Becolorful

Progress Temporarily Sidetracked

Life can imitate art or sometimes it can side track it. 

That was the case with my sideboard..

That could be put on hold.

Some things, though, just  can't wait.

 

Meet the fam.

These  crazy wonders  are four of  the most important pieces of my world. 

 When one of them needs me I will drop everything to be there. 

That doesn't make me unique or noble or earn me any special recognition.

It's what we all do ...

as parents, as friends, as family.

This past week was one of those times when somebody needed me. 

It's interesting how when things are clicking along effortlessly we are allowed the luxury of focusing on our own dreams, talents or ambitions.

But when one of us is met with a life challenge or disappointment, 

the focus shifts.

Then we roll as a team. 

And what a winning team I have. 

I am one proud mama.

That said, I'm getting back on track.

 I'm putting  the finishing touches on my latest creative endeavor.

 If all goes as planned,

tomorrow will be my big reveal.

Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Hugs,

P.

Day Three of Sideboard Rebirth { Let the Tweaking Begin }

 I know it looks a bit obnoxious right now but after I apply the defining touches that give it a bit more cohesieveness  and maybe a light glaze to tone it all down a notch, I think I will have the look I was after.

Everything has its first layer of paint and now the tweaking begins.

1. Find new knobs. Something with a bit more style. If all else fails, I will repaint these.

2. Finish black and white borders. I use painters tape to get a clean edge.

 

3. Add some gold stripes to the middle drawer.

 

4. The end pieces are waiting for pale creme hydrangeas. 

 

5. Paint up the feet with some get your freak on flair.

 

Whew!

Already on day three.

It's beautiful outside today.

I need a break.

I need to experience some of that sunshine.

I need a trip to TJ Maxx. I am having retail withdrawl.

Maybe a jaunt over to Hobby Lobby to look at knobs.

Yay, I'm having dinner and drinks with friends.

I can paint later tonight.

I have a lot yet to do.

Still, considering I started with this.

 

I should be able to wind this up tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting. I hope you will stop back to see the completed effort.

X0X0

P.
 
 Linking up with Transformation Thursday at Shabby Chic Cottage.
 
 Show Us What You're Working With Wednesday @ Me and My Bucket.

 

Day Two of Sideboard Transformation { The Scary Stage}

Yes, this is the scary stage. It looks a bit harsh and disjointed at this point but stay with me. There are better days ahead. And yes, I am painting this piece right in the dining room where it will hopefully stay for a while.

At this point I am blocking out my patterns and painting the base coats. You can see my inspirational photos and in this instance a piece of scrap paper for a jumping off point.

To see where I started with this  piece you can visit here .

I hope you will stop be for another visit tomorrow.

xoxo

P.

Linking up today with

Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design

Show and Share Day at Just A Girl

 

Day One of My Sideboard Transformation and A Score at Pier 1

Once upon a time I put my paint brush to this lowly dresser.

 

I dressed her up and debuted her at The Traveling Door.

 
 So sad, she did not sell so I brought her back home with me and placed her in my dining room.

She felt right at home here and I enjoyed having her.

 

I featured her here on my blog and soon she was gone to a new home. 

Immediately I missed her unconventional style in this very traditional space. 

Linens and tablescape tchotchkes that had found a home in her whimsical drawers were now piled haphazardly on a chair. 

I was on the hunt to find a successor and I finally discovered her last weekend at a freight salvage store.

 

A blank white canvas that by the end of today only looked like this.

Probably because I am easily distracted and have zippo will power when a friend calls inviting me out.

 

I know she looks bad or as my daughter would say,  she is a hot mess, but stay with me this week. 

There are better days ahead for this little white wonder.

The up side of being seduced away from my task today was the jack pot I hit at our Pier 1.

 I had admired this carved figure since last fall.

 

 Knowing that he was mass produced I didn't want to pay $79.00 for him.

Lo and behold though, today I spied him lying on his side on the clearance shelf.

He was destined to come home with me.

When I discovered he was now only $19.00 ...

 

I bought his lady friend too.

 

Ahhh, I love a retail score.
 
 Linking up this post with

Get Your Craft On Tuesday Today's Creative Blog

Do It Yourself Day at A Soft Place to Land
 
Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking

Frugilicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

  
 

Pillow of the Week #9 March Madness

 Pillow of the week #7 and my shout out to the University of Northern Iowa Panthers and their stunning and glorious win over #1 seeded Kansas. Yes, let the madness begin! This pillow is perfect for any basketball enthusiast and you will find it here. 

