artsy

I have a friend (who has since moved away–sadness) who was incredibly talented and filled her home with creative paintings featuring florals, people and different quotes and Bible verses. I used to babysit her three little girls, so I saw these pieces of art all the time, and was eventually inspired to create some of my own.

Little-known fact: As a child, I wrote/colored/drew/painted up a STORM, although I never considered myself particularly gifted. It’s always been my dream to one day write a novel, but that’s been shelved in order to pursue other interests, including nutrition and fitness, right now. One day. Maybe.

Anyway. A few months ago, I took a trip to Hobby Lobby and picked up some supplies to create some ‘art’ of my own.

I started with a blank corner of our kitchen island countertop. It faces the TV room but since we eat most of our meals sitting across from each other at that countertop (Andrew in the TV room, me in the kitchen), it seemed like an appropriate place for a food-themed piece. I knew I wanted to create something that would inspire me to eat healthy food in a healthy way, which is why I chose Psalm 107:9.

The only challenge was that the teal was so dark, I couldn’t see any pencil marks, so I had to free-hand the entire thing. I think it turned out rather well, despite feeling terrified I was going to spell something wrong the entire time!

My second project (click for a larger photo) is in the laundry room and I was inspired by different things I’d seen in stores and online lately. Pineapples are so hot right now–I must be a trendsetter. The quote is: ‘Be A Pineapple: Stand Tall, Wear A Crown, Be Sweet.’ Again, I thought I could embellish with Bible verses, so I found different ones that were appropriate for each portion of the quote.

My last piece is in the kitchen itself, and another food/Bible-themed project. Who knew ‘eat, drink and be merry’ is from the Bible?? I didn’t. I made this canvas a gradient with lighter colors on top, and made the text color match the beige of our walls.

I can’t say I’m in love with any of the pieces, but I’m happy with how they turned out and like having my own original ‘artwork’ on my walls instead of generic items purchased at big-box stores. That’s how Andrew and I decorate anyway, mostly with photos or maps or other items that harken back to our European travels. In fact, we have some maps being framed right now for our bedroom!

out with the yellow

A few months ago, I decided I hated the yellow in our kitchen. Perhaps it was the additional lighting Andrew added, or perhaps it was that it began to remind me of Rachael Ray’s horrible pastel yellow kitchen and multi-color accessories. Either way, I knew my yellow-green-orange-blue with cherry cabinets motif needed to go.

Long term, Andrew and I have plans to do a tile backsplash and put glass in two of our cabinet doors, as well as put in a new (white, French-door) pantry door. But for now, I settled with ‘de-coloring’ the kitchen.

First, I bought a new crock in which to put all those spoons and spatulas, and a new dish rack for drying dishes on the counter. Second, I put the green mixer and green crock ( filled with lesser-used cooking utensils) in the pantry and out of sight. Lastly, I picked a paint color I thought would lighten up the kitchen and be as close to white without being white, or any sort of pink-y cream, either.

I couldn’t wait to get started!

Before:
(I couldn’t find a picture with all the stuff on the counter, so just imagine green and orange crocks, a green mixer, a black dish drying rack and pops of blue.)

After primer:

Hello!

Where am I???

Andrew was kind enough to move the fridge for me so I could get a hard-to-reach spot, and then I realized I still needed to paint above the door…

After:

Again, I really do think it screams for some sort of tile backsplash that will complement the counter, but other than that, I’m really happy with it. Andrew is also going to take out part of a wall (hopefully soon!) that will let in more natural light, which–I’ve noticed–is key for this color to work. In the shadows, my ‘luxury linen’ looks pink–NOT OK!

All in all, this color makes the cherry cabinets more livable for me. And I am LOVING both the bright white utensil crock and my new dish rack!

my kind of day

It’s my day off of school and for once, I have nothing to do. Nothing… EXCEPT STAY HOME AND CLEAN!

WHOO-HOO!

Seriously, I’m almost shaking with excitement. I’ve had so many things going on lately (school, interviews for the paper, grocery shopping, school, trying to work out…) that I haven’t had a chance to keep up with the regular day-to-day cleaning (and trust me, it shows). Couple that with extra dust from a house project, clutter and the fact that I’m completely OCD about it all–and you’ve got one crazy girl who can’t take it anymore.

My Thursdays are usually full of errands and things (or 24 hours of painting!), that I can’t just CLEAN.

So, that is what I’m doing today. And I’m making a loaf of garlic french bread in the breadmaker (what a life-saver that invention is!), and plan to make some zucchini bread if time permits as well. Other time-permitting events include a trip to the post office (I will get Summer Rental back to you at some point, Emily!) and painting doors and trim in the guest room upstairs. If I don’t get to them, oh well 🙂 There is always this weekend…

Speaking of this weekend–Andrew says I might be painting the laundry room, too! FINALLY. Cannot wait to post pictures of that!

I snapped a few photos to show you all the craziness/mess I’v been living with for the past few weeks…