From My Sketchbook

2012-02-07T20:23:00.000-05:00

Mini-Vakay

2012-02-06T08:54:00.000-05:00

We're fresh off the road from a trip to the lake that I didn't even know I needed. I took my camera with big plans to capture the event, but the weather was so nice I only thought about enjoying it. This picture is the view from the deck that I took back in the fall.

I clocked in a lot of hours here chatting with the fam, reading, thinking. It was warm enough outside that we canoed in short sleeves. The one & only picture I took this weekend was from my phone...

(Sorry about the dog in bed thing Mom... I put the sheets in the laundry before we left)

I'm refreshed & ready to take on the week now!

And here's a barnboard, just because I'd like to pretend I got some painting done.

Learning Photoshop

2012-02-01T07:55:00.000-05:00

I bought Photoshop Elements in 2009 and never did much of anything with it. I put up a mental block on learning how to use it for some reason. My sensei has been prodding me to use it for some time now. The week of Mart I was looking at my portfolio and suddenly felt an urgency to embrace photoshop. It was a little too late for me to get everything in order that week, but I'm now working on restructuring the way I present my work. It really does make a huge difference.

Instead of just showing an art director this:

I'll show them my ideas of where this little birdie could be used & how it would look:

Baby steps!

2012-01-29T17:16:00.000-05:00

I'm an auntie x7 now! Ollie Pearl is the new little girl around here.

My brother & sis-in-law welcomed this little lady into the world 01.24.12.

My Friday Happys

2012-01-20T15:29:00.000-05:00

First of all, it's pouring outside....

You can't really tell in this picture, but it is. One of my sis-in-laws calls me a vampire because of my love for cold rainy days. I am my happiest on days like this. Not to mention the rest of this awesomeness....

Produce delivery day! Viking Produce makes me so happy. Every other Friday I come home to a bin of organic vegetables. It's not all local produce, but it is organic.

The fact that we have flowers in our yard that bloom in January. It's hard to beat a camellia bush.

Drinking hot chocolate out of a mug made by a local potter (I'm a sucker for handmade mugs) while sifting through my vintage button collection. I have no idea where they came from, but I've had them for as long as I can remember. Aren't they cool?

I hope you find your happys this weekend!

The good thing about my blogging hiatus...

2012-01-17T21:15:00.000-05:00

is that I have a backlog of art. I really liked the way this turned out..

Had to start somewhere....

2012-01-14T22:10:00.000-05:00

I'm fresh off the road from a trip to the Atlanta Gift Mart. I was thrilled to see my first licensed work in the Ohio Wholesale showroom. I'm looking pretty cheesy, I know...

As excited as I was to spot my painting, I was also a little bummed to realize that the other two pieces didn't make the cut. They'll hopefully be in their catalog and fingers crossed someone will be buying for their stores through that.

It's so cool to see the trends before they hit the stores and it's so inspiring just walking around taking in the scene. Two trends that I can confidently report are all things maritime (driftwood, shells, coral, boats) and bright patterns (especially ikat and anything tangerine tango (2012 pantone color of the year).

Fun idea....

2012-01-11T10:33:00.000-05:00

I made this for a lovely lady as a gift for her parents. She found something similar on pinterest and enlisted me to execute the idea. The one she found was on a plain ol' board, but of course I have the really cool barn boards :). It's simply clothes pins glued to the board and embellished with paint & buttons. I thought this was a fun alternative to a cork board, magnet board, or wire/twine with clothes pins.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

2012-01-09T08:55:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I struggled with joy despite my circumstances. Not that my circumstances are that terrible, but sadness over not being able to have a baby creeps up on me out of nowhere. I think I've got it under control and then.... boom! It's on me like the weight of the world.

After cleaning my house, my attic, and part of my photo files I managed to feel a little more in control of my life. I bought hydrangeas for the table and lit a lot of candles. I painted. My little corner of the world made sense again & I was happy to be there.

God spoke to me through my devotionals this morning. I read two completely separate sources and they were both about time. I love the above verses from Ecclesiastes. And of course I can't help but to sing The Byrds' 'Turn, Turn, Turn' when I read it. The secret to peace is accepting God's timing as perfect. In Beth Moore's study of Paul she says, "When we continue to resist what God has for us, we may cripple our ability to understand how the pieces of our puzzle fit together. We will constantly single out our experiences rather than understand them as parts of a whole."

