Annie Lang's Blog!

Whether you want to take up art as a hobby, want to encourage a budding artist, or simply need great gift ideas for your favorite creative, I've compiled a list of some basic "necessities" to get anyone off to a great start!  You can easily be overwhelmed when browsing the art  and craft store shelves, especially if you don't know exactly what it is you are looking for.  The ideas I've listed are all basics that I personally use here in my studio.  I tend to shop for supplies online which usually keeps me within my budget and helps me keep up with the latest products once I read the reviews feedback and watch the promo videos if available.  Please note that I DO NOT get endorsement fees or rewards for any of the branded products I've posted here! Let's get started! SKETCHING KIT This kit has everything you need all neatly organized in a travel friendly carrying case.  This Kalour sketching kit is manufactured by Love Art and has everything one needs to ex

Sending cards from the comfort of your own home is easy, inexpensive and oh so fun!  With almost 400 card designs by Annie Lang to choose from, you can shop and send cards to anyone because Annie Things Possible at Greeting Card Universe!  From Birthdays, Anniversaries and Milestone events to Everyday, Seasonal and and Christmas, you're sure to find the perfect card.  All cards can be personalized inside, some on the card cover and your photos can be added to numerous cards to create a customized card front.  Check the top of the Greeting Card Universe Store page to save even more on your order at the checkout.   Cards sell for $3.50 or Less...Daily Specials Codes Posted on the Site. See how easy it is to order greeting cards! 

 

Get ready to serve up your tea in style!  Choose from dozens of mix and match patterns from sweet and whimsical teapot sets to "design your own" teacups and teapots to fun wordart for tea room signage, you'll find everything you'll need to brew up some creatively magical tea time adventures.  Lots and Lots of Teapots available now in paperback and printable .pdf format editions at Annie Lang's Books! 

Ready to paint something fun?  You can paint this fun hostess tray with a few basic craft supplies and a quiet afternoon.  Simply trace the included pattern onto a wood tray and even a beginner crafter can color the design with acrylic paints and a smile!  To download Annie Lang's free project from Annie Things Possible, CLICK HERE and enjoy.  

If you've got cabin fever these day, why not get started on those Valentine's cards right now!  All you need to do is select a card design, grab your scissors and get ready to print and personalize something absolutely AMAZING from the heart.  This publication features 20 designer ready-to-craft card designs that anyone can make in only minutes.  Each printable page is 8.5" x 11" with foldable designs to create 5"x7" cards.   Finished cards can easily be embellished with glitter, embossing, dimensional writers, gemstones, scrapbooking trinkets and more.  Great for rainy day, camp, party, classroom craft activities and more because Annie Things Possible if you have hearts!    You'll find this downloadable .pdf publication at Annie Lang's Book Store  

Here's a quick and easy way to jazz up your warm weather plastic drinkware items!  All you need are paint pens and anyone can finish this project in no time at all.  My pictured sample was painted on clear plastic items I use for summertime entertaining.  I lightly sand areas that will be painted before I begin so I can lightly draw the artwork in pencil as my guide but you can also skip the drawing and jump right into freestlye painting if you choose.  The paint pens I use are waterproof, opaque and dry quickly.  I just color in the areas with a medium tip pen and then outline with a black pen.  Once the drinkware is finished, it can be washed by hand using soap and water as it will not hold up well if you put it in your automatic dishwasher.  I've added the link to the paint pens I use and since they're good on nearly all outdoor projects, they get a lot of use around here!  Below you'll find the full size color character art pattern I used to complete the sample pr

Everyone can use a happy bouquet of flowers to cheer us on and Annie's cute little bunny design has a handful of posies just for you!  This design can be handpainted on any wearable like the ones pictured in the sample or you can simply print on iron-on transfer paper and you'll have your project completed in just minutes.  The free downloadable art has already been digitally colored and flipped for you so you're ready to go in just minutes!  You'll find lots more free projects and patterns at Annie Lang's DIY Page because Annie Things Possible when you share a creative smile.

