Jul28

Work In Progress

Posted on 28 July, 2014 by Melissa

Good Morning!:)

Although we are still in the process of getting my art studio setup in our new house, I have had some time to pull out some paints and create since our move.

I absolutely love old architecture and vintage pieces. We have purchased a few old ceiling tiles for decor around our home, and often take opportunities to stop by antique stores to see what we can find. What I enjoy most about old architecture and vintage pieces is the story they tell. It’s fun to imagine all the possibilities of where pieces come from, how they were used, who enjoyed them.

For this painting, I wanted to create a vintage feel, incorporating architecture and a vintage bicycle. It is still very much in process, but I am excited about doing something a little different and am excited about the story that will unfold as I continue creating!

Have a wonderful day!

Jul21

Summer Snapshots

Posted on 21 July, 2014 by Melissa

Summer Snapshots

I hope you are enjoying summer!:)

We are enjoying this season of fresh farmers markets and produce stands, work in our own garden, time for rest and enjoying the outdoors, summer cooking, to name a few. Here are a few photos I have snapped throughout the summer of such things!:)

Afternoon sunlight

summer cooking. This Asian Quinoa Salad is delicious

Fresh herbs from a walk to our garden

Homemade lemonade with pineapple mint.. a summer must have!:)

first berry harvest from our backyard bushes

Fresh flowers around our home cut from our gardens

Greens… hello kale and arugula salads

What are you enjoying this summer?:)

Jul14

Our Family is Growing!

Posted on 14 July, 2014 by Melissa

Our Family is Growing!

Hello Everyone!:)

whew, it’s been a while since I have been here, but I promise I haven’t disappeared!:)

We have had a full month with moving and getting settled, but have been enjoying summer so much and opportunities to be outside! We were also able to get away for a few days and head to the Jersey shore with my in-laws, which was super relaxing and a much needed break!:)

I also have VERY exciting news that I have been looking forward to sharing with you all…

Jesse and I are expecting our first baby this upcoming November… and it’s a GIRL!:)

We could not be more excited for this new adventure and time truly seems to be moving along rather quickly!

I am sure I will be sharing more about the life of our growing family with you all in days to come. :)

I hope you are enjoying your summer and getting outdoors often!

Jun16

New Print in the Shop

Posted on 16 June, 2014 by Melissa

New Print in the Shop

Happy Monday!:)

Just popping in to share my newest print now available in the Shop.

This is a professional quality 8×8 Giclee print of my original mixed media painting, “Beauty in the Everyday“

I really enjoyed creating this piece and focusing on the use of texture. The original painting was made with vintage papers and doilies, modeling paste, acrylic paints, ink, and charcoal.

For more details about the print, stop by my Etsy Shop!

In other shop news, I am working on card sets to put in my shop as well, so I will keep you posted and hope to share those in the near future.

Have a wonderful day!:)

Jun11

A little bit of Lately

Posted on 11 June, 2014 by Melissa

A little bit of Lately

Sharing some glimpses at thankful moments these past few weeks as we continue getting settled, painting rooms, unpacking, etc. We have spent a great deal of time outside enjoying the beautiful weather, gardening, flower pot making, and bringing fresh cut flowers inside to enjoy.

We are truly loving this home more and more and the process of making it our own is so much fun. I have to be reminded though to take time to enjoy the little things, to be thankful for moments like walking to the back garden, putting together flowers for our front porch… to stop and see the beauty that is all around. Its easy to trudge forward to the next thing, to not even take a breath to enjoy little moments because I am so busy thinking about my list of whats next to get done. These photos are reminders to me to take time to be thankful for simple things in every day, because let’s be honest, where does rushing through life get you? I want to choose to see beauty in the little things and be thankful for small moments.

Flowers for our porch
hubby mowing the lawn (I tried too and who would have known it could be so fun!:))

fresh eggs

painting pots for splashes of color

time creating

I hope you to take time to enjoy beauty today in the simple and in what is around you, whatever it may be for you!:)

May29

Our New Home::Getting Settled

Posted on 29 May, 2014 by Melissa

Our New Home::Getting Settled

fresh flowers

We are moved into our new home! We had SO much help and are so thankful for family and friends who came to help and seriously made our move so so smooth!

