August Art

I've always felt it's best to end a busy week on a creative note.

My work has occupied a lot of my time lately, but come Friday night I'm ready to break out the brushes and get crafty!

 

Lately, I've made a point to stop at my local Aaron Brothers on my way home during the week. I might pick up a canvas, a few prints, a frame, or--like this week--all three!

For the past couple of months, I've been searching for a pretty bulletin board for my office, but I couldn't seem to find anything that I really loved, so I decided to make my own.

It was actually super easy! I simply layered some vintage-looking papers on top of a framed cork board using Liquitex Matte Varnish.

The matte finish just has to dry over night, and a few hours later you have your very own personalized bulletin board.

I used the same collage technique a few weeks ago when creating this world map for my living room. 

For this project all I had to do was apply thin strips of my favorite scrap book paper around the edges of three canvases...

then I cut the sepia-toned world map I had purchased from Amazon to fit the frames (Note: don't worry if you can't fit the whole world on your canvas--you can always create a legend)...

apply 1-2 layers of varnish for a smooth matte finish (of course a little wrinkle adds character)...

and pin all the places you've been to or want to go!

 

I've had so much fun creating these collage pieces lately!

What kind of creative projects have you been up to these days?

~Nel~  

Hot Summer Nights by the Grill

The temperature is heating up and summer is in full swing. It's the perfect time to fire up the grill!

While the meat is cooking, won't you join me for a glass of crisp white wine?

We'll watch the palm leaves rustle in the warm evening breeze,

and indulge our senses in the sweet smell of late-blooming jasmine. 

I'll mix up one of my favorite summer-time side dishes (I add red onion, olives, and paprika to my macaroni salad for a little kick!).

Add a couple of steamed artichokes from our local Farmer's Market...

...and we have the perfect meal for a hot summer night.

Thank you for joining me for dinner, friends--it was a pleasure to have you over for BBQ, Red Rose Alley style!

~Nel~

Just Like The Rose

I took a walk to my neighbor's house, and admired her beautiful rose bushes on the side of her house.  It is landscaped with roses of every different color.

She even has purplish ones.

aaahhh, the red rose.  This one speaks to me like no other.

You are like the roses....growing free and unique and special in your own way.  Don't let anyone tell you different.

Are you enjoying the summer days?

 

~Sheri



Summer Road Trip Continued: Aspen, Colorado

Upon leaving Four Corners, USA, we drove into Colorado, heading for Aspen.

I must say that driving through Colorado was absolutely gorgeous. 

The mountains were so colorful compared to the Sierra Nevadas of California that I am used to,

and I loved the white, story-bookish Aspens. 

Is it just me, or do they have eyes?

Aspen was probably my favorite of all of the cities that we visited. 

We stayed at the most charming and well-kept lodge. I felt like I was in Switzerland!

Downtown would be difficult not to love. 

Pedestrian friendly and lined with (expensive) shops, 

there was even a landscaped stream running through the middle. 

We rode a gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain - 11,212 feet high.

Later, we stopped by what is known as the most photographed mountains in North America: 
Maroon Bells. 

I can see why. 

I love love loved Aspen and am looking forward to visiting again when it's covered in snow!

Stay tuned for our last stop...

Arches National Park in Moab, Utah

~Jess~

Just Because

Here are some

pictures I took,

just because

they spoke to my

heart.

 

Sweet llama

 

Do you see a

dog in the

top left cloud?

 

A penny

for your thoughts.

 

A pink flower

for you.

 

I wonder what

bird made its nest

here?

 

Jess' favorite,

pink flamingos.

 

Charming windows

 

Love this hair

piece.

 

I wish you a

rainbow today.

 

~Sheri