Becolorful

Motivated Monday October 1

So happy to have you here for yet another Motivated Monday Link Party.

These were some of the highlights that I wanted to showcase from last week's event.

If you are a BeColorful reader you know I am a huge fan of what I like to call door candy- the fun seasonal stuff we use to embellish our front door.

I have done a number of door candy posts myself and I have featured some really amazingly creative wreaths. I'm thinking future post. :D

This week wasn't any different. I saw this great fall wreath from

Renewed Upon A Dream
 

and knew it needed to be part of the Motivated Monday line up.

When it came to October or fall projects there were quite a few.

I was inspired by these fun-tastic cloth covered pumpkins linked up by

Alderberry Hill
 

I also loved these wonderfully textural flowers made from pine cones that were shared by

The Bounty Earth
 

You will need to hit the translate button to read the post in English but a tutorial is included so I hope you won't miss it.

There was also this viral Pinterest image and the corresponding post linked up here on Becolorful by

a.steed's.life
 

featuring her

Date Design Wall Art

 

She also offers us a tutorial and a download to personalize our own version.

Thanks Andrea.

 

Miz Helen's Country Cottage
 

posted an entire week's worth of recipes for us but it was this

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Mint Sauce that caught my eye.

 

No HEREwas a clever idea.

Being Inspired
 

shared her smart idea of photo image food magnets.

Yes, she even has a download for us.

LOVE THAT!

 

You need to read the post when you grab the images but the whole idea is you make the frig magnets with various common food items. When you notice you need something you add the magnet to the frig. Take a picture of it with your phone before heading to the store and there you have it. Fun, easy, and totally inspiring.

Sometimes you, dear readers, absolutely amaze me with the incredible ideas you come up with.

For instance, 

Oceanside Daydreams
 

had a pair of aging earrings and rather than throw them out she rescued them with nail polish! What what???  Yes nail polish.

I'm not worthy.

:D

I am pretty sure I would never have thought of that so I am totally impressed.

It is now time to link up but I want to say two things before we move on to that.

1.  Please please please turn off your verification systems. A number of you have but there are some of you that seem to hang on to them. I will no longer be adding comments to posts that require me to verify that I am not a robot.

2.  As I visited each of last week's links I noticed that some posts did not have any comments. This not a dumping ground to link up your post and leave. Please be kind and visit at least two other posts this week. Who knows someone might visit you back and you could end up with a new subscriber.

That's all, now let's party!

Calling All Designers - Cocktail Table Dilemna

 

For those of you that are new to BeColorful, I have been updating our family room this year. I loved how it looked before but the sun and time had taken its toll on this space. When I decided to redo this room I wanted to take it from the cottage vibe that was here before  to something a bit more urban or transitional.

We purchased new chairs and sofas and I updated these vintage accent tables with a coat of white paint.

I am pleased with where I have gone with this space up to this point but it is kind of like the old Sesame Street game of one of these things doesn't belong here and for me that is this cocktail table.

Now don't get me wrong. I still love the table and I intend to use it somewhere else. 

If you could lift that lid you would be amazed at all the stuff I have crammed into this storage piece.

Even though I am still so fond of this trunk I think it is a bit too rustic for the direction I am going here.

I have been looking at images all over the internet in an effort to help me narrow down my search for the perfect cocktail table.

I have been fascinated with the fabulous acrylic tables I have seen but I don't want to get too formal or too contemporary here.

I also don't want the table to disappear. This is a rather large room and I feel like I need the table and perhaps a smaller rug underneath it to ground this grouping furniture. I don't think the acrylic would do that.

 

Decorating Den

It is beautiful though. 

 

 

Moving on, I like the clean look of this square table. If I could find something like this inexpensively enough I would paint it a bright statement color instead of this black.

Schnadig

 

Round would also be a good option. The idea of bringing some curved lines into this space definitely appeals to me.

Of course I like that one. Isn't the reed siding gorge?

It's a Henredon piece.

Much too nice to put our feet up on.

 

 

 A splash of bright color here would really make me happy.

I love the idea of chartreuse but it probably doesn't offer enough contrast to the green chairs and at 36" wide it isn't quite big enough.

Stray Dog Designs

 

 

Orange could be fun.

Jacqui

 

or red,

Apartment Therapy

 

I could do something with the BeColorful flair 

or this

 

but I already have a couple of my own painted pieces here and I think that is enough.

 

 

 

 

Somehow I keep envisioning turquoise.

 

Pink and Polka Dot

 

Worlds Away

 

I think that is one gorgeous table but, again,

I sure wouldn't want to put my feet up on it.

