[...CLICK for more article goodness!---->] Colored Claw Foot Tubs I recently finished up a graphics package for a client and used a pic of our claw foot tub. In it, though, I changed up the color of the tub to pop. The current color on our tub is brown, a shade that hubby added on when he refinished our tub when we built our home. In looking through the pics I altered for the client’s logo, I tested different colors on our tub to see what I liked best. Wow! So it totally blew me away with how much that could change up the space. And now I am considering doing that very thing.

Check out these inspiration pics of colored claw foot tubs here and tell me which one is your fav:

Um, k – so the yellow + ruffles here speaks to me the most. I just love, love, LOVE this one! We can totally pull off this look in our bathroom.

I just love this with those huge butterfly pics. It wouldn’t be the same without ‘em!

This one – matched up with a huge ornate frame and simple shelving – makes all the difference in the world. It’s a totally feminine bathroom, wouldn’t you say?

You might have already seen this one floating around in cyberspace, but I like it for its simplicity all the same.

For those who wish for a more country feel to their bathing space, this one is perfection.

Technically, not a claw foot tub since it’s on blocks, but – it’s PINK! I am a fan.

I also started a new board on Pinterest for this very idea, and you can find it here.

So is this something that you would try in your bathroom to change it up?

Ah, so this has been on the brain lately. Wouldn’t a small loft above be a wonderful zone to read? For what we have here in the living – I would opt to do somewhat of a combo of the 1st and 2nd pics here. The walls would be lined with shelves of books. Our ceilings

[...CLICK for more article goodness!---->] Lofty Reading

Ah, so this has been on the brain lately. Wouldn’t a small loft above be a wonderful zone to read? For what we have here in the living – I would opt to do somewhat of a combo of the 1st and 2nd pics here. The walls would be lined with shelves of books. Our ceilings are tall, but not THAT tall – so it would be a small, cozy area. But then again, isn’t that all that you would need to kick back and read a good book? Me thinks so.  =-)

This year, we created our first ever summer bucket list. It was huge…I mean giNORmous! I actually went on Pinterest and pinned on several of our ideas for our Summer Bucket List. [More on that below!] There was a less-than-awesome framed print upstairs, so I opened up the back, flipped over the print and started

[...CLICK for more article goodness!---->] Shadow Puppets and Bucket Lists

This year, we created our first ever summer bucket list. It was huge…I mean giNORmous! I actually went on Pinterest and pinned on several of our ideas for our Summer Bucket List. [More on that below!] There was a less-than-awesome framed print upstairs, so I opened up the back, flipped over the print and started writing on our to-do items of fun for the summa time. Once complete, it was reassembled back into the frame, glass atop. As we completed each one, we simply checked them off with a dry erase marker on the glass above it. So we can reuse it for next year! One of the things on our list was to create and put on a puppet show.

I drew out characters and props on black construction paper, cut them out and attached a dowel rod to each one. For this evening, the boys were the ones being the puppeteers while Daddy sat up front and narrated the stories.

These are the oldest 4 kiddos, not in birth order: Gianna Belle, Ethan, Nolan and Sarie Beth. A tradition that Daddy has started with our kids is telling them a bedtime story – made up on the spot – almost every single night. The greatest thing about it is that our kids always star in them, each having their own striking character traits that pulls the team together – to help others and defeat evil. There are other characters in the stories that appear and reappear in the various stories. The kiddos love the familiarity of the stories…and also when we come up with a new character to add to the mix.

This is our youngest, Ruby Jane, climbing to the top of the tree [again]. Apparently, she loves doing this and uses the tree branches as steps. Over and over again.

The boys wanted to set up the ‘theater’ in the hallway. They took two chairs, threw a white sheet over it, put a shade-less table lamp on the floor in the middle…and then put the puppets up to the sheet. It’s nifty because the chairs also double as shelves for holding all the puppets. The audience sits on the opposite side, watching in awe and happiness as the story plays out. It’s a super easy, super effective setup!

So by now, surely you’ve heard of Pinterest, right? I’ve been on there all summer, pinning away. Like everyone else, I am much in love with the place. You can follow me by clicking here:

As I mentioned above, I have a Summer Bucket List board on there, and you can find it by clicking HERE.

Hope that everyone had a great summer. I, for one, can not believe that fall is finally here and that there is basically just 3 months left to 2011.

A tiny hunting cabin is remodeled into the most adorable shabby chic cottage around!

