MAKING Mondays….Valentine's Day Banner

It's hard to keep an old blog down!  Hi folks!  I've been hit by lightning inspiration lately and I've come to the conclusion that I'm missing this space.  Instagram is great but I miss my friends here in blog land and seeing the creative process through all of your blogs.  We live and learn all the way through life….just happy to be back!

I was looking to save money and repurpose to make some Valentine's Day decor for the house so I got busy cutting up old drapes.

Sketching out the design with pencil, stitching up the edging, painting with gold fabric paint and grabbing a stick from the yard and we now have a little love banner! 

And as for the garden I have been planning, planning, planning!  Here is where I'm getting some of my veggie seeds this year…..High Mowing Organic Seeds


As for what has been shaking over here while we are waiting for the ground to thaw…..

 winter vignettes in the garden

 bird projects with the beans

art making in the studio

 Happy Making, Baking, and Growing!  Thanks for coming by!

MAKING Mondays....quick embroidery (inspired) artwork

I just have a quick one for you today!  

As I continue to create the space for my girls I have found some little tricks to help with the budget.  I recently finished using removable wallpaper to paper their whole closet.  I needed some art in the closet so I jumped over to Pinterest to find some embroidery patterns to make a little piece for their closet wall.

Most of the patterns I found were modern and simple which I find works really well for framed art in their space.  Just sketched it on some brown craft paper and re-traced it in a white paint pen.  Frame it up and there you have it!  

I will be around to visit you all soon after we get in from the snow!

Happy Making today Friends!  

phones and old things

One of these will be making its way into our living room.  Do you remember phones like this?  My folks always had one phone in the kitchen where the six of us received all of our calls.  In this day and age it brings me peace of mind to have a phone that stays in one place.   In the past I have thought about quitting my blog as I'm not a huge believer in too much technology.  A contradiction I know, but the old ways just seem to sit better with me.  I want my beans to feel the turn of a pencil sharpener, engage in imaginary play without screens, and learn about traditions and customs of the past.  Ironically, it is through blogging that I've met so many wonderful people that feel the same way.  Maybe it's a shift in what we value and a slight movement to slow down.  But after reading an article recently published in the Chicago Tribune about the "making movement," I have to believe that people are looking to keep the past alive.  

There is a shop by my house that has the most fantastic and affordable antiques.  It is one of those places that can completely transport you as it has everything and anything you can imagine.  With the weather shifting in Chicago and snow in the forecast my energy has been redirected inside.  Cozy spaces and vintage holiday warmth is what I seek!   

I came home with a framed oil painting for my girls' room.  It was only 17 dollars.  A steal if you ask me and it looks so pretty in their space.  A fun folk art tray and 5 glass vintage ornaments to add to my collection.  The last piece I purchased was a little winter print for 10 dollars.  It is by Grandma Moses and is too sweet for words.  I look forward to finding the perfect spot for it this season.

So old things are good and new things are good.  I suppose it's finding the right balance with it all.

Thank you for inspiring and sharing the magic friends!

Happy Making, Baking, and Growing!  

MAKING Mondays.....a bit like fall

Well, it's not officially fall yet but you would never know it by the temperatures we have been having in these parts!  It has been chilly!!!!  The slow cooker has been running and homemade bread is back in the oven baking.  On days like these I like to sit back and listen to a bit of this...

And when I'm not listening to a bit of that I like to start adding touches of the season to cozy up our little home.  I had seen some Halloween villages in some magazines and thought it would be cute if I made my own for above the coat hooks.  Just black construction paper and tape.

I have a thing for plaid!  After I sewed this pillow my son helped me stuff it and he is so very proud of it!

My fondness for vintage bird prints comes from my grandma.  I was able to track some down HERE for a reasonable price and then just framed them up for the mantle.

And the backyard construction is making progress! Have a look out the kitchen window.....

Not done but we have somewhere to sit now!  

Happy making, baking, and growing friends!  

moving moments...

I can tell you one thing....life is rolling on down the road.  Things are shifting and changing around every bend and I am just trying to soak it in before the moments move on.  The house is in flux, 2 out of 3 beans will be in school soon, the back garden is under construction with plants being moved to new homes.  Nothing earth shattering...just the stuff that makes you aware of how fast it moves and to give thanks for what you have.  

GARDEN MOMENTS

the evolution of a little bare patch that has found some new amigos 

{Goat's Beard, Knotweed, Creeping Jenny, coral bells, Wild Ginger, Ligularia}

{Balloon Flower}

{painted fern, Japanese Forest Grass, Solomon Seal,}

{phlox and butterfly weed}

 {Goldenrod}

 {Lungwort and Montrose White Catmint}

 {ornamental onion}

 {Joe Pye Weed}

{Shasta Daisy}

HOUSE MOMENTS

our little pad is finding its groove

{Before}

{and now}

ART MOMENTS
a collection of pieces

a sketch of a painting about to be started...folk art inspired

BEAN MOMENTS

my dirt lovers looking at a bug

Here is to a week of creating and finding beauty in the little things.

Thanks for being awesome!

Linking up with....Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop & Creative Country Mom's Garden Party.....thanks for the feature!

creating spaces...

The whole house is a tornado at the present moment as I move things from one location to another to try and create new spaces before the school year starts.  Here is a peek into our little art room/work room.  Not finished but being used in the process.  Paint needs to be touched up and supplies need to be moved up here and sorted in bins.  The beans' library will be in here as I feel that books are taking over the house!  I find joy in moving things and finding new purposes for them...you?!?!   Most everything in here was moved from different locations in our home.  Minus my work desk which was 40 dollars from IKEA.  Wishing everyone a lovely weekend!  I will be around tonight to drop by and say hello!  We have been out for a nice day at a farm......

Happy baking, making, and growing!