Altered Sticks Tutorial for My Sweet, 16 & Passionate Girl
In honor of my Monica's 16th birthday, I altered her some sticks. So cute, right?
I first painted the sticks with a bit of acrylic paint (Titan Buff by Golden). Then I used my oblique pen holder and nib to add some text to the sticks. (Alternatively, you could use a fine-point black marker if you don't have an oblique pen holder.)
Then I placed a crocheted flower onto the stick and then hammered it in place with a button and a couple of teeny tiny nails.
Next, I added a strip of sheet music with some Mod Podge, and tied a bit of string to one end.
Sweet Monica.
Sixteen already.
My daughter.
My confidante.
My best friend who lights up our family with her humor and love. A leader who lights up this world with her principles, her intelligence, her respect for all living creatures, and her quest to be fair and good.
On this, her birthday, she is spending most of the day and evening with her buddies at a benefit concert to raise funds and awareness for the issue that has been most important to her for the past couple of years: To end the use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony's rebel war in central Africa. She is passionate about this issue and in honor of her birthday, I am happy to share this clip made available through her charity of choice: Invisible Children. Happy birthday, Monica. Love, Mom.
What a beautiful tribute to your beautiful daughter and her Sweet 16. I love and am inspired by your ability to take something as simple as a stick, paint, threat, and twine and make it look like both high art and comfort food at the same time. I am such a "over the top" Glitter everything kid of girl….your simple look is so pleasing to my eye but so much harder than it looks. I love also that is so "Jenny Doh" that I can always tell your work because of that sophistication you bring. Sublime…that is the word I would use…Sublime.
Posted by: Danee | August 17, 2011 at 10:51 AM
She very pretty and an honorable.
Andra
Posted by: Andra Hepler | August 17, 2011 at 12:04 PM
I love her birthday celebration,what a wonderful gift,giving to others! Happy Birthday to your special, soul filled girl~ I love special touches like yours, that speak to the heart. I see your art as poetry in motion, as she branches out and continues to grow! She is establishing her foundation, her passion and extending her goals! What a lovely memento for your daughter,on her special day! Your special day, too xXx
Posted by: Ellen | August 17, 2011 at 03:01 PM
This made me tear up a bit. She really is a very special person.
Thinking of the celebration of life as I type from the Infusion Center and am surrounded with very sick people. It's healing to see her bright smile and know that she is doing something that she's passionate about that is changing the world.
Love you both dearly,
Maurine
Posted by: Maurine | August 17, 2011 at 03:53 PM
Happy Birthday Sweet 16 Monica!
I love her choice of charity.
Love, Colette
Posted by: Colette | August 18, 2011 at 08:06 AM