Thursday, July 29, 2010

A Little DIY

I promised last week to post some DIY projects. I have several I would like to share so I've decided to spread them out over a few weeks.

I love a good project and I'll admit some have totally worked out for me and some have totally not, but the process is always fun. I plan to share the good and the bad. Some projects are super easy and quick to do and others a little more time consumming.

First off this week are my embroidery hoops. I am always looking for things to put on the wall that don't cost an arm and a leg. This one seemed simple enough and woudn't break the bank since I had lots of fabric on hand.

All you need is:
embroidery hoops (couple of dollars each)
enough different fabrics as you have hoops (I am a collector of fabric, although I cannot sew)
fabric glue
scissors
That's it!

1. Cut a piece of fabric about an 2 inches larger around than the circumference of the hoop. Make sure to cut the pattern you wish to display.
2. Place fabric in the hoop. Pull taught.
3. On the wrong side, run a bead of glue along the inside of the hoop, next to the fabric.
4. Press fabric into glue. Let dry.

5. Trim fabric all the way around.
6. Hang on the wall. I suggest laying it out on the floor first to get the pattern you want.
Voila!


Cheap, easy, cute artwork for any room - office, craft room, baby room, or in my case, back entrance. I don't know if I'll keep it permanently but it is something on the wall for now. I wish the fabrics were a bit brighter colors but you work with what you have! I have accumulated more fabric since so I may have to pick up some hoops and keep adding to it.

It looks really cute in kid rooms.



*images via ohdeedoh

Try it out!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Etsy Purchase - Atelier Eva Juliet

I've mentioned it before that I love shopping on etsy. Each time I browse through the shops I am amazed at how talented people are.
One of my favorites is Atelier Eva Juliet. Eva lives in Montreal and most of her prints are available in both French and English. I had a hard time deciding between these two:

Choose Joy


It's never too late.. to be what you want to be

I found both inspirational but in the end.. I just really love birds. So, I went with this one. I makes me smile when I look at it. I finally got around to framing it today and put it on the mantel to add a little color with the white scheme.




The frame is silver. I picked it up at Walmart. It also comes in white and a couple of wood tones. The print is 8.5 x 11 and unfortunately most frames are 8 x 10. I really liked the oversize matting on this one so I took it to Frame World and had them cut the opening to fit the print. Worth the $8 i think!

Choisis la joie. Don't things just sound a little prettier when they are in French??


Friday, July 23, 2010

Check Out "Honey We're Home"

I just want to say thank you to Megan of Honey We're Home for the mention on her blog yesterday. It is worth a visit to her blog to check out her new home. Gorgeous!! I can't wait to see the progress as she decorates:)
Here is a peek of the home on move-in day.


I would love to have this closet! No excuse to not be organized. And the light fixture? Stunning!


A beautiful kitchen.. I have a feeling my sister Julie will love this.



Sorry I didn't get a chance to post my DIY projects. The weather has been so nice and I've been trying to spend some time outside.



Also, Beaufort has been feeling a little under the weather and I've been a bit preoccupied by giving him lots of love:)
I promise to try to post them next week!




Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Ottoman Feature!

Yesterday I emailed Camilla over at High-Heel Foot in the Door to show her my ottoman inspired by her how-to instructions. I am so happy that she decided to post it on her blog! The comments have been lovely. Thanks so much Camilla!
The shed. It is coming. As usual, a much bigger job than anticipated but I'm getting there. Yesterday I ran out of primer so only half of the left side is painted. A blessing though because it was too hot to be painting!


In retrospect, I should have tinted the primer. It would make coverage easier when I start with the grey. And yes, I know there is paint on the windows! I find the easiest way to paint around window and mirror frames is to paint freely and remove it with a straight blade after.
Can't wait to see some color!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

I am off to Halifax for the night to celebrate my friend Virginia's 30th (Happy Birthday V!). You know how I love to read blogs so I thought I'd leave you with some links to my favorite posts and finds of the week.


Adventures in Renovating a Brooklyn Limestone has 18 guests blogging about a favorite room in their house. While you are there, check out her own home. It is stunning! *Note the frame around the TV above. It makes the tv over the fireplace a little more bearable. 


DECO my place is my new discovery. It is a site where you can upload photos of your home or view other people's interiors from around the world. I haven't added my own photos but have been inspired my many others. Seeing inside other homes is my guilty pleasure :)


I really love penny round tiles. I love them in white and in black. But I can't decide if I like this bathroom. Can there be too many pennies? As much as I love them I think I must say yes, it's too many. Although, it has come along way from those before photos!


This little girls' bedroom from Full House. I can't believe it was done for $250. It makes a difference if you are a good thrifter and can sew.


I grew up with Blue Boy and Pinkie in our dining room. With every makeover the prints went back up. One of my favorite bloggers Kristen at 6th Street Design School has put them up in her bedroom. I think they look pretty cool! Although, I'll admit I'm not running over to my parents to snag them.

Next week it is back to the shed. I only have one side primed - it 's time consuming! I also have a couple of DIY projects to share with you. Stay tuned! :)

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Regis and Kelly in PEI



Make sure to watch for me on Thursday's show to see if I made it on TV.
I just love Kelly:)

Friday, July 9, 2010

Before & After - Ottoman

I had been searching high and low for a coffee table for a while. I really wanted a lucite one but it didn't fit the budget and I couldn't find one around here anyway. I settled for an upholstered one. I found this ottoman at Zellers on clearance for $24.99. I liked the shape and size so I took it home but I couldn't stand the dark pleather.


So I bought some fabric and recovered it. It isn't perfect but I'm really happy with how it turned out.



The fabric is really soft but it is a dog hair magnet! I was always happy that Beaufort was barely shedding but with all this humidity he is losing fur like crazy! Nothing a lint brush can't fix I guess! I think the buttons need to be pulled a bit tighter so I'll fix that.

It was really easy to do. I'd give instructions on how to do it, but I came across these from High-heeled Foot in the Door. She did pretty much the same thing and listed a great how-to.

Well, off to do some more scraping before it gets too hot! Enjoy the weekend!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Shed redo - DAY 1


I promised myself that I would start my shed project within the first week of summer vacation. I knew if I didn't start right away it wouldn't get done. I got a little sidetracked with some gardening. Shopping for perennials (and stealing from family) is fun!
Finally yesterday I used a pressure washer to remove some of the loose paint. It was a messy job. My grass is covered in dried paint as was I! Today is wet, so I took a little break. It needs some more scraping and then a good coat of primer.


While out shopping with my mom yesterday we spotted this piece of coral at Prestige Kitchens and took it home. It adds a little touch of summer to my living room. It works with the white theme I have going on the mantel.


Hope you are all enjoying summer so far!