Nesting Place

Last Minute Thanksgiving Decorations :: Early Christmas

2009-11-25T06:02:00.009-05:00

None of us want to go out and buy Thanksgiving decorations. And none of us want a plain unfestive table either.

If you've been a good hostess all focused on things like clean bathrooms, thawed turkeys and having enough forks, the last thing on your mind is what to put on your table to make it look all pretty.

My solution--sticks. Sticks from your yard with the last leaves of the season still hanging on tight.

Take it a step further and add some clips and tiny papers ready for people to write what they are thankful for.

If you have all of the feast served on a separate buffet and your table is empty down the center you can just lay the sticks across the middle of the table. If you serve the food family style on the table, put the sticks in a big urn as a centerpiece. They really are quite impressive and make a big statement for free.

Decorating with food is also and easy, pretty and economical. I just added some nuts in the shell to my year around neutral candle tray.

Have leftover pumpkins? Grab those. Maybe your neighbors who are leaving for Thanksgiving have left over pumpkins they'll let you put on your porch.

I like to pull out old photos from Thanksgiving past and have those placed around the house too--you don't even need to frame them, just scatter them around on tables. People love to see themselves from 1985.

Now we've got you squared away for Thanksgiving, don't be last minute for Christmas. My dear friend Laryssa, the artist from L. Herbert Designs just finished painting a few of her newest, Christmas prints. These are brand spanking new, I think the paint is still wet, and there are more prints to come in her shop over the weekend.

You know the drill. Laryssa does a new print for each season and we all switch it out with the print from last season to help us seasonalize our decor in a matter of minutes. It's a no brainer. I'm especially fond of this skate. I'm a sucker for her old fashioned skate prints.

Or you can go with the dogs.

The stockings are fun and whimsical and make me wish my real stockings looked like this. Laryssa, can you start sewing too?

I know most people buy art and keep it up all year around but I love the idea of buying a frame once and then just switching out the prints a few times per year. I just keep my old prints right in the frame behind the current ones. The prints are only $10 so you don't have to take out a loan or anything.

This little fella will even be customizable with your family name or anything you want it to say.

I missed that Laryssa didn't do Thanksgiving prints, but can you imagine what the prints would look like--a turkey with a hatchet in it? Sleeping relatives on the sofa with their top button open, dirty dishes in the sink? I guess it's better she just skipped right to Christmas.

Laryssa and I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! May all your buttons stay buttoned.

Sponsored by L. Herbert Designs:: Original Art

The Ultimate Tassel Tutorial

2009-11-23T11:25:00.013-05:00

It's here. I can hardly believe it. Two weeks ago I had the bright idea to do a Tassel Tutorial, an Ultimate Guide to How to make Tassels, more than just a simple post about how to make a tassel but an in depth resource that touches on all aspects of decorative tassel making.

After selling tassels in craft shows, etsy, to boutiques, and wholesaling to DaySpring I'm finally ready to pass all my know how on to you. This is something so near and dear to my heart. When I started tasseling, I had to just figure out what worked. Over the last 6 or 7 years, I've perfected the methods and have not grown tired of the process of making tassels.

These are not your grandmother's curtain tie backs. These are handmade decorator's tassels complete with personality and full of seduction. Once you see them, you want them all and once you learn how to make them, it opens up a new world of possibilities. Your friends will wish it were their birthday every month so they could get a new tassel from you.

I tell you all my secrets. Where I shop for all the materials, what to look for and of course there are 3 detailed tassel tutorials. Even the self-proclaimed non crafty will be inspired.

By the end of the book, you will know how to make this beautiful bird house tassel. But, even better than that, you will have all the knowledge that you need to be able to build on the methods to come up with your own creative designs. It's one thing to be able to make a replica, it's another thing to have to know how to make any kind of tassel you want. And that was my goal--to teach you enough methods that you can mix and match them to create an endless supply of unique tassels.

The ebook is 103 pages and has just about as many photos. There is a section about how I started tasseling and a section dedicated to tassel sellers. Plus loads of photos.

Thanks so much for sticking with me through this process. I did this ebook all by myself. Although it may look like a caveman was my graphic designer and that I used Abraham Lincoln's computer, I promise, it was all me. And that means it will be full of grammatical errors, and lacking cute graphics. But, I opted to not worry about that for the first edition in order to get the information to you in time for you to make tassels for Christmas. Thanks for understanding. I promise, the content makes up for the lack in design. And, it's a big file due to all the photos and me not knowing exactly what I'm doing give it a couple of minutes to download. Thanks for putting up with me.

Here's the add to cart button to purchase-it's $10 and all the smarts I have to offer the world:

The Nester's Complete Ultimate Guide to Making the Most Beautiful, Proportional, Fluffy and Full Tassels that People Will Fight Over; for You to Give or Sell

If this post suddenly disappears it means there's something wrong and I'm trying to figure it out. I'm a nervous wreck!

