Cheap and Easy Abstract Art

Over a year ago, I decided to try my hand at some mid-century inspired art for my fireplace.

{Photos from Casa Sugar}

It seemed simple enough and I excitedly picked up a canvas back in the fall. And then it sat there for six months. As I always do in the spring, I got a bug up my butt to get my apartment in order and decided to finally give it a try. I followed the advice I read on Oh Happy Day! and practiced on a small canvas. It looked like total crap. Then I remembered a decoupage canvas that I spotted in HGTV Magazine while on a flight:

 

{Source: HGTV Magazine}

I may not be able to control a paintbrush, but I could tear up paper, right? The next day, I ran to Paper Source and bought every color of tissue that they sell. Then I went to town with some Modge Podge.

The big orange piece reminded of that giant fat cat photo,
so I tried layering some big pieces on it. Ha! He's still there.

And here's the finished product:

As cheese as it is, I totally love it! It brings some much, much needed color to that dreary, light-less corner. Even Andy was surprised by how it turned out. He admitted to some doubt when he arrived home from the gym and saw me standing in a pile of shredded tissue paper.

You can see some of the inspiration that I pinned here.

Happy Easter Birthday to You

We celebrated three birthdays on Easter...

 

...with Easter bunnies and party hats!

40th Birthday Tea for LP

My bestie planned an afternoon tea for herself in honor of her birthday back in January. I snuck in a little early and did it up right with party hat menus and flowers in her favorite colors. And, of course, plenty of cute and embarrassing photos, courtesy of her mom and my old snapfish account. They showed off her perm and puka shell necklace, cheerleading days, and mall portraits of years gone by. But this one was my favorite:

 

These menus were a m*&%#$)! @%*' labor of love. They started out as party hats and several late nights and tearful fits later, I ended up with these square cards.

For her gift, my friend and I pitched to give her a few things to help in her persuit of her favorite things:

• Sunshine: a monogrammed beach bag and beach towel,
• Inner Peace: a gift certificate to bloom yoga studio, a line-a-day journal and a 7-year pen, and 
• Good Food: a gift certificate to her favorite veggie diner.

 

Also, because I'm insane. I whipped some personalized stationery for her 10 minutes AFTER I was supposed to be getting in the shower. (I am probably being dramatic on that.)