Room Names- Lino Block Cuts

Slowly but surely I am plugging away at my latest project.

Very slowly.

In January I began the drawings, February I carved and printed two, March I painted a bit and now it's April and my work out of the home has me completely consumed.

So they sit on the rack.

This is going to be a series of 6 lino block prints of varied leaves. Each represents a room in my home and will be hung outside with the rest for purchase in the shop This one is for El's room since it looks out over the copper beech tree.

I show here only a small test for the color but there will be a background added as I go.

So, 2 down, 4 to go. I'll keep you posted.

Follow all the progress on my artwork, the home and the other fun stuff we are up to on IG at lizhp1

Crafty Accountability

Every Fall Mark and I sit down and have a vision casting session. I do this when we are on a trip so there are no household distractions. When you're away from your regular day to day chores, the big picture seems so much clearer. 

Now, this is not just any old 10-point list. This is a massive list divided into sections; Home Improvements(this is a three phase, micro list), Family Fun and Financial Goals.

With all of those things to focus on there is little time to focus on the fixer-upper projects and artwork to-dos. My sister Angie at Dear Spring Green and I were lamenting about this at our last show in Vancouver and we decided to start a Facebook accountability group. We simply write out our realistic goals at the beginning of the month and then post progress as we go. When the next month roles around we write what we accomplished and either roll over our old goals to the next month or write a new list. No pressure and lots of support and inspiration from others.

And that brings me to Ugly Orange Chair. That is her name.  

I purchased her months ago from Saint Vincent's and it was love at first sight. Mark thought I was joking. I just loved  her low elegant lines, her cozy seat and all of her glorious orangeness.

She was the kind of chair that people would wince at when they walked into my office. No one would sit in her because (although she was clean) she looked dirty. So the orange had to go.

So after making my list for March I turned from my computer, squared her up, and went to work. It was a combination of inspiration, and the fact that I had a rare 6 hours without anyone home to bother me.

Just the week before I was mentioning that I needed to buy a drop cloth for her when a friend of ours overheard and graciously gave me some remnants he had leftover from a photography project. I literally only had a few inches of scrap leftover when I finished. It was perfect!

Where I was short fabric I substituted this yellow and cream houndstooth fabric I had on hand. No one can see it under the seat cushion but it delights me to know it's there.

Slipcovers used to intimidate me but after this one, with it's confusing arms  and slopes, I feel I could take on anything. No tips or tricks needed really. Just pin up the fabric, trace, cut and pin inside out and repeat.  I decided not to taper the back and created a flap to simplify it. No one will see her backside where I have her anyway.

The pillow case was one I found from Pottery Barn on clearance for only $19. I hate to use the word "perfect" so many times but it really did work out perfectly.  Now people come in and make themselves at home.  I guess I'll need to change her name now. 

I really don't think this would have happened unless I had my little accountability group so create one today with your close friends or family!

Easter Napkin Rings- Printable

Easter is just around the corner so I thought I would share what I used for last years table decor. 

I try to create a craft for the little ones to do, giving them some ownership of the preparations. 

You may need to help with the cut out if you want your bunnies to keep their ears. Otherwise they just look like really creepy cats.  However, there are two different designs that are fully within the borders of the napkin ring for any child to cut out successfully. 

Click HERE for a link to a printable sheet of 5 napkin rings

2014 November Events

I'm in a strange season of my life right now, as I am sure most women are. I still have a child at home, a family business, a bit of working outside the home and then there is my artwork. A clean house comes last on this list. That is why I have limited myself to only a couple outside market opportunities  this year.
I have been deeply involved in all of the above but now I am printing and framing my butt off in preparation for the upcoming shows.

Want to come?
November 1st: The Lady Bug Bazaar  located in the high school at 300 W Main St.in Battleground WA Shop from 9-4
November 29th: The Brush Prairie Yuletide Bazaar located in Prairie High School
11311 NE 119th St Brush Prairie, WA 98662 Shop from 9-4 This will be my first year here and I am so excited. They even have free on site childcare so you can look through over 200 vendors!

Why the Vancouver area you ask? Well, my oldest sister Angie of Dear Spring Green lives there and together we go in on a booth. Her sewn items are exquisite. Her bags are always lined with adorable fabric and detailed with beaded pulls. She doesn't just sew, she quilts and embellishes everything. Just her experiments are amazing!

In addition to having all of my lovely prints, I am including my new line of postcards; many of which are not available in my shop yet.

And with every purchase you get a few little free gifties and an exclusive coupon to my shop!

So, back to work and I hope to see you there!

Holiday Decor Tour

It's Christmas time here and though it took me days and days I finally filled the place with cheer and lots of sappy holiday music. Ready for a mini tour? Great, walk this way.

As you have noticed from our sign Mark and I put quite a bit of time into the planing and production of it. Doesn't it look lovely in the snow? 

