{tutorial for paper sunburst mirror}

Hi there...I had a few requests to give a tutorial on the sunburst mirrors.  Well anybody who LOVES convex mirrors, sunbursts & paper crafts are in luck because this is so easy.  I originally thought about making sunburst mirrors out of recycled utensil ends to make Christmas ornaments. When I found out that we were going to use an antique green velvet sofa for the blogger's lounge @ Blissfest I thought about Anthropologie and paper crafts so that is when I came up with combining the convex mirror with paper instead.  Anyway I love the look of the paper with the mirror that I have actually halted my search @ the thrift stores for silverware and will now take the smallest convex mirrors & cut the paper in half to make ornaments for the tree.  Who knows maybe I will hang the leftover sunbursts from Blissfest around the house.

The supplies:  glue of your choice, convex mirror from automotive department (they have a few different sizes & I bought mine from Wal-Mart for about $1.60 a piece) & an old book (I bought an old dictionary from Goodwill).

Now just be sure to not let the old lady @ Blissfest see that you are ripping apart an old book because she might get all disgusted.  I had to assure her that I was actually doing the planet a favor by recycling an old book that was almost falling apart rather than buying new paper...actually I just smiled & didn't say a word:-)

Start rolling the page so that one end will be smaller and one larger.

Should look something like this.  Put a little glue on the end of paper  that you roll to fasten.

Peel the paper off the back of mirror to reveal the sticky adhesive.

Dab the glue on the black plastic where you want to place the rolls.  I found it is best to make a plus sign and then work all of the other paper rolls from there.  Also place roll down so that the back of the top point on paper roll is facing backwards.

Should look something like this.  I then traced a circle on felt  (but you could use any material) and glued it to the back.  If you want to use them as ornaments then make sure to have your ribbon or trim ready so that when you glue the circle onto the back you can place the ribbon down first then glue that circle.

Here's the end result.  I actually love the look of the sunbursts plain but feel free to add glitter & trim.

ENJOY!

May this holiday season be merry & bright, sprinkled with bursts of sunshine (and a little snow on Christmas Day).  Although husband has a very hard time with Christmas in the desert because he claims the holiday isn't quite right without snow.  When we were dating he tried to factor this into the equation with prospects of potentially spending a Christmas in the desert.....I tried not to take offense because that's all I had  known & I had survived just fine.  In fact, I told him that Christmas in the desert was truer because that was more like how it was when Jesus was born.  Hah, I got him:-)  No really pls. snow when we go up north for the holiday, please. 

gratitude & abundance

The other day I felt like as was going to be on the verge of a mood.  My camera WILL NOT work in the sunlight.  Nope not on manual, not on TV, not AV and certainly not automatic. Playing in Nana & Bacca's backyard brought some beautiful lighting & the boys were so happy swinging, picking the metal cricket out of Bacca's garden (shhh) & playing catch but my darn camera would not operate properly.  I was pretty sure it was because the boys (or girls..either which grouping of children) dumped water on top of the camera the other day.  I went inside to see if the camera worked indoors.   

Hmmm, still a little blurry but much better.  The first place I went to snap a picture was Nana's dining room.  A room in the house that really only gets used a handful of times a year.  One being none other than that great day of thanks that is really just around the corner.  For some reason I had a little extra gratitude in my heart right then & there just thinking about celebrating Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving should actually be a daily occurrence in my opinion  You see, I have been given so much, an abundance in fact.  It's amazing how in an instance replacing gratitude for any negative thought can lift ones spirits or diminish thoughts that even are on the verge of going down negative lane.  After that I followed those cute little chipmunks around the house.  I am amazed & grateful @ the chance to be their mother.  Perfectly healthy normal boys who teach me so much,which I am grateful for (even if they break & ruin things).  Is it normal for little boys to live trucks up on a wall;-)

Of course it wouldn't be normal if I thought more about the food served on Thanksgiving as opposed to decorating the table.  I can't help it.

{1st image unknown, 2nd image Eddie Ross, 3rd Image unknown, 4th & 5th image Martha Stewart, 6th image studiohousedesign. 7th image,}

Speaking of giving thanks....thank you so much for anybody who has sent a nice email or left a nice comment.  

