Pretty Polish

I love nail polish.  For me, it's a lot like lipstick is for other women, a quick pick-me-up.  Anytime I need one, I peruse the endless variety of colors out there and choose something pretty to add to my collection.  Generally, I've stuck with simple manicures of one color applied on short nails.  But I've recently discovered the world of nail art and have to say that now I'm hooked.  This is becoming an incredibly addictive hobby that has me doing my nails every night after my son goes to sleep.  For my most recent manicure I tried the newspaper nails technique with holiday magazine print and let me tell you it's cute cute.  Here are a few of my favorites across the web, and be sure to click here for some incredible tutorials.

btw - this tumblr sort of rules...

Trying for Bokeh

While trying to figure out how to do this, I ended up with this effect instead.  I don't even know if it will actually work with my point and shoot... although I do really like the way these photos turned out and may play around with it a bit more.  Anyone have success with trying bokeh?  I could use some tips!

Getting Festive

We took some time this weekend to put out our holiday decorations.  After my husband brought in the Christmas tote from storage, my son showed a serious interest in how things should be displayed; I basically followed his requests as to where to put the lights, garlands and tree ornaments.  Since everything we used is from last year we ended up with a sort of funky bohemian look that feels fun and offbeat in a juvenile way.  Letting my son take the lead when it comes to things like this really takes the pressure off me to make everything 'perfect'.  I also like that he finds so much more joy in anything we do when he's allowed to be creative and participate.   We still have yet to pick up our tree, and I'm looking forward to his suggestions on decorating that as well.

 - pleased with his work -

Star Garland

Our theme this week is stars so this morning my son and I spent a little over an hour making this construction paper star garland.  After I hand-cut each one, he taped them (with a little help from me) to the string of yarn and chose where to hang it.  I wanted to put it over a window but he insisted this was a much better location.  Standing back, I had to agree.

Stitching Score

During the process of making my first quilt for my son's birthday, I discovered the part I loved the most was hand-sewing the binding.  I spent the better part of an evening doing this while watching the movie Stepmom, and found myself so enjoyably consumed that I was actually slightly disappointed when I sewed the last stitch and the binding was done.  Suddenly I began craving any opportunity to pick up a thread and needle; mending my husband's jeans held me over for a little while.  So imagine my excitement when I came across this kit during my latest thrifting.  It's full of cute iron-on patterns and also comes with a simple instruction book.  Unfortunately the floss and hoop were missing which I imagine were easily swiped out of the unsealed box.  But no matter; I can't wait to get started on these projects just as soon as I pick some up from the craft store.

Room for Color 2011

 

Room For Color 2011 contest is going on over here, and so far these are my favorite entries.  I love seeing what people do with their personal spaces and always come away so inspired by all the creativity.

 

Front Room Redo

Every three months or so I like to rearrange the furniture in our front room.  It gives me an opportunity to take care of dust bunnies and the change just feels good.  The last time I did this I found an arrangement I really liked, and things stayed the same for over six months.  Honestly I had no plans to try anything new for awhile, that is until my husband asked me to do something different.  He was beginning to feel cramped, and truth be told once he brought it up I had to agree.  So my son and I spent the day pushing and pulling, lifting and dusting until everything was in it's new place.  Now it feels more open and airy, which is so much better than cramped and cluttered.

We bought this sofa 10 years ago as a wedding gift; it's probably time for a new one.  The green chair I've had since high school.

This mid-century dresser was found in a second-hand furniture shop in our old neighborhood; it's one of my favorite pieces.

This plant is perfect for me; I cannot kill it.  The stack of books behind the plant are a gift from my aunt- learning books for my son.

I love my books.

All the wall art is from thrift, vintage, or second hand shops.  The one in the middle was found at a dollar store ten years ago.

Farmhouse table we use as a desk found on Craigslist.

I guess I really like this color combo.

My son's elephant found a new home among precious photos.

Music To My Ears

To my thrill and delight these latest words were uttered from my son's mouth... "mom, can I do some water paints?" 

We've been painting pictures and making artwork since his babyhood, but generally during these occasions a heavy participation from my end was always required.  Although he enjoyed putting in a few brush strokes, after a minute or two I am usually strongly requested to finish what he started.  So you can imagine my excitement when out of the blue he asks if he can break out the supplies and paint a picture.  I keep everything in a tote within his reach so whenever the mood strikes him, he can run with it.  And today, he did.