tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77651136866675641782024-03-13T11:54:54.491-06:00"made" JournalDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-49117118360438701192012-01-30T22:47:00.000-07:002012-01-30T22:47:43.488-07:00House Tour: Marissa's Dining Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Occasionally I get the chance to work with my friend Marisa on design projects. Remember <a href="http://made-journal.blogspot.com/2011/04/inspired-by-scarlett-my-most-recent.html">Scarlett's room</a>? Marisa is her mama and has great style. Her whole house is classy and I love it all, but I now have a new favorite room. I recently got a glimpse of her dining room, and I just need to say that I'm in love.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-byBOVWATQ80/TyOQAtD8x9I/AAAAAAAANgY/cAndmxMOQ30/s1600/DSCF4383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-byBOVWATQ80/TyOQAtD8x9I/AAAAAAAANgY/cAndmxMOQ30/s400/DSCF4383.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSC_QrhCgRc/TyOQISHAkQI/AAAAAAAANgg/sESANOGvkUc/s1600/DSCF4384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSC_QrhCgRc/TyOQISHAkQI/AAAAAAAANgg/sESANOGvkUc/s640/DSCF4384.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4N8FqugEHKk/TyOQMaB7dhI/AAAAAAAANgo/JN9TI7fi46U/s1600/DSCF4387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4N8FqugEHKk/TyOQMaB7dhI/AAAAAAAANgo/JN9TI7fi46U/s640/DSCF4387.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My questions were probably the same as yours:</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. How long did this take you?</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. How did you do it?</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. How (how?!) did you get your husband on board? ( #3 was really my first question)</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Marisa was inspired by the powder room in a great little local boutique, <a href="http://www.mydearlizzie.com/boutique">dear lizzie</a>. She took the concept and went crazy with a stack of vintage books and a box of staples. It wasn't a quick project (plan on a few days) but it has major impact with the feel of wallpaper and the added bonus of great texture. I wondered about the durability/practicality of this wall treatment (she does have 4 littles) so she showed me how easy it is to replace a page (just tear it off and staple on a new one, under the edge of the one above). Brilliant! As for her husband, he took a little while to warm up (a brave man just to consider the option) but as he saw the process evolve, and the positive reactions of friends, his enthusiasm caught up with the project.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today's lesson: Be brave and bold as you create the space your family lives in--if it smiles at you, you know you did good.</div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-18698507422458028522012-01-29T22:22:00.000-07:002012-01-29T22:22:42.789-07:00House Tour: Joanna and Adam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My darling sister in law, Joanna, has a great sense of style and impeccable taste. I recently got to visit her family's home in Arizona, where she lives with her hubby, Adam, and 3 munchkins. I fell in love with their comfortable, vintage-modern style. I thought you might too. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kXPhqPfWTTY/TwNzbLlP_BI/AAAAAAAANf0/6aSie48r0R0/s1600/DSCF5112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kXPhqPfWTTY/TwNzbLlP_BI/AAAAAAAANf0/6aSie48r0R0/s400/DSCF5112.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I adore this pink, vintage sofa.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7HUf5vWf8E/TwNzLobJg8I/AAAAAAAANeg/dbGa94vt4P0/s1600/DSCF5113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7HUf5vWf8E/TwNzLobJg8I/AAAAAAAANeg/dbGa94vt4P0/s640/DSCF5113.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGHeRCx-NBU/TyNu9ZK9pKI/AAAAAAAANfU/KM9YzBkaCwo/s1600/DSCF5128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGHeRCx-NBU/TyNu9ZK9pKI/AAAAAAAANfU/KM9YzBkaCwo/s640/DSCF5128.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">An old corbel, hung on the wall as a shelf.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1mXP9IUKTA/TwNz831ipII/AAAAAAAANfk/WB6mQjUkL_4/s1600/DSCF5120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1mXP9IUKTA/TwNz831ipII/AAAAAAAANfk/WB6mQjUkL_4/s640/DSCF5120.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This simple little cabinet holds necessities in their children's room.</span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She made the <a href="http://made-journal.blogspot.com/2011/06/modern-signage-i-lucked-out-with-two.html">art</a> herself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTUTatLUnPs/TyNujsa_6vI/AAAAAAAANfg/KUBWwL3P5Q4/s400/DSCF5144.JPG" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Joanna hung these flashcards in the playroom. To keep the line very straight, she stretched twine tightly between small nails every few feet. She hung the cards with small binder clips. Another trick she taught me: scotch tape keeps things really straight. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i7J7qW3n3e0/TyN4-ADOQQI/AAAAAAAANfs/svgRl1ng5AY/s1600/DSCF5117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i7J7qW3n3e0/TyN4-ADOQQI/AAAAAAAANfs/svgRl1ng5AY/s400/DSCF5117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her workspace</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evidence that Joanna is a California girl is the layed-back style and vibrant color story of their home. I'm still California dreaming of that pink sofa...</span></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-38635042957001391992012-01-27T22:02:00.000-07:002012-01-27T22:02:27.528-07:00Vintage Children's Literature<div class="gmail_quote" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRepXYQtS_foz_1BkK2PGDYuLMl1MhLehKsdUVAuvBye9R9TZ42-heoX2vd28WYl1QEXjFd7k1qIYNv9D0akbBNfGHOpFxiAfwF8Kj-D2q3s-45-xc9603ChPoC6h4-0uHfNS9aJJqY0em/s1600/1made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRepXYQtS_foz_1BkK2PGDYuLMl1MhLehKsdUVAuvBye9R9TZ42-heoX2vd28WYl1QEXjFd7k1qIYNv9D0akbBNfGHOpFxiAfwF8Kj-D2q3s-45-xc9603ChPoC6h4-0uHfNS9aJJqY0em/s1600/1made_button.jpg" /></a></div> I'm always asking my sis, Kate, for recommendations on books. She's a prolific reader and writer, who is working on her first novel. This time, I asked her to share (with all of us) why she prefers vintage literature and to guide us to some of her kid-friendly favorites.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">For me, the entire justification for a bookshelf's existence lies in pajamas and adventure -- mine or my kids. Sharing the story enlarges the world it occupies. Many of my favorite memories include reading aloud, my kids lounging around me, asking questions. "What's a milkman?" "Why do they keep saying 'Sir'?" "Why don't they just go to the store and buy one?" I love vintage novels for the opportunity they give me to explain the daily life of another time. After reading the readily available (<i>Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, The Boxcar Children, Freddy the Detective) </i>I looked for others in the same era. Following are some that inspire my family over and over again. </div><div style="color: #45818e;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); color: #45818e; margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><div name="Compose message area" style="padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 15px;"><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"> <div class="im"><i>Homer Price</i> by Robert McCloskey. The drawings bring the story to life for little kids (I think my youngest was two when I read this to them). Squeaky clean and fear-free adventure tales for boys and girls. Like <i>The Andy Griffith Show</i> in print! </div></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><i>Gone-Away</i><i> Lake</i> by Elizabeth Enright. Almost a time travel fantasy, but one step better as the characters exist in “modern†(1950s) time, even though they live a turn-of-the-century lifestyle. Inspired my kids to dress up as the main characters for Halloween. Don’t miss the sequel, or the Melendy series, also by Elizabeth Enright. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><i>The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet</i> by Eleanor Cameron. This book on space travel pre-dates the moon landing. What boy doesn’t want to picture himself on a rocket with his best friend, on a mission to save the world? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><i>Little Men </i>by Louisa May Alcott. Pre-vintage and heavy on the morals, this is the city equivalent to Laura Ingalls Wilder's <i>Little House on the Prairie. </i> Both books portray solid family values, DIY know-how, and abundant details of households without modern conveniences. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><i>My Father's Dragon</i> by Ruth Stiles Gannett. Fantasy for the very young, this series focused on kindness and adventure won't get dusty on your bookshelf.</li>