 

The Evolution Of A Family Room

Our home is a very old home, just shy of the century mark. As a result it has changed a lot over the years. Last month I did a post on our living room but this time I thought I would feature the family room and how it has evolved over the last few decades. 

When I hear the words family room that conjures up for me an image of warmly painted walls and over stuffed leather seating with a fireplace and a big old distressed coffee table. That is not what I ended up with here. Instead mine resulted with bright colors, chintz florals and polka dots. I probably went this direction with this space because the room we use as a family room started out as a screened in porch and it even though it has walls and windows now it still sort of has that  porch like feel. 

 

This photo was probably taken back in the late 60's or early 70's. After we bought the house in 1997 I contacted all of the previous owners and they were kind enough to tell me about the years they spent in our house and some of them even had pictures to share. This is one of those pictures.

This is the view of this same porch while looking out of the kitchen window. I am guessing this  picture was probably taken at about that same time period.

 

Another family moved in during the '80's and converted this space into a family room.

 

You can't tell from the photos here but the walls were papered in a moire. I thought it was much too formal for the space so even before we were fully moved in we went to work removing the wallpaper.

 

Notice that nasty tile floor. Now those of you that a purists need to quit reading. I really really tried to live with it and I did live with it for about three years but eventually we covered it in wood. I know some of you hate me for this but really just because something is old doesn't mean it is good. This was just plain ugly. Who can decorated an airy bright space around a brick red and black checkerboard? Not me.

Have you ever done some things that you look back and think Really? What was I thinking? Well I did that more than once when it came to this room. To begin with I took the moire down but I put up something just as bad, maybe worse, a peachy pink and white stripe. Now I had my reasons but when I really think about it none of them come close to justifying this egregious error in judgment.

 

Combined with those window treatments it really takes on an ice cream parlor vibe. Yikes.

During our third year in the house we put on a large addition. The roof over this room was a shed roof and it didn't really blend with the rest of the roof line of the house.

 I've heard it said that the four most expensive words you can say when you are in the midst of remodeling are, "While you're at it"  so in true remodeler fashion we uttered them and then we ripped off the roof to this room.

 

 

No your eyes aren't going bad. For some reason I taped two images of this room together and that is the file I have on my computer. 

 

In the end it was a good decision. We were definitely pleased with the new look.

 

We pulled the room back together but I still had that ridiculous floral sofa. Now the room really was kind of pretty during the day but night time shots with all of these windows just aren't flattering. Keep in mind this photo was taken around 2000 or maybe 2001.

 

The pink striped walls were gone but another nemesis to my dream space was that floral sofa. A word of advise. Don't EVER buy a floral sofa. I don't care how pretty it looks in the store or in the swatch book, you will grow to hate it. I was tired of mine by the second year and then I lived with it for three more years after that. Yep, hated it.

Finally about six years ago I made some furniture changes in this room and recently took down the window treatments. This is the way it looks today. 

 

 

 

Hmmmm. I think I need some more red over in that part of the room and something with some weight to it. You see, for me,  a room for me is never really complete. It is constantly evolving. In this space I am considering a bolder green on the walls and the hubs wants a big screen. The sofas are beginning to show some wear and I would like to find an ottoman for the overstuffed chair. Too bad I'm never content. 

Linking up today with:

Remodelaholic at Remodelaholics Anonymous Friday 

The Girl Creative Make A Friend Friday 

Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up

and a new blog I just found today - Our Suburban Cottage. She is having a How I Met My House Party. - Very clever don't you think?

 

 
 
 

 
  
 
 
 

Future American Idol? Meet Shawndell Young and the Greatest Argument For Why We Need To Keep Music In Our Schools

Whew, long title I know but I needed it all to be said.

Do you watch Glee, the television show about a Glee Club or as we call it Show Choir? It's definitely on my Tivo. In our part of the country show choir is kind of a big deal. It starts in the middle schools and all three of my kids were involved in it at one time to greatly varying degrees. Liz loved it the boys on the other hand reluctantly auditioned and participated only briefly.

 

 I was a groupie show choir mom. I loved it then and I miss it now so Glee is my vicarious substitute for the real thing.