There's an 80% chance of rain today and all I have to do is paint and go on one design appointment. I LOVE the rain, I've got my head straight again, and I know it's going to be a great day. I hope it is for you also!

Interior Befores & Afters...

2012-01-08T20:47:00.000-05:00

This should just about wrap-up the posts on interior projects you've already seen.

~Before~

~after~

~Before~

~after~

A few bathroom

2012-01-08T20:31:00.000-05:00

Building on the previous post, here are a few bathroom remodels I've had to pleasure to work on. It always amazes me how much you can spend on small spaces.

Those beautiful marble tiles & custom tile work....

The fixtures...

The cabinetry...

And this is an all-time fav.

I've got a new website....

2012-01-07T19:47:00.001-05:00

{lmharrell.com}

I'm trying to simplify. I've made things way more complicated than they need to be over the years. Instead of 'painted.', 'painted by lauren', or 'art and interiors' I'm just 'lmharrell'. I did feel a bit guilty abandoning my maiden name (since my parents put up with my shenanigans for so long), but what can you do.

Anywho, I love my freelance interior design jobs, but I wanted my website to focus on art. So, I'm moving my design pics to the bloggie-blog. Please excuse the quality!

I was not in support of the red-orange accent wall, but overall this kitchen turned out great. It was a tight space, but utilizing the back of the peninsula that faced the living room made the kitchen feel a lot larger than it actually was.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Before the building boom came to an end I worked with a high-end builder out of Atlanta. She always had a huge budget and great ideas. Needless to say, her projects where a lot of fun. She bought old houses in downtown Atlanta and completely gutted them. They always included building out a new space for a kitchen & master bedroom. I wish I had pictures of this entire house... it was amazing!

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Another one of her Atlanta projects in progress...

Never under-estimate a fresh coat of paint, new countertop, and some tile.

Check out these before & afters:

~before~

~after~

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

I curse the day I didn't take a 'before' of this kitchen. This was a tiny galley kitchen in an early 90s ranch. The homeowner went for a super sleek look.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Another project with no blank-idy-blank before pictures. This client had a pretty definitive look that she wanted... I just helped with space planning.

Believe it or not, this is in a small brick ranch built in the 60s.

A lot about livin' and a little about love...

2012-01-04T08:38:00.003-05:00

Happy 2012!

I hope the new year finds you happy & healthy. I absolutely love new years... even though it's technically just another day, I love the idea of a fresh start. A clean slate. Prior to 2011 I made the typical resolutions that one rarely keeps... exercise more, eat healthy, stop cussing (I'm just being honest), etc. At the beginning of 2011 I decided to treat my resolutions as goals. Have you ever looked at the definition of resolution? If not, it's a "firm decision to do or not do something". I have a grease board in my studio space that I see everyday, so I wrote my goals on there:

1. Read. I always have a million projects going at once. I work about 25 hours a week at a flooring store, paint, and do freelance interior design. I got in the really bad habit of turning on the t.v. at night just to do something mindless before falling asleep. I realized that I was getting dumber by the day... not only do I watch t.v., but I watch the likes of Keeping up with the Kardashians and any celebrity gossip show. So, I started reading at night. I usually get less than 30 minutes in before I fall asleep, so it takes me forever to read a book, but this has really enriched my life.

2. Get one art licensing job. Two years ago I didn't even know art licensing existed, but I have been fortunate to learn about this through my good friend- the super talented Genevieve Gail. This is the accomplishment that I am most excited about. Only two weeks in to 2011 a company licensed several of my pieces and they'll be in the Atlanta gift mart this month. So exciting!

3. Tree art show. I've had an idea about a show I've wanted to do on trees forever now. I got a good start on it last year, but never completed. SO... this one rolled over into 2012. I hope to get this one checked off by April.

4. Get a baby. I learned that this one was out of my control, but I still like to have it on the list. And I will until I can check it off. As most of you know, trying to have a baby has been the main theme of my life since the end of 2008. Two full years of infertility, a lot of tears, and a lot of money led Trent & I to the decision of adoption last year. The adoption process hasn't been much easier than the infertility was. After lots of paperwork, a lot more tears, and more money we know we're exactly where God wants us. Once I surrendered to that, life has really started to make more sense. I have a quote posted on my cork board that helps me to refocus when I get frustrated with this time in my life:

"Be patient to all that is unsolved in your heart & try to love the questions themselves."

