Guest Designer for Melanie

Tonight I have the honor to post a card  I created using stamps from Melanie Muenchinger's new set "Buds and Vases" available from GinaK Designs.  I always love to guest design for Melanie. 

The terra cotta pot was stamped on light brown card stock and colored lightly with colored pencils and OMS.  Many of the open flowers, partially open flowers, buds and leaves were stamped and colored with Copic markers then cut out.  These are all single stamps in this set.  Also  some stems were stamped.  A slit was cut along the inside edge of the pot and stems inserted.  I started arranging flowers on each stem then added leaves to fill it in.  Tiny bronze beads were glued to the center of each open flower.

 The white square under the flowers was created using a Martha Stewart border punch.  Another piece of white card stock was  embossed with the Cuttlebug dotted Swiss embossing folder and placed in the center of this frame.  The rust piece was scored with the ScorBuddy along the edges.  These were layered onto white then to a mustard card.    The vase and flowers were attached and a small piece of grass created with a Martha Stewart grass punch added.  The tag was created with a sentiment from this stamp set.

I know lots of you do not like to cut images out, but I love to do this so had a lot of fun creating this beautiful pot of flowers.  I have several other cards made using this set that I will be posting next week.   You can see this set at GinaK Designs under "New Releases". 

Frugal Friday~

Today I wanted to share with you my frugal fall tablescape.


I have this small buffet in my dining area. It is the perfect size to fit in what might otherwise be an awkward spot. I love the buffet...but I just couldn't get it accessorized the way I wanted. I thought that perhaps if I painted it a different color it might fix the problem. And that was my plan until I came up with a new arrangement for fall...

BEFORE








AFTER

Yeah, there's still a lot of black, but there is more height, more texture, more color. Let me break it down for you.

(Sorry for the blurry photo...I was taking these in low light...) The first thing I knew I had to do was replace the lamp. I liked the "skeleton" shade on the old lamp, but the hubby? not so much. Plus, I felt like the lamp was the key to bringing in color. So after searching for a while, I found this gold beauty at TJ Maxx for a steal! It was rather short, however, so I made it a little taller by placing it on a book. I didn't like the cover of the book AND I wanted to bring in more white, so I just turned it around to face the pages out. Mr. Two thinks the lamp is especially fitting for fall, because, as he pointed out, "it looks like a pumpkin."

I repeated the gold color on the other side of the tablescape with a plate I already had that just happens to be the exact color of the pumpkin lamp...call it serendipity.


I wanted to add a piece of art, but I just didn't have the right thing...so I framed a piece of my favorite black damask fabric. The perfect touch.

Finally, I added the terrarium that my mother gifted me with a sweet stone bird's nest underneath. Love the rusty patina. So fall-ish.

Aside from the lamp (which as I mentioned was a total steal) I didn't purchase a single new thing for my fall tablescape! And, I like it enough that I've talked myself out of painting the buffet...at least for now.

Now it's your turn...

You know "da rules"

1. Please link directly to your post not just to your blog.

2. Please link back to the Shabby Nest so that others can enjoy the frugal goodness.

3. Please comment on the links you visit so that our partipants can feel the love!

Finally, I reserve the right to remove links that are not appropriate to the Frugal Friday theme...ie links to posts about your business, your giveaway, or other posts unrelated to frugal projects or frugal finds.

Have fun!

My style is “Suburban”

So I’ve noticed something lately when watching my favorite design shows. There is one word that seems to strike fear in the heart of many a “real” decorator…

Their mouth puckers up like they just drank lemon juice.

They look like they just swallowed a bug.

They look as if they may just spit out the word…cause it’s just so completely hideous.

That word that makes them quiver…

 

SUBURBAN

 

(Runs screaming from the computer. Arms flailing. Trembling. Hives.)

But I don’t get it. Never have. I don’t understand what’s so bad about “suburban.”

I know, I know. It means normal…average…just like the next one.

To them anyway. To me it means warm…cozy…it can even be classic.

And, YES, normal.

What’s wrong with normal? Normal can most certainly be pretty. Warm can definitely be different. Cozy can be innovative once and a while.

But to me, more than anything…”suburban” means

A FAMILY LIVES HERE

Why is that so horrible? 

For years I’ve tried to figure out my own decorating style, and I’ve never really nailed it down. I’m really traditional, a little bit transitional.

But then I heard that “suburban” word one more time a couple of weeks ago, and I realized…that’s ME! My style is Suburban.

And I’m proud of it.

BoooooYAH.

Really. I’ll scream it from the roof of my suburban home. My suburban home in a neighborhood.

In Suburbia.

I love Suburban. It’s home.

To me, it’s family and friends plopping down on your couch, getting something out of your fridge, sitting around your kitchen table playing yuker.

