tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49031464713459526502024-03-12T20:35:01.843-07:00House of WhiteHome decor, vintage furniture, home accesoriesJennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-10617864660521763152011-09-02T08:52:00.000-07:002011-09-02T08:52:27.829-07:00Perhaps We Spoke Too Soon. . .<br />
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</div>In case there is anyone wondering where we have been for the last four months, let me update you. From the last post you might assume we have been busy getting our new venture off the ground. . . but no. <br />
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Lisa and I have loved House of White for the last year as we got to know some of you and shared our projects here, on facebook, in the shop, and on etsy, but somewhere over the summer as life was hitting us with its usual whirlwind of slightly organized chaos, we realized we were spreading ourselves too thin. And we also realized that there are other things in our lives that would have to be sacrificed if we really wanted to make this thing work. . . and we didn't want to sacrifice those things. I admire those of you who put your all into what you do--and you do it so well! I will continue to get inspiration from you, but we have closed House of White. <br />
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We will still continue to do our own personal projects, and if you have any interest in seeing what I am up to you can follow along on my sporadically updated <a href="http://penofjenn.blogspot.com/">personal blog</a>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for all the encouragement and kind words over the last year. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Best of luck!</div><br />
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Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-5206384197361513182011-05-23T17:28:00.000-07:002011-05-23T17:28:13.016-07:00Branching Out. . . The Long Winded Version<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101146/IMG_0686/web.jpg?ver=13061890760001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101146/IMG_0686/web.jpg?ver=13061890760001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
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As House of White evolves, Lisa and I find ourselves doing things a little differently than we imagined at the get go. But I figure to make a business work, and to really figure out what we enjoy doing and what will succeed, we have to be flexible. <br />
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We started out making over furniture, we still do that, though our large furniture pieces haven't been big sellers. Chairs, stools, mirrors and frames sell well. Desks, dressers and other large items, not so much. <br />
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Early on we branched into decor items--some vintage, some repurposed, some newly crafted. Vintage item sales are hit and miss, the repurposed and newly crafted items generally sell well--especially our paper products (wreaths, garlands etc.), and our framed items (chalkboards, message boards etc.). Keeping both our etsy store stocked and our booth full (while balancing our home lives and busy, young, over scheduled children) has been a balancing act!<br />
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Add to that, our decorating posts about our own homes and projects (which I have to admit seem to be the most popular!), and you might wonder about us going in too many different directions. Blame it on an inability to focus on one thing when we love so many--or maybe it's merely ADD. Probably a bit of both! <br />
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So <i>ALL</i> that (along with our previously confessed secret desire to be in party planning) got us to thinking. . . how could we combine <i>all that</i> without burying ourselves?<br />
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We have come up with a solution we both love and are very excited about. In case you have been wondering what the images in the post have to do with and how they relate to House of White, let me elucidate you: <br />
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<b>Vintage Prop and Event Rentals. </b><br />
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We will still continue on as before, but in addition to selling vintage, repurposed and newly crafted home decor (and posting about it along with our own personal quest to decorate our homes) we are beginning to accumulate fun vintage pieces and accessories that can be rented out to those of you locals for your next event! We have also begun adding things to our shop that would lend well to events or photo shoots that can be paired with our rental items (like our new flag banners, or even our paper garlands) And of course we will blog about it so the rest of you can get inspiration on how you might use fun old furniture pieces, or canning jars, or old crates to enhance your party, photo shoot, or wedding.<br />
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All the items pictured here are from a recent estate sale Lisa and I stopped by. It was packed with cool stuff. It was one of those houses where the people clearly lived out most of their lives there and now the children are selling it all off, the barns, cellars, house and all its contents. I only wish we'd gotten there sooner, they were packed with shoppers--they even had flaggers directing traffic. <br />
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We hopped out of our car and bee-lined for a stack of the most gorgeous blue canning jars. As we oohed and ahhed over the fact that they were only $1 each, a man came over and said, "Those are sold already." We then realized the jars were on the tailgate of someone else's truck! Somehow we failed to notice that. He was nice enough to point us in the direction of the canning shed where more jars were. . . but they were newer and clear. I snagged <i>one</i> in the house, and a couple other neat jugs in the barn. We did find a fabulous stack of crates in the canning shed though. . .<br />
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They didn't clean the items to sell them, and I didn't clean them before snapping pictures, but can you imagine how they might be used? If not, let me give you a few examples of what to do with crates, for instance:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101146/Crate-20ideas-20Page/web.jpg?ver=13061941380001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101146/Crate-20ideas-20Page/web.jpg?ver=13061941380001" width="525" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pictures from: 1. <a href="http://www.theknot.com/">The Knot</a> 2. <a href="http://ruffledblog.com/vintage-fruit-and-soda-crates-wooden-boxes-as-centerpieces-for-wedding/">Ruffled Blog</a> 3. <a href="http://septemberblueblog.com/?p=181">September Blue</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>A lot has to happen before we officially get going in that arena, but I thought I'd give you a heads up and see what you think. . . so. . .<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>What do you think?</i></span><br />
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In light of this new venture, we are moving our booth at <a href="http://camasantiques.blogspot.com/">Camas Antiques</a>. June 1st we will be relocating to an upstairs locations (which we are thrilled about), but a smaller space--so we can focus on the smaller items, the repurposed and hand crafted part of our business. We will still offer furniture and vintage items, but less of them, as most of those will go into growing our rental inventory. <br />
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If you frequent Camas Antiques, our new space is located where <a href="http://chloerosedesigns.blogspot.com/">Chloe Rose</a> currently resides (she is moving to a larger upstairs space). We hope you like the direction we are headed and would love hear your thoughts and opinions. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Monday to you!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-14074187141004924732011-05-19T16:05:00.000-07:002011-05-19T16:05:05.605-07:00Beachy Bar StoolsHere is what I have decided: <b> the more I have to actually blog <i>about</i>, the LESS time I have to blog it. </b> But then, doing <i>anything</i> in a timely manner has never been my strong suit. <br />
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Take these bar stools, for instance. I bought them last summer, before <i>House of White</i> was born. They were originally a blond wood. I actually took before pictures, but they are still on my broken hard drive. . . irretrievable. I painted one right after I got it, so conceivably I could have taken a picture of the other two, which just got painted last week. But no. <br />
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They aren't that old, but I thought they would look cute and beachy all painted up, with numbers on the back. I liked the rush seats and thought I could clean them up.<br />
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Rob, of course, reminded me that we didn't have a beach house to put them in, but I bought them anyway--for my house. Then we decided something more nondescript would be better for the space since the table was so close. <br />
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I might have made a bad decision. . .<br />
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Lisa and I finally got around to finishing the chairs this week. I discovered that the spots on the seats were wax. . . meant to hold the seat together where it was suffering from some wear and tear. It was staying.<br />
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So I decided to sew little covers for them. <br />
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I think they turned out super cute. I added a little blue ticking stripe trim to the seat, and ties to the back (along with little ties under the front to secure it to the front legs). <br />
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They blend in so well with my kitchen that I think I should have kept them! <br />
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And even though I screwed up when I painted the first number, and did it off centered, I think the added dot just makes it cuter. <br />
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But alas, Lisa wouldn't let me keep them. So we packed them off to the shop, along with a few other things. And there they sit, in case they are calling your name--you can go rescue them and take them home with you. <br />
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Nothing says summer like a little beachy decor and a pitcher of lilacs. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/IMG_0680/web.jpg?ver=13058438270001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/IMG_0680/web.jpg?ver=13058438270001" width="525" /></a></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-81126721526847706752011-05-02T14:13:00.000-07:002011-05-02T14:15:57.455-07:00Shop Randomness. . .Spring here in Washington is a funny, funny thing. Since we don't get super cold in the winter, the flowers bloom earlier here than some other places--which is great, because it feels springy. But the rain doesn't stop until the<i> fourth of July</i>, so we don't really get to appreciate spring the way we'd like to--<i><b>outside</b></i>. <br />
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One rain free day a couple weeks ago (actually it was probably only a rain free moment in a day) I managed to take a few shots of random loveliness: the flowering plum trees. <br />
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But then the rain commenced and rained all those lovely blossoms off the trees and into the mud. Sometimes we are lucky enough to see those blooms linger and flutter to the ground like mounds of soft pink snow. I love those years. . . this is not one of them. So I never got the chance to clip some branches and bring them inside. Other trees are blooming now and I might yet get to, but in the meantime I was inspired by a picture I saw somewhere.<br />
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So I made my own flowering branches. The branches and the moss are real, the blossoms are tissue paper.<br />
