Colorful & Chic

I love colors and projects that successfully make use of these combinations!

In case you need a mini-refresher:

Color: the sensation resulting from reflection or absorption of light by a surface. Hue is another name for color.
Primary: hues from which all other colors can be made: red, yellow, blue. Secondary colors are made from mixing equal parts of the Primary colors: orange, green, violet.

Analogous: One of the most acceptable and popular color combinations, and analogous color harmony technically includes one primary or secondary color with adjacent (side by side) colors on the color wheel.
Complementary: A complementary color harmony is a combination of any two colors which lie directly across from each other on the color wheel.
Triad: A color triad is achieved by using any three colors equidistant on the color wheel.
Split Complement: A split complement is formed by combining a hue on one side of the color wheel with the color on each side of its direct complement.

source

Here are some stunning discoveries for all you color-lovers to enjoy!

Matt Brooke photo via Jesi Haack Weddings Blog

"Color plays in important role in decorating. It can really express your sense of style, create an atmosphere, and make the design pop." Interior Holic

By Smock Paper on Etsy

Arbor Mist Brunch via Hostess Blog

Made by Nicole (includes tutorial)

SarahB. Designs (includes tutorial)

Jules Bianchi Photography

Treasury-Time: Yay, My Painting was Featured + Silly Spring

YAY!
My "Peas in a Pod" Painting was featured in the Etsy Treasury entitled "Uh, instead of fries can I get vegetables???"  Thanks curator theartofthecook. 

Also, here is my newly curated Etsy Treasury - "Silly Spring - Where Are You?"
Here in VA we were teased with temperatures in the 70s over the weekend, and then today there was ice and snow on my car! This treasury features LOVELY spring-inspired work! The sweet, the colorful, and the beautiful....
because I want the warmth back!

And, here's another newly curated Etsy Treasury by me - "WHITE bright"
These items may lack color, but certainly not excitement or style.

  

"dm Drink Trinkets" (aka wine charms) Now For Sale!

These charms make great gifts! If you are interested in custom charms, I will happily create a listing just for you! Choose any theme you'd like with as many charms as you'd like. 

GOLF-theme set of 4 feature words (hole-in-one, eagle, birdie, bogey)

TENNIS-theme set of 4 feature words (match, set, game, love) 

UVA-theme set of 6 feature words (UVA, orange, blue, wahoo, c'ville, cavs) 

Shop now!
*check back soon ~ additional projects are on the way*

   

S'mores Stuffed Cookies & Cookie Batter Bark! OH MY!

S'mores Stuffed Chocolate Chips

My goodness these look amazing! I instantly think Picky Palate may be a genius for this one!

So glad I found it (thank you!). Please, if you try making them, let me know what you think! 

Ingredients

2 sticks softened butter

1 Cup granulated sugar

3/4 Cup packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

1 Tablespoon vanilla

3 1/2 Cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 Cups semi sweet chocolate chips

24 graham cracker quarters or 12 full sheets separated at perforations

3 Hershey Bars, broken into rows of 3 bars

12 large marshmallows cut in half lengthwise

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silpat liner.

2.  In a stand or electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla, continue to beat until well combined.

3.  Place flour, salt and baking soda into a bowl; mix to combine then add slowly to wet ingredients along with the chocolate chips.

4.  Layer a graham cracker quarter with 3 Hershey chocolate squares and 2 marshmallow halves.  Close with another graham cracker.  Top s’more with a large scoop of cookie dough.  Place in hands and place another large scoop on bottom then front and back sides as needed.  Form dough around s’mores.  Will get messy, but stick with it, it does not have to be perfect.  S’mores will move around but it’s no big deal.  Place large cookies onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes or until edges are golden and centers are cooked through.  Let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to cooling rack or serving plate.

Makes 12 large stuffed cookies.

Cake Batter Chocolate Bark

 What a fantastic idea ~ take a "holiday treat" and give it a little revamp for any occasion (especially a great birthday party addition) I can't wait to give it a try! 

Thank you How Sweet It Is for the idea (and thank you Birthday Girl's blog for re-posting).

