tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1487004703274474972024-02-19T10:09:16.944-08:00DTTD imagine.design.createDTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-56480494782137671192012-06-05T06:47:00.002-07:002012-06-05T06:47:23.458-07:00So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, adieu<br />
It's been a great few months of blogging here at DTTD imagine.design.create. We've "met" a lot of new blog friends, enjoyed many continued blog friendships, and seen & shared a lot of fun projects. But since we started writing DTTD in March, we've started going in different directions with our businesses. Kelly loves doing DIY projects, and is interested in getting into art and furniture design/building. Victoria is getting more into crafty stuff and her line of Fat Paint, and is planning to open an Etsy shop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBCv14Ukl_RBOKcdmzlqvn29yFmTtg9wwCfRE4eMsqH4knNWFwmAQgrlfjpRG3olgUEb51bcwfJSWTqkwqu98TMj2dRkmzbtIZwR0py8S8nYlQ_9I-damk4STCE4mGSpQ_0QepUuu4fk/s1600/ocean+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBCv14Ukl_RBOKcdmzlqvn29yFmTtg9wwCfRE4eMsqH4knNWFwmAQgrlfjpRG3olgUEb51bcwfJSWTqkwqu98TMj2dRkmzbtIZwR0py8S8nYlQ_9I-damk4STCE4mGSpQ_0QepUuu4fk/s640/ocean+art.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly's High Street-inspired art</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgax6WUKRsCUOkA5aSvrVUxKM0u3oOPhKyyeHVWyzy0dq_rPFe6qg3bAR2Ww3zUnv1j71DRLIBAdVrAiVACvJxzKVwpGV0uDfvtU6Nu8XZp_sSe2e45H67wzDL5SXyK7QtEifDbLCTwo/s1600/cushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgax6WUKRsCUOkA5aSvrVUxKM0u3oOPhKyyeHVWyzy0dq_rPFe6qg3bAR2Ww3zUnv1j71DRLIBAdVrAiVACvJxzKVwpGV0uDfvtU6Nu8XZp_sSe2e45H67wzDL5SXyK7QtEifDbLCTwo/s640/cushion.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria's sweater cushion</td></tr>
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Of course, we could write about all those things here at DTTD. But we've decided that it makes more sense for us to write individual blogs so that we can focus on our personal interests and pursuits and establish our business identities. We were both writing our own blogs before we decided to blog together again (we had been blog partners in 2009/2010), so it's kind of like going back home. So it's not really so long, farewell. Auf Wiedersehen, adieu - we've just moved to different houses in the same neighbourhood :-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFCfMmWrPK4UIaqPkMh5hEevjdRkzsRdAs2fTe_mdFgF1Dxo7hTsZdcLtfzxuOt0FqGikvlKezLhXdyhNm44D4nU7x-jeqlim-odrszlkfemnY4Nggk-NyJlVC6mrKPpkPrSaAeNeoW4/s1600/cats+in+box+businesscards123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFCfMmWrPK4UIaqPkMh5hEevjdRkzsRdAs2fTe_mdFgF1Dxo7hTsZdcLtfzxuOt0FqGikvlKezLhXdyhNm44D4nU7x-jeqlim-odrszlkfemnY4Nggk-NyJlVC6mrKPpkPrSaAeNeoW4/s1600/cats+in+box+businesscards123.jpg" /></a></div>
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You can find Kelly at <span style="color: #f1c232;"><a href="http://jaxdoesdesign.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">JAX does design</a>... </span></div>
<a href="http://jaxdoesdesign.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><img alt="JAX does design" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8J72U0xK8r-79RzjSj8M-M5L9Mp_tAlV_Wlqr4QJmiI_LhE307bo6dy6oHlv6LJrw2dDOmhMpjIHy0lCgV0fF6tn6VvhSPD_Xm0m7GLM7PsSexfPQhL0DuuksorAYQPcKySG0HvJvIsz/s640/header.png" width="640" /></a>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;">...and Victoria is at </span><a href="http://edinshouse.blogspot.ca/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Edin's House</a><span style="text-align: left;">.</span>
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<a href="http://edinshouse.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><img alt="Edin's House" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9Mhx1nI4DGzc1pw7MVHVAfwPyT76d3q6tGC5VE-9f_pioCfAI7-VAywrKOP6efgv71GI-G01u5VCf1IKk8IArjPOFKCLinNEzFSB6LIqghV86hVW8VdfbZPELSby7wK-gtY6CcRb_m8/s640/PNG+Header.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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A huge thank you to all our DTTD readers & friends. We hope you'll follow us to our new homes so we can continue the wonderful blog friendships that we've made :-)</div>
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</div>DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-20070422668668266652012-05-30T09:00:00.002-07:002012-05-30T09:00:35.199-07:00blogpodium: the business of blogging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsxgiOwEnPJMzr7Y3g-VCf1XdD2nuopzwgX9mvCMQ3k-2zdkGbekf4mD-IKAw57xohYtWzvyCRVGR6FaaznJIMCmmP1W8wismCLZ15Wl9giLpNrT0cNP4qHvknwKktaVJSRQjXxaa5S0/s1600/book+and+pencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsxgiOwEnPJMzr7Y3g-VCf1XdD2nuopzwgX9mvCMQ3k-2zdkGbekf4mD-IKAw57xohYtWzvyCRVGR6FaaznJIMCmmP1W8wismCLZ15Wl9giLpNrT0cNP4qHvknwKktaVJSRQjXxaa5S0/s640/book+and+pencil.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Although this past weekend was filled with laughter and wine and crazy cab rides and more laughter and more wine and some singing and more wine and TBB brainstorming and tap dancing and more wine, there was some serious business going on too - The Business of Blogging, to be specific :-)<span style="color: #f1c232;"> <a href="http://ramblingrenovators.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Jen</span></a> </span>and <a href="http://www.aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Lindsay</span></a> brought together a great group of people at a great venue for another super-informative installment of <a href="http://blogpodium.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">BlogPodium</span></a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eIXoUUcyQHE9HuJXnVcv1vdGee4sQ1vWhlpKtt7JvmoYQpq2iHXComHQvXa1zNf08JMCARI-k0xBsrzjBcjGQ7wRalgND9ZEjNyPOfaf83IYItjMukzst04RxXAg_97ikBMCtrEldFw/s1600/arcadian+loft.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eIXoUUcyQHE9HuJXnVcv1vdGee4sQ1vWhlpKtt7JvmoYQpq2iHXComHQvXa1zNf08JMCARI-k0xBsrzjBcjGQ7wRalgND9ZEjNyPOfaf83IYItjMukzst04RxXAg_97ikBMCtrEldFw/s640/arcadian+loft.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Keynote speaker</span></div>
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Keynote speaker Nicole Balch from <a href="http://makingitlovely.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Making It Lovely </span></a>talked about how her blog has evolved into a business, and gave us advice on how to monetize our blogs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYYms6eT_2T-8QMfl1za7LRsvy0LBzvLDN2SR7JKe6h7FE3bqEQ5rd0pmfwakS-midNhx__JZU_KB0eKCSgu73MIZ2h6-isKOw5HhIHsli6IuyzqLuwtOFckgrFSogCvRp54md-jJAn0/s1600/nicole.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYYms6eT_2T-8QMfl1za7LRsvy0LBzvLDN2SR7JKe6h7FE3bqEQ5rd0pmfwakS-midNhx__JZU_KB0eKCSgu73MIZ2h6-isKOw5HhIHsli6IuyzqLuwtOFckgrFSogCvRp54md-jJAn0/s640/nicole.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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In a nutshell...
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<ul>
<li>A good starting point for adding small ads is when your blog reaches 10,000 views per month. These are typically small boutique ads (for example, an Etsy shop).</li>
<li>Approach vendors that you like and want to support, and offer them ad space on your blog. You might even start with a free ad to get things rolling. </li>
<li>A good starting point for using an ad network is when your blog reaches 50,000 views per month.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.sheblogsmedia.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">SheBlogs Media</span></a> is the place to go if you're a Canadian blogger - they're Canada's first official social ad media network for women and represent 100% Canadian content.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcwWI71LYDmFNHOY1yYxvIgBWyHBDBncEZpdMrgUtK5E05x-XmfgjnppOC38hETycEBbYtayXnJgjUM3D3-OEbQSdhUiHbdyUWJmrGlKuff0ZiflmrKwRH6KfGr2tXYp9hFp21O7J4m4/s1600/sheblogs.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcwWI71LYDmFNHOY1yYxvIgBWyHBDBncEZpdMrgUtK5E05x-XmfgjnppOC38hETycEBbYtayXnJgjUM3D3-OEbQSdhUiHbdyUWJmrGlKuff0ZiflmrKwRH6KfGr2tXYp9hFp21O7J4m4/s1600/sheblogs.gif" /></a></div>
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<li>Sponsored posts are another way to make money with your blog. But don't overdo it, and don't let the brand write the sponsored post for you. Your readers want to hear your voice and know that the post is authentic. Make it clear that a post is being sponsored by a brand - it's as simple as a statement or logo at the beginning of the post that says <i>"Today's post brought to you by....."</i></li>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Panel discussion</span></div>
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Nicole's presentation was followed by a panel of experts who discussed monetizing blogs from the perspective of both brands and bloggers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj256lFdz6794Yq4-ulK_GVk7BjPYiCXOP_8suVMDR8Ug9jUcjBz9ptIXQAo8GVBqYBLbmQFCSsI3hnwLFbGVAUMd_0_KujVr5eq3v-6ZApIyTh7TO3_iDgkkxguJAHy23pUQyAL2LVjEs/s1600/panel+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj256lFdz6794Yq4-ulK_GVk7BjPYiCXOP_8suVMDR8Ug9jUcjBz9ptIXQAo8GVBqYBLbmQFCSsI3hnwLFbGVAUMd_0_KujVr5eq3v-6ZApIyTh7TO3_iDgkkxguJAHy23pUQyAL2LVjEs/s640/panel+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: Cheryl Kozoriz from <a href="http://www.glucksteindesign.com/gl-index.html" target="_blank">Gluckstein Home</a>, Laura Muirhead from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TribalDDB" target="_blank">Tribal DDB</a>, Lindsay Stephenson from <a href="http://www.aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Little House Blog</a>, Christine Dovey from<a href="http://bijouandboheme.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"> Bjou and Boheme</a>, Leigh-Anne Allaire Perrault from <a href="http://www.citytv.com/cityline" target="_blank">Cityline</a> (moderator)</td></tr>
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<b>From the brand perspective, they're looking for the following from bloggers:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li><b>Authority </b>How well informed and professional are you.</li>
<li><b>Context </b> How does your blog's content relate to their brand.</li>
<li><b>Engagement </b>Do your posts get a lot of comments, what's your following on Twitter and Facebook.</li>
<li><b>Reach </b>What are your blog stats, do you have a strong social media reach.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkglCz1aP_SykHiVz96-XtQ5YNXlCwqWCmBoDL32FQ8INTFxKXDUJUZs5ipGMNZ_ctesysCgSPDLEFmLbEVz4UVnPhZ4M1gawCh-Naii_iQUenUZACwIocltK40VTaqvSb6BNQXEVKKkE/s1600/crowd.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkglCz1aP_SykHiVz96-XtQ5YNXlCwqWCmBoDL32FQ8INTFxKXDUJUZs5ipGMNZ_ctesysCgSPDLEFmLbEVz4UVnPhZ4M1gawCh-Naii_iQUenUZACwIocltK40VTaqvSb6BNQXEVKKkE/s640/crowd.png" width="640" /></a><br /><ul>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">Brands are open to different kinds of pitches.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">You don't </span><span style="text-align: left;">necessarily</span><span style="text-align: left;"> have to be a the big kid on the block - smaller niche blogs are appealing to brands, and the style and aesthetic of your blog are also important. </span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">Brands want to know who you are and where you're from - identify yourself as a Canadian blogger.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">Authenticity is important.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">How has your blog grown over time, what kind of reaction do you get to your blog posts.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNzYTNJU1lZBvLMFNWv9br20_Ovmwxc2uYWHB-pGj77DHM-pQpt3phV-L_xiL2LXO9fpP8FQbPndw7ptlPDT2Q84reIAJ7YpCP7NvEhf3_-Z1SON6KDXFEtIXwdzsGLsURmhhTG9JufM/s1600/crowd+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNzYTNJU1lZBvLMFNWv9br20_Ovmwxc2uYWHB-pGj77DHM-pQpt3phV-L_xiL2LXO9fpP8FQbPndw7ptlPDT2Q84reIAJ7YpCP7NvEhf3_-Z1SON6KDXFEtIXwdzsGLsURmhhTG9JufM/s640/crowd+2.png" width="640" /></a><br /><b>From the blogger perspective:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>If you want to monetize your blog, it's super-important to keep track of and know your blog stats.</li>
<li>Put yourself out there - approach shops, sellers, and companies that you like and ask them if they're interested in working together on a project.</li>
<li>Prepare a proposal to submit with your request - be brief and have a plan in mind.</li>
<li>Make it clear what you're able to offer the brand - for example, an ad above the fold (highest visibility) an ad on your sidebar, X number of sponsored posts, etc.</li>
<li>Tell the brand why they should want to work with you.</li>
<li>If a brand approaches you but you don't like the pitch, reply back and let them know what you DO want to do with them.</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Vendor Meet & Greet</span></div>
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We spent a couple of hours meeting all the BlogPodium vendors and sponsors. It was a great opportunity to introduce ourselves and connect with brands that want to work with bloggers. I'm already thinking about the projects that I have planned and which brands I'd like to approach about working together! And once again, a huge THANK YOU to <a href="http://www.para.com/home" target="_blank">PARA Paints </a>for selecting me to be on their Blog Crew. It's an amazing opportunity to work with a Canadian company that has been in business for almost 100 years, and I'm really excited to get started :-)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1lV6gKmCmx7U7WLmJnq2wMjbKqSKkp9H6hUxO7eMqanP-cqkhXXgj405ajNNFUl2Gs9XSQZBPvJ2_aVolqx38iZKVSmAeytgYcEBOdf5KFKTNsZM4reeWxWJBRQbFWvFU2-HEwdmmjE/s1600/gary+jen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1lV6gKmCmx7U7WLmJnq2wMjbKqSKkp9H6hUxO7eMqanP-cqkhXXgj405ajNNFUl2Gs9XSQZBPvJ2_aVolqx38iZKVSmAeytgYcEBOdf5KFKTNsZM4reeWxWJBRQbFWvFU2-HEwdmmjE/s640/gary+jen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jen and Gary from PARA Paints</td></tr>
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Thank you to all the other amazing vendors and sponsors!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8vtsLoTrRZgrAipiZ-3QJ3YQ_m7QKgW6nn11Nne65gHJiIANNV0lpHyF6Hbh0Agyap9UbhK6OKwq7I2iHLW9lhGGauQV9Wq8de4e_RqnrokeIXYz6eJgXKVesjoBHI9RnsU0KfrjYuQ/s1600/brands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8vtsLoTrRZgrAipiZ-3QJ3YQ_m7QKgW6nn11Nne65gHJiIANNV0lpHyF6Hbh0Agyap9UbhK6OKwq7I2iHLW9lhGGauQV9Wq8de4e_RqnrokeIXYz6eJgXKVesjoBHI9RnsU0KfrjYuQ/s1600/brands.jpg" /></a></div>
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Thanks to Jen & Lindsay for all the hard work they put into making BlogPodium such a huge success. Hope you ladies have some time to relax now!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0F9_rOGor-qbXD9hcABaE6YpOVgItCaJp5WzwpGAlhLcvxLTYM1S_azoxTpPRrziI0PYzsVpa1f8A254Q8vlMk-7ADnsVWRoCHdczuPOPvJ2p5X_Vr5V4GPDhfo4_nM8hS_I1EEfEv8/s1600/lindsay+jen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0F9_rOGor-qbXD9hcABaE6YpOVgItCaJp5WzwpGAlhLcvxLTYM1S_azoxTpPRrziI0PYzsVpa1f8A254Q8vlMk-7ADnsVWRoCHdczuPOPvJ2p5X_Vr5V4GPDhfo4_nM8hS_I1EEfEv8/s640/lindsay+jen.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The BlogPodium Queens! Lindsay & Jen</td></tr>
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And thanks to Nicole, Cheryl, Laura, Christine, and Leigh-Anne for sharing your knowledge and insight.</div>
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I'm already looking forward to the next installment of <a href="http://blogpodium.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">BlogPodium</span></a> :-) Will you be there?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oZTq6m16vMJK3DukfdlQkbgi8EIek-oVtDXo2JWHKvzfRp4NCcT-Io_Jzi4nh-eVZqNGMyLU5BWIRrBq_NzDPtJQ2f0Po6Pe1JtftZubom-sbMgzND3yfu01Nmi4pj7Q7P7_Ss2gnYA/s1600/kelly+sig_thumb%5B1%5D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oZTq6m16vMJK3DukfdlQkbgi8EIek-oVtDXo2JWHKvzfRp4NCcT-Io_Jzi4nh-eVZqNGMyLU5BWIRrBq_NzDPtJQ2f0Po6Pe1JtftZubom-sbMgzND3yfu01Nmi4pj7Q7P7_Ss2gnYA/s1600/kelly+sig_thumb%5B1%5D.png" /></a></div>
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<i>All images from <a href="http://mangostudios.smugmug.com/Events/BlogPodium-2012/23199915_8HBXGQ/#!i=1870089807&k=4MdDp69" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Mango Studios</span></a> and the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/75330825@N05/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">BlogPodium Flickr photostream</span></a></i></div>DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-36957622508241990732012-05-29T06:51:00.001-07:002012-05-29T06:52:06.267-07:00{ let's create } my mini-sized great outdoors<br />
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The lovely ladies at <a href="http://www.thistlewoodfarms.com/the-great-outdoors-linky-party" target="_blank">Thistlewood Farm</a>, <a href="http://www.itallstartedwithpaint.com/2012/05/mission-possible-link-party-great.html" target="_blank">It All Started With Paint</a>, <a href="http://eclecticallyvintage.com/2012/05/the-great-outdoors-link-party/" target="_blank">Eclectically Vintage</a>,<a href="http://www.thecottagemarket.com/2012/05/great-outdoors-linky-party.html" target="_blank"> The Cottage Market</a>, and <a href="http://www.thespacebetweenblog.net/" target="_blank">The Space Between</a> are having another Mission Possible Linky Party. This time, it's all about the great outdoors...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4VdYCtQfpiNiqBcHII7DT-LJeNnha91czbOrjE-M05mUMxatK1_H_FyXF8nKZ5q2mPszWEUZl6BP8vf6E50i23-_I3hFpLqXJsf9qLI9yYaokFwdvIa3LxKIiX24ES0MzVALE26w_cQ/s1600/Lake-Louise-large+radeka+photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4VdYCtQfpiNiqBcHII7DT-LJeNnha91czbOrjE-M05mUMxatK1_H_FyXF8nKZ5q2mPszWEUZl6BP8vf6E50i23-_I3hFpLqXJsf9qLI9yYaokFwdvIa3LxKIiX24ES0MzVALE26w_cQ/s1600/Lake-Louise-large+radeka+photography.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Louise, Banff National Park Alberta | Photo by <a href="http://www.radekaphotography.com/lakelouise.htm" target="_blank">Radeka Photography</a></td></tr>
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Sadly, my outdoors isn't quite as great as that! I'm not too happy with how my gardens are looking this year. I pulled out all the junipers that I never really liked anyway, but I think it's time for a complete landscape overhaul. So for now, my great outdoors comes in mini-size - planters. </div>
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Earlier this spring, I posted this picture of a beach-inspired planter that I wanted to create:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWeFZkKk3ROzst93wvwU4sQheCqf5QQsuHCmgoaMF8uOqRN8NkUAn3Ad26Z7E6iWVgheKKDVp9SaIEJhzri6F0dQgGicSgo53Aru7rlUmYEgX8oioQem0l9MAkjfDA6v00LfCYew2Yio/s1600/beach-garden-pot+sunset+com+photo+rob+d+brodman%5B7%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWeFZkKk3ROzst93wvwU4sQheCqf5QQsuHCmgoaMF8uOqRN8NkUAn3Ad26Z7E6iWVgheKKDVp9SaIEJhzri6F0dQgGicSgo53Aru7rlUmYEgX8oioQem0l9MAkjfDA6v00LfCYew2Yio/s1600/beach-garden-pot+sunset+com+photo+rob+d+brodman%5B7%5D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via <a href="http://www.sunset.com/garden/backyard-projects/beach-garden-in-pot-00400000045643/" target="_blank">Sunset</a> | Photo by Rob D. Brodman</td></tr>
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I looked for similar plants, but didn't have much luck finding anything like them. So I had to improvise - I used a succulent, a gerber daisy, and juncus effusus. I popped in a piece of wood, a blue ball, and some shells, and I think this is about as beachy as my planter is going to get.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcM5j2_codIDogxcRrWmY78Qk8RE8HB3h6QOGZTyuakcGHtmZYL5HG6oEo7d4ohz2ch-CFDkXTN9wNSS_AurNHMq6Apw2xYhxaFP4NikIcHqtU7anmS9tSrFyDi4gABbF3O_Kj9gPAdo/s1600/beach+planter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcM5j2_codIDogxcRrWmY78Qk8RE8HB3h6QOGZTyuakcGHtmZYL5HG6oEo7d4ohz2ch-CFDkXTN9wNSS_AurNHMq6Apw2xYhxaFP4NikIcHqtU7anmS9tSrFyDi4gABbF3O_Kj9gPAdo/s640/beach+planter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by JAX Decor & Design</td></tr>
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I didn't add sand yet because I'm not 100% certain that I'll be keeping the planter like this. What do you think - would you change it up or leave it as it is?</div>
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I normally don't plant any flowers in the backyard because our Lab Squirt thinks that everything is edible and that plants are her own personal buffet. But I thought I'd take a shot with a few planters on the back deck and hope for the best! A little pot of red double impatiens...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtpn6rSXQg9VMsmrJtJccigxeG0fICFacg97TL1Q93tjalfZw77LYQOrwSmM73j9p9hdhXCHVUK5qU6CoxnEQGjPkCNe91KMTm9HYWh_CPmeOHLuekK0-hngc-rj7zTouBGHT-L6Q1EI/s1600/red+impatiens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtpn6rSXQg9VMsmrJtJccigxeG0fICFacg97TL1Q93tjalfZw77LYQOrwSmM73j9p9hdhXCHVUK5qU6CoxnEQGjPkCNe91KMTm9HYWh_CPmeOHLuekK0-hngc-rj7zTouBGHT-L6Q1EI/s640/red+impatiens.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by JAX Decor & Design</td></tr>
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I wanted to use geraniums in the big pots, but the garden center I was at was completely sold out and I was in a hurry and didn't feel like driving all over the place looking for geraniums, so impatiens it is!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqJNDZ3sO7WDvN4YxBl4fhwTAElCGxtXr6SnzoN91ekY1_yhxPY2xKaS4GQGqA3BMPWLYikm6ui-HqX2ceVKnpV0EDsBx56WRV3jtDprwvVBGMhKOX59QMxdj3VpQF0OwLedLvoefOmI/s1600/copper+pot+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqJNDZ3sO7WDvN4YxBl4fhwTAElCGxtXr6SnzoN91ekY1_yhxPY2xKaS4GQGqA3BMPWLYikm6ui-HqX2ceVKnpV0EDsBx56WRV3jtDprwvVBGMhKOX59QMxdj3VpQF0OwLedLvoefOmI/s640/copper+pot+close.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UgzwmfqEenzR9hOVYxhPWy-qbUEOpwemP-Bg2VXbtI13sFE0BtT4Enq9Bvqg4rDPyfX-8_sLEvAgSF-5atk-BCLLTHqt0T0bQFG4zCbi5n0vUBaNCtgcyGmH-fo2zSkbB7fldoRaaI8/s1600/terra+pot+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UgzwmfqEenzR9hOVYxhPWy-qbUEOpwemP-Bg2VXbtI13sFE0BtT4Enq9Bvqg4rDPyfX-8_sLEvAgSF-5atk-BCLLTHqt0T0bQFG4zCbi5n0vUBaNCtgcyGmH-fo2zSkbB7fldoRaaI8/s640/terra+pot+close.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV3CzYxWc3VVF75ozeELA8u615esdkC7REFrj5VXXl7DzWGb1hMjRDCCieHf2guh9nmSE9dp2-p1DYoP2D7pU-wKkvwQb4Xczzhgs_0snmGQw-FOnIsFqksrvGxGUNe1bbN50-PRSp1s/s1600/terra+pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV3CzYxWc3VVF75ozeELA8u615esdkC7REFrj5VXXl7DzWGb1hMjRDCCieHf2guh9nmSE9dp2-p1DYoP2D7pU-wKkvwQb4Xczzhgs_0snmGQw-FOnIsFqksrvGxGUNe1bbN50-PRSp1s/s640/terra+pot.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos by JAX Decor & Design</td></tr>
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So that's my little attempt at adding some beachiness to the front porch and colour to the backyard. If you want to join in on the fun or look for some outdoor inspiration, click the buttons below...</div>
