Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day !

I love to celebrate this holiday.

This year I just haven't had the time to send Valentine's or bake cookies with the kids.

So, here are a few cards from Rifle Paper Co.

whom I just adore . .

Rifle Paper Co.

Rifle Paper Co.

Rifle Paper Co.

I love the charming sayings - don't you?

Hope you take time to let someone know how special they really are . .

Happy Valentine's Day ! 

XOXO

the Day after Halloween . .

 We now have enough candy to last us 'til Easter . .

Laura Ingalls & my life size Skittles 

cleaned out the neighborhood.

I love to make them costumes every year

but this year I left it to last minute

and was madly sewing & painting only days

before the big night!

Hope everyone had a safe & Happy Halloween!

Chairs for Charity

On October 25th, 2012 -

 The Passionate Home will host their 2nd annual 

Chairs for Charity event

 in support of the Langley Christmas Bureau. 

So please join us between 6:30pm - 8:30pm and bid on your favorite chair. 

The Passionate Home is located at: 20506 Fraser Hwy, Langley, B.C.

My contribution is this little green chair with white slipcover complete with

 feather pillow and handmade buttons . .

A special thanks to Carrie and Kristine for arranging this event

that will help others in the community

 during this holiday season.

Time to get back inside & entertain . .

Our Autumn weather has arrived!

 In the Pacific Northwest we have enjoyed a wonderful Indian Summer

but reality has now set in and we are all spending more time indoors.

Time to spruce things up around the house & get ready to Entertain.

How about a pretty cup -

one of these beauties will be sure to bring a smile on a cold, dark day.

Sparkling glassware - ready for an impromptu get together -

make every occassion a special one!

Where do they find these fantastic display pieces?

 Handpainted plates & bowls stacked high on a shelf 

creates a casual way to entertain . .

Love the mirror & its rustic appeal beside the brightly patterned china. 

I have always admired this vintage floor cabinet -

the unexpected, paint color & shallow depth

would make a perfect place to display and admire your beautiful

glassware and plates when not in use.

I dream about all the things I would put in all those drawers . .

And after all that entertaining

why not curl up in your favorite chair & enjoy

browsing through one of these fantastic magazines -

not just your average magazine

but more like books filled with beautifully illustrated inspiration & ideas  . .

 - All items in the above photos can be found at Anthropologie -

Back To School . .

The kids are back and so is the routine . .

. . a little espresso in the morning, write a few emails, research for the Grove . .

Is that a swan I see?

With the new routine, also comes change.

Time to do a little decorating . .

Pillow Inserts

an easy & affordable way to freshen up a room

Transform floor space into lounge space

with soft, comfortable casual seating.

Update your inserts by choosing from a wide variety

of covers to create the perfect look.

There are so many choices to make . .

A modern print from Marimekko

One of Marimekko's first floral patterns,

Vihkiruusu ("wedding rose") was created in 1964

 by legendary designer Maija Isola.

Precise yet exuberant, 

Vihkiruusu is a stylized interpretation 

of a stemmed garden rose blooming in simple graphic repetition.

And sizes to choose from.

Anthropologie

Lifelike bark is screenprinted by hand onto a plump, linen-covered cushion. 
No two are exactly alike. By Thomas Paul.

Anthropologie

Wool crewelwork roses bloom around artist Trey Speegle's sentiment

 on this paint-by-number-inspired front-and-back pillow.

I love these two pillows from Anthropologie - 

be sure to check out the back side of these two beauties!

Anthropologie

Artist Trey Speegle's cause-and-effect sentiment 

wraps from the front to the back of this wool crewelwork and canvas cushion.

As you can probably guess, I love Pillows!

I am currently working on putting some together

from my collection of vintage fabrics that I have accumulated

over the last 10 years . .  

barkcloth, chenille, quilts and 40's & 50's feed sack.

I will keep you posted when they become available

through my Etsy store.

My New Blog

I've started a new blog ..
26 Doors

It will be a Design journal of sorts
documenting my days as I go through the design process
 - starting from the ground up !

So please check out my story here
as I make my way through the next 9 months ..

My Calendar is Full & My Head is Spinning

May / June are such busy months,

Dance Rehersals, Dance Pictures, Dance Recitals,

Tae Kwon Do Testing, Pictures,  

2 Birthdays in 8 days, Father's Day,

it goes on and on ..

I really am looking forward to the dog days of summer,

My summer is already filled with getaways, entertaining guests,

dance camps & martial arts ..

.. a request from my son ..

cupcakes that resemble our family dog

.. and a campfire favorite - S'more Cupcakes,

my Daughter's ultimate sweet treat !

When I was looking for inspiration 

I came across some other ideas ..

.. this looks fun ..

a Party in the Barn

Carnival Treats for a Carnival Inspired Day

A Garden Party 

.. a garden party inspired treat bag to take home after the party ..

fill with Gummy Worms,  Pretty Garden Gloves, and Seeds for Planting

So many great ideas and inspirations 

Have a Great Week ..