Glass Bottle Display in China Hutch

You may remember my China Hutch Evolution I blogged about a couple months ago?

                                       Now it's time to peak inside.....

Framing Maps

While we're on the subject of maps as artwork, I thought I'd share my Christmas gift (in 2008) to my husband:

Wedding Picture Display

What I appreciate most about photography is the stories it can tell.  When presented with our wedding photos 9 years ago, we really couldn't pick just one and sure didn't want to plaster the walls with them.

Bedroom Mood Meter

How fantastic is this sign?  Of course my mother (of all people) found it for me at a thrift shop.  I used to have it hanging in my bedroom but just moved it to my hall half bath that I'm filling wall to ceiling with fun items...(more on this later).  It's just too funny to keep hidden in the bedroom.

Have you ever seen something like this?  Do you have a funny sign you'd like to share?  I'd love to hear about it!

Old Window Pane with Hand Made Glass Beads

Amy Hunting Block Shelf Book Shelf

Is this possibly the coolest thing you've ever seen?

I applaud Amy Hunting for her amazing creativity

in the design and assembly of this "Block Shelf."

The wooden blocks consist of twenty types of untreated

wood, upcycled from a rubbish bin in London.

The cotton rope is tied in some serious fishing and sailing knots

to hold up the massive weight of the wood and books.

You'd definitely want to find some studs for these puppies.

This is quite a creation that Amy has designed! You can be pretty sure I'm gonna try and duplicate it myself (well....myself meaning with the help of my wonderful hubby). Amy's piece has so much personality and history in each block of upcycled wood!

Besides being an obviously awesome bookshelf, can you imagine it in front of a viewless window with plants and glass bottles? Could you see yourself attempting a replication?

Photographer: Trine Stephensen

Check out Amy's Site
She was awarded the 2nd prize from Green Furniture Award in 2010 and her bookshelf is available for purchase from Green Furniture Sweden

Mother's Day Craft Ideas

My son's 4-H club worked on Mother's Day crafts at their meeting last Sunday.

Blue Jay Nest

We found this nest in the tree in our backyard two springs ago. After watching the little birdies hatch and fly away we brought the nest inside and keep it displayed in our lovely IKEA basket. It looked so lonely and empty. I went to Michaels and bought a package of little wooden eggs which resided in the nest as is for the past year. As we were dying our Easter eggs last week, I thought the dye would be an easy way to make them blue. I had assumed we'd paint them, messy fingers and finger prints would add to the joy of finally having our little eggs blue, but egg dye? What a novel thought.

My daughter added some black spots using black crayon to mimic Blue Jay eggs.

Then they spent some time soaking in a blue bath of Easter egg dye.

Don't they look lovely? We might add some more black spots at a later date.

Blowing Easter Eggs, Painters Tape & Dye Resist

Easter? Already? Wasn't it just Christmas?

Shutter Wall - Painting the Shutters

For a completed picture of my shutter wall click here

Wow what have I started this time? My dining room is a bit on the boring side. We've spent our attention on other rooms and have neglected giving it the character we desire. I've had ideas for lighting (see blog post here), and I've sewed curtains (more on this later). We have a table, an antique baby crib turned love seat (which is pretty cool and I'll blog about later) and a couple plants. It's even missing a rug since my lovely dog destroyed it (you don't want details).

Every time I go to my favorite shop Anthropologie, I take photos of their displays. I find them so creative and inspiring. Last month I visited a friend in the L.A. area and on our way to the airport we stopped by the Pasadena Anthropologie for about twenty minutes. (A teaser of a visit). I snapped this shot of one of their displays:

Notice the use of shutters? This was my inspiration for the wall in my dining room. I'll be taking it to the next level and plan on covering the entire wall, floor to ceiling, in painted shutters of varying shades of blue and green. You may remember my recent thrift store extravaganza? I was in search of shutters. Finding only one small shutter on that trip, I was a bit discouraged in my hopes of finding enough to blanket the entire wall! A friend suggested Habitat for Humanity Restore, where I found a car load of shutters! They had some great price tags:

I also posted an ad on craigslist asking for wooden shutters for an art project. I received an e-mail that night from someone asking a hundred bucks for about ten. I considered not even e-mailing back at that price but responded with my price of thirty. Sold. He was going to throw them out anyway and I nearly doubled my supply and saved them from the trash.

