Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Tutorial Tuesday {Canvas Art}

Oh...it's only Tuesday? Yikes...this week is going so slow don't ya think?
Welp, time for a tute! {teeheehee}

Materials Needed:
1. Canvas {can be any size-found at any craft store}
2. Paint {I used acrylic-again found at any craft store}
3. Paint Brushes {different sizes to acheive different strokes}
4. Scraper of some sort {I know there's probably a technical name for it-I think you use it to spread drywall compound}
5. Something to hold your paint {I couldn't resist this paint wheel thing}
6. Sink {to rinse your brushes}



These are the brushes I used. I think I found them at Joann Fabrics. You can see they are for acrylic, watercolors, and stains.

Here is the paint up close. You can see it's a little tube but the great thing about acrylic paint is that you don't have to use very much! A little goes a long way!


 
I actually squeezed out too much paint here. You don't need this much if you're doing a small canvas. I think mine was 3'x3'. But squeeze out the colors you want to use. I ended up adding more colors just because I didn't like the way my canvas was turning out.


This is the brush that I  used the most because it adds larger and smaller brush strokes. I did end up using the smallest brush as well towards the end to add little details, but I will explain that when I get to that step.


The first thing you want to do is choose which color you want as your base color. I wanted blue because out living room has a lot of blue accents. This is a very simple concept, but can take practice so be patient and remember IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT. That's the great thing about art...it's just that...art. Create!

When you dip your brush in your paint, get a bigger glob but not so it's sloppy. {I should have taken a picture of this but I didn't, sorry} Figure out where you would like your bigger chunks of paint to be on your canvas and start there. I wanted mine to be pretty random with the bigger strokes, so I started at the bottom and moved the brush from left to right...back and forth. If you want smaller stokes don't push as hard with your brush. This will create lighter strokes. Add more paint to your brush as you see necessary. Make sure you rinse your brush in between colors or you will end up getting a brownish, black color. Yuck!


Repeat step one for each layer of color you would like to add. Try to spread out your chunky strokes so it doesn't look like you have a pattern. Just plan out your strokes before you lay them down, because once your paint is down you can't get it back up. You can use your scraper thingy here to flatten out your brush strokes if you would like. I ended up not using mine, just because I liked the chunky feel of it.


Continue to add layers. Remember to spread out the chunky parts so you don't have too many clumps on one side or the other.



Here is a close up of the different colors. As you can see, it's ok to overlap the colors. I think this adds more character and seems more blended. Accidental art....sort of!


Here you can sort of see the chunkiness of the white paint. It adds texture and dimension to the art. Also, this is where you can also see the black strokes. I used the small brush for this because I didn't want too much black but just enough to highlight the light places.


Finished. Super easy, super quick, super cheap. Much cheaper than going out and buying one. Trust me if I can do this you can too! I'm not a painter by any means!!!

I couldn't decided if I wanted to hang it sideways or up and down.



I decided on up and down! Someone said it looks like fish swimming up and down steam! That's the great thing about abstract art. It can be interprited so many different ways!

P.S. Check out my sponsors this month! It's brand new and on my right side bar!!!!

I was featured here....
mop it up mondays feature

Linking up...

stillbeingmolly
mop it up mondays
Ninth Street Notions

Monday, July 30, 2012

Christmas in July {reveal}

Good Morning everyone! Did you all have a good weekend? I did! My husband was gone all last week and he came home! So, it's always good when I get to see him!

Well, I want to introduce you to Libby at It's Never Too Late!. She was my Christmas in July partner. She is amazing! I enjoyed getting to know her so much! I think we will be friends for a while!

Here is what I received in the mail. I didn't take a picture of the package it came in! Sorry! 




This sign...that is going in my entry way right when you walk in the door. That way every one knows the rules! :)

(I can't get it to rotate...sorry!) 
A gift card to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to finish decorating my bathroom! She's wonderful isn't she!?


A little gnomey. We all know how much I love gnomes right?


Cute decorated bangles and earrings.


And a wonderful picture frame. Sorry Libby, I haven't put pictures in it as of yet. :)

So, I got a pretty amazing partner and I'm so glad that I "met" her and am now getting the chance to get to know her! She is a great person and I hope you all go over and check out her blog! You won't regret it!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Calling all Followers...Yes You!

HEY ALL!!



