Monday, June 20, 2016

USA Blocks






Good morning folks. This is an amended Blog post of a quicky I did a while ago.  It's really just some simple mixed media. This is also a class we teach down at Coastal Bohemian.

We do USA blocks, LOVE blocks, Boo blocks , Sea Blocks, Joy blocks and eventually more. I now keep a steady supply of blocks down at the studio and also for sale so students can go home and do more with their own ideas.

These are pretty easy, if you can cut your own blocks. You can always  have someone or someplace cut the blocks for you. A lumber yard will probably cut for you. 



I buy fence posts that are 4" x 4" and either 8 or 10 ft long.  
After that I cut them down to a 4" height. There is my cube, my block. 





Blocks will be painted on top and bottom and on two sides.
I like to dry brush red, blue and white on the painted sides. 



The two other sides get decoupaged vintage papers and napkins. I use red, white and blue patriotic napkins from the Dollar Tree.




 After all the sides have a background, you can decorate each block as a different letter  to spell USA. One becomes the "U" block, one becomes the "S" block and one becomes the "A "
block.


I used rope and buttons and stencils and paint to complete my letters.


 There are 4 sides to each block so you have a variety of arrangements including stacked. 




 










Hope you enjoyed this project. 

Thanks again
Michele 

Here's a peek at the other blocks . 



These would be cute  at a country wedding with the black and white photos of the bride and groom Just on the bridal dais.

Enjoy.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Coastal Bohemian June Calendar of Events


Rekindle the Friendship. Feed the Soul. Creations abound.





When my son was in kindergarten, I met one of my very best friends. We connected because of creation. Yes, bohemians, my new friend liked me because I was creative, just like her. We could talk about new projects and share ideas for new inspiration. Eventually, we crafted together on a regular basis  including, PTA,  Scouts, Homemakers and more.
As the years sped by, many changes occurred that kept our creative souls apart , including my divorce and partial southern move down the  coast.
My dear friend was continuously begged to come for a visit and create in partnership like the days of old , in my studio this time, but time does not allow so easily when we have families.
And then one day the wonderful surprise that she was coming. We were road tripping back to SC from L.I. NY. Let the Thelma and Louise jokes ensue.

All our plans included shelling and crafting and I insisted she send me her pinterest wish list so I could have the things she needed to get her moving.
The soul sings I tell you. I insist it does, really , truly make a difference to be with those that lift and inspire . And on the first night we cried for our long time separation. There is a great chance that our souls knew each other in another life and promised to find each other again and to remind each other of who we really are in this life; great and imaginative , children and mothers, wives and in my case a rockin' girlfriend; we are sisters and siblings, we are real estate agents, gym monsters, nature girls, care takers, soothers, bill payers, task doers, ....and at our best we are Coastal Bohemians.


 Fun in Murrell's Inlet 


                                      Above ........the creative frenzy




At our best is when we enjoy the combined joy of our intermingled , expressive and talented minds. Beware of the talent in the room when we are together. We can bring home the bacon and weave it into a preserved and edible pork lovers souvenir basket with an herb filled bow of twine and lace.
Ideas flow and layer  upon layer , upon layer a craft or project is born and expanded and expanded and within that flow is greatness.
It's been a long time . Greatness was waiting.

Help your soul sing.... C R E A T E !

And this dangling, seashell laden, sparkly, lovely, is hanging on my back porch until I transport it to my friend up in NY . Lucky me.



Comedy side note.We get into the condo after our long road trip and run off to the bathrooms. Screaming from  the other room,"What is this?" I think there is a big, ominous SC bug that has my friend all freaked out. No..... she's just disappointed by my ordinary switch plates. And so the next day we create some fun stuff. (Actually my daughter made this one.)


<-----My daughter Taylor making over the hideous and ordinary switch plate.
 Thanks for indulging me friends. 

Michele 
Coastal Bohemian  



4811 Hwy 17 Bypass S
Suite 4
Myrtle Beach ,SC 29577
Same bldg as Titlemax.
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Tuesday, June 7, 2016

The Happening List

Help us out friends by Voting for Coastal Bohemian in teh 2016 Grand Strand Happenings so we can make the LIST.

http://grandstrand.happeningmag.com/happeninglist/crafting-vendor-or-retailer-2016/
 Vote for Coastal Bohemian
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