CLICK THE CHICKEN QUEUE !!! SO FUN 🙂
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Hi All.
I get a daily dose of wonderful,
from the blog LEAF and TWIG, and
I just HAD TO SHARE today’s gem.
I’m thinking patience not luck,
produced this wonderful composition.
Thanks, Seedbud
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone . . . and remember,
try not to stress too much, just start something!
Later – Cheryl
We like seeing pictures on blogs … pictures … pictures … and MORE PICTURES, right!
Some of the most popular and requested items are photos of Before and After’s. Today’s post has a bit different slant to the B&A idea. You’ll see during Christmas and then the afters, the January Jazzed-Up look. See what you think.
NOTE: HOVER GALLERY PICTURES for CAPTIONS; CLICK for SLIDESHOW.
The painting stayed in place and was left as-is. Often times, I wrap my larger art pieces in holiday paper to connect them to the rest of the décor. Such as in a previous season … below.
But remember, I had a minimal look going, so didn’t cover anything here. I was just less enthused this time … OK, yah … a little lazy!
This corner shelf is always a “reader favorite”, wanting to see the newest displays there. Here are two holiday looks and the January display.
Here are some looks at the cupboard tops. It’s hard to get everything into one picture.
Holiday this past season.
The Jazzed Up look isn’t too jazzy yet. Kind of bare, but I’m still in contemplation mode.
The wall by the front door always has a display of three items.
Two during various Christmas displays and the January look.
Before I leave, did you happen to notice the new chairs in the living room? They’re “new-to-me” pieces that I found on Craigslist. Located in the south suburbs close to my son’s place, he picked them up for us. We took them home on our Christmas visit … and BIG SURPRISE … son & his lady made these our present (so no payment needed). Yay! Thanks.
This last gallery will show you the entire LR from corner to corner, beginning in the SW corner with the shelves, and going to the right and around the room. The “new” chairs are on each end of the sofa.
HEY, are you are curious about the price of those “new to me” chairs?
Say yes … say yes! (It was UNBELIEVABLY low)
Send me a reply in the comments section, and I’ll give you the low-down.
Until next post, as always, try don’t stress but get started on something.
Later – Cheryl
This original article “B4 and Afters” appeared first on Artzzle.com. No included content or photography can be used elsewhere without specific permission from said originators.
Copyright © 2013 Artzzle All Rights Reserved
Hi All.
Here’s ………….. FRIDAY.
Once again, time for Friday Features.
First, a quick update on what’s happening around Artzzle. There is a bit more work to be done on the TV tray project mentioned last week. You’ll see it soon. Artzzle is feeling tired and wants a make-over. So we’re on the search for ideas, with the goal to introduce a fresh face in January. No promises, but it would be great to launch the new year in with a new look. That’s the goal.
Friday Features are never difficult. The only hard part is deciding which three sites to use out of the many possibilities! You may be a bit surprised at my choices this week.
Photo Courtesy of GFPH blog.
GLUTEN-FREE POODLE HOME is first.
Yes, you read that right. The home is gluten-free, though not the poodles. I know that because the poodles are one of Gloria’s ceramic collections. She blogs about collecting and decorating, but could never try any great online recipes as she has CELIAC DISEASE. As a registered dietitian, she knows the scoop, so she added a section that gives some great gluten-free recipes (also great for diabetics … like me)! I also like most of them because they are EASY and you all know how I hate to cook! 🙂
C’mon now, who can resist poodles, collections and tasty food that’s easy to make?
Check her out and be sure to tell her Cheryl at Artzzle says hi! Here’s GFPH.
IMAGE Copyright © 2013 Artzzle All Rights Reserved
Next is LEAF and TWIG
Short and sweet, the title and the blog, but absolutely beautiful. My love of photography and poetry drew me to this site. At the time of publication, I had not received permission to exhibit a photo from their site, so have featured one of mine.
They introduce their page as “Where observation and imagination meet nature in poetry”. Each post greets you with a colorful nature photograph accompanied by short, elegant lines of HAIKU. My mornings begin with this post as first open. Discover LEAF and TWIG.
Photo courtesy of TSH blog
Third one is a charm … and THE SEASONED HOMEMAKER is that and more.
Leslie is a mom and grandma, who loves her home and shares many homemaking talents on the blog. Truly a woman for “all” seasons, she sews, cooks, decorates and gardens. With sewing expertise she has opened a successful Etsy shop, selling patterns for her custom designs. Always busy, Leslie is presently sharing a journey through down-sizing in a newly built home. Lots to like here. Take a look at TSH
I’ll send at least one more post before next week’s holiday.
