Time For Some Changes

Each January once the tree is down, I find that the bare spot where the tree once stood makes me question my space, and somehow makes me look at it a little differently. I realized that when we moved in to this place (3 years ago) we plopped the furnishings down and then never really thought about it again. So this January I began to question my placement, moved some things around, and have now come up with a few changes I am happy with. I feel like I am now finally beginning to finish things off a bit around here.

I've had this great braided wool rug for years but have never really put it to good use, it has now found a home in a cozy little corner beneath this chair and ottoman. I purchased the chair and ottoman at Sears of all places - they were sitting in an opposite corner of the room and now they look way more inviting in their new home. I recently found an old burlap sack and stretched it over a canvas, then added it plus a couple family photos to the wall above. Although this corner is not perfect, it is an improvement and feels a bit more finished than the blank walls we have had since we moved in.

I love little spots just for one - the perfect little place to sit quietly and read a book or flip through a new magazine.

I saw the burlap sack art idea at Junk Sophisticate if you haven't been there yet you should really check her out!

You can barely see our phone sitting on an old suitcase, I need a little table, or a stack of suitcases to lift it off the floor. Maybe I'll build a little bench. Ana at Knock of Wood has inspired me! If you haven't been to her blog yet you should.

Now I had to fill the bare spot where the chair above stood - so I brought out the chair below which was a roadside find and is actually super comfortable. It has been begging for new upholstery ever since I brought it home, and I'm happy to say that this will be happening soon. I found this ugly little ottoman at the local thrift store the other day and it will be joining the chair in the make over. I've ordered some new turned wood legs off of Ebay and will soon shop for some new fabrics to freshen this pair up.

Is this ottoman crying out for some new legs or what?

The PB lamp is a gift from my very generous mother-in-law.

My Hubby works in the film industry and is big into movies, so this piece suits us quite well.

I bought this old vintage movie reel off of ebay for my him this Christmas,

but still haven't found the right spot for it. Soon!

Then there is my curtain dilemma. We inherited these drapes with the house and although they go well enough they are perhaps not what I would have picked, but I think I can work with them. Notice the ugly standard drapery rod, and what do you do with patio doors anyways.

This patio door is ridiculously close to the fireplace and I have no choice but to have all this heavy drapery mashed right into the side of the fireplace. Talk about a focal point!

After a lot of looking and considering, I realized that these pinch pleat drapes actually extend far beyond the windows they are meant to cover, and once shut they turn that wall into an entire wall of drapes. So my plan is to hack off a bunch of curtain, chop the patio door drape right down the center so that half can hang on either side of the patio door, thus reducing the huge amount of bulk that has been butted right up to my fireplace. Then I'll pick up some nice little oil rubbed bronze rods with some rings and hopefully that should improve this nasty situation.

Extremely Behind the Times!

Ok I admit I'm a little behind the times. I only got the tree down a week ago and I still have christmas stuff sitting at the top of my stairs just waiting to be put in the attic. I did manage to find spots for a few christmas gifts though. Christmas is not about the gifts, and it truly is more than that for me and always has been - but it seems ridiculous for me to share these gifts with you next year. So bare with me for a few highlights!

A set of four Jadeite mugs from my hubby,

they have found a nice spot next to my retro teapot.

This sweet little rusty, cast iron Mr. Peanut piggy bank.

My kids got these Jones Sodas with their pictures on the label from their Uncle.

They rarely get pop so they loved this.

And my Husband got acquainted with Etsy, and picked out this sweet little necklace that has rarely left my neck since I received it. I love it!

There now I can officially put Christmas behind me!

My First Design Job! Before and Almost After!

I haven't mentioned this yet, but a while back my sister bought a sweet little rancher with a fabulous lay out. My sis knew she wanted to do some renovations and she wanted it done and over with as soon as possible. She agonized about which direction to take the renos, how to complete it while working full-time, and then she became a bit overwhelmed by all the decisions and the scheduling. She's pretty savy, but needed a little help with the details - talking out decisions and being able to visualize the big picture. There are so many decision and if you don't trust your own ability to put things together tastefully it is very hard to commit to anything at all. Since she knew I absolutely loved this stuff and she trusted my taste she decided to hire me as her designer, which was a big load off her mind and such fun for me. Spending other peoples money is way more fun! Don't you think?

Before

We worked on the whole house.

We picked out paint colours that flowed from room to room, then had the whole place painted. She put in beautiful wide plank hand scraped oak flooring throughout.

We picked out new lighting throughout the house (the sunshine ceiling had to go),

as well as all new baseboards and door trim,

complete with new door hardware.

Both fireplace have also been redone with the exception of a few finishing touches.

Next we are working on furnishing and decorating her house on a shoestring.

It truly is the little things that make the difference, and knowing what is worth the splurge is also important - such as a fantastic faucet, great lighting and quality hardware.

This is the yummy faucet we chose.........

and check out this fabulous pendant light.

Two of these hang above the island in an oil rubbed bronze finish.

I love the glass on these babies and we made sure to pick out a glass with imperfections

for the glass in the cabinet doors as well.

(it's not too matchy-matchy but they definitely go well together.)

The picture you are about to see was e-mailed to me by my sis,

it is hard to see the details but I will post better pictures when I get them.

And now for the big reveal.

The Almost After Shot

While there is still a lot to be done, such as the tile backsplash and window treatments, my lucky sis has a beautiful kitchen and this house has now become her home.