This past weekend the high school that our kids went to hosted the annual Mo Show competition for show choirs across the state and around the midwest. I had heard that there were so many terrific performances but one of several that stole the show was a soloist from the middle school that our kids attended. So thanks to Sara, one of my facebook buddies and a teacher at the host school, and Nepotv.com I was able to see this video.

I hope you will take just a minute and sit back, listen and be amazed by the incredible talent of Shawndell Young and Classic Edition. Shawndell is a sixth grader at McKinley Middle School. What are you in sixth grade like eleven? Maybe twelve? Wow. Future American Idol? Could be. I'd vote for him.

It is performances like this that really drive home the argument that we NEED to keep music in our schools. What a tremendous opportunity and learning experience this was for these young performers. Well done.

I was so hoping that there would be an Inspired By Party at The Inspired Room this week and there is. I was so excited by this young man I want to share him with the world. A friend of mine told me tonight that he has been singing at church and sounding like this since he was four. That would explain his stage presence. Now I'm off to see what my friends at The Inspired Rooms found inspiring this week. I hope you will join me there.

Thanks for visiting

Pam

From This to That - Hand Painted Lazy Susan

This post will be linked up today with Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Frig. Join me there for some dyi inspiration.

It is getting to be that time again. Time to start gearing up for the next Traveling Door Show and this the first piece that I have completed for our May show.

The Traveling Door was created in 2007 by five women for the purpose of sharing our creative endeavors with the public. Without a permanent residence to showcase our one-of-a-kind expressions of functional art, home decor, jewelry and textiles we resorted to a traveling venue. The purpose of the purple door that we had so much fun painting and embellishing together has become our logo and signifies to the public where and when our biannual artistic affairs are taking place.

 

For this first piece I started with a plain lazy susan like this.

Primed and applied the base coat and then began outlining my design.

 

It still needs a couple of coats of poly but this is the end result.

 

You can read more about The Traveling Door by clicking here.

I am linking up today with Make if for Monday and Cottage Instincts, Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On the Porch, Making the World Cuter, Toot Your Own Horn Tuesday @  Silly Little Sparrow, Do It Yourself Day @ A Soft Place to Land Blue Cricket Designs and Motivate me Monday at Keeping it Simple. These are all great links of inspiration so sit back, click away and enjoy.

Thanks for stopping by,

Pam

 
  

 

Glimpses of Home

I love homes and there is a Glimpses of Home party at Chatting at the Sky. To participate I needed to show a glimpse of my home so I am thinking spring and decided that maybe this one of the breezeway was appropriate.

When we bought this old house of ours this room or the room beyond it weren't here. My hubs decided he wanted to office from home and an office in the basement just wasn't meshing with our busy family life. So, he and his dad added this addition. The breezeway connects the old and the new. This is where I dreamed of reading the paper on Sunday mornings. Hmmmmm. That didn't happen very often and now I read it online. Still, this is a space that I love walking through because of all the windows and the light. I remember what a pain these over sized doors were to get here and install. The tree came with us from Missouri and thanks to my friend Leslie is still alive today. Home is a collection of so many elements but this is one of them.

 To see other glimpses of blogger's homes click here.

 

Pillow of the Week #8 A Taste of Spring Bloom Pillow

I am sooooooooooo ready for spring but until the flowers really start blooming outside this pretty pink number would be a great addition inside. You can find it here. It is a 13 x13 inch pillow for $26.00

  

Welcoming Spring With Wellies

Last month I did a post on Hunter Boots. I guess I had been living under a rock and really hadn't heard of these. Apparently everyone else had.

My son sent me a link to these -

Then a friend sent me this image -

Serious swoon here.

But what really made my week this week was to find these by my front door.

My sweet friend is getting ready for a garage sale and ran across these cuties. She knew I wanted a pair of wellies and knowing my penchant for black and white and polka dots no less, she left this fun surprise on my doorstep filled with spring daffodils. I love ya Sherri.

Thank you so much.

 

Bedroom Sneak Peeks or So Far I'm Not Loving It

 
 

Last month I linked up with Amanda @ Serentity Now for a Decorating Dilemma Party and I posted my next decorating hurdle aka Adam's room. I am taking this room from 2001 little boys room to a 2010 guest room. Today is her Show Me The Progress Party and I'm so not there yet. I hate to miss a party though because I always leave there inspired.

 

Also linking up with Tatertots and Jello's Weekend Wrap Up. Be sure and check out both of these fun sites.

