Den10studio

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:29:00 +0000

Hello Monday, glorious Monday!

My show this past weekend was a big success. This year I offered matted and framed prints which where a hit. I applied what I know about myself: I love to buy art, but it takes me forever to get it framed. So to simplify the process from purchase to wall, I framed a few of my more popular prints. It is always difficult to predict what print in what color frame one might want, but overall it was the white and dark brown framed prints that sold. I was so very pleased. And would you believe I forgot to take a picture of my display!

With that show (and halloween-ugh!) behind me, I am embracing this Monday as a fresh start. Time to clean house, literally. I still have our Halloween decorations up and as always piles and piles of laundry. Laundry is my nemesis. Maybe I just need to embrace that too.

Have a great day!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:58:00 +0000

Came across this song by Julie Doiron. I just love the lyrics.

Well yer kids, love you more, than you know, well you know.

But you treat them, and your life,

and they love you just the same.

So hold on. Hold on. Hold on.

So my mother told me, to put on your boots.

And go out in the backyard.

And my mother told me, to look up and down and all around.

And to be thankful for all you’ve got.

So hold on. Hold on. Hold on to us.

I am looking forward to one of those weekends with nothing to do, snuggling up on the sofa with my family and watching a movie. Maybe next weekend...This was a long, rough week. My house is a wreck. My kids are fortunate to have clean underwear today. Among other things, I have been getting ready for a show that is tomorrow. Therefore everything else has fallen to the wayside. This will be my fourth year participating in the Red Sled, a fund raiser for a school in our district. I don't do many shows, but they are a great venue to literally get your stuff together, put yourself out there, and take in the feedback!

I'll let you know how it goes :-)

Have a good weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:31:00 +0000

[fine art photography by emmalynne]

Beautiful photography! I found these images on etsy at Emmalynne's shop. They remind me of my grandma who was a seamstress. She made all her own clothes with the finest fabrics. She never wore pants, always skirts and dresses. She taught me how to sew. When we were little and visited her, we played with wooden spools. When I had kids, she would say kids these days have too many toys which take away their opportunity to be creative on their own. I agree.

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:16:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:21:00 +0000

[my husband, circa 1972]

[me, circa 1972]

This is from last year's post, but this bit of serendipity can not go unmentioned around Halloween... This picture was taken when I was about 5 years old - sitting on a coffee table in my Halloween costume with a pumpkin. Before my husband and I were married, we realized he had almost the same exact picture taken! Destiny, right?

Thanks to everyone for all their well wishes. My dizziness was diagnosed as the "crystals" in my ear being out of place. Each day I am feeling less dizzy as these "crystals" are slowly finding their way back to where they should be, to let me know which end is up. After never hearing about this, I now know three people who have experienced this phenomenon.

Anyway, now on to Halloween....

Have a good weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:37:00 +0000

[house of harriet]

I have not been feeling well the past few days. I am a bit off balance. Friends may say yes you are, but literally I am off balance. Dizzy ever since I jolted out of bed from a deep, deep sleep when my son yelled the dog is choking. (he wasn't choking, just heaving which is just as lovely at 4 am) Needless to say, the dog is fine, I am not. I do have a doctors appointment, so soon the mystery will be solved as to what is happening to me.

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:27:00 +0000

top: valcox; esdesigns; getfeltup

middle: wildwomanjewelry; sophiassweetspot; lorenabarrezueta

bottom: jennifermorrisbeads; lindaboucher; juliepersons

Hello Monday! It is so dark here this morning it looks and feels like it could be the evening. The weather has been cold and rainy. I thought it would be nice to post some beautiful things from etsy with cheery colors to brighten this gloomy day. Don't you just love aqua and red together?

Mary at Vintage Home and Garden, who is also experiencing this midwest weather, posted a chicken taco soup recipe that is absolutely delicious! I made it yesterday and my family loved it. It was so easy, I am considering making it again for our Halloween open house! Enjoy.

