Hittin' The Road With My Little Painting and Going Over To The Friday Paint Party

I'm going over to participate in the Friday Paint Party.  I wanted to share a little paint project from this last weekend.  Of course, I just can't show you the painting, there is a story to tell as well!  So here goes.....

I was to attend a good guy friend's birthday party who has everything in the world and needs nothing.  What to do for a gift? Something more than a bottle of wine.  Wine is so, well, average. It's become so impersonal.  Everyone brings wine.  But he does love his vino.   How about a super nice bottle wrapped nicely with a little bit of 'artwork' attached?!! 

I have been toying around with a new process in the studio. I decided to experiment with this process using a cool, vintage image of him that he recently posted on his Facebook page. This is an image of him many years back on a mule in Haiti. Yes.  It is kinda humorous.  My friend has a good sense of humor.  There were the expected Facebook jibs and jabs.  My friend even jump in and participated in a little poking fun at himself! He said something about posting it so he could remember that he once did have hair! It was not your average image, so I wanted to use it.

I took the image and placed it into PhotoShop and altered a few things, including the exposure and shadows. 

I then printed the image onto high grade watercolor paper and added a little color into the sky, ground and saddle using watered down acrylic paint.

I use a deckle scissor to trim the edges to give it a little flair.  Added to a fine bottle of wine. TADA!  Now that is a thoughtful gift for someone who has everything. 

As I am writing this blog post, his Facebook status update reads: Enjoying a glass of wine with friends.  I wonder if he is drinking my bottle of wine?   A girl can dream.

-The End-
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Ten Minute Guest Bath Sprucing Has Me Smiling Pretty

I stopped off at Homegoods yesterday for a new kitchen sink rug.  Didn't find one that I liked.  How to salvage the trip?  Standing there I remembered that my little guest half bath had been looking a little drab lately and needed a little spruce up.  Everyone who visits uses this room. I needed to do something about it. The image below is the before shot.  I am starting with a beautiful cabinet with faucets that I adore.  But, come one people, dinner napkins for drying hands?  Oh, and that soap....yep, it would be empty.  Bad hostess here.  Maybe this is why I have not been asking people over lately.

I didn't need much, just fresh hand towels, appropriate hand paper towels and a fresh bottle of nice hand soap.  Well, I'm at Homegoods.  Could there be a better place to find everything for this quick change?  I found everything that I needed.  I concentrated making the choices in the neutral tones since I know I will be adding a pumpkin or two for Thanksgiving and some kind of Christmas accent in December.  I also made sure to check the clearance shelves first.  Pay dirt.  Found these neat brown Leopard print towels, goes with everything and paper hand towels with Paris style script on them.  Add in a nice little bottle of coconut-vanilla scented hand soap with a neato brown and beige print on the label.  Done for less then 15 bucks. 

Once I got the stuff home, I also wanted to add a fragrant candle.  I found this little glass jar with a lemongrass scented candle that had burnt down a little too far.  Nothing is lost here.  I got my papers out for a candle spruce up.  Cut a strip of scrap paper to fit the jar and simply taped the seams together in the back.  No need to fuss. No one is going to turn my candle around to see that! If they do, they deserve the shock. I challenge them to walk out of this bathroom with their poker face intact!!  I then added a little strip of paper that has script on it to add a little interest and pair well with the paper hand towels.  Finally, I tied off a piece of jute for texture.   

This all took me about 10 minutes and gave the room a little lift.

What took me so long?  Oh, that's right.  I'm busy.  Just like you, I bite off too much, work too hard on my blog, bust my butt raising teenagers, attempt to be the best wife possible and am attempting to resurrect my art career.  That would be why.  Silly me. 

With the seasons changing its a great time to address those little things.  Sometimes, it's just a little 10 minute guest bath spruce up.  It really is that simple.  Do you have a little project that you can tackle that will give you a little lift?  Such a simple way to put a smile on your face.  Try it.

-The End-

The Homeless Finch Awarded The Versatile Blogger Award

Cool vintage skates I own.

The Homeless Finch has been going through some growing pains in the last month.  After coming off of summer vacation, I have really been thinking a lot about the direction of my blog and trying to develop some goals.  I have noticed while looking back over all my posts, that I really enjoy writing more than just tutorials, or project reveals.  I seem to really love using this platform to address my 'ponderings' on life as a studio artist, wife a friend and mother of two teenagers. 

For me it isn't just about art, decor, paint or gardening. It's about living.  It's about thinking about how we treat others, the choices we make, our goals and our dreams.  It's about sharing with the reader some truths that I have come to know at the not so ripe age of 47.

So when I opened my email yesterday from Deb Owen of Twice Nice, I was totally taken back.  Deb highlighted The Homeless Finch as one of her Top 15 Versatile Blogs!!  What an honor!!  "Versatile Blogger."  Wow.  I am super touched by this, even if it is the opinion of one person.  It matters.  On top of it, I am on a list with some pretty impressive bloggers.  If you want to take a look click here. 

Being a recipient of this award, there are three rules one must follow according to Deb.  They are

1.  Thank the person who awarded you. (Duh, easy)
2.  Tell 7 things about yourself that your readers may not know. (Yikes! okay...will attempt this.)
3.  Award 15 bloggers with this award.  (Not going to do.  Not because I don't have 15 favs, but because it feels a little chain letter-ish to me.  I have a rule never to engage in chain letters.)

So here is my thank you.........

THANK YOU DEB OWENS

for the huge compliment!!! and

Here are my 7 little known facts:

Roosters in my cupboard.

1. I am one of four siblings and the only one with my grandfather's dark, olive complexion.  The rest are white as snow. (Made for an interesting childhood)

Pine bench my hubby gave me

2.  I am a pretty serious political junkie.  Just don't talk about it on my blog.  Like to keep that separate.

Master Bedroom Reveal image.

3.  I have a lead foot in the car and prefer driving sports cars.  So much so that I do not own the SUV that many woman own for toting home kids and yard sale finds.

A little something sitting on my Hall Tree.

4.  I was seriously bullied by girls in high school, something that has carried pretty much throughout my adult life.  Haven't had the strongest track record picking good girlfriends.  In a good spot with the ones I have now... I think!  I also do not hang with a lot of woman.  Clicky women and me don't mix!!

Woodsy getting a upgrade.

6.  I have Hashimoto's Disease, which is a fancy name for a Thyroid condition. 

Two of the finches in my aviary. Tux and Seedo.

7.  I do not own a single designer handbag.  I would rather switch out my bag three times a year for something cheap and trendy.

Chest of drawers reveal image.

So there you have it...little known facts, that now are out there on the Internet. (nervous giggle) 

Do you have anyone in your life, even a casual friendship with another blogger that you appreciate?  Have you thanked them lately, or let them know how much they mean to you? No?  Well, get to it.  Life is short and nothing beats an honest to goodness compliment!

-The End-