</ul></div></blockquote>Stay posted tomorrow for an amazing use for vintage books--those ones that are less than remarkable but completely beautiful. You wont want to miss this one!</div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-3013969694512887622012-01-25T14:25:00.000-07:002012-01-25T14:25:22.662-07:00Hello, Texas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">And the winner is...Texas!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAVL1mBHMM8/TyBxYwVE04I/AAAAAAAANe8/M--Fqui6cX4/s1600/texas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAVL1mBHMM8/TyBxYwVE04I/AAAAAAAANe8/M--Fqui6cX4/s640/texas.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I can hardly wrap my brain around how quickly everything is happening (those organization goals have come in super handy!) and I am certainly not ready to say goodbye to everything and everyone I love here. My family and friends have been so supportive and excited for this new adventure for our family. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm--you guys have been really awesome! </div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-51762613206587132062012-01-04T05:00:00.006-07:002012-01-04T13:39:35.088-07:00Time to Get Serious<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next up is organizing my time. I want to make sure that my time reflects my values, and that I can get my work done and still have time for play, too. Also, I'd like to be able to focus on my kids when they get home from school and do projects, teach them something or play with them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My schedule is somewhat simple, allowing Mondays for anything food related (creating a menu, shopping, cleaning the fridge and cooking ahead what I can), Wednesdays for deep cleaning and Fridays for laundry and ironing. Other than that, I just tidy on a daily basis and everything else fits in between. That's where I get in trouble--being vague. I have 2 sisters (sorry Charity and Noel) who are super organized and yesterday my sis Kate showed me her weekly plan. It was very efficiently organized in her phone so she can stay focused wherever she is. I'll bet you it's hanging on her fridge too. Anyway, I loved the way she used her values to distribute her time, allowing time each week for the things that are most important to her. Wanna be a peeping Tom like I was and see what she's up to?<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Monday: Food (planning, shopping, chopping, cleaning out fridge),</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Friends (lunch date for me)</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> FHE</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Tuesday: Cleaning (general -- bathrooms, dusting, floors)</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Baths for kids</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Fix stuff with Paul</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Wednesday: Clothing (washing, ironing, mending, buying)</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Serve someone</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Friendsday Wednesday</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Girls/Guys Night Out (a week for him, a week for me)</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Thursday: Deep clean and purge (at least 3 hours)</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Friday: Paper (bills, letters, filing, following up)</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Work on my calling</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Holiday plans (room mother parties, birthday cards or gifts, menus)</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Date night</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Saturday: Baths</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Yard work?</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Sunday: Scouts, Faith in God, Personal Progress</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Church</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> Sunday night movie</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Daily: walk Cricket, prepare lunch scriptures (yes, this is our scripture reading</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">time: a verse in a lunch box -- we can talk about it after school), make beds,</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">clean kitchen, the general tidy. Extra chores (clean van, put away piles, etc.) </div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">are done by kids throughout the week.</div><div style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: black;">Kind of amazing, no? But I'm ready, 2012, and this goal isn't gonna take a stinkin' three years to conquer--I'm hoping it's more like three months. I wish you luck on yours too, whatever you choose.</span></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-66392702185371027822012-01-03T14:17:00.002-07:002012-01-27T22:05:25.384-07:00How Do You New Year?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've had the same new year's resolution for three years running, and I <span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: #a64d79;">finally did it</b></span> this past year (slow down and enjoy the simpleness of life). I kind of look at a resolution as a wish that you have control over, so for this year, I decided it was time to really ship shape up and get more orderly. I'm not doing it because I need to (though I do), but I'm doing it because I want to (this is the key, don't you think?)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For me, I needed to organize my thoughts even more than actually organizing my surroundings. I went super simple with my strategy--I jotted down everything that felt chaotic to me or that I felt wasn't as orderly as I would like it to be. Each though went on a new card. Then I made 4 columns--things to tackle right away (to give me some success), things to get to in the near future, things to do after my first 2 lists were done, and things accomplished. I've been able to move a few things over to that last column and it felt awesome. I'm such a visual person that a board like this helps me stay focused--you may be able to do the whole thing in one list if that works for you.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Kqex6relP4/TwNtf_KGZ6I/AAAAAAAANeU/5MYTUGmaJWA/s1600/DSCF5371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Kqex6relP4/TwNtf_KGZ6I/AAAAAAAANeU/5MYTUGmaJWA/s640/DSCF5371.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I conquered the daily paperwork/homework issue by turning my pantry into an office. Remember my post about <a href="http://made-journal.blogspot.com/search/label/furniture%20before%20and%20afters">small office spaces</a>? Add this one to your bag of tricks:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4QuFjjdrHw/TwNudirpMaI/AAAAAAAANec/vrXvptjzWHY/s1600/DSCF5366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4QuFjjdrHw/TwNudirpMaI/AAAAAAAANec/vrXvptjzWHY/s640/DSCF5366.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My pantry, turned home office</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I couldn't indulge in the entire space, but because we don't have desk space in our kitchen I needed a spot to put the things we use every day. I always use fun canisters and containers to hold colored pencils and markers because they're out all the time. I like to choose pretty vessels and containers when I organize so I can enjoy them on a daily basis. My files are held in the vintage breadbox and I try to label things clearly so everyone in the family knows where to find things (and hopefully return them).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRS45ciaYAE/TwNqaN3DUBI/AAAAAAAANeQ/Bfj1RunhW9A/s1600/DSCF5356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRS45ciaYAE/TwNqaN3DUBI/AAAAAAAANeQ/Bfj1RunhW9A/s640/DSCF5356.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Tomorrow I'll be posting about the rest of my resolution to live an orderly life--organizing my time to reflect my values. Please weigh in with strategies you use to lick your home into shape.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-70256100710508895552011-12-14T09:26:00.002-07:002011-12-14T09:37:09.563-07:00Modern Christmas Time Capsule<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love when time can be frozen and a moment can be perfectly captured. This project captures your family just as it is today, and holds it together for Christmases to come. I actually did this tree with my kid's classrooms last year as their class decorations.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ9hbtDUVLU/TujHSKJXMCI/AAAAAAAANZ8/2ttVY7BmDHo/s1600/DSCF2725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ9hbtDUVLU/TujHSKJXMCI/AAAAAAAANZ8/2ttVY7BmDHo/s640/DSCF2725.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b0WrtUaGlKs/TujHTWAFgAI/AAAAAAAANaM/dC7PUNrckBA/s1600/DSCF2720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b0WrtUaGlKs/TujHTWAFgAI/AAAAAAAANaM/dC7PUNrckBA/s640/DSCF2720.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U9dET8OioAY/TujHSuW4gmI/AAAAAAAANaA/twQfoJrGG90/s1600/DSCF2724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U9dET8OioAY/TujHSuW4gmI/AAAAAAAANaA/twQfoJrGG90/s640/DSCF2724.JPG" width="480" /> </a> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's what they started out looking like:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4UJd46f_QrU/TujHSv7fLZI/AAAAAAAANaE/4KdhU7qNYV4/s1600/DSCF2718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4UJd46f_QrU/TujHSv7fLZI/AAAAAAAANaE/4KdhU7qNYV4/s640/DSCF2718.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's how we made them: Everyone got the chance to bring anything they wanted to represent themselves--little tokens of something important to them. They took turns placing them where they wanted them on the tree, and I used hot glue to hold them in place. I used metal tree forms that I picked up second hand, but you could use anything you have shaped in a cone. When every item was placed, I spray painted them in a hammered metal finish. You could use any finish you like, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to spray prime before hand. I was on a time crunch for mine, so I skipped that step. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What are your family's favorite things, right now? For us, it would be legos, pencils, cooking utensils, </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">coins for collecting, little toy animals and musical instruments. </span>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-74869176126036333522011-12-13T12:05:00.005-07:002013-06-12T20:31:44.105-06:00Lookie--Another solution for a teeny tiny studio space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before we turned our basement into a studio space, we were always looking for storage solutions to house all of our art supplies. Someone in my family is constantly drawing or gluing or sewing something, so we desperately needed a place to stash everything. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was thrilled when I found this piece of furniture for $5 at a garage sale. The man I bought it from honestly begged me to haul it away. (Sidenote: I saw one just like this for free on KSL Classifieds this weekend!) I looked past the honey oak, dated hardware and rose frosted mirror to see a solid piece of furniture with great bones. