Framing it up.

Thanks for all the comments on that last post.  Rest assured, I didn't eat the Multi Medium but I came awful close a couple of times.  Not sure why I didn't move the yogurt after the first time.  I am going to guess there was no room on the desk to move it to.  Very likely.

I was in Michaels (once again) last Friday and came across this.  A frame that will fit the quote from last week.  I figured the stand will not be in until April and I wanted the quote up now, so this will work.  The frame is part of a "basics" line so it was only $7.99 and I am sure you can use a coupon on it.

Since my printer only prints 8 1/2 x 11" I cut the printed quote so that it would "float" on a larger background. 

Like this.
All I did was cut a piece of heavy watercolor paper to fit the frame and center the quote I printed on light blue paper.  Super simple.

This shelf is to the right of my desktop computer.  A perfect place to see it every day.  This wall is ever changing...with the season, my mood, a special gift or purchase, you name it and it makes an appearance on the wall.  I bought the shelf at Pottery Barn a few years ago which serves as a great place to just lean a pictures against the wall for a time. 

I am obsessed with chalk letters.  I bought these at Farm Chicks last June.  It was actually 4 bags of letters that I use to spell different things.  When the letter/numbers are in their original state they have sharp metal pins jutting out from the back so they could be put into an advertising board.  These letters had the pins clipped off, yet there is just enough of the pin left to be able to push them right into the wall and have them stay.  lucky me.

The metal typewriter piece came from Farm Chicks too.  Love the typography in gold on the black painted metal.

I added some old salt shakers full of mother of pearl buttons and photo of my mom and I, taken  outside a summer rental cottage at Avila Beach.

My favorite Cori Dantini print, "the gatherer".

A few more little pins and an old school photo (not of me, I'm not that old).

A mixed media canvas I did as a guest on Jenni Bowlins blog a while back.  I was glad I got to keep it.  And a button card send by my friend Laura...notice the logo?

Well that's what the wall looks like today.  Come back next week and it could look totally different.  But that what makes it fun.  New inspiration, new colors, on going gallery of stuff I love.

cheers for a great week!
paula

Come and See

ser-en-dip-i-ty |ˌserənˈdipitē|
noun
the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way:  
a fortunate stroke of serendipity | a series of small serendipities.

When you work in art and design, refueling is a vital part of reconnecting with good ideas and new inspiration.  I have discovered over the years that attending art inspired events such as the Farm Chicks Show in Spokane can open you up to the chance to discover new ideas about design, color, inspiration, and art. 

Home is with You

Such is the moment I walked into illustrator and artist, Cori Dantini's booth at the show (a fortunate stroke of serendipity indeed).  I fell head over heals in love with her work.  I love everything about it; from the fine detail pen work, to the vintage paper foundations as well as her brilliant use of white paint that makes every image pop.

Love it.  Love it.  Love it.

Every time I look at one of the prints I purchased I see another detail I never noticed before.  Each piece has a title and really, that was half the fun looking for a title that spoke to me or for the person I was going to give it to.

The Grand Reach

It was hard to choose what to purchase.
I knew an original was out of the question considering what I had already spent getting to the show and had already purchased that morning.  So I settled for a print, which in the end, wasn't really settling at all since I got exactly what I wanted and was able to purchase more than one (okay, four to be exact).

The Secret to Happiness

If you are interested in seeing more of Cori's art or purchasing some ( I use the word "some" because it is almost impossible to buy only one of her prints) she has an Etsy shop here.  (My apologies girls...Cori shop is not open until July 10 due to her being away at 2 art fairs in Montana and Denver)

Cori also sells the white mats that fit her prints here.  If you purchase a mat she will add the title and signature.  It just finishes it off and you will be ready to pop it into a 12 x 12" or 11 x 14" frame.

 Here is the same print in a frame I picked up from Target for $12.99.  

It has found a home on a wall in my bedroom.  Just a quite little reminder to my husband.

Here are two of the other pieces I purchased at the show:
What holds you up (a gift for a new mother)
The Gatherer (this one spoke to me - for obvious reasons)
 
There is also an interesting short article on Cori's working life as an illustrator as well as more examples of her artwork on the web site "Do What You Love".
You can read it here.

cheers!
paula
ps) if you buy one of Cori's prints, I would love to know which one you get!