Something old, Something new

I was really hoping to have an Art Journaling video finished for you today, but I need a bit more time to edit it.  Everything just seems to take me a bit longer to complete these days, but I guess I have the excuse of being almost 37 weeks pregnant.  So I thought I'd give you a sneak peek into some other artsy fun I've been experimenting with lately.  Remember the Flower Embroidery Hoops that I did a while back? Well, that particular idea has morphed into using vintage photos and "painting" on them with thread.  Here is one of them.  I did some fun close up shots of the stitches on the piece.  I am really having fun with a new macro extender tube on my camera.  It gives an unusual perspective on something typical, and I like that. 

 There she is...isnt she so lovely? The photo was an original of a newlywed couple from Germany all dressed up in their wedding attire.  Here's the original photo...

 Arent they gorgeous?  I love how serious people are in old photos.  Most likely because they have been holding that same pose for a ridiculously long time waiting for the image to expose, and couldn't hold a smile the whole time.  So, I scanned it and cropped it down to just the woman's upper torso, printed on fabric, and framed in a vintage metal hoop.  Then I spent days and days with her just letting the colors, shapes, and stitches present themselves to me organically as I kept adding and adding.  She measures 5" across and is hung by a hand dyed silk ribbon.  I have several more of these I will be sharing soon, so stay tuned.  If you are interested in her, send me a message, otherwise I will be saving her for my next show.  Have a splendid day, and remember to look at something typical today in an unusual way! 

XO, HARMONY

Celebrate Your Weekend with ART!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!  I dont know what you have planned, but I will be locked away in my art room like a little Santa's Elf, getting things ready for Craft Show season.  I need to make room for all the new artsy goodness that I am currently creating, and I have lots of original works from last year that need to find new homes and someone to love them.  So let's celebrate the weekend with a Super Labor Day Sale to fill your walls with lovely art, and empty my own to make some space in my life.

I know there are many of you just starting a new college semester needing to decorate that new apartment or dorm room, or have a home that could use a unique statement piece.  I'd like to invite you to take a peek at my ETSY SHOP, I just reduced prices on a bunch of original artworks (just check out the SALE section) and much more.  In addition to the reduced prices, you can use code LABORDAY to get an additional 15% off anything (sale items included)!  

I have a bunch of artsy jewelry and more originals that I will be adding throughout the weekend, so keep checking back, you never know what might show up on sale next.

Speaking of new things in the shop, remember the textured fabric painting I did a few weeks ago?

Well I tweaked her a bit and decided to take off the lettering, and she is now available HERE to find a home where she can inspire you to create from your inner child.

I am also currently working on a butterfly series using the same textural technique with bits of vintage fabrics, ribbons, and lacework.  Here is the first one completed and she is now available in my shop.

 

The Flower Hoops from the Embroidered Botanical Series are also now listed in my shop.  They are truly unique and lovely pieces in their vintage frames, and I am excited for them to bring joy to their new homes.

I do have to thank each and every one of you who are here for supporting my dreams.  This has been an incredible adventure so far and I am just getting started.  The opportunity and support to live my passion of creating art and inspiring others to believe in their own dream journeys has truly blessed my heart.  Thank you.  Come back tomorrow for some creative fun where I'll share my new FREE coloring pages!

XO, HARMONY

A Morning Photo Session: New Artwork!

Remember my morning run and impromptu garden photo session a few weeks back?  Well, I have turned some of those pics into art! I was really inspired by this artist and her incredible art yarn paintings, and thought I could do something similar with hand stitching.  I printed the photos onto fabric and mounted them into my newly purchased oh-so-amazing vintage metal hoops, and just plodded along one stitch at a time.  They took me a lot longer to complete than I had thought they would.  Everything on them is done by hand, no pattern, just me slowly painting along with a needle and thread, creating a truly organic pattern that celebrates and tributes the beauty and art that can be found our natural world.  I finished them last night, and so my son and I staged a bit of a photo session with them this morning so I could share a special first look at them with you. 

They measure 4", 5", and 7" and have vintage hand dyed silk ribbon to hang them from.  They are one of a kind original mixed media fiber art, and I couldn't be more proud of them.  I will be listing these on Etsy later this week, so if you are interested in any of them and want them reserved for you, please message me. 

