keep your peepers ready

Introducing the Bird bucket we'll be creating in future classes. Students watch for posts here as to when this class becomes available, or contact me by email at cgeorgedesigns@gmail.com

The next classes being scheduled will be the Rose Bucket and am thinking. . . the Rose canvas- pictures to follow.

The lovely picture and frame on the little dresser in my opening blog picture (and also shown below on mantle) was a gift from my friend Laurie from French Palace Boutique। Isn't it awesome! We share a deep love for Cathedrals। She makes different styles and sizes as well so contact her here at http://www.frenchpalaceboutique.com/ for this little piece of heaven.

Practising my figures.
This was originally cream with pink roses (pictures below) and belonged to my mother. I decided to rustic it up to this result. The column is the same finish even though that's been changed for this exact photo above.
There are additional design plans and will show you what happens with her in a future post. Some of mom's story will be evident. Excited to get to work further on this.

And, oddly enough, I have an unrelenting notion that a deeper and decidely different approach to my work manifests real and positive help for my mother made possible through the mindful and deliberate use of materials.

sometimes things can look so sad before they're done.

there's a far away look in her eye

there's a far away look in her eye

and has been since my dad passed away. This figure was my moms but it represents so much of her to me. Ever the lady but with a pensive eye since his absence. It's hard not to wish for her her final destination; a reunion with dad. I wish somehow she'd been able to move on after dad passed but she just didn't know how. Now she's almost unreachable. Maybe when it's all said and done, this sadness will have only been a brief spell. (Before picture)

Hello Sunshine

Have you ever gotten a message from someone you've not seen in years? This just happened to me. My cousin Bellesia (Lisa) originally from Arkansas connected with me via email the other night. Imagine my surprise- it's been over 30 years since we've seen each other. She has a lovely family of her own now - and a grandchild- o yum!

Aside from visiting one of my favorite memories of our get togethers was the food, always a big part of southern gatherings. Let me tell you Aunt Wanda made the best Buttermilk Bisquits EVER!! Every other bisquit is just a pretender. But, I can dream can't I?

pheeew. . .for a while there wasn't sure I was going to make it

& did you think you weren't going to make it? I feel as if I've stepped into a whole other mode of being. Today is a new day, aren't you happy? A new president, and intelligence and grace just became cool again.

it's all in front of you

Nothing to see in the rearview mirror. It's all about what's in front of you. Keep looking up, ahead and forward. Love is the future- can you see it?

I've decided my goal for 2009 is to live in the magic.

Making Impressions

Today I felt honored beyond imagining to be an American. Barack Obama was sworn in surrounded by an enormous community of fellow Americans. I'm so impressed with the creative possibilities of tomorrow. Everything has creative potential.

My dear friend Cindy is so creative in nurturing her kids. I learn so much from her and am in awe a lot of the time. Seeing loving creativity in various areas of life, raising children, leading a country, teaching, etc. always impresses me.

The impression here is made by placing a votive candle holder with a decorative metal cross attached to it into sand. But consider a key, silverware handle, anything with a 3 d decorative element i.e. a flat curtain rod finial. Even a stencil forcing sand evenly through the letter opening would be interesting.

Gettin a leg up- Bulletin Board

Finished project- a leg from a pair of nice linen pants I'd gotten from the Gap several years ago. I never could bring myself to get rid of them (sound familiar?) The canvas base underneath was given to me by a client thinking I could surely use it for something. (Thank you Rose Rockus:) So the total cost for this project- zip.
View Step Out Photos on Jan 2, 2009 post

Looking for light, love & a soft place to land

This lamp is perfect for a certain client. She really doesn't like all the romantic swirls and ornamental embellishments on so many accessories right now. Her style is cleaner- less fussy with an art deco element. I was so happy this was a get.
TJMAXX

Rug samples. Macy's is generally a good bang for the buck. A better than average style factor and good price points for general price concerned clients. Good success with Macy's for the most part for a lot of decorating needs. But, there are a lot of great shopping sources for cost effective shopping.

Rugs, Pillows, Lamp and Aaron modeling the pillow. As much as I'm tempted to say Aaron is my nephew- because that's what he feels like- he's actually my 2nd cousin. Aaron is famous in these parts- talk about a voice. And get this: He's so sweet and respectful. He's awesome and that's why someone has formed an actual fan club in his honor, it's a fact. There's just something about tenors... oh and yeah, love the pillow. Get> World Market.

Finding light in unexpected places

I'm heading to Eugene for 3 days to assist someone choosing a new home. I won't be posting while I'm gone but will make up for my absence with fun pictures when I return. While gone I plan to visit my dear friend Joy Morin. Amazing woman, talent like you can't believe, sweet and oh so irreverent. Always fun and literally, always a joy.

Last night I stopped by my friend Laurie Cleveland's shop- Laurie's Antiques in Roseburg. We've been working on a project and we're very excited to show you what we've been up to but we have to wait for something first!

Be sure to look for Laurie's link to her awesome collection of fabric curtain panels, bags and more at frenchpalaceboutique.com The fabrics are to die for gorgeous. You won't find anything like these anywhere in the United States, she has them specially made in Europe.

3 More projects coming. This time it's all about Repurposing

Can't wait to show them but I'm going to have to...but the projects to come: one is a repurposed wall CD holder- very very cool and very cheap (that's the 2nd very in cool) Another, a long candle table runner, very contemporary- also very very cool. You'll love these projects and seriously- they cost peanuts. The minute I get the OK from Krylon I'll post them.

day 2 canvases set of 3

Canvases- used a large circle cut stencil. Near completion. For the finished project you'll have to see the magazine since I got things boxed up a little fast for the camera. Not sure which magazine but will let you know as soon as I know.

day 1 started Krylon canvas set/ 3

These are 3 canvases with background painted. 3 canvases will be used with circular shapes incorporating some of the latest colors from Krylon; really fun colors like Rich Plum, Ivy Leaf, Almond (background) - using Raspberry also. There will also be a coordinating pillow that didn't make it to my camera before being boxed up to ship.

Project inside from my book

Adding texture with imagery

and the star-tard award goes to. . .

Yesterday when picking up enormous mirrors from the recycle center (for a song with the caveat "you haul it") my loving and helpful husband (but let's not get carried away) placed them into the truck bed one at a time. When I happened out of the building and found myself back at the truck there he was walking around in the back of the truck standing on the padding - thereby standing on the first mirror (!!) and trying to lay the next larger size over top of that... $%^&*( jeez lord, holy! mutha- dear lord! YOU"RE STANDING ON THE MIRROR!!! I yelled.
...whoops. Well guess what? The mirror didn't budge or break into tiny little pieces. How's that for living the dream!?! I knew those mirrors were nice and worth every penny of the 9.00 total I paid for the 2 of them! crazy huh?

New mirrors & a new old frame- will be working this frame over with THE most awesome new paint from Krylon- Oil Rubbed Bronze from the Brushed Metallics line- LOVE IT, you will too. It's Krylon's match for Venetian bronze. If you're using that metallic finish in faucet handles, knobs, light fixtures - this is truly for you.

pictures to come

stepping it out - making the pants bully board

Stepping it out

Cut a piece of foam core to fit into the back recess. Attach into place by gluing the inner wood frame sides to the edges of the foamcore. This gives some body to your pins and keeps thing place on your bulletin board.