This is what the room looked like circa 2004 and except for the flag pillow that is basically how it looked last month.

 

Most of the furniture had been mine as a little girl and it was looking a bit weary so I gave everything a coat of white paint and some new hardware.

 

The bowl thingy is not staying. I couldn't find the right piece while out shopping for last minute touches so I stole this from our room for the photo. The dresser is going to need yet another coat of paint. Arghhhhh. I did a primer and two coats but I know I would be happier if it was a bit more even plus I will be painting the feet black and white striped.

 

I just bought those lamps but I'm not sure I will be keeping them. I can't go with anything any taller because of the sloped ceiling but I am wondering if I might like silver better.

This photo was my inspiration for going with the gray and white.

 So like my inspiration I painted the walls a light gray. Notice I still don't even have the outlet covers back on.

 

Then added some new bedding. I know it needs to be steamed but hey I'm trying to make a deadline. :-)

We kept the trompe l'oeil window because it is so unique the way it lights up and comes to life at night.

 

This was the look I was going for in the bedding but this bedding was too expensive for this room so I found something more reasonable.

Do you like gray or blue accents? I kind of like the gray but I guess the great thing about this space is I could change out the accent color with the seasons. Or I could be like the inspiration photo and just do all white. 

 

I bought that lamp at TJ Maxx but they only had one. Liz do you think you look for another one for me in Des Moines? I thought I was being so clever and mixing it with vases on the other night table but I either need more height on the left or something. It just isn't working. I think what I don't like is  all of the light coming from just one side of the room.

So, I've got to be honest here. I'm not loving the room yet.  

 Maybe I need a couple European pillows ? Is that what's missing? Maybe a color evangelist like myself can't be happy with gray and white or maybe it is that I haven't finished accessorizing. More than likely I am over tired and obsessing. Tomorrow I will start fresh. I'm just not there yet. It is definitely a work in progress. I wanted to chalk this one off my list but not yet. I will certainly be reposting when I get this room resolved. Any and all suggestions are always certainly welcome. 

 
 
 I am also linking this post to New Friend Friday @ The Girl Creative. This is the first New Friend Friday . What a great way to meet fellow bloggers.

 
 
 

Black and White Polka Dot Baskets Make Me Happy

What am I inspired by? Black and White Polka dots and I am linking up with The Inspired Room What Are You Inspired By party today. Stop by and see what other great things are inspiring readers.

I literally have a collection of these collapsible tote baskets that I bought from TJ Maxx for $9.99. Actually, this is the honest truth, while I was writing this Mr Rosie went into the luggage closet and the stack of them toppled. I guess that is God's way of telling me to leave this one at the store.  I probably already have five or six of these for me in various colors plus I was stocking up on them for gifts because who couldn't use something as practical as this? Does that make me a hoarder? Yikes!

Lately, though, the Maxx don't seem to be carrying them. I'm spoiled after paying such a low price and this one is around $30.00 from Wrapables but I am tempted. It isn't like I NEED another one but really this one is so darn fun. Black and White polka dots just make me happy and that hot pink lining  thrills me. I know, I need a life. But I thought this was perky and colorful enough to share with you. That and I  need a simple short post today because I will be linking up tomorrow with Amanda @ Serenity Now  for her Show Me The Progress Party and I still have sooooooooo much to do. 'Til tomorrow.

xoxo

Pam

Spaces To Inspire or The House of Sally

I am linking this post up today with The Inspired Room and her What Inspired You This Week Party. This is definitely a space that inspires me.

Confused? Keep reading. :) 

I love houses. When I watch a movie I sometimes miss the action or plot because I am too intent on studying the house in the background. 

Image from It's Complicated. 

I'm checking out the wall colors, the furniture or what's on the mantel and the coffee table. I don't think I'm alone. From what I am seeing out here in blogland this is a common affliction. We love so many different styles: cottage, contemporary, the Pottery Barn look, and traditional. We are like sponges taking it all in.

Architectural Digest image from Something's Got To Give

I am either just so lucky to have friends that share my love of houses or maybe I am drawn to people that also like to make a statement with their decorating choices. As a result I am surrounded with an abundance of creative decorating energy.  I am beginning what I hope will be a the first in a some what regular series of posts that I am calling Spaces That Inspire. To kick off my series I am starting with #1 -  Ta Da

 -The House of Sally. 

