CED '08 -Feb. 8th

While waiting on another creation of creating some Art Blocks to dry, I created another collage style page for my "almost daily journal". I wrote the text, "Today and Everyday... radiate love & understanding" since I was inspired by my early morning bible reading yesterday. God definately knew that I needed to hear those words as I was tired yesterday and Alexxis was a bit cranky and showing her "terrible two's" side of her personality. I believe I actually held her a little bit tighter during our afternoon nap. We both needed that time together, resting comfortably in one another's arms. {*insert warm fuzzies here*}

Another "home decor" item...

After Amber picked up Alexxis, Don and I had more errands to run. Picking up dog food for Chaos, replacing the flood light bulb that is embedded in the drywall above my kitchen sink that blew when Little Miss discovered the light switch on the wall when I sat her up on the countertop so I could take a moment to stir our lunch that was cooking on the stove. Since I knew we'd be in the area, I decided last minute to make a "quick" dash into our local Hobby Lobby to see if they carried the Modern Options Sophisticated Finishes so I begin working on refinishing the mirror we'd recently purchased. Of course, I'd have no such luck, but I did discover yet another jar of DecoArt's Elegant Finish in a Renaissance Brown metallic glaze. I'd previously used this to sponge on a wooden shelf that I desired to have a metallic bronze finish to hang near the jacuzzi outdoors, so I purchased yet another jar of it, hoping I grabbed it in a different finish from the one I'd previously purchased. Throwing in tube of Antique Gold Rub -n- Buff, a couple paint brushes, and I was on my way --- until I saw a sign 50% Home Decor items. So naturally, I had to browse a bit! As I made my way, towards the checkout counter, I made a turn into yet another direction, the clearance aisle, and stumbled upon even more items that I liked. It was then that I spotted this wooden pineapple-y shaped thing that I felt would fit into our living room perfectly - except for the bright gold finish. Knowing I had the glaze, I thought "why not?" try this out on this? I had nothing to lose, except the price of the item. If I didn't like it, I was certain I could try something else on it at a later date.

After arriving back home, I set up a kraft paper covered TV tray near the couch and began working on it while watching the first episode of Survivor. It's a little bit of a shade lighter than I'd like, but I believe I can touch it up a bit more once I make the out of town trip to Michael's for the Sophisticated Finishes. Here's my finished, first step, results:

The candle that is shown in this vignette, was created by me a few months ago. I simply tore the edges of a piece of brown cardstock, added a layer of white with a scrapbook transparency, stamped a butterfly and cut its outline out, added a metal rim tag I'd written "Paris" on, making the "A" in "Paris" in the shape of the Eiffel Tower, and wrapped it with jute. It has yet to make it back out to the studio. Perhaps, one day soon, when after Amber and Chris begin moving and I set out to re-organize and re-group! {Do you get the feeling my life consists of a major "someday" list?} LOL!

CED '08 - Feb.7th

Sometimes, the creativity bug strikes bites at the most inconveinent moments. Yesterday was one of the times; like an hour before Little Miss was due to arrive, but I thought perhaps I could accomplish something simple in the short amount of time I had to create within.

Many, many months ago, I had the desire to begin a visual journal, only I didn't desire it to be create in a book style, limiting me to what I could and couldn't do, the size of the pages, adding embellishments, and struggling with a binding so I finally decided on creating with loose leaf pages and just allowing the ideas to flow. Somehow, some way, down the road, I can struggle with those --- I just don't desire to have to deal with all that right now. So, I finally figured out that there's no time like the present to get started so I jumped in creating a cover for "whenever" came.

As I worked on creating it, I struggled with coming up with a title for my journal and I had to resign myself to knowing that this will project will definately be yet another ongoing process, just like my gratitude garland is.There's simply too much going on in my life for me to be able to make any type of commitment of my time; too many directional pulls, and so many other things that I desire to do, complete, and finish. That thought lead me to my "Almost Daily Journal" title. I like it. Simple. Effective. and exactly what I intend it to be: "almost" daily.

CED - Doing what feels right!

Yesterday was an extremely busy day! Don and I ran a few errands, stopped by the Social Security office to file my name change, only to discover my ID is also expired and has to be changed first. After receiving a verification from them to take to our state's BMV office, I was feeling a bit frustrated with all that has to be done, so we stopped for a nice, quiet lunch out. At Pizza Hut, I ran into an old friend and once studio buddy. Kathy's re-uping her consultant status for Stampin' Up! so she'll visit with me soon and I'm hoping to place an order with her soon.

Later in the afternoon stopped in our favorite flower shop so that I could pick up a "pick-me-up" gift for my hairdresser, who's been having a very rough time lately. I didn't pick up a vase of these star gazer lilies but I have to admit I was very tempted to purchase a vase filled with them, some carnations, and pink larkspur for our home. However, I resisted . But only by sticking my head into the cooler and breathing in deeply, LOL! These stargazer lilies set amidst a variety of roses, the scent was surely was heaven! So, I did take a moment to stop and smell the roses!

While there, I found a pink wire heart shaped basket, a resin cardinal, and had our favorite florist add a small bird's nest under the figurine and a few pieces of greenery surrounding the nest and on the top of the heart as it sets on it's side. A card that read, "Just because..." and we were off once again to deliver it.

