It's been a long while since I crocheted.... like months! Which is so unlike me, because when I'm not holding a paintbrush... I'm holding a crochet hook. These hands are never idle!
Picnic time is just around the corner and there's nothing I love more than taking a blanket anywhere on a nice day, fanning it out in the breeze, and laying upon it. I have done many a crochet project, but never a blanket. It's time consuming and since my hands are never idle I also tend to jump from project to project. I fear I will start a blanket, have good intentions, but never finish it.
I'm determined though. I have a whole lot of granny sqaures to go and have only whipped up a 1/3 of the inner circles that will get another row or two, making them squares. The colors I chose remind me of summer and sunshine. They give me thoughts of pina coloda's and steaks on the grill. I plan on letting the inner circles be all the color, the border a stark white.
If I keep focused and strive towards my goal of sunshine and cocktails I think I will get there! I'll just keep chugging like the little train that could...
All this newly found happiness has me putting energy into all sorts of
places I didn't realize I had checked out of. Like decorating our home!
It has been so long since I took pride in decorating our love nest, and I
missed it so much! The other day I did some antique/vintage shopping, found some lovely things I wanted to share with you today!
(Bright yellow Pineapple motif crocheted doily in a large size, now a front door curtain - Thrifted $6)
(Hand embroidered pillow cover $1!!! All ready to slip a pillow in)
I think some folks (not all of course), hold back on how they want to decorate. Perhaps they feel that homes are supposed to be decorated a "certain way", or that they must be nice, neat, and presentable. Well... yes, and no! If you want to hang something from the ceiling or put twinkle lights across the bookcase, then why not!? Right? Right! And that's how I'm decorating. If I think something makes me happy, then I'm going to do it. Like... for instance... the top of our book case is a place where I keep candles and our incense... it's also where I let vintage dinosaurs roam! They have to be kept up high because when they get down they chase people and try and bite their ankles! Naughty reptiles!
Trippin' at the thrift shop (cue the song) found me with an armful of vintage scarves. A little hum hum on my sewing machine and suddenly I have a curtain that would make Peir 1 Imports wet their pants! A pleasant reward was when I hung it up, the heat ran, and the curtain undulated in beautiful and flowing ways.
Or perhaps their is a ghost in the house and it's trying to put on the curtain as a dress?
(These two scarves - Thrifted - $5)
I have always admired crochet buntings, knew I could make them, but never did. Why? Laziness... hectic day to day living... I don't know... but I made one last weekend and it is one of the newest additions to our home that brings me the most joy. It brings me the most joy because it's something I didn't allow myself to make... or rather depression didn't. Well screw you depression, I have an army of pills and a good therapist now that trump your efforts ten fold!
Some of my left over silk scarves became pillow covers. With just turning them around into the diamond shape position, laying the pillow on top, and meeting the corners together in a knot... it's a no sew improvement that needs little effort for achievement! Not to mention they are silky soft and extremely lush to lay with.
(Thrifted scarf $3 - Pillow form $10 - Final Cost $13 for custom pillow! Plus it only took 2 minutes to make)
Next I'm thinking about hanging things from the ceiling in spots that just seem to scream for it. Like above our bookcase... it's caddy corner and so space is a lost. When I look at it I see that it needs pretty things on string I think... Here is an idea that I found on Pinterest. You can click on the picture and make some for yourself if you like. They are made of post it notes!
Love yourself, love the things that make you happy, love the space you live in!
Last week I shared with you my newly happily planted succulents, and since then I have added two little air plant babies to my dining room hippie shelf of found things. I wasn't sure where to buy them locally so I hopped on the grand ol' Etsy site where I found a super shop with super plants for a super dee duper price! Not only did they come in GREAT healthy condition but they came fast as well. I have to admit it was fun ordering a plant through the mail, knowing that the inside the box upon delivery was something alive.
Purchasing only 2 and now seeing them in their pretty hanging glass globes that I found at the craft store, I definitly need more. Plants bring such life to a home... and fresh air! It's a beneficial happy thing for sure where you enjoy them and in my silly playful mind, they enjoy me too! If I can't get outside yet and sink my hands in the wet cold earth, I sure as h-e- double l am going to bring some green (and pink) indoors!