Sally is not only one of my besties but she is also a designer and an artist in our Traveling Door group. Even before I first saw Sally's home I knew that an artist and designer would have one of those spaces that inspire and would not be your typical Iowa home. Nothing  though could have prepared me for the sassy whimsical style that is Sally's house.

So here we go. Drum roll please ( too bad Typepad doesn't have sound effects) :0

As soon as you enter the front door you know this is a space that is going to make you smile. The foyer greets you with taupe walls that have been painted with randomly placed metallic squares of color and happy wall art.

 

 

 

and one of the tables that Sally designed.

 

From the foyer your eye is led into the coppery domain that is Sally's living room.

 

As pretty as this room is in the daylight, in the evening those walls literally sparkle.

I love  the chunky furniture and the drama of those polka dots.

I also like the way she has used the contrasting style of the pine armoire as a display piece. Her art choices make me swoon.

 

I may just have to steal this.

 

This Ann Royer is an especially great piece.

 

Throughout the house there are nods to their pasts and to places they have been. 

 
 
 

I have always been fascinated with her dining room and its horizontal stripes of chocolate. I thought her originality showed through with this branch that she painted and hung in the corner at Christmas time and then bedazzled with ornaments in lieu of a Christmas tree.

 

This print of a Grant Wood painting is so unexpectedly perfect here. So very Sally. Grant Wood by the way was an Iowa artist that painted and taught right here in Cedar Rapids. 

 

Now I don't have too many pictures of this room because in true artistic form Sally is in the process of totally revamping this space and it is currently a work in progress. I will definitely be revisiting it for you in the future but for now here is a sneak peek of where she is headed.

Now who but Sally would think to paint a room black and white  with a copper ceiling and then have it turn out so amazingly. I can't wait to see the finished product. She is not afraid to take a risk. I thought I made some bold choices but when it comes to thinking outside of the box she is my idol.

I love that we share that affinity for black and white. She  will be using these colors in her dining room and adding more of it to the living room. She has also repeated them in the master bedroom. I covet this bedding and these pillows.

 

 

 And she found this lamp at TJ Maxx but didn't like the shade so she painted it. Yes, she is a girl after my heart ( Fuzzy alert. Sorry about the bad picture).

 

My favorite touch in this room, though, is a very personal one on her hubby's side of the bed and right above his night table.

 

I really wish I had thought of this first and it honestly kind of makes me feel badly that I didn't. Honey if you read this I love you too.

 But the room that really exemplifies Sally and her unique sense of decorating style is her kitchen. From the bright pops of color -

To her painted and wine label embellished table.

But this next photo is the piece de resistance because absolutely no where else have I seen dishes hanging from the ceiling. This is whimsy at its best. I don't know how long she had to look to find that light fixture, but I can't think of anything that could work with this vignette any better.

 

Really? How does she even think of this kind of thing? Again, mixed with a Grant Wood print and the red pillar. I love that contrast of styles. It is difficult to see here but the spoon on the yellow plate looks like it is sitting in melted ice cream. Inspired!

 

Thank you Sal for letting me showcase your home, for letting me barge in not once but twice to take pictures, but most of all thanks for being a friend that continually encourages me to take a leap and just follow my creative instincts. 
 
 
 

 
  
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

New Feature: Spaces That Inspire or Where Is Iowa?

I recently went with my husband on a business trip to Alabama. He and I always laugh that when we meet people from outside of the midwest and we tell them we are from Iowa and they look back at us with a look of total confusion.

 

 Seriously? Why is it that nobody knows where Iowa is ??? Surely they teach geography in other states? 

Or why when they finally wrap their head around the fact that Iowa is one of those fly over states in the middle of the USA do they start head nodding rapidly and smiling like the light bulb just went off? ( went off? came on? ) ????

 

 and then proceed to tell us that of course they know about Iowa. That is where they grow all of those potatoes. ARGH!!!!!! Really? 

 Nope no potatoes except maybe in a few backyard gardens.

 

 During this same trip someone asked if we had silos and barns. No. No silo. No barn. Nadda. I was sorry I had to repeatedly disappoint them. I'm sure there are some really great farm houses across this state but unfortunately I don't know anyone that lives on a farm. Plus Iowa is really just so much more than  that stereotypical image.

 Now I know that Iowa is not one of those states like Georgia or Louisiana that is considered synonymous with beautiful homes. 

