January 2013 – Page 3

On Procrastination

Published on January 17, 2013January 17, 2013 by Our Humble Abode8 Comments

Several months ago, I was offered a chance to review Dutch Boy paint. Not having a local retailer, I had never tried Dutch Boy, so I was curious to see what I thought about it. I picked out a pale green, Mackinac Island, to paint over the cranberry red walls.

I just couldn’t take it any longer. Happily, the green is a soothing, pale color. And the paint covered the red in two coats, without primer or any special treatment.

Being in a confined space, I really appreciated zero VOC, low odor paint.

However, I’m not thrilled with the green wall/orange-y oak trim combo. Of course, that’s not the paint’s fault, just an ugly combo akin to putting lipstick on a pig. Eventually we’ll remodel this bathroom including refinishing the clawfoot tub we pulled out of the main bathroom, shortening the vanity to one sink (to make room for the tub under the window), installing new tile, and new paint. So this is a temporary fix to cover up the blood-red walls.

And here’s the procrastination part. The light fixture in there is ornate and detailed. Too detailed for me to care to cut in around. I figured Ben could take the light down for me to paint behind, then put it back up. Well, we still haven’t done that. So here’s how it has looked for the past few months.

Ooooh, aaahhh. Can’t wait to tackle the bathroom for a brighter, cleaner, less 70’s look.

P.S. We were not compensated for this post, but the paint was free in exchange for a review. All opinions are 100% mine.

Star Gazing

Published on January 15, 2013January 15, 2013 by Our Humble Abode2 Comments

I’m a big fan of personalized his and hers art above beds. At our last house, we hung home state watercolor paintings above the bed.

Unfortunately, they were a little too wide to hang above our current bed. Those pretty paintings now hang in our family room, so I made two constellations cut outs.

Ours are cut from black and mounted to metallic silver paper, then framed in an 11 by 14 inch frame with white mat.

Ben’s Scorpio is intricate, while my Aries is simple, consisting of only four stars.

But this (and another comment) got be thinking about his and hers art for beds. What do you have above your bed? One large item? Two or three smaller frames? Monograms?

Etsy Favs: January

Published on January 14, 2013January 14, 2013 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

Our brother, sister-in-law, and niece are visiting. We’re so excited; we haven’t seen them in over a year! So we’re making the most of our precious time together. In the mean time, enjoy January’s Etsy favs.

Solar System print from Penny Luxe Sales:

Faux Taxidermy Zebra Head by Mahzer and Vee:

Leaf Drawing from Obvious State:

A Greener Place painting by Emily Jeffords:

I’m Such a Dodo print from Funnel Cloud:

Druzy Pendant at Midwest Alchemy:

Reversible Cloth Napkins from Too Cute Custom Crafts:

Facet Hanging Lamp by Port Rhombus:

Rainy Day Earrings from Goddess of Jewelry:

Gray Medallion Table Runner by Giardino:

Valentine Print Love Quote at Lily and Val:

Tree with Lights photograph by Eye Poetry:

Stars Can’t Shine print from Hairbrained Schemes:

Mr. Gray Cat by Frighten:

Forest Ferns Block print from Coffee in Bed:

Colorful Geometric Pillow by I Am Christina Bot:

Wood Letter Holder from Less and More:

There are more than a few items I’m really crushing on this month. As in I must make them mine (or my family’s). I’m Such a Dodo, Mr. Gray, and Colorful Geometric Pillow, I’m looking at you. Do you have a particular favorite? Or a few favorites?

P.S. Check out our shop to see a few new (funny) prints perfect for Valentine’s day. Without You, what better way to show you care than with a Kelly song?

Venn Diagram, the print version of our recent art creation.

And Wuv, Twue Wuv, a Princess Bride quote Ben and I say all the time.

As usual, all our art is customizable with your favorite colors.

Art With Heart

Published on January 11, 2013January 11, 2013 by Our Humble Abode12 Comments

Now that we’ve landed on a frame layout for the mantel, I took a few hours to fill the frames with art.

The two smaller frames are unchanged, but the rest is new.

In the center, I wanted something with some color, but still simple with meaning. Enter the Venn diagram.

Colored tissue paper left over from Christmas, a salad plate, a large sheet of white paper, and marker (all supplies I had on hand) made up this quick art.

With the plate on the tissue paper, I cut around it to make two circles. Pieces of double-sided tape hold it down. Using Photoshop, I made a B + A, flipped and printed on plain paper. Once cut out, I used small strips of double-sided tape to attach.

For a little more interest, I wrote Je t’aime across the bottom. Voila, geek chic art. Sure, it’s not perfect, but that’s okay.

On the easel, I printed this Lulie Wallace painting and taped it to a small canvas. Don’t worry, it’s only temporary. This afternoon I plan to make a small floral painting (inspired by these), but wanted to test it out. The small shadow box displays the boys’ hospital bracelets.

In the black frame, I cut a silhouette of a statue. She kind of looks like the Statue of Liberty, right? But she’s not. Actually, she is an angel statue I took a photo of on our honeymoon in Savannah.

Once printed out and cut from metallic silver paper, she shimmers just like Robert Pattinson in Twilight. For a rustic/glam balance, I taped her to a piece of wood veneer.

To the right I popped in this blue flower print from Ara133 Photography in the existing mat.

The photo is Ben and his brothers when they were kids. It’s highly adorable and cracks me up every time. All the dark and wood tones on the left were feeling a little heavy. Sure, painting the small square frame white and the small rectangle frame black will help balance (once our weather cooperates!). But a small dose of wood never hurt anyone. Wait, that sounded bad. Lotus pods and fuzzy faux greenery from the Dollar Store in a white Ikea vase fix that.

Just a little warmth and darkness. Seriously, how great are lotus pods? I think they should be the new billy button.

For a few hours of work, I’m thrilled with the result. Art with meaning, happy colors, and zero dollars spent. That’s right, I used frames and supplies we already had sitting around the house.

Much cheerier than the empty frames of yore.

And I can easily swap art out with changing seasons, holidays, or moods. I’m hoping to con, um, convince Ben to install the new door trim, baseboard, and crown in the family room so I can get some paint on the walls. I’m guessing I won’t succeed, but I can hope.

What do you think of the new art? What’s your favorite art you’ve made? Have any big plans for the weekend?

Quick Trick

Published on January 10, 2013January 10, 2013 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

Still sick, so I’ll make this quick. Here’s a trick I use because I change art out often. Use washi tape to hold art in place. I know, I know. Not revolutionary, but it is easier to use than regular clear tape.

The light tack won’t tear the art or the mat when you’re ready for a change. But check to make sure the tape is acid free so it doesn’t damage the art or photos.

How about a few favorite Washi tape favorites and sources? Dots and Stripe, Grey Star, Gold Dots and almost everything else in the Pretty Tape shop.

The Washi Shop has oodles of fun washi tape designs like Orange Chevron, Gold Stripe, and Hot Pink Hearts.

Modern Tape in another shop stocked with washi eye candy. Glitter tape, Gold Plaid, and Navy Waves are my favorites.

Of course Target is another favorite source. Check in the office supply section for a pack of four. What are you using washi tape for? Care to share your favorite sources?

P.S. The Our Humble Abode 50% off sale ends tonight. Use the coupon code RINGIN2013 to activate the discount.