My kids were so amazed at the fact that air plants don't need soil. They were all... but mom, no dirt!? And I was all... nope! Cooooool right??
YES! Next I think I would like a few more small ones, and then a big one. Wall mounted!
This past week brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a spring-like day, and lots of artwork. Every single morning is spent not on the computer but with my watercolors, coffee, and other assorted art materials. The cat and I fight over my paint water, I dip my brush into the water just past his face as he slurps up what he thinks is deliciousness. Silly cat! Painting every single day is doing wonders for my skill. With each piece I see improvement where I thought there was no improvement before. Sounds a little conceited I think, for an artist is always improving and growing. I'm in love with my new work and soon the Etsy shop will be filled with a plethora of new pieces.
Like my photographs? Follow me via @Paintingbliss on Instagram
Please don't tell my new pillow, but I'm still seeing my old one. I thought my old pillow wasn't treating me well. Our relationship had gone, oh how should I put it? Flat. So I was out and about seeing what caught my eye one day when this new, fresh, and voluptuous thing came my way. I couldn't say no. It was irresistible.
So I took it home, helped it take its outerwear off and let it into my bed. It looked good there, it had a lot of promise and I decided to kick my old pillow out. Literally. On the floor. I had had it with its attitude... it was making me feel uncomfortable. It wasn't fulfilling my needs. It had been many a moon since we connected and well I just felt it was time.
The first time me and the new fling spent the night together I was so excited. More than I probably should have been... as far as pillow talk goes this new and soft landing place had it all. I cuddled up and had no problem getting cozy, it felt so right.
It felt so right that is...until the next morning. You know, that awkward moment when you wake up and realize your rose colored glasses fell off... that you need to slink out before the other notices. No need to leave a note, I just slid out of my covers and made sure it wasn't looking when I left. It's always so touchy these things, you feel so guilty and dirty... even a little ashamed.
The day after was rough, my neck hurt... I went through my whole day wondering which way I should go. New pillow? Fresh start? Or my old pillow...
I couldn't help it you see... I went back like a puppy hit with a newspaper, tail between my legs. I sort of ho hummed, didn't really give an apology. I think my face must of said it all cause my old pillow didn't say a word. That night I cuddled up with it under my head and it felt so familiar. It didn't mind that it was sloppy seconds. In fact, I think it might have liked it... to be the one that won.
But did it? I still had feelings for the new pillow? I thought about all the what if's. What if I gave it another chance? What if I gave it time to break in... it too could become what I needed with a little molding. What should I do?? My mind was a mess with the ideas and possibilities both could offer...
So I gave in and now I'm sleeping with both. At the same time.
I'm afraid that my downness might be coming through here on the blog, where better to put my downness than into my online dairy? Well, I'm feeling better if your wondering. Much better. My smile is shining again so yesterday I decided to pack the boys into the car and journey first for full bellies, then to our favorite Antique store.
Thrifting really soothes my soul.
Looking through the plethora of eye candy that is old is instant excitement for the artist's eyes.
It's funny to call some place your favorite place when you have only been there twice, but it really is and I know it will continue to be. Not only do I like the outside of the building, but the inside too. Everything is perfectly and imperfectly laid before me. It's a delicious banquet of things!
I am quite fond of the owner who is a divine sweetheart. He runs the place himself (with the help of his wife/best friend) and he just adores my children whom he greets with lollipops and jokes. This time he even convinced the baby to put his coat on as we left!
We chat for moments on end and relate a whole bunch.
Thats me and the middle child, a reflection in the VERY large mirror behind the counter.
Middle child is inspecting an antique gold pill box.
I'm really excited about what I purchased yesterday! I'm not the type to always buy off the shelf, not when I'm antiquing. I look inside things, behind things, and yesterday UNDER things! For months maybe longer I have been craving a topography drawer. He had buttons displayed in them for sale, each square section of buttons $1. I looked at him mid chat and said "How much for the drawers, not the buttons". Which is strange coming out of the mouth of a button collector with button collecting friends. But the drawers were singing like sirens in my ears, I had to have them.
