Why buy a new clock?

I know I said I would show a canvas painting next but I wanted to share this clock project before I share the painting.

Since we moved to our new apartment, we had a very empty looking living room. We were waiting for money to start rolling in from my husband's new job before spending on a couch. In my search through Craig's list I found an awesome deal. I will tell you more about it in another post because this post will be dedicated to the free clock that came with the furniture. There are so many things I have been working on these last couple of weeks! Can't wait to share.

Now the clock looked fine just the way it was... but of course I had to change it. Lots of people like to go with the nice neutral colors and this clock would look awesome for that kind of living room. I promised myself that I would not do that. Now I can't do anything about the carpet and wall color. When you are renting, your options are somewhat limited in that department. SO I am letting my furniture and accents to set the mood. This is what happened to that nice clock.

For those who know me, the aqua blue colored clock is more my style.

I first started by taking it apart. Then I picked one of my favorite colors, Blue Bahama from Patio Paint.

Once I covered all the areas I wanted covered, I let it dry overnight.

Then I went into my Silhouette program and cut out some vinyl numbers.

I made sure they were in the right place and started painting in the numbers with a grayish-silver color. I just mixed some black, white and silver paint.

But then of course I couldn't leave it without some embellishment.

On my wall it went! It ties in well with all the other decorations. I know that this picture doesn't show them but I will be revealing my living room in some near future. For now you will get little glimpses.

Super awesome sewing machine cover

I am no sewing expert and I have a very long ways to go. The only way to get better is to practice. I thought about all the fun things I need done and will be good for practicing. The top one on my list was a sewing machine cover. My machine used to belong to my grandma before she left and decided to hand it down to me. For the longest time (we're talking years) it sat in my parent's garage collecting dust. There was no cover or instruction manual with it when my Dad brought it to me last year. So of course it just sat in my apartment collecting more dust. By then I was learning about home decor and wanted to learn how to sew.

When I started taking my sewing class, my teacher noticed how bad the poor sewing machine sounded. It had obviously not been cleaned or oiled for a long time. She suggested that I either get a cover for it or make one. So after cleaning and oiling it (and a few months later), grammie's machine finally has a cover!



This project was made out of scrap pieces of fabric. Leftovers from other stuff that I made.


Fabric is expensive so I wanted to get my money's worth. I also had these cute buttons from Joann Fabrics.


Added some love...


Also added a pocket in the back with more love, lots more.



Yes, it's not perfect but I gave it a try and I like it for now.

For my next project I plan to go back to painting. I haven't done any painting posts lately and I need to. See this blank canvas?

It's just begging for something amazing.

Getting down to business

Now I know I did not post anything in May. May was my vacation month. We got to spend time with the family after being away from them for so long. Also, we moved into our new apartment and I am so excited to start embellishing it soon. Finally my tab for home decor will get some use.

My office was the first thing to get done. Ha! I used these cute tiny buckets from Target to organize some art supplies.


This is my current work desk. This is where all the creative energy flows.


I know it's just a small corner but I have all I need in one place. :)
Stay tuned in for tomorrow, I will be posting what I worked on this weekend and my next project.

Apron for my Mommy!

In my last post I talked about making a cute vintage apron and I said that I would make another one. Well I just finished it. This one isn't vintage style but it is very girly. My mom loves pink, it's her favorite color. Her kitchen is black and white and she told me once that she wanted an apron that matched her kitchen. So we went to the store and bought the fabric she wanted.
I had an apron that I just loved the cute design because it looks like a dress. So my sewing teacher helped me make a pattern and this was the finished result.

I plan on making myself one like this. I learned a few things through trial and error while staying up last night and trying to finish this apron asap. For example the pocket, it is a little hard to see because of the bold pattern that the fabric has. So I decided to make a border on the next apron I make.

My favorite part are the ruffles on the bottom.

Never thought that sewing could be so much fun. These little projects have helped bring my confidence up and try new things. Eventually I will try much harder projects but for now I am learning lots with the ones I have been challenged with.

Vintage Apron

It's been sometime since I've been able to post. My excuse is the stress of moving. Too much to worry about and too little time, but I need my sanity so of course I had to do something artistic. Looking back, I wasn't interested in sewing. I remember as a little girl when I used to watch my grandma sew. I guess because I was always around it, I didn't appreciate it. Not too long ago, my mom told me that before my grandma left the US she had left me her sewing machine. During that same time I was looking through Pinterest and found these cool projects people had done sewing. So, I told her to send it to me. Okay... so I had a sewing machine but didn't know how to use it. My mom knows how to sew but I would have to drive down to Vegas just so she could teach me and that is 6 hours away. So I thought, well I guess I can ask some of my neighbors to teach me. There are lots of woman here who know how. Time passed and of course I didn't ask anyone. Then one day a friend of mine told me about a lady who was giving classes.

Three months later... I've learned to use my machine, made a dress, skirt, and this awesome apron!

I've learned to love my sewing machine. I still have lots more to learn and I will keep practicing.

This is the front. The pattern is a vintage style apron from Simplicity and I love the way it ties in the back.

I like how the yellow accents compliment the grey fabric design. Plus I learned how to make fabric flowers.

I plan on making one for my mom. Her birthday is next month and I know she will love an apron that can match with her kitchen. So we went to Joanns and and picked out a Damask black and white pattern. The plan is to add pink accents since that's her favorite color.

I really hope this one turns out cute.

painting #2... Owls

I am currently working on my second painting. When my son was born, I wanted to decorate his room with cute owl stuff. It didn't work out that way but I like how his room turned out anyway. I have other plans now since he is getting older. Soon the weather will change to warm in Central Utah and I will be able to post about home decor stuff. It's hard to spray paint when it is cold, things don't dry very well.

So far all I have to show for my new painting is a sketch I came up with a few days ago.


The sketch only took me a few minutes. What's taking a long time is coming up with the colors that I want to use. So that's what's been taking me days. I am trying to find my muse, the colors that will give the right atmosphere, I need to feel like its right. For those who appreciate what a painting brings into a room, know what I am talking about.
Color plays a huge role. I would like for this painting to go in a nursery or a child's room and it needs to have a calming effect. I plan on posting some of my different color schemes soon. Please let me know which one looks best.

Finally, finished sea turtle painting!

OH MY HECK! This painting was so much fun. First time I paint ocean water in oils and I lOOOVVVEEED it!


Can you tell I am super excited about this painting? Now, I know I say that about every painting or illustration I make but I guess that just shows how much I love art. It feels so good to make something that gives you a big smile because you know it is awesome. Maybe not everyone will agree with me but that's the beauty of art, you make it your own.

I started by painting the edges with a dark almost navy blue. Gradually I added lighter blues and turquoise.

Then I added the ripples in the water. It looks cool just like that. I wanted to hang it on my wall already.

Last part was to add my turtles. As you can tell, the paint is still wet so it is reflecting a lot of light back to the camera but it's suppose to be a solid black. The last detail is to add little sun rays by the foot of the mommy turtle, since that is where the light is more intense.

As soon as I finish 9 other paintings, I will be selling this on Etsy. I hope it goes to a home that will love it as much as I do.