Fool Proof Mantel Decor

So, I change my mantel decor ALL the time.  But I have a few basics I tend to go by when decorating it.  It is sort of a guide that helps.  I actually saw it in a magazie a while back and whenever I follow it, my mantel looks fab.

1. Choose something large for the main focus and center it above the mantle.  A large mirror, painting or picture works well.

2. Next you layer in a smaller piece of art or photography in front of the mirror.  I choose a vintage linen that I framed. ( I love cheap DIY art projects ;)

3. To the left of the smaller picture, place something with a little height.  I typically use candle holders here, they add heighy, warmth and really ancor everything else going on.

4.on the right side of the main center piece-add something with height,movement and wimsy.  For this, I love branches, flowers, leaves-any old stick from the yard in a pretty vase, glass or jar will do!

5. Then you can add items that sort of "finish it off."  Books and boxes are great.  I added a small group of old books of poems, topped off with a porcalin flower candles holder.

My last bit of advise is to step back and look as you place the items and adjust as needed. 

After stepping back and looking-I had one more candle holder and decided the right side needed it. 

   I swear this is fool proof!  Happy deocorating!

French Knot Throw Pillows

French Knot Project

I have been wanting to try my hand at this for some time.  I have seen some pretty cool french knot projects out there. 

I decided to start simple and cheap.  I am using a pottery barn pillow I am currently not using anywhere and some yarn and had left over from another project.  I did purchase a set of needlepoint needles from good old walmart.  You will need the largest one for this project.

 I pencil out my pattern on the pillow and then start french knotting away.

Start by threading the needle and knotting it off at the bottom.



Tie a knot

Pull the needle back through the knot

then move on the the next!

This is really quick and easy.  I think this gives a simple pillow such great impact. 

This project was so simple I think I sew a few more french knot projects in my future.

I am eager to try new patterns.  I highly recommend giving this a shot-don't be scared-it's sooo easy!

Kids Room Art

So I promised myself this was not going to turn into a baby blog-but it is currently not much of a blog at all.  All of my time has been occupied by this little cuttie!

Come on, admit it, she is pretty stinkin cute!

Well, I am making a promise not to turn this into a baby blog, however, there may be a few baby/house projects that make it on here...

Which bring us to this post.

Kids room art! 

I love looking up fun and fab kids room art.  Etsy is a great source for this.  The following are a few of my favs. 

This little guy is made with tissue paper

What a great idea!

I think these turtles would be a-dor-a-ble in a little boys room. 

This is a simple painted canvas with scrapbook paper flowers!

And this is where my inspiration came from.  I LOVE owls!  I thought it would be something cute in my little ones room that could grow with her.

And here is my take.

Cute, huh! 

I started by painting the canvas with an all over color.  I then made is a little more fun by bringing in a few others colors and through the use of water-made it look drippy.   After painting a little limb-I simply glue on the scrapbook paper owl! 

 

Working with a small bathroom

Wel hello world, remember me? I think I am starting to get the mommy thing down and I am now getting back to blogging and handy house projects.  I am working on my bathroom this weekend and will be posting pictures a little later. Let's talk about working in small bathrooms.

Working in any small space it is about tricking the eye, and a bathroom is no different!

1- Raise the bar!

Perhaps the cheapest and easiest thing to do, is raise your shower curtain.  You can opt to buy extra long shower curtains-but I didn't want to spend the extra money. I simply used our existing shower curtain and added a little extra somethin-somethin to the top(will post later).  Another fab option is burlap!  Gotta love some burlap!  Super cute, cheap and you do not even have to sew -simply use fabric glue to add a trim.

2-Simplify

I think simplicity is good in general-but it is especially important in small spaces.  It is important to de clutter the room.  Clutter does nothing but make the space feel even smaller. Step back and look at it and see if you can do with out something.  For more personal items, sotre them in baskets, or hidden away in drawers.  This is a bathroom and yes we may all have many of the same personal items, but that doesn't mean we want to see them!

