Kate McRostie

Come Fly With Me...

Living near the beach in North Carolina, I can’t help but love anything…okay, EVERYTHING coastal related. Seashells, sand, flip-flops, etc… One of my favorite “things” is just enjoying all of the beautiful, funny little shorebirds. They are an endless source of inspiration and always a favorite subject to paint.

Today I thought I would share some favorite shorebird collectibles and artwork that also inspire me. I love wooden birds of all shapes and sizes…the faces just have to have some personality like these:

Wooden seabirds of all shapes and sizes

This one was an unusual find – a vintage family of seagulls perched on driftwood.

Seagull Family

The BABIES!

Metal shorebirds are also a favorite!

A painted brass pelican...just so cute!

Pewter pelican on marble

All of these shorebirds were found at vintage and thrift stores, but perhaps one of my favorites, is this original watercolor by artist Eryn Plimper.

As I said, I love coastal birds so much that I have to paint them too! Here are some of mine featured on products by Cape Shore…keep an eye out for them in coastal gift shops throughout the country if you make that one last trip to the beach.

Kate McRostie for Cape Shore mug

Kate McRostie for Cape Shore notecards

Kate McRostie for Cape Shore notepads

I think I might try to head off to the beach just one more time! The kids start back to school on Wednesday!

Art Inspired Fridays - Country Chic Study

I think I might like to make over my own studio into this one…! This collage features my Country Chic Cow on the mousepad and one of the Country Chic patterns on the rooster.

Collecting - Incolay

Ever heard of Incolay? I had never heard of it until I came across this adorable little box at an antique store for a few dollars…

Seagull Incolay Box

At first, I thought it was carved soapstone. It had no markings whatsoever. After doing a little research, I discovered that it was Incolay, and this design was by artist Robert Nemith.

Incolay is only a 25 year old company, so this box is not a really old antique (more just “vintage”), making it affordable to collect some of the older pieces. The prices seem to be either very high or very low – I think it just depends on whether or not the seller knows what it is and how to price it, so there are bargains to be had! Some of the pieces are a bit too elaborate for my tastes, however, many are quite beautiful and would make a lovely addition to a table or dresser.

Here are some more examples that I found on Ebay that I thought were quite pretty:

Incolay Seascape

Incolay Ship

Incolay Peacocks

Incolay Flowers

Incolay Cherubs

If you keep your eyes peeled next time you are out antiquing…maybe you will come across an Incolay bargain to start your collection!

Art Inspired Fridays- Serene Laundry Room

I think I might just begin to think of the laundry room as my own private getaway…

Have a great weekend!

To Slipcover or Not to Slipcover...?

What do you think? I been thinking over the idea of slipcovers. I have seen them all over home decorating blogs. I wonder if they are as “wash and wear” as everyone says? (Although I think if I had them in my studio, they might get covered and with paint…which is not too fabric friendly!)

Anyhow, I can dream of curling up on a wonderfully cozy, slipcovered spot – and sketching all day!

eclectic home design

traditional living room design by toronto interior designer Chris Kauffman

Country Living Room traditional living room

traditional living room design

If you are really motivated, you can even sew your own! (Personally, I think I need to stick to painting!)

Time Flies!

It’s hard to believe it, but my husband and I are coming up on 17 years of marriage – this Saturday, July 31st! Now, we have three daughters and two dogs! How time flies when you’re in love!!

Reflecting on this and looking back at some of our wedding photos, I started thinking about how the wedding industry has changed so much — and the color and freedom that brides now take in their wedding theme, dress, cake, photography, etc. With all the wonderful ideas out there, it sure makes you want to plan a wedding again (well, maybe just dream about it…and then save up for weddings that may come our way with three daughters!!)

Hope you enjoy these beautiful wedding inspiration boards that I found through Project Wedding. There were so many pretty looks to go with…but I think I would go “vintage beach!”

via Project Wedding Blue and Green Wedding

via Project Wedding Blue and Orange Wedding

via Project Wedding Teal and Pink Wedding

Ok…time to stop daydreaming. Back to work! Happy Monday!

Art Inspired Fridays- Cheerful Craft Room/Home Office

I guess redoing my girls den/study room/craft room/ everything room inspired this room pulled together by my team!

The artwork that inspired this room is my "Inspirational Collage" seen on the mousepad and on the hanging signs/wall art.

Have a great weekend!

Just in case you needed an excuse...

Did you know you that July is National Ice Cream Month?

If you are like me, you believe that creativity can be expressed in many ways – including being creative in the kitchen. My nieces came up with quite a creation for National Ice Cream month…delicious, homemade S’mores Ice Cream! Just to warn you, National S’mores Day is August 10th, so you might want s’more!

Here’s the recipe in 5 steps:

Step 1: Prepare ingredients and make hot fudge.

Smores Ice Cream Ingredients

1 cup mini marshmallows
6 graham crackers, broken into small pieces
1/2 cup of Hot Fudge Sauce, cooled (either from jar or homemade)
Extra marshmallows, hot fudge and graham crackers if making sundaes

Here’s the Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce if you choose to make it: (adapted from cooks.com)

Fudge Sauce in progress

1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsps cocoa powder
dash salt
1/4 cup water
1-2 tbs. butter
dash of vanilla

Combine sugar, cocoa powder, salt and water in small saucepan. Stir until smooth. Add butter to the cocoa mixture and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Allow to boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Cool in freezer while ice cream is thickening.

Step 2: Make a vanilla ice cream base.

Vanilla Ice Cream Ingredients

Vanilla Ice Cream (adapted from the Cuisinart Cookbook)
(makes 1 quart of ice cream)

1 cup cold Fat Free Milk (whole or 2% is fine too but the FF is little lower in calories!)
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a medium bowl, combine milk and sugar. Whisk until sugar is dissolved.
Stir in the whipping cream and vanilla.
Pour into ice cream maker and let mixture thicken about 20 – 25minutes.

Step 3: Mix in your S’mores toppings during the last 5 minutes of mixing:

Add spoonfuls of marshmallows, graham cracker pieces and hot fudge into the ice cream maker, allowing time for each to blend in.

Step 4: Freeze

Smores Ice Cream!

Spoon ice cream into freezer safe bowl or plastic container. If desired, stir or layer in additional toppings. It’s best when you can freeze at least 2 hours but even better if overnight!

Step 5: Enjoy

Scoop ice cream in an ice cream dish. If desired, layer with extra marshmallows, hot fudge and graham cracker pieces. Garnish with 2 graham cracker quarters.

Enjoy!

And then go for a nice walk with your family! Happy Ice Cream Month!