Fireplace Planter Box

After all that talk about de-cluttering and easy cleaning I have gone and done the stupidest thing.  But my desire to live out my own childhood fantasies has trumped common sense.

So, come visit little dust mites,  build your web here spiders.  I don't care because if I could I would climb into this patch of flowers and take a nap with the butterflies.  Yes, I still kind of believe in fairies.

Last time you saw it looked like this.

After a visit to the dollar store I was armed with flowers and floral sponge.

I let Pearl poke all the flowers into the sponge, which was nice of me because it is oddly satisfying.  All I had to do next was arrange the rectangles in the box.  I had to use rocks to hold down the tall flowers.  

Once everything was in place I bent the flowers to give them a more natural shape and added dollar store butterflies.  I am searching for a little metal watering can so Pearl can "water" her flowers.  I think I have found the fountain of youth.

Floating Nightstands for the Allergy Kid

Have I mentioned that I am the allergy kid?  Nicknamed "The Fog Horn" in college I have suffered both ridicule and congestion for far too long.  So, I am changing my ways and trying to de-clutter our house so that there are less places for the dust to hide.  I am serious about this people.  We bought a Shark steam mop (which rules by the way) and I am literally lifting furniture off the floor. 

Case in point: My ever growing stack of books and nightstand house a colony off dust bunnies (and you know how fast bunnies multiply).  I have refrained from showing Steve's side of the bed because he didn't sign up for full disclosure.  Today I had the brainstorm to turn two Ikea crates we had into floating nightstands. 

A few screws later and I am practically dancing with my steam mop. 

Matching nightstands.  Dreams really do come true.  I still need to find a window covering and some bedside lights; but I am breathing out of both nostrils so life is pretty much perfect right now.

Tree Mural: Part Duex

Hmm, this project has turned into a series of blogs.  Would there even be progression without the blog?  I choose not to go there.  Anyways, I left you with this this last week...

I did add another coat of paint but Steve convinced me to stop there because he liked the textured look of the strokes, saying they were more "tree like" (he is a realist in all facets of life).

I picked out some scrapbooking paper,

printed out a bird template, drew a leaf shape, and traced and cut the hours away.

In the end I decided to use this product called Zots, which is the equivalent of using a hot glue gun.  I am a fan, just don't touch them with your fingers.

I place my birds and leaves one pattern at a time so they were equally distributed on the branches.

I think I am going to need a few more sheet of paper to fill out all the branches but I am basically done with the front of the fireplace.  Steve built a little flower box out of the leftover shelves from this  reclaimed piece of furniture in the playroom.  What's next?  I plan to wrap the leaves around the fireplace and onto the wall, as though they are blowing in the wind (need to paint wall first), and fill my flower box with dollar store flowers.  Looks like the tree mural posts will have to continue.  Mama needs the motivation!

My First (and last) Wall Mural

I am two months away from my due date and have entered the nesting period.  Up until this point that has translated into lots gardening.  However, I am finally starting to tackle some indoor projects, the first being Pearl's playroom.  Before painting the walls I decided to address the unused fireplace because I have had a plan for it for some time.

 I always struggle with what to put on the mantle and in the fireplace...and it shows.

 I have always thought it could be a cute focal point in the room but it wasn't until I came across this project that I was truly inspired.

I found a tree shape I liked on Off the Wall.

And borrowed one of Pearl's washable markers to roughly sketch it out.  If you are a perfectionist you could make a transparency of the picture and project it onto the wall to trace.  If you are me, you look at the picture, start drawing, and thank God for washable markers.

I have had this bucket of silver paint for a long time and am so happy that I finally found a use for it.  This is after the first coat and I'm guessing it is going to need several more.  After I am done with the painting I am going to add leaves and birds; either out of vintage wallpaper like the tree from Enfant Terrible or scrapbooking paper...not sure yet.  Other plans I have are for an mirrored owl and flower box in the fireplace.  I will keep you posted!

