Feature Friday- QiQiGallery

 *Disclaimer: All images in this post are of artworks done by QiQiGallery. I claim no credit or responsibility for any of the art or photography in this post.

Welcome to my second ever Feature Friday! This is so exciting to me, possibly as exciting as when I first started this blog! So this week's feature is about Etsy seller QiQiGallery. She asked that I not use her real name because its too hard to pronounce, but I'll call her QiQi for short. She was sweet enough to answer a few questions for me

365 Days of Happiness

What is your favorite piece and why?
QiQi ~ [Painting is pictured to the left, 365 Days of Happiness] I like the symmetric beauty of the painting and it makes me happy to look at it and to paint it.

Where do you get your inspiration?
QiQi ~  I get my inspiration from nature. I love natural beauty.

How long have you been painting? How did you get started?
QiQi ~ I started painting at really young age. I started drawing horses using pencil.

The Soul Mate

Its literally impossible for me to choose just one as a favorite. I love them all! I'm having trouble narrowing it down to just a couple for this post even! But let's get the ball rolling, shall we? This piece is titled 'The Soul Mate'. It says goldfish, but it reminds me of koi fish, which I think is why I love it. (I love koi fish!) I love the look that painting with a palette knife gives a painting. Its the same impasto style that Susanna Shap used for my Sarah, which I blogged about here. QiQi uses it in a lot of her work.

Sand Dune

This is another style she uses often. I'm not sure how to classify it though. There are some with beach scenes, others with meadows and the occasional tree. They have an almost cartoonish look to them. All gorgeous but for the sake of space (and to try to keep this post from sending your computer into a seizure from image overload), I'll limit it to this one.

Love

Add kanji to that list of things I love! (As well as many other things Asian such as pagodas, cherry blossoms, Buddha and minimalist decor styles). I love the blue and purple used for the background, its very calming and serene.

Forevermore

QiQi does a lot of lovebird works. Two lone birds on a wire or sitting in a tree, another theme I love. Its like, 'you and me against the world'. And with the rainbow background in this one, that appears it may be impasto, is it any wonder I picked it to show yall?

Peppers

Sometimes she does simple still life paintings as well. Can't you just see this hanging in a kitchen somewhere?

Red Tulips

Not all of her flowers are abstractly done. I love this simple work with a few red flowers and checkered background. And the orange grid on the checkerboard makes the red of the flowers pop even more.


I'll leave off there before I get too carried away. What do yall think though? Are you as in love with her talent as I am? Well if you are, hurry on over to her shop! She's offering 10% discount exclusively for my wonderful readers! Use coupon code "QIQI4DOAD" at checkout!

Box Project Fail... For Now

I was so excited about this project. I had this big epiphany and realized that a cardboard box that was going to be thrown out was the perfect size to fit in my kitchen cabinet and do what I'd been looking for baskets to do. I immediately pulled everything out of my cabinet and started organizing. I figured out exactly where I wanted to put and what to put in it, so then I started to think about decorating it. At first I was thinking about covering it with fabric, sewing pieces together to make a sort of slipcover for it. But I only have a little hand-held sewing machine, and I don't have patience to tackle something that difficult without a regular machine. So that idea was out.

Then I thought I'd just cover it with scrapbooking paper. I got out my Modge Podge, and glued up and papered all the sides. Well that part worked swell, but  I wanted something to cover up the corners, the 'seams' so to speak. So I pulled out some ribbon and started gluing that on using the MP. Well that part didn't work so well. Even after the glue was completely dried, the ribbons just peeled right off. Apparently MP doesn't bond well with satin ribbon. I got out my hot glue gun and tried it, it bonded better but didn't look so hot:

The next day Jen over at IHeartOrganizing posted this post. Major facepalm moment. She made these  by using spray adhesive and covering cardboard boxes with fabric:

Genius right? Turned out much better than mine did, that's for sure! I think I'll stick to something along these lines when I get around to finishing my boxes.

