Thought for a Thursday~

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. ... No artist is pleased. [There is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others"'

~Martha Graham


Coming tomorrow for Frugal Friday...how to turn a Christmas wreath into an Autumn beauty.

Have a lovely Thursday~

How to make a "green" tote~

I believe in trying to go "green". I'll admit, I'm not 100% good at it, but I do try. So when I saw this idea in a magazine ages ago (sorry, I don't remember what magazine it was) I decided that I had to give it a try.


Here's how to make a great "green" tote out of an old wool sweater. (you can left click on the very ugly photo above - I took it when it was getting dark and I realized I didn't have a "before" photo to share - to enlarge it if you want to be able to read what I typed in the boxes. )

EDITED TO ADD: I've had a couple of readers that mentioned they think the article was from Country Living.

1. First find yourself a wool sweater. I haven't worn the sweater that I used for my tote in probably 10 years, but I still liked it and always knew I'd find something to do with it.

2. Wash the sweater in hot water and then dry on a high heat setting. This will cause the sweater to shrink and will felt the wool.

3. Then cut the sweater as shown on the photo above.





4. Fold the sweater so the side seams are now in the front and back. (The felting will cause the seams to be much less obvious)





5. Turn the cut sweater inside out and sew the bottom closed.





6. Fold the cut edges over and hem.

VOILA! A recycled wool tote that will look great all through the fall and winter.

Linking to DIY day at A Soft Place to Land.

Have a great day~

Posting about Pillows~

Another crop of pretty pillows...

Look at this lovely special order Rosette Pillow done in white. I *heart* it completely! In fact, I love it so much I'm going to list another one in the shop...



Look at those lovely little posies...

I am a romantic at heart...and I just love the fact that flowers and ruffles are so stylish right now. What's a romantic girl to do? Add them to...just about...everything.

This pillow is made from a painter's drop cloth. (There's always another project to do with those...check out my drapes...and my tablecloth...) I got this idea from all of the "corsage" shirts we've been seeing this season. And a little tutorial I saw here. I just love the scruffy, puffy flower on this pillow...

Here's a closeup in all of its frayed loveliness...

And finally, this fun Halloween pillow using a great vintage graphic from The Graphics Fairy (one of my favorite blogs...OH the inspiration.) I'm loving this.


All of these are now listed in my shop...just waiting for someone to love them and give them a good home.

Coming soon on the Shabby Nest...

• "Green" totes - repurposing sweaters
• How to turn a Christmas Wreath into an Autumn Beauty
• Make your own party platter

Have a great Tuesday~

An Eye for Pretty~

One of my favorite compliments I've ever received from a reader was being told that I have "an eye for pretty." I just love the idea of finding the pretty in the everyday. And when it comes to this little lamp that was certainly the case.


On Friday I showed you this little lamp in its "before" stage. Too sugary. Too precious. Too....brass.

BEFORE

So I gave her a few coats of spraypaint.



The spraypaint helped. But now the pretty lamp needed a lampshade that suited her new look. And the lampshade I had planned on using just wasn't going to cut it. So I thought, and I thunk, and I thinked. And it hit me. I had to make the perfect lampshade for this little beauty.

Now, I have purchased and used self-adhesive lampshades before, but when I went to buy another one, I was surprised at how expensive they were. I REALLY don't remember them being that costly. And this lamp IS a Frugal Friday project afterall. So I had to rethink my plan.

I was still mulling it over as I ran to Target to pick up such glamorous items as pull-ups and AA batteries (yes, I know, my life is sooooo glamorous!) when I happened to walk past the lighting section and see a small, plain white lampshade that was just perfect - and half the price of the self-adhesive version.



I had to make my own pattern for the fabric (which was actually very easy to do...I just rolled the fabric around the lampshade and cut it to fit. I could have been much more technical, but I am not a patient person when it comes to these sorts of things...sigh.) Then I hot glued it on to the shade. But the shade would be nothing without the addition of three sweet little rosettes. They made it just perfect. A little shabby, a little chic, a little romantic. Perfect!

Linking to DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land.

Have a lovely day~

Modern Furniture

Modern Bedroom

The most important furniture in a bedroom is the bed. Commonly, in the malls, beds are displayed bear so you can observe the difference between a modern and traditional bed. Traditional bed is composed of metal frame, box spring, mattress and headboard. Some are incorporated with a metal or wooden footboard.

A contemporary one on the other hand is simply composed of a simple platform and a mattress. Some are made with headboard (which may or may not be adjustable) and/or footboard that can be made of wood or fabric-covered. Some have side tables or drawers attached to the bed. This is beneficial for those whose rooms are too small to even add a nightstand.

