WEEK FIVE: I HEART Typography + New Art

I'M SURE YOU DO THIS TOO! Each year, I rack my brain to come up with Christmas gifts that are meaningful. I've prided myself on trying to remember the something special, mentioned months ago, that I purposely stored in the deep depths, or recesses, of my brain knowing full well, it would make a great gift down the road. That's the gift I'm after!

Selfishly, I'm really just looking for the "WOW" comment or the "You definitely put some thought into this one" remark. I revel in seeing people excited about gifts they've been given. <INSERT Christmas Story scene where Ralphie opens up his NEW Red Ryder BB Gun> Now, that's the reaction I crave! 

AND THIS YEAR, I think I might have actually hit the mark--well--who knows, maybe Leaf tickets would have resonated louder! Believe-you-me, I'm pretty sure my art-appreciating, sentimental husband truly liked this year's Christmas gift. Regardless, we certainly checked off a few items on the proverbial "decor" list: a meaningful + relevant gift, new art for the house, big art to make a statement and of course, a piece that will bring back memories every time we look at it.

PUTTING IT TOGETHER. A super simple project if you've used Adobe Photoshop before. To start, craft a list of all those places you've been solo or with your partner: TOWN, CITY, COUNTRY, NEIGHBOURHOOD NICKNAME, etc. Pick a background color, height, width and of course, font and you're ready to go! Now just hone up on your leading (space 1/8 inch between words) and you're good to go.

NEXT GOAL: To display this puppy down at our local funky outdoor apparel store in town (retailing for $150/each; no framing) and see if I get any bites.
If you're interested in one for an anniversary gift, a wedding gift or just for fun, e-mail me at: mavisblu@gmail.com.

framing = $400 (Frames on Wheels, Salisbury, CT)
battleship blue steel frame; white on white matte.

WEEK THREE: Jalapeño Pepper + CITY/Jungle + Baby Room Design

DISCLAIMER: NO—I AM NOT PREGNANT + HAVE NO IMMEDIATE PLANS!!!

The dreaded CAT room—the third bedroom that we have yet to do anything with. Our bedroom is complete; the spare-room sits decorated waiting on visitors and then there is, THE ROOM that stores hockey equipment, Andrew’s suits, the four boxes we’ve yet to open from the move… and our cat! In an attempt to re-invigorate this space, I figured what better excuse then a baby’s room.

My inspiration for the room was easy, the city! What could be more playful than soaring skyscrapers with jungle vines growing from the roof tops, paired with a lion/cab motif? Voila! J

FYI--I still have a little left to complete but here's where I stand so far. 

DETAILS: Thank you Mr. Benjamin Moore for coming up with such a bright and playful green, Jalapeño Pepper. Thank you to my great husband for helping me paint. VERY EXCITED MOMENT: I recently inherited my very own over-head projector! <insert a small jump with clicking heels> Yes, a dinosaur of sorts but the best gadget to have when you’re drawing big murals on walls or canvas. Thank you Salisbury Math Department. The design came via google images; I’m not sure who to give credit to but the original was an amazing line drawing. I mocked it up on over-head paper (not cheap I might add$$) and traced it on to our walls. The lions and cabs were quick drawings AND DONE! Now, I just need furniture to complete the space—stay tuned for more pics.

WEEK ONE: Back From The Framers----

WEEK ONE:
Similar to a DIET--now that I've said I don't want "chocolate", I want it that much more...
I swear it's almost a habit (or need for noise in sleepy CT) of turning on the TV when I get home. I know, pathetic! So last night I refrained from the tube and instead, headed to our local framer to pick up my latest art project.

One thing that NW CT has in abundance, is antiques. While searching through some of the antique shops that litter Rt. 44, Andrew and I found a 1931 MA plate that we thought was pretty cool. I'm not sold on collecting plates but, at the time, we had thoughts of creating a vertical art piece for the house--so this seemed to work. Insert OH, VT, ME, NY, RI, MO and ONTARIO, collected over the last few months and we were set. Below, a few pics of our most recent art piece. I love that our ONTARIO plate is bright red!

Plates: $20-$30/each; Framing: $400.

RURALurbanist BEGINS----

I LOVE THE CITY (AND I MISS IT EVEN MORE!) -- the excitement of busy streets, the cultural hot spots that continually change, live music weekly (thanks K+A), foodie finds or tried-and-true, go-to sushi joints, boutique shopping (or shopping that isn't an hour away) and in general, the CREATIVITY that seems to radiate around you when you live in civilization!

BUT ALAS, I moved to what could be deemed as the polar opposite of what I covet. I traded in my SUBWAY PASS and BLOOR STREET for the SLEEPY and UNDISTURBED FOOTHILLS of the BERKSHIRES. Although, I have to admit--I have found a soft spot for my new outdoor-esque lifestyle (maybe it's just the cool people I've met)!

SO WHY THE BLOG? Well, I needed some inspiration and since very little was finding me, I had to find a way to create it myself. After two years of denial over my move and trying to find my bearings in NW CT, I have found myself more interested in turning on the TV and letting it entertain me than learning ways to entertain myself (with my own talents and interests). I'm sick of living someone else's reality-tv-life and thought I would create my own (no matter how mundane). I've boxed up my inner creator/creative and am ready for it BACK!

ENTER 2011 and the start of RURALurbanist--I'm destined to take advantage of my six-year stint in CT. This blog will be dedicated to posts about my latest DIY art project, my newest gym work-outs (I love a good work-out fad!), running, my two-year old weim/lab, foodie inspirations, decorating and anything creative that falls in between.

SO HERE GOES...I'm giving up TV for 365 days! The RURALurbanist is UNPLUGGED, has her inner-creative DIVA IN CHECK and is ready to BLOG ABOUT IT!