Cre8tive Rookie

DISCOUNT CODES GALORE!

2011-09-27T11:06:00.000-04:00

We all like prettiness and we all love a good deal, well here you go my friends:

Pretty Party Lanterns

SOURCE: http://6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com/2011/09/create-it-girl-review.html

Use the code Kirsten10 to get 10% off. Awesome Stationary

SOURCE: http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2011/09/sponsor-love-giveaway-blondies-shop.html

20% off every order at Blondie's Shop! Just enter HISUGARPLUM as your promo code.

Adorable Children's Clothes

Source: http://sheheartsit.com/handmade/curiousgeorgia/

Use SHIPS4FREE code for FREE SHIPPING on your purchase.
Vintage Children's Clothes

SOURCE: http://www.mamalovespapa.com/2011/09/guest-post-manda-from-once-upon-my-life.html

Use code MAMALOVESPAPA20 - to get 20% off your order
Cute Children's Items

SOURCE: http://rebekahgough.blogspot.com/2011/09/surprise-party-giveaway-30-gift.html

20% off to all a bit of sunshine readers with the code: ABITOFSUNSHINE!! Awesome Children's Wear
SOURCE: http://rebekahgough.blogspot.com/2011/09/surprise-party-giveaway-40-gift.html
20% off to all a bit of sunshine readers with the code: SUNSHINESEP11
Jewelry for a Good Cause
SOURCE: http://laviepetite.blogspot.com/2011/09/very-shiney-giveaway.html
15% discount on her necklaces to all La Vie Petite readers. Use the code Petite15

GIVEAWAY TIME!

2011-09-09T05:30:00.000-04:00

Hi all, I am running my first ever Giveaway!!! It will be running simultaneously on both of my blogs, The Baby Head Diaries and Cre8tive Rookie.

Now that the days are getting shorter, darker, and colder I know that the urge to hunker down in the house will be overwhelming, but I've resolved to tone up, keep fit, and run a 5K this fall. To help others stay or become motivated during these autumn days I am giving away Shaklee Cinch® Vanilla Shake Mix (14 packets) and a bottle of NutriFeron (60 count).

Giveaway Prize Descriptions:

Cinch® Vanilla Shake Mix, Packets- Size: 14 Packets

A vanilla shake that is anything but plain vanilla. With tons of protein so you feel full. Leucine so you don't lose muscle. And a creamy flavor so you don't lose your will. You get all the benefits of a meal. Except it tastes like dessert.

Retail Price: $59.95 Member Price: $50.95 – TO PURCHASE

NutriFeron is a patented, clinically proven blend of immune-strengthening plant extracts. When used daily, it increases the production of your body’s natural interferon, a critical activator of the immune system. NutriFeron works at the cellular level, by rapidly activating your immune system’s defenses*

Retail Price: $45.90 Member Price: $39.00 – TO PURCHASE

Okay, on to the good stuff! To enter comment to this post with the words: FALL INTO FITNESS!

For extra entries:

(1 Extra Entry) Follow Baby Head Diary and/or Cre8tive Rookie (each follow is an entry, use a separate comment for each entry).

(5 Extra Entries) Tweet/FB Status/Blog this Giveaway -5 for each method (put the link to your tweet, FB Status, or Post in the comment section)

(10 Extra Entries) For TEN (10!!!) extra entries become a Shaklee Member for only $19.99!!!

Become a Shaklee Member and get a 15% discount on all products, all the time! Plus, as a Shaklee Member you will receive special promotions and offers, and can sign up for AutoShip for even more savings. Don't forget, you also have an unconditional money-back guarantee and you'll have exclusive access to our Shaklee Member Center. When you pay the regular $19.95 membership fee you receive a beautiful New Member Pack containing informative communications pieces and product samples.

CONTEST DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS 26 SEPTEMBER 2011 at 6:00 PM EST

To learn more about Shaklee visit: http://willwellness.myshaklee.com

Git 'Er Done!

2011-09-07T17:41:00.001-04:00

Source: images23.fotki.com via Kenesha on Pinterest

I'm hoping to get some stuff this weekend and reveal a project I've been working on. Want a hint?

It's "illuminating"!

As If...

2011-08-13T12:59:00.000-04:00

Source: flickr.com via Kenesha on Pinterest

Totally Random, but On Topic – You know how in the movie Clueless that Alicia Silverstone’s character always said, “As if”. Only as an adult did I get that the writer was playing off of the Valley Girl speak of always saying, “Like” and “As If” is a synonym for Like. Very clever.

So this post is about acting as if (or like) I have the qualities I desire in my life. If I act “as if” eventually I will become the person I desire to be. A variation of faking it until you make it, if you will.

So starting today I will act AS IF, I am:

Someone who is organized (desk, car, and bedroom look like a hurricane on a daily basis)

Source: ginger-ella.tumblr.com via Christine on Pinterest

Someone who is calm when thrown for a loop

Source: sayingimages.com via Kenesha on Pinterest

Someone who is totally put together (Yes, it would be nice to be able to find my workout gear when I need it, um yeah)

Source: inslee.net via Kenesha on Pinterest

Someone with a great weekly excerise routine (it would help to be able to do the above first)

Source: pawleysislandposh.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Someone who cooks dinner at least 4 times a week instead of going out every night (BAD FOR THE POCKETS)

Source: justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com via Randi on Pinterest

Someone who has EXCELLENT credit (despite the short sale drama I’m going through)

Source: visualinformation.info via Kathy on Pinterest

Someone who writes everyday (whether that is blogging or writing my novel)

Source: writing.pinartarhan.com via Heather on Pinterest

Someone who is always prepared (why would’t I anticipate that the baby would decide to spit out all of his apple sauce onto his shirt while we’re in the car going somewhere important!)

Source: lottaagaton.blogspot.com via Vicky on Pinterest

So, what's on your AS IF List?

Pinning Like a Mad Woman

2011-07-29T07:30:00.001-04:00

Lately I've been staying up late to pin things to Pinterst. OMG, it's got me hitting the snooze button in the morning, but it's so much FUN! Here are a few of my latest pins...

Source: dwellingsbydevore.com via Kenesha on Pinterest

Sideboard of LIFE!

Source: dwellingsbydevore.com via Kenesha on Pinterest

This dressers, SERIOUSLY, SERIOUSLY!

Source: younghouselove.com via Kenesha on Pinterest

LOVE casual dining

To see more check out MY PINTEREST!

Perfection!

2011-07-08T09:33:00.002-04:00

Source: sweetiepiepumpkinnoodle.com via Kenesha on Pinterest

Long Time...

2011-06-16T13:55:00.000-04:00

Sorry, it's been so long, but I've been travelling for work. Can you guess where I've been?

And finally me, ready for a night out on the town in...............

NEW ORLEANS!!!

I had a blast!

Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday Hair Care Routine

2011-05-27T09:34:00.001-04:00

This is a break from the usual, Cre8tive Rookie postings on home stuff, but another area you can be Cre8tivein is your own style. And a favorite way of mine to be Cre8tive stylisticly is with my HAIR! I LOVE to talk hair. I have had just about every style and hair length you can imagine and I just love it. So I decided to do the Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday Hair Care posting from the Modly Chic Blog today.

I am currently wearing my hair long via human hair extensions and I love it.

Me last weekend, going to a Wine Festival!

1. How often do you get your hair cut?

I am growing my hair out, so I will only be getting trims if my hair is split. I’ve cut my hair completely off, like shaved about every two years since 2004 and I sometimes cut my hair into cute little styles every once in a while.

***Different Haircuts***

2. Do you go to the same stylist each time, try someone new, go to the cheap hair cutting chains or live it up in a salon?

I am a stylist hopper most of the time. While I lived in the DC area, I would rotate between the many Dominican Beauty Salons in the area because I love getting the Dominican Blow-Outs. Currently I have a stylist that I’ve been going to since January, her name is Sherita and she’s at Fade ‘Em Up in Winchester, VA.

Dominican Blow-Out

3. Do you color your hair? How often? What’s your natural color?

Yes! My natural color is a dark brown with natural reddish brown highlights. But usually when I dye my hair I dye in Clairol’s Textures & Tones in Bronze. Last week I dyed my hair a very Dark Brown, Clairol’s Beautiful Collection Darkest Brown.

Natural Hair - 2006

4. The one thing you always do to keep your hair looking great is:

DEEP CONDITION! I also sleep on a Satin Pillowcase or wear a Satin Scarf so that I won’t get breakage.

Another Dominican Blow-Out, but more Wavy

5. What hair trend do you love and wish you could rock?

I would LOVE to have hot pink streaks, but now that I work for the government in finance, I don’t think that would go over too well!

