if I were an Art Teacher...

Hello! Hope you all are doing well. I have been super busy this last week, but since I got a week of vacation, I'm definitely not complaining! While working one of the 8 hour graveyard shifts at Bennett I was playing around on StumpleUpon and found this wonderful video. I just had to share!

As for the blog post title...well, if I were an art teacher I would definitely have my students do this one day!

Hope you enjoyed the video! Have a great rest of your week and remember that sometimes what we consider "different" could be really neat! Oh and, as always, it's the random reasons.

Crafty Do, Crafty Does

Hello everybody! Hope you all had wonderful weekends! I have a sneak peek into the apartment for you all today! I have been limiting the amount of the apartment that I show people, just because I am waiting to show it to everyone when it is completely perfect, and it is nearly there. However, today, just my blog readers will get to see a few of the things going on in the apartment...sort of like a trailer for a movie. No worries, you still don't get to see everything!

I went home this last week, and made it back to Stillwater with some great finds that were in need of a makeover....

Salt and Pepper Shakers + Napkin Holder. These started out just black and chrome, but I transformed them to match the table and the centerpiece. Also, the salt reads: Na Cl and the pepper: Pe + (Pe) r. I just had to do something different! These were a score because I was able to get these for free from my grandma's storage unit.

Shelf with coat hooks. This was another awesome grab from my grandma's storage unit. It started out as a dark wood, and I painted it white, added some brass studs, and then glued on some pearls. It turned out to be one of my favorite pieces so far!

Coasters. These were made from some scrap canvas paper that I had in the cabinet at the apartment. I like them mainly because...1) They can be repainted. 2) They are reversible, one side girly, one side more modern art. 3) They were free and super easy!  

Glassware. I did not actually make these, but I found them in Hobby Lobby the other day for 1/2 price. What a great deal! I loved the colors and I plan on getting more. My favorite thing about them? When the morning light comes through the windows and hits them...it is beautiful. I debated on filling them or leaving them empty. When all was said and done, I ended up filling them with light colored or clear altered art supplies: silver beads in the blue bottle, clear "diamonds" in the pink, and white beads in the orange. This way they serve a purpose while still looking gorgeous! 

Pillow! I finished another pillow, in only about an hour and a half! I was excited. Only 4 more pillows to go! 

Well there you go! A sneak peek into the apartment. Get ready for the complete tour which will be coming very soon! As for today, remember that with some creativity and Modge Podge you can turn a snag from a garage sale into a one and only designer piece! Oh, and don't forget--it's the random reasons.

Snickers and a Coke

***Disclaimer: Today's post is long and it is not about art. It is completely me just letting my thoughts and emotions out...and that is exactly what I needed. ***

Today is July 20. A day when we will remember how one man’s actions changed the lives of more people than one could imagine. How, with one decision to disobey the rules, a life was taken and a family was hurt. That will never change.

What will change will be the people affected. They will grow up, they will find themselves, they will accomplish great things, they will learn from their mistakes, and they will remember. The hole never goes away, it never grows smaller, but with time the hurt is eventually accompanied by memories and joy. We will look back on our time spent with each other and smile.

*****

Dear Papa,

I remember the day that my life was changed forever perfectly. For two years I have thought about you everyday. I remember when Grandma showed up to our house and told dad that there was a wreck. Dad and grandma left. Kaitlynn was at practice. Mom was in town getting ready to fly to England that afternoon. Payton and I were the only ones at home and we were working on painting the bookshelf in my bedroom. I was trying to stay calm, but something just felt wrong. Grandma was in a hurry, dad had left immediately...and there was just a sense of uneasiness in the air. I tried getting a hold of my mom...she didn't answer. She called me back around 8:30 am. When I answered she didn't even say "hello". All she said was "Your Papa died in a wreck today." I was in shock, and for once in my life I couldn't bring words to my mouth. Mom heard my breathing start to get heavier and faster, "Paxton, you have to keep it together, you have Payton." I will never forget those words, just I will never forget that morning. She had told me that my aunts would be picking Payton and I up to go to town. I went to my room trying to figure out what one wears on a day like this...then I got Payton ready to go. We went to town, the trip was silent, and we drove down the back roads the whole way. When we got to town we went inside and I saw my Grandma crying uncontrollably. It was hard, she came over and hugged me, while mom and dad took Payton to tell him what happened. The rest of that day and week are a blur, with lots of tears, stories, family, and laughter. It's hard to believe that it has already been two years.

