Simple Inspiration on Staying Forever Young

{Image Source}

I just loved this print from Kari Machal Designs, and it became the inspiration behind this post. How do we stay forever young?

...live a simple, abundant life...

...LEARN from mistakes.
...always STAY TRUE to yourself and the morals and beliefs you believe in.
...LEARN new knowledge daily, about anything.
...Live a HEALTHY lifestyle.
...LAUGH often.
...never be afraid to TRY SOMETHING NEW and celebrate when you do.
...SURROUND yourself with wonderful, supportive people.
...have FAITH always.

Be Courageous and Be Brave

{Image Source}

I just loved this print from Kari Machal Designs, and it became the inspiration behind this post. How do we stay forever young?

...live a simple, abundant life...

...LEARN from mistakes.
...always STAY TRUE to yourself and the morals and beliefs you believe in.
...LEARN new knowledge daily, about anything.
...Live a HEALTHY lifestyle.
...LAUGH often.
...never be afraid to TRY SOMETHING NEW and celebrate when you do.
...SURROUND yourself with wonderful, supportive people.
...have FAITH always.

Be Courageous and Be Brave

Back Bay Pottery: Modern Ceramics for Your Home and Kitchen

Today's Empowering Women, Inspiring Art feature has nearly everything you can imagine for your home made out of pottery. Back Bay Pottery adds charm and simple details to their products that I just love! The shop offers handcrafted dinnerware, charming jewelry items such as ceramic beads and earrings, and other home goods. The possibilities of what can be done with pottery are endless in Christine's shop. And for that reason, I'm thrilled to feature her!




What Christine has to say about her business and life....

What inspires me is everything around me...my friends and family (we are all a creative bunch of people) and of course the beautiful place I live, the central coast of California. Several times a week a few of my best friends will come to my studio and do some craft project like screen printing, hand carved stamps, and of course pottery. I am always thinking about something new I can make with clay.

I keep my items fresh and different from other shops because I am always willing to try new things. I'm a problem solver so I always think about how to make things better, easier to use, and even prettier.

I am always trying out new techniques and coming up with new designs for pottery. Something I am most excited about is screen printing on tea towels. I love fabrics with pottery and I think the two together will work beautifully in my shop.

My family and I love to go camping. Our favorite place to camp is in Big Sur. You get the best of both worlds there, the forest and the beach. It's one of the most beautiful places in the world. My husband just finished refurbishing an old canoe that is big enough to fit all four of us. We look forward to paddling across the bay and have a picnic on the sand dunes.

I mostly read craft and pottery books and I can't think of a favorite one. My most favorite food is anything Thai and my husbands homemade salsa. As far as music goes I don't have favorite songs just favorite artists...Natalie Merchant and Ray LaMontagne. I listen to all their albums and love it all.


Thank you Christine for allowing us a glimpse of your life and Back Bay Pottery. Learn more about all the happenings of her shop and how she got started.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Website

Today's Empowering Women, Inspiring Art feature has nearly everything you can imagine for your home made out of pottery. Back Bay Pottery adds charm and simple details to their products that I just love! The shop offers handcrafted dinnerware, charming jewelry items such as ceramic beads and earrings, and other home goods. The possibilities of what can be done with pottery are endless in Christine's shop. And for that reason, I'm thrilled to feature her!




What Christine has to say about her business and life....

What inspires me is everything around me...my friends and family (we are all a creative bunch of people) and of course the beautiful place I live, the central coast of California. Several times a week a few of my best friends will come to my studio and do some craft project like screen printing, hand carved stamps, and of course pottery. I am always thinking about something new I can make with clay.

I keep my items fresh and different from other shops because I am always willing to try new things. I'm a problem solver so I always think about how to make things better, easier to use, and even prettier.

I am always trying out new techniques and coming up with new designs for pottery. Something I am most excited about is screen printing on tea towels. I love fabrics with pottery and I think the two together will work beautifully in my shop.

