Lunch Break Christmas Jackpot!!!!!!!

The Target Onespot is on point for Christmas.  It was made for me.  And it suckered me in, big time.

Red, white, black and burlap and chalkboard.  And plaid!  Is there a surer way to get me this year, than plaid?

Run, don't walk down to Target before all the good stuff is gone.  Except not to the Torrington store, because I got the last of the pillows and some other stuff.  Hopefully they restock!

Here are my picture of the haul:

Really digging the storage baskets in a flame stitch and buffalo check, plus the chalkboard signs in the front.

Black and white striped ribbon, and 2 very cute red candle tins

Red and white snowflake coasters, Snowflake straws, and red glass mini jars to use on my planned Holiday Cocoa bar, PLUS a couple of white and black plaid placemats.

$3 pillows!  Enough said.

The cutest mini trees ever.
 

A Morrocan Inspired Red Living Room Vision Board, for Jennifer

Hello,

I have been itching to do something creative today but I am tired and although I have a million projects in various non-finished states, I decided to do something easy.

My sister Jennifer is inheriting some lovely brick red furniture (a sofa and loveseat) when she eventually moves down South this spring, and she and Joel are going to be house-hunting.  It had me thinking about Jennifer's style.

Now, while Jennifer is a traditionalist, the thing I love about her is that she is VERY far from boring.  She's not a neutral girl, if you know what I mean.  While she would not take as many design risks as I might, and in general, she is attracted to traditional or transitional furniture with a modern spin, she isn't afraid of color.

Jennifer also has a thing for Moroccan inspired prints just like I do (hello, quatrefoil for everyone.  Quatrefoil kicks chevrons behind any day of the week.)  And she also has a thing for Pier 1, so at first I browsed Pier 1 for some throw pillow inspiration.   And this is what I came up with for an inspiration room.

I used some items she already owns (some red, gold and brown mercury glass style tall candleholders, those Marrakech brown metal lanterns in small and large from Partylite, and the type of couch she will be inheriting, a Capiz shell wall clock.)  And then I inserted my own spin.   Those chocolate colored poufs seemed perfect for the children to lounge on, and I hope she would agree, that while this is sophisticated, it could also be family friendly.  That coffee table is from La Z boy, and the top lifts up and toward you to become a tv tray.   Busier patterns and darker colored couches are ideal for a little Micah Kevin and his tendency to spill.  I know, because I live with him.  I thought that rug (also entitled Marrakech) from Target was perfect to hide dog hair and stains while still remaining fun and colorful but mature.   This is definitely an adult space with room for the kids and the pets to snuggle in.

I hope you all enjoy, and Jennifer I hope you like it. 

Source List:  Media Console, Endtables and Coffee Table:  La Z Boy
Poufs, Slipper Chairs, Quatrefoil Mirror Set, Turquoise Throw Blanket, Storage Shelf with Baskets, Rug and Lamps all from Target.
Throw Pillows, Gold Quatrefoil Hurricanes, Capiz Shell Clock, Birches Painting, Tree with Bird Quad Painting, Capiz shell Vase, and Mosaic Red Tall Long Artwork, and Antique Red Bookcase all from Pier 1
Chocolate Brown Trellis Curtains: Christmas Tree Shops
Mosaic Hurricane and Marrakech Brown Lanterns: Partylite

Recent Projects: Valances and Faux Chalkboard Holiday Pillows

Even though I haven't been great about blogging lately, I have still been doing a ton of projects!

First of all, I finally finished sewing valances for my mother's sunroom windows.  there are nine tall but skinny windows, and my mother had picked up the perfect golden colored fabric with a tiny white foliage pattern on it, that gives the effect of a texture more than a pattern, since it is so small.  Then we used satin yellow ribbon to tie them up.  I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

And yes, I am a Christmas junkie.  Everybody knows I am.  And yes, I already have my holiday mantel planned out (you can never be too ready, wink, wink.)  I couldn't wait to get started on these.  They came out reasonably close to my vision.  But I wasn't willing to pay 30 to 50 dollars a piece for the versions I was seeing on world market, Etsy, Zazzle or Pottery Barn either.  So, DIY it was.

First of all, I started with 2 Hobby Lobby pillow covers.   Yes, that place hurts me in a political sense, but I'm a sucker for crafts so I apologetically compromised my belief system for $9.99 pillow covers in the shade of black that I wanted.  The border was brown jute. 

 

The first thing I did, was take a red sharpie, and color the borders red.  This was a little time consuming, but I did it mindlessly while watching a movie, so no big deal.

Next, I printed out two inspirational free chalkboard printouts.  I found both on Pinterest, but the links to the actual bloggers/printables are as follows.  The "Let it Snow" one is from Craftberrybush.com and the Baby It's Cold Outside is from UpcycledTreasures.com 

You know, you might never have thought of it but just search on Pinterest or google for "free printables."  You would not believe how many bloggers out there have done the creative legwork for you, and they are sharing it, very generously, for free!  It's a fantastic resource for decorating and it can save you money.  Just change out the pictures in frames you already have, seasonally.