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<a href="http://www.itallstartedwithpaint.com/2012/05/mission-possible-link-party-great.html" target="_blank"><img alt="IASWP" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ox9NZIDAPm8E2kmJoTP4nczM0-ieJQIyaxEfOJ101dUkjJbMEfSypLWCoXSF3bJCpt3TJVKZ_tORotxXnnD5snbzOibjrhjfB3CjEDuwj8hKIPmnVzFGTCqPEfaJOEeYaO9ympm4PyM/s1600/button.png" style="border: 1px solid rgb(225, 225, 225); max-width: 100%; padding: 2px;" width="130" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6969; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://eclecticallyvintage.com/2012/05/the-great-outdoors-link-party/" target="_blank"><img alt="Eclectically Vintage" height="130" src="http://eclecticallyvintage.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/EV-Button.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(225, 225, 225); max-width: 100%; padding: 2px;" width="130" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6969; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.thecottagemarket.com/2012/05/great-outdoors-linky-party.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjuH1QqczWVYl16bi5VR9IJh01MVl89bWKLhWWpmC2YnIN4HQymY6ndfe2xao0uCjGLlQz_RDtNnJIvNFCG8yWD6fc8r45Pig_dn7P0Fq-sycb4VfXeITSkUjW-q6KormJHg-wezZs_Ws/s1600/TCM+the+Blog+NEW+Blog+button.png" style="border: 1px solid rgb(225, 225, 225); max-width: 100%; padding: 2px;" width="125" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6969; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.thespacebetweenblog.net/" target="_blank"><img alt="the space between" height="130" src="http://www.thespacebetweenblog.net/wp-content/uploads/12Apr-button-with-white-tree2.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(225, 225, 225); max-width: 100%; padding: 2px;" title="the space between" width="130" /></a><a href="http://www.thistlewoodfarms.com/the-great-outdoors-linky-party" target="_blank"><img alt=" " border="0" height="130" src="http://thistlewoodfarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/button1.png" style="border: 1px solid rgb(225, 225, 225); max-width: 100%; padding: 2px;" width="130" /></a> <a href="http://www.thistlewoodfarms.com/the-great-outdoors-linky-party" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1hFGrC3jn2mPw34l6JmemwBT_TXl-5ljSqySF_8fZI5-_v5lM0XOUjjJQPxspo5A9QUee7HP72oKHn8nIh872AnVyDBEcsbH7A0HrNqs5n22fnT76WLthwtl2t3FXgCJp2Jen7z01gI/s1600/bluefolder2001.png" /></a>
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<br /></div>DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-4589238485178635112012-05-27T20:59:00.001-07:002012-05-27T20:59:09.646-07:00totally. awesome. weekend.<p>Why does this weekend qualify as totally awesome? Well, because…</p> <p><font color="#cccccc" size="3"><strong>Road trip with the TBBs</strong></font> I can’t begin to tell you how much fun these ladies are. I’m so lucky to have them as my friends (along with the four TBBs who couldn’t make the trip to Toronto). Thanks <a href="http://sonyakinkadedesign.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#dfce04">Sonya</font></a> & <a href="http://maureenatmodecormuses.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#dfce04">Maureen</font></a> & <a href="http://dh-designs.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#dfce04">Donna</font></a> for the laughs, show tunes, tap dancing, Billy Jpel, and helping me find my inner Sherlock Holmes.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lTTfsR_ccag/T8L3xckjUzI/AAAAAAAAB1I/RR_IcL63juE/s1600-h/TBBs%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="TBBs" border="0" alt="TBBs" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9nTIBgw7ekk/T8L325s2d3I/AAAAAAAAB1Q/8RaoSUaFssI/TBBs_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="404" /></a><font size="1">Smilebooth sponsored by <a href="http://www.homesense.ca/en/index.asp" target="_blank"><font color="#dfce04">HomeSense</font></a> | Photo by <a href="http://mangostudios.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#dfce04">Mango Studios</font></a></font></p> <p><strong><font color="#cccccc" size="3">BlogPodium</font> </strong>I thought the inaugural BlogPodium back in January was great – BlogPodium #2 exceeded all expectations! The wealth of information, meeting the awesome vendors & sponsors, chatting with blog friends, and the overall energy in the room were just amazing. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who made the afternoon such a huge success, especially Jen at <a href="http://ramblingrenovators.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#dfce04">Rambling Renovators</font></a> and Lindsay at <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#dfce04">Little House Blog</font></a> for organizing this great event. I’ll share what I learned about the business of blogging soon – too tired tonight to do much typing!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kr6iLkeoSiQ/T8L370z2VpI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/_zcmxaQLdFY/s1600-h/BlogPodium%252520011%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BlogPodium 011" border="0" alt="BlogPodium 011" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHyDOehGiSf252E_juT6gA67AmLxPApswyhjw9DPTIMY2wQraWtVsmlOk-DXg-vTEsOrhq0eCqNZE-YxPB8YoU46hBV7jrYyEJ-Z-O8azgJEhQn0cSZOBDD6YGnRzSqXyCyV5HLSPHIQ/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="404" /></a></p> <p><strong><font color="#cccccc" size="3">I’m on the Crew!</font></strong> I’m one of five bloggers selected to be on the <a href="http://www.para.com/home" target="_blank"><font color="#dfce04">PARA Paints</font></a> Blog Crew! WOOT!</p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="PARA-Leaf--Rocks_Banner2" src="http://www.para.com/images/stories/PARA-Leaf--Rocks_Banner2.gif" width="600" height="166" /></p> <p>I cannot tell you how excited I am! Well, if you’d seen me jumping up & down when my name was announced, you might have a small idea ;-) This is such an amazing opportunity to work with a great Canadian company to imagine, design, and create some serious room makeovers. Starting with the BAZINGA workout area in the basement that I <a href="http://dttd-idc.blogspot.ca/2012/05/para-paints-blog-crew-contest-bazinga.html" target="_blank"><font color="#dfce04">posted about here</font></a> using this bright & fun colour palette…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WFyzOavGkyA/T8L4CH8fPuI/AAAAAAAAB1o/TzyYR8vpc4o/s1600-h/paint%252520palette%25255B8%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="paint palette" border="0" alt="paint palette" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIya7piPNx07amqbexWtLTAv6bgXikAVIJCyO-PsGYYZMKx5sOzh6paSwkUByHtqlA1GpF14Y4dblN2LtUH00-0ZmenyQwxsMHBbpWl7diygCb0JZscO57WB6F1cjENy1fkk_iuUFjk2Q/?imgmax=800" width="548" height="114" /></a></p> <p>Thank you Gary and everyone at <a href="http://www.para.com/home" target="_blank"><font color="#dfce04">PARA Paints</font></a> – I’m so excited to be part of your team :-)</p> <p><em>More about BlogPodium and my interview with artist </em><a href="http://www.artwalls.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#dfce04"><em>Susan Bailie</em></font></a><em> coming soon….</em></p> <p><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-20887349821567246022012-05-24T07:01:00.000-07:002012-05-24T07:34:27.869-07:00{ let's create } commissioning a paintingDo you have a space on your wall that's just screaming out for a piece of art, and you know in your mind what you want, but you can't find it anywhere? Well, why not ask an artist to create a commissioned piece especially for you! Don't be afraid to approach your favourite and make your special request. In my experience with commissioning paintings, not only do you get the exact piece that you want, but the artist doesn't charge any more for a commissioned piece.<br />
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A few weeks ago, I won this beautiful painting by <a href="http://www.artwalls.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Susan Bailie</span></a> in her Facebook art auction:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-RjeNUll1MLnBkvp05swWd6MX7KYcs3zXw8tkQu94Frog4wIkSSVbzEg7CW_eHcN2JNBfA4W0hEjXmGVHZsqTNzfqKyQtsySJ7nt91mHgKHT85l2HOY2SS-7t5Ol0Pf5sX5h22pjJrA/s1600/wonderland+5%5B3%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-RjeNUll1MLnBkvp05swWd6MX7KYcs3zXw8tkQu94Frog4wIkSSVbzEg7CW_eHcN2JNBfA4W0hEjXmGVHZsqTNzfqKyQtsySJ7nt91mHgKHT85l2HOY2SS-7t5Ol0Pf5sX5h22pjJrA/s1600/wonderland+5%5B3%5D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderland 5 by <a href="http://www.artwalls.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Susan Bailie</span></a></td></tr>
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There was another painting that I bid on too, but somebody else won it:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKrwFuZFQ2-6oOcihakGK2FBc2-PzuCvYd6MzmfiUvDTcbs9N6EYoiQ_xKp7Co8qIWvs8L6tHhMCrOaHLRyOjHsJJXTppbwyEI6reEV3XWPJqbvz_LgYrGPTUqPbKT4AapASaO0Na4MY/s1600/Wonderland-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKrwFuZFQ2-6oOcihakGK2FBc2-PzuCvYd6MzmfiUvDTcbs9N6EYoiQ_xKp7Co8qIWvs8L6tHhMCrOaHLRyOjHsJJXTppbwyEI6reEV3XWPJqbvz_LgYrGPTUqPbKT4AapASaO0Na4MY/s1600/Wonderland-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderland 2 by <a href="http://www.artwalls.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Susan Bailie</span></a>
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As much as I love the painting that I won, I couldn't get the one that got away out of my mind. So I asked Susan if she could create a similar painting for me, and she she's be happy to :-)<br />
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The starting point was Wonderland 2. Susan couldn't create an exact replica of the painting, but she used it as a guideline to create my painting. I love the colours in Wonderland 2, so those are the colours that Susan used. But she created a completely different look with the foil and a different texture with the paint. A few weeks later, Susan e-mailed me a picture of the finished painting:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVfUK0s2Cj40yM5gA_0UMMWwiS-ENIqPqMul564mGsKZjBKgcf-WTsKQaBcjSGihEs4e05vWIIbdSTLtCb-H_7ZmleZcnZdYFgbb6_VYNOubFmDgQ-w2R4so3RELIxZlSSjzE6jgMVMg/s1600/Wonderland+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVfUK0s2Cj40yM5gA_0UMMWwiS-ENIqPqMul564mGsKZjBKgcf-WTsKQaBcjSGihEs4e05vWIIbdSTLtCb-H_7ZmleZcnZdYFgbb6_VYNOubFmDgQ-w2R4so3RELIxZlSSjzE6jgMVMg/s1600/Wonderland+6.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderland 6 by <a href="http://www.artwalls.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Susan Bailie</span></a>
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Super-pretty! Except in my mind, I had envisioned it having more turquoise. I went to Susan's house to see the painting in person, and although it was really hard to tell Susan that it wasn't quite what I had in mind, she told me to be 100% honest. So I asked her if she would be able to add some turquoise between the purple on the bottom and the green on the top. Susan said it wasn't a problem at all, and a few days later she sent me this picture of the modified painting:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZNw5K1Rd3_zu3FPabfh2BFznpu04EmC3cveOtMSf5ezJInAvv_SMAhCXnvbkT7Cnvpi8AgnMIR6Z3ujP_2SsfmOLjWDPStGpAQ1wrSg3E6CALeKbiJGtBkCKy2Dp3y1mWxgjIovTR8U/s1600/Wonderland+6a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZNw5K1Rd3_zu3FPabfh2BFznpu04EmC3cveOtMSf5ezJInAvv_SMAhCXnvbkT7Cnvpi8AgnMIR6Z3ujP_2SsfmOLjWDPStGpAQ1wrSg3E6CALeKbiJGtBkCKy2Dp3y1mWxgjIovTR8U/s1600/Wonderland+6a.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revision 1 - Wonderland 6 by<span style="color: #f1c232;"> <a href="http://www.artwalls.ca/" target="_blank">Susan Bailie</a> </span></td></tr>
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Oh yeah, now we're talkin'! Doesn't the turquoise just bring the painting to life? :-) I asked Susan to add just a bit more turquoise, and voila...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKsuSr72vsNaiiOwnPrnsDYuCMikZN9hA4yza-pBZPFdJgCc0kudfs9o_UIfgEkDpvKkMkx8MkPpPW8LniZBSaCjP20YGz0qwr5DGZ37sQ8pZgWRW980tkpGlhNLXVhIM7-Y50zCvs9s/s1600/Wonderland+6b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKsuSr72vsNaiiOwnPrnsDYuCMikZN9hA4yza-pBZPFdJgCc0kudfs9o_UIfgEkDpvKkMkx8MkPpPW8LniZBSaCjP20YGz0qwr5DGZ37sQ8pZgWRW980tkpGlhNLXVhIM7-Y50zCvs9s/s1600/Wonderland+6b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revision 2 - Wonderland 6 by <span style="color: #f1c232;"><a href="http://www.artwalls.ca/" target="_blank">Susan Bailie</a> </span>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">PERFECTION!</span></div>
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I'm beyond thrilled with my new painting :-) It's exactly what I wanted, and I like it even better than the painting that inspired it. A huge thank you to Susan for being an absolute pleasure to work with. As I mentioned, it was hard to tell her that the first incarnation of the painting wasn't quite what I envisioned in my mind. But she was totally cool with it and wanted to make sure that I was totally happy with my painting. Which I most definitely am :-)</div>
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A pseudo-time lapse of the evolution of Wonderland 6...</div>
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If you're in the Ottawa area, you can check out Susan's art at <a href="http://www.newartfestival.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">The New Art Festival</span></a> the weekend of June 2nd and June 3rd in The Glebe. We have lots of talented artists here in the city, so let's get out there and show them some love! And next week I'll be featuring Susan and more of her work here at DTTD, and there might even be a little somethin' for you to win... stay tuned for that!</div>
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On a completely different note, tomorrow I'm heading to TO with half the TBBs to attend<span style="color: #f1c232;"> <a href="http://blogpodium.com/" target="_blank">BlogPodium</a></span> on Saturday and for some serious retail therapy. I've had a West Elm gift card burning a hole in my wallet for 1-1/2 years, it's time to put it to good use! I'm looking forward to seeing my blog friends again, meeting some blog friends for the first time, and making new blog friends :-)</div>
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<br /></div>DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-58218445355371472252012-05-20T20:25:00.001-07:002012-05-20T20:25:51.980-07:00PARA Paints blog crew contest – BAZINGA!<p>I’ll probably never be a member of a tall ship crew, ‘cause as much as I like to delude myself into thinking I’m adventurous, this is just never going to happen:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kv-K6uB8EVs/T7m1g2mf5qI/AAAAAAAABw8/FzQyyssYcW4/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="clip_image002" border="0" alt="clip_image002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AflIQAcG5Ok/T7m1hljzrEI/AAAAAAAABxE/v7HUeE1TuFM/clip_image002_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="398" /></a><font size="1">Image of Picton Castle via <a href="https://www.facebook.com/picton.castle" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">Facebook</font></a></font></p> <p>However, I’ve painted a wall or two or 163 in my time, so I’m pretty sure I could handle being a member of the PARA Paints Blog Crew! <a href="http://www.para.com/home" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">PARA Paints</font></a> is joining with <a href="http://blogpodium.squarespace.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">BlogPodium</font></a> to give five bloggers a chance at fame, fortune, and paint. Woot! Sure, fame, and fortune would be nice, but it’s the PAINT that has me the most excited! Because with a year’s supply of paint (up to 15 gallons), I could finally finish the basement. It’s currently a very uninspiring yellow with an unfinished ceiling, lumpy laminate floor, and not much pretty at all. The workout area in particular needs a lot of help. This just doesn’t inspire me to want to spend a lot of time on the treadmill:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Awm5LXVqzFU/T7m1jK8WxfI/AAAAAAAABxM/yt5BqRw6xko/s1600-h/gym%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="gym" border="0" alt="gym" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-J2gLirJ2SfQ_COVcLzFGUygoUK6PQ6z2Li94iAcjtek1_kLVYRfPMzXK05R7viYxlEmloipvlrEAftdPHDcDHGoIdl_cpeSIIebpAYP6GwJl_9uZD9fUemtcon-WGhtgTd5e_nqq9k/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>Very bland and boring – it needs some colour and fun! I want to make over this part of the basement using Penny’s bedroom on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898266/" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">The Big Bang Theory</font></a> as inspiration:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fq8-q8-CfWMFieEn0b_JnAJmVPaQQUGfA8l3NZeI6Wa3d5QlqkWzy2EOVnbIYWg5UMcKtN2UisJSbsOSYdpqFCvsiCT10KTe5v6E4LGDk7opqIIp4GPPC4EvqSolkK0o7TXLWtJ-8lc/s1600-h/bigbang%252520para%2525202%25255B9%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="bigbang para 2" border="0" alt="bigbang para 2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Eir8hf7bnfQ/T7m1ocg0PwI/AAAAAAAABxk/ZVHxtmPTFrw/bigbang%252520para%2525202_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="670" height="480" /></a><font size="1">Image via <a href="http://www.setdecorators.org/incEngine/?art=hotofftheset" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">Set Directors Society of America</font></a> | Paint colours from <a href="http://www.para.com/home" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">PARA Paints</font></a></font></p> <p>It’s such a fresh and fun colour palette, and I’d be way more inclined to go downstairs and work out in a space that’s filled with colours that make me happy :-) I could paint each wall a different colour…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oDBj5GzJSWc/T7m1o_wD3uI/AAAAAAAABxs/QlqDkLWnYZY/s1600-h/Interior-Design-of-Colorful-Houses-Stamberg-Aferiat-Architecture-1%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Interior-Design-of-Colorful-Houses-Stamberg-Aferiat-Architecture-1" border="0" alt="Interior-Design-of-Colorful-Houses-Stamberg-Aferiat-Architecture-1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxchJjfAtsrBu8t_C0Mrqij4rHkQRuKCthZTUIrk66nt5ABhD0f0q6E6p-dP2f_yKY4MBuebihDtyh32utYujhLGczbULH1lD5TrFS6dbfTo_aGSjL2EkSeVyGQM6-l0Z6N0SU83B1Tdk/?imgmax=800" width="593" height="438" /></a><font size="1">Image via </font><a href="http://www.homethelovely.com/livingroom-design/colorful-interior-design-house-of-stamberg-aferiat-architecture/" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400" size="1">homethelovely.com</font></a><font size="1"> | Design by </font><a href="http://www.stambergaferiat.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400" size="1">Stamberg Aferiat Architecture</font></a></p> <p>Or do something kinda wild and crazy, like zigzags. Is it just me, or is this a totally BAZINGA wall?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xSJ1-_3AFMI/T7m1qkJlL6I/AAAAAAAABx8/cbu-v1u0uN4/s1600-h/Benjamin%252520Moore%252520zig%252520zag%252520painted%252520wall%252520im%252520busy%252520procrastinating%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Benjamin Moore zig zag painted wall im busy procrastinating" border="0" alt="Benjamin Moore zig zag painted wall im busy procrastinating" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPl9yL9CRV-T_GeayVwYvyObiksj7dAiVWo60jQwpz5FV5ZhuM0wcedPA-nQD-IexSb2ZWmuN1_6bZIp2Sm5BNxORXvzW71zDbRUfEoGxpcapjLhNZDXGuXKsYjnWUQ-5CSXZSBO-xs9w/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="375" /></a><font size="1">Image via </font><a href="http://www.imbusyprocrastinating.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400" size="1">I’m Busy Procrastinating</font></a></p> <p>Maybe a funky take on stripes…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Grfy0ZVkKZE/T7m1sNjimLI/AAAAAAAAByM/X6MdT_eIYyQ/s1600-h/I-LOVE-LUCY%252520apt%252520therapy%25255B7%25255D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="I-LOVE-LUCY apt therapy" border="0" alt="I-LOVE-LUCY apt therapy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bZSQzopXk3k/T7m1tCDco-I/AAAAAAAAByU/rnQXIS_Ur38/I-LOVE-LUCY%252520apt%252520therapy_thumb%25255B2%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="544" height="409" /></a><font size="1">Image via <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/colortherapy-i-love-lucy-88164" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">Apartment Therapy</font></a></font></p> <p>Or how about waves…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3rB06GWR8NA/T7m1twNJ4dI/AAAAAAAAByc/dkeOgKntGF4/s1600-h/wall-painting-designs-stripes%252520davinong%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Magic Walls" border="0" alt="Magic Walls" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ETFUeUTl74I/T7m1uo1VNSI/AAAAAAAAByk/ZyJE_i0sAFM/wall-painting-designs-stripes%252520davinong_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="405" /></a><font size="1">Image via <a href="http://davinong.com/design/12246/magic-walls" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">Davinong</font></a></font></p> <p>If I was super-artistic, maybe I’d maybe create a mural – love that this one carries up onto the ceiling.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3HE9mjWXH9VSQigPWVCN2nfC75PxXNB3K7mxFJWHEGkcjMFoj6oW8UJk779GyTQtHJpJEqiic83BNouS3-Fy8ibdNpwQdOxz4dS8HOITrfg1PIH_RM6UZfC5JxAPqIZ82yv7aI2mg_Y/s1600-h/gym%252520style%252520house%252520realty%2525203%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="gym style house realty 3" border="0" alt="gym style house realty 3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIRLL9O2aviITWq7mTcR-9e9P_upvpaQ1_J3_wzkwb0loaWWEWjv_TMNhFJQcL6yl26lKlNTWzKktTuT3lV76s-WdP5kGKChoxZmME0LPapf1I095AyEeo44Wi09nq5e2IxlP56Edxhc/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></a><font size="1">Image via <a href="http://stylehouserealty.com/modern-mondays-bringing-your-fitness-home/?wpmp_switcher=mobile" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">Style House Realty</font></a></font></p> <p>There’s a lot more of the basement that needs to be made over, but this is definitely where I would start. Although with 15 gallons of paint to use, I might not need to work out anymore to keep in shape! ;-)</p> <p>A big thank you to <a href="http://www.para.com/home" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">PARA Paints</font></a> for the opportunity to be a part of their Blog Crew. The five winners will be announced at <a href="http://blogpodium.squarespace.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">BlogPodium</font></a> on Saturday, May 26th – will you be there?</p> <p><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-53296561541863102752012-05-17T05:11:00.001-07:002012-05-17T06:17:24.106-07:00rambling about rules<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS7dWiF-tfw0U6QbVQUbQP963jn5KoLY1rIREa-e8-v4bJCe9d0qsVGfJ-JoG4macTPTX8azfkyCwcrrr-NappgRyvC-l8LetW8JVp2V9Tjm-PLq0oaPdAqx9pyHHahksnHzgyKC7jvQ/s1600-h/standardColorant%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="standardColorant" border="0" alt="standardColorant" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8ro1p6sehP0/T7TqylNah-I/AAAAAAAABuo/2iyaWgGvpeM/standardColorant_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163" /></a>Have you ever been in the paint store and fallen in love with the “perfect” colour? You know, the wonderful colour you found on that little paint chip nestled next to similar lighter or darker hues on a piece of paper, tucked into a rainbow display of lovely colour options all lit from above by bright and shining florescent lights? The colour you knew, without a doubt, was perfect for your living room because it went so well with your favourite chair, newly reupholstered in that absolutely fabulous ikat fabric you hunted forever for? In fact you were so sure about the colour – it fit your plans for the space to a tee – that you had the emulsion mixologist whip up a whole gallon for you to take home! You were so sure of this colour that on your way home from the paint store you berated yourself for not buying a second gallon because you knew that one wouldn’t be enough to cover all the walls twice. Do you remember your reaction when you rolled that first section of wall? I know what you said to yourself. “I’ll paint corner to corner and let it dry. It’ll look better then.” Only it didn’t.</p> <p>Tell me this scenario doesn’t sound just a wee bit familiar?!</p> <p>Answer me this. What’s the #2 thing you should do when trying out a new paint colour? If you answered “Get a sample pot and try it at home!” you’d be absolutely right. What’s the #1 thing you ask? Why bringing a sample of your upholstery fabric (drapery/pillow/duvet fabric, tile, counter top, cabinetry, rug, other room colours, etc.) with you to the paint store to compare with the paint colour options of course!   ;-)</p> <p>As an interior design consultant I’ve specked colours for a few rooms and each time I do I have something from the room to guide me… and if possible, I buy a sample pot of the colour to try on a wall (especially if the colour is one I haven’t used before).</p> <p>So what did I do this last weekend? I went shopping for stain so I could bring colour to my new outdoor room. Specifically, deck and fence stain. And I bought the colours I wanted based solely on <em>HOW I INVISIONED THE SPACE TO LOOK WHEN IT WAS COMPLETED</em>. