Art work admiration

While I was on my last road trip I took a tour of this beautifully decorated house.  In one of the girl's bedroom were these three pieces of artwork on the wall... "live"  "out"  "loud".  It was made with torn paper.  The owner of the home is extremely talented and her home was filled with so much of who she is.  I love so much of her decor and I found out later that she has made a lot of it herself.  Giving her a shout out!

I had the inspiration, paper, glue, canvas and time.  

1.  Use old book pages and tore them into pieces.  

2.  Glued them randomly all over the canvas.

3.  I used one scrapbook design for the circle on all three canvas so they would match.

4.  Orange, blue and yellow scrapbook paper was used to make the petals.

5.  I used a large dinner plate to draw a circle and a small plate to draw the inner circle.

6.  Glued the torn pieces to make the design.

7.  Used a black sharpie to draw the words.

A couple of things... the book pages I used had wide white margins so I trimmed them off so I only had text.  The scrapbook paper varied in thickness and I found I didn't like using the thicker card stock.  When it's torn it shows the white edges, so I trimmed it off because it was distracting from the petal design.  I also found small torn piece worked so much better.  It was like making a mosaic design.   Overall, I love how they came out and this is a project I can see making over and over.  All kinds of words and themes to explore!

I found some Xmas scrapbook paper and made these.  Not sure if I lke the outcome but it motivates me to keep working on it.  Great idea for holiday decor. though.

Monday thoughts....

A series of events have taken place this past week or so that have made me take a moment.

First, a good friend’s mother passed away a week ago.  I knew she was ill but when I got the news it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Lottie was extremely talented and creative.  She was a true authentic artist.  She love Mexico and everything about Mexican art and culture.  She was a fabulous furniture designer/builder.   I once traveled with her to Mexico. San Miguel de Allende and many small pueblos near Patzcuaro, Mexico.  We saw the pyramids, we walked the huge Mexico City Zoeculo  and visited Frida Kahlo’s Azul house.  We fell in love with San Miguel’s architecture, and met many artisans, woodcarvers, metal workers, mask painters and furniture makers.  She gave me so much inspiration.  I hadn’t seen her for few years but I’m always reminded of her whenever I look at a small framed Frida Kahlo postage stamp she gave to me.  May she rest in peace.

Second, three friends had car accidents this past week.  Thank sweet baby Jesus all suffered either no injury or minor injuries but still they had injuries.  Two cars totaled and one van undergoing a month long repair.  All the accidents are the true sense of shit happens that sets a whole lot of things in motion after being stopped in your tracks.

Third, my printers decided to go on an electronic glitch adventure.  My large photo printer decided to get stuck on “Error B200”.  As I researched “Error B200” I came to realize my five or six year love affair with my Pixma Pro i9000 was over.  The Canon support person gave me some bad news about “Error B200” – something to do with  electrical mambo jumbo bullshit and kindly emailed me a local authorized Canon repair shop.  But he added,  the cost to have it repaired might be close to the cost of buying a new printer because of the nature of “Error B200”.  A number of YouTube videos addressing how to deal with “Error B200” on a Canon printer suggested best way to solve “Error B200” was to use a heavy sledge hammer!  But wait!!!   I just bought ink!!!!   I can’t even get the stupid ink cartridges out of the damn printer!  Which leads me to telling you about my other very simple basic 3 in 1 wireless printer/copier/scanner machine.  It wouldn’t print ---it decide to only give me blank sheets of paper.  It would copy, it would scan but no document or email printing.  I figure I should buy ink for it since it only had black ink.  Well holy moley, the damn machine prints now.  Back in business, ah nope… the Epson XP200 will not print on cardstock, ever!  Not that kind of printer!

I did buy a new printer…and the love affair continues… Pixma Pro 100 this time around.  It’s wireless, it’s huge, it’s heavy, it’s awesome!  

But really, having printer problems is not a life changing event.  Life is a constant movement forward with us moving right along with it.  Challenging and reminding myself the power of now, this exact moment....in love and grace.

Architectual beauties

While I'm in my hometown I drive pass these beauties.  They are magnificent, huge, unique and architectural beauties.

This house is just around the corner from my parent's house, when I see it I know it's time to make my turn onto my parent's street.  I don't know why I didn't take a shot of the whole house.  It's beautiful and such a home.  I always wonder who the family is that's so lucky to have breakfast in the white windowed room.

This is a magnificent house and so grand.  I've been in this house and I remember taking the stairs up to the highest floor and listening to T.Rex singing "Bang a gong".    I love this house.

What a front porch on this house!

I noticed many brick homes and this one I love the  design within a design.  I wonder if there was a time with brick was abundant because there are many that were built next to each other, almost like it was a new material to use on houses.

Look at all the details on this house. Columns, bay windows enclosed porch and the block style foundation.  Yep,  the stairway is purple!