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HvM3h5u6w4E/Tt-ZneW0MuI/AAAAAAAANZE/JXtuTKi8v18/s1600/07-Halloween+and+Winter+102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HvM3h5u6w4E/Tt-ZneW0MuI/AAAAAAAANZE/JXtuTKi8v18/s640/07-Halloween+and+Winter+102.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Before</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Updating this piece wasn't hard, just took some elbow grease. First I removed all the hardware and filled the holes with wood putty. I also removed the mirror. I sanded it down and used an antiquing kit to get the finish I liked (it was actually my test piece to see if I liked it enough to refinish my kitchen cupboards with it. I loved it, but decided to go with ivory for my kitchen in the end)</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. When sanding, you don't need to take the color off, just rough up the wood (this piece took me about 15 minutes of sanding). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I followed the instructions on the box for the antiquing kit, which turned out great, but I have to admit, wasn't any better than the classic coats of paint and topcoat you'd typically put on. If you're not a big painter, the kit isn't a bad option and includes everything you need for the project. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I ordered the hardware from ebay--a great resource for discount high end hardware. I chose to go with 2 different styles for variety. I also cut down a corkboard to fit the back and covered it with one of my favorite fabrics for a quick place to post notes. The cubby is the perfect size for a laptop and folds down to a desk.</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrLP8dFix58/Tt-Zo2l1ilI/AAAAAAAANZU/z8M1wa4M4-U/s1600/08+Mar-Apr+%2526+sister%2527s+retreat+072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrLP8dFix58/Tt-Zo2l1ilI/AAAAAAAANZU/z8M1wa4M4-U/s640/08+Mar-Apr+%2526+sister%2527s+retreat+072.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was really happy with the results and the massive amount of space it provided, while still fitting in with the rest of the furniture in the room. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sometimes adding another piece of furniture isn't even an option, and then you have to get really creative. One solution that has worked great for me is to use my kitchen pantry (the one that holds fruit snacks and jello boxes) as a storage space. It's in a fantastic location so close to your kitchen table, and lets you work and put things away so easily. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I shifted some of our food to other cupboards and put some of it on a shelf in glass containers. This left the space for things we use all the time like my sewing machine or the kids colored pencils. Of course, I don't keep everything in here, but for me it has been a lifesaver for the tools and supplies we use on a daily basis. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'd love to hear your storage solutions--please comment to share how you use your workspace and how you've managed to carve some from a small living space! </span></div>
Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-16806797260807995992011-12-08T03:00:00.096-07:002011-12-14T09:38:08.995-07:00Raising Art Literate Kids<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div>While doing all the crafting for the Beehive Bazaar, we talked a lot about the artistic process. They're always doing cool projects at my sis Kate's home, so I asked her to share her tips for guiding kids in their artistic endeavors. Even though her own (numerous) natural gifts don't usually include creating art, she's raised 3 little Picassos. Take note, she's kind of a genius.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #45818e;">Humbling (nay, humiliating) confession time: I have always enjoyed coloring books. Because unlike Dani, I have never been able to conceive of an original picture and reproduce it on a page. My artistic skills are much like my dad’s: I can draw a crude anchor on a kid’s forcep if they are feeling pirate-y. </div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Somehow my kids are mini-Danis. They can create art in any medium. I’ve always seen my job as supplying paper (we go through reams) and opening my mouth in astonishment at their talent. Usually that’s enough; sometimes it’s not. When my kids ask me to draw with them, here are my go-to tricks.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have you ever noticed how much more creative you are within parameters? It’s like the whole world of possibility yields nothing, but one specific object or idea spouts inspiration like a fountain. That’s the idea behind the Scribble game. Each person makes a random scribble on a page, and then passes it clockwise. The next person stares at it until it starts to form a familiar shape, then adds the details to make a complete picture. </div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
Often my kids create a new cartoon character for their on-going comic strips. I let them be my art teachers, showing me how to reproduce their originals. Even I can follow a step-by-step approach to drawing something.</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuKfVRqaOxY/Tt-8CenST3I/AAAAAAAANZk/odxYkeNbLJI/s1600/Ira+Jack%2527s+Self+Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuKfVRqaOxY/Tt-8CenST3I/AAAAAAAANZk/odxYkeNbLJI/s400/Ira+Jack%2527s+Self+Portrait.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
Really, perfection is the problem. You want that tree to look like a real tree, doggone it. Fast draw games like <i>Pictionary</i> and <i>Win, Lose or Draw!</i> remove that inhibition , leaving you free to draw stick figures without shame. </div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
Ditto to blind drawings. Blindfolded or eyes shut, you draw something from memory. The pictures look something like John Lennon’s etchings, which makes you feel a little famous.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnn5pGTRzJA/Tt-8DHWExbI/AAAAAAAANZs/tFcJ033PRKk/s1600/Hand+and+Foot+drawn+by+a+Foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnn5pGTRzJA/Tt-8DHWExbI/AAAAAAAANZs/tFcJ033PRKk/s400/Hand+and+Foot+drawn+by+a+Foot.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ramona Quimby made her own coloring books when her family couldn’t afford the store-bought ones. My kids are more than happy to supply drawings for me to color. I don’t have to be creative, and in the end we still have a collaborative project. This is a picture my youngest drew for me of a video game. I never would have noticed all the details if I hadn't colored them in.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y1rFvIxZTXU/Tt-8EPxm7cI/AAAAAAAANZ4/SmZgsWpyLCI/s1600/Abe%2527s+Mind+Games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y1rFvIxZTXU/Tt-8EPxm7cI/AAAAAAAANZ4/SmZgsWpyLCI/s400/Abe%2527s+Mind+Games.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once I was backed into a corner to make a self-portrait (long story). I found it a lot easier to cut pieces out of colored paper and assemble them, mosaic style, than to actually put pen or paintbrush to paper. Drawing is hard, but puzzles are easy (bring on the Sudoku, Kakuro, and Kenken!).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ys5ijlZ9rz8/Tt-78g7tzLI/AAAAAAAANZg/MX5N5zmp1D4/s1600/annie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ys5ijlZ9rz8/Tt-78g7tzLI/AAAAAAAANZg/MX5N5zmp1D4/s400/annie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">When we pull out the recyclables to make junkbots, I’m too busy fastening on arms or cutting pieces to make my own Frankensteins. Sometimes one of my kids will notice that I did a lot of work with nothing to show for it, so they let me babysit their creations.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #45818e;">Cuddle time with a coffee table art book spread across our laps is enough, on occasion, to satisfy their art lust. Producing art is a hobby they can share with me. Appreciating art is a hobby I can share with them. </span></div><ol start="1" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-92231616045353946622011-12-07T04:00:00.006-07:002011-12-14T09:38:42.171-07:00Beehive Bazaar<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My kiddos are thrilled to be a part of the Beehive Bazaar in Provo this weekend. For years we've been attending this creative local crafters fair, and this weekend my kids will be contributing artists to the young crafters area. Everything they will be selling has been made entirely by them--take a peek at a few of them: </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSljZkx9Y2Y/Tt-ZbUFb2UI/AAAAAAAANY0/-ioP3R5NQms/s1600/DSCF4817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSljZkx9Y2Y/Tt-ZbUFb2UI/AAAAAAAANY0/-ioP3R5NQms/s640/DSCF4817.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cn32PV4Q0t0/Tt-ZcAguepI/AAAAAAAANY8/Zz3LYWfqNuA/s1600/DSCF4813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cn32PV4Q0t0/Tt-ZcAguepI/AAAAAAAANY8/Zz3LYWfqNuA/s640/DSCF4813.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">My niece, Annie, will also be selling her super cute and unique drawings--you've got to come take a look at these!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uuZdbjXNX3A/Tt-Zdx8ScjI/AAAAAAAANZA/UTCJyz_PWOo/s1600/anniesdrawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uuZdbjXNX3A/Tt-Zdx8ScjI/AAAAAAAANZA/UTCJyz_PWOo/s640/anniesdrawing.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VOJYM3j1ARU/Tt-tR5KC86I/AAAAAAAANZc/MgnSlx4Lvu8/s1600/beehivebazaarinvite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VOJYM3j1ARU/Tt-tR5KC86I/AAAAAAAANZc/MgnSlx4Lvu8/s640/beehivebazaarinvite.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VOJYM3j1ARU/Tt-tR5KC86I/AAAAAAAANZc/MgnSlx4Lvu8/s1600/beehivebazaarinvite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-83842318463151633252011-12-03T03:00:00.011-07:002011-12-14T09:41:23.930-07:00Advent Calendar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This year I decided to make an advent calendar. I got the Christmas bug a few weeks ago and rummaged through my fabrics until I came up with this.