Our first Art product review (we're psyched)

We love our art supplies just about as much as we love breathing!  I'm not kidding.

My husband, being the consumer insights, marketing trender he is, has told me that I am a marketer's dream.  Well, I think he told me something a little different but it was a little to R-rated for this family friendly blog.

Not only do I love product, I love the packaging the product comes in.  If you package it right: color, font, material etc.  I most likely will attempt to purchase it.  Even if there is no need or purpose whatsoever.

Hence, our first product review.  The products I find myself having the weakest self-control for are art supplies of any kind.  Spray paint, stamps, brushes, markers, crayons, glue, glitter, fabric.  I fall into the mixed-media artist category (in my own eclectic way).  I have come to the conclusion that you never know what you are going to need or use in the studio, therefore, you better be prepared and have it on hand.

It appears that I have Ava and Cate in training as well.  We were at one of our favorite artisan boutiques yesterday and Ava noticed a set of oil pastels.  As I was wandering through the shop I noticed the two of them huddled to around the pastels to take a closer look.  What am I going to do...not join in?

Upon further examination we noticed these weren't your typical oil pastels.  The set included 12 of you standard, everyday colors, however, you also get 6 metallic and 6 neon colors.  They're packaged securely in sturdy travel case that will fit easily into any bag of any kind.  Possibly even my purse, considering I carry the world in there. 

The color options looked great, but my first reaction was "what makes them so different from the other pastels I love?"

Here's the answer: The Black Paper Sketchbook

International Arrivals has a Black Paper Sketchboook.  This is the perfect accompaniment to highlight the colors from the Super Mix.  You want the neon and metallic colors to pop and the black paper makes it happen.

When we got home we all wanted to try it out.  Rather than ripping the sketchbook apart we each took a number.  Well, they took a number.  Ava got to try it out first.

Ava's reaction was simple.  She loved the black paper concept.  She enjoys sketching and will ocassionally accent with some color.  For the most part she used the white oil pastel but she liked the texture of the pastel and the ease of use against the black paper.  She agreed that without the black paper it would just be another oil pastel.  The beginning of her doodle.

Cate went next.  Cate's my color girl.  The apple doesn't fall very far from the tree with this one as I love color too!  She tried to use just about every color.  She loved the options and went as far as to say that she wished she had even more color options.  Possibly a bigger kit.  Cate's always dreaming big.  She said they felt like they were "gliding" on the paper and she was having a bit of fun mixing the colors together.  The Black Paper Sketchbook was a big hit with Cate as well as she said it made her colors "pop!" 

Certainly not our best work but not bad for experimental, 5 minute doodles.  We loved the Super Mix and the Black Sketch Notebook.  For kids and adults these oil pastels are fun and easy to use with minimal mess.  I work with all different brands of artist grade oil pastels when I'm painting and they can get messy.  

By far, though, the Black Paper Sketchbook was the hit.  It has a thin paper quality and the fact that it comes in a journal style adds a whole new dimension to the selling factor.  

In addition to the products themselves, the packaging is fun, eye catching and creative.  Just what you expect from a company like International Arrivals.  I suppose they will have people buying their products even if they're not art supply junkies like us!

In addition to the journal and pastels I couldn't help myself and picked up some ergonomic crayons that day as a gift for a left-handed friend.  Seriously, can you get more creative than this?

After perusing through International Arrivals website I came to find out I was already the proud owner of the Color Appeel Crayons.  I guess I know what I like.

Ava, Cate and I highly give the International Arrivals products a thumbs up.  They get an A+ for packaging and unique products that actually hold up to the reputation when you go to use them.

In addition, these creative supplies make incredible gifts for the child or adult in your life.  The packaging is so well done you won't even need a gift bad.  Tie a bow and you're ready to go.

We'd love to hear your thoughts if you own or have tried the International Arrivals products.

Green Grass Art~ Montana Mixed-Media

I have never been to Montana.  So I've  heard that it's raw beauty is spectacular.  Montana is on my bucket list.

When I get there I'll be sure to look up Betina Johnson of Green Grass Art. 

I started this blog last October.  I also started a Facebook page for Lapis&Moss so that I could help promote the blog and search for artists that I would potentially like to feature.

Betina had posted a comment on my Facebook page and her work caught my attention.  I began to follow her on Facebook in return.

I've never met Betina and up until this blog post I had never reached out to Betina.  Here's what I can tell you from pure observation.

Her work is lovely.  A representation of her Montana roots, she is able to give me a sense of her domain through her art without having to be there.  Her work embodies the natural environment that surrounds her and the simplicity of her work presents a folk style. 

The mixed-media paintings resonate with her audience as her subject matter appear to be familiar and local.  While the actual paint techniques and style may be more complex, the rich colors and tangible subjects open your eyes to her world.

I have been following Betina on Facebook for about 6 months now.  Here's what I can tell you.  Not only does she appear to have a genuine beauty through her art it is clear she lives this beauty in her everyday life.  Her written posts are full of interest and positivity and it makes her art work that much more meaningful and alluring.  

Betina is an example of the complexity between creating art with a meaningful soul. 

I encourage you to take a look into Betina's world and her work at Green Grass Art.

https://www.facebook.com/GreenGrassArt

For the love of Wallpaper

It seems as if I find myself vacillating between the memories of the old house and the future visions of the farmhouse.

Yesterday's post about the nook reflected my need to revisit what I had already created.  I needed to go back and review the details.

The farmhouse house is so very different.  I feel like I want to wallpaper everything!

The ceilings are taller, the walls longer and the overall size is begging for a little intimacy.  Each room would love some individuality.