My family and I love to go camping. Our favorite place to camp is in Big Sur. You get the best of both worlds there, the forest and the beach. It's one of the most beautiful places in the world. My husband just finished refurbishing an old canoe that is big enough to fit all four of us. We look forward to paddling across the bay and have a picnic on the sand dunes.

I mostly read craft and pottery books and I can't think of a favorite one. My most favorite food is anything Thai and my husbands homemade salsa. As far as music goes I don't have favorite songs just favorite artists...Natalie Merchant and Ray LaMontagne. I listen to all their albums and love it all.


Thank you Christine for allowing us a glimpse of your life and Back Bay Pottery. Learn more about all the happenings of her shop and how she got started.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Website

Matted Photography Prints

I have restocked my selection of matted photography prints and have added some new ones to my Etsy shop this week. Look for more to be added soon!

Mail Pouch Barn Matted Print (Ready for 8x10 Frame)

An oldie now available in a matted version
Mossy Forest Floor Macro Print

Red Barn in the Country

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I have restocked my selection of matted photography prints and have added some new ones to my Etsy shop this week. Look for more to be added soon!

Mail Pouch Barn Matted Print (Ready for 8x10 Frame)

An oldie now available in a matted version
Mossy Forest Floor Macro Print

Red Barn in the Country

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

First Practice Lesson on Sewing Different Stitches

Today I'm going to share with you a practice lesson for those of you who are just learning how to sew. I thought it was very helpful and imagine it will be beneficial until I learn the ins and outs of my stitches. Since the patterns shown on the dial are small and hard to see, this activity helped me see each stitch separately as well as helped me learn the basics of sewing and work through common errors that might happen with stitches.

The sewing machine that I am learning on is a Singer Simple 3200. I found the manual that came with the machine to be lacking clear directions about specifics of the machine, such as threading the bobbin. However, I was lucky to receive an old Singer sewing manual with over 400 pages of sewing instruction.

Learning the Stitches:

During this practice lesson, I concentrated on the Pattern Selector Dial (bottom dial with S) and the stitch length dial (top dial).

You will need approximately 11 strips of scrap fabric (I used brown felt) and thread. Use contrasting colors, it will be easier to see the stitch pattern.

I set my stitch width to 3 during the majority of the lesson. (Dial is not pictured).

(Be sure to thread your machine and bobbin before starting to sew.)
I started at the straight stitch option and worked my way clockwise on the Pattern Selector Dial. For example, I would start with the dials as pictured. The first straight stitch was in black so I would set my Stitch Length Dial to the black numbers, experimenting with the different lengths throughout the lesson.

Once you have your machine ready, sew on the first piece of fabric until you get about 1/3 of the way down. Then switch your Stitch Length Dial to S1, you can see on my machine they are both blue. With some of the pattern sets each color has a different pattern. Continue to sew where you stopped. After you get a little over half way down, stop once more and switch the Stitch Length Dial to S2, which is shown in red on my machine. Then finish sewing the rest of the way to the bottom of the strip of fabric. After I completed a strip, I labeled each one accordingly by the stitch pattern dial (1-11, going clockwise). Continue these steps for each pattern set.

You can see from the picture below that the first set (straight stitch) and the second set (zig-zag stitch) did not change except for getting thicker. While completing this lesson, I made notes on a piece of paper of what each stitch may be used for and which ones would be the most common to use for certain projects. I numbered them the same as the strips of fabric.

Labeled stitches 

Close up view of some of the pretty stitch designs. 

So far I have done two small projects and am looking forward to sewing more!

Today I'm going to share with you a practice lesson for those of you who are just learning how to sew. I thought it was very helpful and imagine it will be beneficial until I learn the ins and outs of my stitches. Since the patterns shown on the dial are small and hard to see, this activity helped me see each stitch separately as well as helped me learn the basics of sewing and work through common errors that might happen with stitches.

The sewing machine that I am learning on is a Singer Simple 3200. I found the manual that came with the machine to be lacking clear directions about specifics of the machine, such as threading the bobbin. However, I was lucky to receive an old Singer sewing manual with over 400 pages of sewing instruction.

