doctored up old paintings and lauren moffatt

Did any of you check out the April issue of Lucky Magazine featuring clothing designer Lauren Moffatt's home? I received this magazine in the mail in March and I haven't stopped thinking about Miss Moffat's "doctored" paintings, aren't they darling?  She hit it on the mark with the colors and I love that she took something discarded and dated and made it fresh and so, so pretty.  I have a lot of oldish original painted art in my home but I already like it all for different reasons so I was scared to try this with anything I already owned.

I found this diamond in the rough at St. Vinnie's on Saturday.  I really liked the flowers, I think they're magnolias, but the black/red background was not doing it for me, and the leaves looked a little forest-y, so I decided to try my hand at customizing it to suit my tastes.  It was under $10 so if I flubbed it up, it would just go right back to St. Vinnies and I could call it a double donation.  I've been obsessing over the pinkish/orangish melon/coral color for the past year or so, and I've been wanting to incorporate it more into my home so I mixed up some acrylic paint and went to town.

It's definitely a step in the right direction but I'm not totally sure about it yet.  My husband is on board, he likes the color, but it might be a little too "crazy lady" I think I may need to tone it down. I also might make the leaves more chartreuse, since that color works better with the coral than this forest-y greenery.  This image from Martha Stewart might work as an inspiration.  I painted the entire black background white first before the coral, I was afraid of painting directly on the dark.  Even with those 2 steps, the whole project only took about an hour.  The different shades of coral are actually a happy accident, I kept running out of paint and each time I re-mixed it, a new and different shade appeared, but I like the depth it adds. 

Oh and by the way, I really love Lauren Moffatt's line.  Check out her presentation for Fashion Week, it's not a runway show but an installation of sorts called The Old School for Wayward Girls.  Look closely and you can see some of the paintings from Lauren's home hanging on the wall.  This video was made by Jeff Hendricks.  I was introduced to this brand in 2004 and have noticed over the last 8 years that her brand has a suuuuuuuper strong point of view, it's very vintage, pretty, detailed and feminine, with lots of muted colors and also bright colors paired with beiges and creams and pretty little prints, oh and lots of gold details like buttons and zippers.  If you're interested in her collection, you can find it on her website, and also a cutie-pie feature on her at home with her daughter Stella on the Glow here.

help for japan

A few beautiful ways to help Japan. The most simple being a text to the Red Cross, just enter: REDCROSS to 90999

The minds behind W+K studio have come up with this very cool poster to help the cause. The suggested donation is $25.00 and all proceeds go to the red cross.

One of my favorite photographers Alicia Bock has created these limited edition fine art photographs for the cause. Proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. Different sizes are different prices.

my top 12 etsy purchases to date

I was looking through the "purchases" section of my Etsy this weekend and realized that so many of the purchases I had made over the past few years were still making me happy every day. It was really hard to narrow it down but here's a list of my very favorite 12:

1) Seeing these in the nursery every day is like having a may pole or a carosel in the room, how could they not make me happy? $36.00 MyFavouriteDress

2) This guy is just so cheery and cute. Whenever I find him in the toy basket I grab him out and stick him on a shelf or stool, he deserves a showcase, don't you think? $30.00 Buttercupbloom

3) I picked these as part of my top 12 simply because I had been searching for them for so long. The $20 price tag didn't hurt, either. I painted them turquoise and hung them in my kitchen. PattisPolkaDots.

4) $30 for a giant, hand-letterpressed perfect sentiment. I own this in grey and yellow. Hijirik

5) A larger scale Alicia Bock print, perfect for my porthole frame. $50 AliciaBock

6) I know I should stick this in my daughter's room, but I'm keeping it for myself for now. $46 Neawear.

7) This sweet little bird is on display in my girl's room. Her bonnet is made of tissue paper. $25, KidsHaus

8) Can you tell I love to decorate kids' rooms? This is also a great new-baby gift, from Emilie Friday, $32.00.

