this place

Last winter I bought a new laptop from QVC knowing that my old laptop was on it's last leg.  I left my Acer plugged in while I went to work one day and when I came home my little pc that I spent so much time with over the last seven years was dead.  I got fairly good at backing up my information on my zip drive thing.  But what I found I had lost was more of my browsing on the internet and sites I loved to check in on.  Those certain blogs that I frequent by the click of a button but for some reason I couldn't remember their web addresses.  Lucky for me, I have this place.  This resource.  My own personal place that I share with so many.  Last Sunday morning it hit me.... look on your own blog at Image Inspiration... and there they were.  By sharing inspiration from other blogs on my blog I created some history and was able to find my online friends that don't even know me.  I still don't have all of the blogs in place that I used to have on my favorites menu but I'm slowly but surely working on building it back up.  It's been months since I've visited some of them.  So it was good to see old faces and beautiful sites and pictures and stories.  Funny what you get used to.

Gorgeous picture.  I haven't been taking many lately.  My big zoom lens on my Nikon is broken, the one that I loved to use.  This is from herlibraryadventures.  Click the pic to go there.

I love her vignettes.

Happy August!

image inspiration

 

On Saturday evening, just hours after arriving home from our four wheeling trip, I sat down at my computer.  I admit I have been avoiding browsing my favorite blogs lately simply because of disinterest.  I had thought of a couple on the way home and looked them up.  As I went through a couple of posts on MoontoMoon I got stuck on this picture.  At first I thought of a succulent that I still have from my cousin's wedding and then of an odd piece of stained glass that is in a drawer in the craft room and then of another piece of stained glass that is in our bedroom.  All of which will go in the bathroom window above the tub when I take down the bird tree and put away the strand of lights now on the windowsill. 

 

I then proceeded to write down my list of things to do tomorrow and was inspired to do things like trim leaves on house plants and rethink the kitchen dust shelves.  I also need to find my 2016 journal and clean up the craft room as well as the shower and a multitude of other things.  But... when one single image sends my creative and homey brain into a frizzy it is a good thing. 

 

Vacation detaches you from home for a spell.  I admit that when I walked into our house it felt good but it felt cluttered.  Maybe because the cabin we stayed in doesn't have much on the walls.  Or maybe because we had a very busy Christmas day and left early the next morning to go out of town for a week and some of my Christmas things were still out.  Time just sort of stood still while we were gone.  I've come home and see things that need to be done which feels a little stressful but I am home now and have the time to do them.  So maybe this image needed to serve as my inspiration to re-do while I am at it.  It's not a major re-do by any means at all.  Just a simple "this goes here now".

 

Even though I love to drink coffee in the morning in the chilly mountains during a week long vacation, I can't wait to have a cup looking out of my own windows tomorrow morning.

 



image inspiration

Inspiring Images of handmade Christmas trees that could be made in a snap with common (in my household) things. 

 

 

I love this little handmade nativity scene found on soulemama.  The trees, I think, are made of coffee filters and probably rolled up paper or something a little more sturdy.  So sweet.

 

 

 

I adore this little felt Christmas tree.  It looks like it would be so easy to make with just a little sewing machine time or hand sewing time.  The base would probably involve the hubby but it gets the creative wheels turning doesn't it?  I originally found it on hazelandscout but the tree can be purchased at Nordstrom for pretty cheap too.

 

 

 

Oooh this one has a "how to"!  Although I despise times when I have everything here at the day care except for one thing for a craft and it's at the house.  I own it I just don't have it on me when the mood hits.  Ugh!  The agony of having two houses.  I really like these fluffy trees and they are made with a piece of paper and crepe paper... oh and glue and accessories.  But the accessories are optional and they are still really pretty!  Found on creativechaos.  Click the pic to see how they are made.

 

 

 

For the kiddos.  I found this on pinterest but always like to link to the correct source if it is possible.  This easy for kids to make tree is from creativefamilyfun.net and will most likely be made today at the day care!  I have a lot of pompoms!

 

 

And since my newly found "old" Barbie love I have found and totally enjoyed myfroggystuff on youtube and here she shows us an easy way to make a doll house Christmas tree that doesn't necessarily have to be used in a dollhouse y'all.

 

 

 

 

And I love this picture and the thought behind it for Barbies.  So easy to do for miniature things!

