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Outdoor Art Activities to Keep You Busy at Home 


As the weather starts warming up and the sun shines longer and longer each day, getting outdoors as much as you can will be a great way to pass the time. People are now setting up their patio furniture, getting their gardens prepared, and enjoying many other activities in the comfort of their own backyard to get a change of scenery and keep their hands busy outdoors. For all my art-loving friends and followers out there, remember that creativity can take on a different dimension outside of the house! Whether it is pencil lead sketched in a notebook, or some fun and messy painting, I fully believe that art should be taken outdoors whenever possible.  Here are some great art activities that can be completed outdoors, fun for people of all ages. 

 

Pour Painting

Pour painting is a great way to create beautiful, unique pieces of art for those aspiring artists who may not be confident in their ability to hand paint figures. The craze has really caught on over the last few years, as it is easy for people of all ages to complete. All you need is an assortment of acrylic paints, a pouring medium to help keep the colours separate, and a canvas or surface to pour the mixture on to. There are many different techniques to try, and you may find you like one over the other, or enjoy trying each one to produce different styles for each work of art you complete. 

 

Spin Art

Another fun, popular trend that has taken off over the last year of this pandemic is spin art. This style can have as much or as little technique as you want. Simply pour paint in different directions over your canvas, attach it to your power drill and SPIN. If you don't have use of a power drill, or want to opt for a different way to spin your masterpiece, take some space in your backyard and toss your canvas, paint side up, like a frisbee! The movement will cause the paint to shift, just as it would on a drill (not as fast, but same idea).

 

DIY Tin Can Lanterns

Light up your backyard for the warm summer nights with some DIY tin can lanterns. Not only is this craft simple and fun, it can add a vintage feel to your outdoor decor and can be done easily with few supplies needed. Collect any larger cans you were looking to recycle, of all different sizes (coffee can, stewed tomatoes, and soup all come in varying sizes). Fill the cans with water and freeze overnight to help prevent the can from bending during the design process. While you wait, draw up your own unique designs on paper that fits around your can. Once the water inside the cans has frozen, attach your design template, grab a hammer and nail and start nailing holes into your can, creating your own unique pattern. Paint the cans however you like, and add a simple tea light to have your lanterns glowing through the night. 

 

Painting Wood

If you are an experienced artist with good freehand skills, or have access to some fun templates, painting on wood is a great way to brighten up your space and make it one of a kind, and unique to you. While front door “welcome” signs are what we typically see when walking through the neighbourhood, you can do one better and paint your wood fence, or any wood furniture that is currently taking up space on your property. Maybe you want to keep it simple with a different stain, but if you're up for it, painting a nice mural could be a great, fun summer art project. Benches, picnic tables, or wooden patio loungers can also be used as your unique canvas for some at-home, outdoor, summer art projects. 

 

Tie-Dye

One of the many summer projects that caught on during the pandemic: Tie-dying our clothes! This is not only a great way to get outside and have some fun this summer, it also provides an excellent opportunity to bring some life back into old clothes that we may not be wearing anymore. Try out banding your clothing together in various ways to get differing designs, and use a variety of colours and methods of dying and see exactly what you can create. 

 

Rock Art

Lastly, an old time favourite and excellent art activity to not only do outdoors, but one that also helps make your outdoor garden or decor more interesting is rock art. Take a walk and collect any bigger rocks that you can find to bring them home and paint to display outdoors. Paint your own one of a kind design on your rock, or get inspired with these ideas from others. Place your rocks throughout your property, or if you are feeling generous, give them to friends, or drop them back where you found them for others to find and take home as a treasure of their own.

Sellers Resources

Tiny Homes Provide Great Options for Homeowners 

Tiny Homes provide great options for homeowners      Tiny Homes can be a great addition for homeowners, especially those looking for an extra means of income. A tiny home, also known as a coach house, is a small free-standing apartment, detached from the principal dwelling but located on the same lot. Coach houses are intended to bring more density to established neighbourhoods without negatively impacting community spaces. This increase in neighbourhood density would naturally  increase the number of affordable homes.       The regulations concerning Tiny Homes vary from one municipality to another. Note: the following information is specifically regarding Tiny Homes in Ottawa. The Advantages of a Coach Home Building a Coach Home on your pre-existing lot can have countless advantages. The initial advantage is the extra means of income. The additional dwelling is connected to both city water and sewer lines through the primary residence. This means no new connections are required. Note, Tiny Homes don’t necessarily need to be a newly built structure. Accessory structures such as garages or sheds can also be converted into coach homes, as long as all building requirements are met. If having an extra income doesn’t lure you in, perhaps your in-laws are looking to downsize but your home just isn’t big enough to accommodate them. Tiny homes allow family members to reside close, while ensuring everyone has their own space and independence.  Eligibility The rules and regulations concerning Tiny Homes vary from municipality to municipality. In Ottawa, not all lots meet the requirements for the addition of a coach home. In general, lots can accommodate a Tiny Home if the following requirements are met: The lot is serviced by municipal water and sewer lines, or if the lot is in a rural area, it is 0.4 hectares or larger and is serviced by a private well and septic system. The lot contains a detached, semi-detached, duplex or townhouse dwelling. Note, the requirements for a Tiny Home located on a lot where the primary dwelling is a rowhouse, the coach house must have direct pedestrian access to a public road. The pathway provided must be 1.2 metres wide. The primary dwelling unit does not already contain a secondary dwelling unit such as a basement apartment, garden suite or any rooming units.  Other Important factors  Other requirements, such as preserving mature trees and integrating with the urban context of the homes located in proximity must also be respected while building your Tiny Home.  It’s important to note, coach homes must meet both size requirements and height restrictions. These regulations vary from one lot to another. Overall, coach homes must be smaller than the principal residence and not accede 40% of the main dwelling. As for height restrictions, urban areas must not exceed 3.6 metres in height, while certain rural lots allow for the possibility of a two story coach home. To ensure your lot meets the requirements implemented by the city of Ottawa, contact a Development Information Officer (DIO) to further evaluate your lot. Development Information Officers can be reached by simply dialling 3-1-1.  Coach Homes can be a great asset to any lot, especially in cities like Ottawa where the need for affordable housing is always in high demand.