General Post

Oh how I miss having Gimp! I can't wait to get either my or Jess' computer back from my uncle (both are currently not functional), so I can use it again. (I'm using The Boy's computer for now, he's grounded from it anyway, and he has almost no RAM, so even with only the essential programs, it runs super slow. That's a big part of why I haven't been posting as much, because I get soooo irritated with this computer!) A friend recommended Pixlr.com, because its very similar to Gimp, but all the work is done in your browser. I really want to do a new living room board, because my vision for the room has changed since I did the last one and I'd really like to get it all put together in one place other than my head. But I'm having trouble learning Pixlr, so it looks like the new board isn't going to happen, at least not anytime soon. Not until I learn Pixlr better, or until we get one of our computers back.

But at least you have another Feature Friday to look forward to! The post is all typed and ready to post, and I am already typing up posts for next month as well. I have some wonderful artisans lined up, as well as some fantastic discounts and giveaways! Its booking up quicker than I ever would have imagined, I will be booked solid through the summer before long!

Pinterest Etiquette

Hi, my name is Courtney, and I am a Pinterest addict. ("Hiiiii Courtney!") But that's not what this post is about. Like many of you, I adore Pinterest. But I HATE to see what its become since its gained so much popularity! People pin and repin without any regard to whether the link is correct, or whether the proper credit is given. And I admit that while I tried to be good about pinning only images with correct sources and credits, there were many many images that I was lazy on and repinned without checking. So, today I've been working through my 800-some pins, correcting what I can. I've corrected quite a few, but I still have a long way to go. I'm not sure what to do with the others, the images I can't find a source on, but for now I'm moving them into a separate board titled 'Orphaned Images'. It really drives me nuts when I click on an image to see the tutorial, or whatever other reason, only to find a whole page of completely unrelated random photos and the one I wanted nowhere to be found! I wish people had more respect, those images are someone's intellectual property!

I'm getting off my soapbox now. For those of you who care, I wanted to share a technique to find image origins. There have still been a few images I haven't been able to find, but it has helped me find a good many sources to credit. I saw this image on Pinterest, and I think it was the snapping point for me (as in snapping me into action to correct as many of my pins as possible, and encourage others to do the same). She explains it much better than I could, and has helpful pictures, so head on over to The Graphics Fairy's page to read the tutorial!

{ Source }

Now go start correcting your pins! Or at the very least be more careful when you repin new things! A lot of people have been pushing Pinterest to make it against the terms of service to repin things without the correct source. Translation- if they succeed, you could potentially be banned from Pinterest if you're caught!

My Latest Find

Our A/C is out. And maintenance says they can't even figure out what's wrong with it until it gets over 70 degrees outside. So thanks to the 68-degree-days we've been having, its typically around 80 degrees inside our apartment. So I guess its no suprise why I've had ceiling fans on the brain lately.

I'm sure at least some of you have figured out by now that my taste can run a bit eclectic. Which may be why I fell in love with this:

{ Source }

Total conversation piece, right? And totally me. Its $111, not the cheapest but not horrible either. Totally buying this one day!

Feature Friday- Rachel Dunnigan

*Disclaimer: All images in this post are of artworks done by Rachel Dunnigan or pictures she submitted of her home. I claim no credit or responsibility for any of the art or photography in this post.

Its Feature Friday! Since I don't want to do all the artist features at once, I mentioned that I was thinking about spreading them out. And today being Friday, I have the element of alliteration on my side. I'm not sure yet if it will be a weekly or monthly thing, so yall let me know how you like it!

Organica

I'm so excited to be bringing you my first artist feature! Her name is Rachel Dunnigan, and her Etsy shop is littleEarthTreasures. And she is sweet as pie! She is donating one of her pieces for a giveaway for you wonderful readers, which will be coming up in a week or two.

For those of you who don't know me that well yet, I love things organic. I find such beauty in nature. So I'm sure its not much surprise that one of my favorite pieces of hers is this one, titled 'Organica'.

She was gracious enough to answer a few questions for us too.

Where do you get your inspiration?

RD ~ My inspiration comes from anything and everything. From fallen autumn leaves on the ground or in a tree, to seeing all of the color swatches lined up together in a paint store. Nature inspires me most. Flora, sunshine, green grass... everything.

