Red Velvet Art Blog

i love you & i miss you.

 my happy thought today. XO. elsie 

.our magical fort.

we had the most magical weekend together. the secret ingredient that made it so perfect was that we spent most of our time just making crafts & talking... it was SO nice. 

here are some photos of a little fort me made. we made it because we heard about the Wild Things' fort contest and thought it sounded like lots of fun, of course! you can see our special place featured here on the Booooooom blog.

so much FUN! 

and here are a few more photos of other people's gorgeous forts featured on their blog... 

LOVesss. elsie

Studio Spiff Up

Whenever things get too messy in here, I avoid my projects.  I've also noticed how poorly lit this corner gets after dark.  Wanting to be as resourceful as possible, I looked at the mess and the items that are still getting unpacked from the move to figure out how to make this a place I'll want to spend time in.

I cleared everything off the desk except for the machine and temporarily placed it on another work surface.  I brought back the chalkboards to use as a display area.  I've got the feeling they'll be full of  little drawings in the coming weeks.  The wooden box was thrifted by my MIL and will hold the straight and safety pins that I use for quilting.  The nesting bowls from Anthropologie were just rediscovered last night and match this space so well, they've been enlisted to hold the misc. spools of thread from other projects.
 
I cleared off the crib-turned-inspiration board and hung a painted pink frame and one of my art journal pages.  Hanging things from random nails allows me to change up my space without ruining my wall with too many holes.  It is yet another interpretation of the standard cork board.
A print from Swallowfield hangs on a clipboard until I can find the perfect frame.

I've got wire baskets everywhere!  This basket was mismatched so I decided to spray paint it white, flip it over and introduce it to the light fixture.  The fixture used to accompany a paper lantern in a previous studio and together they create a sweet lighting solution that cost me about $3. 

Clearing out and organizing a space usually helps unclutter my mind and make room for creativity to breathe.  Keeping a creative space fresh with visual images and inspiring colors helps stimulate new ideas and keeps me from getting in a rut.

Space Making Tips:

 * Thrift it.  The cheapest way to renovate your space is to reuse what you already have.  If you're still stuck, visit your local thrift store or flea market to find something with potential.  All you need is something with good structure and a nice shape that won't give you black mold or fall to pieces in transit.  Give a good cleaning or go so far as to paint it to make it fit with your decor.

* Update. Don't be afraid to change up your inspo wires or cork boards often.  Keep a file folder of images that you aren't ready to toss into the recycling bin as well as images you want to put up at the start of a new season.

* Edit your space.  Do you really need 100 little individual containers or should you whittle it down to five or six really organized ones? 

* Repurpose.  Bell jars have been used for holding buttons, safety pins, markers, ribbon, etc.  Why not stick a few on a shelf and admire your collections.  Use a vintage tin to store your paint brushes or a pretty planter to hold your awkward tools.

* Utilize your wall space for storage.  Painted pegboard can be used to hang cutting tools and writing utensils.  Nail an aluminum tray to your wall and use magnetic hooks to gather images or keep your measuring tape close. 

* Pass it on.  If you haven't been moved to use a certain product in months and feel as though it is only taking up space, donate it to charity or your local high school art class. 

An organized space is a happy space.

~Rachel

simple home decor ideas....

i am trying to find ways to store my stuff so i can *see* it... i feel like i use stuff more when i can see it... plus it's better than buying a ton of decorations... it just makes sense to me. :] here are a few ideas i have come up with so far... suggestions are always appreciated.

(hanging all my necklaces on the bathroom wall)

(polaroids and belts in the bedroom)

a few other ideas i have been playing with in my mind....
*some sort of a handmade magazine/book rack
*a cute way to display holiday cards
*something to do with all my coffee mugs that don't have homes

have a lovely day. Elsie