Two years of missed birthdays, my graduation, my first year of college, moving into my first apartment, my first serious boyfriend....I know you are watching from Heaven, and I know that I am never alone, but things were just better when you were here, in person. I miss you. There are so many things I wish to tell you, like how I changed my major to art and how I have made 9 memory books, all dedicated to you. I want to tell you how I have decided to look into art therapy because of you, about Rock the Sock...and so much more. One day we will have a lot of talking to do, and I am looking forward to it. Love you and miss you terribly.

Don't forget to tell the ones you love that you love them and let them know how much they mean to you--you never know when they will be taken away from you....and remember, it's the random reasons...

the HANKY in his pocket

Still working away on the book! I am almost finished though, and absolutely LOVING the way it is turning out. The photo below shows one of my particularly favorite pages so far--it is inspired by a red hanky that my grandma gave me about two years ago, that has mascara stains, and that will always be one of my most treasured items. I added words and photos to to this page, and I while I really like the way it turned out, I can't help but love the simplicity of the background painting.

Enjoy your weekend everyone! I am going to be crafting away and getting ready for my trip home (and loving every minute of it!) And, don't forget....it's the random reasons.

Nine.

Hello everyone. Hope you all are doing well. I am posting a project today--hooray! Today's project is a little bit different in the sense that it is extremely personal and is actually the ninth and final of its kind. After an accident in the summer of 2009, I took a year to make an altered book, just for me. It helped me grieve and it gave me something to treasure. Then, as Christmas gifts to 7 little terr--I mean lovely children, I made 7 more books, each unique to the person who would be possessing it. Now, I am on my ninth and final project. This particular book is turning out to be more artsy than the other 8. While looking back at my book to get ideas and such, I noticed that mine, while creative and fun, tended to stay more towards the traditional artistic trends of the Panhandle, whereas, this book is a little bit more modern. Don't get me wrong, I like them both, but I am really excited for this book which will be going to my sister.

It is bittersweet to be finishing up these books. I have very much enjoyed being able to use my artistic skills to help me grieve and to help my siblings and cousins remember their papa. Kaitlynn's book is not finished yet, but will be soon. I am planning on giving it to her on July 20, which will mark the two year mark since the accident. I hope she likes it.

Here is a sample of the book, the very first pages....

As you go about your day think of someone you love and let them know that you love them, you never know if you will get tomorrow with them. And, as always....it's the random reasons.

Guggen--huh?

Hello everyone! Hope you all are having a tip-top fabulous week! I have been in the creative mood lately, so that is an absolutely wonderful thing, and I am also very excited that I am going to the Panhandle next week. Sadly, I don't have any finished projects to show you all today, but while at the desk I have been browsing through some potential future opportunities. There are several through OSU that would be absolutely amazing, and I am fairly confident that I have a pretty good shot at getting them. The art department here has a ton of money to give to its students and not very many students who apply for it...so the odds are usually pretty great.

Today I looked at some internships at the Guggenheim. That would be absolutely AMAZING. So, I am getting pretty excited about the possibilities of the future. Can't wait to see what is in store!

Don't ever let yourself not plan and get excited for your future--it is yours for the taking! Two things to remember today: 1. Dreams do not come true, goals do. 2. Its the random reasons.

Random Quote.

Usually I don't post twice in one day...but I just couldn't resist when I saw this quote...

"Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting."

Such a true quote! (well, at least when it comes to my lovely grandma)  My grandma is absolutely amazing, as I am almost positive most grandmothers are. She is one of the people who I have missed the most since moving.

