Nostalgia is the good feeling you get when you remember things from your past. When you kind of sit back and smile and think to yourself, wow, that was fun, or happy.

Nostalgic: a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one’s life, to one’s home or homeland, or to one’s family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time:

I suppose we are all nostalgic to some degree, however I think somehow I got a double dose. I love  ”things” that belonged to loved ones, but only the things that when I look at them, I can recall a vivid picture of them either wearing, using or that particular object. Im the same way about certain smells, songs, etc. Im sentimental and nostalgic. Pictures for me though are the most cherished of all!! So I decided to redo my blog header with nostalgic pictures of MY childhood, because after all, they say the best thing for branding is to just be YOU. This is the real me, this is who you get when you hire Tracy dee, yeah Im a little older now, ok… a lot older lol  A happy fun lovin gal that loves nature and being outdoors. I do plan to incorporate some new portraits of me in the mix just as soon as the weather warms up enough for me to put a cute little dress on and frolic around a bit!

I thought I’d share with you my “gallery wall” in the making. Whenever the topic comes up with clients about designing a gallery wall I get the same sort of confused look. My opinion is IF you are not going to to extra large canvases or  large canvas prints, then to make a bold statement, a gallery wall should be created. The thought of hanging several prints of all different sizes takes a little thought, however its much easier than you think. My wall, when finished is going to be a mix of canvas wraps, and framed canvas prints. the largest canvas being 18×24 LOVE mixing it up!!! ( I have another wall for my extra lg. canvases) Thats another post.

My First step was to hang the 2 white distressed frames. I knew I wanted them together. That part was pretty easy. The first and really only rule comes into play after you have hung your first ,( or in my case 2) frames: PICK YOUR GUIDE LINE. You can go with the top ( which is what I did) horizontal line, or the bottom horizontal line. In my top horizontal line ALL of my portraits that I put on this wall will be at the SAME HEIGHT. Now below this guide line I can do whatever my heart desires! I get my frames from all over the place, I removed the glass from the store bought frames because I will be using Canvas on Masonite for them, which gives them a much more upscale look than a print behind glass! I used blue painters tape to give me a visual of where I will be putting my Canvases. I love this idea because I get a picture of exactly how a particular size will look on the wall. If I don’t like it, I try another size until I’m happy and THEN I place my order! Great idea huh? I know, sometimes I even amaze myself! lol

This is a view from down stairs as you come in the front door.

And this is a not so great picture of going down the stairs! lol Oh and YES those are antlers over my green secretary.:) Now go get busy with your blue tape, then call me for your session.

Today my house is sort of a wreck, laundry on the couch that needs to be put away, kids soccer stuff laying around the living room, shoes that have been kicked off once in the door are lying at the bottom of the stairs etc. There is one small place in my kitchen though that is mine….all mine!  I change it up often with all sorts of vintage finds, and  for each holiday it hold some kind of treasure. It just makes me happy! and no one touches it. It’s a small old copper and silver serving tray. Im standing at the kitchen sink  pretty much all day (well it feels like all day), so why not have a sacred spot however small that brings you joy?  Today my vintage tray hold an old medicine bottle filled with flowers, a small brown transferware dish that jewelry collects in, and a tube of hand cream. So where is your sacred spot in the midst of your busy household?