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday is a Google group for bloggers to discuss/answer questions on a given topic each week. Visit Katy of Modly Chic if you are interested in participating.

Holy Hot Pink, Batman!

2011-04-08T09:14:00.000-04:00

Source: Posh Tots

Holy Hot Pink, Batman! This baby changer has a whole lot of style and is sporting one of my favorite colors in the world, BUT...they cannot be serious with this price $1,195.00!!!! Um, this thing better change and breastfeed my baby for that price. And it doesn't say it does that in it's description:

The Kendall Changer is pure modern elegance for the nursery. With small drawers for supplies and two bigger drawers for larger items there is plenty of storage for diapers, blankies, layettes, and toys. A removable changing tray securely holds a changing pad. The beautiful luster is from multi layered washed walnut and classic lacquer drawer fronts shown here in Hot Lips. Drawers have under mount, smooth glides and interiors are finished in orange. Rectangular polished nickel hardware adds a sophisticated finishing touch. Made in the USA out of sustainably harvested hardwoods and with hand-applied, water based, non-toxic lacquers. Please note that in hand crafted finishes beautiful natural variances will occur. Green Changing Mat not included.

Although this is (IMO) a ridiculous baby purchase, it has given me an idea for my Campaign dresser in my entry!

Little Things...

2011-04-07T07:30:00.001-04:00

At work I was doodling on a Post-It of how I'd like my gallery wall above my sofa to look. Don't laugh!

On my way home I stopped at a furniture consignment store and got a Campaign dresser! It's a bit rough right now, but I'm going to snazz it up.

And last, but not least I sewed some cafe curtains for my kitchen window last week.

Those are my little things for tonight.

Pillow formula

2011-04-06T16:08:00.000-04:00

I love the way some people mix patterns with their throw pillows (I'm looking at you Jamie from isuwannee). I tragically came from a home where you match things by golly! So my mix-matching skills are slightly lacking. So, as Stacy and Clinton from WNTW would do, I made myself a PILLOW FORMULA! I have come to the conclusion that the perfect pillow pattern formula is:

GRAPHIC + FLORAL + ETHNIC

Por ejemplo:

Source: All from isuwanne

I currently have made some African Wax Print fabric pillows, that's my ethnic, and I will be adding something graphic in either vertical stripes or chevron stripes. I am still undecided on a floral right now, but I'm thinking about a Suzani pillow, that's kind of floral-esque. What do you think?

Fit for a Queen

2011-04-05T13:38:00.000-04:00

As I told you last week, I've partnered with some wonderful guys to sell furniture that they buy at storage auctions and I've just listed a lovely Queen Anne sofa. It would be fine left as is or personalized by reupholstering in some great modern fabric.

Here are the deets - Gorgeous Queen Anne Style sofa upholstered in a Jacquard blue fabric and lovely tufting. Generous length of 7'8" and a height of 2'7". Here's the Craig's List Ad.

A little history- Queen Anne furniture came about at a time when American colonists had more money to spend on furnishings for their homes, which is why so many pieces of furniture were made in this style at the time. This furniture that was crafted in America was made in various places, such as New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. While the style was very close to the versions from England, there is a bit of difference that can allow you to easily distinguish between the English and American versions of this type of furniture.

One of the key designs that was seen in Queen Anne furniture happens to be what is known as the cabriole leg, which would end with a carved webfoot or what was known as a Dutch foot. This leg and foot style would be used on various pieces from this time period, including bed frames, chairs, day beds, tables, desks, lowboys, chests, and more.
Source: http://queenannefurniture.org/

Today Queen Anne furniture, espscially Queen Anne sofas can fit in decor styles from traditional to modern. Here are some awesome Queen Anne Sofa revamps (all from Design*Sponge, I love that site!):

Source: Design*Sponge

Here's the Queen Anne Sofa I have

Personally, if this bad boy were mine I'd go with this fabric and totally put a bird on it!

Source: Hawthorne Threads

If you live in the Washington, DC area or the Shenandoah Valley Area and would like to purchase, you can email me at kn.williams [at] gmail [dot] com.

2011-04-01T15:23:00.000-04:00

This is not the sofa...

I am UBER EXCITED because I've been given a great opportunity. Before I tell you what it is, let me tell you how it came to be:

Last weekend I headed out to pick out an antique mirror I saw on Craig's List (blogged about here), first of all I was so glad it hadn't sold yet because I saw it a month ago, but with my travels for my job hadn't had the chance to offer to buy it.

So, I go to a beautiful house up on a small mountain (it's mountainous here, y'all) and after being turned around because mountain houses are not numbered numerically, I met the lovely people selling the mirror.

They asked me was there anything else I was looking for, I told them I was really interested in mid-century modern furniture...they had no idea what I meant, so I talked to them about it. To make a long story short these two friends bid on items in storage facilities and auctions for the fun of it, but they have no idea what's good and what's not.

So, they asked me if I'd like to partner with them by researching and listing their stuff for sale. WOULD I EVER! They also said if there was something that I could improve by painting or reupholstering or whatever they'd front those costs and then we could sell it. *do you hear that? I think it's angels singing!*

That is the great opportunity and I am UBER EXCITED!

Currently they've given me a Queen Anne style sofa to sell; I will be doing a post on it and posting it on CL, this weekend!

STAY TUNED!

Imitation, blah, blah, blah!

2011-03-21T11:21:00.000-04:00

I fell in love with John & Sherry's (of YHL) bathroom mirror, so this weekend I finally snagged TWO for myself! They will not be going in my bathroom, but instead will be hanging above my nightstands.

With my new upholstered headboard (yes, it's done...more deets to come) the picture I had above my nightstand just looked dinky next to it. But I believe these mirrors will look fabu.

Headboard sneak peek...

Okay, the original but expensive as hell version is from Restoration Hardware at $850

John & Sherry's is the allen + roth 30"H x 30"W Quatrefoil Cloche Octagon Framed Mirror from Lowes at $64.97.

Mine are steals from TARGET on sale for $18.99 a piece, SCORE!!!! They are exactly the same as the Lowes ones.

While they painted their's white and it looks amazing, I think I'm going to leave it the color it is, since my walls are white and I think it would blend in too much. Should I paint them another color? Grey or silver perhaps?

Ooh, I almost forgot! While I was there I also picked up a sunburst mirror, initially I was buying it for above my headboard, but then I saw my dream mirror and had to buy them all!

Weekend DIY Round Up!

2011-03-18T11:43:00.000-04:00

There’s nothing like the feeling of accomplishing something on the weekend, so instead of spending all weekend in your PJ’s eating Panera and watching reality TV (oh wait, that’s just me?) why not tackle a quick DIY project in your home? Here are four super cool weekend ready DIY’s from some of my favorite home blogs:

DIY Rug made out of fabric from Effortless Style:

DIY Café Curtains for your Kitchen from House Tweaking:

DIY No Sew Cloth Napkin Pillow Covers from Centsational Girl :

DIY Napkin Throw Pillow (sewing involved) from Turn Up the RAD:

This fabric is SO what I’ve been looking for!

So what projects will you be tackling this weekend? This weekend I will hopefully be finishing up my headboard project while my boys take their naps. Tomorrow we’ll be hitting up a local flea market to see what we can find there, I’m hoping to find a cute coffee table I can upholster (a la this one from YHL).

All Grown Up (on the outside)

2011-03-17T09:37:00.000-04:00

My new mid-century sideboard is like me, a grown up on the outside, but all kid on the inside. Do you remember me lamenting my lack of storage and that my house was run amuck with children’s things? Well, I wanted a storage solution that was beautiful and also practical and I found that in a gorgeous mid-century sideboard on Craigslist. The sideboard now stylishly hides my son’s learning materials and art supplies as well as both of our board games.

Here is the grown up side:

And here's the kid at heart:

I am planning on using the right side as an area for barware and to eventually trick out the top with a Furbish tray and some other items.

Furbish Tray I'm currently coveting!

Right now my gorgeous cross hatch milk glass vases are the only residents for the top.

Well now you know my secret, my grown up credenza, isn't so grown up after all!

Etsy Lovelies

2011-03-14T07:30:00.001-04:00

I’ve found some “lovelies” on Etsy that must make their way into my life. Maybe you’ll make them your own as well.

First I need some cheerful art, impending spring is on my mind and these gorgeous flowery prints from The Wheat Field are right up my alley.

For my bedroom above my desk

For my entry

Both of these prints are on their way to my home and I can't wait to get them.

Now, this isn’t for your home, but you shouldn’t forget to adorn yourself! These necklaces from Simply Livly are calling me for spring as well!