So if you are wondering what happens behind the scenes when trying to photograph art while taking care of a small child, then here's a bit of the other side to our morning.

Here's me on the front porch, because its the only place in my horribly lit Florida home that gets decent light in the morning, and yes I am still in my PJs.  I'll be honest though, I spend most of my days now working at home in my PJs.  What's the point of getting dressed when all my pregnant self wants to wear is baggy shirts and stretchy pants anyway?  I can still just barely see my toes, Yay! - I did have to lean forward a bit though :)

Baby boy was on the hunt for more flowers for me to photograph.  We have very little as far as flowering plants in our yard right now (who has time to garden?) but he did very excitedly produce this lovely purple wild flower discovered under a bush.  He loves to bring me flowers, roots and all.

Then he decided that he needed to paint the cardboard that I was using as a background for my hoop shots, and drug out some white paint and a brush that he swiped from my craft room while I was busy shooting.  Here he is showing me how he painted my flower and made it pretty.  He also apparently made the walkway pretty as well...(somebody should be watching this child more closely).

So there you have it, my latest creations and a bit of our morning.  I have quite a few more of these hoops in the works that I am saving for Fall Craft Show season, but I just couldn't resist sharing these first few with you.  Have a lovely Tuesday everyone! I am off to hose down an exuberant young painter and a walkway. 

XO, HARMONY

Discovering My Vintage Side

It's Pinterest Day! I've been noticing a bit of an odd trend in my pins for me lately and thought I would share a bit of my sources of inspiration with you today.  You see something strange has happened to me this year.  I am becoming a vintage girl totally without my consent.  I was never attracted to "vintage" growing up.  The word meant "old" to me as a child and that we'd be buying my Easter dress at a thrift store instead of a department store.  Then later meant "country" while as a teenager as I watched my mother fill her home with "vintage" finds that made our rural home look like the decor of a Cracker Barrel restaurant (you southern interstate travelers know exactly what I am talking about).  I was totally against vintage...until now.

Now I find myself obsessing to find the perfect group of 60's and 70's bed sheets to make a quilt from.

Source: flickr.com via Harmony on Pinterest

Or I'm doing late night ebay searches for vintage newborn outfits.  They are just so precious on chubby baby legs!

Source: etsy.com via Harmony on Pinterest

I am also quite seriously thinking about starting a collection of vintage tea plates for my kitchen wall (yes totally Dolores Jane Umbridge style except less cats).

Source: etsy.com via Harmony on Pinterest

And I definitely am starting an obsession with vintage patterns and papers.  (I would love to do this to all my doors in my home with vintage wallpapers, some paint, and a sander).

Source: flickr.com via Harmony on Pinterest

I still cant quite bring myself to shop primarily at thrift stores for my own clothing, but I figure I'm taking baby steps in my transition to becoming a vintage type of girl.  Instead I fall in love with new lines of clothes in a vintage style, like these amazing tea dresses.

Source: etsy.com via Harmony on Pinterest

I am dying to donate all my matchy-matchy totally boring coffee mugs that I amassed from my wedding and start collecting retro cups and mugs to start my day out with some whimsy.

Source: etsy.com via Harmony on Pinterest

One thing I can say for myself is that I have always adored old books. I dont care if I ever read them, but I just cant stop collecting vintage literature.  I love the way they make my living room feel when they are filling my book shelves with all their stories both told and untold.

Source: etsy.com via Harmony on Pinterest

I wish I had discovered the gorgeous magic and fun to be had by wearing enameled flower brooches before they became so incredibly popular.  I mean have you seen those wedding bouquets made from collections of these vintage pins?  I'm only seven years happily married and am ready to have a second wedding just to carry one of those.  I just love the incredible colors found in these bobbles.  I might have to let them inspire a painting...hmmm.

Source: flickr.com via Harmony on Pinterest

And lastly to share with you today, I have recently realized that vintage metal hoops make every embroidery project I frame in them look a bazillion times more lovely.  I will never use another regular old wood hoop again.  I've been converted to vintage only.

Source: etsy.com via Harmony on Pinterest

Well, there you have it.  My latest obsessions and inspirations.  Are you the vintage lovin type?  What are your obsessions in the world of vintage right now?  Any particular finds you are most proud of?  I am just getting started in my discoveries and would love to hear from you pros.

XO, HARMONY