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I simply cut a load of 1-2 inch squares and folded them in half twice, then curved the edges to make little four petal flowers, stacked two together, wrapped them on the end of a pencil and hot glued them to my branches.<br />
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</div>I didn't keep the watering can full of spring, so I have no lovely vignette with it. I actually wanted it for the booth, to add some spring cheer that wouldn't die and look ugly before I came back to stock up again. I meant to take a picture of the booth when we took it over with a few more things to add to the space, but I went out of town and Lisa took it all over. . . and forgot to take a picture. <br />
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We also took a couple mirrors, a chalkboard and a chicken wire message board to replace the others that sold.<br />
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Some Holly Hobbie prints--I wanted to keep a few of those. . .<br />
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</div>I love these knob boards. I made myself one, then liked them so well we made a few for the booth. <br />
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</div>And that clothes pin board in the back? We made two of those after being inspired by Andrea over at <a href="http://fadedplains.blogspot.com/2011/03/botanical-project.html">Faded Plains.</a> I think I will make one for my daughter's room. . . eventually!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/IMG_9915/web.jpg?ver=13043680880001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/IMG_9915/web.jpg?ver=13043680880001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
Down in front on the floor are more butterfly garland. Some are dictionary and some are vintage sheet music with a little pink interspersed (from the pink covers of a few of them). Alongside those are some clay herb tags. I will post more about those later, when I get more made and add them to the esty shop.<br />
<br />
With the weather predictions of a little sun this week I think I will throw open the garage and paint some furniture. It's about time since we have three dressers, a vanity, three chairs, a small wall hutch, a bed, a desk, and a large mirror and some frames to paint.Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-50542369994236375662011-04-26T15:23:00.000-07:002011-04-26T15:38:27.079-07:00Patience is A Virtue. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0180/web.jpg?ver=13038527760001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0180/web.jpg?ver=13038527760001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Early in my marriage when I was inexperienced and poor, I tended to buy furniture based on need and a desire to have it NOW. If the couch I wanted was too expensive, I just bought something cheaper. I didn't search to find it somewhere else cheaper. I didn't wait and save my pennies so I could buy it later. I just found something that would work. <br />
<div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0152/web.jpg?ver=13038527870001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0152/web.jpg?ver=13038527870001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Then I looked around my house and decided I didn't really like what I had. It didn't feel like it represented my style. . . if I even knew what that was. I have recently come to the conclusion that if you have something functional in place you are less likely to go out seeking something new. Why go looking for the perfect sofa if you have one in good shape doing the job? It seems less justifiable. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0156/web.jpg?ver=13038527450001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0156/web.jpg?ver=13038527450001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>So when our springer spaniel snacked on our furniture last fall I got rid of the ruined sofa and table and chairs in my family room and kitchen. I found a table I loved right away, but Rob and I couldn't agree on family room furniture. This time I wasn't willing to just buy something that would do the job, and neither of us really wanted to spend the amount of money it would cost to get my first or even second choice sofa and club chairs. So I moved my living room furniture into my family room and lived with an empty living room. . . until this month.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0176/web.jpg?ver=13038527400001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0176/web.jpg?ver=13038527400001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>My patience paid off! We found nearly the same sofa for half the price--1/3 the Restoration Hardware sofa! And it came with the five pillows shown in the picture. I love a good rolled English arm sofa (and a turned leg). Rob argued it wouldn't be comfortable, and with only a picture to go on with the other two stores, I wasn't making progress convincing him, but once he sat in this beauty he agreed that it was, indeed, quite comfy. It has down/feather filled cushions and a really deep seat--great for the two of us being 6'2" and 5'10". </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0181/web.jpg?ver=13038527340001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0181/web.jpg?ver=13038527340001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here is the Restoration Hardware sofa:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/prod1622099_av2/web.jpg?ver=13038536700001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/prod1622099_av2/web.jpg?ver=13038536700001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>The Pottery Barn sofa:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/img57l/web.jpg?ver=13038536690001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/img57l/web.jpg?ver=13038536690001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>The RC Willey sofa (Mine):<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0164/web.jpg?ver=13038528000001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0164/web.jpg?ver=13038528000001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>AND we found a sofa table and a coffee table for a good deal. A nearly identical table set can be purchased at Ballard Designs, but they cost more! I count that a double score. Plus mine was made from reclaimed wood out of a factory. </div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0157/web.jpg?ver=13038527360001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0157/web.jpg?ver=13038527360001" width="525" /></a><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0159/web.jpg?ver=13038527690001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0159/web.jpg?ver=13038527690001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Ballard table:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/TE116_main/web.jpg?ver=13038537530001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/TE116_main/web.jpg?ver=13038537530001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>And I got some great accessories: the mounted driftwood on the sofa table. . .</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0175/web.jpg?ver=13038527780001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0175/web.jpg?ver=13038527780001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>And this lovely three teared tray, which I love everything about, even the little bun feet underneath it. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/Stand-20Page/web.jpg?ver=13038548000001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/Stand-20Page/web.jpg?ver=13038548000001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Now I just need to find those two leather club chairs and another upholstered chair to finish the seating. . . </div><div><br />
</div><div>But in the meantime, I am ignoring the rain pouring down outside, washing all the lovely blossoms off the trees. I am bringing a little spring inside. I may have to fill my house with cut flowers to appease my annoyance with the dreary weather around here! </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0172/web.jpg?ver=13038527960001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0172/web.jpg?ver=13038527960001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=130031496200022" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=130031496200022" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>**All furniture and accessories mentioned in this post were purchased at <a href="http://www.rcwilley.com/">RC Willey</a>**</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-51809901781210113522011-04-13T19:55:00.000-07:002011-04-13T19:58:08.303-07:00Basket Case. . .<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101007/Outdoor-Party-Supplies-berries-0710-de/web.jpg?ver=13027407870001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101007/Outdoor-Party-Supplies-berries-0710-de/web.jpg?ver=13027407870001" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Country Living)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Last month while on my birthday shopping trip I ran across the cutest ceramic berry bowls at Anthropologie. I didn't let myself buy any home accessories that day because I had decided my birthday shopping spree was going to be about clothes. Then a few weeks later I was flipping through a back issue of <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/cooking/entertaining/outdoor-party-supplies-0710?click=img_sr">Country Living</a> and saw them featured in there. . . which made me wish I had bought them. I don't remember what they were priced at, but I tried looking them up online only to find they weren't available online. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101007/ceramic-baskets-1/web.jpg?ver=13027408000001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101007/ceramic-baskets-1/web.jpg?ver=13027408000001" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Jayson Home & Garden)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
So I went surfing around the web and found them at <a href="http://www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com/home.php">Jayson Home & Garden</a>. But they weren't cheap--small: $20, medium: $32, large: $38. I was tempted, but since I had treated the entire month of March like my birthday and spent accordingly, I couldn't do it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101007/IMG_9878/web.jpg?ver=13027392490001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101007/IMG_9878/web.jpg?ver=13027392490001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
THEN, I came across this ceramic berry basket at <a href="http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-19694/White-Ceramic-Berry-Basket">Sur la Table</a>. They only have one style (though you can get it in white or red), BUT it is only $6.95. Yep, six dollars and ninety-five cents. So I bought three. And now I wished I had bought more. I can't wait for my berries to come on. I have a strawberry patch and three blue berry bushes that will put these baskets to good use this summer. For now, I have to resort to buying a few berries, just to hurry the season along.<br />
<br />
Forget spring, I have summer on my mind. . . and it's looking pretty sweet!Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-119064692373727872011-04-11T13:35:00.000-07:002011-04-11T13:35:47.269-07:00Family, Sun & Shopping<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>I'm back! </i></span><br />
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After a whopping ten days in Idaho visiting family for an extended spring break, I am home and getting busy. I can't remember the last time I was away from home for such a long time. Plus, I hardly even touched a computer! I was too busy with my family AND Rob's (I have seven siblings all within 40 minutes of my parents, and Rob's parents and brother live nearby too). But the girls got their fill of their cousins and I got to see all my siblings, tried out a new cafe in my home town opened by a girl I went to high school with, <i>and</i> did some serious home shopping! It may not have been warm, but since it wasn't Washington, it was mostly sunny. <i>I'll take it</i>. But seriously, the warm weather could arrive <i>any</i> <i>day now. <b>Please</b>. </i><br />
<br />
