GraceLaced » Crafting

The “Fire” Room Spa Room Painting and Design Reveal

Ruth — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:00:28 +0000

I’m finally posting about my third spa room design project for sponsor and local Aveda concept spa, Casa Verde Salon and Spa. You’ll remember that they hired me to redesign each of their three spa rooms, beginning with the “Earth Room,” for which I painted Birch trees. The second one I completed was the “Water Room,” a room that combined a little industrial with a little modern French Recoco. That room received a lovely calla lily painting.

For the “Fire Room,” I painted a crimson oriental poppy…

This is how the “Fire Room” looked before…

And this is how the room turned out, after a fresh coat of paint, new furniture and accessories, and custom wall art detail…

I found some glazed poppy plates from Home Goods and hung them with plate hangers, and turned them into 3-D wall art…

The drapes are from Target, but all other pieces from Home Goods! (We are actually having wood “window sills” put in to the niches to finish the look.

I love how this room turned out. My desire was for this room to feel warm and robust, but sophisticated, modern, and in keeping with the rustic chic styling that continues from room to room. Which is your favorite? Which would you choose if you were off to get a massage? Sigh…a massage is sounding amazing right about now!

If you are local, book one with Casa Verde, and let them know I sent you!

DIY Chalkboard Notecards

Ruth — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 06:00:30 +0000

Chalkboard art is everywhere. It’s super charming, and so simple to create. Well…okay…let me back up. Conceptually, it’s so easy, but in reality, chalkboard art requires lots of practice and a steady hand. If you are new to chalkboard art, here are some helpful how-to tips. And, for inspiration, these are my favorite chalkboard artists (you can buy their prints on etsy here and here!)

Remember when I tried my hand at it? That was NOT a 15 minute project…

I posted about the amazing baby shower thrown in my honor on Tuesday. As a hostess gift for each of the 9 hostesses of my recent baby shower for Number 6, I needed a personal, but affordable gift. I decided to make them each a set of personalized blank notecards with their initials and unique sentiments. There are so many ways you can use this idea. It’s pretty simple…Here’s how you can make your own:

Supplies

blank note cards and matching envelopes (I purchased brown craft paper cards from Hobby Lobby)
black acrylic craft paint
1 inch wide sponge applicator brush
chalk
fixative spray (art supply) or aerosol hairspray

1. With sponge applicator, paint a rectangle “chalkboard” onto the front of your notecard. It really need not be perfect–it’s better if it’s not! Let it dry.

2. With chalk, and font examples, personalize each chalkboard card with an initial, sentiment, or message. Take care not to smear. If you mess up, you can start over by “erasing” with a damp paper towel. (Tip: it helps to soak the chalk in water first.)

3. Once paint is dry and chalk is drawn, set the chalk with a fine mist of fixative spray, or in my case, aerosol hairspray since it’s what I had. (Tip: If you use aerosol hairspray, make sure you are giving it a fine mist, or you will see the hairspray spots.) The chalk will first seem to disappear, then reappear when drying. Let dry completely. Now your chalk won’t smear!

4. Carefully stack your notecards and press between heavy books overnight.

5. Bind notecards and envelopes together with ribbon or string for a lovely gift set!

Let me know if you try this simple project. Wouldn’t it be cute as a blank gift set kit with chalk included? Or as thank you cards? The possibilities are endless!

The “Water” Spa Room Painting and Design Reveal

Ruth — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 06:00:46 +0000

I’m way overdue in posting about this painting and room re-design. I love so many elements in this room, I wish it was at my house! This is the second of three spa rooms at Casa Verde Salon and Spa that I’ve had the privilege of designing and decorating. You may remember that I revealed the “Earth” room last month. The paintings for each room were commissions specifically for the salon. I’m super pleased with the way each room has turned out.

The painting the salon commissioned was for calla lilies. I’ve never painted callas, but quickly fell in love with their sculptural shape and majestic presence.

This was mid-process, which you may have seen if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook…

The calla lily painting completed…

…and as it looks in the completed spa room…

The drapes, furniture, and most decor items for this room were purchased at World Market. You may be noticing how much I enjoy mixing the industrial with the super feminine details. It may have something to do with all my experience mixing feminine details into a masculine home of all boys.

Isn’t this mirror to die for? Goodness…I swoon. I purchased this adorable triple coat hook from World Market, and framed it with a white scatter frame from Hobby Lobby. The chalkboard is from World Market, the chalkboard art is from me. …and the panoramic view of the entire room…

Thanks for all your sweet comments on Facebook and on the last spa room post. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to use my love for art and decor in a way that blesses others and benefits my family. God has been gracious to provide in this way, and I am enjoying the work, but ultimately, the experience of seeing His creation made beautifully tangible through the use of my hands.

Mural, Painting, and Spa Room Design Reveal

Ruth — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 07:09:17 +0000

I’ve been blessed with some opportunities lately to combine my artistic skills and interior design interest. Casa Verde, an Aveda Salon and Spa, hired me to redesign the decor of their three rooms for spa treatments. The three rooms are themed individually: Earth, Water, and Fire. If you follow me on instagram, you’ve seen sneak peeks of the process throughout the last few weeks. I have just completed the Earth room this week, and am excited to share it with you! I hope there are ideas you can take away from this project that will inspire you in your own spaces at home!