Have you spied any etsy lovelies this week?

Come to mama!

2011-02-28T13:38:00.001-05:00

These lovely items are coming to me from 2BoredBunnies on Etsy! I found this shop while looking for milk glass goodies and fell in love. Their new home will be on top of my new credenza!

Glorious Weekend…

2011-02-25T15:42:00.000-05:00

It looks like things are coming together for this weekend to be a Cre8tive Boon! My wonderful co-worker is taking me about 30 minutes away to pick up a marvelous mid-century credenza and sewing table/desk. Here’s a sneak peak with the CL photos, but I’ll take better shots once they’re set up in mi casa.

I’m also contemplating this mirror to place over the desk to the left and put a ribbon board on the right. I plan on painting the mirror’s frame; what do you think?

I can’t decide whether to put the credenza in this nook near my dining table (that needs to be replaced) or use it as my entertainment stand for my flat screen. Maybe I’ll do a mock set up both ways and see what floats my boat. I plan to stash the boys games and some toys in one side and use the other side to stash things of mine. I’d REALLY like to get organized BEFORE Spring hits, so that I can spend more time outdoors instead of cleaning and rearranging!

Also as luck would have it my boss’ husband is a carpenter!!! So, I will have my headboard frame cut out as well, here’s a sneak peek at my inspiration.

I don't have my fabric picked out yet, so the upholstering will have to wait until at least the 12th of March, but I am excited none the less. This is a project that's been in the works for, oh a YEAR! LOL!

I Do!

2011-02-25T11:11:00.001-05:00

I am in LOVE with Anthropologie's new Wedding Boutique BHLDN! This is one of my favorite dresses in their wedding gown line, the Trumpted Pavot Gown.

Rife with embroidered fronds and French-knotted buds, our vintage-inspired A-line dress is made of soft linen and draped with an overlay of sheer organdy. Featuring a crossed v-neckline, a leather-piped belt to cinch your waist and a dramatically flared hem, this piece is an exquisite combination of texture and shape. As the detachable train is quite substantial, we recommend removing it before schmoozing and dancing. Interior corset and bra cups for extra support

If I had a little bambina!

2011-02-08T13:06:00.000-05:00

These sweet prints from Sarah Jane Studios make me wish I had a little girl's room to decorate.

V Day Coming Atcha!

2011-02-03T11:49:00.000-05:00

It's almost Valentine's Day and I have nothing planned, since I'll be traveling for work, but if someone wanted to get me any of these things, I would not complain!

"Love Knows Not What Time" Watch by Mr. Jones Watches

The iconic LOVE print by Jen Ramos of Made by Girl

NINA in Golden Fish Necklace by Gaby Burger Designs

Who Loves Furbish...I DO, I DO!

2011-01-28T13:14:00.000-05:00

Well, if you do too. High Gloss Magazine is having a GIVEAWAY!

One lucky winner will find on their doorstep a fabulous pair of throw pillows, a bold, zig zag tray and a chic ice bucket… how’s that for living stylishly? Be sure to look for a special feature on Jamie and Furbish in the premier issue of High Gloss.

Big Boy Bed Parte Dos...

2011-01-25T06:30:00.001-05:00

So my other little man is getting older and I will be transitioning him to his own "big boy bed" soon. I found these fabulous fabrics at Judkit's Etsy shop. This is a fabric bundle of Michael Miller fabrics. Here are the names from top to bottom:

Bungalow Stripe
Dino Dudes - Brown
Ta Dot - Lagoon
Ta Dot - Tangerine

I'm thinking Dino Dudes for his comforter with Bungalow Stripe on the reverse. And for his pillow I will be making pillow case using Ta Dot in Lagoon, along with a "bumper" for the toddler bed sides and headboard in Ta Dot Lagoon and Ta Dot Tangerine on the reverse.

Now if I could just find some time to sew!

Ringing in a Brand New Year!

2010-12-31T11:10:00.000-05:00

Ringing in a Brand New Year is one of my favorite songs, it's an old R&B classic and it is on my mom's Christmas Classics song CD, so I've listened to it for the past 32 years! I will be ringing in this new year by making a blogging resolution to post more often, to do more projects, and to have at least one giveaway or contest a quarter. Although, I am in a rental I will be attempting to make it more homey this year. My big 2011 home plans include:

Painting and reupholstering my telephone/gossip bench (This week I relocated it to a lonely wall in my bedroom vs the entry way where it was becoming a stuff magnet.)

This makeover from Design*Sponge is cute!

Painting or refinishing my Sprague & Carleton sidetable. It is currently sitting inconspicuosly in a corner (nobody puts Baby in a corner!) so I need to make it pretty so it can become a star in my home.

I just LOVE this makeover!

Buy a new dining room table. My current one is LITERALLY on it's last leg.

I love this from Modern Montage in Alexandria, VA

Recover my dining room chairs with an oilcloth fabric so that my son's cannot totally destroy them, like they have my current ones, you can tell where they've sat vs. where an adult has sat.

Dana at Made can make anything gorgy! Can you believe oilcloth can be so pretty?

Cover my bedside lamps with a fun fabric and make coordinating throw pillows.

John & Sherry from YHL make it look easy!

Finally make myself that fabric headboard. I think I might ditch my previous fabric for something more neutral so I can change my bedlinens more often. Something like Centsational Girl's is certainly swoonworthy

oooh, pretty!

Find a solution for my entry. I need something pretty and organize-y (I know that's not a real word) like this from Pretty Handy Girl.

So organized, so pretty, so neat!

Find storage solutions for the kiddie ephemera that seems to consume my lving/dining room! OMG, cleaning up is like herding cats! I need to find a way to just throw things somewhere and it look purty, kinda how H*T does!

can you spot the toys in this picture?

And last but not least...Cre8tive Rooke will be getting a makeover from the wonderful Design Girl Studio!

Santa Baby...

2010-12-23T15:30:00.000-05:00

Santa Baby, slip one of these under the tree, For me.

been an awful good girl, Santa baby,

so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Vallhala Brooklyn on Etsy

Santa baby, how about this too,
It's got some light blue.
I'll wait up for you dear,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Three Little Ducks on Etsy

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

2010-12-15T10:16:00.001-05:00

It's less than two weeks before Christmas and I've been getting my Christmas on, but a bit more low key than in previous years. However, a certain blogger is KNOCKING MY SOCKS OFF with her Christmas prep and decorations. It's Dana from House*Tweaking's *my newest fave home blog*. I hope to incorporate some of her ideas next year when I'm a little more settled into my new home.

To check out all her Christmas projects, visit her blog!
*Pictures Dana from House*Tweaking

TWINS...

2010-10-22T10:30:00.001-04:00

Whenever my son and I do something alike or order the same thing, we always say TWINS in unison. Well, here are some twins to things that I have in my home.

My telephone table is a deadringer for this one, that's been made over beautifully!

I want to paint mine as well, it has a chip on the side of the seat and I can't remember what the product is to fill in gaps in wood like that. I'm thinking maybe painting this a dove grey and I need to find some fun fabric for the seat and back.

MINE:

Inspiration Transformation:

This is a fraternal twin of my Sprague & Carleton endtable, mine had a drawer instead of an open step and I am currently using it as a media table for my television since I just moved.

I love how she kept some of the wood showing; I posted before about maybe doing a chevron pattern on mine.

MINE:

Inspiration Transformation:

*all images courtesy of the wonder-lifilous Design*Sponge

This post serves as a "get your azz in gear" reminder to myself for all these projects I've been delaying!

Make Your Bed(Room)!!! parte uno

2010-10-19T16:23:00.000-04:00

Okay, I will be having a series on the evolution of my bedroom which will also be my "mom cave". Today the movers finally came (I've been in VA since the 8th!) and my new to me bedroom set is here. It is mid century mod -my fave- and has veneered wood tops. Disclosure: some of the veneer is peeling so I will need to fix that! I have been thinking about painting the tops white...sounds crazy I know, but looks gorgy.

*searching for evidence* and this is why you should save all pics you love/that inspire you to your computer when you see it!

Exhibit A:

YHL's Sherry & John did it for their nursery; they also darkend their stain, but I like the walnut color!

BEFORE

AFTER

Exhibit B

Design*Sponge's before & afters have a lot of white and wood combos; but this one is my fave!

Okay, so here's my stuff, excuse the bad lighting and pic quality. I am using my sis' camera phone because I cannot find my upload cord for my camera and of course it fits no other kind but it's own!

