Making it a Home

I guess it was about two weeks ago that I had a total meltdown about our new home.  Yep.  Not a good meltdown either.  It was the, "why did we buy this big home that now I have no time to make ours?  It doesn't feel like it's our home Billy.  I feel like we are living in a stranger's house."  All the while crying my eyes out.  Yep.  Perhaps I was at a breaking point with the new job, teaching out of state for first time, getting ready for a giant show all within 2 months of buying new house and starting new job, while getting ready for teaching in Portland and the Country Living Fair.  Just for a little more drama I'll throw in the fact that our two oldest cats died as well.  Oh, and one disappeared.  So yeah, this house was feeling a little less like a place I wanted to be. 

I bet this comes as a bit of a shock for many of you.  Especially those that had ever been inside our little house.  It was....little.  And if one more person told me, "I don't know how you live like that" I was going to punch them.  We were fine.  Loved the house and all the layers.  And now we live in a giant khaki colored box.  Seriously inside and out the house is khaki.  Now, don't get me wrong, neutral is nice.  And if one more person tells me to just "live with it for awhile"   "or it's just paint" I may not punch, but cry on them.  Because I can not live in the khaki box anymore.  Even Billy, whom never talks decorating asked this, "Do you think the house has a little too much khaki?  There's khaki everywhere....even the halls, etc.... and the exterior!!"  He about made me roll over in laughter.  And that was my cue.  Time to paint.

So my head is spinning with ideas.  But until I have this done I can't do this....etc.  So here's the plan:

1.  Curtain making Kathy came Friday to pick up all the fabrics for the den, kitchen and dining room.  All Amy Butler amazing large patterns.  I know....I am a tad bit addicted to her fabrics.

2.  Handy Man Daniel is coming tomorrow to measure and give me a quote for bead board below the chair rail.  Because that is the other thing grating my nerve.....chair rail is freakin' everywhere. 

3.  Paint samples have been purchased and painted around the room to be sure.  I love that you can spend $3 for a sample and make swatches all over.  I want a blue to make the room feel more spacious and open.  It's not a small room, but very little natural light makes its' way in due to the screened in porch on the back of the house.  Not complaining about that feature for sure!!

4.  Small bath and hallway to laundry were painted yesterday by me.  I got up early and started working.  Billy came in and exclaimed, "WHAT are you doing?"  Painting.  "Oh, ok.  You going to paint the laundry room too?  It's khaki too Jenni."  I know Billy, I know.

5.  New lighting everywhere.  Like everywhere.  My man Billy is so good at installing lights and yesterday already replaced the kitchen and half bath fixtures!!

Here's the den corner....top blue I think is the winner.  Over the white.  I almost forgot the fireplace....it's getting a make-over too.  I found fabulous tile to replace the marblish tile and Handy Man Daniel is building a new facade for it.

I'm not so sure about the blue next to my favorite piece of furniture.  But unfortunately the den and kitchen are one giant room so they have to be the same color.

The den fabric is fabulous, seriously.  All my favorite colors in one fabric.  And wait til you see the curtain design!

In the kitchen I played around with some other samples.  Definitely love the top blue again.  Pretty much liked it everywhere I put it.  And next to the maple cabinets it will be perfect.  Also plan to change out the cabinet hardware to dark.  Those will be an ebay find. 

This is the area that connects the kitchen to the den.  Again, dark because of the porch.  And not so sure why there are blinds on the window.  I've removed the door ones and today the this large set will come down as well.  I've chosen a Michael Miller fabric for this window that is so stinkin' pretty I can't wait to share it!  We've not decided on a treatment style though.  I am thinking roman shade, Kathy is thinking a valance type thing.  Need to go to Barnes and Noble and look at some magazines I think.  This is where the bead board is going to make a beautiful statement!!  I've chosen a color called cotton whisper for the beadboard.  Just so excited about all the colors.

The dining room is PINK.  Yep.  No one but me likes it.  And Lily.  But she likes the room for other reasons.....bad girl.  We are going with the fabric on the left.  And pom-poms!!  This room is going to be a show stopper.  Seriously I am going over the top here.  Never been a frilly decorator, but this room is going to have all the sweet feminine touches that a pretty, look and don't touch room should have.  I should call in Donna for a little bling help, right?

Here are my sweet little $3 samples.  In case you've never seen them.  This is the best idea ever.  And at Home Depot they even mixed up colors for me that weren't theirs!  We are going with Balmy Seas in the den/kitchen area for sure.  And cotton whisper on the beadboard. 

