Love Bird Necklaces
I can’t resist a sneek peek at my new Love Bird Necklaces before the weekend starts… I think it’s important for all of us women to have one of these around our necks, don’t you? I’m sure you’ll agree, we could all use a little lovebird in our lives!
I’ll be posting more on these little sweeties next week!
I’ve been more than just a little lazy on the blog this summer, but now that our (or should I say, my husband’s) holidays are over, I intend to get back to some more consistent blogging!
I’ve been really interested in things happening around Ottawa this summer and have been enjoying supporting our local business community and artists. It must be due to the fact that I have recently taken the plunge into full-time art and looking for the best ways to promote my works and I have also realized how lucky we are to have so many talented, creative people surrounding us in our city.
This weekend, I hope to check out the following festivals for some family fun and maybe some business possibilities for next year… you never know who you will meet!
Here’s one we go to every year for a magical night out under the stars:
2009 Lumière Festival - a celebration of light
SATURDAY AUGUST 8th, 2009 with an evening exhibit of lanterns, art and performances
Rain date for the evening exhibit is Sunday August 9th, 5-11 pm
and I’m definitely going to try to make this because, well, I just love Almonte (I’ll post more on that next week) and I hear this festival is wonderful:
AUGUST 8th and 9th, 2009
Here’s hoping for some good weather!
Now I must get back to working on my new bird collages - I’ll post the details next week as well!
Come and visit me and some other wonderful artists this weekend at an outdoor art show at St. Elmo’s Fire in Stittsville! I’ll be selling my new enameled paper rose brooches, hair barrettes (so tres chic, if I do say so myself) and bouquets as well as my inspirational art collages.
Saturday, July 25, 2009 and Sunday, July 26, 2009
10am - 5pm (both days)
1194 Carp Road
Make a weekend out of it and also visit the Carp Farmer’s Market for the best fruits and veggies and to help support our local farmers. This Saturday, they’re holding a Community Environmental Day which should be fun (and educational) for the whole family.
I hope to see you there!
This DIY project is easy to do, so inexpensive ($10 - $20!), but not for the faint of heart… you are painting letters on the walls, you know! Really though, you only need a steady hand to do it and you certainly do not need to be an artist to transform your room by using your favourite quote or saying!
The project shown was done on my 5 yr-old son’s walls with cute lettering, but this can definitely be done in a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom or living room in a more “adult-friendly” calligraphic font if you’d prefer.
Warning: This project is addictive… the paint pens used glide on the walls so easily, it is just too much fun to stop at one project. Please refrain from lettering every square inch of every wall in your house. It might be a little too much!
Tools needed:
Save! Save! Save! hint: Michaels Craft Store carries these paint pens and many styles of lettering. Make sure you check the www.michaels.com for printable discounts before you go to the store!
Instructions
1. Trace letters in pencil on the wall (using rulers to make sure you have a straight line).
2. Shake the small paint pen and dab on a flat surface to get the paint flowing into the tip of the pen (repeat when needed). Using the small paint pen, outline the letters working from left to right to ensure that you will not be dragging your hand through wet paint. Do not worry about what it looks like on the inside of the letters as the letters will be coloured in… just make sure the outside lines look good!
3. Shake the large paint pen and dab on a flat surface to get the paint flowing into the tip of the pen. (repeat when needed). Fill in the letters with the large paint pen. The colour should flow freely and fill in the letters easily.
4. Let the letters dry overnight and then use the white eraser to remove any pencil lines or smudges.
5. Enjoy and show all your friends how amazingly talented you are! They will gasp in disbelief at your creative artistry!
6. Send me a photo so I can share with the world (not mandatory)!
Note: If you are worried about painting letters on your walls, just be sure to try this out on another surface first… try it on a piece of paper or construction paper before diving in on the walls!!!!
Here’s another 10$ project for your walls… it’s quite amazing!
I can’t resist including a photo of the collage I did for my son too. He asked me to put the words to Space Oddity by David Bowie because he loves it when I sing it to him at bedtime!
I was able to get my new Etsy shop open this weekend!
