Art-Full Life Friday: Upcycling

I love upcycling. I think it is brilliant to take something used and turn it into something art-full and beautiful.  Here are some of my favorite Upcycled items from across the web:

Vespa turned Rocking Toy as seen on ohdeedoh

Man's Shirt Upcycled into a Dress as seen on Craft Gossip

Upcycled Furniture Set as seen on Adaptive ReUse

Vintage Lace Top Turned into a Necklace. Tutorial on Instructables

I have had this photo for a while. I don't know where it came from but I love it. If this is your upcyled design let me know!

Tires turned Belt seen on Sexy Upcycling

And finally.....

Circuit Board Boxers (!) as seen on Inhabitat

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LMAO on Art-Full Friday

Sometimes art is just funny. In this particular case it is graphic art that is cracking me up. I had to share this because it made me laugh all day yesterday when a coworker forwarded it.  MANY thanks to Jarod Thornton whose blog is where we first saw piece of awesomeness. Hope it starts your weekend off with a smile!

Missy the Cat *MISSING* - why you don’t ask favors of the designer…


___________________
From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am

To: David Thorne

Subject: PosterHi

I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon. This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.

Thanks Shan.

__________________

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: PosterDear Shannon,

That is shocking news. Luckily I was sitting down when I read your email and not half way up a ladder or tree. How are you holding up? I am surprised you managed to attend work at all what with thinking about Missy out there cold, frightened and alone… possibly lying on the side of the road, her back legs squashed by a vehicle, calling out “Shannon, where are you?”

Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.

Regards, David.

_________________

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Posteryeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

____________________

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: PosterDear Shannon,

I never said I don’t like cats. Once, having been invited to a party, I went clothes shopping beforehand and bought a pair of expensive G-Star boots. They were two sizes too small but I wanted them so badly I figured I could just wear them without socks and cut my toenails very short. As the party was only a few blocks from my place, I decided to walk. After the first block, I lost all feeling in my feet. Arriving at the party, I stumbled into a guy named Steven, spilling Malibu & coke onto his white Wham ‘Choose Life’ t-shirt, and he punched me. An hour or so after the incident, Steven sat down in a chair already occupied by a cat. The surprised cat clawed and snarled causing Steven to leap out of the chair, slip on a rug and strike his forehead onto the corner of a speaker; resulting in a two inch open gash. In its shock, the cat also defecated, leaving Steven with a wet brown stain down the back of his beige cargo pants. I liked that cat.

Attached poster as requested.

Regards, David.

___________________
From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

______________________

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: PosterDear Shannon,

It’s a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.

Regards, David.

_______________________

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: PosterThats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.

_________________________

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: PosterDear Shannon,

Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don’t come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I am willing to overlook this faux pas due to you no doubt being preoccupied with thoughts of Missy attempting to make her way home across busy intersections or being trapped in a drain as it slowly fills with water. I spent three days down a well once but that was just for fun.

I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.

Regards, David.

__________________

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: PosterThis is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say lost.

_____________________

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

________________________
From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.

___________________

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Awww
Dear Shannon,

I don’t have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend’s cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter, I kept the cat in a closed cardboard box in the shed and forgot about it. If I wanted to feed something and clean faeces, I wouldn’t have put my mother in that home after her stroke. A week later, when my friend came to collect his cat, I pretended that I was not home and mailed the box to him. Apparently I failed to put enough stamps on the package and he had to collect it from the post office and pay eighteen dollars. He still goes on about that sometimes, people need to learn to let go.

I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.

Regards, David.

________________________

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.

____________________

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Awww
I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says “I haven’t seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?” you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.

I knew someone who had a basset hound that had its hind legs removed after an accident and it had to walk around with one of those little buggies with wheels. If it had been my dog I would have asked for all its legs to be removed and replaced with wheels and had a remote control installed. I could charge neighbourhood kids for rides and enter it in races. If I did the same with a horse I could drive it to work. I would call it Steven.

Regards, David.

__________________________

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww
Please just use the photo I gave you.

__________________________

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

_________________________


From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.

____________________________

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

_________________________


From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.

_______________________

From: David Thorne

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm

To: Shannon Walkley

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley

Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm

To: David Thorne

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.

Mmmmmm Yummy Art

Today is Art-Full Friday and maybe I am just hungry, but I am obsessed this morning with Food Art. The ways that people manage to take random pieces of food and shape it into something beautiful and fascinating is incredible. Hope you enjoy!

Sushi Pandas! Leafar on Flickr featured this adorable Bento Box art display.

You may have seen this before. Carl Warner is quite a famous food artist. Every item in this piece is edible. Can you imagine the patience this took!? Photo courtesy of Designioustimes.

Also from Designioustimes, Saxton Freymann creates food art for children's books.  Here is one of my favorites:

An all natural spa treatment:

Toxel.com has an awe inspiring collection of Bento Box art and food art.  This one is my favorite because the cucumbers on her eyes make me laugh. 

 

Can you imagine how long this took to carve? Sasthamcotta.com has a huge array of images highlighting these intricately crafted fruit art pieces. 

 

Soooo cute.  The Cool Amazing Art Blog has so many cool food art pieces. The birds above delight me but my ultimate fave is next!

One of my all time favorite books is the Little Prince so this piece just makes me smile. 

A sexy bite of food by artist Edith Zimmerman. Photo Courtesy of Buzz Feed.

And finally....

It may not be made of food, but this can art Cobra by Canstruction is amazing.  It took about 8 weeks to build and all the food was donated to local food banks and homeless shelters when the installation was taken down.

