Tombow Turns 100, Part 1!!!

Happy Monday Everyone!

I was recently contacted by a company representing the well-known crafting company Tombow to see if I would be interested in showcasing some of their products and help them celebrate their 100 years in business!  What an honor!  Naturally, I said yes!  So, check out the swag they generously sent me to use:

Included in the kit:  dual brush pens, a tape runner, and colored pencils.

I wanted to make sure and use all the products, so I created two separate projects.  Check back tomorrow for Part 2.  For the first project, I decided to start with the Dual Brush Pens.  One end is a fine tip marker and the other is a brush tip marker.  They are acid free, water-based and blendable.

Other supplies needed:

8x10 thin artist canvas (purchased at Hobby Lobby)

Rub-Ons (Hobby Lobby)

picture frame (Hobby Lobby)

First, trace your family members' handprints, starting from the largest to the smallest, one inside the other.  I used the the fine tipped end of the light blue pen.

I was overdue for my nail appointment, obviously.

As you can see here, if you make my mistake of using the same color pen for each family member's hand, it can get very confusing.  Do yourself a favor and alternate colors with each family member.

I then went over the line with the brush tip to make the outline a little darker.

Here is where I decided to take out the gray pen and go over every other hand print to help define each person's hand.

I love the painted look the brush tip gives the lines. 

Now, time to pick a rub-on.

I chose the word "togetherness" and used the accompanying craft stick to rub on the word.  I did actually measure the sides of the canvas to make sure I had the word centered...because I am OCD like that!

Ta-Da!

And, because I like to date things, I wrote a tiny "2013" underneath the rub-on using a black fine tipped pen.

I bought this pretty turquoise frame at Hobby Lobby.  Always use your mobile coupon!  AND, if you don't keep pliers in your craft room, you should!  Those were some seriously stuck staples used for the frame wrapping, but they were no match for the pliers.

And here's the finished project!  My husband LOVED this.  And, wow, what a simple yet meaningful gift idea.  It took me less than an hour, and it gets the whole family involved.  So, I consider that a Win-Win!!

Remember to stop by tomorrow for "Tombow Turns 100, Part 2".  I would like to personally thank Tombow for the generous gift of products.  I thoroughly enjoyed using them.  And, I would also like to thank Tombow for donating to the Council for Arts Education in my honor.  Art is my passion, and I love helping others discover it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Take time to "Prettify Your Life"!!!

Chick-Fil-A Giveaway!!!

Want to win something fabulous???  Chick-Fil-A contacted me with an offer to give to one of my lucky followers--coupons for 2 of their new Fresh Made Salads!  I know this isn't craft related, but my family LOVES and supports the Chick-Fil-A company, so it's "my pleasure" to share their new products.  Please note that I am not profiting from this Giveaway.  I just like the opportunity to give my Peeps stuff.  Thank you Chick-Fil-A!!!

Here's what CFA has to say:

"Forget about yesterday, today is #FreshMade! Each day we have a choice, a choice to do the same old routine or do something unique and different.  What have you wanted to do for a long time? 2013 is almost halfway over and it’s time to do something new. It’s time to grow, it’s time to make your dreams a reality.

Chick-fil-A is helping you make today #FreshMade, by creating new menu options that you can feel good about! They are introducing 3 new premium salads and an improved wrap all under 430 calories made with premium ingredients."

GIVEAWAY RULES:

1. Check out the Chick-Fil-A #FreshMade Blog App below and click on the "Are you a Starter" Quiz.

2.  Take the "Are you a Starter?" Quiz.

3.  Post your name, results from the quiz, and your e-mail address below this blog post.

4.  I will choose a winner May 25th using random.org.  When I contact the winner, I will need your address to submit to Chick-Fil-A so that they can mail you your coupons!  

Good Luck!

Here's a video from Chick-Fil-A

Thanks for stopping by!

Take time to "Prettify Your Life"!!!

How about some eggs?

My daughter's teacher is very creative, and she decorated her classroom super cute this year.  The theme is Dr. Seuss.  It has inspired me all year...remember the Dr. Seuss Christmas tree?  Well, we had a little celebration back in March for her birthday, and I used that theme.  But, I realized I hadn't shared it with you all, so here is a super quick tutorial for some "Green Egg" decorations. 

Supplies Needed:

White Fun Foam

Pen

Thick Sharpie

Easter Eggs

Hot Glue Gun and Hot Glue

Scissors

Step 1:  Draw out your eggs on the white fun foam using a regular writing pen.  Remember this is Seuss, there is no wrong way to draw them.  I drew out two eggs per sheet.

