Collaboration

Kimberly Santiago, new book coming: "Collage Playground" North Light Books, F + W Publishing, due Fall of 2010, is collaborating with other artists on a project called "Differing Similarities". She has sent some of the things used in this piece and I'm adding things of my own as I go along. You can visit her on her blog here: She's on facebook, that's where we met, so be sure to friend her- and she's kind. Always a nice thing! find her here http://kimberlysantiagoart.blogspot.com/
This is the beginning of our project.



Here is another picture of just starting on a project.

Unconditional stamp of approval

Making a spiritual gift can be so simple. It just needs to come from the heart. These little wood rounds were collected by my dad when he worked at the local sawmill. They're just stamped and then attached by adding a bit of fun-tac to their backs. Fun-tac is a sticky adhesive substance, similar to gum, and is removeable. These are then pressed onto my cabinet edges.

Here is another fun thing I like to do that visitors seems to think is as inspiring as I do. Inside a beautiful picture frame place a printed loving verse. One year for Thanksgiving I placed the words "thank you" inside the frame and have never removed it.

Saying thank you often is one of the most powerful things we can do in our lives. When we finally realize we lose nothing by giving away our gratitude our lives become a piece of art, a masterpiece of goodwill and grace.

And, because kindness and thankfulness are closely linked, you can visit this link to create wonderful downloadable projects from Kind over matter. These wonderful people have taken it upon themselves to promote kindness whenever and however possible. I love that. Be sure to check them out here

http://kindovermatter.blogspot.com/

Always near

During this season of Lent I've become persuaded to do things I've been hesitant and more than a little reluctant to do in the past. Like fasting. I've never been one to really buy into traditional means of sacrifice. There just seems to be too much of an artificial formulaic element to much that I've seen in the past. However, this year, with my heart pushing forward to a new place of faith I'm asking myself "what is the point of hold out?" Our family has been through crisis of late with our son and his heartbreaking and crushing custody issues. But alongside of this is the knowledge that release and resolve are inevitable. So, in knowing this, how do we get there? Lent has long been regarded as the season of fasting, prayer and meditation. Well, we're right on schedule. One of the greatest and most wonderful surprises of my life is how holidays have taken on deeper meaning, resonating the truest import of the holiday. Particularly at holidays I feel so loved. It just seems God has chosen to reveal himself to my heart in a personal way by adding yet another layer of meaning to each holiday. Part of this stems from having learned that many of us (myself included way back when) are not good at celebrating...at feeling good. For some feeling good is perplexing and unsettling.

Cathedral of Dreams Portal entrance

This project, the Cathedral of Dreams Arch, is made largely from cardboard. It was made by Laurie Cleveland and I and can be seen in the Cloth Paper Scissors Studio issue shown on my sidebar.

Create & Decorate Picture (link below)

6/19 post

If I could paint one word
I'd paint for the Rose
all I've been taught
while watching you grow
Me and you
I'd do it for two
I'd do it for me and the Rose

Just found out that a Vintage Collage design has been published in August Create & Decorate. Here's a link to the picture. span>
http://www.createanddecorate.com/issues/2009/august/paper.shtml

Pink Book Red Lips

Project for a book Red Lips 4 Courage/ Eileen Paulinn

Leaves of Grass, Repurposed Candle table runner

I'll let you know where you'll be able to find instructions for these projects designed for Krylon as they become available to me. I also need to get a picture of the table runner that is the over the door sign (deleted the use of the candle cups and placed letters behind- PEACE)

Photography by Rossi Studio

Krylon Repurposed projects

Recognize the old lighting fixures?! The P-E-A-C-E sign (individual letters in metal runner) is with the same this but smaller and socket rounds removed. LOVE the Oil Rubbed Bronze Brushed Metallics. The other a little old medicine cabinet now a converted CD Wall holder. Uses the Brushed Nickel in the Brushed Metallic Line. All are primed white first. I'll give you specific information about the magazines these will appear in when I find out. Things like this will be talked about in my upcoming interview on www.indiepublic.com- June 5!