My shop can be found at envirochic’s shop
I have my new, inspiring pewter pendant necklaces that I just love, love, love (and I hope you do too - I’ve already sold 2 over the weekend!), as well as my art cards suitable for framing that would be a unique gift of “small art with big heart” and of course, my artwork!
Please do stop by for a visit and please forward on to anyone who might be interested!
… my treasure!
Ok, I admit it! I just garbage picked!! Athough I’m sure there’s a better term for it (anyone know?), garbage picking can be very satisfying. I might as well go all out and also admit that this is not my first time either!
On our way home from the mall to buy my daughter her grade 8 grad dress (sob, sob) we saw a whole pile of things on the side of the curb on our street. As we got closer, I noticed a “free” sign, so I couldn’t resist. There were some great finds! I shamlessly picked up a little table that I will do something crafty with and post later, a zen-looking bird house, wooden blinds in perfect shape, a large citronella candle and a retro flour sifter (ok, that one was probably going a little bit overboard!).
Then today, after walking my son to the bus, I saw a pretty wooden outdoor chair sitting out waiting for the garbage truck to come. So again, I have to admit, I grabbed it and it is now sitting in my yard and I’ll have a place to sit when I watch my son play in the field.
Hmm, pretty good stash for the last 24 hours! Really, I don’t go searching for other people’s garbage (honestly!), but I am not embarrased to admit that I will save any tres chic items from the garbage dump if the opportunity arises, not to mention I think it’s very eco-friendly…. how about you?
It’s hard to believe the school year will be over next week. With a few beautiful summery days behind us, I think it’s about time to say… let the summertime fun begin!!
And, one more comment… good luck to all those fellow parents out there… breathe deeply…. breathe deeply… we can do it… we CAN do it! If anyone has any ideas on how to stay sane with kids at home and how to curb summertime boredom, please do let me know!
Yesterday, I dropped by the Rama Lotus Yoga Centre to see how my art cards are doing and I just wanted to let you know about an upcoming event I didn’t know about - the 2nd Annual YogaFest at the Almonte Herb Garden on June 21st!
Since this is my first year as a full-time artist, I am finding all these great events too late to participate as an exhibitor (example - last weekend’s The New Art Festival of course!)… next year I’ll be sure to get submissions in on time for sure. Yoga is one of those things I love love love to do, but do not keep up with as regularly as I would like to, so I’m hoping to attend this event for some inspiration! I would love to get back to Bikram Yoga - have you ever tried it? You won’t believe the sweat that pours out of every pore of you body! 90 minutes of yoga in a very hot room will do that to you!
Hope you can make it!
I have to say a big thank you to those who commented on their different ways to de-stress/get back to basics/take time for yourselves. From living on a lake (so jealous!), to setting a reminder each week to be thankful for what we have, to swinging in the garden watching the birds or gardening, to shopping, getting out to powerwalk or run - ALL of them were great ideas. Thanks for sharing. And the contest winner (picked out of a hat by my daughter) is…
Congrats and I hope you enjoy the art! I will be in touch right away to set up delivery! BTW, when my daughter picked your name out of the hat, she said, “oh the lady with the cool icon?”!
Now, I have to get off the computer for awhile… I did say I wouldn’t be on the computer between 5pm and 8pm for some quality family time, didn’t I?! ~ gasp ~ I’ll just have to remember, baby steps… I’m taking baby steps to get back to basics! Sounds crazy that I have to remind myself to do this, but I believe this is just a sign of the times. Also, seeing as this is my year to get extra healthy, slim and fit, I think I might try out this running thing I’ve heard so much about!
Next time you are at the Kanata Centrum Plaza, please visit Belly Laughs, a great children’s and maternity boutique now carrying my artwork!
Belly Laughs
Kanata Centrum Plaza
300 Earl Grey Drive
Kanata, ON K2T 1B8
613-963-0711
Thanks also to those who have commented on my last post to enter to win one of my pieces. I’m hoping to adopt a lot of these comments in my own life. Keep them coming before Friday at 4 p.m.!
