Living a creative life

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Color Inspiration

I am loving the color orange right now. Check out the above picture from the Domino My Deco files. Love the window coverings. I love the room, too.
The next three pictures are from www.inspireinspire.co.uk. I am lovin' orange and turquoise. Yummy!
Before I saw these pictures today, I was doing a little antique/thrift shopping and I found a small flower vase in this turquoise color. Hmmmm, I think I need to find me some orange items, too. :)





Have a great rest of the weekend!


Thursday, February 26, 2009

sfgirlbybay and Fireplace Mantels

I've been a daily reader of www.sfgirlbybay.blogspot.com for a long time. I love this blog. Wonderful inspiration. And I've been in love with San Francisco for many, many years. I have visited that beautiful city many times and could see myself living there. Love it. My dad loved that city, too. Anyway, today's post on sfgirlbybay's blog is about fireplace mantels. She chose some beautiful examples of mantels from Domino Magazine's "My Deco Files." These four pictures were my favorites.





My house didn't have a fireplace and this past Thanksgiving, I purchased a faux fireplace and mantel. I am so, so happy I did. Not only is the "fire" cozy, but the mantel is a great place to decorate. These examples have given me a few ideas for updating my mantel look.
Take a moment and check out www.sfgirlbybay.blogspot.com. You'll be glad you did.
Have a great day!



Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Lola B Boutique Giveaway

There's a giveaway on www.lolabboutique.blogspot.com. She's inviting you to list what inspires you. I loved taking a moment and thinking about what exactly inspires me. This invite gave me a moment to think about things in my life and all that I am grateful for. She has a lovely blog, too.

Petite Marie Print I Won

This is the beautiful print that I won from http://www.pinkglitterfae.blogspot.com/. Isn't she beautiful? The print is entitled "Petite Marie." Thank you so much, Betty, for your generous giveaway. Check out her Etsy store, http://www.pinkglitterfae.etsy.com/. There are some beautiful prints in her shop. I also love her blog.

I hope everyone is having a great day!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

I Love Etsy

I just came across this etsy store, Wiyomu Jewelry, www.wiyomu.etsy.com, and fell in love with this necklace. The Sherbet Layer Locket. Loved it so much that I had to purchase it! I look at this necklace and it says "Spring" to me.
I have a new sundress for the summer - coral and white. I think this necklace will go perfectly with that dress.


Check out her Etsy store. Wiyomu Jewelry has many tempting jewelry items.

A BOOK REPORT & SOME TOOLS FOR RECOVERY

My oldest son, Sean, gave a book report yesterday. He used some figures that he and I drew and that he colored. The title of the story Sean chose to do his report on was "The Knife In The Watermelon", one of Encyclopedia Brown's mystery stories. So Sean made a watermelon out of clay and then painted it green and added some black lines. We put magnets on the back of everything and used a cookie sheet as a display board. Sean had his report memorized and did a great job.

Today, Sean's brother, Jake, took this same story board to his first grade class and gave the same book report. Jake had been listening to his brother prepare for his report for about three weeks now and Jake knew the story inside and out, too. Jake did a great job in front of his classmates, too. This was not an assignment for Jake, just something he wanted to share with his class.
Here's a close-up of the watermelon with a "knife" stuck in it. Also pictured is a money box that was broken into by the thief.

I'm still home recovering from my fall. Tools for recovery: Some great new magazines, "Artful Blogging", "Where Women Create", and the last issue of "County Home" magazine.




And some hot green tea in my new Orla Kiely mug, an English designer who has a new line at Target. With my yellow lab, Casper, sitting right next to me, I can't help but recover quickly!
Have a great day!


Monday, February 23, 2009

Stampin' Up Projects

This is the banner that I made the other night at a Stampin' Up Big Shot die cut machine class. Can't wait to order this banner die cut so that I can make more banners. Easy and fun.
This is a little goodie box made with the Big Shot die cut machine. Super easy. Fold it into a box, use one small strip of adhesive and fill with goodies.

