Colorful creativity

There are many things that I love in life. At the top of the list, or at least somewhere near the top, are bright colors, art, crafts, and things that are free. When I can combine all four of those things it is a very good day. Today was one of those days.

A few weeks ago, I worked on painting a piece of easy geometric art.  As I was painting, I thought "Surely there must be an easier way to get the same effect. I wonder what would happen if I used a bunch of paint swatches?" Unbeknownst to me at the time, that was the very same weekend that Jen at Life, Crafts, and Whatever had the exact same idea. And we weren't the only ones with this idea!  That weekend, Ellen at Creative Passage also decided to create paint chip wall art!  (Like I said earlier this year, life is full of synchronicity -- it never ceases to amaze me.)

I did not end up working on a paint chip wall art project that week because I needed supplies.  I went to Lowe's and picked out a bunch of paint chips in every color that interested me (and while my Guilt Monster tried to make me feel bad about this, I pointed out that the paint chips are being put to good use AND I need to be thinking about a new color for my bathroom, so this is acceptable -- right? So there, Guilt Monster!)

I've had the frame for a long time, a purchase I bought one day on clearance thinking that the poster I wanted to frame was 11"x17" (turns out it was 12"x18" -- whoops).  I also grabbed the ever-ready double-sided tape (my dear friend).

I used the paper in the frame as the mat on which to stick the paint chips:

Once I had a few started, I began staggering the chips, making sure to always cover the writing on the chips so it wouldn't distract from the colors.

Obviously Nora thought she could help. She chose colors by sitting on them.

It took me fewer than 20 minutes from start to finish.

The best part?  It didn't cost a thing!!

I am sharing this here:
The "newbie linky" party at Debbiedoos!

And...





A Little Lovely

Synchronicity

Last night I wrote about synchronicity and today I experienced another example.  One of the blogs that I follow, A Thoughtful Place, posted a beautiful quote. The author of this blog explained how 2010 was a pretty difficult year, but that she is thinking about following some of her dreams this year. (Perhaps that's another word for living with intention, my theme for this year and my artistic journey.)  The quote was actually something this author found on another blog, The Shabby Nest.  That author, too, expressed her sense of exhaustion from the difficult year in 2010 and her hopes and dreams for a better 2011.  Yesterday I wrote that a number of my friends decided that they were going to be intentional this year.  Most of these women feel a need to get back to their own artistic self and discover whomever that person may be and live that life intentionally, with purpose and vivacity. Ladies, this quote is for you:

"She went out a on a limb, had it break off behind her, and realized she could fly."

Kobi Yamada

I am in love...with a Silhouette machine.

I think that I will very quickly become addicted to crafts like my grandmother and great-grandmother. How can one not be when there are incredibly awesome tools like a Silhouette machine out there to make crafting even more fun?

Of course the machine and its supplies are way out of my "I'll craft it if it's under $5" budget, which is why I was thrilled to see a giveaway on Keeping It Simple, one of the crafty blogs I now follow. Fingers crossed!

Do I see a contender for Artist's Date #4?

It is quite possible that The Artist's Way is a disease.  I feel creativity spreading throughout my days and weeks. Today I stopped by the dollar store to get some batteries for Honey's BBQ lamp. While there I saw a hideous frame:

It cried out: "Please, rescue me!" But what could I do with a hideous gold frame? That's when inspiration struck. I have spray paint (always a favorite). I have fun scrapbook paper (on clearance at Michael's!). I have Mod Podge.  It was time for a mini project. Not something big enough to be considered an artist's date, but something fun.

I removed the glass and the matte from the frame. I spray painted the frame black to match the paper I chose. I then took the matte and cut strips of paper to Mod Podge along the inside:

Once I let it dry, all I had left to do was reassemble everything and choose a photo! This was my first attempt, so it wasn't as perfect as I would like, but it works and I am excited to try it again. Poor, forlorn frames, fear no longer -- I will rescue you from a life of misery!

Today's artistic endeavor inspired me to look around for other projects.  I've been looking for lamps for the family room, wanting something unique, in my price range, and "nowtro" (kind of like the 70s, but updated -- like our house). Tonight I found a tutorial for a wonderful lamp idea and I am so excited to try it!  It seems the ideas just keep coming. Yay!

UPDATE (1/28/11):
I realized that I should start offering links on my posts back to different crafty blogs where I've shared my ideas and found great new inspiration.  I've posted some "buttons" to various blogs that I love and have linked, but this is probably a better, more deliberate way of keeping track of things.  So here it goes....

You can find this project on The Shabby Nest's Frugal Friday.