If you are planning to buy a modern bed only, ask the person in charge of the store if it needs a special mattress. After all, your old mattress may not be compatible with the new modern bed. So it is advisable to buy a new mattress too, one that is suitable to the new bed.

Can a drawer get any modern? The answer is yes, and it’s all about the style and handles. Intricately carved sides and handles are a thing of the past. Nowadays, sleek and smooth handles are the trend. In some cases, they are just bigger than cracks because no handles protrude from the drawer at all.

Modern armoires can accommodate almost anything now since these are built with more storage space, pretty useful and convenient for small rooms that can’t accommodate multiple drawers and dressers.

Modern Bedroom Furniture

Modern Bedroom Furniture

Modern bedroom furniture is in straight lines with no carvings and organized. . Low level furniture made from dark wood is the basic of modern style.
The furniture painted in black is the ultimate choice of modern style. You should place a few articles of furniture in modern bedroom as modern style is based on “Less is more” principle. Usually the bedroom is painted in white, green, red or brown color as these colors highlight the furniture. Place a sleigh bed to enhance your overall look of modern bedroom. Also you can place a single sofa and an ottoman for reading space and storage besides placing a footer ottoman to store bed sheets. Modern bedroom furniture gives an elegant and sophisticated look to the bedroom because of dark wood and low-level furniture.

Modern Bedroom Lighting

Natural sunlight is enough to light up your modern bedroom. Fix a large glass window to have enough sunlight in modern bedroom. If you can not access enough sunlight in your modern bedroom, you can use ceiling lights, chandelier and side table lamps. Hanging pendants, wall scones, brushed steel lamps, ceiling lights and chandeliers are also enhance the look of your modern bedroom.

Modern Bedroom Ideas

Modern Bedroom Color

The color of modern bedroom should be soft and soothing to eyes for the bedroom is a place of relaxation and comfort. Use calm colors such as cream, pastel green, pastel pink, light blue and light brown as they are relaxing. If you are using some accents in modern bedroom, you can opt for red, yellow and orange color for nice bedroom impression.

Modern Bedroom Furnishing

Modern bedroom furnishing should be soft and smooth but not too textured. Soft fabrics are such as cotton and silk bed sheets and pillow covers, furry rugs essentials of modern bedroom and add warmth your modern bedroom. Curtain and draperies can also change the look of the room. Bed headboard should match with the furniture you choose for your modern bedroom. You can also place an upholstery bed headboard in your modern bedroom.

You can also choose beds with different shapes and styles such as sleigh beds, circular beds, platform beds etc. as they also give a modern style to your bedroom. Platform beds are in trend with modern style interior and are ultimate choice of today’s youngsters as they are comfortable to sleep. Platform bed includes low level wooden bed frame with high mattress.

Frugal Friday~

Interesting how you can start out with one thing in mind and end up with something totally different once you get going. Inspiration works in funny ways.

Take this little lamp for example.

I saw her at the local thrift store, and thought she might be good for the Princess' room. Of course, the brass just didn't do it for me, and the pink roses with their green leaves made the whole thing just a little too "precious" for my taste. I thought of spraypainting the little lamp, but ended up putting her back instead.

Of course, it doesn't take a genious to figure out the rest of the story. I went back a couple of days later, and luckily, the little lamp was still there. This time I scooped her up and took her home.

After a few coats of spraypaint, this is how she looks. No precious pink roses, no yucky brass. Not only that, but the base looks a little more substantial now that the whole thing is the same color. (She wasn't actually dry yet when I took the photos...that's why she's still a little "shiny"...)

I planned on adding the lamp shade that is currently on the lamp in the Princess' room (pictured above), and thought it might be a nice contrast to the more formal lamp base. But as I was doing this post, and looking at the photo of the lamp in all of her cream-colored perfection, I had a flash of inspiration...

You'll have to wait until next week to see what I decided to do...(I know, I know, how could I make you wait? It'll be worth it, though!) And you know, the little lamp probably won't end up in the Princess' room after all...of course, I could redecorate...

Have a great Friday~

So I was given this award by Julie at Jam n' Jilly. I haven't played along with one of these awards in a while, so I thought I'd give it a go. The idea behind this particular award is that you are supposed to list 10 honest things about yourself.

Here goes nothing...

1. I never leave the house without makeup on...and hair done.

2. I also can't leave the house unless all the beds are made.

3. The clothes in my closet are arranged according to color...in the order of the rainbow. (yeah, there's a little of that design OCD going on there, I think.)

4. I find sweeping to be therapeutic. (I just really figured this out about myself a little while ago, and I think it's kind of weird...anybody else think cleaning is therapeutic?)

5. I have had a lifelong goal of becoming a published author someday...I even have a children's book manuscript that has been waiting to be submitted...but I'm chicken. I write a blog...but I'm afraid to submit a manuscript...go figure.

