The darkest dark, the brightest light

I will be posting more pictures of the finished stone walls when they get emailed to me very soon, I hope. When I got to the shop to take pictures my camera was dead - O my favorite thing. A lady there offered so kindly to take pictures as she happened to have a camera in her car! Bless her heart! And, wasn't that sweet of her! I needed help and there she was. And, you know I've had more troubles with the whole camera thing. . .

Thank you to all the folks that tell me they read my blog and those that visit regularly. It's really ok to leave comments here but I know people can be shy when thinking that the world my see. Anyway I thank you, it means a lot.

and now, time for Bruce (and, isn't it always?) lol

Lord I love good lyrics.

Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free?
If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making its way down the street?
If you've ever seen a one-legged dog then you've seen me

Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor

Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?

Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and wheat?
If you've ever seen that scarecrow then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze?
If you've ever seen a one-armed man then you've seen me

Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor

Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?

These things that have comforted me, I drive away
This place that is my home I cannot stay
My only faith's in the broken bones and bruises I display
Have you ever seen a one-legged man trying to dance his way free?
If you've ever seen a one-legged man then you've seen me

-Bruce Springsteen for "The Wrestler"

a glimpse

. . . and, now what you don't know about me is that I can be very irreverant, and pretty sarcastic. Really all I need is an invitation. Like when I call my husband a "star-tard" (And you would have too.) Or when we call Pearl "Pesticle". I really don't know why there is this strange holy and irreverant dichotomy within me (well, I could venture a guess) I just know that sometimes it's a damn hard balance to strike.

Publication dates

http://www.indiepublic.com/ - Indie public Interview coming early June
http://www.totally-creative.com/ Totally Creative Current Issue (online publication) That's the little lit house on the cover and a 6 square wall grid decor design project inside.
BHG 100 ideas under $100 Winter issue
http://www.todayshomearts.com/ Home Arts July/Aug (online magazine)

Crafts & Things July/Aug
Create & Decorate August
Apron*ology (Somerset Studios) next issue- still trying to find out when this is. . . perhaps Feb 2010?

Stone walls in progress

Above: A sample spot of the nearly completed wall

What's left is to add a suggestion of block stones and trimming out the narrow framed wall insert. (to the right of this wall and shown better in the 4th picture from the top) Thinking hemp covered at first but believe we'll go with a contemporary, perhaps french-inspired, fabric to tie colors together.
Above: Another paint adjustment. Adding more of the beige this time creating a slightly darker mixture. Building depth. Roller again, and also now using a brush randomly.

Above: This is using a roller dipped in "whitened down" paint. I poured white into a plastic bag covered tray, rollered the paint partially off, then hit the walls randomly.

Above, 2nd Shot: Base Color. Johannah gets to work doing some trim.

I'm kindof everywhere including taking pictures and painting the mocha-ish alcove area. The color of the alcove is now Alexandria Beige/ Pottery Barn. Johannah (pronounced Yo-hawna") owns this shop and does such inspired, creative things with hair. Really and truly, I kid you not. This gal makes my hair look so good. I always get compliments and believe me it's nothing I do that makes it look great- she's fabulous. She'll probably kill me for posting a picture of her here so get a good look. I may have to crop the picture once I tell her it's on here. But, for now she stays.

Note in above picture the little wood area on the right previously housed thin shelving. A fabric covered bulletin board will be installed instead.

First shot: Before

Victorian wallpapered walls in a little beauty shop.Tired and from the 80's. The major transformation calls for the simple use of interior housepaint, a roller and bristle brush. I'll get more pictures when I finish up and post them right away.

Another great fun thing: Johannah and I barter- she cuts and does "whatever" in the way of hair, and I decorate for her. Isn't that groovy?

Class Note

I'll be back on and posting some new things later on today if I get back home in time from Medford. Otherwise, I'll be posting tomorrow the promised picture of Pam's project (you don't want to miss it) and the last class pictures.

Have a great day everyone and see you soon. I've been swamped with work from Krylon and baby stuff. The baby isn't here yet, but any day/minute!!

Class Note: I will resume classes in the month of July but will be taking June off to help with baby and get a couple of really big projects done- you'll hear more about both of those "projects" soon! - gulp!