Tassel Day

2009-11-23T06:10:00.010-05:00

The tassel ebook , The Nester's Ultimate Guide to Making the Most Beautiful, Proportional, Fluffy and Full Tassels That People Will Fight Over; For You to Give or Sell, is moving right along. If all goes as planned, it will be available this afternoon. I'll have a new post up here as soon as it's ready. This ebook is no frills, but, it's 100 pages of incredibly useful tasseling content plus over 100 photos. There's even a special section just for tassel sellers--stuff that can be applied to all crafters actually. The book is $10. And worth every penny. I would have paid $100 for this information when I started out. I think you'll love it!

And to get you in the mood for tassels, I thought I'd introduce you to a tasseling friend of mine, Heathahlee who blogs at Butterfly Genes. She's got a shop full of enchanting tassels that you will love. When I made the decision to not focus on making tassels anymore, she's the girl I trusted with all my tassel supplies. Let's get to know Heathahlee--my questions are in brown.

Why did you start making tassels and how long have you been making them?

Last year about this time I needed a unique Christmas gift for my Mother-in-Law. After winning a tassel giveaway, I thought, "Hmm...wonder if I could do that?" After some trial and error (and error, and error, and error...HA!) I finally made one that I fell in love with. Pretty much every other female in my family got one after that.

After Christmas we found out about a mission trip to Poland our church was going to do. I immediately started thinking about what I could do to earn the money to go. We have a huge craft fair in May in our county that I decided I'd make tassels for. One hundred tassels. Mmm-hmm. One. Hundred. Tassels. And I did it! I was working on them the night before the show, but I did it! What didn't sell I used to open my Etsy shop.

Do you have a favorite tassel ?

Oh, my goodness! That is such a hard question to answer. I can honestly say that I adore most every single one that I make. I guess my all time favorite would have to be one of the earliest that I made to sell, the Pink Toile Bunny Tassel.

You have an etsy shop at butterflygenes.etsy.com but do you sell your tassels any place else?

I have sold a ton to people at church. I'm amazed at how well they do. I've had unsolicited requests several times. I think it still amazes me that someone would want something I had made.

I haven't done another show since May, but I'm planning on doing the same show next year, as well as another huge one that is held in Memphis every October at the Pink Palace Museum. I also have an open house in which I'm participating in a couple of weeks.

Do you have any advice for someone who is thinking about making a craft of any kind for fun or to sell?

The first thing I would say is BUY NESTER'S TUTORIAL! hee hee {hmm, I wonder if she meant for me to leave this part in? I am--she's actually read the rough outline without photos and liked it!}

I guess the one piece of advice would be to get advice from seasoned crafters that make what you want to make or are already making. There are teams on Etsy for certain crafts where people can trade ideas and get advice. I am still learning all the ins and outs of Etsy but I love it! It is the place to shop this Christmas.

Also, have your work critiqued by others, both in and out of the same craft. They will have an objective eye and can give you advice you might otherwise be blind to.

Do you have a favorite Etsy shop to buy from or window shop from?

Got Crow Creations

I have been drooling over two different shops for the past few weeks. The first is Got Crow Creations www.gotcrowcreations.etsy.com

if you love birds and/or nests, you HAVE to check her shop out. Too, too cute. The Tufted Titmouse is my fave. They are my real life favorite little birds.

The second is For the Love Of...www.fortheloveof.etsy.com. The Fly Away Little Bird Pendant is on my wish list. The blue glass...the brown bird.... Love. It.

Any last words?

Crafting is an art. It is also an expression of who you are. If you even think you might like to do something like tassels, or jewelry, or felt, whatever, start with one or two pieces and see if you like it. I knew after my first tassel that I wanted to make many, many more. To see a thing of beauty that I actually created still thrills me even after a year of making tassels.

Oh, and my last thought is this. Tassels make great Christmas gifts! =) (you can delete that if you want! HA!) Why would I delete that I couldn't agree more!

It's a Red Letter Day!

2009-11-20T08:09:00.001-05:00

If I had this canvas I would keep it up all year around. Wouldn't you? One year I wrote the word "Emmanuel" on one of my framed chalkboards for Christmas, and I kept it up all year. It's so appropriate for every day being the fact that God is with us. Why am I saving that word for Christmas?

Today we've got a giveaway from one of my favorite shops, a shop filled with stuff that I want. Red Letter Words. Why is it called Red Letter Words? What I like about RLW is the art is a perfect example of modern with a twist of vintage style. Plus the focus is on the words, be them a message of pure hope or fun playroom words like "chutes and ladders and Yahtzee". Plus, it's owned by a sweet girl, just like us, named Dee, who desires to have things in her home that have both beauty and meaning.

