Spotlight…Art I Love

With Spring being just around the corner, I am currently craving some fresh new color in my home décor. What better way to add color that with some beautiful new art…

Sweet Disposition by Kristi Gammill

 

 

 

While reading some favorite blogs, I came across the work by artist Kristi Gammill and absolutely love her work.

 

 

 

Kristi is an amazing, mostly self taught artist living in Oklahoma. Read more about her on her website here.

 

 

 

Besides the gorgeous abstracts shown above, she also paints beautiful florals…

 

 

 

 

 

 

She also has a fun blog featuring her art, inspiration, fashion and musings…see it here.

 

 

 

Any of these would be the perfect way to add color and style for Spring!

Anne Sloan Chalk Paint Workshop…

Yesterday I joined the ladies at our shop Hip Chick Designs for an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Workshop.

 

 

 

 

Every month Carrie – owner of Hip Chick Designs – offers this very popular class to all of our customers and friends.  It is an excellent opportunity to get a hands on experience to work with this awesome paint!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is Carrie telling us how she used ASCP to paint her old suede boots! Yes! You can paint fabric and even suede with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I told you this stuff is AMAZING! Visit this post from last October that shares more amazing application ideas.

 

 

 

We were able to work with 3 different techniques including Two Color Distressed, Heavy Texture with Dark Wax, and Smooth Finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are my sample molding boards showing the first step of each technique…

 

 

 

 

 

 

After each board dried we were able to apply the finishing steps of waxing and distressing…

 

 

 

I love the look of each technique! That is just one of the wonderful aspects of chalk paint…the ability to achieve so many finishes, so quickly and easily!

 

 

 

If you have not tried out Annie Sloan Chalk Paint yet…what are you waiting for?!? It is so easy to use and offers such beautiful and versatile finishes. I promise you will love it! Attending a local hands on workshop is a great way to get started.

 

 

 

The Girls at Hip Chick Designs

 

 

If you live local – in the Ca. Bay Area – contact us for details and dates on our next workshop. If you are out of the area, visit the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint website here for information on distributors and workshops near you.

 

 

 

 

Jewelry Organization…

I love jewelry! All kinds of jewelry…gold, silver, fine, costume…the more the merrier! I must have inherited this trait from my mom, an avid jewelry collector, famous in her circle of friends for the beautiful bobbles she wears and even makes herself!

Mimi at work making her Rose Rings…see full post here.

 

 

The ONLY problem I have found with my collection/addiction is how to store, display, and organize all of it! First step to a solution is hopping onto Pinterest to get some organization inspiration. I created my board Jewelry Organization (clever name huh?) and it is one of my most followed and popular. Many of you must belong to the same club!

 

 

Here are some great ideas…

 

 

Frame It!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By filling frames of all sizes with fabric, cork, screen, and even a radiator grate you can create a classic and stylish display.

 

 

Bowls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I use this method in the drawers of my antique dresser that I painted and use for my jewelry/dressing table.

 

 

Simple DIY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quirky!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who knew I could just raid the recycle bin and utensil drawer for ideas?! What are your favorite jewelry organization tips and ideas?

 

 

Visit my Pinterest board Jewelry Organization for more inspiration and organization ideas here.

 

 

Sources – 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15

 

 

 

Birthday Chalkboard Art…

Last week we celebrated a big birthday…my son Andrew turned 16!

 

 

I took the opportunity to create some new chalkboard art! I have really enjoyed having this chalkboard canvas in our living space that changes with the seasons and is a creative place to highlight special events.

 

 

Yesterday, we capped off the birthday celebration with a family BBQ. Loving the quality family time and the fact that you are never too big to sit on Mom’s lap!

 

 

I told him I was going to post this pic on my blog…

 

 

The birthday boy with his new chrome wheel wall clock...perfect for the newly licensed driver! Thanks Mimi...

 

 

How do you celebrate birthdays in your family? Just being able to be together is the best gift of all…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dreaming of Paris…

I have already shared several posts on my recent trip to Paris seen here and here. A couple of months before my departure, I created a Pinterest board titled Dreaming of Paris to get inspired and prepared for this wonderful opportunity and dream trip.

 via Dreaming of Paris…

 

 

The above photo of the Eiffel Tower was one of the first photos I pinned. I just loved all of the balloons and the unique perspective on this beautiful icon.

Here is one of the first photos I took on my trip…

 

 

 

 

A self portrait with my iPhone in the exact same spot! I could hardly believe we were actually there, and did not realize the similarity of these photos until I got home and was editing all my photos.

 

Our first 2 days in Paris we explored as much of this beautiful city as we possibly could. Here are some highlights…

 

 

Eiffel Tower and Carousel

 

 

Metro Station

 

 

love the graffiti…one of my favorite shots

 

 

 

the most charming ally ways and shops...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arc du Triomphe…so beautiful at night

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

unique Metro station signs…

 

 

 

the Moulin Rouge

 

 

 

the cobblestone streets of Montmartre…my favorite area to explore!

 

 

 

 

clay chimney pots on the rooftops…

 

 

 

outdoor cafes…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the gargoyles on Sacre Coeur…notice his icicle beard!

 

 

 

Le Sacre Coeur

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is another pin from my Pinterest board Dreaming of Paris…

 

 

 

 

 

Look how much alike the two shots are! It is so thrilling to know I have stood in this exact spot. It is fun to now see photos of Paris and be able to say…”I have been there!”

I hope you have enjoyed these photos of my trip…thanks for letting me share. I will be continuing to post on Fridays - sharing more about this trip and all my other future travel plans and dreams!

Have a great weekend!