inspired design: bleed effect

I've been itching to paint something lately and although I really need to give my kitchen and dining nook walls a proper 2nd coat, what I really want to paint is something a little more fun, like my 2nd floor linen closet.

I really like the bleed-effect of this star on the door of Fleet's Landing Restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina. I took this photograph for inspiration about 5 years ago during vacation and it popped into my mind recently when I considered the hall closet. The whole restaurant has a very cool updated-nautical vibe and is well-known for the wall of life-preservers. Life preservers as decor? Sounds weird, looks good--trust me.

I'm thinking I might reverse the color-scheme to dark on light because the closet is in a poorly-lit hallway and could use some brightening-up. The motif could also work on a dresser I have which is already painted white. Maybe I'll just start painting partial stars all over my walls and furniture and see what works. Stars, stars, everywhere!

maeve magazine

Maeve, a new Australia-based online magazine released its first issue this month. Maeve is a magazine by and for 30 and 40-something women who: "while over the glossys of their 20's still had a hankering for something entertaining, something inspiring, something that they could identify with. Most of all, something that they would love to read."

For me, there's 2 simple ingredients to a great magazine: superb photos, and articles you want to dig into. This magazine offers both with incredible flair.

These days when glossys are folding and many people are halting their subscriptions in leu of blogs, I still miss the beautifully styled photo-shoots, expertly laid graphics and even the bold, highlighted quotes within an article that grab you and pull you in.

The kicker for me was when I noticed that Art Wall was featured as one of the editors' favorite spots on the net, just before...Dooce. I'm beyond honored and so glad I found Maeve.

tuesday's top 12: drops!

Raindrops, teardrops or just plain ole drip, drip, drip, drops--whatever you want to call them, I want to collect them. Below is my top 12 list for this charming little motif. Please enjoy.

1) Original Painting, Little Teardrop, $70.00, The Little Fox

2) Poppies and Raindrops, Lara Cameron

3) 10 Letterpress Thank You Cards, $35.00, Duet Letterpress

4) Gypsy Peacock Earrings, $18.00, Ten Things

5) Mobile Rain of Colors, $22.00, The Butter Flying

6) Late Night Mist, Original: $155.00, Print: $18.00, Gretchenmist

7) Miniature Raindrop, $19.95, ashleyg

8) Sorrows Papier Mache Drops, $24.00, Paulaegan

9) Rain Drops Collage Piece, $85.00, Bombus

10) Marimekko Pisaroi Umbrella, $40.00, FinnStyle

11) Wall Stickers, $20.00, Violet
12) Large Raindrops Original Painting, $42.00, Kipi

Inspired by...blog it forward post

Hi friends! Have you heard of Blog it Forward? The sweetest Victoria from sfgirlbybay put it together as a way to connect blog authors (I dislike the word bloggers) and, well, get inspired. Yesterday, my colleague Darrah of artcetera wrote a lovely post about what inspired her and introduced me as "next" in the chain. It was hard to come up with my list as so many thing inspire me, but I narrowed it down to 7 things that inspire more than the rest. So, without further ado:

1) This man. I always tell him I wish I could write down every word he says, he's that clever, funny, and charming--the kind of guy people want to be around. He's my sounding board, debate partner, grounder, devil's advocate, and partner in reckless dreaming. The truth is, if none of our dreams come true I'd still be the happiest girl on earth with this one by my side.

2) Creative people. I love hearing stories of folks around the world who push boundaries, do things that have never been done before and spread smiles, like Hongtao Zhou who created this furniture out of ice, right in my "back yard" so to speak in Madison, Wisconsin.

Creative classes. In my adult life, I've taken classes in: upholstery, knitting, painting, sewing, book-binding, printmaking, photography and sailing. Each one has been a small piece of the puzzle that is me. I value learning new things and think it adds so much to life. Next on my list: carpentry and gardening. (Image: The Center For Book Arts)

A clean house. Nothing clears my mind more than a tidy, organized home. Laundry:check, bed:check, dishes: check, everything else: check. Perhaps that's why my mind is always cluttered, it rarely happens :)

A perfectly curated shop. If I'm feeling uninspired, my favorite thing to do is to go to one of my favorite shops, like Scout (pictured above) in Chicago or Unearthed, locally. When I step foot in shops like this my heart beats a little faster and I am immediately happy.

Old friends. They're the best, aren't they? This picture of me with my college roommates was taken in the summer of 1995. They are: giving, creative, stylish, funny, fun, elegant, loving and amazing. They make me feel inspired because they know me so well, and everything is so easy.

New friends. What a sweet surprise it's been to make truly good friends in my new(er) city. I honestly thought the "real" ones were only found in college and before. It has been such a treat getting to know these Madison gems. I find new and amazing things about each one of them with every new conversation.

So that's my short list (I spared you the long one). Check out the list for today's other participants. Tomorrow, Art Yowza will be running with the baton. Make sure to check it out.