give a girl a paintbrush...

Yet another moment in parenting where I am learning to 'let it go' and foster our kid's creative expression.  Because yes, yes our five year old did just paint her wall.

Mama drew the outlines... and then she slap-happily brushed the paint on (while I 'touched up' the final bits... because I just can't fully 'let it go').

This project was the result of her declaring that her side of the room should be her favourite colours - pink/purple.  Her brother could keep all this delightful 'boyish' green on his side.

Sensing and impasse I used the age-old trick of distraction, and offered her the option of just painting some flowers, or swirls... or birds.

Birds, of course!

Our house is filled with them, and trees (and bunting) all throughout our nest.

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It's funny, this was another moment when I looked back with gratitude for how my folks raised me.  Some parents would have likely balked at letting their kids assert their creative fingerprint on their home decor.. my parents embraced it.  I think that was very empowering for my individual expression and confidence as I grew up.  They didn't bat an eyelash (at least outwardly) when I wanted to do all sorts of craziness to my room.  Or, when I wanted to shave half my head.  Or, when I wanted to wear a tux to my grade 8 grad... etc.

As I grow in this parenting thing, I'm learning (even from my own parents) to not sweat the small things - and to recognize what the small things are! 

It's a beautiful thing to see their creativity take flight.

Mel ;o)

 

creARTures great and small:

 There is something so wonderful about a shared delight.

I love painting.

The kids love painting.

We all feast together in this creative communion.

Maybe this is how the techy parent feels when they see their kids hack a computer.  Maybe this is why the sporty parent delights to see their child thrive at the game.  Maybe we all just love to see our kids embracing something of our own heart.

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm forcing them to like what I enjoy... or trying to live vicariously through them. It just brings such a deep joy that's hard to really describe, when I see those small hands pick up a paintbrush and so confidently swirl and splatter out their unique souls on to the canvas.

Then, I stop and wonder.. maybe this is just a hint of what God must feel about his kids.

When we have that shared delight.

The Creator and his created who love to create.

I feel his pleasure when I paint.

Just saw this quote today.. and it's fitting:
“All my life nature and art have been reminding me of something I’ve never seen.” (C.S. Lewis)

creatively yours,
Mel ;o)
 

tweet family painting fun:

Hello there friends,

Today we just wanted to share a fun little project we finally finished as a family here.

Taking our inspiration from a tweet mug a friend had given me.. we set off painting.

The kids love working on a 'mama project', and we all work alongside each other through each stage.

We used fabric to get the bird patter motifs in place.. but, I would recommend using scrapbook paper for anyone else out there - as it lays flat and wouldn't bubble up with the paint.

We added all the 'sand/grit' texture to try and camouflage a bit of that fabric blunder.

Most of my art comes from 'fixing' mistakes, actually.

Another creative and colourful addition to our nest here.

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

scribble and script.

 So, I haven't posted any comics lately... but I've still been doodling!

I guess like every.one else on the pinternet, I do love fonts and artsy script work.  Lately I've put my favourite song lyrics and scripture verses up around the kitchen, after doodling them out with watercolour pencils and pens at the dining table.

The first "It is well" picture was for a friend.

The second is from a powerful song that gets stuck in my head.

The kids and I have also been having fun creating and painting.

This is the first coat of a project we're still putting the finishing touches on, stay tuned. 

What are you creating lately?

Mel ;o)

 

my art. her art:

 
My recent paintings.

8"x8" mini landscapes.

Her recent paintings.

A new 'gallery wall' to brighten up our living room/kids creative corner.

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Art is like exhaling.

We love creating in our nest here!

Mel ;o)

D.I.Y: ombre painted dresser.

 

 Hello lovelies,

I know you've already seen our kid's room in past posts... but here's the latest addition to the room (no, we're still waiting for the baby to arrive!).  That dresser on the left I painted up this weekend.... you know, just nesting like mad around here.

We thrifted it recently to jam full of our son's clothing (and take the pressure off the closet that was bulging with baby clothes in diaper boxes).  It was a glossy oil cream colour with lots of chipped areas down to the dark wood.

Step 1: Super-adherent primer.

Light sanding, wipe down.

Step 2: I painted the sides/top in a glossy "Cloud White".

Step 3: Take three progressively darker tones of a colour - in this case - green.

Top drawer is the lightest tone.

Second drawer is a mix of the middle tone with the lightest.

Third drawer is the middle tone.

Four is a mix of middle tone with the darkest shade.

Last/bottom drawer is the darkest green.

(Step 4: I added a quick nature element of white stripes as 'birch trees' using the hard handle tip of the brush to then scratch out some textural details in to  the trees).

This house is officially ready and waiting for our next new addition!

