5/3/10

Ruby's Painting

I get a gold star for finishing a project! My kids both get gold stars for taking unusually long naps this afternoon at the SAME TIME so that I could sit on the floor and finish this monster.

I've had this canvas for about seven months and have painted it four times. FOUR TIMES. Talk about indecisive! I put a lot of pressure on myself to have something sentimental and abstract that she could be proud of and maybe want to keep the rest of her life but then it also had to match the vintage sheets and not clash too much with Sebastian's colors and not be too girly since they shared a room, etc. I kind of made myself crazy with all the boundaries I was setting up for myself.

In the end I went back to an illustration I saved in my iPhoto folder awhile back and took inspiration from that artist's color palette and theme.

Unfortunately, it's been so long that I'm not remembering her name or where I found it but I'm sure someone who reads will recognize her so leave her name in the comments if you do please. I want credit to be given where credit is due.

I've also added a few little touches to Ruby's side of the room since she was born. I've got a mobile that is still in the works (read: sitting in one of my piles ) that was first going to be felt leaves hanging from an IKEA lamp shade that I almost threw out but then I thought it'd be nice to have colored wooden beads strung in strands and now I'm thinking I might do something with kite tails. We'll see as I seem to be lacking direction in this department!

I picked up this vintage fan in Ada, OK over Easter break because it was the Emerson brand and Emmerson is Ruby's middle name. The Liberty of London frame and plum lamp are from Target and the felted heart is from Vivianna of PDR.

I made the sheets (three different kind) from vintage flat sheets and the crib skirt from new material. The original crib was white but it got recalled and this one matched Sebastian's bed so we settled with it. The blocks are handmade and the crocheted octopus was a gift from a sweet online friend. Both my kids love it, Carol!

The painting on the other wall is an original from the talented Elsie Flannigan, one of my best friends. I love it so much!

This is a vintage dress that another online friend, RubyEllen of Cakies, sent me. She appliqued the fawn on the front and I can't wait for Ruby to be big enough to wear this. Vintage little girl dresses are so sweet!

These are stacks of books I've picked up at garage sales and thrift stores as well as about four smaller art prints that have been tucked away until I can frame them and decide where they should be hung. The chalkboard is vintage and has illustrations for each letter of the alphabet. Someday it'll have a place, too!

The blanket shown below is a quilt I made for a sewing magazine last year and is usually the one I keep handy for Ruby to lay on.

Thanks for letting me share! And don't tell anyone but the other half of the room is a total mess.

xoxo,
Rachel

80 comments:

Roxanne said...

I love that even though your kiddos share a room that "their" parts fit their personalities! That quilt is to die for and I'd want that painting above my bed too!

ringmaster said...

i LOVE that quilt!! and the vintage dress is super sweet!!

Kristin Ann said...

I love your painting! The color palette is so modern and pretty. You have a great eye for color. You are my idol.

Anonymous said...

love the painting! and the quilt rocks, too.

Gingiber said...

lovely! thanks for the sweet comments on my blog! ruby is one lucky little girl to be surrounded by such pretty vintage goodness!

Unknown said...

lovely painting and sweet sweet room! (: don't worry about the mess. I'm sure my baby's room is more cluttered and messy ;)

Jaimie said...

that blanket! but oh my, that painting is so pretty! I love!

Amy said...

gorgeous painting rachel :) so perfect.

Anonymous said...

It all looks so lovely! I made a mobile for Rowan's room out of fabric and wooden beads. The instructions are on my blog if you are interested.

Sonya said...

I love the painting you did!

It reminds me of a lovely Waldorf style story for how little angels come from heaven down to Earth sliding on a rainbow bridge. It is a beautiful story that my daughter and I love.

Anonymous said...

hey there :) i'm new to your blog and wanted to say hello, and that i really love that painting. i've been wanting to get a giant canvas and make something myself but have had no idea what. that quilt is also gorgeous. i'm glad i found you!

Unknown said...

oh, what an adorable kids room! the painting is so darn cute. and so is that little yellow dress, simply darling. and nice job on the quilt - that is so cool!

sarah bear said...

wow! love the painting & the entire room - it's fantastic :)

Amanda said...

Very cute! Feminine without being "girly". How sweet to have these future heirlooms her own mamma made!

Hope you are feeling better!

Amanda Smith said...

I looooove her side of the room! so sweet! :] and that painting is so sweet! :]

AshleyAnn said...

I really, really, really want that blanket. Ruby won't mind. Really.

Great job on that painting. A perfect fit.

angiedunn said...

absolutely. to. die. for.

Anonymous said...

i love love love that painting! well done!

Jody McDowell said...

i love your painting! the colors and lines are so perfect!

the girl next dior said...

that painting is soooo cute!! I would totally buy that, the colors are great!

Moa said...

Oh, I LOVE your painting! Such a good idea. The room is very sweet too, and the painting with the envelopes is just amazing too.

Allyson said...

I'm slightly obsessed with that quilt!

Amber Avenue said...

Your painting is amazing! I LOVE it and I think that if I were Ruby I would totally keep it forever! :)
Cute, cute room.

Momoko Plush Tattooed Mom | Beauty and craft! said...

that painting is perfect!

lili est folle said...

total in love with the painting!!!! amazing as usual!! :p

Vera said...

great painting!

Rachel M said...

I love your painting, it's gorgeous! :)

Roda said...

Heart, heart, heart your painting!! Love the idea of creating something of sentimental value through your art! Inspiring me to create something, too, for my own little one!

Brooke said...

so this is the type of room sharing beauty that can be had when you have white walls and a talented mommy! Well done. It's lovely!
Brooke
Pure and Noble

faith ann raider said...

