Taking Time to Be Me

((Does anyone read this blog or is it just an exercise in self-indulgence?))

I really enjoy writing, whether for pleasure, simple musings, writing letters to my daughter, blogging or tweeting and in my profession as well. It satisfies a call deep within my soul when I write. Putting words together, telling a story, painting a picture, sensing a mood, conveying love, pain, laughter, light and dark. 

My daughter insists I was born to write. And, I agree with her. 

I was first published at 13, in the NY Amsterdam News. My literature teacher celebrated my accomplishment as did family and friends. But I didn't read much then so I never entertained the idea of writing as a career. 

As a journalist, I had the most fun when I wrote for newspapers. Even when writing my TV scripts or for the talk shows I hosted, writing for print stands head and shoulders above.

There is something exciting and intimate about picking up the paper to read what's been written. I get to (once again) savor a well-turned phrase. And, since I usually read at the local coffee house, no one knows it's me they're reading. It's a bit self-indulgent to enjoy one's own writing but I confess I do. 

I use Lamy fountain pens when I write.  I started using Lamy while at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism and they've been my go to pens since then. The pens come in a beautiful array of colors:

www.fountainpennetwork.com

 This is the exact pen I use.  I also have the roller ball pen and matching pencil, as well.

www.fountainpennetwork.com

There's not much more to this post except to say ... I'm checking out for a while ... taking time to write the book that's been on my brain and in my heart since forever.

I wish my reader(s) peace, love and soul!

Inspiration: Fabric Mounted in Acrylic Frames

I found this fabulous Asian inspired fabric at Jo-Anns fabrics in the clearance bin, passed over and pushed to the bottom.  I immediately thought poolside coverup and purchased the entire 5 yards. The colors are much more vibrant than my lousy camera phone can capture.  :(

 
I immediately thought poolside coverup and purchased the entire five yards.  Then I remembered a post at www.littlegreennotebook.com, featuring Chinese Wallpaper in Acrylic Frames.

I'm inspired! Stay tuned!

UPDATE: My Master Bedroom

I am making (slow) progress in updating my bedroom.  I've returned the Nate Berkus pillows with the Greek key trim to Target. Love 'em but they weren't comfortable as a cushion. 

I am working hard to create a balance that's neither too masculine or too feminine. And this pillow from Target is my new inspiration.  I particularly love the blue.

With my 20% off coupon in hand, I traipsed over to Jo-Ann fabrics for something to coordinate with the pillow.  

From the HGTV fabric line at Jo-Ann, there's this:

HGTV's Poppy Power Lemonade

and this:

HGTV's Jagged Edge Lemonade

This is in the running the winner for the updated chair cushions and curtains.  It's from Waverly's Sun n Shade line.

Rosette Lemon

And for pillows, I found this pair of striped fabrics. The yellow one is from Jo-Ann, but I can't find the name or description. The ticking fabric is generic but I think I got it from a store in Atlanta.

Don't know if I'll use all of these fabrics, but I think they are a great starting point.  

AND

Stopped by K-Mart the other day in search of a drop cloth. In the same aisle, I found Rustoleum's paints on sale, both spray and liquid at  $1-$2 less than what you'll find at Home Depot.  I picked up two of these, for this craigslist find.

Here's my inspiration.

betterafter.blogspot.com

And, my brass lamps are almost complete.
 

I'm off to a good start and am happy with my progress.

Smooches and thanks for reading!

Making It My Own

I love the Nate Berkus at Target line, every single piece of the collection. Most of the pieces feature gold or bronze. Just a couple of days ago I picked up these pillows. I love the modified Greek key trim on the off-white cushions. They're perfect for our cross benches I'm painting in Valspar's Churchill Hotel Vanilla, a soft creamy color.
 

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love the bling. The more bling the better IMHO. On sale this week at Target from the Berkus line are these urchins. Target has them in gold and white, both of which I love.

I'm doing over our master bedroom in shades of silver, gray and turquoise and want to add an urchin but not in gold or white. So, I took silver leaf to a white urchin and here's what I came up with. I simply love it in silver because it's just the right touch for the bedroom.


