Charcoal and Crayons

A Fish Called Chips

2012-03-08T16:38:00.001-05:00

First off, I'd like to thank everyone for the lovely and supportive comments for my last post. As I continue to hear of others with similar stories on an almost daily basis, I've realized just how important it is to share our experiences and support one another. Thank you.

Now, on to other things...

I've been meaning to introduce to you the little surprise that my husband, Chris, brought home a few weeks ago. After he told me on the phone that he was bringing home something special for the family, the text messages went a little something like this...

ANDREA: I'm curious about the family surprise... Lady & The Tramp on blue ray perhaps?
CHRIS: Way off.
ANDREA: Hmmm... Is it edible?
CHRIS: Yuuuuuuuup.
ANDREA: Candy?
CHRIS: Way off.
ANDREA: Chicken? (that was Oliver's suggestion)

Well, the surprise turned out to be something that may be served up at an event like the Stag & Doe for our wedding...

Chris after swallowing a goldfish. Should have bought that "Goldfish Insurance!"

But here at home, I think we'll keep this off the menu.

At first, when asked what to name our new Betta fish, Oliver would say "no" or nothing at all.

Then, a few days later, when asked again, he said "Chips!"

I think he was actually requesting some chips to eat, but the name has stuck. It's actually quite the clever name, especially if you take the popular meal of "Fish 'n' Chips" into consideration. Although, please don't worry, I will not be serving this Chips for dinner.

Oliver loves to feed his fish. After a few mishaps with the food pellets spilling everywhere, we've developed a good system. I put the required amount on a plate, set it beside the fish bowl, and Ollie puts them in one by one.

Oliver then says, "Watch fish eat", peers into the top of the bowl, and says "Mmm" each time the fish gobbles up a pellet.

I've become quite attached to the little guy and I love how he comes right over and looks up at you. Despite my track record with fish and house plants (if you remember back to this previous post where I mentioned bringing the Front Porch Ferns inside for the winter... well... they're no longer with us), I'm determined to keep Chips alive for as long as possible!

There's no doubt about it, little Chips has quickly become a part of our family life... hook, line, and sinker.

Thanks for stopping by.

Finding Peace After Miscarriage

2012-02-26T22:17:00.002-05:00

Just a fair warning... this is a long one.

So, if you're up for it, get comfortable and read on...

I've started writing (and re-writing) this post many times, both in my head and here on the computer,
since starting this blog in February 2011. Now, I'm usually a private person, so sharing this experience with you has been something that I've had to build up the courage to do.

Throughout this past year of blogging we've gotten to know each other, and now that we have, I've been thinking about sharing a little bit more of the real me.

Also, something that our minister said in his sermon today at church really spoke to me.
I don't remember the exact words, but the message was to think differently about the trials and tribulations that we all go through. Perhaps these struggles are something that we must experience in order to help others get through their own hard times.

I think that sometimes it just helps to know that someone else has been there too... that we're not alone.
That is why I am finally sharing this story with you today.

It was the winter of 2010. I remember a time full of anticipation, exciting changes, and transitions.
Our son Oliver had a lovely first Christmas. We were expecting the arrival of our second child.
The hunt for a new (and bigger than our teeny tiny condo) house was just beginning.
More on that story here... Part One, Part Two, Part Three.

By the middle of January, things had changed even more.

It started off with a little bit of spotting, which, I'm told, can be a normal occurrence during pregnancy.
As the bleeding became heavier, we decided to get checked out and went to the walk-in clinic
(it was a Saturday so our family doctor's office was closed).
After a urine test, the doctor on call was straight to the point...

She said that we were more than likely having a miscarriage.

At that time, I felt okay and as though I had come to terms with the situation almost instantly.
From the beginning of this pregnancy, I had felt like something was a little off and this explained it.

But things were far from over...

On the following Wednesday, the cramping, pain, and bleeding were getting quite bad.
We spent the evening in the emergency room, where they did some blood tests.

We were a little shocked and surprised by the results...

My hormone levels were around where they should be and we were told that the pregnancy may actually still be viable. I guess extreme bleeding can be normal in some cases, including the ER doctor's own pregnancy.

So home we went, trying not to give in to that glimmer of hope and waiting for morning to come so we go back for more tests.

External and internal ultrasounds, more blood tests, and a whole lot of waiting filled that day until it was our turn to see the doctor. This time, the results were pretty clear. My hormone levels had dropped drastically.

There would be no baby.

The next week or so I spent a lot of time in bed as the miscarriage took its course.
Thankfully, I had our little Oliver to take care of... I was even still breastfeeding during that time.
I think it would have been an even more difficult time, if not for him.
We had this beautiful, healthy, happy little one in our lives... and he needed me.

It took me a very long time to feel anything close to my normal self again.

There was a lot of sadness, but for the most part, I was angry.
It was a fierce, searing type of anger that I had never quite experienced before.
It was extremely out of character for me and I think my husband was the only one who ever really saw part of that anger come to the surface.

Along with my family and friends, there have been a few things that have helped me get through.

Starting this blog was one of them. Charcoal & Crayons celebrates the good things in my life. Focusing on that has been so helpful. Also, the wonderful response from family, friends, and all of you out there in Blogland has meant the world to me. From the beginning, your comments, support, and words of encouragement have brought me many happy smiles.

Another thing that has helped tremendously is running. I began running last summer and it quickly became something that made me feel alive again. Along with an incredible sense of accomplishment, training for my first 5K race was a solid goal to work towards and pushed me to get moving and out the door everyday. Running was my time to think, reflect and to be by myself. After a day of taking care of our little family, it was something that I did just for me.

But to be completely honest with you...

This story is not over. It's still wrapped up within an on going struggle of emotions. Every time that I feel as though I've come through to the other side or "gotten over it" the anger and the tears creep back up on me.

I guess the grief hasn't gone away completely. It's still there... hidden in the background.

Sometimes it's a scene in a movie or on television that triggers it. Sometimes it's something that I read or something that someone says, or even a song that I hear. Sometimes it's just a thought that idly passes my mind when I least expect it.

Perhaps this happens because it is not something that I'm supposed to "get over".