It is now filled with salvaged wood flooring, inexpensive chandies, faded cabinets and warped-glass windows.

This is proof that you do not have to have a boatload of money to create the perfect space – only creativity, ingenuity and a willingness to do

[...CLICK for more article goodness!---->] From Cabin to Cottage

A tiny hunting cabin is remodeled into the most adorable shabby chic cottage around!

It is now filled with salvaged wood flooring, inexpensive chandies, faded cabinets and warped-glass windows.

This is proof that you do not have to have a boatload of money to create the perfect space – only creativity, ingenuity and a willingness to do the work yourself.

How sweet ‘n yummy are

[...CLICK for more article goodness!---->] 5 Nifty Gifts for Father’s Day This year, Father’s Day falls on June 19. That is so close – you can smell it, right? In addition to making Daddy’s favorite meal[s] for the day, here are 5 more quick ideas that are sure to be appreciated by any dad [including one for the musician daddies out there!].

How sweet ‘n yummy are these tie cookies on a stick? I mean, how can you celebrate dads and NOT include a necktie somewhere? It’s classic.

Have your kiddos pose with letters to spell out “DAD”. I’m not sure where you could find letters this large…unless you made them yourself from crafty supplies from Hobby Lobby…or you could purchase smaller premade letters at the craft store, too. Either way, this makes for a cute idea, doesn’t it?

For the fathers out there who like to rawk out guitar-wise, there is a way cool product called the Pick Punch. You can basically take old credit cards, etc., and punch out new picks any time you need one.

I know that my hubby is always losing his – the kids run off with them, they get dropped down air vents, etc., so I believe this would make a GREAT gift for daddy! And I’m seeing them for about $25, which is not too bad at all! Check out a review for the Pick Punch HERE.

Any Dad loves to show off his kids when he’s away from them, and I think that this little handmade collage is just the ticket! Your kids can make it themselves, and it is small enough to fit in his wallet. Love it!

Last, but not least, here are some free printables of Father’s Day pages that the little ones can color for their favorite guy. Betcha it will add to the grin that’s already on Dad’s face!

What other ideas do you have for Father’s Day this year?

Recently a friend of mine asked for ideas about a nifty way to display her grandmother’s fine china. Her wonderful mom had just passed away, and I suppose in cleaning things out, my friend stumbled across some beautiful floral china that she had no idea was just

[...CLICK for more article goodness!---->] Palatable Pallets

| identical to my friend's dish display |

Recently a friend of mine asked for ideas about a nifty way to display her grandmother’s fine china. Her wonderful mom had just passed away, and I suppose in cleaning things out, my friend stumbled across some beautiful floral china that she had no idea was just hiding up in her attic. I told her about how I’d seen great things being done with pallets, and thought that would be the way to go with her home’s farmhouse/shabby chic style. She ended up getting her hands on some new pallets – and gave them an aged look with glazing. The end result was great!

There are so many things you can repurpose pallets into. For instance, how cute is this industrial coffee table on wheels? I love the vintage industrial chic look that can be found right now. That’s what I’m leaning towards for decorating our next place with.

To me, using pallets to create furniture + shelving + walls is a great way to mesh into this style, if that’s what you dig!

Here, pallets have been turned into wall art. Simple but effective~!

And what are your thoughts on using a pile of pallets as a staircase? Of course, I would think that you wouldn’t want to go overboard with using pallets unless you came up with a way to pull it off successfully without taking away from the homey feeling of your casa. However, creatively injecting it here and there will certainly only add to your home’s style.

If you are in the market for new furniture indoors, I implore you to search your local CraigsList and see what you can find as far as pallets go. Here on my side of the pond, someone is always giving them away for FREE on CL! Truly that is a deal that can’t be beat. Just one request: if you are in my area, don’t hog all the pallets, okay? I need some!

Leave the pallets whole…take them apart and refashion into something new…leave them rustic…paint or glaze them…the options are endless, right?

So what can a pallet do for YOU?

[...CLICK for more article goodness!---->] So…a Bed Swing Would Be Nice, Right? This is an inspiration post – chock full of pics sure to please your eye. Lately, I’ve been considering outdoor spaces because it’s that time of year, and I can not – for the life of me – get away from this idea: a bed. outdoors. that SWINGS. Great for reading on a lazy Saturday…or napping…or cuddling outdoors with your honey bunny…or kiddos…You might be thinking: why not just get a hammock? My deal is: I don’t do hammocks. Becoming unbalanced and flipping over is just not my style. It cramps it or something. I’d much rather chillax on a real bed – with a comfy mattress of some sort – but outside!