Until next time, as always, don’t stress too much, just start something.
Later – Cheryl
This original article “Friday Features” appeared first on Artzzle.com.
No included content or photography can be used elsewhere without specific permission from said originators.
Copyright © 2013 Artzzle All Rights Reserved
At my age, I’ve done too many crafts, DIY and decor projects to ever remember them all. As I searched through HOMETALK the other day, I was reminded of a wonderful rag wreath project we did as kids. This really is one of the best crafts out there, because almost any age can do this, and the beautiful results are foolproof. Supplies are things we all have around the house, or items easily found at any Big Box store. All you need is fabric, a wire frame and scissors, and any decorations or ribblon you want to add. That’s it!
Above is my version of a rag wreath. You can use almost any fabric. As kids we used to experiment with all types of fabrics, including tulle and netting. Today’s project is a Make-Do for me as I’ve had this pretty material around for many moons. I saw it at a garage sale and knew there would be some use for it! And I’m using a wreath form that was on hand (couldn’t come up with a hanger). My form is multi-leveled so I made a double wreath, which is the same process as Claire’s HOMETALK project, with a few alterations.
Cut your fabric into strips that are approximately 6 inches long and 1 – 1 1/2 inches wide. You don’t have to be exact here so don’t worry if some are a bit bigger than that. Now all you do is tie the strips to your form. It’s best to work from the top (front) of you wreath form. On a hanger you won’t have to worry about that.
I’m using the first inside circle and the second ring from the top.
Just slip your fabric strip under the wire and then tie. You don’t need to knot it, just tie once and pull tightly. Do your next and slide it over, and so on.
Remember to have your wreath form face up (back side down) as you work.
Above we’re in progress and this is a top view.
Below shows what the back side of the wreath looks like, on the almost completed wreath.
Finally, we see again the completed wreath, sans decoration.
If you have a few random longer pieces, just give them a quick haircut.
I added some silk accents and burlap ribbon. As you can see flower stem was only $1 at my local Family Dollar store. I’ve had the ribbon for ages so can’t tell you price there. But you know I’m a frugal spender so it couldn’t have been much. You can use whatevery ribbon or trims you like.
And here is the finished product. I think it turned out quite nicely, don’t you!
I didn’t glue my decorations to the wreath. They are wired and I just slipped them through and bent the wire on the back to hold them in place.
I called this a “Wreath for All Seasons” because if you use a neutral or metallic color fabric, you can just change out your decorations for each season.
On her HOMETALK board, Claire featured a “rag wreath”. Hers is made from a different type of fabric, so you get two examples of what can be done. She’s using an old wire coat hanger for a frame. The wire hanger is a hint to how long this cute project has been around, because these days, those are hard to find! If you don’t have one, wire will work too.
Time for my project was a partial afternoon, and one evening in front of the TV. And for a one- tiered wreath, it’s even faster!
This makes a wonderful gift for a hostess, a co-worker or friend, AND kids can make them for grandparents and teachers! Finally, an easy, inexpensive teacher’s present!
Hope you liked this post. I’ll be sharing it on my HOMETALK board too.
I’m LINKING UP with Angie over at KNICK OF TIME
And I shared this with Linda over at COASTAL CHARM. Check out her place!
Thanks so much for visiting. Until next time, remember, don’t stress – just start something.
Later
-Cheryl
This original article “A Wreath for All Seasons” appeared first on Artzzle.com.
Copyright © 2013 Artzzle All Rights Reserved
No included content or photography can be used elsewhere without specific permission from said originators.
Halloween is scary fun. For most people, choosing paint colors is also scary, but not fun. Making paint color choices doesn’t have to scare you to death. All you have to do is start with a great inspiration piece. Fabrics are fantastic color aids. It could be as easy as using a favorite blouse in your closet or finding a gorgeous pattern at the fabric store.
For this article, I used two of my favorite resources, Sherwin Williams paints and FABRIC.COM At either of these, you could browse for hours for something that catches your eye. It’s just easier to begin with a fabric you like and draw colors from that. Don’t worry about what the fabric might be used for, just go for your gut feelings and those “Ooh Ahh” and “Wow” reactions to things.
You may feel like you’re back to square one, with the many colors choices in these examples. But stay calm, these are compact groups to work with, not the entire paint deck! I’m not telling you to use all of the colors at once, but just giving you a nice, narrowed down selection to look at.
Note here, that with everything done online, colors are influenced by computer settings, so it’s always best to do your final shopping with actual samples to view.
