Not so Christmasy Christmas pretzel rods

Why is it mine never look like the pictures?

My problem with projects

Ok, here is my problem with projects. Sometimes they take way too long! Something you might not know about me... I am impatient. Also, I thrive on the joy of marking things off my list. So, when I start a project, at first I am caught up in the joy of creating, then, I just want to mark it off my list!

Take this rug project for instance, started on the weekend, finished today. Wednesday. To some of you that might not seem that long, for me, eternity. Because what it means is that I have been slaving away at this rug for five days! So, I was so glad to be finished that I drug the thing upstairs, by myself, moved my table and chairs, laid the rug out, moved the table and chairs back. Let me say it again, by myself. One day I will pay for the trauma I have put my back through, but for today... Check, one more thing off the list!

Fall is in the air...ugh!

Does anyone else do spring cleaning in the fall? I guess this isn't technically fall, but the kids are in school, football is on...close enough!

I have begun my clean up and reorganization after the chaos that is summer. This always puts me in the creative mood. That and the need for extra money to buy the $250. Frye boots that I must have!!

I have been working on some new ideas for printing, pillows,tote bags, I'm even going to try tshirts again ( at least that is the plan). The hard part is always finding the right tshirts.

Let me know what you think-in other words, comment! Please comment!!

Made a few new necklaces this week, hope you like!! Let me know if you do, I would love some comments!

Happy Friday!!

Ahh, I'm so happy with how this powder room turned out at the Bernstein's!! I only wish I had a before picture so you could see how different it is. Honestly, I didn't think it was terrible before. Just kind of dark. But this is so much better. We marbled the back wall from floor to ceiling, and what you can't see is there is marble on the floor too. This makes it much brighter and richer

Wish I could redo my powder room!!

True confessions!

Ok, I admit it, I watch trashy t.v.

If you are like me, then maybe you too noticed the chandelier on True Blood last night.

In the foyer in Bill's recently revamped(get it) house. And by the way, nothing made me happier than the season starting off with his house renovated. That worn out place drove me crazy!

Anyway, here it is... it is awesome

Sorry for all the puns, I couldn't resist!!

Where have you been all my life?

Product Post

This summer all of my, well 2, vacuum cleaners lost suction. I am sure it is not from over use, or the two kids,two dogs, and one very furry cat. Anyway, by a stroke of luck I was able to purchase a new vacuum. I have been coveting Dyson vacuums for years, and seeing as how it boasts that it never loses suction, I decided to bite the bullet and get the one I wanted. I ended up with the Dyson Animal DC25. Holy Cow! There is a reason those suckers cost so much!

My life has been permanently changed!

Weekend DIY

Did a littly diy this weekend. I have had this on my to do list for weeks. I am currently obsessed with dropcloths you can buy in a package at Lowe's. I bought a couple of 9 x 12 8oz. size which I decided to cut in half to make panels for my dining room window. I needed some window treatment there, but could never decide on a fabric. I also have had several lengths of bamboo in my garage that I made my husband cut down. So, here is how it turned out....

Now, I can't decide if I should paint stripes,add fabric trim, stencil them. Ughh! Why am I so indecisive these days. Oh well, at least they are up. And you know what, I may never do anything else to them! But, I still have to paint the room and recover two chairs. Decisions,decisions..

Oh yeah, I actually put some panels up over the cased opening going into my library/office/sitting room! The kids think this is the coolest ever!

Have a great Monday!!

Book Wish List

Good Sunday Morning!

As I have said, I am obsessed with design magazines and blogs, but also with design and craft books. Here are some that are currently on my wish list! Too bad it isn't close to my birthday

Dying for this book! From Holly Becker and the Decor8 blog. It is sure to have some wonderful photos.

I still mourn the passing of Domino magazine. I have a collection of copies from several years of this magazine, so I know I would love this book.

The gold standard of design blogs, Grace Bonney and DesignSponge are amazing!

Love a little vintage!

I know this would be full of great ideas!

Happy reading! And now you know what to get me when my birthday rolls around.

Monday morning blues...and greens...and yellows

I am not always the first to discover something, but I usually get there eventually. I got an email last week from my neighbor for an online magazine Trad Home. Lonnymag.com is the site and also the name of their namesake emag. If you are a design magazine addict like myself these are both full of love!

Ruthie Sommers living room from Lonny Mag. Beautiful room, love the use of color. Not exactly lovin the spread eagle cheetah.

