31 October 2009
30 October 2009
26 October 2009
25 October 2009
Invitation
This is the invitation I made for Daniel's baptism (yes, you're all invited).
I had them printed as white-bordered 4x6 inch prints and stuck them onto 5x7 inch pearlescent charcoal cardstock. I also stamped the envelopes with swirls in the corners on the front and "You're invited" on the back flap.
I had them printed as white-bordered 4x6 inch prints and stuck them onto 5x7 inch pearlescent charcoal cardstock. I also stamped the envelopes with swirls in the corners on the front and "You're invited" on the back flap.
24 October 2009
23 October 2009
Picture perfect - our bedroom and ensuite
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Our bedroom (8)
Above our bed are three Ribba frames from Ikea. In them are fabric monograms that I made (click here for details).
On my bedside table are two frames with pictures of my boys. They are quite dated and I need to get new pictures printed.
On the wall between the windows are two big metal frames that I got (with the prints in) for £1 each at a car boot sale. They are just perfect for the space!
On the left hand wall is the collage I made using a cabinet door (click here for details).
Ensuite (1)
Above the basin is a black Ribba frame from Ikea and in it is my "tasteful nude" of Noah (click here for details).
So that brings us to the end of this Picture Perfect series, showing 69 pieces of artwork / photos in my home! I hope that I have been able to give you some ideas for artwork around your home and shown that it can be done on a budget. Thanks for reading!
Our bedroom (8)
Above our bed are three Ribba frames from Ikea. In them are fabric monograms that I made (click here for details).
On my bedside table are two frames with pictures of my boys. They are quite dated and I need to get new pictures printed.
On the wall between the windows are two big metal frames that I got (with the prints in) for £1 each at a car boot sale. They are just perfect for the space!
On the left hand wall is the collage I made using a cabinet door (click here for details).
Ensuite (1)
Above the basin is a black Ribba frame from Ikea and in it is my "tasteful nude" of Noah (click here for details).
So that brings us to the end of this Picture Perfect series, showing 69 pieces of artwork / photos in my home! I hope that I have been able to give you some ideas for artwork around your home and shown that it can be done on a budget. Thanks for reading!
22 October 2009
Picture perfect - the boys' bedroom
Click here for all of the posts in this series
The boys' bedroom (9)
Since we didn't paint the boys' bedroom (it's cream) and they have white furniture and curtains I added colour with the bedding and pictures.
Above the radiator is a grouping of four frames - these are also Ikea Ribba frames but they were all different colours. I spray painted then white and added photos of the boys and photos I took of their artwork (click here for details).
Above the chest of drawers are two ultra-cheap frames from Ikea that I painted white. I added some colourful scrapbooking paper and a 5x7 inch print to each.
There are three frames at the end of the boys' bunk beds:
I bought them in the reduced price section of TK Maxx for next to nothing. Two of them were brown and one was caramel-coloured and all were scuffed. I painted them with acrylic paint and added some photos of the boys with their grandparents.
The boys' bedroom (9)
Since we didn't paint the boys' bedroom (it's cream) and they have white furniture and curtains I added colour with the bedding and pictures.
Above the radiator is a grouping of four frames - these are also Ikea Ribba frames but they were all different colours. I spray painted then white and added photos of the boys and photos I took of their artwork (click here for details).
Above the chest of drawers are two ultra-cheap frames from Ikea that I painted white. I added some colourful scrapbooking paper and a 5x7 inch print to each.
There are three frames at the end of the boys' bunk beds:
I bought them in the reduced price section of TK Maxx for next to nothing. Two of them were brown and one was caramel-coloured and all were scuffed. I painted them with acrylic paint and added some photos of the boys with their grandparents.
21 October 2009
Picture perfect - bathroom
Click here for all of the posts in this series
Bathroom (3)
These are inexpensive Ikea Ribba frames that I painted dark brown with acrylic paint. I added my own photographs.
Bathroom (3)
These are inexpensive Ikea Ribba frames that I painted dark brown with acrylic paint. I added my own photographs.