9) Michele Maule is definitely a favorite, I have her Seven Wishes Screenprint ($15) and ...

10)...original mixed-media painting ($125). They're both in my entryway art wall.

11) This is one of my most recent purchases. The colors of the screenprinted hearts on this napkin are so unusual and bright, and the linen is so pretty. I'm a little sad that it's sitting in a drawer, waiting to be used for a dinner roll basket. I may need to get the tea towel and put it out on display. $14 lineacarta

12) I own two very similar original paintings by this artist and have them hanging together. $75 JKirchgraber. It looks like I've been his only customer.

So, what have been your top 12 purchases to date?

start with art, inspiration: khristian a howell's "le grand roue"

This bedroom is inspired by Khristian A. Howell's: Le Grand Roue, 20x30", $65.00. I thought it would be very romantic in the bedroom and of course I picked the largest "statement" size. If you're into something smaller, there are 3 different sizes available.

I found a beautiful headboard (#1, $750) upholstered in vintage fabric from Spruce Home in Austin on Etsy and went from there. The vibe is french industrial. It could be for a fashion-y lady but is also just masculine enough for a young couple, maybe newlyweds. The lamps (#2, $149 each) are tiled capiz from West Elm. I thought they were the perfect size. The bedding (#3 $150/set) is simple all white, and also from West Elm. The dresser (#4, $300) is from Etsy seller Painted Patina. It's a larger piece and could be used for both husband and wife. The bedside tables (#5, $168 each) are from Urban Outfitters. I love that they have wheels, and lock in place. I have always wanted a pair of upholstered benches at the foot of my bed. These X-base stools (#6, $299 each) from Wisteria in grey would be a perfect graphic statement against the white bedding. Grand total for this romantic bedroom: $2,497--including the artwork.

New work from Depuis

There's nothing that can cheer me up more on a cold gloomy day than looking at photographs of places I'd rather be.

Coney Island, 12x18" $59.00

Greetings from Nowhere Large Giclee Print, 23x17" $85.00

Ride the sky, 12x18" $59.00

Mina Georgescu of Depuis has posted some new pieces to her shop which are taking the place of my "happy lights" today. Each of these new pieces has its own unique vintage look and feel, and would make a perfect "home" gift, if even to yourself, your honey or your little one this year. Which is your favorite?

stitched artwork part 1

After peeking at Donna McKenzie's stitched blog header last week, I was poking around the web looking for other stitched artwork that caught my eye. I've been a fan of Aquarabbit (pictured directly below) for a while and have a piece of hers framed over my mantle, which I love.

I learned about of Claire Coles (pictured directly above) a while back on decor8. Claire uses vintage wallpaper to stitch new wallpaper designs that can either be hung as wallpaper or framed. Beautiful, huh? Stay tuned for more stitched artwork coming soon (my bookmark overfloweth.)

art of note by polly jones

Show me a collage and I'll show you the money. I really love this piece by Polly Jones. The colors, texture, and dictionary pages. What's really special about this pumpkin is that there are only splashes of orange in it, mixed with mostly greens and the book pages. This is Polly's first dive into the collage pool. I'd say it's a 10.0. If you're not a fan of collage, Polly also has a painted pumpkin here, minus the dictionary pages.

tuesday's top 12: hot air balloon

This week's top 12 is inspired by a sweet summer memory from my childhood. Every year around the 4th of July it was a special treat to see the "Garcia's Pizza Hot Air Balloon" flying high above my hometown: the original flying tomato. Here's my list of top 12 hot air balloon inspired finds inspired by that memory:

1) Royal Aero Model Balloon. So cute in the corner of a nursery or screened porch.

2) Wish Lanterns. I saw these in real-life this weekend at my brother-in-law's wedding. So, so beautiful.

