Happy Place Dreaming

Sometimes life gets in the way and your home starts to get away from you.  Right now there are things that need cleaning, organizing, washing and more but all I really want to do is daydream on my couch with a cup of tea.  I've decided to give myself permission to do just that.  I'm envisioning a "happy place" far from here with...

The sounds of a crackling fireplace...

The taste of Midnight in Missoula tea with honey...

The smell of vanilla candles...

The sight of falling snow...

The release of drifting into warm, cozy sleep without an alarm...

Dandelion Mural

My bedroom is still a hot mess.  I'm on the hunt for a dresser, the walls are bare and the bed is really just a mattress on the floor (on a budget, folks).  At least I took the time to paint the walls.  Midnight Gray is painted on two walls and on a third wall I used the Midnight Gray paint to create a dandelion mural.

Inspired by this post from Pretty Handy Girl.

Mirror Make-Over

White mirror - $1.99 at Goodwill.

I used scrapbook paper, paint, and glitter to doctor it up.

Reminds me of Kelly Rae's mirror a bit.

DIY: Funky Thermostat makeover!

$2.99 Teal frame frame from Ross

Check out some other options in this tutorial from Dream Home DIY

DIY Fabric Scrap Lampshade

1. Start with blank/old lamp shade (this one was purchased for $1.99 at Goodwill)

2. Purchase Tacky Glue & a roll of jellies (fabric scrap strips)

3. Put a thin strip of glue at the top edge and bottom of the shade, wrap strip around the shade, layer strips as you go.  I used clothespins to hold the strips in place as the glue dried because I pulled the strips pretty taut.

4. Let strips dry overnight.

5. Remove pins, place shade on lamp and display.

DIY Shutter Repurpose

I got really excited about repurposing some shutters and so far I have 2 different installations in the house.

Kitchen Photo Display:
1. Hang shutters on wall
2. Use clothespins to attach photos, cards, and mementos

Bathroom Shutter Jewelry & Card Display:
1. Hammer nails on sides of shutter to hang necklaces/bracelets (you could easily hang the earrings on the shutters themselves by slipping them into the slots if they were closed upward)
2. Slip cards into slots to hang sideways

I folded it and up slid it up against the wall and into the corner to cover an ugly vent.  Multipurpose.

DIY Fabric Chandelier

I thought about lots of ideas for hanging light fixtures or mobiles (which I'm still considering for the dining room).  I found a video on Vimeo that was quick, easy, cute and cheap (which are my only 4 requirements of any project).  I used larger pieces of fabric than the video calls for, the strings are shorter, and the hoop is larger (you can always customize to suit your vision).  I'm not sure of how long I'll hang on to this guy but I think it coordinates nicely with my window art.

Here's the tutorial from 100 Layer Cake

DIY Antique Stacked Fruit Tray

The photo of this tray is from Kelly Rae Roberts' Portland home.

My version: 1 antique silver serving tray, 2 ceramic plates, 1 crystal candle holder, and 1 tea cup.

DIY Palette Photo Shelf

Yesterday I had one simple goal of bringing a Pinterest post to life.  I have been struggling with what to put on the wall over my couches for a while.  I wanted some arrangement of photos that was cheap, easy and unique.  I found this post and this post utilizing old wood palettes and thought I'd give it a shot.  I went to the Resource Yard and found one for $3.  I printed some photos and put them in some old frames from Walgreens I had laying around the house.

Tutorial (so simple):
1. Find old palette
2. Frames pics and arrange in palette
3. Nail into the wood, hanging some frames and leaning others
4. Put some kind of wall hanging hardware on the back (I went to McGuckin's  and followed their instructions for hanging properly)
5. Add accents - I put a candle, a ceramic bird, some faux berries, and a homemade nest from an art project I did last year).

DIY Window Art

I loved this idea found at the Liz Marie Blog so I decided to try it and I'm in love. 

I found my window at the Resource Yard in Boulder.

Window: Free pile
Wall clings: $4.99 on clearance at Joanne's Fabrics

The tutorial is very simple:

1. Find old window
2. Clean old window
3. Peel and stick wall clings
4. Hang
5. Admire your handy work

If you'd like more info or another example, definitely check out the breakdown from Liz Marie.

Virtual Art: Self-Care Vision Board

Shout out to Shannon and her self-care blog :)  I've used Polyvore for lots of things but I haven't experimented with it as a way to make a creative image in itself.  A collection, an idea board, an interesting collage...but never as an actual source of creative digital art making (until tonight).  I've been thinking about self-care all week and I'm brainstorming ways to bring it back into my life to hold balance and stay grounded since life doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.

I created this image on polyvore.com as somewhat of a virtual sacred space.  A visual reminder of what I need in my life right now.  Each symbol, texture, color, and shape was chosen with intention around what keeps me happy and healthy.  I've got the image saved as my laptop background so I can be reminded of it each time I use my computer.

My mental and emotional space need some attention before I can get back to my physical living space (although they are all so deeply linked and reflective of one another).

Oh my, how time flies.

I'm still working on the apartment.  Still thinking about new ideas.  Still trying to get a grip on all of my to do lists...work, home, relationships, bills...one of these days I'll get back into the swing of blog posts and documenting projects.  It's time to bring self-care back into my world and crafts are a great form of self care.

“Crafts are a way of valuing yourself and giving to yourself. They allow you to express what’s inside.” - Diane Ericson

In the meantime...

http://tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com/post/9454358051/via-words-to-live-by-so-true

I have taken to Pinterest (which can easily be done when one has little to no energy and no supplies).  Check out my boards for some inspiration/ideas for the home, quotes, tattoos and more...

http://pinterest.com/chelsea_oneil/

New thrift store wish list....

* A dresser

* Old table or chair with cool legs so I can stick them to the bottom of the new blue suitcase I found at the Goodwill this week (left) - idea spotted at Anthropologie in Boulder (right)

* A cheap (and probably ugly) and colorful painting so I can try this super simple DIY

First project from the idea file...

My "funka-fied" thermostat via Dream Home DIY

Found this frame in the perfect color at Ross for $1.99.  

It's pretty ridiculous but it makes something horribly outdated and 

ugly a little more fun to look at.

How I will Spend my Vacation...

I just had one of the busiest weeks of my life.  There wasn't much time for creativity, thinking, blogging, photography, or eating and sleeping for that matter.  Yesterday my one-week vacation started and I got my creative flow back.  There are lots of plans for the next few days!  Stay tuned.

Anthropologie Knock-Offs

I love Anthropologie but it will be a long time before my shopping desires and my income match up.  Maybe I can focus on creating my own versions of these cute finds from their website....

Fabric pinwheel push pins

Mason Jar Sewing Kit

Fabric Covered Lamp Shades

 

Floral Globe Lamp



Yes!

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Paper Rose Light Fixture?

I absolutely love these delicate paper roses.  I want to find a way to use them in my house (in a place where the cats cannot reach them).

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I started thinking about incorporating them into a light fixture.  Maybe some kind of DIY chandelier?  There are lots of tutorials out there for how to make your own artsy light display but none of them feel like the right style for me and I haven't found any incorporating flowers. I'll have to think on this one...

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