Egg Nest Feather Bird

From Boutique collection:
Egg Nest Feather Bird designs

There is a companion piece to this design I plan to post later. It may be my most favorite from the boutique collections.

Peace Rose Canvas

Canvas Peace Rose with a little photoshop. Liking the additional scrolly embellishments so I'm thinking we'll be doing it in class!

Chippylicious

My little potting area inside the gazebo. Isn't this a great old pot? Painted it a few years ago and love how the paint is chip chip chipping away. I'm posting my Turquoise outdoor tub area - check back tomorrow. You'll be apprised of changes as we go through the summer. I've knocked the grime off of things and even managed to get a nice bubble bath in! My favorite!! Anxious to get plants replaced that didn't make it through the winter- especially my big spiky Astillbe at the end of the tub!!

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.

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.

Chocolate Conversation Pit A few props CHA Somerset Home Volume 3.

In the Somerset edition you'll see many other projects from this set- this is just what I snapped really quickly and doesn't even come close to showing the other really awesome projects.


Mid point of Project for Krylon CHA. This is part of a large install for Krylon booth called a Chocolate Conversation Pit. A large seating platform with low plank seating are a part of this.
Other things like vases hanging from a garden umbrella, table runners, centerpiece and several other things were also a part of it. More of this project was featured in Somerset Home Volume 3. (cover on sidebar)

Metal placemat from Pier 1 was used as a stencil.

Loved these from Pottery Barn but Deb and I made our own.

Before example

Add after:

Pottery Barn had a similar version and loved them but they were 199. (and approx. 240.+ for the next size up.) & Don't even want to guess what shipping is. Since we have a woodstove the logs were from our wood pile.

We made these by sanding them down extensively with an electric sander & brushing with a high gloss varnish. Deb's had all the bark off. I left some of mine on and sanded that too. The log rounds could've have dried more & many would probably prefer them to be seasoned as they split if they are brought in while still "wet". But I didn't mind that and like the effect. I've also thought of adding something to the crack- maybe lead or maybe just leave it alone. Nature does what it does, that's ok with me. 'Perty sweet huh? "Pottery Barn don't have anything over this barn" lol.

Better Days You're Hallways on my mind

Two different Hearths shown here. The one just below is my latest aquisition. The other I've begun working on by enlarging the mantle top with crown molding and paint. Other paint to be added, will show you what I do later on this week. I'm planning to work on it Thursday.

And you ask me what I want this year And I try to make this kind and clear

Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings

And desire and love and empty things

Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words And sing out loud

Cuz everyone is forgiven now

Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

And it's someplace simple where we could live

And something only you can give

And thats faith and trust and peace while we're alive

And the one poor child that saved this world

And there's 10 million more who probably could

If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

So take these words

And sing out loud

Cuz everyone is forgiven now

Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

I wish everyone was loved tonight

And somehow stop this endless fight

Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words

And sing out loud

Cuz everyone is forgiven now

Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again

- Goo Goo dolls

So, now you've been introduced to my fixation with Hearths & Mantles.

Physical warmth and kindness as impetus for design makes my heart sing. I'll be adding to this hearth shown immediately above. (Hint: Goo Goo Dolls) Can't wait to show you what I'm planning to do. Be sure to check back later this week. Planning to work on it Thursday.

I love these and vintage faux log burners and just have such affection for them. I can never resist and have collected several the last few years. My husband is wondering when enough is enough. I'm planning to sell the latest one (top picture) when it's ready. It's sitting in our hallway right now (or what we like to call shipping and recieving)

My newest Cabinet Member

Love this little cabinet. I have some fun plans for it and will show you in the very near future what's to be done. But! Believe it, it will be something you've never seen before. So, excited. Can't wait for the block of time I have scheduled later this week to work on it.

Stay Tuned! Incidentally- Fun ideas are brewing with the light fixture laying there too. Coooool.