I'm ahead of the trend

Today in the mail I got a Potterybarn catalog. As I was flipping through the pages I saw they had a room they had done with a denim paint look. I experimented with the technique when I did my first nursery. When I was expecting my second child we built our house. I knew I wanted my boy nursery to be denim and stars so I painted my son's room using this technique. That was eight years ago. I tried to find a picture on Potterybarn's website but couldn't find one but here's mine.

I've never finished the bedspread...I know, slacker. I don't always get to all the projects I'd like to.

This is the upclose. I added stitches too with stencil tape.

People always think it's wall paper when they see it. Nope! I painted it all by myself. And I did it before Potterybarn. =)

House part 2

I'm not sure if I'll get to the entire house but a few of my favorites at least.

This is a corner in my family room where I work on my jewelry.

The second peice of vinyl in my house. I cut a customers job the wrong size so rather than waste it and let it sit in my cast offs to use one day, where it usually gets bent. I decided to stick it on the wall.

I have to sneak this in because it is how I pass on the creative gene to my kids. This is their homework/art table. The folders on the desk were covered with papers they picked. There is one folder for notes and one for papers to go back to school, for each kid.

The bins have pens, markers, and other art supplies tucked away so no one can see them. The paper ream in mounted under the cabinet so they can get drawing paper when they need it.

My master bathroom is one of my favorite colors. This is one of the most relaxing rooms in the house. I love this room. I also used a framed mirror to add some sophistication.

For my birthday I was given some money and I was so excited when I saw these canisters, because it is rare that I find something inexpensive that I have the money for at the time. My realtor suggested that I put three black frames up above the bed. After buying the frames I realized I had to find something to go in them and that made it cost more than I wanted it to. While shopping for my canisters, I saw a plaque carved of wood that I loved but it was $25 and I needed three. Not cost effective, so I had to think of something. I tried to draw something and then I found a technique on a blog for stenciling http://vintagerevivals.blogspot.com/2010/07/seizure-wall-not-really.html

(next I need to learn how to make that just a word not a crazy link address) It gave me an idea and I ended up just making a vinyl sticker and putting it on the wall. Because I do this and have the supplies, I was able to do it cheaply and I didn't have to use my own drawing that wasn't going well and was taking tons of time. Yay! I love how it turned out. Now my whole room is pulled together and looks great. I love going in there.

Tomorrow, my jewelry projects.

I rarely find the time to get on the computer and do this sort of thing. After viewing and liking many other creative blogs I decided I need to keep it up and be better with it.

We have put our house up for sale, so I decided that I would have to document this house because I will leave it. (if all works out that way). So the other day I went through and took pictures. Welcome to my house. I have what you would call champagne taste on a beer budget. So, what I end up with is something I like while I dream of what I love. I'm going to start trying to make the beer look or is it taste like Champagne. Wish me luck on that one.

Sometimes I would like to have many things in my spaces, but find they make me crazy and I end up more simple.

This is my livingroom. These pictures fail to show it as it really is. One day I am going to do something with those tables. The first house we bought was the model. These tables were in the staging so we decided to buy them since we had a credit at the furniture store they came from. Bonus...fast forward to now. They have the scout oath and various names and signatures scratched in the top. The husband was a scout leader for twelve year olds that met at our house and well that was the only table in the room they gathered apparently. Perhaps when we move they will get a refinish.

My kitchen, I love Jadite. So my husband for Christmas this year surprised me with this lovely mixer. The bowl and juicer are jadite. I was so excited. It functions but I just like to look, so I won't be firing this baby up anytime soon.

The rest of my cabinets in my kitchen. And then, my favorite part.....

...my gigantic magnet board. I have months that magnet on to this but I can't find this month. This came about because I had this empty wall. I got this brilliant idea and told my husband, who drug his feet and never got around to it. Well, around Christmas one year my oldest and I went with Grandma to a play. While we were gone the boys made this. I was so surprised. Plus they used ABC magnets to make it into a giant card, which was cute.

I have a vinyl business and I don't have much of it in my house. You know the story of the shoe maker's kids, well that's like our house. This is was the one and only thing I'd done for years. And almost five years later I still haven't painted the frame...all natural.

Stay tuned for the rest of the house. My favorite room is coming up.