- Rainer Maria Rilke

I stopped blogging last year because it kind of stressed me out. I've now realized that it's a good way to hold myself accountable. It really helps me keep track of how much I'm painting, which is ultimately what I want to do full-time one day. So, here's the 2012 resolution list:

Blog 1x a week (so put me back on your blog list!)
Get an art agent (I've realized that I'm not motivated to do the business end of licensing, so I believe this is going to be the best route for me in pursuit of full-time art)
Read more.... I'm putting together a list of books for the year, so let me know if you have any favorites.
Do yoga or run 2x a week. I had to throw in an exercise one because my lack of it has gotten out of hand.
Tree art show
Get a baby :)

I pray that I learn as much about life & love in 2012 as I did in 2011. I pray that I can stay focused, be deliberate in all my actions, and add more joy (despite my circumstances) to this world. Lord knows the world needs more joy. And my one piece of advice for you this year.... read The 4:8 Principle:

It will change your life. I promise.

2011-12-24T16:01:00.000-05:00

I hope you & yours have a wonderful Christmas & a blessed new year!

2011-04-20T07:44:00.000-04:00

I just realized it's been more than 2 weeks since I've last blogged. I've been doing a whole lot more of thinking about painting than actually doing it. I can't promise that I'm going to be getting better about it anytime soon.

Thanks for checking in though!

2011-04-04T21:12:00.002-04:00

A friend of mine is organizing a fundraiser for our little local zoo, Bear Hollow.

This is my contribution!

2011-04-03T20:17:00.001-04:00

This past week I drove through uncharted territory on my way to a customer's house (for my day job). The country views were exquisite... I almost ran off the road several times trying to take it all in. I would have killed to have my camera. As I continued to drive I entered Hard Labor Creek State Park. I've always heard of it, but didn't realize how close it was. Trent & I had been kicked around the idea of camping for a few weeks, so I decided this was our destination.

Saturday morning we loaded up all our gear- I made sure the camera was within reach. Trent didn't know I planned on pulling over 20 times on the way there for photo ops.... I knew he'd grumble. So, I see my first subject in the distance and ask him to slow down. He's compliant. I hop out and snap one picture and the camera dies. No big deal, I always have a spare battery with me. But I soon realized that I neglected to charge the back-up and there was no back-up for the back-up. Errr.

I pouted as I watched the views go by before I thought about the old camera phone. Score!

The quality is poor, but I did manage to get a few shots before it also died.

We had a sweet little campsite with the lake in view. Trent cooked up some good grub.

We did a little exploring. It's hard to beat a spring weekend in Georgia!

2011-03-23T20:06:00.001-04:00

Good things going down in our yard....

My hydrangeas are a commin' :)

2011-03-17T07:39:00.000-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

xo,

Vince & the O'Harrells

2011-03-15T18:07:00.001-04:00

Somethings shouldn't take me as long as they do. Like this. Very simple, nothing complicated.

I'm often asked how long it takes me to paint something. I never try to be elusive, but I seriously don't know how to answer that. I'll paint for a while, walk away to let a portion dry, come back and change something. I may like it & keep going or hate it and start over completely. I may whip out a seemingly complex painting in no time, or I may spend an eternity on something like this. If I had to guess on this one.... probably 8 hours total.

2011-03-10T07:31:00.002-05:00

People will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did,

but people will never forget how you made them feel.

-Maya Angelou

Go make someone feel good today!

2011-03-01T08:03:00.000-05:00

I celebrated my 32nd birthday with my mom & aunt Sonya

(whom I share the same birthday with) in Fairhope, Alabama.

The weather was amazing and the company was even better.

Sonya lives in a historical cottage that sits a couple of blocks from the quaint

downtown area and about 100 yards from the bay.

You can see this from her front porch....

(her puppy, Pepper)

The number of pictures to follow are a bit ridiculous, but I couldn't help it. The Mardi Gras parades began this past weekend and they did not disappoint. The local animal shelter hosted the 'Mystic Mutt's Parade'. Many people really took this to the extreme... very entertaining.

The Situation & Snookie.....

We did a lot of strolling....

and eating....

And one more parade hosted by The Knights of Ecor Rouge....

Thanks for a great weekend ladies!

2011-02-20T15:08:00.000-05:00

I'd like to add an amendment to my previous post....

I LOVE wedding showers when they're for my bff!