Well, super lengthy post.  I've taken lots of before and after pics.  It may be awhile before it's all really done.  But already painting the bathroom and hallway my pale honey has made my frown turn upside down!!  Are you guys working on any nesting projects in your houses?

Country Living Fair Atlanta

Hey there!!  I know I wrote about the Fair earlier this week, but finally I located the camera with all the photos and wanted to share some with you.  I wish I had more of the show.  But honestly the only time I ran out of the tent was when I was running to the potty.  And by potty, I mean porta.  And folks that's just not a place for a $1000 camera.  Nope.  So you just get me. 

One MONGO advantage to this show is the setting.  Man is it pretty.  I actually would like to have felt a tad more sun since this weekend Mr. Winter decided to visit us in Atlanta.  And since the booths were also MONGO we got to spread out.  Like S----p---r---e---a---d out.  Sweet.  I didn't realize until I got home honestly how spreading out affected my body.  What are you talking about Jenni?  Let me explain it to ya.  At the Decatur Arts Fest for instance our 10x10 tents are butt to butt.  And you are NOT allowed to put anything outside the front of your tent.  So you literally stay in your 10x10 with your goodies in the sweltering heat for what feels like 48 straight.  Yep.  And let me tell you....10x10 can get tight with guests in your tent.  Hey, I love guests though!!  Here I was spreading out the front and back.  I even had a check out stand!  Yeehaw!

New displays for this show are my tent sign (luv), double laundry rack for framed tiles, girls are sporting new colorful tutus, and my favorite is the bag tag rack.

 Loads of shiny new products too:  magnets, necklaces, yo-yos, puzzles, earrings and more!

So here's me sporting the ponytails and boots.  Which after walking around a spell decided it was the vendor uniform.  Cracked me up.  Again, I can not thank my friends and family who came to help, some as far as Birmingham, Alabama!  And the friends and blog readers who came to find me and enjoy the show...some as far as Birmingham too!!  It was a lovely show...one I am not so sure I'll do again.  But boy am I glad I did.  Hey, you gotta get outside of the comfort box sometimes, right?

Next up is this weekend at MARIST.  Please come by and say hi.  I'll have a very miniature version of this set up there.  And can not wait!

An Adventure

I've been thinking about how to tell you about the Fair.  Ah.....the Country Living Fair.  The show I wanted so badly to be in for the inaugural year but let the whattheheckareyouthinking monsters tell me not to bother.  But in case you've noticed, I'm living a tad large these days and making decisions that are based no longer on the fear monsters.  Instead they are based on the fly dreams.  Yep.

So, the fair.  I am not sure what I was expecting.  Scratch that.  I was expecting BIG THINGS,  like over the top things.  Like make 250 framed tiles and order 1000's of business card things.  And well, that didn't happen.  Nope. Whew......Now, it was not a total bust sales wise for me.  It was a great sale show.  A normal show.  I hate to talk numbers because one may think that was piddly while another wow!  But it was a wow, nice amount in my head.   I sold some of everything.  Even paintings.  Fabulous.  Yep.  Well, not really.  Because I had these unbelievable expectations.  I made 250 framed tiles expectations.  And walking around talking to a few other artsy vendors I found that they too had the same sentiment.  It was disappointing.  There I said it. 

But here's the thing.  I can always find a silver lining. 

First, I had family and friends with me that made the weekend not only more fun, but made my stress level zero.  I was relaxed and enjoyed the show.  I try to be all big and do shows alone.  And ya know what, that is just plain stupid.  Because having more than one right arm really is nice.

Second....I did it.  I applied to a huge national show.  Got in.  Paid the $750 booth fee and did it.  That's something.

Third....the connections made where amazing.  And I have a sneaky feeling may be the very reason I was led to apply to the show.  Yep...  Dreaming BIG may be transitioning soon.

Fourth....I've got lots of stock ready for the Christmas season.  Now I can relax and do a little nesting in this new home our family has decided to call home.

Anyhoo, I've yet to locate my camera in the mess now in the garage.  I've got another show soon and didn't feel like hauling it all back to the basement.  And as you well know, I am now teaching full-time.  So.....I am in survival mode here in blogworld.  Bare with me please!  I've so many plans, ideas to share.  But dang if the time doesn't fly!!  But as the sentiment states on that super cute camper above....make the adventure of a lifetime, life itself.  Right this moment that is exactly what I am doing.  Living it big.  Making really solid decisions for my future in all aspects from family and friends to business.  Because something in me is reminding me that life is just too short to live an unfulfilled life.  And I am just about to bust with excitement for this future filled with joy.  Yep.

