Photo Shoot!

Yesterday Sharpe Designs had our first personal photo shoot.  We're updating our website and we needed pictures of us.  Abby designed a theme for the shoot that was both clever and beautiful.  I was so excited!  It's not every day that you get a chance to get all dolled up and be the center of attention.  Not since senior prom have I spent so much time on my makeup!  Having a professional photo shoot would be like living a model's life, if just for a moment.  I was sure it was going to be the most fun!

A sneak peek at the photos' theme!

With the incredible photographic skills of Jim McLaughlin, the day was set to be a huge success.  Abby designed a beautiful backdrop and incredible props.  Our husbands pitched in to hang chandeliers and offer cheering from the sidelines.  We used the expertise of our friend and professional model Alicia Bevan for makeup and posing tips.  There was just one minor hitch. Apparently, I am not a natural on camera.  As soon as the lens is in focus, I freeze up.  If you've ever seen the Friends episode where Monica and Chandler go for their engagement photo, then you've seen a bit of what I am like.  And in case you haven't seen it, let's just say that this photo sums it up.

It took considerable skills on the part of Jim McLaughlin to get me to relax.  Most of the early pictures show me in some type of frozen awkwardness.  But after much encouragement and laughter, I finally stopped feeling weird and started having fun.  The final photos we will use on our website.  I'll let you know when we've posted them.  But here are some of the shots taken during the shoot.

Our handsome husbands looking on while Jim frames the shot

Alicia and Jim examining the test pics

I know what they're thinking - How can we get her to relax already?

My husband, offering emotional support with a cupcake!

In the coming weeks, we will be making many changes to our website.  To issue in those changes, we will be having a contest.  But to kick things off, take a guess at what the theme is for the photo shoot!  Leave your ideas in the comment section, or on our facebook page.  Good luck!

A New Spin On Art

When you have an artistic or crafty child, your home can quickly become overrun with paintings, drawings and pictures.  Since there is only so much space on one refrigerator, the question of where to display the artwork can become quite a dilemma.  Abby has solved the problem through the restoration of old frames.  She purchases vintage pictures at garage sales and flea markets for a song, then paints the frames to coordinate with her decor and the artwork.  Her children's art is prominently and proudly viewable to all and adds to the beauty of her home.

Finger Painting Fun

Neighborhood

Abby's Framed Chalkboard

At my house, we have converted a wall in our hallway into an art gallery.  By attaching three lengths of fishing line to the wall, we created a place for the kids to hang their artwork without fuss.  I added some old napkin rings to hide the screws that we used to hang the fishing line.  Colorful clothes pins attach the art to the line, and the pictures can be changed regularly.  Our only rule is that one piece must come down before the next can go up.

The Art Wall

Covering the Hardware

Several Rows High

What's your creative solution for kid's artwork?  Do tell!

Snow Day Traditions

I slept with my laptop on the floor beside my bed.  When the alarm sounded, I lazily opened the screen and pressed refresh.  It showed the local news website with the school closings listed.  I scanned for my children's school.  I found it.  School was closed.  Aaaahhhh.  The sweet freedom of an unhurried morning.  No scrambled searches for the missing gym sneaker.  No hurried preparation of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  No last minute homework checking.  No shouting up the stairs to stop fighting and finish brushing your teeth!!!!

Instead, a snow day morning means lazily sleeping in.  Waking up to special pancakes.  Snowmen and snow forts.  Hot tea with sugar cubes to revive the soul and warm the fingers.  At our house, snow days mean family days.  Such is the luxury of a teacher father.  At Abby's house, on the first snow day of the year, they make homemade funnel cakes.  So my question is this:  what are the snow day traditions at your house?  If you have any, please share them with us.  I would love to add another piece of family wonder to my favorite days of the year.  If you don't have any, what would you like them to be?

Vintage Eye Candy

Always a lover of color, the collection of vintage fabrics that Abby recently acquired really caught my eye.  When I walk through craft stores of today, I can't seem to find a quality fabric for home decorating with the kind of color that I crave.  I have no use for muted, neutral tones.  Give me bold, obnoxious color.  A row of brightly colored pillows of differing patterns and shapes on a brilliant red couch.  Curtain with florescent flair.

I can't stand to be surrounded for too long by pale tones.  It depresses me.  I once used a large beach towel with citrus colored fish as a temporary upholstery cover on a headboard at a bed and breakfast.  Too many days in that muted room would have been my undoing.

Abby will likely turn these fabrics into something lovely.  Here's a few ideas for inspiration!

Fabric Magnets

Vintage Cushions

Vintage Bunting

Vintage Scarf Coasters

Click on the links for purchase information from the creators!  Happy coloring!