Christmas Tree Inspiration

If there is one season that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, that would be Christmas time.  Every year during the yule tide season, I become a kid again.  I love the food, the fragrant smell of pine everywhere, the Christmas carols...well most of them, and the way everyone seems to be in a better mood.  I especially love the many different ways people decorate their Christmas trees.

 Every year the trees seem to be more creative and even more fabulous than before.  Check out these trees from trendytree and I dare you to not be inspired!

Cherio!

Craft Of The Week

All A'bloom

 When I started this blog, my intention was to post craft projects weekly.  Somehow though, mostly due to my work schedule, these postings became farther and farther apart.  I am not happy about.  At all.  And so, this post will be the first of "creation/craft of the week" which will be whatever I created for the week.  I am looking forward to learning new techniques and crafts....good, bad or ugly, I will be sharing it so stay tuned.


 Here are a few pieces I painted this week.

You Are Not Alone

As For Me And My House

These are all mix media pieces (acrylics and pastels on heavy weight paper) and I had so much fun playing with the colors.  Next time though, I will use a new medium or technique to ensure that I am challenging myself and learning something new every week.  Sounds like a plan?  I think so......let's do this!  


Cherio!

Hip Hip Beret!

With winter fast approaching and the weather getting cooler by the day, there is nothing more chic, sassy and smart than a beret!  Did I mention that it's warm too...   


The slouchy beret is my absolute favorite.  It is loose fitting on the head so it allows me the versatility of totally covering all of my hair  or leaving sections of it out.  I really like that.  A lot. 

Okay, so I want one in every color, I can't help myself.

And guess what?  You can find so many of these on Amazon and on various Etsy stores for really affordable prices. Honestly, the color and style options are endless.  Right now I can't get enough of the the knitted looks but, I also adore the classic french beret too.  Oh la la!  Yes indeed. 


Cherio!

Uber Stylish, Ultra Easy DIY Chalkboards

http://frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com

I've been wanting to make a chalkboard for quite a while now. The warmth, coziness and personalized feeling that these chalkboards exude is so very appealing to me. Chalkboards are also practical and perfect for displaying dinner menus, chore list, messages, honey-do's and may other functional purposes.  But wait......there's more! They can also be decorative, modern and chic!

Yesterday, I found the perfect space in my kitchen for my own chalkboard. Now, all I have to do is find the right frame.....which for me would be an ornate French frame or a shabby chic Venetian frame.  As soon as I find my frame, it's on! 

HOW EASY IS IT...

In addition to being functional, the chalkboard is also inexpensive and very easy to make.  All you need is:

Chalkboard paint: chalk spray $5.00 or chalk paint $12.00

Primer

Paint brush  (use only if you have the paint instead of the spray)

A picture frame with a smooth solid surface to apply the paint to

You can use the backboard that comes with the picture frame if its solid/sturdy enough.  You can also cut a piece of poster board, particle board or thin ply wood to fit the frame.   Keep the picture or back board that came with the frame as a template to cut the chalkboard from.

http://lisaferncreek.blogspot.com

Next -

1. Remove the glass from the frame carefully 

2. Prepare the board of your choice for painting with primer

2. Spray or paint the surface (2 to 3 coats, allowing the paint to dry between each coat)

3.  Let the surface dry completely and then put it into the frame.


3.  Hang and enjoy!  

Tip:

Visit thrift stores and flea markets for interesting frames.  You'll be surprised at what is available to you. And the prices will blow your mind....,.in a good way! Remember it's the frame you want, so if you dislike the Art but like the frame, and the price is right.   Buy it.

isabella and max rooms

this american wife

your home based mom

Photo from HGTV web site

Photo from Country Living Magazine

Image from Pottery Barn

Photo from Houzz.com

awelldressedhome

Here are links to chalkboard crafts that are beautiful, fun, and easy to do.  Enjoy and let me know if you decide to try this.  I would love to see how it turned out.  As soon as I find a frame I really like, I will be posting pictures of my chalkboard here.  Fingers crossed.

Cherio!

http://www.homeroad.net/2011/03/upcycled-chalkboard.html

http://www.thestoriesofa2z.com/2009/05/mini-chalkboard-tutorial.html

Twas a white Christmas.....in Atlanta?

Well howdy, everyone!  I had a blast this Christmas and I sincerely hope that you enjoyed yourself as much as I did or more.....though am not sure if that is humanly possible.  Yep, it was that much fun!  Now I know you are curious as to what made this Christmas so special so, let me tell you.

 It snowed here in Atlanta on Christmas day for

 the first time in 128 years!

Need I say more?

  For someone like me who loves photography and just enjoying the beauty of it all, it was fantastic and the "icing on the cake" to the perfect day!  Here are some gorgeous photographs that I collected from 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Enjoy!

The Best Therapy Ever...

Its been a couple of days since my last post and I have been feeling under the weather, even somewhat melancholy. Its been a slow week as far as business is concerned so what's a girl to do. Well, I decided to paint the blues away. At first, I hated everything I painted, lol, the face was wrong, the nose too crooked, the colors too muddy. Pretty much everything was wrong until I realized this is supposed to be fun. duhhhhh. Anyhoo, after that I just stopped painting faces, relaxed and let the paint talk to me, lol, whatever that means. It sounded good though. Simply put, I had fun.