Paint in My Hair

Shopping with Loved Ones

I had way too much fun shopping on my visit to AZ. There are some haunts I desperately miss. We started the shopping frenzy my very first day. Evie was there with her family and part of Moe's for a quick visit on their way home from Mexico. (They spent a week working at an orphanage. Cool, eh) So we headed over to Last Chance. If you can sew on a button this beyond-an-outlet store is a must visit. If you can't sew on a button this will give you a reason to learn. In fact, I think it was the catalyst for my niece, Maggie, learning how.(HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGGIE) Among other splurges, I found these green flats embroidered with silk ribbon and couldn’t resist.

Speaking of Ribbon, next stop SAS, the craziest, cheapest, maybe dustiest trim store ever. On my last day in AZ I still hadn't gone to SAS. I was determined to fit it in. Isaac and I hadn't had much time together so he decided to come along just so we could chat in the car (not because he secretly loves ribbon shopping.) We packed up the kids, drove all the way across town and while I took my sweet time stocking up on trims Isaac purchased some plastic beads and wire and sat by the door for an hour helping the kids make bead necklaces. Wasn't that the sweetest thing ever? I hesitated to share it after everyone went bananas when he fixed the hem on a brides dress. I guess having a doll-maker-mother has paid off.

Of course, I couldn't leave without doing some antique shopping with Heather. She's got a built in radar for beautiful things, so I'm not sure if that antique mall in Mesa really is the best one I've ever been too, or if the fact that I've always gone there with Heather makes it seem like the best one I've eve been to. Either way, I got some scrumptious stuff: A few trinkets in that pale greenish yellow I'm obsessed with right now, some salt and pepper shakers to add to my little collection (my new favorite), and an orange Avon powder box. (why, oh why, can't I buy my makeup packaged like that?????)

Like a Box of Chocolate

I just got back five boxes of paintings from my publisher. Can you believe I said my publisher! I just signed on with New Era Home Decor, a fairly new, very forward thinking fine art publisher. My super research-savvy husband did loads of work to find out who was the coolest publisher. He landed on New Era because they sell to Crate and Barrel (we love their wall art) and he contacted them for me, in my name. I was like, "you're crazy." But sure enough they got back to me and wanted to sign on.

Soooo..... Off went 18 paintings to Texas. Argh, shipping is a lot of work. But I did it (while simultaneously packing for a few days as a leader at girls camp, setting up all kinds of baby sitting, and getting my husband ready for 2 1/2 weeks in Malaysia.) That was a few weeks ago and it was lovely to get my paintings back all bubble wrapped cozily together. I was inspired to take a photo of their spines (minus the bubble wrap.) Mmmm... like chocolate.

While I was in AZ I did some paintings (including the 3 below) for friends and fam. It was especially fun to paint with Heather and Isaac around. Heather and I worked out why one painting seemed flat. And Isaac and I talked about how to add drama to a design. Makes me miss living near them. There's loads of creative energy in that house.

Well, little Luke is all feverish and sad today. I'm takin' him to his Dr in a few minutes and had better get ready. There is something lovely about being in my jammies until noon.

Shoppin St Louis

I love inspiring shops. By inspiring I mean gobs of pretty things, all stacked up like wedding cakes. I love a shop that makes me want to redecorate, or sew something, or iron a tablecloth and put it on the table just because.

This abandoned warehouse turned nursery fits the bill. I found this gem on the outskirts of the Central West End in St Louis. It's surrounded old vacant buildings. The history of the shop/nursery is my favorite part. Talk about the ultimate makeover. Check out these before and after pics.

Well, the footsteps overhead have finally stopped. Lily is either asleep or up to no good. Either way, I'm on my own for a few precious hours.

The Den O' Dave

I know.... it wasn't that long ago when I posted another makeover of this room. But it always takes me a few years to figure out how to use the space in my house. And Dave left town for 2 1/2 weeks, and I just can't resist a "while you were out" makeover. After a brain storm session with Heather and Isaac, I was ready to role.

Lets see. I moved my studio across the hall and put the guest bed in with the computer. I wanted the room to be more of a den for Dave than a guest room, so I put the bed in the corner and loaded it up with pillows (12 to be exact.) Ahhhhh.. a very comfy place to watch videos on the new Mac. I got the curtains from Ikea and the chair and bedding from Urban Outfitters (surprise, surprise.) I dyed the bed skirt and pillow cases with rit. I put Dave's language books on the shelf and framed some of Dave's maps. The man loves maps.

My favorite idea was putting the guitars on the wall. It's handy, looks cool, and cost almost nothing. The only problem with this room is getting Dave out of it.

My Blog is Hungry

Ahhhhhh. That was a long break. We've got the new computer up and running so....... ready, set, go.

My, oh my, do I have a lot to feed the blog. Among other things there's the contents of my suit cases from some fabulous shopping outings with Heather, two room makeovers at my house (what will I do when I run out of rooms??) And more teasers from shannons nursery makeover. So ladies, prepare for some late night blog browsing. (Are you reading Madeline?)

This was a fun little project for Shannon's nursery. My mom and I found this giant H and a wooden block box at Hobby lobby. Jus right for our tiny makeover budget. We primed, painted, and antiqued (using some brown acrylic paint mixed with a little water). To give the tomatoe red H a bit more depth, I rubbed some orange and yellow over the red, unevenly. Ah, the power of paint.