3) Original Goodbye ACEO, $35.00, PainterNik

4) Hot Air Balloon Limited Edition Screen Print, $40.00, Jen Skelley

5) Original Mixed Media Painting on Vintage Bubble Oval Frame, $250.00, LuciaJohnson

6) Hot Air Balloon "Hello" Cards, set of 4, $6.00, paperinstyle

7) Handmade Tile Coaster Set, $13.00, littlecoastergnome

8) Balloon and Flowers Art Card, $1.50, twoguitars

9) Hot Air Balloon Screenprint, $20.00, bangbangyourethread

10) Pink Roses, Giraffe and Hot Air Balloon Print, $10.00, BlackBaroque

11) Fly Away With Me Card, $5.50, bybelinda

12) Hot Air Balloon Invitation, $1.50, SpillingBeans

Shop for the Gulf

Hi there. How was your weekend? I spent my days doing mommy-daughter things (my husband was on a boys weekend) and generally enjoying my sweet P. in her two-year-old glory. Her naps and my nights were devoted to working on the New Art Wall page: the porch. You may or may not have noticed that it didn't go up today. I'm waiting on a few things from the artists before I can hit "publish." Hopefully, next Monday will be a go.

I also found this "Help the Gulf Coast" shop this weekend. I don't usually talk about anything sad, gloomy or bad on this blog, but helping to raise funds seemed important enough to do so.

I've hardly been able to bring myself to listen to or read about this oil spill for fear my heart would break in two, but this weekend it snuck up on me--into my eyes and ears and right down to my heart in a very heavy way. There's a very different feeling for me with this disater. Different than Katrina, Haiti, the Tsunami or any other crazy natural disaster we've had in the last decade. This one brings with it a tremendous personal guilt because it is man-made, and although I didn't have anything to do with the drilling or the leak itself, I am still pumping my cars with gas every week and, well, it's just a different kind of sad this time around.

This shop was put together to help the coast recover from the massive spill. Each seller has donated their items so that 100% of the porceeds, minus nominal fees, will be donated. Half will go to the Oxfam America, and the other half will go to the American Bird Conservancy. I've featured a few of my favorites from the shop. From top left: 1) Alicia Bock 2) Freshie and Zero 3) Plasticpumpkin 4) Photosbychipperfield 5) HeyHarriett 6) Amy Perrotti

If you sell something, and you're interested in donating an item for this shop, check out the donation guidelines.

For other ways you can help the coast, click here.

if drawings were photographs

This is not really news to anyone who follows the It's Nice That online platform--the group's first ever zine: If Drawings Were Photographs was published in November of last year, and is already out of stock. I recently came across it and loved it too much not to share.

The concept is simple but so fun and unique: Tom came up with drawings and Rob turned them into photographs. A little reverse-construction. Clever, no? I'd love to see this concept evolve into other illustrators' work. Which ones would you like to see on film?

tuesday's top 12: triangles

Do you have a favorite shape? Until recently, I would have given the circle my best marks. I've been noticing a lot of triangles around recently and I think it might be my new shape of choice. Here's 12 super-duper examples:

1) We Make Sense Poster, $12, Bubbo

2) Yellow and Brown Felt Garland, $20, Littleseeta

3) Primary Triangle Organic Cotton Unisex Tee, $25.00,

4) Multicolored Flag Necklace Camo, $65.00, Scoutholiday

5) Modern Art Print-Triangle, $10.00, AcquiredDesign

6) La Fete Pillow Cover Ciel, $35.00, Hazel and Hunter

7) Wonder No. 2 Limited Edition Fine Art Photograph, $150.00, Roadside Photographs

8) Triangles Pillow Cover, BeStillShop

9) Magnetic Wall Art Shapes Set, $34.00 AU, HJRD Design

10) Unisex Triangles on Semi-Sustainable Unisex Crew, $28.00, Jessalinb

11) White Mountain Fine Art Print, $30.00, Brandi Strickland

12) A Perfect Love Triangle, $24.00, Every Eskimo

new online magazine: rojo garabato

Rojo Garabato is an online magazine created by two women in Spain. Rojo, a graphic designer, is the editor-in-chief and art director. Garabato, also a graphic designer, is in charge of art consulting and support. Together the two have put together a very eclectic mix of artists, illustrators and photographers in their 76 page premiere issue.
You may recognize the artwork of Annamaria Potamiti from Art Wall's Bedroom. Annamaria's work along with her artist's statement and background are featured in a beautiful spread from pages 30-37.

