I am also getting materials together to start building little furniture. Keep reading Project Dollhouse for updates and more pictures on our progress.
Dominic wants to "put a B I G bow on the house for Christmas!" I'm can't believe how much fun I'm having making this gift with him. Dominic, Sophia, & Simon should all get a lot of play out of this.
Sunday
A New Caving Blog
After I cancelled my caving trip today I decided to go into the office and straighten up. I spent A few hours at the cave sorting papers and throwing out everything I could. Later, at home, I added to my new caving blog. I've noticed how cluttered my virtual studio has become, I guess that makes it more like my real studio... I think the caving is such a huge portion of my life that it deserves it's own Blog. So from here on besides the unavoidable occasional mention, I'll be keeping the cave & caving stuff at CavingColorado.
http://CavingColorado.BlogSpot.com
Check out this new Caving Blog, it should be of interest to anyone who likes caves, or just wonders about them, and the people who visit them.
...And here later this month:
ACRYLICS VS. OILS ~ Pros & Cons for beginners. Which will you choose? Do you have to pick?
A.C.E.O.'s ~Art Card Editions & Originals ~Have you heard of these hot *little* collectibles?
BRUSHES AS TOOLS ~ Which Ones are Most Useful?
Teller County Courthouse
If you make it out here to Colorado, take the back roads up to Cripple Creek. This little gold rush town is still the seat of Teller County. The scenery is spectacular, but it's a casino town, so bring plenty of cash or get your pictures and go. The highlight of my tour, The Teller County Courthouse:
All's well that end's well. *Happy Happy! Joy Joy!*
I won't discuss that further here. ;D suffice it to say, my day went well, and the drive was gorgeous with the aspen tree's all turning.
Saturday
I'm Back & Mac Online
Hello readers,
I apologize for the break in posts, but I'm baaaaa-ck! Now my posts will be created & edited on my new Mac Powerbook! Besides my foundation studies at Ringling Art & Design and our Photo dept. computer at the cave, I've had very little experience with Mac's. I've been trying to make things work on Windows for so long, that I'm elated how intuitive and ...(gulp)...easy things are. When the new Photoshop and Illustrator come out later this month, The pics will get better, but you have to admit: She's beautiful, isn't she?
Wednesday
Whose Dragon Wings & Dragon Tail is this?
I love this pic, unfortunately, IT IS NOT MINE! Dominic, my five year old, wants to be a dragon this halloween and this is the pic i based my construction on. It was sent to me by a well meaning friend who thinks it came from a blog, but doesn't remember. I will put up pics of Dominic in his finished costume, but I would love to be able to credit this properly as my inspiration. If anyone knows, please let me know. Mine are different, but pretty similar. Hope you're having fun putting those finishing touches on your halloween costumes! Uh-oh, you haven't started?!? Ha! I'll show off the final product here, but I think we're going store bought for the babies this year, besides I think Sophia's pumpkin costume from last year will fit Simon perfectly.
2008 Rocky Mtn SPELEOSEMINAR
SHWEET! I already wanted to go,
So, if any of you Cave of the Winds kids wanna spend a nerdy day in Boulder, let me know.
Find out more about the 2008 Rocky Mountain Speleoseminar here:
http://www.rockymountaincaving.com/2008RockyMountainSpeleoseminar.htm
Tuesday
sick day
Today I took a sick day. My five year old has the bug too, and stayed home with me, so I probably worked harder than if I had gone to work, but at least I got to stay in my pajamas. Special thanks to the poor kids who had to open & do the end of the month inventories without me. I'll be back at the cave tomorrow, and plan on finishing any inventories that are left..(sigh.)
We did have our sick day brightened when a package arrived from Oma in Pennsylvania. New jackets, onesies, sleepwear, long johns and cute ensembles for all the little people who live here. Dominic loves his new spiderman jacket, and Sophia didn't want to give up her new sippy cup at bedtime. Simon looks good in blue, he was getting tired of the pink & purple hand-downs.
David was home tonight, so I had help for the bedtime routine, and the best part of storytime, was singing the alphabet all together tonight, Sophia loves to sing, and even Simon was vocalizing along. All the kiddos to bed by eight is a huge achievement.
Monday
MY MERMAID FEATURED in an ETSY.COM TREASURY!
