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

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.

2012 christmas card

Here is this year's Christmas card. We spent Thanksgiving at my brother-in-law's folks place this year. The photos were shot around their beautiful property in Harwood, Maryland. A perfect backdrop for my wonderful kids, Hannah (14) and Jake (11). What a true blessing they are! You too, Bear.

Happy Holidays!

DIY - cute fox dolls

Saw this DIY on one of my favorite blogs - A Beautiful Mess. I made a few for the holidays and then decided to make more for my open studio. I used white velvet, faux fur and gold lame for the backing. I think they are adorable and have a more seasonal feel. 

Here's what you need and how to make......

PLUSH FOX DOLL D.I.Y.

A few years back I made and sold these cute plush fox pillows through Red Velvet. Since it's a retired product now, we decided to teach you how to make them! These foxes are a fun one-evening sewing project that you can do with even the most basic sewing skills! Enjoy! 

1: Supplies Needed- Simple solid, print, and white cotton fabric, scissors, card stock, plush stuffing, sewing machine/needle and thread and child safe snap on button eyes and noses. (You can find them in the doll section at your local craft store.) 2. Cut out the back and front of the fox. We made ours an estimate 1x2 ft. 3. Cut out and trace a circle from card stock on the back of your patterned fabric. This will be for the fox's belly! 4. Next, sew on a triangle shape for the snout with the white fabric. For the eyes and nose, make a tiny hole with scissors, poke the eyes and nose through and secure it with the back snap. 5. After you've sewn on the snout, sew on the belly! You'll always want to sew on the snout first, guaranteeing that the belly won't be too high or too low. 6. Once you've decorated the front, place both sides together with the outsides facing in and sew them together, leaving a small gap at the bottom. After you've sewn your fox together, flip him inside out and fill with stuffing! Last, hand stitch the opening. All done!

Try adding different details and embellishments to give your foxes cute personalities! Have fun. XOXO. elsie

DIY - fun holiday tote

I was recently in Sephora and was given this cute cinch gift bag with my purchase. I thought it was so cute and I wanted to get better use of it. Here is what I came up with.....

Cut the top of bag off and remove the silver string that cinched the bag. I will use the cut pieces for my handles later. I found this tan suede fabric in my fabric box that would work great with the design of the bag.

On the reverse side, sew the suede to the other fabric. Iron the top to fold down nicely when handles are sewn on.

Finished in about 20 minutes. It really was quick and easy and I love it!!!!

all things small and wonderful open studio

Just sent out an invite to an open studio show on Sunday, December 16th. I'm so excited!

Since I was a kid, I have been enchanted with small and wonderful things. I have created a collection of miniature paintings and other adorable holiday surprises. Locals welcome.

skeleton ghost for the mantel or anywhere

I had a little styrofoam skeleton head I wasn't sure what to do with. I love decorating for halloween and  I needed something for the mantel. This creation was done in minutes....

Here's what you need:

styrofoam skeleton head

cheese cloth ( 3 pieces to layer)

plastic skeleton hands

white wire hanger

glue gun (optional)

I was going to attach the hands but wanted to see finish effect right away so I placed them as if the ghost were seated. You can attach cheese cloth to the top of the head with glue gun or not. Ooh, creepy.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

happy easter

cute.

Billy Mack in "Love Actually"

In Character: Billy Mack

Feel free to make your case for the best Christmas movie of all time elsewhere—argue the merits of Bad Santa vs. Elf, Mickey’s Christmas Carol vs. Miracle on 34th Street—but your energies are wasted here. For me, the victor is (and will always be!) Love Actually. Here, a tight pant-fueled tribute to the best character in that best movie, Bill Nighy’s back-from-the-dead Billy Mack. —erica

I love the Billy Mac character and agree, Love Actually is my top pick. Followed closely by It's a wonderful Life and The Family Stone. - me.

A silk Haider Ackermann shirt fit for celebrating the holiday with cute bird or your manager, ugliest man in the world.

A white leather Carol Christian Poell jacket that helps you remember the lyrics are “If you really love Christmas, come on and let it SNOW.”

The sort of Hannah Martin ring that recalls your heroin-binging days—back before Blue commandeered the airwaves.

courtesy of www.ofakind.com

This year's Christmas card

Okay, it has been a few years since I have sent out a Christmas card. This year, I ran out of time to create a card online through the number of online printers. Happens every year, blah, blah, blah. I created this very simple card in photoshop. Used cute photos of my adorable kids, Hannah and Jake and my sweet dog, Bear. I think people still like to see how fast the kids are growing. Add a thoughtful message, (this year from the Beatles) and I'm off to Kinkos/fed ex. Thirty minutes later I have a card to send to family and friends. Ta da and fa la la la la.

Downtown Holiday Market - Booth #34

Looking forward to the holiday market this weekend. I will be at booth #34 on Saturday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 4th from noon - 8pm. Hoping for good weather and great attendance. Should be fun!!!

Get ready for the 2011 Downtown Holiday Market.  Celebrating its seventh year, this event boasts one of the most spectacular outdoor shopping environments in the region.  This year the Downtown Holiday Market (DHM) will operate for 22 consecutive days.  It will open Friday, December 2nd, and will run continuously through Thursday, December 23^rd.  Hours will be from Noon to 8 pm each day.

Held in the vibrant Penn Quarter neighborhood with the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture as its backdrop, the festival will again be located on the wide sidewalk of F Street, stretching from 7^th to 9^th Streets NW. Both ends of the market are within view of entrances to the Gallery Place Metro. Also across the street are the Verizon Center and the bustling 7^th Street Gallery Place corridor.  Opposite the Market are Hotel Monaco, the Spy Museum, and many upscale restaurants.  http://www.downtownholidaymarket.com/

Next Year's Halloween Costume

Every year we go to a fun halloween party and every year I struggle to find the perfect costume. This is a great idea. Maybe next year.

The Birds

by Emily

I’ve always been a fan of Hitchcock films, and after a recent trip toNorthern California, I was inspired to recreate the character of Melanie Daniels from The Birds. I found a vintage skirt suit, wore a disheveled french twist, affixed crows all over my body and hair, and added some bloody scratches to my face. I’m really happy with how it came out and was equally impressed by all of the creative costumes from our party on Saturday night, including the Grand High Witch and mouse (from Roald Dahl’s “The Witches”), Mr. Clean, Sharon Stone from Casino, and a Beverly Hills housewife. Happy Halloween!

courtesy on cupcake and cashmere

DIY Project: Crayon Pumpkins

Came across this DIY post this morning. I love Halloween!!! May be my favorite holiday and definitely my favorite time of the year. These pumpkins look great and what a way to use old crayons.

Carving pumpkins is my favorite thing to do for Halloween (besides dressing up of course).  Every year I try and do something different and unique but this time instead of carving, I thought I would just decorate the pumpkins so I could enjoy them a lot longer.  I decided to get a little extra crafty and ended up melting different colored crayons on the pumpkins.  It's a fun little DIY Halloween project that will surely impress your guests!

courtesy of The Swede Reords

more valentine fun

Two more adorable valentine ideas

winter white

Love this!

My winter mantle minus the white hand-made stockings. I purchased the globe like candle holders from Marshalls.  I would have bought them out if I knew I was going to be so crazy about them.