Recreating Art - No More Fighting Over Family Paintings

Does your family fight over Art?  You know those paintings that have hung in your parent's house that you grew up with?  Funny, but the most fought over are usually ones with only sentimental value.  Inevitably they are the ones you can't find a match for.

 

This is the case with the Hubs.  He is from a big family, 7 kids.  There is this painting that is huge.  Like I think it was painted on 2 doors huge that has been fought over for years.  The artist was a mural artist, and passed away in the sixties, almost none of her work is left, and this particular piece was commissioned for his dad personally.  Over the years the piece was cut in half, got water damage, and is badly faded and damaged. 

 

It was something that hung in the Hubs house, and was a major part of his growing up.  One of his brothers has it hanging in his home, so.....I decided to do like the Museums do, and copy shot it.

 

Now don't scream copyright laws.  I am NOT selling it.  I actually altered it a bit and no, it is no longer as huge.

 

Yesterday was kind of gloomy, so we went over his brother's house with my trusty Fujifilm camera, and took a shot of each panel, each panel is the size of a house door.  I even stood on a overturned bucket for one of them.  The trick is to get a flat light, no reflections, and straight on, thus the bucket for one of them (hung in a stairwell seperated).  If you can put the art on floor and stand over it, that works too, be careful for reflections in glass if it is a glassed piece. 

 

Then, off to the casa and into the computer they went.  They had tears and other stuff, so I corrected them with a program that was in my computer (thanks Lo!  Bang by Lo), and then enhanced the color, and yes, I cropped them too!  The panels were badly damaged on the ends, seriously looked like the wood had been eaten by critters. 

 

Then off to Costco for their 20 x 30 -- $8.99 prints.  Seriously the best deal in town.  Made one of each panel, remember the originals were door size, mine are  20" x 30" each.

 

Then off to Hobby Lobby for some 50% off frames.  Couldn't find the size in the price range etc. so we improvised.  We chose silvery leafy ones, in a 24 x 36, for a steal, and 2 silver mat boards, that we had cut to 24 x 36, we will float the prints on top of the matt board, so the print appears larger than it is, and just runs into the board and becomes one.  I am really glad we went larger, as it will increase the size and make it feel more comparable to the original. 

 

No, you aren't seeing the art.  It has some nudes in it, and I didn't feel it was appropriate.  However, those are the frames, and silver mat board.  It will be 30" wide by 85" tall with frames and spacing.  Seriously can't wait.

Will be floating on top, to increase the size.

They will hang vertically on this wall.  I really need to upgrade/change the TV stand.  Still looking.

 

The above, is a photo we took a year or so ago behind our house, blown up to 20" x 30" at Costco for $8.99.  Love it, was hanging in the wine room, but we decided to move it out into the family room.

So, I guess the moral to this story is.  Don't be afraid to try something different if you aren't the one   that gets the family art.  Be creative.  I took some photos of some of the others that they fight over, and I am going to put them in a digital frame in his office so he can enjoy the rotation of some of them. 

Be Creative!!

Decorating with Leopard

Yes, I am thinking animal print. I am partial to leopard or cheetah, but maybe a bit of zebra might do.  How do you feel about the animal print trend?  Do you feel a bit Peggy Bundy (Married with Children)?  Or do you love the super elegant feel that Aerin Lauder has given it?  I love the elegant feel myself.  But, where to put it?  That is the question.

 

1. Library. Architectural Digest.
2. Aerin Lauder for AD and House Beautiful.  -- Love it.
3. - 5. Tumbler.

Photo Collages

 

I love a good photo collage.  I have loved them since I was a kid.  In fact, I have a folder on my computer called "Photo Collage", where I am collecting photos for just such a purpose.

 

I am thinking of printing mine in multiple sizes, and black and white (a personal pic fav), and putting them on a giant canvas. 

 

I am using the photos below for inspiration.

 

 

 

I am loving all of these images for inspiration.  Who doesn't love pictures stuck inside the sides of a  mirror.  Hmmmmm.  I wonder if that would work on those cheap $9.99 door mirrors.  Would totally jazz them up.