I was given the freedom to create the color and concept of this room from start to finish…It was so fun! I chose paint colors: Behr “Squirrel”, Martha Stewart “Bedford Gray”, and Behr “Powdered Snow.” (If you’ve been following my kitchen remodel, you may recognize these paint colors!) I chose to go with a serene palette that would feel soothing, yet sophisticated. Aspens/Birch trees are a perfect choice for this palette. (You may remember that I painted similar ones two years ago for Number 5′s owl themed nursery.) The mural was completed first…

Then, the 3′x3′ acrylic painting on gallery-wrapped, stretched canvas. Here it is in progress…one of many many layers. I often painted in dim light to make sure the painting would look right in a dark room…

And, lastly, I picked furnishings and decor for the space that tied in natural elements and a pop of green with artificial succulents. All items for this room were purchased at HomeGoods and TJ Maxx.

Because this room is always very dim while in use, I chose textures, lines, and colors that would hold their own even in dim, candlelit light. I wish I could capture how my painting looks in the dark…it’s eery and wonderful.

The natural twig/vine spheres hanging over the bed are hung on fishing line. They don’t photograph particularly well, but add a bit of whimsy, earthiness, and sightly distraction from the ceiling fixtures. Just take my word for it.

I picked up a linen-covered dressform to hold accessories and clothing during the spa treatment. I am currently making a sweetly framed sign that will hang from a chain around the dressform neck…to invite clients to drape the dressform while they are getting pampered.

Next up is the “Water Room.” The salon has asked for a painting of calla lilies, and I will be designing that room as well. I’m sure I’ll post pics on the GraceLaced Facebook page and instagram as I go along! I’m truly thankful for the opportunity to do a little creative work outside the home. It has been a great honor to be featured as an artist and designer! These creative giftings are from God, and it brings me great satisfaction and joy to reflect the beauty of His creation and creativity by using what gifts He’s entrusted to me.

Have a great weekend, friends…soak up God’s beautiful creation all around!

Birthday Boy Tea Party

Ruth — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:00:40 +0000

Number 4 turned 4 last week. My little man requested a “real” tea party, and I gladly obliged. Who says you can’t enjoy a civilized affair of tea and finger sandwiches with young gentlemen, just as you would with young ladies. I’ve always enjoyed teatime with my boys, but we’ve never gone to such great lengths for little people.

My birthday boy happened to want pink cupcakes and special treats, but he would’ve been happy with pb & j with his friends. Teatime is all about sharing an would-be ordinary moment of tea and munchies in the extraordinary way of savoring and slowness. We all need a little more of savoring and slowness, don’t you think?

Here are some highlights from his special little celebration…

On the menu…cheesecake stuffed strawberries

…scones with clotted cream and lemon curd…

…deviled eggs, cheddar slices cut out as flowers, and chicken sandwiches with cranberries and almonds…

…and ridiculously pink and rainbow-y cupcakes baked in mason jars (my juice glasses) because I ran out of cupcake liners…

…and plenty of tea for all.

I even got creative and tried out the infamous DIY Sharpie dinnerware idea floating around Pinterest, as a fun way to personalize a party favor…but alas, it is not as permanent as they claim. (FYI: Black stays put fairly well, but not so much with the colors. I will be redo-ing these with ceramic paint pens…)

BTW…do you see my pantry and tile in the background here? This was taken just a day before the demolition began…

…and this pic, taken by my friend Noel, really gives you a sense of what my kitchen and pantry looked like just last week!

Little man No. 4 had a wonderful time, and delighted in a day of details. Life with five kids sometimes forces me to paint in broad strokes, but what a blessing it is to take time to celebrate each of my children by adding special one-of-a-kind hues and features to the canvases of each of their lives.

Only this little one could’ve requested such an unabashedly decadent and frilly affair. And dressed up in his western shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots, this young man-in-the-making celebrated his fourth with an appreciation for the SWEET and SPECIAL.

Just like him.

Gratitude and Murmuring + Free Printables

Ruth — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:00:56 +0000

Gratitude is en vogue, is it not? And there is indeed no shortage of thanksgiving this time of year…

…however, if my own life is any indication, complaining and murmurings can often be as plentiful as the observances of gratitude.

I’m so tired of _______.
Why me?
Can I just get a break?

It’s not pretty. But these murmurings of complaint really do leave my lips…and I forget that there is no room for both gratitude and murmuring.

A perennial favorite around here, E.M. Bounds cuts right down to what it is to be more than simply thankful in our hearts, but with our lips as well.

A little gift for you today…2 free 8×10 printables of this great reminder.

Download the first one here.

And this one here.

Blessings to you, friends. I pray that praise and thanksgiving will be so full within our hearts that there would simply be no room for grumbling and complaining today and throughout this holiday season.

