fabric...fabric...fabric

All it takes is a quick trip back to Michigan to add fuel to the flames of design inspiration.... I have a vision.... and of course it includes green in all its fabulous shades with a special emphasis on my current favorite color 'celery-lime' (thanks, Stacy, for the perfect descriptor name....)... here is a preview of some of the fabric I'll be using to create new beauty...

...visions of slipcovers, valances, & pillows are dancing in my head....

What is YOUR favorite color?
...scatter joy...
lindy

Fun & Fabulous

I get to live part of my fantasy this weekend... I'm going to Michigan to help one of my nearest and dearest in her fabulous wonderful shop, Stacy O's.  If you're ever in mid-michigan it's soooooooooo worth the visit... definitely something for everyone!  Stacy has been a part of my life for a long time and has influenced my sense of decorating style more than she knows. 

Oh... and the fantasy part... well... to be able to help decorate and be surrounded by all things fabulous.  I think I might pretend to be hosting a new HGTV program..... yes.... one where I find these small business owners who have these fantastic shops.... and highlight ways that the every woman (or man) can make her space just as she has always wanted it...   incorporating what the home owner already has with some fresh new bold pieces that help with that transition.....

Hmmmm... now for a great name that is NOT cutesy......
oh... and I wonder if she will have a carpenter there helping us get everything together in this tight timeframe??? hey... a girl can dream, can't she???

what is the name of your fantasy show and are you the star?
...scatter joy...
lindy

Going Green...

I have long been the queen of re-purposing... long before it came into style (although I LOVE that more and more peeps are finding ways to reduce/reuse/recycle/repurpose/upcycle/bicycle??? .... lol... ANYWAY........ here is my latest transformation... I've been wanting a sideboard for the dining area for the longest time...  I had a na-kid chest that I was wasn't sure quite what to do with it.... and now.... a splash of color and I've breathed new life into this gorgeous piece..... this brings a whole new meaning to the words: going green!

here are the before and afters....can you tell which is which??? (and isn't Bax just the cutest???)

what are some of your favorite repurposed pieces?

...scatter joy...

lindy

gorgeous in green...

Small touches can really make a big impact.... it's the little things I surround myself with that bring me daily joy.... fresh cut flowers is just such a joy.  I recently had a small dinner gathering and this was our centerpiece... my friends thought the blooms were great because they actually are a 'lime' green and notice what I've added to the jar vase.... LIMES!!!!

What have you recently used in a non-traditional way?
... scatter joy ...
lindy

5 minute valance

I am loving the process of changing my space to truly reflect me..... and I am closer and closer each day.  There are still a couple areas that are causing me pause.... one of these areas is my kitchen window. 

Because my kitchen and dining area are really one large space I feel as though I can't have competing fabrics (although coordinating or complementary are perfectly fine....) and now that I've found out I can go crazy with a pendant lamp that I've been jonesing for (oh. my. god.  ... I think I just got that reference.... lol) which has a gorgeous shade options and I'm talking retro mid-century modern chic....................................! 

I'll be choosing it this weekend as I help one of my dearest friends celebrate 'It's a Brand New Day' with her big reveal.... visit Stacy O's to read more!

To get me through til I finally figure out what the perfect window covering is, I sewed up this cute little valance with a scrap of fabric... seriously It wasn't even 1/2 yard... lol and it took me less than 10 minutes.  (I didn't even press the seams before sewing... ) and.... it must be said... I'm loving it... ; )

What has brought unexpected joy into your life recently?
....scatter joy...
lindy

pillow talk

As soon as I saw it, I fell in love and simply had to try it... of course I had visions of making loads of these and selling them .... uhm.... yeah.... these take a bit longer than I had anticipated, although I did streamline a step or two.  Thanks, Jess from How About Orange for posting this and sparking my interest! (If you click on the title, it will take you to the etsy blog and easy to follow instructions.)

Still..... I adore the pillow and it has found a new home on my bed... it makes me smile everytime I walk in and of course I get to say 'I made it!'

I had some felted wool fabric on hand and simply used it... I think it would be interesting to try different fabrics and textures and see what might happen... for now, though, it's 'on to the next thing...'

what is your 'next thing'?
...scatter joy...
lindy

Making my List and checkin' it twice....

The more I realize that my 'entry level' space is going to be home for quite some time, the more I want to do... and so the list begins.... fireplace, new furniture, customize the closets, rugs, paint, refinish floors.... and on it goes. It could become overwhelming if all I do is keep letting the ideas wash over me without capturing and planning... which for me is all part of the fun...

I would love nothing more than to have the Rate My Space aka: team Angelo come and make over my space... the funny: the makeover is for one room, but in my reality those rooms usually equal the total main living square footage of my place... they are connected so would be very easy to incorporate (see my justification system working??)... *sigh*...

Hmmmmm, well, supposedly all you have to do is post your photos on the Rate My Space site... people vote LOW and then you get picked! So I'm putting it out there, Universe... you've been served (of course I haven't done the posting of my space yet...) ; )

here is one small thing that brought me great joy over the weekend.... I traded out an old lamp for a newer modern version.... what do you think?

If you could have a room made over, which would you choose... ?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Socialize and Get your Craft On.....

The next Craft Social has been set... it's going to be held on Nov 13th... right in time for holiday gift giving season!

Serious fun to be had... grab a friend or come solo... the people you'll meet are unbelievable... talented, fun, and very giving of their time and energy....

the food that people bring ---deLISH and the fun.... Mmm, can't forget the fun... this fills up, so if you're wanting to come, visit the blog site and leave a comment to serve as your rsvp http://craftsocial.blogspot.com/ . I actually led a table last time and people made fabric coil bowls.... they turned out beautifully... and of course, are FUNctional... ; ) (I think I see a theme.....) You can see pics from the last craft social on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/groups/chicagocraftsocial/

what new craft would you like to try your hand at....?

...scatter joy...

lindy

Functional Art.... Again!

As you may already know I have a passion for FUNctional art.... it's wonderful to surround ourselves with beauty (however you define it for yourself...) I picked up these wonderful Salad Servers from an artist at a Chicago show.... Each time I use them (several times weekly...!) I smile because of the beauty as well as the memory of the day...

In what ways do you add joy to your day?

...scatter joy...

lindy

Post Again, Post Again, Jiggity Jig!

It's been a crazed summer... I am looking forward to a fall filled with transitions and forward movement. I have made great headway on my space and am filled with all kinds of ideas for decorating it.... I look forward to sharing my thoughts, pictures, and ideas about the the inner and outer spaces I occupy.

Here is a quick art project I created a few days ago... I have been hanging onto these canvases that I want to repaint ... but have paralyzed myself with over-thinking the design.... so to move myself through it, I opted for utilizing some of my favorite decorative papers.

It will definitely work for now....

...How do you help yourself through 'stuck' times?...

...scatter joy...

lindy