Mint, Gold, & A Dog Portrait

A week or so ago a package arrived on my doorstep. It completely caught me off guard, and upon opening it I was sent to the moon and back. What I found was two of my favorite things. One, the combination of mint and gold. Two, Shelby; only my favorite little German shepherd mix.

What we don't do enough of these days is surprise people with our talents, and use them out of the overflow of our heart, just simply to make their day. Well, Hillary completely made my day. She has made me realize, too, how a simple gesture like painting a portrait of one's dog (and other things like a hand written note or a sweet phone call out of the blue) can really make someone feel loved. We need to do more of that, don't you think? I feel so inspired to do the same for someone else, and brighten their day--making this type of gesture the norm. How different our world might be if we all did something with our talents purely out of the desire to give and make others feel thought of.

When the light hits the gold paint in such a way, oh! if you could only see the effect of its shimmer and how it brightens the room. And Hillary totally got Shelby's look down pat, don't you think?

Ampersand Wedding Date Art | DIY

When it comes to gifts, I've been on a mission to either give locally made items or make the gift myself, especially since moving to Colorado. Going into Christmas here in a few months, I'm already starting to plan out what I want to make (like more of these & these for my friends), and am really excited for snowy days spent "making". When Morgan and Josh got married this past September, I knew I wanted to make them something. Something that would be unique to them and Morgan's eclectic style--and continuing with the "handmade" approach that their wedding was. Remember when I painted that chartreuse cup and used left over paint to make an ampersand (here)? Well, this is what that became. 

Using the painted canvas, patterned paper, a large frame from Ikea, and the tools below, I made the newlyweds a piece or art that had a hint of their wedding colors and their wedding date framed in a fun way. (I figured ampersands are hard not to like, so I was pretty safe with the idea). 

The amerpsand is a cute way to symbolize the 'and' when you are talking about a newlywed couple. Morgan and Josh are now officially Morgan and Josh--hence, the ampersand. The numbers are their wedding date: 9-7-13. First I traced the matting and centered the patterned paper under it, placing the canvas on top to lay out how I wanted the end result. Then I cut the paper to matting size.

Next, with my paper the exact size of the matting, I could place the canvas directly center and that would center up nicely in the frame. I actually glued the canvas to the paper, allowing it to set for a few minutes before framing it. Then I flipped it over into the frame with the matting down first and replaced that back of the frame.

Orange and chartreuse, I just always love this combo--a bit vintage yet also current, which is a win win. I really like how it turned out. Yes, it is a painting, but it really feels more like a print (which is what I really like about it). Now for a busy week ahead. But get ready, because I'm going to be sharing a few newly styled posts this week. I'm excited to stretch myself a bit! 

Meet Christina of Tide and Bloom

It was through Anne's Tuesday Love Yourself Linkup that I cam across Tide and bloom. Christina had been writing about her decision to pursue art as a career, something that went against the grain in her world, and this immediately caught my heart's attention as I myself was going through "against the grain" notions in my own career path. Since first meandering over to Christina's space, I have loved getting to see bits from her sketch book (i.e.. here, and this one here), continuing to hear about the journey in finding herself as an artist and individual, and reading the lovely features she does of other creatives. To top it off, she is so humble and sweet, real and honest, and builds community within her blog.

Meet Christina:

 "At the core of my being, I am an artist. I’ve always had the inexplicable urge to create things and art class was hands-down my favorite part of school at every stage in my life. Now that I’m older and maybe just a tad wiser, I realized that this is never going to go away because I always come back to beauty. It’s what I want more than anything, in everything I do. So instead of trying to fit myself into the professional career box, I decided to accept my fate and pursue it with all the dedication that I would give to any other opportunity."

About Tide and Bloom: 

"Beginning this blog went hand in hand with the decision to get back into making artwork. The words “tide” and “bloom” made sense to me as a description for the constant ebb, flow, and growth we all experience in our day-to-day lives. It is this push, this instinctual desire to move forward, that has brought me here. Tide & bloom is a space to share and inspire creativity, in all forms that reveal themselves to me and you. I’m most inspired by natural wonders, culinary delights, thoughtful films, charming abodes, and of course other creative individuals. It’s my hope that reading this will be like reading letters from a dear friend or colleague and that it might motivate you to seek beauty in your own life and pursue the dreams you didn’t think possible."

Noteworthy Pieces:

Dear Me

The Value of Your Work

Chocolate Fixes Everything

Your Invited

Creative Matters

photos via Tide & Bloom

_____________________________________________________________________

In this mini-series you'll get to meet the ladies behind a few of my favorite blogs, and hopefully spend some time exploring their creative spaces, reading their inspiring words, and feeling like you just sat down for coffee with a dear friend. You can read more about the features here.

La Catrina Tile Art (a framing DIY)

After stowing away a few handpainted tiles on our Sayulita adventures, and a few other treasures, it was about time to frame the falkloric ceramics. Being tiles, both small and thicker than the normal frameable art, I had to come up with a way to make framing work. Ikea has these great frames (the RIBBA) that allow you to add depth to your picture. Pretty perfect, right?

Notes from a Swimmer / 2

ABOVE // I just love this Synchronized Swimming piece by Jeannie Phan from her book Nature's Collections. How pretty the shapes are! As a little girl my friends and I would attempt to choreograph our own synchronized swimming routines. That in addition to underwater hand stand contests. My goodness how difficult that sport is -- synchronized swimming not under water handstands (although, my husband my beg to differ). 

