Faking Andy Worhal

So as I posted a few weeks ago, I am in the process of re doing my daughter's room.

We are doing "Geek Chic" with a side of hipster.

While gathering ideas I stumbled upon this classic Andy Worhal print.

She loved it, I did not how ever love the price plus shipping.

So this is faking Andy Worhal.

Cue in Staples and there engineering prints...ta da daaaaaa!

 

We searched the web and found an adorable picture of a different cow and sent it to Staples.

I did a 2 foot by 3 foot print.  Total cost?  3.59

 

Ok, now the hard part, kinda, not really.

I used poster paint and a small brush.

The cow green and background aqua. 

Then wipe with paper towel.  It's better to do a light coat and then go back over where needed.

 

Now the ear tag I wanted to pop out a little.  I rummaged in my daughters art supplies and found a copic marker that did the trick. 

Then I threw it in a frame I already owned. 

Art has been achieved!

Taaa- Daaaaa!

 

This is a quick sneak peak at her room. 

A Day in the life of.....

Ok, actually it was a few days, but they blend together with the same thought.

Boredom

My daughter is in Canada at camp, and my son has been working so I have a lot of time on my hands.

When I get bored, I start gluing things together.

The project below is what came out.

I had read on Pinterest that you can make large images for cheap, if you order engineering prints at Staples.  They only come in black in white and they are not picture sharp.

I thought I'd give it a try and ordered this picture on line and another one, you'll see at the end of this post.

For two 18x24 images was under five dollars.

So I glued the paper on a piece of foam core I had left over from a Dollartree excursion.

I used spray glue on the foam core and then smoothed the picture on top.

I had room left over so I started gluing on my husbands old (as in thrown away) drumsticks.

Then I threw in some coffee beans for flavor HA! get it?  flavor :D 

How more Seattle can you get?

It still didn't work on the wall.

So I put it on another wall. 

I kinda liked it but, I like my orange frame better.

Oops sorry random picture.  It's a "vanilla bean cheesecake with chocolate crust and salted carmel topping.  Insert drool here. 

Dang, another random picture, but I did finally capture Kiki in his bed. 

Ok back to the picture without a wall.

I found a frame that was on my mantle....empty....just kinda sitting there staring at me and my dillema.

I got re-inspired and added a little typography on thar 

The frame was happy to oblige me and made my free art complete.

I think NOW it is working.  Maybe....

I will post another picture when that side of the room is complete.

And of course the final picture. 

Yes, I have not painted my mantle yet.

I am bogged down by the little things I have to do before I can actually do that.

I wish I had a intern to do all the lacky stuff so I can finish up these projects.

But on the great note, my knee is finally healed and I am able to do stuff.

Whoooo hoooo.

mixed media

So I was inspired a few weeks back.

This was my original idea.

It was inspired by a much loved short movie called "The Red Balloon"

When I was a child they play it in school for us.

Having found the movie again and being just as emotional as I was as a child.

I was reflecting on why.

It was simple, we all want a friend.

One that is big and red and floats around and only comes to you and not everyone just makes it better.

I kinda liked my original piece but wanted to do more, actually do more beyond my ability.

So I cut out the part I did like and decided to do a mix medium. 

What I truly wanted to do was draw something like this.

Or paint it with such perfection it alone would make you weep.

Then I came back to reality and decided to do what I can.

Found a piece of wood that I am not really sure what it use to be or where it came from.

Threw some paint on it (blue) and then added layers of different blue to go along the grain.

Then I used some powdered 24kt gold mixed in with some gold paint. 

Then I brought in some ModPodge and sealed it up. 

put a string on the balloon.

and Ta-Da!!

Stay gold pony-boy!

Now I'm mixing my movies.

But I don't even live in a cabin!!

If I did then I could truly claim "cabin fever"

I have been sitting here on my cushion being bored.

So I made some baby hats.

Then I got bored of that and then something odd happened.

It snowed!!!!

Yes, I live in the north but we really don't get snow in this area. 

My monkey-tail tree was NOT liking it.

The reason the whole sitting on my cushion thing started was this.

No, not the pale skin or chubby legs.  The knee, it really doesn't always look like that.

Christmas Eve I stepped out side and stepped on either a slug or decomposing leaf.

My body not know what to do and my feet not listening ended myself in some dysfunctional middle-aged cheerleader split.

I actually got up and was more concerned with the extreme pain of being bent like a wishbone. 

A week or so later things were different.  I got worse, until I finally went to the doctors.

I had tore the ligament in my knee and it was cushion sitting for a few months.

The crutches I had been using to pretend I was able to do stuff was left as mere cat pokers.

We were covered in a blanket of ice and snow. 

Gauuuuuuugh!!!!!

My living room had come to a halt.

I was now cushion to a fat cat! 

And then to top that off, the kitten decided to go into heat.

The one really good thing, was no school so I was not alone in my misery!

And they were a big help doing stuff for me, even when I was Miss Grumpy Pants.

Oh, and get this,....they were making a movie, here, in this little town.

They had try outs for extras and guess who got a part??

My son the zombie!!! 

Ok, he's not a zombie, he's infected.

The name of the movie is "The Inevitable" and he had a lot of fun chasing people around the streets of our little town.  I hope by some odd twist of fate it is huge.

So in my bored, caged up, and no where to go even if I could, mentality.

I started a project. 

I remembered I bought this awesome fabric at Ikea for under a dollar a yard.

Then on Pinterest I found this roll-up bed thingy made out of pillows.

