Good Grief....I'm a bit behind on things over on this side of the tracks......want to give everyone a reminder that we've got ALL our projects housed over at www.borganic.net and things are HEATING UP over there for the holidays, my friends!
The workshop has been one busy place, and we're even giving away a lot of the FINISHED projects we just did for the HGTV special and a whole lot more! Check in, throw your name in the hat, take what ideas you want and HAVE AT IT!
Here's our latest newsletter with all the latest.
CHEERS to CREATIVITY and HUGS TO YOU ALL!
michele.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Update! Update! Update!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Back 2 Beige
My friend Dee will be most disappointed in me, as I reached for the beige paint can the other day. Yes, I turned our dining room/sitting area into a space with with big, beige, boring walls. Not because I'm not colorful or courageous in that area of course, but because I have too many other colorful things going on, on the walls and all around. Sometimes, you just have to go 'beige' to make it all work.
And as I painted this room, AGAIN.....I got to thinking of what makes painting a room actually fun and successful for me, personally. Most people think of painting a room as drudgery and I really think it's no big deal...just grab some paint and go.
- The paint.
- A good roller.
- Don't make it a bigger production than it needs to be....you're just putting color on walls.
- Versatile, easy to move ladder......
- Do a test spot.
Painting a room is really an easy task that anyone can do, and it's a quick way to freshen things up and make a change. .......
Just only go beige, if you HAVE to. :)
CHEERS to fresh paint.
michele.
Friday, August 27, 2010
shout out 4 an inspiring friend's blog
I had the pleasure of meeting C. McNair Wilson a couple years ago and I can honestly say he was memorable, charming and downright inspiring. He's a corporate creativity coach and speaker who gives one heck of an entertaining presentation! I like to check out what he's up to on his blog every so often and I'm sure you will too. He has some incredible stuff up there currently for all us doodle lovers! I got to peruse through one of his sketch/doodlebooks when I met him and it was FANTASTIC. They should be published.
Friday, August 13, 2010
dropcloth decor and do it yourself magazine






Wednesday, August 4, 2010
for no reason at all.



Ever feel like sitting down and doing something for no reason at all? Something that has no direction or purpose? You just have an urge to go to your creative space and CREATE. Doing something mindless ironically enough is a great exercise in helping me become more mindful. To recharge.

- one canvas
- one tool (committing to only one brush or palette knife adds to the experience)
- a big pile of paint
Thursday, July 29, 2010
too many ideas scattered about in too many books

Wednesday, July 7, 2010
s.m.i. welcomes.....

Cheers to creative interns everywhere!
Monday, June 7, 2010
my new love for barbed wire
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
colorful, creative snack for the day
Serve up your art mediums in something new, my friends!
Old snack trays are a good choice. Their built in dividers and companion cups for rinse water or other additives make these vintage housewares a wonderful addition to the art studio that can get reused time and time again.


Worn out cookie sheets. Place a wet sponge at one end and your paints/mediums at the other. Work off the cookie sheet itself or line it with waxed paper. A convenient way to mix things, moisten your brushes and it too is a paint palette that can be used over and over again.

Divided storage containers with lids. These little plastic beauties are a better environment for my art supplies than my food, so I like to use them for mixing paints/mediums when I know I'm going to be working on something for an extended period of time. The airtight lids make it a cinch to store things for a few days without drying out.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
mystery additions
Yes, I have a fascination with "character" decor, let's call it. Portraits, mannequins, heads.....creepy to some...... personable, quirky and fun to others like myself. I have them grouped together in various places and I've started to notice 'new additions' that I did NOT add. For instance, this little bust of JFK (I think that's who it's supposed to be) suddenly appeared on the mantel.
Not sure how long he's been there, or who the character is that made the contribution. Have to admit...very funny....and even though he's not exactly something I would've necessarily picked to add to the collection, I'm considering letting him hang around just because it makes me laugh. I obviously need to keep a closer eye on my visitors not for fear of what they'll 'take', but rather what they're leaving behind. The things that make you go hmmmmmmmm?!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
do it yourself magazine
Celebrate summer with our friends over at the Do It Yourself Magazine. They've put together another fun spread of ideas that are yours for the taking.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
...brought to you by the letter "C"
Monday, April 12, 2010
the 'original' tabletop sawhorses
I have my hubby Jon to thank for this idea.....he created these for the shop several years ago, we shared them on our program, B. Original.... and we find ourselves using them all the time. We've also given several of them as gifts. You'd be surprised how many times you'd like to hoist things up on the work bench to work on them and these are the perfect solution. They're easy to manage, portable and work beautifully. You can create a pair for yourself or if you'd like us to do the DIY'in for you...they'll be available in our store for purchase later this week.
And (2) more 2x4’s that measure 8 inches.
One one side, you need to notch out for the legs. Measure over 2” from each side on the 8” board and then up ¾” and draw a line.

Cut out using a handsaw, jigsaw or bandsaw.

The original Tabletop Sawhorse….a handy must have for every studio or shop.


Tuesday, April 6, 2010
carefree creating


Cheers to carefree creating and MORE of it.
michele.