Mardi Gras

Some of my favorite memories from growing up in Louisiana involve Mardi Gras!  This year, Mardi Gras will be Tuesday, February 9th.  We won't be heading down there for Mardi Gras this year, but hope to soon!  I created some Mardi Gras decor, inspired by fun memories from my childhood!  My mom also helped me dig up some of these sweet gems!  Aren't pictures from the 80's entertaining?!    

This is me at a preschool Mardi Gras parade - maybe age 4?

This is me at a preschool Mardi Gras parade - maybe age 4?

I'm a construction cone!  This is the Mona Lisa Moon pie parade circa 1986 or so?!

My husband & 2 year old daughter at Mardi Gras in 2012.  

Available on My Etsy Shop

A Budget Friendly Gallery Wall!

My friend, Kate Sartori, helped me with this gallery wall in my family room!  I'm thrilled she convinced me to do a gallery wall around the TV!  I also managed to do it pretty cheap!  Here's how:

• I used old frames that weren't being used!  I spray painted them metallic gold.  I bought it at Walmart.
• For specific pops of color, I created my own paintings.  See my Etsy shop!
• My daughter, Elle, painted the golden bird on the top row.
• I used pictures of my kids that I've taken & a photo of a door that my dad took.
• My friend, Kate, made the book wreath for me!  I love the texture it adds.  She used the tutorial from this blog.
• I adore the New Orleans canvases that were a gift from my parents.  They can be purchased at artbyjax.com.
• The navy & white striped paper is just scrapbook paper from Hobby Lobby with a gold R taped on (also from Hobby Lobby)!
• I also used some 40-50% off coupons at Hobby Lobby & Michaels for the Love print, the arrow & a few of the frames.

A Golden Bird

I was looking for some pops of color for a new gallery wall in my family room.  After looking through the stores & around Pinterest, I decided to make some paintings myself.  My almost six-year old daughter, Elle,  & I sat down to paint together while her 3 year-old brother, James, was napping.  She surprised both of us with a painting of a beautiful golden bird!  It was one of those memorable parenting moments that make the not-so-fun days worth it.  We enjoyed our time together & we were both happy with our end product.  I had colorful, abstract paintings for the gallery wall & I also had a piece of her art to add to the gallery wall.  At the time, I didn't realize that painting experience would be the inspiration for a new Etsy shop! I'm hoping to help others add fun pops of color to their wall decor through my artwork!

A Golden Bird by Elle