Create & Decorate lit house

This lit house was designed for Create & Decorate mag. Will be posting other published magazine designs soon along with some designs from books. Will also keep posted the kit I'm involved in with Sterling Innovations and Barnes & Noble due out on shelves Fall 09.

Look what Ty and Amanda created

Is this good design or what?

This picture was coincidentally taken on the anniversary of my dad's death.

I can see so much of my dad in his little face, the bright eyes filled with

love, that was dad. Gabe is the sweetest and happiest little guy.

Merry Christmas to you and yours

Ornament of Joy

The ornament, a gift from a friend. Friend's name: Joy!

Window Couture

Check out this link below. Tried to get a picture from it to wet your whistle but to no avail.

These windows always makes me want to move to New York to work on windows- BUT you'll have to check out Treasures of the Heart Windows 2009- always exciting and this year we've got some awesome ideas to bring to life- Can't Wait!

Must mention something is in the works for something quite extraordinary and exciting for Christmas- well actually 2 things way outside of my normal schedule of decor. Will keep you posted.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/12/27/fashion/20091227-street-feature/index.html?hp#

Look for Christmas (labeled: Christmas decor, Oct 2008, Treasures of the Heart) "and other displays from Treasures in future posts.

Returning home after Christmas decorating near Eugene, Or.

Southwest of Eugene, on a old country road to Lorane. Dec. 16, 2008
This old country road was not the road less traveled by.

. . . Apparently I-5 was, that came next.

Le tree

I will be giving tutorials in the future about decorating
your Christmas tree since people always ask for tips when I'm working in stores and homes.
I plan to cover lighting, using fabric, maybe doing a piece on
fabulous toppers. This one has an ornate shelf inverted for a crown-ing touch. Regal and humble Christmas...says it all.
Seriously, it's all stuff in the house. Granted I'm a designer and I have some great stuff
but I've used crazy things on the tree before with fabulous results. I will also be posting
some photos from a few clients' homes (anonymously for their protection of course)

Le Jesus under le tree

Love the vintage nativity baby Jesus found a few days before I needed to decorate my own tree. (the gift of eternal life is free but this little baby cost 4.00 at the local thrift store) I'm always so proud of myself for getting our own tree up. My husband would feel so slighted if we didn't have a decorated tree saying I'll do every other tree in the country side-not ours? what gives? I create ours on the fly and gather things from my studio, office, recycle or wherever. In my book Fresh Ideas in Decoupage (available Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders) there are notes regarding the things I've placed on trees over the years. Basically anything and everything is fair game.

lighting trees

I'm very often asked how I go about lighting a tree. . . from the bottom to the top or vice versa ?? It's one thing to be told, yet another to actually see a professional string lights. Recently someone requested I make a video of how I light trees for my clients. I will do that at some point. It is done differently for custom various purposes but the technique used for clients in general and how I learned at Macy's I will show in a video and will let you know when this is posted.

Clean Traditional Welcoming

This picture is a little dark. I'll be glad to get my new photoshop program.

There is so much about decorating in this home that I love. The clients are really great and I just love this house. They have this really sweet lab too that always greets me with restraint and kindness- no jumping like my Pearly. (One day I may elaborate on our obedience classes. Though at this point I think I'm content to block it out.)

And, this family actually has a working catapult- how's that for livin' large?!

A Wildlife Safari Christmas

Before adding in the raspberry ribbon.

Safari so good . . .

Above- lit spheres from Pottery Barn- love.
The bronze giraffes are stunning, don't you think? That floor lamp needs editing. . . :) not just from the room but from the picture. that's funny huh.





Above and below: Addressed Mantle decor differing perspective shots.

Home Christmas shot

Dec. 2007
There are so many great things about this home for Christmas Decor. When I'm able I'll post closeup and wonderful aspects to this home and their decor. The couple that live here have incredible taste and I love the look!

Where will love lead us?

Toasty impressions

This toasted bread became part of our thanksgiving day dinner. We have much to be thankful for. I'm so happy to have found a way of communicating my work as it inspires me. Thanks for looking and listening.

Wood you have Joy?

Chandeliers! Switch from Ceiling mount to Plug-in!

Instructions for changing your new ceiling mount chandelier to a plug will be posted early Feb. 09

As promised I'll be working on the how-to step by step photos showing you (yep you!) how to switch your ceiling mount chandelier to a plug. Love plug-in chandeliers- such a beautiful moveable feast - take it anywhere the mood hits you. Outside even.