Blog Crawl {Compai Style!}

2010-10-16T20:29:00.000-04:00

Found this awesome blog called Compai. The founders are some cool and creative multi-culti girls my age and I'm loving what I'm seeing so far. To learn a bit about one of the authors of the blog, read her post entitled: Blog Crawl {Compai Style!}.

New Nest...

2010-10-12T16:50:00.000-04:00

Welcome to our new nest!

I made a new wreath to celebrate Autumn and my new home!

My friend was laughing at me because I wanted it done THAT NIGHT, before my boys came home.

*shameless plug* I will be selling these in my Etsy shop by the middle of November.

Autumn, Winter, and Christmas wreaths.

I also did a little Halloween decorating while I was at it.

This is our newest houseguest!

Mom Cave? Yes, please...

2010-10-07T14:40:00.000-04:00

This is an ingenious idea; HomeGoods has a new movement out for the "Mom Cave". I've wanted to have a room of my own for a while and now that I will be moving with my two little boys I will indeed need a room for respite. I plan on creating a "mom cave" out of my bedroom. My new bedroom will have no television, but MUST have a comfy reading chair along with many bookcases for my NUMEROUS books. I also need a space to sew and drink some tea!

I'd LOVE something like this in my Mom Cave; I could sprawl out on it, read my books, sip my tea, and RELAX!

Source: Design*Sponge

Home Goods states that a mom cave should have the following:

A place for you to sit.
Space to organize your stuff.
An area to do things you love.
Room for your girlfriends to visit.

What I Bought...

2010-09-30T22:45:00.000-04:00

I got myself some wonderful fabric from Bloomerie in a fab grey and yellow color scheme, with wondrous love birds on it, as well as a cheeky grey/white “egg” themed fabric. What will I make of it you ask? Why, throw pillows of course!!!

I also bought a KICK AZZ, mid century modern bedroom set from a lovely older couple, that had no idea what a great piece they had, so I was able to get a dresser w/ mirror and two nightstands for a mere $280! I will post pics when it’s all set up in my new place, right now it’s in my current dining room waiting to be ushered away to its new home!

Moving...

2010-09-18T11:05:00.000-04:00

I am moving with my two lovely little boys from a bustling urban enclave off of Washington, DC to a small town in the Shenandoa Valley in Virginia. I am making a career change as well as other changes in my life, big and small. The town I'm moving to has lovely historic homes, 1930's cottages, 1940;'s bungalows... just a lovely community. I will not be buying right now, but if things go well this might be my "forever home". It's a great place to raise a family and I want to live somewhere safe and with good schools for my little ones.

But the most exciting part is.... REDECORATING!!

Let's look at some inspiration, shall we?

New Purchase!!!

2010-08-24T22:52:00.001-04:00

I found a wonderful blogger through YHL, named Jen Woodhouse and her blog, the house of wood, is wonderful, as is her Etsy shop. She is a DIY-er, wife, singer, and will soon be a new mom!

I just bought this print from her shop:

Oh Happy Day!!!

2010-08-12T09:53:00.000-04:00

FURBISH NOW HAS AN ONLINE STORE!!!!

SHOP FURBISH

If you really loved me, you'd buy me this!

Go on buy it here; I'll tell you where to ship it.

New Project Idea

2010-08-07T22:19:00.000-04:00

I'm really loving the look of Chevron stripes right now and I think I will update a Sprauge & Carlton mid-century step table that I have with painted chevron stripes.

THIS:

PLUS

this:

source: sabbe interior design

EQUALS

something like this:

source: Sunset Magazine

I'll post when I finish it. All my furniture is in a pod in my parking space because of the house reno!

Grosgrain: The Reporter Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

2010-07-28T10:46:00.000-04:00

Grosgrain: The Reporter Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

Wish I Could Sew Like This...

2010-07-28T10:43:00.000-04:00

But I don't have to with this contest!

Kitchen Designer Came...

2010-07-21T12:40:00.001-04:00

Can you tell I’m excited??? The Kitchen Designer is came yesterday and I am amped. Our home renovation is supposed to be completed by Aug. 19^th and we are really eager to be back in our home, not so eager for the monstrous job of unpacking, though. Because of my new job and the fact that I’ve already taken off twice to take care of my sick baby; I won’t be there, but I’m leaving my husband with detailed questions to ask and features I want. My inspiration for our kitchen cabinets is Sherry & John’s kitchen, from YHL & YES I AM BITING, LOL!

In other news:

I found the best blog today: Pepper Design Blog

I think I want to recover my dining room chairs in Alexander Henry Fulham Road Como Lavender fabric because with my new wall color I’ve really been thinking about leaning to purples and lilacs as room accent colors. But I’m also thinking about using an oilcloth fabric for recovering them because of my two little munchkins. One seat has had its share of Chik-fil-A Polynesian sauce dropped on it and oilcloth would be great to wipe off. In oilcloth I like Trumpet Flower by Amy Butler.

Alexander Henry Fulham Road Como Lavender

Trumpet Flower by Amy Butler

Avie Designs Sale

2010-06-28T10:21:00.001-04:00

I absolutely love this shop and I just wanted to share with you all the fact that they're having a summer sale. I have bought website cards, address labels, and stationary from Avie and she is always so pleasant and even sends personal notes. Don't miss out on this great sale! I can't wait to see what new designs she offers on her new website!

This post was not paid for or sponsored in any way; I am a fan!

And the color is...

2010-06-25T13:16:00.004-04:00

I have decided on a new color for the dining/living room and kitchen. First I’ve decided to use the same color for all of the rooms because it’s an open concept living area. Secondly, I’ve decided to use a lighter color because of the amount of light that we get in those areas (very little). Lastly, it is still in my favorite color family, the blue-greens. And the color is Glidden’s Gentle Tide!!!

I first fell in love with this color in John & Sherry from YLH’s kitchen. Then of course I had to Google images of it and found some really gorgeous rooms using this color! I can’t wait to see how it looks in my home and the effect that it has. Well, until my house is in shape for painting, feast your eyes on the images I found:

Courtesy of House*Tweaking

Courtesy of Young House Love (YHL)

Won't it look great with this pennytile for the kitchen backsplash!

courtesy of Overstock.com

Making Lemonade Out of Lemons...

2010-06-02T17:27:00.001-04:00

As I said earlier, my house is in TERRIBLE disarray, but instead of being bummed, I'm kind of psyched because I'm able to COMPLETELY re-do my living room, dining room, and kitchen. Now, I've never had an insurance claim on my homeowner's insurance so I'm not sure how "crazy" I can get with all of this, but I'm ready to redecorate.

I hope to have pictures of the mess soon, but essentially all of my kitchen cabinets have been ripped out, my living room walls, and one dining room wall has been taken down to the studs. All of my carpet has been ripped up in the living & dining room, as well as on the steps leading to our upstairs. Now, I'm not sure if I can do all that I'd like to do, but I have a lot of ideas swimming in my head!

So far, here are my Kitchen Ideas:

I'm loving Ikea's Adel Medium Brown cabinets.

And I'm really feeling a penny tile back splash, especially since it seems like everyone & their momma is doing mosaic glass tiles.

More ideas to come...

Mold, Leaks, & Damage...Oh My!

2010-05-25T14:45:00.000-04:00

My home currently looks like a scene out of CSI, with areas cordoned off with plastic and tape. How did this happen you may ask. Well, we had noticed some water seepage in our dining room under our carpet and called the water company. After many missteps they found out that our neighbor was the cause of the leak. So, I ended up calling our homeowner's insurance company to file a claim because we knew it was causing mold & bmold is a HUGE health hazard. So, Service Masters came out to contain any mold that may have resulted from the leak. The next day they came out to do demo on the damage, found that our dayum hot water heater had been leaking for some time (we were clueles) and that basically our kitchen was a death trap and could have came crashing down on our heads! So now our claims adjuster needs to come out and check that out. So we're camped out at my peeps. I thought it would be 2-3 days...now who knows! So needless to say there are no home decor or craft projects currently going on. But I think next time I swing by the house I'll grab my sewing machine; I'm itching to make a stuffed giraffe for the baby. Thank God for supportive & cool family.

Design Star - Hometown Love

2010-05-20T20:22:00.004-04:00

One of the only persons of color on the new Design Star on HGTV is also from my hometown! From age 12 until I was 22, I lived in Upper Marlboro, MD a suburb in Maryland close to Washington, DC. Upper Marlboro is in Prince George's County Maryland, affectionately known as PG County. PG County has the distinction as being the the wealthiest majority African-American county in the country. I look forward to watching this season & I hope he does P.G. proud!

Alex Sanchez

Age: 26

Hometown: Upper Marlboro, Md.

