Another new piece with bits of NC map! The tiny rust-colored stripe is made out of embroidery floss. What city or state should I do next?
02 August 2009
north carolina
Another new piece with bits of NC map! The tiny rust-colored stripe is made out of embroidery floss. What city or state should I do next?
12 July 2009
golden state
Here is my latest painting...
Acrylic on canvas featuring a map of San Francisco and the Bay area in California. Mary and I took a sister trip there last spring and I would definitely go back again to visit.
Later... more art with NC maps.
Acrylic on canvas featuring a map of San Francisco and the Bay area in California. Mary and I took a sister trip there last spring and I would definitely go back again to visit.
Later... more art with NC maps.
13 June 2009
the tiniest little ship
Sabrina gave me a "make your own ship in a bottle" kit one Christmas. I have been so afraid to put it together because the pieces are all so tiny and I didn't want to mess it up. I got the courage yesterday to give it a try...
I added the little pirate flag. This was not an easy project, but I am happy with the result... it's so cute!
I added the little pirate flag. This was not an easy project, but I am happy with the result... it's so cute!
04 June 2009
action!
Memorial Day Weekend project #3: Sarah's bag
here is the latest in the verb tote collection. a blue tote specially requested by a fabulous runner gal...
two sides! I hope she likes it.
here is the latest in the verb tote collection. a blue tote specially requested by a fabulous runner gal...
two sides! I hope she likes it.
30 May 2009
25 May 2009
stools
Memorial Day Weekend project #1: stools
I got these stools from Uncle Randy a few years ago. I also got some pretty blue fabric from Grandmom that I've been itching to use...
BEFORE:
AFTER:
I got these stools from Uncle Randy a few years ago. I also got some pretty blue fabric from Grandmom that I've been itching to use...
BEFORE:
AFTER:
23 May 2009
Memorial Day Weekend Crafting Extravaganza!
In lieu of battling traffic during this long weekend, I've decided to knock out a few crafting projects that have been on my mind.
1. repainting and recovering some old stool seats
2. make a new painting
3. make a verb tote for Sarah
These should keep me busy. Stay tuned for pictures of the results!
1. repainting and recovering some old stool seats
2. make a new painting
3. make a verb tote for Sarah
These should keep me busy. Stay tuned for pictures of the results!
03 May 2009
13 April 2009
the windows
I have temporarily abandoned the wallpaper ideas due to the discontinuation of the pattern I wanted. I did make a trip to the new IKEA in Charlotte though recently and found some pretty window treatments. Mom came up and helped install the new look...
BEFORE:
heavy, dark, blah
AFTER:
light, fresh, open, bright, hip, lovely.
BEFORE:
heavy, dark, blah
AFTER:
light, fresh, open, bright, hip, lovely.
24 March 2009
i'm a pepper
I have recently discovered that I actually like peppers!
I cannot get enough red peppers, especially on a pita with goat cheese and toasted juust a little bit. Now I am trying all of the colors... they are so vibrant and beautiful! Who knew they could be so delicious? I certainly did not like veggies as a kid. Now I want peas in every casserole and tomatoes on everything. Here is a recipe that I have had already 3 times this week (and yes I realize it is only Tuesday):
1 spinach tortilla wrap
2 tbs red pepper hummus
spring mix or spinach greens
alfalfa sprouts
shredded carrots
slivers of all colors of peppers!
a couple of cucumber spears
spread the hummus on the wrap, pile all the veggies in, roll it up!
The creamy hummus and wrap paired with the freshy crunchiness of the peppers and carrots and cukes... so good. It is a perfect introduction to spring, and I cannot wait for more fresh veggies. More creative ideas from the kitchen soon!
I cannot get enough red peppers, especially on a pita with goat cheese and toasted juust a little bit. Now I am trying all of the colors... they are so vibrant and beautiful! Who knew they could be so delicious? I certainly did not like veggies as a kid. Now I want peas in every casserole and tomatoes on everything. Here is a recipe that I have had already 3 times this week (and yes I realize it is only Tuesday):
1 spinach tortilla wrap
2 tbs red pepper hummus
spring mix or spinach greens
alfalfa sprouts
shredded carrots
slivers of all colors of peppers!
a couple of cucumber spears
spread the hummus on the wrap, pile all the veggies in, roll it up!
The creamy hummus and wrap paired with the freshy crunchiness of the peppers and carrots and cukes... so good. It is a perfect introduction to spring, and I cannot wait for more fresh veggies. More creative ideas from the kitchen soon!