Learning the Stitches:

During this practice lesson, I concentrated on the Pattern Selector Dial (bottom dial with S) and the stitch length dial (top dial).

You will need approximately 11 strips of scrap fabric (I used brown felt) and thread. Use contrasting colors, it will be easier to see the stitch pattern.

I set my stitch width to 3 during the majority of the lesson. (Dial is not pictured).

(Be sure to thread your machine and bobbin before starting to sew.)
I started at the straight stitch option and worked my way clockwise on the Pattern Selector Dial. For example, I would start with the dials as pictured. The first straight stitch was in black so I would set my Stitch Length Dial to the black numbers, experimenting with the different lengths throughout the lesson.

Once you have your machine ready, sew on the first piece of fabric until you get about 1/3 of the way down. Then switch your Stitch Length Dial to S1, you can see on my machine they are both blue. With some of the pattern sets each color has a different pattern. Continue to sew where you stopped. After you get a little over half way down, stop once more and switch the Stitch Length Dial to S2, which is shown in red on my machine. Then finish sewing the rest of the way to the bottom of the strip of fabric. After I completed a strip, I labeled each one accordingly by the stitch pattern dial (1-11, going clockwise). Continue these steps for each pattern set.

You can see from the picture below that the first set (straight stitch) and the second set (zig-zag stitch) did not change except for getting thicker. While completing this lesson, I made notes on a piece of paper of what each stitch may be used for and which ones would be the most common to use for certain projects. I numbered them the same as the strips of fabric.

Labeled stitches 

Close up view of some of the pretty stitch designs. 

So far I have done two small projects and am looking forward to sewing more!

Actions Speak, Actions Can Be Unforeseen Quote

  

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Recycling Vinyl Records into Stunning Clocks by Shannybeebo

And the series continues...today you will meet a fun, loving artist who turns old vinyl records into modern clocks with stunning designs. I first discovered Shannybeeboo when one of her creations was featured in a lovely blue treasury on Etsy. At first, I was attracted to the colors and design of the item featured and I went on to explore her shop.

Unique Clocks and Home Decor by ShannyBeeBo

Shannon has over 200 clocks listed in her Etsy shop and with each one being different it makes choosing just one a challenge. Recently her paper bead clock was featured in an issue of UK Edition of Vogue as well as Marie Claire, Glamour, Home and Garden, InStyle, and Home Living.

And now, let us get to know the artist behind these upcycled creations!


Well, my name is Shannon Ruby - I'm a workaholic, married for 3 years, I have a 19 year old son and a 3 year old dog named Ellie Mae Clampett. Ellie is a red Pomeranian and the daughter we won't have. She has such a pack mentality (so funny) and expects to sleep with us every night. We see her smiling all of the time and she brings so much joy to our lives. I don't have any "official training" with regards to art. I just love to make things. I can't have my nails painted and nice because they will have a "vintage" look after working with my hands all day long.

Map Themed Upcycled Clock

{Inspirations} Color and crazy patterns inspire me. I can see a crazy bunch of flowers and BAM...ideas start flying through my head. My friends and family are so supportive and inspiring as well. I bounce all of my ideas off of my husband and sister in law. I don't know that my husband hears me half the time...my sister in law does for sure.

{What are you working on now?} I'm working on a few different things right now. I'll just say that it involves paint and cork...not at the same time. I'm also working on my tan. I live in Texas and it's already 115 degrees.

{Hobbies} This is Texas, so I love to eat food, especially BBQ and veggies, cooked over the fire when it's about 120 degrees. I also love driving over an hour to check out a band or two in Austin. I really enjoy spending time with the huge family that my husband and I have. Lots of cookouts, laughing, camping, pilates, yoga, and walking the dogs.

{Favorite Book} That is a hard one. I read so many books. Okay, this is cheesy, but I have the fondest memories of The Little House on the Prairie books. I remember lying in bed at night for hours reading that series over and over. I still lay in bed and read for hours...sometimes it's 3:00 am before I realize it.

