Kim's Before & After Party

I'm trying to decide, on this gray and rainy afternoon, whether I've had an "artful" day. Or I've just plain lost my mind.

I've always wanted to do something with this window that is between the kitchen and my garden room. But I never quite knew what.

This is how I started out this morning (above.) I was fueled by coffee and ready to roll. Determined to have something new ready for Kim's debut party.

Except in this windowless room, you can't really see it very well. And I had to practically stand on my head (not a pretty picture) to get some photos of it.

So what on earth is it, you ask?

Why, it's a... it's a vintage spool and beaded...a...swag, I guess you'd call it. Yeah, I guess you could call it a swag.

I didn't actually mean for it to loop three times. But once I got started with my needle and spool of twine, I didn't quite know where to stop. I'd put a vintage spool on my needle, then three various-shaped beads. (I went through a phase about 12 years ago when I thought I wanted to make jewelry. And the result is a plastic box of supplies.)

Are you laughing yet? Well, it's okay. There's even a sign over my stamps that tells you to.

This is a case where I was trying to kill too many birds with one stone. And too many birds showed up. (Where do they get that expression? I'd never kill a bird.)

I've also wanted to do something with the various tags I've received from bloggers from time to time when I order on Etsy. And so the "swag" became a display for those tags.

And so what is said swag hanging from, you may be asking? Well, that's an extension curtain rod I found in the garage. And I put one of those fabric cord covers over it.

Oh, all right. I should have just stayed in bed today.

Or made something with my stamps.

You see, some days, despite your best intentions, inspiration is just not going to be there when you come knocking.

I'm sure it's happened to all of you at some point. Please tell me it has.

So...ahem...my before and after project for Kim of Savvy Southern Style's first B & A party, is something I worked on for much of the day. I don't really know what to call it.

Please go visit Kim's other participants. I sure hope they fared better than I did.

(Kim, I'll work on this Before & After stuff. I promise I will.)

Inspiration Everywhere

Something above was the inspiration for the changing today of my blog banner. Of course there's the red and white pillow Kim sent me. I smile every time I pass by it.

The other day I got my Etsy order from Becky at Sweet Cottage Dreams. It's that gorgeous burlap table runner with the lace. Love it, Becky!

So I made a little tablescape in my garden room. I tied some burlap around the silverware.

You know what? I'm finding that I really like the natural elements mixed in with my reds and blues.

And then there's the vintage suitcase I found at the antique mall the other day. I layered the inside with burlap and some frills for contrast. I haven't decided what other treasures I'll put in there besides the little Christmas trees.

I know, it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. But I'm seeing so many holiday pretties on blogs that I just couldn't resist!

I'm linking this to Jami at Freckled Laundry's Air Your Laundry Friday.

And at Friday Feathered Nest over at French Country Cottage.

Welcome Wagon Friday 11/12/10

The month of November is moving along at a rapid pace, it seems to me. Before we know it the holidays will be upon us.

This week I'm welcoming the following new bloggers:

French Farmhouse 425 is Rachel's blog. She lives in Seattle. She enjoys decorating her 1930s cottage. She has a passion for flea markets and interior design.

Modern Country Lady is by a blogger in Wiltshire, United Kingdom. She is trained as an artist. She loves all sorts of projects, including art, arts and crafts, gardening and photography. She redid a charming little footstool.

A Rosy Note is a blogger in Minnesota. She has decorated model homes and owned a little boutique. Her heart truly lies in things of a creative nature. She made some adorable ornaments for her daughter's bedroom.

Janie's True North is a blogger that has gardened organically since 1971. She raises chickens and loves all animals, especially horses.

Serendipity Cottage is Glenda's blog. She lives in Oklahoma. She loves garage sales and thrift stores. She likes to do crafts and repurpose old furniture. She is a breast cancer survivor of ten years. Yea, Glenda!

Beautiful Nest is a blog by two sisters. They thought it would be fun to have a shared blog. These are two very talented girls. They do some phenomenal things here. You won't want to miss it!

Please take time to welcome these new bloggers to our community. I'm sure there's a lot to learn from each of them. Which is what makes reading blogs so much fun!

Before & After Decoupaged Tea Cart

This tea cart I found last spring at an antique store close-out for $30 was my project for week 2 of Kim's Before & After party.