A Special Handmade Gift for Meg

We are a lucky family!

Why?

When the cousin my husband didn't know he had came looking for his biological family

the story had an extremely happy ending.

Not only did my husband get his very first cousin, but we also acquired his mom Meg,

the gracious lady who not only adopted him, raised him, and then later helped him find his missing links.

They are both every bit a part of this family as anyone else,

and have been for twenty years now.

We don't usually give handmade gifts at Christmas,

but Meg is someone who you just don't head to the mall for.

She appreciates the time and thought of handmade gifts,

and anything that won't damage the planet.

Meg has been a reduce, reuse, and recycler for as long as I can remember.

I believe she is a pioneer of sorts.

While the rest of the family heads to the mall to shop for our gifts, Meg brings a big box labeled "Meg's Book Box" filled with books that she has collected from garage sales through out the year. She carefully chooses books with each of our interests in mind, and then gives us a handmade Christmas card that says,

"Please pick out a book from my pre-loved book box."

A highlight every year!

So my daughter and I went to work and made these little reusable produce bags.

They are made from old linen pieces I had hanging around,

some string and a little fabric paint.

My nine year old did the stenciling

and I did the sewing.

Hopefully Meg thinks these are as sweet as we intended them to be

and if nothing else appeciates the thought that went into them.

I'm linking up to Cindy's party come join the fun!

click here

Handmade Stockings and A New Way to Hang Them

I'm linking up with Donna"s Saturday Night Special Click below to see lots or creative and inspiring stuff.

click here

I made these stockings a few years ago out of two differently textured upholstery cottons. Then I found these cute little rusty ornaments at Michael's for $.99 and tied a different one on to each stocking so everyone knows who's is who's.

I got this idea from my brother and cannot take the credit, but I love this idea, it is simple and it is worth sharing.

I never wanted to place those stocking holders on my mantle for fear that an innocent toddler might get hit on the head by a cast iron object or crack a hearth tile or damage my wood floors. So every year I actually place nails in my mantle and then touch up in the new year - if I get to it.

So this year I bought this curtain rod which was white, painted it with Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint (thanks Cindy for the tip), added a few curtain clips and then attached it to the underside of my fireplace surround. I like the way it looks and I might just keep it up all year.

I've been working on some new stockings for this year - out of sweaters of course! My to do list was just too long and sadly they all didn't get done - but I thought I'd show them to you anyhow.

Thanks for hosting Donna!

And Merry Christmas.

Beautiful Holiday Entertaining Ideas!

I have a bit of time on my hands lately as I seem to have put my back out! Having this happen right before Christmas is extremely unfortunate timing and I am unable to do anything. Really! After a few days of watching the laundry pile up, and the dust bunnies, kids socks, and toys collect all over the house I have now resigned myself to the fact there is nothing I can do about it. (No point even watching my home deteriorate before my very eyes.)

My hubby has sent me to bed and has rigged up my Imac bedside - now I can waste away my time in cyberspace.

So after much surfing I have found a few retro goodies for your holiday entertaining. These ideas are simple and can be easily executed with things you have on hand such as tin foil!

(You may Thank me later!) I hope you enjoy!

Check out this beautiful tin foil snowman centerpiece! Lovingly decorated with candy canes and lollipops. And what could be hiding inside those foil balls? Could it be Swedish meatballs, or perhaps they are mini jiffy pop popcorn surprises? My best guess is a chocolaty treat made with colored mini marshmallows and crispy chow mien noodles. Yum!

(Has anyone ever had those as kid?)

I love this idea for it's simple beauty. What better way to put out flatware for your guest than to creatively lay them out in the shape of a festive Christmas tree! Your guest will be talking about this one!

Why not leave the good china in the cabinet, forget about the environment, and start a new tradition this year by going completely disposable!

Did you know that you can finish up the look of your styrofoam plates and disposable plastic tumblers by simply placing a real glass plate or saucer beneath it? Use real metal flatware for an elegant touch. And the tinfoil angel sets the stage for an evening of festivities and fun.

For your next cookie exchange leave the cellophane and ribbon behind, these lovely take away foil serving dishes are where it's at this year. Plus you can say, "I made it myself!"

Ok, so I've had a little too much time on my hands........ but we've come a long way though haven't we?

Thank you - from me and my Christmas tree!

I have been having so much fun snooping around from blog to blog checking out all the amazing ideas out there. It only gets better when you actually remember those great ideas, and get the chance to put a few of them to good use. I really like the way my tree turned out this year and I can't take any credit for it - I have many of you to thank!

Inspired by Donna at Funky Junk Interiors - she has the greatest ideas. Love the burlap garland and the use of these old lanterns I found at the local thrift store. Thanks Donna for both of these great ideas, I smile every time I look at my tree!

Thanks to Ashley from Shanty2Chic, I love the way these little snow filled ornaments turned out - you are truly a genius!

I saw a designer on TV the other day put signs on her tree and that inspired me too. I put up this sweet little angel sign that I had for years and didn't know how to work into my decor.

An old chalk board went on as well. Once I actually find the chalk I might get my daughter to write a note to Santa on it , or a maybe a countdown to Christmas - we'll see.

I am now on the hunt for some old silver picture frames and I thought I might put old christmas photos of the kids in them and hang them on the tree as well.

Notice that you can't see the top of the tree in the photo - this tree is still a work in progress I suppose.

Thanks again sharing your great ideas with the world so me and my tree may enjoy them.