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)

This has been on my to do list since last fall. My Wonderful husband rescued 2 of these beauties from the trash at work and thought I could do something with them. Well of course I can :D I was just looking at the industrial tables on the Restoration Hardware site. So as they say one persons trash is another ones treasure. Nothing a little elbow grease and a fresh coat of paint couldn't cure. Until next time Happy Creating everyone :)

It has a long month away from doing anything creative. I lost my grandpa :( , my baby boy turned 3,  went in for my first surgery, kids started soccer and gardening season has started :D  Well after getting all of that sorted out and my gardens off and planted I was looking out at the Moai statue I did last year, I figured he needed someone to hang out with after the lights go out at night.  So I whipped this guy up. Now off to the garden center while this guy dries. :D Hope you enjoy First grab your supplies Wrap with Chicken wire Attach armature Start slathering on the concrete, keep adding until it has covered all wire and plugged all bare spots Ta Da!!! Now let him cure for the reccommended time, Pull out your paints and go a little crazy. Plant it up with what ever you want. Add water and sunshine and see what happens. :)

We have all seen these 1970's hanging lamps or we even have one stuck in the very back corners of our basements. Well this is a product of my husbands creative brain at work of turning what was once an eye sore into something useful and lovely. :) I cant take any credit for this at all, and when he first told me what he was doing I thought he was going to the birds.. hahaha But our little woodland creatures LOVE it. It also seems to be hail, squirrel, and big bird proof (jays, black birds, magpies etc...) He took out all the electrical, plugged the holes left by that and stuck rubber stoppers under the glass to lift it enough for the seed to be gravity fed. We decided not to paint it as it blends nicely into its surroundings, but did seal it with 3 coats of outdoor sealer. Hope you enjoy. Tammy Backyard Projects For Today's Homestead "Maximize Your Outdoor Living Space Through Creative Woodworking"

Its finally starting to green up around here. I have 1/2 of the greenhouse permanently planted the other half are in cold frames and almost ready to go to their outdoor location. I have radishes, spinach and lettuce that have popped through to say hello and my annuals are up and waving to the world. :D So now I have been on a search for interesting containers to put all these extra pretty ornamentals. HMMMM Have you actually checked out the prices of some of the big pots and outdoor decor. It is crazy! So off to Google I go for inspiration and this is what I came up with. This Moai planter is 3 ft tall and made of concrete, Styrofoam and reinforcing wire The inner pot can be removed for easy planting or changing out plants as the year goes by. I'm thinking of putting some big bushy purple verbena in for hair. Happy Creating :D For a more detailed step by step and another crazy head planter idea visit here:   http://tampster1.blogspot.ca/2012/05/new-concrete...

This is probably the absolutely best outdoor project we have taken on. We have an enormous yard for being in the city and for years it has been neglected. The gardens have grown over and the perennials were being chocked out by the thistles. So last year we tackled the main veggie gardens and 1 small circular perennial bed to add some interest. All veggies are started from seed and all the perennials have been graciously donated from friends that have been dividing up what they have. This year I really wanted to add some extra seating and maybe some extra pretty things - because you can't have enough pretty flowers. So few weeks ago BHG sent out their weekly newsletter - a pergola special, and after explaining to my DH that the word pergola actually exists LOL we came up with some VERY rough sketches and I sent him to work. Hahaha K is really enjoying this woodworking thing and as long as he enjoys it I will keep coming up with projects. :D This year we also tackled the ...

I have never been a big shopper - especially in high end boutiques. But when I was thumbing through a decorating magazine I came across this massive fake clock from restoration hardware. 2 reasons why I would never buy this product - 1. it doesnt work - lol - not very practical 2. It cost $1495.00 Can you imagine paying that for something that doesn't work ... Oh my! I was going to ask my DH to cut me out a big cirle from some of our left over wood projects, but my neighbours beat me to it. They had this stone tabletop (use to be a sundial) with a broken plaster pedistal and asked if I could use it before it went into the trash. **** You betcha***** And low and behold I came up with my own version. 4ft round marble. It will be sitting in my yard for the summer and I "will" find a place for it in my house this winter. I LOVE it!! And the best part is that it cost me NOTHING. I have bins and bins of paint and outdoor sealer so all it took was a little geometry and so...

Its been busy around here, Ive managed to finish 3 dresses, 2 skirts, 1 shirt for my little girl and pj pants and a hat for my little boy and a skirt, top, 2 hats and an 50's inspired apron for myself.(ill post those when my model is not so ill. Plus Ive started a new watercolor painting. - ill post that tomorrow. But the best"est" ;) project we have taken on is my prized Greenhouse. Measurements are 7 * 7 *3.5 feet :D This will save ALOT of post hail tears - hopefully. My husband works for a lumber yard which has come in handy for the summer project wish list. The lumber used was fall down (stuff they cant use because of estetics and would have been cut up and tossed away, (which is no bother to me ;)) and the poly are the sheets that cover the wood as it comes into the plant. So total cost of the project was my husbands' love and much appreciated help from our neighbour. :D I can't wait for everything to start blooming and producing.

This mini painting was inspired by a garden statue located at the Butchart gardens in Victoria, BC. This statue was recessed into a wall and surrounded by lush greenery and gorgeous flowers which is a beautiful contrast against each other. 2.75 * 2.75 in acrylic on stretched canvas initialed on front and signed/dated on back

Well not really I have a fully stocked canvas corner.. but I just wanted to switch it up a bit. In our home we are all about the 3 r's. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle so when these off cuts of granite used for counter tops were dropped off at the bin at my husbands work he called and asked if I would be interested. Well I am always up for a challenge. These are 2 garden table tops. The black one is in my little corner of the garden and the pinky one is a thank you gift for all the perenials she filled my garden with this spring. :) She has no idea she is getting it but cant stop talking about the one in my garden. I cant wait to see her face.

Frog and flies. 7.25 * 9.5 in Watercolor on Strathmore Aquarius paper and my new set of Hobiens. :) A happy little garden painting I have managed to fit in.