And you know you are going to have a chance to enter a giveaway. I mean, there's no way I'm going to show you these prints without giving you the chance to win one and be the envy of the blog world.

I'm totally envisioning a wall of black and white photos of my fellas centered around one of these canvases. And the VERY BEST part about this stuff is that you can have it customized! OH my word! Y'all, I'm giddy with the thought of doing this idea--black and white photos of my boys and man all around a custom canvas print that has their names, or nick names and some other boy words included. The only problem would be I couldn't show it to you because you know how weird I am about sharing all of our real names and stuff. But isn't that a sweet idea? Kind of like a family wall but with a centerpiece that holds such special meaning to your family.

If I were getting one of these made for my sister it would have the word "sisters" on it and then include all of our dorky inside jokes like "chocolate frosty, finally coming out of your shell, Willoway, Barbie and the Rockers, 1528, baby kittens, tire swing,". Clearly the possibilities for custom canvases {canvi?} are endless. And I fully expect an email from my sister telling me all the words I didn't include.

Well, let's get to what's in it for you! Leave a comment to enter to win a 12 x 12 gallery wrapped canvas of your choice. Lucky. You get everything. You can pick something Christmasy or not. Totally up to you.

Thinking about ordering one of these beauties for Christmas? If you want a custom canvas, your order needs to be in by December 1. For the regular canvases that you see in the shop, have your order in by December 15th.

Leave a comment telling us what you would like to see on a canvas--a verse? Which one? A quote? Personally, I'm partial to lyrics from old hymns and traditional Christmas music. I like the phrase "The Weary World Rejoices" from O Holy Night. Make sure you include an email address if you aren't linked to your blog so I can contact you if you win.

Skip on over to Red Letter Words fun to explore website and get to know Dee and her work-- you will not be sorry.

{This giveaway post was sponsored and paid for by Red Letter Words as a form of advertisement. Giveaways are only available to sponsors of Nesting Place. All sponsors of Nesting Place are subject to my grueling battery of tests. This means, I have to see value in what they offer and want to spend my hard earned cash on their wares. If I don't feel like I'm doing you a favor by introducing them to you, they don't get in.}

PS: Hopefully, tassel ebook to come next week! Fingers crossed!

Moss Topiary

2009-11-18T12:09:00.003-05:00

Remember how I told you that I kept pulling things out of my yard sale pile to keep? I had already priced a bunch of topiaries but decided to keep them at the last minute. I used them two Christmases ago on my mantle.

I was tired of my unnaturally green, unnaturally perfectly round topiaries.

Then I saw a girl cover a wreath form with moss on her blog. And I thought I added her to the Nest Files/tumblr but I can't find it. If you know who it was, let me know. She was replicating a wreath she saw in Pottery Barn. And it sparked and idea to do the same to my topiaries. Thanks, Lettie, yes it was Carrie from Buzzings of a Queen Bee! . And, Get Your Martha On--that's what gave me the topiary push!

A little hot glue and a bag and a half of moss, and arthritis in my thumb later.

See the difference in the before and after? I have twins. I like how organic and imperfect the made over topiary looks. Boy am I glad I kept these. I sure would be mad if I was reading one of your blogs and you bought my topiaries for $1 each and then made them all cute and happy.

I found that within a few days, the moss kind of dried out and shrunk a little. Which was fine. The fresher moss was fluffier and brighter. I like how the moss has yellow undertones instead of bright green. Remember how we've talked about what to look for with fake plants? Now I'm looking all over for stuff I can cover in moss. Wreath coming soon. What have you covered in moss?

***

Winners of the DaySpring giveaway:

Katy

@HLrobertson from twitter

Contact me girls with your address and I'll forward it on. Didn't win? You can still catch a break: Use the coupon code DSTENOFF for $10 either the Nativity Hurricane {love these!} or the Jesus is the Gift Metal sign. Valid thru 12/20/09

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And 'Tis the Season for giveaways!

Julie from My Fine Art is giving away a $50 gift card towards a lovely photo on canvas at her blog. What a fantastic gift for grandma! Click the link to enter--don't try to enter here! And, don't worry, you don't win one with these people's faces--you get to have your own people's faces!

In With the New

2009-11-17T13:58:00.005-05:00

I told you yesterday how every year I keep an eye out {ok, both eyes out} for a few things I can get to really shake up my current Christmas decor. I can't spend much money, but I want what I buy to be versatile, fresh and fun and help set the tone for the Christmas Season.