Here is a card using the Top Note die cut. Very versatile die. Also, the flower is made with a die cut that leaves a texture or impression.


And this is a picture frame using vinyl, stamping on it, and then heat embossing the image. Stick it to the glass and voila! a fun addition to a picture.
I joined a stamp club last November and I have been enjoying all the technique classes and stamp camp nights. Lots of fun. You can find out more from my Stampin' Up demonstrator. Check the right side of my blog under Stamp-n-Scrap with Jenn.



Sunday, February 22, 2009

Beautiful patina







What is it about a worn, chippy item, aged to a beautiful patina that makes my heart flutter so? I love furniture, items, people with a story and history. I found this great weighing scale on ebay recently. I love it. Fits in nicely with my other decor. Hope your weekend was fun and relaxing. I enjoyed mine with my boys and dogs. We didn't do much as I'm still recovering. However, I was able to attend a Stampin' Up class using the Big Shot die cut machine and I made some fun items. I'll post pictures tomorrow. I especially love the "FAMILY" banner that I made.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

I won I won













Above are some photos of two different mini albums that I made for my mom and for my mother-in-law. All they have to do is add photos and they'll have a finished scrapbook to enjoy.


I just found out I won a giveaway on Pinkglitterfae Art. I won the beautiful "Petite Marie" print. I will post a picture of it when I receive it. Check out her blog. Very beautiful art and fun blog posts.
I'm off to rest my beautiful, swollen black eye. :)

M.I.A.

I've been M.I.A. for a week. I passed out while walking my dogs and landed on the right side of my face, breaking my orbital floor requiring that a titanium plate be put in to hold my eye in the proper place. Very painful. I was in the hospital for four days and four nights. I'm very happy to be back home. Missed my kids and my dogs so much. And there's nothing like the comfort of one's own bed - and the comfort of not having to drag an IV with you every time you visit the restroom!

Anyway, here are some photos that I love showing the work of stylist Eva Lindh.

Enjoy!




Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A Dress Garland & Teacher Valentine Gifts







The above is a dress garland that I made using a template from www.artrageousafternoon.blogspot.com . I just joined her latest swap, making Easter eggs using her template. Can't wait to get started on that! Check out her blog for details.





















The boys helped make Valentine mailboxes for their teachers. The mailbox is stuffed with chocolate kisses and Dove heart-shaped chocolates.








Seven-Day Giveaway

Check out this new blog that I've come across and will now be following. My Lily Eden is featuring different etsy sellers and there is a giveaway each day. She's on the fourth day right now. Awesome etsy sellers have been featured. I'm thinking of purchasing some of the items. Anyway, her blog is: mylilyeden.blogspot.com. Hurry on over and check it out! You'll be glad you did. :)

Monday, February 09, 2009

Scrappy Jessi giveaway

Go check out scrappyjessi.blogspot.com. She has an awesome Valentine's giveaway going on. I love her blog. She's just so darn cute and she also has a great shop, too. If you love vintage, Barbie, pink, fun, girly stuff, check her out!

Sunday, February 08, 2009

A Visit From The Tooth Fairy
















Jake lost his first tooth last Saturday while bowling and another one this past Thursday during the night. Both bottom teeth are out. We have a little stuffed tooth with a pocket in the back that holds the tooth for the tooth fairy. When the tooth fairy takes the tooth to give to momma, she leaves money in the pocket. Jake would not let anyone touch his loose tooth. He said, "When the tooth's ready, it'll come out!"

Friday, February 06, 2009

Year of color swap











Here are some photos of the goodies I received from my swap partner, Lisa. She chose items in my current favorite color scheme: chocolate chip brown and blue. What a thoughtful swap partner. And she's very talented, too. She made the sweet pin cushion and sachet pillow and felted wool coasters. I also love the stamps and stamp pad - gorgeous color! Cute little birds and pretty ribbon and some candy to top it all off! Thanks Lisa! I love everything.

Chilly night tradition











The boys and I have a chilly night tradition: yummy hot cocoa with a treat, in this instance, sugar and cinnamon toast, and some fun card games.