A cool, clean & calm home

 

Usually for the holidays I crave a warm, textural, layered, chunkier space but I was going through some of my old magazines and was reminded that somewhere in my split personality I really think this cool, elegant, uncluttered home is beautiful too.  Come Feb. or March I will really crave a very light & clean home.  I'm not trying to get ahead of myself too much here because I can't tell you how excited I am for the holidays.  

Is setting up the tree this weekend too early? 

Anyway want to go inside and tour the beautiful above home located in sunny L.A.......here we go starting in the entrance.

{above photos via Homes & Gardens)

Speaking of a cool, clean & calm home...sometimes not a one of those three qualities exists in my home.  Somebody was asking how I managed my home and I sort of laughed because this is how I manage sometimes...

Want to see?

Imagine 5 kids getting into everything as my wheels just spin in place, trying to problem solve for all of these chitlings who must know we are trying to get out of the house in a timely fashion.  It's past time time of even making it to our destination on time but nonetheless somebody feels the need and even insists on going back to fetch an old zoo hat that is clearly too small and some mittens because 70 degrees is freezing.  I do what any desperate Mom would do and say, "That's it, everybody go line up and sit by the door and don't move until Momma is ready to go".  It sort of worked (at least for 4 of them...the 5th is always attached to my pant leg).  Pls. observe.

blissfest

I had such a fun opportunity to style a small space for what was called a "Blogger's Lounge" for an event put on by a local boutique (Domestic Bliss) here in town.  It was so much fun but could not have done it without the help of a couple friends.  Angela from Seesaw designs came to the rescue and hauled furniture, hung fabric panels & printed out some beautiful cards to hand out with the names of local bloggers.  Not only that she donated some of her beautiful cards & calenders ( I am in love with that calendar).  Oh and I almost forgot she was so brilliant & made a really cool strand of printed photos on paper from some of the blogs featured in the lounge...if you look close you can see that she even stitched the paper.  Angela has such a great eye for design & just in case I haven't thanked her enough...thank you Angela. Then my friend Stacey & I stayed up so late listening to Michael Jackson as we made felt flowers, spray painted a faux light fixture & some twigs.  All of the paper chains were made by Stacey from an old book (Stacey you are one fabulous friend). One of my favorite parts of the set-up were the sunburst mirrors also made from an old book.  I will be using those for Christmas now.  The bust form was a score @ Goodwill the night before.  I like the bust form's paper skirt and matching sunburst necklace.

The real highlight though of the day was having Christian & Stephanie Nielson come for a visit.  Who doesn't love them?  I've also come to the conclusion that there are many nice people out there.  Good thing or else I would have to get a mean people suck bumper sticker.  

Go here to see some of Angela & partners creations for their company Seesaw or go here to read their blog.  Letter press is so beautiful.

How does your mustache hang?

I am so glad the mustache hangs low on the girls. It means they have a while until they actually fit into the glasses/mustache/nose combo thing. Phew I think that means they're still little.

This week we were trying to find things that started with the letter "G" to bring to school for show and tell.  Hence the glasses.

P.S. - If you are a local Arizonian and you like to wear masks, dress-up, buy pretty things, and see lots of nice people then why not consider going here.  Everybody will be there even these fine people.

P.S.S. - I'm thinking about selling the below for Christmas (not the little girl because I didn't make her....my sister did).  Does anybody else like Etsy:-)?  Wouldn't that be funny if somebody did try to sell kids on Etsy..I mean after all they are sort of homeade.

Not enough hours in the day..

Do you ever feel like you have so much you want to say but not enough time to say it. Well that's about where I am at. I am working on just a couple of little projects that have a deadline and the following images really helped my brain juices to flow (that doesn't sound very appealing). Anyway, I will be back to credit some of the images but for now @ least I got them out there and I can get busy and go to work...that is after I get the kids all snuggly @ preschool & then for naps.

Still thinking about green & projects

Still speaking of green...did you catch Paula's tutorial over on Two Ellie for bringing in some beautiful green color? If you didn't well what are you waiting for?  Go here to hop on over & to be delighted by some great posts.  I can't wait to to give this project a try.

