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All posts in category Put a Little Art in Your Heart

Home made art.

Think Green!

We’re teetering on the edge of spring here in Montana.  Just a few weeks ago we had sunny filled skies and near 70 degree temperatures.  So far this week (and most of last) we’re lucky to reach the 40′s while the snow falls.  Welcome to Montana, I suppose.  Minnesota and Wisconsin folks, I feel for you.  In an effort to usher spring sooner than later, I’m adding fresh green to our house.  The more, the merrier, starting with this mint, cream, and emerald-green color block pillow from Jillian Rene Decor.

Jillian-Rene-Decor-Spring-Pillow

Jillian was sweet enough to make me a custom pillow.  So wonderful and perfect.  Everything in her shop is so great, so check it out.  Next to the sofa, I’m trying to green up my thumb with a grass-like succulent and a few clay critters.

Succulent-Spring-Plant

More greenery on the mantel, this time a planter from Wal-Mart with two bunches of fake succulents.

Green-Planter-on-Mantle

And finally, my newest art obsession, right in my home; “Heavenly” by Annie Bailey of MT Photo Journal.

MT-Photo-Journal-Art

Annie lives in Montana and takes beautiful photos of our state.  Most Montana photography is wildlife, not my style.  Or taken in Glacier National Park or some other mountain area.  Which is pretty, don’t get me wrong.  To me, that’s not what Montana is really about.  This is Big Sky Country after all.

MT-Photo-Journal-Art-Toward-Fireplace

(Ignore the unfinished ceiling, please)  Annie captures the essence of Montana, with interesting compositions and vivid colors.

MT-Photo-Journal-Art-from-Back-Door

Immediately upon opening the package, I popped it in this cheap frame.  Soon, hopefully, I’ll convince Ben to make me a beautiful wooden frame, but I can admire this lovely until then.

MT-Photo-Journal-Art-Toward-Kitchen

So there you have it, two of my favorite Etsy shops.  Now, let’s get to spring, shall we?  Any new art you’re loving lately?

10 Comments
by Our Humble Abode on April 24, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Etsy Favs, Family Room, Our Mountain House, Put a Little Art in Your Heart, Seasonal & Holiday Decorating

Posted by Our Humble Abode on April 24, 2013

http://ourhumbleabodeblog.com/2013/04/24/think-green/

Stellar Embroiderery

Constellations.  They’re just so…cool.  In elementary school, we had a special week with the Star Lab, a big, inflatable dome with a star projector.  It was awesome.  And who doesn’t like star-gazing?  That’s what I thought.  So, I made two stellar embroidered art pieces for the boys’ bedroom.  I started by drawing a constellation map on navy fabric I bought for the guest room headboard (but didn’t use).

Embroidered-Constellation-Template

Using white embroidery floss, I made stars and connected the constellations together.  A large embroidery hoop kept my fabric tight while I worked in sections.

Embroidered-Constallations

Not sure why, but I thought this would be a relatively quick project.  I was wrong.  It took several hours to make each 16 by 20 piece.  But, it was worth it.  After stitching every star,  I stretched centered the fabric over an old canvas, then stapled it to the back, pulling tightly as I worked around.

Embroidered-Constellation-Detail

A few areas didn’t stay tight, but that’s okay.

Embroidered-Constellation-Loose-Detail

Now the boys can learn the constellations of the northern and southern hemispheres.

Embroidered-Constellation-Art

Like upside down Orion at the top, holding his bow.

Northern-Hemisphere-Constellation

And look!  There’s his lower half in the upper left corner.

Southern-Hemisphere-Constellation

Getting one small thing done always makes me want to start/finish/fix other things in a room.  Like painting the walls a solid color (popcorn, I’ll get to you one of these days!) and maybe spruce up this little hand me down play kitchen.

Embroidered-Constellations-with-Kitchen

Do you think these are stellar?  (Pun intended).  Have you recovered or repurposed old canvases?