My Mini Mermaid was chosen for an Earth, Air, Fire, Water themed treasury on Etsy.com
Check out this screenshot:
A super friendly Etsian caught this screenshot for me and cropped it too! Check out the handcrafted items this nice lady in the UK creates, here: http://niftyknits.etsy.com
I Love Etsy! Thanks, NiftyKnits!
Always with the Diapers
I just received a call from my husband who is at the store because (gasp) there are only three diapers in house. You may be thinking, "but you only have two babies?" If you are thinking that, then you have never had kids. We had to act quickly, a decision was made, and he went. Only when he was facing the giant wall of diapers did he realize: he had no idea what sizes to buy. I admit, although I'm pretty sure I have been buying the diapers the last few times, I think I've faced this moment every time I've gone. With Sophia finally 18mos old and Simon almost 6mos now, I don't think it's been the same combination of sizes for more than a trip or two to the store. They're both growing so much, but Simon is really catching up to Sophia. We determined she is in a 4 now, and Simon is wearing a 3!
Ok, I'm gonna open this can of worms, and look forward to the outcry, I mean response from readers: Yeah, I buy disposable diapers! When I lived in Florida, I did too. Florida and Colorado are both states who face larger problems with water management and shortages, than issues with solid waste disposal. Wanna be Eco-conscious, and Eco-friendly, then think global, but ACT LOCAL. Do what's right LOCALLY, and that does not always mean cloth diapers! Feel free to respond. Before you try to change my opinion, I want you to think about it. Am I right?
Read more...
Ok, I'm gonna open this can of worms, and look forward to the outcry, I mean response from readers: Yeah, I buy disposable diapers! When I lived in Florida, I did too. Florida and Colorado are both states who face larger problems with water management and shortages, than issues with solid waste disposal. Wanna be Eco-conscious, and Eco-friendly, then think global, but ACT LOCAL. Do what's right LOCALLY, and that does not always mean cloth diapers! Feel free to respond. Before you try to change my opinion, I want you to think about it. Am I right?
Sunday
Lumbee's in my Lineage
I remember being told by my grandmother, Dorothy, that my brother and I shouldn't forget we are native americans. But until very recently, I had never heard the name "Lumbee" before.
See last week's post, "Who are the Lumbee?" for informational links about the Lumbee Tribe.
On the left is my grandmother, Dorothy, in her uniform during World War II. She was a marine in Hawaii. She was one of very few female veterans of this war. Above, is her mother, Gertrude Charlotte Webster Oxendine. Dorothy was my father's mother. She was an incredible person, and has been a great inspiration to me. 
Dorothy's father, here on the right, was Lacy Oxendine, a Lumbee Tribe member. I will be posting more about the family and the Oxendine Cough Elixir. I have a great desire to collect more artifacts of the old apothecary shop, "Dot's", named after my young grandmother. I would also love to get my hands on any Oxendine Cough Elixir bottles, printed adds, or promotional materials. I know there are lots of other antique collectors out there, so remember me if you ever stumble across any of that stuff.
As always, I love to read your comments and messages.
a Dollhouse for Sophia
I primed a Dollhouse Bookshelf today with leftover paint from the house. I will start detailing rooms tomorrow. My five-year old helped, so it took me twice as long, but having a co-conspirator is making this christmas surprise more fun. I also found a homeless dollhouse doll that was free to a good home on Etsy.com . The seller only wanted a dollar to cover shipping, check out this sweet lady's shop at http://allsfairy.etsy.com/ I couldn't pass this one up, strangely this little wooden head resembles ....ME!
What do you think?
I was amused at the resemblance. LOL! What a nice mommy for Sophia's house. Thank you AllsFairy, She'll have a great home once I'm finished!
Read more...
Saturday
Friday
Sept `08 Williams Canyon Project Meeting
http://www.wcp.coloradocaves.org/
Made sure everything was set up right for the meeting tomorrow. Hauled out tables, chairs, & hexagons ("Octogons have EIGHT sides! Those have 6!") There are only 3 meetings of the Williams Canyon Project a year, and this will be my first time in the boardroom discussion. I was appointed to the board at the last meeting, but it was days before the birth of Simon, and I wasn't leaving the house at that point.
I'm pretty excited because I'll be gunning for the Conservation Chair. Felt a little overwhelmed at the hint I could run the meetings, came around to wanting to do it, but really only because I thought it was either Chairperson or Secretary, and ...I wasn't too keen on being the meeting notetaker.