Picture perfect - landing
Click here for all of the posts in this series
Landing (4)
I don't think I've ever posted pictures of our landing before. Here's a shot upward as I started ascending the stairs from the hallway - you can see the bathroom at the top of the stairs and you can just make out the corner of the pictures on the half landing:
Here's a shot from the bedrooms, facing back towards the bathroom and half landing:
Those three framed pictures are photographs I took when I first started out with photography. I still love them. The top one is of Noah in a flowerpot, you can see his chubby rolls and he has some drool dripping off his chin. Then there's a sweet one of the boys together, and then a photo I adore of Daniel looking so serious - you can see every detail of his exquisite eyes. He has the most incredible eyes ever.
The frames are 20x20 inch Ribba frames from Ikea, in oak.
The piece of wall between the boys' room and ours has a random light switch almost in the middle of it, but not quite. It's very annoying - I can't hang anything there.
Here's the wall to the right of our bedroom door, where the stairs continue up to Grant's parents' space. Those round things are the boys marble charts (click here for details - I've since removed the ribbon and they just hang on little nails) and then there is a pine frame with an old family photo. I would redo this bit but there's no real point since we're moving (I promise to do a New Zealand update post soon!)
Landing (4)
I don't think I've ever posted pictures of our landing before. Here's a shot upward as I started ascending the stairs from the hallway - you can see the bathroom at the top of the stairs and you can just make out the corner of the pictures on the half landing:
Here's a shot from the bedrooms, facing back towards the bathroom and half landing:
Those three framed pictures are photographs I took when I first started out with photography. I still love them. The top one is of Noah in a flowerpot, you can see his chubby rolls and he has some drool dripping off his chin. Then there's a sweet one of the boys together, and then a photo I adore of Daniel looking so serious - you can see every detail of his exquisite eyes. He has the most incredible eyes ever.
The frames are 20x20 inch Ribba frames from Ikea, in oak.
The piece of wall between the boys' room and ours has a random light switch almost in the middle of it, but not quite. It's very annoying - I can't hang anything there.
Here's the wall to the right of our bedroom door, where the stairs continue up to Grant's parents' space. Those round things are the boys marble charts (click here for details - I've since removed the ribbon and they just hang on little nails) and then there is a pine frame with an old family photo. I would redo this bit but there's no real point since we're moving (I promise to do a New Zealand update post soon!)
20 October 2009
Picture perfect - kitchen
Click here for all of the posts in this series
Kitchen (9)
This is one of the features I love in our home - the kitchen food pictures gallery. The frames were £4 each and I took the photos myself.
They look all higgledy-piggledy here but I have them as straight as possible in real life. They probably are still a little out, but you don't really notice (and trust me, I'd notice!)
And then on the windowsill I have a picture of the boys (sorry for the blown-out picture, the sun was glaring through the window).
Kitchen (9)
This is one of the features I love in our home - the kitchen food pictures gallery. The frames were £4 each and I took the photos myself.
They look all higgledy-piggledy here but I have them as straight as possible in real life. They probably are still a little out, but you don't really notice (and trust me, I'd notice!)
And then on the windowsill I have a picture of the boys (sorry for the blown-out picture, the sun was glaring through the window).
New Zealand update
I have mentioned in previous posts our intention of moving to New Zealand. Finally I have an update on that - at the end of September Grant sent in his application to the police force in New Zealand and today we heard back that he has passed through the initial application stage! The next step is for him to fly out there for 2-3 weeks for all of the testing. He's hoping to do that in January. Once has passed that phase we will have to put our house here on the market and apply for Permanent Residency. Once our house sells we will move into a small flat so that we are ready to go when our PR comes through (they give you 3 months to come over).
There is a shortage of police in New Zealand and they are wanting to fill 300 positions in South Auckland by the end of next year. We're hoping Grant can fill one of those positions. In the meantime we have been doing lots of research and making our plans. We have decided to live in Pukekohe but we don't know where exactly Grant would be stationed. Once we know that we'll check how long his commute would be and possibly have to decide on an area closer to his work.
