Artistic Endeavors Archives | Page 35 of 58

Artistic Endeavors

a slice of life

kittens & crochet

Based on the title of this post, I’m officially turning into my great grandmother. I don’t mind that too much, though, because she was a pretty awesome lady. Anyway, if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you know we adopted a couple of kittens last Saturday. It was something we’ve been thinking about for a few months and decided this would be a good time, since Jeff and the boys would be home from school and work for Thanksgiving break and we’d all be able to bond with them and help them adjust. We went to the cat adoption day planning on looking and perhaps picking out a pair of kittens if we found the right ones. We knew we wanted siblings and older kittens – about 4-6 months old. We were also hoping for cats that had been around dogs before, so they wouldn’t completely freak out about

December 2, 2019 83 Comments

All Things Home

basket full of yarn & crochet update

So, I have fully embraced the crocheting thing! I made three trips to the craft store last week, which is no small thing because I couldn’t drive. I had to ask someone to take me and witness me exploring this new world of yarn. I’ve actually always been drawn to yarn and have found excuses to buy some here and there for projects, but what makes good yarn for pom-poms and garlands doesn’t necessarily make good yarn for a crochet project. I learned that as I made the most ridiculously thick and heavy hat that I ended up turning into a thick and heavy scarf that’s only a little less ridiculous. I love learning, finding new creatives to follow, and having an excuse to buy some new supplies! I know yarn can really add up, but crocheting is a pretty thrifty endeavor, especially if you buy yarn on sale. I

November 15, 2019 81 Comments

a slice of life

Armchair inspiration

There is only so much sitting and watching TV that I can handle. Don’t get me wrong…I love a lazy day now and then or a movie marathon, but I’ve been operating at 50% or less for a few weeks now. Especially during the first two weeks of recovery, I was medicated, sore, tired, and not good for much of anything. I didn’t even want to watch a show that involved following a plot. It just required too much of me. But, as I started to heal and feel better, I found myself daydreaming about future projects and creative endeavors. I started watching shows that centered more around the creative process like the Great British Baking Show and Project Runway. And the daydreaming and desire for inspiration led me to dig into some old and new magazines and books, which are one of my favorite wells to draw from. I

November 11, 2019 19 Comments

a slice of life

Keeping my hands busy

Before I get into today’s post, I wanted to let you know that the Arhaus giveaway has been extended to my allow entries to my blog, so those who aren’t on Instagram can enter as well or those who entered on Instagram can have another chance to enter. Just go back to the giveaway post HERE and leave a comment letting me know which fabric you would select for your piece if you win. It was never our intention to exclude any of my readers, so we’re glad you gave me that feedback and we could make this change. And, speaking of giveaways, the winner of the Cozy White Cottage book giveaway is Carol (csolverud.) Congrats! I already knew this about myself, but this whole recovery experience has taught me that I’m not great at sitting around. All in all, I have been very good at resting…getting things done when

November 7, 2019 90 Comments

All Things Home

mini landscape “place cards” & a giveaway

While the boys were at the climbing lessons, I mingled around the nearby , looking for inspiration and pieces to use in an upcoming post about a summer table setting. I found beautiful as a great launching point, but I wanted to add a whimsical element to the table beyond fruit, flowers, and a pretty cake for the pedestal. This particular Walmart has a pretty robust art supply section and, of course, I meandered through there to see if any new art supplies caught my eye. I found some mini stretched canvases and cute wooden stands and the wheels started turning. What about painting mini landscape “place cards” as a little takeaway for guests? I put them in the cart and couldn’t wait to get started on them the next day. are the mini canvases I purchased for the landscape place cards They are about 2 x 2″. I wanted

August 12, 2019 605 Comments

All Things Home

cow/calf pair

A couple of weeks ago, I painted a cow-calf pair. If you follow me on Instagram, you would’ve seen some of the process as well as the final painting shared on the grid. For those who don’t follow me there, here is the underpainting… …and then the finished work… I didn’t have plans to keep it when I first started this one. I’m pretty good at selling my works. It’s partly a hobby, but painting was absorbed as a part of my business pretty early on, so I try not to get too attached. I paint with the intention of selling. But I was in love with this one as soon as I rolled my chair back and viewed the painting in its entirety. I was so excited that I had an antique gilded frame that fit it, so I tried it on before the painting was even dry. It

August 1, 2019 138 Comments

a slice of life

climbing up weeds

Walking has become one of my best tools for generating ideas. In the past, I sort of felt like walking was an alternative to “real exercise”, but since I’m still limited by my shoulder (I’m still doing PT), walking has been what I can reliably do. And I’ve seen and felt the benefits of it beyond just weight loss and increased energy. That time is spent learning, thinking, and just being open to new ideas. It’s become a hybrid task that bridges personal and professional perks. So, while I was walking yesterday, on a path I have walked hundreds of times before, I noticed a small floral vine creeping up an obnoxious weed. I observed it for a minute while Sebastian was sniffing around and then we kept walking. After a few steps, I turned back around for a closer look. I tromped through the tall weeds, confusing Sebastian, and

July 31, 2019 52 Comments

a slice of life

How I Journal

I’ve mentioned journaling a few times on Instagram and here on the blog and have received some questions about how I journal. I know there are a lot of “journaling methods” out there and I wouldn’t say I follow any specific method, but just started writing and figured out the best way to organize it all for my brain and my creative work. The first thing I learned is that writing everything in one notebook didn’t work. My ideas, to-dos, thoughts, plans, and notes were like a debris field scattered across too many notebooks that I had to sift through every time I wanted to reference something I wrote down. It would’ve been fine if my journaling was just about putting something on paper, but I journal so I can remember and revisit things. I collect quotes, fragmented ideas, and thoughts, notes on books I read, sermons I listen to,

July 29, 2019 22 Comments

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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