Art, hand-me-downs, and changing my mind

My last post was about trying to create a watercolor from a snap shot using an i-pad app.    Rosella from the blog Rhubarb and Roses kindly shared the names of two apps that she knew about. 

She suggested one called Waterlogue and another called Mobile Monet.  I hope to try them both. 

(I really appreciate her tip.  Thanks!)

Even though this is a fun project, nothing compares to REAL art (even if it is a poster or a copy version) of the master painters.  While we have amazing technology to change, edit, enlarge, and reproduce art, they had the insight and extraordinary talent to actually create it.

One of my favorite styles of art is French Impressionism, and I’ve mentioned before how much I like the art of Claude Monet (1840-1926).

While we were in the process of redoing our bedroom, we chose a Monet to hang on our wall.  We ordered a copy of “The Artist’s Garden in Argenteuil”  on line.  We paid a little bit more to have a framed canvas, but the price was still very reasonable and the shipping was free.

(Buying nice frames, non-glare glass, and mats can add up, so it was a good deal.)

We also lucked out that it was on a two day sale.

It finally came and I really do like it.

It seems to go well above the little gray chair.

(This shot is for you, Holly!)

The red dresser was one of those hand-me-down pieces that we acquired when we got married.  It was passed to us from Ken’s sister’s husband’s parents.  Over the years it has changed color a few times (it was originally blond wood, which we didn’t like), but it is a solid piece of furniture.  We did change out the knobs on the drawers.

Yes, the red color is bright.

Maybe it’s next paint color life will be a more muted shade.

As we were hanging the Monet, we noticed that EVERY SINGLE THING hanging on our walls was black and rectangular in shape.

Everything. 

(Even the mirror above the dresser.)

We painted the mirror red, and found an oval mirror we already had to change out for one of the black rectangles.

Before:

After:

It’s hard to tell from the picture, but the little mirror even matches the finish on the lamps, so it was a win-win change.

If you want to see the original post of the bedroom redo, go here.

While our decorating style (or lack of) may not follow the rules, our humble home is our castle.

We’ve spent many years working on it, one project at a time.  I look at the decorating shows and marvel that the home buyers can change out everything they don’t like all at once!

We are so grateful to have a warm, cozy place to live.

Do you change your mind as you decorate, too?

JoAnn

I took an online decorating style quiz that I found on

21 Rosemary Lane.

My style is 33% traditional, 33% cabin, and 34% Nantucket.  Sounds like a strange combination to me!

 

I Want That App! Or….Fluffy, but not very deep!

When you think of the word “fluffy” what comes to mind?

Light feathery pancakes?

Goose down filled pillows?

Big, soft clouds on a crisp summer day?

Well, the fluffy I’m talking about isn’t that fluffy.

This post is pretty much a fluffy-Thursday-need-a-new-blog-post-but-don’t-have-anything-interesting-to-say-post.  After reading it, I’m pretty sure no one will accuse me of deep pondering or insight as to the mysteries of life. 

I’m even borrowing ideas from others, since I can’t find any original thoughts of my own today.

Yes, I need a weekend!

I’ve been noticing a lot of fun pictures on blogs lately, that have been turned into water colors, using an app that you can download on your ipad. 

I haven’t purchased it yet, but I sure do want to.

I have been trying to get a similar effect using our computer photo program.

It isn’t quite the same.

I still had fun playing around with it, however.

I forgot to notice the name of the filter on the first two pictures I altered.  I think they were one of the watercolor ones.

 

 

This filter is called Eggshell Crackle.  I kind of like this one.

This one is called Metal Chrome. 

It makes the playhouse look a little like an old abandoned shack!

Kind of creepy.

Photocopy- not too much detail shows up.

Pencil Sketch is kind of interesting.

My vote goes to Eggshell Crackle!  I just might have to have a large copy made!

 

Speaking of large copies- our Monet is here and is hanging on the wall in our bedroom.

We really like it a lot!

Hopefully, this weekend I can get some pictures to share.

Have a great evening!

JoAnn

P.S.  Here’s an unrelated thought:

“If you stumble, make it part of the dance.”

-Author unknown

 

 

Long week at school…

This week was a l-o-n-g one at school :

Parent teacher conferences

Data reports

New students

Meetings

Valentine’s Day

(We’ll celebrate it tomorrow- but I’m already anticipating it!)

This video made me laugh.

(I like my job, but some days it requires a LOT of patience!)

 

JoAnn

P.S.  Is it just me, or are all teachers feeling overwhelmed?

 

A Day at the Museum

Yesterday, we wanted to play.

Our family was trying to think of something fun to do for an outing.  The weather didn’t encourage an outdoor activity (it was raining), and the age of our grandchildren didn’t make movie- going sound relaxing at all. 

We decided  buy Salt Lake Connect Passes.  We’ve done the one day passes before, but thought we’d try the yearly pass this time.