Interior designer and photographer Alex specializes in contemporary style and small urban spaces.

His HGTV bio & portfolio

Who Stole My Studio???

2010-05-18T13:25:00.001-04:00

Who stole my studio and put it in Dottie Angel's house?

Slacker Alert!!!

2010-04-21T11:04:00.000-04:00

OMG, I have been so swamped with school work that I've totally slacked on both this blog and the Spring Cure! So, here's what I missed (I hope I can catch up!):

Week 3: The Landing Strip - In the Deep Treatment you are going think about COLOR and focus on the hallway, an area that is too easily overlooked and extremely important for the health of your home. Building a Landing Strip will help you filter the outside word, keeping your home calm and cutting down on your junk mail will give you back years of life. Enjoy putting together an invitation for week 8's gathering!

Dream Landings:

My Actual Landing:

Week 4: Retail Therapy - Don't be afraid to buy only what YOU like; YOU have to live with it!

Retail Tips:

If the price is too low, watch out! You usually get what you pay for.
Don't but everything from one store.
Keep your intake of cheaper chipboard and veneer furniture to a minimum (not more than 30%).
Kick the tires - make sure an item is well made before you buy it.
Look for furniture staples in these stores and decorative items elsewhere.

Week 4 To Do List:

Clean up living room & related closets
Repairs
Declutter all books & media
Empty out box

Week 5: Into the Thick of It - In the Deep Treatment, among other things you are diving into the home office and tackling all the computer and electrical tangles that you may have. You are also considering a Media Fast, which is a rather radical part of our household cleaning binge.

As for wireless technology, this simply offers a tremendous design advantage that eliminates wires and clutter for those who work at home on laptops, which is also now easy and inexpensive to set up. AT's Unplggd site was started specifically to aid in this area.

Homes with Children: Zoe

2010-03-24T09:00:00.004-04:00

These images of the gorgeous home of Zoe of Cloth clothing inspire me:
images from Design*Sponge

More gorgeous pics here

Spring Cure Week 2: Clearing the Path

2010-03-23T14:46:00.000-04:00

Spring Cure Week 2: Clearing the Path

things to do:

fix one thing in the house
clean kitchen from top to bottom and throw away old food
buy a water filter and use it
run your hands over every wall
clear space for an outbox
clear one surface and use the outbox
buy fresh flowers
determine your style
find a new recipe and make one meal at home
choose the date for housewarming

Questions to ask about items in the outbox:

Do I use it?
Do I love it?
Do I need it?

My first surface will be my desk in my bedroom, you can see the clutter on it in my initial Spring Cure post.

I'll update you on my progress on Sunday!

Spring Cure Week 1: Creating Your Vision

2010-03-17T06:30:00.000-04:00

This week, the goal for us all is to assess our homes and come up with our new "vision" for how we want our homes to feel when we're done in 8 weeks. Here's mine:

Currently I am awash in clutter, I mean it's so easy to be with a rambunctious three year old little boy and a new baby in the house. This means that there are toys in every crevice of the house as well as baby ephemera in every cubby, hole, and flat surface that we have.

What I want is ORDER or as much order as you can have with the aforementioned munchkins in the home. In order to have this what I need are organizational pieces of furniture and a system to keep things in said furniture. I also need to PURGE the house of unneeded and unwanted items, to make room for the things that we do want and need. As for furniture I would like to find a nice small desk for my sewing machine, laptop, and writing materials; a dresser or sideboard type piece for the entry way to stash light spring jackets, umbrellas, and fall/winter gear, as well as a place to put keys, cellphones, and mail; along with that I need some type of "thing" to hold toys and baby items in the living room, that conceals while it holds.

Here are some inspiring homes (with children!):

Joining AT's Spring Cure

2010-03-10T14:12:00.000-05:00

Won't you join me?

My Celebrate the Boy Projects

2010-02-17T20:31:00.000-05:00

As I said before February is the month of the boy, although every month is at the Williams Casa. So far I've made three things, one of the projects was a major fail, but as C.S. Lewis stated, "Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement."

I made baby pants from an old t-shirt:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

A pillowcase from the Michael Miller Merryville collection:

More projects to come!

Celebrate The Boy!

2010-02-04T10:55:00.000-05:00

Two awesome bloggers have proclaimed February as the month of the boy. Often boys get shafted in the craft world in favor of girly crafts, but no mas! The month of the boy is perfect for me, as I have two of them. I may not get all the boy crafts I want to do done this month, but at least I'll have some great ideas!

Boy Crafts by MADE:

Boy Crafts by Made by Rae

Making...

2010-02-02T22:25:00.000-05:00

Hi all,

I've made some things in the new year, throw pillows for a friend's birthday (hopefully she'll send me some pics when she gets them) and a big nap pillow for my eldest to take to pre-school. My newest project may just be this pillow with ties that I found a tutorial for on Make It and Love It. I may also make some regular pillow cases, too.

Christmas Crafting

2009-12-08T21:50:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been almost six months since I've last posted here, which also means it's been about that long since I've crafted. The main reason for that is I've been busy making a human! You can see my little Buddha Baby over at my other blog, The Baby Head Diaries, but I've been missing this blog and my creative endeavors. I really wish I could have made more for the Holiday season, but I have had my hands full finishing up this fall semester (3.5 GPA!!!), birthing a baby, working, raising a toddler, and being a wife.

Well, the holidays aren't over yet and I do have some plans to make some things. I will be making some throw pillows for my grandmother & grandmother-in-law, and a friend. I also plan on making some fabric coasters for myself and this friend, too. Because of the newborn in the house I'm going to have to schedule my sewing around naps and/or at night after everyone is asleep. Hopefully, next year I will be able to make all the things I wanted to make this year!

What I want to make next year:

advent calendar

Smile and Wave

Christmas Stockings

Day to Day

Felt Tree Skirt

Isabella & Max Rooms

Ornament Wreath

sweet jessie

New Perch...

2009-06-16T09:03:00.001-04:00

You can now find me at The Baby Head Diaries! I will still be posting my creative endeavors, attempts at organizing my home, and inspiring spaces, along with reflections on motherhood, marriage, and life!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

The Baby Head Diaries

Make me over...

2009-06-01T12:08:00.000-04:00

What I Want to Look Like!
Even Halle's casual look is sexy and cute!

I don't talk about fashion much here, but I've been a fashion buff for a while. My style has changed over the years, I was more risque at ages 19-22 for example and now I like quirky classics. For the past two years I have announced that I was going to only buy things that I thought I looked fabulous in, not okay, not covered, not dressed, but FABULOUS! This usually works for about a month or two and then I go back to buying clothes on a whim or because I need something different to wear no matter what it looks like. So I have LOTS of clothes, but I end up wearing about half of them. So about once a year I decide to purge and make my vow of only FABULOUS clothing. Well, right now I am pregnant so I will be buying things that are tossable for sure and I DO NOT like spending a lot of money on maternity clothes, but I am VOWING that when I start buying for the fall/winter of 2009 I will only buy things that not only look fabulous, but are QUALITY! So this means cashmere sweaters (in quirky colors and patterns please), designer jeans (gotta love Seven's), and basically really getting my money's worth. So instead of five $20 sweaters from H&M I will get myself one for $100. I want to look like the cool sophisticated mommy, not the one that can't get it together!

Nurseries I love... Sloan's Nursery

2009-06-01T11:29:00.000-04:00

This nursery is a friend of mine's for her daughter Sloan who should be here any day now!

Here is her inspiration board she created before she started:
And below is the actual finished nursery. The frames hold pictures of Sloan's mommy and daddy as babies in black and white. Both pictures are nude pictures in similar poses flanking the quote from the inspiration board. The changing table has art work created espscially for the nursery and nearby is a rocker by Ikea. I think Sloan will be perfectly happy in this room and so will her parents.

Spearamint Baby Contest for Sonny Boutique!

2009-05-29T13:53:00.000-04:00

I would love to win this contest, my first purchase would definitely be the crayon rocks, in fact I might buy two sets, one for myself and one for the big boy! And I love this animal print as well. What would you purchase with a $50 gift certificate?

Learning to live with less...

2009-05-26T16:30:00.000-04:00

Less is more...more space, more clarity, more freedom! Why did it take me almost 30 years to realize this? I'll tell you why because we live in a land of excess and a mantra of more and a life of keeping up with the Joneses! Well, no more. I am committing myself (and my family) to living a life of less things and more experiences (shout out to Belle for the paraphrase). So this epiphany comes with a task that requires a lot of hard work and that is getting rid of the excess things I have in my home.