I am getting excited about decorating more rooms (and yes, finishing rooms I have already started--focus is not my strong suit!). Because after six months of walking in the front door to an empty living room, the end is in sight! You'd think living a stone's throw from Portland, I wouldn't have to go to Idaho to shop. But since Rob's father works for a furniture store, we often buy things there--and I bought a couch, a coffee table, a sofa table, and a hutch--and a few other small items, like this bird cage. . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/photo_6/web.jpg?ver=13025524100001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/photo_6/web.jpg?ver=13025524100001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I, of course, didn't remember to take pictures of anything else since I was so excited to be actually agreeing with my husband on a couch, but let me just whet your appetite by saying the sofa resembles a sofa from Pottery Barn and one from Restoration Hardware that I have been eyeing, the two tables are made from reclaimed factory floor wood and iron, and the the hutch is a lovely handmade thing in worn shades of blue and wood.<br />
<br />
*sigh* <br />
<br />
We are bringing them back with us in two weeks when we return to Idaho for a family event. But the fun didn't stop there! A few minutes from my in-laws house there is this FABulous home decor shop, <b><a href="http://www.thenesthomestore.com/#!">Nest {The Home Store}</a>, </b>that I run to every time I visit Idaho. LOVE that store. This time I drooled over plenty--and snapped (grainy) cell phone pictures of a few things. I wish I had captured more, but I was too busy drooling. <br />
<br />
She had four of these big floor mirrors. Getting them home could be tricky, but I wanted one--and the table behind me too (you can't really see it, but it is made of reclaimed wood and it is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lovely</span>).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/photo_2/web.jpg?ver=13025513260001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/photo_2/web.jpg?ver=13025513260001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Two of the mirrors were flanking this lovely bed:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/photo/web.jpg?ver=13025513280001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/photo/web.jpg?ver=13025513280001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
If this set of four metal patio chairs is still there when I go back, they might come home with me. . . along with half her garden section.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/photo_4/web.jpg?ver=13025513230001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/photo_4/web.jpg?ver=13025513230001" width="525" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Sorry for the glare--that would be </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">sunshine</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, something I don't get nearly enough of lately!)</span></div><br />
I didn't manage to resist buying a set of these gauzy curtain panels. I ordered four panels of the robin egg blue striped curtain for my living room. If I am not careful my house will have blue in every room!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/photo_5/web.jpg?ver=13025513210001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101099/photo_5/web.jpg?ver=13025513210001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
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These pictures only hint at the loveliness I brought home, or <i>will bring home</i>. More on that in a couple weeks.<br />
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Now, I am off to ship orders and work on a few more projects so I can update you as promised!Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-59246519055252964082011-03-29T21:32:00.000-07:002011-03-29T21:32:40.381-07:00Sidetracked Again. . .Over the weekend I photographed a wedding (I am <i>not</i> a professional photographer, but was asked as a friend of the family--brave woman!) I thought you might enjoy a peak at her decorations:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101054/Page01/web.jpg?ver=13014585460001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101054/Page01/web.jpg?ver=13014585460001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">If you would like to see more pictures from the wedding/reception go <a href="http://www.ttld-lifeasiseeit.blogspot.com/">here</a>. (Though I haven't posted them all yet--more to come it the next couple days--on that blog.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She was going for a garden theme, without risking the rain by having it in an <i>actual</i> garden. Smart woman (though we did have some blue skies that morning!). The little packages in the picture 3 down, far left, were flower bulbs. Next to that (same picture) they had a photo book made with their engagement pictures for guests to sign. I hope you enjoyed the peak!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Tuesday!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=130031496200022" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=130031496200022" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-56045962884635919502011-03-24T16:58:00.000-07:002011-03-24T17:02:50.620-07:00Hopping {& Hoping} For Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_0077/web.jpg?ver=13010049980001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_0077/web.jpg?ver=13010049980001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
Despite our focus on furniture/decor and interior decorating, our paper garlands are pretty popular. This sort of surprised me. We first made a simple scalloped, three-dimensional garland at Christmas time to use as garland with your vintage inspired Christmas decorations, but after Christmas we got requests to make more. Recently, our butterfly garland hit the front page of Etsy and we got several orders in a handful of minutes. One woman, who was ordering the garland for her twins' playroom inquired if we had anything boyish (as one of the twins was a boy). Nope. We didn't. So I went in search of a more "boyish" shape to string into a festive garland.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_0091/web.jpg?ver=13010049990001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_0091/web.jpg?ver=13010049990001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Apparently spring is still speaking to me, despite it's refusal to actually arrive around here. Nothing says spring is on its way around my house like the croaking chorus of frogs that hatch behind my house in the a forest pond early every spring. This year they were busting out the music in the beginning of February! This is what I hear every night from my back patio. . .<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WsXWt8GhUdw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
And while I would certainly love to get back to painting furniture and decorating things, it would help if spring actually showed its face around here. It's nothing but cool weather and pouring rain as far the eye can see.<br />
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Which makes refinishing furniture and painting projects less than comfortable. . . because I do those things in my garage. My cold, unheated garage. But I have plans--big plans! Hopefully in the next month or so, my dad is going to come visit and help us build a shop/garden shed--with heat!--to make this job a little more of a year round thing. <br />
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In the meantime, I need to get to work finishing Signe's room makeover and wrapping up some things headed for the shop & etsy. <br />
<br />
<b>Do you shop on Etsy? </b> If so, <i>what kinds of things do you find yourself searching for and buying?</i> Here are a few of my favorite shops:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Vintage Goodness:</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AMradio"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101039/iusb_760x100-8039868/web.jpg?ver=13010081650001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">{Vintage} Photography:</span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-57899364541855392732011-03-22T11:46:00.000-07:002011-03-22T11:48:13.490-07:00Wall Paint Colors: Jenni's House<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Many of you have asked about paint colors for rooms in my house. This is my attempt to answer those questions. It may not be exact (I am using a Sherwin Williams fan deck to find matches) but hopefully this will be helpful.</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For those of you living in the Northwest, I buy my paint at Miller Paint, so when I have a Miller paint color name I will list it (though for many of the colors I used paint chips from other stores that I had them mix up--which, of course, I mostly no longer have!). From here on out I will use Sherwin Williams Paint chips, but will continue to use Miller Paint. That way, you can at least locate the paint chip and get similar results, should you choose to use it in your home. Also, I am adding the paint color squares from the Sherwin Williams website, but I am not sure how helpful that will be, because they don't look the same on my screen as on the actual chip--your screen may also vary. Where I have listed two very close colors, they appear much closer in person than on these swatches (though it is a clear representation of how much variation I get in different areas of my home with the same paint merely due to lighting variation!), but here they are for what it's worth!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/Family-20Room-20Paint-20Pics/web.jpg?ver=13008138570001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/Family-20Room-20Paint-20Pics/web.jpg?ver=13008138570001" style="cursor: move;" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The paint in most of the house, including: Kitchen, Family Room, Entry, Upstairs Hall, Girls' Bathroom (not yet remodeled), Signe's Room. I love its sometimes white, sometimes taupe, sometimes gray chameleon nature. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101031/SW7049/web.jpg?ver=13008175330001" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101031/SW7049/web.jpg?ver=13008175330001" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101031/SW6182/web.jpg?ver=13008175310001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101031/SW6182/web.jpg?ver=13008175310001" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">SW 6182 SW 7049</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">O<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">riginally a home depot white sample (possibly G</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lidden's N. B. C White 30GY 76/017) Closest match for Sherwin Williams is </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">SW 6182 - "Ethereal".</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Close second is </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">SW </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7049 - "Nuance"</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Painted in Miller Paint, Satin finish (# on the can: 09OR0092).</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/laundry-20prd-20paint-20color/web.jpg?ver=13008163010001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/laundry-20prd-20paint-20color/web.jpg?ver=13008163010001" style="cursor: move;" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Laundry Room, Powder Bath, Master Bedroom/Bathroom. Sort of gray, sort of blue--all lovely! And yes, these two pictures are of the same paint color! The laundry room <i>did</i> have a florescent light in it at the time, which, I think, makes everything bluer. Just an example of how lighting changes colors. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101031/SW6245/web.jpg?ver=13008175320001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101031/SW6245/web.jpg?ver=13008175320001" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">SW6245</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Original source forgotten (probably Home Depot--maybe the Valspar Seaside Retreat collection) Closest Sherwin Williams match is</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> SW 6245 - "Quicksilver"</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Painted with Miller Acropure Paint (Zero VOC) in eggshell (on can: 178-54 05KO848). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100306/_MG_0191/web.jpg?ver=12596419420001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100306/_MG_0191/web.jpg?ver=12596419420001" style="cursor: move;" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hannah's Room (before it became the guest room--actually it's not the guest room yet. It is still acting as my sewing room. But it is on its way to becoming the guest room.) And these appear more turquoise in person--with "Glimmer" being <i>slightly</i> more green. