Weekend Welcome Party!

As you can see, the blog has a new name and a new look, but the same love of sharing warmth and home. Please share as many blog posts as you'd like so we can get ideas from each other and make new friends. *Be sure to follow me by GFC or email.  Let me know in the comments if you do, and I'll follow you too!*

Chevron Quilt prequel

Some people who looked at my "almost" finished chevron quilt top were still a little confused about how to make the shape appear by starting with something as simple as 10 inch squares.

Yep, that is really how simple it is.  When you choose your two fabrics you can start by cutting them entirely into 10 inch squares (or whatever size you want).  Then you make those into half-triangle squares like this:

Then, the key is to follow someone else's picture of their Chevron layout and keep turning those squares to make the shape like this:

If my pictures aren't the easiest to follow, I set up a Pinterest board of just Chevron quilts.  Check it out for some beautiful sewing inspiration!

Upcycled Chalkboard box

Since I still have chalkboard paint left after doing an entire kitchen wall, and some pumpkins at Halloween time...I decided to see how it would turn out covering print on a box.  

Being Costco members, our groceries often make it home in boxes, so we have extras.  And I don't have an endless supply of Duct Tape :).

A great feature of chalkboard paint is that there is no primer needed.  It sticks to pretty much anything.

A couple of coats later, I had a handy place to put mail after we had sorted it!

The Journey (by Mary Oliver)

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice--

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

"mend my life!"

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little, 

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do--

determined to save

the only life that you could save.

(taken from the forward of this book)

The eat-in kitchen

Even with modern design, and modern appliances, the Eat-In kitchen gives a feeling of warmth and home.

Traditional Kitchen design by Los Angeles Architect Tim Barber LTD Architecture & Interior Design

Traditional Kitchen design by Austin General Contractor Redbud Custom Homes

Eclectic Kitchen design by San Francisco Architect Arkin Tilt Architects

And it's not just about tight spaces...even people with large homes get tired of walking the loop around the island, and over to the table, and back to the dishwasher.  An additional 30 steps to the formal dining room?  Forgetaboutit!

Do you think Eat-In kitchens are headed back on the scene?

Chevron Quilt

Do you know how easy it is to piece a Chevron Quilt?  If you look closely at the squares they are just 1/2 square triangles put together.  It becomes chevrons simply by the way you turn them to put them together.

This gray and yellow quilt has been fun for me to put together.  It's going to be King sized, so it's a lot of fabric.  Little Lane doesn't seem to be complaining about that, though.  Under a quilt top is a great place to imagine.

In an upcoming post, I'll share the luxurious fabric I am backing it with.  Our family loves warm blankies!

For the Love of {BLUE}

Eclectic Kitchen design by Other Metro Design-build Farinelli Construction Inc

Eclectic Bathroom design by Seattle Interior Designer Kristi Spouse Interiors

Traditional Bedroom design by Philadelphia Design-build Echelon Custom Homes

My first Board

When I was a kid my mom took a college Interior Decorating course.  I still remember the real fabric sample and the thrill it seemed to gather the ideas in one place.

Well wouldn't you believe the technology in our hands today?  I made my very first similar board online.  It took forever, but it was fun to try.  Hopefully they'll get a little better.  Can't wait to share more with you.

P.S.  The paint color is Benjamin Moore's Cowboy Boots 1015.  

The Fireplace

We currently have a bare fireplace--well more than bare, the wall is pretty ripped up.  Point is, we are planning a rock fireplace and I went looking for inspiration.  

As usual, I am sharing my ideas :).

This one is my dream.  Sidenote:  can you just picture staying in this quaint coziness and peering out the big beautiful windows?

Eclectic Porch design by Minneapolis Interior Designer Michelle Fries, BeDe Design, LLC

If we are going to be honest, though, I need to point out that we are in a big city.  And also in the mid-west...not a mountain hideaway.  Thus, we are most likely going to be working with some kind of stone veneer rather than those gorgeous river rocks above.  Unless, that is a veneer too?

Anyway, here is a most-likely veneer, also in a very gorgeous setting.

Traditional Living Room design by Denver Architect Kelly & Stone Architects

Hows of Happiness

I've come upon a cropping of Happiness books, self-help if you will, as I've been checking things out at the library.  I find studying this topic so interesting, as the advice blends, overlaps, and sometimes conflicts (usually based on whether the author cites science or their own anecdotal viewpoint).

The two I've enjoyed the most are by the author Sonja Lyubomirsky.  I think hers were the most compelling simply because it was all the compilation of and ways to use results of scientific studies.  She cited her evidence throughout and I never noticed a "seems like" or "should be" in the wording...except when dispelling myths.

If you are a fan of non-fiction like I am, I'd recommend her two books.  I really think you should read all of the background, but in case you are curious, I'll share the list she compiled mid-book.

Again, I'd recommend her books because they delve into the how of making these practices part of your life.  I've spent more time reading the details of some of these chapters than I have entire novels. It's interesting stuff.  

Some of my favorite books/information are what I have learned from Malcolm Gladwell.  I enjoyed that she brought up his findings and even added to them by exploring how we get the motivation to put in the 10,000 hours he teaches us about.

Breathtaking Exteriors

Mediterranean Exterior design by Austin Architect Cornerstone Architects

Traditional Exterior design by Burlington Architect Smith & Vansant Architects PC

Traditional Exterior design by Burlington Architect Birdseye Design

Quick, Easy Fry Bread

Really, could it be that simple?  I thought maybe I could just make a simple biscuit-like dough, rather than do the kneading and rising steps in creating this fattening comfort food.

Quick Fry Bread

2 C flour

1 C milk

2 T baking powder

2 T sugar

1/2 t salt

Mix together and fry in flat discs.  I'll let you know how it tastes!

So apparently, someone had a brilliant idea to make our own "Hey Girl" posters and share at a linky party.  I'm so in!

Why?

I made this last year, shared it on facebook but not here, and I love to join a good party!

Baby Animals

My two year old this morning after breakfast:

"I play babies.  Sheep.  Sheep Babies."

A few minutes later:

"Doggy.  Doggy babies."

He then gathered all of the stuffed animals to play.  It was SO CUTE!  And inspired me to find some cute pictures to share with him and you:

Cool Coffee Tables

I wanted to show you some coffee tables I'm diggin'.  I love their rustic style, even when paired with more formal decor:

Traditional Living Room design by Dallas Design-build Platinum Series by Mark Molthan

Eclectic Living Room design by Atlanta Interior Designer Claire Watkins Interior Design, LLC

Contemporary Coffee Tables design by Other Metro Mobius Living

Do you like this rustic/utility vibe in furnishings?

The first picture is taken from a 25,000 square foot monstrosity home in Dallas, TX.  Interesting that so many Texan styles resonate with me.  I guess the places you live really do influence your aesthetic.