The Conservation Chair for the project is a nifty job. Wouldn't have to run the meetings, and would get to be involved in some important decisions. I'm crossing my fingers, because it would mean getting to check out EVERY dig/development/discovery in the caves. I'm the Conservation Chairperson of our grotto, the Southern Colorado Mountain Grotto (http://www.socomogro.org/), and the job description when I was nominated was "you don't have to do anything!" LOL
This job would actually mean CAVES & CAVING! Send Good Vibes! I'll let you know tomorrow...
Read more...
Thursday
HOW TO PREPARE A CANVAS
Hi, This is PART II,
Yesterday's Blog showed HOW TO STRETCH A CANVAS, today I'm going to finish up by showing you what else needs to be done before you can start your painting.
For this job, you will need a big paintbrush, (not your fine brushes..)Any old brush should do as long as it doesn't lose hairs too easily, you will have a hard time if hairs keep falling out into your fresh coat of gesso. Get a brush, your gesso, and the stretched canvas you are prepping.
***Let me pause here to say that I am aware of (in fact I have used) pre-gessoed canvas. If you buy your canvas from an Art Supply Store, they may offer you pre-gessoed canvas. It will definitely save you time since it is already gessoed. The ONLY advantage is that it will save you time. However, it is not as cost effective as buying gesso and doing it yourself. If time is really that big of an issue, maybe you should be buying prestretched canvases. If you are going to be stretching your own, and you have the time to wait for gesso to dry, doing it yourself allows you to really build up the surface, while the pregessoed canvas is kinda flat. If you opt for pregessoed canvas, the only thing you may want to do after stretching it is thoroughly wet both sides of the canvas using your paintbrush, or a sponge. This will get the pg canvas to tighten a little more, since it is a little harder to stretch.***
Start by wetting down the canvas. Using the brush makes this easy. This not only tightens it a bit, it gets the fabric wet so that the gesso will fill into the weave a bit easier. Once the Canvas is wet start plopping on the gesso and spreading it out.
You really want to work the gesso into the grain of the fabric, use the water to get it to spread out everywhere. Gesso the sides of the canvas too, if you decide you want to paint them later they will already be gessoed and ready. (personally, I like the look of an unframed painting whose sides are painted.) This first coat may look mottled and "hardly there" once it is dried. That's ok, the canvas has soaked up the gesso and is ready for the second coat. Depending on how much gesso you used for the 1st coat you may want to sand the surface before you do a second coat. I put the second coat on real thick, and sand that down and do a 3rd coat of gesso as my final step. Get it on thick enough the 1st time and that 3rd coat may not be necessary. Sanding it is nice because after building the surface up, you may want to grind down areas that are very rough. Some folks skip this step, but whenever I have I regretted it once I was actually painting.
I like to do a sort of criss-cross hatchwork stroke, but the fun is creating whatever texture you would like to paint on. Once the final coat of gesso is done you will finally be able to begin your masterpiece..... but will you use Acrylics or Oils? That's a great question, check back for my ACRYLICS OR OILS Blog, to be published soon! As always, feel free to contact me with your Comments and/or Questions. GOOD LUCK! You know you can do this! ;DMy Husband's First Day of Kindergarten
Today was my husbands first day of Kindergarten. He is volunteering as a Teacher's Assistant in our son's Kindergarten class. He had fun. He enjoyed snack time with the kids. He is taking a nap now along with our five year old. Kindergarten is hard work. ;D
Read more...Wednesday
HOW TO STRETCH A CANVAS
The full title of this mini-tutorial is "How to Stretch a Canvas like an Artist instead of buying a Prestretched one like a Nerd." Please note, there are several ways to stretch canvases. This is the way that works best for me. If you have other ideas, please comment. I welcome any discussion on the topic. I have much to add, but I had to draw the line somewhere. Contact me with questions if you like, and I encourage you to experiment with this!
So, you wanna stretch a canvas...
First, lets start with a supply list:
Go to your local Art Supply Store (avoid the chains that focus on crafts, they will try to sell you a prestretched canvas, and most don't even carry stretchers!--even the ones who offer painting classes!)
You will need a minimum of 4 wooden stretchers. They come in a 
variety of lengths. Today we will be stretching rectangular canvases, so make sure you get two pairs that at least match each other in length. Be creative. Do you want a long skinny canvas, or a square...? you choose. (unlike the prestretched, the dimensions are up to you) They cost about $1.50 to about $5 a piece, depending on what length you want.