I ordered this feather tree from DaySpring and decorated it with crystals that I pulled off an old, weird light fixture that I bought at at yard sale this summer. The tree is on sale for only $9.99 {$9.99!!!} ...and the crystals were $3. An unbelievable deal on both. The branches are all bendable so you could make the back flat and even use a pair of these trees on your mantle. And I cannot even think about how darling this tree would be in a girls room or as a gift all decorated with bows or bird ornaments or silver strings of beads. What about for a teacher and then clip gift cards or photos to it? I just got word that only a few are left--don't hate me if they sell out.

This little red plush birdie ornament is the perfect specimen for a tassel topper.

And I'm gonna make my sister take a family photo so I can get some of these personalized Christmas Cards.

Look, Lysa already got hers. And if you are in need of some Christmas cards that you can have made while sitting in the comfort of your own home, use the code CHILDREN15 for 15% off. Oh and 6% of the sales goes to Compassion International, how great is that? Just think how happy you will be to have your cards done before Thanksgiving!

{giveaway now closed}

Of course there is a giveaway to jump start your Christmas decorating. Two people will win this Jesus is the Gift metal sign. You can use rod that comes with it and put it in your yard or an urn or wire it into your wreath. It also has an easel so you can prop it up on a table. That's how I like it.

I think the most appropriate place for it is under the tree. As soon as we get our family tree, it will be the first thing under it and the last thing we remove. Look at the hugeness of this sign. It's the perfect shade of mossy green.

I thought it would be fun to have two ways to win:

leave a comment here and tell us if you are planning on sending Christmas cards or tell me your middle name or say hello
tweet on twitter about the giveaway linking to this post. Be sure to include @nester in the tweet so I can count it for the giveaway.

This is a paid giveaway post. That means, DaySpring paid Nesting Place to offer up free stuff for you. They did not, however pay me to say nice things about them. Each and every word I say is completely my own truth and opinion. I only choose to partner with companies that I 100% believe in.

As for DaySpring, I've enjoyed a long relationship with them and even welcomed some of their peeps in my home. I only share things that I actually love and use and find to be of great value. The tree and bird from this post are items that I spent my own, hard earned cash on and DaySpring provided the sign for me to share with you for the giveaway. Is this not the longest disclosure statement you've ever read?!

A Prelude to Christmas

2009-11-16T07:43:00.002-05:00

It's not too early to prepare for the Christmas season. And for me and you, here at Nesting Place, that means prepare your home and any Christmas decor. Every year I try to mix up my decor just a little so it feels fresh and new and fun. Here are my guidelines:

Last year I had a feather boa, feathers, a birdcage, an urn and beautiful wings that broke off an angel.

Use what you have.

Trust me, I bet you have some fantastic items around your house that can be used to decorate your home. Shop the house and don't just look for the traditional red and green decorations. Maybe that means getting out some old keepsakes that you love. I've hung everything from letter initials, my grandfather's baby booties, silver spoons, nests, framed photos, my boys baseballs, shells, bird houses... on my tree. You can tie a red ribbon around just about anything and it suddenly becomes a Christmas Decoration! And hey, if purple is your favorite color, you can make purple Christmasy too. Add in in some silver and white bows and greenery and you'll have a very regal Christmas.

Neutral, sparkly, silver, whites, creams, and natural stuff all worked together.

Aim for a Cohesive Look.

Even though your decorations may vary from delicate glass ornaments to the paper and Popsicle stick creations your children make, you can pull it all together. Some people are gifted at putting everything they have together in one room and making it work. For me, I try to group like things together in certain rooms or areas of my home.

I'm putting all my white, fur and neutral items in our front little sitting room. The traditional Christmas ornaments and red and green will be in our family room, and the boys like to have all of their hand made ornaments and brightly colored stuff on the little tree in the playroom. If I had a collection of angels I would group them all together and if I had a snow machine, that would go in my back yard.

Out with the old in with the New.

Every year I get rid of a few things that I'm done with. And every year, I budget a little money for a few new items. They don't have to cost much. Sometimes it may be a little ornament that catches my eye {one year it was a clip on bird} sometimes it's an antique white Christmas Tree that I found at a yard sale for $5. Tomorrow, I'll show you a few other items I've added to my ever changing Christmas arsenal.

Last year's fur wreath layered on my painted blue shutters hung with Christmas ribbon. And I put a little hot glue on the back of the starfish. He should pick right off at the end of the season. There's no red, and no green in my front room but it's looking quite festive. I'll show you more soon.

As you go through your Christmas decor--get rid of anything you haven't used in a few years. Group like things together. And see if you can incorporate something that is decidedly NOT Christmasy into your decor and make it work. It just might be your favorite Christmas Decoration.

***
In Other News:

It's Design Dazzle's one year anniversary and they've got GIVEAWAYS {2 $500 prize packs today} and all sorts of fun stuff going on all week!

