whenever the mood strikes, one of my favorite ways to refresh my house is to rearrange furniture! it is the best!! it makes everything new again. there are not many big changes i can make, but that doesn’t discourage me. the couch can only go here or there, but i’m still satisfied. smaller items make more of the impact. side tables, chairs, accessories all tweaked in some way. a perfect time for cleaning, vacuuming and dusting. new things are added from other parts of the house, others tucked away. home alone with music blaring is also required. sometimes if i’m feeling it i’ll make a new pillow or two which is just the icing on the cake. usually, my family doesn’t even notice. just one of the things they’ve learned to expect i guess. yes, it’s one of my small ways of living artfully.
last year i bought a fiddle leaf fig. they bring so much life to a space and are so cool. all over instagram and pinterest in the best rooms! anyway, yea, i wanted one! i put it in my room and as time went by i could see it was not happy. browning leaves and no new growth. those brown leaves would eventually fall off and it was getting smaller and more sickly. i had to take action. tried more water, less water, different rooms, but nothing helped. finally decided as a last resort to put it on my front porch. warm summer air and no direct light. it loved it! perked right up and started to thrive! i put the rest of my succulents out there and they also loved it! in the fall, i brought them all into studio 2m (the brightest room in the house) and they have been happy. excited to get them back on the porch soon so they can really enjoy the weather. seeing them grow gives me confidence….i can do this! next up, propagation!
matcha! a new friend of mine. it wasn’t a “love at first sight” kind of attraction, but we’re getting there.
a bit too earthy at first, but i’m going for the health benefits, so i did it for me, a better me that i want to move toward.
but, little by little, i’m loving it. feeling a little hug every time i have a cup. the key, adding a tiny bit of milk (goat’s milk in my case) for the sensitive tummy, and it is a lot more palatable, even yummy! now just waiting for the metabolism boost, antioxidants, detox, and improved mood! yea, i want all of that!
also, some extra special ways to enjoy:
match smoothie- with warm coconut milk and a tiny splash of agave.
matcha mojito-1/4 t matcha, 3/4c sparkling water, 3T rum, 2T lime juice, handful mint leaves, 2 handfuls ice, 1t agave.
i love to try new projects in the studio and i really get into the beauty of organizing or refreshing a space. so many things i’ve been meaning to do but haven’t. well, i guess now is the time! with so much extra time at home, i have no more excuses. and yes, it feels good to have a fresh “canvas” to leave my mark and add my kind of beauty all over the house. big and sometimes very small. watercolor painting, writing letters, organizing studio closets and cabinets and creating regular posts about all of that on this page. living an artful life! that really is what it’s all about! so, i’m challenging myself to keep up with my online journal and documenting daily efforts to live artfully!
watercolor! i resisted getting into all of these beautiful art supplies from a friend because i didn’t want to waste anything and i had no idea where to begin. i finally did it and it just makes me happy. i keep it on my kitchen table and sketch and paint….learning as i go.
xo
i love love camping in the fall!! the fresh air and beautiful sky, i just can’t get enough of it!
and making my outdoor home beautiful just adds to the fun! tablecloth, flowers, air mattress, blankets and pillows from home are a must.
add some reading material, strong coffee, good food and wine and we’re all set for the weekend!
it is a bit of a pain to pack up the entire car with all that we need….but well worth it!
happy camper!!
blueberry pie!
a sweet dessert made with no advance notice, no planning, no running to the store. just the fact that i came acrosse the recipe and had everything that i needed without another trip to the store was almost as sweet as the pie itself! i am even know to go to the grocery more than once a day, just can't get my act together with that.
anyway....had everything for this yummy pie and it came out looking pretty good too!
sundays are my favorite day to cook something i've never tried before or an old classic. it just makes me happy to be working in the kitchen making something good without too much stress. it may come out good, it may not. i may have it ready at 6, it may not be ready till 8....doesn't matter, it's more about enjoying the activity, being in the center of the house while george and the kids run in and out, and sometimes just by myself with music on lost in my own little world.
coffee table books, cookbooks, decorating and diy, just a few of the book categories i swoon over. (and i'm always up for a good self-help book too) i reserve books at the library often and decide which ones i should buy for my collection. i'm also always getting good recommendations on social media or just by browsing book stores and amazon. weekends are always a little sweeter when i have tried a new recipe or project i read about.
these books are beautiful and inspiring. i like them out in stacks, sometimes opened up to a pretty page i can glimpse at as i walk by.
this weekend i was all excited about my new "the forest feast" gatherings cookbook. i bought it for my niece for a shower gift and fell in love, so.....now i have one too! (thanks to george)
baked garlic with brie,
crispy kale with paprika and truffle salt,
parmesan snap peas, sausage,
potato and white bean soup
those are the recipes we enjoyed this weekend and there are so many more good ones. in addition, pretty ideas for simple entertaining! let's just hope the weather gets warm enough one of these days.
bon apetite!
joyful individuals with bold ambitions!
the boden catalog is always something i get excited about when i spot it in my mailbox, almost as much as the anthropologie catalog. the clothes are colorful and fresh. and i just love it! but it's not just the merchandise....it's the copywriting too. i have torn out several pages, great one-liners, that i tape up in my studio...or right in the kitchen for all to enjoy. they are really good...and they just make me happy!
sometimes it's the little things.
i've wanted to jump back into my blog, but have struggled with where to begin again. it's been so long since my last post. and more than that, i just haven't been disciplined enough about my blog. i know consistency is key....and that is not what i have produced so far for sure. my problem is, i only feel compelled to post when i'm really "into" something. so a schedule does not always mesh well with inspiration.
so here i am, giving it another try, my focus....living an artful life!
living an artful life for me is a way at looking at whatever i'm doing with a more thoughtful eye. finding the beauty, having fun, making the ordinary a little more special.
so...a couple of recent moments over easter weekend that brought me joy:
driving past gramma minnie's old house in cleveland! so many memories here of family parties, aunts, uncles, cousins, annual visits to the feast and always a lot of really good food being made and eaten!
an easter diy i had to try, and much easier than i expected. nail polish and warm water is all it is. just swirl with tooth pick and drag eggs in. that's it! definitely the prettiest eggs i've ever created. and an easter tradition...pizzelles. the beauty of the pattern and the memories make me so happy!
more to come!