2011-02-15T18:29:00.000-05:00

I strongly dislike wedding & baby showers. Until my group of ladies re-invented them... we have them on a week night, at a restaurant. No middle of the day Saturday. No cupcakes, mixed nuts, and mints. No games. My favorite to date is the sushi-karaoke baby shower for Lindsay......

Her sisters live in other states & hosted an online shower &

wanted everyone to make a bib. This was ours...

I found the directions for making a laminated bib on Make It and Love It. Kinda cool, huh?

2011-02-14T07:39:00.000-05:00

and

Happy 60th Mot!!!

2011-02-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

For Ms. Cuteness....

2011-02-09T16:18:00.001-05:00

This lovely couple is getting married saturday...

This is their wedding gift.....

Year of the Rabbit

2011-02-03T20:57:00.000-05:00

Imagine my surprise when I realized 30 minutes ago that today is the start of the Chinese New Year. Errrr.... I've had nifty little watercolors ready in the past for the big event. Since I'm absolutely exhausted and getting in bed soon I decided not to let the moment pass & create an etsy treasury of other wonderful artists who were prepared.....

2011 Chinese New Year

Year of the Rabbit- Lunar ...
danieljoseph...
$5.00 USD
Ready to Ship - Clutch, C...
ManilaExtrac...
$35.00 USD
lucky you
studioCjewel...
$24.00 USD
Black Pearl Asian Banded s...
BabyEtte
$64.00 USD
SALE Hares Tshirt - Black ...
NYhop
$26.00 USD
Happy Valentine's Day ...
ivylanedesig...
$26.00 USD
ER3-2 Chinese Coin Earring...
LittleApples
$5.30 USD
2011 CALENDAR - year of th...
brookewoolle...
$12.00 USD
Chinese New Year Collage T...
WinkandMe
$30.00 USD
Bamboo Chinese New Year Ca...
lilcub72
$6.00 USD
Year of the Rabbit - Bunny...
Phizzwizard
$18.00 USD
St. Laurence/The Chinese K...
jenwojtowicz
$20.00 USD
Chinese New Year 2011 Pape...
caitlynharri...
$35.00 USD
Pair of Bunnies Necklace i...
DestinysCrea...
$55.00 USD
Ruby Red Double Paper Cut ...
PrudenceOcta...
$150.00 USD
Happy Chinese New Year Red...
meiguidesign...
$18.00 USD

2011-02-02T07:13:00.000-05:00

You might recall the previous wedding invitations that I've painted.

They are always well received, so I Trent's cousin, Lyndsey got one this past weekend...

(her flowers were casa blanca lilies & chocolate roses)

2011-01-31T20:14:00.001-05:00

For the love of a funny looking bulldog on Frank's birthday...

2011-01-31T07:59:00.000-05:00

The camera is back. Quick re-cap....

New Years Eve

Richmond, VA botanical gardens (awesome)

Lots of work at DCO

A great trip to the Atlanta Gift Mart.

Attended an awesome workshop about making "it" (fill in the blank) happen.

Rounded it off with a wonderful weekend at Trent's cousin's wedding...

February.... here we come.....

Tight on Space

2011-01-19T07:36:00.002-05:00

So I'm trying to figure out where I can have studio space in our house without taking up an entire bedroom (which is what I've done). We could build some sort of structure in the back, but that would require running power to it, getting permits, and spending way too much money. We could move a wall in our utility room out a few feet into the carport, but we'd need to get some sort of little heating & air unit to build in. Those options seem a bit too involved for a not-so-handy-couple.

So, I'm thinking about converting a closet. Here are some images I've been checking out this morning {click on image for source}:

2011-01-16T20:41:00.000-05:00

16 down, 12 to go....days that is.... until I get my camera back from Mama & Them

at the cousin's wedding in south Georgia.

In the meantime, here's what I'm liking right now:

Bonniesknitting has some beautiful hats. I love 1920s fashion.

I don't foresee incorporating hats or this style into my daily attire, but I sure do like it!

2011-01-13T20:39:00.003-05:00

In general, Rococo style makes me feel like there is something tight on my neck that I want to loosen. But, I can't help to love these chairs....

2011-01-12T08:14:00.000-05:00

In my ignorance, I have discounted Lilly Pulitzer as a rather boring yuppy line of clothing. Now, Lilly herself was a socialite from Long Island & her clothes are listed as a 'must-have' in The Official Preppy Handbook, but that doesn't take away from the fact that she is a true style icon.