It is an experience that has become a part of who I am, just like that child was and always will be.

What has brought me the most peace is realizing and accepting that this child was never meant to live on this earth...

...instead, this child was meant to live in my heart.

Thanks for stopping by.

Andrea

Twinkle Toast and Star Sandwiches

2012-02-24T22:26:00.006-05:00

Today, I am excited to share with you Oliver's favourite breakfast of late...

Making this star-shaped "Twinkle Toast" is easy peasy.

And at Oliver's request...

...his favourite cereal supplies the finishing touch.

When lunchtime rolls around, Ollie's favourite - tuna & "toe-toes" - get the star treatment as well.

A few quick cuts when making meals is definitely worth the delight on his face and "twinkle" in his eyes!

Thanks for dropping by.

Andrea

I'm sharing this with...

Under The Table and Dreaming

A Chalkboard for Oliver

2012-02-22T17:40:00.003-05:00

Oliver loves to draw on our chalkboard wall.
It's in our front hallway above some of the board and batten that we put in last year just before moving into this house (one of these days I'll get around to posting about it)!

Since the chalkboard is definitely not at toddler height, Ollie is in my arms when we're drawing there... and as he grows bigger and heavier each day, this activity becomes less and less fun for me.

That's where this lovely little thing comes in...

It's a peel and stick chalkboard that I found at the so called "Save money. Live better." store.
Funny story about that actually!
After checking out, I decided to stop and look over my receipt before leaving the store...
the total just seemed a little too high
(I write down a running total of prices rounded up to the nearest dollar while I shop... a little weird perhaps, but I like to know what I'm spending and it's become a habit).

Sure enough, the chalkboard sticker was $4 more than it should have been. I almost just left, not wanting to be the kind of person who squabbles over a few dollars, but I had the time and didn't have a child in tow, so why not. Well, after a price check at the customer service counter, they immediately refunded the $4 and then gave me an extra $10 for charging me the wrong price in the first place. So the chalkboard ended up being under $5 and I learned that it's definitely worth it to inquire further when you think you've been overcharged.

Oliver absolutely adores his very own chalkboard. Sitting at his little chair and drawing on the chalkboard is now one of his favourite things to do.

Another little artistic discovery occurred the other day as well. I placed a colouring page from the newspaper on Oliver's table for him to colour on at his leisure and went about my daily household tasks (aka "puttering" like I mentioned in this post).

I totally forgot about the sheet until later that night when I was wiping down his table.

That's when I discovered that he had coloured the sheet with chalk instead of crayons... which is fine... but what really blew me away was that he hadn't just scribbled randomly all over the page like usual. The scribbles were concentrated on the specific characters and things in the picture.

Just another reminder that our little guy is growing up...

...while bringing amazement and wonder into our lives every single day!

Thanks for stopping by.

Andrea

Framing with Burlap and Cardboard

2012-02-21T20:44:00.008-05:00

On Valentine's Day I shared with you Oliver's first time using a paintbrush and the heart cut out painting that resulted.

Well, I loved that little painting so much (when I look at it, I see flowers blowing in the wind... what do you see?) that I had to frame it. So I've done just that... but with a little twist.

It's matted with burlap and cardboard! Both are things that I just found around the house.

Especially for a child's artwork, I love the fun and unexpected use of materials.

If you do too, here's the how to...

Materials & Tools: large poster frame, newspaper (or any type of scrap paper), tape, marker, scissors, cardboard box (flattened), paint (white & grey), wide sponge brush, burlap, glue, cardboard from frame, child's artwork.

Template Time

Place and tape sheets of newspaper together using the frame as a guide for sizing. Draw a frame shape (since I wanted a fun and childlike look, I just drew it freehand).

Cut out the template, then draw in the mitre lines in the corners...

...and cut those too. Numbering each piece helps to remember where they go.

Cardboard Cutout

Lay the template out on the cardboard, trace with a marker, and cut out with a sharp pair of scissors.

I was lucky enough to have a little helper...

The Power of Paint

It's quite amazing how paint can transform things...even cardboard. To achieve a weathered look, first apply a light and streaky coat of white paint. Don't forget to put a little bit around the edges too.

Next, apply grey paint using a dry brush technique. I do this by dipping the sponge brush in the paint and then paint a few strokes on newspaper or a paper towel before applying to the project.

Some Assembly Required

Okay, time to put everything together.

Glue or tape burlap to the backboard of the frame.

I taped Oliver's painting to a second paper heart that I'd painted turquoise (lately the accent colours around our house have been red, turquoise, and a little bit of navy).

I went a little overboard with the tape here, but Oliver thought it was hilarious and laughed every time that I ripped off a piece of tape. So of course, I had to keep doing it!

Since I didn't like the look of just the burlap behind everything, I cut the cardboard that comes inside the frame to fit and taped everything together.

And there we have it...

I'm really happy with how it turned out and love the different textures.

The original plan was to have Oliver do a different themed painting for each holiday, but I'm really liking the heart, so we'll see.

Oliver was so excited to see his lovely "heartwork" framed and on display in our house, just like Mommy's!

I think he really enjoyed helping out too!

Thanks for stopping by.

I'm sharing this with...

Momnivore's Dilemma
Delightful Order
At The Picket Fence
Under The Table and Dreaming
At Home With K

A Special Day for Charcoal and Crayons

2012-02-16T16:49:00.002-05:00

So today has been a laid back sort of day. I've just been leisurely puttering around the house... which is my absolute favourite thing to do. Cleaning, tidying, organizing, and rearranging at my own pace, which is admittedly quite slow and relaxed... My husband, on the other hand, is a fast paced always moving (and talking... on the phone... constantly... :) sort of guy. I'm surprised that it works, but it does... probably something to do with opposites attracting and the balance of it all.

Anyway, while puttering around, it suddenly came to mind what day it is...

Charcoal & Crayons is 1 year old today!

So to my little blog, I would like to say...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

And to YOU, I would like to say...

THANK YOU

Thank you for reading... Thank you for supporting me, sharing your thoughts, following, subscribing, commenting, and emailing with me. Thank you for sharing in the journey and all of the "puttering" around on this blog over the past year... and I promise you, there'll be more puttering to be done this year too (it is my favourite thing to do, after all).

