Lovely snapdragons and such

I know I'm constantly singing the praises of Trader Joe's, but there's a reason for that. One big reason (besides their wonderful pretzel bread) are the gorgeous flowers. Every time I go there, I find a new selection to choose from. I've gotten everything from irises to carnations, and have never been dissatisfied with the quality. Plus the prices are great—these snapdragons were $5.59 per bunch (I have a bunch of white and a bunch of pink here). Most of the flowers run around $5 a bunch, and even the pricier ones, like lilies, are still a deal at $7 and some change per bunch.



And yes, that's this print...



...in the background on my living room wall. I love looking at its pretty colors whenever I walk in the room.



And I just finished placing an order at Michael's for this print (above) to be custom framed as well. It's going to look like this.



It's an odd size and large, so unfortunately I can't just grab a frame and mat off the shelf and do it up nicely.



These lilies were on my display table for over a week, but were starting to lose petals, hence the purchase of the snapdragons. But then I realized there were a few flowers that hadn't opened yet and the lilies had some more life in them, so I just swapped the lilies over to the tv stand, and the snapdragons to the display table.



And of course these mums were on the tv stand, so they had to move upstairs to our bedroom. Pete probably wonders why I've gone so flower crazy, but they're cheap and pretty and I have lots o' vases for them.



But I couldn't resist this pretty iridescent vase from Target. The color in the very first photo in this post is more accurate. It's normally a $40 vase (which I would never spend on a vase like this) but it was marked down to $9.98. Quite a bargain, eh? And the custom framing job on the black and white image was half off. Oh yes, I am forever finding great deals on the clearance shelves at various stores, as well as having become a coupon-weilding fiend!

Letters as art

I've been decorating my pad during the last several weeks, and I was trying to think of other ideas for art that I can display on my walls. I'm not partial to quotes or sayings on walls, but I do like single words or even just letters. The above image really captured my attention, with the letters in different fonts, colors, and sizes, and randomly arranged too. I think this would make a fabulous presentation as an almost mosaic-like work of art.

Now I just have to start collecting letters....

(Image from Livingetc.com)

"Weeki Wachee Spring, Florida" by Toni Frissell

I was browsing through the selection at Allposters.com (hey, they keep sending me all these coupons) and was particularly interested in black and white photography. I happened to stumble upon this image by Toni Frissell called "Weeki Wachee Spring, Florida," and was instantly captivated.


Toni Frissell

There is something very surreal and ethereal about the image, reminding me of murky yet vivid dreams. I think it would look great on the wall next to our bed, or over the entertainment center in the living room, simply framed in black and matted in white. Sometimes I think I have so much color in my house that I need to have a block of black and white every so often, and this image is absolutely perfect for that.

Not only do I adore it, but it certainly invites thought and comment about it. I'm not usually one of those people that buy mass-produced prints. Well, I do, if I really love something and it's unique and original, and I think this falls under that category. I just think it's so gorgeous.

Framed handmade paper

I saved the beautiful handmade paper that wrapped the shower gift from Georgia last summer, always intending to do something with it. Last weekend I decided to go ahead and frame it as a little work of art, since it's truly gorgeous and deserves to be preserved. I think it turned out nicely, although I'd like to get a nicer frame someday when I have a little more money to spend. It looks great in my house, and it reminds me of Georgia and our summer of wedded bliss last year.

Happy

I find myself in a really positive state of mind lately, and it's odd, but extremely nice. Kind of like a new dress that you can't wait to wear and like to dance around in, yet it feels new and alien and different than the "normal" you. I take the utmost joy in picking flowers in my backyard, savoring the taste of a chocolate bar, snuggling in some freshly-laundered linens, and having a great conversation with someone. That's how relaxed and just plain happy I feel these days.

I also think it's odd that I'm so happy now that I'm unemployed, but I think it's because I've been slowly finding my way down a few new paths, as well as because I'm away from an extremely stressful and depressing job. The children's book writer and illustrator seminar I went to on Saturday really opened my eyes and heart. She emphasized how an artist should always have a place in their home to create, and how they shouldn't apologize for what they are or what they see or what they make. She encouraged us to go for our dreams and just try. If the work doesn't come to you, then make your own work. I was so excited when I called Pete to tell him all about it. The teacher was wonderful, and she filled me with so much hope and potential. I feel like I can pursue my love of illustration, photography, and children's literature during a time when I would have been stuck in a bad job, doing something I cared little for, and not getting anywhere. When I think of my life a few months ago, I shudder at all the misery. Not that unemployment is a cake walk, but I didn't realize how utterly miserable I was before, and I guess it takes being truly happy to realize how unhappy you once were.

On the same day as my seminar, I also found out I'm getting another freelance project at the end of the month from my usual client. This fills me with so much joy and excitement. I'm hoping to carry that energy into new pursuits, new freelance contacts, and new projects. And I guess a lot of the enthusiasm comes from the continued remodeling of my home, which has been a long time coming. I'm actually able to walk around in my kitchen, to open my sliding screen door, to turn on my porch light and see who's at the door, all things I couldn't do only a matter of a week ago. You tend to take such mundane things for granted, but when they're not there, boy, do you feel the effects. When home is pretty and cozy and happy, so am I.

Thoughts of the future come to mind, things I'll be doing during the next six months, year, five years, and so on. The growth of my family, hobbies, work, and marriage...life seems so full of purpose and potential that I can hardly contain myself. I'm thrilled to be getting in touch with my long-postponed artistic career, and thoroughly enjoy puttering around my house, fixing things, finding great flea market finds, and relaxing with my animals.

I think this pretty dress suits me just fine.

John Clark: pen and ink in words and images

Love these bold and powerful portraits? Well, you're not alone. The work of gifted artist John Clark is featured in the November issue of Domino, along with other rather talented portrait artists. Upon first view I was blown away by his sheer talent and imagination, and I loved his fresh take on the traditional portrait. Clark takes random pages from books and draws portraits right over the words, leaving key phrases highlighted. His style is very graphic and minimalist, yet I think there is an element of whimsy and the tongue-in-cheek in his work. And you can request a custom portrait, too, which would be insanely cool to have or to give. Check out his Etsy shop and see for yourself.

(Images courtesy of John Clark)

Digital art by John W. Golden: Vintage techniques made modern

I love the work of John W. Golden and its quirky mix of vintage and modern. I own several of the dog prints (but no cats yet), plus a bird print I won during one of his promotions (check out the entire collage series). This Vespa print is fabulous (the closest I will probably get to having one) and I love his series of "By Order of Management" signs. I think I should put this one in my kitchen. And I looooove the Polaroid image too. Isn't that so fun?