6. I hate folding laundry. Hate. it.

7. I am obsessed with decorating magazines...and I can't bring myself to throw them out.

8. The only network TV I watch? Dancing with the Stars. Other than that, it's HGTV all the way baby!

9. I claim to be 5'4", but in reality, I'm only about 5'3 1/2" . That's close enough, though, right? RIGHT?

10. I have freckles...and a love/hate relationship with them.

So there you have it...10 things you probably didn't know about me...and probably didn't care to know. Ha!

Have a great day~

This I Love~

Some of the things that I am loving right now...

photo from Sarah & Abraham

...The wonderful silhouettes at Sarah & Abraham.

I just ordered the Mom notepad above...only in a mossy green instead of red. You can pick the silhouettes that represent your family...many darling ones to choose from. It's going to be perfect for those notes I have to send to school with my kiddos. I love it so much! I was also impressed by their turn-around time...I ordered and it was shipped the same day! AMAZING!

Photo from Pottery Barn

...Galvanized metal!

This serving piece is from Pottery Barn...they call it a "party bucket". Whatever you call it, it's fabulous! And perfect for fall entertaining with its rustic feel.

Photo from Pottery Barn

... Wire pieces.

This wire urn is also from Pottery Barn. Just love it filled with dried hydrangea as a centerpiece at a fall table!

Photo from Serena & Lily

... These new french-inspired chairs from Serena & Lily.

The feeling of old French grain sacks with a modern twist. I love the nailhead trim on this chair that gives it a little extra sophistication. This chair comes with blue or red stripes.

Have a great Wednesday~

Etsy Fest~

I have been a busy, busy girl! I took the rosette idea and ran with it, and here are the two stunning results! I. am. so. in. love. This ticking pillow is the one that I gave away during my 300th post giveaway, but if you'd like one for yourself, it is available now in my shop.

I also made a lovely version in tan linen. I adore the shabby/romantic sophistication of these pillows. (And they look fabulous in my bedroom chair!)

I also listed this great pillow featuring a vintage french photography sign. Just love it!!!

Of course, I couldn't resist turning some of the rosettes into brooches...and they are in the shop now as well.

I also tried something new with my pendants. I have been making scrabble tile pendants for a while now, but I was longing for a different shape to work with, until I happened upon some rectangle wood pieces in the craft shop. They were just what I was looking for! I decided to use them to make collage pendants which included my drawings with vintage script backgrounds. I adore how they turned out! They are not pictured with chains, but will be sold with them.

FRONT

BACK

These "mom" pendants can be special ordered with numbers on the back....mine has a "4" on it for my four kiddos, of course! These would be perfect for Christmas gifts...hint hint! (Just for today, I'm offering 10% off purchases of the "mom" pendant! Hop over to my Etsy and get yours! - I am not going to have the Mom pendant listed yet, so if you don't see it there, don't worry! Just convo me on Etsy and let me know you want one!)

FRONT

BACK

Oh, and one last thing I forgot to mention before...last week I reached the milestone of 1000 followers on blogger! I am so thrilled! I just want to thank all of you who read my blog! You all mean the world to me!!



Have a great Tuesday~

Party like a dinosaur (and a Shabby Nest interview)~

Mr. Two is a huge dinosaur fan... so this weekend we celebrated his 4th birthday with a dinosaur party! Some of you may recall the invitations that I posted about a week or so ago. Of course, my design OCD* extends to birthday parties, so I had to coordinate the invitations with the decor. *Obsessively Consumed with Decorating.

I just love a banner...and the one I made for Mr. Two used the same scrapbook paper, as well as the dinosaur and number 4 motifs that I used on the invitations.

For the party favors I made these fun little coloring books for the guests by printing out a bunch of free dinosaur coloring pages and then sewing them (yes, with my sewing machine) together into books. You might notice that the font on the front of the coloring book is the same font that I used on the invitations. (There's that design OCD again.) Of course, what are coloring books without crayons?...so I put several crayons and some glow-in-the-dark dinos that I found at the dollar spot in Target in cellophane bags and then sewed them shut with papers featuring the same dino clip art on the front of the coloring book.

The dino clip art made another appearance on the water bottle wraps.

And it just wouldn't be a birthday party without cake. I personally am a huge cupcake fan, so I created these little darlings and topped each with more dinosaurs that I found at Target. The kids loved these! (Just had to remind them that the dinosaurs were NOT edible.)

All in all, it was a great party, and Mr. Two couldn't have been happier with it (which is, after all, what really counts!)

My good friend Jen over at Sanctuary Arts is featuring an interview with little ole me today on her blog! I was so honored that she asked me. Hop on over and check it out! Thanks Jen!!

Have a great Monday~