January 2012

Valentine’s Day Printable Word Art

January 26, 2012

valentinestitle

Since Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, I decided a quick, easy, printable decoration was in order. This one will only take you about five minutes to add a little lovey-dovey festivity to any room.

Simply download the printable (below), print, cut out, and put in a frame. It’s that easy. The download even includes four different color palettes.

We’ve got the traditional:
vdayprint1

Then there’s modern funk:
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And of course, twisted traditional:
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Last, but not least, there’s lemon love:
vdayprint4

Easy peezy, right? Go ahead,
Click to get the Free Pattern:

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Take Flight Art Print (Step-by-Step and Free Pattern)

January 23, 2012

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There’s an empty wall in my living room right now that I want to cover with a hodgepodge of awesome photos, prints, art, etc., (kinda like this wall). At the moment though, I don’t actually have much to hang up. In an effort to fix that, I decided to make my own inspirational, pretty art print. If you have an unsteady hand and no free-hand drawing talent (that’s the boat I sit in) don’t worry, you can totally do this project. The pattern is provided below and these step-by-step instructions should guide you through the entire process. Let’s get started.

1. The supply list:

1. Gesso board (I used a 5×7 size so that I can easily put it in a frame)
2. Paint pens (I used orange, black and silver)
3. Small paint brushes
4. Acrylic paints
5. Varnish
6. Transfer paper (shown below)
7. Pattern (provided below)

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2. Graphite transfer paper is my new best friend. It makes my lack of free-hand drawing skills completely inconsequential. Get some now – it will change your crafty life.

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3. Using the acrylic paint color of your choice paint the background. I went with a textured look by using a large, stiff brush.

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4. Once the base coat is dry, layer your transfer paper and pattern over the gesso board. You should have the board on the bottom, then the transfer paper and your pattern on top.

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5. Using a pencil without the lead, trace the pattern. Apply heavy and even pressure so that your design transfers properly.

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6. This is what your traced design will look like. Isn’t the graphite transfer paper amazing?!

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8. Paint each section, starting with the sun rays. It’s best to paint several thin, even layers.

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9. Once the rays and tree are painted to your liking it’s time to use the paint pens. I used black to outline the tree, orange to outline the sun rays and silver for the words. My cheapo silver paint pen (not a Sharpie pen) gave less than stellar results – with ink flowing out inconsistently while I traced. I also used the paint pen to fill the bird silhouettes. It worked pretty well, but left the birds a bit more textured and shiny than I would prefer. Next time I would paint them in using acrylic paint with a small brush and then trace with a very fine paint pen.

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10. Allow everything to dry and then seal with a thin coat of varnish.

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I’m going to put this print in a frame and add it to my living room wall. It could also be used to perk up an office or for even to decorate a child’s room.

Click to get the Free Pattern:

If you have any questions let me know. And once you make your own print send me a picture – I love seeing your creativity at work.

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Snow Energy

January 18, 2012

icedrop

The air crackles with excited energy. The park is filled with children taking advantage of the moment. Snowmen, big and small, are cropping up all over the neighborhood.

snowman

I love the feeling that accompanies a snow storm. In Seattle that feeling is both similar and different than what I’m used to, having grown up in Colorado. Here the snow is rare and a little bit makes for a big deal. A snow that would be commonplace in Colorado becomes reason for stocking the pantry and taking a snow day. I love that no matter the technology, the changes, all the city has to offer, a snowstorm has the capacity to make us batten down the hatches and take heed of the power that nature wields.

It makes me feel at home, more able to relate to this city. I feel more connected to nature as Kale and I walk the emptier than usual snowy, city streets. I feel the universal joy of children everywhere when I hear the hollering at the local sledding hill. I feel gratitude for the familiar beauty that accompanies the storm. And so Kale and I happily bundle up and spend time outdoors – even if it’s just to go out and hold the chickens.

kalesnowbird

Penelope (pictured above) is the only chicken who feels the same as I do. She happily ventures around the snow-covered yard. As you can see below the other chickens do not appreciate the snow and make a pointed effort to stay off it. For the past couple days, this means staring out into the snowy yard in disbelief. I guess it’s all just a matter of perspective.

snowrose

It’s always interesting to see the different ways people (or chickens) react to the same situation. I feel comfortable and excited. Children city-wide feel hopeful that the snow will bring a snow day at school. While others feel nervous about the road conditions or unhappy with the “inconvenience.” There is no inherent right and wrong. Simply different.

And all this reflection makes me wonder about you. What feelings does an act of nature, like a snow storm, bring to you? Do you have a certain experience that brings you excitement and a feeling of home? Please leave a comment and let me know. Thanks and happiest snowy wishes to you.

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