For fun my Hollywood Glam CHA

This is another job I did for Krylon for a CHA show. Been meaning to get this converted and posted for too long. A few weeks ago I was asked by another designer how in the world this all was prepared for shipping to the photographer to be then taken apart and then shipped to the show. In particular, the mirrored cabinet. Believe me, I spent plenty of time thinking about it. In the end, the mirrored panels on the cabinet were shipped flat and separate from the cabinet. This cabinet is old and heavy to begin with. I sent diagramed instructions for attaching the mirrored panels in a particular order so that strapping tape attachments wouldn't show. The need to reship after shooting made temporary attachment a necessity. I'm proud of this set but the mirrored cabinet is probably the most favorite thing I've ever done. Maybe. I will say this. It was my favorite one to have done. :0

Gimmee a piece of that Chocolate Bar

It took a couple days for the multiple coats of sealant to dry before popping in the drawers. Nothing worse than having your paint ripped off in spots by a hard contact.

And, actually this "Chocolate" also has quite a bit of Umber in it. (Which is one of my most favorite colors.) The Umber became much more distinct when placed near this rug for the shot. A fabulous metallic shag rug with this...Oh MAN!! There are so many style directions you could go here.

Now, isn't it just the cutest little cabinet, and so understated? It's going to be tough to let this one go. Like usual. This, in all reality was first built and designed as a dresser complete with a mirror. But, I'll convert a dresser of this sort to a buffet every time.

Mother's Communications

This figure comes from the installation entitled, strangely enough,

"Cathedral Of Dreams"

Photoshop skills are pretty elusive but I'm working and playing around with it, learning more little by little. Sometimes very little by very little.

And, I can't wait to change my blog background but I want to make sure I don't lose this whole blog in the effort. I've been able to do so without incident in my little test blog. . .

Some of the backgrounds I've been creating are textural, vintage and really interesting. In the future I may offer some for use in anyone's blogs.

An Old Violin, Dark Chocolate & Leather- a pretty nice combo.

The paint for this cabinet is a mixture of Ralph Lauren's Old Violin with a little Black. (The RL Old Violin is not quite as dark as it appears on my computer and perhaps yours but for the other project the original color was purchased it worked really well.) The leather headboard that exists in the room where this will go is a really Dark Chocolate Brown so that set the direction for this piece.

The bedroom itself will be a retro inspired, contemporary style.

9 Brown Drawers, no more no less

Freshly sealed

Nearly perfectly behaved little soldiers waiting to perform their duties (oh look, there's always one out of formation . . . ;)

For the completed buffet picture I'm waiting for the multiple coats of sealant to dry before drawers go back in and shooting. There were so many ways this could have been painted. I almost did 2 drawers in a chartreusey green while leaving the gray consistent on all drawers and probably leaving the top of every drawer the chocolate brown color (above the pulls.) I finally decided to go with the straight chocolate so that the owners will have more latitude when choosing new bedding etc.

I don't care what anyone says, now that's a sexy leg

Close-up detail Buffet leg

This will be the last time you'll see these drawers empty

Painted with the gray trim in the pull area of the drawer. Next Chocolate Brown on the faces. 9 drawers all total.

things like this just happen

Kindof reminds me that sometimes everything will be going along all right and then the next thing you know- everything is upside down- ahh well, such is life.
It's all about learning to see life from yet another perspective. btw, isn't that paint yummy looking? Like a nice dessert in the makings. And, for me, I suppose it is. Buffet cabinet is about done and will post the progress next. Lovin' it big time!

I'm seeing a blogger scheduled outage note- hopefully that won't get in my way today.

Oh & Yippee! My bracelet bases for etching just arrived a few minutes ago. I can't wait to get movin on that. Have never done it before but I'm super excited about all the possibilites. Unfortunately sterling is so expensive right now. Limiting anything I want to do is just a hard pill to swallow and I usually avoid it at all costs. But new perspectives again. And, in all seriousness, having a parameter, as an artist, can be a very good thing and help me on my way.

Happy to Help

I wish I coud type stories faster- the typos will make your eyes bleed. But I'll tell one- and I may as well do it here. The very talented and new friend Bet Corsaut encouraged me to share this story.

_

When we got our lab (1 year old see picture above) I wanted to walk her to burn her energy (and shoot-let's got real, I need it) I tried every leash, collar, snack trick (which totally got out of hand- can you picture a streaming snack line for 2 miles) I tied everything I could think of for a doable walking experience. My indulgent husband would hear me talk of it day in and day out. (did you know that Labs have steel pipes for necks) she literally pulled me down the street- which, as you might imagine, is just not that elegant.

