decorating
Collecting
Generally speaking, clutter freaks me the heck out. That’s why my kitchen counters look like this – minus the flowers right now. It was just too much. 😉 Since I don’t enjoy clutter, you’d think amassing a large collection of something would be on my “things to never do so you don’t have to dust it” list. By and large, that is true. But just to keep things interesting, I have an exception to the no-clutter rule. It started back in college when I went on a Jan Term trip to England and Scotland. I think it was the first and only time I packed light since everything I needed had to fit in…
Barstool Make Under
Maybe you remember 137 years ago when I posted this photo? It was more like 3 weeks ago, but who’s counting? That was a chalk paint fail. I was trying to make over these barstools, which I loved 8 years ago. What do I feel now? Definitely not love, but I don’t detest them. That would require too much energy. The wood base was actually in good shape on all three of the stools. The faux leather tops, however, were looking like they’d been mauled by a pack of animals used by small children for the past 8 years. The barstools had admirably served their purpose, but it was time for them to go.…
Leather Wrapped Basket Handle
I may have to ditch my felt obsession and move on to leather cording. Kidding, kidding. Felt, I will always love you. I have a large, but plain, black basket that is currently pulling duty as the keeper of random books in our living room. I’d say the basket dates back to approximately 2 B.C. That’s 2 years Before Children. I have a vague recollection of that time in my life. I believe it involved power lunches and sleeping in on Saturdays…and Sundays. Anyway, one day last week, the basket really started to bug me. I think it’s the brain’s way of saying you can’t control the twists and turns of life, but you can makeover…
Kitchen Tweaks
I went to TJ Maxx/HomeGoods the other day for something really important. I can’t remember what it was, but I do know I didn’t find it. What I did find was a new rag rug. I’m not joking when I say there isn’t a rag rug I’ve met that I haven’t loved. It all started 17 years ago. For a wedding gift, our pastor’s wife MADE me us two rag rugs. I still use those rugs today and not a thing is wrong with them. I don’t know how she made them, but it kicked off my love affair with rag rugs. My husband’s cool with it. TJ Maxx/HomeGoods had an entire display…
Sheet Metal Map
I’m not sure if it’s all boys or my son in particular, but my 5-year-old doesn’t give a rip about decorating. Now, if I put something new in his room – it doesn’t matter what it is – he’s stoked about the shiny thing for all of 3.2 seconds. Then he’ll move on to the important matters of a kindergartener – whatever those are. In all reality, I’m decorating his room for me. The blank walls in his room gave my wandering mind something to focus on while I read LEGO City: Fire in the Forest! for the 217th time in a row. It’s a fascinating read. I wanted a huge piece of…
Gold and Turquoise Wood Arrows
Now, I don’t want you guys to take this the wrong way, but I’ve been mulling an idea over. I really think that instead of streets of gold, Heaven should be filled with the aisles of Hobby Lobby. Furthermore, the 40% off coupons could be replaced with 100% off coupons. Imagine it… The last time I was there (Hobby Lobby, not Heaven), I was on a mission to find something that could pass as a Valentine’s Day decoration, but wouldn’t actually BE a Valentine’s decoration. Do you get what I mean? Yeah, me neither. But I knew it would all become crystal clear the minute I saw the thing that I didn’t know…
Heart Plant Stakes
Valentine’s Day is a month away. In truth, it’s not my most favorite holiday. I like the sentiment, I just think we should let people know we love them a little more regularly than when Hallmark tells us to. That said, if my husband wants to shower me with gifts, I won’t turn them down! Also, my kids love Valentine’s Day, so I’m getting into the spirit of things – on my terms. First up, flowers. I treated myself to some happy yellow roses from Trader Joe’s. $5 in that cute little tin! Don’t mind if I do! Yellow roses remind me of sunshine and definitely brighten up a dreary winter day.…
Christmas Entry
When I was pregnant with my daughter, our firstborn, I bought a baby name book and my husband and I would pour over it at night highlighting names we liked. The enormity of naming our child weighed heavily upon us. It’s a good thing I had already selected her first name…when I was 5 years old. That’s right, my blonde-haired Cabbage Patch Kid and my blonde-haired daughter share the same first name. What can I say? I was a 5-year-old with excellent taste. At least I didn’t name her after one of the My Little Ponies. However, we still needed a middle name for our daughter. My 5-year-old self just wasn’t…
Felt Wreath
Some people decorate with oil paintings, animal head sculptures, found objects and let’s not forget that chevron trend. I think I’ve found my decorating “thing” though. Felt. That’s right, felt. I’m a little enamored with these 25 cent sheets of crafty possibilities. Either that or I’m reliving my childhood. No matter! When this trend gets a rollin’, be sure and remind HGTV it started here. 😉 I already showed you my yarn and felt wreath and now I made whatever this is called. How about a stick-it-in-a-frame wreath? I sure am on top of the technical jargon today. To make the felt wreath I first cut out a piece of card stock…
Kid Craft: Tree Artwork
After Thanksgiving the kids helped me with a little holiday decorating project – painted tree artwork. Usually I keep sketches my mom made in fashion design school in the 1970s in these frames (shown below in our last house), but I wanted to switch them out with something more festive for the holidays. My two little artists-in-residence would be perfect for this job. I covered our dining room table in a plastic tablecloth – always necessary when paint is involved – and let the kids go to work painting trees on regular computer paper. It was easier for them (or me) to sketch a tree first and then for them to…