3-Color

Contrary to what you may think-you do not HAVE to do a light color in a small room.  I however, prefer it!  But then again, my whole house has a pretty light color pallet.  I think soft, soothing colors are the way to go in a bathroom anyway, but it can also help give the illusion of more space.  You can always add color and interst to the room with hand towels, curtains and small accessories-that can be easily changed out.

I love the airy feel blue bring to this room.

And what a serene green!

4-  Lighten Up!

Change out an outdated light fixture and simply open the blinds. For all you peeping tom's, I typically keep my shades open during the day.  I love the natural light in the room and it is the best light for make up applications anyway!


5- Mirrors

Mirrors are actually another great way to add light into the room.  A mirror can bounce around the exsisting light in your space.  If you have a mirror that is glued to your wall-please replace it with a mirror with a little more interest-or at least frame it out.  You can easily frame a mirror that is glued to the wall with inexpensive materials from your home improvement store.  Have a large cheap mirror, layers mirrors for an interesting, more unique look!

Simply Sweet Sample Sale

A sweet talented friend is having a sample sale on a few of her christmas items.  Check out her blog below for some great items.  I have a couple of her infant gowns and they are so cute and cuddly-I can't wait for baby Kelton to make an appearance in them!

http://www.thesimplysweetbakery.com/2010/12/simply-sweet-shop-and-sale.html?spref=fb

Neutral Nursery

We finally got a camera(thanks mom for the early Christmas gift)....so here is Baby Kelton's nursery!

We got an old armoire,pianted it white and added new hardware.  I have saved this old window for a couple of years and wanted to use it somewhere...it finally found a home in the nursery. I just love the way it turned out.

I really wanted a little something on the wall by the bed, but didn't want anything hanging over the bed...

so I came up with the idea of the tree and once I was brave enough I took a paint brush to the wall!  I just used the NO VOC Mythic trim paint for the tree and the left over Mythic paint from two other rooms for the green and blue leaves.  If this is something you have been wanting to do-go for it-you can always paint over it if it doesn't turn out as you had hoped!

I had beautiful oatmeal colored linen bedding made and I am so pleased with it.  

                                Etsy is a great source for good prices on custom made bedding. 

If you do not see exactly what you want-show them other pictures or give them measurements to help them create the exact look you are going for. For example, I loved this bedding, but wanted really large ties to create this droopy bow look.

                                          

The little changing table I painted a while back-it is now filled with clean baby clothes and diapers!

I have been packing for the hospital which is why there is "stuff" all over the top of the changing table.

I better get that bag ready...just two more weeks!

Since the room was so neutral, I choose a blue silk curtain and brought in color with a few self made art projects.  Who says blue has to be JUST for boys?!? I think the touches of blue and green throughout create a nice neutral, organic feel to the room and I could not be more happy with it!

Creating a Homemade Baby Mobiles

I have been looking for a good mobile for the nursery and in the process came across many beautiful homemade baby mobiles.  After looking closely at them, I decided " Hey, I can do that!"  I am SOOo one of those people.  I see something and will check it out closely and attempt to make it myself.  Many of the attempts are not sucessful, but then others turn out even better!

Here are some of the mobile ideas I am currently toying with....



The butterfly mobile is the most simple.  I could just use scraps of colorful fabric and hang at varied lengths.  I think this is a great way to add a touch of color to the room. 

The owl is actually a Christmas ornament-but isn't he so cute!  I think I could make several of these little guys and it would make a super cute mobile.  There is a templete for this owl that can be found here: http://juicy-bits.typepad.com/juicy_bits/2009/12/131-give-a-hoot-for-the-holidays.html

The next mobile is adorable and ties in the whole theme of this particular nursery.  I would have to come up with a creative way to make it more like baby K's nursery.  You can check out the rest of the nursery here: http://thegoodlifebyerin.blogspot.com/2010/10/emersons-nurseryfinally.html  Super cute!

The last one of love!  It and many others like it can be founf on etsy-but it comes with a price tage of $165.00.  Yes, it is beautiful, but no thanks!  Look closely and you will see it is sticks, wrapped in yarn, with fabric birds wired to it-how hard could that be-right?

Anyway, I am currently working on a couple of these and I will show you how they turn out.

Which is your favorite?  Have any of you attempted to create your own baby mobile?