Food for thought. . .

I need to order business cards. I was thinking something like this would work.

Awesome

In my art classes I am always talking about creating awesomeness and being awesome. I even have a shirt that states that I am "Proud to be Awesome". So this post is for all the awesome out there. Happy Friday Eve!

Spring Has Sprung!

I am an avid reader of the Apartment Therapy website for design ideas, going green information, and just general food for thought. Biannually they have a "spring cleaning" event that goes hand in hand with their book. I look forward to this event and I am sad they have not started it yet. So I am going back to the fall event videos to help with my systematic process of refreshing my house. I like that it helps not only organize your spring cleaning so that it is manageable, but also helps with your mind set on how you look at living in your house and the home you are creating. Ready, Set, Go!


Day one: Clean One Room

Video series is by the author of Apartment Therapy: The Eight-step Home Cure, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan.

Zentangle = Simple Fun

Part of the reason I started this blog was to force myself to do some self exploration. I stopped creating and now have lost the ability to express myself through my art. I paint for: practice, to decorate my house, or because someone requests it. I REALLY want to make art for me again. I have lost a sense of self and am desperate to get it back.

I ran across a site called Zentangle. There I found drawings that remind me of what I do when I am bored, stuck in a staff meeting or what I used to do in high school when I was procrastinating on homework. That said, I decided it was a good jumping off point to begin relaxing my mind and letting the drawing just flow. Fingers crossed that my mind opens up and something beyond doodles comes out of this.

It is definitely fun and relaxing! Next time you're bored in a meeting, waiting in the doctor's office or need to keep your hands busy while watching tv, get out a piece of paper and start. I like 4 in x 4 in squares to begin and when you feel comfortable let it expand. It is as simple as repeating a pattern or set of lines. Below is a picture of what I doodled this evening to give you an idea. Try it out and let me know what you think.

Relax and Have fun!

Still drinking bottled water? Here are a few reasons to stop.

Still drinking bottled water? Here are a few reasons to stop.

Magic Monday

Puff the Magic Dragon came on yesterday via the shuffle on my itunes library. Today I stumbled across the soundtrack to the Last Unicorn by America. Since it seems to be a trend for the week so far, I decided to share. Sadly, I was not able to get a good quality video of the old cartoon.

Here is Peter, Paul, and Mary singing Puff the Magic Dragon.

Kitchen Thus Far

As soon as I moved in I replaced all the brass hardware knobs with oiled bronze. I have yet to invest in changing out all the hinges to the darker color. I'd almost prefer to find an alternative to doing so. The paint is Behr: Toasted Cashew and Valspar: Sea Lily (the green accent color was a $5 oops my bad can I found). The salt and pepper shakers were $3.00 from Pier1.
AFTER:

Kitchen Before

In an earlier post I shared my inspiration for my kitchen, now is when I share what I did with that inspiration. I have 12ft. ceilings which are great for decorative purposes. However, it is impossible to find ideas for due to the fact that most of the "tall ceiling" pictures you find online are all of huge lofts not 1000 sq. ft. condos. The height of the wall just above the cupboards is 4 feet. Please note: The door featured belongs to the stacked washer and dryer. . . not a pantry.
BEFORE:

Aled Lewis: Toy Stories

I found this discovery on Making it Lovely and it made me giggle so of course, I had to share.
Check out more here.

Mid-Century design icon alphabet

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pleasebestill

Audrey Kawasaki

This collection of Audrey's faces came from a critic of her work on the similarity of all her girls. Anyone who knows anything about art knows that when creating the human face or form you draw from yourself. So you will continue to see the same face, because it is that of the artist's. What I see in each of these faces is the development of craft and process. Over time she has improved form, shading, and process to continue to make an even richer experience for the viewer. I have been following her for the last few years and in studying her craft have also improved my own. She is a master of her craft and I wouldn't be the artist I am today without what I have learned from her. Art is not only the expression of, but the exploration of who you are and I look forward to continuing to share her journey.

If you are interested in checking out more of her work please check out Audrey Kawasaki.

Kitchen Inspiration

I am in search of bathroom inspiration right now, but I wanted to share the ideas that helped me create my bright and happy kitchen. I can't help smile when I see it.

The retro appliances are from Big Chill and are a complete dream come true! You might recognize the fridge from Rachel Ray's tv show. The picture below is where I drew most of my ideas particularly the color palette. Some day I will have a window in my kitchen! I love natural light in the kitchen, ability to open a window for fresh air and plants on the window sill. The accents in yellow and granny smith apple green are a perfect punctuation to an incredible statement. The challenge I faced was making sure the mural I have pre-existing didn't clash with array of colors I wanted to add to the room. Ironically, I felt it was like a cave even though the walls were white. I feel as though I was successful and I can't believe how it brightens the room.

Black Keys

No, as much as I love the band, I am not talking music. I have always had a thing for antique keys. I love their shape and design whether it be plain or ornate. I found this fabulous picture of an assortment of keys on beautifully weathered and aged wood. I found this picture on a photo blog, From Me to You.

Dream a little dream. . .

I'm not getting married, but if I was this record wedding invitation would be the one! Other delightful invites can be found at "ello there" print shop on Etsy.

This made me giggle. . .

via (altruism in the morning)

Type Writer Love

All photos were taken from Joe Vintage's Etsy shop.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/joevintage

Etsy Taste Test

This is a fun way to browse Etsy via your choice of style and color. Check it out!

http://tastetest.etsy.com/?id=fffa30f0-ec8d-012d-2a8d-12313b03236d/#

















The print is called "Spooning".

Terrariums

I really want one of these, but fear that living in the desert of Nevada will only kill it. In addition, I'm not sure where I'd put it. *whimper*


http://www.etsy.com/shop/seaandasters?section_id=7576662

A Collection a Day, 2010: Day 161

A Collection a Day, 2010: Day 161: "And even more scissors."

I love collections in fantastic arrangements such as this. I think a contour drawing of this would be awesome. I'll just add it onto my to do list. I have seen a lot of cooking utensil prints done in this way particularly on tea towels. It would be a great addition to a craft room.

The Beginning

I have spent the last few years pouring over blogs for inspiration with my art, researching artists, designing and decorating my home and now creating lesson plans for my art classes. I love gathering information and researching and thought it was about time to share my thoughts, ideas and craft stories. I just finished work on my kitchen and am moving to the master bathroom. I recently learned to knit and am currently taking a watercolor class. Needless to say there is a lot of making and crafting going on. I can't wait till summer vacation begins so that I can return to my ceramics and the true root of my happiness. I hope to post progress pictures and inspirational findings of my trials and tribulations.

image by Simply Hue Designs