22 March 2009
redo
Well, the wallpaper project is on temporary hold since the pattern I wanted is discontinued. Any suggestions on where to find modern and pretty wallpaper?
In the meantime, I redid my biggest bottle cap frame. It matched my room at my parents house (which has been repainted) so it was time for an update and coordination with MY house. I repainted it, and then took all of the caps out and organized them by color.
Before:
After:
In the meantime, I redid my biggest bottle cap frame. It matched my room at my parents house (which has been repainted) so it was time for an update and coordination with MY house. I repainted it, and then took all of the caps out and organized them by color.
Before:
After:
02 March 2009
gray and grey
Finally! I finished another painting.
Acrylic on canvas, and a couple of layers from the phonebook.
I am liking the gray lately. The next project will be more work on the house. I want to wallpaper the vanity area of the bathroom... then paint the shower/toilet part one color and the bedroom another color so it all flows nicely. I have this in mind for the wallpaper:
Mostly neutral colors... but it has the gray that I am loving right now, and some pale yellows.
Stay tuned for the before and after of that project in April!
Acrylic on canvas, and a couple of layers from the phonebook.
I am liking the gray lately. The next project will be more work on the house. I want to wallpaper the vanity area of the bathroom... then paint the shower/toilet part one color and the bedroom another color so it all flows nicely. I have this in mind for the wallpaper:
Mostly neutral colors... but it has the gray that I am loving right now, and some pale yellows.
Stay tuned for the before and after of that project in April!
19 January 2009
the blues
Here are some shelves I made with my dad:
Three separate boxes that can be put on the wall in any arrangement... I used to have 2 in the bedroom and 1 above my desk at my last house. Now they are all in the living room as kind of a statement art piece, and for storage.
I like that the shelves can be re-arranged, and we can also change the items on the shelf if we want a change of color or theme. The backs of the boxes can be unscrewed and detached if I want to change the actual shelf color. In fact, they used to be teal (and a little dirty and worn from being in 4 different apartments) so I just updated them with a fresh coat of blue!
Here they are full of STUFF!
A NEW addition to the NEW house is a really cool print from Henri Silberman. My dad made a frame for it and matted it with the brightest blue! I love it.
My Grandmother sent me some beautiful blue silk fabric:
I am so excited to use it in the house... I think I am going to recover some chairs. We'll see!
Three separate boxes that can be put on the wall in any arrangement... I used to have 2 in the bedroom and 1 above my desk at my last house. Now they are all in the living room as kind of a statement art piece, and for storage.
I like that the shelves can be re-arranged, and we can also change the items on the shelf if we want a change of color or theme. The backs of the boxes can be unscrewed and detached if I want to change the actual shelf color. In fact, they used to be teal (and a little dirty and worn from being in 4 different apartments) so I just updated them with a fresh coat of blue!Here they are full of STUFF!
A NEW addition to the NEW house is a really cool print from Henri Silberman. My dad made a frame for it and matted it with the brightest blue! I love it.
My Grandmother sent me some beautiful blue silk fabric:
I am so excited to use it in the house... I think I am going to recover some chairs. We'll see!
05 January 2009
the biggest project yet
the new house!
I have put the artowork and crafts on hold temporarily because I bought a house!! It is going to take a while to get it just right. There are still boxes to unpack and artwork to hang and thing to be organized.
You can see some "before" pictures here. I will be sure to post more when it looks good.
More sewing projects and more tote bags on the way though. And a re-vamp project for my first bottle cap frame. Stay tuned!
I have put the artowork and crafts on hold temporarily because I bought a house!! It is going to take a while to get it just right. There are still boxes to unpack and artwork to hang and thing to be organized.
You can see some "before" pictures here. I will be sure to post more when it looks good.
More sewing projects and more tote bags on the way though. And a re-vamp project for my first bottle cap frame. Stay tuned!
08 December 2008
the little things
Here is a mini version of the totes I've been making. It keeps my art supplies neatly organized.
I also made a bag for a gal at work... we drew names for a secret santa gift exchange. She could use it to bring her lunch to work, or as a purse.
Shelly made some candles recently, so I thought I'd try to make one too. I found a really cute glass at the thrift store and turned it into a candle! Very simple project and a great gift-giving idea.
I also made a bag for a gal at work... we drew names for a secret santa gift exchange. She could use it to bring her lunch to work, or as a purse.