Don't forget to tell your grandma or closest person to a grandma that you love her today! You don't need a reason--She's your grandma! It's the random reasons...

Staple. Stitch. Glue.

Hello Lovelies! So as promised, a day late, a post about something I have created. Finally, I know.

Staple. Stitch. Glue....stay tuned to find out which two get the boot!

This creation is less fine art and more practical art for the apartment. I love pillows. That is not just a random me-fact, but is, in fact, a crucial point to this post. I have always loved having a ton of throw pillows on my bed--I have even received them as Christmas gifts in the past. I don't know specifically what it is about them that brings a smile to my face, but it might be the fact that they come in so many pretty designs....or maybe it is because they are like accessories to a room...I'm not sure. Well, anyhoo, I had all these pillows and then when I moved to the apartment, I didn't want them on my bed...I wanted them to go on the couch. So, being me I could not just put bed throw pillows on a couch in my new apartment. Why? 3 reasons.

1. They are BED pillows.
2. They don't match.
3. I just needed something new. :)

So...today I am going to walk you through the process of recreating my pillows...1 step at a time. First, I went to Walmart and bought some really cute fabric squares that they sell for about $1.50 a piece. Not a bad deal, and they had a large selection of cute patterns and such....

I then went home and got everything together to start my first real sewing adventure. Usually when it comes to sewing I get frustrated and end up using fabric glue or staples....other fine art supplies. But, since pillows need to be soft and sewn...I was determined to not let any obstacle turn my project into trash...

I cut and pieced together the black and white fabric with some of the colored fabric then started making pillow cases. I made the two sides, then turned them inside out and sewed three of the edges together (like a pillow case)....

It took awhile to get into the swing of things, but by my third pillow and the last to be completed so far, I was moving pretty quickly with very few hiccups. I have about five more to complete, inverting the colored fabric and black and white fabric, so fingers crossed that they go well. I have to admit that I am pretty proud of myself and my pillows, I feel as though they are sturdy enough for use and cute enough for art, but you can judge that for yourself. I am definitely no sewing expert, and do not want to make this my life's career, but it was fun to try something new.

So as you go about your week, don't be afraid to try something new. It might be a challenge, but in the end you will feel a sense of accomplishment, plus you might have something pretty to show for it! And, don't forget--it's the random reasons...

Sick for Home

I know, it is terrible. I have absolutely no clue as to why, but lately I have been really really homesick. What stumps me is that I have gone longer periods of time without a trip home...I was home in late May. Who knows. Maybe it is because I am just working this summer, not going to class or anything like that...and I just have a ton of time to think. Uh-oh. A bad side effect of my home sickness has been that I have no drive to create things, which for someone who loves art and creativity and little pretties...it's terrible. But I am starting to feel the creative bug again and hopefully will be super creative on my day off tomorrow. Fingers crossed! Today I am going to post a picture that really tugged at my heart strings, and made me very excited for my trip home in July.

I am also excited to say that there will soon be a blog post with some sort of creation in it...maybe tomorrow--we will see. Stay tuned!

So as you go about your day, be grateful for your family and for home...there really is no place like it. Your family, whether biological or not is the most important team you will ever be blessed to be apart of..so cherish them and strive to spend time with them. Oh and, as always, it's the random reasons...

Jumbled.

Let me start by apologizing for my absence in the blogging world this last week. It might be completely terrible of me to assume that I have let people down by not posting--but just in case I have some readers, I would like to express my sincere apologies for not being reliable.

Now, as for words of wisdom I really don't have any. This week has been very busy with apartment stuff, Best Buy work, and OSU Conferences work, so I am blaming my lack of words on the fact that my brain is just a little tired. Because of this exhaustion my thoughts are all sorts of jumbled up and I am feeling as though nothing I say makes the slightest bit of sense. So I am going to post some pictures that I found and really enjoyed.

Today's picture topics:  Mason jars and flowers.

Perfectly chic and absolutely adorable.

Enjoy these pictures and  remember that sometimes you just need to stop and smell the wildflowers...and, as always, it's the random reasons.

Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!