 This house is a gorgeous yellow!  I just want to sit on the porch sipping my lemonade!

How grand it this house.  I wonder who's all lived in this house.  I passed this house so many times on my walk to high school and thought how amazing it would be to have a house this grand.  It sits at an angle and makes such a statement.

This house I drove passed a million times and it's so beautiful even in it's state.  I don't know if it's being renovated but I would have loved to gone in it.  It sits next to a beautifully restored house.

Next to this house!  What a house!  It's home to some kind of shelter for kids I think.  I didn't have time to ask for a tour...next time I'm in town I'll have to ask for a tour.

 This house has some neat angles and bay windows.  The porch says come sit with me.

 Now, this house was very interesting.  Colors and designs on all sides of the house gave it such character.  There were such large trees surrounding this house I wasn't able to get a photo of the intricate  details using paint colors and fish shingles.

This house was grand as it sat at an angle on this corner.  Once again a awesome porch and such details. Even the out buildings were a piece of architectual artwork.

 

There a so many more houses, this was just a sample along a few blocks on one street.  My parents live in a 1940's Bungalow style home.  Not sure why I don't have a photo of it.  It's a very cool house full of great architectural details.   I read that some of the houses were Four Square architecture style... made popular from mail order catologues.  There are also Bungalow, Queen Anne, and Vernacular architecture styles.  I think the Queen Anne style is what the large magnificent houses are.  A girl can dream of what it must be like to call one of this beauties their home.  (as I return to Arizona to my ranch style simple design home with no porch to sip my cold lemonade on a hot Arizona afternoon!)

Buddha

I don't know much about the study or following of the spiritual teachings of Buddha, but I had to stop and give an offering.  If you look close you'll see coins, rocks, beads, stones, hearts, a ball, a beer cap and a dollar bill.  I love his big smile and great spirit.  I might have to visit this Buddha statue more often.... plus the view from where he sits is awesome!

The Three Universal Truths

Nothing is lost in the universe - we consist of that which is around us, we are the same as everything. 

Everything changes - everything is constantly changing.

Law of cause and effect - we receive exactly what we earn, whether it is good or bad.

Painted dresser...love, love, love

Here's the dresser I painted!  

I used chalk paint, but not the known chalk paint.  I did some research and found a DIY recipe.  I mixed up a quart of yellow latex flat paint with 10 oz plaster of paris and 5 oz water to make up chalk paint.  I mixed the plaster of paris with the water to dissolve all the lumps. Added the paint and mixed well. I cleaned the dresser with a hot soapy water to get all the dirt and grime off.  I bought this dresser about ten years ago at a thrift store.  I could never decide whether to restain it or paint it.  My brother used is for a few years and then it's been sitting in my garage for another year.  I have the space for it in my bedroom so it was time to make a decision....paint it is.

Before

Brushed on first coat

Working on 2nd coat

After the second coat dried I used a roller to do the final coat.  It took away the crush strokes you get when using chalk paint.  I ended up using all the paint.  Next I put on a layer of clear Minwax and I really didn't like the clean looking finish, so I added some brown tint (raw umber paint) to the wax and also sanded edges to give it a worn look.  I put on a layer of brown wax and let it dry and used a old tshirt to polish the wax and it's came out perfect!  I love the finish.  I put the original hardware on & I couldn't be happier with the outcome.

Seed bead inspired

While I watched The Voice, big fan of Sawyer Fredericks, who by the way, WON!

 I have been stringing seed beads onto waxed linen cord making bracelets and necklaces.  This has been addicting!  Some I've crocheted and others are strung on with no pattern.  Taught myself to make a sliding knot closure and I love the adjustability that offers.  Big thanks to (Youtube DIY videos).   I've been going through my seed bead collection so the options are endless.  The other thing is making some really cool charms and going through my collection of charms and add ons.  Like I said the options in design are endless.

Getting inspired

Did I tell you I've been taking on-line painting classes?  I love it.  Have you considered taking an art e-course?  I've learned so much and it gets the paint brushes in my hand.  My brain goes on overload with ideas of what to paint, inspires me so much to the point that I can't sleep and all I want to do is paint!   I want to make paintings of my dogs, of my family, artwork for my pendants, I'm inspired to paint more Latino themed artwork for my jewelry.  I want to fill my newly painted walls with my art!! I want to use all kinds of paints, mixed media, fabric and wallpapers....see what I mean my brain goes on overload!

Painted furniture?

I have two pieces of furniture I've decided to paint.  I know most would say never paint wood furniture.  Actually, one piece I built as an entertainment cabinet for all our electronics years ago.  It's painted a deep purple and I'm considering painting it a pale pink and aging it.  It's used as a linen closet and sits at the end of a hallway.  Pink just sounds cool and should go nicely with my newly grey painted walls.  The other piece is an old big dresser I got at a thrift store 15 years ago.  It's a dark wood and it's going to get a coat of vintage yellow paint.  I'll take a before and after photo of each piece.  I have tons of painting projects going on this year...some small, some big.  What's your thoughts on painted furniture?

