Can I Do It?!

This may be my biggest project-transformation to date. A lot of the time when I come up with a project idea I have a little bit of doubt in my mind (not knowing if my vision will become a reality)- but usually it works out....this time I'm not so sure.


The project I am referring to is the large elephant buffet in my dining room.

It is a rough piece- SURE-it is huge and stores a lot of stuff, but it is also a total sight for sore eyes. While I would love to replace it altogether- I am trying to be thrifty, and save $, rather than spend $- so I am having this vision of transforming this lovely beast into a "campaign style chest" something like this...image via Pintrest

or this...via Pintrest

or this...image via Pintrest

I know...it's a serious long-shot folks! But I am still gonna try!  


So far- I have purchased the hardware for the campaign-style look  (I went with nickle finish as opposed to brass, simply because the shelves from IKEA that we recently installed have very prominent nickle finish hardware- so I'm going with consistency (hope I don't regret it) they currently look like this...

My plan is to repaint it with the rest of this paint that I used on the inside of our front door a while back (again- trying to use what I have;) it's a teal blue/green in high gloss enamel

Then, of course I am now thinking that I will also have to repaint the entire room (crazy- I know) it hasn't been gray for even a year- I'm a nut:) but I think that I'm actually going to paint it white- INSANITY!! Never, in a million years did I think I would ever have a white room in my house. But I think it will make the new piece pop...Here are some inspiration shots of white dining rooms I adore...

image via Pintrest via LGN via Elle Decor

image via Pintrest via LGN

image via Pintrest via Coastal Living

What do you think readers??? Can I pull it off?

Baby Birds, Final Art Piece, and A Little Pouf

I.

I grew up in the country...like, farmland country with no neighbors within ear shoot and cows in our back yard. While I am not currently a city dweller -we are close, and our area has sidewalks, and neighbors close by.  For me it's a little to-close-for-comfort.

I'd prefer the seclusion of a yard where I can wear my birthday suit bathing suit outside and not worry about who sees me, yell redirect my children without neighbors giving me dirty looks, and experience a little more of nature...but I am trying to practice more of a "radical acceptance" approach, so...

it is what it is, and I accept that.

While we do not live "in" nature- I try to appreciate the bits of nature around us.  I have always been a fan of babies (not just of the human variety). You may remember the other "babies" we have discovered in our suburban yard-here and here...

well we have several nests happening right now. One of which was built in the Andromeda bush in front of our house, and we are really enjoying watching the process!

These little robins are only 2 days old!!
the kids have this great book that Shuggie (my mom) bought them last year. We refer to it frequently- I highly recommend it!! find it here

II.

I am currently between semesters. Spring ended last week, and summer starts Monday (INSANITY) anyhow...I am finishing up on my internship for my masters program (as an art therapist at a residential facility for adolescent girls on parole).  This has been an amazing learning experience for me. I have been in my placement since the beginning of October, and I will be done in a couple weeks.

It's been a long road- working very crazy hours to try to balance my other part time job, my art career, and most importantly my family life. So I opted for long weekend work days (12 hours each day every other weekend) and one day a week for most of the internship- as opposed to 4 days a week, and while it's been rough at times...what I've gained from this experience is the confirmation that this is the field I want to be in- which is a very fulfilling feeling.
Below is a book that I am making as a final art piece for this internship experience...

It has been quite a JOURNEY

III.

lastly- a little peek at the Angelbabies for you...It was a poufy kinda day today for little Z (we like to experiment with the hair):

DRAMA QUEEN

and her trusty sidekick

Have a good rest of your week!

Chocolate Chip Cherry Coconut Scones

I know, I know- posting 2 days in a row- I haven't been able to do this in ages. I am between semesters currently and actually have a  Saturday where we have NO PLANS- so I figured, why not? And I actually BAKED this morning too!! Another past time that has taken the back burner while in grad school:(

So, I wanted to share these yummy scones with you all!  Check them out- I just have a  few pics- not a blow-by-blow pictorial- the recipe is at the end.  These scones are based off of an Ina Gartin recipe I found a few years back.

Super Mosie was anxiously awaiting their arrival from the oven!!

and he especially liked tasting them!

Chocolate Cherry Coconut Scones

2 cups flour (I used a mixture of whole wheat, unbleached white, and brown rice)
1 Tbls. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup cold cubed butter
2 eggs (slightly beaten)
1/4 cup skim milk
1/4 cup light sour cream (or greek yogurt)
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried tart cherries (chopped)
1/2 cup unsweetened  shredded coconut

Combine flour, powder, sugar and salt. In the bowl of an electric mixer add in butter and mix until the butter is combined with flour mixture in pea-sized chunks. Add chocolate and cherries- stir to combine. Combine sour cream, milk and eggs in separate bowl- pour into dry mixture. Stir just to combine. Roll out dough onto floured surface- 1" thick (I should have made it a little thicker). Cut into desired shapes (I did hearts:) Place on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees, 15-18 mins until desired color is achieved:) 
(I made a quick icing with powdered sugar, a little softened butter, vanilla and skim milk)

ENJOY!

A Whole Lotta PINK

A couple months ago- I got not one- but TWO requests for a custom art piece for a little girls birthday party. These requests were both inspired by this super-fun, over the top Pinkalicious themed birthday party posted here.  Check it out!  This lady went all-out. Pinkalicious everything!!!

Pinkalicious is a glorious book about a little girl who love PINK- written and illustrated by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann.

The custom art pieces that I am making (1 is done- the party is this weekend!!) are custom Pinkalicious picture boards...you know- you stand behind them and poke your head through the hole and get your picture taken?  Such a fun idea for a birthday party- what a great party favor for the guests to take home too!

I made it out of a light weight pressed board- cut the face hole and then drew it out. I used a piece of cardboard for the cupcake, heavy weight sparkly card stock for the wand, and "real" stones for the crown.  I also added some super-practical handles on the back so the little ones can hold it up while they pose!

Contact me if you are interested in any custom birthday art!!