Sugar and spice and everything nice…

image via

Hi friends! Yesterday, I found out we are having a baby girl! I couldn’t believe it! I had secretly wanted another girl (mostly because that is what I am used) but I refused to set my heart on either idea in an attempt to remain neutral. But…I have to admit, tears of joy streamed down my face when they announced it was a girl. Grace was so excited too – we stole her away from school today so she could witness the ultrasound. She kept telling me it was going to be girl! I grew up always wanting a sister, so I am over the moon that Grace will get to have one.

My mind is already designing the girly nursery!! Such fun!

xo,

A Vintage portrait with Grace

Hi everyone! Hope you had a lovely weekend. Grace and I got to work on one of the art projects for my online art class this weekend and it was so much fun.  The assignment was to create a vintage inspired portrait on a small piece of canvas.

Grace was anxious to start and dived right in! I love that about creating with kids this young – they have no fear! While I sat there, carefully selecting each scrap of vintage paper, she got straight to work, with no hesitation.

She, of course, finished before me.  Her little fingers were covered in glue but she was just giddy – as was I!

Soon we both had our canvas’ prepared…covered in a patchwork of vintage papers and doilies.

I showed Grace examples of Jeanne’s original work so she could envision the outcome of the project.  See Jeanne’s beautiful piece below…

image via jeanneoliverdesigns

We will be attaching these canvas’ to vintage door plates or escutcheons, just as seen above. I have two coming from Etsy! I love how this makes a stand for these tiny artworks!

Here is Grace’s finished portrait…

When I asked her to tell me the story behind this portrait she said, ” She is a princess, waiting in the garden outside her castle for her prince to come.” I melted. My little romantic.

Here are the first steps of my process…sketching in my girl…

I painted out some of the background papers to create a light area.

Using a Stabilo Marks all pencil, charcoal, white gel pen and acrylic paints I filled in the details. I couldn’t resist adding some tiny pearls to her headband. I thought I was finished but something was missing…

The flock of birds and flower in her hair completed the piece for me.

This was a wonderful little project and I can’t wait to do another one! I bought these little canvas’ in bulk from Michaels and Grace has already started her second one!

Hope you all have a beautiful day!

xo,

Creatively Made : Second Journal Project

Hi everyone! Well, I’ve been busy creating and loving every minute of it! Our second project in the Creatively Made course was to make an altered journal. That is, buy a store-bought sketchbook and create a mixed media piece for the cover. Jeanne showed us so many wonderful techniques and I’m pretty happy with how mine came out…here are the pics…

Prepped the cover with a collage patchwork of vintage papers…

Did an image transfer using a ink-jet color copy of a magazine page. This left a ghost of an image so I could go in and draw in the details and create the hair. I had to re-create most of the face but the transfer left decent enough forms to follow.

Continued to add details, including a “dress” for my girl from some pretty wedding invitation paper. Used colored pencils and washes of acrylic paint to add color and detail.

Here’s a little tip that works great for me – pick a color palette before you begin your piece. It helps me stay focused and reassures me that my color selection is harmonious. I love using Design Seeds color books. You can get them here.  I used her “Figs” palette…

The metal key and corners can be found at Michaels in the scrapbook section (buyer beware – you may end up walking out with a whole lot of lovely bits and pieces – I do, everytime!), as can the die cut butterfly and pearls. I love adding these pretty 3D elements.

Now I just have to fill it up with more art!

Hope you are all having a beautiful week!

xo,

Inspired by the Creatively Made E-Course

Hello!!! I know it’s been forever and I’m sorry but I’m back and I’m just full of inspiration – thanks to the fabulous E-course I’m taking by Jeanne Oliver.  My first trimester was trying at times, tired, nauseous, weepy but now that I’m well into my second trimester I’m feeling like myself again. While my cravings for chocolate have yet to subside, a forceful urge to create art has emerged, so when I found this course via the Dreamy Whites blog I signed up immediately! Jeanne has always inspired me with her whimsical creations and beautiful art, so what better teacher to help me break out of my creative rut?!

Our first project was to assemble a vintage art journal. A place where we can sketch, doodle, paint and dream. I couldn’t wait to begin. Here is the final result…

Cutting up a vintage book felt so naughty but I knew I wasn’t destroying it, just up-cycling it!

Embellishing the cover with vintage costume jewelry and an old crystal drawer pull was so much fun! I actually raided my husbands tool box and used pliers and screwdrivers! (I’m not what you would call handy…)

The antique illustration was taken from an old Shakespeare book…who can resist Romeo and Juliet? Not this Romantic…

Inside the front cover I added a little brown paper pouch to keep little pretties and the word “faithful” to remind myself to stay true to my creative spirit. The pages are compiled of vintage papers, scrapbook pages, watercolor and sketch paper. Lots of different textures to provide a wonderful backdrop to my creations.

I bound the book using this very handy hole-punch and some organic hemp twine.

Finally I found a use for all the shiny, sparkly baubles I’ve been collecting. It was so delightful to play with them.

I’m really happy with my little journal. Making it brought me such satisfaction and re-ignited that drive to create. I better do it now before I’m buried in diapers! Right?