Dreaming of Lemonade Weather: $3 Refurbished Tray

I'm back.  After working in our yard in the freezing rain and wind for four days we needed a break from La Casa De Foster, so we headed up to our cabin in the San Juan Islands for some much needed R&R.  Yesterday I got my behind in gear and drove out to Trader Joes to do the grocery shopping and of course had to stop at the thrift store on the way home.  I found this tray for $3 and thought it would be a great for bringing food and drinks outside this summer.  Here is what I did with it.

I lightly sanded all the wood and cleaned it off with a damp rag.

This is the paintable wallpaper that I used in Pearl's room.  I had a little extra leftover so I thought I would use it for the bottom of the tray.  You could use wrapping paper, scrap-booking paper, the point is to use what you already have.  I measured my tray and then cut out my wallpaper.

Here is where I say, "do as I say, not as I do".  I used Craft Bond which was not smart because while it looked great at first, by the time I applied paint and Mod Podge it started to bubble and wrinkle a bit.  I would recommend using Mod Podge so you can smooth it out while it's wet and assure contact between both surfaces.

Next, I painted my tray.  I set the tray on a cake stand so I could rotate and flip it upside down. Paint the edges first so you can set the tray on the wallpaper side to do the outside.

At this point the tray could be finished with a couple layers of Mod Podge but I decided to cut out some fabric I had laying around and arranged it on the tray before I sealed it.  This would also be a great place to use any beautiful cards that you have been given and didn't know what to do with.

Can't wait until it is lemonade weather and I can put it to use!

Tips For Last Minute Entertaining

My poor Aunt got the flu and my parents are remodeling their bathroom so, at the last minute Easter was moved to our house.  I am always worried that the house is too small but yesterday I was reminded that sometimes the layout is more important than the size.  Even with 20 people it didn't feel cramped.  Here are some tips, musings and recipes that can help to get you through any last minute soiree.

Create spaces that are comfortable not just beautiful.  I pull the chairs out from my dining room table and scatter them about my house to create conversation areas.  For more sitting room I put floor pillows on my fireplace hearth and a tray on the ottoman for drinks.  Thrift stores are an excellent place to find folding chairs and tables.  We keep ours under the house and are always surprised at how often we end up getting them out. After I have defined the space, I fill in the room with flower arrangements, candles, and decorations.

 

In our family Easter brunch is a potluck.  If you are having people over last minute you should never be afraid to ask them to bring something.  This has been a hard thing for me to learn in that I come from a family of master entertainers who can easily pull of the whole show solo.  Create separate spaces for food and drinks.  I like to use a metal tub for beverages and put all my glasses, desserts, coffee and tea on a table next to it.  For the buffet table I stack plates, put silverware in a vase, and clear the runway for all the yummy food.

 

I can't tell you how many beautiful bouquets of flowers that were brought as hostess gifts. My mother-in-law gave me the cutest small potted daffodils.  I took a cloth napkin and secured it around the pot with a rubber band, then I tied a bow around the whole thing with twine.  The best part is that I can plant them in my yard and enjoy them again next year.

Make ahead desserts.  Because I has a days notice I was able to make these two fabulous desserts; Bacardi Rum Cake and Lemon Shortbread Cheesecake.  I love going to bed knowing that I won't have to bake in the morning.  After we came home from church, all I had to do was slice the strawberries for the garnish on my cheesecake.

**A tip for the rum cake.  Before you take the cake out of the pan and glaze it, I like to poke it with a chopstick on the underside and pour about half of the glaze on.  I let it soak for about 1/2 hour before I turn it back over and brush on the glaze.  So good for breakfast the next morning.

The best part about entertaining is that I get to enjoy all the beautiful flowers long after the guests have left!

Make It Work.

Awhile back I did a little tutorial on our headboard.  

But with a 2 year old and another one on the way in June we have finally decided to take the plunge and get a king size bed.  Which means that we have to change the configuration of our room.  We decided to do this before the bed arrives so everything is clean and organized. But I couldn't let go of my sticks...because...they make me feel like I am sleeping amongst the trees.  I admit that I am a little bit granola.

