A Simple Nest

Marquee letter DIY

This craft is so very much right up my ally.  I love the look of old sign lights, but they cost a fortune.  I'm so glad that someone came up with a cheaper DIY solution.  See how to do it at Design Sponge.

Hanging Vases

Oooooo....I would love to do something like this on my back patio.  I was thinking of doing summer lights...maybe made to look like flowers or something using christmas lights.  But this is so beautiful.  See even more beautiful hanging vases right here.  Found Via Design Mom.

Dining furniture

I have been loving this chair for a loooong time now.  It's way out of my budget of course.  So imagine my excitement when I found this:

A square table that seats 4 (and fits nicely in my tiny apartment), then folds out into a circular table (I've always wanted a round table with the legs in the middle) that seats 8.  Plus 8 chairs.  Plus 4 bar stools.  ALL of this for the price of 1.5 of those chairs up there.  Of course its not the same chair, but it's so close, and within my budget.  I really am SO excited to be getting this into my house soon.  I've also redecorated the dining area this week.  Pictures very soon.  (As soon as my brother gets a chance to deliver it for me...love him!)

Bottles

My sister-in-law Rachel just posted about spring cleaning her bathroom and I felt serene for a moment looking at her picture of this glass bottles.  I seriously don't know what it is about class bottles that make me so incredibly happy.  Also glass jars.  I keep all of my ingredients in ball jars of varying sizes on open shelving in my small kitchen.  I use the shorter modern ball jars for some craft supplies too.  The big stuff, like flours, and sugar are kept in glass canisters on the counter. All of my spices are in little glass jars as well.  (promise to have pictures in a future post)

Now I just need to streamline to glass bottles in the bathroom like these.

Other glass items on my to buy or repurpose list:

A few of these swing top bottles for carrying around water, or for holding juices.  I would love to open my fridge to a set of these with various beverages to choose from to bring to the table, the couch, the bed, or even out.  This one is from Brook Farm General Store, but I've seen them at kitchen supply stores, ikea, or even sold with juices in them at some specialty grocers.  

Milk bottles in a carrier.  I am not sure I love these ones.  I found some at a store once, clear with just milk written on them.  a bit more modern.  I'd love ones with a lid and the carrier is awesome.  I'll keep searching and let you know when I find the perfect milk bottle!

Recycled wine bottle glasses.  These were found here on etsy.  I've seen them in beautiful pink colors too.  I plan to make a set from San Pellegrino or Martinelli's bottles since I don't drink wine.  The small individual sized bottles would make lovely juice tumblers I think.  Green is so beautiful.  I also just love a plain bottle with a flower in it.  Simple, but so lovely.

Can you think of anything else to use glass bottles for?  When I have a laundry room some day, I"m sure a lot of my stuff will be put into glass canisters jars or bottles.  I may be becoming ocd, but I want everything in a glass bottle or a basket!  Rows of the same thing. That's what it is.  That's what I love. mmm.

 

 

Lace trim

I've been busily painting lace patterns onto ceramics to sell in my shop (pictures very soon), so I have lace on my mind lately.  I love these uses of lace on curtains, towels, and shower curtains.  Pretty.

Images via Country Living

Christmas Gift DIY-2010

While making presents for Christmas I discovered a passion for making toys.  I'm going to be opening up an etsy shop soon with "tall dolls" and balls.  And maybe a few random housewares for good measure.  Here's some of the gifts I made this season:

A rag doll for my niece with felt hair, underwear, and 3 outfits

 

 

A hand painted tea cup and saucer for my sister-in-law:

A hand-painted bowl for my friend:

A stuffed "bookworm" for my nephew (made from  Wee Wonderfuls Evelyn Inchworm pattern)

A stuffed globe ball for my niece:

I forgot to snap pictures of the monogramed mugs I made for my brothers family and the linen napkins I made for my sister-in-laws family.  I also still haven't taken pictures of the gifts to my husband and daughter, but will post those soon.  

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!  Welcome to 2011!!!!

Coat rack

Coat Rack love.I'm hoping to get someone handy in my family to help me make a similar one.  Isn't it just lovely?        

Danish Home

I'm loving the textures and simplicity of this Danish home.  Found via Emmas Designblogg

Organizing fabric

image from Linens and Laurel

Is organizing your fabric stash or sheets a problem for anyone else?  I've tried book cases, drawers, hanging shelves....WHY did I not think of this?  This is simple and smart.  Use hangers!  I've got hanging room in my little girls closet (which is actually more of our storage closet).  And I am so implementing this idea.

 

Rag Rugs

Sunset Rag Rug from roses&pearls

 New England Quilter

House of Are Rugs

Coffee Dyed from Mrs. Happy Housewife

Inspired Spaces

Sunshine and Shadow from Amanda Greer

We need a rug!  But they are so expensive!  Even used!  So...rag rug?  I think so.  I'm not sure if I want to do a braided rug or a crochet rug. Don't know how to crochet, but it seems like a smoother process maybe.  And do I do shades of white and cream (like the coffee rug) which goes with everything, or should I do shades and tints of green, which is my current color scheme.