Here is what it looked like before:

I thought about painting it. But I'm just a klutz with paint.(Obviously Charlie Ross has computer work to tend to. Probably Googling various lizard species.)

I'm taking a few photos outside, due to the darkness of my house. As you can see, Clyde wants in on the photo op action.

I didn't buy one thing for this project. All I used was Mod Podge and some scrapbook paper scraps I keep in a drawer for such things as this.

I didn't lay the paper pieces out first to plan where they'd go. I just put one piece down and then kept adding.

It only took about thirty minutes to get the top and bottom covered. I just took the scrap papers out of the drawer and slip-slapped them on.

In case you've never decoupaged before, you just take a cheap foam brush and apply a coat of Mod Podge to the back of whatever paper you're using. Then apply it to your surface and smooth down the paper with your fingertips. Wipe up any extra Mod Podge with a paper towel. (I always have one ready, as I tend to be a bit messy.)

It will originally "ripple" as it dries. Keep in mind that you will be going over it multiple times with Mod Podge to seal it.

I covered the flat surfaces of the cart (top and bottom) on Sunday afternoon. Then on Monday I started typing out my favorite quotes and words. After printing, I cut them out and started applying them to the table sides. I also added some letter stickers I had on hand.

And then I let it dry overnight.

Below I have it indoors, where I plan to use it. Which is at the end of my craft/computer desk. Where I can wheel it around while I'm working on craft projects.

This was a fun and simple project. Now I can view my favorite quotes every day. And utilize this cart as well as add to the decor in the room.

Outside The Ordinary World: Book Review

In Dori Ostermiller's debut novel, infidelity is at the root of the problems for both a mother, and later on, her adult daughter.

Sylvia always swore she would never become like her mother. She hated the secrecy involved. What it ultimately did to their family. And how it ended in tragedy.

But an attraction to the father of one of her art students compels her to jeopardize her marriage and her family despite her convictions otherwise. She seems unaware that the true tragedy lies in never coming to terms with her mother's two separate lives during her childhood. It was just never spoken about. And thus never resolved between mother and daughter.

The mother, Elaine, though religious in the outward sense, led another life as the mistress to "Mr. Robert." She brought her daughters into this relationship, by forcing them to keep her secret as they grew up. They felt guilty toward their father, who turned to alcohol to deaden his anxieties. Which further complicated and scarred the family.

Funny how life tends to inexplicably repeat itself. And in the most secretive of ways. Sylvia rides this same roller coaster of infidelity. She is consumed and driven by a passion for another man. And falls into the very same trap as her mother. As though she doesn't know what it can do to a family and a marriage, she finds herself spinning her own web of deception.

Dori Ostermiller takes us through a journey of mother and daughter and their revelations. Proving how sometimes lies and the secrecy they command can begin to consume us.

Ostermiller delves into these two characters as though she is not just their creator, but their private audience as well. These richly woven characters seem to spread their own wings and fly into being almost effortlessly. Which is giving high praise to the novelist herself.

Nesting Weather

I've been outside readying my gardens for winter. Pulling out the remaining sweet potato vines. Deadheading the pansies.

My thoughts now are drawn to indoor endeavors. I've been scanning vintage images, getting ready to start working on craft projects.

It is a warm afternoon. With just a nip of cold in the air. Makes me want to sip hot cocoa and settle down with a book or magazine for the evening.

Light some candles and let them dance and dip in the shadows in the background.

Now that the outdoor chores are about done, the creative juices are slowly heating up. Thoughts churning in my head.

This rubber tree, small just months ago, has been pulled in to spend the winter months.

Before we know it, the end of the year will be upon us. We will be thinking toward 2011. And new projects yet to come. Inching along toward spring and new growth.

Linking to Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper.

Decorating With Rubber Stamps

I don't believe in keeping my rubber stamps in a drawer where I can't see and enjoy them.

Mine are always on display in the craft area of my garden room. I also decorate with them.

I purchased the saw-tooth hangers at Michaels. And attached them to the back of this little red cabinet with the nails provided.

I don't want to put anything in it that's very breakable. So I added some images I downloaded online at one of the free vintage sites. (I have a list of these wonderful sites on my left bottom sidebar.)

Why not add interesting wood-mounted rubber stamps to your decor? I think it adds textural interest.

After all, there are no real rules to decorating.

I'm linking to Friday Feathered Nest with French Country Cottage. And Favorite Things with Bargain Hunting With Laurie.