Duckie Love August 31, 2009

Thanks all for the extremely nice comments.  Glad you like our little under the stairs bathroom.  I imagine all my bloggy folks appreciate it much more than some of the people who will actually park their bums in there.  My FIL, for example, is probably not going to “get” our vision of a surprise woodland.

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I thought I’d share some more snippets of a room still coming into shape.

The boys share a room and each gets his own wall space.  My youngest is still taken with all things duckies and here is his display area.  I still have to hang the banner from his b.day party, me + ladders are not a great match.

I got a bunch of vintage chalkware ducks from etsy and ebay, hope to supplement collection with thrift scores to come.  Good friends gave him the top framed rubber duckie photo for his b.day and I took the bottom shot at the carnival this summer.  On the shelf (which is not quite the right size yet) sits a vintage valentine I gave him last year, more chalkware,  old book and a duck & egg toy I got from Charlie and Pats.

3 little ducks went out to play…

The previous owners painted the ceiling to look like a lovely calm sky.  The boys love it.

The center curtains I scored at the thrift store, new and unopened for 4 bucks (I think) and the side windows have panels from The Christmas Tree Shop.  Cheap cheap but are working well in their room and is keeping it from being a TOTAL Ikea experience.

If anyone would like to join my Flickr group, Just Moved, please do!  You do not need to have just moved (as the name would imply).

I also just found this Flickr group that I’m digging, Thrift Store Decor.  Wish I had thought of it first.

Bathroom Redo August 28, 2009

Before we Bought it:

The bathroom wasn’t properly vented, which I thought meant a fan but it means something I don’t quite understand about the pipes and gas and stuff.  So we had to take it to the studs

During:

After (but not quite done):

We got the Cole & Sons wallpaper (I’m the last to jump on the bandwagon, I’m a big girl so I run walk slowly).  I also would like to add that the periwinkle step thing is also a “before”.  On the list of things to rectify.

I bought if from Rose & Radish and I have to say the owner, Cate, was delightful to talk with over the phone.

It was my husband’s idea to do the “grass” tiles.  We love it!

Not quite done, still have to install the super cool mirror I scored on ebay and put in a handle.  But I could not wait to share!

Hard to take a photo  inside the tiny bathroom but you get the idea.  We were going for a secret little woodland world under the stairway.

Edit to add: Want to acknowledge the other players on the team -wish we were DIYers but we’re really not.  Our contractor is AMAZING.  He thought of things I would never have like mimicking the trim around the door so it relates with the rest of the house and the baseboard molding, nice touch.   My husband had the idea for the grass flooring and our contractor hunted a distributor down.  I love that my husband trusts my instincts but also brings so much to the creation of our home.

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Thanks for all the kind words.  I am embarrassed to admit how good it feels to read them.

Name Drop August 26, 2009

I am lucky enough to have met Mimi a couple of times and to have checked out her amazing studio.  The first time I met her, she doesn’t remember.  It was a street art fair in Somerville.  I drooled over one of her little baby bean dolls (she probably does not call them that).  I have also spend a considerable amount of time wishing I had thought of the tattooed men dolls first.

Her work is spirited and cool and I hope I win that damn tea cup!

SOWA August 24, 2009

I wish I would have asked what SoWa stands for.  SoMA or SoBA I would get.  Anyone?

Every Sunday, 10-4,  in South Boston happens “New England’s largest outdoor bazaar”.  It’s open May through October 25th.  There is a Farmers Market, a Hand-Made section – which was an open air Etsy, and an Import Market.  Plus live music and food.  Good times.

My favorite was the antique market.  It’s housed inside an enormous hollowed out old factory. It was stunning.  The prices were also a little stunning.

Isn’t this beautiful?  I have a thing for old game boards and paraphernalia.  My husband & I got excited about this piece for above the mantel but the 250 price tag killed it.  I think that a big part of what I love about vintage is the hunt and the score.  The rescue!  When I buy or curb something I feel like I am taking an under-appreciated relic and giving it it’s proper respect.  If I were to buy a warped wooden wheel for 250, I would feel like a sucker.  Hmmm, how to justify these feelings with my Etsy shop (that SHALL RIDE AGAIN!).

I like a shop that leads with a negative.  Another thing I will NOT being doing is buying this Chanukiah (name of the menorah for Chanukah).  I really love the this one.  Much of the Judaica is not to my taste but this is perfection.  Except the 300 dollar price tag.  I am assuming it’s silver so maybe the price is justified but I could not stomach it.

This little sock doll was fetching.  I think it was 22 dollars.  A lot of things were priced at 22 dollars.

I liked these red chairs and this vendor was selling a lot of wire gym baskets.  15 each if you bought 3 or more.  I thought that was fair but forgot to go back and pick some up.   Excuse to go next Sunday.

This is the one thing I did buy.  It’s an illustration of Simple Simon and the Pieman.  It was an insert in the Boston Globe.