So we moved the dresser in front of the sticks (I know it looks like a buffet table...it is).  Now I can go to sleep looking at them.

But there is a problem.

With our bed under the window the metal blinds which, I have always detested, are all the more troubling.  I am on the hunt for some fabric that will cover the blinds and offer the illusion of a headboard.  I am thinking of something chocolate brown and cream but as I will be purchasing this material at a thrift store, I have learned to not be too specific with my musings.

As always, I will keep you updated.  Please send me any ideas or inspiration you might have to solve this problem.

Wire Nest with Newspaper Birds

I got this bee in my bonnet about making a wire bird's nest.  My dad has this spool of old rusted wire that for some reason I find very appealing.  I keep calling him, "you know that wire I borrowed before, can I have some more of it?". 

Wire Nest with Newspaper Birds

If you don't have access to some old wire, use new wire and spray it brown.  Form your nest, making sure to create kinks and loops to give it a more organic shape.

Now begin to fill in your nest.  I used what I had around; feathers, ribbon, jute twine, spanish moss and leaves.  There are so many options.  Another idea I had was to weave in all my colorful ribbons but my house is already so full of color that I decided to go with a more monochromatic color scheme.

Draw some bird shapes, double up your card stock and cut them out.  Next, tear up some newspaper and glue or Mod Podge it onto the birds.  Make sure you decorate on opposite sides of each bird shape so that when you stick them together both sides are covered with newspaper.  Bend your wire into springs and stick them into a piece of floral sponge.

I concealed my floral sponge with spanish moss and attached the birds by gluing the corresponding bird shapes together over the wire.

Maybe if I do enough bird crafts it will help with my bird phobia?

The Easter Bunny cometh: A cheap Easter basket for under $8

She has reached the age of stockings, baskets, and boxes.  Basically, mommy can't get away with the no present thing anymore.  And because mommy can't handle a bright pink plastic basket, filled with plastic eggs, wrapped in more plastic, I made her an Easter basket for around $8. 

  I bought the basket at a thrift store for a dollar and the flowers, moss, and twine at the dollar store.  The eggs were on sale at Jo-Ann Fabrics for around $2 and the little birdie's are part of my little birdie collection that I inherited (weird because I have an irrational fear of birds), but you can buy them at any craft store.

 

 I wrapped the handle in Jute twine, (got this idea from Kimba at A Soft Place to Land) doubling up the string and working in small batches so I wouldn't get all tangled.  I used a glue gun ever so often so things stayed in place.

I pulled the flowers off their stems and used the glue gun to secure them around the basket.

Finally, I added my birdies, filled the basket with Spanish Moss, and placed my eggs.  For now it is a center piece on my dining room table but in a few weeks it will be filled with the the Easter Bunny's bounty.

Embracing the nakedness of industrial design

Industrial design elements have finally made it into the mainstream.  From light fixtures, to exposed beams and piping it is hard to open up a magazine without seeing its prevalence in the design community.  One reason I love it is because it integrates so well with any style.

  I love this kitchen from Farmhouse Modern. The open shelves and kitchen island made from pipes still manage to evoke the warmth of a country kitchen.

This space from Home Design Find is able to integrate raw materials with the warmth of cozy chairs, to create an area that looks lived in rather than sterile.  

Even more mainstream stores like Z Gallerie are carrying industrial light fixtures.  And you would not believe the treasures to be found when you search industrial decoration or industrial lighting on Etsy!

How can you add industrial design elements to your home?  

My brother and his fiance used large beams and exposed bolts to create bar that is both functional and beautiful to look at.

There is a great tutorial on how to recreate this bed made from plumbing pipes at Apartmenttherapy.

This project from DIY Ideas uses plywood and threaded rods to creating hanging shelves that keep the clutter off the floor.

I think that there is something really beautiful about showcasing raw materials.  Of course the pendulum will swing back again and designers will call for ornate lamp shades to cover all the bare light bulbs but for now I rather like the nakedness of industrial design.