I also enjoyed finding new some new favorites, artist: Mia Christopher who is interviewed starting on page 14, and photographer: Jessica Tremp, featured on pages 46-55.

All images were found via Rojo Garabato and are copyright the respective artists.

inspirational prints and posters-my top 10

Do you have a special saying that you claim as your mantra or motto? It's no secret that posters and prints with these types of slogans are blowing up in the handmade marketplaces lately. My little motto to keep me going is, well: "Keep Going." I haven't found it in printed form yet, so here are a few of my favorite inspirational sayings from around the net: (from top left)

1) Everything Happens for a Reason, $18.00, The Love Shop

2) Set of 4 Inspiration Screenprints, $29.00, Jess Gonacha Swift

3) Let the Sun Shine In Screenprint, $28.00, Slide Sideways

4) Keep Calm and Carry On Poster, $23.00, sfgirlbybay

5) Bake Do and Blend Screenprint, around $30.00 US, Love Little

6) Follow Your Bliss Letterpress Print, $20.00, Lot9Press

7) Love Will Save the Day Poster Print, $20.00, Fieldtrip

8) You + Me Print, $20.00, Ameliamae

9) Live What You Love Letterpress Print, $20.00, Hijirik

10) Think Happy. Be Happy. Print $18.00, The Love Shop

pretty+funny=perfect

Isn't this just the sweetest? My darling friend (and favorite former roommate) Elizabeth McNaughton Sprague took it while out and about in LA's Chinatown. It's currently awaiting a frame before being proudly placed in my baby girl's bedroom.

Lizzie is a lady of many talents--one obviously being photography. She went to Art School in Indianapolis (Herron) before moving to Chicago to live with me and study acting and improv. She's one of my favorite people in the world, and if you feel like a little chuckle, check out her Lorna and Open Show videos on youtube. They are sure to bring some "funny" to your day to add to the "pretty" already offered above.

other greats from christmas 2009

Here's a few more greats from Christmas 2009. This is a painting my sister-in-law Danielle made for us. Isn't it interesting? Dani was an art teacher before she retired to raise her own burgeoning artists. She doesn't have an online shop yet but I'm pushing it. Another favorite from this year is the Raggedy Ann doll my husband's 85-year-old Grandmother made for my girl. It's nearly as big as she is and every part was hand-assembled. My sweet P will have it the rest of her life, I'm sure.

Speaking of my husband's grandmother, she stole the show with her gift-giving this year. The best was her present to my previously mentioned sister-in-law, Danielle. She had a small, elegantly wrapped box that was presented to Dani with a speech about how she had waited and waited for the right moment to pass down this sentimental heirloom. Dani welled up--as did many of us-- as she opened the box with care to find a perfectly-preserved Christmas G-string inside! She got Dani back after "Santa" special-delivered the same pair to her last Christmas Eve, she had been plotting her revenge ever since. Bravo, kudos, and high-fives, Norma!

art/craft exchange

Remember the art/craft exchange I decided to take part in? Well I've got my first prize and I couldn't be more excited! A beautiful orange scarf came in the mail last weekend, when it was cold, cold, cold. I swear I'm not just saying this, but orange scarfs are my absolute favorite. I'm almost always wearing one. In fact, if I remember correctly, I think this facet of my wardrobe was even a part of my Paper Source bio way back when... something about finding me "out and about town, wearing an orange scarf." It still rings true. Thanks ever so much much to Nadia for her sweet words and special gift.