Hi friends! Ok...here is what I would like to do. I want to connect more with you as my followers! I want to follow you back, give away things, do link ups, be involved! I want to interact with you always! I don't want you guys to just be my followers! I want to be your friend! I want you to feel the love I have for you!

So...as my followers what would you like to see me do or what can I do to help interact with you all more? Would you like a link up? If so what kind? I want to keep you guys interested and not bore you of course! Am I still keeping you interested? I hope so! Is there anything you would like me to write about more...do more?

Please...comment and let me know that you're a follower so I can follow you back! I want to be in to your stuff too! :)

P.S. I started sponsorship for the month of August! This is the first time I've done it and I'm going to see how it goes. I'm not really trying to make money doing it because I want to be able to advertise on bigger blogs...which gets more traffic here and in turn will produce more traffic to you! :) Check 'em out!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Current Crush Thursday {7.26.12}


Happy Thursday Everyone! It's time for Current Crush Thursday already! Geesh...times flying! Which means vacation is getting closer and closer! Good right? Umm no...it's not planned yet and we leave in 4 weeks! Cripes!

Anyways...my current crush is small disc necklaces. So simple but elegant! I recently won a credit to Ke Aloha Jewelry and am looking forward to getting that lovely there at the top of my collage! The double disc necklace. I'm in love! You should go over and check her stuff out. It's pretty amazing! Paired with a cute summer dress or tank and some skinnies. Very adorable! Adds just a little something to dress up the outfit. Sigh. {googly eyes}

So what are you crushing on this week?

I'm so excited...I've been working on some lovely crafty tutorials for you all this week. I may or may not have thrown in a little baking tutorial as well....you will just have to wait and see!

Also, thank you to Rachel @ lala lists and Ashley @ Embracing the Everyday for taking over hosting today! How sweet of you both~


Current Crush Thursdays

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Liebster Award {twice nominated}



Ok. So I said I was going to do this last week but never got around to it...I've been nominated twice now for the Liebster Award....How wonderful huh?! Thank you so much! It's an honor really!

The first person to nominate me was Ashley from Oh Wells Instead of What If's. So I will be answering her questions first.
The second person to nominate me was Samantha from 3-Oh-1 Grace St. I will answer her questions second.

I am only going to nominate 5 blogs instead of 10!

Here's how it works!

  • someone "gave" this award to you? Create a blog post including 11 random facts about yourself
  • also in that blog post, answer the 11 question the person that nominated you has given you and make up another 11 questions for the people you will nominate
  • give this award to at least 5 blogs and link them in your post!
  • tell those people that you have nominated them for the award
  • you cannot nominate the person that has nominated you
  • remember to tag blogs with less than 200 followers



Random Facts

1. I have a kitty named Quincey that I love more than life itself! He's my world {after honey of course}

2. Mike and I are about to celebrate our 2 year anniversary of marriage and just celebrated our 4th year of being together!

3. The toe beside my big toe doesn't bend 

4. I'm an only child. And no we are NOT weird! {stole this one from Samantha}

5. I am afraid of the dark!

6. I miss Oklahoma a lot!

7. We don't have cable because it's a waste of time and money! {in my opinion}

8. Beauty and the Best is my favorite all time Disney movie...altough The Little Mermaid comes close!

9. I played softball in high school....I was hardcore! :)

10. I'm a rollercoaster junky! Can't wait to go to Cedar Point this year!

11. I don't wear socks!

Answers for Ashley's Questions...


1. Tell me about your favorite place?
    - I love being with my husband...no matter where I am!


2. Who inspires you most?
    -My mom. Shes my rock and she is a great example of who I want to be!


3. If you could be any celebrities significant other, who would it be?
    -Ok this is going to sound cheesy but I don't want anyone else but my husband. He's my one and only!


4. What does your perfect day include?
    -Being near water with my man and friends and family. I love swimming, boating, rafting, and fishing. Everyone is happier when they are on the water!


5. What is something you have always wanted to see?
    -Ground Zero in NYC! I will go there some day!


6. What is your dream job?
    -Working with littles...or being a stay at home mom when that day comes!


7. Flip flops or high heels?
   -Flip flops for sure. I love me some heels but I'll pick flops any day!


8. Where do you go for your favorite pizza?
    - A little shop here named "Penso's Pizza" The ONE AND ONLY!


9. What superpower would you want if you could choose?
     -Seeing the future! I would like to be able to prevent things from happening!


