Thursday, March 31, 2011

Spring Break

I'm back after a much needed family vacation over spring break to Seattle and Bend to visit family and friends. We had an awesome time and I came back feeling refreshed and loaded with inspiration!

The downtown market is loaded with color, fresh flowers, produce, jewelry, art, fish... etc! It is a sensory overload for the eyes, nose and probably wallet. ;) I purchased some artwork from a local vendor, yummy chocolate cherries, and lusted after the many gorgeous flowers.

Seattle had sunshine all 3 days we were there, crazy beautiful and a very unexpected treat! I was hoping for a little rain though, but we got some of that and snow on our 3,700 mile round trip drive! ;) Arizona to Seattle, and back again... plus lots of site seeing, wow!

Of course no market place shopping is complete with out a little Antique shopping!
So many fun treasures, I wish I had more $$$ and space to bring things home. :)





Here are some "Spring Time" photos from our travels, enjoy!

 


  

And of course, my hubby and I had to get in a "Kissy" Seattle picture, I love him!! :)


Seattle Skyline at night was breathtaking!


Hope you enjoyed your Spring Break!

What adventures did you and your family have?

Friday, March 18, 2011

Heading Out...


Hitting the Road...
Singing in the Rain...
Loving on my family...
Enjoying a cup of coffee from the original Starbucks...
Taking pictures...
Relaxing!

If you need me you know where to find me... ;)

&

&

the Beautiful Bend, Oregon.
I'll be back home soon, please pray for safe travels! 
Thank you & much love,
Heather ~

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Finding beauty in your surroundings...


In the past the word "Desert" and "Beautiful" would not be two words I would place together in the same sentence.

Growing up in Arizona, I've gotten my fill of dry desert waste lands... endured the tumbleweeds, allergies and extra dusting in housework that comes from living in the desert. (haha... not that I actually do a ton of dusting, just keeping it real).  Unless the wildflowers are in bloom, I found the desert pretty much a UN-inspiring place that is filled with rattlesnakes and scorpions... two of my least favorite things in the world. I'm a BIG coward when it comes to scorpions, just gives me the shivers just typing that word. blaa! anyways, sidetrack! ;)

However, something has finally sparked inside me to really find the beauty in my surroundings. Right now we are living here and I should make the best of it and showcase the beauty of something I once detested. I think that is pretty much my "Sew-Over-It" way of thinking, take something old and boring to you and make it new, beautiful & exciting! :)

I've been enjoying learning more and enjoying the art of photography... and strangely enough I have found one of my favorite locations to shoot so far has been the desert.  Here are a few of my favorite desert photos thus far.




There is nothing more beautiful than an Arizona sunset, well.. except for maybe two people madly in love. ;)

This is how girls play on windy days, when most people run inside and a dust storm is coming... my adventurous daughter and I play outside! ;)

What is something you have a hard time finding "beautiful"? Take a closer look and you might just change your mind.

All this to say about the "desert", and I am off next week for a family vacation to Seattle! Haha.... every desert flower has to soak up the rain for a little bit right? ;)
~Heather

Monday, March 7, 2011

Gold and brassy to...

Garage Sales & Spray paint make me happy! ;)

I turned this $3 gold/brassy grandma's mirror to funky fabulous in 15 minutes. Add some dark glaze to
 pop the details and it's ready to go! I used the left over paint from the {Green Bean} chair makeover in the previous post. 

Next I grabbed a can of outdoor Bronze paint and gave our old sad (Orange) fading flower pots a fresh coat of paint, way cheaper than buying new pots. And of course I planted some new spring flowers! 


What project have you given a "Spray Paint" makeover recently!? :)

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Green Bean...

Hello, meet Green bean... in all his green greenliness.
We met at Goodwill and after getting over my inital reaction...

I was captivated by the price tag {$7} enough to take a second glance. I told him if he wanted to become part of our family the vinyl and green had to go.
So today he got a makeover! ;) 
 
Ah much better and a perfect chair for my art/sewing desk. This was one of the quickest and most fun before/after projects I've done... I love spray paint!

Sanded & sprayed this guy down then added some distressing and glaze, I love that bright pop of color! 
I found this artsy floral upholstery fabric in the remnant section at JoAnns for $40 a yard original price tag, yikes!! Today it was 40% off and then another 50% off that, I think I paid about $12 for it... and I have more left over for other little projects!


After I finished up I got lucky to find a little beauty sitting in my chair modeling it for me. ;)


{$23} dollars start to finish. Love.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

the "Johnny Carson" - GIVEAWAY- Vintage Suit Refashion

GIVEAWAY!!!
the "Gentleman's" bag... for the ladies... ;)

A vintage Johnny Carson Suit from the 70's refashioned into a messanger bag! I picked up this vintage suit jacket & vest from Goodwill several months ago, it is a retro 70's suit from the Johnny Carson line -- they are actually worth a pretty penny still so I was stoked to find it for a great deal!

I forgot to take a before photo, but the flap is made from the vest & lining, the body of the bag is made from the jacket and front pockets and the strap is made from the sleeves!


 I'm SUPER excited with to announce that YOU can have a chance to WIN this bag!!

It is going to be given away as part of  the Kreatid Photography + design photography challenge! Photographer Jen of Kreatid, has an amazing eye for taking beautiful unique photos, she loves Jesus (a lot a bit), is a sweetheart and is located in Arizona check out her website!
  www.kreatid.com


 I also included a "Photographers Emergency Kit" to keep in tune with the "photography" theme... this includes: tissue pack, bobby pins, safety pins, mini sissors, suckers, etc... something to help out when that photoshoot isn't going just quite right. ;)

Win this bag and use it on your next photoshoot, or as a diaper bag, book bag... etc. ohh the possibilities most importantly this is completely unique, handmade & vintage!!! :)


So GO to her site now for details on how to win and submit a photo entry for Kreatid's [VINTAGE] photo challenge! This challenge ends March 28th, good luck! 

CLICK HERE

and please become a fan of Sew-Over-It on facebook if you love these Refashion, Recycle, Renew fashion designs!! Thank you!! :)
I "HEART" Vintage!
A few photos of my favorite vintage finds...