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aeF7wfpTW2g/T7TqzYcvPcI/AAAAAAAABuw/-3ugQRUBpXU/s1600-h/2012-05-08%25252010.22.10%25255B60%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-05-08 10.22.10" border="0" alt="2012-05-08 10.22.10" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FYI4HRmOqUM/T7Tq0AmpqBI/AAAAAAAABu4/hX_X8_ZDmjM/2012-05-08%25252010.22.10_thumb%25255B58%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" height="224" /></a></p> <p>Nothing planned. Nothing to guide me in my choices. Just my imagination. My “vision”!!</p> <p><font color="#f79646" size="4" face="Segoe Script"><strong>Right!!!</strong></font></p> <p>Actually… I lucked out: 3 of my 4 purchases were perfect so I have a 75% success rate! :-)</p> <p>But this is a story about lessons learned… first though, an <strong><font color="#f79646">ORANGE</font></strong> interlude!</p> <p> </p> <br /> <p>The first stain choice was easy. Our deck is cedar and I wanted a natural cedar colour. Considering that Behr carries a colour called “Cedar Naturaltone”, there was NO WAY I could go wrong!! I stained our deck-bench (you’re asked to politely ignore the un-stained sections of wood please and thank you {smiley face!}) <strong><em>this wonderful colour…</em></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ACC8zWlXKyA/T7Tq0wdZ0oI/AAAAAAAABvA/Kvx-hwzsuGU/s1600-h/2012-05-15%25252019.19.45%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-05-15 19.19.45" border="0" alt="2012-05-15 19.19.45" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEw678hgOVCWsmfmNOvsEx30ksGGf-dd4ChC5_w3G0tCyrMwyNb-fIZbdFo6sSVtWqb4FK5d8Rgn2UyjWIO5rXM-6ugv7p2cTSIqxYKGWLWctuiDZt6aQ7AByDGcKDmXHDXDtrnPpFGA/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="530" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><em>My absolute favourite colour is orange so you can imagine how much I love this result!!</em></strong></p> <p>My 2 other successes were for the shed. It’s stained in colours to match the house ~ a dark sage green with black trim (you’ll find a peak below). Again… easy peasy choices!!</p> <p>So where was my error? In the fence stain colour :-(</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKkxOQTdK2poG-sNa1HqftkqhwbJVEJa7PW3E_8hwV375yPhGsuv1QUiH_oa4sQck97c1KhXYc5hYB5b49utkzwaybSKeQ0towq6BE00mYyP3iU3WM0Qxe_EHjLhfzhAFxQygSP5lnkM/s1600-h/2012-05-15%25252019.17.45%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-05-15 19.17.45" border="0" alt="2012-05-15 19.17.45" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-_kiu5wON1PKD0N7FgSyiHF9q26GhaULfSLBDdCemuFabHROvb_wAIW2yTywpEFXDfljYgxhySbWG6xX6kAiUI-fzTB2XASjEnCsHcp2qbmNQk_hHgCK-fo-K7y_1McPMoIVs6VCb00/?imgmax=800" width="225" height="240" /></a>Because the deck comprises a major portion of the back yard, and because the deck will be a fabulous orange, I didn’t want the fence colour to compete with the deck and if possible, I wanted the fence to recede visually.</p> <p>The colour I imagined was gray. And this is what I bought…</p> <p>If you know your grays you know all about undertone. Yep. This undertone is blue. It didn’t look like that under the fluorescent lights!! At least that’s what I’m telling myself :-/</p> <p>So off to the store I go to source out a different colour, bringing home a SAMPLE (yay!!) brown that said it was gray like a castle. Nope. Then, desperate to make my gallon of bluey gray work, I combined equal amounts of <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YE2OYGTb4IE/T7Tq4rP53LI/AAAAAAAABvg/Qfzo1-Zqcdc/s1600-h/2012-05-15%25252019.17.36%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-05-15 19.17.36" border="0" alt="2012-05-15 19.17.36" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WOq_1jQiXoc/T7Tq5KRy3WI/AAAAAAAABvo/UZCcy6SKr7U/2012-05-15%25252019.17.36_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="326" height="257" /></a>the “castle” brown and the too blue gray and came up with… MUD!</p> <p>Here’s a photo showing you how bad the three stain colours look next to the cedar orange.</p> <p>Feeling a bit hopeless, I went back to the store one more time and stared at all the samples again. And stared. How I wish they could move around so that I could compare them with one another more easily!!!</p> <p>This time I had 2 stained cedar samples  in my hands– deck orange and shed sage. Yes, rule #1!!</p> <br /> <p align="center"><strong><em>Like a good girl I left with a sample (rule #2!) of “Glenn Green”, a light gray with a green undertone.</em></strong></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AZbbwRITWf7Wu3glcbYgQsTE6qMjphvTSFAEr6qKdyn-EM-_ustrmmLQpR97Ep4TpXle2RoOG7SwL03N-ATjDz7NjKV70oWMf3o124GoPgqTdnk-B6XLa2345ckDxdMRxDGCfnEyJVA/s1600-h/2012-05-15%25252019.16.58%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-05-15 19.16.58" border="0" alt="2012-05-15 19.16.58" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--3iON2nW9Bg/T7Tq79tin8I/AAAAAAAABv4/PQ6FBslB16Y/2012-05-15%25252019.16.58_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="530" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong><font size="5">Perfect!!!!</font></strong></p> <p>Just as I’d imagined!! LOL!!</p> <p>NOW I can go to the store and pick up a fiver (five gallon bucket).</p> <p>And break my back staining the whole darned fence!!! Whose idea was all this staining?! Geesh!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#f79646" size="4" face="Segoe Script">So now for the fun of it, two photos…</font></strong> </p> <p align="center">First, how my deck is looking today:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-odtnEQJFH3o/T7Tq8kMKguI/AAAAAAAABwA/YvZeCbUbj_s/s1600-h/2012-05-15%25252019.20.32%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-05-15 19.20.32" border="0" alt="2012-05-15 19.20.32" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--jBy_ViT3n0/T7Tq9o7qr0I/AAAAAAAABwI/RZhrGI0bzvg/2012-05-15%25252019.20.32_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="415" /></a></p> <p>It’s slowly getting finished, and the current weather has been great so that helps! All the railing posts are stained (railing itself is only installed [so far] up around the parking pad) as are the stairs you see straight ahead and – as I showed you earlier in this post – the bench is also stained. I hope to stain the deck within the week! This particular view shows you the size of the deck, the new fence stain sample and how it coordinates with the house behind us. Like I said… perfect!!</p> <p align="center">Second… our sweet little cedar shed!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bV6tOpXAXao/T7Tq-iuPpSI/AAAAAAAABwQ/lxKZfXtkSWw/s1600-h/2012-05-16%25252019.52.06%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-05-16 19.52.06" border="0" alt="2012-05-16 19.52.06" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EEJ9wL4R45Y/T7Tq_9SW0sI/AAAAAAAABwY/4BM1nWD5CAg/2012-05-16%25252019.52.06_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="415" /></a></p> <p>This is where most of my staining energy has gone over the last couple days. As you can see, I”m not quite finished. The doors will be stained cedar orange and the Zs on each door in trim black.</p> <p>And the little window? It’s one of the 70+ year old sash windows from our house. I’ve been saving this window in the attic for something… and once I saw this empty spot on the shed I knew exactly how I wanted to use it!! Tomorrow I’ll be planting some flowers in a window box and Brian will hang the box below our real/faux window… it’ll look so charming!!! I promise to show you a pic of the shed when it and the deck are all finished :-)</p> <p>Another uber-long post from…</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk2zLOj1QrXs9Fw20NSjhwa68m6obeyoqzG2OqpH2pxaoxLiKUw2rgO0HSZN6zbqNWpyuVOc3NCs77T8rNeAu6W4hazWtsvPhX8sQcNuMyHOmxRYu6K-d-2c6srcQpftS-TLXihqugX8/s1600-h/Signature%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Signature" border="0" alt="Signature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Su9V2iwOTWA/T7TrBho1F5I/AAAAAAAABwo/H7KJHdcvME0/Signature_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="150" height="57" /></a></p> <p>Have a great day!!! <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fslw69RyrHI/T7TrCQwe53I/AAAAAAAABww/l6e-pv0GzqM/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-89060202147358607362012-05-16T13:13:00.000-07:002012-05-16T13:15:57.279-07:00featured at power of paintJust a quick post to let you know that my <a href="http://dttd-idc.blogspot.ca/2012/04/lets-create-diy-mercury-glass.html"><span style="color: #f1c232;">faux mercury glass</span></a> and <a href="http://dttd-idc.blogspot.ca/2012/05/lets-create-faux-zinc.html"><span style="color: #ffd966;">faux zinc</span></a> projects are being featured today over at <a href="http://www.powerofpaint.net/"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Power of Paint</span></a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuWxFaWgkp3bPStncmaGrTlyg-8W6OSnbk4xeR1pVedNq56aPNaIPQJXfN2EGh-hiBMQdPBfZQbVFObe-K7IdN_owS45L9o5Dim1zF9BHQNujLVtGz7e0qZrvZ0gAHgQQCmzQAKHlQKs/s1600/mercury+glass+votive_thumb%255B11%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuWxFaWgkp3bPStncmaGrTlyg-8W6OSnbk4xeR1pVedNq56aPNaIPQJXfN2EGh-hiBMQdPBfZQbVFObe-K7IdN_owS45L9o5Dim1zF9BHQNujLVtGz7e0qZrvZ0gAHgQQCmzQAKHlQKs/s640/mercury+glass+votive_thumb%255B11%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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If you're looking for inspiration, run over to <a href="http://www.powerofpaint.net/"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Power of Paint</span></a> right now - Maryann features all sorts of fantastic paint projects on her blog.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbJkgs-HGMMkiaXFsBGxFLJ8JN9WTXwuLrjIVXsdP2sl5N3jwX8WJzsQBeCC73o0uD1jQzBI9dbNHdC2fVTsc0r2rycHuK3WhYUfyL3-oMSMBazx_TuVObhnI1mZReEIyFJkZaQOguzA/s1600/kelly+sig_thumb%255B1%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbJkgs-HGMMkiaXFsBGxFLJ8JN9WTXwuLrjIVXsdP2sl5N3jwX8WJzsQBeCC73o0uD1jQzBI9dbNHdC2fVTsc0r2rycHuK3WhYUfyL3-oMSMBazx_TuVObhnI1mZReEIyFJkZaQOguzA/s200/kelly+sig_thumb%255B1%255D.png" width="95" /></a></div>DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-44052492995069646812012-05-13T06:17:00.001-07:002012-05-13T18:16:11.709-07:00remembering our moms…<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvtOumfHI/AAAAAAAADxg/iaIMYJ5e-Vw/s1600-h/cathy%202%5B15%5D.jpg"><img title="cathy 2" border="0" alt="cathy 2" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvtaBAlzI/AAAAAAAADxk/mCr5LXEDevo/cathy%202_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="130" height="154" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvuCNWoMI/AAAAAAAADxo/3_soezzhsls/s1600-h/laura%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="laura" border="0" alt="laura" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvucuN4eI/AAAAAAAADxs/fySoVopwT1A/laura_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="145" height="154" /></a>Both of us have lost our moms — my mom Cathy died in 1998, and Victoria’s mom Laura in 2004. So Mother’s Day is sort of bittersweet for us. We remember all the wonderful things about our moms, but we don’t have them here to give them hugs and kisses, and to tell them how much we love them and how much they mean to us.</p> <p>Our moms are a big part of who we are today. So in their honour, we’d like to share a little bit about them with you…</p> <p>My mom, Cathy, was a teacher. And even though she was only 5’2”, she was also a basketball player :-) After I was born, she became a stay-at-home mom to raise me and my future brother.</p> <p>Besides being sporty, she was very artistic and creative. She took ceramic lessons for many years, and then she later taught ceramics. She and my dad set up a room for her classes in the basement. There was a big table and chairs and shelves all around filled with jars of paint and greenware in all different shapes and sizes, just waiting to be transformed into pieces of art. It always amazed me how the drab colours in the jars transformed into beautiful glossy colours when the pieces were done.</p> <p>These are just a few of the ceramic pieces that my mom made… first, a vase…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvvK9QLTI/AAAAAAAADxw/ry5m6jolqrE/s1600-h/clip_image001%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="clip_image001" border="0" alt="clip_image001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvvrbkMYI/AAAAAAAADx0/K0ntsIbpVds/clip_image001_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="500" /></a></p> <p>She painted the flowers and leaves entirely by hand. I have no idea how she did it, but I think it’s beautiful and very unique. I used to display it in the niche that was in the hallway. Now that the niche is gone, I have to find a new home for it.</p> <p>And she made a pair of these lamps:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvwHnlEXI/AAAAAAAADx4/Uc-QQZGmKmY/s1600-h/lamp%20flowers%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="lamp flowers" border="0" alt="lamp flowers" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvwdAZokI/AAAAAAAADx8/UUb7aEWg8Cw/lamp%20flowers_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="500" /></a></p> <p>She shaped and cut every petal and leaf and stem out of clay, and then shaped the flowers and leaves on the lamps. I definitely did NOT inherit my mom’s patience!! ;-)</p> <p>And this is my most favourite piece that my mom made. Being a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, purple-loving kid with pigtails, my mom made this lamp especially for me — cheeky look on the face and all!! And I think my grandma made the lavender shade cover. I love the pompoms!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvwlHIxdI/AAAAAAAADyA/jXdUOoX9GC4/s1600-h/clip_image002%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="clip_image002" border="0" alt="clip_image002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvxCJqf8I/AAAAAAAADyE/qvdSDsSZ5wA/clip_image002_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvyEK_QOI/AAAAAAAADyI/-Yn3pz2NDIc/s1600-h/clip_image003%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="clip_image003" border="0" alt="clip_image003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvyvmGEuI/AAAAAAAADyM/igrw0GNYf6k/clip_image003_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="500" /></a></p> <p>My mom was upset that after the lamp had it’s final firing, she realized that she’d gotten a bit of purple paint from the flower on one of the hands. But I think that makes it even more special, because it was handmade with love by my mom :-)</p> <p>This is my mom on her way to marry my dad on March 22nd many years ago!! I think it was 1956. My mom was 18 and my dad was 19 — I can’t imagine being married that young!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvzCVXb7I/AAAAAAAADyQ/E1KHza5U7Y0/s1600-h/cathy%201%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="cathy 1" border="0" alt="cathy 1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgZvzmcEHrI/AAAAAAAADyU/3etGsF2MULA/cathy%201_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="484" /></a></p> <p>I love my mom and I miss her a lot. I’m sad that she died before I was married, but she did meet my then-boyfriend and now-hubby, so she knew that I was happy and had found Mr. Right (or at least Mr. OK ;-) ). I think she would be proud of me and the things I’ve accomplished in my life. Thanks mom, for everything you did for me and for being so wonderfully kind and loving…</p> <p>And now Victoria is going to tell you a bit about her mom, Laura…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgaPDjzBYLI/AAAAAAAADyg/fefQd1TXrj0/s1600-h/Laura%5B23%5D.jpg"><img title="Laura" border="0" alt="Laura" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgaPF9C9eDI/AAAAAAAADyk/y5UpLXtRo6Y/Laura_thumb%5B19%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="130" height="166" /></a></p> <p>People tell me that I look like my Mom and I remember for years getting annoyed at what others perceived as a compliment – I wanted to be and look like ME, not my Mom. I’m sure so many of you can relate to that! Now, with my Mom gone from my life I find myself looking in the mirror hopeful to catch a glimpse of her lovely face. Lovely. She used to joke that, because all of her names began with “L” she was “lovely Laura Lorraine Lambert”. She came by “lovely” honestly, she didn’t need all those “Ls” to make it so!! :-)<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgaPJe6fXqI/AAAAAAAADyo/aj4PUAVBizk/s1600-h/Girly%20Mom%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Girly Mom" border="0" alt="Girly Mom" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgaPK2CJMsI/AAAAAAAADys/i2cWRTqMi7Q/Girly%20Mom_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="166" /></a></p> <p>As I was preparing to write this post I came across this photo of her as a child and, because of stories I’d heard about her childhood fun-loving tomboy ways I had to share. I love to think of my Mom like this – happy and full of life! Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!!</p> <p><a href="http://design-ties.blogspot.com/2009/01/collobration-smidge-of-creativity-and.html">My very first post</a> ever on our original DesignTies blog was dedicated to my Mom – and in it I shared with everyone her love of interior design and all things related to houses. Michelle from <a href="http://schematiclife.blogspot.com/">A Schematic Life</a> would understand Mom’s love affair with the magazine “Architectural Digest”; her bookcase was full of issues that she would pour over! Mom always told me <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgaPOY_5P5I/AAAAAAAADyw/qMG-fmcb_7E/s1600-h/Mom%20and%20Dad%5B11%5D.jpg"><img title="Mom and Dad" border="0" alt="Mom and Dad" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgaPPMlJt7I/AAAAAAAADy0/NzsHP_at-Go/Mom%20and%20Dad_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="168" /></a>that if she’d planned her life a little better she would have gone to school to become an interior designer, but she married young, had children and, when she did go back to work, had to get one of those practical jobs… the kind that so many of us have! I know I have one!!</p> <p>When she was in her early 40s, however, she lived a piece of that dream – she attended and graduated from Emily Carr’s School of Art & Design as a Graphic Designer. I was so proud of her on her graduation day!!</p> <p>One of the things my Mom and I used to love to do was drive through neighbourhoods and look at houses. Often we would bring a camera and surreptitiously (we didn’t want to get caught by the owners!) take pictures of our favourites. And sometimes, she’d use those photos to make renderings of the houses. My brother and I have a lot of her art (graphic designs, pencil drawings, paintings, etc.), but my most favourite are these three paintings, two of which are renderings derived from pictures she’d found in her issues of Architectural Digest!!</p> <p>This first one is a house in Greece</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgaPQNL0MqI/AAAAAAAADy4/JmWOGJrA1ro/s1600-h/DSC01723%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="DSC01723" border="0" alt="DSC01723" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgaPSofCXHI/AAAAAAAADy8/R8H-n1VS-RA/DSC01723_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="381" /></a></p> <p>This one… a dwelling in Africa</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgaPUUFzeFI/AAAAAAAADzA/mijJN2-YQHs/s1600-h/DSC01721%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="DSC01721" border="0" alt="DSC01721" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgaPXW3rRRI/AAAAAAAADzE/3J1qVxxfGGA/DSC01721_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="380" /></a></p> <p>And finally, my favourite (Mom loved what she called “Grandma Grandpa Houses”) – a bungalow here in Vancouver, found during one of our neighbourhood tours…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgaPaiF7aLI/AAAAAAAADzI/e-7r5kDkMyk/s1600-h/DSC01719%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="DSC01719" border="0" alt="DSC01719" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8s1TB229vsg/SgaPdvFdthI/AAAAAAAADzM/1wXYIde3vUo/DSC01719_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="380" /></a></p> <p>Mom’s little paintings are simplistic in styling, but precious in their colourful details. I haven’t hung them yet (renovations aren’t yet complete!), but I’m hopeful to find the perfect place in my little cottage-in-the-city where they can be showcased and loved by all who see them!</p> <p>Thanks for remembering Cathy and Laura with us!</p> <p><strong>And to all you Mom’s out there… Happy Mother’s Day!!!</strong></p> <p><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /><font size="6">&</font></p> <p>                           <img alt="Signature" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQQKHhHSoQrslXrD9YUPvzi2dS7tvL5aVyo7KdjvMN55J0bErCRHeY0E_Tf4QiiGi2ZYqURrxkVmUu4c4yHLCJwl6Pq48ZlfLUgCqetCJ4iaW1nCY0boEJq0Y1ArjyzO2lszwjx7_p8w/?imgmax=800" /></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-4273775369830761222012-05-12T15:05:00.001-07:002012-05-12T15:05:13.636-07:00whatever floats your boat<p><font color="#c8badc" face="Courier New">Today’s post brought to you by Kelly</font></p> <p>The glass floats that I mentioned in<font color="#ccb400"> </font><a href="http://dttd-idc.blogspot.ca/2012/04/if-credit-cards-rockin-somebody-stop-me.html" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">this post</font></a> have arrived, and they’re sooooo beautiful! Robi from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lightinawormhole?ref=seller_info" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">lightinawormhole</font></a> threw in a little surprise, so I ended up with six floats :-) Here they all are…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XoEfTVvRHLg/T67eetZb2tI/AAAAAAAABsQ/7Bq24RUNyxU/s1600-h/floats%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="floats" border="0" alt="floats" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU81j3KMAwYnwVNm64PQ0QdaQnpiVkAJCJ7GQSXmaKt3uK82GKFIdWwSbc6RpLDwdsjh4w5c3IjEMtyYhFtlV361hleSMajJBy_jAuLHO5akBND5-DHkK33lhHms3nhih_xCepOEAZc6I/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>*Sigh* I just love these little treasures of the sea. These are all Japanese floats that were handblown at least 40 years ago and were used to hold fishing nets. Over time, they got detached from the nets and made their way across the ocean to various beaches on the Pacific. When you think about how fragile glass is, it’s amazing that these little guys survived the waves and storms and all of nature’s elements to arrive safely on a sandy shore somewhere.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_dcVaBKJfSY/T67egZT1BzI/AAAAAAAABsg/E8Kszz_wnk8/s1600-h/blue%252520nile%252520peridot%252520ice%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="blue nile peridot ice" border="0" alt="blue nile peridot ice" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aDatQIgdG9E/T67ehAxTd3I/AAAAAAAABso/VbYD7CLN9F8/blue%252520nile%252520peridot%252520ice_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>Beautiful blue…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OtdtrG9_6Vw/T67eh-E8MSI/AAAAAAAABsw/oo-R03Fpi3k/s1600-h/celestial%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="celestial" border="0" alt="celestial" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QQy05i8Rkbo/T67eiiJ9mxI/AAAAAAAABs4/PFmfATVD8tk/celestial_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>The bubbles in the glass add so much character.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NnyJCTqU6Zs/T67ejrmC7HI/AAAAAAAABtA/Pmkz-xcTmHE/s1600-h/champagne%252520northern%252520lights%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="champagne northern lights" border="0" alt="champagne northern lights" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCMGg9AJgcxyHtFMJksv22oLGpe0CA_d2mQ6MCR7hZl5uYMEqhgJVg5K8kaj3f5tF9HTU-RlJZr8L0oijT3lyXVmn3guIKPkjSSFq-Rr1NfuaSLwFwWT1JM7RBjc68jB8FJ9ySS3PwJU/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>Besides being beautiful, glass floats are wonderfully tactile. They’re heavier than you might think. Holding one in your hand, you can’t help but wonder about the journey that it took, from the factory where it was made to its days out on the ocean to being discovered on a beach. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-40OEKv4sFdI/T67eldzPrqI/AAAAAAAABtQ/5GoI7T-KT2M/s1600-h/floats%2525202%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="floats 2" border="0" alt="floats 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUyjnMH8bDWVi6fnRU2N7fwVJfKqlOh89p4Dnry6VJvHKSUyEugP1_u836aJ1S57vK-oJ839R3NaUkesF7_wu6GUAAclBj1W43PAk7bWhsT2o8IG-NpAlShzs0u9xiviaw1dsN1sA_Rs/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>Do you collect something rare or unusual?</p> <p><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-79672312525076510532012-05-10T07:04:00.000-07:002012-05-10T07:04:47.340-07:00gracias, cпасибо, dankeJust a quick post today to say a couple of thank yous...<br />