We visited with Rita for awhile as she only had one client and her next appointment didn't show. She showed us her apartment that is currently being renovated/remodeled next to her store. It's in an older building downtown and her salon is situated next to it. It's been a work in process for her for over a year now so Don and I offered our services of scraping the old, peeling paint off of the ceilings where she'll be having two loft style bedrooms situated. The remainder of the space will be all open to the extremely high ceilings and will be absolutely beautiful once done. I was thinking I'd be able to get up there in the next several days, not realizing that I'd have Alexxis. So a quick telephone call, a trip to Lowes for some necessary supplies, and Don and I scraped all the loose paint off her ceilings from 5:30 - approx. 8 p.m. I worked for another half an hour sweeping up our mess and will need to try to get back there to do some further cleaning. There's areas in the ceiling where the paint wouldn't come off so I'll need to do some sanding with a hand sander when life allows me some free time. I'll have Alexxis the next several days and Amber and Chris will be moving to their new home soon, so I have a lot to keep me busy for awhile!

CED 2008 ` Back to decorating thoughts and ideas.

I've spent the last several days deep cleaning and de-cluttering our home. While I was working my imagination was completely entranced upon some of the home decor changes that we're desiring to make, mainly to our living room area. I found myself returning to once again look at this ceiling light fixture from Minka Lavery's Belcaro Collection.

We both love it's traditional old world, southern Tuscany style. It's intrincately master carvings taken from a 17th century farmhouse style, and the aged champagne glass globe reflects the champagne countertops that we've carried into our kitchen. We're drawn to the semi-flush mount style and the walnut-y finish should blend nicely into the rooms aged bronzed lamps that reflects the old world look we're striving for, without appearing to matchy-matchy.

Since this area is adjacent to our main living room and right out in the open, we truly desire that "lived in" appearance here as well, yet an area for formal entertaining when we share company with our family and friends. The fixtures measures 14.5" H x 18" W x 18" D so it would be a nice replacement fixture for the ceiling fan that is currently in the room. It's warm glow, also appeals to me as this fixture will be more for an ambient lighting effect in the room, while the lamps provide us light for task lighting.

On Sunday, Don and I took a road trip and made a stop into Home Goods. {I so love that store!} We saw other mirrors in this same size priced anywhere from $49.99 and up to and over $100.00's, so finding this one for $19.99, we felt as if we'd stumbled upon the bargain of the day! Upon hanging it, in it's temporary location to protect it and Chaos and Alexxis from injury, we instantly notice how it adds additional light to our home by relecting even more light into the room. The mirror's finish isn't exactly what we desired, but I believe by using some of Modern Options finishes and some rub-n-buff, I can darken it to one we do desire.

You can see, in the mirror's reflection, the ceiling fan that we're desiring to replace and the niche in the wall that we haven't quite figured out exactly what to do with. I've been thinking of mimicing the appearance of a faux fireplace mantle here. Perhaps this mirror hung over that area , it's certainly large enough, and the addition of a large, thick, darker. aged wooden beam resting upon some intricately carved acanthus leaf corbels would add a touch of architechual detail the room currently lacks.

We are also desiring to add at least one large live palm to the space to soften some of the hardscaped areas of the room, mainly behind this leather recliner. We have to have access to the outside light switch, so a plant placed here would be perfect!

We believe with these additions, a few accent pieces upon the finished mantle, and we'll be where we desire to be on this half of the living room. I'm still searching for something lighter for replacing the heavier tapestry style curtains that hang on the picture window. I don't won't to do away with them entirely, just replace them seasonally during the Spring and Summer months. I'm thinking something a bit heavier than the gold sheers, green or even a soft burgandy/rose color?

I'm also remaining hopeful that just possibly this summer, I can get back to staining some wood trim to replace the currently white painted window trims with. At least in comparison to replacing the flooring in this space, and some of home's remodeling, these decorating projects won't require us a lot of cost and as much hard work.

Every so often...

I'll remember a sweet memory. Sometimes, its a certain smell, something I overheard, or a sound that will trigger a memory, but today, I just couldn't quite put my finger on what reminded me of this memory from so many years ago.

I was in the kitchen, dicing up potatoes for home-made potatoe soup, humming to myself while Little Miss played quietly on the floor near my feet. As I turned to rinse the diced potatoes, it hit me! A sweet summer-y scent with a mix of the mysterious. It was something that I've smelled befored and a warm feeling surrounded me like a hug. As I set back to working on my soup, my mind wondered what in the world was that smell? I knew it. I tried to re-capture it, but it was long, long gone. So, I turned my attention back to creating soup, getting Alexxis and I some lunch, and later while cuddling her on the couch, my mind once again returned to wondering about it.

This time, I could smell it again, like it come out of nowhere on a gentle breeze, lingered for a moment, before it was gone. As I laid beside Alexxis, both of almost drifting off to sleep, I remember it! It was the scent of Strawberry Musk perfume! It was the first perfume I had ever purchased for myself, shortly before I turned 16 years old! I remembered that day like it was yesterday as I paid for my purchase and I remember how proud I was because I had earned the money to pay for it all by myself. It was my birthday present to me, from me! The perfume was only an ounce, but it came in the prettiest bottle! A red strawberry glass shaped bottle that the cap attached to a gold chain. But it was the sweetest most heavenly smell that captured me.

Tonight I did an internet search, I didn't discover any strawberry musk perfume but there are a few incense companies that manufacturer it. I may just have to make a purchase, and remember my sweet 16th birthday whenever I desire.

Good News!

I'm gaining my studio back! Amber and Chris just signed for a new 2 bedroom apartment in a nice area of our town. Soon to be gone are boxes and a couch and a few pieces of furniture that Don and I have stored but have decided to let the kids borrow for awhile. Now, I'll be able to finish the re-organization and have a quiet place to create within and fill with my own and other's artwork!

I worked my tail off last year on the reorganization, got it nearly 75% completed before going to work outside of our home and working too many hours to be able to enjoy it. I'm excited to get back to it and be able to remove some things I've drug back into our home, LOL! I'm terrible, I know. Anyways, I'm ecstatic! and cannot wait to get out there working on some of the ideas I've had to put off for some time now. Soon.... very, very soon!