~Two little projects~

Sometimes when I go in my studio I just don't have any creative mojo  working for me....yesterday was one of those days....but I really wanted to make or re-do something. Ever have those moments? Yeah, I know you have....:)

This project was super easy, I had already ordered the label pulls a while ago, yesterday I went to Home Depot to get some wood screws....

I think they kinda look like a stack of miniature luggage, don't you think so? I adore old cigar boxes, the older the better I say.

It's hard to beat those beautiful graphics.

This box above is also an old cigar box, but cardboard, not wood. It wasn't nearly as cool so I covered it completely with old wallpaper.

The inside got a makeover as well from some old sheet music pages I had.
So even though I didn't have much creatively going on in my head I was still able to transform some ordinary boxes and that satisfied my "need" to make something.
In a few minutes I'll be making my dd some homemade chocolate chip cookies that she's been hankering for for quite awhile.
A perfect afternoon....hope yours is too..:)

It's just not fair!!!!!

This time of year plays with my heart. We had a stunningly beautiful day today here in the PNW, mostly sunny skies, a few scattered wispy clouds, and temps in the mid 50's. Oh how I wish it would last, but I've lived here long enough to know better....:).
Look at my daphne bush above, it's getting ready to burst in February with my favorite floral scent of all time. (Thanks Mel for introducing me to the charms of daphne!)

This is one of our sasanqua camellias, they thrive in lower light, which we have quite a bit of in certain parts of our courtyard, they thrive in there!

This pic is looking down our street, see the blue sky? Such a tease!

Even St. Francis is smiling today, the sun's on him...

And have you ever heard of the Sarcococca plant? (Not really sure if I spelled it correctly).
It also thrives in shade and can't take the sun. It blooms right now with a very heady scent. I had a friend come over so we could walk today and she said "What is that scent?" She had never heard of it and it's a perfect plant if you have a shady area that is difficult. They're evergreen and the fact that they have scent in January is a huge bonus for me. There aren't many plants with scent this early but this one is great, we have them by out back door as well.

Luckily we're supposed to have several more days like today, my heart is singing~~~~~~~~~~

I'm a sucker for................

Cool graphics....I wish more manufacturers understood the importance of them!

These were found on a bottom shelf at Trader Joe's this morning...I think this little box of tissue is utterly charming!

My only regret is that I only bought one box....guess I'll have to go back soon and stock up....:)

I'm dreaming of a new............~kitchen~

While I've been pretty much flat on my back for the last 3 days with some unknown  "ickiness" (no, please, don't feel sorry for me, we all have to take our turn at being sick, right?) I've been dreaming of my new kitchen, visualizing it all. Let's see how good you are...can you spot the "distractions" in the above photo, you know the ones that hopefully will draw your eye to something interesting rather than something....well....ugly? Let me help you out...
#1 big white frame with "found" relatives (to distract from vent hood~hmm, maybe it just calls more attention to it?)
#2 vintage silver tray (to distract from the fact that walls aren't even painted)
#3 re-purposed tool caddy with wallpaper for holding utensils (to distract from the fact that my range is an ugly dinosaur)
#4 cute black dishdrainer with fun plates in it (to distract from my hideous stainless sink and really ugly faucet)
This is fun right, kinda like "Where's Waldo?"
And really, all of it is there to distract the eye from our super ugly oak cabinets, which I can't wait to paint a lovely cream color.

I know that most of this isn't horrid, I'm just tired of living with a kitchen I don't love. It functions well and thankfully has a great layout. My dream kitchen will have black walnut countertops, cream cabs with bin pulls and cute knobs, a cool new stainless range/oven, subway tile backspash, new lighting including undercabinet, and a new floor (yet to be determined).
As soon as I feel better I'm going to be testing paint colors on my cabs (and even a new stain or two). Can't wait.......in the meantime.....

Do you like my "new" family? I can guarantee this, my dh is going to HATE them! :)

Come see my "freshened-up" laundry room......:)

So my laundry room has been dismal for quite some time. It needed some organizational help. The "storage" basket above is one that I almost got rid of....but I decided to keep it and added some crochet trim for interest. I made the towel above also because I always seem to get wet hands in the laundry room and towels come in handy. The jar with old clothespins may or may not stay where it is.

I've had this shelf forever and decided to feature my clock collection for awhile...the child's bloomers were purchased at an antique mall.

This interesting item was also purchased at the same antique mall, I'm not sure what it was for but it's ancient. The pillowcover has always been on the window. We're lucky to have a door leading outside in our laundry room, it gives great natural light.

My attempt at humor...had to have some sort of vintage picture that relates to laundry, right?

This is an old doll's slip that I've hung over a vintage mirror.

More old linens hanging on hooks. I've had this shelf forever too. It comes in handy in this small room for clothes that need to be hung dry.

Lavendar bunch....best smell ever! I can't remember where I found the cute embroidered bed caddy but it's fun to tuck things in there.

My dh bought me this black iron shelf unit and it holds a lot of my "stuff".

I originally had put my fabric softener in a different bottle but this one works out better because it has an easier screw top.

This pink bag holds my fabric dryer sheets.

I purchased this basket at World Market and added the ruffle to it myself.....

Interesting knobs and another lavendar sachet.....
So there you have it, next I need to organize the cabinets above my washer and dryer, and change the light fixture in this small room, oh and paint it too. Guess I'm not quite finished yet after all....:)

Every girl needs a crown!!!!

So crowns aren't new to this crafty, creative blog world......

But I've never attempted to make one.....until now..thanks to....

My sweet friend Amy, at Mittens....she makes beautiful crowns for her doll heads. And if I'm honest, which I am, I'll admit that I was just a little bit jealous of them. I had a doll who has a "bad hair day" every day.
She needed some help...so with Amy's inspiration I made my first crown ever. I think "Ruby" is happy now, and feels that she has finally "arrived".
Now.....about her little friend in the background...hmmmm

Making chores pretty...linking up with Brag Monday at Graphics Fairy!

Just a quick little post today....I'm linking up to Brag Monday on the graphics fairy

Yesterday I worked on updating my laundry room (with dh's help). Feels so good to do this, finally.

One change that made a big impact was switching out some ugly containers with some pretty ones. I had this old bottle for quite some time and by using a pretty label from the graphics fairy was able to put something presentable on my new shelf! It just took a few minutes but I'd rather look at something pretty when I'm doing my laundry than...well, dirty laundry!
Be back soon with the complete makeover......

Once again, a lucky girl!

So once again I was a lucky girl....winning a stunning necklace from Shari 

It's just beautiful. Very large and substantial, one you can't ignore...I love jewelry like that, don't you?

Every detail is just wonderful.....and check out her gift presentation in the first photo.
It comes with in a gift bag with her label on the front and a beautiful letter. And a tag.
You will feel so special receiving something beautiful from Shari....do yourself a favor and go check out her website, then you can link to her Etsy shop....beautiful.
Thank you so much Shari, I just love this necklace so much, you have so much talent!