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Shelley over at <a href="http://2jacs.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">2jacs</a> recently had a giveaway for<a href="http://sapadilla.com/default.aspx" target="_blank"> Sapadilla</a> cleaning products, and I was one of the two lucky winners. Yay! It's not weird to be excited about cleaning products, is it? Well, OK, maybe it's just a little bit weird :-) But totally deserving of the weirdness. Here's why:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIW-2jaoGlYKx6fmxe1xdDmyqWgpZ028-5YdHJihL9nNuVGAZpjcsiKpngdij_XDAx54CaHcKewepcfqC5_i7ob-gY_a0ymBdzkGJzM41BSaTE6CadPdJX8MpbOL4wmRFaiFNvvPQELU/s1600/sapadilla+logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIW-2jaoGlYKx6fmxe1xdDmyqWgpZ028-5YdHJihL9nNuVGAZpjcsiKpngdij_XDAx54CaHcKewepcfqC5_i7ob-gY_a0ymBdzkGJzM41BSaTE6CadPdJX8MpbOL4wmRFaiFNvvPQELU/s1600/sapadilla+logo.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAxJ9HX3Bwvb14J2Tk6RyANBRf1f0yKiVH7PF0dvIBim0mN8jItjgCP5u-sBjwjkDPGfHnZcnTcK_k3_MVfYcDbntqiWupDkhw4HA_qFZHG7fHzL4vf7FRtft4_e82KRaEVyLaWV_SQM/s1600/sapadilla+quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAxJ9HX3Bwvb14J2Tk6RyANBRf1f0yKiVH7PF0dvIBim0mN8jItjgCP5u-sBjwjkDPGfHnZcnTcK_k3_MVfYcDbntqiWupDkhw4HA_qFZHG7fHzL4vf7FRtft4_e82KRaEVyLaWV_SQM/s640/sapadilla+quote.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5hvTAT0wD-UG-6PMFJm01JcXnJ64s71l7jKPmYcEemyNHp9w4vj24jOBBaO0gtDUqk_Ek9pF7E9O5Rt2EnMq2CwqBs1sqSKEiyWVJUp35wpGoic-4AuLgE83khuoLBUPvx3dT1W7JQs/s1600/bottles.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5hvTAT0wD-UG-6PMFJm01JcXnJ64s71l7jKPmYcEemyNHp9w4vj24jOBBaO0gtDUqk_Ek9pF7E9O5Rt2EnMq2CwqBs1sqSKEiyWVJUp35wpGoic-4AuLgE83khuoLBUPvx3dT1W7JQs/s1600/bottles.png" /></a></div>
Not testing on animals is really important to me, and they're not kidding about the some kind of wonderful scent. The giveaway was for products in either the grapefruit & bergamot or rosemary & peppermint scents. I mentioned in my entry that one of the things I like best about Sapadilla is the lavender & lime scent. Shelley not only decided to send me products in my favourite scent, she also made me some cleaning cloths in matching purple :-) Take my word for it, the lavender & lime scent smells amazing!<br />
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I could have used the all-purpose cleaner yesterday, but I thought my first cleaning experience using Sapadilla & Shelley's cloths should be a little more elegant than cleaning up dog barf ;-)<br />
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Sapadilla is located in BC and their products are sold in selected stores in Canada and the US. <a href="http://sapadilla.com/findsapadilla/default.aspx" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see if there's a store near you. You can also purchase their products online from <a href="http://sapadilla.com/findsapadilla/online/default.aspx" target="_blank">these stores</a>. And if you're looking for colourful handmade cloths, Shelley sells them in her Etsy shop, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/2jacs?utm_source=CraftCult&utm_medium=api&utm_campaign=api#" target="_blank">J&J</a>.<br />
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THANK YOU, SHELLEY!</div>
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And also thank you to Mary at <a href="http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Very Merry Vintage Style</a> for including my<a href="http://dttd-idc.blogspot.ca/2012/05/lets-create-faux-zinc.html" target="_blank"> faux zinc bird</a> in her list of favourite projects from last week's <b>Share The Love Wednesday</b> blog party.<br />
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Mary, I hope my project inspired you and your blog readers to take a shot at creating your own faux zinc - it's really easy and fun :-)<br />
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<a href="http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><img alt="Button" src="http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a472/VeryMerryVintageStyle/VeryMerryVintageStyleFeatureButton.png" /></a></div>
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After my flurry of DIY projects a few weeks ago, I'm kind of DIY'd out. But you might remember I mentioned a Restoration Hardware-inspired table project that I wanted to tackle. Well, it's half done {thank you, hubby!}, and will hopefully be ready for its reveal in a week or two. Stay tuned!</div>
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<img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" />
</div>DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-34789578391574916302012-05-08T07:44:00.000-07:002012-05-08T07:44:33.619-07:00{ let's imagine } just a touch of colour<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Today's post brought to you by Kelly</span><br />
Have you been thinking about adding some colour to your house, but you're not sure you're ready to make an all-out colour commitment? Well, here's an easy way to add just a hint of colour in an unexpected place... on the edge of a door!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0LaqW81BwhokLh4FU4u17iIqPq7-3lbAzzaOUF2Fy-efYyU0B4n5-zT1Ne9E7F6iywhYwibqMDcRrlvNe2uAs5ETWKc3rlGVYI1DNzz-Pf8zMvvQGsObD3kr30z_OCcDUSn-XMwkLGI/s1600/jen+selk+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0LaqW81BwhokLh4FU4u17iIqPq7-3lbAzzaOUF2Fy-efYyU0B4n5-zT1Ne9E7F6iywhYwibqMDcRrlvNe2uAs5ETWKc3rlGVYI1DNzz-Pf8zMvvQGsObD3kr30z_OCcDUSn-XMwkLGI/s1600/jen+selk+com.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/857730/door-projects#/397053" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Martha Stewart Living</span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdoNP1Y5TCnBrKxkSX-98-5o8f-YnpRJ10cviOXsF3mMQ-77g0hdZG8pJJQxEld_fLlmwGj_1NJWLnUoLbScM1db0bYHObr9GEiAy9tOr0aXq5FS7ajuTNpMm9-z5bO8LojaDkvmD1cs/s1600/indulgy+via+soderbergagentur+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdoNP1Y5TCnBrKxkSX-98-5o8f-YnpRJ10cviOXsF3mMQ-77g0hdZG8pJJQxEld_fLlmwGj_1NJWLnUoLbScM1db0bYHObr9GEiAy9tOr0aXq5FS7ajuTNpMm9-z5bO8LojaDkvmD1cs/s1600/indulgy+via+soderbergagentur+com.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via<a href="http://indulgy.com/post/QsTcmHrPF1/painted-door-frame-edge#/do/page/1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffe599;"> </span><span style="color: #ffd966;">indulgy</span></a></td></tr>
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How's that for a totally easy, and non-committal way to bring a touch of colour into a room?! Of course, you can always go all-out and paint the whole door a fun colour with a contrasting colour on the edge...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1KfvdvfWSoNZ1nxl7OOewb3SXj-PVYtUKM6uwany5oEq2GFaXwJko-tj9ORfU_10Xq7Wju_Onmu6y4HTSRaICBEWbm8P9zlV2puvhxf6H71z5o99QqHuRzEE1SN9leoh-gpanBIuSgc/s1600/indulgy+via+apt+therapy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1KfvdvfWSoNZ1nxl7OOewb3SXj-PVYtUKM6uwany5oEq2GFaXwJko-tj9ORfU_10Xq7Wju_Onmu6y4HTSRaICBEWbm8P9zlV2puvhxf6H71z5o99QqHuRzEE1SN9leoh-gpanBIuSgc/s1600/indulgy+via+apt+therapy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via <a href="http://indulgy.com/post/WTcb5fd551/painted-door-edge#/do/page/1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffd966;">indulgy</span></a></td></tr>
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Or how about a chevron door?</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNUx1lmbClm0mcRCNK-cCIWvWKzlLAylPPJL8U6Mfsh_ysZozUeIle5XgTFriYa2caHuj5vLI-Y8NDWCgD0AoFueayF-aaWfEYldNOsX2GOy9yo5OWFwANUDuB4eEFy-Sy7orRE4aLpg/s1600/camille+styles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNUx1lmbClm0mcRCNK-cCIWvWKzlLAylPPJL8U6Mfsh_ysZozUeIle5XgTFriYa2caHuj5vLI-Y8NDWCgD0AoFueayF-aaWfEYldNOsX2GOy9yo5OWFwANUDuB4eEFy-Sy7orRE4aLpg/s640/camille+styles.jpg" width="429" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Image via <a href="http://camillestyles.com/2012/transformed-door-decor/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Camille Styles</span></a></td></tr>
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What do you think of painting a door edge a bright & fun colour?<br />
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<img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /><br />
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<br />DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-73104932274641843572012-05-05T15:26:00.000-07:002012-05-05T15:37:29.283-07:00in honour of derby day – equestrian chic<p><font color="#9c85c0" face="Courier New">Today’s post brought to you by Kelly</font></p> <p><em>In honour of today’s Kentucky Derby, here’s a replay of the equestrian-inspired blog post I wrote at <a href="http://jaxdoesdesign.blogspot.ca/2011/02/inspired-by-big-red-twist-on-equestrian.html" target="_blank">JAX does design</a> last February…</em></p> <h4><font color="#9c85c0">Inspired by Big Red: A twist on equestrian chic</font></h4> <h5></h5> <p>Last night, hubby and I watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028576/">Secretariat</a>. OMG, what a great movie! Diane Lane is wonderful as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_Chenery">Penny Chenery</a>, and all the beautiful horses… *SIGH* But you don’t have to be a horse-lover to enjoy the movie – it’s as much about the strength and drive of a woman succeeding in a man’s world as it is about horses.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuv03BxRI/AAAAAAAADIo/1aidKNyXzKA/s1600-h/secretariat-sm%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="secretariat-sm" border="0" alt="secretariat-sm" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuwHAvp5I/AAAAAAAADIs/v_hrQ4CFvJQ/secretariat-sm_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="334" /></a></p> <p>In case you aren’t familiar with Secretariat's story, Penny Chenery (on behalf of her dad, Christopher) won him before he was actually born in a coin flip in 1969 – although she actually lost the flip to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogden_Phipps">Ogden Phipps</a>, who at the time was the richest man in America. Too bad for Mr. Phipps, he selected the wrong foal! Ms. Chenery traveled back and forth from her home in Colorado to her family’s Meadow Stable in Virginia, living a double-life (in a good way!) as a wife & mom to four kids and the owner of a race horse.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuwQ3vQwI/AAAAAAAADIw/LGQWtXafMLk/s1600-h/secretariat%20and%20penny%20comfrey%20cottages%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="secretariat and penny comfrey cottages" border="0" alt="secretariat and penny comfrey cottages" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuwjPEqYI/AAAAAAAADI0/HFngil6CImA/secretariat%20and%20penny%20comfrey%20cottages_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="444" /></a>Penny Chenery & Secretariat {image via <a href="http://comfreycottages.blogspot.com/">Comfrey Cottages</a>}</p> <p>The rest, as they say, is history. Secretariat went on to be what many consider to be the greatest racehorse of all time. He won the 1973 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and then absolutely demolished the field in the Belmont, leading the race almost entirely from start to finish and winning by 31 lengths. He’s one of only 11 horses to win the Triple Crown – a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since Affirmed won it in 1978. And his winning times in the Derby and Belmont still stand as the fastest to this day, almost 40 years later.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuw6jVykI/AAAAAAAADI4/ME4FuRbbXSw/s1600-h/Secretariat_Preakness%20lost%20past%20remembered%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Secretariat_Preakness lost past remembered" border="0" alt="Secretariat_Preakness lost past remembered" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuxPfK9gI/AAAAAAAADI8/TtbElBGh2fE/Secretariat_Preakness%20lost%20past%20remembered_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" height="428" /></a>Secretariat & Canadian jockey Ron Turcotte in the 1973 Preakness Stakes {image via <a href="http://lostpastremembered.blogspot.com/">Lost Past Remembered</a>}</p> <p>Sadly, Secretariat had to be put down in 1989 after a battle with a hoof disease called laminitis. Doctors performed a necropsy, and discovered that Secretariat's heart was literally twice the weight of an average horse’s heart. But then, Secretariat wasn’t an average horse :-)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuxg593VI/AAAAAAAADJA/NxN9cyaWsJ8/s1600-h/secretariat%20northwest2%20tbo%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="secretariat northwest2 tbo" border="0" alt="secretariat northwest2 tbo" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVux9N8pbI/AAAAAAAADJE/BgQxg_H7mog/secretariat%20northwest2%20tbo_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="313" /></a>Secretariat, aka Big Red, 1970 – 1989 {Image via <a href="http://northwest2.tbo.com/content/today/">TBO.com</a>}</p> <p>In honour of the beautiful chestnut horse they called Big Red, I’ve put together some equestrian-related interior design pictures, but with a bit of a twist. Instead of rooms that include horse art, sculptures, or memorabilia, these are rooms with design elements that to me that have the essence of the whole equestrian feel.</p> <p>Sliding wood barn doors…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuyEc4_KI/AAAAAAAADJI/11YenBikgFY/s1600-h/sliding%20barn%20door%20digdigs%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="sliding barn door digdigs" border="0" alt="sliding barn door digdigs" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuyTPm8lI/AAAAAAAADJM/PicWowOjqgQ/sliding%20barn%20door%20digdigs_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="546" /></a>Image via <a href="http://www.digsdigs.com/">DigsDigs</a></p> <p>Wood-paneled rooms…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuy637bCI/AAAAAAAADJQ/TmAfrXLsCx4/s1600-h/library%20velvet%20and%20linen%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="library velvet and linen" border="0" alt="library velvet and linen" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuzZyYWgI/AAAAAAAADJU/kR0QPWtXPpQ/library%20velvet%20and%20linen_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="544" /></a> <br />Image vie <a href="http://brookegiannetti.typepad.com/">Velvet & Linen</a></p> <p>Well-worn leather chairs…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuzds6KSI/AAAAAAAADJY/UrY0yxxjcSQ/s1600-h/leather%20chair%20practical%20enrichment%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="leather chair practical enrichment" border="0" alt="leather chair practical enrichment" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVuzsuicKI/AAAAAAAADJc/L7rQIFBZqvI/leather%20chair%20practical%20enrichment_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="508" /></a> <br />Image via <a href="http://practicalenrichment.wordpress.com/">Practical Enrichment</a></p> <p>Polished brass… </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu0kavnYI/AAAAAAAADJg/ra60TmwPa9w/s1600-h/kitchen%20brass%20fittings%20the%20sumply%20luxurious%20life%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="kitchen brass fittings the sumply luxurious life" border="0" alt="kitchen brass fittings the sumply luxurious life" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu1AdaK-I/AAAAAAAADJk/7YlEFuUYxHc/kitchen%20brass%20fittings%20the%20sumply%20luxurious%20life_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="439" /></a> <br />Image via <a href="http://www.thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/">The Simply Luxurious Life</a></p> <p>Trunks…</p> <p align="center"><img title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu1Z7VcDI/AAAAAAAADJo/cRmzIvPdXRg/veranda%20trunk%20auction%20decorating_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /> <br />Image via <a href="http://auctiondecorating.blogspot.com/">Auction Decorating</a></p> <p>Cast iron…  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu1q25PbI/AAAAAAAADJs/_MXiA2ywhPU/s1600-h/Dining-Rustic%20house%20and%20home%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Dining-Rustic house and home" border="0" alt="Dining-Rustic house and home" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu1zRhe_I/AAAAAAAADJw/9QppKPKyQTc/Dining-Rustic%20house%20and%20home_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="604" /></a>Image via <a href="http://houseandhome.com/">House & Home</a></p> <p>Benches…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu2FkfjdI/AAAAAAAADJ0/F6xv0Z7lVpA/s1600-h/dining%20room%20sense%20of%20style%20interiors%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="dining room sense of style interiors" border="0" alt="dining room sense of style interiors" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu2bH5erI/AAAAAAAADJ4/imEQZA8ncYQ/dining%20room%20sense%20of%20style%20interiors_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="537" height="456" /></a> <br />Image via <a href="http://senseofstyleinteriors.net/blog/">Sense of Style Interiors</a></p> <p>Navajo-style blankets…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu2w0P-zI/AAAAAAAADJ8/F_mfLJG6fac/s1600-h/NavajoSaddle-lg%20kris%20abshire%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="NavajoSaddle-lg kris abshire" border="0" alt="NavajoSaddle-lg kris abshire" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu3Mcq-DI/AAAAAAAADKA/kfDjNfezw6k/NavajoSaddle-lg%20kris%20abshire_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="601" /></a> <br />Image via <a href="http://www.krisabshire.com/decorative.html">Kris Abshire</a></p> <p>And a few literal takes on equestrian chic that caught my eye…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu3Qos51I/AAAAAAAADKE/VdR6mKD6j00/s1600-h/farmhouse%20interior%20design%20daily%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="farmhouse interior design daily" border="0" alt="farmhouse interior design daily" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu3qoDckI/AAAAAAAADKI/rYs4uYundg0/farmhouse%20interior%20design%20daily_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="334" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu4FUMN5I/AAAAAAAADKM/Sh4g-nHagX8/s1600-h/walls%20dankton%5B3%5D.png"><img title="walls dankton" border="0" alt="walls dankton" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu4QfHhEI/AAAAAAAADKQ/_CxikxWPPhc/walls%20dankton_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="554" height="532" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu4zlSCoI/AAAAAAAADKU/2P5oJDOAmhM/s1600-h/boots%20dresser%20apt%20therapy%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="boots dresser apt therapy" border="0" alt="boots dresser apt therapy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu5OPaTkI/AAAAAAAADKY/OgjRLQ_x-Rs/boots%20dresser%20apt%20therapy_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="368" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu5B6SGEI/AAAAAAAADKg/ooseyuWTPes/s1600-h/saddle%20best%20luxury%20interior%20design%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="saddle best luxury interior design" border="0" alt="saddle best luxury interior design" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Wav_OBcogJE/TWVu5es54nI/AAAAAAAADKk/LeHqlcgAm6k/saddle%20best%20luxury%20interior%20design_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="511" /></a>Images via <a href="http://interior-design-daily.com/">Interior Design Daily</a>, <a href="http://www.bakati.com/s~q-f.aspx">Dankton</a>, <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/">Apartment Therapy</a>, and <a href="http://luxury-interior-designroom.blogspot.com/">Best Luxury Interior Design</a></p> <p>What says <strong><em>equestrian chic</em></strong> to you?</p> <p><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-63052874265467937342012-05-02T06:56:00.001-07:002012-05-02T09:13:18.233-07:00{ let’s create } faux zinc<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--IvtDivfBSg/T6E88iYVgoI/AAAAAAAABpQ/hGjCs2HCjEA/s1600-h/jar%252520close2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="jar close2" border="0" alt="jar close2" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vy2bTB0vvRs/T6E89UaNEPI/AAAAAAAABpY/sBp6VtJ7h0o/jar%252520close2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="220" height="244" /></a></p> <p><font color="#ab8ec7" face="Courier New">Today’s post brought to you by Kelly</font></p> <p>Zinc is hot. I did a search for “zinc” on the <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/search/results.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&ise=true&query=zinc&_D%3Aquery=+&hidden=&go.x=0&go.y=0&_D%3Ago=+&_DARGS=%2Fsitewide%2Fincludes%2Fheader%2Fsearch.jsp.header-searchform" target="_blank"><font color="#dbb84d">Restoration Hardware</font></a> website, and 232 matches popped up. With crazy-high prices. But never fear – you can create your very own faux zinc for a fraction of the cost of the real thing. And it’s really easy.</p> <p>After reading a bunch of tutorials for varying methods, I decided to go with the easiest one, mainly because I already had the supplies I needed. {Check out my <a href="http://pinterest.com/jaxdecor/crafty-stuff/" target="_blank"><font color="#dbb84f">Crafty Stuff pinboard</font></a> for lots of examples of faux zinc.}</p> <p>Are you ready for one of the easiest faux techniques ever? OK, here we go…</p> <p>You’ll need:</p> <ul> <li>Black acrylic paint {I used FolkArt in Licorice} </li> <li>Metallic paint in silver {I used DecorArt Elegant Finish Metallic Paint in Shimmering Silver} </li> <li>Paint brush & pouncing brush </li> <li>Clear paste wax & a rag </li> <li>Something to paint :-) </li> </ul> <p>This white ceramic jar was in one of the swag bags I picked up at IDS12 in January. The finish is rough & unfinished, which made it the perfect candidate to zinc-ify.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x3TCx9XDaG4/T6Cn25_FrtI/AAAAAAAAHms/7KxiZSu2G_Q/s1600-h/jar%252520before%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="jar before" border="0" alt="jar before" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ivKGaD2TZxU/T6Cn3pXPFbI/AAAAAAAAHm0/f-skXJ9RNZk/jar%252520before_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>I totally forgot to take an in-progress shot, but it’s really simple – I just painted the jar black with my acrylic paint. When the paint was dry, I lightly rubbed on the silver paint with a pouncing brush. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--xZOJHnQXSs/T6E897c07DI/AAAAAAAABpg/zjPQFVMof7M/s1600-h/image%25255B8%25255D.png"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YILjAhafBdw/T6E8-P_LPqI/AAAAAAAABpo/vf63GYdicjc/image_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="408" height="264" /></a></p> <p>After the silver coat dried, I rubbed on some clear paste wax, buffed it, and voila… faux zinc! It’s kind of hard to see the sheen in the picture, but it’s soft & subtle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nHsdbH8wTn4/T6Cn4UVKqRI/AAAAAAAAHm8/Y7l4gA2ybyw/s1600-h/jar%2525202%25255B21%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="jar 2" border="0" alt="jar 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fuRfP4IJCU8/T6Cn5WpGB6I/AAAAAAAAHnE/NthIhG2PmtI/jar%2525202_thumb%25255B18%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>I used the same technique on this plastic bird that I picked up at the Dollar Store.