 

That is not to say we don't have any here. We do. It's just that that probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when someone says Iowa. In reality, though, there are some amazing homes here with stunning and inspired spaces. 

 A number of my friends have homes that leave me swooning - so much so that I often times ask to take photos. Thank you Liz for teaching me to try and always have my camera with me.  I thought what better way to share them with the world (or if I'm really honest with just a few extra people) than here on my blog?  It would be great to think you left here with maybe a bit more enlightened idea of what Iowa is all about and some of the great design efforts we have to offer up. 

I thought I would start working on this semi regular feature this weekend and I will hopefully have finished my first of many Spaces That Inspire post by Sunday night. Right out of the blocks I thought I would share some photos taken at the home  of one of the women in my Traveling Door art group. Now you would expect that an artist and designer would have a creative space but nothing could have prepared me for the fun whimsical eye candy that is Sally's house. Check back for some unbelievable originality that will have you copying and pasting into your own idea folders.

 
 

 
 

 

Pillow of the Week # 7 Colorful Kitty Love

Keep in mind that I don't even have a cat, and never have had one but still Ithis colorful number caught my eye. I could see it in a den, bedroom or hearth room. I love discovering all these little pillow treasures. There are so many different looks out there. Anything you are looking for? Let me know, I'd love to help.

To see other pillow options click on the Pillow Talk icon.

This pillow is 20 x 8  is $32.99 and can be purchased here

Have a great week end.

xoxo

Pam

 

Why Thank You

I opened my email Tuesday and found out that Cottage and Vine had gifted me with a Beautiful Blogger award! 

Wow. Thank you C and V.

 How cool is that? It hasn't taken me two days to pass on this award because I get them all the time. On the contrary, this is the first time anything like this has happened to me. I am barely a blip on blogland's radar so I am actually a bit giddy with the recognition. 

The reason it has taken me two days to respond is that I now need to come up with seven things about myself that you may not know about me AND I get to pass this token of validation onto fifteen other Beautiful Bloggers. I didn't want to do this part haphazardly without putting some thought into it. There are so many great blogs out there that I enjoy visiting but I wanted my list to include the blogs that I am always book marking, the ones that regardless of their following numbers have ideas that I can incorporate into my lifestyle. I like blogs that are well written and I am also influenced by a sense of humor because really I just love to laugh. I guess my blog roll is rather diverse but hey, that's what makes my mornings interesting. Thank you to all of you that get me charged up to try something new, make me a bit smarter, or make me laugh. I wish I could give out 100 awards, but since I can't these are my current faves.

1. Adventures in Decorating     This decorating blog has a kind of Ballard Designs feel to it and her color choices are a lot like mine so it is easy to visualize some of her style merged with what I have.

2. Better After   Because what's better than before and after shots. Love them.

3. Between Naps on The Porch.  I am inspired by her traditional style that reflects where my heart is even though I am adding a few more whimsical touches lately.

4. Crowned Casa A kindred spirit that shares my love of black and white.

5. Everything Yellow   Yes a bit of nepotism here but even if we weren't related I would find myself visiting this site for its fresh young style, great writing, and humor.

6. Hooked On Houses  I am hooked on houses. In a perfect world I would own five of them and I would decorate each of them in different styles but not have to worry about the maintenance or the utilities. Just like the name implies, this site is full of wonderful interior and exterior shots of beautiful homes. Some famous. Some not.

7 Houzz    This is one of those mega blogs and I would like to promote  the smaller fledgling sites but if I am really honest this is one of my favorites. I like the clean layout with titles that let me know if I need to delve deeper into the post.

8.  Just a Girl  I Like the variety here. One day a paint project, the next day jewelry or a shopping find but always fun.

9. Lola B's  Real life told eloquently with words and images

10. Lucky Peach Designs  I am always looking for blogs that feature painted furniture and I don't mean your run of the mill stuff but pieces dressed in Mardi Gras style. This is a fave for me. I just wish she posted more often. Hint hint.

11. Lulu's Recipe Box    Now I am not much of a cook. Okay, I don't cook unless there I don't have any other option but if I do decide to give it a whirl, this is where I go for help. Simple concise recipes of real  world food and with plenty of gorgeous images for the cooking impaired visual learner. Love you too Laura.

12. Nesting Place    You will find a real life approach here to decorating hurdles and successes along with some personal background that makes this an interesting story to follow.