{Favorite Food} Easy, sushi

{Favorite Song} I love anything by the Beastie Boys (who doesn't). I like The XX and National...too many to list.


Love her stuff? Be sure to like her on Facebook and follow her shop on Twitter @ShannyBeeBoR


Thanks for stopping by and checking out part of my series "Empowering Women, Inspiring Art." Read about other wonderful artists by clicking the icon in the right column.

And the series continues...today you will meet a fun, loving artist who turns old vinyl records into modern clocks with stunning designs. I first discovered Shannybeeboo when one of her creations was featured in a lovely blue treasury on Etsy. At first, I was attracted to the colors and design of the item featured and I went on to explore her shop.

Unique Clocks and Home Decor by ShannyBeeBo

Shannon has over 200 clocks listed in her Etsy shop and with each one being different it makes choosing just one a challenge. Recently her paper bead clock was featured in an issue of UK Edition of Vogue as well as Marie Claire, Glamour, Home and Garden, InStyle, and Home Living.

And now, let us get to know the artist behind these upcycled creations!


Well, my name is Shannon Ruby - I'm a workaholic, married for 3 years, I have a 19 year old son and a 3 year old dog named Ellie Mae Clampett. Ellie is a red Pomeranian and the daughter we won't have. She has such a pack mentality (so funny) and expects to sleep with us every night. We see her smiling all of the time and she brings so much joy to our lives. I don't have any "official training" with regards to art. I just love to make things. I can't have my nails painted and nice because they will have a "vintage" look after working with my hands all day long.

Map Themed Upcycled Clock

{Inspirations} Color and crazy patterns inspire me. I can see a crazy bunch of flowers and BAM...ideas start flying through my head. My friends and family are so supportive and inspiring as well. I bounce all of my ideas off of my husband and sister in law. I don't know that my husband hears me half the time...my sister in law does for sure.

{What are you working on now?} I'm working on a few different things right now. I'll just say that it involves paint and cork...not at the same time. I'm also working on my tan. I live in Texas and it's already 115 degrees.

{Hobbies} This is Texas, so I love to eat food, especially BBQ and veggies, cooked over the fire when it's about 120 degrees. I also love driving over an hour to check out a band or two in Austin. I really enjoy spending time with the huge family that my husband and I have. Lots of cookouts, laughing, camping, pilates, yoga, and walking the dogs.

{Favorite Book} That is a hard one. I read so many books. Okay, this is cheesy, but I have the fondest memories of The Little House on the Prairie books. I remember lying in bed at night for hours reading that series over and over. I still lay in bed and read for hours...sometimes it's 3:00 am before I realize it.

{Favorite Food} Easy, sushi

{Favorite Song} I love anything by the Beastie Boys (who doesn't). I like The XX and National...too many to list.


Love her stuff? Be sure to like her on Facebook and follow her shop on Twitter @ShannyBeeBoR


Thanks for stopping by and checking out part of my series "Empowering Women, Inspiring Art." Read about other wonderful artists by clicking the icon in the right column.

Antique Trunk Refinish for Show Set Up and Home Decorating

Almost a year ago, I found this antique trunk at a spring garden show that I attended. I fell in love with the items the antique seller had but I thought this little trunk had a lot of potential.

I purchased the trunk for about $30. I mainly wanted to refinish it because of the green color. I didn't mind the rusty metal trim or the old hardware.




What I used:

Sandpaper and Mouse Sanding Tool
Glidden Satin Paint
Minwax Wood Stain, Red Mahogany
Clean cloth, to apply wood stain
Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane, Satin (outside only)

  

Almost a year ago, I found this antique trunk at a spring garden show that I attended. I fell in love with the items the antique seller had but I thought this little trunk had a lot of potential.

I purchased the trunk for about $30. I mainly wanted to refinish it because of the green color. I didn't mind the rusty metal trim or the old hardware.




What I used:

Sandpaper and Mouse Sanding Tool
Glidden Satin Paint
Minwax Wood Stain, Red Mahogany
Clean cloth, to apply wood stain
Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane, Satin (outside only)