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N8qKQuAMDVw/T6Cn6U5-JUI/AAAAAAAAHnM/qluQaJnCYCc/s1600-h/bird%252520before%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="bird before" border="0" alt="bird before" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2M-CTvMg4IA/T6Cn61NpnhI/AAAAAAAAHnU/n5bZXtcyIfs/bird%252520before_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="604" /></a></p> <p>I did the exact same thing, painting it black…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wY6Asb9LWvs/T6Cn7wwjtWI/AAAAAAAAHnc/xrhu6JcYivA/s1600-h/bird%252520during%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="bird during" border="0" alt="bird during" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h9Nf-MNOveA/T6Cn8-63X2I/AAAAAAAAHnk/GwUFl4RSzfg/bird%252520during_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>…and then rubbing on the silver metallic paint, followed by some wax and buffing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AM6ENPtHt5s/T6Cn-IQ1R1I/AAAAAAAAHns/zpWkaxa8sYs/s1600-h/bird%252520after%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="bird after" border="0" alt="bird after" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w2j4hgXFTOo/T6Cn-9iFfAI/AAAAAAAAHn0/ukkEpmfVajg/bird%252520after_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="604" /></a></p> <p>I didn’t apply wax to the base – can you see that the finish on the jar and the bird is a bit softer than on the base of the bird? </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q51fAw7gDAQ/T6Cn_-M90YI/AAAAAAAAHn8/c4Mad4K6cfg/s1600-h/pot%252520and%252520bird%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="pot and bird" border="0" alt="pot and bird" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JCJML3BPCbg/T6CoAbzjmaI/AAAAAAAAHoE/80HzTjbDbis/pot%252520and%252520bird_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>I used the same technique on a white frame from HomeSense {the other frames are getting the chalk paint treatment}.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O8OlypsruZg/T6CoBZ4ttQI/AAAAAAAAHoM/PwPZmcr7pU0/s1600-h/frames%252520before%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="frames before" border="0" alt="frames before" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ujBVDeXdiYE/T6CoCA8vvKI/AAAAAAAAHoU/f-puPIe4xvk/frames%252520before_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rWjEDKe6clo/T6CoDo61WXI/AAAAAAAAHoc/toBd-a5Oygc/s1600-h/frames%252520during%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="frames during" border="0" alt="frames during" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9Bp69LH_Qoc/T6CoEImXoeI/AAAAAAAAHok/GACZqCVjivk/frames%252520during_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>Here’s the completed faux zinc frame with paint chip art that I whipped up in a few minutes so I wouldn’t be showing you a naked frame ;-)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mvsBfwr2iIU/T6CpPUsQsII/AAAAAAAAHpM/rO5dIp9CTVo/s1600-h/frame%252520after%2525203%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="frame after 3" border="0" alt="frame after 3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EdngqNYpn2w/T6CpQKswFLI/AAAAAAAAHpU/sfKeww5JGEk/frame%252520after%2525203_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>Rubbing the paste wax onto the frame wiped off some of the finish, so the frame is waxless. I just gently buffed it with the same rag I used to apply the wax to the other pieces to up the sheen factor just a bit. </p> <p>The great thing about creating faux zinc is that you really can’t screw it up. If you put on too much silver paint, just go over it with more black paint and do it again. If rubbing on the wax rubs off the paint, add more paint {speaking from experience!}. Seeing as you want an imperfect/uneven finish, you don’t have to be precise – more black here and more silver there gives the effect that you want, so don’t worry about spreading the silver paint evenly. See the colour variations in this close-up?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DmtyVFqL-ag/T6CoGx8jdkI/AAAAAAAAHo8/zG34-2eIeto/s1600-h/frame%252520close%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="frame close" border="0" alt="frame close" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rOTCuk802_M/T6CoHbIjoEI/AAAAAAAAHpE/JepnptgTr0Q/frame%252520close_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>And that’s really all there is to it! I’m going to try out a couple of other faux zinc techniques – I have a plan in mind to make over an oak coffee table that we have with old wood boards and the faux zinc technique.  The <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1593167&categoryId=cat1830037" target="_blank"><font color="#dbb84d">Brickmaker’s Table</font></a> from Restoration Hardware is the inspiration:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FmpwGFG_vTk/T6E8_py1o_I/AAAAAAAABpw/a-TFhZH1naI/s1600-h/RH%252520table%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="RH table" border="0" alt="RH table" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VdtALL3KQAI/T6E9AOILSWI/AAAAAAAABp4/-MINBcBmDao/RH%252520table_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="404" height="402" /></a></p> <p>For a detailed video tutorial of a different faux zinc technique, check out Jami’s night stand project over at <a href="http://www.freckledlaundry.com/2010/07/faux-zinc-painting-tutorial.html" target="_blank"><font color="#dcb950">Freckled Laundry</font></a>. She did an amazing job!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZUW8l0s6Gng/T6E9AleDszI/AAAAAAAABqA/OA66jx-y8Sg/s1600-h/nightstand%252520freckled%252520laundry%25255B7%25255D.png"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="nightstand freckled laundry" border="0" alt="nightstand freckled laundry" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gamFAY2rGAU/T6E9BEJFQ6I/AAAAAAAABqI/ZlB-vUkeE-g/nightstand%252520freckled%252520laundry_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a></p> <p>Are you inspired to zinc-ify something in your house?</p> <p><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>Linking up to…</p> <p><a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.ca/2012/05/whatever-goes-wednesday-115.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQ6a4Lr7mFLyUtxN_s4A0nHVUBKsgwe8Mugvi4FiykzBjyHS2h399PtORAduO6eb3RAK75snQTQLlKCfr_QQCcNyA0dTyWWMVjP0VxENoLDt23JAuVnmSynoTRK6lV6bcCmJkR4hhLfs/s320/wgw+button.jpg" width="165" height="166" /></a><a href="http://www.domestically-speaking.com/ "><img border="0" src="http://www.domestically-speaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Button_2.jpg" /></a><a href="http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q37/schoenfelds/showandshare.jpg" /></a><a href="http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a472/VeryMerryVintageStyle/sharethelovebutton.jpg" /></a></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-32684327274677362282012-04-30T05:54:00.001-07:002012-05-01T08:32:55.431-07:00{ let’s create } diy chapiz chandelier<p>Have you seen the awesome DIY capiz chandeliers out there in the blogosphere? Here are just a few that inspired me to make my own – and yes, believe it or not, they’re all FAUX capiz. {Click the images to read about how each one was made.}</p> <p><a href="http://www.lisaroy.ca/2012/03/my-diy-capiz-chandelier.html" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" border="0" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMWQ1S7_NfamyMEoGvucFIFsiXkfPgr8D4aVoWq-0kuC9jcDpK4u_JRGEj0mARX5Wb383tpqtsOeOau0fbdBeCgEJHVscHR7_O00fiq1nJAsUsoxPzW3I7pt8sVlsuk6WccPfgWZlGeQ/s1600/IMG_6474.jpg" width="268" height="420" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.ahappyplacecalledhome.com/home/2011/8/9/you-light-up-my-life.html" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" border="0" src="http://www.ahappyplacecalledhome.com/storage/meet%20chandee36.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1325406177158" width="320" height="194" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.sheilazellerinteriors.com/articles/winter-pinterest-challenge-light-please-capiz" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" border="0" src="http://www.sheilazellerinteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-Capiz-Shell-Chandelier-DIY-080.png" width="320" height="195" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="1">Lisa Roy Muskoka |A Happy Place Called Home |SZInteriors</font></p> <p>I’ve already hung chandeliers pretty much everywhere in the house that a chandelier can go. Ahhhh, but wait! What about this spot in the hallway outside the bedrooms…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d0dvn9BHdjw/T56LELXwTXI/AAAAAAAABkc/B8k8NarhSgQ/s1600-h/DSC_0375%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0375" border="0" alt="DSC_0375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_I0-_l6VMe8RFFrv3vNMrqaPUfmm0sdkEBpvlNUVBzGxHQQUFVuNzIoGjKHg17P3WGBoP25UpywGi4T6_t7dO6dQmHMUv0b4dB9nR4NXAc2EpdI8EQmChSyjJaJu11MxKCZf7WSeRKI/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>I have a couple of old brass chandeliers that I tried to give to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, but they didn’t want them. Can you believe it?! Who wouldn’t be all over this brass & plastic beauty ;-)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsosDsWxLNvG1N3wIRjx1ktxc1_cR-o4OzfU2azpTzJs8QHrqha9NtFx8clujsXky0dGPgkihNaKMQu59uUpZzH8ewiR53CbT0dhCY4y5-KBDSGXPxQtOws9U4b4VlKUK-mdjKtfFPok/s1600-h/old%252520chandy%2525201%25255B12%25255D%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="old chandy 1[12]" border="0" alt="old chandy 1[12]" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fdH9QCrRxDQ/T56LGUAuVHI/AAAAAAAABk0/1GhJhfEj1hM/old%252520chandy%2525201%25255B12%25255D_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>I can’t find a before picture of the chandelier I used, but it’s the same as this one except tiered as opposed to spiraled. But the the tiers were opposite from the direction I needed them to go, plus it was too big. So hubby worked a little magic on it and changed it from too big and upside down to just right.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YkdkqJqDIx8/T56LHlGqUHI/AAAAAAAABk8/av2C7-PZWp4/s1600-h/before%2525201%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="before 1" border="0" alt="before 1" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n_5t2FERTHE/T56LIIc__HI/AAAAAAAABlE/ZRfCAn4nKJg/before%2525201_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="417" /></a></p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WrIBMz9MtYU/T56LJKaw1JI/AAAAAAAABlM/b3_pWHd3gQQ/s1600-h/done%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="done" border="0" alt="done" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FjahuCRg4N4/T56LJhgPRuI/AAAAAAAABlU/2aymmUFplIQ/done_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="417" /></a> <p>Now the fun part – making the faux capiz shells. The first thing you need to do is Iron three sheets of wax paper together. Over and over and over. You’ll need a LOT of wax paper! Put parchment paper on top of the wax paper before you iron so the iron doesn’t stick to it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vlxQzZXpW0U/T56LKe8FypI/AAAAAAAABlc/Vk-nmPDgjwY/s1600-h/wax%252520paper%252520pile%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="wax paper pile" border="0" alt="wax paper pile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oyB4xVmJk_Y/T56LLNjvWSI/AAAAAAAABlk/QypWZ4SUVvU/wax%252520paper%252520pile_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>I crumpled and then flattened out some sheets of wax paper to add texture to my “shells”. I randomly combined crumpled and uncrumpled sheets in each set of three.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LdwL1PbPPRw/T56MX0VOX3I/AAAAAAAABo8/e_7oGP1yCoI/s1600-h/crumpled%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="crumpled" border="0" alt="crumpled" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rUgH7qMBzcw/T56MYpIm9yI/AAAAAAAABpE/F-JSI9yYGbY/crumpled_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>Texture!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JkFPivMd6c8/T56LLs9GBtI/AAAAAAAABls/Zl18r0JrtSM/s1600-h/crumpled%252520texture%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="crumpled texture" border="0" alt="crumpled texture" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ehVKge-jG54/T56LMvpaUQI/AAAAAAAABl0/gz7nDkCrYrI/crumpled%252520texture_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>Use a circle cutter to cut out your circles. I bought a 1-1/2” Fiskars punch at Michaels. Fold your wax paper like an accordion and punch out the circles in double-thicknesses. This will make things twice as fast, plus the cutter doesn’t cut very well through just one layer. I recommend doing this step front of the TV while watching March Madness :-)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T73n9VfBEEc/T56LNVRyjwI/AAAAAAAABl8/x3xmT-aJAb8/s1600-h/watching%252520bball%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="watching bball" border="0" alt="watching bball" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PrjxJ9AL9gs/T56LOAPZMCI/AAAAAAAABmE/D2swiINfZCE/watching%252520bball_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="604" /></a></p> <p>You need a LOT of wax circles…</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH0WjYXv62wcCS8T5j4vCm5ZhPhjxMZuvbeo87EX72OovtBBvy42SSVSbbTro6v7w1Yl2WXa9tKQZyrq0LGy4eyyZJg_hNChnjTygtaaT8D_t62PuLk4QYVYYygYeQ0Q-zvJ50hI9JYQ/s1600-h/circles%2525201%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="circles 1" border="0" alt="circles 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aHUFSGWyOgk/T56LPi2W7dI/AAAAAAAABmU/fI_jJdeZAhs/circles%2525201_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>Once your circles are cut, it’s time to attach them together. My original plan was to use jumper rings, but after linking one batch with rings, I realized this method would take me about seven years. Plus my thumb & finger were really not happy with me opening and closing all those rings. {Check out <a href="http://www.ahappyplacecalledhome.com/home/2011/8/9/you-light-up-my-life.html"><font color="#ccb400">A Happy Place Called Home</font></a> to see the jumper ring method done right.}</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n8_Y_huqUYU/T56LQdlt-EI/AAAAAAAABmc/egWqUiaPf9U/s1600-h/jumper%252520rings%252520on%252520circles%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="jumper rings on circles" border="0" alt="jumper rings on circles" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EO9WS3CUKcU/T56LQy9aGEI/AAAAAAAABmk/SnlVafvSE0I/jumper%252520rings%252520on%252520circles_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>So I switched over to the sewing method – WAAAAYYY faster and easier. {Check out <a href="http://www.lisaroy.ca/2012/03/my-diy-capiz-chandelier.html" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">Lisa Roy Muskoka</font></a> for an easy-to-follow tutorial with lots of pics.} Sew long chains of circles together, and then cut them to the lengths that you want.</p> <p align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmAIdb7EBPBInaqQbvjIC3PuIrNH16x1i4AFGOar18jB1BjqDxY0PBRv-TWeYUZCQAj0sfMyvq31v0tAmTazz9nDPmmuZPD82QjM3Wo5i34cAmnR6kdUU_wDhtXxoW046_j6KHJNGehs/s400/IMG_0708.jpg" /> <br /><font size="1">Image via </font><a href="http://www.lisaroy.ca/2012/03/my-diy-capiz-chandelier.html"><font size="1">Lisa Roy Muskoka</font></a></p> <p>Mine ranged from 7 circles per chain for the outer top tier, 10 circles per chain for the lowest tier, and 20-22 circles per chain everywhere else. In the end, the circles on the lowest tier don’t actually show, but they help give the chandelier a fuller look.</p> <p>Hubby installed the chandelier – remember to put in the bulbs before you put on the chains!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOZ35WO9Ng3QtyEYEZLL_uceL072mIYMEsoHFdkPgAF_Cv89lYOVDJMZakYLUco3FNF7lMPkzQLWycgtP2L5QoCAy0sl_HnUqF7HCp_IcKtcXAGqt2dhpzW6PMQnrvqL_vgY9LYTK9SU/s1600-h/naked%252520chandelier%2525202%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="naked chandelier 2" border="0" alt="naked chandelier 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lMmvP6IEbmRyAncVDxrvjr6_8PAlKtCMxoSyOKp_oy34qD4J2JSVXX6GnccBL0LW_bkiguOCU9EQJqtHDg22cwFk6cB6eYDZNz0P2c1KgZe9D3nfwN1wknQVhjkzSJKTmOzM0QxwyuE/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="604" /></a><em>{Note: funcolors asked about the potential fire hazard of the wax paper with the light bulbs. We’re using 40W bulbs, and even after having the light on for quite a few hours straight, there was no issue with the wax getting hot. Although that being said, I wouldn’t leave the light on for a prolonged amount of time with nobody home, just to be safe.}</em></p> <p>And then I hung the chains on it. I don’t have pictures of this part, because, well, I forgot to take pictures. Plus I didn’t hang them in the most logical order, so you don’t want to hang yours the way I hung mine. You want to start with the lowest tier and then move up. Also, after I hung all the chains, I took them all down when I realized that it would be better to wrap wire around each tier and hang the chains over the wire instead of over the brass arms. This way, the flat side would be pointing out instead of sideways.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifL3GNSrDTO0mmb7b-XTy7YI8iAhBV55aA3sWTrasob969TECGxs1tw5r8CFCjiDdjcS8lF8Q4O2gAfj9WLX1izMtd843EYArswgI951D7zivZ8kt0cJGc60HisJGq39-rjlqaYUoqXu0/s1600-h/wire%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="wire" border="0" alt="wire" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYU0uDPE2eq87L8v-Yn3WFudpbflrvb9O__zYZEd-ejK7MyuDsCW0_2r8HAY05-zEXYPog_o3A7rlkxa6zYiszwPXCeRxylPV5yLyg_RnEtFsTiN7izLXwLLs86j7t3Muyq4nYhjzYSg/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>And this is how it turned out…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cHYDB8lsMXo/T56LUfHHpAI/AAAAAAAABnM/fpcAf50bfXg/s1600-h/against%252520gallery%252520wall%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="against gallery wall" border="0" alt="against gallery wall" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1zbPvXkbSRo/T56LU38qCGI/AAAAAAAABnU/k8W4ZyZ9B38/against%252520gallery%252520wall_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="604" /></a></p> <p>My top outer tier is all the same length, and the rest of the chains are hung at slightly different lengths because I didn’t want the bottom to be perfectly straight.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k5kXymdx7qk/T56LV_dZecI/AAAAAAAABnc/SToVhsVraRw/s1600-h/close%252520on%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="close on" border="0" alt="close on" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--dwCFG-q9K0/T56LWJ1dNtI/AAAAAAAABnk/7-sCw0s-NAI/close%252520on_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zGJQmvttJ6S8OHjK8hGhpgag8PZ4vHU31OZvLKsaDDCaNjx4-_9QtpEKaEW8Dxj9vxBsVnu0AakmR6f8fqazufNRZjVZXwI0d3_Mw0qtEnBE7XU66eSuTiwkAgiirmxFX-UfmKwUjqM/s1600-h/from%252520bedroom%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="from bedroom" border="0" alt="from bedroom" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aJOxKJzGUl0/T56LXWnzzMI/AAAAAAAABn0/mPj0Oo8zLZk/from%252520bedroom_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="604" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mZc94Nu4Ids/T56LYLIhOMI/AAAAAAAABn8/SxG16_Moki0/s1600-h/towards%252520kitchen%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="towards kitchen" border="0" alt="towards kitchen" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nZB5Xxsiygk/T56LYylwvQI/AAAAAAAABoE/xzkOoe9UmTs/towards%252520kitchen_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="604" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nt8U09Sk2oA/T56LZgNCvoI/AAAAAAAABoM/WRn_yQdIAFA/s1600-h/with%252520staircase%252520on%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="with staircase on" border="0" alt="with staircase on" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XBw_uACX6Mk/T56LaZ402tI/AAAAAAAABoU/In_ML2uGlC0/with%252520staircase%252520on_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="604" /></a></p> <p>Even close up, the wax paper really does look like capiz shells.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eqKvZFmFsXs/T56LbJe0lmI/AAAAAAAABoc/nSUrWwE4qSE/s1600-h/close%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="close" border="0" alt="close" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fGCidKLU3xU/T56LbwO27cI/AAAAAAAABok/ztY6176YI00/close_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tAhRo1QLo5I/T56Lc6LOb5I/AAAAAAAABos/C30sY22uiLo/s1600-h/close%252520on%2525202%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="close on 2" border="0" alt="close on 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fOrmTGHFqWM/T56LdgiLkNI/AAAAAAAABo0/1K3zgQq9mOI/close%252520on%2525202_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>I still may do a little bit of tweaking to the top tier to make it fuller around the top. Just have to figure out how…</p> <p>Here’s a breakdown of the supplies and costs:</p> <ul> <li>Chandelier base – already had it, $0.00 </li> <li>Wax paper – already had a mega roll, bought 1 roll at the Dollar Store, $1.00 </li> <li>Jumper rings – 1 pack at Michaels, ~$3.00 with coupon {better to sew circles together} </li> <li>1-1/2” circle cutter – $21.99 + 40% off coupon at Michaels, ~$14.00 </li> <li>Spool of wire – $2.00 </li> <li>Thread & sewing machine </li> </ul> <p><strong>TOTAL COST: $20.00</strong></p> <p>Yep, that’s right – just 20 smackers for what’s essentially a brand new chandelier. Not too shabby, eh? :-) So what do you think – will you be making your own capiz chandelier?</p> <p><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>Linking up to…</p> <br /><a href="http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WzPdfImjyJ8/Ti3RiAl7TrI/AAAAAAAAbsk/EOZi_5qvP7o/s1600/One+on+sidebar.jpg" /></a><a title="five days five ways" href="http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com" target="_blank" ?="?"><img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="five days five ways feature friday free for all" src="http://www.capitalhcoder.com/fivedaysfiveways/5d5wfreeforall.png" /></a><a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" border="0"><img src="http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r87/mmoo1978/LindaBtn.png" /></a> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-55447012572589541682012-04-28T11:02:00.001-07:002012-04-28T11:05:10.063-07:00amazing macrophotography by sharon johnstone<p>I recently came across the amazing macrophotography of artist <a href="http://sjfinearts.com/galleries/macro/"><font color="#ccb400">Sharon Johnstone</font></a>. Her work gives you a whole different perspective on nature. I bet you never thought a dandelion could look like this…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gxNwJSQHVFk/T5wwK3iD8_I/AAAAAAAABiI/CFE-aU9UV5w/s1600-h/image%25255B45%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtBHOaQjGou55-CgK8O7JCV9ZaB5CS54lfNb1QaUOSct7vNespFzFEYNnktU6mP6sjoRoDFYKpUPc_SircC8jBIVRNdrzuLQDhr6tRcCvSimy0jDy6_OjFRjP3EVyfaV-lWEkM6Ib41E/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="432" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNW5qMuY9v3YA0DT1WCz0CK1gE-SroqhwNYvCmRBbdWea9lcYntqvonbB8jF_SkFxh-2Zhs8d-u3x1Bha5kkCy-v4szV1lI3M1u2pyfrQKWDKyrKmGG22eJ7EvkzwwwC-JVcku2AHzOys/s1600-h/image%25255B37%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rcZVNYQi9Ns/T5wwTT1P8zI/AAAAAAAABig/TSY9dTkTxmk/image_thumb%25255B21%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="604" height="436" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wmvxEh_53Ys/T5wwWgf2ObI/AAAAAAAABio/KdPRzpR9Vlk/s1600-h/image%25255B32%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqJiwiXW-OiPGgwG-9ql-CrAmunKkoH5xRWDVdZazG9sQDDw5Ztwr0DQA731yJIN6HHvb3eP0sJsaCmnm2zR-Mqm-eY3-3pnxCLu-bv-AarKTm9bY3Qqj7LO2Gm4Hb-rcdH-DwRAi-fw/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="436" /></a></p> <p>In Sharon’s words…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H9tq1pT217E/T5wwZSqQtWI/AAAAAAAABi4/PR_LH9oNHnY/s1600-h/image%25255B46%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C-VdmJuALvk/T5wwaJSTWJI/AAAAAAAABjA/PbOXT2nqLZY/image_thumb%25255B26%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="604" height="81" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aFfkrbdju74/T5wwdCmtJ-I/AAAAAAAABjI/1lqyMGaJ9_o/s1600-h/image%25255B28%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub7B2k0u6zIe_AOf7MZD7rip_lVVMizHxYwkUeWhWVYaqZVWItlQsk6upcafQJ3PNdUrFAQlRwdNwSzUPhoo1nPo51lDVdPdU7eV3l_9nDW8YzK-_kABGi2-JTIBHGcuzjCJxjkdASlQ/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="434" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NS02lUhHyts/T5wwhK4admI/AAAAAAAABjY/7DBO4Vpkazw/s1600-h/image%25255B64%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-43FRiluphl8/T5wwiuIXAUI/AAAAAAAABjg/q1JYA7u5iIY/image_thumb%25255B34%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="314" height="475" /></a>   <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G4HAlw3YdGA/T5wwkdqMTuI/AAAAAAAABjo/NGiiScN9KXA/s1600-h/image%25255B65%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8t1q9z1rW6g/T5wwlmilxDI/AAAAAAAABjw/1WlVf2wOaHg/image_thumb%25255B35%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="312" height="475" /></a></p> <p align="left">Sharon’s macro photographs bring you into a magical sparkly world…</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h1b25xwnziQ/T5wwouuukeI/AAAAAAAABj4/Z6KsWYToTh4/s1600-h/image%25255B59%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpUJyj-G5VwyuPAgyXcmi6mKkeb6ZB0SMP_DcKSebBuo14NzjxXSUggaMoFDFvpGlhuGGVJWSkVVUhgR6djYio_p7bmSjzD2FmF2EZVFcfLlsTUprm_4U3hNDpPRvEWKgArG1iVP5C7o/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="436" /></a></p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmo7l1W7eWCEfE-u5Wm_eE39mp6qXGKOakPDzbhOwD30tj805njr7mZFLWsqcm4cvs5kTRctDIy7ivV2Pn3hAjaPaOmi_3gAU7iqpJjR8ETis5owv3mnx6GiyVDm6jcS3h_ONGMqk2kZU/s1600-h/image%25255B24%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmRxI2EBgs0UMvBlltW3SgRiM1LgxNdss0pLw0EneDSPFh7bEwZEf8XLSYC-4n95UAdtEEuEQf4AAZCnhtWUiwJgyuvVCwoGF-nPFuQGeE2ZqdmrbJGbs7nnHOrGdleul2lfTaZtkocw/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="434" /></a></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://sjfinearts.com/galleries/macro/"><font color="#ccb400">Click here</font></a> to check out Sharon’s website and see more of her beautiful photographs.