Step Two:  Cut out the eggs you drew using regular scissors.

Step Three:  Pull apart a green Easter egg and snip the connection with scissors, if it has one.

Step 4: Outline the eggs with a thick Sharpie.  Remember to make the lines kind of "wonky" to capture Seuss.  Did you noticed in one of the pics above I also had slick puff paint out?  That's because I had considered using it initially.  I think that would have been a good option for outlining the eggs too.  I'm all about dimension, but I was under a time crunch and settled for the fast drying time of a Sharpie!

Step 5:  Hot glue the Easter egg yolk making sure to change it up a bit with each egg.  Don't always put the yolk in the center.

And you are finished!  These were for the table, but wouldn't these be cute made of foam core and wired to a tree?  "Green Eggs & Ham" Christmas tree perhaps?

Thanks for stopping by!

Take time to "Prettify Your Life"!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

I have two daughters that are both athletic.  They like the outdoors and even enjoy hunting and fishing while still being "girlie".  In many ways, they are sooooo not like me at all.  My oldest doesn't even look like me.  In fact, a friend of hers this past week couldn't believe I was her mom and said that we looked nothing alike and then proceeded to ask if she looked like her Dad (which she does).  BUT, in art we three are all the same.  They respect and value my creativity, and I am glad to say, the both have tons of it themselves.  So art, decorating and design bring us all together.

A week ago we were looking for houses in Houston, and one of the houses had a plaque in the kitchen that spoke to me....it WAS me.  And, I casually said, "Hmm, I wonder if the sellers would throw that sign in at closing.  I need that sign."  Well, my girls apparently took note of my casual comment, and after I went outside started talking amongst themselves about the sign.  Our realtor, Jackie, (I was told today) overheard them talking and said, "You know girls, Mother's Day is coming up."  So through Jackie's comment, my daughters' plan was hatched.  Thanks Jackie!

The girls had my husband cut some wood and then they recreated the sign using paint and gave it to me this morning for Mother's Day.  They put their hand prints on the back and signed and dated it (because I like to date things).  It's a cute sign, but what makes it even more special to me, besides their thoughtfulness, is that I have a true appreciation for the effort, skills and artistic ability they put into creating it for me.  It makes me happy and proud that they value art as much as I do.  Art is a special connection I have with my girls.  

So, today, I wish you all a very Happy Mother's Day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Take time to "Prettify Your Life"!!!

Can you relate?

Since I am mentally decorating my next home, I have started actually BUYING some things.  Does anyone else do that?  Or do you wait until you are in the house to start decorating?

Well, my husband and I both agree that it is time for new living room furniture and have already picked it out, though we are totally waiting for the Memorial Day sale to purchase.  Cha-ching...save some $$$!  The new sectional is white leather.  I'm not crazy enough to have fabric with children and two puglets.  AND, the floors are light tile, so I recently began the hunt for a rug.  I blame HGTV for the fact that my style is becoming a bit more contemporary.  I am really into bold graphics...which translates into the Moroccan trellis rug that I spent several days searching for online.  I initially wanted turquoise and white for a splash of color, but after reading several reviews of "turquoise" rugs that I thought I wanted, I realized that it would be risky to order a rug and HOPE it was the exact shade of turquoise that I had in my head.  (LOVE when people take the time to write reviews.  Do yourself a huge favor and read them!)  So, I shifted tactics and decided to go for a gray rug and have the bold splash of color in the draperies.  I FINALLY found the perfect rug at Overstock.com.  I have had great experiences with Overstock, BTW.  SOOO, I was VERY excited to get home about an hour ago and see this on my front porch:

Squeal!  Ignore the virtually dead plant that was shredded in a recent hailstorm. (Thrilled to be putting a brand new roof on a house I am selling.)

I digress.  Naturally I HAD to open it right away, even though it isn't going to go in this house.  The packers can wrap it back up again, right?  Here's what it looks like:

The rug size is 8.5' x 11.5'.  I LOVE the bold trellis pattern, and the caramel color will tie in with the wall color. I think the dark charcoal will really pop with the white furniture.  And, of course, I will tie it all together with pillows and curtains.  If you are interested in this rug, you can check it out here!

This kind of shows you how I start decorating a room.  I pick out a piece or two and design with that in mind, and, yes, I truly do visualize the room in my head.  In this case, the sectional and rug have set the tone.  Can't wait to see where this room goes, and I can't wait to share the journey with you!

Thanks for stopping by!

Take time to "Prettify Your Life"!!!