My personal preference would be something that looks natural yet exotic, mysterious yet enticing…and uber comfy! I think I’d love it most under a huge tree, sheltered naturally from the sun through it’s canopy of leaves. Some of these that are indoors are lovely, too!

Graciousness! Bed swing BUNKS? I would like to see how this works! I bet kids would love it, though!

Okay, totally kidding on this last one! It’s a lil’ TOO mysterious for my tastes. However, it would mesh perfectly with my recurring nightmare of falling off the side of a cliff while sleeping!

So do you have a bed swing? Did you make it or was it purchased? Where’s it located? Give us some ideas, people!

What’s not to love about taking unused stuff around your home and turning it into cutesie decor? I was really wanting to make a Spring wreath, but I didn’t want to have to go shopping to do it. So I started looking through all my craft supplies, clothes and Goodwill boxes. I’m sorry to say

[...CLICK for more article goodness!---->] Super Easy Spring Wreath

What’s not to love about taking unused stuff around your home and turning it into cutesie decor? I was really wanting to make a Spring wreath, but I didn’t want to have to go shopping to do it. So I started looking through all my craft supplies, clothes and Goodwill boxes. I’m sorry to say that there are 2 shirts that will never make it to GW. Also…the recycling bin will never lay eyes on some empty cereal boxes. Sorry ’bout that. That’s right, for this project, I used:

• 3 cereal/cracker boxes
• 2 shirts – cut into 2-3″ wide strips, top to bottom
• leftover scrap fabric
• double satin ribbon
• pompom trim
• hot glue

Basic Steps:

1. Cut out large doughnut from cereal boxes
2. Cut out smaller circles of various sizes from cereal boxes
3. Twist fabric around and glue down to small circle cutouts, resembling flowers
4. Glue down fabric flowers to the doughnut cutout. Fill in gaps with ribbon and pompom trim.
5. Glue ribbon strip to back of doughnut to hang wreath by
6. Step back and adore your new Springtime wreath!

Now this is how I did it – in more detail. First, take 2 cereal boxes and find the side seams to unglue them. Lay them down flat, one on top of the other with the plain chipboard side facing up and try to match up the lines [just being OCD or CDO, depending on how obsessive you truly are!]. On the ends of the boxes where they overlap, cut off the flappy parts. You want a straight line where they meet up. Now using your hot glue gun, generously glue one on top of the other. When it dries, you’ll have a bigger area to work with to make your wreath. [So obviously, if you wish for a smaller wreath, you could prob get away with just using one cereal box]. Next, free form draw a big circle over both boxes. About 3 inches in, draw in a smaller circle. It should look like a doughnut, or at least somewhat resemble a doughnut of some sort. It doesn’t have to be perfect. No one will see this part. It’s just the wreath form – or base of your wreath. Cut out the doughnut.  Tip: if you absolutely must get your circle draw on perfectly, then look around your kitchen for bowls and use those to trace around.

With your leftover boxes, draw on smaller circles of various sizes. Tip: use different sized cups if you need perfect circles. These will be the base for your fabric flowers. With your shirt strips, practice rolling up flowers – tight – flat on the table and see if you like the look. If not, experiment with different techniques. The way that I did mine was to start at one end of the strip, rolling it tightly while also twisting the fabric around and around towards the left while also rolling it onto itself. Does that make sense? If you like the look you’ve come up with, then you are ready to glue down. Trigger a big dot of glue onto the middle of your small circle cereal box cutout [with the cereal print side down]. Stick down the beginning rolled-up part of your fabric. Once it dries well enough [few seconds], begin twisting the fabric around the center…randomly gluing on both the board and inside bottom of the fabric and push fabric to it. When you get it all twisted up and glued together, it should resemble a flower – shabby chic-style if you did it my way. If there is any cereal box sticking out from underneath, just trim the board off.

If you want a similar explanation – but with pics – then check out My Sparkle’s fabric flower tut HERE. The differences with mine and her’s is that I wanted my flowers bigger and bulkier…and I was gluing directly to the cereal box circle cutouts. Plus, my flowers are a bit more free form. You can make your flowers however you wish~!

Make your flowers different sizes if you wish – small, medium and large. With your leftover scrap/sewing fabric pieces, you can make the smaller flowers. As you finish gluing each one up, start arranging them on your cereal box wreath form. When you get enough flowers and like the way you have them arranged on the wreath, glue them all down. With any blank spots, go back and add in loops of ribbon and pompom trim. That way, you’ll get a really full, stuffed looking wreath.