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:11:00 +0000

top right: PollyEPerkins; top left: AprilMarieMai

bottom right: PollyEPerkins; bottom left: EMNelson

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous coffee cup art! These artist did a beautiful job with the variations of color, love seeing their brush strokes. Great inspiration.

Here are a few more "studies" from my sketchbook that are more poster-like:

Oops, how did that get in there :) Have a good weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:11:00 +0000

And the winner is...Momma Such! We put everyone's name in a hat and my daughter pulled out the winner. Thanks to everyone who participated in my giveaway - I loved reading all the comments. Now, I have some new blogs to follow too!

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:15:00 +0000

A few years ago I started a daily challenge to paint a thought in my sketchbook. Instead of journaling like some people do, I would paint a little 3"x3" picture. I did this every day for a while until other things slowly took over my time. My sketchbook has sat on the shelf for some time until this weekend. I forgot how much I enjoy painting in it! Here are a few tiny coffee cups I painted. Warming up for the big one!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:50:00 +0000

[good morning print]

Win a print from Den10studio

The question is mug or cup? Which do you prefer? I have been commissioned to do a painting of a coffee cup. When I sat down to do a few mini paintings/sketches and many shapes came to mind, it occurred to me that everyone has their favorite. A mug or a cup? I would love to hear what you have to say! I am offering one lucky reader my Good Morning print. Simply leave a comment to enter to win. (if you do not have a blog or your blog is private, please include your email in your comment.) Comments are open all weekend. A random winner will be announced on Wednesday!

I am amazed to have found so many vintage mugs and cups on etsy. Milk glass no less, my favorite. And I have to mention the photography - so well done! Check out these mugs and cups for inspiration:

top left: vintage set of 4 milk glass mugs at vintage kitchen

top right: minty green retro diner boontonware coffee cups at vintage eye

middle left: pyrex milk glass mugs at vintage etc.

middle right: vintage milk glass mugs at impulse art

bottom left: fire king milk glass cup and saucer at zazzzzz

bottom right: tea...anyone at finding fabulous

Thanks for your comments and have a great weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:55:00 +0000

[perfect chance memories]

I came across two shops on I Heart Handmade. They were offering a giveaway and believe it or not, I won! I usually don't win anything (maybe because I usually don't enter contests, hmmm, that is probably why, anyway...) this time, to my surprise, I won two things. A super cute polka dot clutch from Perfect Chance Memories and a pair of the prettiest earrings from Adorn Me Jewelry. Their handmade items are lovely! Take a look at all the other wonderful things they each have in their shops (just click on the photos).

[adorn me jewelry]

I just love the clutch and earrings. So exciting to win, thanks again!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Saturday we went to an apple orchard/pumpkin patch. The day started out damp and cold when we were picking apples and pumpkins, but then the sun came out while we were sipping coffee, hot chocolate, and eating apple donuts, mmmmm. Lovely day.

Serious apple picking.

Not so serious apple tasting.

The empire apples were so sweet and delicious and right off the tree, they were just the right temperature. We had never had an apple that tasted so perfect! On Sunday we made an apple pie with the three varieties of apples we picked: empire, starlight, red delicious.

Who could find the biggest pumpkin?

Who could find the longest pumpkin?

The kids declared pumpkin carving will be on the Thursday before Halloween. Stay tuned!

Here's to the start of a great week.

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:52:00 +0000

"Hello ladies and gentelmen, I'm gonna take it down a bit,

With a little number I like to call... Striped Sweater."

The best time to wear a striped sweater,

Is all the time,

One with a collar,

Turtle neck,

Thats the kind,

Cause when you wwwweeeaaarrrr it,

That's one... special.... sweater."

My kids started singing this Sponge Bob song in unison...

Kids, you gotta love 'em!

Have a great weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:53:00 +0000

Part 2 of my flea market finds. My mom was disappointed she did not come with us on Saturday, so tomorrow the two of us will be antiquing locally. We have this crazy idea of opening our own shop and the more we talk about it, the less crazy it sounds! My folks recently moved to Illinois from California (after living there for 24 years) so you can imagine some of their own things they have come across packing and unpacking that they just need to part with - we're talking beyond garage sale.