You'll enjoy this fresh slice of country apple project design and it's so easy to paint, you'll find them addictive!  I used a beveled edge 8" unfinished wood heart for the sample project, but you can use any size heart and adjust the pattern to fit.  Smaller hearts are perfect for making coasters, trivets, ornaments and more.  To download the full size project, CLICK HERE to visit my DIY page.  I hope you enjoy your apples! NOTE: If you can't find wood heart shapes at you local store, I found some links on Amazon  .  Michaels had this one with handle attached and inexpensive large shapes made of luan that will work.

Here's a quick and easy way to add a folksy look to any decorative planter, container or any other creative surface you may have onhand.  Whether it's terra cotta pots, a wooden * wheelbarrow like the pictured sample or a simple metal bucket, anyone can paint this design up super quick with only a few craft paints and basic brushes.  Paint colors used for the original design shown are white, dark green, yellow, orange and country red but you can use any colors of your choice.  I used DecoArt patio paints that hold up well for outdoor use, but you can use craft paints and then seal with clear finish when paint has dried. Below you'll find the repeatable design you can use as a pattern or coloring guide.  Use a flat brush to paint checkerboard squares, round brushes for the flowers and a liner to paint freestyle lines through the squares.  To download the design, just click the image below and save to your computer.  Enjoy! *NOTE:  The pictured wheelbarrow is no longer

Looking for love? You’ll find plenty of hearts, happy kids and loving thoughts for any creative DIY projects you may be working on with Annie Lang's "Sharing Hearts and Loving Smiles" line art pattern book along with 5 new heart themed clipart collections to choose from.  So go ahead and get started on those heartfelt DIY creative adventure now!

Winter snows have arrived and so has Annie's Winter Character Clipart Collections!   From Snowy Angels and Pixies to Warmhearted Snowmen and Chilled Penguins.  Check them out and feel free to just "Go with the Snow" and don't forget to share the page link!

I've always wanted to make a few birdhouses from gourds but never seemed to actually get around to actually making them until now.  I recently picked up a few gourds for $5 each while visiting the Past Tense Arts and Antiques Store in Lapeer Mi and within a week, these 2 birdhouses became part of my home landscaping!  Hopefully next spring I will find them fully occupied with happily nesting feathered families.  DESIGNING ...   Since no 2 gourds are exactly alike, it's difficult to create patterns for these natural surfaces.  I prefer to play with a variety of design ideas with my Photoshop image editor before grabbing my craft paints and brushes.  I first take a digital photo, open it in my editor, cut out the areas around the shape which I can then use as my basic shape template.  Digital designing allows me to experiment with the design without worry. Because I create a new layer for each design element and color, correcting unwanted errors is as simple as del

Digitally design before you paint by using your image editing program.   I use Adobe Photoshop.   Use a tape measure to get the height and width measurements to size your digital canvas Create a white layer over the background and a duplicate layer of your background image   I chose a blue color overlay but you can change this to anything you'd like to suit your design I always save a copy of each design layer I may want to use for future projects! I also created a cardinal and a Santa design before deciding to use this scenic for my project Digital designing allows you to group elements so you easily position them any way you'd like. I prefer to use my line art as a guide, but you can transfer directly onto your prepped surface. Make sure you remove any dirt or rust areas with steel wool before priming with your basecoat. I'll most likely be using this finished project as a small centerpiece filled with holiday greens.  However, I also

Beverage Wraps are fun to make and the Kids just absolutely LOVE them! Here's 2 FREE wrappers for you to enjoy...featuring fun "Monster" character art from my Out of This World Linework Pattern Workbook .  Simply PRINT the page on white paper or cardstock, cut out the wrappers and fasten them to soda cans or water bottles.  Make as many as you want and you can personalize them, too! Here's a tip ...before cutting out the wrappers,  add personalization and then cover the page with clear Contact (R) paper or laminate sheet to keep printer ink from bleeding should the wrapper happen to get wet.  Enjoy and have a "monsterously FUN SUMMER!   CLICK to ENLARGE and SAVE full size pattern project to your computer!