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101031/SW6490/web.jpg?ver=13008175340001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101031/SW6490/web.jpg?ver=13008175340001" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101031/SW6476/web.jpg?ver=13008175350001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101031/SW6476/web.jpg?ver=13008175350001" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">SW 6490 SW 6476 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Miller Paint color is </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mellow Blue 0468W, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">painted in eggshell</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Sherwin Williams closest match is </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">SW 6490 - "Timid Blue"</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Second closest match is </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">SW 6476 - "Glimmer"</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hope that was helpful. In the future I will be easier since I will match straight to a Sherwin Williams paint chip. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Painting!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">**I am going to post this and other source info posts in the FAQs page**</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=130031496200022" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=130031496200022" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-49756892826768459662011-03-16T15:43:00.000-07:002011-03-16T15:43:39.470-07:00Fame and GlorySpeaking of mantels. . . Remember my <a href="http://houseofwhiteinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-mantel.html">Christmas Mantel</a>? It is currently being featured on <a href="http://www.bhg.com/christmas/indoor-decorating/real-home-christmas-mantel-decorating/">Better Homes and Gardens </a> in a slideshow along with 18 other great mantels. It may be Spring, but I am thrilled none-the-less. <div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/christmas/indoor-decorating/real-home-christmas-mantel-decorating/"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/Picture-203/web.jpg?ver=13003149480001" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Go check it out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=130031496200020" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=130031496200020" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-88817888880722995852011-03-15T20:05:00.000-07:002011-03-15T20:05:53.992-07:00Welcome Spring! Do Come Inside. . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0006/web.jpg?ver=13002398950001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0006/web.jpg?ver=13002398950001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
Despite the constant downpour, the strewn branches and uprooted trees around here, it is actually starting to look like spring. My daffodils and hyacinths are sprouting up, and the flowering plums are turning pinker by the day. But the rain tends to drown out my sunny, spring spirit. . . so I had to bring a little sunshine indoors. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9979/web.jpg?ver=13002398880001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9979/web.jpg?ver=13002398880001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
I thought I would start with my mantel and family room. <br />
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I picked up some herbs at the store yesterday along with some glass candlesticks and baskets, and a large bunch of lilies--all light and airy, like spring should be.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9967/web.jpg?ver=13002398750001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9967/web.jpg?ver=13002398750001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
To add a touch of green, hints that things are starting to grow out there, I brought out my green throw pillow and green wool throw blanket. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9966/web.jpg?ver=13002399560001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9966/web.jpg?ver=13002399560001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
And despite my husband's complaints that I have too many magazines, I like having them close at hand for the rare moment when I have time to sit and flip through their pages for inspiration--so I filled a basket with back issues of Country Living, and Better Homes and Gardens magazines (among others), a smaller basket with some vintage books, and (in case one is not in the mood to read) an even smaller basket with the remotes. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9990/web.jpg?ver=13002399220001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9990/web.jpg?ver=13002399220001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/baskets/web.jpg?ver=13002399020001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/baskets/web.jpg?ver=13002399020001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The lilies work double magic--they look springy, AND they smell like spring also. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0008/web.jpg?ver=13002399350001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0008/web.jpg?ver=13002399350001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
On the mantel I layered my paper wreath over the mirrors (again--LOVE that wreath), potted the herbs and stacked them with the candlesticks, and threw in some ironstone for added white (and my chippy little dove too). Then, because the middle felt kind of bare, I added a couple empty frames. . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9993/web.jpg?ver=13002398900001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9993/web.jpg?ver=13002398900001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0004/web.jpg?ver=13002399400001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_0004/web.jpg?ver=13002399400001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Come to think of it, it feels a lot like last year's spring mantel:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/Mantel-20Contrast/web.jpg?ver=13002440990001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/Mantel-20Contrast/web.jpg?ver=13002440990001" width="525" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This Year Last Year</span></div><br />
The biggest difference is the lack of furniture last year (that and the load of sunshine streaming in the window of last year's picture--wish I could have brought some sunshine home in my shopping cart!). We had a springer puppy at the time and our rug and anything small and "chewable" was taken out of the room.<br />
<br />
Similarities aside, it made my whole room feel more airy and light, and THAT is just what I needed. <br />
<br />
White, glass, wicker, fresh flowers and herbs. . . these things say spring to me--<i><b>what says spring to you?</b></i><br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=129918636200020" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=129918636200020" width="320" /></a></div><i><b><br />
</b></i>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-48410910203584617032011-03-10T15:36:00.000-08:002011-03-10T20:53:25.580-08:00White Love and a Birthday Sale!Though some people may argue that white is not a color, I argue that not only is it a really GREAT color, it makes a very powerful statement. Before we opened <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/houseofwhite">our etsy store</a> I had not heard of treasuries. Almost immediately after setting up shop our items began being featured in treasuries. The best treasuries make a beautiful collective statement. But I always get a thrill when we are featured in an all white treasury. This kind of treasury is speaking my language!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d6ad2f4b45e8eef878b6c69/the-love-of-white"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/WhiteTreasuryCapture/web.jpg?ver=12997987690001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Curator: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWrapAroundPorch">The Wrap Around Porch</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I had to share this treasury because I figured if I could stare at it all day, you might like to also. For those of you with etsy stores, do you use treasuries often? I have only made one, but when I see our things featured in such lovely collections it makes me want to rush out and make one. . . or maybe go out and buy myself a birthday present! (This curator has created a couple other treasuries worth checking out also.)<br />
<br />
Speaking of our etsy store and birthdays (since mine was yesterday), we are having a sale Now through Sunday in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/houseofwhite">our etsy store</a>. Take 10% off your purchase with the coupon code: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Spring</b></span>. And if you see something that has already been sold that you would like to purchase, send us a message--we may be able to re-create it and include it in the sale. <br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Happy Birthday</span> to me and <i><b>happy shopping</b></i> to you!<br />
<br />
<i>***If you are local, Camas Antiques is throwing its own birthday celebration this weekend to celebrate 7 years in business. Our items will be 10% off there as well. Friday and Saturday cake will be served and the first 50 customers each day will receive a gift, courtesy of Camas Antiques. ***</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=129918636200018" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=129918636200018" width="320" /></a></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-74713691080652473712011-03-07T23:01:00.000-08:002011-03-07T23:02:13.912-08:00Half-finished Project # 532: Dining Room Chair SlipcoversToday I awoke with a dilemma on my hands. . . which unfinished project to work on. I bounced from Signe's room, to the laundry room, to the living room, to the guest room and back again, but every project in progress needed supplies--and I didn't want to run to the fabric store or the hardware store, I just wanted to get to work on something. I finally settled on painting trim in the kitchen/family room. Mostly because my husband suggested it might be time. . . since we put that trim up nearly two years ago! But once I got all dressed in painting clothes I changed my mind. I wanted something with a good before and after picture, and while I could post pictures of the kitchen remodel, I didn't want to post after pictures until it was <i>actually</i> all done AND decorated. Which left one other thing I could work on. Something I bought supplies for 1 year and 4 months ago. Clearly I need to work on completing the projects I start. It is one of my resolutions for the year actually--Finish all half done projects! I am very good at the starting part.<br />
<br />
A year ago last November I decided I was tired of the black upholstered dining chairs in my kitchen. So I went out and bought these fabrics (which I also planned to use for accents in my family room):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101015/FAMRM-20FABRIC/web.jpg?ver=12995653920001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101015/FAMRM-20FABRIC/web.jpg?ver=12995653920001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
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I picked them to match my Turquoise Fire King dishes:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100801/_MG_6101/web.jpg?ver=12852168980001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100801/_MG_6101/web.jpg?ver=12852168980001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
And this rug (Jordan, Porcelain Blue, in 9X12) I bought at Pottery Barn:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101015/web-4/web.jpg?ver=12995653840001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101015/web-4/web.jpg?ver=12995653840001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Then I promptly sewed a slipcover for ONE of my EIGHT chairs. And though I loved how it turned out, I never finished the other seven. A year goes by, our family adopts a springer spaniel, said springer chews up the legs to my dining chairs (among other things), and the chairs get replaced without ever being recovered.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101015/web-5/web.jpg?ver=12995653880001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101015/web-5/web.jpg?ver=12995653880001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