Thank you to my friend Amanda and my cousin Kyle (also a cop in South Auckland) who has helped us with our research! Can't wait to see you guys over there next year.
There is a shortage of police in New Zealand and they are wanting to fill 300 positions in South Auckland by the end of next year. We're hoping Grant can fill one of those positions. In the meantime we have been doing lots of research and making our plans. We have decided to live in Pukekohe but we don't know where exactly Grant would be stationed. Once we know that we'll check how long his commute would be and possibly have to decide on an area closer to his work.
Thank you to my friend Amanda and my cousin Kyle (also a cop in South Auckland) who has helped us with our research! Can't wait to see you guys over there next year.
19 October 2009
Picture perfect - living room
Click here for all of the posts in this series
Living room (26!)
Okay, 26 pictures sounds like a lot but it doesn't look like it in the room, I promise. There are so many mainly because they are small, but I do have a couple of big pieces.
Starting at the right hand wall as you walk into the living room I have four 8x10 inch wooden frames with nature photographs that I took. I staggered the frames for interest.
Moving around to the TV cabinet, there are two small photos there. A 4x4 inch print of the boys in a very inexpensive wooden frame and a small print in my crafted glassless frame - click here for details. The metal serves a purpose - it conceals the Wii remotes where they stand in the charger.
On the chimney breast we have this professionally-framed portrait of our boys displayed. Taking this photo took about ten years off my life (see here and here for details), so this photo will have pride of place above our fireplace for a long time!
On the mantlepiece are wedding photos. The first frame was super cheap, as was the dark wood one. the faux-suede one was a birthday present and the faux-stone one on the right was a gift from a friend who was visiting from Ireland.
Moving to the left hand corner ...
On the bench I have two pictures - one of Noah in a cheap straw-like frame that I intend to replace with one of Daniel, and a little canvas self-portrait that Noah painted at preschool (which is why I'd like the framed one to be of Daniel, or possibly a drawing of his). I painted a little Ikea easel with dark brown acrylic paint and distressed the edges so that the canvas is nicely displayed.
On the left hand corner wall I framed some photos I took of the boys goofing around. I alternated the frames vertically and horizontally for interest - they are all inexpensive 8x10 inch frames that I painted brown.
To the left of the sofa is another Ikea Malm nightstand that serves as an end table.
On it are two more framed shots of me with the boys when they were younger, and last year's family photo. The faux-suede frame was very cheap and the other was given to me by a friend visiting from New Zealand.
Okay turning around to the back wall, you can see the bookcase. (Do you like my little pumpkin salt and pepper shakers that I got at a car boot sale?)
These are the pictures on the bookcase:
A framed postcard of Jesus, and the two little pictures in the silver frame are of friends:
An off-beat picture of Noah playing:
Our boys and Preston temple:
And then on the wall next to the bookcase is a big brown frame I got for peanuts at a car boot sale, with a photo I took (click here for details):
Living room (26!)
Okay, 26 pictures sounds like a lot but it doesn't look like it in the room, I promise. There are so many mainly because they are small, but I do have a couple of big pieces.
Starting at the right hand wall as you walk into the living room I have four 8x10 inch wooden frames with nature photographs that I took. I staggered the frames for interest.
Moving around to the TV cabinet, there are two small photos there. A 4x4 inch print of the boys in a very inexpensive wooden frame and a small print in my crafted glassless frame - click here for details. The metal serves a purpose - it conceals the Wii remotes where they stand in the charger.
On the chimney breast we have this professionally-framed portrait of our boys displayed. Taking this photo took about ten years off my life (see here and here for details), so this photo will have pride of place above our fireplace for a long time!
On the mantlepiece are wedding photos. The first frame was super cheap, as was the dark wood one. the faux-suede one was a birthday present and the faux-stone one on the right was a gift from a friend who was visiting from Ireland.
Moving to the left hand corner ...