We are slowly unpacking and getting organized. One day at a time is what we keep reminding ourselves, as we find ourselves wishing everything was done and the house set up how we want by tomorrow. hehe! not realistic, I know!

We were able to get two rooms painted before we moved in and will be working on a few more rooms in the upcoming weeks! We had a lot of fun picking colors for the rooms, especially after living in apartments where every room has been the same off-white color. We did paint the trim in two of the rooms, which was a tough decision as the original woodwork is beautiful. We decided to only do it in two rooms and leave the rest for now.:)

My pre moving project was to make roman shades. I was very intimidated at the thought, but followed this diy tutorial and they really turned out well! It has definitely been a time consuming project, but definitely worth it considering how expensive roman shades can be (you can see the shades in the photo below).

What I am slightly giddy over is that we started planting our veggie and herb gardens!! eek!! I am soooo excited you guys!:) The previous owners left 8 raised beds and it is so exciting to be able to fill them. Last year was our first year with a little garden at our apartment… we learned that gardens go much better if they are organized, so this year we are keeping the garden very organized. We have filled three so far and plan to get some seeds and plants in the others asap.

gardens

loving our hens!:)

Can’t wait to share more with you as we continue settling in to our new home.

May23

Little Lamb Painting

Posted on 23 May, 2014 by Melissa

Little Lamb Painting

We are gearing up for our move and I think we are in pretty good shape!:)

Although I haven’t been able to spend a ton of time creating, I managed to do a little watercolor painting the last few weeks and thought I would share it with you.

We were recently on a walk with some friends and stopped by a barn to see the animals. The owner was there and very eagerly invited us inside the barn to see all the baby lambs they had. There is something just so precious about lambs. When we left, I knew I wanted to paint a lamb, and so in some of the spare moments I have had over the last few weeks, I have been working on this little lamb.

lamb painting

I am not sure this lamb in finished, but for now I will set it aside and revisit when my studio is back together.

I really enjoyed painting this lamb and perhaps will venture into some more animal painting… we will see!:)

Have a wonderful weekend!

May20

Our First House!

Posted on 20 May, 2014 by Melissa

Our First House!

Hello! Feels like its been a while, but I am here to share some exciting news. We have been busy packing away and are moving into our first house this upcoming weekend!:)

We are moving from our current apartment to a beautiful farmhouse home right down the street. This house was built in 1870 and has SO much character, which we love! The home belonged to our good friends and we have loved their home, and when they told us they were selling, we immediately started looking into the possibility of purchasing it. The rest is really history. Although we will miss them as neighbors, we truly feel so blessed to be moving into a home in which we know the previous owners and know how much the home meant to them.

I am sure I will have many projects to share with you as we move in and get settled. As I unpack and get my art studio settled in our new home, I hope to share more art with you also!

It’s hard to believe we are actually moving into a house, feels a little surreal, but we are so excited and thankful to be able to move into this beautiful house!:)

Also have to mention that the house comes with 10 laying hens and we already love our girls!

May12

Work in Progress

Posted on 12 May, 2014 by Melissa

Work in Progress

Current work in progress. I have just a few photos to share, but will continue documenting and share more as I add to this piece. This background is very simple compared to many of my mixed media pieces and the color is much more vibrant, which for now I am enjoying the change… we’ll see if it stays ;)

One of my favorite mixed media supplies is corrugated cardboard. It gives such amazing texture and you will see I used pieces for the tree stump.

New life springing forth from something that seems as if it’s time has passed is such a powerful imagery to me and that is where the inspiration and direction of this painting is grounded. I hope to continue creating a picture of this concept in a way that portrays a visual glimpse of hope.

May8

Soup Anyone?

Posted on 8 May, 2014 by Melissa

Soup Anyone?

{photo source}

For all my coconut, curry, lentil loving friends… This Coconut Red Lentil Soup is a must try!

When I first started cooking, it took me a while to become a little more adventurous in trying unique dishes. As soon as I tried my first curry type dish, I was hooked. I just love curry flavors and the variety of dishes you can make. I made this soup for the first time about two years ago and new it would be a regular in our home! I don’t why it has taken me so long to share this, but better late than never I guess.

This soup is super rich in flavor, creamy, and has a unique burst of sweet from the golden raisins. We often eat the soup with some naan, over rice, or with a salad.

So if you are looking for something to make for dinner tonight, here is a delicious soup you can try!:)