Also, at the Art Supply Store you can buy canvas inexpensively. You may also get it at your local Fabric Store. At the Art Supply Store, don't fret, student grade canvas will work fine. You will be building up the surface with gesso, so whatever you use, make sure the weave is thick and strong. The texture of the cloth will grab the gesso, and the weave should be able to withstand being stapled and pulled.
Get a good pair of fabric scissors.
I use a small staple gun because it is a little easier to wield. (My staple gun is Stanley Light Duty Sharpshooter that uses 5/16" staples, but yours should work.) Some folks do this with a nail gun... but not me.
Before you leave the Art Store, buy a bucket of gesso. This will be the priciest item maybe up to $20, or less if you can find a smaller bucket than mine. With one small prestretched canvas averaging at about $25, this bucket of gesso is a deal. It will cover many, many, canvases.
Let's get started...
Lay out your 4 stretchers. Having carefully looked at them at the store, you know there are no massive imperfections, now is the time to double check your stretchers. Sometimes, one side is flat, and the other has a little lip. (If your stretchers are flat on one side, that's fine, but make sure that when you put them together they all have the flat side on the same side.)
Now, you have to cram them together. Use force & caution, if you break the little sliver of wood that wedges them together, it's not the end of the world, but it probably is the end of that stretcher. If it's difficult, that is good. It means they won't be loose, and move out shape once you "square" it. Ocassionally, you get a corner that is a little loose fitting. Deal w/ this by cramming a little thin piece of balsa wood in the slit, or use the nice little pre fabricated wooden or plastic spacers that are available at the art store FOR FREE when you buy the stretchers. (They may or may not be offered to you, but if you ask, they will be given to you.) After a little back and forth, wiggling the pieces together, you can use the floor to push against to slide them together the rest of the way if necessary. Don't worry if the corner isn't 90 degrees, that will come later, just get them together: 
After getting all four corners together, you will need to "square" your canvas, making all of the corners 90 degree angles. There are a host of "tools" to help you do that. I like to use a doorframe. (I used a level & drafter's "T" ruler when I lived in a crooked house built in 1894). Just lean it against the frame and you should be able to move and slide the joints until it is adjusted correctly.
Then, you will want to keep it from moving any more.
Secure it, w/ staples and or those balsa wood (or plastic) spacers I mentioned.
Lay out your canvas and lay the "frame" over it. When you cut the canvas, your impulse will be to not "waste" canvas, but make sure you leave enough extra to really grip and PULL. A little 1" or 2" margin will prob not be enough. Give yourself plenty of extra, and cut away the excess once the stretching is done.
Once you have cut out a piece of canvas to fit your frame you will want to make sure the side of the frame that you want to be the back is UP ontop of the canvas. It shouldn't matter which side of the canvas is up, but if it matters to you, make sure the side of the cloth you want to paint on is facing DOWN.
Next, fold the material over the frame and secure it with one staple in the middle of the stretcher. Don't worry about these first ones being tight, for now just secure each side:
Now that the canvas is attached to the frame, you are going to stretch it, like tightening a drum. Pick a direction clockwise or counterclockwise (Widdershins or Doesil LOL) and work your way around from side to side, gripping & pulling the canvas tighter. With each pull, adding a staple, and moving to the next side. MAKE SURE NOT TO GET TOO CLOSE TO THE CORNERS.... YET.
(I space my staples about 1"- 2" apart on the first pass and then go around the already tightened areas again and give another pull, and stapling between my 1st pass)
Grab the canvas, Pull the Canvas, Staple, & Work your way around
Get as close to the corners as you can while still being able to manipulate and fold the cloth. There are lots of different ways to fold the corners, you'll find the easiest and best looking ones for yours. My corners look messy on the back of the canvas, but I never worry about the back.
After you cut away excess fabric (yes you can do that now), fold the corner and secure it.
Corners are the hardest part! Don't despair, refold as much as you need to, and don't staple till you like it! Your corners will be fabulous, and remember no one cares if the back is messy.
VOILA! Look I did 2!!
I did the first coat of gesso today too, I'll post that tomorrow, and I will show all the other steps to get them ready to paint on. So, Come Back! Let me know how your first try goes, & GOOD LUCK!
YOU CAN DO IT!
Make your painting more than just a craft. Paint on a canvas you have stretched yourself and you will know you are an Artist. ;D Read more...
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