Enjoy your weekend.  I am contemplating projects.

1. Image via Design Sponge. (erich-mcvey).
2. Image via House Beautiful.
3. Image via Apartment Therapy.
4. Source Unknown.
5. Source Unknown

Crystal Skull Canvas -Mixed Media Skull Art - Metallic

New Original Skull Art.

 

I love skulls.  I just can't help it, they make me smile.

 

This 16 x 20 original canvas is ready to go.  (Just click on the "Atticroute66"  -- on the Left)

 

Metallic gold paint, and white pearl paint, with tons of clear multi-sized crystals.

 

Would look amazing in any room.  Sparkles, shines, and glistens in the light.  I will be adding more soon.

Thanks.

DIY Iced Coffee Latte

Make your own Iced Coffe Latte:
(As a side note:  I did pick up some Sugar Free Pumpkin Syrup to add to to mine.  Iced Pumpkin Latte Baby--- I noticed there were some Sugar Free Pumpkin Creamer in the Target refrigerated section as well, I am sure that would work instead of half and half).

Make these Latte's your own.

How I make Mine:

I use a cold brew coffee and just keep the syrup in the fridge.

1/3 Cup Cold Brew Coffee -- it is really strong.
1 cup Milk, when I am out of Milk, I will be trying Almond Milk.
Generous Splash of Half and Half.
Generous Splash to taste of Torani's Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup.

Add ice, stir and enjoy.

Another option:

1 - Starbucks Via of your choice.  (This is the Instant Packet that you add water to.) 
The Italian Roast is good. 
5 Ounces of Cold water
3 Ounces of Milk, any kind -- Almond Milk Ok too.
I use a dash of Half and Half -- ok a generous creamy dash.
I also use a dash -- to taste -- of the Torani's Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup for a sweet flavoring.

Mix the coffe and the water together, then the milk, half and half, flavoring, and pour over ice and enjoy.

The above is the quicky way if you don't have any coffee syrup/extract.

The best part about making your own is it is to taste, and you control the calories.
You control the sugar.  Starbucks, makes an Iced Coffee, but the sugar and calorie content is
a bit high.

You could also use Espresso Shots like Starbucks does. Or, if you made coffee this morning, pop in an air tight container, and save for later.

Part of the fun, is tweaking it to your taste.  Oh, and the saving money part is great too.  As is the saving calories.

Pumpkin Spice French Toast

I love anything pumpkin.  So, when making French Toast, instead of the usual Cinnamon, I put in my eggs, I decided to add Pumpkin Pie Spice.  Can I just say Yum.

 

No recipe, just make your normal French Toast egg mixture, then instead of a dash or more in my case of Cinnamon, use your Pumpkin Pie Spice.  (For my egg mixture I just use, 2 eggs, 2 Tablespoons of water or milk, depending on what I have, and then just shake in my Cinnamon, or Pumpkin Pie Spice),

Enjoy your Saturday.

Faux Tin Roof -- Metallic Silver Support Pole

Yes, I have posted this wonderful pic before.  I love their metallic silver support pole and beams.  I have been working towards this.  Here is my progress and what I have used.

 

A while back we had to reseal our clearstory windows.  They are single pane glass, old and gross.  Way to many to replace, and honestly, you can't watch TV with them, too much light.  Over the years I have had them covered with lots of different things. 

 

Below, in their ugly glory.

I am showing a pic of the living room in progress -- looks totally different now, but I want you to see the support pole.  It to has been many colors -- in it's copper period.

The windows covered with Home Depot's paintable wall paper in the "Tin Roof".  Peek at the support pole in metallic silver.

Painting the paintable wall paper.

Almost to the end.

Painted, and support pole too.  Now, to put the furniture back, and ladder away.  Next to add some support to the pole to make it look like it should be there.  On each side of pole and at the end where it meets the wall.  Can't think of what they are called.  Like brackets?  No......

Loving the look.  Feels so much better.  Almost crossed off my list.