What I've been up to...

I began this blog almost 3 years ago. I had no idea what would become of it, and how I would find friendship and encouragement along the way. I never really had big dreams of becoming a huge blog I just wanted to share what I was working on and for about 2 years I did that. My husband was a huge supporter of my blog, always reading my post and telling his friends to do the same. Since his death I haven't really blogged at all, but really I had started to question why I was putting so much time into my blog when there were so many other things I wanted to work on. You know what I mean when I say you can become consumed by the computer to the point that you don't do what you really love and so I had begun to pull back some last spring and then Mike got sick not long after that and I just haven't felt like putting my energy into this blog. However, my struggle is letting Mike's death be the last of this blog, something he believed in and encouraged me to be a part of. I don't want that to be the end of this so for now I'll share what I have been up to but still don't know how often I'll be posting.

I have recently been bitten by art journaling and mixed media art. There are many great artist out there sharing and teaching everyone about these techniques, my new favorite is Donna Downey. She was in my area over the weekend so I went to a few of her classes. What a fun lady, and uber talented. It was a great weekend of creating and laughing, can't beat that, huh?
Enough chatting I'll just share the pics of what I created.

I'm itching to get my hands dirty and play with some more canvases. I believe art heals, I know my heart aches for creative time. It's not about how good it is, it's about the process. I came away with a great quote from the retreat, by Picaso.

 Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working.

Here's to inspiration...

Easy Map Art

Maps are crazy popular right now, everywhere you look they are on Pinterest. Actually my son was all about the states when he was younger so I decorated his room with them back then. I posted this map on my blog several months ago as inspiration.

People keep sending me emails asking me how to make it. Ooooy... if only they would read. I did not make this, hence the title of the post... Inspiration, things you can buy from the catalog Nappa Style. All that being said, I do think it would be really simple to make. This one is on wood probably like pallet wood.

Ok, pardon this picture, this was taken a few years ago, before I knew you aren't suppose to use a flash. I made this for my sons room. I used artist canvas to mount it on. I took the map, wadded it up a few times to age it out and then Mod Podged it onto the canvas putting more Mod Podge on top. Once it was totally dry I took some watered down brown paint and rubbed it onto the map. The Mod Podge keeps it from really absorbing into the map which is good. This is one map that I cut in half. It really looked aged, I wish I still had it so I could take a better picture for you to see it. If you want to see more great stuff from Nappa Style check out the original post here.

Isn't this amazing!!! I actually had 4 of these a few years ago. I got them free! I just saw them listed on Etsy for 450.00 each, OUCH! I think I gave mine to Goodwill. Yep, makes me sick! I'm thinking does it pay to get rid of things??? Seems like whenever I do it becomes the next big thing! How about you, any remorse over something you got rid of?

Fabric Button Art

Today I want to share a project that was inspired by some fabric I purchased at Walmart. Is anyone else excited that Walmart is carrying fabric again?

I've been working on our spare bedroom and when I saw these fabrics I knew they were perfect for the space. I found this bedding at Home Goods for a steal, only 25.00!!! Gotta love that place!

Let me show you what I came up with and then I'll share how to make one.

I'm hoping this is a perfect reminder for guest when they come to visit.
                                                                                                                                                                            

I started out with a button kit, you can pick one up at your local fabric store, they only cost a few dollars. 

It's really simple to turn your fabric into a button, the instructions are on the back, it looks something like this.

Once I had all of mine made I added the letters to spell out rest using clear stamps. They worked great  for this project because you can see how to line up the letters. If you don't have stamps you could use rub on letters or even write it.

I covered some cardboard with a coordinating fabric for the background.

And I spray painted a Goodwill frame with Exotic Sea by Valspar from Loew's.

When I glued my buttons to the backing of the frame I made little risers  out of cardboard so the buttons were raised a little.

  And the last thing I did was embellish my buttons with some bling.

I love it! Do you think I could cover a wall with all of my favorite fabrics? This is a perfect project for scraps and would be really cute in a sewing or craft room.

Positively Spendid
I Heart Naptime
The Stories of A 2 Z
Blue Cricket Design
Domestically Speaking
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52 Mantels
The 36th Avenue
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Saved by Love Creations
Beyond the Picket Fence
Tatertots & Jello
Funky Junk Interiors 

Playing With Paper and Paint- Mixed Media Art

I went to one of my favorite places yesterday, The Little Blue House. It's a fun place full of neat, creative ladies and any time I get a chance to go and take a class or hang out there, I go! This is my latest creation.

I have wanted to play with mixed media forever, this class was a chance to jump in and get my feet wet.

It was so much fun, layering paper and paints and stamps. It's the kind of art where you just go for it, no way you can mess up.We choose our own words to put on it. These words speak about where I am in my life right now.

I love all the little bits and pieces. And I have the perfect place for this in my guest room.
I got home and I couldn't quit thinking about it so I got out a bunch of stamps and a bunch of stuff you just have around the house and started creating.

And here is what I came up with. My sister in law was just in town and she calls my daughter a songbird, I guess I had songbird on the mind.

My husband, who is my biggest supporter, says "you need to sell these". That is sweet, means alot to me.

Love her fat little singing cheeks! How many of these can I have in my house? I told the girls in class that I was going to go home and paint the bathroom wall like this. Wouldn't that be fun to look at? Anyway, yet another thing I'm hooked on! Do you love to play? If so you will love this! Oh, I should have mentioned, the songbird one is a pizza box!

I'm partying at...
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The Delectable Home
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Blue Cricket Design
The 36th Avenue
Beyond the Picket Fence
The Shabby Creek Cottage
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Positively Spendid