open studio - sunday, march 17th

Locals welcome! I'm hosting an open studio on St. Patty's Day! Come see new paintings, framed prints, flip through matted prints and cool jewelry pieces. I love the open studio concept. It gives me creative license to try out new ideas.

Stay for a pint of green beer, maybe some guitar playing and a fire in the pit! One lucky raffle winner will leave with a 11" x 14" print! 

Be sure to bring a friend!

*all set up for credit card purchases.

The Design Files Open House 2012

I recently saw this video and loved the concept. One day I'd like to put on an event like this. One day soon:)

The Design Files Open House 2012 from The Design Files on Vimeo.

THE DESIGN FILES OPEN HOUSE is back again in 2012 - with a new home, and lots of fabulous new design pieces to showcase! 

We’ll be transforming a beautiful home in Windsor, Melbourne, to create a pop-up retail event unlike any other. Once again we have carefully selected a group of our favourite designers, artist and makers whose beautiful wares will fill this space. 

A natural progression for Australia’s most popular design blog, THE DESIGN FILES OPEN HOUSE is the ultimate stylised Melbourne home, with an added bonus - everything is for sale! From bedlinen to books, artwork, furniture, kitchenware and lighting, each and every item can be purchased on the spot. 

painting of the day and DIY in one - "Untitled" by Keith Haring

Today's painting of the day is "untitled"(this title happens when artist is so prolific and couldn't possibly to come up with something clever and/or image speaks for itself) by Keith Haring. 

Here's the DIY: I cut up my Keith Haring calendar to make some fast art. I am so glad the cover was the same image as february. I had a small painting, I was bored with, in a frame with a mat. It is okay to recycle art. I took the frame apart and in this case I did have to cut the mat opening a little larger. Put it back together and I have instant Valentine art.

More about this artist below-

Keith Haring was born May 4, 1958 in Reading, Pennsylvania. He moved to New York City in 1978, and began using the city as his canvas, making chalk drawings in subway stations. With its thriving underground art scene, New York seemed to be the perfect fit for the young artist. In 1982, he had his first New York one-man show at the Shafrazi Gallery. A critical success, he soon became one of most popular artists of the time. He died on February 16, 1990, of AIDS-related complications.

happy valentine's day!

This little heart welcomes me home when I pull in my driveway. Surely the stone builder guy had no idea it looked like a heart. I love that it's eternally there.

Wait! Does this mean I have a heart of stone? Nah..... it's all about love.

A Valentine's Day Lunch

Thought this was adorable. I would have loved to have planned a small Valentine's Day tea party with my girlfriends.......maybe next year. Found video at glamoursmash.com

Kristen from Just a Girl and Her Little Dog- made THE CUTEST video on how to put together the perfect Valentine's Day lunch for the girls! You MUST watch it below. 

Oh, and her adorable pink-haired rockstar puppy, Lola, makes an appearance about 20 seconds in! 

nice idea: I attended a baby shower many years ago where the hostess served coffee and tea in several mismatched tea cups. So pretty. So for several years following, this is what my friends and I came up with....amongst your closest girly friends, give a tea cup for a birthday gift or an annual event you all celebrate together. If a group of 3-4 friends do this for 2 or 3 years..... you end up with a fabulous collection. 

See some of my collection below

another footstool makeover

I bought this footstool for $11.50 a few days ago. Lovely isn't it? What you need is a great upholstery fabric ( I bought this remnant at the fabric store for a remarkable $10.00, normally $75 per yard). I have plenty left for another project. You will also need a good staple gun and plenty of staples.

I started by removing tassel fridge. Next, I cut fabric so there was 1 inch over hang. I put one staple on all sides and each corner. Continue all the way around and end with overlapping corners. This is a little tricky but evenly fold each corner side and staple 3 times to secure.

link to my first footstool diy

what makes you happy on a rainy day?

Today I was out and about and stopped into a local antique shop. I came across these adorable mercury glass mushrooms. I was feeling a little whimsical or Kelly Wearstlerish and had to have. Tag said $12 bucks for the trio, they jumped in a bag and came home with me. What makes you smile on a gloomy, rainy day? Today....... mushrooms. See Jackie from Teal and Lime's March 16th post.

Mercury Glass Mushrooms

by JACKIE on MARCH 16, 2012 · 4 COMMENTS

I have to share the adorable-ness! Last weekend we made the journey (I left out the word epic, because it is only a 35 minute drive) to Room & Board and West Elm. We planned to just window shop, but I could not resist the mercury glass cuteness at West Elm.  I made a day-after-payday impulse buy. I bought three of the various sized mercury glass mushrooms. I only passed on the smallest one.

My motives for the purchase:

• My DIY mercury glass hurricanes and my mercury glass owl needed some more mercury glass friends
• I am in the midst of planning a bug party for my soon-to-be two year old and how cute would these mushrooms be for a bug themed centerpiece?

Blinded by my motives I overlooked the total price tag of $60 for the three mushrooms.  I thought maybe I would have buyer’s remorse due to the price, but I never did.  Let’s just be happy I stopped at three, because I tell you seeing tons of these guys lining the West Elm shelves is super adorable.  If they were a bit more affordable, I would have bought a garden of mercury glass mushrooms.

Once I unwrapped them at home and set them up in a cluster on the mantel, I was even more in love.  They are such a happy addition to the family room.  They provide balance to the mantel with the owl on the other side.  If you are keeping track, I also made a few other mantel changes or maybe I should say removals.  See the subtle holiday mantel for the before.  After the holidays I removed the vase of jingle bells.  Recently, to make room for the mushrooms, I removed the large turquoise vases.  I instantly liked how much lighter and airer the mantel felt.  I still need to make a few other mantel changes for spring…

My Etsy Valentine

Here are a few fun finds on etsy for valentines day- gimme, gimme!

I actually have this print. Bought it at the Crafty Bastards show in DC last year. L-O-V-E, LOVE IT! The husband, of the husband and wife team, of strawberryluna said it is one of his favorites. SOLD

Sweet heart bowls by ross lab

Want to buy one of these totally awesome pieces by Pure Essentia. Very boho chic!

shut up and kiss me. Lemonade lip balm

by lippydudu

I have these because I made them. I opened up an etsy site, an eclectic girl, to sell cool stuff like these adorable pillows. I think they have a Jonathan Adler vibe.

Painting of the Day- "Baby Ghoul" by Nicky Hoberman

I have liked British artist, Nicky Hoberman for many years.  The facial expressions of the children are somber and serious which makes them so cool. I am also a big fan of minimal backgrounds.

Think Pink

secret fairies

Nicky Hoberman's style is a mixture of photorealism and caricature, illogical figures contrasted against even and flat backgrounds interpreted only through their clothes, expressions, and poses. She is perhaps most famous for her effective investigation of the concepts of isolation, identity, and individuality through her art. 

atomic kitten

The last paintings, secret fairies and atomic kitten were the first I saw and when I began to admire her work. Super talented!