My new toy came... Learning how to sew!

My new toy came! It is new Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine. Yes, heavy duty because I plan on sewing heavier fabrics like canvas, french ticking and grain sacks. Now I have to learn how to use it! Any class suggestions? Any fabric source suggestions? Here are some fabrics I am craving... I am going to need a warehouse for all of my craft stuff!

Doggy fabric for Family Room pillows.

Grain Sack for Living Room and Kitchen Table.

Lovely trims for something!

The Emporium at Kudzu Originals is Open!

I love this. I have made several.

emporium [ɛmˈpɔːrɪəm]

n pl -riums, -ria [-rɪə]

(Business / Commerce) a large retail shop offering for sale a wide variety of merchandise

[from Latin, from Greek emporion, from emporos merchant, from poros a journey]

The Emporium at Kudzu Originals is now open on ETSY! It has a been a journey getting there. Organizing my things, my thoughts and defining my style. Hence the name emporium, a JOURNEY with a WIDE variety of merchandise. Since my long hiatus from blogging, I have really tried to define what I love and what makes me happy. ( And strangely, a few graphic projects along the way!) I read a lot of other blogs and ripped images out of magazines. I love art, photography and interiors. I love old things. I love personalized items and monograms. I love handmade. I love making something from scratch. I must really like the color red and and blue. I love old furniture, french style and industrial. I love paint just out of the tube. I love Caleb's selection of crayon choices. I am learning how to LIVE with what I LOVE and make it all work together. The start of my ETSY store is a small sampling of what I like and hope you like too. Something small to add to your home or to give as a meaningful gift. And I guess if I do what I LOVE, then I will LOVE what I do!

The JOURNEY begins!

Starting 2011 off Right!

This year is the year I do something about our very sad master bedroom. To get motivated, I ordered a canvas from Canvas On Demand to go over our massive king size bed that I have been pondering about what to do over it. I am not an interior designer, but I LOVE art and old things and pretty things, so maybe I have hope to make a nice space?! I am crossing my fingers that I find a really nice salvage pediment from the Heritage Alliance in Jonesborough or part of a fireplace to make the shelf for the canvas to sit on. I need to think about a room color next because the yellow is awful! :) Any suggestions for nice, calm bedroom paint colors?

And I want to also mention that the awesome canvas photo is done by Anna Hedges Photography.

16x24 canvas for master room above bed. Photo by Anna Hedges.

Image of similar shelf I hope to find

Benjamin Moore's Aura Hazy Skies

Image of bed-Ours is a toast color.

Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain, Georgia

Jennifer Murphy Pom pom chicks. I want them all!

This is a beautiful piece of jewelery!

"She is the Party Starter" mixed media by Bonnie Taylor Talbot

The Country Living Fair is coming South for the first time! And I am so lucky to be able to go! I can't wait to see all the artists and go to the workshops. The Country Living festival is ..."a fun, folksy and fabulous Show & Sale of Folk Art, Antiques, "Made in America" Crafts, Art, Furniture, Home Decor & More. Meet the editors of Country Living Magazine. Plus Seminars & How-to's, Artisan Demonstrations, Harvest & Gourmet Market, Childrens' Activities & Fall Festivities. " Earth Angels will be there with several of their featured artists. I hope to do a lot of my Christmas shopping and find a few things for me too. Check out the link and the video. I am sure you will want to make this a must on your fall festivals to see! For information, click here!

Custom Pet Portraits Available

Pomeranian Portrait up close.

Pet series.

Everyone has a little furry or a big furry friend in their life (or maybe 2,3,4....)! Who doesn't love a sweet smile from a pet and that big heart they all have. Capture the love of your life on a sweet, small 6 x 6 canvas with a wide edge that looks awesome hanging on a wall or sitting on a shelf. This has been a popular size for wall art. They also make wonderful gifts! The holidays are coming...

Custom pet portrait with any color of background $ 20.00

Multiple canvas pricing available upon request.