If you'd like to take a look back at where it all began, here's my very first post...

Life is good while wearing a milk moustache

We've definitely come a long way from one year ago today. I am excited to discover what this next year will hold and hope you will join me. As always...

Thanks for stopping by.

Oliver's Valentine

2012-02-14T22:25:00.004-05:00

My husband Chris and I don't usually make a big deal out of Valentine's Day, so I haven't done any projects or decorating for this "holiday" (although I have thoroughly enjoyed browsing all of the amazing ideas on Pinterest and in Blogland).

After waking up to a lovely gift of perfume and candy, as well as opening the cute cards sent from Ollie's Grandparents (thank you everyone!), I began to "feel the love".

It was time to get the heart themed ideas and images that have been floating around in my head over the past week or so onto film (well, memory card, actually).

Since chocolate and Valentine's Day go hand in hand, I brought out my favourite chocolate cake recipe, which is egg and dairy free by the way.

Well, it turned out to be one of those days... I forgot that this recipe requires the extra large bowl, the cocoa powder went missing at one point, once found I forgot to sift it, I had to transfer bowls again to remedy the clumpiness, I totally spaced out and filled half a muffin tin with way too much batter (of course I had to eat those "mistakes"), and the cupcakes all fell in the centre.

But despite these little mishaps, I love the end result and there's nothing quite like the feeling of turning those images in your head into reality.

So it definitely turned out to be a lovely day, but by far the best part of this Valentine's Day was painting with Oliver.

I'm pretty sure he enjoyed it too.

Oliver does not like to have messy hands so I gave him a paint brush. He handled the brush like a pro and you never would have guessed that it was his first time using one! I have a feeling it won't be his last.

It's one of the most beautiful paintings that I've ever seen...

And it is going to be prominently featured in one of the projects that I am working on, which I'll be sharing with you soon.

Whether you're a Valentine's Day fanatic, or couldn't care less about red hearts and roses, I hope you had a day full of loveliness.

Oh, and if you feel like indulging in a little Valentine's sweet tooth...

...come on over... we have a few cupcakes here!

Thanks for stopping by.

Get this art print.

A Little DIY for a Fresh Fridge

2012-02-11T18:32:00.012-05:00

We do quite a lot of cooking (and eating) around here and I love trying out new recipes and ingredients. This means that after the bi-weekly trip to the grocery store, our fridge is packed full of fresh goodies and produce. Storing and using it all up before spoilage occurs can sometimes be a challenge. So this idea was inspired by the ol' herbs in a glass of water trick as well as some of the commercial herb savers on the market these days...

DIY Herb & Greens Saver

Simple Supplies

The only things needed for this easy project are an empty plastic container with lid, a sharp knife, water, and greens (I used parsley, spinach, and kale). If you'd like to dress things up a bit, you'll also need a scrap piece of fabric (I used new cloth rags found in the hardware department) and jute (or string, ribbon, or whatever tier upper you fancy).

Cutting it Up

Using the knife, cut an X into the top of the lid.

The ends of the herbs or greens can be cut too.

Get this art print

Add Water & Assemble

Add some water to the container, put the lid on, and stick the cut ends of the greens through the X.

Changing the water is easy peasy too. Just pop off the lid, empty and rinse the container if necessary, and add fresh water.

Now, it'd be perfectly fine to leave it at that... but if you'd like to take it up a notch (at our house we open our fridge a million times a day... why not have a pleasing view?) please continue on...

Taking it Up a Notch

I chose these rags because I already had them on hand, but more importantly they can easily be thrown into the washer with my dishcloths and tea towels if they get dirty. This is something you may want to think about when choosing your fabric too. Place the container in the centre of the fabric.

Gather up the edges of the fabric around the container. Tie the jute around the base of the greens just above the lid.

These little savers are a refreshing addition to the refrigerator interior, while keeping herbs & greens close at hand, in view, and no longer easily forgotten.

They also make lovely centrepieces that are fresh, green, and inexpensive.

And, especially during the long winter months, a little bit of green foliage not only freshens up our homes...

...it livens up our spirits too.

Thanks for stopping by.

I'm sharing this with...

At Home With K
Momnivore's Dilemma
Delightful Order
At The Picket Fence
Under The Table and Dreaming

The Cookies Are Calling {Home Made Decorative Sugar}

2012-01-28T01:01:00.004-05:00

The other day, I came across the extra sugar cookie dough that was put in the freezer around Christmastime. Cake, pie, candy, and chocolates... they're all absolutely delicious, but for me the reigning sweet treat of them all are cookies. So, while a little bit dangerous, I thawed that lovely ball of dough and began choosing cookie cutters.

Not up for fiddling around with a batch of icing, I needed a quick and easy way to decorate those cookies. I was wishing that my pantry was stocked with coloured decorative sugar when I realized... why not make my own coloured sugar!

Home Made Decorative Sugar

5 heaping tablespoons of sugar

2-7 drops of food colouring

1 jar with lid

Combine ingredients in jar, put on the lid, and shake! Spread out on a plate or tinfoil to dry for a bit if necessary.

So, are you wondering when would be the best time to add decorative sugar to your cookies? Unlike icing, decorate with sugar before baking. Sprinkle on and lightly pat down with your fingertip.

*QUICK TIP*

Once your sugar cookies are cut out and placed on a cookie sheet (and sugared), place the sheet of cookies in the fridge for 5-10 minutes. This will help them to hold their shape when baking.

On a blustery winter day... or any day for that matter... you can't beat the sweet smell from the oven and the sight of glittery blue cookies on the counter.

Can you hear them? They're calling my name.

And my pantry is now stocked with my very own decorative sugar...

...ready and waiting for next time!

Thanks for stopping by.

I'm sharing this with...

Be Different, Act Normal

Tatertots & Jello
Funky Junk Interiors

Serenity Now

Word of the Year

2012-01-16T02:26:00.002-05:00

This year, many people are choosing a "Word of the Year" instead of making a new year's resolution. The goal is to "choose one word has the potential to inspire you and create intention in your life, all year long." (Layla Palmer. "Word of the Year". The Lettered Cottage. January 6, 2012).