The first step in figuring out whether you have too much stuff (stuff is a bad word) is whether you have SPACE to hold all your stuff. If you cannot find a place to put most of your stuff, you probably have too much stuff. If you want to throw massive amounts of stuff out onto your lawn and curse while you're doing it, you probably have too much stuff. If you can not do laundry for a month (or more) and still have copius amounts of clothes to wear, you probably have too much stuff. If you have not touched, used, or seen some of this stuff in more than a month (and it's not seasonal), you probably have too much stuff! I HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF!

My stuff can be summed up in the following categories:

Baby/toddler stuff - you do NOT need all the stuff that the stores put on their registry lists, it is a SCAM! After living with the big boy for the last two years I've realized how much stuff we didn't need and/or that he only used/wanted for about a week.

Clothes - as I stated above I can not see an item of clothing for months and not miss it AT ALL! I am pledging to only buy things I love and buy QUALITY over QUANTITY! I've always read about doing that, but there's so much STUFF I wanted to buy. But no more!

Hubby's stuff - this category runs the gamut from clothes to momentos to old photographs and lots and lots of ephemera, that I lovingly call JUNK!

Well today I've started my first strike against the excess STUFF in my household! I've scheduled a bulk trash pick-up and some of the things they'll be hauling away (this time) are a standing hair dryer, old television, old tv stand, old cable boxes, and various other items of junk. Here's to living with less!

Etsy Rocks My Socks...

2009-05-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

This would be perfect for the big boy room:

Shop: Spell It Out Designs

These little shoes look both sweet and punk for your little princess:

Shop: My Rockin Baby

This gender neutral print is gorgeous:

Shop: Modern Pop

Nurseries I Love!

2009-05-21T15:12:00.000-04:00

With baby on the way, my thoughts have moved to nurseries and here are some nurseries I'm currently in love with:

This first one is a shared nursery which especially piqued my interest because baby #2 and the Big Boy will be sharing rooms in the near future. I love the neutrals and the calm feel of this nursery, very uni-sex, modern, and grown up, but playful.

more pics

This is another lovely space, the bright blue and reds, anchored by the chocolate brown looks so fresh and modern! I also love the handmade touches of the hamper liner, changing pad, and the name art on the wall. Although this room was meant for a baby boy, I could see a happy baby girl in this space as well.

more pics

I wish, I wish...

2009-05-12T08:54:00.001-04:00

I've just added this to my mental wishlist!

Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing for Baby: 24 Easy Projects for Newborns to Toddlers

Beloved designer Lotta Jansdotter shows how easy it is to make cheerful gifts for little cherubs. A new mother herself, she's created 24 projects that match her simple style with practicality, resulting in sweet, yet durable, essentials for any rumble-tumble baby. She includes baby hats, bibs, a diaper bag built for the back of a stroller, a ribbon-tag blankie perfect for teething, and many more pint-sized projects. Beautiful photographs inspire while clear step-by-step instructions and how-to illustrations ensure foolproof crafting. With ready-to-use pattern sheets included in the handy front pocket and stencil templates at back, Simple Sewing for Baby makes it a cinch to stitch up modern accessories for both baby and mom.

Lotta Jansdotter is a self-taught designer. She works from her studio in Brooklyn, New York.

Baltimore 1st Annual House Tour of Kids Spaces!!

2009-05-07T14:58:00.000-04:00

Darn my previous weekend plans, because I would surely be at this...

The Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance (DBFA) is launching it's 1st Annual House Tour of Kids Spaces, taking place this Saturday. Stroll the streets of Federal Hill to see the best kids' rooms, nurseries, and play spaces. According to the DBFA, they would like to "share how modern families are raising children in one of Baltimore's premiere historic urban neighborhoods." The DBFA is a non-profit dedicated to making downtown Baltimore a more favorable place to raise a family, with all proceeds from ticket sales going directly to their cause. If your interested in taking the tour, click here for more information.

If any of my readers go, can you take pics for me? I'd love to see the tour!

More Baby Thoughts...

2009-04-30T09:01:00.000-04:00

Since I am "with child" now and what's a more awesome cre8tive endeavor than that, I will be writing some about my pregnancy and more things in the world of babies and children.

Right now I'm thinking about:

Organizing the house so it's more baby friendly.

Right now the house is toddler friendly, i.e. safe, but messy usually. However, with the coming of a new baby we'll need more crawling and cruising safe areas. Meaning I need to shift more of the toddler toys into the Big Boy Room and make the living area baby friendly like it used to be. This may also mean rearranging the furniture again so the layout is more open. Our living and dining area is open and to delineate the spaces I had placed my couch horizontally facing the french doors for the living area with the back of the couch delineating the dining area. I will most likely move the couch back the wall so that the living dining space is open again.

My waist, I'm starting to miss it already!

I'm seeing such cute summer clothes and I know I won't be able to wear them. Also, everyone is telling me that being pregnant in the summer is unbearable because it's already hot and then being pregnant and bigger makes you hotter! Thanks guys!

Baby wearing

I'm an attachment parent at heart and I loved wearing my big boy in a sling when he was little. I just joined a new message board for babywearing, The Baby Wearer, and I'm thinking about joining a baby wearing group in my neck of the woods. Here's a little info. on the benefits of babywearing:

Babies cry less. Research has shown that babies who are carried cry (on average) 43% less overall and 54% less during the evening hours (1). In cultures where babies are carried almost continuously, babies cry much less than those in non-carrying cultures (2-6).
Good for baby's mental development. Babies spend more time in a "quiet, alert state" when carried - the ideal state for learning. Their senses are stimulated while being carried (yet there is a place to retreat too). When carried, your baby sees the world from where you do, instead of the ceiling above his crib or people's knees from a stroller. And the extra stimulation benefits brain development.
Good for baby's emotional development. Babies are quickly able to develop a sense of security and trust when they are carried. They are more likely to be securely attached to their care-giver/s (7) and often become independent at an earlier age (8).

That's it for now folks!

Handmade Mart in Silver Spring, MD

2009-04-28T10:01:00.000-04:00

Why am I just finding out about this awesomeness! I don't know if I'll have enough time or moolah to make my stuff to vend and we'd planned to either go to VA Beach or NJ for the Memorial Day weekend, so I might miss the whole show!

A brand spankin’ new indie craft show is coming to the DC Metro area on May 31st! The Handmade Mart will take place in the vibrant new arts district of Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland.

Working in conjunction with the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, this one-day, juried show will feature 50+ vendors selling amazing handmade goods, live indie rock on stage all day, plus cool hands-on workshops in the Pyramid Atlantic Retail Store!

The Handmade Mart will take place on Ellsworth Drive (Between Fenton and Georgia Ave.), which is right smack in the middle of all the Downtown Silver Spring restaurants, bars and shops. Ellsworth Drive will be closed to traffic for our event. This fair is close to Metro and there is abundant FREE parking. View Map

Now Accepting Applications

If you make stuff and want to sell at the Handmade Mart, applications are being accepted until APRIL 30. Applications can be downloaded from the website and emailed or mailed in. It’s FREE to apply, and the booth fee is only $50.

Check out our Blog

Aside from our main page on the Pyramid Atlantic website, the Handmade Mart has a blog that will keep you up-to-date with the latest fair happenings, vendor profiles and much more. Check it out at handmademart.blogspot.com.

Volunteer

We’re looking for a handful of volunteers to help us out at the fair. There are sweet deals associated with being a volunteer. Please email us if you’re interested and we’ll give you all the details.

Questions?

Email handmademart@gmail.com

What: The Handmade Mart

Where: Downtown Silver Spring, MD on Ellsworth Dr.

When: Sunday, May 31, 10am-5pm

Apply: pyramidatlanticartcenter.org/handmademart

Weekend Sewing!

2009-04-27T08:38:00.000-04:00

Okay, not this weekend, but last weekend! This weekend was filled with hayrides, pony rides, sheep shearing, duck and peacock feeding and indoor picnics! However last weekend I was a sewing machine (as promised). I have finally made the rocket ship comforter and pillow for the big boy room! He still won't sleep in there, but one step at a time.

I made the pillow using this awesome tutorial from Fabritopia, you can also buy a "kit" that has all the fabric cut to size, but I had my own fabric for the project. This took me about an hour because I had a lovely two year old who wanted to help at every turn, but I'm sure if you attempt this without a toddler assistant you can finish it much faster! Here is the lovely finished pillowcase:

After I put my "assistant" down for his nap, I decided to tackle the comforter. Now a comforter is basically a big throw pillow that is long and flat, so I didn't use a tutorial or pattern for it. I knew the measurements of the toddler bed and factored in an inch for seams/leeway, plus 3 inches on each side for "hang" on the bed. Most toddler beds are 27.5 x 52, so I made the dimensions of the comforter 36 x 55. I decided to incorporate all the fabrics that were used in his pillowcase, so one side was completely the white robot print and the other side was the stripes, with a 6" orange robot border. I used an old fleece blanket as the inner "filling" for the comforter. Here are the results on the big boy bed:

This is the happy customer!