Photo courtesy of My Modern Met.

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An Art-Full Celebration This Fourth of July

I love throwing parties but I hate having to spend a lot of money on centerpieces that will just be tossed out or broken apart and stored in a closet. Also, who has the time these days to put together floral arrangements and extensive tablescapes? I know I don't! And so with the Fourth of July just a few days away, below are some quick and easy centerpiece options to make your decorating a breeze. Most of them can be done with items you either have at home or can easily find at a local grocery or dollar store. Enjoy!

Any tablecloth can be turned into a patriotic work of art with stars cut out of any random red, white and/or blue fabric.  These stars were glued on with spray adhesive but any glue (or a few quick stitches with a needle and thread) will adhere them for your event.  I also love the look and set-up of their ice cream bar!

(Photo Courtesy of Country Living)

It honestly can't get any simpler than this.  Snag a handful of American Flags at the Dollar Store or your local grocery store this weekend and some red, white and blue gumballs. Within seconds you have a vibrant and fun centerpiece for your picnic tables this weekend.

(Photo Courtesy of All You)

Break out of the American Flag theme and go for something summery and bright with this easy to make centerpiece. Simply hollow out a watermelon for the vase and fill with a store bought bouquet. 

(Photo Courtesy of Kitchen Mish Mash)

Combine strawberries (or watermelon), blueberries and marshmallows and pile them on platters.  When spread sporadically across the table these simple dishes make fresh and edible table decor. 

(Photo Courtesy of Make and Takes)

If you're feeling crafty or you have children coming to your Fourth of July Event - this is a fun centerpiece that doubles as a project to keep the little ones busy.  A Dollar Store bucket, some paper and a bit of ribbon or random baubles and buttons all combine to make this adorable table topper. Let each child make their own star or flag and pretty soon you will have a table full of art!

(Photo Courtesy of Design by Dani)

And finally.....

So much easier than it looks - these are centerpieces with a bang AND they double as favors.  Just take paper towel or toilet paper rolls and cover with crepe paper, tissue paper or ribbons. Americana images can be printed from your computer and attached with glue.  Fill the inside of the tube with candy or other treats, tie at the top with ribbon or pipe cleaners and you have a fun and fanciful addition to your event.

(Photo Courtesy of Country Living)

Have a Happy Fourth of July!

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In My Own Back Yard

I tend to work in an office or home office and a rarely get outside in the daylight hours to truly appreciate the artistry of the earth. For today's Art-full Friday I took my camera into my own backyard to explore the beauty of nature:

The thin, tiny branches that crawl across the wall of the house thrill me. They would make a gorgeous fabric.

Under the canopy of trees in the backyard

One of the few pops of color in the mostly green yard. The contrast of colors and the soft "spikes" of this flower make it one of my favorites in the yard.

The mango tree is beginning to thrive again. 

Ticked by the mini white flowers within the bright purple petals

I have always liked that these berries look frosted, as if they were fake Christmas decorations. 

Another one of my favorites. These flowers collect the dew in fascinating ways creating watercolor like patters on their paper thin petals.

Mother Nature strikes again. A seemingly ordinary palm tree leaf becomes a work of art when the light hits in just the right way.

Ten Unique and Art-Full Advertisements

Advertisements can be informative, interesting, funny and beautiful...and sometimes, they can be downright weird. Those are my favorite kinds!

Here are ten strange and creative advertisements for Art-Full Friday:

Amazingly innovative ad idea for IWC

Cute bench advertisement from Denver Water

 

This ingenious marketing for 3M's Security Glass featured real money inside of a bus stop terminal.  

Bloody, multi-dimensional and a definite traffic stopper. Such a great ad for Kill Bill.

I have no idea what I am looking at here in this Ben and Jerry's ad...but it's definitely unforgettable!

This water safety fixture is totally upsetting but a great visual effect. I wonder how many people try to save the child before realizing he is fake?

Phenomenal effect in this Miele Vacuum billboard

Thanks to the Kitsch Bitch for this one. She said it best..."Um....Happy Earth Day?"

This ad for KayaKing Peanuts just makes me laugh.

And last but not least....

Gillette's totally disturbing and strange painted ad for safety razors, apparently safe enough for babies??? 

What is your favorite crazy advertisement?

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Blogging the Art-Full Life

I love my blog, I really do, but there are millions of other bloggers out there and some of them are just crazy-good.  Today's Art-Full Life spotlight is on three of my favorite blogs.

I have been thinking of making this a monthly feature so let me know what you think!

StyleLikeU is an incredible site for anyone who loves fashion and closet voyeurism (and by that I mean spying in people's closets).  Sometimes weird, sometimes inspiring and always interesting, everyone featured on this site has one thing in common - they are living an art-full life.

My new "must check every day" blog is Domestic Sluttery the "Home and Lifestyle Blog for Women Who Have Better Things To Do." They cover everything - fashion, interior design, cooking, shopping and they do it with humor and the pefect amount of girliness.  They are what my site would like to grow up to be!

Finally, a local blog has caught my attention - and completely frustrated me all at the same time lol. I am including it with the hopes that one of my South Florida friends will help me on my quest.

Tile Fort Lauderdale, run by one Mary Tiler More (so cute!),  is a perfect example of the Art-Full Life.  The artist paints tiles and hides them around Fort Lauderdale giving hints to their locations. Thus far I haven't been able to find any so I am hoping maybe one of you can!

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