 

 

 



Image Inspiration

 

 

 

 

I stared at this picture for a good ninety seconds before I stopped and thought "what exactly has caught my eye?"  Then realizing I was daydreaming about the lengthy plant on the shelf.  I thought of how I could rig up a hefty, chunk of a shelf in my eating area and let one of my three vined out plants chill out and grow in there.  Although there isn't much sun I don't think this type of plant really cares.  I have one growing in a Coke bottle with water only in it that's over a year old.  I also really like the fur draped over the bench.  I thought of a brown fur blanket that might look nice draped somewhere for the winter but then thought about how much the cat would like it too and how it would turn blonde after him laying on it.  He thinks every change is in his favor.

Picture snagged from THIS post on Apartment Therapy dot com.

 

 

And also on the same post...

Exactly what is that spot in the very middle of the photo of leafy deliciousness?? Not the carpet bag, which I find semi-equally delicious, but the plant in the wooden boxes growing wild.  How does one achieve this?  OK and I super love the whole feel of the house.  You must go see the whole post.  There is a black metal shelf in one photo that I like and also the lamp stand wooden box next to it.

HERE is the post again.

I really like when cake stands are used in decorating.  I've got one on my kitchen table right now with pumpkins on it and will probably change out the pumpkins to bottle brush trees very shortly.  This one here may be a cheese stand.  It looks a bit smaller but oh so cute.  They are also good to use when there are things that you don't want touched or to get dusty. 
Found on delightfully-tacky.com
 

 
I've been a big fan of Find It Games ever since my old neighbor brought hers over one day.  Here I found a DIY that is brilliant for making your own.  I never even thought about it!

Found on ActiviaProducts.com
or click the picture above for the direct link to the tutorial.
This could be a fun game or take home gift for a baby shower!



 

image inspiration

One of my Mom's friends always asks her how her daughter (me) who lives the simple life is doing.  I really didn't feel that I lived a simple life until a recent step out of my life.  I realize that I am satisfied with simpler things and truly don't have the desire for bigger and better.  Repurposing a card board box, as seen in this post, just tickles me.  While the finer things are fantastic for some folks it is just not my style.  I do admit that I wish I made more money.  This little day care doesn't exactly make you a millionaire or even a thousandaire, but when I walk into this door on Monday morning it's like walking in to my second home.  Everything is just the way I like it.  Speaking of tickling... here are a few images that have inspired me just by looking at them. 

 

 

 

Light Up Houses

How simple and fun.  Of course I want to make them today but it may be fun to save this project for another month when Christmas and lights and Santa villages are upon us.  I think the kids will love them!  I can already see a few set up on my mantle underneath alpine trees.

 

 

Found on mothersmessymadness.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Whipped Bronzing Body Butter

 

I recently made a QVC purchase of body butter with argon oil that I am so excited about getting.  Had I not made that purchase I would be all over making this all natural body butter asap.  I am sure I will get around to it because I already have eighty percent of the ingredients so why not!

 

Found on blog.freepeople.com

Advent Calendar

At my Mom's growing up we always enjoying our advent calendar.  Our was made of felt and the ornaments had ting pieces of Velcro and we loved getting up in the morning an plucking the ornament of the day and placing it on the Christmas tree.  At least I did.  I was usually the first one up.  Since then I have wanted a similar advent calendar but have never purchased one.  I won't be buying this one either because they are sold out already but it does give me some inspiration on possibly making my own.  I have some drop cloth for the backing and lighter fabrics for the ornaments and goodness knows I've got buttons I could use.  I am slowly talking myself into this project.  You can see more pictures by following the link in the title.  This one is my Rachel Ashwell and I found it on her blog. Did I mention it was $329??  Good Lord! 

 

 

 

image inspiration

 Ok let's just get to the good stuff right up front.  I shared a blog with you last week called SouleMama and she has stunned me again.  Yes... since then.  I want to visit this family!  Just look what they did with fall leaves.  We are absolutely going to do this at the day care.  Our leaves aren't at their peak yet here in Tennessee so I've got time.  What I also have is bees wax and fishing line.  Pretty soon colorful fall leaves will adorn our day care and my home!  I can't wait!
Click the pictures for a direct link to her post.
 