Ingredients
6 ounces high quality dark chocolate
12 ounces high quality white chocolate
3 teaspoons yellow cake mix
sprinkles of your choice (at least 3 tablespoons worth or more)

Directions
Melt dark chocolate either in the microwave or a double boiler. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour chocolate on. You can smooth it with a spatula to the thickness you desire. Stick in the freeze for 20 minutes. Melt while chocolate. Whisk in cake mix slowly, stirring well until no lumps remain. Let it set for 3 full minutes (or at least until it slightly thickens). Remove baking sheet with chocolate from the freezer and immediately pour white chocolate on top. Sprinkle on sprinkles. Freeze for 20 minutes. Once set, break into chunks. Keep refrigerated.

365 Project Update: Day 49

Wow! I am on Day 49 already (only 316 left - ha)! That is very hard to believe... I feel like I just started this project and am still loving it just as much. It has really helped me to learn more about my new camera and has certainly challenged me to step a bit outside my comfort box. I don't LOVE every photo, but I can honestly say I really like most of them. I have a few friends who've joined the project as well - which makes for a great support system. I have decided that once I'm done, I'm going to make a coffee table book with all of the photos. I found this great site, Blurb, that I'm currently using for another project. It's very user-friendly and seems to be less expensive than other programs I've found. Here's to hopefully an enjoyable next 316 photos!

Become a fan of dm designs on facebook to view all photos & follow my progress!

dm designs: art tracker map

How cool is this art tracker map?! Now you can see where dm designs artwork is (or has been)!

Each location is only represented once, although a pinpoint may reflect multiple pieces of artwork in that area.
Also, each is an approximate location rather than a specific address to protect the privacy of others.

View dm designs in a larger map

Tuesday-Treasury: Sinking into the Blue

Here is my first (of hopefully many more to come) Etsy Treasury curated by me (danimariedesign on Etsy).
You'll notice my shop is currently a bit bare, but no worries, fun items will be available in the near future.
In the meantime, take a peak at these great finds.
*enjoy*

For the Love of Lovely

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just thought I'd share some lovely love-inspired treasures.

By ME (dm designs) "Love Simply" day 44 / 365

By Laura George on Etsy

By ME (dm designs) "More Than X's and O's" day 3 / 365

By claylicious on Etsy

"Love Life Day by Day Calendar" by Brigada Creativa on Etsy

kaua'i designer asia leong's adoré hawaii collection VIA hapa hale's blog

Dessert table via Save the Date for Cupcakes

By Sycamore Hill on Etsy

"Lovely Fingers" by Guerrilla Nerd

By Alice W Photography on Etsy

May I also suggest some LOVELY movies I could watch over-and-over again...

Mini Terrarium

Mr. Groundhog said spring was right around the corner .... 

yet, it snowed again last night! I'm desperately ready for warm sunshine and blossoming flowers.  

I stumbled upon this excellent 8-Step do-it-yourself project idea on ReadyMade.

Pantone Palettes for 2011

Spring 2011− An Exotic Journey

Learn more @ PANTONE

Fall 2011−The Art of Color− Sensible and Spirited

Learn more @ PANTONE

Art by dm designs - Learn more @ PANTONE

May we also suggest some handy color tools:

Owl Valentines Make Me Smile

So glad I stumbled upon these little owls on Etsy by BeeAndNie

LOVE them!

Picture of the Day by Kotsiopoulos

Simply WOW!

"On December 30, 2010, amateur astrophotographer Chris Kotsiopoulos set out to capture an entire day in a single photograph. After several days of preparation and nearly 30 hours alone in a stationary position, Kotsiopoulos produced this incredible image."

click here to read the rest of the article on the Atlantic website

Grad School Drawing

I spent a few hours the other evening working on a grad school assignment "in the fashion of 16th century art education tradition" to "study a master's drawing and replicate it as precisely as possible" .... It was a bit daunting at first, but I'm really pleased with the outcome! So, for my Day 30 photo (365 days of photo project) I chose to photograph my two final drawings. 

"Masterpiece" - Day 30 -  January 30, 2011

Retro Photo Effect

I stumbled upon a great tutorial for "How To Give Your Photos a Cool Retro Analog Effect" 

 by Spoon Graphics.  I'll definitley have to give this a try sometime!

 

Photos by Spoon Graphics