REMEMBER, each of the colors mentioned have their own variations and color strip. So once you have a favorite or two, you can find more tints and shades if you want to stay with just one color family.
Only you know what levels of color you’re comfortable with. You may feel safer using lighter colors on walls. Perhaps you have lots of windows in a room, and aren’t afraid of darker colors, either as an accent on one wall or throughout the room.
For several areas open to one another, again consider your natural lighting. You could use darker paints in bright rooms, mid-tones in less well lighted rooms, and lightest tones in darkest areas of your floor plan.
Now consider where and how you could use the fabric. For example, it could be in draperies or window treatments in one room, as chair or chair seats in another, and toss pillows or a throw in yet another connecting room. And don’t forget to give your main fabric some friends, a few coordinating fabrics.
The next example is definitely a “one room” category. At least most people wouldn’t like pink enough to use it throughout the main living areas.
This material/color scheme would be fun for a “girly girl’s” bedroom or in any gal’s dressing room or closet. I can also see it in a sewing room or a woman’s home office.
Owls are trending at the moment. The pattern below could be very cute in a nursery or child’s play room.
Another great inspiration is nature. Resources here are endless. You might find a fantastic landscape painting or photograph on line, or have some personal photos of your own that you could refer to. I’ve given you a couple of mine below.
Have fun with this post. Let me know if you have comments or questions. Email followers will have a Reply section at the bottom of this post. Online visitors can click the little bubble at the top right of the title to reply.
Thanks for visiting. If you enjoy Artzzle.com be sure to spread the word about us.
And try not to stress too much with any project, just have fun and start!
Later – Cheryl
Copyright © 2013 Artzzle All Rights Reserved
No compensation was received for mention of any products or source.
Hey everyone,
Are those Fall colors coming to play at your place yet?
Karen over at Dogs Don’t Eat Pizza started a great Tuesday Talk group, and today’s topic is about Decorating for Fall.
Give yourself a little fun time and head on over. I did 🙂
Later – Cheryl
A bit of ambition and inspiration struck yesterday, so I decided to take on a quick, make-do project. Remember, my make-do ideas are strictly no spending, no store trips. The only shopping done is shopping my house to see what I can come up with.
After making some note cards as a gift for a friend, I needed something to put them in, so the search was on. There were two decent white board boxes, but one was too small and while the perfect size, the lid on the second box was yellowed and had some small dents; not good gift material! All the available decorative bags were winter themed and that was definately out. Any gift paper found was too heavy to wrap the small box lid smoothly. I have lots of wrapping tissue, so chose three bright colors for a collage effect for the box lid.
Adults and kids alike find this a fun, easy application with beautiful results, that can be used in many ways.
The supply list is simple.
Colored tissue wrapping paper, water based glue and plain water. That’s all you need. I use either Elmer’s white glue or as in this case, Tacky glue. Both work well, but Elmer’s is a bit thinner consistency and will dry a little quicker, which is nice for this project, but not a must. Tacky was in my cabinet so that’s what I used here. If you have a flat, synthetic craft brush, it comes in handy, but plain old fingers work fine too (they’re just a little messier 🙂 ).
1. Tear your tissue into pieces sized for easy work with your object. Here we’re covering the lid of a small box so don’t want very big pieces.
2. Squeeze some glue over a section of your object, then smooth the glue over that portion, adding just a drop or two of water to make a damp glaze.
3. Lay on a piece of paper, then gently pinch at the paper to create wrinkled texture.
4. Continue until the top is well covered, then wet a side of the lid and adhere smaller sized pieces. Work them into the wet top. Leave a dry edge hanging down at the bottom of the box’s sides. DON’T wrap glue and paper into the inside of the lid.
5. Repeat until you get desired look and texture. Let dry, then carefully trim off dry edges.
TIP 1: Tear your tissue rather than cut. Jagged, natural edges are more interesting in this application.
TIP 2: Don’t use a natural bristle brush as glue is difficult to remove completely. Even with synthetic, keep your brush wet when not in use, so that glue isn’t able to dry and damage brush. Wash up with warm water and ordinary dish liquid.
TIP 3: After completed project dries, add one final coating of glue over entire surface, to give a nice sheen to your finished piece.
Finally, I lined the box with tissue, then put the envelopes, more tissue and lastly the cards. This was a set of eight note cards and I always include two extra envelopes.
An inexpensive, quick and easy project that any age will enjoy making OR receiving.
My friend Linda loved her gift!
As always, don’t stress, just start.
Later – Cheryl
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