Yeah, I said it. Yuker. I’m a Hoosier. Darn tootin’.

Although I usually just sit and watch…I won’t take the time to really learn how to play it. Which is probably a good thing because I am NOT a good loser.

It’s not pretty. :)

And yes, I know it’s spelled euchre. I’m being a Hoosier. Funny. Get it? :)

I found the definition of Suburban online, just because I was curious:

sub·ur·ban (sə-bûrˈbən)

adjective

1. 1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a suburb. (Check.)
   2. Located or residing in a suburb. (Check.)
   3. Of, relating to, or characteristic of the culture, customs, and manners typical of life in the suburbs. (Check. Check. Check.)

We dream of having a weekend apartment in New York City someday.

And a mountain cabin…someday.

And one day…maybe moving to a house that’s not in a neighborhood, one that’s older than ten years old, on some land with a creek in the back. (Or crick, if you’re a Hoosier.)

You know – the kind of house that’s more than 30 feet from the road? Yeah. One of those.  :)

But any one of those would still be decorated in my Suburban style. Warm and cozy, cozy and warm…and normal. In my way, normal.

My normal is not your normal, which is why Suburban could never be average. Just in the same way one person’s contemporary isn’t another person’s contemporary. Styles are translated differently by all of us.

And every style can be comfortable and welcoming. Contemporary can most definitely scream A FAMILY LIVES HERE…but that doesn’t make it boring. 

My style is Suburban and I am not ashamed.

What’s yours?  :)

Welcome to my latest advertiser!:

3000 Followers Event - All about ME! (link party)

Who I am ~

I'm a junk lovin' sole parent pet lover artist type kinda gal that loves to create!

I've always been artistic but the real fun began when I started my own biz 17 years ago, running my own sign and graphics company. But the blogging world has indeed brought a fresh passion into the mix.

How I got to where I am today comes with it's own story you can read about HERE. Be prepared. It's LONG. :)

"I don't mind acting abit nutty. I think it keeps us young. :)"

I love the simple things in life and shy away from the complicated.

I'm rather outspoken, but in a kind way. I just want the best for those around me.

I'm a leader type personality, however can play nice with others too.

I own where I am in life. 

I LOVE traveling and camping but I also love coming home.

I talk or sing to myself while I work. It pushes me through boredom as well as keeps me upbeat. And yes... I get caught all the time. :)

I hate asking for help but I like to help others.

Being a tad co-dependent gets me into a bit of trouble, but I'm working on hearing my own voice and needs. It takes practice!

  

(this blog header for my off topic blog says it all)

 In a nutshell, I love being a mom. I love my 2 cats and 1 dog. My friends are tight, and my family near. My son and I are building a wonderful life together after many hurdles, and I'm pleased to say, no matter what the weather is, it's always a sunny day over here. I honestly get up every day looking forward to what's in store. It's like a brand new start each day. Erase the mistakes of the past and get on with it!

Yeah, I'm generally that upbeat unless I'm in pain or my progressive reading glasses give me grief...

Where I live ~

On the WetCoast, located in BC Canada. It rains alot but the payback is all the greenery around us. It's gorgeous out here every which way you turn.

We live in a one-3-way-stop kinda town where everyone knows everyone. They're the type that care about you so I wouldn't have it any other way. The day I moved in, Janette brought over brownies hot out of the oven. With boxes stacked to the ceiling, feeling exhausted and uneasy about the move, that kind gesture right there told me everything would be just fine. And I was right. I'd like to do a post about where I live sometime. I have so many stories...

And my tight knit community even accepst my circus high wire laundry ways...

What I love about my home ~

#1 - that it's ours. (my son's and mine) That knowledge just feels so BIG. We own the front doorstep right down to the squeaky floorboards. I'm VERY proud and grateful.

The new roof goes on with hero Vic helping.

#2 - that it's finally SOUND. It needed alot of work when I first moved in. I was very blessed to have alot of help with that step, saving YEARS of payments off my life. I'm truly blessed beyond measure. (the reno blog is HERE)

The woodshed in the backyard.

 #3 - making it ours. After the house was fixed up, the next step was to personalize it. So the decorating and creating began. These days, this funky home is truly our sanctuary in every way possible.

My favorite room is ~

The blogging headquarters.  It doesn't hurt that my new computer is kind to me as well. :)

But what I love about this area the most is that it's so uniquely me in every way. I created a very funky desk to simulate where my mind takes me when I blog. The random rustic boards, big metal bolts, eclectic wall unit... my surroundings inspire me big time.

