This was interesting:

The Disney Princesses got a makeover from @designtaxi

news from designtaxi.com

If Miss O’Hara can make a dress from curtains, you can make a curtain from your bedsheets –  from @ShoutWithJoy

Bees go to the Opera from @PureGreenMag

I almost got a pixie cut.  Goes like this.

This is where the cool bloggers go but I’m the geeky girl who hides in the bathroom stall listening to their conversations - RT from @simplygrove, @jasminestar

Happy Weekend.  Start it early.

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I’m currently finishing my last six months of interior design classes and it always happens. My Muse visits me at random intervals and this time she whispered in the form wall art. I was flipping through a Pottery Barn magazine and I happened upon a layout with these amazing hanging pictures of golden birds painted on pages torn from a book. They were classy but also understated, and I knew immediately that they had to be mine. I’m always up for a creative challenge and they looked simple enough to make myself. I already had some of the materials and I knew that my favorite store was having a frame sale, so I really had nothing to lose. The universe was practically begging me!

The project was devastatingly simple and only took three or so hours. I spent roughly $20 on supplies and plan on doing several variations of this with the aim of using them in the master bedroom. I thought it would be interesting to stain some pages with coffee or to tear up the pages and paste them together in interesting ways, playing up the shapes and textures that the blocks of text make. I also want to try using black paint rather than gold, or maybe using a more tarnished shade of metallic paint for a more bold visual contrast.

This idea could also be geared toward a child by using pages from a classic story (The Velveteen Rabbit, perhaps?) and adding the simple silhouette of a bunny. Or do several iterations using various characters from nursery rhymes or poems, perhaps even painting large letters instead of animals. A colored mat and large white frame would complete the look and make a nursery a very happy place indeed.

Whatever theme you choose to use, don’t forget to make it personal. If it is meant for your own home then incorporate words and images that resonate with you. If it is a gift for someone else make sure the thoughts that are conveyed in the final image are a reflection of your feelings for that person. Those are the most important aspects of giving and they transform a whatever they touch into a something sentimental and lovely. By no means is this DIY meant to be followed to the letter. Be creative and let your inner Muse speak to you. You never know what can happen when you let her words fall lightly upon your ear.

Enjoy and Happy Crafting!

E

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Supplies Needed:

Paint Brushes
Metallic Acrylic Paint
Pencil For Sketching
Pages From A Book
Clear Tape
Glue
White Craft Paper
Mat
Frame
Inspiration!

Most of the supplies were already in my possession, so it was pretty easy to convince myself to get started. I chose specific pages from Love In The Time of Cholera, a wonderful book, but one I am not likely to read again. The pages reflect the stages in the relationship between the main characters and contain some of the more poignant lines. I chose a mat and frame to add an informal feeling to the finished piece.

Step One: Choose Your Pages

Choose pages that speak to you in some way. The meaning of the words and the type used are important factors. Carefully tear them from the book so there are no ragged edges.

Step Two: Decide On The Layout

Take a few minutes to play with the layout and placement of the pages, placing the mat on top to help your eye focus on the desired area. Once you find a design that you like, lightly trace around the inside edge of the mat with a pencil to create a guide for taping.

Step Three: Tape It Down

Carefully tape down the pages to a sheet of white craft paper. Any type of white paper will work as long as it provides some type of thickness and heft. In my case, I used to pieces from a thick sketch pad. Tape down just the portion of the pages that will be hidden under the mat, but not the portions that will be seen in the final image. Be sure to cut off any excess that is hanging over the edge of the craft paper.

Step Four: Sketch Your Design

Using light pencil strokes, sketch our image onto the pages. If you're afraid of making a mistake, don't be. Part of the beauty of art are the little nuances that are unique to each individual's style of drawing or painting.

Step Five: Bring On The Gold

When it comes to painting, less is more. Apply thin coats and allow them to dry before beginning another. A variety of paint brushes are helpful, but I only used three round sizes and got very precise results. To secure the edges that are overlapping, take a small amount of glue on the tip of a brush and apply to the backs of the edges, creating an even and flat surface.

Step Six: Mat, Frame, Done!

Bring it all together by adding the mat and frame and you have a completed piece of personal art that will bring warmth and sophistication to any environment. For extra protection of the image, add a piece of glass to the inside of the frame. Display on a table or on the wall and let your creation do it's thing.

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The exhibit itself, called EAMES WORDS: Eames Designs- the Guest/Host Relationship, is centered around the quotes that highlight the couple’s approach to design, as well as their view of the world, shaped by their travels and personal collections.

‘From tumbleweeds to strawberries, a bolt of cloth to a keg of nails, to elephants in India and the bread of Scandinavia, the whole world was their canvas.’ -aplusd.org

‘The role of the designer is that of a very good, thoughtful host, all of whose energy goes into trying to anticipate the needs of his guests.’ -Charles Eames

Hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the lives of Charles and Ray Eames, and for more information on the Pacific Standard Time collaborative, check out some favorite shows we’re looking forward to seeing, or the official website for a complete schedule and exhibit details.