YAY!! You finished painting that canvas. Good for you. I totally love what you did with it. It's perfect. I also ADORE the blanket, though I think it's something I would never ever let my babies play with, it looks so pretty!
Hope you're feeling better today.

threesixfive said...

I read your blog all the time, and somehow have missed ever seeing the quilt in the last photo there...LOVE the grey with the pink!!

SoulPony said...

beautiful as usual.

kristen mcashan said...

i absolutely love this!!! adorable! congrats for sticking with it! 4th times a charm ;)

Alexandria said...

Great job on the painting! The little details in the room come together lovely. That vintage dress is adorable!

Renee Campbell said...

Okay, I have to ask what is the name of the magazine that your quilt is in? I need to go find it. The keyword there is: need. I am so in love, so in love. Please do share.

P.S. I love Ruby's room. Your decorating style is so inspiring, I just wish I had a little one to decorate for.

Anna Joy said...

what a beautiful room! i love it so :)

Vanessa said...

oh so lovely!! The painting is fabulous!

Niki said...

The painting turned out great, especially with all the constraints.

Anonymous said...

The painting turned out great! The entire room is so restful and lovely.

Jeanee said...

Wonderful! May I take a nap in there? ^.^

Unknown said...

LOVE LOVE the painting and that quilt! The colors are amazing together!

I THINK that illustration is from Pink Rain?? If not, its very similiar :) http://www.pinkrain.it/

Mandi Johnson said...

I think you deserve a gold star AND a cookie. :)

With Love, Jamie said...

I love the painting!! Love the colors! Pretty quilt too :) your so darn talented!

Alison said...

Can I just say, I LOVE your kids' room!!! I looove it. Everything is so bright and cheery, but nothing is over the top or overdone. It's a fantastic departure from all the "kiddie" rooms you usually see. YAY for you:)

Marion said...

i love LOVE the painting!

Unknown said...

That quilt is beautiful Rachel! i'd love to see a photo of the entire thing!

Kami said...

That blanket is gorgeous!!!!

Amie said...

How adorable! What a great separation of space. Emerson is one of my favorite names for my future children right now...love it!

Alexandra said...

I love the painting you did for Ruby its gorgeous xx

Talia Christine said...

ooooh that painting is SO lovely! I love the colours. I love the inspiration.

Thanks for sharing!

xoxo
Talia Christine

Kristi said...

I was gasping the whole way through this post. The vintage dress, all the carefully selected colors for the room, and that quilt. Oh my. Please show the whole thing. I am inspired.

Unknown said...

Soooo cute! Lovely touches:-)

A Bird Out of Water said...

the painting is absolutely lovely, and that quilt is amazing!

AlliT said...

I LOVE THAT QUILT!!! And the whole room is super cute, but you already knew that!! :) You make me wish I had a little girl...

Gussy Sews said...

Rachel, that painting is so charming! So perfect :]

Robin. said...

the painting is perfect! what an adorable space for ruby :0)

Gypsy Sparrow said...

I am in love with this nursery! It's so cute, and the color pallet is so original! Good job on the painting :)

Pearl said...

I love your girls room! It is so cute! Great Job on the Painting!!


Pearl

Laura Wynn said...

It looks great!! and the quilt..coolest thing I've seen in a while!!

Charis said...

Her half of the room is adorable.... & I LOVE the painting xox

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous painting! And I love, love, love that blanket.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I especially love the blanket :)

Kim Smith said...

you are everything i want to be in a mom.
:]

Heather said...

LOVE that painting! Truly, I do. Great room and separation of space too.

Becky Farley said...

I love the rainbow painting and the whole room very much! Lil ruby is one lucky lil gal having you for her mama ;)

RachelDenbow said...

Thanks, everyone!

Especially that one from you, Kim! ;)

Ashley Morris said...

Definitely love this! Everything works so well together...I'm still trying to figure out how to do that lol

I'm pretty sure Ruby will cherish it forever...and will be super proud of her mommy, for sure! :)

Unknown said...

I love both paintings, but your rainbow is awesome!

Michelle Clement said...

Oh, goodness. What an adorable painting!! :) Love your color choices to bits - the rainbow is just perfect!! (as are all the other lovely details, too!).

Your blanket is amazing, too - and where is the cute octopus from, again? I think you blogged about him once, but I sure can't remember! lol. I'm in love with him!!

jessie b said...

Rachel, you are seriously the bomb! The painting turned out great! I love it as much as your last cloud painting (which I used as inspiration for one of my paintings). The quilt, the color choices, the detail... yum!

Great Job! Now I've got to go fave it in flickr :)

Unknown said...

That painting is AWESOME! I bet if you did some more for Red Velvet Art they would sell in a heartbeat!

Stephanie said...

That painting is just PERFECT for the room! That is one lucky baby~

Angela Christenson said...

Ruby's room is really cute. I love the painting by Elsie!

Just Sweet Love said...

this is AMAZING rachel! just absolutely stunning!

Anonymous said...

i love this quilt, absolutely gorgeous!

Devon M said...

So sweet!!! The quilt is amazing!

Geek+Nerd said...

Such pretty things! Your painting, Elsie's painting, the little dress and the quilt are my favorite parts!

elicia said...

Soooooo beautiful. I love it all. Please show more detailed pics of the quilt. Its fabulous.

dana said...

OH my. how did I just now find your blog?
So happy now :)
I'll be coming back!
- dana
www.dana-made-it.com

Anonymous said...

LOVE the painting. All your procrastination sure paid off!