The word that I have chosen for 2012 is spark.

I wanted to find a word that conveys energy and movement as well as a positive and upbeat tone. After much thought and a few contenders, the word spark came to mind. I instantly knew that it was the perfect fit for me this year.

A spark can be defined as "anything that activates or stimulates" and is an "inspiration or catalyst." It is "a small amount or trace of something... a trace of life or vitality." (Dictionary.com)

This year, I hope to listen to more of the little sparks of inspiration and creativity that I don't always find the time or motivation to turn into reality. I'll be reminded to pay attention to the little spark of an idea for a drawing, a fun project or an activity that I would normally let fizzle out.

The word spark will remind me to add a little bit of energy and enthusiasm throughout my daily routine. I'll be encouraged to spark up a smile (even when I really don't feel like it) and to be cheerful with the loved ones in my life. And perhaps even this usually shy gal will be inspired to spark up a conversation with someone new.

For me, the word spark is full of liveliness and strong spirit, which I aspire to having more of in my life this year. While training to run a 10k in the coming months, spark will be a great word to focus on when the going gets tough. In both running and everyday life, during those moments of self doubt, I will rely on that last little spark of determination to get me through.

Inspiration. Life. Vitality. Although it may be small, a spark is all it takes to get a fire going.

What word would you choose?

Thanks for stopping by.

You'd Think We Like Food Around Here

2012-01-11T14:57:00.003-05:00

Maybe it was the gloomy weather. Maybe it was my toddler who refused to nap for several days. Maybe it was the aftermath of a wonderful holiday season (I hope you all had a great one and are enjoying the start of this new year). Whatever it was, over the past few days (ok, let's be honest... the past week), I haven't had the motivation to do... well, anything.

Do you ever have days (or weeks) like that too?

So this post has been sitting here all written up, waiting for me to take and upload the photos to go along with it. Today, the sun is shining brightly, the baby monitor is actually quiet right now (thank goodness! I am REALLY not ready to give up nap time and I don't think Oliver is either), and I've finally gotten these pictures together...

We really did have a fabulous time visiting with family and friends in December and we're getting back to our regular routines (with lots of great new toys thrown into the mix). Let me introduce a few of them...

First up is the little set of table and chairs from Oliver's Grandparents. Ollie is infatuated with cars and trucks, so this sturdy wooden set featuring the Disney Cars movie is a real hit! It's the perfect spot for colouring with crayons and he loves to have breakfast and snack time here (with his Cars dishes and sippy cups, of course).

Photo courtesy of Gary Gleason

Right now, it sits between the couch and the window. I'm not sure if it will stay in this spot, but having it here allows Ollie to access his table whether we're on the living room side or the kitchen side of our open concept home. He enjoys being able to look out the window at the backyard while eating and colouring. Also, when he has gone to bed, it can be a side table for us grown ups and our drinks, books, and gadgets.

The little chairs get moved around throughout the day. They're perfect for sitting at the stools that act as our "coffee table"...

...and for some reason he likes to lay the chair down on its back and sit in between the legs. It's actually quite comical, so of course he stops doing this as soon as I reach for the camera!

Another exciting addition is the Red Vintage Kitchen made by KidKraft. This gift is from Oliver's Grandparents (he's lucky to have 2 "amas" and 2 "ampas"... and he'll usually let you know this several times a day) and it's definitely one of the nicest play kitchens that I've come across.

If you're going to have a giant toy in the living room, it might as well be pleasing to the eye, right?! It is mostly wooden and really well made. Oliver also received tons of food and little cooking accessories to go with it.

At the end of the day, I think that I enjoy tidying it up and "staging" all of the accessories as much as Oliver enjoys playing with it!

Over in my own kitchen, there are some lovely new things as well. Thanks to my wonderful Mother-In-Law, we now have a fabulous new coffee maker.

Our old one kicked the bucket back in November, so we've been drinking a whole lot of Chai tea and using a little coffee press to get our daily dose of caffeine.

While the coffee press was charming for awhile, waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee (by setting the machine the night before) is one of the nicest luxuries.

Lately, other enticing aromas have been filling our kitchen as well. I've been having a lot of fun experimenting with the recipes from my new cookbook, My Father's Daughter, by Gwenyth Paltrow.
Gorgeous photography and stories of her family tie in with the recipes beautifully.

With the excitement of experimenting with some great new recipes from the book, I've also tried my hand at planning out our dinner menu over the past week or so. Menu planning is one thing that I've never been particularly good at or given too much thought to, really. Up until now, I've just been making whatever happens to come to mind using whatever happens to be in the fridge and pantry. So, with a dry erase marker, the good ol' Jute Calendar has once again been transformed.

I love the dry erase format. Throughout the week, I can easily tinker and tweak things, incorporating newly discovered recipes or inspirations as we go along. So far, I really like knowing what I'll be cooking in advance... that way I can make sure ingredients such as meat are used before the expiration date or removed from the freezer and thawed ahead of time. Although, only time will tell if this becomes a permanent part of our routine or not.

Well, I think that's enough new "toys" to feature for one post... and come to think of it, they seem to all have a similar theme... hmm... you'd think we like food around here or something!

Thanks for stopping by.

Night Owl

2011-12-18T21:18:00.001-05:00

I am so excited to share my latest charcoal drawing with you all. I am such a night owl and this image came to mind late one evening...

Are you a night owl too? If you'd like this little guy to keep you company all night long, prints are available for purchase in The Shop. There are two sizes to choose from as well as several framing options.

Also, you'll see some other new additions...

iPhone Cases

Laptop & iPad Skins

iPhone & iPod Skins

If you're interested in purchasing the original drawing, send me an email at andrea.brand.art@gmail.com and we can discuss price, framing, and shipping.

And finally, I'd really love to know what you think! Your comments, thoughts, criticisms, and suggestions are always welcome.

Thanks for stopping by.