</p> <p align="left"><font color="#9c85c0" size="3">Happy weekend!</font></p> <p align="left"><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> <p align="center"><font color="#9c85c0"> </font></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-38930845519143150192012-04-25T13:51:00.001-07:002012-05-06T00:52:56.119-07:00IKEA Fun and fun with IKEA… frames that is! { let’s create }<p><font color="#f79646" face="Arial Narrow">Post by: <strong>Victoria, </strong>ÉdinHome&Co</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Bcux0izIs27yAsu3tZAFDcDA96s_v9P4eUYpbPUjNBL9mzQ-MHSfm7Mdkxpfx_be4T0i4_iG2UYGVX2ogjmtm7vwxq_VMc8A2IuVN4aXhFPQaQ1sfIaMUmZ3Q_aZrEDA5ZJ4R_dNewk/s1600-h/IKEA-Richmond-Exterior%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IKEA-Richmond-Exterior" border="0" alt="IKEA-Richmond-Exterior" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aW42GNulSbI/T5hjmPkKPcI/AAAAAAAABfk/hkllDOQ-KWE/IKEA-Richmond-Exterior_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="255" height="174" /></a>Monday evening was so terrific! Why? Well… bloggers and media were invited to the newly built, bigger then ever IKEA in Richmond, BC for a sneak peak at the digs before the Grand Opening and access to the general public! </p> <p>All I can say is… well… <strong><font size="3">WOW</font></strong>!!!</p> <p>Oh. And that I had my shoes off within minutes because I wore the wrong shoes for exploring such an mega-huge store!!! OUCH!</p> <p>Be sure to stop by Rosa’s blog <a href="http://flutterflutter.ca/2012/04/25/ikea-richmond-grand-opening/" target="_blank">flutterflutter</a> and Barbara’s blog <a href="http://hodgepodge-babselou.blogspot.ca/2012/04/party-at-ikea.html" target="_blank">hodge:podge</a> for their great accountings of the evening! </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EJzuP6C0UPs/T5hjmyf_ZVI/AAAAAAAABfs/RGWblv5sJS4/s1600-h/2012-04-23%25252020.40.30%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 3px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-04-23 20.40.30" border="0" alt="2012-04-23 20.40.30" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D11n3iG4tb0/T5hjnkHjIZI/AAAAAAAABf0/2guefzhEmms/2012-04-23%25252020.40.30_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="181" /></a>Me? First I’m going to share this photo of Tracey (<a href="http://traceyaytonphotography.com/blog/" target="_blank">Tracey Ayton Photography …Keeping house & everything else</a>) and Andrea (<a href="http://frommylivingroom.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">From My Living Room</a>) making comfy in the sheep skins (DO this!!), then I’m going to show you what I did with some of my IKEA purchases from that evening! </p> <p>I bought several Ribba, Virserum & Sondrum frames. Making things to put<strong><em> into</em></strong> IKEA frames is as much fun as shopping through IKEA. I know you know what I mean because you love it too, don’t you?! ;-)</p> <p align="right"><em>As an aside, I don’t think there’s anywhere out there where you can find similar quality frames at the IKEA price. Period. Don’t you <font color="#f79646" size="3" face="Segoe Script"><strong>love</strong></font>  IKEA frames?</em> </p> <p><em><font size="3">So quickly, let me show you what I did…</font></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P9I_wBy-5U4/T5hjoTAwDII/AAAAAAAABf8/9otFsPTsQl0/s1600-h/EdinHome%252520A%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="EdinHome A" border="0" alt="EdinHome A" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k7UN3LdIW4g/T5hjpPxGBKI/AAAAAAAABgE/xCWWgkkRfoc/EdinHome%252520A_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="281" /></a>First I took one of my Great Grandmother’s vintage doilies, cut it into many perfect mini-doilies and dyed a couple in an oh so fabulous tangerine!</p> <p>Some I kept in their original colour.</p> <p>Next I took the backings of the Virserum & Sondrum frames and glued pretty paper to them. </p> <p>All set… to glue the doilies into position!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyvH-woqZGa9kWSvs5Y1eQCQOBMTFebfWwGERzoLlphkvCP-fuFJJYQQXN0zig_ch06j7B7IiHVlVOHlqybsEfuL-EvxVsTLv9HDDSFppXPYhgXcIJiXnr9ccAdpxtuG6K8fsqYBk2zY/s1600-h/EdinHome%2525204%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="EdinHome 4" border="0" alt="EdinHome 4" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a6wAAkyLB1ppYvbYFBlwQWuRbwEiQdXADXdBKfhjX94ozWwMQUJxYAOS7zBIWNvB6TbTw9LDJdxU6bxYg6OlitgiuecBamQGt3uUT1sC5xeRtxJwdoIkfuCRzJcKLjXhibcnaG2ez7Y/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="467" /></a></p> <p> </p> <br /> <br /> <br /> <p align="center"><font color="#f79646" size="5" face="Segoe Script"><strong>And voila!</strong></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yJ7iEyu2Qjs/T5hjrf4ZDcI/AAAAAAAABgc/N1C7eBNQsxY/s1600-h/EdinHome%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="EdinHome 2" border="0" alt="EdinHome 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn1uwEmJO-kq-LgZzv5GlQ8JeMBoyGU3eCYHGZeszQpwUWYE6B2sYlp8nSWd1ZUSBQB-Gx1sA-i1CBNl7hq4VFPXdJqdUEGVsZN8nt1Bu4UCJV0VCLLKcU2fLtL44OtFj3YxOV0BUijc/?imgmax=800" width="350" height="416" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Hd45fdD6TXcrFGQtRZFceJjiTu-ZnAxHrBOmDzCmKn7JGSMBjuL4wYCneSbOXmgyf31C2vnRRL4brIQTVsX0ld-bgAB227GHjIig25YXYxE80Waj1LToVq7FzDb-yrca6cBGnZO3fpg/s1600-h/bingo%252520chips%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="bingo chips" border="0" alt="bingo chips" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LYajNlT1SlM/T5hjuEfMSUI/AAAAAAAABg0/uGwS1a-WEFI/bingo%252520chips_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="240" /></a>While on a recent trip to <a href="http://www.urbansource.bc.ca/" target="_blank">Urban Source: Alternative Art Materials</a> (a totally fun store on Main Street off 16th [Vancouver]!) I came across a small bin of Bingo Chips. I HAD to have them… and with the Ribba shadow box frames, I did this…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gVvTzSsoVyw/T5hju0oRSNI/AAAAAAAABg8/U94qCJSop3k/s1600-h/EdinHome%2525203%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="EdinHome 3" border="0" alt="EdinHome 3" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DRiaPJoR7us/T5hjvnIrdUI/AAAAAAAABhE/1GVqi7ZutEs/EdinHome%2525203_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="527" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Again… I first adhered pretty art paper on the frame’s back, then I glued the chips (numbers random) in a simple geometric pattern.</p> <p>Urban Source also had black chips with cute images on them used – I imagine – for marking the called numbers on your Bingo papers/pads.</p> <p>So I bought some of those too :-)</p> <p>I think the end result of each of these projects is totally FUN!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QMkSNb-ctBg/T5hjwiaGGwI/AAAAAAAABhM/aDCyCvd7hIk/s1600-h/EdinHome%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="EdinHome 1" border="0" alt="EdinHome 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y0NxJVr8yKM/T5hjxTkdzyI/AAAAAAAABhU/QmgwMAC3o8o/EdinHome%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="531" /></a></p> <p>I’ll be including these pieces (and others like them) in The Édin Collection, and they’ll be for sale at <a href="http://scoutvintagemarket.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Scout Handmade & Vintage Market</a> (check site for details!). If you’re in the lower mainland, be sure to come!!</p> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-88iUu3yRWZo/T5hjy2o9CVI/AAAAAAAABhc/M0G95o2XMZ4/s1600-h/EdinHome%2525205%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><strong><em><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="EdinHome 5" border="0" alt="EdinHome 5" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u77k9_fkX18/T5hjzYWjHMI/AAAAAAAABhk/UIEAE7EvXWU/EdinHome%2525205_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="195" /></em></strong></a><strong><em>Now… I have to get back to work on THIS project</em></strong> </p> <p>Cheers!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdWMrFEWsQZ0H5nTQd2aKNkGcXF6l99A8znkt9-3wlR6hySJrUYijtz0PvfhYZXc4wB24gxoSWXnGXGEB9mZdKav38SzRwKe3KgyrUiwaym1C0Cc85Rm66WvaORKTZfZLYej5VjapWqo/s1600-h/Signature%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Signature" border="0" alt="Signature" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQQKHhHSoQrslXrD9YUPvzi2dS7tvL5aVyo7KdjvMN55J0bErCRHeY0E_Tf4QiiGi2ZYqURrxkVmUu4c4yHLCJwl6Pq48ZlfLUgCqetCJ4iaW1nCY0boEJq0Y1ArjyzO2lszwjx7_p8w/?imgmax=800" width="115" height="67" /></a></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-77677994637345116292012-04-23T07:41:00.001-07:002012-04-24T08:41:23.249-07:00colour inspiration<p><font color="#8064a2" face="Courier New">Today’s post brought to you by Kelly</font></p> <p>Whoa, what’s up with waking up to SNOW this morning?! EEK! It’s just wrong on so many levels. Thought I’d brighten my day and yours with these cheery & colourful rooms…</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoBXOWdxmbCye_7N4LPIk1gD7ErthghHxJMDmW8Y2OYw5A8oDH1jQ9X6IIaRXzSiqk0of6_1r3PeyoLL_db0vz4SZztPBCsOFXJ-fM5t81V4BjdGBFpxWGASjbB49xNR1EjqLBtbuxrQ/s1600-h/colourful-space-tumblr_m06pdeakeW1qm%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="colourful space tumblr_m06pdeakeW1qmzy90o1_500" border="0" alt="colourful space tumblr_m06pdeakeW1qmzy90o1_500" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w6gedzNZ-W0/T5Vp-fxv3mI/AAAAAAAABeY/4TpPvlG_jfI/colourful-space-tumblr_m06pdeakeW1qm.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="644" /></a><font size="1">Image via <a href="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m06pdeakeW1qmzy90o1_500.jpg"><font color="#ccb400">Tumblr</font></a></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-acp6-QSRbBg/T5Vp_FxM1kI/AAAAAAAABeg/KMWPfdOhC3E/s1600-h/HHMonth_FE10%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="HHMonth_FE10" border="0" alt="HHMonth_FE10" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RspxdiPTpqU/T5Vp_2rRllI/AAAAAAAABeo/OIXilwLOodk/HHMonth_FE10_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="564" /></a><font size="1">Image via </font><a href="http://houseandhome.com/design/photo-gallery-stylish-family-home-makeover?page=9"><font color="#ccb400" size="1">House & Home</font></a><font size="1"> |Photographer </font><a href="http://www.donnagriffith.com/"><font color="#ccb400" size="1">Donna Griffith</font></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rzD90B8_Fy0/T5VqBCpo4LI/AAAAAAAABew/-wywWImscHU/s1600-h/7-hbx-green-dining-room-wallpaper-1011-healingbarsanti07-xln%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="7-hbx-green-dining-room-wallpaper-1011-healingbarsanti07-xln" border="0" alt="7-hbx-green-dining-room-wallpaper-1011-healingbarsanti07-xln" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3uQBhIcd-5GA-WoDBPOKvKaQNtXejfwN2JFbaPbLv_EzvnMdbSAnOTUSbmpYliC2jidNGCbpmoVMsQnKIwRO7Gkt8IWMvbTHAQS0luJWqDtHQdO3JJ0_t9MpOh6xgAUeLS3dhbo0Wb4/?imgmax=800" width="483" height="554" /></a><font size="1">Image via </font><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/"><font size="1">House Beautiful</font></a></p> <p align="left">See that painting on the wall? It inspired me to  create this painting:</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jdPCt5MfXCA/T5VqCoDPygI/AAAAAAAABfA/8LELHTOe7Eg/s1600-h/colourful%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="colourful" border="0" alt="colourful" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Zv7rXerbuQM/T5VqDTCjVII/AAAAAAAABfI/D6Va4kr6a18/colourful_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="740" /></a></p> <p align="left">Sorry I don’t have more for you today – it’s been a crazy weekend with trips to the hospital and to the cottage and now I have a patient at home with me. I’m so not cut out to be a nurse!</p> <p align="left"><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-47774813280157454072012-04-19T07:54:00.001-07:002012-04-19T07:57:41.057-07:00if the credit card’s a-rockin’… somebody stop me, please!<p></p> <p><font color="#7e54a9" face="Courier New">Today’s post brought to you by Kelly</font></p> <p></p> <p>Somebody, please, take my credit card and hide it far, far away from me. It’s been on fire the last couple of weeks. I mean, we’re talking seriously hot. MELTING even. See, this is why I have to do the inexpensive <a href="http://dttd-idc.blogspot.ca/2012/04/lets-create-diy-mojo-is-go-go.html" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">DIY projects</font></a> – I can’t afford to actually buy any more stuff, ‘cause I’ve spent all my money on other stuff ;-) Like…</p> <p>I bought this vintage walnut dresser from <a href="http://tributedecor.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Tribute Decor</font></a>. As soon as I saw the picture, I had to have it. Mind you, I don’t have anywhere to put it, but why let that stop me? ;-)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RyCbdoZF4C8/T5Am8SLYXMI/AAAAAAAABbM/vZ5_xHpsUIQ/s1600-h/dresser%252520walnut%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dresser walnut" border="0" alt="dresser walnut" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DWhad4ukHLg/T5Am8x_OenI/AAAAAAAABbU/00BmyjZhoHM/dresser%252520walnut_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="339" /></a></p> <p>I love the shape, the grain of the wood, and the unusual drawer pulls. It’s all just so… sexy! This baby definitely WON’T be getting covered in chalk paint. Although I think I’m going to refinish it and give it a less orange & less glossy finish. And hubby wants to replace the legs with something chunkier. A few people have suggested using it as a bar in the eat-in end of our kitchen – maybe :-)</p> <p>Last week, I discovered a new-to-me artist in Ottawa, <a href="http://www.artwalls.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Susan Bailie</font></a>. It just so happens that she was in the midst of holding an art auction to raise money for a local restaurant, the <a href="http://www.thelindenhof.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Lindenhof</font></a> – which is the place where hubby proposed with a pretend ring in a Kinderegg {long story for another time!}. So I had no choice, I had to bid on a painting {or two or three}. I’m now the happy owner of Wonderland 5 :-)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aEn9842MtE8ALUKHJT9MNeP9soujFQG5CqbS_XYBnNpoPqdSPtEJ0nIgQaSOhuLMQ8SStBEAAoVT7OHgrQRfbLoDwzJkv0vmOk3wKr6MKXtZuY_bAxtsaMHMpdfADRamgO_CIkHR9to/s1600-h/wonderland%2525205%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wonderland 5" border="0" alt="wonderland 5" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dAv2q6lPwQw/T5Am9mcHKpI/AAAAAAAABbk/mhJzpoWCnZ8/wonderland%2525205_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="500" /></a></p> <p>Not only does Susan create awesome artwork, she also works her magic in home decor, creating amazing wall treatments. I’ll be posting an interview with Susan soon and there’s going to be a giveaway too, so stay tuned for that!</p> <p>And speaking of art… my friend, abstract artist <a href="http://www.mattleblancart.com/en/" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Matt LeBlanc</font></a>, just finished painting a big & beautiful painting for my family room. He gave me the honour of naming her, with the one “rule” that the name could only be one word {that’s how Matt rolls!} After a lot of thinking and inventing weird words, I came up with the perfect name – AQUA. It’s the colour, it’s water, and words with <strong>Q </strong>in them are just cool :-)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wmiokKVhrNM/T5Am-KpQzMI/AAAAAAAABbs/9vCNB4zTrkk/s1600-h/Matt%2525201%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Matt 1" border="0" alt="Matt 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KIee4qI1vnA/T5Am-jI3BXI/AAAAAAAABb0/DzgWOJ97PA4/Matt%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="246" /></a></p> <p>I bought some great fabric in Toronto back in January {see, always shopping!} and <a href="http://fayefortunedrapery.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Faye Fortune Drapery</font></a> turned it into awesome valances for my family room. They’re just what I envisioned – thanks to Faye’s daughter Heather, who was able to figure out the look I was going for with all my non-technical terms and descriptions :-)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lcicZWgxBlE/T5Am_FEEaaI/AAAAAAAABb8/_8eV8yv2V9k/s1600-h/valance%252520close%252520up%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="valance close up" border="0" alt="valance close up" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PPomaVa5QX8/T5Am_ihoaSI/AAAAAAAABcE/Y-9S9qD8wn8/valance%252520close%252520up_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a><em>Does the blue pleat look like a sailboat to you? Or am I just weird?</em></p> <p>My glass float hobby has become a bit of an obsession – I just can’t get enough of them! I’m a bit of a stickler for buying only authentic working antique glass floats, but when I saw this baby at HomeSense for $39.99, I had no other option but to buy it. Really. If I’d walked away, it would have rolled off the shelf and followed me home.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgemPXyeTb_uoJFoRIObtabKQeSPLn1B45l4qB7rXzKefInUzj1QGR_RgO3jSTZo5x6-_frIKrrm-JmbhdyJcGVmLDPIb5F69G6L60y7eswLk-kIJ8POkuOrJpQmBjEe2uqIhI2wzJ_g/s1600-h/big%252520glass%252520float%2525202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="big glass float 2" border="0" alt="big glass float 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLTqR4PR0D3fNlcGTZVcQqRoNzCebF1fM48jSvWJlZneBq25XUUmY_h6Zrkn0wbKKEtHPxhuLeDt_fexCERFuKaoxzlmaxObgE38Om6qi1R2xRfNEeRihlE3cWnmdfLFortfsMrV1lq8/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="604" /></a></p> <p>I’ve also got my eye on these beautiful authentic glass floats from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lightinawormhole" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">lightinawormhole</font></a> on Etsy. I really should narrow them down to my favourite two or three, but each of them is one-of-a-kind and when they’re gone, they’re gone. Which one(s) would you choose?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Kf-_u9eHaS8/T5AnAjOIrVI/AAAAAAAABcc/eM3r9doS0SE/s1600-h/peridot%252520ice%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="peridot ice" border="0" alt="peridot ice" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k4n78FA8P8o/T5AnBF8v8-I/AAAAAAAABck/XhWKt3erXXg/peridot%252520ice_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="272" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEDElFZQZ1OVGQf0zusn98MAWXvQMrQOX26PKKIefRHnROw7g5G5krVsgOsLRPownJdTOkkHu1BIZe6YPFmKijC9v2fMU-lhKPd1yilatN_Srm5OWyaUJRML4GRpTOFWrVBn5kU-_sRw/s1600-h/blue%252520nile%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="blue nile" border="0" alt="blue nile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdxjavhLID_EQQqVR6J3ZrtLcmQbbvIT9jFpMMxser_AJX2uFDvy78QFae2RqMZpfLI6a0G-nunqk3qFQyuYTBdzniXfgwLoFaJVLMjiW-fWJOeVf20LQriQyBVOXNAAiwbd-7BoczCA/?imgmax=800" width="304" height="268" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0OVN5Q80P3RlUV0fwOgV3yYdl4SLVlYAvPkukJpCPIWBdZlowS1ECCInGjBH2HJialoywn4h9juaz2eS141sYQf-7UGv6WgH6eGGgsk0le5o55bO-44DRn26CxXhVBUhnUegg8FgDHo/s1600-h/celestial%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="celestial" border="0" alt="celestial" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WTDEclKZFyc/T5AnC1CyjQI/AAAAAAAABdE/kQZlqs0chtM/celestial_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="253" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEFNPd15WsDswi55fFCDrNCXvyCSt3SXPy53sqfK82MveEUQ7dSUlaAfI-NIS6rOOJXtgIzogDzeeKpnj_O_cc95J1fEBj4kx1K1J3nD_SsDNx-Flk6KqskPOrBAu-oOGi9gefKi5fd4/s1600-h/champagne%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="champagne" border="0" alt="champagne" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprnl2VIrm2J5WZ4ww6C-xqZLh4beHzTkBUg7qhwKNQ1z5FPtJ4LNeSZgEu5x4XNDFEMjlgzycK2nLAAscreaFzVp2pAc7ZivS_GGUV4tC0gU5hc09OgH04U8VtnJoI1wC6E2nQzI2WZU/?imgmax=800" width="304" height="260" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S7kLOa7KJwc/T5AnEPE1zkI/AAAAAAAABdc/gj9qpdsiY0w/s1600-h/northern%252520lights%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="northern lights" border="0" alt="northern lights" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8l6sZ4yRpkE/T5AnEuIREEI/AAAAAAAABdk/K2rUPFXYxbg/northern%252520lights_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="245" /></a></p> <p>For those rare times that I’m not using my credit card, I need somewhere to put it. I picked up this teal leather purse at the Originals Craft Show a couple of weeks ago. It’s the perfect size and style, and I love the colour more and more every day :-)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pbAQh7uAemw/T5AnFL9kouI/AAAAAAAABds/_emW1h0BBPU/s1600-h/purse%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="purse" border="0" alt="purse" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UbSVjt7Ir5s/T5AnFcJom3I/AAAAAAAABd0/7JL1YLHJ5Q8/purse_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="610" /></a></p> <p>And to top off my crazy spending whirlwind, I just mailed off a deposit cheque to PEI this morning – we’re going to the ocean, baby! Well, OK, technically it’s the Northumberland Strait, but it’s a big body of water and we’re going to be living right beside it for a week with our dogs & flyball friends :-)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_iMK0Cq_9bw/T5AnFyMmeyI/AAAAAAAABd8/YW0ZpRlhF9U/s1600-h/PEI%252520sunset%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="PEI sunset" border="0" alt="PEI sunset" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-meBO2ShmsYs/T5AnGF6iEnI/AAAAAAAABeE/fteCUhhfHuI/PEI%252520sunset_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="404" /></a></p> <p>OK, now I’m putting away my credit card and NOT using it again for at least a month! Right after sushi with the TBBs today at lunch. And after I decide which floats to buy. And… ;-)</p> <p><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-7854098594309224692012-04-17T07:59:00.001-07:002012-04-18T06:48:09.529-07:00{ let’s create } the diy mojo is a go-go<p></p> <p><font color="#865eae" face="Courier New">Today’s post brought to you by Kelly</font></p> <p></p> <p>It usually takes me forever to get projects done. I think I kind of psych myself out and get intimidated by all the things that I want to do and wondering how I’ll get them all done. Does that ever happen to you? But every now and then, the mojo kicks in and I get on a roll. And the last week and a half, the mojo kicked itself up a few notches and I got everything {plus more} that I wanted to do done, YAY!