Projects and the Need for a Hole In the Head

I have three projects on my table, so to speak, that I am really excited about. Project No.1: While in Hobby Lobby with my dad a couple of months ago, we spotted something that we just have to try: a table with mosaic tile inlay! It looks pretty simple to do, and since my dad is very handy I think it will come out great. We are on the lookout for a suitable rummage-sale-type table for the project, but haven't found one yet, so there's no big hurry. Here is a photo of the table we spotted to the right. I'm thinking I want to paint ours a distressed black with dark gray grout because I want it to go under a piece of ironwork I have on my entry wall (also to the right). It looks a bit bare, but I'm being picky about what I put up on the new walls as I don't want to have to put a bunch of holes in and then patch them up and repaint. Also it looks like it is small, but I'm standing quite a distance away - it's actually about 3 feet square.

Joseph Cox, Men and Nets, 1955

Project #2: When the in-laws were packing up and moving out, they, as I noted previously, threw out or gave away many things. I snatched up an art print that no one wanted and would have been thrown out. It is entitled "Men and Nets" and was created as an entry to a competition sponsored by the Atlanta Paper Company in 1955 by Joseph Cox. The winning entry was printed and sent out as Christmas gifts to valued clients, etc. My husband's mother's father owned a Coca-Cola plant in Atlanta and was a client of the paper company and they have had the print in it's original Christmas card-type envelope and packaging ever since - it was never framed or displayed at all. I find it lovely and the colors work nicely with my living room, so I am going to have it framed with a double mat. 

...the other side

One side...

Project #3: This project is for my dining room wall, which is also newly painted (relatively) and is bare due to the same reasons as most of my living room walls. I got this lovely old window with old wavy glass in it from a friend of mine in exchange for some computer-straightening-out work for her. I haven't entirely decided exactly what I'm going to do with it yet, but the general idea is a french cafe-themed print of some kind behind the glass, and possibly hot glue or staple some fake ivy along two sides and maybe even some geranium-type silk flowers. I'm open to suggestions on the actual how, at this point, because I'm not sure of the best way to hang it that will be secure. Since my wall is rather large, I want to use the window with the long side horizontal. 

So I have these projects, but none of them are good to go yet, which is fine I guess since I need a project like I need a hole in my head. I'm busy enough that I don't really need more things to keep me occupied. But on the other hand it is good to be creative, and I think it is important to stretch the artistic muscles, so to speak, regularly. And other than classwork drawings which are required and I'm not really enjoying because I stink at figure drawing, I'm not currently doing anything creative. I'm taking pictures when I can, but not really doing anything with them. So I guess my plan of action is to start on whichever project I can find material for first. That would mean the art print will be first since I just have to take it in and pick out framing and matting. The only problem is custom framing can be expensive. I know this because I used to do it, and it's possible to rack up quite the bill depending on materials chosen, etc. Okay, it's decided: since a trip to Hobby Lobby in Joplin is in order for the other two projects, I will take my print in to my old boss next week and see what the damage will be to have it framed. Who knows? Maybe he will give me a discount ;)

#josephcox #menandnets