The Painting Process: Sunny Sunflower

Ruth — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:00:52 +0000

My dear friend, Susan, has been redecorating her home, a room at a time. It’s such an honor when a friend loves your artwork enough to invest in more than one piece for her home. While she already owned the Sepia Rose for her master bedroom, Susan commissioned me to do a custom piece to coordinate with her family room. Her drapery fabric is the Simone pattern from Pottery Barn:

The challenge was to choose a subject that matches her personality, the feel of her home, and the colors represented in this fabric. Susan loves sunflowers for their bold, cheery, and warm presence.

I started out with red sunflowers, but didn’t like how it would look against a beige wall, and adjacent to a robin’s egg blue wall in the kitchen. Though these instagram pics don’t show it, the positioning of these red sunflowers just didn’t feel quite right…

…so I painted over them. You may remember that I’ve described my painting process before. Painting over is not always wasteful, but rather an exquisite way to add unexpected layers of translucent color and texture.

Life is the same way, friends. Your life is layers upon layers of experiences, trials, suffering, and joys that add up to a complex canvas of woven stories. It wouldn’t be nearly so beautiful without them!

In the end, I painted a vase full of yellow sunflowers. Unfortunately, these photos don’t do the color variations justice. I was really excited that I truly captured the colors represented in the fabric swatch…how I wish you could see it in person! The 3′ x 4′ painting turned out so warm and inviting…I couldn’t be more pleased, or honored to be a focal point in my friend’s home.

If you are interested in commissioning a custom painting, please don’t hesitate to contact me for more info!

Have a blessed day, friends!

I’m so blessed that you’re here! I invite you to subscribe to GraceLaced!

Vintage Soda Bottles Become Vases

Ruth — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Sometimes it’s all in the details. Details don’t have to be expensive, fancy, or extravagant. It’s most satisfying when you use what you have to create something special.

I recently dressed up the entry to my potager for a party I hosted in the garden. Don’t they seem to just say, “Welcome!”

I’m at Beautifully Rooted today, sharing a tutorial on how to make this cluster of hanging vintage soda bottle vases. Come check out the step by step instructions!

Mason Jar Chandelier For The Arbor

Ruth — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 11:00:42 +0000

You know I’ve been obsessed with all things mason jar for a long time. I’ve used them to light the backyard and for drinking iced coffee, and now, I’ve finally turned them into a light fixture for the arbor! I recently held a birthday party in the garden, which provided the perfect excuse to complete a DIY lighting project I had seen here and here. It’s a fairly simple project, unlike the electrically wired mason jar chandelier I had hoped to make for the dining room (and decided against in favor of a happy marriage. ). You can do it in a day, so give it a try!

You will need:

One 1″ x 6′ piece of pine
a drill
a jigsaw
a compass
4 pint sized mason jars with lids
jute rope
acrylic caulk
4 votive candles (I used large tealights from IKEA)
2 hooks for hanging

Start by cutting your pine to the length you would like your overall chandelier. Space the mason jars out evenly, and mark the center point where each jar will be place. You can trace the lid, but we chose to use a compass to measure and draw the circumference of the smaller side of the tapered lid. Drill a hole at the center point, then cut along the circumference with your jigsaw. Keep in mind the curf of your blade. (Test on scrap metal if needed…you want your ring of your lid to fit in the hole you cut!)

Apply a small bead of acrylic caulk around the outer edge of the lid, and press into the prepared openings. Clean excess with a dry rag. Let dry according to caulk instructions on tube. It should be ready in a few hours.

Drill a hole (the same diameter as the rope you are using) at each of the corners.

Measure the distance you want your chandelier to hang, double the length and add about 6 inches. Cut two lengths of that measurement. Thread each end each length of rope through the pair of holes on the ends of the chandelier. Knot the ends securely underneath the board (on the side with the lid opening of course…) Install hooks for hanging…

…and attach your mason jars. It helps to have your candles already placed inside!

Light from above openings…

…and enjoy the ambience and glow!

I’m so blessed that you’re here! I invite you to subscribe to GraceLaced!

A Birthday Party In The Potager

Ruth — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:00:06 +0000

My potager’s all grown up. Its not simply feeding our family with veggies, it is serving our family in hospitality. Our potager made a lovely debut last weekend, playing host to a birthday gathering for my dear friend, Tara — a friend of 17 years!

As an aside, a friendship is much like a garden, isn’t it? The soil of like-mindedness must be tilled, the seeds of trust are planted, then watered with God’s Grace. With diligent weeding with honesty and courage, the enjoyment of the glorious bouquets from the garden is bountiful.

A garden, a celebration, a few good friends, and a mini dessert buffet in honor of a sweet birthday girl:

…some of the birthday girl’s favorite things…

…remember how I strung some lights and decided to make the most of what space we have? I’m so thankful to have this tiny piece of suburbia!

…I finally made a mason jar chandelier (tutorial later this week!)…

…my trusty ol’ caramel recipe makes for easy entertaining…

…and vintage soda bottle vases (tutorial coming soon for this one too!) add a little “welcome” to the pergola entry.

It was a special evening to remember!