18 Comments
by Our Humble Abode on April 19, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Boys' Bedroom, Crafts & DIY Decor, For the Kiddos, Put a Little Art in Your Heart

Posted by Our Humble Abode on April 19, 2013

http://ourhumbleabodeblog.com/2013/04/19/stellar-embroiderery/

Colorful Frames

Spring is slowly making its way to Montana.  Our weather this past week has been b.e.a.utiful, hovering in the mid sixties.  Despite the nice weather, it doesn’t look like spring…yet.  To me, nothing seems more spring-y than colorful florals and leafy greens.  I already added flowers, but splashes of green would really help.  Last time I stopped in Home Depot, I picked up a can of Rustoleum Leafy Green spray paint to use on a clock and a frame in Handy Sammy’s room.  Then I thought, “why not try it on a frame in the family room?”

Spring-Green-Frame-Over-Bar

The mat and print are neutral, so the punch of green is fun, but not overwhelming.

Spring-Green-Picture-Frame

I think a set of colorful frames filled with black and white art would be awesome.  How are you adding color to your home?  Do you have a color you can’t seem to resist lately?  Not sure if you’ve noticed, but I can’t seem to stay away from greens, of any kind.  Don’t believe me, just look at Handy Sammy’s room.  While I’m talking about his room, here’s a look at the slightly modified, rehung to cover the electrical junction boxes gallery wall:

Gallery-Wall-in-Guest-Room

Two thicker backed frames (the square feather on the left and the bird on the far right) cover the boxes completely.   The set is centered on the wall now, too.  Ahh, I love that new room look.  When I walk down the hall, I always take a few seconds to poke my head in and admire the complete-ness.  Okay, I’m off to spend more time with the fam, possibly including a round of mini golf.  Maybe even some landscaping.  

4 Comments
by Our Humble Abode on April 3, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Our Mountain House, Put a Little Art in Your Heart

Posted by Our Humble Abode on April 3, 2013

http://ourhumbleabodeblog.com/2013/04/03/colorful-frames/

Less Expected Art Placement

Over the weekend, we started working on a new project.  Hint, it involves taking everything off the shelves in the guest room, but more on that when we make a little more progress.

Guest-Bedroom-Large-Window

I packed the shelf contents into five laundry baskets.  That’s a lot of stuff.  I’ll need to pare down my stuff to make room for Handy Sammy and his stuff.  After all, he’s the one living in the room.  I could either haul everything but the books to the basement or find a place to put it.  I’d prefer the second option, so I looked around.  And decided my side of the closet was the perfect spot.

Art-in-Closet

A mini collection right next to my socks and pajama pants.

Art-in-Closet-Side

I think it’s a fun, unexpected place to see art.  Then I started thinking of other surprise art places.  Like the back of a door.

Art-on-Back-of-Door

Hanging above a stack of books on a shelf.

{from Martha Stewart}

Or over books, on the shelf frame.

{designed by Albert Hadley}

Even over a large mirror.

{I can’t find the original source}

Or in a very traditional place, but in an unusual arrangement.

{via Desire to Inspire}

Any fun places you like to hang art, even if it is a little crazy?

12 Comments
by Our Humble Abode on March 5, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Put a Little Art in Your Heart

Posted by Our Humble Abode on March 5, 2013

http://ourhumbleabodeblog.com/2013/03/05/less-expected-art-placement/

Penny Pinching

You know those squished souvenir penny machines?  Well, I kind of can’t resist them.  Do you have this problem too?  If I’m visiting a place I’ve never been before, I get a penny.  In an effort to display reminders of fun and happy times, I pulled them out of a bowl.  And popped them in the small shadow box on the mantel previously filled with the boys’ hospital bracelets.

Squished Pennies in Frame

Not that their hospital bracelets don’t remind me of good times, but they just weren’t mantel material.  A penny Ben and I made on our first official date at the Mall of America, another the boys and I made in Duluth a few summers ago, and two more from our honeymoon in Savannah.

Squished Pennies Detail

In other fireplace news, it’s finally grouted.

Grouted Fireplace Tile

Grout residue is stuck to the border trim, so a touch up is in order.

Tile Edging to Touch Up

Such is life.  Now I’m off to do some more work on this irresistible cutie.

Mini-Dresser-Instagram

And work on potty training Ev, which he is strongly resisting.  Wish me luck!

4 Comments
by Our Humble Abode on February 20, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Crafts & DIY Decor, Our Mountain House, Put a Little Art in Your Heart

Posted by Our Humble Abode on February 20, 2013

http://ourhumbleabodeblog.com/2013/02/20/penny-pinching/

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