I'll just ask, why such adversity to such a great design medium?  At the mere mention of the word "wallpaper" people begin to wrinkle their nose, create lines in their forehead and of course the old stories of "when I had to remove the wallpaper from my house..." begin.

I've been there.  The little blue house was a fan of wallpaper when I first moved in.  I, however, was not a fan at the time.  I spent hours peeling, scraping, lifting and moistening layer upon layer of wallpaper in that house.  Removing the paper off of plaster walls no less.  I get the wallpaper condendrum, the love/hate relationship.

Here's the thing, though.  Paint is easy.  A well decorated home can't always be easy.  Don't get me wrong, I love paint too.  It will one day get it's glory and individual blog post.  To be fair wallpaper needed to get some recognition.

Wallpaper is a bit more complex than its paint accomplice.  There are patterns to match (or not) and colors to coordinate.  Inevitably there's the "who is going to put this stuff up?" question after you've already purchased the rolls from a company in the Netherlands and paid a hefty shipping cost.

That would be me.  I searched high and low and found the wallpaper I was looking for.  In the Netherlands.  Fortunately they ship to the states and when I received my package I was giddy with excitement.

The company is called Room Seven.

Room Seven focuses predominantly on children's bedding, clothing and accessories.  They partnered with  Coordonne in order to create wonderful wallpaper.  They have the most delightful and exquisite combinations of prints and colors.  While they are intended for children, I believe their wallpaper to be perfect for any space.

I don't intend on covering every inch of every wall but I am beginning to select a few areas in the farmhouse that have peaked my interest.  I am sticking with the Room Seven patterns throughout because I believe they are diverse enough to add interest, yet they create a flow from top to bottom.

 

I have a thing for this yellow.  I love the golden tone.  It's bright, but not too bright and presents a stellar backdrop for virtually everything.  

I immediately fell in love with this pattern.  It appears to me to have a playful sophistication that can be dressed up or dressed down.  The current plan is to hang this in the dining room.

Moving on I found a floral pattern to add to the foyer.  I can't express to you how much I love floral patterns on paper or fabric.  I've tried to look for patterns with simpler lines, geometric flow but the floral patterns get me every time.  I'm particularly drawn to the smaller floral designs, however, this pattern struck me.  The colors are vibrant, yet against the antiqued white background they become elegant blossoms.

The bright floral landscape is perfect for the foyer.   It's warm and inviting and I believe it will be a wonderful place to begin the story of our home as you walk through the front door.

I had originally decided to only wallpaper the upstairs.  The dining room and foyer were just add-on. 

I love my french provencial dressers in my bedroom.  They were my parents and not long after being passed along to me I painted them.  My mum was hesitant to pass them along at first because she loves natural wood.  I love paint.  She knew the outcome and held out as long as she could.

I believe the outcome was worth it.

Due to my affinity for the dressers, I really wanted to try to stay with my previous color scheme.  I cam across this pattern.

 

Out of all the wallpaper I've selected this is my boldest choice.  The majority of the colors, accessories and furniture in the bedroom are soft.  Based on the overall softness of the room, I believe this pattern can be pulled off.  In the evening, when the lights are illuminated it looks a bit breathtaking.  That's when I knew it would work in the bedroom.

For the spare bedroom I decided to be a bit repetitive.  

 

I couldn't help myself! I love this pattern and while I love the yellow, the blue is dreamy.  Perfect for a spare bedroom.  I'm sure there is some kind of rule to not papering the same pattern in a different room, even if it's a different color.  I don't care, I've never followed the rules.

The last pattern I selected was for Ava's room.  Ava is 11 and cares very much about what her space feels and looks like.  There are days when I highly desire a daughter who says "I don't really care about what it looks like. Pick out whatever you want."  I have to quickly remind myself that I have nurtured Ava's love for design and overall passion for art.  I have to allow her to have her own artistic identity.  

Within means.  Therefore Ava and I compromised on a more modern pattern for her room.  She is very interested in clean lines and structure, the opposite of her mum.  She loved the polka dot pattern.  We're a polka dot loving family.  While this paper takes on a different look I believe it will play well with the others.

The only area I have formally hung is the foyer.  I was confident with my selection for that area and when it was completed I loved it even more.

I hung the foyer over the girls spring break from school and we had a brief stay in Wisconsin.  I haven't been back to the house since.

I'm glad to have had the chance to recoup because here are the things I'm certain of when it comes to wallpaper.

1. Have your checkbook ready 
2. Have plenty of time available 
3. Have a replenished liquor cabinet

Regardless of what kind of wallpaper you are doing you are going to end up investing some money.  It just isn't cheap.  Nor should it be.  It's truly as if you are hanging a work of art so you need to be confident about what you are putting up.  You need to know you're going to love it tomorrow as much as you would today.  I can never do things the simple way.  I'm always looking for that unique, one of a kind.  Room Seven would be quite affordable for me if I lived, lets say, in the Netherlands.  But, alas, I do not.  Therefore, for the love of the paper, I will continue to save and buy each room as I can.  That's commitment.

Hanging wallpaper is a time consuming and detail oriented task.  Do not take shortcuts.  I highly considered hiring out due to the cost of the paper.  I didn't want to screw it up!  What I found was that if I took my time I was able to hang the paper quite well and most importantly to my liking.  I'm a type A.  I may have found a new career.

Give wallpaper a chance.  You might just like it. 

A few of my favorite things

Sitting here, sipping coffee and taking in this gorgeous spring morning.

I began to flip through my photo log.  There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to the click of my camera.  It's pure "whatever catches my fancy!"

So the Farmhouse Countdown has begun.  59 days.  My design mind is swirling.  Enjoy the visuals and I hope you are inspired too.