Just over 4 (FOUR!) years ago I started painting An Alphabet of Saints to go along with our first journey Along the Alphabet Path, inspired by the illustrations in An Alphabet of Catholic Saints... I started out with a handful of saints and then continued adding to our collection as the girls completed each letter of the Alphabet. I only made it half way through painting the very last doll, St. Zita, during Z week- before setting her aside as we began our major kitchen remodel and home addition in June of 2010.
Poor St. Zita has been sitting on that shelf ever since,
I carefully cropped her out of that picture I posted the other day, but had a feeling it would trigger a few questions!
The cubbies... yes, those lovely tiny cubbies...
In addition to the Highlights from "Z" Week, I also haven't posted about my awesome saint display...
Is it bad that I am displaying our sweet little collection of saints in a... ummmm.... Shot Glass Display?!?
I searched and searched for the perfect thing, before settling on an inexpensive "Black Shot Glass Curio which holds up to 36
Despite it's intended purpose, it really does work perfectly for our painted saint dolls! I found ours on ebay, and was able to find a few more that are currently available. (Though I think they are a little more expensive... I remember paying $20.00 including shipping for ours, but that was a couple years ago.)
So yesterday afternoon I finally dusted off St. Zita, pulled out my painting supplies, and finished painting her in less than 10 minutes while on the phone with my mom.
It makes me so happy to see our Alphabet of Catholic Saints finally completed!
*However, looking at the picture above, I should have given St. Zita a hand to hold that broom... Hmmmmm... I wonder how long that will take me! ;)
And just incase anyone would like to get started on their own
I love it! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on those saints. I really like them. I do not think I could paint all the details though. Maybe one day. See, it would take me 4 years also :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't think I could do it either, and was so pleased with the results!
ReplyDeleteSince I started painting these saints all sorts of Etsy shops have popped up selling similar little saints (originally it was just Catholic Folk Toys, and she only paints the larger size) - - mine don't have nearly the detail that some of the others now have, but I love the simplicity of them and the fact that we made them ourselves.
You might be surprised if you give it a try! :)
St. Zita looks like a Veggie Tales character----they don't have limbs, either!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to paint these, but I don't know where to start. A little tutoria would be lovely! What size brushes do you use? Do you have a method, like starting with skin and then tunic? I'd love to know!
LOL! Yes, quite a few of our saints have their limbs tucked into their vestments or clothing! ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, I do seem to have a method that works for me... Skin, then clothes, then hair, then veil, etc... When I started I had no idea what I was doing.. I've learned some by trial and error. I will see if I can pull together a tutorial, and include all the supplies that I use!
Did you hear me squealing all the way over here in Japan?! I love these. You did such a beautiful job. I found myself scheming in my head about how I could get my artist daughter to make these for me... but I fear the job would end up falling on me. Hmmmm...
ReplyDeletei love the picture of your organized bookcases and shelves. where did you get the bookcases? we need some new ones and are overwhelmed by the search.
ReplyDeleteI actually purchased the bookcases (all but the little one next to the door, which was given to us) from my parents old neighbors - along with the two white desks that my boys use. They were selling all the furniture in their home since they buy all new furniture each time they move! (crazy!!) and gave us an amazing deal on it all ($150 for everything). It was such a blessing!
DeleteRecently I finally found a few additional bookcases (they are black & espresso) for my boys room, my room, and a corner of the hallway at Target. I love them!! Here's the link to the Espresso Colored Bookcase I purchased them on sale, with additional coupons and cash rebates, bringing them down to only $60 a bookcase. It would be worth keeping your eye on them for another great sale!
I agree with Roseanne. I love how everything is organized. I'm in my first year of homeschooling and can use all the tips and creative ideas for organization and schooling that you have! The shelves look great. And I like the alter bells...the chime for devotions?
ReplyDeleteYou noticed those! I need to fix them, since the chain for ringing them has been pulled off, but yes, that was what we were using them for! :)
DeleteWhat size peg dolls did you buy?
ReplyDeleteI've purchased most of the sizes, but the one used for our Alphabet of Saints are the "2-3/8" Dad - Little People" - the black cubbies are 2 1/2" tall, so they just fit. :)
DeleteLove them, Jessica! You know, I still haven't finished all my saints yet. I think it's been two or three years for me. Every day I see them in the school room on the shelf by my desk and think I really need to finish those. They're so much fun to do and really don't take that much time to do, but I always seem to have something else more pressing to do. You've inspired me though. I'm going to try and finish them up in the next month. I think I have about 6 more to go. It will be nice to have one to go with each letter as we make our way through the alphabet path this year.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I was so happy to hear about your good test results! TbtG! :)
Those are adorable! Well done Jessica!
ReplyDeleteThanks:)
ReplyDeleteThese are great! Thanks for posting the pictures. My son is going to do some for my little girls and your saints gave him some great ideas. God bless!
ReplyDeleteyour creations are absolutely darling!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your resource for the peg dolls. i have attempted these numerous times but always got discouraged when i couldn't find affordable supplies at my local craft stores.
Love them!!
ReplyDeleteThey are so beautiful and so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI am surprised to see St. Zita for Z instead of Blessed Zelie Martin.
ReplyDeleteI have plans to paint a Blessed Zelie for my kids, but our "Alphabet of Saints" is based on the picture book Alphabet of Saints, and St. Zita is pictured. :)
DeleteLovely and inspiring! May I ask where you buy the paints? God bless you!
ReplyDeleteMy paints are a mix from either Michaels, Walmart or JoAnn's. God bless you too! :)
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