</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9AucsuMURTY/Tt-ZWD2RDnI/AAAAAAAANX4/JfwXZFKYef4/s1600/DSCF5168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9AucsuMURTY/Tt-ZWD2RDnI/AAAAAAAANX4/JfwXZFKYef4/s640/DSCF5168.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We embossed cards with the numbers for each day till Christmas, then added two additional cards each day. One card has an activity, things we like to do anyway, but now the kids can see the plan when they wake up in the morning. It might be sledding, baking treats, making gifts for their friends or decorating the tree. For the days we don't really have plans, I added things like cute holiday games I found on the web, watching Christmas movies or cutting paper snowflakes. The other card has both a scripture and a song. For our family, we'll probably pull the song up on the internet and play it while we're eating breakfast, and read the scripture afterward. I found the list online and like it because it's very short and doable for our morning routine. I posted it below if you're interested. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfhB6cEBWVM/Tt-ZVaWUKuI/AAAAAAAANXw/6209oZ4HNGs/s1600/DSCF5172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yfhB6cEBWVM/Tt-ZVaWUKuI/AAAAAAAANXw/6209oZ4HNGs/s640/DSCF5172.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Adding an advent calendar to my holiday schedule for some years would feel laughable--I can't possibly squeeze in one more thing. But this year is just perfect for one to keep us focused and organized, and I'm surprised that it doesn't actually add any extra stress to our schedule. It also helps that my daughter helped make it, so she's totally on board and gets the boys excited for it, too.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dec. 1 Isaiah 7:14 Angels We Have Heard On High<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 2 Isaiah 9:6 Away In A Manger<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 3 Micah 5:2 O Little Town of Bethlehem<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 4 Jeremiah 23:5 O Come All Ye Faithful<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 5 Isaiah 40:1-4 Joy to the World<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 6 Jeremiah 33:14-15 The First Noel<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 7 Isaiah 40:11 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 8 Psalms 24 Hark the Herald Angels Sing<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 9 Jeremiah 23:6 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 10 Jacob 7:11-12 Far, Far Away On Judea's Plain<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 11 1 Nephi 10:4 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 12 1 Nephi 13:18 What Child Is This<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 13 1 Nephi 11:20-24 O Holy Night<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 14 1 Nephi 11:27 Who Is The Child<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 15 Helaman 14:3 Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 16 Helaman 14:5-6 I Heard the Bells<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 17 Luke 1:30-31 I Believe in Christ<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 18 3 Nephi 1:13 When Christ Was Born In Bethlehem<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 19 3 Nephi 1:19 Star Bright<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 20 Luke 2:4-7 O Hush Thee My Baby<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 21 Luke 2:8-11 How Great Thou Art<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 22 Luke 2:12-14 We Three Kings of Orient Are<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 23 Matthew 2:1-2 With Wondering Awe<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
Dec. 24 Mosiah 3:5-8 Silent Night<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-82249974304006225532011-12-02T00:08:00.006-07:002013-06-12T20:34:32.271-06:00A Peek into my Studio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
This is the first house I've had an entire room to myself to just be creative. I consider myself really lucky, but I've used the same concept when I have been more limited on space. In the past, I've just pared down the space to the corner of a room, inside dresser drawers, a closet, or under a bed. I've also found garage space to do the trick.</div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32Pdde0uqrA/TtZ-duru0VI/AAAAAAAAM0k/tXLjRv6apXg/s1600/DSC_0146-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-32Pdde0uqrA/TtZ-duru0VI/AAAAAAAAM0k/tXLjRv6apXg/s640/DSC_0146-1.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The bookshelves were among our first pieces of furniture </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">purchased over a dozen years ago. I lined the back with </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">fabric I just tacked on.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This room is completely furnished with pieces I didn't need anywhere else in the house. They mix and match perfectly to create lots of usable storage and workspace.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CItlFxbBJ_g/TtZ-cyfaroI/AAAAAAAAM0c/JK1w8zoTVNI/s1600/DSC_0121-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CItlFxbBJ_g/TtZ-cyfaroI/AAAAAAAAM0c/JK1w8zoTVNI/s640/DSC_0121-1.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">This dresser migrated from my son's room and was topped</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">with a hutch that my friend Electa gave to me.</span> </div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
As you can see, I've used every square inch. I try to balance my space with aesthetic decisions (displaying my bags, clear glass jars with buttons, etc.) and practical solutions. There is nothing in this room that is purely decorative. It doesn't pass the test unless it's functional, too. Even my "art" is inspiration boards for rooms I'm designing. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_ed0boWdBo/TtZ-dTeS1NI/AAAAAAAAM0g/mGP8ZoS6P5A/s1600/DSC_0122-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_ed0boWdBo/TtZ-dTeS1NI/AAAAAAAAM0g/mGP8ZoS6P5A/s640/DSC_0122-1.JPG" width="428" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I pick up wooden and metal crates whenever I see them.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">They fill in great for storage and can fit into most spaces.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The opposite wall (not pictured) is mounted with metal storage</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">crates for shelving used for my files, sewing basket and supplies.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After years of collecting unique bits and pieces of things, I have a pretty playful collection of trimmings and embellishments. Some things I always keep my eye open for are vintage ribbon, lace, anything with lettering, fabric scraps, great paper, buttons, sewing notions, old books, small metal bits--really anything vintage. When I find these pieces, I don't usually have a plan for them, but when I'm working on a project and need "some texture" or "more color" or "something old" and I just go dive into my drawers and baskets and pull out something. I don't usually have to buy much of anything when I make a project--I just use what I have. </span></div>
Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-71544635133088458632011-11-30T12:05:00.006-07:002011-12-14T09:42:44.167-07:00Clipboard Wall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I have a lot of projects going on, they seem to pile up around me. I usually tend to have several projects going on simultaneously, and I like to see them at a glance, without taking up any counter space. Solution found: a Clipboard Wall. Each project (ideas for sewing, furniture projects, notes on school projects...) gets its own clipboard.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOs28EHTol6IpI-4mHycqebx8VTT8Mf3HOHV5mePao0klQv7x5IFxXWyAf9xwaEzVhWgm5aWPR6NNSZYb_S6WVbPDOEmXD-VWyZ6y1qJmyo0c980kMybxX4pqs2jGWOi5TbjAFapz5CBP/s1600/DSC_0151-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOs28EHTol6IpI-4mHycqebx8VTT8Mf3HOHV5mePao0klQv7x5IFxXWyAf9xwaEzVhWgm5aWPR6NNSZYb_S6WVbPDOEmXD-VWyZ6y1qJmyo0c980kMybxX4pqs2jGWOi5TbjAFapz5CBP/s640/DSC_0151-1.JPG" width="429" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hang mine going down the stairs to my studio. It gives me a quick inspiration and reminder of my projects, without cluttering up my living space. The best part: it's super easy and inexpensive. Use any clipboards you like (I chose vintage wooden ones) and just hang them on nails. Wa-laa.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Look at that--empty clipboards. I must need more projects!</div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-54923799091334491512011-06-20T13:36:00.006-06:002011-12-14T09:43:19.727-07:00Modern Signage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I lucked out with two really cool sister in laws. One of them, Joanna, makes these amazing, modern signs. I love her subject matter--all the things I want my kids to get out of life. </span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOH3x230Hy0HSUDUUA_Tox9iDiHyRq23aFN9iLWPYCOIskeEwUyxIQ6DA0FLlRIzbacJyayuQdHSWzd927Bf4ctsG7e9cuTXe-GUsI_oBTfVDwlkP8S6O8KXStSwibw2jzoc33vhRMpXkQ/s1600/525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOH3x230Hy0HSUDUUA_Tox9iDiHyRq23aFN9iLWPYCOIskeEwUyxIQ6DA0FLlRIzbacJyayuQdHSWzd927Bf4ctsG7e9cuTXe-GUsI_oBTfVDwlkP8S6O8KXStSwibw2jzoc33vhRMpXkQ/s400/525.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These, unlike a lot of other signs, aren't made from vinyl, but are handpainted with a multi-step process and finished off with the dark, modern trim. My favorite part is her choice of words. If you're interested in purchasing one, the signs are sold at Brambles in Springville/ South Provo for $149, or you can email an order to jo-shmo2@juno.com.