 


 

 

I cannot imagine a room in my home actually looking like the this picture.  I enjoy looking but wow the difference in taste!  What I do love about the details, besides everything, is the simple horse planter sitting in the center of the table... nothing else.  How vivid.

Found on abeautifulmess via THIS post.

 

 

 

And THIS is an example of me, on a blog, just blogging along, and then seeing a book, with a book review, then jumping over to my library's website and getting on a wait list because it's brand new and still on order.  But hey... I'm number 17.  It's my process.  There's just something about books.

Image found on thejungalow.com by Justina Blakeny

These next two inspiring images were actually from the same blog post found on freepeople entitled 20 Minute Bedroom Refresh.  I really enjoyed the post with quick ways to fluff up your sleep space.  The second image had me jumping to my library's website again for the Gypsy book.  The top image has me thinking of a large and warm new cover for our bed... and getting Shaun an electric blanket for his birthday.  I feel we would need one for only his side.  I like warmth but I get hot at night.

 



image inspiration

 

 

 

 

I found this post that included not only an Autumn woods walk with kids but stringing found acorns.  I immediately thought of two places to go to that usually have an abundance of acorns in a couple of different sizes.  If the deer haven't eaten them or the red squirrels haven't snatched them already.  We can totally walk there in a good fifteen minutes and gather up what we need.  The drilling holes part would be more up to me and the older kids.  I will have to hit up Shaun for his tiniest drill bit because I know for sure I broke mine.  They're so delicate.  I love these!!!  Oh and the one picture in her home that shows antlers, feathers and books OH MY!  I love to see her son with the hatchet.  Makes me want to turn the boys here loose with one but scares me too.  They would love it.

 

Found on www.soulemama.com or click the pic for a direct link to the post.

 

 

Totally sold with the glitter... who doesn't know that about me?

 

A tip from her blog post....

(*A note about acorn crafting. I prefer to bake the acorns for an hour at 180 in the oven, to kill the grubs inside, rather than having them fall out as the acorns age. And we use a small drill bit to make holes in them, easy for stringing.)

 

 

 

Why oh why have I never done this or even thought of it??? When on walks or in the playground the kids and I spot mushrooms.  I seldom know what they are.  I generally advise the kids not to touch them and just leave them alone.  I'm funny about what they do with nature... even when they catch things that are alive I am adamant about them not harming them.  This post is from the same blog www.soulemama.com .  I have already looked up her books and have them coming from the library.  But this shows her with her children and a mushroom guide book which I know my library possesses.  The kids and I are for sure doing this.  We will go for a walk and learn by collecting mushrooms and trying to identify them using a guide.  How much fun!!! I mean seriously... look at that purple one they found! 

 

 

 

And I want to... have to... do this at the day care next year.  A pumpkin/gourd tunnel.  Even a small one... no a walk through one, where the fruits of your labor idly hang down in the center underneath for easy picking.  Bonus! You can mow underneath it... I think.  I would love one.

 

Yep... same blog www.soulemama.com I love finding a new to me blog and staying on it the entire naptime at the day care.  One that is filled with inspiration that fills my head with ideas of all sorts.

 

 

 

I must stop the madness of sharing this wonderful blog with you and all of the Image Inspiration.  Go see for yourself.  Her photography is wonderful and her life seems precious and nurturing. 



Image Inspiration

You know... half of the reason why I do this blog thing of mine is so I can look back or refer back to anything... just about.  I look up old recipes that I posted, memories, books... all kinds of stuff.  It's like my little journal that I share with anyone who cares... and me!

 

 

Hair Perfume??? What??? I need to do this and have everything at home already.  My favorite scent in essential oils is DeTerra's Lemongrass.  I could handle that in my hair all day son!

Found on FreePeople

 

 

 

 

What has been the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in starting your business? Traveling. We really can’t, and I’m not sure when this will happen for us. We have hopes it will some day. But we had these big dreams of traveling for months and just relaxing, but thankfully, work keeps coming. And since we know the rollercoaster of work as a freelancing couple, we try to take every opportunity that works for our family.

  

 View the entire interview HERE or click the pic above.

 

This statement from an interview with LaTonya Yvette says it all when you are a couple in business for yourselves.  There's no one to cover for you when you want to go on vacation and no one really when you get sick.  Although my sister does fill in at times, I've been at work feeling less than my best many times.  But when you aren't there no money is being made.  So you sacrifice and hold out until... one day. 

