mama mia!

On Monday, I shared a look at my inspiration board. I thought it would be fun to show how I took some of the ideas from my board and started a new painting.

I also pulled out the movie cover for Mama Mia, because I love the colours. (I know, you hated the movie. I don't blame you. I just happen to like it. Kind of a lot.)

step 1: prime the canvas with gesso.

step 2: I pulled out all the paper, paint, crayons that are the same colours as the ones on my board (blue, pink, some red and tan)...
step 4: make a cup of Tetley. This is a very important step, especially because it matches some of the paper in the collage.
step 5: arrange papers so they cover the canvas (and look nice) then glue them down. Then open a window cause the glue smells awful!
step 6: more blue...


This tool is called a brayer- I heard about it from Kelly Rae Roberts. It basically smooshes the paint around and makes it look awesome.
step 7: adding some white: lace, writing, and paint.

step 8: add more detail with a little bit of red paint.




step 9: I don't usually put very many sparkly bits on my collages, but since my inspiration was ABBA and summer, I thought I'd add a little gold and glitter...


step 10: the (almost-)finished product! I'm still undecided about a word or quote to paint on the collage. Any suggestions?

a look at my inspiration board

I've been rearranging my art supplies and boxes of paper, and pulling out things that are inspiring me lately. I thought you might like to take a look...








Aren't you excited for summer, flip flops, sun, and lighter colours? I am...

Come back Wednesday, so I can show you how I took some of the ideas on my inspiration board and turned it into a new painting....

dream job

For the past few months, I've been looking around for a class to take on creative business. All I could find was either out of my price range or not the material I was looking for.
Cue Elsie Flannigan, from one of my favorite blogs, A Beautiful Mess. Elsie and her sister, Emma just announced their new e-course, Dream Job.
I've just finished the first section, and have already filled 5 pages in my notebook with ideas and new things I'm learning!.
The class is creative, organized and affordable... Look here for more info.

If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden*

I love that I work in the Gold Coast...where I can spend my lunch break walking around one of Chicago's nicest neighborhoods. I've been biding my time in Starbucks sipping hot beverages, waiting for it....
Folks, spring is finally here (ignore the cigarette butt in the above picture: focus on the buds!). So last week, I got outside for my first walk of the season. I bundled up and took my camera.

I thought about moving here:

I can afford $3,300/month for a 1 bedroom coach house, right?

There's something about the nice weather that makes it so much easier to enjoy living in the city...


This neighborhood feels almost fairy tale-ish. It reminds me of kid's books like Dancing Shoes, Eloise at the Plaza, or The Secret Garden...



This week, it is even more spring-y (notice how I had to mega-zoom to see the flower below last week). I hope you are enjoying the season as much as I am!

*The Secret Garden by Frances Hodson Burnett

Inspiration Friday: Kate's Apartment

A few weeks ago, I got to spend a week with my friend Kate in Dallas. I thought you might like a peek into her awesome apartment. Ready for a tour?

• Isn't this a cute way to display your books- on a windowsill.
  

• Love the view of Dallas- and sleeping next to an open window in March. :)
  

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• Don't you love the red phone and wicker coffee table?
  

• I love the way the bookcases are angled.
  

• Plaid. Couches. Don't you love them?
  

• Julia Child with a little Texas added in. We found this while browsing some shops at the Stockyards in Fort Worth.
  

• Kate has cute little containers like this for her tea, coffee filters, and utensils.
  

• Keys and a cheery apron on a hook by the front door.
  

• A friend of Kate's made this paper star out of paper from Old Navy- super clever.
  

• I love the black, white, and red.
  

• books, paper flowers, movies.
  

• More awesome paper-cleverness.
  

• a row of hooks to store purses. Rather than tossing them on your closet floor, like I do!
  

• The bathroom is all black, white, and pink. Girly, but not too girly!
  

• super sweet shower curtain.
  

• Is it just me, or does it look like Carrie Bradshaw could live here?
  

• I love that the set up is focused on conversation (and books!) rather than a TV. A super comfortable place to hang out.
  

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• Here's a little perspective on where everything is. I like how the couch divides the living room from the kitchen.
  

• I took advantage of all that vacation reading....
  

Thanks for the hospitality, Kate! Can't wait till I get to come visit again...