After living in this house for over a year, I still have hardly anything hanging on my walls. A few architectural pieces, a couple of mirrors, and hmmm... that's pretty much it. Honestly. Wow, even I'm surprised as I looked around just now to see if I was forgetting anything...nope! A friend mentioned that another friend was threatening to drop in on me, because she wants to see what I've done with the place. That's the problem. Not much is the answer. I feel no rush, with days coming and going, until a comment like that - it has been a year after-all and I love houses and decorating and enjoy being creative, I should have something to show for it. So today, I decided to make a little dent and create something to hang on the wall in the family room. My current thought is a grouping of small wooden trays. (We'll see if the idea pans out.) I have these cool old wooden trays that my Dad used at work. When he was closing down his business I grabbed a few. Of course, now I'm kicking myself for not grabbing every last one, but it was such a rush at the end. Here's a photo of the one I started with today:
I lined it with a piece of very old (1851) paper. It's not glued in, for fear that it was something I shouldn't ruin. I don't know what it is, it's just beautiful to the eye and touch. I glued a bit of old ledger and a letter to the edge shown above that was just yucky old tape. Next, I grabbed our family-gathered heart shaped rocks. Remember these? Here is where I found them today, on the old bakery table behind the couch.
Lastly, I wired them onto the tray. I did drill some itty bitty holes in that precious paper. Pretty much all there was to it.
And now I have a little something to hang on the wall behind the couch. Something hand made with family meaning. Maybe next I'll make one with shells or sea glass we've collected. I'll let you know as my little wall art project continues...for now this first one is just leaning on some old shutters (top photo), too small alone to make an impact on the empty wall.
I love that piece..Full of love.
I am in the same way, I still do not have things on our walls..I have to find the right thing before I place it on the walls.
We have been our house for over a year..
thanks for sharing.
Katelen
Posted by: Katelen Tays | May 11, 2009 at 09:03 PM
What a wonderful idea...so pretty!
Posted by: debi @ life in my studio | May 11, 2009 at 09:22 PM
So simple but oh so effective.....
Posted by: Jacky McFarlane | May 11, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Pam, Love the idea! Country Chic art that's what I would call it, now I think I need to be on the lookout for heart shape rocks. It's Beautiful. Can't wait to see it behind the coach, you are going to take a picture I hope? Inspiring....
peggylee
http://pegbaker.blogspot.com
creative scraps by peggy lee
whitefield, NH
Posted by: Peggy Lee Baker | May 12, 2009 at 04:06 AM
Absolutely endearing.
Posted by: Jenn | May 12, 2009 at 06:44 AM
What a cool idea! My family collects heart-shaped rocks. I only have a few so far. They are just stuck in a drawer. Your idea for displaying your rocks is so special. I'm sure each rock has a memory with it. When I get a few more hearts gathered, I may do something similar. Great idea!
Posted by: Doreen | May 12, 2009 at 07:58 AM
Love it! it's right up my alley.
Keep up the beautiful work.
Take care,
Colette George
Posted by: colette | May 12, 2009 at 08:58 AM
This is a cool idea of the heart shaped rocks on the box. My daughter is always finding rocks that look like hearts and I could not think of anything to do with them! Thanks for the idea!!
sss.smithfamilyx6.blogspot.com
Posted by: annette smith | May 12, 2009 at 09:28 AM
I just love this....it's so organic...I was drawn to the idea of doing something like this with my star fish collection. I have enjoyed your pieces for years and love to see what you come up with next.
Posted by: nan | May 12, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Hey cutie, that's a great tray! Sorta Sara Lugg style, but better! How perfect in your family room!
Posted by: Teresa McFayden | May 12, 2009 at 09:53 AM
How fabulous, I love it! Do you allow photolinks? I've love to share this with my readers!
Posted by: Rachel | May 12, 2009 at 12:48 PM
hi Pam, love your work been reading your blog for a while but I'm new to leave comments. I love this piece great inspiration as I also have a collection of heart rocks & tons of sea glass. how sweet that the tray was from yor father. KELLY
Posted by: kelly | May 12, 2009 at 06:23 PM
Hmm... I thought I may have only been the one with this problem, I have been in my house for 2 years and there's some very large photos hanging and large mirrors, but not detailed clusters. I'm in need of some more atwork!!
This looks great!
