Progressive Paper Doll Party

 

Paper Doll set "How Raccoon Got His Coat," by Hally Levesque

I recently received this absolutely beautiful paper doll set created by Hally Levesque as part of a Progressive Paper Doll Party Facebook group swap. 

 

"How Raccoon Got His Coat" paper doll set by Hally Levesque

The set was presented in this beautiful folder Hally made.  The set was created to represent the Native American folktale called “How Raccoon Got His Coat.” 

 

"How Raccoon Got His Coat"  paper doll folder by Hally Levesque

The paper dolls are absolutely beautiful original pencil crayon and ink works of art.

 

Princess Raven by Hally Levesque

Hally also included a print of one of her original works of art for the background picture in the folder.

 

Hand signed print of artwork by Hally Levesque

Thank you Hally for such a beautiful gift!

 

Raccoon by Hally Levesque

As part of the swap I also created a paper doll project for the theme.  Instead of presenting my paper doll in a folder I created a shadow box for her presentation.

Seher shadowbox by Marla L. Niederer

The paper doll is called Seher.   She rides her white deer into the night sky to bring the first light of the day with her baton of light.

 

Seher shadowbox by Marla L. Niederer

The project was initially inspired by a tarot card created by Bonifacio Bembo in the 1400’s of a female knight of batons.  You can see the original card in the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Libray digital collection of Yale University.  I never had seen a female knight before or such a beautiful card.  When I first saw it I was so inspired that I did this watercolor painting that I used for the card included in the my paper doll swap project. The card can indicate travel, progress, new ideas, and inventions according to Wikipedia.

 

Knight of Batons by Marla L. Niederer

For the paper doll project I decided to use a white deer instead of a horse after visiting the white deer herd reserve in the Finger Lakes in Central New York quite some time ago. I liked that the deer symbolize innocence, gentleness, a beckoning to new adventures and magical journeys.

 

photo by Marla L. Niederer

While traveling in California for a NIADA conference in 2018 I met a young woman and her little girl named Seher while I was painting by the ocean. Seher’s mother told me that her daughter’s name meant the light one can see upon the horizon just before the dawn.  I found the meaning of her name to be as beautiful as the child.  So I pulled all three inspirations together to create my paper doll project Seher.  I had so much fun participating in this project and can’t wait until the next one!

 

I also wanted to share with you that my Sleeping Mermaid Class is now a self study class.  You can find out more about it by clicking on the picture below.

 

Sleeping Mermaid Self Study Class by Marla L. Niederer

To see more of my self study classes click on the picture below.

 

Self Study Classes by Marla L. Niederer

To go to my OrsinisAngels YouTube Channel where all of my free video tutorials can be found, click on the picture below

 

OrsinisAngels Youtube channel free tutorials

To see all of my free tutorials you can click on the picture below

 

Free Tutorials by Marla L. Niederer

To find out more about me click on my picture below

 

About Me

Until next time……….

 

Warm hugs,

Marla

 

 

Beadwork, Ruins, and Paper doll Project

 

beading on a Clover loom

It’s been really cold where I live lately so it’s nice to play with some beadwork in the evening all cozy inside.  I just started playing with loom beadwork on a Clover beading loom.  I find it really relaxing and fun to do but it’s still a bit of a learning curve for me.   I am trying to figure out how to add clasps to the bracelet without lining it with suede and still have it look finished instead of boho.  I used C-lon for the loom threads and when I added the clasp it looked messier than I would have liked.  I think I will try the Nymo thread next time and see how that works.  I do enjoy the experimenting process of new projects and figuring out new techniques.

 

loom beaded bracelet by Marla L. Niederer

I also went exploring the ruins of an old foundry near where I live recently.  The goal was to go plein air painting but quite frankly it was too cold!  So I thought I would share some photos I took with you.  I may start some paintings at home and then return when it’s a tad bit warmer!