 

Now this is a glamorous look. I might have to sell my car though.

 

Made Goods

 

Same thing with this one.

Maybe I could walk everywhere or get a bus pass.

:D

Global Views

 

What I have loved about the table we have here is that the more we put our feet on it the more worn it has become and the better it looks.

An upholstered ottoman in a forgiving pattern is perhaps the way I should go.

 

I thought this cocktail table was totally chic. 

 

 

Restoration Hardware 

I like its dramatic size and low profile.  Unfortunately it has been discontinued.

Boo

That fabric would never have worked but I like those lines.

Upholstered leather would probably be less of a worry for spills and soil.

 

I have always loved this Thomas Paul fabric and the idea of upholstered and round seems, somehow, perfect. This one, from Target, though is entirely too small.

 

 

but I sure liked the idea of pattern. 

This brightly multi-colored option would give me some color, pattern and a bit of wow factor.

 

 

 

 

Source: houzz.com via Pamela on Pinterest

This got me thinking. I have this Bradington Young ottoman in the media room. This is another room crying out for an update - maybe in 2013.

:D

 

I realize the fabric is too traditional but can you see it in a bold color or Ikat? I'm thinking that perhaps I could switch this ottoman out with the chest piece that is currently in our family room.

What about pattern with that tufting?  Maybe I just go with a bright color in leather. I could also opt for another Sunbrella fabric like I used in the chairs in that room. Sunbrella would be able to handle the sun and abuse that this piece will inevitably endure.

Just looking at all those cocktail tables has me all jazzed to get back to work here and do some new bold things to this room.

What is it about fall that just gets me revved to make some changes around the house? Probably knowing we will be spending the next five months hunkered down here.

:D

xoxo,

p

Motivated Monday September 24th

 

 

Sunday night already and that means it's time to share some of the highlights from last week's Motivated Monday blog party.

Drum roll please...

:D

These were some of the projects that stood out for me.

A timely, easy and crafty solution for what to do with those old paint can lids

via 

Mollie's Mom

My only question is how does she keep her paint lids looking so nice? Mine are always a hot mess.

 

Hello Kirsti

linked up this chic  paper purse project she saw on the Gucci Facebook page.

How cute is that? And it would make such  a fun accent in a girl's room or as goodie bags for an oh-so-fab girl party. 

 

Then there was this post from a new partier here at BeColorful.

The Random Writings of Rachel

shared her shoe update with nothing more that a bit of Martha Stewart pearlized paint.

Seriously! I'm heading to my closet right now to see what wonders I have that could be painted. 

:D

 I hope you will all also stop by 

Domestic Imperfection 

 and see how she took an old mirror frame like this 

and created not one,

 

but TWO great projects. 

 

Color me inspired.

 

I'm also anxious to try this healthier version of tomato soup

from 

Frugal in Florida

I'm a bit of buzz kill lately with my healthier eating habits but apparently there are others out here too. So if you are overwhelmed by the sodium and calories in some of the canned soups available you might want to look at this one.

 

So It's Officially Fall - The BeColorful Recap

All I can say about the game this weekend is that it was ugly. 

September in Iowa is usually about football games, fall leaves, and Octoberfest celebrations. The football this year may be less than stellar but we still have the leaves and the parties to look forward to.

Things are still pretty green here in the Midwest but when I took my walk today it was definitely chillier and I know the fall colors will follow.

I do a lot of thinking when I walk by myself and today I realized that fall is officially here.This past season went by so quickly that I started thinking about what I had actually accomplished over the summer, which is never as much as I had hoped.

This, sweet readers, is what I did last summer.

Hehe

We didn't do anything major to the house this summer. Those changes usually happen in the colder months. I did, though, make a couple of minor tweaks to our

living room.

 

I am still looking for or hoping to paint a canvas for this space too and I am also still thinking about painting that mantel or maybe the wall behind the fireplace.. perhaps this season. :D

I was planning to paint the dining room pink but Mr. Rosie is not on board with that one. He usually is in total agreement with whatever I want to do and basically gives me carte blanche. I was surprised he felt so strongly about this and because he so seldom balks at my ideas, I'm going to give in on that one and rethink the color.

 

Now I'm leaning toward painting the walls a neutral and maybe getting a blam of color with some fuchsia pink chairs.

???

I am also still looking for the perfect cocktail table in our family room  More on that later this week.

When it came to painting projects this Dorothy Draper bowl is one of my most recent pieces

but this wine cabinet was my biggest undertaking.

Next up I will be doing a dresser for a client and I am anxious to get started. I love painting when the days are cooler.

