One finished corner...

Valentine surprise

I have a bedroom update, but first, have you ever tried to gift balloons on an extremely windy day?  It doesn't work.  All the strings tangle and won't separate.  So my two bouquets of six became one room's worth of ceiling balloons.  I grabbed the scissors and right before I gave into cutting the strings, I decided to just release them.  I think this worked much better.

One completed corner.

I have one corner (and most of a wall) of the bedroom finished.  I tried to hang the mirrors I had just finished painting, but they're very heavy and one of the wires kept snapping.  I put them away and bought the proper supplies when I went out to run errands.

The art wall has been up for awhile, no changes there.  Her back ordered West Elm bedding finally came and I steamed it in the dryer.  I couldn't handle the thought of ironing it.  I think I might hate ironing so I was procrastinating about putting on the bedding.  I survived though and I finished these little mountain pillows.  I read a tutorial for making these pillows, but I ended up just sort of doing my own thing.  I had a sweater dress that shrank and some felt scraps so I made some chalk shapes and cut them out with a rotary tool.  I sewed the felt and sweater into place at the same time.  After they were stuffed and together, I tacked down the felt edges with a buttonhole stitch.  I cut out the rest of the dress and decided to make more.  It's very satisfying.

The side table is the same one we've had for awhile.  It's from Urban Outfitters and I think it's for record storage, but it's also good for books.  The wall sconce is new and also from Urban Outfitters.  I had to finish the headboard before I could decide where to hang it.  It doesn't look like they sell the table anymore, but I kinda' love the little light.

The headboard is what I would call one of my major projects for the room.  The main project, other than painting and papering, was refinishing the dresser.  I looked for some headboard inspiration for awhile.  I know that beds don't have to have them, but it makes it look complete to me.  I love tufting and I saw a great tutorial for a faux tufted twin headboard on Vintage Revivals.  Mr. Husband is a painter so we have a variety of large frames around the house.  I looked around and chose the one I liked best.  I got real excited and bought all the supplies.  I found some great remnant fabric and learned that it's cheaper to buy a foam mattress topper than it is to buy foam (Joann Fabric coupon + twin eggshell topper = best deal I could find).  Alright!  I was ready to go and my materials sat there for a few months.  Um, meh.  I have no idea why I'm this way, but I am.  I think I was intimidated by the thought of messing it up.  When I finally did decide to conquer it, everything went quick and smooth (until I realized that I didn't have access to a nail gun-- we're working on that).  I had another person to help for everything except the tufting.  The directions are easy to follow.  I had some trouble getting my faux tufts to staying so I pressed down harder with my stapler and put 2-3 staples in for each tuft.  I used the same button kit as the tutorial and it worked well, but thicker fabric will take a little forcing.  I used a hammer to press the button backs in (be careful not to flatten the button face when doing this).  I kind of love it.  I would make another.  I'd actually enjoy having a reason to make another.

Right after I finished.  See my scissors?

Here's a bonus photo since the pillows are stacked in front of it in the other photo.  My next big DIY for the room is to cover a bean bag chair in faux fur.  The pre-fab versions that were adult size (Miss Lady is 5'5 and growing) were way too pricey so we got a cheaper chair with the intention of making a cover.  I just ordered the fabric. 
The room should be done in April.  I'm slow and I need to make a trip to Ikea before I can complete it.  So much to do.

xoxo,
b

A Room with a View

(beautiful indulgence and the item I believe will make the room pop)

This rug right here, needs to get under my dining room table.  When it does, I'll have a view in the room.  I have it on hold at the store.  I'm counting down the hours until I can get it.  Then I'll clean up the room and replace the old rug.  EEEEpppp!!!!!

(more budget friendly option)

Oops, got a little excited; this rug is going to get under my dining table instead.  It should arrive next week.  Plenty of time to prep the room, pictures when it gets here.

As long as there are tassels... who cares?  Tassels!

