Full Plate

This is my living room on Garage Sale. This won't be my living room after Garage Sale. I am not even going to show you my garage, basement or bedroom piles. I doubt my reader card is that big, hahaha! The plate is full, the projects are increasing by the day. Yes, I know the blog is a bit neglected. I'll be in and out for a few weeks yet and hope you'll enjoy what I can submit for your reading and viewing enjoyment. Might be more viewing than reading, folks, as those are the quicker posts to produce.

You are also welcome to check out the retro fun over on my vintage blog--new Etsy seller interview with Blair Sligar of Hogeathog Vintage--just click right HERE.

Thanks for being such fabulous followers--you all are what makes my blogging journey one worth taking!

Artist Profile: Lara Medina - Artful Memories

Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff.
My name is Lara Medina, I live in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, with my husband, our 4 children and our Boston terrier. We are all creative. All of our kids love different aspects of art. Some of my guilty pleasure TV shows are Housewives of OC, Make Me a Supermodel, Peter Perfect, We Mean Business, and My Name is Earl.


squooshie button kit - 10 pack

Apart from creating art, what do you do?
I am a stay at home and work at home Mom. My hubby and I run a photography biz from home, so we are able to be here with our little guy and for our kids when they get home from school. It’s awesome. I love to cook, paint, and play “Lips” with my kids on Xbox. Shhhhhh, I can’t sing, but I love to pretend I can, and recently I have become addicted to Twitter.


lovin' life 12x12 paper art kit

What first made you want to become an artist?
I think I have always had a creative side to me. When I was younger I was not sure what medium I should focus on. I discovered scrapbooking and creating handmade albums a bit by accident. A few years ago, I had a prolonged illness and decided I needed something to take my mind off of it. My kids and I visited the craft store and picked up some card making supplies. Since my husband is a photographer we had many photos to experiment with. I used some of the card making supplies to create an album layout and I was hooked. My first few pages were horrendous! Eventually, I found my style and began to grow into it. I have created pages and albums for friends, family, and eventually, I opened my shop on Etsy.


rustic 2-sided file tabs - set of 32

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I have a small craft station in my home office. My supplies are organized but my table top is usually covered with works in progress, kits I am putting together, and my new Etsy purchases. I create when I have time and inspiration--often these do not happen at the same time. I try to accomplish something everyday--research, buying supplies or just gaining inspiration from others. I use many handmade items purchased from Etsy shops in my projects. I also love using recycled items in my albums and kits. I currently store about 30 boxes under my desk waiting to be turned into journaling spots or other embellishments.


crate paper 12x12 paper & ribbon kit

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?
Ali Edwards, for her clean, simple design, Elsie Flanigan whose work is cute and quirky, Teresa Collins for her edginess and so many people on Flickr have inspired me to create.


wanted - custom altered 12x12 canvas

Where else can people find your work?
My work can be found in my Etsy shop, my blog, Flickr stream, and maybe one day I'll be featured on Martha Stewart! I can dream, right?!

Photos in this post are by and copyright of Artful Memories.

DIY Project: Chair Revival

Turn a drab thrift-store chair into a stylish accent for any room in your home. All it takes is some paint, fabric, basic supplies, and a free weekend. To start, choose a chair with no missing screws or loose legs; it should have interesting features or frame detail.

For a slightly more ambitious project, turn two or more chairs into an eclectic set. Look for designs that have a wooden frame and an upholstered seat and unify them with the same color and fabric.

Materials and directions
Screwdriver
Sanding sponge
Tack cloth or rag
Small paint roller
2-in. paintbrush
Primer
Paint
Fabric
Chalk or pencil
Scissors
Staple gun

How To:
Step 1: Unscrew the seat from your chair frame with a screwdriver. Set seat and screws aside.

Step 2: Sand the frame. Use tack cloth or a damp rag to wipe up the dust.

Step 3: Use a small paint roller to cover frame with primer, then follow with the 2-in. paintbrush to fill in joints. Let dry at least two hours, then apply a second coat of primer. Once dry, sand and tack again to create a smooth finish before painting. Clean roller and paintbrush.

Step 4: Apply a base coat of paint with the clean roller. Smooth all surfaces with the paintbrush using long, straight strokes in one direction. Apply a second coat after the first is dry (don't sand between coats).

Step 5: While the frame dries, re-cover the seat. Pull off the old covering or apply the new fabric over it. Measure and cut a piece of fabric about 2 inches wider than the seat on all sides, first tracing an outline with chalk or a pencil. If the fabric pattern includes stripes, make sure they align with the seat shape.

Step 6: Wrap the fabric over a seat edge and secure with a staple. On the opposite edge, pull fabric taut and staple to secure. Repeat on remaining two sides, then staple all around the edges, pulling cloth tight. Stop 2 inches from corners.

Step 7: Fold the fabric at one corner into a neat finish by tucking the excess underneath and smoothing the top down. Secure with three or four staples, keeping the folds flat and even; avoid stapling over the screw holes. Repeat for each corner. Once the frame is dry, reattach seat with screws.

