by Amy | Jul 30, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Projects, the house
It’s been a while since I’ve done a project. And I don’t mean a craft. I mean a real, sink your teeth in, work all day, major B&A–project.
Actually, according to medical professionals, not allowed to project like that for another 5 months. So, I’ll bide my time, but that doesn’t mean progress should halt. A few months back, before we got the results of the MRI, before the surgery…before…Derek and I cleaned everything we had stored in the basement out. All in preparation for it to be waterproofed, the first step toward a completely finished, livable basement. {*dreamy sigh*}
You can see that post here.
Well, since I can’t participate, I thought I’d at least show you where we stand now. You may remember me mentioning that when my parents came to visit in June, my dad thought the most fun way to spend his days in Minot would be installing an egress window for us. No complaints from me. I’ve been meaning to ask him to write a guest post about putting it in. So, Dad, if you are reading this–we should chat about that. But I digress…Here is the window going in.
Let’s just say, I don’t trust just anyone to hack into the cement of my foundation. And I trust my dad. So…yeah…
Now I have a light filled basement. Better yet, it’s completely waterproofed. That’s what all the white stuff is on the wall. If you want more info on the system we went with, you can check out Innovative Basement Systems. It’s pricey, yes. But it is also guaranteed, pretty much for all time and eternity. So we felt like it was worth it.
The guys who cant to install the system were a pair of 20-somthing besties. They told me the met on the job and immediately clicked. It was a bromance if I’ve ever seen one. While they worked I could hear their music from the basement. It was like a kareoke party. There was some Frozen soundtrack, some singing along with Taylor Swift, and obviously a little jamming to Journey. Adorable.
I even have a sump pump!!
Now, the big question is, “What next?” Where do you go from here. Well, I’ll tell you.
First step, wait 48 hours for the cement to dry.
Next, save more money. The home improvement fund has been tapped out this summer with the new roof and the basement situation…
After that {conveniently in probably about 5 months or so–wink wink} we’ll start installing studs and dry wall. Eventually the vision is to have a bathroom, storage space and bedroom down there. So. Yeah. Someday.
Amy
by Amy | Jul 25, 2014 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Art, The Art of Gathering, The Art of Projects
I have something very exciting to tell you about. It’s exciting for me, but mostly it’ll be exciting for the Practically Canadian followers out there.
A couple new services have been tacked on to my services menu. And they are way fun.
Starting now. Right now, The Art of Living Project is offering crafty classes for you and all your friends. Now, what on earth could that mean? Let me tell you.
I think lots of us can agree that crafting is super fun and awesome….and it only gets more awesome if you craft with friends. And it gets even better if you don’t have to spend time gathering supplies or finding a tutorial. And even more amazing if there was no Pinterest rage involved, because someone is there to help you complete a project that actually turns out the way it should and not on one of those “nailed-it” boards.
That’s where my crafty classes come in. Right now I have 15 projects available to choose from–everything from Pottery Barn knock offs to wreaths-a-plenty. Lots of others are on the way too. Projects on the horizon include DIY mercury glass, all kinds of paper flowers, burlap runners, glass painting, lamp wiring! So keep your eyes peeled and watch for new project postings.
You pick a class, I get the supplies, you have fun, you end up with something awesome and a new skill.
The best part about this type of class is that you will leave with the understanding of how to create something. For example, I offer a class that focuses on all kinds of burlap flowers. You’ll leave with some cool stuff and the know-how to do it again…the next time you want to embellish a wreath, or package, you’ll be able to whip up a flower and brag to your friends. It’s the whole teach-a-man-to-fish philosophy. I’m really into that.
Not only is it a way fun way to spend an afternoon or evening, it’s a great way to learn something new, create unique gifts and become a DIY master. After all…why should I be hoarding all the skills?
Oh…and if you and your cronies have found something that you are just dying to make…or have failed on before but would like to try again, all you have to do is get in touch with me and I’ll be happy to come up with a tutorial, gather supplies and plan a custom party just for you.
So, yeah. I’m pretty excited. And you should be too. Because this just might turn out to be your new favorite Practically Canadian pass-time.
Amy
PS–I’m also working on an artillery of painting party designs. Right now there is just one lonely painting in the gallery, but more are on the way!
by Amy | Jul 12, 2014 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Projects
Okay. I know. It’s Saturday evening…this is out of character to post right now. But–I did finish the mystery project from yesterday and I just had to show you the finished product. Look.
