[ getting inspired ]

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SO anyone who follows me on Pinterest has noticed that I've been pinning a lot of art and art studios lately. I've been tossing around the idea of getting out my artist brushes again and creating some art. My guy bought me a lovely easel for Christmas and now that I've got it all assembled and my studio taking shape, it's time to get painting!

There's nothing like an art fair to get your creative juices flowing and this weekend we decided to check out the Artist Project in Toronto. 250 artists from Canada and abroad were showcasing their work at Exhibition Place and what an amazing show. Browsing through galleries is fun but there's nothing like meeting the artists themselves and hearing about their inspirations and how they've adopted their particular technique.

Here are just a few of my faves from the show...

Gabriella Collier

Shannon Dickie

Samantha Sandbrook

Stephen Perry

Lori Klassen

Julie Hawkins

Mary Karavos

Rick Worthington

Janette Hayhoe

...and here are a few more whose cards I didn't get so I don't have their contact info but I'll show you their eye candy since they're so beautiful:

What a great way to spend a chilly Sunday afternoon! I left feeling totally uplifted and inspired to get cracking on creating some art. No point letting my art school/design degree go to waste!

lisa

[ my studio tour ]

SO TODAY I thought I'd give you a little glimpse into the room I seem to be spending WAY too much time in nowadays ~ my studio, aka office.

I'll warn you now ~ don't expect to be blown out of your chair or anything ~ I haven't really done all that much to it!

It is a fairly bright room, with no direct sun but a nice big window to look out of. I can watch 'pacing man' come out onto his balcony a few times a day to pace back and forth, or 'underwear guy' who comes out in his whities to talk on his phone.

Yes, I know, these are fakes but hey, at least they add a bit of pretty in here.

I love my numbered boxes from Pottery Barn and jar of antique thread spools.

A view from the doorway ~ notice all the IKEA finds. Cheap and cheerful! I store all my fabrics and sewing supplies in the drawers ~ keeps things nice and tidy.

My matryoshka dolls and big clock that I can't seem to get mounted up onto the concrete wall without screwing in a hole.

A view to the other corner ~ this room's pretty small.

My embroidery hoop art that definitely gives the pale walls some personality.

And of course the junky area. Obviously I've still got some projects to tackle someday!

But for now, it's working just fine. I wonder who's down at the pool...

Ok, back to work! After completing my character outlines, my plot outline, my chapter outline, I've got to submit my first actual chapter tonight. Hope you enjoyed the mini tour!

lisa

[ creative inspiration ]

TODAY I'M loving this little artist's corner. It makes me want to get out some paint and create something - what about you?

lisa

[stacey haines]

[ a charming kitchen for a charming artist ]

I STUMBLED upon this lovely kitchen belonging to UK textile print designer, Teresa Cole. It's a light, lived in, comfy space and the bright hit of red cabinetry gives it such cheerfulness.

Teresa started Teresa Green upon graduating in printed textiles from art & design university. All of her fabrics are from within the UK, her linen from Ireland and her inks all water-based. With a passion for kitchenalia - ladles and kitchen scales and old garden objects, her illustrations have a whimsical feel and are as adorable on cards as they are on cushions, kitchen linens and purses. If you are looking for some lovely handprinted pieces, be sure to visit her website.

[bottom pic: country living]

[ inspiration for my art wall ]

I'M A huge fan of art walls - it's a great way to display numerous small pieces you might have and really make an impact. I've been seeing a lot of great examples out there, both as carefully hung displays and picture rails that allow for easy rearranging.

I decided that my studio would be a great place to start an art wall since I've got a fairly large area above the wall-to-wall IKEA dressers that house my fabrics. I've been collecting some fun art pieces on Etsy and from various art shows I've gone to so I'm excited to finally get some of them out of storage and on display.

I started out with some inexpensive picture rails from IKEA (I love IKEA for these types of things!). They were a bit too long but were easy to cut down to the proper length.

After a bit of shuffling around, this is how it turned out. I love that I can move things around anytime to keep the display fresh. And I've got a feeling this might eventually spread across the wall. :)

lisa

[kate spade; 2,3 unknown; house of turquoise; lonny; houzz; better homes and gardens;

inspiring interiors; skona hem; design*sponge; inspiring interiors; unknown]

[ from bathroom to craft room ]

LOOKING FOR some clever ways to organize all your office or craft supplies? Then head over to your bathroom department at your home building store and pick up a toilet paper holder, a shower caddy and simple over-the-toilet cabinet! Your bits and bobs will be all sorted and easy to find.

lisa

[better homes and gardens]

[ so chic office chair makeover ]

I CAME ACROSS this amazing office chair makeover tutorial over at U create and just had to share. Who doesn't have one of these ugly things and look at how chic it can look! Be sure to check out the tutorial on how you can transform your own chair!

lisa

[ cookin' up an office ]

ARE YOU always trying to keep little bits and bobs organized in your office or workspace? I know I am and when I saw these ideas to use what you've got in your kitchen to hold all those pesky little necessities, I knew that I'd be rummaging through my cupboards to see what goodies I've got on hand.

lisa

[all pics Better Homes and Gardens]