***

My dear friend, Kimba has a new ebook out today: A Very Kimba Christmas. It's got 5 easy projects that you can do without a huge commitment. She says it's the next best thing to having her come make your Christmas decor for you. I've had a chance to look at it and it's so well put together, funny and easy to follow. You will be inspired. And, it's only $8!

Bird Watching:: Non Homey Stuff

2009-11-14T10:16:00.003-05:00

PW's Baked Lemon Pasta--I added asparagus and shrimp. It was delish.

Five Things Worse Than Being in Debt @ Like Mother, Like Daughter {one of the best articles I've read on debt, and I'm pretty sure I've read them all}

Getting Things Done at Home @ Simple Mom {I've read David Allen's book and am a big fan of brain dumping}

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl Oh my word. I am loving this cookbook! Ree has basically taught me how to cook through her blog and now I can hold the book in my hands! And it's a steal of a deal at only $13. I've made about 20 of her recipes and we've LOVED them all!

{That link up there is an affiliate link, just so you know. If you click on it and buy a book then Kimba will get a tiny percentage of the sales. I know. Kimba. I live in NC and Amazon and NC tax law don't mix. So I'm giving Kimba all my profits so she can have a shopping spree at the Dollar Store.}

Perspective

2009-11-12T07:48:00.007-05:00

Our home is far from a thing of pristine beauty. Every room reflects the season of our life. Ebook writing, early Christmas decorating for a post on Monday, and a muddy yard results in all sorts of messy. I'm not a fussy housekeeper.

Sometimes I feel bad--focusing on the lack of order that I allow, letting my boys wear the same socks 2 days in a row. Instead, I'm choosing to be thankful for the abundance that surrounds us. The ability to do what I love at home and write about it, enjoying the season with family, and lots of much needed rain.

Is there something in your life that you can choose to stop beating yourself up over, knowing that some people would love to have to deal with your "problem"?

Tassel Tutorial :: Coming Soon!

2009-11-10T06:37:00.000-05:00

Get your fringe, ribbon and toppers ready. If my plan works, and I can make it through the horrendous process of writing, photographing, and being disciplined, I'll soon finish something.

It's an ebook. A tassel how to ebook. And not just any tassel tutorial, it's the Nester's Complete, Ultimate Guide to Making the Most Beautiful, Proportional, Fluffy and Full Tassels That People Will Fight Over; For You to Sell or Give Away. I'm still working on the title.

This is not a simple tutorial, this ebook will tell of my tips, techniques and resources. If all goes according to my plan, it should be available November 23rd, which should give you plenty of time to make tassels for Christmas gifts.

If all doesn't go as planned, I'm just going to pretend like this post never happened.

Do you Handmake?

2009-11-09T08:23:00.011-05:00

I'm taking a Christmas gift poll, if you are reading in a reader swing by and check your answer..

Here's something I "made" for my neighbor when I found out that it was her birthday...meet me at (in)courage to see it.

Candle Worthy

2009-11-05T10:06:00.009-05:00

If you have one dollar to spend on fall decorating, buy a candle at the dollar store or goodwill. If you have $10 to spend on decorating, blow it on candles. Besides having a comfy chair and blanket, candles are the single most comfort inducing mechanisms you can own. You need them, and you need to use them.

When I'm out and see candles on sale, I buy them no questions asked. I look for neutral candles either cream or brown, that way I know they'll look great in my home and go with any candlestick, pedistal or tray I put them on. Plus, they'll all compliment each other if they are from the same color family. Plus, I move everything around every 6 minutes so they are sure to still look great no matter where I put them.

I also am a sucker for a good candlestick. This one started out green.

These started out red.

Ten minutes in my highly classified, top secret, state of the art lab and they were given new life.

Don't forget, you can dress up your candlesticks by adding a pretty ornament. I just used the weight of the candle to hold it down. You could also do this with a tassel.

Remember the centerpiece? Now it has life.

Do you actually use your candles?

I hereby give you permission, no, I mandate, that you burn your candles. Please, don't let them sit around all fall untouched. Those candles are there to make you happy, make your home more welcoming, they want to be lit. The other day my friend Marybeth told me how she used feel like she needed to decide who was what she called "candle-worthy". Now she lights them all the time because she and her family are candle worthy. She is so smart.

You are candle worthy too.

****

The lucky winner of the Her Southern Charm Necklace: Karise {who left an anonymous comment with her name and emial~see you don't have to have a blog to win--WAIT, read the comments for the back story, she DOES have a blog!} For all you losers, I mean, non winners, feel free to order lots and lots of necklaces from Her Southern Charm!

Easy Christmas Decorating Projects

2009-11-03T08:17:00.011-05:00

How to make a Centerpiece Using What You Have {for any season}

Homemade Christmas Garland Inspiration and Tutorial

How to Hang a Wreath

How to Make a Fur Wreath

Winterized Decor

And, the most famous, always rewarding but super tedious
Ragamuffin Garland

Be sure to stop in at Life in Grace over the next two weeks where Edie is featuring the Ragamuffin Garland along with 11 other Handmade Christmas Tutorials for you to try out.