There is so much I want to do, just not enough time in the day. It is already Wednesday! Make the most of your day :)

Happy Birthday to Matt, have a happy day knowing you are loved!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:06:00 +0000

...exactly what I was looking for! We made it to the Kane County Flea Market on Saturday, got a little wet (my photos are not as bright as I would have hoped), but it was worth the trip. The flea market was fantastic - lots of great booths. Best of all was coming across the beautiful furniture by Vintage Home & Garden. Honestly, I saw the furniture and mirrors first and was thinking too bad they don't sell just the frames when my wonderful husband came up to me holding this gorgeous frame! The owners allowed me to take some pictures for my blog and we chatted a bit to find out that they will soon be selling on etsy! Here is their blog.

[photos of vintage home & garden furniture and frames]

More flea market photos coming soon. Good stuff!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:39:00 +0000

[made by hand by me]

[everything etsy]

"Made it" should be my heading as in being featured: love like print and the den10studio etsy banner. The last two weeks have been very exciting as den10studio has been featured on two websites. Thanks so much to made by hand by me and everything etsy! The blogging community is so wonderful. And it is true (as it is of anything, really) the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.

Hoping the rain holds out tomorrow. 8:15 am soccer game and plans to go to the Kane County Flea Market. Happy weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:35:00 +0000

This is a new print I have been working on...it's almost finished:

[a home is... 8x10 print]

I have had many requests for these bikes from my "Cruising" and "Coasting" prints to be printed individually, to be sold as pdfs, or to be used in wedding invitations...Such great interest! I have created 11x14 prints of three of my favorites soon to be available at my etsy shop.

[big bikes individual prints 11x14]

Enjoy and have a great Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:38:00 +0000

[skinny laminx on etsy]

Take a look at these gorgeous tea towels at skinny laminx, designed by Heather Moore. Her illustrations and cutouts are amazing. Love her style!

[heather moore cutout]

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:50:00 +0000

[MODERA on etsy]

Came across MODERA's etsy shop and I think my heart skipped a beat. Look at these vintage items so perfectly photographed, don't know which part I like more! I know I have blogged about some of my collections like old jars, and for a long while I was collecting milk glass. I always envisioned the milk glass pieces in a kitchen cabinet with glass doors, back lit. Well, that hasn't happened yet and the milk glass has been boxed and stored. But I still love its look.

Check out MODERA's shop, 25% off!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:38:00 +0000

A few new prints:

[littlest bird 5x7]

[dr. seuss quote 4x6]

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:23:00 +0000

[13x19 custom print]

I have finished a few freelance projects and have started working on new art. Love starting on new projects!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:23:00 +0000

[raggedy owl]

Aren't these colors just beautiful for fall? Tomorrow is the first day of autumn and with a new season brings a fresh start. A friend was surprised when someone mentioned how organized I was, and I was surprised that she was surprised. Guess she didn't see me that way. Well, I took a long look around and it was true, I have let a few things go. Mentioning this to my super hilarious other friend, he sent me a link to the container store! Yes, I did purchase some "containers" to contain some stuff...and what a good feeling to open up a cabinet and not have wii games, controllers, and charger cords fall out! (I started there). Not only do I have the cleaning bug, I have the urge to get rid of almost everything in my house - not just a garage sale, an "estate sale"!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:46:00 +0000

Oooo. This is a good one! I am loving the airborne toxic event right now. Just as I was completely bored with the music on my ipod, a friend passes on these tunes. Perfect timing! If you like the fratellis, you just might like this band. Don't know what it says about me, but I really enjoy late-night-bar-break-up music! Have a listen and a great Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:25:00 +0000

Yesterday we had a wonderful time at the Renegade Craft Fair. Beautiful weather. Incredible talent. This is not your every day, ordinary craft/art fair - no dried flower arrangements here!

These were just a few of our favorite artists:

This is one of the four prints we purchased:

[hero and sound]

What a nice way to end the weekend. Happy Monday!