Handmade Art with Heart

Bird-serk

Published on July 22, 2010September 9, 2010 by Our Humble Abode2 Comments

I have had a mild bird obsession lately. It’s fair to say I’ve gone bird-serk. We have a bird print or two, bird candle holders, figurines, banks, and salt and pepper shakers.

V loves this little guy from Target:

I’m considering painting this one, but for $1.00, it’s not so bad.

I like how this set of salt and pepper shakers from Target perch on our plate rack, watching over our dining room.

So, technically this isn’t a bird, but it is a bird-cage candle holder.

I saw this felted wool pincushion on Etsy. I hesitated to buy it, but figured, I save money on other things, so why not splurge on something handmade? He’s cute and he comes in handy while sewing.

Ev has a little owl bank hanging out with his pig and turtle friends.

I still haven’t satisfied my bird obsession, either. I have my eye on two Amy Ruppel prints. Remember the other from this post? How adorable/clever is this little pillow?

I may have to do a little DIY version…

Our Humble A{Bowe}d Giveaway Winner!

Published on July 13, 2010May 25, 2011 by Our Humble Abode1 Comment

The winner of one free 8 inch by 10 inch customized print designed by Our Humble A{Bowe}d is lucky number 11, Denise! For those of you that didn’t win, don’t fret. Our Humble A{Bowe}d and sister store Customized Stationary are offering a 10% discount now through August 1st. To redeem, just mention OHABowed10 when placing an order.

Gimme a Giveaway: Our Humble A{Bowe}d

Published on July 7, 2010May 25, 2011 by Our Humble Abode11 Comments

*This giveaway is no longer accepting entries, Thank You!*

If you are like I am, you’re constantly searching for great, affordable artwork. I became quite frustrated with my quest and decided to create my own custom artwork and prints. I wanted to give one lucky reader one customized 8 inch by 10 inch print from the following options.

Carved Initials:

Bird Family:

I Love You This Much:

Love Math:

Love Tree:

Want a chance to win? Here’s how it works:

To Enter: Comment on this post to tell which print you prefer and the colors you’d like.

Bonus: Blog, Twitter or Facebook with the giveaway link. Then, leave another comment including your blog post, Tweet or Facebook link.

Contest Closes: Monday, July 12, 2010 at 9:00 pm, central time.

Number of Winners: One!

Ships: Anywhere in the US of A.

Other Info: The winner can customize their print with colors, text such as names, family names, dates, and initials, and quantity of birds in the Bird Family print. Only one entry per e-mail address. The winner will be selected using random.org and announced on Tuesday, July 13th. Good luck!!

Where’d Ya Get That?

Published on July 1, 2010May 25, 2011 by Our Humble Abode33 Comments

Here’s a source list for items in our house. If you have questions about anything, just ask!

Living Room:

Paint: Wicker Chair by Olympic and Behr’s Vermont Cream color matched in Wal-Mart’s Colorplace brand Rug: Flor Sofa: HOM Furniture Chairs: Dolce Lounge Chair from Target End Tables: Dror by Target Lamps: TJ Maxx Curtains: Target Throw Blanket: TJ Maxx Pillow Covers: Hand Sewn Fabric from Joann Bird Candleholder: Target Picture Frames: Wal-Mart, Target, Michael’s Artwork: Custom made by me Front Door: Home Depot Floors: Original Red Oak Hardwood

Living Room Other Side:

Rocking Chair: Lay-Z-Boy (is now in the basement) Desk: Repainted hand-me-down Desk Chair: Target Black Picture Frame: Target Large Frame: Target

Chair: Hom Furniture Mirror: Garage Sale-only $5.00! Candle Sconces: Linens N Things Pillow: I made it. Here’s how.

Entertainment Center:

Entertainment Center: Custom Built by Ben Door Hardware: Home Depot Modern Bar TV: 32″ Vizio from Costco Silver Picture Frames: TJ Maxx B Monogram: Target Candle Holders: Target Clock: Restoration Hardware on Ebay Tall Blue Vase: Crate and Barrel Short Blue Vase: TJ Maxx Wooden Sculpture: Target Magazine Files: IKEA painted Green Books: Used, Barnes and Noble Print: Made by Me Hour Glass: CB2

Dining Room:

Paint: Mistinted version of Restoration Hardware’s Silver Sage (The paint is from Wal Mart and they used the light base. The formula for one gallon is B-37, E-39.5, and T-37. This is the color used in our basement, too. It can look more green in some light) and Behr’s Vermont Cream-both color matched at Wal-Mart Dining Table: DIY Table Chairs: World Market Rug: Flor Curtains: Hand Sewn from Fabric From Hancock Fabrics Fruit Bowl: Thrift Store Plates: Linens N Things and Target Candle Sticks: Target Light Fixture: CB2 Curtain Rod: Wal-Mart Floors: Original Red Oak Hardwood

Guest Bedroom:

Paint: Restoration Hardware’s Sea Green, color matched to Behr and Behr’s Vermont Cream Headboard: Free from an apartment tenant Floral Bedding: Ross Sheets: Linens N Things Blue King Pillows: TJ Maxx Striped Pillow: Hand Sewn from Fabric from Joann Picture Frame: From my Great Grandma Photo: Forsyth Park Fountain taken on our Honeymoon in Savannah, GA White Nightstand: Built by Ben Lamp: Target Clock: World Market Candle Sconces: Bed, Bath and Beyond Curtains: Wal-Mart Curtain Rod: Target Apothecary Jar of Shells: Michael’s Pendant: DIY with coffee filters

Guest Bedroom Other Side:

