Katie

This week I got to work on a room for Katie.  Katie is 7 and is getting a new room!  Her mom painted the room yellow, bought new bedding, and hung a few shelves.  She wanted me to paint something in Katie's room.  When I met with her she said that she wanted something small but significant.  I thought that was a great way to put it.  I have done several of these name/monogram with painted detail lately.  It is a really great way to add a significant, special touch to a room, without investing in the entire room.  Here you have it.

Katie's yellow room, new bedding and shelves before we add in the hand painting.

Day 1 progress (Shelf inserts complete.  Katie can tack up pictures of her friends in the padded shelf inserts.  Hand painted detail in progress)

And Day 2, the finished product.  I should mention that Katie LOVES softball.  We added in a subtle softball theme to the painted detail to highlight her current interest.  However, if Katie later decides softball is not her thing, all we have to do is paint out the tone on tone stitches and they will just be polka dots.  Who doesn't love some polka dots?

Happy almost weekend!!

Family Dinner

Did you guys grow up eating family dinner around the table?  We sure did.  It was very rare for us to eat out, and the phone and television definitely did not make an appearance during dinner time.  We had some good conversations, memories (and maybe a couple of throw downs) growing up eating around the dinner table.  

The table below belonged to my client's grand parents.  It is an old farm table that I guarantee is FULL of memories.  Projects like this are inspiring.  It is cool to see an old piece transform, instead of dying out.  AND, it reminds me to get my buns in the kitchen so that we can enjoy a good meal together!

Okay, okay.  I guess we need a recipe if we are talking food.  I would never claim to be a good cook, but I try. I have no shame tossing a nasty meal and chowing down on frozen M&Ms instead.  When I made the recipe below I stopped mid bite and asked the hubs if he felt like he was eating at a restaurant!  It was so tasty I imagined myself paying money to eat it.  Ahhhhhh, satisfaction:)  

Shrimp (or scrimp as some call it) Scampi

1 t minced garlic 

l t olive oil

 1/2 t oregano, 1/4 t salt, 1/4 t pepper

1/2 lb fresh peeled shrimp

1/4 c white cooking wine,

1 t cornstarch,

2 c cooked linguini

saute garlic in olive oil for 1 min over medium heat.  add shrimp, oregano, salt and pepper and saute 4 min.  reduce heat to simmer.  combine wine, cornstarch and add to shrimp.  simmer until sauce thickens.  divide shrimp and sauce into two portions and serve each over 1 cup pasta.  

No pictures of the meal, just the mouth of approval!

Have a good one!

Before and After

I found a blog recently that features before and after photos every so often.  I have become quite a fan of checking them out.  Everyone thinks that working with a designer or artist has to cost the big bucks.  While it is true that you can go all out and create a really detailed space that would be more expensive, you can just as easily use an unattractive dresser out of an old room or from a garage sale to make something special. Here are a couple of examples. 

Okay, no grief for the pictures below.  I haven't had a chance to professionally shoot them, yet. This dresser cost $50 at Good Will.  The baby's name wasn't decided at the time.  Now that MARY CLAIRE (preshy name!) is here, her monogram will be added to the top.  I also installed this hardware on all of the drawer fronts.  Her momma put a changing pad on the top  of the dresser so that it can double as a changing table in the mean time.

I think you've seen this dresser before.  Here is the before and after anyway:)

Can you tell which pictures are from my little point and shoot and which pictures are from Taylor?  Me niether:)

Left One Out :(

I accidentally left out this fire place.  She was SO fun towork on.  I even got to incorporate copper leafing.  Oh how I love you gold, silver and copper leafing!

This is the fire place from the adjacent room.  It is what the fireplace below looked like before I gave it some love.  It is obviously a different piece, this is just what the stone looked like before.

Happy 4th again!

Fire place

I am working on a fire place pretty quick which reminded me of these old treasures.  Talk about bang for your buck!  These two home owners transformed a dull cast stone fire place and a pink stone fire place with a special finish.  They kept the original charm, but added some fresh flair:)

Happy 4th of July!

The 3 Day Walk

I want to let you guys know that I am walking the 3 Day Walk for breast cancer with my family! My mother lost her mom to breast cancer when she was 18.  Her mom was 47.  My dad lost his mom to breast cancer when he was 30.  His mom was 52.  My Grandma Faye is a breast cancer survivor.  I am thrilled to raise 2,300 to help promote research to end this terrible disease. Each participant is required to raise the full 2,300 in order to participate in the race(They ain't playin about fighting breast cancer!!).  The three Day will consist of walking a total of 65 miles over the course of three consecutive days.  I have a dear family friend who walked this race 2 years ago.  She gave me some great advice.  She committed before the race that she would finish no matter what.  This would be her way of honoring the lives lost, and the people who work hard to fight cancer in the present and the future.  She literally fought through blisters bleeding through two pairs of socks and her shoes to walk every step of the race.  I, too, am dedicated to walking every single step of this race to honor my family members and the people who choose to give their personal time and money to help find a cure for this disease.  

I am surprised by the training (and my lack endurance, shesh!).  I am hoping that the discipline of training will bleed over to other areas of my life and produce some goooood fruit!

There is a button on the side bar of my blog if you would like to donate.  This will be a really exciting, challenging journey for my family.  I will definitely let you know how it goes.

Have a great weekend!

Bedding

I met my friend the other day to help her pick out some bedding.  I have had several friends stumped at what to do when buying bedding with registries a

nd such.  So, here you have it...my ideas on bedding.  Just what you wanted I am sure:)

I generally opt for a neutral duvet or comforter (Just like Stacy and Clinton say on What Not To Wear, neutral does NOT have to mean white.  Neutral can be gray, metallic, khaki...).  My reasoning behind a neutral duvet with patterned sheets is that sheets can be easier and cheaper to change than a duvet or comforter.  You can generally find high quality, cute sheets pretty much anywhere!  I like to fold the duvet down at the foot of the bed and let the fun patterned sheets do their thang!   Don't get me wrong, I love pattern and color and am not afraid of a cute patterned duvet or comforter, BUT this is another option that has served me well.  Also, remember to put the top sheet on your bed "inside out" if you want the pattern to show when you fold the sheet back.

Some fun neutral duvet covers

Some fun patterned sheets

Have fun mixing and matching different styles and textures.  

Happy middle of the week!