Mixed Media Art

I've always loved art and fossicking in thrift stores for art that I love at budget prices and recently I discovered mixed media art on pinterest and have fallen in love with it.

We all have different tastes but mixed media is something we can all do and there are a ton of youtube video tutorials to inspire and help with this process.

One of my favourite artists is Crystal Neubauer. Crystal uses things such as old photos, tickets etc. that people throw away and turns them into something beautiful. I'm always drawn to anything that we can recycle and repurpose and she does it so well. She believes that every piece is a part of someone's life and uses this to tell a story. In the words of the artist Edward Hopper "great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist". 

Now I want to share with you some serious eye candy, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do

What did you think ?  I found them really helpful and they gave me inspiration to try different things and I have to admit some were pretty awful! I was determined to not let it get to me, after all we have to start somewhere and we can only improve...right?? Anyway I had lots of fun and even roped in a few friends to have an "art morning". There was a lot of laughter and even though they weren't masterpieces we came up with new techniques and ideas and decided to do it on a regular basis!! A good excuse to have fun, I say!! And we did! I might get up the courage to post a few at a later date hopefully after I've improved dramatically!

I'm going to share with you some quotes that inspire me in my day to day life and I hope they do the same for you

Well, I hope you have gained some inspiration and ideas, I know I need them, so until next time enjoy each and every day and have fun!

A New Year and No Money? No Problem

                                         

Well 2016 is finally here, a time when people reflect on their life and make changes to be a better, healthier, more productive, financially secure person. I don't know how many people make new year's resolutions, I make resolutions all the time!! I do know that many after christmas are broke and some even start to pay off their christmas debts ready for next christmas! I couldn't live this way, I find it far too stressful even thinking about it! 
I know many struggle to decorate their homes when money is scarce, I have been there so I know how it feels, but there are so many ways that I have learnt over the years of being able to do just that! Scouring 2nd hand shops or thrift stores I have found many ways to decorate on a shoestring. I have shared some examples of what to look for and how to upcycle to whatever your decor style is. Firstly a big money saver is revamping furniture, so I'll start with these

                                   Source: The budget decorator

Source: acultivatednest.com

source: WWWAKADESIGN>CA

Source: http://fromevijawwithlove.com

source: designergarden.blogspot.nl

      Now lets take a look at knickknacks, ornaments etc that can be completely revamped. One of my favourite ways to change the look of an article is by spraypainting them. It is a cheap and easy way to add a different look, even I have been amazed at the difference.

Source: primitiveandproper.com

I

source: livelovediy.com

Being a lover of vintage these are what I look for when thrift store shopping. They add so much character to a home.

source: feelitcool.com

source: ohsolovelyblog.com

source: marthastewart.com

source: tearosehome.blogspot

source: savedbylovecreations.com

source: funkyjunkinteriors.net

source: thecottagemarket.com

I hope these projects have given you some ideas on decorating your own home, so time ti visit some thrift shops, flea markets, garage sales, I know I will be! Bye for now and happy hunting

source: Apartment Therapy

35 ways to decorate with hardly any money!!

Lovely centrepiece

A romantic night?

Can be used all year round 

                             

a wineglass, votive candle and material of choice. Minilamps!

I love decorating with objects from nature, recycled items and just doing it myself and saving a lot of money into the bargain. Using what we have instead of throwing it away, which is causing problems for our environment, being creative and  thinking outside of the square, you can come up with some amazing ideas. I've put together   ideas that look great but won't cost a lot. One of the most economical ways to decorate is with found items. If you like me live close to the beach there is always driftwood to be found, here are a few of my favourites

                                                      This centrepiece is from a fallen branch

A large branch and hanging lights

Have any old frames? Simply cut out maps and frame!

cute mobile

Love this!

Branches with hanging lights

Driftwood found on a morning walk, very beachy!

Glasses and glued on twigs, so simple and effective

3 more candleholders

Driftwood sail boats

I hope you've enjoyed these simple and fun decor ideas, next time I'll show some amazing furniture redos that will look a million dollars! I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Year filled with lots of love and laughter and to think of others less fortunate that are really struggling either financially or emotionally. Lets be aware and bring some light into their lives. Cheers for now.

Christmas Australian coastal style

Hi there all, well only 20 days left until Christmas day, where does time go? I have been busy looking

at table decorations and recipe ideas to share with you. In my little corner of the world on the Gold Coast, Queensland it is getting very warm and looks to be a hot Christmas so cold food and drinks are the  favoured christmas fare. Locally caught seafood is very popular in my family, plenty of prawns, oysters, crab and fish are what we love! This is ordered before christmas so that you don't miss out and picked up the day before. I thought I'd start with some table decor to put all the yummy food on, what will your decorating style be?

 Table decor using shells, simple but lovely 

                                             
                                           

Shells and coral

This time greenery has been added

                                                 

A typical Australian christmas outdoor setting 

                                 

A very different christmas table

I love the colours on this tree

Very coastal Christmas decor

I think for many of us Christmas is where the kids love to get into the christmas spirit and be involved in the decorating and making their own gifts and cards so I've shared just a few simple ideas that won't break the bank and are easy to access such as these lovely glittery branches from momtastic.com
                                             

Branches can be found in any parks or bushland and most children have art stores with glitter, you can do different colours and decorate the branches.

felt gift bags from marthastewart.com

a garland from celebrations.com

Gift card holders

An easy to make Christmas garland from blog.vickybarone.com

I hope you and your children have a lot of fun making these or other decorations, I'll see you soon with a few Australian Christmas recipes, till then