</p> <p>These are the projects I told you about in my <a href="http://dttd-idc.blogspot.ca/2012/04/lets-create-easter-weekend-diy-marathon.html" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">easter weekend DIY marathon post</font></a>…</p> <p><font color="#ab8ec7" size="3">1. Paint the front door – check</font></p> <p>It took more coats than I thought, and there were the small issues of it not being warm enough some days and running out of paint with one coat to go. But the front door is now SW Oceanside. and I love it! <font color="#d50000" size="4">♥</font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31H3nDvT3HUtJMQz3EpsGK_wshKcA2NXj7DuSLniCH546iDHJKnwPVfyFhSCMX8NSOnIxbhm2f_HnQa9FsOwTH-1yb2NgWGamyvLcYn9rQPZ3XjsjPQfrIv9CiFH2tHVM7AoGUq0nejw/s1600-h/Oceanside%2525202%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Oceanside 2" border="0" alt="Oceanside 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv28anPTDbNqDIWcjL8rHV86I9rWlpti3Bm5Th9cmz8r5M5djxkj2qMSZSAdv5_7A8Emxhc4MkvGuunQL533gT9fjvm54AxJQ9VOu6ZLIReOPnPWH0hUwjjymufqYyM9MT3ogkzYw104M/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="604" /></a> <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Oceanside 4" border="0" alt="Oceanside 4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wsOj4R7KO2k/T42FPRYWuyI/AAAAAAAABZM/IcFVjDdCZLI/Oceanside%2525204_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></p> <p><font color="#ab8ec7" size="3">2. DIY mercury glass – check</font></p> <p>I showed you how I created DIY mercury glass in <a href="http://dttd-idc.blogspot.ca/2012/04/lets-create-diy-mercury-glass.html" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">this post</font></a> last week. My friend Maureen wondered if it’s  possible to make copper mercury glass. That set the wheels in motion, and I came up with this:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8kPt9uxInbSDa2JcgphIAZPdxiXKfrkJanEjSsyhy4Jl8zEGKR_ZbMysJsWAzbi6TIlgTi9vNWT9u4QAVtF_rocrLmvnjaJ7_3U9oy2sH4jnc7BsTdxrtqvg6Nbya5MpcCEP41uWZK4/s1600-h/copper%252520mercury%252520glass%2525202%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="copper mercury glass 2" border="0" alt="copper mercury glass 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kXdTNL_Eauo/T42FQMfQ8FI/AAAAAAAABZc/PUvMPFsEo2o/copper%252520mercury%252520glass%2525202_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8_nqgesjYDo/T42FQt5-8QI/AAAAAAAABZk/VgvirS8qdzA/s1600-h/copper%252520mercury%252520glass%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="copper mercury glass" border="0" alt="copper mercury glass" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tkQyYTEnaw0/T42FRMS61xI/AAAAAAAABZs/6pf-LllXSzA/copper%252520mercury%252520glass_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a> </p> <p>And with a candle:<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A8TJJFiFMf4/T42FRc-ItiI/AAAAAAAABZ0/-ovBSGRPbCI/s1600-h/candle%2525203%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="candle 3" border="0" alt="candle 3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n1jgFnsv0Bk/T42FRmpl_2I/AAAAAAAABZ8/Yu1psTl08mc/candle%2525203_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="604" /></a></p> <p><font color="#ab8ec7" size="3">3. Painted glass bottles – check</font></p> <p>The fastest & easiest project – just swoosh around some acrylic paint and a little bit of water inside the bottle, and voila!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUmSMKWc48Z5n_TwCQ1At5BERTtozqSCedMHPoM2dA1AG83Ej-R23tlK0y_2PCIOPLGYc-lEJphEoxk_OZTxD6UDTvBJxm2lXXWi9Uabkh7p9JA3Gu0JmJjxIZ7unUl4SdYgPOlJ3dRc/s1600-h/glass%252520bottles%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="glass bottles" border="0" alt="glass bottles" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o6JxVFqw1eE/T42FSU9zImI/AAAAAAAABaM/bsx3TTggVYI/glass%252520bottles_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="604" /></a> </p> <p><font color="#ab8ec7" size="3">4. Homemade chalk paint – check</font></p> <p>OMG, this paint is so cool. And it couldn’t be any easier to make. Combine 1/3 cup plaster of paris with 2/3 cup latex paint {I mixed a smaller amount by scaling down the proportions}. Add a tiny bit of warm water if the paint is too thick {but you do want it to be relatively thick }. Then go ahead and paint whatever it is you want to paint, no sanding or priming required. I had a wood candlestick that I was planning to give to the Salvation Army. I think I’m going to keep it now :-) Here it is painted with the chalk paint version of BM Chelsea Gray {the colour I painted my <a href="http://dttd-idc.blogspot.ca/2012/03/ocean-inspired-gallery-wall-reveal.html" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">gallery wall</font></a>} and sanded to distress the finish.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yCUcd8bzYqQ/T42FTnBruiI/AAAAAAAABaU/yhy1xMza8CU/s1600-h/copper%252520bowl%252520candlestick%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="copper bowl candlestick" border="0" alt="copper bowl candlestick" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy-23SJuGze1b3AzxYlBk2EhXd4J1Qr22LsP9M68WQGxp0n4jGf1eijbOEDwj9vF-cXZ5JcLHCZcBYXlOaQBwoZp5Vn8nZLHzYnWOJ62aKLZ9qgpDuTlEbxNQovnDX9tnO6kHT717tms/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a> </p> <p>I rubbed on some Minwax Clear Paste Wax, buffed, and ended up with this.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R2NRYHIPH2A/T42FUT0nSAI/AAAAAAAABak/OCsYrAP2dic/s1600-h/candlestick%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="candlestick" border="0" alt="candlestick" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8ArTuMJOZCA/T42FU3rqI7I/AAAAAAAABao/a1R8c5c39h8/candlestick_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="604" /></a> </p> <p>And one more recent project – this is the little personalized word art that I mentioned in my <a href="http://dttd-idc.blogspot.ca/2012/04/lets-create-high-street-art-at-low.html" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">high street/low street post</font></a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qnsZ8Esfy6Y/T42FVXfkaKI/AAAAAAAABaw/BJhujmFJn9g/s1600-h/ocean%252520breeze%252520art%2525202%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="ocean breeze art 2" border="0" alt="ocean breeze art 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7etkS42zla-MXoD__JtzFC0l39JDgsYy9D5JlFGSK7URN25PrdyJBAHPXGNQHOweifqQFDE4hCuwPGoSC4BDreEM_gptVw37N-4r-JiyC5kSNnIYhHozqLKLCguQMaWCfsxffIUiQsEI/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a> </p> <p>The best thing about all these projects is that they’re inexpensive & easy to do. And everything you need to make them is available at your local craft store, Dollar Store, and hardware store. What projects have you been working on lately? I’d love to see them!</p> <p><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>Linking up to <a href="http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.ca/2012/04/wow-us-wednesdays-62.html" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Wow Us Wednesdays</font></a> at <strong>Savvy Southern Style</strong></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-22570661348878237522012-04-15T12:43:00.001-07:002012-04-16T06:27:23.116-07:00{ let’s create } high street art at a low street price<p><font color="#8064a2" face="Courier New">Today’s post brought to you by Kelly</font></p> <p>This is seriously one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to create awesome original art. I was inspired by this beautiful piece that KariAnne at <a href="http://www.thistlewoodfarms.com/its-a-cinch#more-1137" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">Thistlewood Farm</font></a> made.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pxww8VdslvQ/T4sktlMsszI/AAAAAAAABW8/wSToqptMwNU/s1600-h/kerianne%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="kerianne" border="0" alt="kerianne" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8P6qHUuZcSxEueQOryEelJ3eZlUiYgJAdLVM41Hs3ZnZCYIUz_8DienQyfWTQKm9CzZh6FMaEQGKezeM3eAiJX0X4XJXvpNjfbV6DZcp96r2iyiahnw-PH6ZyJErzIerjK8y6wQksjo/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="632" /></a></p> <p>And this was KariAnne’s inspiration – which costs £200 at <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/gorgeousgraffiti/product/personalised-all-you-need-is-love-canvas" target="_blank"><font color="#ccb400">Not On The High Street</font></a>. WTF?! At that price, I’d hate to know what IS on the High Street! ;-)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfjB5QO9gJEtkYk4r4MCTLj8yytP28NkGTh06agasrVc2gcHfq5tD6xJR5fiB7Z-FLqu9ZcgJChsd5qz0LGZUgnolAZ2a4joEINiiHtxqkVzKmFqT8xpwpfk5wchEJo1xCvIsQQhEjwc/s1600-h/kerianne%252520inspiration%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="kerianne inspiration" border="0" alt="kerianne inspiration" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1hIuGzZ6ZpI1xeMsXbv9_QnGY5uxzLlml0BGLcbOWcAQSI1VIbsKM4VcSKGP2QyhNTNppgm2M56rsDY-DAnZN-RrygSBCx-ojVm2jM99P3w6JNWznn1WGKmZw9Ww_z0eiytGRIKjBtE/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504" /></a></p> <p>For a grand total of $4.00, my version is most definitely low street. And that’s fine with me, ‘cause I love it and it saved me about $396.00CDN :-)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cWUhAcAfivA/T4skx2_EL5I/AAAAAAAABXc/0W__11LkTE8/s1600-h/the%252520sea%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="the sea" border="0" alt="the sea" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X4D74YUtGIw/T4skynECW7I/AAAAAAAABXk/SVWrd0B-PVg/the%252520sea_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="554" /></a></p> <p>Want to make one too? It’s easy! All you need is a canvas, stick-on letters {mine are from the Dollar Store}, and paint.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RcNk7m6oQgg/T4skzr97s3I/AAAAAAAABXs/aqcpVdxC89Q/s1600-h/supplies%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="supplies" border="0" alt="supplies" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mw3E-A2S37k/T4sk0KTLWUI/AAAAAAAABX0/7Jg9uH8JGkQ/supplies_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="339" /></a></p> <p>The hardest part {which really isn’t hard at all} is creating the “broken” heart shape, You want both sides of the heart to be pretty much symmetrical, and you have to make all the letters fit right. Once you’ve got that figured out, just stick on the letters and add a few coats of paint. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9HisjbxUIH0/T4sk1EJFvaI/AAAAAAAABX8/HBYZqpyraVA/s1600-h/letters%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="letters" border="0" alt="letters" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vn5frU3EDIU/T4sk1-BVNhI/AAAAAAAABYE/QrYrslFIlsg/letters_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="339" /></a></p> <p>I used a combination of grey & white paint and applied it on at an angle. Just ‘cause that’s how I roll :-) And that’s it! Told you it was easy ;-)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VirRvi1IDp4/T4sk2uBetbI/AAAAAAAABYM/hUuGmrgC-1A/s1600-h/done%2525201%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="done 1" border="0" alt="done 1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMM2LxiPbaNGSsVgvaH9UAc0IKUTcn0aeYjYFwGnP_qDFlWCYi9JhMXfZz4oKE3l26w_fszXbdx8aNTDwWS4Ov9XTENgGqivPzF0TipBbL4gwiXhIlo3OI-C6GNn_0EYlEMcwG3_xoDwc/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></a></p> <p>I’m probably going to glue this little starfish to the canvas. I just want to be absolutely sure it’s what I want to do before I commit! What do you think?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hitn4r8oyCs/T4sk37O1-mI/AAAAAAAABYc/NiAIEPad3H8/s1600-h/close-up%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="close-up" border="0" alt="close-up" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sqgdOaqdEbQ/T4sk5PWWCnI/AAAAAAAABYk/Pfe1x7cwvUo/close-up_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="604" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h3qrf5dsMjg/T4sk6GzOWwI/AAAAAAAABYs/KRUgO938KVM/s1600-h/on%252520mantel%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="on mantel" border="0" alt="on mantel" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WqC6xVd7AnU/T4sk6oUbFcI/AAAAAAAABY0/jmWyJ5xhtl0/on%252520mantel_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></a></p> <p>I’ve got another little canvas with an ocean quote drying as we speak, and a 12” x 12” square canvas that’s going to be a little Mark Twain-esque… plus I have a whole whack of DIY projects I’ve been working on today to show you. Did I mention that homemade chalk paint is on my to-do list? Mmmm-hmmmm, I think I did… stay tuned!</p> <p><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>Linking up to <a href="http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2012/04/feature-friday-free-for-all-15.html"><font color="#ccb400">Five Days 5 Ways</font></a>, <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/2012/04/15/diy-project-parade-42/"><font color="#ccb400">DIY Project Parade</font></a>, and </p> <p><a href="http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/"><img style="display: inline; float: left" border="0" align="left" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WzPdfImjyJ8/Ti3RiAl7TrI/AAAAAAAAbsk/EOZi_5qvP7o/s1600/One+on+sidebar.jpg" width="150" height="141" /></a></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-260613490147877992012-04-13T09:42:00.001-07:002012-05-06T00:54:10.373-07:00my new art-project love: { let’s create }<p><font size="1"><em>Post by: Victoria,ÉdinHome&Co</em></font></p> <p>With so many projects on the go and lots of things to do in preparation for Scout Handmade + Vintage Market, I’ve done the absolutely reasonable thing… I’ve started a brand new project in a medium I’ve never used before! <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NAv-LVVjHPk/T4hXUFIA8qI/AAAAAAAABV8/WPdTKu8G_2g/s1600-h/Speedball-Deluxe-Block-Printing-Kit%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Speedball-Deluxe-Block-Printing-Kit" border="0" alt="Speedball-Deluxe-Block-Printing-Kit" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sRFtFnFktuQ/T4hXU1kIbAI/AAAAAAAABWE/1zXgv2nvVcU/Speedball-Deluxe-Block-Printing-Kit_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="235" height="282" /></a></p> <p><font color="#f79646" size="3" face="Segoe Script"><strong>I might be obsessed!</strong></font></p> <p>I blame my brother Brad. What a guy!! He said to me, “Let’s do some block printing!” Off we go to the art store to purchase all the necessary materials and tools ~ lino blocks, a carving tool, a brayer (roller), ink, etc. What was I thinking?!</p> <p>Well… I’ve decided that it just doesn’t matter because I so enjoyed carving my lino block. In fact, I can’t wait to do another!</p> <p>I jumped into this new project by first creating a simple flower design that I then transferred to the lino block with carbon paper.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxXXDcX-Jq7CPG46-6hl4xjcoDrElGJZbX5qvFHgM9Xc21D4u9fztAvy_bqQ_CvPCyzvhjiyVbCqlE1Cv_EC7g9mnU6n78ExIbuQgnEcwrYH-nta32UivZ1sK6G4tErumDc4jTniSQBw/s1600-h/2012-04-12%25252015.36.11%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 13px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-04-12 15.36.11" border="0" alt="2012-04-12 15.36.11" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7VtBtqEde14/T4hXWeQ7SJI/AAAAAAAABWU/ACr9uSKHOgU/2012-04-12%25252015.36.11_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="226" /></a>Next, I grabbed the blade and started carving!</p> <p>My approach: everything I carved off of the block will not take the ink and so will be “white”, or the colour of the paper. Of course that means that everything not carved will be “black”, or what ever colour ink I choose to use. I decided to carve grooves into the background so that (hopefully) the occasional line will show in the background, creating a more dynamic look to the print.</p> <p>I carved and fiddled, turning the block around in my hands again and again, and carved some more. Next thing I knew it was 2:30am and I was almost finished! </p> <p align="center"><font color="#f79646" size="3" face="Segoe Script"><strong>and… I was hooked on the process!!</strong></font></p> <p align="center">I’ve since completed the block and this weekend I’ll be creating prints with it. How fun will that be?!</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Here’s the finished lino block</font></strong></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTpMECRZhr43ZZeBMJVsRzXXlBoF0MVht5tvFGIVyf30-Vnvggs8RYbYOzbKIqmJIZsim2SyFIQ6s1S3fPAghF8PxrBCe4yVwbYNeLB7Ksfy7LHEQx04qYJs4sg-N4U-g1FPn_hSDlEk/s1600-h/2012-04-12%25252016.38.41%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-04-12 16.38.41" border="0" alt="2012-04-12 16.38.41" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_P5EXj1jZFo/T4hXYBt7_nI/AAAAAAAABWk/ZKiWLU-bxQs/2012-04-12%25252016.38.41_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="530" /></a></p> <p>I’ll pull together a quick post in the next few days to show you the final result… promise! If the end product looks as good as I hope it will, I’ll include the prints as part of <em>The Édin Collection</em> (a product line I’m launching at the <a href="http://edinshouse.blogspot.ca/2012/04/its-all-in-prep-scout-market.html" target="_blank">Scout Handmade & Vintage Market</a>). Cross your fingers; mine are!!</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3">Today, I’m off to buy more lino blocks! Hahaha!</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><font color="#f79646" size="4" face="Segoe Script"><strong>Happy Friday!!</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F9A3YA3vMxI/T4hXYgxIU0I/AAAAAAAABWs/WUjtAhBhtqs/s1600-h/Signature%2525202%25255B3%25255D%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Signature 2[3]" border="0" alt="Signature 2[3]" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lm1o-zYVe_I/T4hXZaMqCwI/AAAAAAAABW0/xgz8nMDNLAE/Signature%2525202%25255B3%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="153" height="67" /></a></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-88284928362703893762012-04-11T08:34:00.001-07:002012-04-11T11:42:48.108-07:00{ let’s imagine } a beach-inspired front porch<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCabtgxceUWPn_V82aUJRcRJv6e0j1dix2vO1673kw3xC36-gVB3yCoXzEOxycAWs_lPCIiM_2OoYt4FBQZq2ZsgsqDMmASzJvJbL1_SyJOyX0IPfgNV1rks8ehZHBVx5P-NdYwZCUHqI/s1600-h/image%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aWaoHnfDK1U/T4WkS9vBm8I/AAAAAAAABSs/5HimsBvvwOI/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="144" height="150" /></a> As I mentioned in <a href="http://dttd-idc.blogspot.ca/2012/04/lets-create-easter-weekend-diy-marathon.html" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">this post</font></a> last week, I decided to paint my front door {again!} a beautiful blue from Sherwin Williams called Oceanside. I decided to go all out and paint both sides of the door, seeing as the interior side was a bit banged up and needed a fresh coat of paint anyway. I did four coats on the interior side and was up to three coats on the exterior side before I ran out of paint and warm weather. Well, not stunningly warm – I needed temps of at least 10 Celsius, which didn’t happen on Monday or Tuesday. So the paint job is on hold till later this week when it warms up. I’ll post some pics when it’s all done.</p> <p>In the meantime, I’m thinking about how to decorate the front porch this summer. I usually stick a bunch of impatiens and something tall into a planter and call it a day. But this year, I’m thinking of doing something with a beach theme – the door <em><strong>is</strong></em> Oceanside, after all :-) Although I’m really not sure what beach-themed planters look like. So I did some searching, and this is what I can up with.</p> <p>This first planter would be easy enough to do, seeing as I already have a similar planter on the front porch. I love the wispy grass and the fact that the plants aren’t all bunched up together, so you can really see and appreciate the different colours, shapes, and textures. The driftwood is the perfect beachy touch, and I could put in one or two of my glass floats too.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fuwXUonv9GY/T4WkTWjIQdI/AAAAAAAABS0/TlrKBNke42E/s1600-h/beach-garden-pot%252520sunset%252520com%252520photo%252520rob%252520d%252520brodman%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="beach-garden-pot sunset com photo rob d brodman" border="0" alt="beach-garden-pot sunset com photo rob d brodman" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmivUSXlCpFLafjnoHR2Iu3hGQksyDAy_XolDpwMeTsMrbuKbT6CndDc8XnRdG77LL7AimUPvUGIBMOZEkMYvze2faHRAVOJSTqxVTSiUMiytnYouR_1oeOxWoVEumVlrtZNow-WOWW8/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504" /></a> <font size="1">Image via <a href="http://www.sunset.com/garden/backyard-projects/beach-garden-in-pot-00400000045643/" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Sunset</font></a>, photo by Rob D. Brodman</font></p> <p>Succulents seem to be popular for beach-inspired planters. Hahaha! That reminds me of an exam I wrote back in University. One of the questions was “What is a succulent?” I had no idea {must have missed that class ;-) }, so I almost wrote “the guy sitting in front of me” {he was hot!}. But I decided on “a juicy steak” instead. Anyway… our porch faces south, so it gets a lot of sun over the summer – perfect for heat-loving plants that don’t need a whole lot of water.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgCfjtT7LU-LIgXWfzlUah5SYOHr0qL03CmzrvkMvQK7gbAZNRZbyZ9Pi_rNUg9pM2SUMG4giKEs4WUBG6ZnLp3RdAdcyew9tAAgi7Lxrs8kOzPZC23T3vcbkHfB6rPDuQl0YP6wx3AA/s1600-h/succulent%252520flickr%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="succulent flickr" border="0" alt="succulent flickr" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0dtgwnYOyzU/T4WkVafuSzI/AAAAAAAABTM/wy2msduwO7U/succulent%252520flickr_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="454" height="604" /></a> <font size="1">Image via <a href="http://www.flickr.com" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Flickr,</font></a> photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66132721@N00/3429429591/" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">poppy2323</font></a></font></p> <p>Love all the pretty colours in this succulent planter.</p> <p align="center"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="succulents apt therapy" border="0" alt="succulents apt therapy" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2nlSb6gzoI4/T4WkWjUTRgI/AAAAAAAABTU/voV1Ng-4djU/succulents%252520apt%252520therapy_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="442" /><font size="1">Image via <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/homemade-gift-idea-succulent-p-68062" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Apartment Therapy</font></a></font></p> <p>I wouldn’t do a cinder block wall, but I like the look of a group of single succulents in their own matching pots, maybe combined with some grasses.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43By_kRUth-xdNKIJOuk7qK44P-usNlXTxnxN758rFYA45S3xuCqvRvJvRL8jdyHGQT-kuCDwMSZaSH0seYiSzETCgKUwTzRKDPescBK8eE8d3_iQ2VfaCEfhdK7C_Xd15Rdpy4bYXh8/s1600-h/SucculentWall%252520zack%252520benson%252520photography%2525202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="SucculentWall zack benson photography 2" border="0" alt="SucculentWall zack benson photography 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n1QrGhcM-cI/T4WkYFqyBDI/AAAAAAAABTk/hx1__EKXK2M/SucculentWall%252520zack%252520benson%252520photography%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="339" /></a><font size="1">Image via <a href="http://zackbenson.com/blog/2011/06/cinder-block-succulent-planter-project/" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Zack Benson Photography</font></a></font></p> <p>These little concrete planters from <a href="http://www.fmcdesign.ca/" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">FMC Design</font></a> in Montreal would be perfect.