The Country Living Fair

It's here my art friends.  It's here!!  My stomach is doing such a butterfly dance that today I simply can eat nothing but chocolate chip cookies.  The lunchroom ladies are cracking up at me.....I suppose they KNEW Mrs. Horne needed her favorite food group today in mass quantities.  hehehehe.....

So the Fair.  I am ready.  I've literally put hours into my new products and displays.  It will be good.  It just has to.   There is a core group of my artist friends who are doing the show as well.  In fact we are all piling into one hotel room for the show.  It's gonna be like an artsy sleepover!!  Woohoo!!  My family and friends are coming to help in droves and I could not be more thankful for that.  I usually do shows on my own now, just because.  But this show I knew I needed the troops behind me.  They are real gems I tell ya.  I am one lucky chick. 

As soon as school lets out today I am on my way to the dentist (uck....hopefully it's a stress toothache??) and then to load the cars.  It's taking 2 this time.  Yep.  I told ya....I've got the goods this time!!  Tomorrow as soon as we can Billy and I are off to set up.  I simply can not wait.  Yep.  Excitement, and cookie high are setting in and tomorrow starts a fresh new adventure for sure!!  I really hope to see you there!  Dogwood 81 is my booth number.
*********
HEY...It's 7:30.  Car is loaded and I am about to soak myself in some hot water.  Had to tell you though that I went to the dentist fearing the following:  root canal, abscess tooth that had to be yanked, cavity or worse.  Yep.  I was swirling with anxiety because tooth pain, that I've never had it until a week ago.  And it has yet to stop.  And it sucks.  But guess what?  NOTHING IS WRONG WITH MY chompers.  Nope.  Notta.  I have a big fat sinus infection that is lingering...and has wandered its' way into my frinkin' chompers.  Seriously?   You know this could happen?    Well it did.  Now I have some pain meds and an antibiotic.  And an appointment to see my doc....again.  I've seen him 3x since September.  Which is more than in like 3 years.  Geeesh.  But the show must go on!!  And boy am I ready!!  Woohoo!!

Do You Yo-Yo?

Lots of new goodies up the sleeve here in the studio.  And this happens to be my son William's favorite!

This little photo shoot was so fun to shoot.    We'd count to three and they'd yo-yo and I'd giggle.   Mostly I was giggling because Graham, the crazy kitten kept attacking our yo-yo's!!  Heck, I'm giggling as I write this remembering the scene.  See her behind Mailey in the attack mode? 

So the yo-yo's work just fine and are a fabulous Christmas gift for your youngsters.  We sure love yo-yoing around our house!

Painting a Story...Art and Soul

Alrighty.  Here it is.  The last post for Portland.  I've been dragging it out.  I know.  But seriously I could not shorten this first time.  Nope. 

My last class to teach was called Painting a Story.  The whole class was based on an article I wrote and was published a few back in Somerset Life.   Literally, I was just about busting at the seams to teach this!  The story behind the painting is this, we all have a story to tell.  Some tell it in words, some scrapbook, some take photos, and some paint.  I talked for a spell about this and how through images we can tell our story.  Actually I talked for a spell enough to make myself about cry, it was very hard not too.  Very.  But that is a HUGE indicator of passion, right?  But I also can't help but giggle, the other indicator to me that there is not only passion, but zest for life in my soul.

I just gotta say it.  Teaching a class like this was cool.  Everyone came prepared with their mementos to add, all the painting supplies I had listed and this amazing ability to take what I was saying and apply it in their very own way.  After my little introduction and "pep talk" about being an artist, we dove right into painting.  Maybe they can tell me better what I said.  I am most certain it was pretty profound....hahaha.....But seriously, I know I told these aspiring artists that honestly my goal here was to plant seeds.  They were not here to copy my work and become Jenni.  They were here to find their own authentic voice in the art world.  Geesh, that is hard.  Hard as crap I tell ya.  Because it HAS ALL BEEN DONE.  No lie.  Google it.  Your idea that is.  Done.  But what you make of the seed that is planted, and how you make it yours..... take hold of it and nurture it....and develop it.  Then and only then will it be truly yours.  And once you get that, you should totally run with that.  And you will totally know when it's right.  Because you will want to keep going and never stop.  Hey, why do you think I keep painting those darn birds, campers, trucks and bikes?  Because they are mine.  Puffy heart mine.  Ok, soapbox over.....onward painting class.