_

After commiserating with several people I was given the advice to buy her a backpack and place 2 or 4 water bottles in the side pouches to slow her down- theoretically to keep her from pulling so hard on the leash, tucker hor out etc. etc. fast forward- my husband and I traveled out of town and, at one point were were approaching the mall to do some shopping. As we got out of the car I told my husband- "oh, don't let me forget- I need to get a backpack for the dog"

_

He turned to me and said- Cooter (his nickname fpor me) Cooter, if you think for one second I'm going to cart that 70 pound dog around on my back you must be out of your mind

Retro Workover

This cabinet I love just exactly like this- sanded and abrased (but with it's drawers that are outside at the moment this was taken) but I've promised it elsewhere so it's final look is chocolate brownish black to match a leather headboard. The choc/ black will be a nice retro color as well as contemporary but I'm growing more and more fond of things in their near original states. Say la vie- it will be gorgeous duded up with a pristine gray trim at the drawer tops under the pull edges. There has been talk of adding just a few other painted atomic embellishements (left justified) once the bedding is chosen. Thinking a dark salmon, cream, retro blue there- if it works out. This is in priming stages right now. Had to slow production on it since some new designs for Krylon was just requested yesterday.

Distressed- why yes please

These are finished (& finish :) pictures of the side of the buffet shown below

Better detail of some of the distressing. Adorable huh?

Buffet workover

The buffet is my absolute favorite piece of furniture. And, I do LOVE furniture! Super functional, can be used in just about every room in the house- if there's room. And, they're really great for display. You can just imagine how much this little jewel set me back-Ha! I'm looking for a companion piece to it but they're getting kindof scarce. This one is in great shape, all the drawers pull easily and smoothly. I'm using the original hardware and painted them Equestrian Brown (a great brown from Krylon) but am lacking one handle. (not shown with handles- but I probably will post a "want ad" here at some point because I'm still looking for that one handle!) (oh and PS- this isn't the one I referred to a few days ago.- That one's chocolate colored and more atomic in style. LOVE it too!)

Chippy Buffet

I'm going to get a better picture of this but this is all I can find right now. (I've got to get better about organizing my photos.) Note the additional distressing - now that's what I love. Just click on the picture to get a better close up of the deats.

This is why I love reworking furniture

Oh duh! I've done something else to this and didn't show the picture- now I'm looking for the picture.

Momma's Little Dynamo

Finally stopped raining so I could uncover this and snap it. Can't bring it in until something else goes out. Fortunately the piece that's going out is almost done. But I love it too! I got it bad, real bad. (Wish the picture were more focused for ya. New sony and I'm having trouble with the FOCUS - of all things!)

Today I'll be spending the day at Treasures of the Heart working on display. Lots of really fun bird stuff came in so that will be fun. I'll get pictures.

My dear friend Tonia Davenport invited me to work on a collaborative jewelry project for sale on Etsy. Proceeds will go to A place to Bark- a non-profit organization working to help abused and homeless dogs. Bernie Berlin owns this endeavor and you will never meet a bigger saint. This gal does the down and dirty work of it all. Her spirit, well she is incredible.

And, do you facebook? We do. Check us out...

I'll be working on a few step outs for a project that's been done for a few months now. "Coffee Rings Apron" Sharon from Krylon told me it's going to be in this is magazine: Today’s Creative HomeArts, the largest circulation craft magazine. However, you won’t find it on the newsstands. It’s sold as a part of a club membership, and only club members receive the magazine. But do check out the website though, it's very active.

I'll be posting pictures from the latest techniques class soon. Pam took the class again and brought us the finished project from the last class. She is inspiring, I'm so glad she's in the neighborhood. (check out her Bead Mecca site on the left sidebar) I gotta run now- Hugs to all my shy friends.

hummm. . . something to check out

This looks interesting . . . gorgeous cover. http://www.faeriemagazine.com/

Came across this magazine today (and May 1st.- had no idea it was such a big time for this organization and fairy culture.

Today am also putting the finishing touches on the indiepublic interview and printing pictures for my techniques class tomorrow. One of the things students will be learning is how to make transfers with paper towels. This techniques is so fun, instant gratification and soooo easy- it's unreal. It just occured to me this minute that I should have taken a picture of a previous transfer so you all could see. Will try to do that at class and show that along with other things from the class. Check back soon for this and other updates. There are some fun things coming with the use of totally inexpensive green materials translated into many pieces of art for the home. Stay tuned!