I also did a fair amount of reading over the summer.  This book was one of my faves and I included it in my summer reading reviews.

I just finished reading Dark Places, another book by Gillian Flynn and I am currently reading Killing Lincoln. My reactions to both will follow soon.

When summer began I had some things on my to do list; books to be read, projects to complete, and weight to be lost.

 My goal to live a healthier lifestyle, though, has probably been the area where I have been the most successful these past three months. Along with making better food choices I have consistently "stepped up" my workouts.

I wrote about these shoes earlier this summer and I was hopeful that they would help me avoid those shin splints that seem to be a perpetual problem for me.

Well the verdict is in on the shoes. LOVE THEM. I have only had one twinge of an issue with shin splints and that was when, while out of town and without my Newtons, I wore another pair of athletic shoes on an extended walk. As long as I stay with these I seem to be okay. The Newtons were a bit pricey but I would buy them all over again now that I know how well they have worked for me. I'm not sure they are quite as cushy and comfortable as my Brooks or Asics but the ergonomically designed sole is apparently what I need to avoid what has for me been a real source of frustration.

 

So looking back I feel like I can say I met most goals, fell short on others, and added some new ones to my list. So bring on the fall. I'm ready.

Don't forget to check back later for this week's Motivated Monday here on BeColorful.

xoxo,

p

What I Love Today {No Dogs On This Sofa Pillow}

I have been a huge fan of accent pillows for ever. I even used to do a feature of Pillow of The Week here on BeColorful but somehow got away from it.

You can see my collection of favorite internet pillows, though, by clicking on the Pillow photo album in my sidebar. By double clicking on the thumbnails you can enlarge the image and read where they can be purchased.

I haven't featured a pillow for quite some time but 

when I saw this one today I knew I had a new favorite.  It's crazy I know since I don't even have a dog.  I was scrolling through Pinterest this morning when I ran across this dose of humor and had to share it here.

We're on the run too much for the dog. Boo. But I sure thought this was cute. 

A No Dogs On This Sofa pillow, that is what I love today.

xoxo,

p

 

 

 

Source: callyco.com via Jill on Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motivated Monday September 17th

Welcome to another Motivated Monday Linky Party here at BeColorful.

These were some of the unique and timely projects that shouldn't be missed from last week.

For starters there was a post that really spoke to me.

Let's Get Crafty 

shows us how to make a DIY barbell that is great but what I really enjoyed was her keeping it real writing about hitting a high weight, deciding to do something about it and her plan to turn things around. I am currently going down this same road so I found her story very helpful. I look forward to following her progress and I hope it speaks to some of you too.

 

 Completely switching gears here but there is a time for everything right?

How about  this adorable Very Hungry Catepillar cupcake cake

via

WhimsiKel

 Isn't it delightful ?

 

There was this simple and inexpensive Halloween topiary craft idea 

 from Crafty Journal

complete with a tutorial. 

Very timely.

 

Not to be missed either is this

 DIY uniquely design tee shirt from

 A Crafty Escape

 Her dinosaur design is very cool but the beauty of this  basic project is that it could be changed up to create any personalized design you can dream up.

 

 

Another fun tee shirt project was this framed shirt shared by

A. Steed''s. Life

What a  genius idea for some of those significant tee shirts in your life.

I would love to create a tee shirt quilt someday but this has inspired me to take a few faves and frame them in the boy's rooms.

 

 

This super easy Taco Soup from 

High Heels and Grills

also had me motivated to create but this time in the kitchen. I'm not a cook but when it is this simple I'm all over it.

 

Don't miss reading about this dining room makeover on a budget from

Inspired by Felicity

either.

Her post has so many great ideas but my favorite change up was the addition of this burlap table covering. Love it.

 

Finally, there was this picture perfect project from

 Bear Rabbit Bear

 

 

What a colorful and fun concept for an art party or for those yearly back to school photos. 

Easy Fall Door Candy 2012

 

I always look forward to changing up our front door with the seasons.

I had done a Hawkeye Football door greeting the past two years but this time I wanted to try something different without spending a lot of effort or money.

I didn't want to buy another vessel because I don't want to have to store big bulky items or containers from one year to the next. By reusing the same cone I have fewer off seasonal decor pieces to worry about storing and  I like something that is basic like this cone shape that I can easily switch up and create a fresh new look.

I purchased this metal cone basket a number of years ago from TJ Maxx. It was painted some hideous victorian mauve or something so the first thing I did was give it a classic black and white stripe treatment that goes with everything. 

With poppies it made for a great summer look.

 

Last fall I covered it with a penant to create a football themed door.