Open for Business

2011-12-17T16:50:00.001-05:00

The Shop is officially open! (Find it in the top tab bar on the far right)

My work is now available for purchase through Society6 where you'll find affordable Art Prints, Framed Art Prints, and Stretched Canvases all in various sizes.
They also offer T-Shirts, Hoodies, iPhone Cases, and Skins for Laptops, iPods, iPads, and iPhones. I'm working on adding these options soon.

If you don't know what Society6 is, I highly recommend getting acquainted with it. There, you'll find an incredible collection of artwork created by artists from all around the world. When you purchase a product from Society6, they produce it using only the highest quality materials, and ship it to you on behalf of the artist (that's me).

Find out more about their products and how they produce them here.

And here's a little behind the scenes video of how they hand make Stretched Canvases, one at a time, when they're ordered.

Society6 Stretched Canvas - a day in the life from Justin Wills on Vimeo.

The attention to quality craftsmanship is one of the reasons why I've chosen to make my art available through Society6.

So right now, you'll find some of my photographs in The Shop. I am currently finishing up a new charcoal drawing and will be posting it as soon as it's ready. Can't wait to show you!

Thanks for stopping by.

Cottage Bench Drawing

2011-12-15T06:00:00.002-05:00

Today I'd like to share a snapshot of my most recent drawing...

Cottage Bench . charcoal on paper . 8x10 . 2011

It's a smaller version of Cottage Chairs and was commissioned by a lovely couple from the church that I grew up going to. Their family built the cottage that we rent every summer where these chairs sit overlooking the beach. Just like the cottage, this unique bench was hand-built.

Drawing at a smaller size was a little bit difficult and at one point I wasn't sure if I could actually do it. The last thing I wanted was to loose all the details and end up with a smudgy charcoal mess! But as I kept at it, I really enjoyed the challenge. I'm even planning on working in this smaller size for my upcoming drawings. Until next time...

Thanks for dropping by.

Bows, Boughs, and a Giant Grapevine Ball

2011-12-14T13:32:00.003-05:00

Lately, I've been working on our outdoor Christmas Decorations. Most of the supplies were given to me for free and have been re-purposed to create something fresh and new.

If you follow Charcoal & Crayons on Facebook or Twitter, then you may have already caught a glimpse of how our house looks all dressed up for the season. Here is where you'll find the details...

This year my mom gave me a big box of her old outdoor Christmas decorations with instructions to use what I wanted and to rip apart or throwaway what I didn't. Fun and right up my ally!

Garland
So the evergreen garland received just a slight makeover that included re-wrapping the lights and removing some little silver bows. The red balls were already attached. I thought about taking them off, but it seemed a little too tedious and besides, I quite like the pop of red colour that they provide. Twist ties (twisted together to make them longer) made attaching the garland to our porch a simple task.

Ribbons & Bows
After watching this great video, making three bows out of ribbon was pretty simple too. Two spools of wired ribbon were actually the only items that I purchased (under $20). A sprig of cranberries (from the box of goodies) was tucked into each bow.

Through the Grapevine
When my Mom heard that I was looking for grapevine branches, she immediately offered up the ones from her and her husband Sam's garden. They get pruned every year and instead sitting by the curb as yard waste, they took a trip to our house. Local nurseries may also have grapevines available, if you're on the hunt for some.

One Giant Ball
Years ago, I worked at a lovely little museum within an old Victorian style house. At Christmas time, I made several large lighted grapevine balls for the front porch. They were absolutely beautiful, so I wanted to create the same effect at our house this year. Here's a look at the front of our house in the summer...

I originally wanted to make 3-6 balls to hang on both the upper and lower porches... but only ended up with one. Lesson learned: need A LOT of grapevines to do this. I think the best way is to add more elements every year and gradually build our Christmas decor collection.

Plus, they aren't exactly the easiest things to make. It's been quite a few years since I made them at the museum, and this time around, my first attempt was not pretty. But by starting over and through trial and error, I figured it out. If you're thinking of making large hollow grapevine balls like these, here are a few tips...

I used jute string to tie branches together because that is what I had on hand. Florist or craft wire might be a little easier.
Tying branches together in bundles works so much better than using each one separately.
For example, start with the longest branches and tie 2-3 together. Then shape them into a circle, similar to a wreath.
Wrap another bundle cross ways around the wreath shape and secure.
Shorter branch bundles, can then be added in, tying at the top and bottom poles of the sphere... in curved shapes. Like this )
Tuck in extra branches where necessary.

I apologize for the lack of photos with these tips. Since I was pretty much flying by the seat of my pants, I was too focused to remember to take pictures! So if you have any questions, please leave a comment or send them to andrea.brand.art@gmail.com

The final step was to add two strings of lights to the inside the ball. This creates a beautiful nighttime glow on our front porch.

I have since added ribbon at top of the ball, hiding the extension cord. I'm not sure if I like the way this looks and I think some greenery would look better... maybe that will be a project for next year!

Rudolph's Roost
The final touch to our holiday home this year was handmade by my Mom and Sam. This little guy keeps watch by the front door...

So that's about it for our outdoor decorations this year... What about you? Is your house all dressed up for the season?

Thanks for stopping by.

I'm sharing this with...

The Nester's Christmas Tour of Homes
Momnivore's Dilemma
Under The Table and Dreaming

My Favourite Hat {courtesy of Love, Hadleigh Designs}

2011-12-11T00:06:00.004-05:00

Somehow, time has a tendency to get away from me where hobbies, art projects, and the usual daily family routines are concerned. That's one of the reasons why this post sure has been a long time coming!

Even so, there is no excuse for not sharing about this sooner...

A couple months ago I received a package from Love, Hadleigh Designs. And inside was one of Kristin's gorgeous handmade hats. And since I was the lucky one to win her contest, my new favourite hat was free of charge!

Isn't it beautiful?

Definitely the first thing I reach for if I'm having a bad hair day.

Throughout the process of deciding on style and colour, Kristin was absolutely lovely to correspond with. From newborn to adult sized, her products are incredible and can only be truly appreciated in person. And as a busy mom of 4 children, I don't know how she does it!

So if you're looking for a hat that is not only stylish, but wonderfully handmade and of exceptional quality... Love, Hadleigh Designs should be your first stop!

Thanks for dropping by.

