Boo to you!

Happy Halloween!

Jen

Do you decorate with jazz hands?

Deep thoughts today girls...

I get caught up.

I know I do.

I read magazines and wonder... Why doesn't my home look like that? Why do I live in a 1959 split level? Where is my 1910 crown molding and sweeping staircase and cute little nooks and crannies? I complain because I dream big and the shower leaks, roof shingles need replacing, my kitchen is dark and I know I am lucky to even have a home, but I think,I hate this place, where is my historic maintenance-free dream home ?

My husband rolls his eyes and says "Shhhhh, the house will hear you..."

I look at Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn and wonder why my house doesn't look like that?

Reality check.

I guess because I don't live inside a Restoration Hardware or a Pottery Barn.

I live in my home, with my family, with all of the things I love. So instead of feeling the need to compete with what is shown to me, complain about what I don't have, and feel like I'm not spending enough to make it just like the catalogs...

I should embrace what I have and what it is, because that's what makes it uniquely my home, with jazz hands.

The things I collect and have found tell our family story.

They are a living history of where we've been, where we are going and who has touched us.

So today, I want to apologize to my 1959 White elephant. I am sorry House. I love you. Really.

I promise to be nicer. And less abusive. I promise. You are a good house, you keep the rain off our heads, and our feet dry. You have potential, I can see that. really.

Because House, for all of your boring construction, and little rooms and no closets, you are uniquely mine, my own blank slate...

...You House,

are a Superstar...!

( Jazz hands!)!

Jen

pictures from Country Living

Simple holiday wreaths...

When I was at Michael's the other day, I found these cute wreaths for $3.99 each. They aren't grapevine, Magnolia I think?

With all of the fall things on sale, it was easy to use a ribbon to hang them and stick a .99 floral pick in them. I did put a little eye hook in the back of my chair to hang them, but one of those stick on hook would probably work just as well. They are really lightweight.

They are so cute and really dress up the chairs!

For Christmas, all I have to do is pull the pick out and put something winter-ish in!

Jen

Little things...

Sometime little, $8 worn out shelves can make big statements too...

Can you guess where this one is?
It's behind as a sofa table! It just installed it as I normally would and backed the couch up to it. Now I can display until my heart is content!!!

Jen

Women who Create.... Welcome Penny of Lavender Hill Studio

Be inspired today by Penny of Lavender Hill Studio! Penny is a multi-talented, very busy mosaic tile artist and blogger who not only has been published in many popular magazines, but runs her own on-line store, caters to custom orders, and write two blogs; Lavender Hill Studio featuring her custom mosaic work, and The Comforts of Home which showcases her new home renovations and decorating projects.

Thank you for joining us Penny! How long have you been a mosaic artist for? How did you get started?

I have been a mosaic artist for about 12 years now. I saw a beautiful piece of mosaic furniture and a mosaic birdhouse and fell in love with the idea of using vintage china to create art. So I started collecting vintage china and tried it. The first few pieces were pretty bad! I bought some mosaics books and studied other mosaic artists and eventually my pieces started turning out the way I wanted them.

Had you tried other creative outlets before your mosaic work?

I have painted with water color, did some silk screening and a little pottery work. I would like to take some oil painting classes. Landscapes interest me.

You've been published many times for your outstanding talent and fabulous projects, how were you able to get published?

By basically being a pest -lol. I spend some time each month marketing my business and that includes sending letters and photos of my pieces to editors of magazines.

How do you find your inspiration for your pieces?

Each piece kind of speaks to me. And sometimes I see a vintage plate with a wonderful pattern and the colors inspire me.

What do you do when you get artist's block?

Walk away from my current piece. I will take a walk in nature, or read some decorating magazines.

What made you decide to open an on-line shop to showcase your items?

( Created by Catherine Holman from Penny's e-book)

I like the flexibility of an online shop vs a brick and mortar shop. I can work the hours I want. My shop is open 24 hours a day and I don't have to pay rent or employees.

What is your favorite thing to work on?

I love working on tables. Especially drop leaf ones. Another favorite is creating my mosaic teapot lamps.

What advice would you have for someone who wants to get started in mosaic work?

Jump right in! Pick up a good mosaic book at the book store or library. They can get you started. I also have an EBOOK I sell on my website on How To Mosaic.

What do you think is the best thing about having a creative outlet like you do and being able to do something you really love?