'Tis the Season

2009-11-02T05:25:00.001-05:00

You didn't believe me when I told you I would be pulling out a smidgen of my Christmas decor did you? We'll I'm doing it. I get my stuff out early for a few reasons, 1. it's too much work to wait till after Thanksgiving and then put it away four weeks later 2. our family LOVES Christmas decorations 3. if I do a little bit at a time when I feel like it then it never feels like work.

I don't put up the tree or hang stockings, I wait a little while for that but, I do start getting out some greenery, snowflake stuff, red berries, white lights and I keep some of my fall stuff out too because I feel like that season goes too fast and you know, Thanksgiving can be fally.

Why can't each season's holiday be at the END of the season?

Also, to celebrate the end of our longest running series ever, the 31 Days, we've got a giveaway. And for those of you asking, yes, the 31 Days to a Better Dressed Nest will be available in ebook form in the future. The future where I get stuff done right away.

Oh yeah, a giveaway...

How about a cutie patootie Aniston Necklace offered up by Her Southern Charm.

Yeah, I know how you cannot dare not want something as darling as a personalized necklace like this. Neither can Courtney Cox, Carol Hannah Whit, Mrs. Jack Black, and other celebs. All you have to do to be in the running to win a sweet Aniston Necklace is leave a comment telling me what initial {or 2} you would have on your necklace or, you can tell me when you start putting your Christmas decor up.

There are lots of beauties to be had at Her Southern Charm, you'll find some great stuff like my personal favorite, the Austin Framed Disk Necklace. Now leave a comment and good luck! Contest closes Tuesday at midnight.

You don't have to have a blog to win BUT, you must have a way for me to contact you--don't do what the second commenter did and be annon and leave no email~enter again mysterious anonymous person!

31 Days to A Better Dressed Nest :: Day 31~ Incorporate the Season

2009-10-31T14:09:00.000-04:00

It's the last day!

When you walk through your home can you tell what season it is? I'm not saying that you should have pumpkins lining the halls or a Christmas tree in every room but sometimes the most subtle items can give a nod to the season.

I don't know about you but I try to pull out a few of my Christmas decorations November 1st. The season is so short that for me, it's not fun to wait until December. So so slowly add in more and more Christmas. Besides, my family LOVES Christmas decorations and I've got some great stuff to share this season and we are sure to be inspired with the Christmas tour of homes!

Enjoy the evening, no matter what you are doing~we had a fantastic sale that was very well worth the trouble and it was pure joy to meet some of you!

Yard Sale Update

2009-10-30T17:08:00.002-04:00

It's happening! Tomorrow we really will have the sale unless we wake up and it's tornadoeing or something. My parents will be here to help make sure there are no shoplifters. Just kidding. As if. Once you see some of this stuff you might just curse my name for tricking you into thinking I was gonna have cute stuff to sell.

Actually, I do have some darling items but I keep worrying that once I get it all set up it's gonna look like three things. Maybe that's because I keep pulling stuff inside the house because I might really need it and this time I'm really gonna use it so I cannot sell it. Somebody stop me.

I hope it looks like more than 3 things when we set it up.

We'll open at 8. PLEASE don't show up at 7:15 and start trying to look through stuff while I try to make it look like I have more than 3 things. I want to have everything all organized so we can swing open the masking tape right at 8.

And don't take a shower and look all cute because I most likely won't be looking all cute.

Now I am done spouting off all my rules. If you never got my address, I'll be checking facebook later tonight for any messages. I hope you don't hate me when you meet me if we have never met before.

31 Days to A Better Dressed Nest :: Day 30~ Rescue Something

2009-10-30T10:55:00.001-04:00

this is how my boys repurpose

I'm planning to have my yard sale tomorrow and I hate to admit it but I keep pulling things out to keep. Things like empty frames and pretend fruit that I can paint. And I have a feeling that you have things stored away in your garage, storage shed, attic, under the house--that you could use in your home if you forced yourself to consider how.

Walk through those areas with a different perspective and see if you already possess something that you can find a fresh purpose for. Whether it's a door, chair, dresser, lamp, table, or whatever I bet you can find one thing that you can repurpose.

Some of the most fun and rewarding projects I've done in my home have involved using things that I already had that I thought were junk and then realizing how glad I was that I was able to use it.

One day left.

31 Days to A Better Dressed Nest :: Day 29~ Proportion and Relation

2009-10-29T13:47:00.010-04:00

Punished we were, disproportionate to our crime. Know what movie that is from? I'll give you a hint, eat three oreos and then go to the mirror and look at your teeth as you say the quote aloud to yourself.

