Here is a fun art idea. I can't take credit for making these. I was lucky enough to find them
 for sale at Home Goods last summer. But, I think it would be an easy to copy craft.



These are around 12" in diameter and about a 1 1/2 " thick. 
To make these: Cut your wood slices. Smooth both sides with sandpaper or a palm sander.



Create or find very simple images. A kids coloring book would be a good place for images.
 


Tape your image onto the wood. Following the outline of your image, poke a hole with a
 pencil {every inch} through the paper and onto the wood. This will create your 'dotted' template. 



Remove the paper. With a drill, drill all the way through the wood following your template. {Make sure
your hole/drill bit is big enough to accommodate the needle and the cord slipping through easily}. Using
 a big embroidery needle and colored cord, 'sew' your design. Attach a picture hanger to the back.
 


Simple, fun 'alternative' art for a little girls bathroom.
  

Yesterday, I shared a clients kitchen that we recently completed. Today we will move over a bit,
into the living room.

I wanted to share a clients kitchen that I recently completed. This was a new construction.





Lee leather chairs and settee surround a patinaed copper dining table.



This is a Florida families mountain retreat. We embraced beautiful rustic features--reclaimed floors, brushed
 granite countertops, reclaimed wine barrel chandelier, zinc pendant, copper sink and a slate backsplash. 


















I had a local craftsman make the copper hood--one of my favorite features!! We spent
 many hours fine tuning the shape and color.



I'll show you more of the house tomorrow.

While jogging through blog land yesterday {exhausting..} I stopped in on one of my faves,
 {if only this activity would actually burn calories } Poppytalk. I found a post they had done 
featuring the artwork of Amy Rice. This isn't just an expression--my mouth truly dropped.

    

LLLISTEN, I get giddy I tell ya, when artwork evokes a physical reaction!! My giddiness led me
 to be immediately smitten with the artist behind this little beauty. I so love the layers of mixed
 media art and especially love the incorporation of handwritten letters.


Swan Mail

I got myself first to her etsy shop. And discovered the little gems that were available. 

 
Bandits



Pretty Harvest

I needed to know more about Amy, so I clicked over to her website and blog. It's here that you can see
Amy's techniques, visit her studio, and learn about her new venture into working as a 'full-time' artist.  


Listen

And then I saw this for sale:



Underneath First Days, Amy wrote this narrative:



Big , enormous, huge gulp...it was reading this, that led to that beforementioned physical reaction, 
but, this time it left my cheeks wet...
 


You see, I have a lab who is 11. My Buddy is currently in the same 'stage' as Ella. So vividly,
 I remember the day I sat in the grass with Buddy and all of his brothers and sisters, his mom
 and dad, and tried to figure out which one of these furballs would be the happiest with me.
 I sat and l played with that liter for several hours.

 I picked perfectly.



Ironically, I am also in the first days yet again with our new puppies Bella and Beau.
It's so bittersweet.....



Needless to say, First Days is now mine ! I can't wait for it to arrive. Not sure yet where it will hang.
But, I know how much it will be treasured.     

Thanks Amy!