Nov 13, 2011

Old Books Are So Cool!!

I absolutely ADORE old books! They look so beautiful neatly lined up on a bookshelf. There is something about the old book cover with the old pages and the old print on those pages that makes for a wonderful piece of art to hold in your hands. Using old book pages to make wreaths, pumpkins, Christmas tree ornaments, and more is a very hot trend right now. Well, why not take that old book and turn it into a personalized hanging piece of wall art...??

I found these pieces on Etsy.


Or even into a beautiful candle?


You can buy these candles at Pottery Barn.

I am DETERMINED to find some old vintage books and make my version of these beautiful items this week, with a little twist: think texture and tangible!! You WON'T want to miss Funky Friday's post... It will feature a tutorial on how to make my versions.

I hope you were inspired today!!

Your slightly obsessed host,
Christi

Nov 6, 2011

Today's Inspiration?? FASHION!

With winter officially upon us I've been looking at a lot of cute and comfy fall clothing lately. Today's inspiration comes from an outfit that I found on Pinterest:

It made me think of a hipster kind of traveling lady, one that's always cozy, chic, carries a bit of the unexpected, and most importantly: always confident!

I designed this weeks inspiration room around that basic idea: somewhere that is hip and has somewhat of a traveled feel to it through some eclectic elements. Somewhere that is cozy, chic, and has an unexpected flair that will always draw you in.

The most obvious starting point in this room is the very graphic blue and white patterned wallpaper. The large, classic print makes a bold statement but is balanced out by the large, white modern sofa. Carrying the white throughout the room is key to pulling off the bold blue and white wallpaper. It helps to unify the room without bringing in too many other heavy colors and weighing the room down.

Lightening up the rich wood floors is accomplished by bring in a large white chunky throw rug. It is layered with another throw rug--this one a brown and white cowhide. Together the two rugs add a sense of texture, again without bringing too much contrast into the room and weighing it down. The light spice wall color brings in some warmth while still keeping the room light and airy. Simple shapes with very little color like the wall sculpture and the lighting fixtures help to add additional modern and classical influences, additionally tying the two styles together.

Even if this classical-modern eclectic style isn't for you, these simple guidelines of tying colors, styles, and textures together can and should apply to EVERY room in your room!

I hope that you have found some inspiration in today's post!!

Your slightly obsessed host,
Christi

Nov 5, 2011

Humpday Help & Funky Friday... a bit late. *BLUSH*

Well, since school is taking up every scrap of time and energy that I have, I have been unable to make my regular post deadlines, so in the future I will be doing away with my "Humpday Help" segment until school is finished. For now though, I am combining this weeks "Humpday Help" and "Funky Friday".



My dear son has been grounded from the Wii all week long. He really doesn't get to play it all that much anyways, but I think the idea that something is off limits really makes him want to nag me incessantly! All week long I have been hearing "I'm bored!" and "There's nothing to do!". I really wish that I had made this Advent Calendar a few weeks ago just for times like these.

Its original format was intended for the month of December but is really one that can last all year long, not just during the holidays. It can be completely tailored to any ones needs, which is why I love it so much. It can be made as big or as small as one would desire, and can be made out of paper envelopes, pretty scrapbook paper, or even fabric (fabric would be ideal to help with durability and longevity). After the envelopes are made they can be adhered to a piece of wood or fabric (and then hung with dowels on the top and bottom to maintain the shape). Putting pieces of paper with activity suggestions in each envelope is perfect for any child or adult to grab one out and get to having fun!

I will (provided I can find a few spare minutes here and there!) be making mine out of fabric. I'll use a neutral base fabric to sew all of my coordinating fabric envelopes to. Some of my envelopes will have fabric with a simple but nice design that will be able to go with all of the major holidays. I'll leave them plain with only the number of the day on them. The other envelopes will have have a more neutral fabric that will have little velcro pieces on the front of them so that I can create little holiday accessory pieces (Valentines, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) and change them out with those corresponding holidays.

Yes, I have thought ahead to what I will do with the extra days of the month when all 31 days don't apply!! Along with all fun must come some work... The extra pockets will be conformed into chore pockets. I'll have a "Chores" velcro accessory that will be applied to the extra pockets, that way when it's chore time I don't have to be the mean one that assigns the chores! The kids will simply retrieve their own chores!

As soon as I finish my version of this Advent Calendar I'll post it! I hope you find inspiration from this belated Humpday Help/Funky Friday post...

Your slightly obsessed host,
Christi

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