{photo via Two Ellie}

Speaking of more projects, I really enjoyed reading through House Beautiful's 101 Ideas for updating your home with the changing seasons. Below are a list of a few that I may just want to try around my home.

"Buy ceiling drapery track and the least expensive linen you can find and drape all the walls. White linen in a bedroom, a darker color in a dining room. It smooths everything out and feels moody and interesting. You can even hang art from chains on top of it." -Betsy Brown

"Paint all the terra-cotta pots on your balcony or terrace with a polyurethane stain in high-gloss black or brown. They'll look like Chinese porcelain by the time you're finished." -Randall Beale
Pictured, Martha Stewart Colors French Bulldog Black MS025

"Add a glass top to a table for a more sophisticated look. You can put fabric or wallpaper underneath, or even paint the underside of the glass to give it a little more jazz." -Kendall Wilkinson
Pictured, Tsang, to the trade. Allan Knight: 214-741-2227; allanknightasso.com

"I have replaced all my old cleaning products with Method's aromatic, environmentally friendly line. My favorite tub and tile spray comes in an ergonomically correct pale blue bottle and smells delightful. In fact, all of the bottles are attractive and look great on a pantry shelf." -Milly De Cabrol

"Make tableskirts for your end tables in some offbeat color, with a contrasting flange at the bottom. If your tables are round, put a square piece of plywood on top before you start. Square just feels more contemporary." -Marcy Masterson
Pictured, fabrics by Peter Dunham:peterdunham.com

"Line the backs of your shelves with raffia.Phillipjeffries.com has all sorts of colors and weaves. I've used it in kitchens and bathrooms. It gives a little depth and texture, and anything you put in front of it looks great." -Meg Braff

"Go to Home Depot, buy a length of crown molding at least two inches deep, and nail it to the wall to create a picture ledge. I'd do it in a family space, like a kitchen or a hallway. Buy standard frames and pop in your children's art or family photos and change it around every few weeks." -Suzanne Lovell

"Experiment with different lightbulbs in your sconces and chandeliers. Instead of the traditional flame tip, try using clear Edison bulbs. Ditch the shades for a more modern look." -Philip Gorrivan

"Buy inexpensive ribbon by the roll and glue-gun it as a border around the room, outlining each wall and running it up and down the corners. Works equally well over paint or fabric or wallpaper." -Robin Bell

"If you have something — a lamp, a table, even a chair — with great shape but not quite enough dash, take it to your framer and have them gild it." -Jeffry Weisman

"Hang art in surprising locations, like over a door or above a tall cabinet or on the pilasters of a bookcase." -Nancy Boszhardt

"Buy a bunch of those battery-operated LED Everywhere lights for only $8.99 each. They're like little hockey pucks, with adhesive on the back. Put them under a console table, on top of a bookcase, or use them to backlight some interesting object on a shelf." -Libby Cameron

For the full list of ideas go to House Beautiful right here.

Any projects out there that you have on your list that I should know about????  Pls feel free to share.

{savor, relish, enjoy, bask}

Since my blog is kind of like my happy place that I can use as a place to organize thoughts and things that I can file away for later then I am going to sort a few things out today that are flying around in my head.

First, my kids are really good about teaching me how to slow down even if it is Sunday morning and we are trying to make 8:30 AM church. I decided as long as I am trying my absolute best just to even get there that I am going to be fine with that. No more Sunday knot in my stomach. When I walked out and saw them playing on the 2 green chairs while waiting to load into the car my heart melted. 

  

Secondly, thank you Dad for the delivery of my lovely greenie chairs and thank you to Whitney for taking such great care of them.  It has felt like Christmas early this year with a new couch and chairs.  Did I mention I only paid $28 a piece for the green chairs...we won't mention the price on the sectional though.  Hopefully the sectional will pay back itself with all of the family time spent a snuggling on it.  I love that the chairs go with the artichoke picture.  I love green accents...color of nature.

  

  

  

Don't forget about the colors in the below bedroom to incorporate into the family room.

