Aspiring Artistry

Floral Design with Thistle

Have you ever used these flowers (I think they are thistles of a sort?) in an arrangement? 

I'll admit it, I've always skipped by them in the grocery and in the flower shop, not knowing what the heck to do with them. They're rather intimidation in appearance, but the color - that subtle purple! - just can't be ignored! (And goes quite perfect with my house.)

When I saw this picture in my online meanderings, it grabbed my attention. I filed it away for "someday," not knowing when I might feel inspired.

Photo via: Saipua  Check out their beautiful arrangements!

I appreciate the stark angle of the arrangement, high to low. I'm not a huge fan of the white box as container, so I made a different choice.

I'm not sure what the trailing flower pictured above is exactly, perhaps some sort of sedum or berry? Obviously, I just used what I found in late fall in my backyard.

I think it turned out pretty well!

To Market We Go!

I'm off to browse showroom after showroom, building after building of fine (and some not-so-fine) furniture, accessories, art, lighting , and all things decor-related.

Ahhh, High Point, North Carolina, I've missed you so. For so many years you were a twice-annual inspiration filled, exausting week.

Now that I'm no longer officially in the retail world, my need to come to the market is null. Luckily, my former business partner still goes, and we make a good team on such trips.

I still do some small projects here and there with her, mostly marketing-focused. I enjoy these occasional trips back to market with her to keep my hand in the game. Because you never know what the next big idea could be...

For the next three days, I'll get to act as design assistant of sorts, helping her keep track of the schedule, enjoying as she selects and orders for various clients, visiting some of my favorite showrooms, snapping pics, and soaking it all up.

The Sweet Spot

It's a tricky spot. Everyone's got one. If you're lucky, you have dedicated container of sorts for all the stuff that accumulates.

These spots tend to be on the counter next to the stove, on a shelf above the stove, or maybe in a handy cabinet below the stove.  Most seem to have a few similar ingredients, like salt, pepper, and cooking spray, and then other ingredients based on your particular cooking style. Mine has cinnamon, red pepper, and usually a head of garlic.

When I came across this antique brass and walnut book rack at an antique sale, I knew exactly where it should live!

While it would certainly look lovely with books, it will be even more useful in the kitchen (next to the stove!) to corral all the bottles and jars.

I've set it up with a few of the things I love, knowing that soon it will be overflowing with other spices and sweets. For now, three of my favorite food-related books, a small painted horn bowl and spoon purchased on my most recent trip to Kenya, and a white sugar dish given by my mother.

Ahhhh ... beauty + organization = satisfaction.

Textures

Here and there, I've been gathering up things that seem to have a common theme ... texture. Whether real or illustrated, these beautiful treasures either feel distinct to the touch, or give the illusion of such touch.

Check out this beautiful French wire tray that I found at a  flea market last month. It's fairly small, just a bit shorter than an envelope, and I love it's gently curved sides and delicate, yet sturdy, wire frame.

In a local home furnishings store last week, I saw this remarkable paper on their walls. I immediately thought about the walls on which I'm contemplating grass cloth, and decided I had to have a sample to bring home. 

The multilayered paper is a combination of metallic finishes and cork products. It is fantastic! It's a Candice Olson branded paper, but I couldn't find the exact one on the website.

And last, but certainly not least, this super-cool faux-bois packing tape. I have no packages to send at present, but come Christmas, this will be decorating my kraft paper boxes. Or maybe some simply-wrapped gifts under the tree!

Coming Soon

I have so many good photographs to share with you, but have misplaced totally lost the USB cord for my camera and my card reader doesn't work on the new HD cards. I bought a new one from Target last night, but it's a piece of *@&^# and doesn't work, so I'm off to a real store today.

Hope to share some great pics of my flea market finds, some fantastic wallpaper that I'm slobbering over, and a pretty centerpiece I made for our recent dinner. Wish me luck!

A Perfect Saturday Morning

Breakfast out. (No coffee in the house).

A neighborhood yard sale and chance encounter with an old friend.

Gifts given to the little people.

Puttering around the house with no real plan.

Dad and little people off to activity.

Preparing for a small dinner party with dear friends and a new baby.

The neighborhood butcher shop. Beautiful and bright, and full of possibilities for dinner.

Finding great wines and buying more than I need.

A quiet house ... me and my chores. And a great new audio book.

Rearranging furniture. Just because.

Peeling pounds and pounds of butternut squash to make a favorite soup.

Sitting by the window, at my newly re-arranged desk, typing it all out.

Dreaming about a bath later this afternoon.

Fall Leaves Crafty

Check out Geninne's Art Blog for her beautiful embellishment of some of fall's treasures. This would be a fun project to do with the little ones.

It's Schooltime ... It's Dress Time

If it's back to school time, that means it's Miss Madeline time. 

I love this pattern, and have done enough of them that I can whip one up in just a few hours time. It sure makes me feel like a competent sewist, even though I'm really a beginner.

I purchased these fabrics at a little quilting store near my parents house this summer, knowing this would be my daughter's back to school dress. I just love it!

Doin' The Flea with Eddie

I had a great time this weekend, hitting the flea market with my sister, led by Eddie Ross. We spent about two hours with Eddie & Jaithan, touring the market and stopping at some item-specific booths.

We stopped and chatted at booth's focusing on linens, glass, silver, serving ware, prints, furniture and jewelry. In each of those instances, Eddie guided us through some of the finer points of object identification and construction, and then elaborated on new and innovative ways to use these items. 

The quality of shopping was better than I expected, and I really did learn a lot. Annie from Firefly Hill  was there and has blogged about some of his specific suggestions, tips and tricks. (Plus, her photos are so much better than my phone pics!)

Both Eddie and Jaithan were so interesting, easy to talk to, and such fun! If you get the chance to join them on a trip, I'd highly recommend it!

We did find some goodies, too! I came home with this great little French wire tray, a half-rounded shape. I might use it for mail, but I bet it would be great with a small baguette waiting for some cheese! I've been searching for a small, simple footstool that I can paint and/or reupholster, to go with a rather ornate chair I have in the living room. This one, flimsily upholstered in a grayish-blue, is a simple and inexpensive fix.

We also found a great old apple crate. I might put little casters on the bottom and use it for toy storage, or turn it into a home for my ridiculous amount of magazines. But what makes it really special is that it comes from my husband's hometown. 

All in all, a crazy-successful day. My brain is still swirling with ideas I gleaned on our tour!

Walking Tour of My 'Hood

 I love my neighborhood for so many reasons. It's where I had my first 'grown-up' apartment, where my husband and I fell in love, the corners where we kissed, where I've walked countless miles and miles, sometimes alone, with a friend, or pushing the double stroller. 

After I walked the kids to preschool yesterday, I continued the walk on my own. Listening to an audiobook while I walked, I found myself distracted by observing all these things that I love. So I snapped photos of them, document my walk around the neighborhood.

During those walks I've admired the mix of architectural styles, the beautiful well-kept row houses, and the juxtaposition of those buildings against the run-down apartments, occupied by college students. I enjoy the constant activity of people and places, the contrast of the outside noise and the quiet I find inside.

Thus, I've made a decision about my house issues. Much like an episode of the show House Hunters, I've laid out the three options, revisited them all with a keen eye, and must choose.

I choose Option 3. I'm going to stick it out, patiently and responsibly, hoping that sooner, rather than later, we'll be able to find the 'dream house,' but in the neighborhood we both love so much.