Summer Festivals 

Summer Festivals Summer festivals are a great way to ensure you take full advantage of everything the season has to offer. The great thing about summer festivals, especially the ones in the west end of Ottawa, is that there is a large variety of events. This means, everyone is sure to find a festival that suits their interests. Here are 5 of the most popular festivals that take place in the west end of the city. Note the list also includes a rural festival, the Almonte fair. Escaping the city’s hustle and bustle can be fun all on its own.  West End Food Truck Rally - August 10th 2019 - Christ Church Bells Corners What’s better than a fun event that supports a great cause? We agree, nothing’s better! This event has more than 10 food trucks that serve both sweet and savoury foods in support of The FAMSAC Food Cupboard. Enjoy great music, family friendly activities and entertainment while munching on some great food.  Westboro Fuse- August 17th and 18th 2019 - Westboro Neighbourhood This festival is essentially a weekend long block party that showcases live music, family friendly-activities and great food. It’s sure to have you enjoying the modern vibe Westboro has to offer all while spending time in the sun. Folk Festival Birthday Picnic at Britannia Park - August 25th 2019 Britannia Park is a beautiful family activity all on its own but the Birthday picnic means you don’t have to plan lunches, or snacks or even activities. Join your community for this family friendly Birthday Picnic to celebrate the exact 25th anniversary of the first Ottawa Folk Festival. This will be a family favourite, with beautiful views for the adults and lots of activities for the kids. Bridge Street Summer Festival -August 3rd - Carleton Place This year’s theme is everything Motown! Seven bands will be performing various songs all in line with the overall theme. The festival doesn’t stop at live music, family friendly fun takes place all day long. Local shops also set up booths along the street while food vendors offer tons a yummy options to snack on.  Almonte Fair- July 19th, 20th and 21st 2019 - Almonte Summer festivals like the Almonte fair add variety by offering events that tend to take place in the fall months. The Almonte fair has demo derbies to wrestling competition. Enjoy local food vendors and other more rural family activities.  Whatever your interests may be, summer festivals are always a good choice when planning your time off, especially seeing the kids aren’t in school and the weather is beautiful. Just be sure to remember all the summer essentials like sunblock, water bottles and your favourite ball-cap to ensure you can enjoy all the festival has to offer.  

How To Boost Your Curb Appeal This Fall 

How To Boost Your Curb Appeal This Fall The cooler air is here and before we know it, the leaves will begin to change. Fall is a season of transition as we (and the world around us) prepare for the winter months ahead but this is no reason to assume that curb appeal doesn’t matter. If you have your home listed this fall, it’s important to remember the importance of first impressions. Ensure that your home looks its best inside and out. Keep Lawns Clean and Maintained Although you may not need to get the mower out every week, depending on the weather, the grass does still grow throughout the fall. Make sure that your lawn remains well kept and that you mow it when necessary. It’s also important to clean up any debris including leaves and garbage to ensure that everything is in top shape for buyers. Sweep the Front Step This may seem like a little detail but it can make all the difference as someone is walking up to your home. A front step that is neatly swept gives off the impression of a pride of ownership that is likely carried through the entire home. Bring in Fall Decor Adding some fall decor and plants to your front step can brighten up the space and provide a pop of colour. Consider including pumpkins and gourds in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Mums also look great in front of any home and do very well in the colder weather of fall. Paint the Front Door Even if you don’t have time to take on the whole front of your house, painting the front door can really freshen things up. Consider adding some colour to your home by painting the door a contrasting colour to the rest of your home. Red, yellow, and blue are all popular colours for front doors right now. Trim the Trees Fall is a great time of year to trim your trees. If your trees are growing too close to your home or driveway, it’s important to get them cut back. It’s also important to look for dead and broken branches and to get them taken care of as soon as possible as they may pose a safety risk. If you are not comfortable with heights or a chainsaw, it is always best to hire a professional. Clean the Windows Summer can be a very season. Dry weather can mean lots of dust and this ultimately finds its way to the windows. Make sure that all your windows are cleaned inside and out to ensure the best views of your now ready to list property!

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LAURA HILLARY

Sales Representative

Office: 613-755-2278 Cell: 613-552-0582