</span>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-31004286206720092962011-04-21T16:02:00.006-06:002011-12-14T09:43:54.832-07:00Weaving Letters and Purses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last Saturday I visited my friend, </span><a href="http://melissaesplin.com/home/" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Melissa</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, who is always doing really ambitious and cool projects. She hosted a calligraphy class, which I was thrilled to be a part of. In the past when I thought of calligraphy, I imagined stuffy lettering in Old English block letters. She definitely puts the youthful stamp on a more modern version, and puts the fun back in the art of hand lettering. Take a look at this book a husband commissioned her to letter as a gift for his wife:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHTkAZaNTTBUTJrPAxPGYkhZeVlOi-FpWLI5IEhZ8OO4_bYd1XYFIsLh9xiJFOtdF7zoKC0i3224ae7v9OpuJTZZ52mbpyY6pCRcuau7d4J5uvU4XOf5hxqZajbJ2wcQmfQzwxGHkOkuu/s1600/ISLY+1.jpg" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_UABsBIWCC-MpMP8oIbXMwKjuXSJ-3Vsi2iEwVJE_-XP2vITOWF_IIgpAafFrQVuOAB9zYgbCSl8pxEotkP6TegbKqDLPCPDDu5obAor1OhUAd1LLneAXWkl-Ey8E0VeJJEN5yxkimOE/s1600/ISLY+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_UABsBIWCC-MpMP8oIbXMwKjuXSJ-3Vsi2iEwVJE_-XP2vITOWF_IIgpAafFrQVuOAB9zYgbCSl8pxEotkP6TegbKqDLPCPDDu5obAor1OhUAd1LLneAXWkl-Ey8E0VeJJEN5yxkimOE/s1600/ISLY+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4JaQY6ppDiSCQ_vblLRz90P7v0hz6AYolHtbv8vaeU9moKOF_s987UucbitWgqmHMRYbClceqQjhngAe1jUcm3BA9lViWxZh8Kz8-zJnmOjKh_oJdcJEBLYqSyJBQjKPdfBuVXYOLGOq/s1600/ISLY+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4JaQY6ppDiSCQ_vblLRz90P7v0hz6AYolHtbv8vaeU9moKOF_s987UucbitWgqmHMRYbClceqQjhngAe1jUcm3BA9lViWxZh8Kz8-zJnmOjKh_oJdcJEBLYqSyJBQjKPdfBuVXYOLGOq/s1600/ISLY+3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EWrLqeazqWwP0mafCtVs92UqWiM8-IdA1p0yVby8RLIb7sy9RCd530VNB7RBpS_eOaMPr0gkuObipUdUZiyBL7LsZMvcAF_vhyphenhyphenUX6_RidJvT7h_BqiPWMlZrrz2tfT9AhdFsJ9yWOoiO/s1600/ISLY+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EWrLqeazqWwP0mafCtVs92UqWiM8-IdA1p0yVby8RLIb7sy9RCd530VNB7RBpS_eOaMPr0gkuObipUdUZiyBL7LsZMvcAF_vhyphenhyphenUX6_RidJvT7h_BqiPWMlZrrz2tfT9AhdFsJ9yWOoiO/s1600/ISLY+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EWrLqeazqWwP0mafCtVs92UqWiM8-IdA1p0yVby8RLIb7sy9RCd530VNB7RBpS_eOaMPr0gkuObipUdUZiyBL7LsZMvcAF_vhyphenhyphenUX6_RidJvT7h_BqiPWMlZrrz2tfT9AhdFsJ9yWOoiO/s1600/ISLY+4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It takes some time and patience, but is surprisingly creative (there are rules, you know) and I can't wait to use this skill on a future project.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I brought Melissa a box of "creativity prompters" that I had pulled from my Studio Clean Out a few weeks ago. I am always drawn to interesting sweaters that I find at garage sales and thrift stores, and have done some really fun projects with them. But as I followed the "rules" of my Clean Out, I had to pass on a lot of "potential" projects, which is how Melissa ended up with a bunch of these sweaters. Look what she did with one of them:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV1hjcYNymuLx66JRRT96VUii1K9rxe0M9LTAJPBvPAFWiMgZETDYetDA60Wv6gyZiQEyVeiC_C9XfLzSxkkJhw0xzdP0QUA8M6Bk60EZbqDYMO9Iib28cKnweZoEu0NQNtSTDBAcKVXA/s1600/isly-top-to-bag-refashion-before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV1hjcYNymuLx66JRRT96VUii1K9rxe0M9LTAJPBvPAFWiMgZETDYetDA60Wv6gyZiQEyVeiC_C9XfLzSxkkJhw0xzdP0QUA8M6Bk60EZbqDYMO9Iib28cKnweZoEu0NQNtSTDBAcKVXA/s1600/isly-top-to-bag-refashion-before.jpg" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2Jk4tH1NdyXM3fB8F68XBWYrZDgla0flm9AdzwFa6I1Ugc8_QXyCAYYs-rgWeM_aaqa-baHyiLRAwrHNCz6yJo3CVk37uHw84xSrxCYMdGQSTw_g0hyphenhyphenlbj-1Q0hGQ8EQrP_gPeQBv2HH/s1600/isly-top-to-bag-refashion-after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2Jk4tH1NdyXM3fB8F68XBWYrZDgla0flm9AdzwFa6I1Ugc8_QXyCAYYs-rgWeM_aaqa-baHyiLRAwrHNCz6yJo3CVk37uHw84xSrxCYMdGQSTw_g0hyphenhyphenlbj-1Q0hGQ8EQrP_gPeQBv2HH/s1600/isly-top-to-bag-refashion-after.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Visit <a href="http://melissaesplin.com/home/2011/04/sweater-to-bag-refashion/">her post</a> to get the how-to details. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What have you repurposed lately that was a hit? Send photos and I'll share.</div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-78385050204461606392011-04-19T04:00:00.006-06:002011-12-14T09:44:43.432-07:00Sweet Jammies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmc16rjWDw5tNO3jBztkShVVG_uHJ-mZ1Z8y4Kktlx2Z95E6nex60go3ik-gah__xjJe-ieNbxOPpweDLYzl1lTkA0HGvTFt9EKqpoF_-9nGfHUwlUsv7D7a5DsiciUy9pBNKZ_XPh43T9/s1600/1made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmc16rjWDw5tNO3jBztkShVVG_uHJ-mZ1Z8y4Kktlx2Z95E6nex60go3ik-gah__xjJe-ieNbxOPpweDLYzl1lTkA0HGvTFt9EKqpoF_-9nGfHUwlUsv7D7a5DsiciUy9pBNKZ_XPh43T9/s1600/1made_button.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've always loved repurposing, and clothing is one of the most creative (and least expensive) ways to do that. Recently, I decided to try my hand at making my little girl some jammies from a button up shirt of mine. She already owned a darling little nightie I thought would make a good "template" ( I use the word "template" because the word "pattern" puts the fear in me), so I cut the shirt roughly to match the nightie.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsq5ute_C-FKLj31QIEq1o9IL4iEB37vjgRcoHt6EvBQ-jW8FjWCDpEdAenl9mePlAqvUSjGvuT4M_LwWt_Rm8d99i4YF4Z0Y8fWmrdRFgnEqlS8F3DTjdF1OVv-sJrktfBgTn_XTCAKf/s1600/DSCF3454-modified.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsq5ute_C-FKLj31QIEq1o9IL4iEB37vjgRcoHt6EvBQ-jW8FjWCDpEdAenl9mePlAqvUSjGvuT4M_LwWt_Rm8d99i4YF4Z0Y8fWmrdRFgnEqlS8F3DTjdF1OVv-sJrktfBgTn_XTCAKf/s1600/DSCF3454-modified.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I worked around some of the existing features like the tiny snaps and pockets, and changed others, like cut off the collar and added a white ruffle to finish the sleeves. I also sewed up some little cropped jammie pants to wear under the nightie.</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDI5QZbkAEs2oAWTNaI2Cc5QtorYWlMlyNCDchiBHtUcqzA-UqQRr5MoaEvSEsdDBJGQPQSp9YLdn-CveOc8Rb7W0ko7JnDuUgQebPWY_Z0blCskOiyKzVZ0C9I0HHlDSyR9jLiCVrIsp2/s1600/DSCF3465-mod.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDI5QZbkAEs2oAWTNaI2Cc5QtorYWlMlyNCDchiBHtUcqzA-UqQRr5MoaEvSEsdDBJGQPQSp9YLdn-CveOc8Rb7W0ko7JnDuUgQebPWY_Z0blCskOiyKzVZ0C9I0HHlDSyR9jLiCVrIsp2/s640/DSCF3465-mod.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9Ig52v7eS0ipIyePvXYWbI93escobmORiccjz2eUhUZou0AqbyADEGIcxt_qLk66u21yqDPooguh-G0RBeiuO8TG83L4SdtNyWG7g3sFVCsYRCMBr_x2683ZTClaolQJAWjCKnFBnkhB/s1600/DSCF3471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9Ig52v7eS0ipIyePvXYWbI93escobmORiccjz2eUhUZou0AqbyADEGIcxt_qLk66u21yqDPooguh-G0RBeiuO8TG83L4SdtNyWG7g3sFVCsYRCMBr_x2683ZTClaolQJAWjCKnFBnkhB/s640/DSCF3471.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">She loves them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jpIu8wOyI-0uBkHxsd3Fd3j6sQPn_18ESl-hqXsd7eZ6P8h-f8ePqW2WzCyfl5hVHXE1EENwJ4nYCbxEqeL6FE4bgy_2Jgg8ToipKOlA3XFRIS74Z3dIpu3p9FNdWijpO_rz9-pgg3Y-/s1600/Dani%252C+Noel+%2526+Kate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jpIu8wOyI-0uBkHxsd3Fd3j6sQPn_18ESl-hqXsd7eZ6P8h-f8ePqW2WzCyfl5hVHXE1EENwJ4nYCbxEqeL6FE4bgy_2Jgg8ToipKOlA3XFRIS74Z3dIpu3p9FNdWijpO_rz9-pgg3Y-/s1600/Dani%252C+Noel+%2526+Kate.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jpIu8wOyI-0uBkHxsd3Fd3j6sQPn_18ESl-hqXsd7eZ6P8h-f8ePqW2WzCyfl5hVHXE1EENwJ4nYCbxEqeL6FE4bgy_2Jgg8ToipKOlA3XFRIS74Z3dIpu3p9FNdWijpO_rz9-pgg3Y-/s1600/Dani%252C+Noel+%2526+Kate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I come by this passion honestly--my parents are the master repurposers and I was lucky enough to grow up watching them. This is my sisters and I wearing matching jammies that my mom made for us--oh, to have lots of little girls to match!</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-34237453516482890432011-04-18T05:00:00.005-06:002011-12-14T09:46:01.626-07:00Typographic Chair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've always loved typography--it just makes me happy. That's how I usually decide what trends or pet projects I'll bring into my home--the ones to put a smile in my heart, so I decided to add a little surprise to the seat of this chair. I started with a used Ikea Windsor chair that I had picked up for $5. I liked the classic lines and patina it already had, so I only had to add my detail and it would be finished. That's my kind of project. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXVaR0LEARC4BgPYtoWWWlHE5ryocDG3wR7ewYn7zbXqJC6ZMqA5LGrE9Awo1TINIjSqlOSHMiDkThPC5EucHc-oZpRKORaBXmQeXNUEI7BSEFDiWJrbipApFNZIKVibMWZDWsHG3kYW4/s1600/DSCF3153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXVaR0LEARC4BgPYtoWWWlHE5ryocDG3wR7ewYn7zbXqJC6ZMqA5LGrE9Awo1TINIjSqlOSHMiDkThPC5EucHc-oZpRKORaBXmQeXNUEI7BSEFDiWJrbipApFNZIKVibMWZDWsHG3kYW4/s1600/DSCF3153.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">First, I sanded the seat just a little (black paint can be tricky because sanding can actually make it look gray, so approach with a light hand). I chose my stencil and grabbed some spare gray paint from my garage. I just kind of dabbed on the paint and worked with it till it looked about right</span></span>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88hn_wqZYSmDImBbYxbIZjGOK-02kEW5yNWGFfizoTpaIt_QqZM2AQWyTCP_isRzxmlR3qnLbd1czkbKN6O39qgusiwSILrwvWhhK4vvsCEzbUqN4czsAOz7HUNwIA_cP0PCShnYiE4gN/s1600/DSCF3163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88hn_wqZYSmDImBbYxbIZjGOK-02kEW5yNWGFfizoTpaIt_QqZM2AQWyTCP_isRzxmlR3qnLbd1czkbKN6O39qgusiwSILrwvWhhK4vvsCEzbUqN4czsAOz7HUNwIA_cP0PCShnYiE4gN/s1600/DSCF3163.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I like things to look worn, not crafted, so I rubbed those smudgy edges down a little with sand paper again.</span></span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOct0HnBBAUhEL_iLl53wEiAsip2TKNFQnvemh-IP_01qzKBGlwxfCQZWOwM5XoiDztHlVmChBkLX1A_Fxxb-lLJmdPtfIjEh4XOCJb6n7UQa7jGAvxDtFwkwAE1G0szADrX0898HBQkw/s1600/DSCF3165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOct0HnBBAUhEL_iLl53wEiAsip2TKNFQnvemh-IP_01qzKBGlwxfCQZWOwM5XoiDztHlVmChBkLX1A_Fxxb-lLJmdPtfIjEh4XOCJb6n7UQa7jGAvxDtFwkwAE1G0szADrX0898HBQkw/s640/DSCF3165.