This year we decided to make homemade stockings.
We made each cuff match each family member's personality.
Click here for instructions on how to make your own homemade stockings.
Growing up, I remember my mamaw taking me to her treasure trove of books. She and my papaw worked at a school, and when the school threw out the old books they would salvage them. My mamaw would let me go through the books and pick out ones that I wanted to read. I still remember the smell and touch of those old, musty, worn out books. I’m still captivated to this day by the texture and smell of books, especially those old musty books.
We took a trip into the bookstore the other day, and my eyes were drawn right to the Old World style Italian handmade leather looking journals! I’m on a journal binge lately. They just look like they’re waiting to be filled with tales of adventures on the open seas like Moby Dick or a classic love story like Anne of Green Gables or Little Women. What great literary works! For someone who has such modern design tastes I’m such a sucker for these classic tales.
If I ever go missing in a bookstore you know where you can find me!
The smell of freshly cut grass, budding flowers, warm breezes, chirping birds… Spring has officially arrived! It’s the season when things come alive after being taken over by the cold harsh winter.
The flowers in our backyard have started blooming, and I just love it! As you can see, I’ve been spreading some of that love to Billy. Oh, and not to mention our home as well. I think there’s a clear winner, and it’s not the one you think! Haha.
I enjoy decorating, and the pictured centerpiece is one of my creations. I just gathered different height candles, picked some fresh flowers and put them in a bowl with some fresh berries, and arranged. And WHa-La there you have an inexpensive way of brining the joy of Spring into your home.
Share some of your ideas with me!
So yesterday I did my daily ritual of checking to see if there was anything new on my fav blogs. Yesterday I skimmed over toxel.com, and saw the image to the right. It is an advertisement for canned coffee. This little space is supposed to simulate the feeling of being a ski jumper which is somehow related to the tag line of this canned coffee. I was sort of confused as to why someone would go into that claustrophobic space just so that they could feel like a ski jumper. I thought nothing of it until I went back to toxel.com this morning and read the title of the blog (Ski Jump Toilets in Japan promote Canned Coffee). This little space is actually a public bathroom. WOW! I think it’d be an awesome experience, but I’m not sure I’d want to buy the canned coffee afterward. I don’t think “canned” coffee goes with sitting on the “can” if you get my drift.
School of Visual Arts: Tray Liner
School of Visual Arts: Sugar
School of Visual Arts: Napkins
I love the warm weather (if there just weren’t so many bugs). It was such a gorgeous day yesterday so I took my sketchbook, pencil, camera, and a blanket to the backyard. Sketching and journaling are a great way for me to reflect.
My mom always says that she can’t draw because she can’t even draw a straight line, but drawing is not about being able to draw straight lines. That’s great if you can, but most things don’t have straight lines. Sketching for me doesn’t have to be exactly perfect (although I am OCD about that), but I’ve found that the more I sketch the better I become (not sure how much better).
What is a warm weather activity that you can’t wait to do?
Can you believe this was made out of cardboard?!? We just threw out some old boxes that were cluttering the basement. I should’ve kept them and tried to make something like this! Check out some more awesome cardboard furniture that was created using the techniques of Eric Guiomar.
Have you ever seen something, and been like, “I’ve gotta have that!” I was like that the other day, when Billy and I happened by Goody’s. They’re having a going out of business sale, and when we walked in the front door there was a poster that read, “All Fixtures For Sale.” I took one look, and was like, “I Want That.” They had all of their showroom mannequins out for sale. Can’t you just see the looks on our guests’ faces when they walk through our door and see a mannequin staring right at them! I know it’s a little freaky, but I’ve always wanted one, and I think it would be such a funky little piece of art! Billy said, “Well, you wouldn’t have to worry about not having any closet space.” I love it!
What’s something that you’ve seen and immediately said, “I Want That!”?
At our Christmas party this year I decided to make some simple centerpieces for the food table. I thought I’d share how I made them. It is sooooooooo easy! First you need to buy a glass container if you don’t already have one. I found mine at Wal-mart, but any will do. Next buy fresh cranberries, which you can freeze to use later, and when you’re ready to use them just take them out and they’re ready to go. No need to thaw or anything. You will also need some small tea light candles. Once you have your glass containers, cranberries, and votives, you are now ready to start the assembly of your centerpieces. Fill your glass container with water to a little over 1/2 full, and then add cranberries to about 3/4 the way to the top. The cranberries, which add a nice base for your votives, will float in the water. After you have filled your container with water and cranberries place it in the freezer for about an hour. Next, take it back out of the freezer and place your votive/s on top of the frozen cranberries. Place the centerpiece back in the freezer until you use them. When it’s time for the party, arrange the centerpieces however you like. And there you have a simple, yet eyecatching centerpiece.
You don’t need to freeze these centerpieces to make them, but freezing them adds a nice element that complements the glow of the lit votives. Freezing also allows the cranberries to stay fresh and keep their juice from dying the water red, which will happen once it begins to melt.
Share some of your decorating ideas.
Ever since I can remember my Mom takes one night out of the year to make sweet treats. Our annual holiday candy making extravaganza took place the other night. It was a lot of fun. I deemed myself the taste tester. Not really, but I think I did more eating than baking. My two neices (one is 8 and one is 2) were there, and the youngest did not want to be left out so she got some sprinkles and decided to help decorate. As you can see, she ended up being my taste test helper!