But the good news is, the new chairs needed slipcovers. I bought the new table (Provence) and chairs (Anna Slipcover Chair) at World Market a few months ago, but they were out of the slipcovers I liked. Luckily I still had yards and yards of Robins Egg Blue Linen (Waverly). So today I set out to make <i>all six </i>covers in one shot. Otherwise I feared history would repeat itself. And I almost made it. Now I have six chairs that look like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101015/web-6/web.jpg?ver=12995653940001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/101015/web-6/web.jpg?ver=12995653940001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Maybe tomorrow I will finish the box pleat skirts for the bottoms of them, and give them all a good ironing. . . or maybe a year from now. Let's shoot for tomorrow!Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-43424332933111806612011-03-03T10:30:00.000-08:002011-03-03T10:31:11.722-08:00Juxtaposition. . .Have you ever noticed how many things can be done with an old frame? A lot. Over the years I have framed artwork, framed other objects with an empty frame, created three dimensional artwork within a frame, put mirrors in frames, framed fabric, stacked empty frames on my mantel, made chalkboards, made magnetic message boards (made magnetic chalkboards!), and actually put pictures in frames--a lot of pictures. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Framed/web.jpg?ver=12991755730001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Framed/web.jpg?ver=12991755730001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
But I have come up with a few more ideas of things to put in frames. . . and by come up with, I mean I saw the idea somewhere and put my spin on it (though a few I thought I had imagined up I have since seen elsewhere)! This frame idea I actually saw at a wedding. The frame was displayed with note cards for guests to write congratulatory notes and words of advice that they then clipped onto the chicken wire. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/IMG_9741/web.jpg?ver=12991730270001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/IMG_9741/web.jpg?ver=12991730270001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
I happened to have a frame just lying around, waiting for me to do something with it (a few frames actually). I chose this one because I liked the size and I liked the contrast of the more ornate, silvery blue frame with the bare chicken wire. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/_MG_8951/web.jpg?ver=12991730670001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/_MG_8951/web.jpg?ver=12991730670001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
And because spring and the revamping of my yard and garden have been on my mind of late (I would will it be spring already if I could), I decked this message board out with fun botanical prints and a few sprigs of dried thyme. I hung them with the tiniest clothes pin clips.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/IMG_9736/web.jpg?ver=12991730130001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/IMG_9736/web.jpg?ver=12991730130001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
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When spring finally makes an appearance around here I will definitely by ready. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I have another frame of similar size and style in the works, and two other ideas for fun message boards I will be working on as soon as I pick up a few supplies.Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-23666170296925842002011-02-21T19:59:00.000-08:002011-02-21T19:59:48.975-08:00Going BOLD. . . and Making it PersonalHow do you start planning a room? Where do you seek inspiration? I often like to find some fabric and jump off from there. With Signe's room we did have a picture of an inspiration room that got us going, but I knew I would need one fun fabric to plan the rest of the room around. I was having a hard time finding one for some reason--I think because Signe had picked this raspberry red color that she had set her heart on. It wasn't really pink, it wasn't really red--but it WAS really hard to find fabrics to coordinate with. <br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Then I stumbled across this really cool website, <a href="http://Spoonflower.com/">Spoonflower.com</a>, that seemed to have endless fun and funky fabrics. After searching all over the site for well over an hour one night I suddenly realized something. . . you can design your own fabric on Spoonflower. How cool is that!? You can draw your pattern and scan it, or design it in photoshop or another design program and upload it. Then you can choose a scale and repeat pattern, and choose from one of seven kinds of fabric to have it printed on. This might be sounding like an ad--it's not, I am just all kinds of excited with the idea of making my own fabric patterns. I think this might be the beginning of a long relationship! </div><div><br />
</div><div>So I set to work drawing up something. I didn't think too much about how the pictures looked--I was too excited to order something and see how it turned out. But none-the-less, I <i>like</i> how it turned out. Here is my scanned drawing:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/Bird-20fabric-20drawing/web.jpg?ver=12983462210001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/Bird-20fabric-20drawing/web.jpg?ver=12983462210001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>and here is a snapshot of the fabric:</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/IMG_9690/web.jpg?ver=12983461530001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/IMG_9690/web.jpg?ver=12983461530001" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I plan to use this fabric as a roman shade on her window.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div>Once it arrived I made a trip down to Fabric Depot--a HUGE fabric store down in Portland. And despite the overwhelming amount of options there, I couldn't find any coordinating fabrics that were the perfect shade of raspberry. I very nearly scratched my fabric and picked a different feature fabric--I had one all picked out. But Rob (who was nice enough to go with me, despite his aversion to fabric stores), convinced me to stick with my fabric. So we ditched the raspberry and went with red, which still worked great. I'm liking it. Here is a little spread of the general idea I am working with:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/Signe-s-20Room-20Board/web.jpg?ver=12983462010001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h="" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/Signe-s-20Room-20Board/web.jpg?ver=12983462010001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><i>What do you think?</i> </div><div><br />
</div><div>There will be lots of white. Her duvet cover and one of the two shams I plan to make will be mostly white. And I have almost decided to paint her current twin headboards white (since Hannah insists on sleeping in Signe's room I have decided to stick with the two twin beds instead of finding a full sized Jenny Lind bed, as I originally planned).</div><div><br />
</div><div>Her dark green dresser and side table, however, may be going turquoise. Because even though their current green color is very similar to the vine part of the feature fabric, I think we need a little more boldness. We are taking a departure from the current warm and subtle hues, so we might as well do it BIG, right?</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-15619781705149379082011-02-18T13:20:00.000-08:002011-02-18T13:24:44.143-08:00Rain, Rain, Go Away. . .It may be mid February, but I am ready for spring to arrive. Winter wonder has always worn off by this time and spring seems so close, yet not close enough--particularly when pots of tulips and daffodils grace the entrance of so many stores these days. Around here February is known for having a little burst of warmth before returning to winter for a couple more months. Last year we got one good week of 70-80 degree weather, during which my husband and I finished building our raised garden beds in preparation for spring planting. I have been praying for another week like that. . .<br />
<br />
This week hasn't been it. Instead, Tuesday morning brought snow and freezing temperatures. We don't get a lot of snow around here, and so even though it was the kind of day we wished for a couple months ago, the window of excitement has passed (especially since school wasn't cancelled, and my power went out for three hours, leaving me no choice but to fold laundry!).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100306/_MG_4835/web.jpg?ver=12828337960001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100306/_MG_4835/web.jpg?ver=12828337960001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
So if spring won't come to me, I will make a little spring myself. Last fall, about the time I was making my first butterfly wreathes, I got the butterfly bug. But they were not particularly fall-esque, so I tucked the urge away. NOW, however, we all need a little of what the butterfly represents--because where there are butterflies, there are flowers, and sunshine, and warm weather. <br />
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Butterflies have been popping up all around my house of late. First in the cake I baked a few weeks ago:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_0264/web.jpg?ver=12955747420001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_0264/web.jpg?ver=12955747420001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
Then in the butterfly garland I started making last week:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9503/web.jpg?ver=12978936230001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9503/web.jpg?ver=12978936230001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9577/web.jpg?ver=12978935150001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9577/web.jpg?ver=12978935150001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
And finally (because despite my general un"craftiness," part of me wants to be a party planner--Lisa too, judging by the <a href="http://penofjenn.blogspot.com/2010/01/two-peas-in-pod-or-two-twillerbees-in.html">party</a> we threw our girls a year and a half ago) in the "Spring" banner I made yesterday:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9620/web.jpg?ver=12980548130001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9620/web.jpg?ver=12980548130001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9623/web.jpg?ver=12980548200001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9623/web.jpg?ver=12980548200001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
AND the cute little butterfly tags:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9651/web.jpg?ver=12980530430001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9651/web.jpg?ver=12980530430001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9668/web.jpg?ver=12980530410001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9668/web.jpg?ver=12980530410001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
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It just makes me want to throw a spring party.<br />
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Plus it matched my daughter's room so well, it made me a little sad to be undoing all that lovely cream and pale pink in favor of bright whites and bold colors.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9640/web.jpg?ver=12980548160001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_9640/web.jpg?ver=12980548160001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
But Signe is ready for a change and I am sure her room will be fabulous once we finish the transformation.<br />
<br />
What has you craving spring?Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-75013621514034643492011-02-14T13:54:00.000-08:002011-03-10T20:52:33.223-08:00Laundry Room: Before and (Almost) AfterI have a dream of one day being the kind of blog that chronicles the steady progress of one project at a time until it reaches completion--giving you all a fabulous before and after transition. However, I clearly have design ADD. My laundry list of half finished projects is lengthy. But I <i>can</i> claim to be slowing ticking small steps off each list. So while I have promised great progress pictures of Signe's room--which I have been working on--I am going to share the most recent progress in my laundry room saga. <br />