Here is another crime of proportions. What's wrong with this picture, besides the fact that it looks as if I have 800 watt bulbs in each of my lamps and something always seems to be hanging out of the drawers?

If I were a good blogger, this is the part where I would show you no less than 12 photos depicting correct and incorrect sizing and spacing of objects hung above and over other objects.

Katie sent me this photo. She was so excited that her husband finally hung her door in their playroom. Doncha love how they splatter painted it? She said she was so happy that he hung it, she didn't have the heart to tell him that it's too high. She's gonna make it work but she told me I could show you all this example of too highness.

Husbands tend to hang items WAAAAY too high, maybe because they are tall, maybe because they grew up in the 70's when moms hung everything close to the ceiling. This door is closer to the ceiling than to the sofa--that is a sure sign that something is wrong. When you hang something, most of the time, it's hung in relation to something else. This door is hung over the sofa. Therefore, it's related to the sofa and should be closer to the sofa. However, in the door's defense, it's a a great size and scale for over the sofa.

Are there rules for hanging such things? I'm not a big rule abider but, yes, there's some sort of 2/3rds rule that says you should make sure you visually fill in 2/3 of the space above an item. For example, with this sofa, whatever is on the wall should fill up 2/3 of the visual space of the sofa to make it feel balance. Too small and it looks like a shrunken head, too big and it's top heavy.

See how this door does not look right hung over this small table? Now, that door is about the same visual weight as the sofa on the right but I still think it looks just fine when I have the sofa under the door even though that doesn't obey the 2/3 rule. And no, I don't only have photos of doors on walls.

I also have shutters.

I tend to err on hanging things too low. But I love how the things on the far wall are all related, and they love each other. They are not afraid to get close, two great looks that look great together.

I'm sure there's a rule for height in hanging stuff on walls too--like the center should be 60 inches off the ground, or eye level {who's eye?}. Personally, I choose to hang it, look at it, and if seems too high or low then I move the nail. Remember, it 's just a nail hole, the smallest worry in the entire universe.

So, walk around and check out your wall hangings. Are they in proportion to what they are hanging over? Do you have your mirrors, clocks, shutters, photos, art, spaced so far from the thing it's place over that it looks like it's floating? If so, bring it down a little.

By the way,promise me you will NEVER, I repeat, never measure something and try to hang something exactly 2/3 the size over it. That is insane.

31 Days to A Better Dressed Nest :: Day 28~Up and Out

2009-10-28T10:52:00.011-04:00

After yesterday's post about drapery length you would think I'd be scared off from every talking about drapes again. Nope, we've got a few more points to hit when it comes to highlighting your windows.

In my opinion, window treatments/mistreatments are there to serve two purposes, the most important being to highlight the windows, and secondly, if needed to help with privacy. Ideally, in a perfect world you don't want to have to use your window treatments or drapes for privacy, it's so much easier if you have shades or blinds or if possible, naked windows enhanced with fabric. I know for some of us we need to be able to pull the drapes at night and you still can do that and follow these rules.

See that first photo up there? I'll copy it here again.

What beautiful silk drapes! But why, WHY is the rod mounted so low and shortly and why does the rod end just outside the window casing? The problem with these drapes is they cover a good amount of light coming from the window. Usually, when we first look at a home to buy, most of us are attracted to the light and how big the windows are. Why would anyone want to cut the natural, free light in half when they put up their window treatments?

Is there a window back there or just a blank wall? We'll never know.

I personally don't mind a topper and drapes together but this one is breaking a rule or five--it's covering up light! Someone needs to raise the rod up so the bottom of the topper just meets the top of the glass. And get a longer rod or extend this one out so that those drapes sit in front of the wall, not precious, priceless, free natural light! Oh, and the drapes are too short too.

"Somebody help me, I'm being smothered."

I like cafe curtains too, but again, they should be light and airy. During the day, push them all the way to the edges to let light in.

This cafe curtain is great because lets in light but still provides a bit of privacy. Well done!
What is this? Some creepy form of punishment? I know for these advertisements, they want to show the fabric on the drapes, but I see this done in real homes all the time. Dark, dark, heavy curtains and a sliver of natural light? Maybe in a few years living in a dim cave will be all the rage but here in 2009, people want light. DON'T COVER UP THE WINDOWS!!!

If you insist on covering your glass in your windows, consider a light fabric. And remember to raise that rod up higher! If you like to hide some light sometimes, you can still pull your drapes together for privacy or light control but, you should have the option to open them and allow 95% of the window to show. This is especially true if your house is on the market.

A higher rod results in longer drapes that result in a more spacious feeling in your space. And making sure the fabric falls mostly in front of the wall just covering the edges of the glass on the windows gives the illusion of big huge windows and maximizes the light.