Remember what I showed you yesterday? I know. I can’t believe it either.
As I said in that post, this was kind of an experiment. So I don’t have a full tutorial for you. But I’ll be going home to Indiana next week to visit the fam and my mom has requested full instruction on making these little gems. So, pinky swear, a full tutorial {with detailed instructions} will be coming soon.
For those of you that just can’t wait. Here’s the basic principle. Get a flat rate box. This one is a medium. Cut out the sides. Flip a pillow case inside out and put it in the box like a lining. Use spray adhesive to adhere the pillowcase to the cardboard that is left of the box.
Then start wrapping and gluing rope around and around and around. I used 1/2″ and 3/8″ sisal twine.
The straps are adhered with E6000 glue .
Again…a full tutorial coming soon!
by Amy | Jul 11, 2014 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Projects
I’m making something. I had this idea and I’m not sure how it’s going to turn out…but I think it just might be a winner. Here are the ingredients.
A flat rate box
An old pillowcase
Spray adhesive
Rope
Hot Glue
Here’s what I’ve got.
I’ll show it to you when I’m done. Promise.
Isn’t mysterious upcycling the best?
Amy
by Amy | Jul 10, 2014 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Art, The Art of Design, The Art of Projects
That’s right. When I’m not able to draw out a chalkboard full of awesome stuff by hand {like this, or this, or this…} I turn to the digital stuff. Tonight I’m sharing all my favorites with you. AND they are all FREE!! So get ready to pin, because you are going to want to hang on to these sources–or immediately download them. I use them all the time and L-O-V-E them. Dearly.
I love these Rustic Graphics from We Lived Happily Ever After. She is a genius. She also shared a free chalk background. You can get that here. While I usually try to download things that are okay to use commercially, these are for personal use only. So I reserve them for unpaid project for family and friends.
Next are these adorable laurels and frames from Sunflower Studio. They are under the creative commons license. So they are good to use for commercial or personal purposes.
If you know me weirdly well, you know I have a weakness for fonts. Here are my favorites to use against a chalk background.
Adine Kimberg
Ever After
Little Lord Fontleroy
Rialto
Porcelain
Covington
Champagne
Little Days
Silverfake
Villa Didot
And…here are two more fonts that you should have. They are awesome dingbats for chalk projects.
Remember to check licenses before you use them commercially, but most of this stuff is good to go. Happy chalking!
Amy
by Amy | Jul 2, 2014 | Blog, The Art of Living, The Art of Projects, the house
I love having fresh flowers around the house. My gardens are finally alive with color, which has made this the perfect time to start picking lots of blooms.
Tonight I thought I’d let you in on a super easy was to keep your cut stems looking vibrant for as long as possible.
My grandmother told me this. Actually–she wrote it to me during her final months as she battled a cancer that took away her voice box. So when I was visiting she would communicate on little pads of paper. It wasn’t the quickest method. But it worked. She was an avid gardener. I don’t know how it came up, but she once asked if I knew how to keep cut flowers looking fresh. {Obviously not.}
She told me her favorite trick was to pour a little soda–the clear kinds, like ginger ale, Sprite or 7 Up–into the vase. No more than a quarter cup will do the trick. Flowers crave sugar that they soak up from their roots and other parts of the plant. Once cut, they lose that source of sugar. So keeping some in the water will help them thrive in your living room.
I asked about just mixing some sugar into the water {I’m not much of a soda drinker, usually.} She said that is a technique that some people use…but it’s better to use soda. Granulated sugar, even when mixed in, can clog the pores in the stems.
Give it a try. It’s an easy tip to know that will make you look like a gardener extraordinaire.
Amy
by Amy | Jun 28, 2014 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Art, The Art of Design, The Art of Projects
Hey all! Well, let me tell you. Lots of things have transpired since I last posted. In case you missed the last post, it was the BIG, Fat Reading List. Much anticipated…lots of great recommendations from my most trusted readers. If you are looking for something to read this summer {or ever} you should check it out.
So, I had surgery. On the back. But I’ll tell you about that another time.
Tonight, I want to do a little show and tell and plug. Tomorrow is Minot’s Integrity Jazz Festival and I’ll be there. Yes, I know I just had back surgery. But I committed before I knew I was having surgery. And I’ll just be sitting there. Very similar to sitting at home, just with better music. And Derek will be with me. So no worries.