Tuning in to Christmas

2011-11-25T13:41:00.002-05:00

Yep, I'm one of THOSE people...

...I love Christmas music.

On the radio, the television, and the CD player... I've been tuning in to the Christmas spirit lately.
I love the classics sung by the likes of Bing Crosby, the newer versions sung by the cast of Glee, and even the instrumental interpretations.

Around here, it not only sounds like Christmas, it is beginning to look quite festive as well. The usual decor has been exchanged for our Wintertime colour palette of Red, Grey, White, and Turquoise.

The Advent Tree is ready and waiting for December 1st...

And the big tree has been up for a week now...

Some of the tree's decorations are new, like this jeweled mercury glass ball. Things from around the house also adorn the tree, such as starfish and Seashell Stars. Decorative balls that are usually displayed in bowls are tucked within the branches as well. The shimmering red and silver tree skirt was handmade by my Mom {thank you!}.

One of my favourite ornaments is this white and silver owl and luckily it came in a set of three! The woodland creature theme also shows up on a plush reindeer pillow that my Mother-In-Law gave to me {thank you, Robin!}. For now, until I find the perfect star, our temporary tree topper is a white finger starfish. Who knows, maybe it will stay. Silver, white, and red ribbon wrap down the tree and I found this video to be so helpful when doing this.

The baby gate has also been transformed for the season and Oliver's holiday buddies have arrived too...

Instead of adding lots of expensive pillows, a few extra throw blankets create a cozy place to sit. I found simple fleece throws in red and grey for only $5 each. Now, it's the perfect spot to relax, enjoy the inviting glow of the tree, watch some holiday movies, and of course...

...listen to some Christmas music!

Thanks for dropping by.

I'm sharing this with...

The Nester's Christmas Tour of Homes

Creating A Christmas Advent Tree

2011-11-23T10:00:00.007-05:00

This year will be the first Christmas in our new house. I am so excited about the holiday decorating, the baking, and the time we will spend with family and friends. Since we've purchased a new large tree, the little tree from my apartment days was destined to stay packed away in the basement. Until I saw this...

source

I'd been thinking of creating some sort of Christmas advent project for our son Oliver, so when I found this advent tree on MarthaStewart.com I knew that my search was over! And as an added plus, my little tree would be able to spread some Christmas cheer once again.

Here it is all decked out with little presents for Ollie - one for each day in December leading up to Christmas...

And here's how it all came together...

Cut It Out
Burlap can be found at the local hardware store this time of year, but instead of wrapping trees and plants with it, start by cutting it into squares or rectangles. The size will depend on the toys and treats that will go inside. Jute string is also cut into lengths.

Toys & Treats
Place a toy or treat - or maybe even both - in the center of each burlap square. Some suggestions...

Dinosaurs and Chocolate Santas

Cars and Coins (chocolate or real)

Whether it's crayons, little books, blocks, cars, or dinos, whatever your child is into at the moment will do!

Wrap It Up
Bring the corners of the burlap together then tuck as necessary and tie with a piece of jute, string or ribbon.

Nifty Numbers
Stick-on numbers get the job done quickly and easily. If you have the time, other options for adding on numbers include painting, stenciling, or using decorative tags.

"Tree" Lights
Since there aren't any electrical outlets where our advent tree sits, I thought that a string of battery operated Christmas lights would work, but I was unsuccessful in finding any at our local department store. So I picked up a few packages of these battery tea lights or "tree" lights. It's so worth the little bit of extra effort to turn each one on/off individually. The flickering glow is absolutely magical!

Top That Tree
A little teddy makes the perfect tree topper. A piece of numbered burlap is tucked into the little pouch on this guy (it's actually for a gift card), but could also be pinned, tied, or sewed on.

Our completed Advent Tree is a welcoming addition to our front foyer. It is decorated simply with ribbon, "tree"lights, and 24 little burlap bundles; a knitted scarf becomes a tree skirt when draped around the base.

The tree sits on my recently completed Weathered Turquoise Side Table. The drawers will be perfect for tucking away the burlap and jute when they are opened each day. That way they'll be organized and ready for next year. A pretty box or basket would work great for this too.

Now all we have to do is wait until December 1st!

Thanks for stopping by.

I'm sharing this with...

Stay At Home Nation

Weathered Turquoise Side Table

2011-11-22T11:29:00.004-05:00

This past summer, I started working on a furniture project and now several months later...

It's finally finished!

What do you think? The sides and top of this little side table have been painted, and distressed. After much hemming and hawing, I chose to leave the drawers, legs and hardware since I quite like their vintage look and the burl wood veneer.

BEFORE

If you'd like to create a similar look, here's the how to...

Prep

Give the table a good washing and remove drawers. Sand the surfaces to be painted. If the surface is a veneer (thin layer of wood), like this particular table, be careful not to over sand.

Prime

A good quality primer, such as Zinsser Cover Stain, is the first layer to go on. It is an oil-based primer, so inexpensive throwaway foam brushes are a good choice to avoid messy cleanup.

Paint

Time for the first colour. This is Majestic Blue from Benjamin Moore. Since we're going for a weathered look here, the visible brushstrokes are intentional... so don't sweat the streaks!

Wash & Wipe

The next coat is a wash made by adding water to Benjamin Moore's Ashwood. Working in sections, apply the wash then brush off the excess with an extra dry brush.

Sand It
Sanding creates a distressed and aged look.

Seal It
Add a layer of protection with 2 - 3 applications of a clear coat such as Varathane Crystal Clear Diamond Wood Finish. This is a water based polyurethane that has a clear, non-yellow finish and it's available in a spray or brush on format.

There we have it. Finally.
For now, the table is in our foyer... a great little spot to place a bowl for mail, small items, and whatever the heart desires at the moment.

As always, your thoughts, comments, and suggestions are welcome.

Do you like the burl wood drawers? Or do you think I should paint them? What about the legs and hardware? Let me know what you think!

Thanks for stopping by.

I have not been compensated in any way for mentioning the products in this post.
They just happen to be the products that I chose to use for this project.

I'm sharing this with...