So, using an exacto knife, I imperfectly cut out the letters to make stencils.  Then I filled in the stencils with chalk to have a vague outline.   In my perfect world, I would have had vinyl stencils and used chalk spray paint to do these properly.  I ended up free-handing much more than I wanted to.  I used matte chalk paint and a tiny paintbrush to fill in the letters myself. 

And here you go.  Finished products.  This project cost me about $25 total, which was about a fifty percent savings and then you also have the ability to tell someone, "I made that" which is always a nice feeling.

 

Can't wait until Christmas 2015!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am ready.

Autumn Appreciation...

Wooden Pillar Holders and Pillar Trio: Partylite (discontinued); Paris print: internet; Hello Fall wooden sign: Target dollar bin section; maple leaf ribbon: Michael's Crafts; Owl tealight holder: Dollar General; Aqua Rooster Pitcher: Food Network line at Kohl's; Burlap leaves and sprays: Michael's Crafts; Brass Scroll Sconces: Partylite (discontinued);
mini pumpkin: Big Y Stores

I have been remiss in my blogging duties again!  But our house has been bustling since my last update.  My sister had her baby and while I have been trying to organize our house for Fall, it has just not been coming together as I had hoped.  Translation: I have been lazier than I'd hope to be.

But I have managed to get some Fall décor up.  Notably, I am not the best photographer anyway.  But I find that our Craftsman home, which is beautiful but rather dark thanks to all the wood trim and paneling, is particularly difficult to photograph.

So, here are the pictures and forgive my lack of skill.  I am sure you will get the idea.

Silhouette Teapot: HomeGoods; leaf jar holder: Partylite, glass clock: Thrift shop find; Autumn leaf glass tray: Pier One; white plate frame: Michael's Crafts; mini white pumpkins: Big Y stores

Fabric Photo coffee table book: Ikea; turquoise leaf metallic lampshade: Target; Leaf fabric for toss pillow: Jo-Ann's; Black sweater throw pillow: Walmart

Aqua frames: Target; Clean House sign: specialty shop in Mystic, CT; French inspired Clock: Ikea; Red painted M: letter and craft paint from Michael's Crafts

Red patterned tablerunner:  Target circa 2013, Threshold brand; Ironstone basin and pitcher: antique store finds; Pinecones; Dollar General; red and orange berry garland: Michael's Crafts

Threshold Farrah Curtains in Black: Target (discontinued in 2013)

Red Bicycle Canvas Art: HomeGoods; Red Distressed Burlap Frame: Michael's Crafts, Eiffel Tower Print: Target 2009; small wooden sign: Mystic CT specialty shop



I made that bunting banner from a recycled paper banner purchased from the Target dollar bin section, and I hand stenciled and painted the letters and leaves using Acrylic craft paint from Michael's.

 

Glass Cake Pedestal: HomeGoods; Glass Hand Blown Pumpkin and Glass Pumpkin Cookie Jars belong to my sister, the Beta Fish is my nephew Micah's

that beautiful Watercolor Autumn painting was done by my uncle, Jeff Messenger, who is a local artist.  The brass candlesticks have been my mother's as long as I can remember, and the brass pillar stand and snuffer are Partylite from years ago.  The Cranberry wreath came from Christmas Tree Shops in North Conway, NH.

 

Living Room Vision Board

Even though we are probably six to eight months out, Mom and I have started to prepare for our inevitable downsizing move.  Back to apartment living for us!  That means saying goodbye to our 3,000 foot Craftsman rental, which I will miss for sure.

But new adventures and places await.  As I said, Southern Vermont is our target area.  But in the meantime, we have to weed out the furniture, kitchen stuff and home décor we can live without.  And in the process of discussing this, and debating how we will put together our living room stuff, this is the Vision Board I made.  As much as I swear against beige, with all of this color going on, I am planning on the Ikea Ektorp sofa in beige as our new living room seating of choice when we move.  Most everything else on here we already own or something really similar to it!

Red and teal forever!

Celebrating the 4th!

Traditionally, I have not decorated much for this holiday.  Mostly because it seems to come and go quite quickly, during a busy time of year.

But, since I am already doing a red, white and turquoise/teal blue theme in the living room, it was easy to put something together for this year.

So, I took a bit of poetic license with the Navy color.  Jennifer teased me, because I said that it was "French Country" 4th of July, but oh well. 

I found these three Mason jars at Joann's Fabrics, and they will match my décor all year round and fill the odd empty spot in front of our TV. 

As for the paper bunting, I have a ton of scrapbook paper just dying to get used, so I made triangles, and sewed a cotton red yarn through the top of each triangle through two holes I poked in them with a darning needle.  The thread was that "Sugar and Cream" cotton type, so it is more sturdy than acrylic yarn.   The mantle was finished off by an American flag tucked into the rooster aqua pitcher I have, and Joel's patriotic photo of his parents and father in uniform fits right in.)