<div><br />
</div><div>When we bought our house, three and half years ago, my laundry room looked like this:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_3252/web.jpg?ver=12950678120001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_3252/web.jpg?ver=12950678120001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>About a year ago I painted it a pale blue gray. I had reservations about doing too much to the room because we have toyed with the idea of doing an addition which would create a very large and lovely new laundry room. When/if we do the addition, this room would become the mudroom, as it is the pass-through room between the garage and the entryway. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Last May, as I was graduating from college (at long last) and dreaming of new patio furniture as my graduation gift to myself, our washing machine went out. So my present became a new washer and dryer--which I found an ironic gift that sort of said: "Congratulations! Now get back to the house work." At this point I figured addition or no addition this ugly little room was in direct sight of the front door, and as long as the washer and dryer were out, I was going to at least do something about he ugly stained and torn linoleum. So we ripped it out.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100615/_MG_9848/web.jpg?ver=12778298810001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100615/_MG_9848/web.jpg?ver=12778298810001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>When I saw the pine tongue and groove subfloor I had visions of sanding it and painting it--maybe light gray, or even a white and gray harlequin pattern. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100615/_MG_9850/web.jpg?ver=12778298820001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100615/_MG_9850/web.jpg?ver=12778298820001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>I even had Rob convinced for about 12 hours. . . but after a good night's sleep he decided it wasn't practical for a laundry room--not to mention a few of the spaces between the boards were big enough for spiders to climb through out of the crawl space below. So we tiled it.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100615/_MG_0016/web.jpg?ver=12754542100001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100615/_MG_0016/web.jpg?ver=12754542100001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Then there it sat. For six or seven months. Until Rob finally built the cabinet to replace the cheap-o sink and ugly shelving that we ripped out. Remember a month or so ago when I mentioned I had a project that I hoped to wrap up and blog about by the end of the week? This was it. . . I didn't get it done. We only got the counter and sink installed.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9515/web.jpg?ver=12977184360001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9515/web.jpg?ver=12977184360001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Once I started working on Signe's room last week, I realized that for the first time in a very long time we had two whole days with nowhere to go and Rob at home. So I quit sewing curtains and bedding and started tiling and painting in the laundry room. Because while I do all the actual tiling and painting, I am not a fan of things with blades, so Rob cuts the tiles where I mark them. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9523/web.jpg?ver=12977184340001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9523/web.jpg?ver=12977184340001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>And while I (once again) had high hopes that I would whip this room out and dazzle you all with the after, I didn't. So here is a picture of the now tiled backsplash and partially painted cabinet (it needs a second coat, and the door installed under the sink. </div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9524/web.jpg?ver=12977184430001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9524/web.jpg?ver=12977184430001" width="525" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9525/web.jpg?ver=12977184410001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/IMG_9525/web.jpg?ver=12977184410001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And just to remind you how far we have come, here is a before and (almost) after side-by-side:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/LaundryBA/web.jpg?ver=12977203870001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/LaundryBA/web.jpg?ver=12977203870001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>For a very small room, it is taking me a very long time. . . but it's coming along. Next we need to:</div><div><br />
</div><div>- finish painting the cabinet & hang the cabinet door</div><div>- order a new light fixture (I'm thinking a schoolhouse fixture)</div><div>- build a shelf above the washer and dryer</div><div>- install new hook boards along one wall (for coats and backpacks)</div><div>- attach the towel hook</div><div>- hang something above the sink. . . maybe a chalkboard with key hooks. </div><div>- get baskets for the shelves</div><div><br />
</div><div>THEN I can show you the before and after pictures. . . instead of just the during pictures. </div><div><br />
</div><div>In the meantime, I sort of got distracted making myself a new duvet for my bed. I will post it when I finish--whenever that may be.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">**********</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>The cabinet is constructed of furniture grade plywood</div><div>Counter top is Ikea Numerar butcher block in solid beech: $89.00</div><div>Subway tile is from Lowes--Daltile .23 ea; trim tile was $4.17 each</div><div>Cabinet paint: Miller Paint, Rhino 05k0847 (I am working on getting all my paint colors matched to Sherwin Williams colors)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Floor tile is called Avila Al 12 X 24 by Roca (a couple people asked and I forgot to add it) It is a porcelain tile with color all the way through so if it chips you won't see it. </span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;">***********</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Valentine's Day! </span></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-89465491906885805592011-02-08T23:08:00.000-08:002011-02-08T23:08:37.114-08:00Mixing Things Up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I have survived the energy sucking, motivation killing, head cold that has been plaguing our household. Actually, I was feeling much more energetic last Thursday and spent the better part of the day cleaning and organizing my house. Then Friday morning dawned and I awoke with the intent to get back to work--I had plans, and lists, mind you. But then, while making beds after the kids caught the bus, epiphany struck.<br />
<br />
I suddenly wondered why the heck Signe's room was THE smallest room in the house--with her two twin beds and more clothing than any seven year old will probably wear before outgrowing them (not to mention her sister refuses to sleep in her own room, and so sleeps in the extra bed and contributes to the massive mess . . . in the room at the top of the stairs, visible from the entry way). <br />
<br />
So my plans and lists went out the window while I proceeded to shift rooms counter clockwise: Signe's room became Hannah's room (after all, her bed is a full, her furniture and bedding is lovely, and she never spends any time in there--it's really a glorified dressing room),<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_0240/web.jpg?ver=12941621380001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_0240/web.jpg?ver=12941621380001" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_8935/web.jpg?ver=12972251570001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_8935/web.jpg?ver=12972251570001" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After - Much work is still needed</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Hannah's room became the guest room (or at least it WILL be the guest room--right now it is my temporary work room. I need a craft room. My sewing stuff keeps roaming around the house! I decided to paint the bed before I set it back up.),<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100306/_MG_0191/web.jpg?ver=12596419420001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100306/_MG_0191/web.jpg?ver=12596419420001" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_8943/web.jpg?ver=12972251630001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_8943/web.jpg?ver=12972251630001" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After - Clearly not an improvement!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
and the guest room became Signe's room (and essentially Hannah's room too).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/_MG_5341/web.jpg?ver=12883959360002" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/_MG_5341/web.jpg?ver=12883959360002" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_8936/web.jpg?ver=12972251460001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_8936/web.jpg?ver=12972251460001" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The guest room (now Signe's room) was the largest of the three rooms and rarely got used. And it only took me three and a half years to come to this conclusion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_8940/web.jpg?ver=12972251490001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_8940/web.jpg?ver=12972251490001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
So now I have some painting to do and some lighting to address, not to mention curtains and wall decor. But it all got me thinking about painting pretty much all the furniture in these rooms and making/buying new bedding.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/_MG_8942/web.jpg?ver=12972251260001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/_MG_8942/web.jpg?ver=12972251260001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I have a thing for white linens (bet you're surprised!) All my towels and sheets and a lot of our other bedding are white--except Signe's room. But she wants to redo her room with lots of white and accents in bolder colors. So I have been toying with ideas. <br />
<br />
The girls produced this lovely artwork, which I decided to put in the frames which previously displayed pictures of green things--moss, ferns, ivy--when it was the guest room:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_8938/web.jpg?ver=12972251550001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_8938/web.jpg?ver=12972251550001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Signe has requested I use bold colors from the pictures here and there in the room. So I have been trying out bedding ideas. I made a couple pillows inspired by some I saw at Pottery Barn (though here they are on Hannah's bed). . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/_MG_8932/web.jpg?ver=12972219920001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/_MG_8932/web.jpg?ver=12972219920001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
But I wonder if I need to incorporate color with a ribbon or something--maybe make the ties on the end colored.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/_MG_8928/web.jpg?ver=12972219910001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/_MG_8928/web.jpg?ver=12972219910001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
Or maybe I don't need color here, but rather in the other bedding, like the inspiration picture:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/hbx-bedroom-pink-0710-ewart-de/web.jpg?ver=12941625920001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/hbx-bedroom-pink-0710-ewart-de/web.jpg?ver=12941625920001" width="250" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I think I will paint the headboards, the dresser and night stand, and the desk I bought at Goodwill (which is not yet in the room).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/_MG_8941/web.jpg?ver=12972251230001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/_MG_8941/web.jpg?ver=12972251230001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