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now every time I sit down to my computer, I get to sit here. And it's only going to get better with age.</span></span>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-28598520960538506732011-04-15T23:47:00.003-06:002011-12-14T09:46:58.624-07:00Updating a Vintage Stool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My friend Jenny came over yesterday with this darling little trunk she had picked up for only $2. The question: How could we update it without compromising it's charm? The answer: accent it with creamy white. There's a fine line between authentic and tired, so for this piece, we left the best part, the upholstery, and we updated the worn top and scuffed legs.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KCXY13eLPCNZfiEriJJOjjq8IMIoD_ln4NAip9l-oExRdw8XzJdsmcT25m2ZCCArVuBiP36KMvb18dZoYx2Z7niNJIgvkmDFALJK-k8rnigLk6NMAne1JPtDpgbqq5Bu0NaBCAHMpT6f/s1600/DSCF3626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KCXY13eLPCNZfiEriJJOjjq8IMIoD_ln4NAip9l-oExRdw8XzJdsmcT25m2ZCCArVuBiP36KMvb18dZoYx2Z7niNJIgvkmDFALJK-k8rnigLk6NMAne1JPtDpgbqq5Bu0NaBCAHMpT6f/s1600/DSCF3626.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> before</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We added two coats of paint to the legs and covered the top with some soft creamy white fabric--a simple fix and a big transformation.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbVCUB-pfXUzVdFCaID-Q6DdA2XXBQHZG_WnDx1kKqcAti4ldh0cYvfo-81H5RWDPpHPjupRp1BUhBG3-LqsfAwHstKayKK9GGs80BRU-t3jhXYYLNYSA73lfu20lbXvm2vnRaPHyaILa/s1600/DSCF3631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbVCUB-pfXUzVdFCaID-Q6DdA2XXBQHZG_WnDx1kKqcAti4ldh0cYvfo-81H5RWDPpHPjupRp1BUhBG3-LqsfAwHstKayKK9GGs80BRU-t3jhXYYLNYSA73lfu20lbXvm2vnRaPHyaILa/s640/DSCF3631.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> after</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlmoc5uinODUHcAvSeEpE7QBE9tIDV5BLq5fs62UCtMOMrrPWpZNFjxRBKE_DekPsagdejGbQK_X-B6oZbrhZ1pdCPXB4LzJz8AgQ3spumvih19eZun4vxBwyYRNQ0pdelf7lkLjylPPA/s1600/DSCF3632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlmoc5uinODUHcAvSeEpE7QBE9tIDV5BLq5fs62UCtMOMrrPWpZNFjxRBKE_DekPsagdejGbQK_X-B6oZbrhZ1pdCPXB4LzJz8AgQ3spumvih19eZun4vxBwyYRNQ0pdelf7lkLjylPPA/s640/DSCF3632.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-1609860054308333262011-04-04T22:28:00.008-06:002011-12-14T09:47:41.418-07:00Inspired by Scarlett<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My most recent client is 3 year old Scarlett, who needed a room to grow into as she outgrew her crib. Together Marissa and I worked with a pink, white and scarlet color story to create a sophisticated, yet playful room. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4VzjiZc5qB8k4cc_T6n0kzGeIctcxKBeKmLOB65Sw7iqUH_DHqfAemk1FURHyqGWOkNxBsiZuFmeMqpqlhUH2QQRTnLnG9s7tGwwRJA1Rru-QfmWyLTASKxcb2OvTCczIe3zbifJwz1l/s1600/DSCF3304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4VzjiZc5qB8k4cc_T6n0kzGeIctcxKBeKmLOB65Sw7iqUH_DHqfAemk1FURHyqGWOkNxBsiZuFmeMqpqlhUH2QQRTnLnG9s7tGwwRJA1Rru-QfmWyLTASKxcb2OvTCczIe3zbifJwz1l/s1600/DSCF3304.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbQBWk1ZqNG9njx6xgTvAhGlf-784tpvu41OfTyUyB2l1-qVC94jMFSlH2Qfg7HFvApZxjjqDsa9Qh45NeWrjHtWjAsxqnHlmY9w1xwHGu8ogjJGXynsrwLv87mBp4nTjkvgpZTZjKRCp/s1600/DSCF3306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbQBWk1ZqNG9njx6xgTvAhGlf-784tpvu41OfTyUyB2l1-qVC94jMFSlH2Qfg7HFvApZxjjqDsa9Qh45NeWrjHtWjAsxqnHlmY9w1xwHGu8ogjJGXynsrwLv87mBp4nTjkvgpZTZjKRCp/s1600/DSCF3306.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Marissa was lucky enough to have this amazing vintage bed just hanging out in her basement, and she dressed it with the Shabby Chic line from Target and pillows from Pier One. I added a handmade pillow sewn from vintage fabrics to top it off. Next to the bed is a little footstool so Scarlett can climb in and out of bed by herself.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://localhost:51490/570d2799bbe1c7236b81365eff5b7485/image/b67bb42cc3826d1e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9NT_jHSXQfDqcQBoX6lp0O19eYfn83LEQWJ4vlz1zyQ4bS4oiAAAKh0O2692XOJ6MtoT4TmAQkIUI2_I_8dOpVj-bA3Cj6R6AebIF9LflIPuWEojnng6WLBHptwNMdOiwAZtC8jjenTz/s1600/DSCF3315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9NT_jHSXQfDqcQBoX6lp0O19eYfn83LEQWJ4vlz1zyQ4bS4oiAAAKh0O2692XOJ6MtoT4TmAQkIUI2_I_8dOpVj-bA3Cj6R6AebIF9LflIPuWEojnng6WLBHptwNMdOiwAZtC8jjenTz/s1600/DSCF3315.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o3pdLokNEHI_SaSac5frWZISPLKqBI_HnEk9MhBEFUNEF44_2utBC6n0RO1slxO7b2v-swLk_mIRTxUQy6dnlrDhigjMCKEucqWrslqVh4v6WNre3rdNN4SQAujWeKzuuF6_AOkgn8JU/s1600/DSCF3319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o3pdLokNEHI_SaSac5frWZISPLKqBI_HnEk9MhBEFUNEF44_2utBC6n0RO1slxO7b2v-swLk_mIRTxUQy6dnlrDhigjMCKEucqWrslqVh4v6WNre3rdNN4SQAujWeKzuuF6_AOkgn8JU/s1600/DSCF3319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o3pdLokNEHI_SaSac5frWZISPLKqBI_HnEk9MhBEFUNEF44_2utBC6n0RO1slxO7b2v-swLk_mIRTxUQy6dnlrDhigjMCKEucqWrslqVh4v6WNre3rdNN4SQAujWeKzuuF6_AOkgn8JU/s1600/DSCF3319.JPG" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF6BBzLnz-9j9EmMol4dD6ihcuA9bc6FY1ll6IHW8OhE9-Q_39_qMbJNbvATGCfvMzjMxTk0Kvxc_AmebG7rho1zbRf5N2_l_VDx59WG6As-fvrBrUEPuqWFbE0pimNlBEH9BAsuZ7zbU/s1600/DSCF3317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF6BBzLnz-9j9EmMol4dD6ihcuA9bc6FY1ll6IHW8OhE9-Q_39_qMbJNbvATGCfvMzjMxTk0Kvxc_AmebG7rho1zbRf5N2_l_VDx59WG6As-fvrBrUEPuqWFbE0pimNlBEH9BAsuZ7zbU/s1600/DSCF3317.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Typically, fabric is chosen before paint because it is much easier to match paint to a pillow than it is to find a pillow to match an existing wall color. The pale pink paint in Scarlett's room, however, was in great condition and a great color to begin with, so we worked backwards. We scored with vintage smocked drapes in a pale pink, an amazing match for an existing paint color.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LyreDA9lUGeIDU0m5ZXAB1TbT_7E6VnVZZL1P0EvmWe3Oxp6T8_5Tv5otwpQuxV9w8uaXFXYGqSw50nzojvYrnuL6-1dcc4xde0CG5lds8-IQhbJu723TkJ2kndvvedaGKHXJO-bsh_D/s1600/DSCF3313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LyreDA9lUGeIDU0m5ZXAB1TbT_7E6VnVZZL1P0EvmWe3Oxp6T8_5Tv5otwpQuxV9w8uaXFXYGqSw50nzojvYrnuL6-1dcc4xde0CG5lds8-IQhbJu723TkJ2kndvvedaGKHXJO-bsh_D/s1600/DSCF3313.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This heavy table was too large in scale for a nightstand, so it was positioned across from the bed, where it could handle the weight of the whole wall. It actually began life as a beautiful dark wood, but Marissa coated it in white paint to make it visually lighter. Baby blessing gowns from all the children in the family were framed and displayed with a few favorite pieces. Next to the table lays her baby doll in a chippy-paint cradle won on ebay. Because of the lead paint sometimes found in old furniture, it's always good to put a topcoat (or two) of clear poly-acrylic over the existing paint.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nighty Night, Scarlett. Sweet dreams.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-36764586932859160582011-03-28T01:00:00.007-06:002011-12-14T09:48:46.575-07:00Hosting Your Own Retreat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> My sister Kate is a master organizer and planner, so here she is with our final retreat installment to share a few of the ins and outs of our annual getaway, and how to host one yourself. Here we go!</span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I talk with my friends about Sister’s Retreat, they always want to come. But when I suggest that they start their own tradition, they tend to shy away. Why? Here are the usual obstacles, as well as road maps around them. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>I don’t have sisters.</b> A good friend of mine, an only child, has carved out a biannual (that means twice a year, right?) Girl’s Weekend with four friends. Our oldest sister, Noel, has been attending the same Scrapbook Retreat with the same core of friends for fifteen years. If you don’t have “that kind of friends,” do yourself a favor and go make some. Today. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>I don’t like my sisters. </b>We get that. We do. Our first few retreats were a little rocky. One tradition that helped us change directions was taking turns saying our favorite traits of one another. Another event that helped was Noel saying, “I’m not the same person I was when we last lived together. I’m no longer the mom.” That helped the rest of us to re-see her, to enjoy who she is now. Building up fun memories and following those up with frequent phone calls between retreats helps us to be current, to keep from slipping back into inaccurate stereotypes about one another. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlc_sSvM0s1T0Q81gMYJ6pPpSSj_wzzMoyvlvK9qZjNuPVJ5f4ck3D3GH2I-ofSxsIPtVe1GNviOdlX6cRYezBlmOLnnxm5RGs2WjPlYMg-8Pq80M2vG5d07xvS0TugwrBVVip_PgjHa6/s1600/sister%2527s+retreat+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlc_sSvM0s1T0Q81gMYJ6pPpSSj_wzzMoyvlvK9qZjNuPVJ5f4ck3D3GH2I-ofSxsIPtVe1GNviOdlX6cRYezBlmOLnnxm5RGs2WjPlYMg-8Pq80M2vG5d07xvS0TugwrBVVip_PgjHa6/s640/sister%2527s+retreat+028.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Breakfast at Charity's, 2003</span></span></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>It’s too expensive.</b> Not necessarily. If the hostess can kick her family out (to go stay with grandparents, an uncle, friends), you have lodging. When everyone contributes a dish or two, food isn’t a big financial burden. You can always paint each others’ toenails instead of springing for pedis. And talk is, after all, cheap.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>My husband would never go for it/ I don’t have anyone to watch the kids.