Random Thoughts

The long living room wall above the couch. I wasn't happy with this arrangement.

As of yesterday, adding the very top piece and rearranging. THIS makes me happy.

One more large tag added to the metal gate

Gracie, supervising. Actually, wanting her ears massaged.

I can't stand bare walls in my house. To me, and this is entirely my opinion, what you put up on the walls helps define your home. It makes a house a home, adds character, color, textures. Last winter, I did an arrangement on the opposite living room wall with the big yellow clock, and a few other pieces. I wanted to expand that across the wall and above the television cabinet. I did. It looked like crap.

So it all came down, and I rearranged 3 walls. I also collect art work in poster form, reproductions, from the places I have visited. That all was removed from above the couch, and now hangs opposite. Why am I telling you this? My blog. No, seriously, I realized yesterday that all of the classes I take online for creating art, for using colors in complimentary patterns has translated to how I view what is on my walls. And that now the walls are one giant canvas.

I am in so much trouble.....
Linda

Yep, this is me.

A few weeks ago, I was out shopping for anything unusual that caught my eye. It was not long after the breast surgery, and I was tired of looking at the house the way it was. Ever get like that? I wanted something different, something colorful.

The kitchen is painted a bright yellow called Late Sunset. Doesn't look yellow in the above photo, but trust me, it is. Probably was an overcast day when I took this pic. I had an apple wreath, primitive style, hanging in this spot. Then I found this little baby in the store. Came with the 6 colored clothes pins that have magnets on the back. At first I thought this would be a neat way to organize mail, misc. crude that needs attention. Then the logical part of my brain kicked the other side and said, Dudette! You won't pay a damn bit of attention to anything important you hang on this. Let's use it for fun!

I love making tags. I buy both sizes of these tags by the bundles so I can play. I paint them, use them on the Gelli print plate, stamp on them, whatever I want. Cheap, so no worries about ruining something that cost a lot. I also have a huge collection of stamps with inspirational sayings, nonsense, things to make me smile. So the plan is this is going to change constantly, as I make more tags. I like that idea a bunch, because it means that area of the kitchen will never be boring.

I also have some magnet sheets, that are fairly powerful magnets on one side, sticky adhesive on the other. Easy to cut. So the next step is to buy some cheap clothes pins at the dollar store, prime them, spray and paint them in vivid colors, so I can rotate those out as well.

It's all about doing what makes you happy. Go forth. And do something today.
Linda

We're Off to see the Wizard

Cathy found these little (about 5x8) wooden boxes at one of the dollar discount stores. We immediately saw the possibilities of altering the box to be a frame. It takes but a few minutes to slap some paint on the wood. I warn you, if you try this, the wood is soft and will soak up the paint. A tip: let the wood dry completely, preferably overnight, then lightly sand with a brown, paper bag. Most groceries don't hand these out anymore, so I always have a stash of brown lunch bags on hand, and just tear one in half. Brown paper has just enough "tooth" to it that it will remove the little nubbies that the paint raises on the wood, leaving the surface very, very smooth. Works like a charm.

So I have a few of these painted and waiting for some paper, embellisments, whatever strikes me. They are fun. I wanted to do another Wizard of Oz creation from Graphic 45, because the small canvas I did last summer sold. Sometimes simply is best, and I know when to stop. Other times I want everything in the studio on the canvas or in the box. Slap me. Perhaps it depends on how much chocolate I've had? Who knows.

Have a creative day. Enjoy yourselves.
Linda

Busy, Busy, Busy

A Tim Holtz inspired collage

Garden large tag - thinking Spring!

New card

inside of card

Good Morning! I have been in a whirlwind of making stuff. Lots of stuff. I am cleaning out the backlog of product in that room, using up whatever strikes me. Been having a lot of fun, and the more I work, the more inspired I become.

The black framed collage is something I've wanted to do for a long time. This frame comes from the Paper Studio, with each opening 4x6. I used an older Graphic 45 paper as the background, and cut up several pages from the Tim Holtz Lost and Found paper pad. I laid it all out, then set it to the side for a day or two, letting it perk in my brain. Finally decided on the final placement and glued it all down.

The garden tag is a Maya Road large tag from the album packet. I like to break up the tags and use them individually. Base paper is an old K&Co. The seed packet, fence, and stamps are from Papertrey, the flower from Prima. Think Spring, people. Work with me, here. (smile)

Last, the card is a very old Cosmo Cricket paper that I found in my stash. It was double-sided, so I used the flip side for accent. I wish they still made papers like this, because the colors and vintage look just appeal to me. Bling is from K&Co. I borrowed a stamp from Cathy for the front of the card. She has brought all of her personal stamps into the store, and we've been making cards. Enjoying this immensely.

Thanks for stopping by.
Linda