On the bench I have two pictures - one of Noah in a cheap straw-like frame that I intend to replace with one of Daniel, and a little canvas self-portrait that Noah painted at preschool (which is why I'd like the framed one to be of Daniel, or possibly a drawing of his). I painted a little Ikea easel with dark brown acrylic paint and distressed the edges so that the canvas is nicely displayed.
On the left hand corner wall I framed some photos I took of the boys goofing around. I alternated the frames vertically and horizontally for interest - they are all inexpensive 8x10 inch frames that I painted brown.
To the left of the sofa is another Ikea Malm nightstand that serves as an end table.
On it are two more framed shots of me with the boys when they were younger, and last year's family photo. The faux-suede frame was very cheap and the other was given to me by a friend visiting from New Zealand.
Okay turning around to the back wall, you can see the bookcase. (Do you like my little pumpkin salt and pepper shakers that I got at a car boot sale?)
These are the pictures on the bookcase:
A framed postcard of Jesus, and the two little pictures in the silver frame are of friends:
An off-beat picture of Noah playing:
Our boys and Preston temple:
And then on the wall next to the bookcase is a big brown frame I got for peanuts at a car boot sale, with a photo I took (click here for details):
18 October 2009
Picture perfect - studio
Click here for all of the posts in this series
Studio (6)
Moving on into the studio. You've seen these pictures quite recently, but here they are again. The four frames above the desk were custom from my framer. I took the beach-themed photographs.
The picture on my desk is a 5x7 inch print of Daniel in Norway in an inexpensive faux-suede frame.
In one of the alcoves is a 24-inch canvas of a picture I took of Noah on his first birthday.
Studio (6)
Moving on into the studio. You've seen these pictures quite recently, but here they are again. The four frames above the desk were custom from my framer. I took the beach-themed photographs.
The picture on my desk is a 5x7 inch print of Daniel in Norway in an inexpensive faux-suede frame.
In one of the alcoves is a 24-inch canvas of a picture I took of Noah on his first birthday.
17 October 2009
Picture perfect - hallway
I don't like blank walls in my home. I also don't like visual clutter. So I am quite particular about hanging just the right piece of artwork in a particular space.
The other day I realised I have over 60 pieces of art / photographs / framed items / canvases in my home! I thought it would be fun to post them all here on my blog. I also hoped to show that filling your home with art doesn't have to be expensive.
There are way too many pictures to have it all in one post, so I'll separate it out into different posts, room by room - the number in brackets is how many items in that room.
Hallway (3)
On the right hand wall as you enter is a beautiful brushed copper frame I bought at a car boot sale. It's a Venture frame - Venture is a very expensive portrait photography studio here in the UK. I bought it for £3 at a car boot sale. I peeled off the little Venture monogram and stuck an M (for Morris) sticker in its place. Then I cut a piece of fabric to stick in the place of a photo. It's the same fabric as that covering the seat cushion.
The frame isn't actually wonky, that's lens distortion (and my attempt to correct it in Photoshop).
Then on the left hand side you can see two framed photographs between the bench and the shelf unit. Click here for details. The frames were from a charity shop, I took the photos myself.
Click here for all of the posts in this series
The other day I realised I have over 60 pieces of art / photographs / framed items / canvases in my home! I thought it would be fun to post them all here on my blog. I also hoped to show that filling your home with art doesn't have to be expensive.
There are way too many pictures to have it all in one post, so I'll separate it out into different posts, room by room - the number in brackets is how many items in that room.
Hallway (3)
On the right hand wall as you enter is a beautiful brushed copper frame I bought at a car boot sale. It's a Venture frame - Venture is a very expensive portrait photography studio here in the UK. I bought it for £3 at a car boot sale. I peeled off the little Venture monogram and stuck an M (for Morris) sticker in its place. Then I cut a piece of fabric to stick in the place of a photo. It's the same fabric as that covering the seat cushion.
The frame isn't actually wonky, that's lens distortion (and my attempt to correct it in Photoshop).
Then on the left hand side you can see two framed photographs between the bench and the shelf unit. Click here for details. The frames were from a charity shop, I took the photos myself.
Click here for all of the posts in this series
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