Info: Benjamin Moore Exotic Red matte finish 2086-10; fabric similar to pictured Lakeside Ticking Stripe available from Jo-Ann.

FOUND HERE.

DIY Project: Upcycled Painted Filing Cabinet

Repainting a filing cabinet is a quick and affordable way to bring a fun color into your home office. I found this DIY project online and thought you all might enjoy it.

YOU WILL NEED:

Metal file cabinet(s)

Drop cloth

Screwdriver

Sandpaper

Primer

Rust resistant spray paint

NOTE: Always work outside when painting for proper ventilation!!

1. Remove all hardware first. Pull out all of the drawers so you can spray each one individually and allow them to dry separately.

2. Clean your cabinet of any marks, rust or debris, then sand lightly to give the surface some tooth for the paint to grab onto.

3. Use a spray paint primer (available from any hardware shop or home store). Apply primer from about 12" away, erring on the side of caution by applying even, light coats. Allow to dry overnight.

4. Spray paint in the same manner the primer was applied (work slow and steady to avoid streaks or uneven sections). Allow to dry at least overnight before use.

FOUND HERE.

Playing with Photoshop: Creating Mood with Color

Our latest projects for Digital Photography class are displayed below.  The objective was to create a mood through use of color and composition with up to 9 images displayed in a 3 x 3 grid layout.  This one gave us some more Photoshop practice as well!

t 2 b:  Solemn by Chris, Inspiration by Tina - Pfeiffer Photos 2009

Did we accomplish our task?  As always, your feedback is very welcome! 

Playing with Photoshop: Digital Daguerreotypes

My first project for Digital Photo class is due tomorrow. We researched the history of Daguerreotype photography, had a crash lesson in basic Photoshop CS4 (2.5 hours), and were then presented the mission of manipulating a 21st century digital photo into a 19Th century Daguerreotype. I present my first true foray into Photoshop for your viewing pleasure.


Rides from the Past - BEFORE


Rides from the Past - AFTER

Click on the pics to enlarge. I am hoping for an "A"...wish me luck!


Image displayed is copyright pfeiffer photos 2008 - all rights reserved.

DIY Projects: Kitchen Art, Dresser

Last weekend I switched out the art in my kitchen. I've had this poster, Plaza after the Rain, hanging by my stove for almost six years. I was photographing all my projects from last term's drawing class when inspiration hit. Why not reuse the frame to display MY art in my kitchen?



before (Plaza after the Rain poster, 20" x 30" by Paul Cornoyer)

The after photo is one of my charcoal drawings sans frame. It's now hanging boldly, graphically, and proudly in my kitchen. There are other projects brewing for my kitchen so stay tuned for future improvements.


after (charcoal negative space drawing, 18"x24" by me)

Last weekend I also decided to do something about our bedroom. You might remember a few weeks back I shared a few photos of our home. The kitchen and bedroom pics were so cleverly titled as "snippets"...and with good reason. In six years we have still not settled on a decor plan for our bedroom, and, sadly, it has become both a catch-all room (read: boxes of stuff that need to go to the garage) and the bain of my decorating existence.



The storage (or rather the lack thereof) is far less than efficient. We paid a visit to what I consider a home furnishings nirvana land--Ikea. We selected the grand-daddy 8-drawer HEMNES dresser in the infamous brown-black color. We redeemed a gift card from Christmas.
The plan was in motion.



Carrying it home in our 2-door coupe (same car, different color) was exciting enough, and as you see, I promptly opened the packages and piled up the hardware. I actually like assembling things myself, especially since it saves us money. No, these aren't family heirloom pieces but life is short. I'm thankful for Ikea's marketing savvy as it allows us to change our look as we change our mind!

Of course, right after I unpack all the pieces and the packets of hardware, I get the smack down with this head cold. So my project sits waiting for me to return to the land of the living. Sometimes I just have to hit that pause button...*sigh*

Hope you all have a very relaxing weekend!

Swamped

swamp (verb). 1 a: to fill with or as if with water : inundate , submerge b: to overwhelm numerically or by an excess of something : flood [1]

I am swamped. Next week is finals at school and I have projects to finish galore. Eight sculpture pieces to finish and decorate. Seven drawings to sketch, paint and ink. Two presentations to prepare and polish. Then maybe, just maybe, I can get to the business of finishing up the Christmas shopping. Wrapping. Mailing. Fulfilling orders from our Etsy shop. And sometime after that perhaps the house will get cleaned again, the laundry mountain will be scaled down, and we'll head for a weekend off at the coast in two weeks. Hot clam chowder and winter storms are calling us.

On a happy note...we received a gift basket from Harry & David filled with pears, apples, cheese, sausage and treats today from Chris' folks in (early) celebration of our second anniversary. YUM!

Two new photos are posted below from our recent journeys that took us through Carver, Oregon...enjoy.

Have a super weekend, everyone!

t 2 b: Carver Pioneer Chapel and Carver Luthern Chapel by Tina - Pfeiffer Photos 2008

[1] Mirriam Webster Online 2008.

photos displayed are copyright pfeiffer photos 2008 - all rights reserved.