House of Style/Style of House

It's been a long time since I've typed an art blog. Thanks, pandemic for getting me back to doing some creative pursuits at home!  

I've just dabbled in a few things lately, and I actually have to think about what I want to get into since just about all of my art materials are in mini-storage now.  Currently, I'm painting a "Wash Hands" sign and next will paint a "Mask Up" sign.  Truth be told, I had ordered one from a local shop to find out that it was a photo of a regionally famous artists painting printed on a plastic signboard.  I returned it and decided to paint my own with acrylics on canvases.  

During all this extra time at home, the fam and I have been preparing for a move. The hubs' place will finally get relisted on the housing market before the end of the month.  It's been getting a facelift over the summer and looks great!  We've been starting to address repairs at my place where we live and will focus more on it once the place in Scott is officially up for sale. Once both places are listed, we can finally and seriously look for a new home.  

We will buy a house rather than another townhouse/condo.  I've been pinning room ideas and housing styles on Pinterest for a good while now, but for whatever reason, I think it's time to make a physical vision board.  Again, spending more time at home has allowed me to go through my collection of magazines from the last few years.  I'll make a collage and put the main ideas of what I want to have in our new home on the board.  Lots of windows (natural light), a fireplace (not a deal-breaker, but definitely a plus), at least 2.5 half bathrooms (master with a double sink, one for our daughter, half for guests), a kitchen at least three times of the size the tiny galley we have now, and a fenced-in backyard are the first items that come to mind.  

Many years ago when I worked in retail, I began my furniture and decor collections.  They lived in mini-storage until I bought my current abode.  When I was single, I loved the randomness of it all.  I still am not a fan of matching sets, but I do see the value of having more of a certain vibe or style happening throughout the home.  I've taken some style quizzes and don't agree with the results; however, what seems to have become a pet peeve of mine is "farmhouse".  I can't tell you why.  I even have some decor items that are exactly that style, but I want to either make them fit into a beach theme (very possible) or get rid of them altogether.  

It's refreshing to see that I'm honing in on what I really want and like as far as a floor plan and decor go.  It also seems like the hubs and I agree more and more on those things, too, which obviously is a good thing.  Here's a toast to the progress that we are slowly but surely making on this journey as a family - cheers!

It's Finally Fall!

My favorite time of year is finally here!  Fall officially starts today, and remarkably, we even have cooler, fall-like temps to match! 

I recently discovered that my sister-in-law is driving along the exact creative path I thought I would be after having my daughter.  I guess her daughter/my niece inspired her to nurture her writing and become a successful blogger with paid ads and all.  She's also got a lot to say, which I'm finding lately, that I don't.  It's not that I'm too busy (anymore, thankfully), but I just haven't had much creative drive lately.  Anyway, that's brought me to this post. 

What do I love most about fall?  Not only the cooler weather - which as you probably know if you're a southerner, we don't always get quite yet - but dressing for it!  I've become known at work for my fashion sense, which is kind of amusing since one of my best friends and former college roommates used to tease me about it all the time.  She even threatened to put me on What Not to Wear!  I'll admit, I've come a long way since then. 

I'm a reference librarian and I love the look I'll call librarian chic.  It's professional and fun, and allows plenty of room for using accessories.  I own at least 17 scarves (I know this because I just bought at scarf holder from Amazon to help me organize them and create space in a dresser drawer); I have at least 6 jewelry boxes full of costume jewelry, which my husband is baffled by; and I've been trying to introduce colors other than grey, black, or blue to my closet.  Lately, I've been getting more prints, and some pink, and red.  Green is harder to find, but I'm continuing to look. 

The ladies at my daughter's school all compliment her style, too, which I totally take credit for.  Not that I buy all of her clothes, but the look I've set out to make hers has caught on, so friends and family who buy her outfits know what's acceptable (no huge bows, no ruffled leg pants, no wild patterns; Gymboree and Carter's threads are my faves). 

So while I'm not creating some masterpieces in the ways of painting, sculpting, or photographing, I have discovered that I have greater appreciation for my career now because I am a mother.  I think my daughter will think it's cool that her mom is a librarian.  While she's young, because I'll bring home all the pretty new picture books for her, and when she's older because I'll have an "in" for school project research and college prep.  And while it's no where near the avenue or level of creativity I thought would be inspired by motherhood, playing fashionista/accessory goddess (or whatever else my husband and co-workers are calling me in that realm) is pretty fun for now for me by myself and with our daughter.  I'll take creativity and innovation wherever I can find it!

mixing patterns is fun!

Art Events for 2014

I hope you all have been enjoying this holiday season!  It has certainly been a special one for us.

In past posts, I've written about what it means to be an artist, to enter art festivals, markets, and starting my own art business.  Well, here are two goals I'm setting for myself for the new year:

Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum's Nautical Arts Market
April 5th, 2014

10:00 am- 4:00 pm
Deadline: February 28, 2014

The Maritime Museum is accepting applications from artists working in nautical/ maritime or historic craft themes for the ‘Nautical Arts Market’, a component of ‘Show and Tell’, a free event featuring art, a fishing equipment swap meet, a maritime creative writing contest and a ‘Fishing Tales Stage’ for storytellers  to publically stretch the truth about ‘The One that Got Away’.

Selected artists will be showing and selling work ranging from paintings to sculpture to jewelry to handmade lace during the event.

¨The Maritime Museum Arts Market indoor spaces are 10’ x 10’.
¨Booth Rental fee is $50
¨Supplying tables, display fixtures, and/or walls are the responsibility of the artist or vendor.
¨$15 non-refundable application fee will be deducted from rental fee for all selected artists. Do not send booth rental fee until accepted into the Arts Market.
¨Selected artists will be notified via email by March 7, 2014
¨Selected artists and their works will be featured on our website, Facebook, newsletter and in all press related materials for ‘Show and Tell’.
¨Artists are responsible for all sales. LPBMM does not take commission.

And this event at the Pitot House next December.  Hopefully, I don't make excuses and get myself out there this time!  Both events are affordable to enter, so even if I only sell one piece, it will be worth it.  Plus, maybe baby can even come sit with me at each event.  Speaking of baby, check out my other blogging adventures here and here.  Both let me continue to be creative while using a slightly different part of my brain. 

Iron-on fun with onesies this morning!  The bedazzled one is more challenging than you'd think!