The instructions will be clear and it's very easy to do, I promise! & You'll feel so proud that you've done it yourself without the help of someone with a heavy nasty ole toolbelt working on it, if'n you know what I mean. tee hee.

Cathedral of Dreams

Cathedral of Dreams blog begins.
Remember :

"It all begins with a dream"

See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them and God himself will be the action feast.

Conception Inception

after months of trial and error blog building with type.pad I finally got the hint (after getting my tail kicked, and, as they say, having it handed back to me.) I went with blogspot.

Blogspot had worked for me well enough early on with another blog so I decided to put here the ideas that had been gestating for some time. The process of posting and backblogging Cathedral of Dreams began sometime around Oct/Nov. 2008. Keeping fingers crossed but I'm pretty on track- Full publishing Feb. 2009-

Cathedral of Dreams (c) concept was born in 2007. (nts check dates)

I-feel so good!

This Eiffel Tower was featured in Romantic Homes as things "We Love" (!) This project comes from my book and one design from things from my manufacturing company called Off the Streets. This company (OTS) was created circa 2001 to provide help for my disabled sister who was facing homelessness. She is doing well and has become a volunteer herself. Sometimes things can go wrong in a hurry and all you need is someone.

when you embrace life everything follows

I have a little story.
A beautiful box came my way. I'm doing the dishes and look outside my window and there's this little box ". . . hum, what could that be? Could it be a birthday present? Nahhhh, that's not it..humm. Well, I brought it in immediately seeing it was from my kind and sweet & oh so talented Tonia. How cool is that, I mean seriously. My heart began to beat a just a little faster. Out slid the little folded paper with the sweetest little love note.

And then. I opened the box.

And then there was another- but this one was a purple stunner. ..hum???
Have you ever gotten goosebumps when opening a box? It's a most pleasant sensation and highly recommended.

". . . why, this is peculiar." I had just been thinking about Paris and then, all of a sudden I'm reading something from Paris with instructions on how to consume the lovely treats - from - get this- Paris!
"....hummmm that's funny?"

but "consume"? Never.

Well, ok, maybe just one. I swoon but wait- there's more. I could cry, the beauty of the timing and everything else.

Naughty naughty and oh so nice YOU are. Bless my soul? You sure did.
Sweet Love & Paris. What a fit.

oooh la la. . . what's this. . .?

So if you find a little something like this is sitting on your little porch or on your pillow or under your tree or on a counter top - well take a slow and deep breath. You may be about to be embark on a journey of the heart. To someplace so lovely. . . maybe to a cathedral of your dreams.

Action Feast

See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them and God himself will be the Action Feast." When I read this I 'bout flipped, the poetry of it, yum. But "Action Feast"? . . . Huh?? and then! omwHow great is that! and so begins the cathedral of dreams .

C & B purchases for client

Hard to see from this shot but there are 3 baskets in this bench ottoman. To tie together the blue color in the room I dry brushed the same blue over the woven baskets front. (Not shown here.) In so doing my client can use them blue or as they came originally by flipping the baskets around. Leather top is real comfy for the backs of legs when stretched out on top.

This table is so beautiful. The top is distressed mirror- so pretty. 2 stacking side tables similar to this were also purchased. It's a Glam & Yum.

We actually didn't buy this from Z gallerie although this is where this giclee was first seen. In the end we ordered from art.com so we had choices for frames etc. etc etc. I recommend art.com but the framing costs can get out of hand so be careful there.

Bucket class

A version of this projects' instructions can also be found on the Krylon website -but please know that it does not include the melted wax techniques. http://www.krylon.com/projects/outdoor/of-gardens-past-pails/index.jsp
And in Create & Decorate Vol. 31 No. 5
Top picture: Mary Waechter workin it!
AND left to right: Kathey Richardson, Marolyn McCoullough, Carolyn Ireland and Mary Waechter- ladies from the most recent bucket class held at Treasures of the Heart. This class is offered frequently since it's requested often. Everyone made such beautiful buckets. We had fun, it's great creating with friends.

