Kernals of Inspiration-Storage and Display

*Edited to say...


*** Back to the regularly scheduled post!

This week I've been checking out a lot of the other blogs and finding lots of inspiration. I thought I'd share with you some things that have caught my eye.

It doesn't matter how many blogs you find with the same subject matter-- each person puts their own personal touch on each piece. Even if you're looking at a Fake-Over , as I like to call it, --I haven't seen many that look identical to even PB or Ikea any other national brands.

This week for me I've been looking at storage /display solutions.

Because well, that is what has held my attention
(which sometimes is short and other times is like a 'dog on a bone'

Here are some random looks at various bookshelves, hutches, and display shelving that I find interesting or otherwise inspirational.
Maybe you will too... check 'em out!

Domestically Speaking-
Ikea shelves turned Built in Entertainment Center. This turned out so fantastic. I like that they are painted white and look so crisp.

Buffet Hutch Plans
Great Plans-These were built from the ground up- more adventurous than I could possibly be-- but way cool! This is a relatively NEW BLOG... but who has time to blog when you build furniture from scratch. I really like the paint and wood tones too.

Window Hutch
This is just the coolest use EVER for old windows. I WANT ONE!

Shabby but Chic Hutch
This is a shabby beauty and a great buy at $40-- I love that she made this look like a family heirloom for so little money. And it is just plain pretty!

bobby pins boardwalk
My greatest inspiration yet. This project is what got me going for my own home library. Possibly turned sewing corner.

I'm hoping to implement some of these ideas and create some of my own ... on my way to becoming beautiful and organized in my home.
The best thing about most of the projects around my home right now is that I have lots of bits and pieces that I've collected over the years with out DOING; Now is the season of DOING for me and so at best most of these projects will be low cost.

So from the bottom of my heart.

Y'all keep posting!

You have given such inspiration.- I can't keep up.

Fraken-shelves

Well, ever since I saw Jan's Library shelves at bobbypins boardwalk... I've been envisioning something similar for myself. I've always thought of having a 'library' with all the bookshelves that I have around my home, but never thought that RTA (ready to assemble) shelves could looks so beautiful!

This was going to take some finagling; ESPECIALLY since my shelves were bought second hand and they varied in height, depth, and width. Every time I ever tried to sketch it out on paper... i just didn't flow for the space that I have. I envisioned a MONSTROUS MESS! FRANKENSHELF!

Well today, I got to work moving them into position and once my newly retired hubby saw me getting busy...well, he wanted to help. Boy! am I glad he did; because he had no sooner suggested something and I ran with it. That'll teach him. (snicker)

Below are my photos of all the finagling-- in the middle of the process. Please pay no attention to the books and junk stacked everywhere- What else do you do with the contents of bookshelves you are shuffling around to make BEAUTIFUL?



Smallest of 4 bookshelves. Emptied and awaiting new home.
Mid-sized book shelf already in place and the white shelf is the tallest of the 4.


Here you can see the thought process. I was going to put the smallest in that blank spot to the right of the TALL white shelf... That is when Honey mentioned the last of the 4 shelves in another room... 'all I have to do is cut it so that it will be narrower and it will fit in that space. Then you can put the small on top of mid-sized shelf... and vio`la! all 4 shelves will fit."
"REEEEEALLY? I say... what about this shelf ...it will be TOO TALL STACKED LIKE THAT. "
"Cut it off. "And he did!
I don't have pictures of him cutting the last shelf to make it narrow... but he took it apart and cut each board down by 2 inches (approx.) and then re-assembled it. This photo is him placing the chopped off top from the little bitty cabinet on top of the newly narrowed one... Do you follow?

Cause it is confusing I tell ya...

I told you it was aMONSTROUS MESS!
oK... NOW THE chopped part is on top of the newly narrowed part AND!....
TA-DA!
Now they aren't anywhere near finished... and I do want to show the finished part... so I've got to trim them out and paint them. Once finished they will be superb! No one will be the wiser...Well except all of you -- my faithful readers.

So tell me what do you think so far? Honey and I come up with some doozies for passing the time don't we?

I'm posting this at ASPTL and it never fails... I'm always late...
Go and checkout some of the other postings too...some of them are so great!

Fakin Like it...

"Fakin' Like it." That is the term my children would use when they were small for 'make-believe' or pretend. Fakin' like it.

"Hey, Fake like ...your the baby and I'm the momma. And I said eat your vegetables...and you fake like you're cryin.

Or

"Hey, fake like we're on the bus and I'm driving all crazy (but you make the porch swing go all wonky)... and then.... You run and jump on it with me."

Fakin' like it. The stuff kids dreams are made of...

That is what my post is this week for






Fake Like I bought this online at Target. But not really, cause it is made with different picture. AND! it didn't cost $40. plus S/H charges.
At Target.com

This is about $40 bucks.



I made this for... Free! Yes, the sheet is part of set bought and given to me, the plywood is scrap from the shed. Paint left over... from the A moire makeover.






No Fakin'!


I have no idea where exactly I'm gonna hang these. But, it will probably be in a spare bedroom. I'll keep you posted.