Stay At Home Nation
Under The Table and Dreaming
Miss Mustard Seed

Forks and Spoons {An Egg Salad Recipe}

2011-11-19T16:53:00.000-05:00

Oliver likes his independence.

When out for a walk, he doesn't need a hand to hold. And he'll be sure to let you know that if you try.

Since early on, he's been confidently eating finger food, and the days of mashing food and spoon feeding him seem like distant memories.

Forks and spoons have been a fun addition to mealtimes of late. Yesterday we tried out some yogurt.

Oliver thoroughly enjoyed using his own spoon...

...and his upside-down spoon style was surprisingly effective.

So today, when lunchtime rolled around, Oliver was hungry as usual...
Where did that tummy rumble come from?

Time to fill up that tummy! An egg salad sandwich does the trick, especially when eaten with a fork and spoon.

We used this Canadian Living recipe for egg salad as a referance and made it our own.
If your tummy is rumbling too, here's how to make and serve this classic sandwich just like Ollie...

Egg Salad

6 eggs
1 celery stalk
2 green onions
4 tsp olive oil mayonaise
4 tsp plain Greek yogurt
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp paprika

In saucepan, cover eggs with cold water and bring to boil on high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. With slotted spoon, remove eggs from pan and place into bowl. Run cold water over eggs. Crack and peel egg shells. Chop the hard boiled eggs.
While eggs are cooking, finely chop celery and green onions. With a fork, mix together the celery, green onions, mayo, yogurt, salt, paprika and eggs.

Serve on whole grain bread, with a side of tomato and a glass of milk...

...and a fork and spoon, of course.

Thanks for stopping by.

Award x 2

2011-11-14T14:06:00.001-05:00

I am truly honoured to have received not one, but TWO lovely blog awards lately...

First, is the Versatile Blog Award from Jodi over at In Corners of My Mind. Whether the topic is art, design, or family life, her posts always have me smiling.

To accept this award, thank the person who awarded it to you

and include a link to their blog. Then choose up to 15 fellow bloggers

that you've recently discovered or follow regularly

to pass the award along to and share 7 things about yourself.

So here are a few things about myself...

I'm an only child.
I can never remember how old I am... I think that I just stopped bothering to keep track after 21.
My Front Porch Ferns have been relocated indoors. I usually kill houseplants, so hopefully they'll survive the winter... and me.
I don't have a smartphone, but I'm thinking of getting one... any suggestions?
I am SO excited for Christmas this year and decorating our house for the holidays... I have a few projects in the works and will be sharing them in the coming weeks.
Doctor Who is my all time favourite TV show.
Although charcoal seems to be the best medium for me as an artist, I've been thinking a lot about painting and printmaking lately... now I just need to find the time and motivation!

...and here are my nominations for The Versatile Blogger Award...

Sugar & Spice in the Land of Balls and Sticks is the place to find recipes, DIY, and many incredibly creative projects. I always find myself inspired by all of the clever and cost effective ideas and tips!

Over at Momnivore's Dilemma, Nicolette's posts are absolutely hilarious as well as informative. You'll find crafts, nutritious food, a great link party, and her family's experiences with autism. She'll have you laughing one moment and tearing up the next!

Now on to award number two...

The Liebster Blog award is given to blogs that are considered up-and-coming and have under 200 followers. And once again I am so honoured!

This award is from The S.I.P. Project - where incredible exchanges are beginning to take place... Fabulous photo shoots in exchange for service projects that benefit charities, communities, and causes. I'm looking forward to seeing the entire project enfold!

I'd like to pass the Leibster Blog award on to...

Miss Amy at I do have a real job... I swear. Motivating ideas and articles are plentiful there... and some great recipes too. Be prepared to be inspired!

Thanks for stopping by.

31 Days of Words to Live By {The Complete Series}

2011-11-09T14:59:00.000-05:00

This is the place to find all of the posts during my blog series, "31 Days of Words to Live By".

For the month of October, I shared my favourite quotes and sayings while incorporating them into daily life.

This series was inspired by The Inspired Room, where you'll find other "31 Days" series among many other wonderful things!

Day 1: The Courage to Start

Day 2: The Mess

Day 3: What I am

Day 4: He's Not Perfect

Day 5: Sail Away

Day 6: The Jobs of Design Fundamentals

Day 7: Motorcar Magic

Day 8: Beautiful Moments

Day 9: A Little Boy

Day 10: Wear Sunscreen

Day 11: The Barefoot Rule

Day 12: Oh! The Places You'll Go!
Day 13: Cracker Snacks and Cowboy Hats

Day 14: Embracing the Toys & A Bunting Tutorial

Day 15: Red Crayons

Day 16: A Friend

Day 17: Pushing My Swing

Day 18: Apple Butter

Day 19: The Pumpkin Patch
Day 20: Ladder Love

Day 21: Feeling the Rain

Day 22: Recalling the Past

Day 23: Zebra Question
Day 24: Drawing with Crayons
Day 25: Borrowed From Our Children - AppleCheeks Cloth Diaper Review

Day 26: Homemade Thin Crust Pizza Dough & Sauces

Day 27: Spooky Spider Silhouette

Day 28: Shoot for the Moon

Day 29: Happiness is Cheesecake

Day 30: A Little Bit of Magic
Day 31: Our Halloween Home

It was actually a lot of fun and I didn't even get to use all of my favourite quotes! Maybe I'll get a head start on next year's series. Do you have any sayings or quotes that you'd like to share? I'd love to hear them.

Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts and comments throughout the series.

And hopefully...

Y'all will come back now ya hear!

Day 31: Our Halloween Home

2011-10-31T23:51:00.003-04:00

Tonight on this Halloween evening, we had a visit from a delightful dinosaur...

He was quite polite and instead of proclaiming "Trick or Treat", he shouted "Please!"

As bedtime drew near, he traded in his dino green for a devilish red suit.
And even though the matching hat made a mess of his hair...

...our little devil still had a few tricks up his sleeve!

Now before we turn out the lights, let's take one final look at Our Halloween House...

...complete with Spooky Spider Silhouettes and pumpkins with A Little Bit of Magic...

And although I absolutely love our house...

"What I love most about my home is who I share it with."

- Tad Carpenter

Sweet dreams and thanks for stopping by.