The Right Corner

Happiness

Okay, I call this corner of the room DONE!  I still have trim to paint, edges to finish, a smaller dresser to make into an ombre berry, frames to hang, etc., etc., but it's oh so close!  Today though, I woke up in a clean bedroom and that made me happy.

xoxo, b

Motivation and Beauty

Hello lovelies,

Lately I'm in a place where I'm trying to figure out what we're doing (the spouse, the child, the family).  I want to know our next move.  Mr. Husband was in grad' school, but that got interrupted right before our wedding (we even planned around his class schedule).  This derailed our plans and Mr. Husband is still processing the whole thing and I stopped taking classes shortly before we met even though at the time I didn't realize I was "taking a break".  He has been figuring out his next move, but we made an agreement when he started that we would switch off and that he would find a job after school was done, but sometimes plans don't work.  So I'm here trying to help him work through what his next move will be and establish some kind of stability for my own sanity.  It's been a longer process than I expected, but I feel as if I need to let him work it out before I move forward.  He is ready to make good on the agreement though; it's my turn to finish school.  I wonder though if I should try to start now or have everything in line to be in classes 2 years from now (the lady Bean will be on her way to turning 14 and possibly less bothered by my lack of free time).  If that's the way to go though, what happens until then?  Make art?  Develop some skills?  Take some new and different art classes?  Craft the perfect home?  Pay off the car?  Become financial masters?  These are all great ideas, right, but I tend to lack motivation unless I have something solid and defined to work toward.

There is my light bulb moment; currently I have great plans, but no solid motivation.  I need something to work up to and create a time line against.  I always traveled before Miss Bean arrived, but then things changed and i had to take about 10 years away from any serious travel.  We've been working backing into being explorers though as a family and as a couple.  I was super serious in my wedding vowels when I said I wanted to have adventures.  I also explained to Mr.Husband prior to the wedding that if we were to marry we would have adventures in lieu of babies.  I stand by it.

I believe that we are still learning how to be a family.  It's only been 8 months (as of yesterday!).  Perhaps we're still adjusting and figuring out what it is that we're supposed to do.  For now my impulse is to enrich our lives and soak up experiences.  I think I'm on a natural beauty kick because currently, I'm drawn to it (waterfalls!).  I guess for now my answer is to become an adventurer - to get out into the world and see what happens, find where it takes us to.  Maybe the answer is on a mountain?

Oneonta Canyon

Columbia River Gorge

Bridal Veil Falls

For now, Oregon will keep me motivated and in August, I will let you know if the Columbia River Gorge has any answers for me.

xoxo,

a more motivated B

One Small Victory

I'll take it!  Little bits of home makeover victory make me happy.  Today I thought I was going to tackle the dresser painting since I went out and got paint last night, but instead today turned out to be "organize the new dishes day".  It's pretty great.  I have one super fabulously organized kitchen cabinet.  I was going to say after this the kitchen is complete, but then I remembered that I need proper spice storage (so close!).

Cup hooks = Fancy.  I promise.

The card in my camera wasn't working with me so I Instagrammed a photo for now (Will the cup hook people some day use it to sell their wares?).  Once I resolve my card issue, I'll work on documenting the changes that have been made to the kitchen.  I guess tomorrow will be a better day to paint furniture.

 

xoxo,

home makeover b

It's Oh So Quiet

Took a stab at cleaning, but it almost always goes back to worse than this.

Cleaned out dead plants left from the drought and I am now attempting to root and re-plant the little healthy bits.

Found this guy and took care of him for a week.

Started the Couch to 5K program and completed 2 days so far.

Spent a rainy day with this guy napping and then found a forever home for him and his brother.

I also updated my Ipad software and made multiple pom poms.  I spent most of my long weekend at home trying to clean the house, but getting distracted.  There was so much rain which is a change from the previous drought.  I seem to mess with the outdoor plants when it rains.  I went out and clipped all the plants that went to seed and cleared out the dead things.  I think this was phase 1 of pre-fall lawn prep.  It was all very lazy and quiet.

xoxo,

b

I forgot.

I forgot to do my thing; my unannounced Friday thing.  I forgot to instantly gratify (the three of?) you with "Instagramification"... oops.  I'll do it now.

I added some little art in the kitchen and found a spot for the mixer.

Kale chips because our CSA share is full of kale and I wanted to try something different.

It looks like a little book with a rainbow/cloud machine.

Welcome back summer porch and good morning kitties.

The hat arrived and I like it.  I thought it was a fedora, but the brim is wider.

It's coming!  I wish we were as cute as our cartoon counterparts.

The quick update:

I got the hair into the garden and I actually touched it.  Ick.

I made wheat and herb baguettes.

I met with our friend/officiant/organizer (he's a one-stop shop) and day of event wedding concerns came up.  I have found solutions and future tragedy has been averted.  WOOT!

