Exploring "deconstructed"

Did I tell you?

I've been thinking a lot about what to do with myself once the kids are all in full time school. So on the spur of the moment I rather impulsively signed up for a part-time Interior Design program at our local Technical Institute. I'm just starting with the intro class for now and I'm excited to see where that leads me.

My second class assignment is to research a hot design topic. So being the junk lovin' gal that I am I had to stay true to my taste. Here is a what I came up with.....

I love the casual comfort of the...

Deconstructed Chair

Can you relate?

These chairs look like they haven't been finished yet, or perhaps they've wore out and haven't been patched back together. Maybe some well meaning DIY'er had started to reupholster their favorite chair with the best of intentions but realized they were in over their head and gave up, or suddenly got distracted.

I can so relate to this trend - I may very well be ahead of my time on this one!

How it all began!

One Christmas a long time ago

Santa brought me the greatest gift!

Yup!

That's me on Christmas day with my brand new

Holly Hobby sewing machine.

I sewed many a make-up bag for my teenage sisters and thier friends

with that baby.

I'm pretty sure I was in third grade there.

After I mastered the battery operated chain-stitch machine I took a

Singer sewing course at the local mall and made the most hideous

outfit ever - complete with a pinking shear accident on the sleeve.

It was nasty!

The instructors made me model it in the year end fashion show regardless.

Thankfully I didn't give up after the pinking shear incident

but rather found a love for creating and carried on.

Where did you get your start?

What are your first creative memories?

Merry Christmas To You All!

From my family to yours.....

....we wish you a Christmas filled with all the things that matter most!

peace, love and hugs,

Antique Books, Flowers, and Twine

Has anyone been to Restoration Hardware lately?

I love some things about their new look, like their use of linen,

and reclaimed wood pieces.

I would say over all that the store has lost me.

Even though most of RH's furniture is oversized and over priced,

I still did enjoyed shopping there and there was always something

that was well within my price range.

I loved the quality and the old retro touches they had,

as well as interesting cleaning and kitchen gadgets.

But this last visit was a disappointment.

I did however spy these old antique books with the covers torn off.

The colours of the old pages speak to me, and I really think they'd look beautiful any place

you choose to put them.

But who needs RH to rip the covers off of old books when I can easily do that myself.

I'm sure I can round up a few old books and some string for less than the $29 US price tag.

So I left for home on a mission to tear covers off my old book collection, but of course by the time I got home I had forgotten about the idea it completely.

(So much is going on at home these days that forgetting about creative ideas is easily done.)

Then I came across this post at one of my favorite blogs, My Sweet Savannah, that reminded me of this idea in the nicest way! She adds such a sweet, flea market twist to these old books -

and actually I like hers so much better than the ones at Restoration Hardware.

Aren't they beautiful?

My sister and I split a box of old books that we found while out at a garage sale a few weeks ago.

I got these three sweet books but I couldn't for the life of me bring myself to pull the covers off.

I added a forgotton old flower pin of my grandma's, a little twine, and wha- la!

I think they go beautifully together!

How do you display your old books?

I'm linking up to "Make it 4 Mondays"

at my friend Cindy's blog,

"Cottage Instincts".

Please pop over and visit!

I'm Almost Back!

Tomorrow my baby starts Kindergarten!

(I promise I'm not gonna cry.)

The thought of having the time to finish a thought seems like a luxury to me.

Yes, I LOVE my kids ...

but who could blame me for being excited about having a few hours each day to myself.

After all I will probably be doing laundry and breakfast dishes anyhow.

I hope all your back-to-schools go smoothly!

Talk soon!

If Only My Life Had a Pause Button!

Wondering what I've been doing or where I've been?

We began the month with a year end stage performance and movie premiere!

My husband started a drama and film school for kids and teens a couple of years back.

It's been a big hit in our area - feel free to check it out here if you are interested.

Then we filled up the middle of the month with summer swim club, which includes everyday practices, and for us water polo, diving and swim meets!

My middle son's first swim meet. He did really well and I am very proud!

For my daughter, swim meets are all about hanging out with friends.

(She is an awesome swimmer too!)

I watched a Grumpy Old Troll in the Three Billy Goat's Gruff!

Then ended the month with my youngest son's preschool graduation!

I'm really excited about this - my kids will actually all be at the same school for one year!

Yeah!

Then I made costumes for an Eighties party.

Decorating the school gym!

Organizing a class gift for three teachers.

Got kids to year end picnics and barbeques.

Attended a school BBQ and a movie night.

Not to mention a leaky water heater, van repairs, fundraising......

If you're a Mom you know what I mean - please give yourself a pat on the back and pour yourself a big glass of wine for surviving June!

What now?

I am headed up here....

It's time to get the gear out of the attic! - We're going camping!

And when I get there I'm gonna read this!

Happy summer to you all!

My Simple Homespun Look

I went to our local fabric store and found a lovely little bolt of tea-towel fabric.

It reminds me of the beautiful vintage grain sack table runners

that I see being sold all over the internet for a fortune.

I'm loving the way it looks and it comes with the sides already pre-hemmed.