On the back, glue one strip of ribbon so that you can hang up your wreath. On one side towards the top, I also tied on a bow to complete the look. Do it however you like, though!

How much did this project cost me? ZERO DOLLARS. Love that. And love it’s shabby chic look!

Note: this wreath is definitely super easy to make. All crafts usually require time spent on them, so if it takes you 30 minutes to craft up or 2 hours, it is normally worth it if you get something cute in the end…especially if it is free! =-) Have fun w/this one.

If you try this, please let me know! I’d love to see how yours turns out, too~!  =-D

When we built this home almost 4 years ago, I had lots of ideas swirling around in my brain. One thing I knew for sure I wanted to try was to put together my own sink area in the powder room on the 1st floor. I felt certain that I could make something custom at

[...CLICK for more article goodness!---->] Granite Countertops – Nifty Idea

When we built this home almost 4 years ago, I had lots of ideas swirling around in my brain. One thing I knew for sure I wanted to try was to put together my own sink area in the powder room on the 1st floor. I felt certain that I could make something custom at a fraction of the cost of similar, but not as nifty mass-manufactured ideas.

{our farmhouse kitchen sink}

If you are having granite installed in your kitchen, consider having your granite dude give you your sink cutout. You are paying for that granite, so why not keep it? Think of other things you can use that chunk for. [I should note here that it is sometimes tricky for them to cut the piece perfectly...so bear in mind that it could be lost in the process. Doesn't hurt to try, though!] In our kitchen, I had a HUGE farmhouse style sink put in [which turned out to be one of my most fav things about this house!] and so my granite cutout was extra large. I got the measurements of the cutout, and then began my search at Goodwills and antique stores for a dark wooden chest of drawers that could be converted. It took me a couple of weeks of searching, but I finally came across one that had perfect measurements and was similar to the look I had in mind. Plus, it was marked right at my budget and I was able to talk them down a bit lower by offering cash and an on-the-spot transaction.

I had our granite guy do a smaller sink cutout from our kitchen sink cutout [sound confusing?]. The wooden top of the antique chest was easily removed, and the new granite with the smaller sink and faucet was installed on top of the chest.

In the end, even with purchasing the sink and faucet separately, I still managed to come under budget. A similar set up like this that you might find elsewhere would have cost several hundred more dollars than what we spent. I loved doing it this way because it’s more unique – and I thought it was fun to put it all together how I wanted!

Don’t wanna use a chest? Let the granite take the main focus with an under-mount sink and exposed pipes, which can double as a place to hang fresh, neatly folded towels.

Even if you’re not having new countertops installed in your kitchen, you could still browse granite yards and ask them about smaller pieces [granite remnants] you could purchase for a lot less moolah if you are in the market to redo your bathroom. If you’re anything like me, you will have fun putting it all together yourself – and love the challenge of coming in under budget!

Whatcha’ got in your bathroom?

Has Pantone been taking hint hues from my blog design and logo? Yeah, I think so. Ever since I first read about their proclamation of 2011′s IT color, this beautiful shade called Honeysuckle, I have looked forward to seeing how it would be used in design. This fantastic reddish-pink hue is one of

[...CLICK for more article goodness!---->] Honeysuckle for 2011

Has Pantone been taking hint hues from my blog design and logo? Yeah, I think so. Ever since I first read about their proclamation of 2011′s IT color, this beautiful shade called Honeysuckle, I have looked forward to seeing how it would be used in design. This fantastic reddish-pink hue is one of my favorite colors [since red is officially my first, and pink a close second, this is the best of both].

Whew! It’s pretty loud on those walls up there, ain’t? But I am liking its intensity!

Lemme say no more. Let’s just bask in the glow of this bold, youthful color:

So what do you think? What was your favorite or least favorite space? Did you note how this color was used in each room? I think that it’s safe to say that there are a lot of folks out there who wouldn’t be as comfortable painting a whole wall with this color. If that’s the case, then it can still be fun to try it by popping in small doses of it – such as with throw pillows, artwork, repainting a chair real quick, or even just a big bouquet of fresh flowers. Or how about that funky goat/deer thing in the fireplace? See? You can do this.

How about you? Have you tried on this color yet in your home?

Photo credits: Pineapple House Int. Design + Branca + House and Home + House Beautiful + Lonny