Check out this most inspiring article in Lonny Magazine!

2011-01-10T15:26:00.001-05:00

We're snowed in & I've wasted no less than 5 hours on the internet. I've had about 45 minutes of productivity. Included in that 45 minutes is the 15 minutes I've spent on Shades of Light. One of my wonderful clients introduced me to it & hands down it's the best lighting source I've seen in awhile. Here are a few of my favorites:

2011-01-07T10:28:00.001-05:00

So, Trent & I are suckers for the HGTV Dream Homes. We enter the contest for every one, usually multiple times. We discuss whether or not we'd sell it. Who we'd take with us when we visit for the first time. What we'd change about the house. I think we'd probably keep this one...

Happy Friday!

2011-01-05T19:56:00.000-05:00

I hope 2o11 has been good to you thus far! We had a fabulous trip to Virginia to bring in the new year with 3 of our 6 precious nieces & nephews {and their parents, of course}.

Unfortunately, my camera did not make it home with us. We'll be reunited at the

end of the month, so no exciting photos from me until February :(

Until then....start thinking about freshening up the house with tips from Elle Decor...

Home Remodeling

Color Picks From the Pros

Ever wonder what colors the top interior designers use time and again? We asked, and they delivered—divulging some of their favorite go-to hues.

Written by Tim McKeough

Photo: Scott Frances

Alessandra Branca

• Farrow & Ball Skylight 205—“It is a calming and versatile color and mixes with black lacquer wonderfully,” says Branca, who describes the hue (shown) as “a Venetian blue gray.”

• Signal Red RAL 3001 from Fine Paints of Europe—“My favorite stock red lacquer,” says Branca. “It is warm, relaxed, and mixes beautifully with so many other colors.”

• Granary Glow 7062T from Fine Paints of Europe (shown)—This color “is such pure sunshine and warmth,” she says. “It makes you grin with delight.”

Jamie Drake

• Benjamin Moore PT-280 Icy Mist—“An ethereal color with a magical sheen” that “adds luster, drama, and a sense of movement to a space,” says Drake.

• Benjamin Moore 2015-30 Calypso Orange—“A sizzling, chic tone,” he says. “It can send any room into a samba dance.”

• Benjamin Moore’s 2067-60 Windmill Wings—This hue is “a breezy blue with just a touch of red in it for warmth,” he says. “The perfect color to evoke a cloud-free summer sky.”

Alexa Hampton

• Benjamin Moore HC-68 Middlebury Brown—“There are many dark browns that have heaps of red in them, and they’re too hot and sticky,” says Hampton. This shade, however, “is a cool dark brown with lots of gray.”

• Benjamin Moore 925 Ivory White—“It’s the perfect creamy off-white,” she says.

• Donald Kaufman Color DKC 16—“Over the past two years, my palette has been getting cooler,” says Hampton. This color fits the bill because it’s a “grayed-out taupe.”

Jay Jeffers

• Benjamin Moore 2088-40 Persimmon—“It is the perfect red,” says Jeffers, offering “just enough warmth without being so over-the-top.”

• Benjamin Moore 1470 Bear Creek—This hue “is my go-to trim color,” he says. “It’s a bold statement in a room and works great with both warm and cool colors.”

Mary McDonald

• Benjamin Moore HC-69 Whitall Brown—“It instantly creates a feeling of enveloping comfort,” says McDonald. “You can pair it with a pastel or neutral for a softer bedroom, or something bold like red for a library.”

• Benjamin Moore HC-166 Kendall Charcoal—“My go-to drama color,” she says. “Even with simple white upholstery it elevates the style quotient tenfold.”

• Benjamin Moore HC-156 Van Deusen Blue—“A mix between Swedish royalty and a yacht vibe” that appeals to men and women alike, she says.

Vicente Wolf

• Benjamin Moore 2135-70 Patriotic White—“I love colors that are mercurial — they are white in bright sunlight and as the light changes the color starts to come to the surface,” says Wolf. “Patriotic White is that perfect color for me.”

• Benjamin Moore 012 Coral Reef—“It makes everybody look sun-kissed,” he says. “It’s a warm color, which instantly makes one smile.

• Benjamin Moore 1-02 Super White—This hue is “my favorite no-color,” says Wolf. “It plays up the architecture and becomes a great foil to the furnishings.”

2011-01-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Congratulations! Today is the first day of your new year. A fresh start. The possibilities are endless...

