Burlap Kitchen Curtain Valances

A while ago, I told you I would show you some curtain valances I made using burlap.

I really love the understated elegance of burlap.

I have it sprinkled throughout my home. These are in my kitchen.

I find it to be a great neutral, which is something I am really embracing this year.

This DIY project cost me $8.00 for the burlap at Michael's craft store.

I did find the burlap very dusty while working with it.   Give it a good shake outside before messing with it.  Better yet.  Find a fabric that looks like burlap..

Once, I got them all up.  I've left them alone and love the way they look.

What do you think?

Wall Stick Twig Word Art

Hi again,

I don't think I ever told you about this project I made last winter.

It's something I am still enjoying.

I had gone outside to pickup all the sticks that had fallen from my trees in the yard.

Then, I got to wondering.

What could I make with these?

Maybe, I could paint them with stripes and put them in vases?

Instead, I did this.

It has been one of my most favorite art projects.  I adore seeing it hanging above my kitchen table.

If, I get tired of the natural wood, I think I may paint it.

But for now, I have no plans to change it.

I'm sorry, I have no pictures of me making it.

It was very easy.

I broke the branches into the size I needed, and started to lay them out on my floor to spell out my word.

I used my handy hot glue gun to glue them together.

Another EZPZ project.

Quiet Reflection - New Painting

A friend recently inquired whether I had any new art to share.

I've been quiet on my blog.  

So this is for you my friend.  Thank you for encouraging me.

This is some recent work.  I hope you like it. 

                                                

                    Quiet Reflection 

Rest & Relaxation at the Hotel Indigo San Antonio/Riverwalk.

Have you been to the Hotel Indigo in San Antonio on the Riverwalk?  My husband and I recently stayed at this hotel.  I heard about it through the money saving site called Groupon.  We knew we wanted to go to Texas to see my hubby (Michael's) mom.  She lives in Ingram, TX which is about
an hour away from San Antonio.

It was fun to get away and have a change of scenery.  Spending time with his mom, and her girlfriend.  It's hard when family is in another state.  You don't get to see them as often as you would like.

We visited a cowboy town http://www.banderacowboycapital.com/ and had a sandwich at a restaurant known for their BLT's.

We shopped at this fantastic store http://www.campverdegeneralstore.com/main/index.php which had exquisite art and jewelry, and so much more.  It was inspiration everywhere.

I found some watercolor crayons.

I'd heard about them but had never tried them.  It was great to have some time back at the hotel in the evening to play with my color crayons.  You just color in your picture, add water and TaDa.  Water colors happen.  Here is some art I made one afternoon, while enjoying our large rooftop balcony at the hotel.

The Hotel Indigo is a beauty of a hotel with all the amenities.  We loved that we were minutes from the riverwalk where we could walk to restaurants or hop on the boat that takes you back and forth along the river.  We bought a $15.00, 24 hour pass, which meant we could catch the boat for all our riverwalk activities.

We enjoyed the variety of restaurants and shops.  One night we ate at the Mexican Restaurant, Rio Rio and listened to the Mariachi band.  I have yet to travel to Venice, but, I understand that this riverwalk resembles the look and feel.

This is not a sponsored blog post.  

Hotel Indigo/San Antonio Riverwalk is a great hotel.  The staff is so very attentive, and the hotel is clean and beautiful.  The rooms are spacious and quiet.  They have lots of area's to relax and enjoy the sunshine.  A pool area, outdoor lounge area and a cafe/bar.  I liked the entrance of the hotel, it has this Tuscan feel. Do you remember the t.v. show Melrose Place?  It's like that.

Our room was beautiful and spacious with a wall mural that truly inspired me.  My husband and I really lucked out because we had a room on the third floor with a large balcony where we could privately enjoy the sunshine and moonlight each day.

The restaurant is small and only open at certain times of the day.  But, the food was delicious!

If you find yourself in San Antonio, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Hotel Indigo Riverwalk, They have other locations around the globe you might want to check out.  I know we will.

Thank you Hotel Indigo for treating my husband and I like special guests.  We will be back!

My Review Of EcoGecko Earth Globe Air Revitalizer - H20

It's usually at this point in February where I say, "Okay, enough winter all ready."  I'm so tired of dry skin, hair, air, dry everything.  We need moisture!  Our weather temperatures were cold enough where it felt like the furnace was running constantly.

I like to add moisture to the air as it seems to help my allergies, and my head feels so much better when there is moisture in the air.

So, I put a big stainless steel pot filled with water on the stove and turned the heat up high.  Problem is, I forgot about it on the stove and yes, you guessed it.  The pot had run dry.  What an awful smell that makes, not to mention it pretty much destroyed my good pot.

Today, my husband gifted me with this EcoGecko Earth Globe - H20.  No more ruining pots on the stove and possibly burning the house down.  I was very excited to give this a go.

I filled it with water, added a couple drops of the Lavender essential oil they included with the product, put the lid on, and plugged it in.  The water swirls in the basin and within seconds the air is filled with a nicely scented dewy moisture.

Oh my!

It's like a diffuser, but better, and here is why:

The Shimmering, blue LED light and whirlpool of water create a tranquil environment.
The Oil adds a nice aroma that freshens the air.
It has an adjustable speed that you can turn down or up for the whirlpool action.
Revitalizes a room of approximately 600 square feet.
Big basin for the water so it can run a long time.
Low cost to operate
Easy to clean and safe to use.
Air purifies as the water removes dust and contaminants from the air.

I have the silver one, and I would estimate it to be almost the size of a soccer ball.

Now, I just have to find the perfect place to put it. Most likely in a room we spend the most time in.


If you would like to order one for yourself, here's how.

Click Picture to Purchase
$64.99
$10.00 S & H
 (USA Only)

Weekend Art and Pet Photography.

I've been enjoying a very nice weekend playing with the pups. I love trying to get pictures of them that show their personalities. I'm finding that pet photography has become my new passion.

I also realized I haven't been working on my art on a regular basis and I'm missing the way it makes me feel. Being creative is so good for me. So I got busy and did these.

Yes, that's right.  I'm all about the fun! Who's with me?

A New Twist On The Chocolate Chip Cookie

Last night, my son surprised me by making Chocolate Chip Cookies with a New Twist.

He used the Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe listed on the back of their bag.

The surprising twist was that he added about a cup of mini marshmallows to the cookie dough.

This added a nice gooey texture and taste to the cookie. If the marshmallows were on the outside of the cookie it gave the cookie a nice chewy toffee taste and crispy texture. 

I encourage you to give it a try.

My family gave it a thumbs up.