</b> Then you are married to a poop. Our husbands were not crazy about the idea, initially, either. Who would cook? Who would clean? Who would entertain the kids? Gradually, though, they learned that they could get away with Arctic Circle every night we were gone. They could have tickle wars without a referee saying, “Isn’t that a little rough, honey?” They benefited from their wife’s well-fed souls upon return. For those with uncooperative exes, our hearts go out. To you we say, you need a support network anyway. If you have one, they are happy to help. Grandparents, brothers, friends, out-laws (your ex’s family), even a trusted college student, can be recruited. These people love you, and are uplifted by your happiness. Give them an opportunity to serve you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>I’m just not creative. </b>Creativity is not the gold standard of Sister’s Retreats. Go to the movies together. Do the standbys. If you long for an out-of-the-box experience, brainstorm with your eccentric friends. Do some online research. But remember that the activities should be restorative to you and your sisters – no one else’s ideas will fit you better than your own. Just pay attention to what you desire, and then make THAT happen.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the end, it usually doesn’t come as an invitation to a ready-made event. It is the product of pulling out the planner, making phone calls, and just doing it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-11453035826400951302011-03-27T04:00:00.013-06:002012-01-04T13:45:28.612-07:00Sister's Retreat Recipes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's installment #3 of 4 (feel free to skip the next one if you've had enough with the retreats). So I'll let Kate, a gal who spends a lot of time in an apron, share a few favorite recipes.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usually we are all about finger food – spinach focaccia, seven-layer dip, salt ‘n vinegar potato chips, chocolate. That hits all the major food groups, right? But last year, inspired by her Scrapbook Retreat’s system, Noel suggested we each cook one meal for everyone. What a brainchild! We all pitched in to help, of course, singing and chopping and cleaning together in the kitchen. We ate like queens. You can too. </div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPa2f_iwKszHmGnvgv6HSajCc822AJDEkzLvHajSGOmAG0Cy33Il5H0nW6GQxeu0nFu_Y2ZE-ITM3wYsE1O2EsA9hyP31otou48iFt_ylrox5ltFA7sYV5vTeonhBKdBY3tusX1s7Drtuc/s1600/panini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPa2f_iwKszHmGnvgv6HSajCc822AJDEkzLvHajSGOmAG0Cy33Il5H0nW6GQxeu0nFu_Y2ZE-ITM3wYsE1O2EsA9hyP31otou48iFt_ylrox5ltFA7sYV5vTeonhBKdBY3tusX1s7Drtuc/s1600/panini.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Panini</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tricks for a Perfect Panini:</div><ul style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal">Start with dense bread</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Use unusual combinations: mayo and pesto with four cheeses, pears and nutella, asparagus with turkey</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Pile on the caramelized onions</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Coat your bread with olive oil instead of butter</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Press the Panini flat with a spatula (or a brick wrapped in tinfoil)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Cut them on an angle so you always have a point to dip</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Trader Joe’s makes the best marinara sauce for dipping</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Make a ton; Panini leftovers rock!</li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Bistro Tortellini</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Saute carrots, mushrooms, and hearts of palm until tender. Toast almonds and pine nuts. Boil package of frozen cheese tortellini until done. Pour cream sauce (1/2 stick butter, 1 c Parmesan, 1 c cream, melted together) over vegetables and tortellini. Also good with sausage.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Mock Mint Julep</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e;"><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Combine 2 c cold water, 1 ½ c sugar, ¾ c lemon juice and 6 mint sprigs. Let stand for at least 45 minutes. Discard the mint. Place 5 c ice cubes and 2 ½ c ginger ale into 2 small pitchers or 1 very large pitcher. Add lemon mixture and serve.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8ap7cvzrgnnMFNoIm5K46I0OmyQoD8_mgFtSf642ngAcZ0bS2ZPx5SrGlqT0nmat9oGEiwvBMmgr1OQ20ly-ay6aRr7_k7l1dV-nw9Ep3nkSov0xMAH4hrtkyIYdTQNLmuIDx4GvQDCS/s1600/DSCF3421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8ap7cvzrgnnMFNoIm5K46I0OmyQoD8_mgFtSf642ngAcZ0bS2ZPx5SrGlqT0nmat9oGEiwvBMmgr1OQ20ly-ay6aRr7_k7l1dV-nw9Ep3nkSov0xMAH4hrtkyIYdTQNLmuIDx4GvQDCS/s400/DSCF3421.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Dinner at Noel's 2011</span></span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(Hey, girls, if you have any recipes to add, send them my way and I'll update).</div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-90683569527110182672011-03-26T23:12:00.003-06:002011-12-14T09:51:57.463-07:00Sister's Retreat: Highlights<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></span></a></div>The next in Kate's series on retreats.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7me2h4J2LjXyKirvC70u9Cn_rxcGkkeP6esTHGCpN8yZJzAINZLUngXpyufqXNgEajO29zradQsHgUY-TznYBYBdDjz9KQJh4ZkDMCWynySdFk5BG1xuKZogADaPvsT9JBCITLPbTZRa/s1600/2010+-+Spring-Summer+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7me2h4J2LjXyKirvC70u9Cn_rxcGkkeP6esTHGCpN8yZJzAINZLUngXpyufqXNgEajO29zradQsHgUY-TznYBYBdDjz9KQJh4ZkDMCWynySdFk5BG1xuKZogADaPvsT9JBCITLPbTZRa/s640/2010+-+Spring-Summer+012.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kate & Charity 2010</span></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our Sister’s Retreats are punctuated with little surprises for one another. One year we were staying in a cabin (read: castle) of Noel’s friend when we heard a knock at the door. Curious, we answered, to find five Mayday baskets hanging on the doorknob! Charity had sneaked out and planted them, then acted innocent as we oohed and aahed over our treasures. Another year, we were presented with spa kits of hair and body products Lain had won in a design contest. A favorite keepsake: we had a professional portrait taken, and sent a copy to our dad for Father’s Day (needless to say, these pictures have a prominent place in each of our homes). We each have a matching red velvet notebook in which we keep discoveries and quotable quotes from the retreats – these were also a gift. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #e69138; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s not all luxury and pampering; we also believe in growth. Most years we try to have a book club discussion on the book I provided the previous year. One time I gave a little communication workshop based on one I’d attended and loved. Dani, of course, encourages everyone to bring current pictures of their homes so she can help overcome design problem areas. Lain gives hair cuts or makeovers. Charity leads early risers in yoga routines and teaches us about homeopathy and healthy food. Noel is our parenting guru, bringing wisdom and perspective that elevate our understanding. She’s also our cheerleader, quietly approving, believing in us until we gain confidence in our own abilities.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then there are the anti-highlights: getting kicked out of our hotel room for giggling too loud, too late. Being at a restaurant, seeing the actor from the play we’d seen the night before, loudly repeating his best line in front of the other diners, then realizing it wasn’t him. Four hour phone calls to fix a son’s abscessed tooth on a Saturday from 500 miles away. Hurt feelings. Crying. Wild mistakes in yard sale buys (turn-of-the-century corset, anyone? Non-working lamp of W.C. Fields? A carousel horse, even though traveling by train?). No matter. No matter. We are together. </div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-46546706915802899652011-02-27T21:53:00.009-07:002011-12-14T09:53:52.361-07:00A Trip to Visit My Sisters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All year I look forward to our annual Sister's Retreat...and last weekend it finally rolled around again. In the spirit of sisterhood, I've asked my sis Kate to explain our annual get together and why it's so special to us, why it's always a hit, and why someone usually ends up crying (and how that's usually a good thing...)</span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanks Kate!</span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKXA-Dfrcu8j3jj82Ks9k3Utdaa9Oqqh3SSZt1ZuOnSOjXC9DNWDxYLb6yyHeF5BuEu1BQyk0AFqp4Am7ozWuqX0HzMimDtlTbeNSdGb0wNSO0gkSRVulPrBlg8PLFE2VYpDtQG38dNwY/s1600/08+Mar-Apr+%2526+sister%2527s+retreat+082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKXA-Dfrcu8j3jj82Ks9k3Utdaa9Oqqh3SSZt1ZuOnSOjXC9DNWDxYLb6yyHeF5BuEu1BQyk0AFqp4Am7ozWuqX0HzMimDtlTbeNSdGb0wNSO0gkSRVulPrBlg8PLFE2VYpDtQG38dNwY/s1600/08+Mar-Apr+%2526+sister%2527s+retreat+082.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The five Moore girls, as we were known for years, span 17 years and, at one time, the entire continent (I lived in Atlanta, another sister in Sacramento). We’re newlyweds, divorcees, working moms and stay-at-homers. And still, despite the frantic mental arithmetic of time zones, these are the first people I call when delight or disappointment strikes. When people ask how five far-flung sisters are so tight-knit, my answer is invariably this: The Sister’s Retreat. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIy25GxesjFycDZVQOAjgNOyR51B0H-86XK9sTUZqkA0x7IzRScA-Pwl5GsP2yDVSfnxvto0ybpsa_QJLLpcMnMp_zQq06bKbDGtZo-1BmRt6AHzBnBKIVnKz7pPspnmVCfrOGoS0rYIDv/s1600/all+5+of+us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIy25GxesjFycDZVQOAjgNOyR51B0H-86XK9sTUZqkA0x7IzRScA-Pwl5GsP2yDVSfnxvto0ybpsa_QJLLpcMnMp_zQq06bKbDGtZo-1BmRt6AHzBnBKIVnKz7pPspnmVCfrOGoS0rYIDv/s1600/all+5+of+us.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Lain, Charity, me, Kate and Noel in 1986)</span></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every year we get together, no matter how tight our budgets or how busy our lives are. (The one exception was when we went in together to buy our parents a trip to Alaska as a retirement / 40th anniversary present. Sacrificing Sister’s Retreat was hard, but worth it.) </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkKlzmP-eU3vLHG4VnfYl0yAteN2kgqJTeBfxFDg5EMaZLelC8FmMYVAVh7BAJjIqcSHaU6-XeOtvx99WRuf6B2YQAYno5AqrPAD3F4mNBIFmhBoG_wjzBGwS_orXZiojSSKy6ijAfYn5/s1600/2010+-+Spring-Summer+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkKlzmP-eU3vLHG4VnfYl0yAteN2kgqJTeBfxFDg5EMaZLelC8FmMYVAVh7BAJjIqcSHaU6-XeOtvx99WRuf6B2YQAYno5AqrPAD3F4mNBIFmhBoG_wjzBGwS_orXZiojSSKy6ijAfYn5/s1600/2010+-+Spring-Summer+007.