FYI - Sisters are the best
I am dead serious when I say that I have the best sister in the entire world! Don't even start to tell me about your sister and how amazing she is because I guarantee you she would not, could not, ever not......hold a candle to my sweet sister. I am just teasing really.........maybe.My baby sister Sarah is almost 7 years younger than I am, and when she was born I used to carry her around like one of my baby dolls.....my mom would get all kinds of stares and comments because she let me carry my sister around like she was my own child. I had the hip hold mastered at the ripe old age of seven......:} Man how time has flown by......and my sister is now married with babies of her own. {very beautiful babies I might add!} I wish we lived closer so that I could see her more and kiss on my sweet nephews.......but maybe, just maybe there will be a change there soon! I am crossing my fingers and toes.Even though we are far apart in miles....opposite sides of the country.....my sister never ceases to amaze me with her gifts of love and encouragement at just the right time. I arrived home from my trip to Delaware {my uncles funeral} and when my neighbor brought over the mail I saw a beautiful package addressed to me in my sisters immaculate calligraphy....and wondered what in the world could be inside? I knew it would be fantastic whatever it was.....but I was not prepared for the flood of emotions that came when I opened it up and read her sweet note to me, and then saw this amazing watercolor calligraphy print that she had made just for me. I totally welled up with tears at the thoughtfulness and love that seeped off the pages of her gift......and my heart filled to the brim with love for the greatest sister in the world!Her simple statement was a reminder to me of words that I have excitedly exclaimed to her over the years as I have seen miracle after miracle happen in both my personal life and with my little Knack business.....and as she sensed the sighs of my growing pains and signals of distress with the move and all that comes with it.....she took the time to remind me of the past......of the many miracles I have seen, and experienced first hand.....reminding me not to forget them......and to let the memory of them fall fresh on me again.........I love you Sakes!If you all have never read my sisters blog, or visited her etsy shop.....you are missing out. The way she creates, photographs and captures life is so beautiful.....don't miss it.xo,Barb
Quotage
print via this is what i mean
Do you hear me? Stop it! Stop it right now, and use that energy for good!
xo,
Barb
FYI
I was catching up on some blog reading last week and I came across this project idea through Lindsey's blog which then led me to the original post on a beautiful mess blog. I thought it was the coolest idea! I love paint by number paintings, I love paint, and I love letters and typography so this was a win win in my book of ideas!I pinned the project on Pinterest so that I could remember it, and also remember where I saw it.....and I thought "I'll do that some day soon ". I had two paint by number prints in the studio that I bought a few months back and I have been waiting to frame them. I thought about using them for this project.....but then an idea hit me one night as I was drifting off to sleep. I had a picture that was given to me and it came out of my husband's granny's house. It would totally work! It was not a paint by number...but it had the look of a paint by number. It was your typical mountain, stream, and tree print with lots of blues and greens.I already had completed my Father's day gift buying but I was so excited about making this gift for my husband! I could hardly wait to get to the studio the next day and create it. When I took the picture out of the frame, I found that it was a thin sheet of paper so I wanted to make it a bit more sturdy. I used Mod Podge to attach the print to the piece of thick poster board that had been behind it, and once that was dry I started figuring out the placement of my stickers. Once the stickers were applied {it is harder than you think!} I applied two coats of white paint, and BOOM dynamite!I know some of you are wondering what in the world "I Suwannee" means?! I chose to use this old southern slang phrase which means "I Swear" because it is a phrase that my husband's Granny is well known for. I remember the first time I heard her say it......I could hardly keep from laughing. I did not grow up in the south so I was not accustomed to such "verbage"...but I thought it was a hoot! I would try to think of funny things to say just to get her to say it over and over. My husband could always get her to say it......and then I think she caught on to my giggles and would just say it for my pure enjoyment. Granny is so sweet, and this was my way of keeping a piece of her with us at all times.My husband loves it....and thought it was the coolest gift.....and I have to say that I only pretend I made it for him....it is really for me! Hah!xo,Barb
FYI
I had several comments and emails about my design process after yesterdays introduction post, so I thought I would actually show you the drawings that go on behind the scenes. Sometimes I am just sketching designs that are in my head that are not necessarily connected to a specific piece, and sometimes I am actually drawing a specific design plan for a specific piece.......and then there are times where I don't draw it out at all and just create it based on what is in my brain. I think there is a need for all of the above.....I don't have to draw anything if I don't want to because my brain is wired to see it without drawing it out, and spontaneity can be fabulous.....but I think creating visual aids, reminders, and guidelines is a great way to make sure that the proper time and care are given to each design.Some of the designs pictured here have already been executed, and have found homes.....some have yet to be completed...some are half hidden because they may or may not be in the book....hee hee!...and some may get done in the next few weeks, especially the green one with the deep "V" pattern on it.......I drew that design plan last year....and I am going to make it happen......but it may not be on a chest of drawers. We shall see!It is super important to me, to truly create original and creative art with my furniture pieces.....so I choose to look at life and the everyday for my inspiration. It's where its at.xo,Barb Blair
FYI
{above images are paint by number paintings that I purchased recently}
My amazing and talented sister introduced me to the app called Diptic..... you can do so many different things with this fantastic app.....but my favorite is the circle images......and miss cranny has put together a tutorial on her blog about how to create these circle images with your photographs! Super, super fun......xo,Barb
FYI
Found Goodness