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_2yqjbrLIiuulTRPpQ15DbuUSZ3QNQItO2X0z_OgAAdUBPDaUaYOkaKnccneaD6gkW-IloiRE3fgX6HIjHJdbeyEllTc9IxJFvTx6OFNjkOHd91xuomEkopXXUhj0dz5BtUrtU3LXV0/s1600-h/FMC%252520design%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="FMC design" border="0" alt="FMC design" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7mQ-BaJaB98/T4WkZPHJjtI/AAAAAAAABT0/Iu5szJeEzhM/FMC%252520design_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="604" /></a></p> <p>A couple of ideas for small-scale beachy planters with air plants<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LGP_eae7bJc/T4WkaK1V7kI/AAAAAAAABT8/AsZy7OFU79A/s1600-h/air%252520plant%252520garden%252520party%252520flowers%252520ca%25255B2%25255D.jpg">.</a></p> <p align="center"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="air plant garden party flowers ca" border="0" alt="air plant garden party flowers ca" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jeSYUSWT9xk/T4WkaqP2bpI/AAAAAAAABUE/aGP-ifNsrWU/air%252520plant%252520garden%252520party%252520flowers%252520ca_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="304" /><font size="1">Image via <a href="http://gardenpartyflowers.ca/she-sells-seashells-by-the-sea-shore/" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Garden Party Flowers</font></a></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5S7RiZxwv8M/T4Wka80-7FI/AAAAAAAABUM/HPExRc3mHiU/s1600-h/shell-air-plant%252520completely%252520coastal%252520via%252520beautiful%252520details%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="shell-air-plant completely coastal via beautiful details" border="0" alt="shell-air-plant completely coastal via beautiful details" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiugOTJPH0Ci8-EDZ-J18MA4uPvdCRGiKCvmJbRgrrKrAigKXjJwCdvIN1PWf7T979fJzaXQJSYFJDA5q4Mt9tdSrRMJicO7AovSMgm3wsP4Tmck4v1tM9J9qAbHCO7mSGkw0pK8o8AaI/?imgmax=800" width="455" height="349" /></a><font size="1">Image via <a href="http://www.completely-coastal.com/2011/06/coastal-mix-summer-decorations.html" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Completely Coastal</font></a> via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beautifuldetailswed" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Beautiful Details</font></a></font></p> <p>This one literally puts the “beach” into a beach-inspired planter! Maybe not so much for my front porch, although the mini flip-flops are seriously cute!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uY5gOcCI16w/T4Wkb5ZN5lI/AAAAAAAABUc/bTZZd-MdBvg/s1600-h/beach%252520in%252520a%252520pot%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="beach in a pot" border="0" alt="beach in a pot" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XWy64mAFArk/T4WkchIc40I/AAAAAAAABUk/n4TgQyC0y78/beach%252520in%252520a%252520pot_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="381" /></a><font size="1"> Image via <a href="http://truebluemeandyou.com/category/gardening-planters/" target="_blank">True Blue Me and You</a></font></p> <p>Speaking of planters… I really like the look of square zinc planters, like these ones from <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/category/products.jsp?categoryId=cat1698024" target="_blank"><font color="#ddc100">Restoration Hardware</font></a>. I’m hoping there are some crafty bloggers out there who have written tutorials on how to create DIY zinc planters, ‘cause the RH prices are just a bit too steep for me!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAnZkQyG5cI7r1CH1ttSwlYRpWs-IBdpb21FBHGssyyS8SdMZgPqhocqVAdteDEE_QSBQN-ZLCvrTOURykBAYhJsUvJsHEIrXHba72fckbhU0SBvHWSZ8togCxJAc0xBWPBiw08Zzjok/s1600-h/RH%252520zinc%252520footed%252520planters%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="RH zinc footed planters" border="0" alt="RH zinc footed planters" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFy_7Q4aEZIC4MGAQFb2AtsP9v820DweMaU1VuBS4X3arNJ40f7IyvZ8NtEIZm2oPEW93n8fXaLKqXbC4tR3wpNdgS_IXxGNR-6d37xx-J7p8dSDY6AVGjUpsxNKwnWCsuqBkWTIjDHE/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="492" /></a> I’m really looking forward to doing something different with the front porch this year. I’m pretty sure I’m going to combine wispy grasses and succulents. That means I’ll need to find a place inside to keep the succulents over the winter, but that should be easy enough to do.</p> <p>Are you planning your summer gardens and planters yet? Do you do the same thing every year, or do you like to change things up? </p> <p><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-78045484717326775912012-04-08T18:43:00.001-07:002012-04-13T10:47:52.546-07:00{ let’s create } diy mercury glass<p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cOiYjnmhS_E/T4I-JDJ3J4I/AAAAAAAABN0/wLYQ0zpWo3Q/s1600-h/with%252520candle%2525201%25255B35%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="with candle 1" border="0" alt="with candle 1" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iygDwHCSp40/T4I-KG9CfVI/AAAAAAAABN8/lUsvTj5NkQ0/with%252520candle%2525201_thumb%25255B26%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" height="244" /></a><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" alt="Making a List, Checking It Twice : wedding schedule Checkli " align="left" src="http://www-static.weddingbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/26/checkli.jpg" width="114" height="150" />DIY mercury glass is a project that’s been on my to-do list for a while… and now I can check it off, ‘cause the mercury glass is done! Woot! It was a fun and easy project – although my first attempt wasn’t as successful as I’d hoped.</p> <p align="justify">There are a lot of DIY mercury glass tutorials out there that are really similar to each other, so I just picked a random one and ran with it. In a nutshell – spray five light coats of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Krylon-K09033000-Looking-Mirror-Like-Aerosol/dp/B003971BAY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333931686&sr=8-1"><font color="#ccb400">Krylon Looking Glass Paint</font></a> onto the inside of a glass piece, waiting about a minute between each coat. Let dry for about 5-10 minutes after the last coat, then lightly spray a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar onto the paint. Let sit for about 20 seconds, then rub with a damp paper towel to remove flakes of the paint, and voila, mercury glass. But my results weren’t exactly what I was hoping for… plus it took a LOT of elbow grease to rub the paint off.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ji9TbnRz5UM/T4I-K4qBYDI/AAAAAAAABOE/V9-DiNWkY5c/s1600-h/star%252520distressed%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="star distressed" border="0" alt="star distressed" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMjut_G1fqN_B5A5RSwF1we47FPC5MylRoOC3yQd-1eYwUOYh1FXidGMmy_i1MU65vk-rDMz6Z9sd95gzgezlOYSnJEAi9nyAzkkhomLvVtpOqIcd6P0sgkfLlBLLYr5qllvGwfXfnL4/?imgmax=800" width="304" height="205" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5FWajGIPU-4/T4I-MfftKJI/AAAAAAAABOU/ERGW42DFWQI/s1600-h/star%252520distressed%2525202%25255B36%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="star distressed 2" border="0" alt="star distressed 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BBAepeWXAyQ/T4I-M5dQCII/AAAAAAAABOc/c6rfjvkWQLI/star%252520distressed%2525202_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="205" /></a></p> <p>So I decided to do my own thing to create the mercury glass look I was going for. I combined ideas from different tutorials, and came up with a technique that I think created a look that’s pretty close to real mercury glass…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JyNQnLNTWPU/T4I-N38mJTI/AAAAAAAABOk/UCebSx4d4Cc/s1600-h/mercury%252520glass%252520votive%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="mercury glass votive" border="0" alt="mercury glass votive" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKKAhuV8pTyzi0AnPm4uQu1Vwgj0fgfFOP-w-BMqhRygc9RnYfhQPYdqlh_qjrIwqs96ulIfAC8yJiaUTeuunUOMdM3fTyzzCY2i44Uh3romxuXEEnkCcCZ6aKMoUzgwGG-1ZxAQaUlI/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>Sorry about the lack of in-progress pictures – I was wearing gloves and getting paint all over myself and trying to go fast so I wouldn’t inhale too many fumes, so the camera just sat there watching and not actually taking pictures. But the process is easy… </p> <p><font color="#8064a2" size="3">What you need</font></p> <ul> <li>Krylon Looking Glass Paint </li> <li>50/50 mixture of water and vinegar in a spray bottle </li> <li>Glass piece with an opening large enough to fit your hand into {check out the Dollar Store} </li> <li>Paper towels </li> <li>Latex gloves </li> </ul> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o6sCtDzvBF8/T4I-Pbz1PfI/AAAAAAAABO0/tXfuyC8TgPM/s1600-h/paint%25255D%25255B26%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="paint]" border="0" alt="paint]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaOMb5a7UQKFnvnciagiiAeGIPPwVxobx6C-jeo73hmm9ktQSIOMTq9XGzhBUBeacHTIHmcCGaoBRk-BKh6LN9qPCClyjH-_wzjiWgDAutNY1OJG-5kCoIDfK1Kf0EAMRTGS7LqEYJ_A/?imgmax=800" width="304" height="451" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dqdVlPSvjFw/T4I-Qg3Mm9I/AAAAAAAABPE/bQdNCzsup6A/s1600-h/spray%252520bottle%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="spray bottle" border="0" alt="spray bottle" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PgAuj-k-Zgw/T4I-RN10WfI/AAAAAAAABPM/vEARfZLxljI/spray%252520bottle_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="451" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QTEpAaIjUqnMD2QX3ZM17yvONk10M5J_WcDtpwcPXFvasve5RytqRuANno-fSwFZJvhyphenhyphenzKJysdzhb0VrpgTK66uAL-gFaotOSowOkzCQKExZtAuhOvfMFljfM7Gwlsgje34YEOJBVS8/s1600-h/glasses%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="glasses" border="0" alt="glasses" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP1Z3s4CCGcerXC0ljp33kosnIxTFNO7GocqSlGZevJJTtes_k3x3rgsr_DCxi0WfAnhGamV_hbPiTGacwQw4IrHxLSzCAHKOXNbTg3nTZMcDvlGtXa4LDuwOQKApvf9gjQVotuW2ZNU/?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404" /></a></p> <p><font color="#8064a2" size="3">How to do it</font></p> <p>1. Lightly spray the water/vinegar mixture on the inside and outside of the glass piece, and then spray a thin coat of paint on the inside and outside of the glass piece. The instructions on the paint can say to spray it on the inside of the glass ONLY, but what can I say, I’m a rebel ;-) Painting both sides gives the piece a lot more depth. The paint is really thin and runny, so you really do have to go lightly with it. Let dry for about a minute. This is how it looks while it’s drying – not pretty, but don’t worry, it gets better!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9r4cHbJulwQ/T4I-TQQw11I/AAAAAAAABPk/d4spNlndvk8/s1600-h/vase%252520in%252520process%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="vase in process" border="0" alt="vase in process" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f67mnPSvV9k/T4I-Us7jD4I/AAAAAAAABPs/0hY3ta--HLc/vase%252520in%252520process_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="604" /></a></p> <p>2. After letting dry for about a minute, put on your latex gloves and gently blot the paint & water with a paper towel. Blot, don’t rub – blotting will give you a mottled texture, rubbing will give you streaks. You won’t have much coverage at this point, but that’s OK – you want to build up layers of paint gradually.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ReHEAaWJopY/T4I-VcLQjpI/AAAAAAAABP0/5JCD7jmwWfs/s1600-h/vase%252520close%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="vase close" border="0" alt="vase close" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8R4VQdcHOLszSqY4wAzg5uTn4DIyr6u6kLJD0VeKyI6TMwWHY-4mWVQj26GZ54mXm_4x4sc8TZEUwuCJuug4e156oDKYAP1X85a9Zx7_0HMI27WIgF6elcFj0EDK_3x4ZH8WnFvVC-SI/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="604" /></a></p> <p>3. Now it’s up to you to decide how much coverage you want. Keep spraying on light coats of the water/vinegar mixture and the paint, letting dry for about a minute after each application and then blotting with a paper towel until you achieve the look that you’re going for. Hold the glass piece up to a light to see how much coverage you have. I did the spraying/blotting process about six times to get the coverage that I wanted.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvdBdfmCtrvdB3PN6H5wtPhLV59xCD5PC9a2ESRVptJjXHYar4xg3ZQnOa2n6xeWbELSIUk-S6uhz1KASLLuc86bz-wRgKqqZqY05tmjOlgqWg2M-L-plUDUXf3vbnlRmD5zprzkUoRE/s1600-h/with%252520candle%2525204%25255B15%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="with candle 4" border="0" alt="with candle 4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0GyV5ADJBmA/T4I-dx4IA9I/AAAAAAAABQM/MocJk2CHZ_Q/with%252520candle%2525204_thumb%25255B11%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>4. Once the coverage looks good to you, let the piece dry. You can still mottle the paint if you find there are spots where the paint is too solid. Wet a paper towel with vinegar and gently rub the spot in a circular motion. The paint will flake off – go slowly and don’t rub too hard, you don't want to rub all the paint off!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4_lOe5Iul-JWHAClpXSFaws1t2bv-bwnV_MhqfxsQW7lJ7KUL9CxQdQg6qTMekSoRQKo7D0ml8kvWaXSQNnnTO4IsYwEl2lMz1muGYUiv1q15PrwaI5Q8nI6O-MC_Xh8RuMM6hdkiyQ/s1600-h/vae%252520close%252520d60%25255B26%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="vae close d60" border="0" alt="vae close d60" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xCmknhLAMYY/T4I-fsdrW1I/AAAAAAAABQc/zJY8OHIoiQk/vae%252520close%252520d60_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>And just because I like to be different, I thought I’d try making a coloured mercury glass votive holder. I have lots of dye re-inker left over from <a href="http://jaxdoesdesign.blogspot.ca/2011/12/ball-obsession-continues-giveaway.html"><font color="#ccb400">the glitter balls</font></a> I made for Christmas, so I used that. I squeezed in enough dye to cover the inside of the votive holder. It was pretty thick and didn’t swoosh around too well, so I spread it around with a paper towel and let it dry for about half an hour. Maybe I should have waited longer, but I was anxious to see if this was going to work :-) Then I followed the same process I used to create the mercury glass. Some more dye came off when I blotted, but there was enough left on the glass to give it a purple hue.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2sNo01_mYbI/T4I-giZCJII/AAAAAAAABQk/Xb4RXiGa9Os/s1600-h/purple%2525202%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="purple 2" border="0" alt="purple 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RgSBeEJp8yQ/T4I-hW08UvI/AAAAAAAABQs/lBbwXWHy5v8/purple%2525202_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="votive d60" border="0" alt="votive d60" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fQmKNMTWK5s/T4I-iN8ykNI/AAAAAAAABQ0/uiTPz4OuRhA/votive%252520d60_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="604" /><em>Those are the coloured glass bottles in the background. Easy to make – pour in some paint, add a bit of water to make it thin enough to swoosh around inside the bottle, swoosh till the inside of bottle is covered with paint, turn upside to drain & dry, done!</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KuOmfRSYyPc/T4I-i2BpLCI/AAAAAAAABQ8/KIhxMAJw4L0/s1600-h/three%2525201%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="three 1" border="0" alt="three 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ue016XWbTR4/T4I-j92gyCI/AAAAAAAABRE/4qkM6e0U4QM/three%2525201_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="604" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-59AU5eQUU6g/T4I-nKMflPI/AAAAAAAABRM/vPFcjK_6zk4/s1600-h/three%2525202%25255B10%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="three 2" border="0" alt="three 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0F8J41bsgdkLOrmKYC0CJBVOUg-PGCIodI5vEIsHphhgw0T7lT7ZaFFod0KXGCHaBJ3o5L0JlO3TTuDVfGPXRL1emL0xlmGkXNdSjgU3QlJEpx0QS60BkCeCR-6Y4XCoqvPMUnBahcs/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="604" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aXxee3obm3U/T4I-sAyhOAI/AAAAAAAABRc/M_RfQNoh9Cs/s1600-h/votive%252520close%252520d60%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="votive close d60" border="0" alt="votive close d60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHQ5WPtBnSiUAIcgQgYqutxHUpdz74-2akijP1DalE9JxHdJbB9b8CfwWVPECoZMjTtxeLx0WTI0K9mvdjNogG5cQ_QLyplcaucFb8cfttPjEaDkMs0bLYNuCLFUfgKyEC6On3zczF1I/?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZzcpYyFjwMk/T4I-uFZFHnI/AAAAAAAABRs/Bpc3gzZ9tBc/s1600-h/with%252520candle%2525207%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="with candle 7" border="0" alt="with candle 7" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tJhP1BkrktM/T4I-ustdHDI/AAAAAAAABR0/r0dtr6-tkQs/with%252520candle%2525207_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="406" /></a></p> <p>And that’s how easy it is to create your own mercury glass :-) I’d love to create some more pieces, but my lungs need a break from the fumes! It would be better to do this project outside if you can, or at the least in a room with lots of good ventilation.</p> <p>So what do you think – are you going to take a shot at making your own mercury glass?</p> <p><img alt="kelly sig" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1I-qvmaxMwCOZzmhLuWjXfYFjT9MPwaYTLdQJSjp-l1cWtjN33hjIZ-IdBEDdI8XJtv017LInExz8lMJxzlt-HdI3c00UFVUL29uweycfoWE0Y9oUuSUn4VTYnbsGq7eKE5FO9EaAOs/?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>Linking up to…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://diyshowoff.com/2012/04/08/diy-project-parade-41/" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXj6FGvMwt1TkSL7F-WEf6xARQWnSBVn1gA7gaE3KVheqh7prwxoyyNC5BzOj8SeAf4FA65ARLYBcqGvUC69K4ToWJiD7pjQTQ_jDSrWpZ2WnygU2e2SW7t1jyhPtAB95zk6GX_y8OYRE/?imgmax=800" width="95" height="146" /></a> <a href="http://www.theroosterandthehen.com/eclectics-the-key-rrr-transformation-party/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.theroosterandthehen.com/wp-content/themes/luscious/images/partybutton_roosterandhen-125.png" /></a><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/2012/04/weekend-wrap-up-party-and-100-awesome-crafty-prize-pack.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://tatertotsandjello.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/wrap-up-party2.png" /></a></p> <center><a href="http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WzPdfImjyJ8/Ti3RiAl7TrI/AAAAAAAAbsk/EOZi_5qvP7o/s1600/One+on+sidebar.jpg" /></a><a title="five days five ways" href="http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com" target="_blank" ?="?"><img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="five days five ways feature friday free for all" src="http://www.capitalhcoder.com/fivedaysfiveways/5d5wfreeforall.png" /></a></center> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148700470327447497.post-72995043940017002282012-04-06T15:08:00.001-07:002012-05-06T00:55:16.531-07:00it’s a cinch: { let’s create } rejuvenated pottery<p align="left"><em><font size="1">Post by: Victoria, ÉdinHome&Co </font></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wN_LOr3Supo/T39pRqRZaKI/AAAAAAAABME/Eba7EKCf_rc/s1600-h/2012-04-06%25252009.55.52%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-04-06 09.55.52" border="0" alt="2012-04-06 09.55.52" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JuitNk-s-0I/T39pSQSNYkI/AAAAAAAABMM/oE_wgYoJBUk/2012-04-06%25252009.55.52_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="260" /></font></a><font color="#f79646" size="4" face="Segoe Script"><strong>Happy Friday to you!</strong></font> </p> <p>For those of you who will see this post on the weekend… what the heck are you doing on the computer?! You should be kicking back and celebrating your lovely and long Easter Weekend!! ;-)</p> <p>I know; owls have little to do with Easter… but DIY projects have to do with any day of the year! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VPlqCD76n7I/T39pTxVrK-I/AAAAAAAABMU/ATSWuSZWPlU/s1600-h/Owl%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 9px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Owl" border="0" alt="Owl" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZZ8sGsFQZQk/T39pUSDrPBI/AAAAAAAABMc/zI7n7kDtLBg/Owl_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" height="260" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Take a look at the clay (solid & kinda heavy) owl I discovered at a second-hand shop a few weeks ago…</p> <p>Well… she’s now been painted white and she looks fresh, pretty and perfect for her Easter debut!</p> <p>This project was as easy as could be. First I sprayed my little owl with primer then I followed up with 2 spray-coats of a satin white.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#f79646" size="4" face="Segoe Script"><strong>Here she is in her new white feathers!! :-)</strong></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9w4ryvYt75k/T39pU6lLRNI/AAAAAAAABMk/pdvASGda0Xs/s1600-h/2012-04-06%25252009.56.49%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-04-06 09.56.49" border="0" alt="2012-04-06 09.56.49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A8Kr4dtEDCZE27qc0bbrFGZ2Jdl5LB4F8pNGHFKmvdae_4KOzkv7GIGCSoo1VUuRJIDPrtq8oUG3Zi99tJE3Lo0ci0By6YwpPDs2Rg0_RlJG1_OZ_q877p3WXTHGPO268RKJgfD-YSc/?imgmax=800" width="470" height="359" /></a></p> <p align="center">And because she’s a fickle owl and can’t decide which perch she prefers, here she’s featured as part of a vignette on my mantle but in 2 different spots. Silly little owlie! ;-)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0Cb0OR1YkpY/T39pWdfe2aI/AAAAAAAABM0/ICuW8UtBfrQ/s1600-h/2012-04-06%25252009.57.35%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-04-06 09.57.35" border="0" alt="2012-04-06 09.57.35" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jRCpAxNQOXU/T39pXNaO43I/AAAAAAAABM8/oMABZ4vLk2U/2012-04-06%25252009.57.35_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="472" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7b7Zq7ZjbPA/T39pYOYxEpI/AAAAAAAABNE/azwywYIqSHU/s1600-h/2012-04-06%25252009.53.22%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2012-04-06 09.53.22" border="0" alt="2012-04-06 09.53.22" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0EzvMtTrda0/T39pY-kZkyI/AAAAAAAABNM/WRSoyEVymDo/2012-04-06%25252009.53.22_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="470" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#f79646" size="4" face="Segoe Script">She loves the limelight!!</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3">I hope you have a wonderful Easter Weekend!</font></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7ZnsBXUdLp0/T39pZ38wWII/AAAAAAAABNU/EZGMAUOtW2A/s1600-h/Signature%2525202%25255B3%25255D%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Signature 2[3]" border="0" alt="Signature 2[3]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9f75kyxwSaA/T39paThG2NI/AAAAAAAABNc/ZXM24QLvULA/Signature%2525202%25255B3%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="153" height="67" /></a></p> <p>P.S. The wonderful little yellow daisy painting sitting behind/with my sweet owl is an original I purchased from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueandBeyond" target="_blank">Blue and Beyond</a>. I encourage you to drop by and check out her Etsy shop… you may find a painting YOU can’t live without!! :-)</p> <p>P.S.S. Here’s a link to the Facebook page for my friend Sheila at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/4Ever-Sun-Photography/181810361864546" target="_blank">4Ever Sun Photography</a>. She’s the photographer and editor behind the fabulous “crazy daisy” that I used in one of my <a href="http://design-ties.blogspot.ca/2010/07/resinart-fun-with-photos.html" target="_blank">ResinArt projects</a>, also sitting behind my owlie. </p> <p><a href="http://www.theroosterandthehen.com/eclectics-the-key-rrr-transformation-party/" target="_blank"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://www.theroosterandthehen.com/wp-content/themes/luscious/images/partybutton_roosterandhen-125.png" /></a></p> DTTD imagine.design.createhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01775606579155952725noreply@blogger.com12