Mirror: Found in the Trash-from Target Bedside Carafe: Two Glasses from World Market Shell: Target Artwork in the Hall: Family Tree made by Me

Main Bathroom:

Paint: Behr’s Vermont Cream and Restoration Hardware’s Lilac Vanity: Built by Ben out of Maple Drawer Pulls: Home Depot Countertop: Giallo San Francsico Granite Remnant Vessel Sink and Faucet: E bay Mirror: Reused from Remodel Light Fixtures: Home Depot Picture, Frame and Mat: Michael’s Glass Box: World Market Soap Pump: Target Lotion: Bath and Body Works Candles and Jars: Target Purple Towels: Target White Towels: Linens N Things

Main Bathroom Shower:

White and Grey Marble Tile (also on floors): Home Depot Faucet: Delta at Home Depot Shower Curtain: Target Towel Bar and Toilet Paper Holder: Home Depot

Master Bedroom:

Paint: Restoration Hardware’s Bay Laurel and Behr’s Vermont Cream Bed: Custom Built by Ben Coverlet: IKEA Pillow Shams: Linens N Things Throw Pillow: Hand Embroidered by Me Nightstand: IKEA Lamps: Home Depot Clock: World Market Pictures: E Bay Picture Frames: Michael’s Curtains: Wal-Mart Curtain Rods: Wal-Mart

Master Bedroom Other Side:

Mirror: Michael’s Upholstered Bench: HOM Furniture

Master Bathroom:

Paint: Behr’s Vermont Cream and Restoration Hardware’s Bay Laurel Curtains: Wal-Mart Floors: Absolute Black and White Marble from Home Depot Toilet: Kohler Highline from Home Depot Vanity: Built by Ben Countertop: Galaxy Black Remnant Ben Finished Shower Curtain: Target Towels: Target Towel Bar and Toilet Paper Holder: Home Depot Clock: Gift

Boy’s Bedroom:

Paint: Ralph Lauren’s Riesling and Behr’s Vermont Cream Crib: Garage Sale Dresser: Hand Me Down Curtains: Wal Mart Curtain Rods: Home Depot Crib Blanket: Crocheted by Me Sheets: Target Crib Skirt: Target Rocking Chair: Family chair Storage Bin: Tuesday Mornings Mobile: Made by Me Owl: Made by Me Silhouette: Made by Me E and V: Hobby Lobby Pillows: Made by Me

Bed: Hand Me Down Painted Red Bedding: Target Stuffed Animals: Kohl’s Pillows: Hand sewn by me Footprint Art: Inked Feet of my Boys Artwork: Canvas Painted by Me Bookshelf: Hand Me Down

Office:

Paint: Benjamin Moore’s Raisin and Behr’s Vermont Cream Cabinets and Shelving: Custom Built by Ben Countertops: Brazilian Cherry and Carrera Marble Desk Chair: IKEA Desk Lamp: Target Storage Boxes and Magazine Files: IKEA Curtains: Hand Sewn from Fabric from Hancock Fabrics White Marble Vases: Restoration Hardware Small Blue Vase: Target Little Bird: Felt Pincushion from Etsy Picture Frames on Shelves: Target Map Frame: Michael’s Map: Art.com Light Fixture: Home Depot Magnetic Tins: IKEA

Office Bookshelves:

Chair: Target Accent Table: Target Picture Frame on Table: Target White Vase: Target (was a reed diffuser) Storage Boxes: IKEA Brown Frames: Hobby Lobby Art in Brown Frames: My modern portraits Drawing Figure: IKEA Rose Candle Holders: Michael’s, Big Lots and Ross Bird Art: Custom Painted by Me Orange Clock: Hobby Lobby Wire Buildings: Target Butterfly Artwork: Custom Made by Me Globes: Garage Sales and Target Vacation Jars: Hobby Lobby filled with vacation items Books: Barnes and Noble, Thrift Stores and Garage Sales

How to: Add a Custom Touch to Framed Pictures

Published on June 9, 2010May 25, 2011 by Our Humble Abode2 Comments

Remember how cheap I am about artwork? Well, I have a few quick, easy and cheap ideas to spruce up your frames.

Idea number 1: Spraypaint the frames.

First, remove the glass, mat, photo, and back. Wipe the frame free of dust. Then lay down newspaper in a well ventilated area. Spray the frames, keeping the can about 8 to 12 inches away to avoid excess paint drops. Allow adequate dry time. Pop the photo back in, hang and enjoy!

Idea number 2: Double mat your photos.

First, buy or cut the outer mat to the frame dimensions. Cut the opening 1 inch larger than your photo. Then, buy or cut another mat with the inner dimensions slightly smaller than your photo. The outer dimensions should extend at least 1 inch beyond your outer mat’s frame to make sure coverage of the edges.

You can choose to use the same color for both mats OR add more focus on the photo by using a color that coordinates with your photo.

To make this look, I cut my white outer mat to fit my 16 inch by 20 inch frame. Then I cut a 5 inch by 7 inch opening which will accommodate my 4 inch by 6 inch photo. Then I cut another white mat 7 inches tall by 9 inches wide with a 3.75 inch by 5.75 inch opening. I painted the inner mat blue, leaving the depth white. After the paint dried, I taped my photo in place and then centered my small mat on the large mat. Place the large mat in your frame and hang!

Idea number 3: Draw a border on your mat.

To get this look, use a gel pen or marker in any color (I used a silver metallic gel pen on a black mat). Using a pencil, mark your edges at two or more points to make straight lines. Once you’ve marked all sides (with as many borders you’d like), line a ruler to your edge and make your lines. Do this several times to make a thicker band of color.

Here is a detail shot: