Fabulously creative Friday linky party!!!!

Welcome to another week of Fabulously Creative Friday!

Last week's party was  a blast!!! 

There were some amazingly creative things.

It's been a crazy week here! Monday it was 60 degrees and rained giant, fat drops, and today it's 10 degrees with flurries!

Here's how I am going to spend my day tomorrow rain or snow!

First, I am going to write down everything I am going to do on this beautiful chalkboard photographed by Fiona and Twig. A girl has to plan her day, you know.

Then I am going to stop by Marty's musing's so she can make me some of these marshmallow pop's. All of that planning makes me hungry.

 Then onto Mod Vintage life for some winter mantel goodness. I might even bring her a marshmallow pop (if there are any left.).

 And then I am going to pop on over the Chateau Chic and watch her paint in her beautiful home. Mr. CC you are doing a great job! Keep it up! and no.. it never does end.

And then I am going to end my day at home looking at all of your creative things. Let's see what ya got!

Looking back at days of murals gone by...

I had a former client call me the other day and ask if I still did murals. In the beginning of my blogging career; that's what I was still doing; Murals and furniture painting. For those of you that saw my earlier post about my blog headers, that was why it was called Sanctuary Art. It was the name of my mural/painting business. Great name for a mural business, sucky name for a blog. It was a good decision when I finally went with my own name.

Back then I was have-paint-brush-will-travel.

 Even though I loved doing the painting part, I did NOT love the schlepping. Ladders, paint cans,tarps etc. And, standing on my feet looking up for 10 hours straight. Ach, my achin'neck. I know she knows what I am talking about.

 There was always one job where I would spill paint on carpet and then panic and sweat for a while until it came out. Or I would forget something I needed and I had to think on my feet. I developed a talent for color mixing by sight because so many times I would run out of a certain color, or I didn't have it and I would have to punt.

 It was such a great experience along the path to having other businesses,it really taught me a lot. And it helped me find what I liked. I love painting nature.

And as most of you know; I have a thing for birds. :)

 I learned how to handle all kinds of artistic requests. You never knew when you needed a hulk busting through your wall.

 I also really liked the design process a lot. It made me so happy when clients were thrilled with the end result. Sometimes though it could also be difficult, especially when you were trying to work with not only a client, but a client and a designer and you want to make everyone happy.

 While a part of me felt sad having to tell her I no longer did paint murals, and rarely furniture for clients, another part of me was so glad that I have moved on.

 It's funny how something you think is so important and so forever at the time,ends up just being a stepping stone to get you somewhere else. When it ends it's not failure, it's just experience.

All of these jobs were a great experience. I always wonder what else I will look back at and think the same thing.

Jen

Modernizing an old cane-back chair with tufting....

I picked up a set of 3 of these old caned chair's for $40. I totally scored a deal.  I loved the style, but the caning was so dried out, when I tossed the chairs in the back of my van, they cracked all over. I decided it would be easier to make it an upholstered piece instead of trying to re-cane it.

I thought it would bring a more modern touch.and I love the result!

I first took the seat off and painted the frame, and recovered the bottom seat. You can see a tutorial from a few years ago on how to do that here.

For the top caned part, I used quilt batting to stuff the back which I laid on top before I stapled it. All. the way. around. I think I went through about 400 staples.

I then hot glued on trim to cover the staples.

 When I did the top I used plain linen. I thought it might look busy to do both the upper and lower the same pattern.

 I actually really like contrast of the top and bottom. 

 I tufted it with a vintage button and added a pretty beige trim I found at Jo-ann Fabrics.

I am going to take it over to my new space on February 1st. 

I am going to be opening a "Petite Shoppe"; I've decided to take a different approach to things and am grabbing a slightly bigger space at Affordable Antiques.

I need to decide if I am going to do the other two chairs the same way, or if I want to mix it up a little. :)

Jen

Linking up here at From my Front porch to yours and at Southern Savvy Style.

And the winner is.....

I need a big drum roll for the winner of a spot in next year's holiday house walk!!!!!

td-td-td-td-td-td-td-td-td-td-da!!!!!

It's......

Rusty Hinge!!!

The participants voted on their favorite homes and Rusty Hinge pulled just to the front of a few others. It was super close. I think she will add an awesome touch to next year's tour!

We are so excited to have her with us!!!!

Congratulations Maria!!!!

Happy Saturday!

Jen

Fabulously Creative Friday Linky Party!!!

Welcome to another week of creativity! Can you believe it's gone by so fast? 

There were some great creative projects from last week.

In fact, I have planned an entire day around them.

I LOVE this Valentine's Decor from Remodelando la Casa and 

I am going to look at it while I

eat some some Red Velvet cupcakes from Barns and Noodles.

Then, after I stuff my face with yummy cupcakes; I am going to sit my bootie on these cute stools from Shabby Love.

 And then I am going to enjoy sitting and reading a book(and maybe eat more cupcakes.) in this lovely room at a Texas Girl in Philly's house. It's so cute, she better watch out, I might really come over.

Doesn't that sound like a great day????

Please grab a button if you've been featured.

  Let's link up all of your creative things this week!

 Please remember to link directly to the post, not your blog, and spread some linky love around  by linking back to the party.

A bit of Sunniness.....

Yesterday it was 6 degrees. Yes 6 degrees. The funny thing it it makes today's 10 degrees feel warm and we find ourselves saying thing like "Yesterday was 6 degrees, but today's not so bad.". I love the Midwest, but these are the times I do envy those of you in warmer climates just bit.

 I needed a visual pick me up and a mental warm up 'cause this is kind of how I feel today.

I am dreaming of spring and warmer times.

Source: tumblr.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: room-polish.blogspot.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: dyingofcute.tumblr.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jen on Pinterest

Source: allthingspaintandplasters.blogspot.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: vintage-house.blogspot.fr via Jen on Pinterest

Source: designsbygollum.blogspot.com via Jen on Pinterest

I hope you stay warm today!
Jen

How to make heart -shaped pom-poms.....

We had such a fun time at the pom-pom linky party last week! I am glad you loved my heart-shaped pom-poms.They took me  a bit to figure it out; but once I did it wasn't so hard.

 I wanted to share how I made them. Even though they are a little tricky, they are really cute when they are done! 

Start by making a regular pom-pom. If you aren't sure where to start you can see my tutorial here.

Once you make your pom-pom, hold the top firmly and trim the bottom in a cone shape. When you initially tie your pom pom off before cutting, make sure you tie it really tight or the short yarn pieces will start falling apart.

 After your bottom is trimmed. Hold it by the two top strings you are going to hang it by later.

 Squish your pom-pom flat and you should have a semi-heart shaped yarn ball.

Carefully trim your top around on one side and then the other to make the half rounded tops of your heart.

Trim again up the center  and any scraggly bits to make the rest of the heart shape, being very careful not to cut your main pieces or over-trim.

I hung my pom-poms on a crocheted chain, but they have a lot of potential!! I would say these are super cute, but not as durable as regular pom-poms are due to the shorter threads from trimming. They might take a little practice, but they are fun to make!

Jen

For the love of a new blog header...

Way back in the early days, when dinosaurs roamed the planet and TV shows were still in black and white (and according to my kids, I was born.), blogging was just a baby. 6 years ago blog headers were something that were  a major commitment. Bloggers toiled and despaired about making such a "big" change.How would people see you? Does it represent me? And if you didn't know HTML code, you couldn't do a thing to change your blog and had to pay some one to do everything for you. really thought long and hard about changing them. Now, it's  a matter of a  bit of photo collage and a little text and boom, new header. 

 I am playing with new graphics to change my current one for spring, but  I thought it would be fun to take a look back at my blog headers and how they have changed. It's kind of funny to see how they have evolved as I moved towards finding my identity and using a blog name to using my own name to brand myself. I was lucky enough early on to have Sara to help me with mine until I figured out somethings for myself.

Jen

A busy Sunday and Growing a Creative Business Class...

Yesterday I went to the Chicago Market and the Beckman's handcrafted show. It's the Chicago home and gift show for retailers. It was  great chance to see something that was a bit different and both pushed me a bit out of my comfort zone, and opened my eyes in some ways. Walking around and seeing the different wholesalers and products, especially the handcrafted section was huge. It made me see possibilities for directions in my own life. One of my dreams is to see my own designs carried by major retailers. I make art and products for my retailers all of the time; and since there's only one of me, I am really limited on what I can produce. I dream of seeing it go to a bigger scale and yesterday got my wheels a-turnin'.There was a lot to see. Mark was super-patient with me.  I love candles. I am a candle smeller and was looking for a  new line to carry in my shop with soy or coconut wax and natural and essential oils. I think I smelled about 500 candles and after a while they all kinda smelled the same, but I have it narrowed down. :)

I'll am headed today to this event and I'll  be talking about the gift show! There are still a few places left in class and you can still sign up on site.

Have a great Sunday!!!

Jen

Fabulously creative friday linky party....

Welcome to Fabulously Creative Friday!!!

Last week Common Ground shared her beautiful mid-winter decor.

and....

I am in love with At home on the Bay how she re-did her laundry room with an awesome wallpaper from Anthropologie. I have to find it! The space looks amazing now!

And an Anglo in Quebec MADE this armoire from old windows!!!!

And I love how The Refeathered Roost has her entry displayed and"vignetted".

If you've been featured take a button!

Are you ready to share all of your fabulously creative things????