For the last few weeks I’ve been in what I like to refer to as Sweat Shop Mode. That’s where I work all day and all night on products. It happens a lot at Christmas time. Since this is my first ever vendor experience I kicked it into high gear to be sure everything was ready and I wouldn’t have anything left to do to prep post-surgery.
That’s what I’m showing off tonight. Some of the things that will be for sale tomorrow. I’m nervous. I just don’t know how this is going to go. Or if anything will sell. Which would be a giant bummer since printing all these pieces wasn’t exactly cheap. So–if it doesn’t go so hot tomorrow…you’ll soon be seeing these items for sale here at amyallender.com. And then I’ll probably drop the prices and beg you to buy–if only to salvage my self esteem.
But enough chat. I’m nervous even showing you this. What if you hate it? Okay. Here goes.
Stationary sets some are hand drawn. The Practically Canada stuff was digitally designed. And I hope the people I meet tomorrow have a good sense of humor like you guys.
These I designed and drew and colored by hand. Then I digitized them to make them printable. They might be my most favorite of everything I’ve got for sale.
You may have seen book clutches floating around online. They are precious. I love vintage books and had a great time designing these. What I think sets mine apart from the loads of others in the world is that I sought out some really cool vintage books. The covers are lovely…and I left their original charm intact. Some are outfitted to be wallet-ish. Others are made to hold e-readers. But they make great carry-alls for toting items to the pool {sunglasses, phone, card, cash sunscreen}, holding make up, stashing stationary, etc.
You know I love canning things. Usually I make labels for myself…so I thought others might like them too.
I came across these vintage flour sacks at an antique store. They were too adorable NOT to make into market bags.
These might look familiar from another post…but I’m really proud of how these summer themed pieces turned out.
And lastly…I’ll have these adorable journals for sale. I made these from salvaged pages of vintage children’s books. I developed a technique for removing the page text and added my own graphic. Then I bound them into journals and notebooks. On a side note, I’ll also have individual pages with printing on them for sale. They’ll look super cute in a frame or decoupaged onto something else!
Now the plug. If you are in Practically Canada–you should totally come by the Jazz Festival. It’s at MSU in Anne Nicole Nelson Hall. If nothing else, you should just come say “Hi” and remind me that I am a fool for committing to do this just two days after surgery. Wish me luck!
Amy
by Amy | May 21, 2014 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Art, The Art of Design, The Art of Gathering, The Art of Projects
About a week ago I found myself in Bismarck. Naturally, while there I was faced with a difficult decision: TJ Maxx or boutique shopping? I went the boutique route and found myself at a darling place called Junk Yard Chic. Their wares boast gifts of the salvaged, shabby-chic, rustic variety.
When I checked out, my goods were carefully wrapped in the cutest Popsicle tissue paper I’ve ever seen. Which got me thinking all about summer’s best treat, and how I could incorporate those fun, sweet, melty colors and flavors into my life this summer. Here are seven great things I came across.
1. I have been itching to host a summer ice cream social. But I might just do a Popsicle social instead. These invitations from Free Pretty Printables are sooo cute I could eat them up. Oh, yeah. And they are FREE!
2. There are a ton of amazing popsicle recipes floating around on Pinterest these days. I fell in love with the wholesome ingredients and easy prep for these made with blueberries, strawberries and honey. Get the recipe here. The blog, In Sock Monkey Slippers recommends this mold.
3. Dreamcicles anyone? Those are soap! Yes, soap. The perfect summer gift for a summer hostess. Get them from Sun Kid Gifts on Etsy.
4. If technology is more your style, sport this adorable phone cover this summer. Get this one and other cute Popsicle prints at Peanutoak Case’s Etsy shop.
5. These aren’t edible at all! They are crayons. How amazing is that? I found this image on Pinterest. Which led me to Etsy…only to discover that the listing is no longer active. I’m guessing you can melt down crayons and cool them in a Popsicle mold. You’re creative. I know you’ll figure it out.
6. I dig these nails from Lacq Lustre. She did them herself and shares all the colors she used. So even if you don’t make the mini Popsicles, you can still have some poppy color.
7. And lastly…I searched high and low for the tissue paper that started this whole thing. I couldn’t find it. What I did find was this adorable wrapping paper from Clementine Store. Now who do I know with a summer birthday…?
Amy
