Eclectic Studio - Tammy Morrison-Koenig

This project was inspired by a 1950's ice chest and picnic basket that we found on our travels this summer, both of which are in the red plaid patterning. Both of these were created using the separator pieces from a wine crate. I started by giving the pieces a good sanding and 2 coats of primer. I free-handed the coffee sign and used some letter stencils for the Farmers market sign and then sealed them with 2 coats of outdoor sealer as they are hung outside. (referral affiliate link- all that means is that if you click on the image, and decide to purchase, I would receive a teeny tiny %. There is no cost to you by using my referral link)

I am almost embarrassed to show the before and after of this project, but it is my most popular Pinterest project to date. As you can see this coffee table has seen better days was in dire need of a little freshening up. So I washed her down with some TSP and gave this baby a good sanding. I then applied 2 coats of Kilz primer to cover all the years of stains and God knows what else. I decided to freehanded the ampersand design because it was just easier than trying to print it and wrap the stencil around the edges. I love the clean lines and typographic nature of this table and now I don't mind looking at it again.

Once upon a time I was a little nut and the older I get the more this quote couldn't be truer. This is another page in my inspirational art journal. My journey of what keeps me going from day to day. This piece is done on a gelatin printed background with some collage, ink and oil pastel.

If you love scrapbooking, paper arts or mono printing you will love gelatin plate printing. These plates are available through your local craft store or online but I have chosen to make my own using this recipe: Ingredients: Recipe 1 6 T of unflavored gelatin (7 of the small packs) 1 1/2 cups boiling water 1 1/2 cups glycerin 2 bottles of rubbing alcohol (some people have not had any luck with this ingredient but I have found it works for me) also please do not microwave rubbing alcohol it may cause explosion or burns. or you can use this recipe Recipe 2 4 oz. unflavored gelatin (4 boxes or 16 packets) 2 – 6 oz bottles of glycerin 1/2 cup COLD WATER 1 1/2 cups boiling water Equipment: You can use a rectangular glass pan, one of those clear acrylic frames, or a metal pan or tray. You can also make plates in round shapes or cut fresh ones into geometric shapes or organic forms. If the pan is 9×13, the plate will come out about 1/4 inch thick. Adjust the recipe

My dd and I have been busy printing gift tags, Christmas cards and background papers on our handmade Gelli plate. If you haven't had a chance to experiment with this type of monoprinting, you should! There is no right or wrong way, just ways that work out better than others. If you don't like something it is very easily covered up to create another dimension. We cut our own stamps (texture plates), basic stencils and used found objects to print a multitude of papers. This is one of my not so good prints that I turned into an inspirational mixed media piece. Gelli print, acrylic paint, oil pastel, ink, collage.  I love the way the paper does a lot of the work for you.

On our travels this summer, I went beachcombing for some driftwood with a completely different project in mind. I love using natural items in my projects and with keeping the nautical travel theme for the boys' room, I designed this fish bones wall hanging. I found some slender twigs for the body and some bark for the head and tail attached it all with my handy dandy glue gun and voila.

Hi all, Its been a long while since I have been around to chat or share. This past year has thrown us for a loop and we have all had to refocus and re-evaluate life. When I last posted, I was working on a set of tangles, and during this, I started noticing that my vision was going a little funny. No big deal I thought as I am reaching that "age' when things start needing a little tune-up every once in a while. So Easter weekend I finally made an appt with my optometrist. That is all heck broke loose. The next thing I know is they are shipping me off to the hospital Easter Sunday for more testing.  I have been diagnosed with type 2 central serous retinopathy and a form of age-related macular degeneration, where my pigment layers are disintegrating. I'm not 40 yet and the last time I checked I wasn't a man either. As this is primarily a male dominated disease. There is no treatment at this time and it is progressive. :( This in combination with my youngest daughter deve