I had some old pillows and took the cushion (that's just the word for the day) out and used it for padding.

Now all I have to do is sew it together.

Add some ribbons to one end, so it can be rolled up and tied when not in used 

Now to find someone to bring up my sewing machine and clean off the dining room table.

Hmmmmm who can I find.....hmmmm 

Hahahhaah poor baby girl has been my legs for the past few weeks.

On a random note, kinda,...is it ever really random when you're a female?

Have you ever seen the movie "The Red Balloon"? no?  well click here

When I was a child, they played it in our school and I have loved balloons ever since.

I really do think this short movie is what started America's love affair with everything balloon.

Well I found the movie again on Netflix and laughed and cried again as I did as a child.

Do we all not want a friend that is amazing and will stick with us and defend?

The fact that it's a big, round, red balloon should not change the closeness you feel.

Sigh, ok it should unless it's the balloon from this movie.

Looking closer at the movie, it really does represent a piece of my heart.  Even as a child.

So I am making a piece of art to represent the balloon and it's trials.

Unfinished  Taaaa-Daaaaa 

Don't laugh, it's not finished yet.

Crayola out of the box

Alas Pinterest, I have become such a copycat, all in thanks to you.

So many ideas, so many things I want to do.  Now that I have time I find myself creating things for people I haven't met yet.

Ok sooooo the melted crayon art is soooo cool.  I love it!  Then when I was re-organizing my craft room I found multi packs of crayons.   You just know what is coming next!

Although I did my spin on it.  By adding duck tape (of course) on the sides and a cute bird house on the bottom.

This is where I really wish I had a heat gun.

  Melting the crayons with a blow dryer made it all blown looky.

I still feel like I need to add something to it.  Flowers?  Raindrops?  Fog...

I just really don't know but I thought I'd throw it out there and be open for suggestions.

Anyone?

The cost was FREE, just the stuff I had around.

Ok, I finally put my big girl panties on and just went and did something.  It's been sitting down there unfinished for weeks.  I have made a pledge (to myself, didn't want to drag someone into this, they may hold me to my word) to finish what I started before I start something else.

So getting off my butt and doing it TAADAAAAA!!!!

I went back over it with more crayon but this time it was through my cheap dollar store hot glue gun.

It really smoothed it out and I was able to be more precise with my melting.  I also added cut out flower splotches thingies.  It brought a lightness and drifting to it, that I was hoping for.

You know what the best part of finishing this up is?  Being done is good, freeing up more room is better but the best is I got to spend time with my daughter the whole time.  She was finishing up a painting too.

Look to the left, isn't it cute?  She has so much more talent than I had at that age. 

All in all it was a good Saturday.  :)

Really Cheap Art

This is a discarded Ikea Lacks table top.  Actually there's two of them.  The were abandoned outside my local Restore.  So love when that happens!!

I thought it would make a totally awesome outdoor canvas and if I screw up, who cares it was free.

Have I told you free is my favorite number?

To convert it to said art d' object, you need wire and staples.  I suppose I could screw in eye screws but I'm into simple.   

See?  A couple of staples and pounded in with a hammer and instant hanger. 

Then I just painted a simple poppy. and added grey squiggle's to tie in grey...dang how do you spell grey anyway?  is it grey or gray?

So I didn't prime it  or anything wanted to use the black for shadows.

tada

The tada would of been bigger but I am never impressed with my art work. 

Ok next up is this funky framed cloth thing I found at a thrift store for 5 bucks.

I think it might of been silk screened but I'm not sure.  I just really loved the colors and knew it would work for the patio redo. 

The major problem was, the dirt, mold spots, and some one writing on it with what appears to be a sharpie.

Poor neglected, abused art :(  it needed to come home and be loved.  It even liked me very much, it said so.

So I pulled out my duck tape and paint and even a few sharpies.

TAAAADAAAA! 

It is looking so much better.  I hope this encourages you to bring home neglected art and love it. 

The patio now has  theme, it called fun and enjoyment.

new painted stuff!!!,.....well kinda new

This is more stuff I painted.  I have been trying to reduce my art center clutter and have stumbled across projects I haven't completed.  Case in point- canvas shoes and canvas handbag.  I had grand delusions of selling them on Etsy but selling things on Etsy isn't as easy as I thought it would be.I will try again!!  Sound the alarm!!! Do do doooooooooo!!!   So anyway I'll let you know the best way to do this.  Just in case you want to jazz up a pair of shoes.   First, stick with simple.  Find a design you like and then use fabric markers.  They won't wash off.  Draw an outline and then paint with fabric paint and a paint brush.I have always loved to paint and this is something that is useful as well as pretty.  Plus fabric paint is CHEAP!!!  Which is another thing I love :) 

Also ~hint~ fabric markers help to clean up your lines when you're done painting.

If you make one send me a pic I'd love to see.

Emo tree in my guestroom

This is the "emo tree" as my kids have named it, in the guestroom. It is the smallest room in the house with one window. In my desire to have it more welcoming and delusions of making it seem better. I painted a monochromatic bare tree. In hindsight, I still love the tree, but it does feel dark and moody. Maybe the color choice is too cold. It was fun and I had other whimsical things in the room that balance the dark out. I am posting this because it is fixing to be covered with a Floridian landscape. My mom is going to be moving in with us and I want her to feel welcome and with a touch of her old home. I know it's a hard transfer from Florida to Washington so I'm hoping to bring the sun into her room. I will post pics after the transformation.