July 2011 Newsletter

Recharge Your Home or Office

Spring has always been a time to reassess my surroundings. Since downsizing a year ago, I refuse to add accessories or a new accent unless it is something I absolutely love. After my move I purged my home of all things that were no longer beautiful, useful or sentimental. My collection of orchids went to a dear
friend because I no longer had a place for them. Other large plants found new homes as well. ARC was the recipient of many boxes of household items, clothes, etc. With a sense of self I have created authentic harmony in my new surroundings, at least for now.

It is summer now. Is it time for interior simplification? Once you identify those things that are meaningful to you and discard the others, clarity surfaces. Decorating is not so much about having a home that looks like a show house as it is living and loving those things you come home to each day.

Express a fresh perspective for you and your family. It doesn’t have to cost a
lot of money. It can be as simple as:

• Moving a few paintings to different areas
of your home. This will give your home a fresh look

• Changing the frame on a painting can liven up or create a more tranquil environment

• Adding plants is an inexpensive way to add warmth and round out an otherwise dull corner

• Changing the color of your wall/walls is an inexpensive fix

• Finding new pillows for your sofa

• Switching out a piece of art for a mirror. This is like adding another window to your room. It adds much more natural light.

• If you have a painting you love but it’s a few inches too tall for above your fireplace mantle, sit it on the mantle and lean it against the wall. Place a small stack of your favorite books in front and to the side with a treasured object on top of the books. A simple orchid or a small bouquet of fresh flowers added to the other side and you have a whole new look.

“We shape our dwellings, and afterwards
our dwellings shape us.” —Winston Churchhill

New Greeting Card

Here’s a new card soon to be added to my website. It is called Copper Lilies, 5″ x 7″/$4.95 or box of 6/$15. If you are in a hurry just email and we’ll get them to you. Don’t forget for a small fee of $2 per box you can have any card personalized inside or outside.

If you have art/painting questions you would like answered go to myblog. It is a real treat for me to help you. Please feel free to leave comments on my blog as well.

Join Me on Facebook

Last month my Facebook Business page went up. If you are on Facebook I hope you will consider going to http://on.fb.me/jzKKSI and clicking on the “Like” button at the top of the page. There is also a special offer on the
Welcome page.

Bella’s Insights

Hey, Hi Everybody! I have been chomping at the bit (actually, chomping at my bone-as you can see in my pic) to talk to you but mom has been really busy so I had to wait. Grrrrrr

Last month I had a sleepover, it was Bailey! If you have been reading this newsletter for a while you might remember my pal Bailey. Bailey’s whole family runs in the Boulder Boulder Race every year but Bailey isn’t really into that. We haven’t seen each other very much since mom and I moved but it was like old times for a couple of days. I have missed walking with her every morning.

Mom is giving art lessons to my new friend Jayda. Jayda is a real smart five year old and she likes me a lot. When mom lets her take a break during her class she plays with me. A couple of weeks ago she brought her new pet to visit me. Mom had her camera handy. This may surprise you, it sure did me!  I had never seen anything like her but I kinda liked her!

Jayda’s mom brought Snowball’s tutu, what a hoot. That’s her name, Snowball. Of course Jayda insisted on picking out one of my scarves for me.  When my big
brother Rich heard about Snowball he thought Jayda should have named her “Hamlette” hee, hee, hee, ha, ha, ha, toooooo funny.

If mom doesn’t get too busy I will share more with you next month. Ta ta for now!

Life is an adventure,

~ Bella