 

 

The triangular shape lends itself easily to be made to look like the Halloween candy that we call Indian Corn.

Is that still PC to call it that?  Geesh. I never know what's appropriate anymore.

:D

Anyway, I decided to cover my cone with pieces of felt and at only twenty nine cents a sheet, I realized this was going to be a very inexpensive project.

These are the supplies I started out with.

1.The cone

2.Fall stems ( I had most of these on hand but they are currently 50% off at Michaels if you need some.

3.Six pieces of felt. 

4.Tape 

 

 

I started at the bottom wrapping the white felt and then cutting it and securing it to the back side with duct tape. I double layered mine so the black and white wouldn't show through.

 

I followed with the gold and then finally the orange felt. I could have pieced these without layering them but that would have required more cutting and this is just a temporary look. Yes, I was making it easy on myself but I think the final look is still okay. I didn't bother to cover the top or hanging part of the cone because I knew it would be covered with fall leaves and stems.

Here it is all pulled together. Minus the time to go buy the felt, this project took less than thirty minutes.

So for six sheets at twenty nine cents each and a roll of yellow duct tape for $4.99, I had myself a new fall door decoration for less that seven dollars and in less than a half hour. When the season is over I can either save or throw out the felt. No storage hassels. Gotta love all of that.

If you don't have or can't find a cone shaped container (although they can usually be found at Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics or Michael's) you could create your own cone out of cardboard if your door is in a protected area and scrapbook paper or fabric would work too. Even duct tape if you can find all three colors would work as a covering. Use whatever you have on hand to create your own fall door "candy" Send me a picture I'd love to see your take on this fall door candy look.

:D

xoxo,

p

Dorothy Draper Inspired Bowl

I bought this bowl a while back knowing I would paint it for The Traveling Door show that is coming up soon.

It was a Hobby Lobby find with nice lines and finished in brown with a bronze glaze. Not bad, but not very interesting. I wanted to give it a new, more exciting life. So I gave it the BeColorful touch. :D

 

I've been influenced by the glamorous style of Dorothy Draper so this was my nod to her.

Black and white stripes on the outside

 

 

and gilded gold and green argyle on the inside.

 

 

 

Dorothy, if you are looking down I hope you approve.

xoxo,

p

Stop To Remember 9-11

Motivated Monday Sept. 10th

 

It's Motivated Monday here at BeColorful and it's time to share a few highlights from last week's event.

First up, there was this fun DIY idea for all of your orphaned socks from


 

Let's Get Crafty



 

and who would have guessed that you could create a new look for an old lamp using highlighter pens? but that is exactly what

The Thrifty Rebel
 

shows us how to do on her post.

 

How about some DIY postage stamp created jewelry?

I especially like this necklace

via

Jewelry Making Journal


 

So what are you up to now? Changing the house up for fall is on my list of to-do's this week. I'd love to see your fall mantles, front doors and tablescapes too.

What I Love Today { Organization Idea}

Earlier this week I saw an idea on the Better Homes and Gardens website and I thought it was genius. Okay, genius may be a bit of an over sell but this is an idea that will definitely work for me so I thought it might be useful to some of  you, dear readers, too.

:D

This past spring I did a bit of order tweaking to my closet.

I made and added this jewelry organizer to the end of a shelving unit to corral my bracelets and I concentrated on creating some semblance of order to my shelves.

 I use the shelving in this closet for jeans, tanks and belts and I have tried to keep things easy to see by separating items by color and style.

The cubes hold things that don't need to be folded or ironed like leggings, yoga pants and sport bras.

Next I bought these clear dividers to help keep my stacks of folded items contained.

They work okay. My shelves are not especially thick though so these dividers tend to slide around a bit. I probably need to add a bit of velcro or wedge something under the clips to help secure them. Somehow, I have never gotten around to that.

As you can see, I also labled the shelves so I can keep my styles of jeans separated so I know what I am grabbing.

 

Don't you hate it when you think you are grabbing one pair of jeans, they unfold, and they are not at all what you thought they were? If you do that enough times the pile is a full on hot mess.  I know, first world problem.

:D

This solution of labeling worked wonderfully for me all summer. As I look ahead towards fall though those crops aren't even going to be an issue. Where the crops were I will have stacks of sweaters.

I like uniformity. I'm a little OCD that way. So even though I will obviously know that is a stack of sweaters. I want them labeled like the rest of the shelving.

I know, quit laughing or shaking your head.

:D

So when I saw this so simple, why didn't I think of that idea, I knew it was for me.

Velcro backed labels that can be switched out with the seasonal changes in my closet!

These could be applied to the bins too.