I can't believe I'm showing this...

...but if Donna can do it; then I know I'll be able to do it too. Here goes!





Ok -- so here are the pictures of my back laundry/pc/slash mudroom...oops! too many slashes! Well, you get the idea. This room is overflow.
It is awful! We've lived in this house 14 years THIS month and this room has always been the BANE OF OUR HOMES EXISTENCE... it gets under my skin too.

A few things about this room:

• This is the room w/ the BACK DOOR.

yes! right behind that cheap dollar store vinyl table cloth (did I mention this room is drafty?)

• It is also the room w/ the washer and dryer in it... ah, the Laundry Room.

Notice: bleach, ironing board, bucket of home made detergent against far wall, basket of folded CLEAN- YES I SAID CLEAN LAUNDRY!!!!!! That cute little purse hanging from the cabinet -that is clothes pins. Yes, I love to hang laundry. Once the weather straightens up I'll be hanging out the laundry. The weather is sometimes nice enough to do that ,even in the winter , down here in TEXAS. not always, but sometimes oH, and underneath it all... the washer and dryer of course!

Sorry, I got a little sidetracked there... moving right along.

• This is the room where tools (in this dresser) are stored. Let's see... books, and over flow from the other parts of the house. It never fails. I get this room organized but it never stays that way. Hmmm...
  

I have a project in mind already for this dresser too, by the way.

I don't think I have to tell you what everything is in the above picture... just suffice it to say. This is going to be my NEW AND IMPROVED PROJECT & WORK CENTRAL

But FIRST I have to get rid of THIS...!

yes...

• this is my place of blog. My computer. (cue sound effect...time machine...going back in time...) Let's see I moved it here when the kids were still living at home. (it was in the kitchen) I am NOT however moving it back there--- that place is still in the process of becoming beautiful .

I am going to probably move it to a spare bedroom. That will take another project day.

But oooh! I am so excited that Donna is lighting a fire under some of us to create a workspace w/in our corner of the world, to call our own.

So, the first of order of business is , well, ORDER.

creating order out of cHAoS!

I don't know what exact steps will be taken to make this room functional...cause it is barely functional right now. But I know it involves a TON OF WORK! I'm tired already just thinking about it.

Oh yes, and the closet doors in the last photo are a closet that is crammed w/ objects de memorabilia... A.K.A junk.

I think I'll be incorporating that closet and utilizing it SOME how....

stay tuned.

If you don't have a work shop, place to work or craft or sew. Consider Donna's Funky Junk Workshop Series

Go there and check it out!

Interior Bliss Designs--

Way before I ever started this blog

I Poured

Over


Magazines.

My personal favorite is Country Living

I love, loVE, LOVE! That magazine.
November 2007-- I came across this company- Interior Bliss Designs


I like taking something old, chippy, imperfect by most peoples standards and incorporating it into my home and daily life.

Kimberlee and Darren have at Interior Bliss Designs has a knack for perfecting chippy. Their keen sense of seeing an item for it's true worth; and making it shine in all it's rusty- chippy glory is something to behold! They can see something that is less than perfect and put it front and center regardless of how it is dressed-- right to the head of the table!

They have decorated and remodeled for lots of clients.

I have a few of my personal favorites. First and foremost is Camp Griffin. This is Kimberlee's own place. She has done a great job making it over.

I like this kitchen


I also like this bathroom

I'd love to post pictures- but am not sure how to go about that w/o compromising copyright. So please visit and check out the links. Let me know what you think!

Packing away the Memories

I took our Christmas tree down yesterday. I always keep it up until after the 1st of January. Which is when we usually get together with my Dad, brothers and their families.My baby brother is a New Year baby-- so we always have birthday cake as well.

When I get ready to pack up Christmas and tuck it all away for safe keeping I have to find the "Holiday Memory Book" --




it gets packed separately from the tree and ornaments and festive decor. It is special. It gets placed in our fire box along with important documents like birth certificates , marriage licenses, and insurance papers.

The Holiday Memory Book is a family history of all the years we've spent together. It is a journal. It tells a story. I started this book in 1994 when my children were still young. I had just the year before lost the first of my grandparents and was missing him that holiday season. So I incorporated a sign in page for guests at family gatherings. Yes, I carry the book with to the
Gathering Place.

I bring the book out at Thanksgiving. We report the menu, the weather that day-- some days it has been warm enough we picnicked outside for Thanksgiving (in 70 degree temperatures). This year we inserted the menu painstakingly typed and delivered with precision to all the rest of the family. It was my youngest daughters year to shine! She prepared the menu, instructed everyone what dish they were to bring, what time to show up...she came to my house so early this year and was cooking away with me, her mother, right by her side. I was so proud of her. She will be the one to carry some of these traditions along.



AT Christmas time-- the pages are filled with activity. If you stop by our home from Thanksgiving thru Mid January 'traditionally' you are asked to sign our book. Our Guests pages are some of the best!

Our youngest son-in-law it was noticed a few years back had signed our Holiday Memory Book-- when he was 8 years old! He was a guest of our oldest son's. He came back years later and married our daughter-- he signs in regularly now.