When I get up every morning I am excited to go to "work". I spent 25 years in the marketing and advertising business and don't remember ever being exciting about my job.

Creating my pieces is really not work. It's play. And it is fun being able to play everyday.

Thank you so Much Penny! You can see more of Penny's creations at her blog Lavender Hill Studio or even shop for mosaic pieces, pillows and other treasures at her on-line store of the same name.

Jen

Welcome to the before and after party!!

Even though I haven't quite gotten through all of the comments yet, I can't not do the party!

So link up!

Please link back to this post and make sure you put your link address in, not you blog!

Show us your stuff! I can't wait to see what you have!

The promise...

I promised myself I wouldn't do a new post until I got back to all of the comments that have been left for me. I have this thing... You take the time to leave a comment; it is my obligation to at least comments back via e-mail or stop by you and say hi, I mean, I really appreciate your commenting. After all, you could totally blow me off for Desperate Housewives or Project Runway or something, and you don't."

So I like to say Hi back...

but, even though I've made a good dent... I have to tell you quickly,

I am going to do the before and after linky party on the 25th.. so if you have a project or make over to show, join in...

and

I have an amazing artist featured on Monday.

She's talented, been published a ton of times and it one of the kindest bloggers I know.

and.. I still love my drapes.

jen

Loving my Anthropologie Drapes...

These were my old drapes. While they worked ( like kept people from looking in...), they really weren't "Jen".

I like to have my house decorated in things that scream out my name... with jazz hands.

I've been looking or a while for something in my budget, and I fell in love with these curtains from Anthropolgie.

They had 3 versions, but I loved the Browlive ones the best.

I know Oilvey-brown isn't the right color for every one... but it is for me. Even though they look very army green in the package, on the wall, they read brown.

When I saw these drapes I thought they were gorgeous, but way out of my price range.

And then... Thank you, thank you Anthro...you had a fabulous sale.

While I am not much for staging shots. I love how they look.

They complete me.

The work very well in the curiosity shop.

And Mama was happy.

Jen

* See Arhaus... a huge sale is all it would take to make me happy.... though free would make me even happier.

Drama for dollars....

I finally painted!

It's only taken me 5 years, but I finally had the living room repainted from an awful lemon yellow to something much tamer; I will tell you though, it's almost too light for me, but I am learning to love it.

I know it's trendy, but I am not a "white" person. I love the look, but just never manage to get there. I see a white wall or space and have a burning, raging desire to put color on it. Maybe it's the artist vs. blank canvas thing in me... but I am much more curiosity shop than shabby chic.

This as my fresh painted, blank canvas.

I wanted a HUGE mirror on the wall like Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn, but didn't really have the extra $500 sitting around...

but I did have $15 for the Dollar store.

So I bought 15 $1 mirrors.

Who said I can't have a big mirror for $15?? I saved so much durn money, that I bought me, myself and I some new drapes from Anthroplogie.

After all, they were on-sale!

Jen

p.s. drape pics coming soon!

p.p.s.. I don't know if the red pillow really goes, but I loooove that pillow. Crazy huh?

p.p.s.s. this one's for you Tara.

Stop by My Romantic Home for the Show and Tell Party!

Stop by Thrifty Decor Chick for her before and after party!

Inspire me Monday... Jeanne from A Bushel and a Peck

Welcome to the Monday Morning series "Women who Create." Today's guest is Jeanne from A Bushel and a Peck. Jeanne Oliver has been blogging since July of 2008. Recently featured in the Book Blogging for Bliss, She designs and makes handcrafted items such as purses, journals, aprons, clothing, and other fabulous things. Her creations and eye for color and design are fresh and hip. She sells to retailers, does shows and fairs as well as her on-line Etsy studio. I've had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Jeanne firsthand and think she is one of the sweetest and coolest people I know. With a wonderfully deep love of her family and her faith, She's a devoted home-schooling mother and manages to support her successful business, creative-side and balance her family life.

.

Hi Jeanne, when do you think you truly found your creative side?