We worked out a deal and now I am the owner of not one but two large and perfectly aged topography drawers! I like to collect small things... from life and also from nature... this will be a place for me to display my quirky and unique finds. These drawers will hang on our walls! The owner, I, and the children scooped buttons out of every nook and cranny until our fingertips were black. I didn't mind, gave us more time to shoot the breeze! Thankfully he said the dust was free of charge!
Besides the drawers I purchaed a few vintage items for a package I am mailing out to a new friend, old scrabble-like alphabet letter pieces, and a gift for the hubby! I guess at one time there was a brewery in the town I grew up in. There in the window while I scooped buttons was a clear bottle that caught my attention, mostly because it was catching sun at that moment. But. upon further inspection it actually said the county and town on it! This town being a former home, I felt like having a piece of history from a place we have lived would be special. Not to mention the hubby is a home brewer, so YAY!
I plan on making visits to my antique store on a more regular basis. Perhaps every other week as his stock changes regularly. Neat tid bit... I told him I felt good feelings from the building, and he said that it's not haunted except for his Grandfather! I said, well that's not the building... that would be you that's haunted. To which he replied... "Nope! This used to be a taxi cab office and years ago in the 40's and 50's my grandfather worked here!"... and guess what? He didn't know that when he bought the building! Man I love stuff like that! It's the little connections that are always there weaving together beneath the surface.
It's out! It's here! My sweet and whimsical nesting snowmen have been published in Orange Magazine's holiday shop local gift guide! I am so excited and so happy to see them so large on the page! Sharing my happiness with you is such a delight as I have been so eager to see my snow folk in print, and here they are!
Miss Brenda who is the editor of Orange Magazine is a real sweetie, she had contacted me after seeing my nesting snowmen here on the blog and asked if I would drop them off to be photographed for this feature. I know I told you this all before, but it's just a little recap and I am feeling super blessed to have this opportunity!
Thank you to Orange Magazine and Brenda for helping me share my artwork with the Hudson Valley N.Y. Thank you and big warm hugs!
You can visit my Etsy shop here and if you are smitten with my snow folk you may make them part of your Christmas/Winter decor by visiting them here.
Holy moly moly it's December!? What!? Where did that come from!? Oh well, it's here and I have to admit I'm enjoying the cold, pink cheeks, and snow that won't melt on the ground. It's been awhile since we had a cold winter and I'm hoping other than these 2 unseasonal days here in the 1st and 2nd days of December that it will in fact be a chilling batch of wintry days. We need it... to kill off parasites, germs, and everything else small gross and unseen!
This past week went really fast. I really don't know where it went, but it was a great one! Favorite day this past week? Friday. Not just because it was Friday but because I had my neighbors with me most of the day and into the evening... and I'm pretty lucky cause my neighbors aren't just friends/neighbors... they are family. Family that lives next door. Call me blessed cause I love them more than all the cupcakes in the world, and you know how much I love cupcakes!
Happy week that past and happy week to be!
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
It's time for holiday shopping and I can't stress enough how very important it is to by local and handmade! Support your local artisans... the people right here who live next door to you, work in your office, or maybe even are a friend of yours! It's the American dream to do what you love and make a success of it... better yet it's the human dream! So support your friendly neighborhood artists!
I have added some new items to the shop and I think they are just so whimsical and darling. These little house blocks were created on cedar blocks found in your local home decor store. With a little of this and a little of that I brought a regular wood block to a fun and decorative home piece.
I hope you like them as much as I do! I think they would look super perched on a window sill, the top of some wanes coating, or any shelf you may have. It's the perfect size for a small gift or to sit aside your computer at the office.
Also new to the shop are two gallery wrapped canvas pieces!
All of these items are available in my Etsy Shop :)
Today I wanted to take you into my tiny creative space... you know, cause I thouroughly cleaned it and it's super immaculate (for the moment). I accumulate crap pretty as easily as the next person and I can just about take it until it seems that the pile has reached my earlobes. That's when the garbage bags come out and I'm throwing stuff around like a little tornado! It's definitly way worse before it's way better, but when I get to the point I'm aiming for... it's magic to my eyes and relieving to my soul.
So today here are some visuals from my studio, enjoy! I don't have molding yet! Oh, and I get paint all over the floor! Yeah... I think that's all... oh nope, I don't have cabinet doors yet either (hint hint hubby) ok, enjoy!