Oh, and bring her chandelier in from her previous room--I bought a new one for Hannah's new room.<br />
<br />
Whew! That was--and will be--a LOT of work. Stay tuned for more progress!Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-52035331250311260842011-01-21T08:38:00.000-08:002011-01-21T08:42:49.938-08:00It's All About Appearances. . .Wednesday, late in the afternoon a crack in the clouds opened and a few heavenly rays of golden sunshine found their way into my kitchen. They spilled across my table and beckoned to me. I had just spent the better part of the day cleaning out my office--no small undertaking--and I decided I deserved a little break.<br />
<br />
I snatched up my latest copy of Country Living and collapsed in my yet to be slip covered dining chair, right in front of the glass back door to get the maximum amount of sunshine. In moments I was pouring over lovely homes, feeling as though the sunshine filling the cheery rooms on the pages was actually warming my cheek as I flipped the pages and sipped ice water through a straw. <br />
<br />
It was, however, short lived. The bus arrived and dumped off my adorable and very chatty daughter. By the time I had helped her with a few things and returned to my magazine, the sunshine was gone. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_0232/web.jpg?ver=12955747400001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_0232/web.jpg?ver=12955747400001" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pillow available on Etsy (Butterfly wreath also on Etsy)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I have a thing about pictures. I love to look at them--in magazines, on photography blogs--and I love to take them. Often I get an image in my head and I must work until I capture it in a picture. Sometimes that means setting up elaborate displays like when Lisa and I decided to throw a <a href="http://houseofwhiteinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/09/harvest.html">Harvest Party</a>. It wasn't really about the party, it was about taking pictures of the party setup.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100801/_MG_6101/web.jpg?ver=12852168980001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100801/_MG_6101/web.jpg?ver=12852168980001" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Ironstone for sale at the shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
I sometimes get so caught up in staging the things I am taking a picture of, I might get carried away and spend more time than necessary to snap a few pictures and post something on etsy. Because really, I am trying to make an impression, sell someone a story, give them a glimpse at someone else's life--hoping they will buy into the whole package, not just the item. . . like I do when I flip through my favorite magazines, or browse my favorite shops on etsy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/_MG_8782/web.jpg?ver=12950387140001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/_MG_8782/web.jpg?ver=12950387140001" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper garland at the shop and on Etsy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Take yesterday for instance. Lisa and I had sewn a few aprons. Some for the shop and some for esty. When it came time to photograph them, I had a vision of working in my kitchen, filling a vase with flowers while wearing a cute little apron. That was easy enough. I had some flowers, so I put them in a white pitcher and staged them next to me.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/_MG_8803/web.jpg?ver=12955747450001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/_MG_8803/web.jpg?ver=12955747450001" width="525" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Swiss Dot Apron (picture must have worked--I listed it last night and it sold last night!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
But then, when I put on the white and red apron, it made me think of Valentine's Day and baking a surprise for someone special. . . so I HAD to bake a cake. . . and add it to the picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_0258/web.jpg?ver=12955747390001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/IMG_0258/web.jpg?ver=12955747390001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I have sort of had a butterfly thing going. I got hooked on some butterfly art last fall and have been waiting until now to start bringing some more into the shop. So I added a couple candy melt butterflies to the cake--it just felt more Valentine-ish that way, without resorting to hearts. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/_MG_8829/web.jpg?ver=12955747850001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100922/_MG_8829/web.jpg?ver=12955747850001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
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In the end, the cake is hardly a big feature in the picture (though from this angle the lint on the floor is!). But I think it adds something. I am no expert on staging, by any means (or photography for that matter)--but I sure have fun doing it! And the kids didn't care what I was doing it for if it meant they got cake with cream cheese frosting for dessert.Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-34983927794936195912011-01-14T18:11:00.000-08:002011-01-14T18:11:11.311-08:00A Little Restraint. . .I sort of have an addictive personality. . . Hence my decor business. I bought more than I needed so I decided to sell things to give me an excuse to keep buying cute things! But as a rule, I try to avoid collecting too much of any one thing. I think it would be too easy to just keep buying something because I "collect" it. Add to that, people who know you tend to find it an easy thing to always give you. So eventually you end up with a thousand snowmen, or birdhouses, or penguins. Then one day you find yourself being crowed out by a thousand staring penguins that you don't actually like anymore and haven't a clue how to go about getting rid of--let alone telling everyone to quit buying them for you. <br />
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Or maybe I just made all that up in my head. Either way, there are few things I collect. I have collected blue Fire King dishes over the last few years in spurts, though my collection will still fit on one shelf in my hutch. <br />
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I have also collected some ironstone, though again, not any great quantity yet--more because I won't pay what is often asked, and I don't come across pieces I love as often as I would like. <br />
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My husband would argue that I collect shelter magazines. . . and truthfully he is probably right. But I use them all the time. It's like a reference library, a source of inspiration, a mini escape when I get a chance to sit still and do something fun. <br />
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But that's about it. <br />
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Lately, I have had a thing for birds. I must not be alone, because you might have noticed the plethora of bird related things out there, not to mention the bird/nest related home blogs. There is something simple and homey about birds and nests, I think. <br />
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It has become a bit of a joke between Lisa and me. I see a bird and say "Oh that is cute!" She rolls her eyes and says "Really? I wouldn't have guessed you'd think that!" And occasionally she will concede that it IS quite cute. But I try not to buy every cute bird thing I see for fear of becoming the lady who collects birds. And then each bird will loose its value and it will become more about the collection and less about the individual birds. <br />
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So I have practiced restraint and only purchased a few birds.<br />
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It started when a friend gave me this cute little terra cotta bird for my birthday in 2009.<br />
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I followed up by purchasing this cute pillow on etsy from WhiteTwig the next month.<br />
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Then I practiced restraint and merely admired birds until my next birthday when I purchased myself this adorable chippy little dove at an antique store. . .<br />
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Then came House of White, and my admiration for all things bird has found an outlet. . . though I am still practicing restraint! It started with this silhouette pillow (for sale in the etsy store):<br />
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Last week I was at the Good Will and couldn't pass up the cutest little rooster. He may have been pale green and yellow, but I thought he was cute, none-the-less. I was so quick to give him a fresh look I forgot to take a before picture, but I think he turned out really cute.<br />
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He is headed to the shop along with this collection of items that coordinate nicely with his new look:<br />
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Now that I know every bird I feel the urge to purchase won't be collecting on my every surface, I may let myself pick up a few more and bring them home with me. . . even if it is only for a short visit on their way to a new home. <br />
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<i><b>What do you collect, or find hard to pass up when you spy one?</b></i>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-55967059042753173752011-01-11T09:05:00.000-08:002011-01-11T09:05:35.868-08:00To Glaze or Not to Gaze. . .Despite the fact that we are called House of White, I like a little variation in my finishes. White, after all, isn't really one color--it's a myriad of subtle shades, which don't always make a subtle statement! So when painting our furniture and accessories, we choose from a half dozen of our favorite shades. Sometimes I have a hard time deciding if a piece should be creamy white, or pale gray, or have a hint of blue. . . other times it's as though the chair or dresser is whispering "Make me blue!"--like the chairs I am working on right now. <br />
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But the indecision doesn't stop there. Should I keep is a clean solid painted surface? Should I sand and distress it? Should I antique and glaze it? I have tried several antiquing glazes and after many not so great results, I found one I liked. It was a simple glaze found at the craft store in "mushroom" that I added to a glazing medium. But I ran out recently and instead of making a special trip to the craft store I picked up a different one at the hardware store since I was already there. It is darker than the mushroom color, but for some things, I think I like it.<br />
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Take these wood candlesticks, for instance. After some debate, we painted two cream (that were peach before!) and two pale blue (that were dark wood before). And I quite like them as they are.<br />
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But I decided to glaze them and try out the new glaze. They had some interesting details that would stand out more with the contrast. <br />
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But after I glazed them both, I decided that while I liked the cream ones, the blue ones were too contrasty. <br />
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What about you? Do you have any favorite glazing/painting techniques? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=129476421400013" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=129476421400013" width="320" /></a></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-39258720634960054862011-01-05T21:18:00.000-08:002011-01-05T21:19:30.771-08:00Making Things Up As I GoUsually when I start a project I take time to plan it all out. I often sketch rough drawings to get a clearer idea of what I am trying to achieve. But sometimes, I simply get an idea in my head and I go at it with only a vision and a lot of enthusiasm. Occasionally things go awry--but my dahlia pillow was the result of a mistake I made and I loved how that turned out, so I don't usually worry too much, unless my materials are expensive and I don't want to screw them up. Generally speaking though, things work out.<br />