Milton is checking out the new art to be. I have to admit, they kind of stink. I don't want to know why.

Besides taking over my house, the shutters are turning into a fun project. With this many to paint, I'll have several opportunities to experiment with different color combinations, painting techniques and faux type finishes. Overall this project is proving to be very useful experience for future projects, especially because there is very little pressure for each shutter to look perfect in any way, it's like art therapy.

I went through our paint cupboard and pulled out all the blue and green paints. We have tester cans and full size from previous projects. Some I mixed together in a jar to tweak the color a bit, and some I used straight from the paint can.

I found that adding water helped the paint to spread easier and faster, and created a nice uneven finish.

This shutter I painted a bright blue green, then rubbed a dark ebony wood stain over the surface, wiping it off after about 30 seconds.

This shutter was painted with a light blue green. After allowing it to completely dry, I brushed on a dark brown wash (50% dark brown paint and 50% water) and then wiped it off with a rag.

This shutter I painted the bright blue green, then brushed on and wiped off a full strength taupe colored paint (which was created on accident).

Before painting the shutters, I first remove all hardware and hinges. If it is really covered in grime or dust I clean them with a gentle household cleaner and rag. I am not sanding because I want the rough wood to show and help add character.

It's turning into a fun project for the whole family!

See how the project has evolved!

Wall Nook with Garden Gate

Towel Hooks vs Towel Bars

Keeping bathrooms tidy is a chore. Have you ever tried to teach a three year old to fold their towel over the towel bar when they are done with their bath? And if you have, is it hanging evenly? Folded in thirds? or at least in half? Forget the three year old, how 'bout your husband? Can he put the towels over the bar? I'm really good at putting the blame on everyone else and not mentioning my own pile of towels that seemed to gravitate to the floor.

Plants Hanging from Ladder

I found this old ladder for a couple bucks at a thrift store. Using plant hooks and wire, I attached it to the ceiling over my bathtub.

Postcard Collection

Valentine's Day Thumbprint Hearts

Using red craft paint, friend and photographer Jen Schleicher helped her two little loves create thumbprint hearts for their daddy. After labeling it with names, ages and the date, it is now displayed in a blue frame as a keepsake and Valentine's Day decoration for years to come.

Creative & Personalized Shoulder Straps

Spice up your life! Take off that factory camera bag strap and tie on a fun (sturdy) scarf. The one I use is wide enough to spread out over my shoulder which distributes the weight more comfortably. My laptop bag is a simple padded case from REI with hooks where I tied a fringed gauzy scarf.

Guest Room Accessories

We have overnight guests at least once or twice a month at our home. Having a well equipped guest room helps save me the trouble of finding forgotten supplies last minute, or trying to describe where something is located in my house while cooking dinner and holding a crying toddler. (But don't get the wrong idea, we're not a full service bed and breakfast, I will make you help if you stay here!) All I have to say to my guest is, "It's in your room." I have little labels in my cupboards, baskets full of extra toiletries and a full medicine cabinet. One of my favorite little guest items is this jar I have on a shelf above the toilet. It contains pens, scissors, tape, eye wear screws, super glue, note cards, stamps, etc.

Organizing and Displaying your Children's Artwork

We have a lot of artwork in our home. My kids draw and paint at school, at home and at art class. I'm always working on the method to the madness and currently my method is the following:

DRINK COFFEE - Do Stupid Things Faster with More Energy

Have you had YOUR cup today?

Bookcase Dollhouse