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">(Kate, Noel, me, Lain and Charity at the retreat last year)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Each time we gather, it is in a different sister’s city. We shop or yard sale, depending on the season. We eat copious amounts of food, some homemade (recipes to follow another day!) and some on the town. We put on fashion shows with clothes we’ve brought to swap. We get pedicures or attend plays. Always, always, we talk.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We share our secrets for keeping sane or for keeping on top of laundry. We reminisce about our childhood. Sometimes we confront each other, which leads to both tears and greater closeness. Sometimes we confront ourselves, which leads to both tears and greater clarity. Above all, we redefine ourselves to one another and rediscover the joy in our relationships. </div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-53671127861240090112011-02-11T22:52:00.002-07:002011-12-14T09:56:06.128-07:00A Good Cleaning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ErpnVAe8RXhwJRBKcVlxELrH5YK2jJ2oyNnk8ffL_Sz26f6C1O-d-1j4Yf3Q_y82-ZVZCBBN7Q1LBzNfdLiofX1Xk4exOszrJZRmtj7veBeELrquCUwAW_aJpWKNKX4O0gSE2ZtAs8Im/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a>After a trip to the thrift store, everything needs a good scrub down. Here are a few tips and favorite products that make things easier. (By the way, this isn't a sponsored post--just good, old fashioned loyalty to great products I want all my girlfriends to know about).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDk9mLeE4PNQZCuSGvEptXfGFGblKwfS_cQof5Zm84BqWCONPSP0n9gwOT-5E51F4qIXuhV_odpjhC7wI5EJsLU4r3Gvt3L5AA7LiMTzoaY_k4QiSMHVexbcCifQDQLMmW-y-UNzlF3AJ_/s1600/cleaning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDk9mLeE4PNQZCuSGvEptXfGFGblKwfS_cQof5Zm84BqWCONPSP0n9gwOT-5E51F4qIXuhV_odpjhC7wI5EJsLU4r3Gvt3L5AA7LiMTzoaY_k4QiSMHVexbcCifQDQLMmW-y-UNzlF3AJ_/s1600/cleaning.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDk9mLeE4PNQZCuSGvEptXfGFGblKwfS_cQof5Zm84BqWCONPSP0n9gwOT-5E51F4qIXuhV_odpjhC7wI5EJsLU4r3Gvt3L5AA7LiMTzoaY_k4QiSMHVexbcCifQDQLMmW-y-UNzlF3AJ_/s1600/cleaning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Some things are easy and I just wipe them down with a gentle cleaner (my favorite is Mrs. Meyers Clean Day because it smells like basil) or soapy water. Dirty or germy things get a trip through the dishwasher (have you heard about Lemi Shine? It's the missing ingredient in dishwasher soap that makes glass sparkle!), washing machine, or at the very least a Clorox wipe or bucket of bleach water. A note on silver--I use my grandmother's silver spoons on a daily basis and even throw them in the dishwasher. I never polish them (and you don't have to either). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I run the clothes, fabric or stuffed animals through the washing machine on as hot as possible. Stuffed animals get thrown in a pillowcase, which keeps their fur from rubbing off on the sides of the washing machine. If you're trying to freshen up a piece of upholstered furniture, vacuum it and use Febreeze or vinegar water. This may do the trick, but for some pieces, it's just not enough. That's when I bite the bullet and pay for a professional to clean it (I have someone I really like who specializes in vintage upholstery--it's worth asking around). My sis, Kate, swears by Nature's Miracle, which you can buy at pet stores. Just that info alone tells you to put it on anything that smells gross, and it'll freshen it.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For musty items that aren't easily cleaned, like old suitcases, dresser drawers and books, I like to put a few pieces of charcoal inside. Other options are baking soda and kitty litter, but I've found the charcoal to work best for me. Be sure to buy the kind <i>without</i> lighter fluid. Books can use the charcoal treatment and Clorox wipes are great for board books, but just forget about anything with mildew. It will eventually eat through and eat away at the books around it. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One product I use all the time is Goo Gone. It's great for removing the whole price sticker and not just the paper. It's cheap too--you can get it at the dollar store. Another product to pick up while you're there is the little green scrubbies in the kitchen area. I cut them in pieces so I can just use one and toss it. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a class="cssButton" href="javascript:void(0)" id="publishButton" target=""></a><br />
<div class="cssButtonOuter"><div class="cssButtonMiddle"><div class="cssButtonInner"><a class="cssButton" href="javascript:void(0)" id="publishButton" target=""><br />
</a></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What did I miss? Please share!</div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765113686667564178.post-69613887172409057962011-02-03T23:37:00.005-07:002011-12-14T09:57:49.957-07:00Friends and Finds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7cetWnxBK5nQerYP92gkN1zBfKAEXqMpmG4o0-LdHOPA3J52l44P3ajQknEcBHNTFVAF6OUTpk7wlOq6i16AxZAk5zWyN6et6p4geKtuA-ZZR7Wi3Yi6kUzinuUfPdOzRBqhwcoTeGNp/s1600/made_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik7cetWnxBK5nQerYP92gkN1zBfKAEXqMpmG4o0-LdHOPA3J52l44P3ajQknEcBHNTFVAF6OUTpk7wlOq6i16AxZAk5zWyN6et6p4geKtuA-ZZR7Wi3Yi6kUzinuUfPdOzRBqhwcoTeGNp/s1600/made_button.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></b></span>While at Alt, I got to know a whole new set of ladies when we went on a thrift store tour. They are extremely creative and talented women and we became instant friends. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EADTpuQjtrBEwXrLKva0asJVKJ6pbIg-bc4VFnPQS5jGLLwf9eM_elLXb3UxNTqyNknOqcs2JLrDaVHk9XpzsNYK4v0vpgvYSlUDczycpoHN8Bv1ofEQ-wUCDnpMTKBHqIiPddznl_U8/s1600/Alt+Thrift+Tour+via+ModernKiddos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EADTpuQjtrBEwXrLKva0asJVKJ6pbIg-bc4VFnPQS5jGLLwf9eM_elLXb3UxNTqyNknOqcs2JLrDaVHk9XpzsNYK4v0vpgvYSlUDczycpoHN8Bv1ofEQ-wUCDnpMTKBHqIiPddznl_U8/s1600/Alt+Thrift+Tour+via+ModernKiddos.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We spent the afternoon shopping some of Salt Lake's best thrift/vintage stores, including Abode and Decades (oldies but goodies) and eating an amazing lunch at Les Madeleines, (new to me). I love food that is intended to be sweet, but twisted to be savory. I fell in love with the lavender lemonade and rosemary shortbread cookies. I'm putting those on my summer recipe list.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My best and favorite finds:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcslIPa9lDPib1marPlj6DkGjpf78MvBVjsDWXb0v74cyamntjd82MLTNTxQpD-bk0gS36qcVZtPynIMY8bId8CzrlaWESQw0rMYWoqM75XgRvVvJXqn5igttFhKYRWqL5hvqKYixccY2/s1600/DSCF3206+Modified+for+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcslIPa9lDPib1marPlj6DkGjpf78MvBVjsDWXb0v74cyamntjd82MLTNTxQpD-bk0gS36qcVZtPynIMY8bId8CzrlaWESQw0rMYWoqM75XgRvVvJXqn5igttFhKYRWqL5hvqKYixccY2/s1600/DSCF3206+Modified+for+blog.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A pair of vintage curtains for $2. I picked them up and put them back. Then I tried to get the girls from Modern Kiddos to buy them. They said no, so I put them back. I walked away, then I walked back. The end of that story is obvious, but the next chapter is yet to be determined--what am I going to do with them? Any ideas? I cannot (meaning I'm not capable of) walk by amazing vintage fabric without buying, or at least touching it. There, I said it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2OsVx-PpnVHUEtegyFV_CGn7EHC6j79fBLpt-KAPbSbDup65diPlGd6lZXwVzl9AMp8WaUQGP-j5gLPETorBO0n81ymsDg1-88YFo6_QHRWgaJ-xIwdNRvFDND4LCNUCOnXXLd87xjzY/s1600/DSCF3195+Modified+for+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2OsVx-PpnVHUEtegyFV_CGn7EHC6j79fBLpt-KAPbSbDup65diPlGd6lZXwVzl9AMp8WaUQGP-j5gLPETorBO0n81ymsDg1-88YFo6_QHRWgaJ-xIwdNRvFDND4LCNUCOnXXLd87xjzY/s1600/DSCF3195+Modified+for+blog.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A black pitcher (also $2) to add to my white pottery collection. I do have a few other black sheep in the mix, but I usually gravitate to white. I adore how the clean lines pop against any backdrop. Right now they're lined up on my kitchen windowsill.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNbLTMgcZ9meN2_7hYb_6HuSL0pLmiR_eIYq4-ySFM9mF3ReK4viY1lrsixvN0_X9mBjYWtf7EtMfqNWPfNJGh0b2tAmzo1lGMqhLG_J16UtCpXanNSYoImeCfb3ms3Ri0jvbG9Jirta-/s1600/DSCF3212+Modified+for+blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNbLTMgcZ9meN2_7hYb_6HuSL0pLmiR_eIYq4-ySFM9mF3ReK4viY1lrsixvN0_X9mBjYWtf7EtMfqNWPfNJGh0b2tAmzo1lGMqhLG_J16UtCpXanNSYoImeCfb3ms3Ri0jvbG9Jirta-/s1600/DSCF3212+Modified+for+blog.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally, a metal box to hold doodads in the little-little's room. I love the way strong materials (like metal, rich fabrics or great wood) look in a kids room next to their plastic toys. I think it's pretty. Thrift stores and garage sales are excellent places to buy metal baskets or boxes. They're the same ones sold in the vintage shops, only cost a lot less. I don't usually know what I'm going to do with them when I get them, but they have great functionality and work in any space (any room, most styles) and work their way through my home happily.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Interested in what the other ladies (with fabulous taste) found? Check out their finds <a href="http://modernkiddo.com/?p=5169">here</a>, <a href="http://www.sayyestohoboken.com/2011/01/salt-lake-thrifting-tour.html">here </a>and <a href="http://melissaesplin.com/home/2011/01/alt-recap-a-little-t-c/">here</a>. </div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05121889452701901620noreply@blogger.com3