Shelly made some candles recently, so I thought I'd try to make one too. I found a really cute glass at the thrift store and turned it into a candle! Very simple project and a great gift-giving idea.
23 November 2008
cap map
More bottle cap art! Maps are the new black.
Featuring a map of NC... You can see Alamance County in the upper left, and Chapel Hill/Carrboro. Home sweet home.
Hannah and Kellen are now the owners of some map cap artwork. Theirs is slightly larger than this one and features Charlotte NC. They collected their own caps to put inside.
This last one is my new favorite shape for the cap artwork. I've also been playing with the color and arrangement of the caps... I used to just throw all the caps I had together. This one has a home already, but I've got more in the works!
Featuring a map of NC... You can see Alamance County in the upper left, and Chapel Hill/Carrboro. Home sweet home.
Hannah and Kellen are now the owners of some map cap artwork. Theirs is slightly larger than this one and features Charlotte NC. They collected their own caps to put inside.
This last one is my new favorite shape for the cap artwork. I've also been playing with the color and arrangement of the caps... I used to just throw all the caps I had together. This one has a home already, but I've got more in the works!
11 November 2008
far east
in the spring of 2007 I got to visit some friends in Osaka, Japan. It was an AWESOME trip. I had maps from a guidebook on Japan, and I used some of the maps to make a painting as my own souvenir...
My plan is to make artwork showing all the places I've been. Maybe not all, but I like maps and I will continue to use them in my artwork. Stay tuned!
My plan is to make artwork showing all the places I've been. Maybe not all, but I like maps and I will continue to use them in my artwork. Stay tuned!
08 November 2008
more light
more experiments with light drawings... no photoshop or crazy edits here!
We used various exposure times... mostly 20 or 30 seconds. and the tripod! that helped a lot.
Also used a different location. I like the lights in the background.
Cursive was tough, especially since you have to draw backwards. We used my headlamp again, and the red light that goes on the back of my bike. We were out of breath by the end of it after running all around the field trying to make neat designs. This is fun project for this time of year when it gets dark so early. You should try it!
We used various exposure times... mostly 20 or 30 seconds. and the tripod! that helped a lot.
Also used a different location. I like the lights in the background.
Cursive was tough, especially since you have to draw backwards. We used my headlamp again, and the red light that goes on the back of my bike. We were out of breath by the end of it after running all around the field trying to make neat designs. This is fun project for this time of year when it gets dark so early. You should try it!
28 October 2008
bag it
here is the latest in the tote bag collection...
ta da! yellow and white on canvas color. no words on this one, but it is personalized with a friend's initials on the back. and sent all the way to Texas!
great for groceries, work out gear, sleep over supplies, or an everyday bag!
now taking orders for the sassy lady on your list... don't forget birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.
See previous posts for other samples. email me if you are interested!
cathy.dwyer@gmail.com
ta da! yellow and white on canvas color. no words on this one, but it is personalized with a friend's initials on the back. and sent all the way to Texas!
great for groceries, work out gear, sleep over supplies, or an everyday bag!
now taking orders for the sassy lady on your list... don't forget birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.
See previous posts for other samples. email me if you are interested!
cathy.dwyer@gmail.com
16 October 2008
my favorite mistake
some artwork from earlier in 2008...
acrylic on canvas, then phone book + varnish on canvas, followed by extreme frustration and tearing everything to pieces. Then feeling OK again, then a gold wash over the whole thing. Not my original plan for the piece, but I like it and visitors to my home always compliment this one. I think it looks better in person. Another "cool" version of this is in the works (in the frustration phase for now). Check back for updates! More bags are in the works, and more bottle cap art as gifts!
acrylic on canvas, then phone book + varnish on canvas, followed by extreme frustration and tearing everything to pieces. Then feeling OK again, then a gold wash over the whole thing. Not my original plan for the piece, but I like it and visitors to my home always compliment this one. I think it looks better in person. Another "cool" version of this is in the works (in the frustration phase for now). Check back for updates! More bags are in the works, and more bottle cap art as gifts!
03 October 2008
set sail
Here is the latest addition to the verb bag series...
a crisp white tote with a few shades of blue. all of these totes will feature a different action. They'd make great gifts for the holidays coming up! My crafting services are available!
a crisp white tote with a few shades of blue. all of these totes will feature a different action. They'd make great gifts for the holidays coming up! My crafting services are available!
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