And I love the fact that the blogging area is central to the entire house. (in my open floor plan diningroom) I don't miss a beat with what goes on around me. When inspiration hits, I like to run to the computer and start a quick draft so I don't forget my idea. How many can actually say they can cook, watch a show AND help your kiddo do homework while you build a post?!? :)

My favorite thing to do DIY wise is ~

Wooden gate screens

I actually have two. Creating AND staging my creation. Taking the junkiest of junk and creating something amazing out of it, then staging it just so really rusts my bucket!

The day I put these screens up, I honestly stood back and thought.. "Holey CRAP. I MADE those! And they aren't falling over!" I still feel that way with everything I make because quite honestly, building stuff is still fairly new to me. Building = LOVE.

I wish I knew how to ~

... build anything inside my head.  Wouldn't that be AMAZING? Welding and higher building skills are high on my list of learn-to's. I Even knowing how to mount things properly.I also am starting to visualize frameworks of this which is what creations are all about to start with. I totally have to get over my fear of my table saw to move on. I'm getting there. :)

Something you may not know about me is ~

I don't really enjoy cooking. 3 hours in a kitchen a day totally robs my creative time. :) I use to love it, but when it became all about how quick can I pull it off, I lost interest. But I DO love my KITCHEN... and I do like GOOD food.

Why I love to blog ~

What's not to love? Blogging provides an outlet to show my creative side with those that get me. I can't think of any other place that could possibly offer this much encouragement!

It also satisfies the writing craving that hits. Why, I'm a published writer everytime I  create a post! :)

Oh.. and then there's the photography! I love looking through a lens of a camera, then building a story or tutorial  around the photo shoot. I enjoy that part just as much as creating.

____________

I honestly don't know what tomorrow will bring from all this blogging and documenting. But I look forward to finding out.  Thanks for continuing to find interest in my blog. I appreciate you!

Would you too like to join in?

 Use the questions above, build your post, and link'er up!

Can't wait to get to know all about YOU. :)

The Pleated Poppy giveaway event ends Thursday, 11pm Pacific.

An Idea Worth Stealing

A few weeks ago I found the perfect bouquet at the thrift store for $1. What makes it so perfect?

It's simple yet stunning.

Simple because it's made using a half round piece of styrofoam with the heads of faux flowers glued abundantly on top. It's stunning because it can be plopped atop almost anything and
it looks gorgeous.

A silver ice bucket.A white pedestal vase.An old copper pot.On top of moss rocks inside a huge hurricane.

And it's easy to store away when the season, or your mood, changes. It's definitely an idea worth stealing (or buying at the thrift store for $1).

My Segment On The Nate Berkus Show Airs Today!

Waiting in the Green Room...

...getting directions from the producer and stage manager.

(Photos from Home to Three Duncan Boys)

Check out my appearance on the Nate Berkus Show today.
Find your local listing here.

(Don't blink...it's a brief three minutes!)

If you like what you see,
I would love your giving me a shout out here or here!

And to see more about the room design discussed with Nate,
see yesterday's post.

Thanks! Janell

Joan's Garden Challenge #17

It is time for another fun challenge over at Joan's Gardens. When Joan first told me about it I thought I would be really challenged because I don't feel I am very good at putting design papers together. But I found this challenge very easy and fun. Here is the challenge: Paper- plaid, polka dots and stripes; Pearls or Rhinestones; Circles; Sentiment for any occasion.

I found three design papers I have had for a very long time that met the challenge requirements. On the circle I added a beautiful flourish from Heartfelt Creations dies called "Perfect Petals Diecuts, HCD704". This set of die cuts is available from Joan's Gardens. A piece of trim was added across the middle. The verse is from the JustRite "Loving Thoughts" stamp set, also available from Joan's Gardens.  It was stamped with brown ink. To complete the card, brown pearls were added to each corner, on the flourish, and under the sentiment.

Have you been following the clues for the big announcement Joan will have tomorrow. You won't want to miss this. Also, have you checked out all the items on sale -- some items up to 50% off.

Here is the link to check out all the information for this week's challenge.

Frugal Roundup~

Hey kids! Welcome to this week's edition of the Frugal Round-up!

Over 270 people linked up to last week's Frugal Friday...that's a lot of great inspiration!!

Here are a few of my favorites...




Perhaps it's because I am in the process of working on my home office, or perhaps it's just because this home office is fab.u.lous...but I *had* to share Red Door Home's lovely post with you! mmmmmmm.

I love me a silhouette...and I love me all things French. So make sure and check out La T Da's Eiffel Tower silhouette art. So clever!

Next up, House to Your Home shared a pretty and fresh dresser makeover. Love the stripes!

Finally, be sure to check out the Anthro-inspired art project at A Crummy Marriage Blog. Lovin' it!

If you haven't visited last week's Frugal Friday post yet, make sure you scroll down...RIGHT NOW! You won't want to miss all the frugal goodness!

I'm off to work on my million and one projects. Hope you all have a great day~