~karla
it feels amazing to enjoy open windows and bright sunshine. time for heading outside, time for creating with spring and summer in mind. recently i had an opportunity to work with a couple amazing artists to put another photo shoot together. new spring totes, scarves and jewelry....looking beautiful on a sunny afternoon!
my absolute favorite magazine for inspiration....anthology! a celebration of makers, design and travel. i can't even crack it open without time to really enjoy it. this includes a comfy place to read, time to linger and sometimes take a nap, and a refreshing beverage. i don't have a subscription, not sure why, so it requires me to go to my local anthropologie for the latest copy. and i am never disappointed to make the trip!
artist anandamyi arnold
every page a feast of beauty and inspiration and recipes too. makes me want to re-decorate, make, cook and play. but usually I just savor every page and go back to my life as it is, happy to have visited.
this is the time of year that I have a bit more time to work on my process. when I am busy creating for upcoming shows, I get overwhelmed and the process goes out the door. i jump from one project to another and often can't compete things because something else needs to be done first.
under perfect conditions, I like to have straps, tags, and pouches ready to go, and that can be easier said than done...so many little things to tend to
bella studio leather tags that must be cut and heat-stamped,
leather straps for crossbody purses and totes need to be cut and fitted with clips and brads,
cowhide tags cut and punched for earrings,
and then there's the pouches for jewelry items that need to be dip-dyed, rinsed, ironed and stamped (I really can't believe how much time those bags take) but that is important to me, and I love when customers get all excited about them!
so many details go into making my designs one-of-a kind....and those little things are what make each piece completely and beautifully...
bella studio
i've been working hard since the first of the year to get my studio space picked up and ready for a new season of creating. i tend to make a huge mess as i work, which is fine for a while but eventually it takes it's toll.
so...it was time to clean up, clear out and make things pretty in my not so pretty space.
the new additions really add to the "ambiance"....and i am loving it!
new area rugs and café lights!!
i've even created a couple new banners from scrap fabric to soften things up a bit.
it is as awesome as an unfinished space can be, and that's good enough for me.
now i can get back to the work of creating!
i don't think i'll ever tire of the beauty of indigo! the shades are pure and natural. to have these fabrics in your home is embracing natural beauty! and that makes me happy!!
art festivals,
special events,
cooking,
projects,
friends,
family
it's been all that and more!
and I refuse to consider summer over...
more to come!
friends,
just stopping and taking time to enjoy the beautiful summer evenings is the best way to make it last as long as possible! my to-do list includes some of the following:
reading books, dinner with neighbors, star gazing, sunsets, and enjoying family and friends.
that's what summer is all about!
enjoy!
just recently had my annual road trip to visit my college bff and explore the amazing landscape and peaceful settings of amish country in northeastern ohio.
it is just stunning to drive through the rolling hills.....so scenic it almost doesn't seem real.
the weather was perfection so that always makes everything more beautiful.
we pretty much covered the important "must do's" for our annual get together.
glamping
boating
fireside chit chat
eating
wine drinking
reading
shopping
lunching
vintage treasure hunting
more chit chat...
so nice to catch up and get out in new surrounding.
a couple of my favorite stops that should not be missed if you are going to the area...
modern farmhouse in millersburg - the perfect mix of really cool vintage finds, upholstery, home décor and accessories. the displays are fresh and it's just all around amazing! don't miss it. (check hours before making a special trip. it's one of those stores that sometimes is closed while they do their treasure hunting)
Rebecca's bistro the best!! never miss it on a trip!
farmers fresh picks!
such a beautiful place to enjoy another side of the ohio that i have been born and raised in and that gives me so many different perspectives.
ohio love!
i'm always feeling like i have a new obsession....and i actually love that!
i learn something new or discover something i had no idea about and that's it... i'm hooked!
i think it's a really good thing! i love people with passion!
and yes, sometimes it's a curse. i know my family would say i get a little too emotional about somethings.
but, this is who i am.
anyway, i can't even believe how much i am loving the new friends i have met while listening to different creative podcasts!
i didn't even know this whole world existed until 2 days ago!!
do you know about it!!
you can listen to anything...everything!!
it is sooooooo exciting!
and the few that i have been listening to are creative people that are successful and wonderful and they think about and talk about so many of the things i love.
so what are these podcasts!
who are these people!
these are the two new friends I have invited into the studio:
andy j miller....creative pep talk
he is the best!
i love how heartfelt his talks are!
sweet, inspiring and just good!
(i even got on i-tunes and gave him a comment and rating-5 stars!)
and the other one
elise interviews creative business owners and makers. it's like sitting and chatting with friends over coffee.
and they're talking about everything you love!
yes, i also feel a bit lame. they have so much going on in their creative businesses. new projects which include book deals, product launches, developing new apps and travel.... so far from where i am today, but something to dream about anyway.
so...if you k new nothing about this whole new world of podcasts...you heard it here!
still learning and obsessing over the beauty of indigo!
little by little it is creeping into more areas of my life.
and it's not really anything i can control....it just keeps spreading.
and when that happens...i just need to go with it.
and that is what i am doing!
i need to start spending a little more time at the
jewelry table
it's been neglected for a while.
and i will....tomorrow!
~karla