World traveler???

Why not?

  What are your top 3 destinations?

Avery's 1st Birthday

I was asked to help with Avery's 1st Birthday Party.  Avery likes Minnie Mouse, that was the theme.  I made the banner in the background using a Minnie font and I found the banner template on Pinterest.  I searched Pinterest for cake ideas and boy are there ideas!  Tons of them!!

Here's the cake I made.  I used round ramekisns, which were the perfect size.  I cut the tops off to make it flat and I made it three layers, vanilla, chocolate, vanilla.  I frosted it with white buttercream frosting, which by the way is the best ever frosting ever!  Dropped some sprinkles on the top and the cake looked awesome, if I say so myself.

I was able to catch this great great close up photo of Avery!  She's adorable.

Bike riding

I bought a bike, a hybrid urban bike.  I’m in love love love!  I find it so easy to get on my bike every morning and go for a ride.  My first week it was easy to ride 4 miles which totally surprised me.  The following week I was riding 5-6 miles and today I rode 8 miles!!!   I conveniently live on a really nice bike route going all directions so depending on the direction of the wind determins which direction I ride.  Overall it’s a cool way to get some exercise.  Earlier this year I was walking my local park and found it such a challenge to get 2 miles of walking done.  Plus it’s always sunny and I’m not a fan of direct sunlight on me.  I find riding my bike so much fun and the sunshine doesn’t seem to be so bad cuz I’m moving and there's always a breeze.     Do you ride a bike and do you love it?

Beaded necklaces

I've been making beaded necklaces for the past month.  I have tons of seed beads and thought it was time to see what I could make with them.  I made some charms and found some pretty cool charms in my stash of stuff. This particular collection was sent off to a shop in Lincoln, Nebraska -- Guru Honey.  I didn't take a very good photo of them...not sure what I was thinking, I'm usually pretty good at documenting my jewelry.  I haven't stopped making these cool necklaces.  I'll have to post on my Facebook page when I have more to sell.

Red, turquoise, black and cream colors

I'm losing and finding things all the time

I have this thing about losing stuff all the time....but I also have this thing about finding them.  Well there are three things so far I've not ever found, one heart shaped necklace (Valentine's Day gift), a pair of the coolest blue tinted prescription sunglasses and another necklace...a diamond one...(anniversary gift) but I am open to them coming back to me.  

The other day I was going through my collection of postcards.  In this pile of postcards I found my Best Buy gift cards I got as a  gift a long time ago.  I thought I might of given them to someone, re-gifting is common in my world.  And something even more funny was I put the two cards in my journal and headed out to shop.  When I went to get the cards they weren't in my journal!  Found one at the bottom of my purse but the other one I had no idea where it could be.  Can you believe it I lost one of the cards, so no shopping.  Two days later I thought I might as well check out my car and see if it might of fallen out of my purse.  Low and behold it was under the seat!  Oh yeah I just remember another thing I've lost and have yet to find....my best Bose earphones!!!  I love them earphones, which were also a birthday gift.  Geez, I'm noticing a pattern here...gifts=lost stuff.  Honestly though, I have found so many things that were once lost....honestly I lose things all the time all kinds of things all the time, so the odds of it being found are pretty good and I could tell you some stories about lost and found, haha.

I headed to Best Buy and decided on a Kindle.  I've had several types of Kindles in the past but have passed them on to other reading friends.  I have the original basic Kindle in order to keep my account open for ebook benefits.  I've used my iPad to read using the Kindle app.  What I didn't like about using the iPad is it's heavy and not comfortable to hold and read.  I ended up buying the Kindle paperwhite and I'm loving it!!!!  It's small and easy to read. 

I do love having real books and I have three on my bedside I'm reading right now.  Crazy isn't it??

Labyrinths

I don’t really know too much about labyrinths, but since I started walking and also learning  the practice of meditation I decide why not combine both and walk a labyrinth.  I found one about a mile away from my house.  It’s on a church property but no one was around.  I walked it and it was pretty cool and decided to make it a habit.  I rode my bike there today and it’s gone!  It’s been removed and construction is going on.  Sad face!  I’m gonna need to do some more research to find another one in my area.  Not only did I love the shape but I was fascinated with the rocks.  I did find one heart shaped and that always puts a smile on my face.  You should find a labyrinth to walk and think....let me know if you do.

Hello blog...

It's amazing how time gets away from me when it comes to my blog posts.  I'm constantly using my camera, constantly jotting down notes, and always have tons of blog post ideas....but putting it all together to post continues to be my challenge.  I've been working on beading projects, taking online art classes, reading more, and sorting photos.  This time of year the weather is beautiful around here and that's a big distraction, too.  All & all, it's a fun day everyday.