 

photo by Marla L. Niederer

photo by Marla L. Niederer

photo by Marla L. Niederer

I also can’t wait to share with you the newest paper doll project I have been working on but since it is part of an exchange in a group I belong to I have to wait until everyone has a chance to receive theirs first.  The theme is a Winter’s Tail.   Can’t wait to show you what I came up with for it!

I also wanted to share with you that my Sleeping Mermaid Class is now a self study class.  You can find out more about it by clicking on the picture below.

 

Sleeping Mermaid Self Study Class by Marla L. Niederer

To see more of my self study classes click on the picture below.

 

Self Study Classes by Marla L. Niederer

To go to my OrsinisAngels YouTube Channel where all of my free video tutorials can be found, click on the picture below

 

OrsinisAngels YouTube Channel

To see all of my free tutorials you can click on the picture below

 

Free Tutorials by Marla L. Niederer

To find out more about me click on my picture below

 

About Me

Until next time……….

 

Warm hugs,

Marla

 

 

 

New Free Travel Watercolor Paint box Tutorial and Happy Accidents

 

I would like to wish all of you a Happy New Year! 

 

Coconut Flan

I know many of you have heard of happy little accidents that can happen in the art studio but I recently experienced a happy little accident in the kitchen.  I wanted to try to make flan during the holiday season as a dessert and had never made it before.  The last time I had it was when my son made it a few years ago.  I had it very often as a dessert growing up.  The recipe I used called for a can of evaporated milk and a can of sweetened condensed milk.  I thought I had both ingredients when getting ready to make the flan only to to find out that I was missing the sweetened condensed milk.  I did have sweetened coconut milk though.  Well, I substituted the sweetened coconut milk for the sweetened condensed milk.  I wasn’t sure how it would turn out and warned my family before we each had a piece for dessert.  Well it turned out amazing and my family loved it!  It’s so nice to be surprised by happy little accidents no matter where they occur (If you are interested in the recipe I will add it at the end of this post). 

 

Travel Watercolor tin by Marla L. Niederer

To start the year off I would like to share with you a new free video tutorial on how to create your own pretty little travel watercolor paint box to take with you wherever you may wish to paint.  I love to surround myself with pretty little things especially in my studio.  To see the tutorial just click on the picture below and it will take you right to the video on my OrsinisAngels YouTube channel.

 

Free DIY Travel Watercolor Tin Tutorial by Marla L. Niederer

I also wanted to share with you that my Sleeping Mermaid Class is now a self study class.  You can find out more about it by clicking on the picture below.

 

Sleeping Mermaids Self Study E-Class by Marla L. Niederer

To see more of my self study classes click on the picture below.

 

Self Study E-Classes by Marla L. Niederer

To go to my OrsinisAngels YouTube Channel where all of my free video tutorials can be found, click on the picture below

 

OrsinisAngels YouTube free video tutorials by Marla L. Niederer

To see all of my free tutorials you can click on the picture below

 

Free Tutorials by Marla L. Niederer

To find out more about me click on my picture below

About Me

Here is the recipe for my amazing Coconut Flan.  Enjoy!

 Coconut Flan

Ingredients:

·       1 cup sugar

·       5 eggs

·       1 (11 ounce) can sweetened condensed coconut milk

·       1 can (12 fluid ounce) plus 3 ounces evaporated milk

·       1 tablespoon vanilla extract

 

1.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.    With an electric mixer beat the five eggs well until nice and frothy.

3.    In saucepan over very low heat melt sugar along with a few tablespoons of water until sugar is liquefied and golden in color.  Be careful not to overheat and burn the sugar.

4.   Carefully pour the sugar into a 9 inch baking dish and evenly coat the bottom.

5.    Add the rest of the ingredients to the eggs and mix until smooth.

6.    Pour the egg mixture into the baking dish.

7.    Lightly tent the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 60 minutes or until completely cooked through. Cool completely.

8.    To serve, carefully invert on serving plate with edges.  If trouble releasing place baking dish in container of warm water.

Enjoy!

 Until next time........

warm hugs,

Marla