There are many many signatures in that book. Not just signatures, but well wishes from loved ones from out of state. Sweet messages left by those who are no longer here with us. Tucked into the pages of this book are 'the last Christmas card' from (....fill in the blank...........). We make notes about how the family has grown and how blessed we are to have this baby. There are hand drawn sketches of Christmas trees-- cowboy boots--- angels singing. School programs from the grandkids Christmas plays with special highlights of how loud they sang their line--

Some times the weather is reported. Sometimes a 'quote of the day' is written down for all to be reminded what was SOOO FUNNY LAST YEAR! Pictures with Santa are stuck inside (My how the kids have grown!)

It thrills my heart to see the book being passed around the room with pen in hand or wonder why everyone is gathered in the spare bedroom and what is so funny? When you peek-- they are laughing at something funny some one wrote years back... making memories!

It's pages are riddled with God's gift of Grace and His mercy upon this family.


A few years ago I began to write out prayers to individuals in our family into that book. Looking back we can see the fruit of those prayers and how God has seen fit to answer them.

Some of this years additions are sad and precious none the less.

We had some tragic times this year with the loss of a grandbaby in February and the loss of my Mother in love in October...

amidst all the tragedy there was a wedding, a birth and an announcement of a new arrival just the week of Christmas!

As I tie the ribbon around the swelling pages of this book I can't help but wonder what this year holds... and pray that some one will remember to next year to tell the story.

What do you pack away along with Christmas?


PS:

Please forgive the poor quality of pictures...again. Did you read my post from yesterday? I stink at photography! I wasn't lying folks!

No Resolutions only Goals to aim Towards-

Whether or not I hit the target remains to be seen!

Ok, While everyone else is yakking it up about Christmas and the best of 2009-- seeing how 2009 is over and behind us-

I have decided to just look ahead and share a few of my blogging goals for 2010;
Especially after reading Donna's (FunkyJunkInteriors) thoughtful posts (and everyone else's comments) on blogging (which was quite helpful,btw). These goals will be aimed at:

• blogging/ posting more regularly
• neighboring with my fellow bloggers (visiting / commenting)
  
• keeping things simple (this could spill over into my life and that would be GREAT!)
• share more-- be more personable-- (like I'm doing now for example)
• Don't AIR ALL MY LAUNDRY-
  

I don't think I've shared very much of my true personality on this blog. But I could be a little more open without sharing too much private information.

• work on my photography skills. ( Let's face it my picture taking stinks! Y'all know it, my kids know it and I KNOW IT. Just look at some of my pictures; they look they were taken from an episode of Batman the TV series! Or worse like they were taken at the circus !

Just getting the lighting right would be helpful.

• Oh yes! and staying on topic. That is a very good Goal.

ANYWAY!
One thing I know for sure-- I need to come up with a Mission STATEMENT. I've not shared WHAT exactly my reason was for starting a new blog in the first place or the reason behind the name or the people I hope to attract as readers. I think that is something I need to really put some thought into- you know?

Articulating it-- that is the hard part.

SO WHAT IS MY NUMBER ONE GOAL FOR 2010?
it's a new year and I plan on taking it one day at a time.

mood board test

My Mood Board...

keep in mind this is the first time for me to try something like this... I shopped around to find stuff I liked.

Tweaked it a little

See for yourself.

* Edited to add this : duh, I knew there had to be a way!

Amoir Amore

This is a past furniture project I did...

I think I completed the project in July -09.

I wasn't posting furniture projects for all the world to see but looking back on the year last year-- well there was a lot of stuff I wasn't doing and a LOT LOT LOT of stuff that I was doing but had rather of NOT!

This was something fun I did- It started out to be for my first born's first born...and ended up INSTEAD being a much needed item for my daughter's and hubby's clothes. Whatever works.
I think it turned out adorable.



As you can see from this picture it had a awful green color scheme (you can't see but this piece is CRACKLE PAINTED and the veneer on the door is bubbled)- this was going to take some creativity on my part
The layout is hanging clothes on the right; on the left a "cubbie" with an oval shape cut out for what I assume might have been a mirror originally and below that- five drawers which all needed work!
Another shot of the crackle paint and I've started sanding at this point. I don't have pictures of the mid work that was done, but I ended up plastering over most of the side surface to give it a smooth finish. I rubbed the plaster while it was wet with a sponge until it was relatively smooth.
This is the picture of the 'cubbie' door while it was off the piece. I had to glue it back together it was broken in half, then I sanded it and painted it. I did NOT replace a mirror.

These last pictures were taken after it was moved to her house -- right in the middle of moving and unpacking as you can see by the clutter. Hey- the camera was handy!
I stretched part of an old lace table cloth I bought for a dollar at Bargain Land (my favorite place to shop!) I made a stencil and spray painted the SILVER 'M' in the middle (for my daughter's last name). That was my favorite part.



This is a pretty good shot of the door. Remember? the veneer was bubbled? Well, what I did was take the framing apart turn the veneer insert over (so it is toward the inside of the piece) and vi`ola! The outside part is smooth. The color scheme with the chocolate and silver is my daughter's taste. I like it!

What do you think?


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