Love it.

A ridiculously simple closet organization idea, that is what I love today.

Have a great weekend.

xoxo,

p

To see more What I Love Today ideas click here

Motivated Monday September 3rd

 

I apologize for not posting last night but we went into Chicago to see the Iowa Northern Illinois game. Go Hawks!

Sorry Huskies but can you believe all of that black and gold out there?

Thanks Kris, Paul, and Todd.

:D

So now on to what you all came here for... the features and to link up your latest motivations, inspirations and creations.

 

 Can you believe it is already September? Even though it isn't officially fall, somehow in my mind's calendar, the day after Labor Day is the day to pack away the white jeans and bust out the fall front door candy. 

 

Martha Stewart

To see more door candy ideas click here. I'd love it if you would share how you are decorating for fall and later this month I will do an additional feature on all your cooler weather design ideas.

These, though, were some of the highlights from last week's Motivated Monday event.

Crystelle Blog

When I saw this fabulously chic clock it was love at first sight. She thought of a going with something brighter but opted for this more subtle version of a pop of color. I think she hit this one out of the park.

 

 

The Eccentric Leopard

 

PInk Recipe Box

Sweet and Spice Baked Carrot Fries

 Another carrot option was shared by

My Kochlust

This blog will appear at first in German but there is a translation option in the right column to convert it to English. The measurements are in grams so you will have to work through it a bit but it looks like that shouldn't be any problem and well worth it.

 

We've all seen those nasty or dated looking cardtables and thought why would I want that? Well after seeing what

twelve-O-eight

did with hers. I'm on the lookout for one of my own.

Cool, right?

 

Now Suzy, over at

Worthing Court 

shared this gorgeous, and I do mean gorgeous, deck addition that one of her friends had built.

 

 

So fab that I had to repost two pics but to see the whole thing you really need to stop by Suzy's blog.

 

Sometimes I feature blogs because it is something I would want to try myself. Now this is sooooooooo out my league but I just had to post it because Jan over at 

I Quilt For Fun

 has been working on this for awhile now and the finished quilt is just so colorful, modern, and not babyish that I just had to share it with you.

Seriously? LOVE IT!

Love the name too.

:D 

 

Again, I beg you to turn off your Captcha filters. If I can't read it, I won't be commenting.

 

Front Doors That Welcome Fall

 

Do you like BeColorful? You will LOVE Be Colorful Coastal. Join me here @

https://becolorfulcoastal.com

BeColorful

 

For the past two years some version of this Iowa Hawkeye door candy has been our welcome to fall. This year I would like to switch it up a bit.

Yes, I am still a loyal Hawkeye fan. I even was fortunate to get to see them play Northern Illinois this past weekend in Soldier Stadium.

 

 

Talk about great seats!  We were the guests of somebody with all the right connections. 

lol.

I digress.

:D

So, yes, love the Hawks and I liked how the Iowa black and gold looked on our yellow door but I thought I would look around the internet for some inspiration to see if I saw something new or something I liked better.

 I found so many great ideas that I just had to share them with all of you.

Many of these are DIY projects so knock yourselves out trying to decide which one YOU might want to try out  to welcome fall at your front door.

From simple, clean lined and fresh looking wreaths,

Etsy

to wreaths made of paper leaves,

Martha Stewart

to dramatic wreaths created with black roses.

Martha Stewart

These were ideas to help jumpstart my creativity.

There were even wreaths layered with mini pumpkins.

Arcadian Home

 

 

Here is another take on tweaked up nature.

Arcadian Home

 

 

A mirror on the front door. Now that's original.

The Seattle Times

As is this concept of a bushel of apples as door candy.

Two Shades of Pink

 

 

For a more whimsical treatment, this witch hat caught my eye.

Bella Vita

 

 

This embellished broom makes for a great Halloween look too.

unknown

 

 

I will probably end up with two different treatments; one for fall and the second for Halloween. I don't like my Halloween too scary, just fun. 

I had never really thought about leaving the door plain and doctoring up the storm door instead but I think this could be a really interesting and unique way to welcome trick or treaters.

 

 

 

 

 

It would show up well on just about any color door. If your door is black you could create the silhouette in white or a bright yellow or maybe even a bright blue or purple.

Another version of the same concept.

 

 

 

unknown

 

 

How will you be welcoming fall at your front door?

Take a picture and link it up to Motivated Monday at BeColorful.

We party here every Monday. I would love to have you join us.

 

 

For more Halloween door inspiration be sure to take a moment and visit this site bursting with affordable and creative ideas.

 

MostCraft.com

xoxo,

p