Had I remembered to do this Friday, it would have been garden pics'.  We'll do those too, but later... there's so much to share.

Kisses,

BeeeeeeeeMerry

Instagramification

The herbs are EXPLODING and it's kind of great.  Life is growing in around the big plant killer tree.  Mommy Kitty is cute and squishy as can be.  Future Husband finally applied for his passport so he join me on el honeymooney.  Woo and wee!





Herbs and ornamentals; bursting with flavor.



It's alive!



Cutie Cat



Sketchy couple



Gardening

 

This is (almost) how the garden currently looks.

 This is how the garden looked just a few months ago.

This is how it looked a year ago.

I have three 4'x4' beds and one 2'x2' potato bin.  I tried to put everything in last year, but it didn't work, I got the super poison ivy.  This year however, there were a few very early weeks of warm weather and that's when I finished building.  So I am in my first year of gardening and I've already learned so many things.  I'd like to share them with you.

Squirrels

First of all, squirrels are jerks, really horrible fuzzy little jerks.  Damn them and their little squirrel hands.  I tried to start some seeds this year and I used the break apart biodegradable starter trays.  When I first started them I left the trays outside; the squirrels tore into them.  I moved them inside until they were ready to plant.  The squirrels tore the little pods out of the ground and took the micro greens.  I decided to re-plant with some purchased starts and some seeds.  The squirrels scooped out my row of seeds. 

Birds

Birds really like nearly ripe strawberries.  I've also read that they like other berries as well, but I haven't experienced that yet.

Seeds

It is best to sow herbs and greens directly into the ground.  You can start them inside, but greens are an early crop and herbs are resilient.  They do best directly in the ground.

Otherwise I can tell you that herbs thrive and don't require much maintenance.  My herb garden has exploded.  I'll post pictures soon.  I don't have a picture of the re-planted third bed, but it's coming.  This weekend, I will probably be planting again  (squirrels are jerks) and adding fences.  I think if I tack chicken wire to the sides and maybe do netting or more wire over the top, I will also get to enjoy strawberries and salad greens.

Oddly Practical

I promised an update and I know there are 2 of you who might care...

 I added to my NYE decorations for my birthday party and I focused on the living room/dining room area.  I capped it off by setting up hot food and dishes in the kitchen and having a very clean house.  I felt that "Happy New Year" still applied since it was a new year of life.  This was sort of a trial run of what I'm doing for our wedding.  I got to see how space my streamers actually covered, how much tape it takes to hang things, and how long the helium in those balloons really lasts.  My friends refer to me as "oddly practical"; I think that was the word they paired with practical.  I'm not practical apparently because I spent a solid week of long hours on DIY decorations, but I'm not impractical because I used things from around the house.  I was told that straight up practical would be inviting your friends over.  Oddly practical is creating interactive experience out of items in the recycling bin and inviting your friends over.  I'm good with it.

Four types of cake; cookie, bundt, vegan, and cheese.

I lit those sparklers and I made some fabulous vegan red velvet cupcakes and my best vegan icing so far.

I also had party hats and pizza box numbers.  I did a lot of waiting for people to show up and then I sent them texted profanity.

There's a secret about this though...  something that I don't think my party goers considered...  and it doesn't mean that I love them any less, but...

The party was an excuse for the decorations.  I had a party because I wanted a reason to turn my house (at least a portion of it) into some sort of paper crafted experience, but then ya' know, I had to have someone to show it to.  I did learn a lot for my wedding installation and this experience did help me to further develop and refine some ideas.  I also had a great time.

Pin Me

I started a Pinterest and it's kind of neat.  Check out my bedroom ideas for my currently neglected basement room (more of a winter project since summer is seasonal here).

The room as it is now:

                                       

 This is what I'm running away from.

And finally, a small peek of the garden progress.  The second bed is built, but not installed.  My poison ivy came back with a vengeance (after 17 days of medication) and the heat index went crazy, scary, unbreathably high.  So, the frame is still sitting there after being built last weekend.  I'm hoping to get this in the ground and full of dirt this weekend.  I'm also participating in a 2 day yard sale though.  I VERY much need the opportunity to get rid of things, but I've never done a yard sale before...EEEkkkkk.  I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.  The invite to participate was last minute and the week has been crazy busy.

Hug, kiss, squeeze... xoxo...