Sign a Stone

I have often heard of homeowners having their guests paint their name on a wall, or sign a ledger when they visit, thereby leaving a visual reminder that they were once there.  But what if you don't have a large wall in your home crying out for guest graffiti or don't want to bother with a coffee table book that may be misplaced now and again?   Or perhaps you are having a baby shower or wedding reception that necessitates some kind of a guest book...


What about an apothecary jar full of signed stones? 

Start by adding some moss at the bottom of a large clear vase or jar.  Select smooth (and preferably flat) stones light in color.  Keep a Sharpie nearby and voila!  Whenever a guest graces your home, have them write a message on a rock and place in the jar.  Or at the conclusion of a baby shower or wedding reception, presenting this jar to the honoree is a beautiful reminder of those who were in attendance.  

Pretty cool, right?

Sidenote:  As much as I love this idea, I still have little kids running around my house and I fear that any kind of an open container with rocks inside invites some bad decisions :).  Save this idea for a more adult home or if you can trust your kids.

A Magical Miniature Treehouse

Have you ever seen a dollhouse that is SO magical?  This one-of-a-kind dollhouse is the remarkable creation of a miniature artist who was inspired by Brambly Hedge, a series of illustrated children's books.  Taking 11 months to create, this artist has left no detail unaccounted for.

I've always been fascinated by dollhouses and miniatures; I could let my eye wander through this little house for hours.  And I'm a grown woman!

For a more in depth look at how the artist created this magnificent miniature, take a look at her post on how she designed and executed her plans.  Completely amazing...

Quote of the Day...

Amen to that...

Believe in Yourself...

I came across this amazing quote and LOVED it.

The Braided Rug

This rug is made out of a multitude of tee shirts. 

 

TEE SHIRTS!  How amazing is this?  And if you are new to my blog, you should know that I have a major thing for amazing rugs.  Which is funny because I have so few in my house...Hmmmmm...perhaps I need to work on that!

 

Anyway, loving this rug.

Happiness...

Backyard Movie Theater

 

It's FINALLY summer.  Which means late nights, BBQ's, kids racing around the court and over fences into each others backyards, trampoline jumping with sprinklers on underneath, watering flowers and of course backyard movies. 

Living in Northern California, we are blessed with really beautiful weather most of the year.  When summer hits, watching a movie outside with loads of friends seems so wholesome and fun.  I decided that this is the year to figure out how to set up a proper outdoor movie theater...without breaking the bank. 

We have a projector: check.  We have a dvd player and a few speakers: check.  We have a big yard and enough seating: check.  Now to get a screen figured out. 
I found this tutorial on all things backyard movie theater and had to share.  I hope to be back shortly with my fancy new outdoor movie theater screen...made from blackout curtains!  I can't wait!

Sewing: Vintage Inspired Girls Dress

This post was originally on my personal private blog in 2008
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As I lay in bed the other night, I created this dress in my head: grey and white stripes with some textured structure, lined with two kinds of red and white polka dot cotton, trimmed out in blue and red bias and featuring two hip "belts" out of vintage patchwork with large white buttons. Everything sewn in red thread. In my head it was so pretty.

So I made it!

I cut and "pasted" two patterns together, one from the 70's and one current (from the McCalls book of patterns at Joanns) and whipped this up for my little girl. When I say whipped, it really took me the better part of two days. I'm not a magician :). She loved it.








 
 I don't sew dresses often and I certainly don't choose projects as involved as this one. For all of the work, however, it was worth it.

Gumball Felt Rug

OK, its not really made of gumballs.  But doesn't it LOOK like it?! 


I am crazy for this rug.

Paint Drip Flower Pot

 

I just discovered this tutorial.  What a great idea for summer planters.  And you could use any paint that you've got laying around - house paint would even be great.  I'm going to need to try this!

Playroom Redo

 
Our playroom is actually the front room of our house.  And while I like to think of myself as a go with the flow mom...I still like my house to have a decently cohesive feel to it.  Ie: not so many primary colored plastic toys near my front door.

So, I pulled together a color scheme I can live with and NOW I am officially happy with our newly redone playroom.

Curtains from World Cost Plus Market.  Table top originally from Ikea but sprayed with a hammered metal finish paint

 We have these friends on top of our very overstuffed bookshelf.  Yarn bombed giraffe from Home Goods, globe from a thrift shop, multi colored ball from our trip to Ethiopia, large star from a store in Utah called Taipan Trading.

I love how things turned out.  White kitchen from Pottery Barn Kids

Art for Children: Jackson Pollock

Last September, I started an art program at our school along with another parent.  I write all of the curriculum and teach some of the classes, my partner arranges the complicated teachers schedules and parent volunteers and makes sure our art supplies are in good shape.  Between the two of us and this team of volunteers we have made it work this year.  The kids LOVE the program (we are a K-8 school); so do the teachers and parents.

The program has been a labor of love and hugely time consuming...especially for a volunteer.  I am hoping to have the program standardized next year as a paid part time position for one person handling the teaching responsibilities as well as everything else that comes with an art class.  It all comes down to the school budget.  I hope it works out but unfortunately there are no guarantees.  I wish that the current climate in education was more favorable towards the arts.  Alas, it isn't so we have to make it work where we can.



Today I taught the 3rd graders a lesson on Jackson Pollock.  First of all, a lesson in a 3rd grade class on Jackson Pollock should not be undertaken by the faint of heart.  That said, it sure if fun to watch 30 3rd graders have at it with flying paint.  When I asked my daughter what her favorite art lesson of the program was this year (and they have had 7) she immediately shouted,

"JACKSON POLLOCK!"  Why, I asked.  "Because I could get down on my knees or walk around the canvas and just make paint fly everywhere".

Truth.



The kids did an amazing job.  See that canvas up there.  That's the mark of 30 kids.  Freakin' awesome.  I have a feeling Mr. Pollock would be proud.