10. What TV show do you just have to watch every week?
      -Don't have cable! :0/


11. What is the most bizarre food you have ever eaten?
       -Calamari. I'm really picky so I don't try new things very often!


 Answers To Stephanie's Questions...

1. Puppies or Kitties?
      -Definitely Kitties...

2. Most complicated part about blogging for you?
    -Thinking of something to write about every day...keeping up with comments and social media. Working full time and blogging....giveaways...tweets...fb...guest posts...its hard!  

3.Drink of choice?
    -Don't drink alcohol so my favorite thing to drink is a nice COLD MCDONALD'S COKE! They have the best for some reason? NO?

4. Favorite vacay?
     -Definitely when we went to Mexico...were going on vacation at the end of August and I can't wait!!!

5. Least favorite chore around the house and why?
    -Ugh definitely the dishes. It's never ending....seriously! I do them and turn around and there they are again. Stupid dishes!

6. Spaghetti or lasagna (that's from my hubby)
       -Oh...Lasagna. It's got a lot more character than Spaghetti does!

7. Socks on or off when you sleep?
    -Socks off and out from under the covers...not a fan of covered up feetsies!

8. Guilty pleasure?
     -Online shopping. I'm addicted seriously!

9. Are you still friends with your best childhood friend?
    -We are friends but we live in different states...she was in my wedding! Of course I miss her!

10. You don't leave the house without _______?
      -Phone of course...I'm not like obsessed with lip gloss or anything. Oh I don't leave the house without sunglasses either. Thats a must!

11. Favorite dessert?
      -Ice cream for sure! I found this new flavor that has graham crackers in it. I can't talk about it because I'm on a diet and I'm not going to have any. {maybe}

My Questions for you....

1. Hawaii or Alaska?

2. Fruits of Veggies?

3. Country or City?

4. Shoes or Flip Flops?

5. Cubed Ice or Crushed Ice?

6. Do you like your water ice cold or room temperature?

7. Black or Blue pen?

8. Dresses or Shorts?

9. One piece or bikini?

10. Travel by plane or car?

11. Coffee or Tea?




And the Nominees are...

1. Mickime from ...and that's mine...

2. Alese from 2 Crafty 4 My Skirt

3. Alli from Allena Mistral

4. Riana from Beyond My Wildest Dreams

5. Katie from One Delightful Life

If you have a chance go over and check out the 31 giveaway from Bringing Up Allie....just click on the button below!! :)

P.S. I'm guest posting over at Little Homemade Housewife today. I'm showing how to make canvas art






Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Tuesday Tango Link-Up {Co-Host}


The Tuesday Tango is a multiple link-up post for everyone to meet new people and grow your audience. There will be six link-ups you can add your link to - Twitter, Facebook, Hello Cotton, Bloglovin, Instagram, and Pinterest. All you have to do is follow the host(s) for that week and then add whoever else you'd like to!
Permanent Hosts:
This Week's Rotating Hosts:
Directions:
Follow the host(s)
Add your links to any/all of the link-ups
Add at least 5 people from the link-ups
- - -
Want to host one of the weeks? Let us know!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Balloon Fest {weekend update}

This weekend was the annual Food and Balloon Festival for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Festivities. They have all kinds of food vendors and a hot air balloon launch...which is amazing. If you've never seen one, you should find one and go watch. They said the baskets themselves weigh 500 or more pounds plus the people inside...for hot air to be able to lift that balloon which I'm sure weighs a whole lot itself...it's just incredible! Here are some pictures...enjoy!



Balloon animals...this is my friends little boy. He's adorable with a monkey on his head! :)


Crazy sky divers...crazy! They jumped 3 times that day. They had some crazy statistics too...like 5000 jumps or something like that. I would love to do it one day...buy my husband says NO! :)





I didn't even notice that light pole in the way there until just now...I'm going to have to edit that out! :0/


Creepy clown face...



Of course my favorite...the lady bug!




Me and honey! Excuse the nasty picture...I had the worst headache of my life, this picture was on a hill that I was falling down, hot, tired, and a bit grouchy! :)


The following pictures are from my phone...so not as great quality...still do the job though!


Wonderful turkey leg...I mean wonderful!




Ended the night with amazing fireworks. These were the best fireworks that I've seen in a while. I'm happy because I didn't get to see any on the 4th!


I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I'm going to be doing lots of crafting this week!! Can't wait! Maybe a little baking too! Eeeek! Baking is my favorite!!

Linking up....

Let Birds Fly