13. Popcorn Served Daily  I just recently discovered this blog through a blog party but I would have to say that her style closely reflects mine, traditional but with an edge, so I am interested in what else she will be bringing my way.

14. Serenity Now    Gotta love her Decorating Dilemma Party. I can't wait for the next one and I love that she has follow up events. Brilliant.

15. Thrifty Decor Chick    I have book marked a number of creative posts here for future reference. Check out her dining room centerpiece. Inspired

The second part of this recognition is that I am supposed to list seven things about myself that you may not know. Hmmmm let me think...

1. I am a closeted viewer of The Real Housewives of New York and a QVC shopper (Philosophy).

2. I have lost a parent to Alzheimer's.

3. I lived on a boat for a summer when I was twenty two.

4. I currently have 1473 songs on my Ipod and if I listened to them all consecutively it would take over four days.

 5. I talk to myself, a lot, when I don't think anyone else is around and listening.

 

 

6. I think I may be a southern girl that some how took a wrong turn and ended up in     the midwest.

7. I wish more of my friends blogged so they would understand why I do what I do.

Now I can't wait to go check out the other fourteen blogs that Cottage and Vine selected. Thanks again. You flatter me.

 

Joyce Shelton Giftware = Accent Heaven

I was so thrilled this morning to see this email in my inbox. Last summer I found some of these Joyce Shelton pieces in a shop in Galena, Illinois. I bought one red coffee mug and I wanted to add another one but they were sold out and they weren't going to be reordering for awhile. So I waited and waited feeling like Little Boy Blue until I got this good news today. 

I wouldn't want a house full of this look or it would start to feel like Mary Engelbreit on crack or Pee Wee's Playhouse but I think a few accents here and there will be just the edgy pop I've been lacking . Yep, they are just the perfect kick in the pants this old house needs to move beyond the winter doldrums and welcome spring. So I decided it was a good day to buy myself a gift or three.

I ordered another mug just like the one I have and I bought this fun bowl for chips or salads.

  

I also treated myself to this fun colorful vase that will fit right into my green family room.

 
 

 I can't wait for that UPS truck to show up at my door. Thank you Joyce for your whimsical colorful style. I want to grow up and be just like you.

xoxo

Pam

Words Words Everywhere

Linking up this post with Madigan Made

I love words. I have been told that I am quite the talker and I suppose I am but it is more than that. I love how words can communicate but I am also drawn to the graphic look of words. In decorating I like how they can set the mood or make a statement and I am enamored with quotes. I have several books of quotes and I keep a binder for them that I add to when I hear another good one. I have used words and quotes all over this old house of mine and I thought I would show you some of the ways I have incorporated them.  Some of these were purchased vinyl rub on wall words and some I printed out on the computer then enlarged them and used carbon paper to transfer the outline of the letters to the wall l and still others are just free hand. It depends on what the quote is and what look I am going for and of course cost that determines my method.

For starters, these wall words are in the breezeway above the windows. I wonder about this grapevine garland. Does it look dated? Be honest with me there is no need to sugar coat it. I must say, though, that I really do like the way it looks at night because the grapes light up. It is fun to sit here late at night in the summer with only the grape lights for ambience. In the daylight I wonder if it may be a bit cliche.

 

 

 

  Thoughts?  In or out? Keep or take down?

I put more words above the bookshelves in the library.

 

I use them in the bedrooms.

 

On furniture. These are some bar stools I did for a Traveling Door Art Show.

 

 

A Chesseburger, Double Fries and a Cosmopolitan ~ Carrie Bradshaw 

 
 Shaken Not Stirred ~ James Bond

 

I put them on clocks. Another piece I did for The Traveling Door.

 

I frame them.

This is one of my favorite quotes from Les Mieserables so I have it in my office where I see it daily.

 

This one  I showed you in an earlier post. It is in the itsy bitsy teeny weeny powder room under the stairs.

I like to have words rounding out a vignette.

 

I put them on tables.

On my desk

  

 and on the studio wall to remind me of why I do what I do.

 

Maybe I can't get enough of words and that is another reason I blog?  Could be. 

I will be linking up today for the first time with the Make it For Monday at Cottage Instincts., Sunday Favorites at Happy to Design, Twice Remembered, and Making the World Cuter. I can't wait to see what creativity waits for me there.

Have a great week.

Pam