Thanks for reading!
Lauren

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3 Things this week

1. I am looking forward to: today’s launch of a fun project called Design Your Life – a collaboration of health, home and fashion – along with Nicole of The Wardrobe Code and Erica of Knocked Up Fitness.

2. I am grateful for: A network of amazing business women to to feed the creativity, share in the successes and help each other through the rough spots in entrepreneurial life.

3. Will accomplish: Going to the gym 3 days. I used to be such a health nut but, you know, life happens. I’ve been slowly getting myself back into the habit – and this week I am motivated by the arrival of my all-time favorite protein shakes from Herbalife, my new audiobook, and the difference I’m seeing in my waistline from the last couple weeks of being “pretty good.”. This week I’m gonna be great!

I want to hear your 3 Things for the week. Please share in the comments below!

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Last weekend was so busy, and so was Monday and Tuesday – I’ve been all mixed up on my days and I’m pretty sure I skipped a week entirely because there’s really only 1 week of January left…what???

Anyway, now that I realize it is Friday I am pretty excited for the weekend.  I’ll be attending a fun event on Saturday in Costa Mesa to celebrate the Grand Opening of Phase II at one of my favorite local spots – the OC Mart Mix.  This place was built for small businesses and I’m thrilled to see how it’s grown in just a year.  I applaud the companies who took a risk in moving in when it was empty and had the faith (and the means, obviously) to see it through.  Hurrah for expansion!

A couple things I loved about this week:

1. I totally changed the blog.  Did you notice?  I’ve tried to rework the layout a few times before and it always ended up looking pretty much the same.  But this time it’s just different enough to be exactly what I was hoping for…with a few kinks that I’ll figure out eventually.  What do you think?

2. These freshy fun pillows from Erin Flett – featured on Design Sponge

3. I’d like to think that if my recipes were organized here I would use them more often, simply because I would want to look at the book everyday – from Poppytalk

4. I made my first video.  Well, that’s a lie, because I used to make Spice Girls videos with my girlfriends every time a new song came out.  Guess which Spice I was?  And at the cultured age of 5 I would write, direct and perform in plays with my cousin.  So really, this gift has been culminating practically since birth – and this video might be disappointing to you.  But I’m pretty excited.  So, will you watch it anyway, puhleez?

5. This isn’t really inspired so much as baffled/afraid/proud of the voice of social media but I have to mention the SOPA Blackout Day because it happened.  And that was interesting.  Google’s foot stomping was my favorite.  I don’t think there’s a chance in hell of that insanity passing…but then again, what do I know?  The older I get the more things I am dead wrong about.  Let’s hope this isn’t one of those things.  (BTW, if this does pass I will be in super big trouble for using that Spice Girls poster…see the risks I take for you?)

Like I said, I’ve been a busy lady this week.  I just have one last thing to mention, or plug, if you will.  I’ve been doing this blogging/social media thing for my own business for over 3 years now…and I tend to talk a lot about the business side of it during offline discussions with friends and acquaintances.  Through a series of recent kismetic conversations and events, I have somehow stumbled into now doing this stuff for other people’s businesses.  And I like it!  What started out as a few quick tutorials, or setting up a Facebook page, has turned into a business opportunity.

I am not one to overlook opportunity.

So, do me a favor and think of me if anyone you know has a business that needs some help with their social media marketing.  And I would love to work with you too, cuz we’re friends and all.

Peace, yo.  Have a great weekend.

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image from Better Homes & Gardens September 2010

1. Trays

Trays are stylish – which is why you see them in every living room in every home magazine.  But the reason I love them is that they are so versatile!  In a living room they can serve snacks, corral magazines, create an instant centerpiece or add texture and depth to a bare wall.

They come in a variety of styles, finishes and price points.

Seriously, no home should be without several.

Lacquered trays from West Elm

2. A Decorative Box

So what do you keep in there?  Everything.  Remotes, coasters, notepad & pen.

Yep.  Anything that fits.  Where do you put it?

Smack in the center of your coffee table.

Mirrored Box from Z Gallery

3. Oversized Basket

Keep a large basket next to your sofa, stocked with a couple throws and a pillow or two.

This keeps your sofa from looking sloppy, but having extra blankets on hand is ideal for a comfy living space.

Oval Wire Basket from Redefine Home. Contact me for details.

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The colorblocking trend has returned for the Spring, but this time it’s embracing a more neutral color scheme – which makes it more wearable for non-fashion-bloggers and those who can’t show up to work wearing hot pink and electric blue with a straight face.

This is a good thing, because for far too long, we’ve been clinging to safe beige in our wardrobes and avoiding fun accents of color. Because most ready-to-wear retailers are slow to catch on, DIY might be the only way to wear colorblocking. Below are some of my favorite colorblocking projects.

Credits: dress, shoes, clutch, pants, earrings, necklace, J. Crew skirt, fabric paint.

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