I love Fabric!

2009-04-17T14:42:00.000-04:00

I wish I had this stash! My fabric should be getting a work out this weekend, because I am committed to sewing SOMETHING, ANYTHING!

Hello Craft: Summit of Awesomeness

2009-04-08T16:37:00.000-04:00

The Summit of Awesome is 3-days filled with business seminars for artists and crafters, hands-on workshops, the D.C. premiere of the Indie Craft Documentary, Handmade Nation, and a Saturday night party. Through a partnership with the MidCity Business Association, all Summit seminars and workshops will take place in the wondrous and vibrant independent businesses in MidCity (14th and U Streets NW). There will be informal tours of DC’s coolest indie shops and a welcome reception for early arrivals on Thursday, April 30th.
The Summit of Awesome is shaping up quite nicely and it is looking to be a craft-packed weekend of, dare I say - Awesome? Have you heard? Space is limited so you might want to register now!

I would love to attend this awesome craft seminar being held in DC May 1st through 3rd, but I don't think my finances will allow esp. with a new bambino on the way. All access passes are currently the discounted price of $150, after April 10, passes are $180. But if you are fortunate enough to go, please fill me in when you return!

Baby Thoughts....

2009-04-08T08:38:00.000-04:00

Lately I've been thinking about baby things to make, why you ask? Because, WooHoo!!! We're having baby #2!!! I really am hoping and praying for a little girl, so my Big Boy can be a Big Brother to a Little Sister, but I will be blessed either way. I am so tempted to buy some girlie fabric and start making blankets, but what if it's a boy? I guess I could make girl and neutral blankies and then once I know the sex sell the ones that don't fit!

Well here are the baby details:

Long time no 'e!

2009-03-18T14:33:00.000-04:00

My life has been really hectic lately, there are some big changes in the works so I've been MIA, but take a peek at what I've been reading about in the world of decor and crafts!

See you soon and hopefully with finished projects to show off!

I WANT THIS TINY HOUSE

2009-02-27T10:30:00.000-05:00

This is a tiny house from the Tumbleweed Company, its square footage is between 743-837 sq. feet (the larger is if you add a 3rd bedroom on the first level). I am in mad desperate love with this house. First, it's gorgeous! Secondly, it's eco-friendly!

The plans are $695 and they approximate building costs for a home affixed to a permanent foundation range from $100-$200 per square foot.

So all I need to do is buy some land!

Here are some more details:

Footprint: (L x W)	24′ x 16′	Master Bedroom:	12′ x 10 ½’
Living Room:	9 ½’ x 15 ½’	2nd Bedroom:	9 ½’ x 10′
Kitchen:	7 ½’ x 9 ½’	Top Bathroom:	5 ½’ x 5 ½’
Booth:	6′ x 5 ½’	Porch:	6′ x 16′
Down Bathroom:	4 ½’ x 4 ½’	1st floor ceiling height:	7′ 6″
all measurements are approximate		2nd floor ceiling height:	7′ 6″

Jenny Lind Bed for Big Boy Room

2009-02-26T12:09:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Making It Lovely, I am now obsessed with a Jenny Lind bed for the Big Boy Room! And guess what! It's on sale at Walmart; I will be purchasing the Jenny Lind Dream On Me toddler bed in Espresso!

Here are some more Jenny Lind beds to peruse:
Marie’s Memphis Apartment

Sunrise Ruffalo’s Home

Do this...

2009-02-23T16:29:00.000-05:00

THe Hyper Homemaker says:

#1 - EVERY DAY before you go to bed, go around your house and put away all the accumulated clutter.

#2 - Pick three days a week to complete a room full of tasks from your new weekly checklist.

#3 - Make your bed every day when you get up.

Sounds easy enough, right? And if you already do it, great! You are ahead of the game! but if you don't, don't worry it's very easy. And your mom was right - it's needed. If you start your day and end your day on a clean and organized note you are much more likely to be more clean and organized all day! So if it's one little thing you can do; do it!

Feathering My Nest...

2009-02-19T12:12:00.000-05:00

Inspired by this interior, created by Jason Martin:

I am in a nesting mood. The home really is where the heart is and I am tired of the clutter and melee that surrounds me when I enter my home, so bit by bit I am transforming my haven. If I were an organized woman I would start in one room and finish that, but instead I am randomly attacking areas that cause me the most grief. Last week I was home all week, nursing my son back to health, and during that time I was able to FINALLY organize my closet. Well, at least most of my side of the closet, my husband's side is a different story and I'd just rather pretend it doesn't exist. Now, I did not take before pictures because it was really too shameful for any eyes other than my own, but thankfully one can now walk on the actual floor of the closet. Using my previously posted closet inspiration I moved most of my shoes to my top shelf in the closet, who knew I had so many pairs of black shoes (all except 3)! My clothes are arranged in the following order: jackets, hanging storage, skirts, pants, dresses, shirts, suits!

Getting my closet in order has made me want to tackle the rest of my bedroom as it should be the most relaxing space in your home and CLUTTER AND MESS are NOT RELAXING. I am still trying to take it one step at a time so I don't get overwhelmed, tackling disorder corner by corner. One issue that I have is that I tend to take off my clothes and just lay them down either on a storage bin near my bookshelf or on the ironing board. I know that it is a habit that I will probably not break, so instead I want to make myself a makeshift clothes butler/valet using a chair (that I will lovingly paint and upholster of course). Then I will vow to clean off the butler every weekend to keep it from being overwhelmed by my clothing. Now, the ironing board is another source of frustration! Why is it always set-up? The temptation to throw things on it would disappear if it weren't out and available all the time, but my dear husband is too busy (read lazy) to fold and unfold it to iron (I rarely iron). The compromise might be getting a mini ironing board that attaches to the closet door, that way I can shut it out of site!

I'm also thinking about making the bed in the morning. You see my bed is NEVER made, maybe it's rebellion against the repeated refrains of "MAKE YOUR BED!" from my mother or maybe it's because it always seemed nonsensical to do so since I was getting right back into it, but I think doing so will impose a kind of calm in my bedroom.

So what's reorganizing without a little re-decorating? Here are some decor ideas:

These curtains (IKEA STOCKHOLM BLAD $59.99):

I need to get to work on my upholstered headboard, here is the fabric that I've bought for it; I'm hoping that the contrasting nature patterns will work well together. I am also hunting for a solid comforter to round out this "bedscape".

Damn You, You Inner Recessionista!

2009-02-17T15:06:00.000-05:00

I had been admiring this beautiful server on my local craigslist for about two weeks. I even emailed a picture to my husband, his response: "Where are we supposed to put it?". Which, as you know, is not a "No, don't get it". But I hesitated, yes I even hesitated when the price plummeted from $150 to $100 (WITH SHIPPING INCL.)!!! And now when I go to CL today to call the seller, it is GONE!!!

So, alas I must find another buffet, server, or credenza. I am obsessed, especially since I have the perfect spot for it now that I've rearranged my living/dining room. I have found two that may be an option. Option #1 is actually from a seller I've bought from before, my beautiful tiered side table that I use as a nightstand. It's a "Stanley" and is very cute, but I don't think the storage is cut out for what I hope to store inside. The other's maker is unknown, but I love the stain and the lines.

What is a girl to do?

OPTION 1:

OPTION 2:

My Upcoming Project Tutorials

2009-02-12T20:30:00.000-05:00

Some of my projects for the Big Boy Room include:

five fitted sheets (One in each fabric: Rockets in Orange, Stripes in Red, Robots, rockets and planets in blue, Rockets in Natural, Robots in Natural)
pillowcase
quilt (Quilts are better for naptime at nursery school)
comforter (Using Rockets in natural on one side and Rockets in Orange on the other)
floor cushion
bean bag *maybe

Here are the resources for my projects:

fitted sheet

pillowcase (I'm debating on whether I should buy the kit for it, since it will have exact measurements of the fabric)

quilt (quilt binding instructions)

bean bag (This seems kind of tricky, I have to work my way up to it)

As, I've said I am a visual learner so I like tutorials/patterns that have pictures at best, diagrams at least.

Gorgeous, but creepy...