I have always been creative in some form. As a child I would put together neighborhood plays. I would be the director, producer, star....I think you get the picture. I hope my friends were having fun too!!! I remember longing to be a writer or actress. II was always writing some love story when I was younger...I would pay big money to get my hands on one of those stories now. I am sure they were hilarious. Later was obsessed with fashion and design. I was always watching Style With Elsa Klensch. It had been my plan to attend a design school in Chicago and I allowed my guidance counselor to talk me out of it. I look back now on that and I am so shocked

how easily I was persuaded because an adult told me it would be too hard. I then struggled to find what else to do. I went on to get a psychology and history degree...can you tell I was searching? I have a passion for politics also and worked in DC doing grassroots campaign work and legislative work. It wasn't until my son was born that I was able to slow down a bit and enjoy my creative side more. I was still creative in how I put our home together and threw parties etc. but not on a day to day basis. I remember getting my first Creative Memories book while I was pregnant with our son. I now look back and laugh at the stickers etc. but I was so happy putting everything together. Three children later my creativity has grown again and even my blog has allowed me to dive back into writing.

When is your most creative time and how do you find the time to create?

I don't really have a creative time. I am always thinking of ideas and writing them down. I have a hard time sleeping sometimes and have resorted to keeping a notebook next to the bed otherwise my brain will not shut off. The time that I am most likely able to follow through with my ideas is at night. With three young children I find that once they are in bed is my best time to work without interruption. There are weekends that my husband keeps them occupied so I can work on retail and custom orders. Ideally I would love to work in the morning when the light is the best and I have the most energy...but that doesn't happen much.

How did you get started selling your creations?

Everything started for me very organically. I was always making gifts for friends and famly and was being told I should sell what I was making. One of my close friends told another friend about my creations. She had a shop and asked me to make a sampling of the things I was making. She came over and bought almost everything I had made. Within 10 minutes of leaving my house she had sold one of my items for twice what she paid....I knew then that I should be selling them! I signed up for a small local Christmas fair. It was only one day and I really didn't know what to expect. I sold out of almost everything and what was left a local store wanted to carry. That was really the beginning. I can't tell you how excited I was!!! A few months later I opened my Etsy shop. That night that I was putting things on my site I was almost sick to my stomach because I didn't know if anyone would like what I had created. Even now...when I have a new collection that I am adding I get a little nervous.

What is the hardest thing for you about making your items?

I am one person trying to do so much on my own. I am fortunate to have my mom help with the sewing, but I could really use more help (I am in the process of trying to hire another person). I always wish there were more hours in the day! Obviously finding the time to make all the things in my head is a challenge. The fact is that only a small fraction of my ideas are ever created because I just don't have enough time. Another hard thing is that I might have an idea and I can't get to it for a few months and then I see it somewhere else....that can be so disheartening sometimes. I want to be original and I can't always be the one with the idea first.

You've been able to go to a few workshops here and there... what are some of your favorites?

I attended the Brave Girl Camp with Melody Ross and I am so excited to be going to Silver Bella in November. Even though I don't usually do workshops I have been blessed to sell at the Country Living Fair last fall, attend Heather Bullard's Parisian Soiree, Country Living Magazine's Entrepreneur Conference and get together with so many incredible women at the Farm Chick's show this summer. These opportunities with other like minded women has been so inspiring and encouraging. Moments with amazing women can heal your soul and truly renew your passions.

For some one who would love to go to a place to be inspired, what workshop do you feel is a good one for beginners?

There are so many workshops out there that I am antsy to attend. I think Silver Bella is a great place to start because these women are so warm, inviting and encouraging. I don't know anyone that has ever attended that doesn't come away a more creative person. It is truly described as magical. the workshops are taught by renowned artists with most of the supplies you need.

What piece of advice would you give to a mom who want's to get into her creative side, but feels a bit bogged down by the time constrained and the responsibility of family?

The best piece of advice I could give is to carve out a space in your house just for your creating. Maybe it starts in the closet, the spare bedroom, the unfinished basement. Whereever you can find a little space...give it to yourself. Once you have that space you are more likely to use it and start creating again. Who wants to start a project in an area that needs to be picked up? You are worth this! I am a better wife and mother because I create. My family sees how important this is to me and they recognize its importance in my life. They would never have know if I had never given it a chance.

What is the most important thing about art for you?

Art...no matter what form it is in......changes you! Whether it is music, a painting, fabrics, sculpture, Opera, ballet, pottery etc. ....what would life be like without their beauty?

Jeanne, thank you so much! You can see more of Jeanne's and her creativity at her blog at A Bushel and a Peck, or browse her fantastic hand-made items at her Etsy store.

Thank you all again on your kudos for my Country Living publication (yes, I have to mention that just one more time...I am milking this for all it's worth. ;) !

Join me next Monday for another featured artist.

Jen

*All pictures are used with permission and property of A bushel and a peck