Nesting mama,

Mel ;o)  

rainbows in winter.

Today is a snowy, icy, blustery, wintery Monday.

The sky and the ground are white washed.

So we are splashing the palette of the rainbow inside today!

Have a colour-full Monday friends!

Mel ;o)

Recent creations and distractions...

Hey there friends,

I just thought I'd show you a few more of the recent creation'ings I've been working on around here.  My creative side is definitely back in full swing with this festive season.. and we're making up for lost time it looks like.

The above 'Noel' deer was a painting I whipped up as a distraction while creating for last weekend's Craft show.  I do that a lot.

With the pressure to get one project done.. I invent other ones to be distracted with instead.

I just wanted something more festive for our walls, while all my art is up in local coffee shops.

Those hoops I painted/stitched were also in preparation for last weekend's show.  They were quite the hit... especially my fox/owl options.

Yes, the craft show went well for those who were wondering.  While I regretted not being able to attend the Saturday show, it was still a good day selling there Sunday - despite a quiet pace of customers.  Thanks to those who made it out!

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IF any locals want to order some last minute items from my shop, just shoot me an e-mail and we can arrange delivery/pick-up!

needleandnestdesign@live.com

Hope y'all are having a merry day out there!
mel ;o)

D.I.Y: paint dipped pinecones (kid-friendly).

Finally.. an actual Do.It.Yourself crafty project from this blog... I bet you just choked on your egg nog to see this miracle!

Granted, we did quite a similar creation last Christmas.. (you may recall dipping pine cones in red paint with my daughter).

Anywho ~ this is one of those kid-friendly projects to decorate the house with for this festive season.

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1. Dip pine cones halfway into a can of paint.  Let drip dry/brush off excess.

(Kids love dipping... but it's less messy if you just dry brush paint straight on to the cones).

2. While paint is still wet.. sprinkle sparkles all over it.

(Yes, this mama finally caved and brought the dreaded demon of sparkles into our nest!).

3.  Once they are dry, the adult can hot glue a dab at the base of pine cone and attach pretty ribbon or twine to hang the decor in your window.  Ours are all dangling in our large living room window... with this gorgeous view outside today:

Goodness, it's a merry sight!

Happy crafting with yourself.. or your kiddos!

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

Latest Painting: Patchwork Valley.

Good Monday morning to you friends.

I mentioned last week'ish that I would update you on the final outcome of this recent commissioned painting I was working on.

Voila.

Those with a stunning memory for detail may recall that this painting used to be my muted/foggy version of Patchwork Valley.  I opted to give it a more vibrant tone - with a glowing sunrise through the sky.  The rolling fields are more lush greens, and clusters of sheep and red flowers are speckled throughout.  The little house in the foreground became a little chapel as well.

The sky is a lighter blue than seen here.. but you get the idea.

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(Alterations were made to suit this painting as a gift for a sweet couple that are moving away from our church/city.  I wanted them to take a bit of their familiar countryside with them to a bigger city, and to remind them of a little chapel they spent many tireless years serving and encouraging at).

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In other painting news:  for any local folks wanting to see some of my larger paintings ~ they are back out on display at Haaselton's Coffee Shop downtown.

*I'll also be selling my mini Skyscapes paintings (5"x7") at the upcoming Focus Fair on Sun.Dec.8th at the SPILL coffee shop - 11-4pm!!

I'd love to send you home with one of my painted creations over the holidays!

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

 

Lately here...

Today I got to paint!

It's kind of a big deal.

For over the past six months most of my 'creative energy' has been sapped by this new creation growing in my tummy.  I've missed crafting/painting/sewing so SO much.

Those of you who remember how saturated this blog once was with recent projects/d.i.y's will have likely noticed this absence as well.  Um, sorry?

(It seems that a pile of visitors have come across this blog through projects they've seen on Pinterest/google searches.. and then if they stick around they get the 'bait n' switch' of me not being so creative and just ranting/confessing/rambling about family life and motherhood and where my heart is at lately.  But I'm ok with this blog shifting, and for those of you who have stuck with me.. thanks)!

Anyway.. it feels great to be forced back to creating again.

In that, this recent painting is another commissioned piece I've been working on.

I'll show y'all when it's done - just imagine a colourful large sky and rolling country hills.

Having the space to create in our bedroom/studio is kind of a big deal too.

It means we've finally booted our girl + her bed out of my studio corner.. and in to her room with the fitful younger sleeping brother.

(That's still a mess... and I'm afraid I'll be used to not really ever sleeping well again by the time they hopefully do sort out their sleeping patterns, ah well).

Having a husband that helps entertain the kids while I sneak off during daylight hours is the biggest help - so thanks Ben!