Violet

What is your favorite piece and why?

RD ~ If I had to choose, my favorite piece would be 'VIOLET'. I painted this for my best friend who's expecting a daughter whose name will be Violet, hence the title. I've painted and continue to paint many variations of this piece -- in different sizes and color schemes -- as I absolutely adore creating abstract flora paintings.

How long have you been painting? How did you get started?

RD ~ I've been painting on and off since I was a little girl. I used to attend weekend classes at the Maryland Institute College of Art when I was small, and have immersed myself in art of all kinds since I can remember. However, the past few years have been crucial to my growth as a painter. I mostly use acrylics and adore mixed media. Sometimes I'll paint with acrylic and use an adhesive to fix a real flower onto the painting.

Seeing as how this blog is mainly focused on home design, I'd love it if you're willing to submit a picture of something in your home you wouldn't mind readers seeing, maybe a room you love, or a piece of art you adore, etc.

"Here is an inspirational photo of my back yard, a place where I spend an unusual amount of time..."

"...and another of my favorite room in my home (it's bright, sunny, and alluring)."
-Rachel Dunnigan

 And just because, here are a few more works I love:

Mermaids

With a name like Mermaids, is it any wonder that I love this? (Hush Kelly! Lol!)

Celestial

I love things celestial too, and most anything depicting the differences between night and day.

And that concludes my very first artist feature, thanks to Rachel Dunnigan! I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have, and be sure to go check out her shop, and maybe even purchase something, and tell her I sent ya! And stay tuned for a giveaway of one of her pieces, and for more artist features!

Guest Post- Elegant Tuscany Style

A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from someone over at Arcadian Lighting Blog saying they enjoyed reading my blog, and wanting to know if I'd be interested in a guest post. Well of course I said yes! She asked if I had a preference of topics and I told her to surprise me. So she said she'd get to work on writing one, and get back to me. To be honest I had forgotten about it until I got her email last night with the article! For her topic she picked Elegant Tuscany Style. Exciting, yes? So without further ado, here is Jessica!

Hi everyone! I'm Jessica, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, a wonderful source for beautiful and affordable lighting fixtures. I'm delighted to be guest posting on Design on a Dream today because I'm going to be sharing beautiful interiors inspired by a dreamy location. Tuscan style interiors are all about warm colors, rich, rustic textures and classic Roman motifs. I hope these rooms inspire you to create your own Tuscany getaway at home! Enjoy!

Fresh white fabrics and sun bleached wooden furniture makes this patio a perfectly relaxing space to spend an afternoon. Crawling vines and a trellis patio cover add a wonderfully Tuscan feel to the scene.

This cozy kitchen and living room illustrate the beauty of rustic Tuscan style with its exposed wood beams, simple wooden furniture and cabinets. The terra cotta tiles and wrought iron hand rail are traditional features of the style, as well.

The marble floors, high ceiling and dramatic fireplace are definitely swoon-worthy in this luxurious bedroom. The cream and rose color palette is particularly romantic, and the pair of petite table lamps are so cute.

What's more Italian than dining al fresco? A lush green backyard and simple table and chairs sets the scene for a lovely afternoon or evening dining with friends and family.

Brilliant gold and red accents create a very regal, Tuscan atmosphere in this bedroom. Robust furnishings and wrought iron wall art are perfect for completing the look.

A warm, yellow color palette and beautiful frieze paintings are classic Tuscan details. The wrought iron chandelier and pendant light in the kitchen are beautiful intricate details.

A brilliant golden color palette and impressive view of a fresh green garden make this dining room perfectly elegant and airy. It's a beautiful alternative to dining out doors.

The serene bathroom could be from a Tuscan villa. The fabulous claw foot tub and marble-esque walls are classically beautiful. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

How much do you love Tuscan style interiors? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to stop by Arcadian Lighting to find the right chandeliers or pendant lights to brighten your home!

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Can I just say that I love love love that bedroom? Oh and the kitchen, dining room and bathroom after it! Those are some truly gorgeous spaces!

~ Courtney