Quote - Truth

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Truth is a deep kindness that teaches us to be content in our everyday life and share with people the same happiness.  ~Kahlil Gibran

DIY :: Sea Glass Jars

If you like vintage-inspired mason jars you'll love these vase sea glass jars. I used the tutorial at Live Gorgeously to tint the jars. I've used Mod Podge + food coloring in the past and floor cleaner + food coloring to tint my waterless snow globes. I think this combination worked the best.

I picked up a couple jelly jars from Hobby Lobby and used this recipe to lightly coat my jars using a paintbrush and then let them dry overnight:

Don't worry if your jars begin to dry uneven. These fixed themselves overnight.

Add lovely feathers.

Or sweet lavender.

Or the accoutrement of your choice.

Hugs,

Week 1 :: New Year's Organizing Revolution

One of my New Year's resolutions intentions is to get organized in my life and home in 2013. I started  decluttering my home a few months ago but it seems to be a continuous task to stay on top of things. This week's challenge for the New Year's Organizing Revolution at Clean Mama is the home office or desk area. This would be my spare bedroom which I call my home office / art studio but really should be called my dumping ground for the land of homeless items. I'm almost embarrassed to show these pictures except I'm so pleased with my after pictures that it's worth the abashment.

This before picture is when you first walk into the room:

This is my art desk area:

Here is my relaxation / meditation / reading area but it generally where items get dumped:

My home office area:

My bookshelves:

*drumroll please*

Here are my after pictures:

Look! I found my desk under all the art supplies!

FYI - Here's the link to the DIY shabby chic knotted valance.

I organized my shipping area, created a spot for working on jewelry and chip art, and found room for my laptop:

I purged my books (to donate), got rid of the unused computer (also to donate), and organized the canvases:

I am so very happy with this space now. It feels much more spacious and is nice and clean. It was worth all the hard work the last couple days.

I'm linking to Clean Mama's Organizing Revolution.

Hugs,

Quote - Drop all your defenses

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You have to drop all your defenses, only then is intimacy possible. We are all hiding a thousand and one things, not only from others but from ourselves.  ~Osho

DIY :: New Year Wishes Prayer Flags

Happy New Year! I came across a version of these prayer flags in a copy of Somerset Workshop several years ago and have wanted to make my own set every since. In fact, I bought the raw canvas back then and the roll has been sitting in my art room all this time. LOL. Anyway, I thought this would be the perfect way to start off the new year with sweet wishes for myself and the world.

Here's how to make your own set:

Start with a roll of raw canvas (Dick Blick). Measure out five flags (or the number of your choosing) 6 in. by 8 in.

Cut out your pieces.

Unravel a couple strings from three sides of each square to give it a weathered fringe look.

Fold over the top (non-raveled edge) to make a 1 in. channel and sew or glue to secure. I used hot glue.

Paint each flag the color of your choosing on the front and backside.

Select your embellishments to use as masks. I picked up wooden cutouts and metal charms from Michaels.

Decide on the layout.

Spray the flag with a color mist or spray paint. I use a box when spraying my Glimmer Mists to contain the overspray. This is a discarded canning jar box that I line with paper towels. Bonus: you can use the paper towels for your art journal pages!

Blot off excess and remove objects.

I got busy here and stopped taking pictures. :-) Let your creativity take over and use paints, markers, pens, white out, etc. to pretty up your flags and add words. I used a glitter writer and some Glossy Accents to add more detail.

When complete, add a blast of glitter (Glitter Blast) and a coat of protectant.

Punch holes on the bottom of flags. I made three but you can add as few or many as you like. I tried using a cheap hand punch from the dollar store but it wouldn't punch through so I had to use my heavy duty 3-hole punch creating one hole at a time.

Add some pretty ribbons and fibers. I purchased my gorgeous fibers from Knot Original.

String twine through the channel. I used a pencil to open up the channel to allow the twine through. Add a plastic ring to the ends or knot a loop for hanging. Add more fibers to cover the twine.

Hang your prayer flags and send blessings out into the world!

Hugs,