BELOW // How stunning would a print like this Underwater view of Triathalon Swimming be in a room needing some graphic pop? I'm thinking a similar vibe to Jenny's laundry room and the way she used a black and white print to bring interest into the space (not that it wasn't interesting in all other areas of design! )

Print-Like Denver Oil Painting

For our four year anniversary this past May, I painted Matt his gift, rather than buying it. The man loves maps, so I set out to make a print-style oil painting of the state of Colorado. With a heart placed over the very spot we now call home: Denver.  

This piece of art has been a long time coming. Two words: oil paint. If you've used oil on canvas, you know that oil takes patience and time. So much time. So much patience. And so much mess. (Oil based paints are my favorite thing to clean....said no one ever). The day I set out to paint this print-like map, I wanted to have the piece done and setting in our living room within 24 hours. Talk about setting way too high of expectations for myself. That, let alone trying to defy the properties of oil paint. I'm fairly certain this canvas sat on our kitchen counter for more than 24 days. Ha, 24 hours? Who was I kidding. Between the layers and the waiting for everything to dry between applications-- well, let's just say this canvas has been waiting to join the others for far too long now. 

Girl Shops Globe

It goes without saying that one of my favorite parts of travel are the markets and shops. When we were in Peru, it was the textiles; in Buenos Aires, the shoes and antiques. Did any of you ever see the show Man Shops Globe on the Sundance Channel? It chronicles Keith Johnson doing, what I might consider, my dream job: searching for the most unique and beautiful objects and decor for Anthropologie. It was always a tricky show to catch when it was airing--but you can watch the episodes online now at Sundance.com. Anyways, Man Shops Globe follows Johnson, who travels six months of the year, to ends-of-the-earth excursions, from flea markets in Paris to remote villages in India to obscure art studios in Turkey. Did I mention dream job? When I travel I always think of that show and what Keith would say--would it make the cut and take the trip back? I try to only bring back items from my travels that I couldn't find elsewhere, that are part of the culture or folklore art, and/or just tickle my design fancy.

White on black

This photo was taken 9 years ago. I think I had just finished this white charcoal piece before taking the photo. A part deep down in me wants to draw again. Draw more often. Stay up late and have hands covered in charcoal and pencil smudges. There are a lot of things I want to do now that I did more nine years ago. It's time to make that happen. Have you had a yearning to do more of something that is so utterly a part of you, but that you've put on the back burner for years?

Ferris wheels and loopty loos.

This weekend Matt's work had a picnic at Elitch Gardens. Although we didn't ride the tall tower, from the top you can see all of downtown Denver before you plummet to the floor. Some of the phone photos I captured made me really want to get a ferris wheel print, like this one I found on Etsy. Wouldn't this be so cute for a nursery or playroom? Happy weekend!

1 / 2

Button, button, I've got the {anchor} buttons. (Part II of III)

This is a "silent film" style post, to give you progress on the buttons. {Do not fret, it can still be considered silent even with short captions.}

Jar dump/Color codes/Favorites

Stripes / Button Fancy

Half glued anchor / Deeper meaning / Photo Source /Work in progress

I know I said this was going to be a two part post, but seeing I start work full-time (that and I ran out of super glue,. although you wouldn't know it if you saw my left pointer finger -covered-) you will see the end result in Part III. Thanks for being patient, and do please share your button works if you are making/have made one as well!

Button, button, who's got the button? {Part I of III}

 Button collection and button company.

There is a jar that sits on my desk. A jar that collects circular bits. A jar that, throughout moves, and years, collects buttons. Coat buttons. Quilt buttons. Doll buttons. Pants buttons. Grandma's buttons. Buttons. The jar is completely full, so I see this as the moment to finally make use of these little plastic, wooden, and metal circles. Always inspired when I see button art, and now the time has come. Tomorrow I set out to make my own. Consider this a two three part blog post. You now know about my untouched button jar  and {below} are some of my favorite works of button art out there in the blogging world.

Thedailytelecraft.com

Little Green Notebook

Etsy

BHG

Our Humble Abode

This will be the perfect project for someone like me who loves to organize by color, make abstract collages, and paste with glue. Have you ever made something wonderful out of this circle hardware of sorts? I urge you to make your own cute as a button art and share! I will gladly link you up to this post and debut your creations. {Part II to come}

Fresh Air Inspiration, Celebrating America by being in the Beautiful.

It could not have been more fitting that I find this print today after celebrating our country's independence yesterday in the great outdoors. I found this print at Denver Goodwill for $0.99 (yes that 99 cents). I am fairly certain is is of Alaska, and although the artist signs it with the date 1993, the coloring of the print makes it have that vintage feel.

Days like these make me realize that the piece in my heart that was missing can be found in creation, that legs were made for more than walking but for exploring, that fresh air is one of the greatest gifts, that rocks and tree trunks are works of art, and that I truly love Colorado. 

post mail here

SO lovely readers, something that I have been reminded of this July Fourth: The greatest bargain hunting is done outdoors, in the freedom of crisp air, surrounded by bug noises, and with a captivated heart. I feel refreshed and inspired. What revives your creativity?