The story behind my title is a bit silly. Yes I am and artist and designer but visionary you ask. Well, while watching that video on the book "The Secret" there was one man in particular that had the title of "visionary" under his name when he came on screen to speak. We thought it was hilarious that someone could just randomly put that as their job title. I mean, how do you get your degree in such a thing?  So we felt it fitting with my creative ability, and because there was room left to carve on my board, that I be the visionary of the family. 

As you enter the front door you are greeted by a tiny little gold reindeer offering you peppermint M&M's and a giant basket full of cushy, fluffy socks. We want all of our guests to feel cozy in the winter and they are also excellent to slide around in on the wood floors.

In the living room I made a garland inspired by the ones I saw in Disnyland's Critter Country. It is made with a chicken wire form with garlands wrapped around it. During the day it is very country looking but at night it is very warm and fun. And boy is it light! Not sure about storage yet but I'll think of something.

Another favorite thing of mine to do is to fill glass vases with ornaments and other curiosities. This year I used tiny LED lights on a timer to wrap around the ornaments and some wicker balls I found at Ross. The lights I get at Fine Consign in Coburg. It's a 9' strand and they are water resistant so you can put them on your front door wreath too.

 

And here are a few ornaments hanging on my tree this year. The bigger the better I think. But then again, the tree did fall over in the night so it's best you tie it to something if you plan on only decorating the front. Note to self.

It is probably the last year we will be abel to cut a tree from our own land sadly. I stopped at a tree farm to see how much it would cost and I almost had a heart attack! We are in the Pacific Northwest for goodness sakes! $50-100 for a tree?!?!! It's not like they are exotics to this area!

I digress.

And back to the tour....

And these are just a few of the amazing amarilis I grow each year. 

OK, I'm a liar. 

I used to but I am not the best at watering my indoor plants. This has been a hard fact to embrace about myself but I have. 75% of the plants in my home are fake. There. I said it.

Alson notice the GIANT bowls of M&M's. In my excitement for the holiday season I bought something like 5 bags but after the first ten pieces you sort of have your fill. Whatever happened to the cinnamon flavored ones they had the last 2 years? I was riffling through the shelves at Target like a crack addict looking for them. 

And back to the tour....

Above the piano that no one plays is more garland and candles in front of the vintage window frame that Mark put mirror in for me. It is a lovely and heavy thing. I should know, it fell on me while decorating it the other day. 

 I kinda went silly with the garlands this year.

On the book shelves I love to fill with little sparkelies and misc. This year I have my Merry and Bright design on Chalkboard. Don't worry; it's colored pencil so it won't rub off. Thinking of doing a few more larger and elaborate ones for Easter and fall

And you guessed it; More fake amaryllis! But this time on our kitchen breakfast table with our advent candles around it. 

Mark's mom introduced me to the idea of collecting all of my children's Christmas books into a basket each year and having them out for the kids to read. She gives us a new one each year. It's a wonderful tradition. 

Sorry for the dim picture but this is all I could get with my camera.

Our tree this year with Henry the deer keeping watch over the room.

Thank you for joining me on this brief tour. There will be more to come next week.

As soon as this ice and snow melts away I'll be able to get into town for the oasis I need to finish my dining room center piece. In my head it looks fantastic....not sure how to make it a reality just yet but don't worry, I do this all the time. I'm a visionary. 

Fall Wreath Wish List

As soon as the season changes I am ready with new door decor! This fall I really didn't put a lot of thought into it but did my fare share of browsing on the internet for what I want next year.

Because I believe in purchasing handmade whenever possible, and because I myself am an Etsy seller, here are a few I drooled over from my fellow Etsyins:

This wreath is made by roseflower48
I LOVE the little pumpkins (which are actually seed pods) along with the acorns on the green moss.

The yard on The Violette Bloom's wreath makes me think of birch trees and I feel like this one could be used from September through November. I linked to her shop and not just this one item because ALL of her wreaths are so stinkin cute and affordable.

Then there is this very unassuming yet attractive wreath by Wild Ridge Design. IT SMELLS!!! You can actually choose a smell. This one is orange scented but they have everything from Cinnamon to Clean Cotton to Vanilla Mint! This one is a bit more pricy at $59 but it will last you for years.

But if you want to get away from the man made materials then there is this really wild but beautiful corn husk wreath I found. It is hand tied onto a crimp wreath form and is only $16 for a 15-17" diameter size. This is a steal of a deal.

Happy Fall Ya'll!
-Elizabeth

Front Door Fancy

OK, I have been a bad blogger. It's summer, what can I say.
I'm busy working away on an update of the last month filled with camping, fishing, painting and harvesting everything from berries to honey.

For now here is my front door. Every season I try to put something new up and this little piece has just been evolving since early spring. First I put up the frame with moss lining it, stuck in a fake fern and called it good. Then, since I can't keep a plant alive unless it is on an automatic watering system, I shoved in some fake flowers. I found a wooden P at the GW for 49cents and hot glued thin bundling twin to it. Thank you hot glue gun...I love you and all you make possible!

I promise a big picture filled post by the end of the week!