I've been thinking now that I need to finish dressing up the new seating arrangements which happens to be right up my alley since I love fabrics & pillows (again pls. do not ask husband about our abundance of fabric & pillows...you'll never know when you may need that pillow that was a really great deal) . I already have some fabric that has been hanging out in my closet for a couple a years.  I should probably just use that but between the internet & Home Goods I can't stop thinking about these other options:

{my fabric}

{fabric via LS Fabric}

{1st 5 pillows via here}

Lastly, simplicity & gratitude is where it's at. I love Thanksgiving time. I almost have the Thanksgiving fireplace mantle done & that is making me so happy but still need to make a photo garland.

NOTE TO SELF:  In case I get all grouchy and forget to slow down and feel all of the due gratitude then pls. refer to this season's "buzz words" which happen to be savor, relish, enjoy & bask in the moment.  I love this time of year.

Happy Halloween

We have a bunch of hyper diapers over at our house now that we have been sugared up.  Hope everybody had a safe and fun holiday.

{simple pleasures}

Q:  What do the below two pictures have in common?

A:  They are both some of my simple pleasures and I love both of the them very much.(one a little more than the other, especially the one that looks at me with his big brown eyes:-)

I love pomegranates because when they are ready to harvest it's another sign that Fall is here.  My kids got to experience the joy of cutting one open and picking out everyone of the most delicious seeds (or Momma likes to say jewels) for the first time yesterday.  It was very exciting.  We picked our pomegranates from the fruitful tree @ the girl's grandparents just like I used to pick mine over @ my very own grandparents house when I was their age.  The circle of life continues......

Here's to lovely weather.

{candle sleeves}

I have always admired the look of the KaarsKoker candle sleeves from the first time I saw them in one of my magazines. When in Portland we had a chance to look @ them firsthand in one of the shops. Sister & I almost walked out of the store with some in hand but we couldn't decide which ones we wanted. When I got home I went to KaarsKoker's website and was pleased to see that you could order them direct. In the meantime I thought why not play around with pretty papers. I think it is fun and I plan to switch the candle sleeves out on a regular basis. I feel that they can give my chandelier either a festive or an updated look depending on the paper that I choose. So simple & fun.

  

  

Here's mine except they aren't crafted with as much quality but hey for $1.00 not too bad.

Go here to see more of the fabulous desgins KaarsKoker has to offer.  I still am trying to make up my mind on which ones I want.

What happens when a really swell guy that I call Dad has a birthday?

You make him a funny little ice cream cake with a candle to account for every fine year he has been on this earth. That's a lot of candles....but if you hang out with Dad for more than 10 minutes than you'd know that the amount of candles really doesn't mean a thing.   Dad's the biggest kid of them all.

Thanks for teaching me how to be happy! I love you Pappason.

{new sewless shades}

Dearest Jenny,

I have been reading your blog for a long time now & I like to read it not because we are from the same stomping grounds & not because we are distant relatives but because you author some of the most fabulous things on your blog.

I would have been waiting a very long time for some shades because a) I do not sew and b) I have many more projects and expenses that come before paying somebody to make my custom shades. You are my best friend today as I (I mean Stacey) hung my newly crafted shades that took not one stitch but just glue, scissors, $7.00 mini blinds, & fabric. From a far my shades could just about trick anybody from the trade.

I really appreciate your blog!

Thanks in advance for any other ideas. 

Sincerely,

FULL HOUSE

*****For all of the details on this very effective project go here*****

P.S - I would like to give Stacey a big HUGE thank you.

black and white

I almost forgot that I pretty much like all shades of black and white (including grey & cream)... 

until I realized that all of the pictures saved to my desktop had a certain trend thing going on.

{via Desire to Inspire}

{via Desire to Inspire}

{via Delight by Design}

{via Delight by Design}

Now I remember, I must think black & white sure is a swell color combo.

{the love cake}

Husband finally decided to have his birthday 2 hours after I got home my trip. I was a little heart broken that I didn't pull off the envisioned party but I hope I made it up to him with the cake I made from my heart. I didn't stop thinking about him in any one of those four hours that it took to make that cake. What a glorious day when husband graced his presence to this world. The value he has brought to our family is immeasurable so by me saying his birthday is one of my favorite days is not an exaggeration.

Hope you had a wonderful birthday my main Mr. Man.