Getting hammered

This is a hammered metal bowl - actually it's an old glass light fixture cover! The hammered effect of the paint really makes it look like it's metal. I know I sound like a commercial but the effect is really cool and can be used in so many different applications. (There's a hole in the bottom of the bowl covered with the votive candle) The flocked edge is actually lime jello granules, fun huh? For instructions to this project click here http://www.krylon.com/projects/outdoor/

Add images in / review notes

Books:
Fresh Ideas in Decoupage- North Light/ F+W Pub. Colette George
Cutting Edge Decoupage
Exquisite Decoupage
Bernie Berlin Artist Trading Card Workshop
Red Lips for Courage/ Eileen Paulin/ Rebecca
Spray Paint Paper Crafts

Kit: Exquisite Decoupage
Sterling Innovations Designer Compilation. Fall 2009 release/ B & N

Magazines:

Somerset Studios Melange
Somerset Home
Romantic Homes, "Favorite things"
Create & Decorate
Create & Decorate Christmas
Crafts 'n Things
Country Sampler Decorating Ideas
PaperWorks
Today's Creative Home Arts

finish list and include online links to projects, articles:

totally-creative.com
for bucket, canvas and bowl place Colette George in Krylon search bar.
www.krylon.com
Krylon hammered bowl: or direct to bowl:
http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:vA0fH0mxNlQJ:www.krylon.com/projects/outdoor/+Krylon+Colette+George&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us


Michaels "Great Decor in a Flash"
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/static?page=greatdecorinaflash
Create & Decorate "Starry Nights" http://www.createanddecorate.com/ChristmasOrnaments/onlineproject/index.shtml

My Craftivity "S'mores Toolbox"

http://www.mycraftivity.com/adminmmnc/blog/2008/08/01/smores_toolbox_kitfree_mixedmedia_project
Somerset Studios
Between the Vines


Show Photos:
CHA FID North Light Book signing; other venues
CHA Booth design/Krylon:
Hollywood Glamour (Front & Forward)
Chocolate Culinary Conversation Pit (Front & Forward)
*(Props/Portfolio show in "projects" label shots?)

Backblog in appropriate categories:
OTS/ Pour Toi Designs & Trunk Shows Or., Ca.
Krylon CHA demo show photos
SCD

a little nod to kindness and God bless the fighter

There is something wonderful happening/happened/now is. Years ago I felt generally antagonized. &"choosing" my battles was something I couldn't really consider, it just seemed like a cop out (though it was a nice thought.) I figured all battles needed fighting and so I did. At one point I realized I'd been blessed to be able to stand up for myself, that somehow injustices were being righted and that was very nurturing somehow. But after a time I grew to realize there was something being lost also, that I had not noticed before.

I guess I foght for so long I kindof figured out that what I was fighting was no longer there. . . and perhaps, perhaps ?, they were only shadows to begin with. Life is continually evolving and sweeter goals come into view.

Let's all go down to the river

Soap, Mary and Me

I've kindof become a dork for religious kitch and iconongraphy. Time spent in Mt. Angel and it's neighboring St. Benedict, a little monastery town on a nearby hilltop, is probably mostly responsible for this.
I came across this little dispenser in a cute little shop in San Luis Obispo, Ca. a couple of summers ago. I think I love all that it implies and how it reminds me to always aim for my best- even when doing the dishes.

Sometimes I feel more relative to those not professing a faith than I do with those that do. After years of spiritual abuse (none intentional I'm sure) I just couldn't see how I could ever "go there" again. Traditional church
. . .well, that simply was just not going to work. Still something inside of me longed for a return. But. . . what return could I make? "

Turns out, for me, Mary was a real good place to start.

peering in and a whole lot skittish

the view from my window

Window Treatment

Window treatment is done - mark that off the list. Getting upholstered chairs for seating arrangement at window and finishing the bedding is next. I'm suggesting switching the TV out to a wall mount and removing that cabinet from it's location.

Music and Nature incorporated

Rosey Outlook

Party Prep a bit of a mess remaining by the floral- but say la vie!
Curly willow from the outside, beautiful home on the hillside, wonderful people on the inside: Some days I just love my job!

,

Tour of Homes images add in

Tour of Homes
8' Topiary tree scan/add image in

Hallways on my mind

Travertine, a little limestone and a little chocolate colored marble.
Love it, Derek Martin from Eugene did a great job!

You may have noticed the label on this post is "Don't DIY and here are all the reasons why." You can be sure this category will be filled to the brim. Though I love home decor and generally everything involved in it I wish I could say the same thing for my husband. Poor guy. Stay tuned. We like to say Ted can build a deck in a decade as opposed to dad- who could build a deck in a day (and I'm sure he did at some point.) If I get the courage I may post the washer incident. (Can someone say backwoods, redneck hillbilly laundry?... and then there's the sofa, and the water filtration system, oh yeah and the water heater, and the flooring (which time?) You may be getting the picture. . .) Did I tell you he's a great golfer? An athlete par excellance and, he does look pretty snappy in a pair of shorts- so there's that.

Tween Craft Project Purse CHA Krylon 2008