2010-12-31T09:50:00.002-05:00

Have fun tonight!

2007

2008

2009

2010-12-30T09:46:00.000-05:00

We're heading to Virginia to bring in 2011 with Mama & Them. I've got 8 hours in the car to take inventory on my life & make big plans for the new year. I hope you're doing the same!

2011 Color of the Year

2010-12-28T21:30:00.002-05:00

{It's going to take me a little while to get on board with this one}

According to Pantone....
A Color for All Seasons
Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It’s a color for every day – with nothing “everyday” about it.

Home Interiors
Honeysuckle is upbeat and dynamic when used on large areas like the entry area of a house or an apartment. It is an appetite and conversation stimulant when used on the dining room walls. In the kitchen, it adds a fun touch on the table in placemats and other linens (patterned or solid), colored glassware, candles and small appliances. Honeysuckle is a great color to cover up shabby kitchen cabinets, or, if that’s too much of a color statement for you, try repainting knobs and drawer pulls. But be warned – once you try this arresting shade, it can become addictive.

And fashion......Read more here....

2010-12-27T10:24:00.001-05:00

I hope you had a Merry Christmas! I feel fortunate to be off work today & gazing out the window at the snow before it all melts. The cool white & grey tones of the winter landscape inspired me to create a bedroom design board. I've got a major case of the 'new house itch' and if I were on a shopping spree for my new bedroom today I'd have something like this in mind.....

My parents recently went to Scott Antique Market in Atlanta & commented on all the depressing grey furniture in warehouses. Depressing?!? I say refreshing!

I guess everyone isn't in to industrial chic, but I sure am.

2010-12-24T22:33:00.000-05:00

May your day be merry & bright!

2010-12-22T10:50:00.002-05:00

My die-hard, UGA-fan husband doesn't even react anymore.

2010-12-20T07:47:00.001-05:00

I dig the simple, graphic, bold designs Ebony Snow Chafey creates. She is the founder of Snow & Graham... a hugely successful paper goods design firm based in Chicago. She appears to be rather young and her company does over $2 million in business a year. Yowzers!

It's official!

2010-12-15T09:27:00.003-05:00

Edith is now a member of the Trier family.

You may recall the paintings I did of the 3 Trier pups last year:

The Triers have a big soft place in their hearts for dogs & are among the few that can actually foster rescue pups (I don't know about you, but I certainly couldn't do that). Anyhow, Edith was a foster pup who didn't get adopted, so they decided to go ahead & adopt the gal themselves.

Now her portrait will be added to the family wall!

2010-12-12T16:23:00.000-05:00

Right up my alley

Of Christmases past...

2010-12-09T21:09:00.000-05:00

2010-12-07T07:47:00.001-05:00

You may recall my post several weeks ago about Sarah Richardson. Well, I just ran across photos of her sidekick's house. Tommy Smythe's design= handsome home.

Our awesome weekend in Charleston...

2010-12-05T20:25:00.000-05:00

After work on Friday, we (myself, Trent, my brother & sister-in-law, and Vince) packed the car and headed to Charleston. My cousin & her family recently moved there from California,

so we are thrilled to only be a car ride away.

Vince's canine-cousin, Tucker, greeted us...

I'd be remiss not to mention that Vince threw a couple of curve balls into the trip.... He had an allergic reaction to something, his nose swelled beyond belief, he scratched causing it to bleed, and had one unmentionable incident last night. Not exactly an ideal houseguest.

Anyhow, we :

1. Walked along the bay at the end of their neighborhood....

we chatted to the fisherman & oyster harvester along the way.... ahhh, life in the low country

2. Hung out on Sullivan's Island.

The beach was empty, the dogs were happy, and the tide was oddly low.

Kate convinced us to walk WAY out on an exposed sandbar.

It was worth it...

3. Relaxed & solved world problems...

4. Went out on the town...

Checked out the very cool 'Parade of Boats'.

Ate an AMAZING meal at High Cotton.

roamed the streets admiring the beautiful architecture,

peeped in the windows of the Coleman Gallery to catch a glimpse of

Mary Whyte's breath-taking watercolors,

and imagined how the other half live as we drove by Rainbow Row on the way home

Sunday morning was a happy mix of sleepy eyes, strong coffee, yummy treats, and hearty laughs.

We headed back to Athens with happy hearts, full bellies, and a carload of 'Ben's Baked Goods'.