 

I think LaTonya Yvette is such a beautiful person.  She lives in Brooklyn which is miles away and lifestyles away from around here.  I love to take an internet view of people's lives.  They seem so rosy and positive.  In addition to having her own blog I have seen her featured on many other blogs as well in posts from beauty routines to her home to her business.  Gorgeous person indeed.






And on to another blogger.  One of designer turned world traveler that my sister Mary Evelyn turned me on to recently.  Her name is Jenna Sue and she announced one day on her design blog that she and her "other" had separated and she was hitting the road.  She has visited (by herself mind you) Bangkok, Thailand, Asia, Vietnam... her stories and pictures of where she is, what she does, what she sees and experiences is amazing.  Although my pc won't let me open some of the posts on her blog.  Amazing... like M.E. sais "it makes you feel like you just don't go anywhere or do anything".  I plan on following this gal because I want to see more.

 

Well now... wasn't this week just full of lovely?!?!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LACEY!!!!!!

 



image inspiration

Why exactly... with all of the enamelware that I own... have I never even thought of using them for my utensils?  I like to use mine as vases to hold flowers but that's not everyday.  I have my cooking utensils in crocks right now... right now... only because I am at work.  This image inspired me to make the change from crock to enamelware by using items I already have. 

Image found on moontomoon via this link HERE.

 

 

 

 



So after several years of being a non-concert goer... I will be headed downtown with my niece on Wednesday evening to see Kacey Musgraves at the Ryman.  I am totally excited but am at a loss as to what to wear.  I feel like when I get dressed up in what I think looks cute... when I return home worn out my choice in clothes seems more trashy than trendy and I wonder what I was thinking.  I will probably do the same at this one.  I can remember what I wore to my first concert ever which was The Steve Miller Band at Starwood a hundred years ago.  I wore a two piece, navy blue with white polka dots, shorts and top combo that completely showed my mid which I could do back then.  I think the people We went with were not prepared for my choice of clothing but as I read on a blog today that inspired me... Make no apologies for living your own life... which I didn't that evening but now looking back... wow.  I'd like to be a little more thoughtful now.  The pic above reminds me of a crochet white vest thing that I think I still have and of course I am dreaming of breaking out the denim patchwork jeans that I broke out seven years ago when I was the only one at the party who dressed up for the "dress up Halloween party" and went as Janis Joplin.  I rocked it.  I have four outfits written down so far.  One of them being what I normally wear because that's what I love right now.  Kacey has never seen me in it I guarantee you that! 

 

Oh yea... I got the above pic from freepeople HERE when I typed in festival in their search because I know they share what to wear type of things. 

 

 

 

I was originally inspired by my sister who shared this post with me but then by the blogger who shared the book suggestions.  I'm glad to know that I'm not the only blogger that shares books.  I think I would mostly enjoy Faithful Place after reading her write ups but maybe Lottery too.  We will see what my library has and give them a try.  I still can't seem to throw myself into reading much these days.  The post was HERE on livingvintageco.com

Image Inspiration

 This little segment of my series called Image Inspiration is done in DC style.  DC meaning day care!  I love to fish around the internet for ideas for the kids and I whether it pertains to simple crafts to take home or decorate the day care or art that goes along with books that we are reading.  I think the book crafts help the kids to remember what the books are about.  one of my preschool kids told me that in his new pre-k class that have books we've read here but not the crafts that we've done.  Made me smile. 

I get emails from a website called Nurture Store each week that has games, crafts and sensory play ideas for kids.  These first two are from the email that I got last week.  I already have the shells for the first one and the second fish craft is from household items so... done and done! 

 

 

 

 

 

One Duck Stuck is a book that we have checked out from the library right now.  The craft that we will be done differs a little bit from the one to match the book below but it is the image that my inspiration came from.

And I love this candy corn garland found on lovetosew.com.
I've already made some and it's hanging in the day care.  Ofcourse I probably don't have to tell you that mine has gold, orange and white glitter since I am a total glitter freakazoid!




And while shopping for a picture of candy corn garland because I couldn't remember where I originally saw it I found Christmas tree paper plate garland that I may just have to pre-make today!
Oh what fun it is!

