some new decor

Here is my new craft/sewing nook.  
It still needs a little love, but I am definitely loving it so far.

I bought the desk at the mill store for $179.00, which is a lot, but it was a perfect fit!
I added a fabric skirting (curtain panel) to hide plastic storage containers,
which are underneath the desk, and full of crafting supplies.
The trim is a belt that I bought years ago from Old Navy.

I bought this old book shelf at a yard sale for $1.00.
It needed a lot of love, so I started by painting it ivory.

The metal pails are from Target, and were a buck a piece.
Twenty of them fit perfectly.  I bought a stencil,
and numbered them with the same ivory paint... 1-20.
Total cost for storage shelf...approx. $25.00

The cork board is just a basic bulletin board that I purchased from the Goodwill for $3.00.
I covered it with linen ($6.00 with coupon),
and finished it off with black gross-grain ribbon ($2.99).
I used a staple gun to adhere the linen, and a bit of fabric glue for the ribbon.

The dresser was one that I had that I was using  in the bathroom for storage.
I actually found a better storage solution for the bathroom, so it was a good swap.
I painted it ivory, and filled it with treasures!
The jars on top are filled with buttons and ribbons.

Now I just need to find the discipline to sit, and create!

will a flower a day keep the blues away?

I will be having my first give away ever!!!!
see below for details....

I said in my last post that I would have a corner of my house post.
Well, I didn't get the corner finished yet, but here is a sneak peak...

It's a corner in my bedroom that is awkward, and  often is unused.
It has been a bunch of different thing, but none of them ever really successful.
The space is full of doors. There are two sets of closet doors, and a half door that enters into the eaves. It's not the easiest of spaces to design.  I am going to make a sewing/art area. This is all I have for now, I hope to be finished in the next few days.

I have a few more Trader Joe's updates....
I have had this Pad Thai 3 times, and I still love it.

The Taco Dip was good...Bob gave it a C.  (I would not buy again).
I served it with Trader Joe's sour cream which is very creamy.
Trader Joe's Fresh salsa, (I would buy again)
which was good, (not as good as Sister's Salsa from Maine),
but it is around $2.00 cheaper than most fresh salsas.
Trader Joe's Organic Round Corn Chips were very good(I would buy again).

These lava cakes were good. (I probably would not buy them again).
They need fresh cream and berries.
The cake was very chocolaty,  and dense.

The Mac n Cheese was yummy. Bob gave it a B.
(I would buy this again).

And now for my first giveaway!!!! Horray!

The other day I wore one of these flowers in my hair...and I swear it, I do....
that more people smiled at me than on a normal day (and not in a creepy way). 

So, I want to spread flower power to everyone....
well not everyone,
just readers and followers of my blog.
Would you like a free silk flower hair clip?

Would you like (non-creepy) people to smile at you more!!!
Do you need a little flower power?
It's so easy....just leave a comment below!!!!!

I will choose random entries, using a handy dandy number generator.
Go on leave a message...become a follower/reader. I will draw winners on Friday!

I almost drop kick my sewing machine today.

Sewing machines are sooo damn touchy....bobbin this, tension that!
I am trying to talk my husband in to becoming a sewing machine repair man. hee! hee!
The only downfall to a lucrative career as a repair man
would be the absolute crazy people (like me),
that have been driven over the edge by their frigin' machines.
Nothing else can send me into a crazed tail spin more than a misbehaving sewing machine.
After a lot of deep breathing and meditation, I did manage to make a skirt today.
I love these skirts from Old Navy, they are a major staple in my wardrobe.

The only problem with the skirts is the lack of quality of the fabric.
After a couple of washes....it's a pilled mess.
I guess at $20.00, it should be expected.
I found this skirt on Athleta, but $54.00 is a bit much for a jersey skirt.

I found some jersey knit corduroy;
it was on clearance for $2.50 a yard.
I took apart an old Old Navy skirt, and used it as my pattern.

It was incredibly easy.
The best part was having a skirt that I loved the fit of as a pattern!

You can adjust the length by folding over the top.

You can leave it longer, by not folding it over.

I have plans to make a couple more. The gray fabric on top is a bamboo/modal.
It is quite dreamy! The fuschia is similar to the blue.

My 8 year old took this photo...before I had the chance to iron it. Blek!

a little of this...a little of that!

I made these this week.

along with these...

which were really easy to make (idea from here).
you need a few pom poms,  branches, and old bottles.
I made my pom poms using these....

I tried using a handmade cardboard loom...
but they came out a little to
un-pom pommy(is that a word).
I prefer wool yarn....it's fluffier.
A little hot glue keeps it in place on the branch.

I think I may make a label for the bottle...
u & me
in honor of Valentines Day.

I need to learn to sew really well.
I want to make some clothes...like these...
(the following photos are from Japanese craft and pattern books).

Since it is going to be below zero at the beginning of this week,
I am going to stay in and make these.....

keep warm all my northeast friends!

I am a collector

it's a blessing...or maybe a curse? My husband would agree with the latter!
I collect many things; mostly vintage goods.
Two of my favorite  things to collect are Fenton hobnail glass, and mid-century tea cup and saucers.
The biggest obstacle to overcome as a collector is display space.
I have been inspired by the likes of these.

I gave myself a budget of $200.00, and went out to find my cabinet.
Well...add a 1 in front of the 200, and maybe I would have found one.
So, I went on craigslist, and found a few prospects.
There were loads of second hand cabinets for sale...but they were still out of my price range.

I found one that was really well made for $200.00, but talked her down to $170.00.
Which left me just enough to by Ben Moore's alklyd paint (a must have for painting furniture!),
and a decent paint brush.
BEFORE

I am sure some of you are saying how could she paint such a lovely maple cabinet?
I struggled for a moment or two, but knew I couldn't dawdle, because my husband was on his way home, and I needed to get the first coat on before he gave me the (are you insane) look.

I am just thrilled with the results!
I am thinking about lifting the top off the bottom,
by building a shelf- like structure (see second photo from the top). 
Anyway...
Be sure to come by tomorrow.....
I will post individual pictures of all my tea cup and saucers !
EXCITING STUFF!!!!!!!
NEXT WEEK MY FRIEND CHARLOTTE WILL BE DOING A GUEST BLOG FEATURING HER ROCK COLLECTION! seriously!
I am laughing so hard as I write this...good lord I am so funny!

shopping for a cause

Christmas is fast approaching......
My goal this year, as in years past, is to stay away from big box stores.
I like to buy gifts locally, handmade, or supporting a good cause.
I love shopping at museum stores, the items are nice and unique.
The majority of the proceeds go to community art programs.

The museum shop of the Art Institute of Chicago
has some really nice gift giving ideas.

The Spa Goddess on ETSY has some amazing handmade products.

Saco Valley Fiber Artist
has a great Christmas sale every year,
last year I bought quite a few gifts there.

I will be doing a show this year....hope to see you there! The cookie walk is fantastic!!!!

Casco Bay High School-Craft Fair and Cookie Walk

196 Allen Avenue
Portland, Maine 04103
Portland

Nov 20, 2010. The 5th annual Casco Bay High School / Portland Arts & Technology High School Craft Fair is an event not to be missed. Free admission, pleanty of free parking, free entertainment and over 50 of the most talented crafters from all over Maine. Check out Portland's longest cookie walk too. New and Used book sale, white elephant table, raffles galore. Visit the Casco Bay Cafe for some hot chili, soup, delicious sandwiches or a slice of home made pie and coffee. Event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.