This post is part of my blog series, "31 Days of Words to Live By". For the month of October, I will be sharing my favourite quotes and sayings while incorporating them into daily life and art projects.

This series was inspired by The Inspired Room, where you'll find other "31 Days" series among many other wonderful things!

Day 1: The Courage to Start

Day 2: The Mess

Day 3: What I am

Day 4: He's Not Perfect

Day 5: Sail Away

Day 6: The Jobs of Design Fundamentals

Day 7: Motorcar Magic

Day 8: Beautiful Moments

Day 9: A Little Boy

Day 10: Wear Sunscreen

Day 11: The Barefoot Rule

Day 12: Oh! The Places You'll Go!
Day 13: Cracker Snacks and Cowboy Hats

Day 14: Embracing the Toys & A Bunting Tutorial

Day 15: Red Crayons

Day 16: A Friend

Day 17: Pushing My Swing

Day 18: Apple Butter

Day 19: The Pumpkin Patch
Day 20: Ladder Love

Day 21: Feeling the Rain

Day 22: Recalling the Past

Day 23: Zebra Question
Day 24: Drawing with Crayons
Day 25: Borrowed From Our Children - AppleCheeks Cloth Diaper Review

Day 26: Homemade Thin Crust Pizza Dough & Sauces

Day 27: Spooky Spider Silhouette

Day 28: Shoot for the Moon

Day 29: Happiness is Cheesecake

Day 30: A Little Bit of Magic
Day 31: Our Halloween Home

.

Day 30: A Little Bit of Magic

2011-10-30T23:49:00.003-04:00

"Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

- Ronald Dahl

Around this time of year, there's something just a little bit magical about a pumpkin. After picking the perfect specimen from The Pumpkin Patch and bringing it home, the real enchantment begins.

Daddy gets to work...

And so does Oliver...

Seed sorting...

And seed tasting...

This year, the task of carving was left for me. Daddy wanted the Guinness logo, I opted for a simple star treatment on mine, and Ollie's pumpkin was destined for a car, of course.
Then it was time for the most magical part...

Guinness Logo Jack-o-Lantern

Cars and Stars Jack-o-Lanterns

Pumpkins, creativity, family, love, ... whatever it may be... I hope you find the magic that you believe in.

Thanks for dropping by.

This series was inspired by The Inspired Room, where you'll find other "31 Days" series among many other wonderful things!

Day 1: The Courage to Start

Day 2: The Mess

Day 3: What I am

Day 4: He's Not Perfect

Day 5: Sail Away

Day 6: The Jobs of Design Fundamentals

Day 7: Motorcar Magic

Day 8: Beautiful Moments

Day 9: A Little Boy

Day 10: Wear Sunscreen

Day 11: The Barefoot Rule

Day 12: Oh! The Places You'll Go!
Day 13: Cracker Snacks and Cowboy Hats

Day 14: Embracing the Toys & A Bunting Tutorial

Day 15: Red Crayons

Day 16: A Friend

Day 17: Pushing My Swing

Day 18: Apple Butter

Day 19: The Pumpkin Patch
Day 20: Ladder Love

Day 21: Feeling the Rain

Day 22: Recalling the Past

Day 23: Zebra Question
Day 24: Drawing with Crayons
Day 25: Borrowed From Our Children - AppleCheeks Cloth Diaper Review

Day 26: Homemade Thin Crust Pizza Dough & Sauces

Day 27: Spooky Spider Silhouette

Day 28: Shoot for the Moon

Day 29: Happiness is Cheesecake

Day 30: A Little Bit of Magic

Day 29: Happiness Is Cheesecake

2011-10-29T23:28:00.003-04:00

Source: stumbleupon.com via Andrea on Pinterest

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."

- Frederick Keonig

Well, what I do have is cheesecake. Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake, to be exact.
And it sure does make me happy.

I found the recipe in the Kraftfoods What's Cooking magazine, Fall 2011 issue. I've never attempted cheesecake before, but decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did!

Here's the recipe... it just might bring you a little bit of happiness too...

Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake

INGREDIENTS

Cheesecake

3/4 cup Graham Crumbs (I like to buy the crackers since we can use them for other things, then just chop into crumbs in the food processor)

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (once again, food processor works like a charm)

3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided

3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided

1/4 cup butter, melted

1-1/2 cups canned pumpkin

3 eggs

1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

3 pkg. (250 g each) Brick Cream Cheese, softened

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

Praline

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbsp. water

1/2 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS

Cheesecake:

MIX graham crumbs, nuts, 1/4 cup each brown and granulated sugar, and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Refrigerate 1 hour.
HEAT oven to 350ºF. Whisk pumpkin, remaining brown sugar, eggs and spices until well blended. Beat cream cheese, remaining granulated sugar and cornstarch in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add pumpkin mixture; mix just until blended. Pour over crust.
BAKE 45 to 50 min. or until centre is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool completely before removing rim.
REFRIGERATE for 4 hours. Meanwhile, prepare Praline.

Praline:

BRING sugar and water to boil in small saucepan on medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Continue boiling, without stirring, 5 to 7 min. or until syrup is thickened and golden brown.
REMOVE from heat. Stir in nuts.
SPREAD onto parchment-covered baking sheet. Cool.
BREAK into bite-size pieces.

TOP cheesecake with praline and whipped cream just before serving.

Source: kraftcanada.com via Andrea on Pinterest

A few of my mistakes to avoid...

Please put a pan or cookie sheet under the cheesecake while baking. I didn't and now have an oven that requires some serious cleaning.

I refrigerated the cheesecake between 2-3 hours instead of 4. So it was still a little soft in the centre.

Also, don't top the entire cheesecake with the praline, like I did. The praline is like a hard candy and makes for difficult cutting. Although it won't look as pretty when displayed on the cake plate, next time I'll probably top each piece separately after cutting.

Mmm... a piece of cheesecake happiness.

What makes you happy?

Thanks for stopping by.

This series was inspired by The Inspired Room, where you'll find other "31 Days" series among many other wonderful things!

Check out the complete series.

I'm sharing this with...

Under The Table and Dreaming