Thanks for a wonderful visit Larsens!

2010-12-03T07:18:00.002-05:00

We're heading to Charleston, S.C. for the weekend... I haven't been there in ages & am looking forward to seeing it all decked out for Christmas. I hope you have some festive activities planned for your weekend... life is short, make it count!

***************************************************************

2010-12-01T21:19:00.003-05:00

2010-12-01T12:19:00.001-05:00

On the first day of Christmas a few of my true loves..

A wreath made by my Aunt Peggy

My old Target moose.

The cork Christmas tree made by Trent's Aunt Patty.

My Kroger Christmas glasses. The dish towel Carly made.

My new advent calendar. We always had one growing up.

'tis the season!

2010-11-29T21:02:00.000-05:00

This was painted for my college roommate's dear friend. Her daughter was

born disabled & she found this poem that best described her experience.

2010-11-28T20:11:00.000-05:00

Congrats Z&L!

2010-11-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

2010-11-24T08:50:00.000-05:00

And we're off...

Hoping to make it to the t'giving weenie roast before the sunsets!

2010-11-22T21:10:00.001-05:00

Girl With A Pearl Earring

by Johannes Vermeer

Isn't she beautiful?

I'd love to design an entire room around the

colors in this painting.

(Images courtesy of House Beautiful)

2010-11-22T08:32:00.000-05:00

Holiday barn boards ready to be personalized for you!

2010-11-18T19:50:00.001-05:00

As I wander through the dark, encountering difficulties, I am aware of encouraging voices that murmur from the spirit realm. I sense a holy passion pouring down from the springs of Infinity. I thrill to music that beats with the pulses of God. Bound to suns and planets by invisible cords, I feel the flame of eternity in my soul. Here, in the midst of the everyday air, I sense the truth of eternity in my soul. Here, in the midst of the everyday air, I sense the truth of ethereal rains. I am conscious of the splendour that binds all things of earth to all things of heaven. Immured by silence and darkness, I possess the light which shall give me vision a thousandfold when death sets me free.

 -Helen Keller

2010-11-18T08:40:00.002-05:00

The walls are aqua & the bedding...

2010-11-16T20:46:00.001-05:00

(Fresh batch of stars ready for your holiday gifts!)

2010-11-12T08:10:00.001-05:00

Big news in Athens, GA.....

we now have our very own cupcake bakery!

Silver Lining Cupcake Co. is open for business...

2010-11-11T12:33:00.000-05:00

here comes Santa Claus....

2010-11-10T09:59:00.001-05:00

o the mystery of the crow

2010-11-08T19:10:00.002-05:00

2010-11-07T14:22:00.001-05:00

I was folding laundry the other day & decided to see if Keeping up with the Kardashians was on (I know it's trashy, but it's my guilty pleasure & I'm not allowed to watch it when Trent is around). No dice, so I ended up on HGTV. I can't remember the last time that I actually stuck around to watch an entire episode of anything on HGTV, but that day I discovered the wonderful design work of Sarah Richardson. It appears that she's been around for awhile, so this might be old news to you, but check out some of her work....

LOVE it. Especially Sarah's House.

Some of her work is a bit contemporary for my liking,

but I think I can get it over that.

2010-11-02T21:05:00.001-04:00

Lilies for Lou...

2010-11-01T17:33:00.000-04:00

Don’t panic, but we’re only 7 ½ weeks

away from Christmas.

Time to order your barn boards!

2010-10-29T06:29:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween

Aren't those lovely (country living, BHG, MS)?

They don't have anything on this....

2010-10-27T21:35:00.002-04:00

2010-10-27T10:11:00.000-04:00

If you haven't noticed, I've been working on more interior projects lately than art.

My most recent client is challenged by her master bedroom & bath. She has a ton of blue items & an eclectic mix of furniture. She'd like for the room include some Swedish design aesthetics. We'll call her look 'Swedish-American'...... dark wood & antiques placed in a stripped down peaceful room. These rooms are 100% Swedish & 100% fabulous! (click on picture to view source)

2010-10-25T20:17:00.000-04:00

I adore the classic designs of Ralph Lauren. He so beautifully mixes leather, wood, velvet, silver, and rich saturated color. I'd happily let him re-do my house (and closet).

2010-10-24T19:57:00.001-04:00

Please excuse my absence... I've spread myself a bit too thin lately.