OH MY, besides my kids, that cake was the most wonderful thing I have ever made....I am not exaggerating that one either. Everyone NEEDS to go and make it. Every little detail that went into making the cake was so worth it...even the very expensive dutch processed cocoa.  So my little cakie cake didn't exactly look like the picture but I didn't care because it was all about the taste.

Recipe from here, ENJOY!

ingredients

For cake layers
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whole milk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 cup boiling-hot water

For filling
7 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
4 ounces coarsely chopped pecans (1 cup)
14-ounces can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla

For glaze
2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
10 ounces fine-quality semisweet chocolate
3 tablespoons light corn syrup

For full instructions go here.

If your wondering if cake is included in my special diet than the answer is no but there is always an exception for LOVE CAKE.  I made my candida very happy last night:-)

Inspiration via Cielo Home

When I was in Oregon we mostly hung around sis's home and if we ventured off anywhere it was to observe what the beautiful nature had to offer.  On Sat. my non bed rest sister & I went to downtown Portland.  There was a heavy downfall of rain but I had my heart set on discovering what the downtown had to offer.  Unfortunately we were pressed for time & sort of got lost but we did manage to visit Cielo Home.  It was such a lovely shop.  In fact, I think it was just thing to jump start a couple projects that have been running around somewhere loose in that little head of mine.  That's the problem though, there is lost of loose matters of business that I seem to misplace all of the time.

Love that orange door.

{via MWTWT blog}

{picture via Cielo Home's website}

The shop did not offer Christmas stockings but  when I saw the below fireplace mantel adorned with stockings made of designer fabrics I thought of Cielo Home because they had a few upholstered pieces done up in the very same fabrics.  In person the fabrics are even better than pictured, very high quality.  I think I just may have to attempt new stockings in really cool non traditional Christmas fabric.

{stockings via Plum Cusion on Etsy}

Ok, thank you so very much Cielo Home because now I know how I want to refinish my bamboo table a bought a few years ago that happens to be sitting @ sister-in-laws house with the 20 other items.  She is so nice not to charge me a storage fee.  

{via my camera phone}

I didn't have a picture of the third project Cielo home inspired me to complete.  I assure you though that when I complete it I would love to share because it is SO EASY, FUN & CUTE.

Have I mentioned how much I miss my sisters?

Oregon

When I was 10 years old I told my Dad that I wanted to move to Oregon. He was a bit perplexed as I had never been there or had any family that lived there. I think deep down at an early age my soul must have known how much Oregon would speak my language.

Last night when my Dad & Mom picked me up from the airport from my very first trip to Oregon, I told my Dad that I still would like to live there. It was so much fun being with sisters & their kids. I have a dream that someday we will all live on the countryside 40 minutes outside of Portland.  Isn't Fall so beautiful...I could not help but want to jump up into the air when I saw streets lined with brightly colored trees.

All was well when I arrived home.

I miss you sisters.  

{make-believe shopping}

So I was going through & deleting pictures from my phone.  I found it interesting that I did not buy any one of the items....which is a darn shame.  I deserve an award.  I'm referring husband straight to this post.

Does anybody else shop with their cell phones?

{maintaining & messes}

I really would rather be more like the fairy godmother as opposed to the stepmother but... 

living in such shambles kind of was, well you know.  After all, I could not bear to walk into the girls room one more time in this condition.  "You can only go to Nana's or to the park (equivalant to the ball) IF you clean your room", said I their desperate Mommason.

Seriously though, I like the method my little girl has for cleaning the room with her head in the bucket.  At this rate the room will be clean by the time the clock strikes midnight.  

Perhaps it's time to implement a rewards system..

Look @ these neat tickets that Ambrosia Girl designed.  Go here for the free download.  Thank you Ambrosia Girl!

Here's to maintaining my friends.

grasscloth continued...

I am quite fond of grasscloth.  The below picture is one of my top picks for a room that incorporates the textural wall covering.

I am just kicking myself for not picking up the rolls I found @ the thrift store for $3.00...especially after I saw the IKEA shelves covered with it.  

I'm pretty sure my craft/work room is calling for me to use some of the below metallic grasscloth found here.

Here's to a great week!