Creating is a rare gift nowadays, I'm savouring every second I get.

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

The perfect palette... picked!

Just thought I'd quickly update you on a successful colour crush I've found here.

You all know how much I love turquoise anything by now right?

But picking the perfect paint tone for this was like nailing Jell-O to a wall.  I'd stare for ages at the colour decks where I work (Benjamin Moore) and continually waffle between: "too blue" "too green"  "too bright"  "too gray".

Honestly, I'd be my own worst customer for making a choice of paint colour!

Sometimes the real trick is to find something else you love that's already in the colour you crave (a scarf, a painting, a piece of pottery) then find the paint chip to match it.

Voila ~ the perfect turquoise for me!

I got slap-happy with my paintbrush and brought this old wooden high-chair back to life.

Scuffing it up after ward for that yummy distressed look. 

Now that I've finally settled on a paint colour, it actually was the perfect pick.  It already goes with a lot of the turquoise pops of colour in our home... even the kid's room curtains.  So I'll be splashing more of it in there.

It even matches the tone of my turquoise/wood earrings I have for sale.

 So.. that's something.

For anyone wanting that perfect bold pop of colour... here's my top pick:

 

I wouldn't paint an entire room in it.. just highlight pieces.

A more subdued antique tone that I would love on our walls would be HC-144 Palladian Blue. 

Gosh, I am such a colour geek.

What's your perfect palette?

Mel ;o)

tour the nest: bathroom makeover.

Well what do you know.. this preggo mama mustered up the hutzpah to repaint our bathroom this past week!  I thought it would be fun to show you the colour transformation here.

 

 If you recall from the past house (nest) tours, our bathroom used to be a dramatic dark brown.

Throughout our house, you'll know that I am a fan of COLOUR.  In fact, I would never have considered myself someone who could go 'grey' or 'off-white' with wall colours... but I'm happily shocked pleased with this soothing result.  Granted, I still plan to paint that brown high chair a wild turquoise real soon.... muahahah).

The wall paint is Benjamin Moore's OC-28 colour named Collingwood.

(side-note: working for Benjamin Moore... I get to see first hand how every.body.and.their.dog is buying GREY paint nowadays!)  I don't usually follow 'trend colours' but this transformation was worth the sell out. ;o)

 

And yes, the built in soap holder is still a perch for my bird's nests.. and pottered birdie I made.

Our daughter gushed with delight at the "beautiful painting" and the "pretty smell" of the Aura Bath and Spa collection I was using... she's funny like that.

Our retinas are still getting used to how BRIGHT it is when we stumble in there first thing in the morning... but overall, a fresh makeover for our growing nest!

Any home reno's/decor on your horizon?

Mel ;o)

SHOP: paint dipped, wood pendants!

I still have a few of these geometric + gold pendants left!

Thought I better throw them in the SHOP for you lovelies to get your hands on.

They are light-weight wooden 'coins' just over an inch wide.

Here's what's left:

Brown wire necklace:

2 - turquoise pendants.

1- orange pendant

1- pink pendant

Red wire necklace:

2 - red pendants

2 - cream pendants

1 - orange pendant 

Since these are the last of their kind.. I'll do a special of $20 PayPal . (FREE shipping).

I'll keep it updated here for availability too.

Holler: needleandnestdesign@live.com

Happy shopping friends!

Creatively yours,

Mel ;o)

here + there.

birds of a feather.

beach baby.

day-dreamer daughter.

laundry + leaf holder.

splashing toes.

picking a painting.

summer solstice

aahhhhhhdorable.

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So here's another week, another peek at the moments that filled our nest.

Yes, the summer solstice ushered in a sticky humid heatwave to these parts.

Many a hissy fit has been had (even by the kids too)!  Did you know that one of the first places to start sweating on me is my nose..?!  If that place is a-glistening, my temper gets a-bristling.

Yeah, I'm not a real *heat* lover.

So, it's been lots of hiding in the shade, or kiddie pools, or beaches around here.

In other news, the cafe art show ended up being a fun success, so wooo!  I told Azriel she could pick out a favourite from the 'leftovers' for the kids room.  She grabbed the one right under her nose saying "pink and brown is my favourite, so I want this one".  Cutie.

Oh, and guess what?  Today after work yesterdat... I got to see our big boy take his first real steps!!

He's been free-standing a lot lately - with much applause.  Now he's a junkie for the ovations.. so he waddled across the room last night and delighted us all!  It only took him 16 months to get off his cute bottom!

Oh, he also loves to haul himself up into the brown chair there.. and sit like a king surveying his domain.  The cats have some cute competition for the throne now.

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What's happening in your corner of the world this week?

Have a beauty day,

mel ;o)