New at Gray DayStudio: Art and some VERY handmade garlands!

Well Today I sold my 400th paper garland! I never set out to sell so many garlands, but I'm glad I have!  And even though my paper garlands are very efficient for my limited time frame at this moment in my life, I still want to sell more artwork and to be recognized fort that instead.  And so I've been drawing and painting a few more pieces on brown paper. They are one of a kind, original work, which I hope to also reproduce these images onto cards to be purchased individually and as a set of 5 or more. (So Stay tuned for that!)  

Here is some of my new work!

above: Dead Bird no. 2

Dead Bird City Sidewalk no 1

Bear Skull no 1

And as far for my garlands, if I'm going to have them in my shop then I want them to be really something! And so here are two new garlands in this more unique vein.

Eclipse 

and lastly Cascading Leaves, a garland made from hand drawn leaves, that are hand cut. Looks fetching for Thanksgiving or any other autumnal event! 

Be sure to hop on over to the shop and see what else is new!

AND

one more thing!

like my GrayDayStudio facebook page then msg me on etsy for a 15% off promo code!

Prepping for our Daughter's 3rd Halloween... she wants to be an owl (for now)

So our daughter wants to be an owl for Halloween, at least for now... There were a couple of weeks there where she wanted to be a snoopy dog, not sure where she picked this up, I'm assuming school. But now she is adamant about being an owl. She also wants to wear a pink tutu from her dress up box as part of her costume. And so the other day, while over at her Grandmother's house, they made this owl mask together! Pretty cute.  So now it's up to me to tie the mask and the tutu together with some sort of other owl element.

So here's a round up of some options.

Here's a cute

DIY owl Dress

And these DIY Wings I've been wanting to make for her since she was a baby. Plus she could wear these wings for dress up for many years to come, whereas she would outgrow the dress by next year if not before. (AND If I make them in some neutral colors then her brother could wear them at some point too!)

And another Owl DIY dress

So for now, I think I've settled on the wings. I just have to make sure they will work for her school party.  I'll keep you posted!

(ps, here's a nice article about keeping Halloween magical for the little ones!)

Put the phone down

I carry my phone with me everywhere... it's a life line to the outside world, at times it has kept me sane to be able to "checkout" so to speak- from the tiresome and often isolating world of parenting.  I read blogs, catch up on news, check the ol instagram, all while nursing our 6 month old. It's a habit that grew in intensity when nursing was just so dam hard and painful at the beginning. I would wince, squeeze my eyes shut, fight back tears, breath deep and click through my phone.  

however, now that nursing is a breeze, I should really cut back on my habit formed usage. For one thing I've read how this next generation is being raised and surrounded by adults who are checked out, looking at a phone or some sort of device... and that we are raising children who will essentially suck at making eye contact with one another.  

And I've always mused to the husband how this tech/ celebrity obsessed society we find ourselves in really uses these things to escape thoughts of mortality, or of responsibility for the planet, or for one another, for human rights, woman's rights, etc. Thus the above clip by Louis CK has really resonated with me.

And so I am taking baby steps to curtail my phone usage, for my own well being and that of my children. One is, I consciously leave my phone in the other room, and I no longer live stream pictures to my instagram. I wait and do it later once the kids are asleep, or I have a free moment. (I did this on our trip to Maine. I would take pictures, maybe too many ; ) and then wait until nap time to upload them. This allowed me to be really picky and thoughtful about exactly what I posted, which I'm sure my IG followers appreciated.)

anyway, just thought I would share this video, and also hope that my general new found approach to such things will in some way explain my blog absence... ;)

And then there's this approach to texting by Cristina Vanko. ;)  Modern Day Snail Mail

I mean REALLY!!!

NEW Autumnal Inspired Artwork and Decor at GrayDayStudio

This week I am launching my fall line at GrayDayStudio! Each day I will add new work inspired by Autumn!

My colors this season are primarily gold, black, and browns.  But with the return of my pom-pom garlands comes a variety of colors as well!

Marigold and Rose Petal Harvest is one of my new favorite garlands! It packs a punch at 11 ft and with 34 pom poms!! It's sure to be a great statement piece and the colors ensure that you could hang it from fall- spring and even beyond! ; )

Oxblood and Heather is a petite garland at just around 5 ft long, making it a great addition to one's table centerpiece or hung in a doorway, oh the possibilities! 

Purple Moon, is inspired by those mysterious nights of Autumn when a walk at night surrounds you with tall shadows, as black cats cross your path and brittle leaves dance down the street.

Stop by the shop and see what other goodies await.

Back to School Fall 2013

Well Summer is officially over!

Our daughter went back to school last week, eeer the week before, I have no idea!? She is going to school 4 days a week this year! wowah. And she is already loving it. I will admit that I feel guilty sending her for so many days, but with the husband's crazy work schedule (70 hrs the other week!) and my etsy shop taking off while also taking care of our now 5 month old- it really is for her benefit (and everyone's) that she has some time away from the house and on her own so to speak.

She is so great. A fantastic big sister. She is so funny, loving, and fun to be around. But she is also having a bit of a hard time adjusting to our new pace- the finalized sort of rhythm we have found ourselves in...as a family of four, and rightfully so! I mean I haven't blogged since June people!? What is up with that!? (I have lots to catch you up on- if your still out there and reading this?)

But here she is in all of her almost 3 yo glory!

*Stay tuned for a hopefully- onslaught of blog posts! Summer recap, New Etsy Merch, The slow evolution of our living room makeover, Other home stuff, updates on the kids, planning her 3rd Birthday at the end of October, etc!

I've missed you all!

xo

abs

Shop Update: 4 New Summer Bags

I added 4 New bags to GrayDayStudio today. They are inspired by summer and make a great light weight bag, perfect for the beach or around town and only $18!

More Colors to follow!

Before and After: Side Table makeover for only $12

I recently made over our little side table, it only took me a few days and only cost $12. Here is my Before and After post to share the process of this quick and easy makeover.

Above: you can see its original state on the left side, a very shiny mahogany finish popular in the 1950s. We have a lot of color in our living room so I knew I wanted something simple and neutral. And since we don't have a lot of black in the space- black paint felt like the right solution.

My Mom had leftover black paint, so no cost there and the knobs were $6 each from Anthropologie.

I simply sanded the table to knock down the high gloss and in some areas I sanded down to the natural wood finish in order to have it appear through the black paint when I sanded the final coat of paint. My mom recommended having a rough finish on this piece since it's very difficult and frustrating to achieve and maintain a pristine black piece of furniture, plus this way it will wear well over the years- during more moves and exposure to toddlers.

Detail shot of the knobs and the roughed finish.

TIP: To get a worn finish to a piece, simply sand the areas that would normally get the most ware- corners and exposed edges.

After two coats of paint I lightly sanded the top layer to expose the brown underneath. Then I finished the table with one coat of furniture wax.

After: The table in our living room.

And the table at night.

I am very happy with the result! It was a fast and inexpensive makeover that really transformed the piece, bringing it up to date and fitting into our space better. This project can now be crossed off my summer bucket list! Next up continuing to chip away at sanding the dining room chairs!