Isn't fall wonderful? I love milling around on chilly mornings in my pj's with a big cup o' coffee. One of my favorite cool weather items that accompany my pj's are my felted wool slippers.

After college I lived with a friend from Minnesota who knitted. She was knitting before knitting was cool. In fact, she opened a yarn shop in Athens & taught classes, which I thought was really odd at the time. Unfortunately, the shop didn't make it, but she was a pioneer on the Athens knitting front... there is now a successful shop that one of her previous students opened. Anyhow, though I didn't appreciate it at the time, I am now extremely grateful for the beautiful pieces she made for me. The slippers are o-so-warm, extremely comfortable, and make sliding around on our hardwood floors a lot of fun. They actually make me dance every time I wear them... true story :)

Anyhow, my slippers are beginning to wear thin (after 8 years) and I've been nervous about them meeting their demise. I was thrilled to find that there are a lot of slipper options on etsy. Quiltery appears to have slippers that are most similar to mine.

These babies are a steal at $39. They probably have about $20 worth of yarn in each pair & I know for a fact that they take hours on end to make.

I assure you this would be one of the best purchases you'd ever make.

Happy Fall Ya'll!

2010-10-19T20:30:00.000-04:00

Hip & affordable? YES!

Warby Parker has got it all. Those of us who are visually challenged know all about exorbitant eyewear prices. These guys are bucking the system & threw in a little philanthropy. Sold!

2010-10-18T20:47:00.000-04:00

If you follow blogs, you need to know about Google Reader. Miss Tech-saavy, Kelly (center), introduced me to this most brilliant way to keep track of my favs. I just started tonight, but so far I'm loving it (and a little worried that it might make me spend even more time on blogs than I already do). See what you think!

2010-10-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

Happy Weekend!

Get out there & enjoy it!

Pretty Tasty...

2010-10-13T21:54:00.000-04:00

In a world where you can swing by the gas station or grocery store to fulfill your every foodie whim, the art of handmade is devalued & darn near obsolete. Lollipops By Mihow isn't giving in to that. LBM was featured on the etsy homepage today & her shop is now cleaned out. How can you think twice about spending $10 on 6 sweet treats when they look like this:

If you still think that's pricey, think about this....

She has to:

- drive or walk to purchase high quality food items

(or order them online & pay for shipping)

- purchase packaging materials

- test recipes

- make batches of the pops

- wrap each individual pop

- take high quality photos of the pops

- edit the photos, list order on etsy

- print out & fill order

- package packaged pops for shipping

- walk or drive to post office

$10 ain't bad for all that.

2010-10-12T08:16:00.002-04:00

2010-10-10T22:31:00.000-04:00

An evening of food & fun documented on the phone camera....

I haven't seen my bff in months because of our schedules, so we decided to stop the insanity & just make it happen. After work on Saturday I battled the game traffic (go Dawgs!) and headed to Atlanta. Wendy's fellow was nice enough to let us stay at his lovely condo. Check out the views:

The big event of the evening was dinner at Antico Pizza. Holy cannoli!!!

Ok, so you order your pizza at the front counter, turn the corner to enter the kitchen, get in where you fit it at one of the communal tables, and open your bottle of wine.

Let the fun begin!

Italian opera blaring, brick ovens flaming, pizza dough flying.

The owner's 12 year old son, Johnny (Jonathan Luigi Di Palma), is a bit of a celebrity.

Seriously, don't forget to order a cannoli.

(the pistachio end was a lot prettier before my fork got involved)

Bellissimo!

Who knew a night in Atlanta could feel like a trip to Italy?

2010-10-07T11:06:00.000-04:00

Did you know that tie-dying originated in Japan? It's called Shibori. What seems like a lifetime ago, I was a Fiber Arts major. (You ask, "What do you do with a degree in Fiber Arts?". Currently... I am inspired by it & blog about it. Previously I was an administrative assistant, a flooring sales consultant, an interior designer, a professional traveler, a resort worker, a customer service rep, a kitchen & bath designer, a free-lance artist... not necessarily in that order & some of them more than once). The earliest know form was in the 8th century and was dyed using mainly indigo. The very general definition is pattern resist dying by binding, stitching, folding, twisting, and compressing. Most of us have tie-dyed a shirt at some point, but Shibori is a lot more involved. While my roommates where taking math classes I was stitching fabric into patterns. Look closely & you can see where the resist was done....

~click on photos to view source~