I am really studying the use of color, the added green here is unexpected and totally works. This is also Ruthie Sommers.

Two color studies from Trad Home. I am also crazy about these colors in interiors!

Perfection

Love everything about this interior from designer Chloe Warner. It is simple, but elegant, modern,yet with traditional aspects like the moulding. Neutral, but with just enough color. Love the shiny fireplace wall, and check out the stairwell in the hallway!

Ahhh, this room makes me happy!

Ikea love

I really need this!! Maybe I could get back to printing if I had this utility sink from (of course) Ikea.

Someday I will go here!

www.folkschool.org

East Lake Farmer's Market

Last Saturday, two of my favorite people and I had a booth at the East Lake Farmer's Market. Not having the first clue what we were getting into, we were semi-prepared, not exactly on time(meaning me), and hoping for the best.

Well, we were moderately successful, but had a great time. It was a beautiful day, and as always, we just enjoyed being together and talking to the nice people.

We will be there again this Saturday from 8-12. Come by and see us!

I had bags, wood bead necklaces, and hair clips.

My friends had leather and felted cuffs, bags,scarves,baby items, and several other things.

My friends daughter even joined us and made friendship bracelets and duct tape flowers.

We'll see how we do this week!!

dye,dye,dye

Last summer, for art camp, I bought all these wooden beads and fabric dye for this project I saw,guess where, on Martha Stewart. Well, I ran out of time for camp and I wasn't really sure the girls would be that into it. So, recently I pulled all the beads and dye out, and thought I would give it another go. This is after I vowed not to make anymore jewelry until I sold some. Well, 5 necklaces later, this is what I 've got..

This one was a little more ambitious

They are really cute with tshirts, in fact, I have been using tshirt fabric to string some of them on! That is what I used on the one above. I think I may try it this year for art camp.

Happy Tuesday!

Stencils rule!

If I could stencil everything, I probably would.

After a long week last week of cleaning, cleaning,cleaning, I needed to expend some of my creative energy.

Here is a parsons chair I painted and stenciled. I have an abundance of these because they used to be my dining room chairs.

So much better, right!

Does anyone still use placemats?

Well, I don't, but I do use them to make glue gun pillows and wristlets!!

Here's how...

Oh yeah, this placemat is reversible!

I used two and sewed (is that spelled right? it looks funny) them together. Right sides together.

So, this is the finished product. Not exactly perfect, but the first one never is.

A day after I finished this, I saw the tutorial for this on Martha Stewart, boy wouldn't that have saved me some time!!

I have serious spring fever!! My mind is racing with all kinds of fun projects, but the problem is I have too many things that really need to be done at home. I'm afraid something will have to give. Which will it be?

Matthew's Monsters

I just had to share this...My son made 12 of these in different fabrics and sizes, each one unique. He took them to school to sell for class stores. He only made 12 even though there are 23 kids because he said he wanted to create scarcity!! If you couldn't tell immediately by looking at him, he is definitely my child!!

Happy Friday and Happy Spring Break!

What can't you do with duct tape?

If you're reading this then you know me, and if you know me, then you know I love duct tape. I men really, what can't you do with duct tape?!
I found an entire book on making bags using duct tape in the construction Simply Sublime Bags by Jodi Kahn,(who I saw on Martha),
I have made some simple bags with duct tape lining, which works pretty well. This is the latest.

This fabric actually started as a pillow cover I got at Ikea! How much do I love Ikea!!

Oh yeah,
I know I said last time I was going to do felt hair clips. Well, I changed my mind. I couldn't find the pictures and the dogs ate one of them.

They really are very cute on Alex, the only problem(and she would kill me if she knew I repeated this) is there is a boy in her class who always tells her she looks cute when she wears it!! Already, in first grade! Boy am I in for it.

If you are wondering why my text is in two colors, well, I don't know. Some days nothing makes sense!

See you soon! I have a craft fail to show you...

New Year's resolutions??

Well so much for this New Year's resolution. I was determined to stay up to date with this blog, therefore giving me a reason for all these things that I obsessively make...

Obviously that hasn't worked out! I have been making all sorts of things, but not posting them. So, for the next few days I am going to post them all!

First, these skirts made from sweatshirts... I promised my friend I would show her some pictures many weeks ago. So, here they are finally!

This pink one looks much better on!

The black one was the first one I made, definitely an experiment.

I really like the blue one and have worn it a couple of times.
These are really fun to make, endless possibilities!!

Stay tuned for my felt hair clips...