And lastly, I wanted to highlight the wreath I have had up for some time.  It is just a grapevine wreath, with a center of origami scrapbook paper flowers I made (held together in the middle by glue, string and a button center.) 

Happy Independence Day!

Magazine Crate Project

My collection of home décor magazines is growing: this isn't all of them.  I subscribe to Country Living and Better Homes and Gardens, plus I pick up House Beautiful whenever it catches my eye at the check out stand.

I have been storing my magazines in various places, but this wooden crate at Jo-Ann Fabrics over the weekend caught my eye.  It was raw wood and on sale for $8.95.  So, I snatched it up.

I felt that we needed more pops of red in the living room to balance the overabundance of teal that has worked its way in, so Red Chalk Paint from Folk Art was the choice for this one (with a stenciled white chalk paint detail on each end.)   I hope you like it!  I love these super easy projects.

Jane Austen Lovah...

So, it's no secret that I love all things Regency England.  I will get over the pond someday to see my homeland.  It's on the bucket list.

In the meantime, I will have to settle for watching "Austenland" and the BBC "Pride and Prejudice" on repeat AND adding little touches into my home that remind me of my fandom.

Mom picked these up for me.  They had come into the Methodist church thrift shop that she works at.  For one dollar, I was able to prettify these with some chalk paint and make them modern.  I especially like Pipe Man, as I have dubbed him.  That old timey British farmer looks like he knows how to relax.

Such a happy Sunday afternoon project.

Blue and White China plus a new Living Room Vision Board

So, I've recently come into possession of my grandmother's blue and white china collection (which was, to my satisfaction, almost complete.)   It turns out that it's not quite as old or important as she might have thought (she tends to reason that things of great sentimental value to her MUST be worth a great deal) but from what I can tell, this pattern is beautiful but not anything altogether special.  From my internet research, I've determined that the set must date from 1913 to 1920.  The maker was Furnivals LTD out of England, and the pattern name was "Cluny."  It is clear to me that some of my pieces are replacement pieces, as some are missing the gold trim, and the sizing/ink colors are not consistent throughout.  But to me, that just gives it all even more charm.  My sister Jennifer and I split the set, although ultimately if we ever sell it, we would put the set back together.  We divided all plates, soup bowls and cups evenly, and then haggled over the special pieces.  I took the teapot, the over-sized sugar bowl, a small serving bowl, and several small to medium serving platters including what I would consider to be a pickle dish or butter dish.   Jennifer took the soup tureen (the ladle has long since gone missing), the water pitcher, and several larger serving platters. 

I've always felt that this blue and white set would blend well with my Ironstone collecting plans.  But, as much as I love blue and white decor, I love red and black as well and I wasn't sure how I could remake my living and dining spaces to incorporate all of the above in a cohesive manner.  I personally find the combination of red and blue to be appealing.  My best friend is getting married this fall, and we are utilizing a cherry red/turquoise color scheme.  But blue/red can be difficult because of the potential "patriotic" effect it might have.  Now, I want my home to have a modern french country feel, NOT be reminiscent of July 4th all year round.  So, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that the faded ink of the china is more french blue or a very blue turquoise than navy. 

So, I came up with this vision board for the living room that incorporates a few "blue" pieces in and overall, softens the harshness of the red/black color scheme.  I think I like it. 

Starting in upper left corner and working my way down:  The red bowl with balls is mine already, the bench is mine (i.e. the one I recovered from Elephant's Trunk, that Teal lampshade is from Target (Target Floral Toile Teal Lampshade $22.99) ,that M is something I already have in my house (a painted letter from Michael's), that lamp base is also from Target (Threshold Black Orb lamp base, $34.99) the curtains I already own (Threshold Farrah Floral pannels in Black which I got on clearance for $14.99 a piece), the light blue toile throw pillows are a purchase I am about to make from Amazon (Camella Toile Pillow) , the rug is a steal of a deal from IKEA (Tarnby Flatwoven Rug, $99.00 for a 6 x 8) the clock is also from Target Oversized Red Wall Clock $35.99) the IKEA black Lack side tables already belong to me, the blue accent table with glass doors is another Target steal (and also comes in a console table which might interest me) (Threshold Windham one door accent cabinet $76.99) , those are my curtains again folded up, a French Country color scheme I pinned on Pinterest, the IKEA round black/white floral lamps I already own, another beautiful accent cabinet choice from Target: (Threshold Fretwork Accent Table $62.00) some red stand-in couches to represent my loveseat and chair set from Bob's Furniture (Big Kahuna was the set name, now discontinued, in red) , my red metal wall art to bring in a modern touch, that same IKEA Tarnby rug again, my IKEA lack white tv bench, another gorgeous Target lampshade choice (Threshold Flocked Floral Shade Lamp $22.49), my framed rustic picture of Micah (frame came from Michael's crafts) and inspiring barn painting from http://www.wickartwork.com/Images/images_2005/PrarieBarn.jpg, and my IKEA black/white Stockholm cushions that I already own, plus another shot of my curtain fabric.