2009-02-12T15:09:00.000-05:00

There is a home in St. Louis that is preserved in time with wonderful mid-century furnishings and appliances. It's preserved so beautifuly because the family spent their time living on the lower level. This brings to mind all kinds of potentially creepy scenarios, maybe because I've read too much Steven King and watched too many scary movies. I don't think I could live in the house because my imagination would be running wild, but I would love to buy most of the furnishings.

Please view the slideshow for authentic mid-century living (or rather not living).

Closet Makeover

2009-02-10T11:24:00.000-05:00

I do not even want to show you all what the inside of my closet looks like. I have a nice size walk in that my husband and I share and we have both let it get out of control! Moreso him than me, of course. It is so out of control that I've thought about having a professional organizer come in and handle it, but in this economy I believe that's a waste (unlike a monthly housekeeper which I keep saying I'm going to hire and haven't).

So, today I'm blog browsing and I find a new fun blog (Cupcakes & Cashmere) and then BAM! she takes a picture of her closet and I am swooning. One thing I love about it is here use of a dresser in her closet, which I had done at my previous apartment (when I lived ALONE) and I loved. Secondly, the layout of her closet is similar to mine with the wooden shelf at the top and I had never thought of using it as a place for my shoes. I also like her use of the same type of hangers, which every organizing book/article I've ever read says to do. I am working on this, currently I am transitioning to the black ultra slim flocked hangers.

I would like to reorganize my closet pronto, my only issue is that currently our dresser also serves as our television stand, so I would need to get a replacement for that in order to place it in the closet. My other issue is getting my husband to actually participate in this reorganizing process, because heaven forbid I reorganize and my husband can't find something of his. THE HORROR!!!

So swoon with me and get inspired:

Pic source: http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/california-closet/

What I'm Reading and New Projects...

2009-02-05T12:26:00.000-05:00

*Pics are a before and after from Design*Sponge.

Here is what I'm reading in the world of design and decor right now.

I have some new projects on the horizon and I figured if I put it out here in a public format, I would be more likely to actually get them done:

Fabric headboard for bedroom
Big boy's pillows/comforter
Pillows for SALE at my Etsy shop

I haven't been completely lazy though. I've rearranged my dining/living room. It is amazing how big of a change that can make in a place. I wish I had taken before pics (I may have some on my camera I'll check), but I will definitely post some after shots. I am currently waiting to purchase a Mid-Century console to use as my TV stand/Media Storage or something like that. Rearranging your furniture is also a green way to redecorate. If you're thinking about rearranging your own, here are some tips from AT:

•Have a friend help. It makes moving heavy pieces a lot easier, it provides you with a second opinion, and it gives you the energy to keep going.

Map out ideas with a sketch or a free online program. *I like to make sketches before I start any new project. My husband makes fun of my sketches, but they become my road map for recreating a room.

Have a plan, but don't be afraid to change it. We never know what something's going to look like until we see it in place.

Use your largest pieces as anchors for the space. Move sofas, large tables, and large storage pieces first and rearrange your smaller furniture around them.

Clear out space. If an arrangement isn't working, try removing one or two pieces of furniture. Many people have too much furniture, and by taking a big item out of the equation you can open up a whole new set of possibilities.

Don't be afraid of empty space. If you really need a new piece to make your furniture arrangement work, leave that space empty for a little while, and take some time to find the right item.

Dining Room Chairs...

2009-01-30T09:28:00.000-05:00

Recovered Dining Room Chairs

Materials:

Fabric
Chairs
Staple Gun
Scissors
Pliers

Pics:
left: After

right: Before

There were a million staples in there, I only did about 3 on each side for mine.

More pics: http://public.fotki.com/knwill/me-/me_pers...y/craft_bastard

Mid Century Modern Living

2009-01-22T11:04:00.000-05:00

Here is my Domino magazine deco file, for my mid-century modern living inspirations.

Robots!!!

2009-01-16T15:45:00.000-05:00

My son loves two things, well actually he loves lots of things, but two of his favorites are ROBOTS and ROCKET SHIPS! So, imagine my sheer joy when I first saw David Walker's new Robots fabric collections, which marries my son's favorite things! So, this will be the theme of the Big Boy Room! I also just found a tutorial (with pictures, because I'm a visual learner) of how to make a fitted sheet! So, I plan on creating a fitted sheet, comforter, and pillows out of this lovely and apropos fabric for my little munchkin!

From top to bottom:

Stripes in Red
Robots, Rockets, & Planets in Blue
Rockets in Ivory
Rockets in Orange
Robots in Ivory

Target Sells Wallpaper!!

2009-01-12T16:05:00.000-05:00

Who knew that Target sold wallpaper now? Not I, until I read about it on AT. We had a wallpapered "feature wall" when we moved into our home and I just took it down right before Christmas. Should I paint or re-wallpaper?

Lookey Here:

Floor Pillows for the Big Boy Room?

2009-01-12T13:22:00.000-05:00

The idea was inspired by Amenity's cutie-patootie floor pillows, however $110 is a bit pricey ($77 on sale).

January Jumpstart Project#1

2009-01-11T16:04:00.000-05:00

I am so psyched I just finished my first January Jumpstart project: Throw Pillows! Here's the nitty gritty on the project:

Materials:

sewing machine
fabric (Joel Dewberry's Ginseng Line: Orchid in Chocolate and Geo in Rust)
thread
re-used pillow stuffing from old throw pillows
measuring tape
scissors

Time: 1hr. 15minutes (time might be less if you don't have a toddler to entertain!)

I didn't use a pattern or anything, what I did was measure my old throw pillows horizontally and vertically (measure looosely you want to take into account the amount of filling inside). That measurement was 18x18, so I cut four fabric squares that were 20x20, so that I would have a one inch seam allowance on each side. I cut two squares out of two different fabric patters because I wanted to have reversible pillows with coordinating fabrics.

Then, I took the two coordinating fabrics and sandwiched them wrong side out for both and went to sewing, making sure to leave the 1 inch allowance all around and leaving a small portion unsewn for stuffing the pillow.

VOILA!!!

Finished Pillow; the Husband said that my new pillows look better than our store bought ones ever did!

The video of the process!

Big Boy Room

2009-01-09T15:43:00.000-05:00

My newest project (in my head) is my son's room. He does not currently sleep in there, but he will be and soon. He's turning two years old at the end of this month and it's time. So, in anticipation of the transition; I'd like to make it an exciting one for him and redecorate his room. Currently it has an Elmo theme. I would like to transition it to something a little less chaotic and make better use of the space that he has.

I'm almost positive that I want to paint the walls green and I want to incorporate this artwork in there as well.

I'd also like to get him this new big boy bed, it is cute practical and modern!
ETA: I just found the bed here for less!

Here are some rooms I'd currently drawing inspiration from:

I will update everyone on my progress as the month wears on!

Potential Jumpstart Projects

2009-01-08T12:22:00.000-05:00

Don't hold me to all of this, but these are the projects I have in mind:

Throw Pillows
Gossip bench - seat recovering and maybe painting.
Dining room chairs - seat recovering.
Fabric wall art hanging for living room.
Replacing wallpaper or repainting LR "accent wall"
Fabric Headboard
Toy Box - installing a cushion on top and possibly painting.
Painting my son's room.
Making a quilt or duvet for my son.

I just love this print, though it has little to do with the post!

Cre8tive New Year

2009-01-08T11:30:00.000-05:00

A message board that I belong to is doing a modifed version of Apartment Therapy's January Jumpstart from 2007. Here are the details:

This January we are trying something totally new. We’re holding our first small makeover contest. We’re not looking for whole homes; we’re inviting you to tackle one small project: painting a bureau, reupholstering a chair, whatevering a whatever. We’re going to do it together and share tips, resources and inspiration.

Together we can get them all done.

Why? Because everyone has at least one decor project in their home that they’ve been dying to do and January is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf and get old chores done.

In addition, we’re going to award prizes for those that really shine.

Which Projects?

* Project must have been done by you (DUH!)
* Project must be started and completed before deadline of February 1st (starting early is fine)
* Project must be a small project that can be completed in one to two weekends (though gathering materials may take time beforehand)
* Project may deal with the revamping of a piece of furniture, or a window, wall or floor treatment
* We are looking for makeovers, hacks and restoration projects
* We are looking to share skills, tools and resources that have broad appeal with all of our readers

What to Submit?

Submissions must consist of:

* 5 pictures (before, 2 after, tools and in process shot)
* name of project, your name (online name and/or real name), location
* list of tools and resources
* step by step how to instructions
* expense and time spent

When?

* Contest Runs for four weeks, from January 7th through February 1st
* Members will vote from Feb. 2 -6
* Winner are announced on Monday, February 9th