Precious huh?!?!


image inspiration

ok so... today I thought of a website that I have frequented in the past but haven't browsed in a long time.  they do interviews with cool people from all over the world.  the pictures are what fascinates me so.  i love to see how these people live... not necessarily "those" people in particular.  sometimes one catches my eye.  truthfully, i was looking this morning before any kids got here and had to stop when they arrived so i just logged off the internet but left my browser open to one of the interviews.  it's naptime now and i opened it back up to look through the pictures again and read a bit about one of the interviewees.  i adore the greenhouse... regardless of the rest of the interview.  but i found myself  staring at the inside of her home.  the big tiled floor and dark wooden flooring, her shoes, the baby bed alongside her own, imagining all the while what her life might be like... for real.  people's lives... even mine to you I'm sure... are different than they look online.  you only see the pretty stuff... not the fact that I've had to have more teeth pulled because of my gritting and grinding, and the infection from it, the truck pulls at county fairs we've been going to (came in 3rd at one), the sunshine, the rain, the rotten garden, the dust on my dresser and cat hair on the floor.  people's lives aren't always as sunny as they seem online... just keeping it real.  that ranted over... i do adore the sunny side of this life...  and i did enjoy the interview. (i made myself read it rather than just looking at the pictures... arty people are fascinating, aren't they.)


Where on earth did this couch come from?  It is awesome and looks so soft.

How quaint... a mirror above the table and goldenrod spilling from a chair.

Step up into a different world.

The fronds on her curtains are fantastic.

I truly enjoy the way this room is set up.  The couches (that were once a sectional?), the globes up top, the music station in back, the sunburst mirror, ugh!  I just want to curl up with the blanket and look through the magazines on the couch don't you!?

I do adore the rugs in her home.  And the chandelier over the bed.

The richness in the floor boards.

Ok so you can find this interview HERE.  All of the pictures came from the same website.

 

Let's find another shall we?  It didn't take long.

 

Same website... the photos found were from THIS interview. 

 

OK so there's really no question in my mind why this interior with it's décor captures my eye.  From the plants to the taxidermy and light.  It all seems so alive.
 

The website Fruende von Freunden has so many interviews and other postings that I could browse all day.  Take a visit with them sometime.

 



image inspiration

I wasn't sure if I should name this post Image Inspiration or Stuff I'm Drooling Over.  They both apply greatly to these photos.  I was in the mood this morning to find new places.  New places on the internet.  I love my favorite blog list of sites I cruise regularly, but (like me) they sometimes don't post as often as I would like.  Hey... none of we bloggers are perfect!  Unless maybe the ones that get paid to blog but then what's the fun in that... besides the getting paid to do it part.  I never really wanted to get paid to blog or venture down that route because I don't want to lose the fun in it.  If it felt like a job I probably wouldn't want to do it... you know if I felt like I "had" to blog.  Anyway, I found a few new places this morning... one happily leading to the next.  Then one happily leading to me wanting to spend thirty one bucks on a piece of enamelware which isn't abnormal for my enamelware love affair that I have been in for simply years now.  I'm probably gonna do it.  Afterall... I don't have a cream can to put flowers in... and oh how I didn't realize I wanted one until literally within the last half hour. 

 

 

Image Inspiration

 

I know..... I'm going to have to bite the bullet.  Probably as soon as I finish this post.

Found in this lovely etsy shop called Vintage Goodness.  Oh she has some awesome stuff.

 

 

 

And... I own several floral paintings that live happily ever after in my bedroom.  They aren't fancy but are oh so pretty to look at.  This post from DesignSponge has got me wanting more.  So in fact that I have already texted my sister this morning for a date to the next Nashville flea market.  She gladly accepted.

 

Very prettily placed upon the top shelf.

This picture made me start a list of home décor updates.  Intentions of moving my floral paintings to the kitchen and redecorating the blue barn wood shelf in the living room.  I always have good intentions when I am not at home.  Then I get there, tired after work, and it never happens.  Maybe not "never".  Sometimes it happens.

Also found on DesignSponge, I was led to a very talented illustrators blog named Frances Macleod.  I adore the pattern below along with many of others she has.  I am thinking of placing it on the background of this blog.  If I can get it to work.

 

 

Ok, that's all for now folks.  I have lists of blog posts that I want to do.  Finding the time if a different story.  So for now you get spur of the moment stuff.  XOxo