If you want dark, short rooms with the appearance of tiny windows, just ignore me. Don't hate me because I'm bossy and opinionated. This trick will change your entire home!

Photos: Pottery Barn, Country Curtains, Target

31 Days to A Better Dressed Nest :: Day 27~ Drapery Check

2009-10-27T14:19:00.004-04:00

pottery barn

This is one of those posts that I get nervous about writing. Drapery length~it's such a touchy subject. Just like all home design, it's a matter of opinion. But my big fat hairy opinion right now is that your drapes should just touch the floor. If they stop three inches from the ground all floating in the air, then it looks like your windows are wearing capris. And capris are out as far as drapes are concerned.

So go around and check your drapes. Are they high waters? If so, here's one way to fix them. I'm off to read all the hate mail I'll get about me thinking drapes that are too short.

Easy Fall Centerpiece

2009-10-27T08:34:00.004-04:00

I shopped the house and found some greenery/reddery that was originally in my wreath.

Pile those on a white tray and tuck a pedestal stand thing in the middle.

And plop a pumpkin on top. The end.

31 Days to A Better Dressed Nest :: Day 26~Put A Frame on It

2009-10-26T13:04:00.006-04:00

All the empty frames {7x}

Cuz, if you liked it then you should have put a frame on it
If you liked it then you should have put a frame on it
Don't be mad when you see that she framed it
If you like it then you should have put a frame on it

31 Days to A Better Dressed Nest :: Day 25~Set Goals

2009-10-25T08:25:00.001-04:00

We've talked about making a list of words that you want to describe your home {and the feelings you get when you enter into it} and also about keeping an idea book. Let's take that list idea in another direction. It may seem simple and obvious to you bonafied list makers like me, but maybe some of you don't have a goal notebook for your home.

Just the other day I found my home notebook from 2006. I had a page where I wrote my goals for the year. Right up there in the light blue, you can click it to enlarge it and see what was on my mind at the time.

We didn't do all those things but we did get a permanent computer home, figure out how to address the empty wall in the family room, get a new/discount/damaged stove that looked great, repair and hang the window boxes, make shutters and hang them, make our bed stuff, and enlarge a photo. Most of the stuff was done quickly because we ended up needing to sell our house fast because of a failing business, but I still got satisfaction from things being done.

This is NOT a list of things that you need to write down and feel bad about and nag your husband about, NO! This is a place where you can put your thoughts to rest. Once I wrote down my goals for the house as far as areas that needed attention or furniture I would like to have, I could stop thinking about them so much. Since they were safe in this notebook, I didn't need to keep going over the ideas in my mind.

This is my favorite page because I remembered to cross things off. The highlight of any list maker's day. As you can see, I had a general page of things in the house that I was thinking about, and then a page for each room and things I was considering. Did we do everything? Nope. I had lots of question marks after ideas.

Go ahead and start a home notebook, include your ideas and your lists, and any doodles you might like. It's nice to have everything in one place and when you see a cute zebra chair at Tuesday Morning for only $49 you will be able to think more clearly about if you actually need it or not depending on if seating was on your list.

Two years ago I bought that chair but when I got it home it didn't look quite right with my stuff. But I had just done the list and knew that I was on the lookout for seating in our master bedroom.

Do you have a goal book for your home?

31 Days to A Better Dressed Nest :: Day 24~Incorporate Fabric

2009-10-24T07:45:00.000-04:00

Fabric and softness can and should be introduced into every room of your house.

window mistreatments
towels
rugs
pillows
table runners
a basket of cushy blankets
lampshades {I count them as fabricy too if they are made with fabric}
seat cushions

It can be tricky to bring fabric into your kitchen we talked about that before. Check your rooms out, can you soften any of them up with fabric?

Yard Sale :: Postponed

2009-10-23T16:36:00.004-04:00

Here's the forecast. Let's try again next weekend? Hopefully I'll still have stuff to sell. I'm pulling so much out of the pile that it's disgusting. But I'm also putting more stuff in.

My husband and I need to plan ahead so at this point, even if we wake up at 6am and it's dry and sunny and 70 degrees with a rainbow and raining dollar bills, donuts and coffee, we still WILL NOT have the sale tomorrow. Don't show up at the house unless you want to help with yard work and get shot with an air soft gun.

A few photos. Don't be asking me to hold anything or how much something is. Aren't I the pleasant one? I've got "I'm-all-ready-for-a-yard-sale-and-can't-have-it because-it-might-thunderstorm-itus." It makes me grumpy.

Boxes of fabric.

And a garage full of crap. I mean really great stuff. I'm not selling furniture but for a broken legged parson's chair and a piano that I've yet to return emails about. I've got size 6-7 boys clothes and just some weird odds and ends. I hope someone actually buys something.