Hope you are all enjoying the New Year! Let me know what creative goals you have on the horizon…

xo,

My little project

Oh dear blog…how you’ve been neglected lately. I apologize friends, for my recent absence. You see I’ve been working on a little project…

Yes…much to our surprise we got an early Christmas present! I’m entering my second trimester and our little bundle is due late June. So, as you can imagine,  I have been sleeping (and eating) a lot and blogging has not been at the top of my list. With a fuzzy brain and icky tummy, my attention turned to my bed, some good books and stacks of unread magazines. But, I am regaining my energy and have gathered lots of inspiration to share with you. So don’t give up on me yet! :)

Thanks for being patient with me.

xo,

Capturing Fall

Hello there. Hope all is well in your world. Things have been a little crazy around here – good crazy – that is…but it hasn’t left me much time for my blog.  I was grateful to find a slow afternoon last week and a bright Autumn sun in the sky. Our sunny days are numbered now, so I knew this might be my last chance to get out into the garden and take pictures of all the gorgeous Fall color.

Are the leaves still turning where you live?

Have a beautiful Wednesday.

xo,

Guest Post: Design Shuffle & Gorgeous Fireplaces

Hello friends! I’m excited to have a guest writer on the blog today from Design Shuffle! Take it away, Susi…

Hi, I’m Susi, a writer over at Design Shuffle, a fantastic social media site for designers and design lovers to network, share inspiration and showcase projects. I’m excited to be here at Grace & Ivy today as a guest. My guest post is all about lighting a fire of inspiration for fireplaces. I’ve pulled together eight of my favorite fireplace decorating ideas. Hope you enjoy! Thanks for letting me stop by and visit.

Dress up your fireplace with art or a mirror. Fill the mantle with pretty objects, seasonal flora, frames or books. Create a charming place for extra firewood with a basket, wire basket or box.

Lighting a fire and relaxing in a comfortable place to sit is the ideal way to spend a chilly day or evening. Multiple seating options around the fireplace create the space for conversation, reading or napping.

This modern room and fireplace are sleek and unencumbered by too much decoration. A gold starburst mirror above the modern fireplace is the perfect adornment; just the right thing to draw the eye.

Painting the walls around a fireplace a deeper color and keeping the mantle the same color as the molding draws the focus to the fireplace. This interior design in a cream and mushroom palette creates a calming, cozy space to lounge.

This lovely winter decorated fireplace is a symphony of subtle winter colors. The taupe wingback chair and white painted mirror would work with any seasonal decoration and various living room designs.

Decorating the firebox with a stack of birch logs gives this fireplace style without a roaring fire. The birch logs tie in with the black and white palette.

If you have a non-working fireplace as in this bedroom design, dress it up with an antique grill or fire screen. You can put candles in the firebox to create a warm, twinkling light similar to fire.

If you have an outdoor fireplace, don’t forget to decorate it also. Seasonal gourds, garlands and wreaths look just as lovely on an outdoor fireplace mantle as they do indoors.

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Fireplaces are an ideal decorating accent. Look for more inspiration at Design Shuffle where you can learn the various interior design styles and even find great ideas from Boston interior designers and more!

Etsy Love: le Petit Foyer

Hello there! Hope your week has been fabulous. It has gotten quite cold here in Portland, so at night I’ve been wrapped up in a vintage quilt, sipping tea and hanging out on Etsy. I seriously spend too much time there…but who can resist all the treasures to be found!

Check out these lovelies at le Petit Foyer…

Such romantic and whimsical pieces! I love them all…although that sweet little parasol necklace may just have to come home with me…

Have a beautiful Friday!

xo,

All images via lePetitFoyer

Related articles

• Etsy Love: White Owl (graceandivy.wordpress.com)
• Etsy Love: Dollhouse Miniatures (graceandivy.wordpress.com)

Inspired: The Makers Project

Happy Friday everyone! Hope your week went well!

I don’t know about you but I love to witness people’s creative process. I like to see how an artist creates… how does it start? What does their space look like? What kind of tools do they use? I’m a bit nosy that way. So, when I came across this amazing photography project by Jennifer Causey, I had to share it with you. The project is titled – “The Makers Project” and it visually documents the creative process of artists, jewelers, ceramicists, bakers, florists and many other amazing artisans! I could spend all day looking at these beautiful and intriguing photographs.

Here are some shots showing the work of  talented Brooklyn based jeweler,  Jennifer Sarkilahti of Odette Jewelry

Fascinating right? Now be warned, the site is addictive so make sure you have a cup of something warm and a little time to explore. Enjoy!

Also…go check out Odette’s website, Jennifer’s creations are truly gorgeous! Drool…I mean see below….

Have a fantastic weekend.

xo,

Fall Daydreams and Equestrian Love

Hello there! I’ve been having a bit of “blogger’s block” recently but tonight, I finally sat down and decided to share with you some images that have been floating around in my head for the last week. You see, one of the mom’s at Grace’s school is a horse woman and she has just gotten back into riding. I think that is so fabulous! I’m completely useless on a horse so I always admire those who connect with them! Every time we get one of those perfectly, crisp Autumn mornings, I think of her riding her horse through golden fields and falling leaves. For some reason Autumn and horses just go together don’t they? A bright fall sky, the crunching of leaves, a touch of morning fog, the reds, oranges and yellows, warm sweaters and riding boots…I mean it’s a match made in heaven really. Don’t you think?

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I may not be the best on a horse but I can still lust after that equestrian look…

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So lady like and refined but still strong. Love it!

This everyday outfit is perfect with just the right amount of equestrian appeal….(click to shop)

Okay, one more horsey pic…I could gaze at these gorgeous creatures all day…

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What are you dreaming about on these beautiful Fall days?

xo,