The vendor shrewdly gave my youngest the shell he was admiring, thus securing my purchase of the illustration.  At 5 dollars, I walked away happy.  As did my shell loving little guy.

I Can Not Stop Watching This August 22, 2009

mewithoutYou – interesting bio on this band.  I think I may be coming late to the party but this video has captured my heart.

The cursing mixing spoon is destined to be recreated and hung somewhere in my house.

What are you listening to?

Vintage Photo Friday August 21, 2009

Here’s a list of folks who may or may not still be participating.

Let me know if you want me to add your name to the list and you too can participate or not!

Green Jello

Knot Sew Crafty

Sheep on a Spring

Pineapples & Artichokes

Pamdora

Through the Looking Glass

Handy Crafts

My Own Crafty Wonderland

Woolanthropy

Los Angeles is My Beat

The Bee Bonnet Report

Living, Laughing and Loving in Austin

A Jen Too Many

Raine-works

dobco

Cheetah Velour

Bollops

On the Bus with Laurie

Coming Along August 20, 2009

You are looking at my craft room closet door.  I decoupaged vintage sewing pattern tissue on the door, I had planned to put in on the back of the shelves but switched plans to something easier and ultimately, I felt, more impactful.  I found the blue door on the curb, didn’t paint it.  Found it, put on for trash, that beautiful color with amazing hardware.  It’s too wide for the craft room doorway so I’ve got to cut it down to size.  I have big plans for that door, so stay tuned!

I hung the antlers from my Pop on the closet door to hold all my thrifted hoops.  I don’t embroider but my old craft room had lots of fabric filled embroidery hoops.   I am feeling them as they are this time around.

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I forgot to announce the winner of the Name That Fish Contest:

And the winner is, Sharon with: Fishel: Yiddish name meaning little fish.   The boys had other favorites (Natalies‘ Phinneas was a favorite because of Phinneas and Ferb) and there were some good ones (Visty’s Swordid was my second favorite).  But since the fish will be hanging in my craft room I felt I should decide.  So Fishel it is.  Made me laugh,  like the idea of crafting under an old Jewish swordfish.

So I will be sending out some gee gaws and doo dads to you Sharon in a less than timely manner!  Wait for it!

Ideas & Suggestions Sought August 18, 2009

My granny gave me this sofa.  Probably 20 years ago now.  It was in her living room since I can remember.  I think she could not really understand how we grew up, moving every couple of years as my dad got reassigned in the army.  I think she wanted me to have this beautiful sofa as a place to be “home”.  I have always thought of it as such but it’s been in storage all 20 of those years.  I finally have a home and am thrilled for this family piece to be a part of it.  The dust mite allergies are less pleased.  So we are getting it reupholstered and refibered (I just learned that term and plan to sprinkle it in my conversations today, maybe work it into Facebook…).

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I need your advice, leave the wood or paint?  What to reupholster it with?  I am thinking a gray velvet or maybe an olive.  Teal?  I like the idea of a linen but I don’t think I can swing it, price wise.  Your thoughts and suggestions?

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So those are the “arty” shots.  The “I have a blog,  look at my beautiful life” shots.

Here is the other shot, the “my crap is as messy as your crap” shot.

You are welcome.

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My parents just drove this up from NC in their pull along trailer.  Along with some other bits and bobs (do not look directly at the John Deer motorized ride on toy or one might magically spring up in your back yard).

Habitat August 17, 2009

My youngest son calls the side porch his “habitat”.

We are all looking to create spaces of our very own in the new house.

Old thrifted Boston Public School desk & chair set that they boys are enjoying turning into a rocket console, time travel capsule and just plain sitting spot.

My oldest reading his new favorite, Tin Tin.

Enjoying the shadows in the early a.m.

Learning more about this house every day.

I Made Something! August 16, 2009

Ok, so I made it a few months ago and I kind of failed at science but it felt good to do.

I shall craft again but a broken sewing machine, a new job, new house and life in general is posing a bit of a crafting hurdle.  I ain’t complaining.

It’s a wind chime made from an old xylophone that I took apart.  I saw the idea online, maybe Craftster?  Sorry to not give specific credit.  I loved the idea and found a great/cheap old xylophone at Brimfield.  During one of our craft group sessions I brought the old toy and used a fellow members amazing stash of scrounged items to make the base and handle.  I tied the metal “notes” onto a sieve and the handle is made from a potato masher (I think that’s what it was).

I proudly hung it from our side porch where it promptly became overshadowed by our neighbors bamboo chimes.  As my son said, “I like the way ours looks better but theirs sure sounds better!”  So I pondered aloud why my little chimes were getting blown away (ba-dum-cha) and my wise 7 year old son said, “Probably because your chimes have holes in them.  The wind just goes right through them.”  DUH.  Ah yes, of course.

So here is my beautiful hanging sculpture or maybe I could call it a hurricane alerter? As in, “If the wind is strong enough to blow momma’s chimes, head for the basement!” kind of thing.

What have you made lately?  I need some inspiration.  Link to your Flickr or blog if you’ve got something to share!