  

Life is about taking what's out there and making it your own.

Sample Books on Sale at Joann Fabrics

Joann Fabrics is selling their out-of-season and discontinued fabric samples at $2 each. 

These generous sample sizes can be used for all sorts of DIY projects. Just off the top of my head, I'm thinking they're perfect as pillow cases. The edges are finished with an invisible thread to prevent fraying. (It looks like thin acrylic thread to me.) Just to be on the safe side, I think I'll pick up some Fray Stop and trim with a coordinating ribbon or something to up the cute factor.

I picked up this assortment of samples, trying to stay within the same color family, to use as napkins and placements.  

 

The florals -- lighter in weight  -- I'll use for the napkins. 

The heavier fabrics (solids), for the placemats, are all from outdoor lines, including Waverly and Robert Allen @ Home. 

I think they'll make a great addition to our summer picnic basket.

If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Corte Madera store has a great assortment of samples remaining. However, there are none to be found in the San Leandro store on Lewelling. I have to go to San Francisco tomorrow, so you know I'll check it out and let you know.

Address: 245 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera, CA 94925

Phone:(415) 924-8700

Hours 9:00 am–9:00 pm

Transit: Tamal Vista Blvd & Fifer Av

Oops!

A couple of days ago I found this exciting green moc croc paper at Joann Fabrics. The plan was to decoupage my console. But ugh! I don't like how it turned out.

About halfway down the picture, you can see where the two sheets of paper are joined. See how different the papers look? And, I didn't do anything different to them. But what I really really hate are those abutment lines.

I'm going to get some wallpaper remover or fabric softener and strip this paper. But I do think I'll try to decoupage this piece again, next time with paper or fabric that is wider in width in order to avoid those abutment lines.  

The paper is beautiful and I'm going to use it for something else, like a small book cover.

Mock Croc Decoupage

I have been going back and forth on what to do with this table I picked up for $50 from a hotel furnishings reseller. 

It's not intended to be a desk but a console table. (In the meantime, I'm still on the lookout for the perfect kidney shaped desk.)

My choices to date have been to paint or not to paint? I'd narrowed the selection to either glossy white or glossy black from Glidden's Trim & Door Paint. I've heard rave things about this product but, in the end, I wanted something more than just a paint or stain.

Enter decoupage. There are so many great examples of decoupaged furniture, both whimsical and haute design. Some designers use fabric, others paper, some a combination of both. Others incorporate paper and fabric with a painted finish. Here are some of my favorites:

Wallpaper Toile Decoupage

Byronie Porter bryonieporter.com 

Homes and Gardens, bhg.com

Origin Unknown, from Pinterest

Origin Unknown, from Pinterest

For several years, I've wanted to decoupage something larger than a jewelry box. I've come across some wonderful fabrics that I thought would be great, including a black/taupe houndstooth, from Hobby Lobby.

DEC- Black & Off White Houndstooth Decor Fabric

But it's rather heavy and I'm afraid it wouldn't lay flat against the vertical surfaces. 

In the meantime, I've been searching for a paper that would be stylish, eye catching and wouldn't cost a lot of money. There are a lot of beautiful papers out there and my usual go-to source is Binders off Piedmont in Atlanta. However, today at Joann's I found this terrific contemporary green mock croc paper for $1.99 per sheet. I got 10 sheets (their entire stock!) The paper is approximately 12x12 and as you can see, is highly textured and very, very shiny. The paper is made in Thailand.

To begin the process, I started by lightly wetting the paper to make it more maleable. See how it folds around the raised edges of the table. The Modge Podge is the key to making this work. And, it's great because the paper hasn't lost its texture or any of it's shine. I'll know when the Modge Podge dries and will keep you up to date.  I sure hope those abutment lines fade out when this dries.  I was afraid this would happen because the paper is not very wide or very long.

(What would the DIYer do without Modge Podge and chopsticks?!?)

*Pinterest photos do not link back to the original post so the origin of a couple of photos here remains unknown. If you know, please share the info with me and I'll update.