Posted by: gabrielle | May 13, 2009 at 05:22 AM
Beautifully simple, meaningful and just lovely!!
Great job!
Posted by: A pocket full of posies... | May 13, 2009 at 07:30 AM
Just beautiful! I found a heart shaped rock recently on the beach and am keeping it for something, so thank you for the inspiration!
xo
Posted by: Mary Jo | May 13, 2009 at 03:30 PM
so sweet... i love it!
:)
Posted by: emily ruth | May 13, 2009 at 03:42 PM
Love it! Art with Soul makes a house a home!
Posted by: Vicki | May 13, 2009 at 05:12 PM
great great great idea!
now I've gotta get something on MY walls!
Posted by: carolyn | May 13, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Well I have exactly the opposite problem. I am running out of wall space in my tiny apartment :) But this looks adorable and sentimental at the same time. Well done!
Posted by: Renee | May 13, 2009 at 08:53 PM
Love it, love it, love it. I, too, collect heart rocks. My little way of being reminded by God that He loves me. My husband has even collected a few from his travels from Iwo Jima, Iraq and Kuwait. Thanks for sharing the lovely idea.
Posted by: Nicole VP | May 13, 2009 at 09:03 PM
this idea rocks ... literally!
xo
Posted by: elyse | May 14, 2009 at 06:08 AM
Your creatures are marvelous and energy's source!!! Talk to you soon
Posted by: BIANCA | May 14, 2009 at 06:50 AM
Love it. I have a collection of heart shaped rocks..I keep them in a wire basket because I haven't figured out a better way to display them. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Posted by: Diann | May 14, 2009 at 07:08 AM
Hi Pam--What a lovely feeling-quiet, soft, glad, grounded, peaceful, rooted, belonging, love... I get from your beautiful box. Thank you for sharing it. And congratulations on your studio featured in Where Women Create! Looks like a lovely spread they did of you!
Posted by: Liesel | May 14, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Pam - this is a great idea. I can't wait to get home from work and start looking around the house for stuff to create on the walls. Love it - thank you for posting it.
Posted by: Marci Glenn | May 14, 2009 at 12:57 PM
wow...i have the same project sitting on my studio desk right now waiting to be finished! except mine is not in that cool drawer...great minds think (somewhat) alike :)
blessings,
danielle
www.thevintagedragonfly.typepad.com
Posted by: Sngbrd1997 | May 14, 2009 at 01:52 PM
oh my! I really love what you did with the tray here! It has such a naturalistic, simple feel to it. Fabulous stuff! I'm sure it looks fabulous on it's place on the wall.
Posted by: Dale | May 16, 2009 at 06:46 PM
Don't feel bad, we've been in our house 6 years and I've hardly done anything to it;) I love your new pieces, beautiful!
Tracy M.
Posted by: Tracy M. | May 17, 2009 at 09:05 AM
I just found your blog -- it's great!
I'll have to pass on this post to someone I know who has a collection of heart stones. What a neat project, it turned out really well!
Posted by: lisa/parallelbotany | May 18, 2009 at 09:50 AM
THat is soooo sweet! We have some heart-shaped rocks, too. We'll have to find a few more before I can make a collage. :)
Posted by: Ms.Tee | May 18, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Hey Pam, wonderful piece of art! I not only love the heart shaped rocks but the ghosts of natural things like the butterfly and flower stained on the paper!
Posted by: Julie B. | May 19, 2009 at 09:20 AM
I LOVE THIS so ADORABLE and BEAUTIFUL!!
:)
http://ahmi-ahmi.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Jasmine | May 20, 2009 at 09:59 PM
What a great idea and stunning!! Very nice!
Posted by: Roben-Marie Smith | May 21, 2009 at 02:19 PM
This is a wonderful piece of art!
Posted by: CK | May 24, 2009 at 08:28 AM
I love the what you've done with the heart rocks!!! I have a collection of them also! And I love your furniture and couch!!! Very Shabby Chic! I've been wanting to do that at my house but the other half just doesn't 'get it.'
Posted by: Marva | June 03, 2009 at 06:17 AM
I thought I was the only one to collect heart stones. Bless you. You are a sister!!
Posted by: Diana | June 06, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Pam these are great! I love the organic feel and the sentiment behind them - lovely - gina
Posted by: gina armfield | June 20, 2009 at 08:52 AM