So here I am demonstrating.  We used the black gesso and chalk technique I like to use.  I think next year I am on the books to create rich and textural NESTS using the secret ingredients (whaaaahhaaaaa.....laugh inserted here).  But for this class, the technique was more about paint and collage.  I loved everyone's story and how they developed it.  It was awesome how everyone had such different perspectives.  AND different abilities.  Here below is a work in progress:

 And more in progress.  I love that some were about family, and some were personal journeys.

And here are my bird friends again, Becky and Christine.  Becky it turns out has a blog.  AND so does my friend Sheryl and Teresa!!  So please visit and say hi.  It's always nice to make new friends in blogworld, right?

We all took a break and ran back over to the Embassy for the start of vendor sales.  Luckily Tiffin was able to set me up and hang with the table while I taught.  After the break we dove again into painting.  They all did SO freaking good.  I was inspired.  They loved the Phillip frames and couldn't wait to pop their art into them!!  I know when I take a class I want to leave with something finished to show for my time away from home.  I think these ladies all took something away very special.  In fact, my Florida peeps Rene and Kara have already ordered more frames for their paintings! 

Here are snipits from all the paintings.  Somehow a few of you snuck out without my getting your finished piece photographed...hmmmmm (Rene).

Oooo..and the frames.  Man, those frames just make the art look complete.  Puffy heart there for sure!!  I have to send thanks to the class:  Patty, Teresa, Becky, Irja, Christine, Rene, Mary Ellen, Kara, Sheryl and Teresa.  You gals were wonderful students.  I was so fortunate to have meet you all!!

 Saturday night was vendor night. It was slow....painful. But still fun. Met the coolest artist ever. So opposite of me and yet I could not quit staring at it. Or chatting with them about their art. They probably left thinking I was some crazy blond from the south. 

Overall, this first Art and Soul as an instructor went flawlessly. And already I've got peeps joining me next year. I'll be teaching textural nests and what I call "The American Still Life" ...think truck, camper and bike. Yep.   See you there.....if not in Virginia Beach first in MARCH!!

Little Bird Making at Art and Soul

Hey artsy peeps!  Well, this is a sneak peek into the world of teaching outside my Georgia boundaries.  It was a wonderful experience...I am thinking this could be a regular event for this creative chick!  Friday was the first class I taught, and we were making little birdie friends.  I am no longer going to be making these as a part of my regular studio so I thought it was a fabulous way to end their stay with me.  Sort of a pay it forward.  I had three lovely students; Christine and Becky are Mom and Daughter and then wild card Wanda.  (I am telling you Wanda is ME in 30 years.  Yep.).  Now I must interject I was not in the least bit disappointed in only having 3 students (one of my classes was canceled because she didn't have enough students.  Poopoo).....but I was worried that we'd be done by lunch and be staring at each other the rest of the afternoon!  Yeah, so not the case.  These girls worked through lunch and ended I think later than time allotted.  Not by much, but still!!  Woohooo bird making!!! 

 Below is the goody box filled with sweet treats, vintage finds, glitter pencil, fun eraser and more!  I also had lots of birdie samples and my favorite birdie book.  Each student received 2 patterns to work from.  Most chose the fatter bird.  The other pattern I've made is better on a sewing machine.

 Everyone had the opportunity to make one with long wobbly legs and one in a cage.  We all finished our standing ones, but I think everyone took the cages home a little unfinished.  We ran out of time and embellishments.  You can never bring enough junk to these art workshops.  I had a $50 shipped box full and still wish I'd brought more to share!  I think the best idea they took home was that felt can come from old wool sweaters.  And since they all live where wool is probably easier to find in thrift stores, I think the Goodwill best be ready for some artsy students soon!

I just can not thank these ladies enough for being a part of the day.  It really, really made my heart full.  It's a little hard to describe what teaching others does for my soul.  I know this sounds nuts, but honestly I couldn't create without being willing to share it.  It indeed takes a special person to share skills and knowledge with others willingly.  And you most importantly have to be willing to give up a part of yourself to your students.  And not get upset if one day, they become successful from an idea you sparked inside them.  Because the chances of that are pretty good.  If you teach them good enough.....hehehe....So make lots of birdies my new friends.  And I hope some of their sweet goodness will bring you good fortune in the near future.

 Live in JOY......are you??