The pass is good for twelve months and includes admission to the following places:

Clark Planetarium

Discovery Gateway (Children’s Museum)

Leonardo at The Library

Lion House Restaurant ($9.99 value meal)

Natural History Museum

Red Butte Garden

Snow Bird Ski and Summer resort (tram ride)

Thanksgiving Point (gardens and museum)

This is the Place Heritage Park

Tracy Aviary

Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Utah Olympic Park (zip line, Alpine slide, or tour)

Utah’s Hogle Zoo

The tickets are $75 for adults, $64 for seniors, and $63 for kids.

It was a little investment up front, but will be a good deal for the rest of the year.

Adventure #1:

We started off at the Natural History Museum. 

They had a new “Chocolate” exhibit that opened yesterday, too.

The sweet aroma of chocolate was heavenly!

We spent about three hours discovering Native American displays, dinosaur replicas,  wildlife, earth forms, and other Utah historic things.

Everybody had fun!

 

A little hands-on project of grinding down the cacao beans was tried.

If you live in Utah and want some fun activities to do, check out the link above for more information.

We can’t wait for our next adventure!

JoAnn

P.S.  When I see Liz’s pictures, I’ll probably have to post more.  She takes better photos than I do!

P.P.S.  Liz did a blog and she does have some good pictures that I missed, so if you want to see more photos….go here.

Winter Olympics - Utah style…

The Sochi Winter Olympics started today.

Pretty exciting!

It was so fun to watch and be a part of the Olympics when they were held here in Utah in 2002, especially getting to mingle with crowds of people from all over the world. 
We didn’t attend any of the actual events, but we walked from one end of the city to the other, (multiple times) enjoying the street entertainment, the little shops, the food booths, and the blending of languages and cultures as thousands of people mingled together. The streets downtown were closed to traffic and the city took on a magical atmosphere.  Murals decorated the tall buildings, everything was lit up with banners and lights, and stages were set up everywhere.  It was amazing.

Unfortunately, we weren’t invited to the Sochi Olympics.

(Translation:  We couldn’t afford to go there.)

In the spirit of the Olympics, my husband decided to have a little fun with our photo program today. 

Looks like Brooklyn is going for the gold.

What do you think?

Looks like she was pleased with her slide!

Let’s hope the Sochi games are a success!

JoAnn

P.S.  I couldn’t fine the link to the ski jump picture.  I’ll try and find it.  Sorry.

Recycling the Past…

I love looking at old family photos.

The photo above is my mother, grandmother, and uncle.

Pictures speak a lot about people and the times.

It’s fun to study the fashions and the hair do’s of the past.

Have you noticed how styles seem to come back over and over again, with just a little twist to make them current and fresh?

Notice the leggings on the little girl (my mother)?

All our grand kids love their knit hats.  Uncle Dean’s cap (the little boy) is right in style today.

I remember having ribbons around my neck, not too many years ago, just like my grandmother’s. 

Grandma’s hair is similar to the waves seen on the ladies of  Downton Abbey, since this picture was probably taken in the same time period, the 1920’s.

Finding common facial features with relatives is always fun, too.

We can learn a lot from the past.

I’ve been thinking about some of the life styles and characteristics from the past that I hope we don’t forget either.

Here’s my list:

1.  Hard work

Just surviving often meant hard labor and long hours.  If you wanted something, you put in the time to earn it.

2.  Thriftiness, making do, and appreciation for what we have

Are we becoming an entitled society? We seem to want it all and we want it right now. 

3.  Resourcefulness

I love hearing those stories where people who didn’t have what they needed improvised and created substitute items.  Flour sacks became dish towels or children’s clothing.  Old shoes were lined with linoleum to give them a longer life.

((I’m not saying I want to live that frugally, but that I hope I would be able to create or make the things I needed if I couldn’t just buy them.)

4.  Respect

I hate to see disrespect towards anyone, especially our elders.

Seeing a veteran showing respect for the flag or our country is an emotional thing for me. 

5.  Socialization and personal interaction

We don’t have tea parties and socials like they did long ago, but it is still important to stay connected (and not just through social media).  We learn from each other.  We give support and strength to each other.  I think it is important to spend time with family and friends.  It is also good to meet new people.

6.  Having simple fun

Don’t you love seeing the carnivals and fairs (the movie Pollyanna comes to my mind) that were held for the whole community?

Cake walks, home-made ice cream, taffy pulls, hay rides, three-legged races, long walks, picnics, and so on are all great activities that will leave fond memories.

This picture is my aunt Mardene and my dad working hard in the hot sun.  I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to keep up with them!

I don’t know why I climbed on

a soap box today, but perhaps it is because I hate to see these things become lost to us.

(It could be that I am now one of those seniors who prefers the past to the present!)

Seriously, I think we are pretty lucky to live in this modern, technological world. 

I just want to keep some of the past, too!

JoAnn

P.S.  Anyone want to watch old movies with me?

Beautiful music and art

A cloudy January day needs some beauty!

Take a few minutes and enjoy this wonderful music.  It is one of my favorite songs and I love this version.

Ahhh…..!

I’ve been hunting for some art for  my bedroom and think I might have found my choice.

I’ll give you a hint.

(Claude Monet)

Now we’re just trying to find a good print that won’t break the bank!

Have a great weekend!

JoAnn