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For instance, right before Christmas I got the idea to make some white ruffled placemats. Simple enough I figured, so I just started cutting and sewing with a vague idea in my head and modified it as I went along. A short time later I had four cute ruffled placemats:<br />
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I took them to the shop to set up a table under the snowflake mobile I made. And that would have been that, except. . .<br />
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A day or two later one of the shop girls called to tell me that a woman wanted to buy them, but she wondered if I could make four more because she needed eight. Of course I said yes--then I scrambled to remember the dimensions and how long I had cut the ruffle strips and how far from the edge had I sewn them anyway? It is a good thing I had made four, because having done it four times I remembered most everything, and luckily the one thing I couldn't remember (the ruffle width and length) I had cut an extra one the first time, so it was still sitting there in my workroom. I'd show you, but of course I rushed them right over and didn't take a picture. <br />
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You would think this would be a lesson in writing things down--but as I type this, I realize I STILL didn't write down the instructions and sizes. Well actually, I did scratch down the dimensions from memory before I made the second set, but who the heck knows where I put THAT piece of paper. <br />
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So the moral of this story? Write down what I did--and put it in a safe place where I will find it again. It will really make my life easier.Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-28531288335096058882011-01-04T09:44:00.000-08:002011-01-04T09:44:19.360-08:00Fresh Starts and Fresh ideas. . .Happy New Year! A little late, but heartfelt none-the-less. I have a confession to make. My husband has been home on vacation since December 19th. . . the last day I posted. AND he doesn't go back to work until <i>next</i> week. When I am trying to work he comes in with an impish grin and says, "Let's go. . ." where doesn't matter--he makes it all sound so fun, even if it is only, "Let's go make homemade bread!" or "Let's go clean the kitchen together." SO, when I should be saying, "I need to work." what my mouth <i>actually</i> says is, "Okay!" <br />
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See my dilemma? When we both work together we get things DONE. But when we both are together doing separate things. . . we get things done, just not the things we should be doing! <br />
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Today I am getting back to work, <i>really</i>. Though, I might try to squeeze in one more house project this week. But I will take you along and show what we are up to. I think you might like it. <br />
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Just to make it harder to focus, I have gotten the bug to redo my daughter's bedroom. It hasn't been done since we moved here over three years ago. I did it up beautifully in Utah when we lived there. When she was a baby it looked like this:<br />
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</div>Then when she got her big girl bed we redid the whole thing to look like this:<br />
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</div>Then we moved. And her stuff made the room look fine, though I didn't paint--even the curtains came with the house. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_0256/web.jpg?ver=12941621250001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100897/_MG_0256/web.jpg?ver=12941621250001" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I did snatch the chandelier from the old house though--it was a baby gift from my neighborhood friends.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>But the other day Signe saw this picture and decided her room needed a makeover:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/hbx-bedroom-pink-0710-ewart-de/web.jpg?ver=12941625920001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100904/hbx-bedroom-pink-0710-ewart-de/web.jpg?ver=12941625920001" width="525" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Country Living)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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I think since her sister has an antique iron bed in her room I will not do iron. I am leaning towards a Jenny Lind style bed but all the ones I am seeing are on ebay for fabulous prices but mainly on the east coast and largely local pick-up only. The search will continue. It will be sad to take out her twin beds. We made those when she was two for the whopping cost of $35 each. <br />
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While I was browsing the Goodwill the other day I came across this table:<br />
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When I was looking it over I spied a big ugly spider on the under side and my husband refused to kill it for me. So I called over a friendly employee and informed her I was interest in the table, but no so much the spider--and it's <i>two</i> egg sack nests! So she in turn called over another employee--a boy--who put on a glove and hauled the spider off--ALIVE! Eww. I know the idea of saving the spider is nice and all, but if he put it outside in the 25 degree weather. . . but back to the table.<br />
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I think I want to paint it and put it in Signe's new room on one side of the bed with a cute little chair. I also picked up this great frame for not much and the painting itself is on a board rather than canvas. That will make painting chalkboard paint right over it a snap. Don't you think that would be cute above the made over desk? <br />
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I get so excited when inspiration strikes and I just want to go at it. But my room make-overs are never quick, unfortunately. I will keep you posted on the progress, slow though it may be. <br />
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In the meantime, I need to revamp the etsy shop and restock the store. . . unless Rob pops down here to ask if I want to go running or something--because as awful as that sounds, he has convinced me to do it the last three days in a row! <br />
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Wish me luck--and <b>focus</b>!Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903146471345952650.post-74944966484231648222010-12-19T17:44:00.000-08:002010-12-19T17:44:50.402-08:00Snowflake Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100857/_MG_7690/web.jpg?ver=12910637630001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100857/_MG_7690/web.jpg?ver=12910637630001" width="525" /></a></div><br />
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While most of the country (and many others) have been getting record amounts of snow, I have to settle snow of the paper variety here in the Northwest. I get a little jealous--never thought I'd miss the snow! So we make our own. <br />
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I have been decorating with snowflakes at Christmas for years. They are simple, beautiful, and white. . . and sometimes silver in my house. This year I tried something different. I made a snowflake design I had used in past years, but put a twist on it by making it out of a vintage dictionary. <br />
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Now that the kids are out of school for winter break, I am trying to come up with things to do--you might be too. So I am posting this tutorial so you can make your own vintage looking snowflake, or so you can keep your kids busy making a Christmas craft. To <a href="http://quixoticaesthetic.blogspot.com/2008/12/on-third-day-of-christmas.html">make it simply</a>, you can just use strips of paper like I have done with my girls, or you can follow the directions below to make something a little sturdier, and more unique--like snowflakes should be.<br />
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<b>You will need</b>:<br />
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a book (mine was 8.5 X 11 but any size is fine)<br />
scissors<br />
glue sticks (Elmers or a brand the will stick really well--the cheap ones don't work)<br />
8 or so paperclips<br />
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1. Start with pages cut from an old book--cutting pages out is super easy with one of those wrapping paper cutters. Mine was an old dictionary (I love dictionaries, and it did make me a little sad to cut is up). I purchased it for almost nothing at the Goodwill. <br />
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2. Next, fold the page in half (the top down to the bottom) and then in half again, and then again. <br />
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3. Then cut along the fold while still folded. Now you will have a lot of about 2.5 inch pieces by about 8 inches (depending on the size of the book--bigger books will make bigger snowflakes, but any size will work). The end pieces will be half pieces, but they will still work.<br />
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4. Then start gluing and folding. Glue down the length of each strip and fold the edges to the middle. . .<br />
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5. Then glue down the middle again and fold in half. Then glue the middle fold in half again.<br />
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For the half pieces, glue two together, on atop the other, then fold the same as the rest, only you fold the sides in once then in half.<br />
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You will need 12 strips like these for each snowflake.<br />
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6. Glue two together in their centers like a cross.<br />
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7. Add two to each side opposite of the center one.<br />
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8. Add two to the other strip, opposite of the center, and weave through the perpendicular stripes. <br />
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At this point I put that side in the middle of the book to press while I make the other side. Repeat steps 6 - 8 so you will have two halves:<br />
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After they have dried a little (5 - 10 minutes at most) but are still moist and pliable, gently curve the two outside strips to each side of the snow flake. Then take an outside strip from to bottom leg of the cross and the right leg and curve the under and out. Glue tips together and put a paperclip on it to hold it while you repeat the other four corners. <br />
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It should look like this when done:<br />
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Set aside and repeat with the other half. While you are allowing the glue to dry a little under the paperclips, gently curve the remaining straight strip of each side. <br />
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Then lay one side atop the other, but shifted so each straight single portion lines up with a curved double section--like this:<br />
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Attach with glue the single strip under the loop of the double strip on the opposite side (remove the paper clip long enough to glue and attach, then re-paperclip) Now repeat on each of the eight loops (four for each side.<br />
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When you are done it will look like this:<br />
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Leave the paper clips on long enough to dry and then you are done! Unless you want to sparkle it up like I did. I used simple white Elmer's glue in a bottle to add some silver German Glass Glitter to each<br />
loop. You can also take half strips and curve them to make loops and attach them to each point for another variety of snowflake:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Enjoy! Happy Paper Crafting!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=129243915200010" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://gallery.me.com/jpearson78/100778/Jenni%20Blog%20signature/web.jpg?ver=129243915200010" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Jennihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06193560597039721606noreply@blogger.com10