W e a v i n g : I n s p i r a t i o n

My newest crafting obsession is weaving! I just love how simple it is to combine various yarn textures and colors and turn it into a piece of art. I'm crushing hard on the work of Maryanne Moody, as well as on the other lovely woven textile pieces floating around the Pinterest world.  As an added bonus - weaving is a great way to use up leftover yarn from my crochet stash. Stay tuned for some posts on how to DIY a few simple looms and learn some beginner weaving techniques. I'm super excited to learn more about this beautiful craft! 

H a p p y F r i d a y !

Happy Friday, friends! 

This is definitely a happy Friday, for me, as I just finished up another semester of grad school!

Now, I can finally concentrate on what really matters this time of year; family, friends, Christmas and craft projects! ;)

C r a f t B r e a k : C l a y N e c k l a c e

A great way to may your own statement piece necklace is to make a base shape out of polymer clay, bake it and then add decoration with paint.  To make my bird necklace I rolled out the clay to about a 1/4 inch thick, cut out the shape with a knife and used a big needle to make the holes where I wanted to attach the chain and baked it according to the instructions on the clay package. I added the design with acrylic paints and even some nail polish. After that was dry, I coated the whole piece with a thick clear glaze and added the chain. It's so easy to get creative with this project and customize the colors to match your wardrobe!

C r a f t B r e a k : L a p D e s k R e v a m p

I recently decided it was time to makeover my plain and dingy lap desk. Considering I am pretty much glued to my laptop (especially during the school year) it has served me well, because who really wants to come home and sit at a desk after you've been sitting at a desk all day at work? Enter lap desk and couch - still semi conducive to productivity and oh-so-much-more comfortable than a real desk. 

The inspiration for this design came from the amazingly lovely prints and patterns over at Rifle Paper Co.  I just love everything they make, but since they don't make super handy lap desks I had to go and create one on my own.  

If you have a dingy lap desk that needs a makeover here are the steps I followed:

1. Remove any cushion. Wet-sand lap desk with 600 grit sand paper.
Clean off any sanding dust from surface.

2. Evenly spray paint your base color over the entire hard surface. Let dry 

3. Break out your acrylic craft paints and get creative with your design. Let dry.

4. For protection and a glossy finish, add a couple thin coats of spray polyurethane. Let completely dry (I gave mine several days to harden) before using desk. 

Now sit back on your couch, grab your pretty new lap desk....

and get your homework done in comfort and style. 

L i t t l e B i t s O f T h e M o M A

On my last day in NYC I had some free time and decided to check out the Museum of Modern Art. Best decision ever! 

I left feeling very inspired by all of the amazing works of art. It's truly a magical place.

Now to get to work on some of my own creations!

C r a f t B r e a k : G r e e t i n g C a r d s

Today, I finished up a birthday gift for my Oma. I made these mini watercolor paintings and attached them to blank cards so she always has cards on hand when she needs them! For storage, I will be keeping them in a wooden box I made previously (DIY on that coming soon).  Can't wait to give this to her!

C r a f t B r e a k : W a t e r c o l o r P a i n t i n g

I've finally found some time to get back into painting!

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T o d a y . . .

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I absolutely love this slogan. It sums up what art is all about. 

H a p p y W e e k e n d

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C r e a t e