Saturday, March 7, 2009

Should be painting

We're finishing up the kitchen painting tonight and I've hit the wall. I'm sitting here at the island while Josh paints the last little bit. Love that man. It's so bright and fresh - like a ripe pear. It's amazing what a new color can do to a space! Now I'm super excited to see the tile go up. We're doing glossy white subway tile and hopefullys starting on it tomorrow.


My friend Chris & I decided to do the Pumpkin Festival this year. I had planned on doing it last year and realized what an enormous amount of work it involved, so I'm thinking that starting 8 months ahead of time and with two people it shouldn't be bad at all. We're brainstorming so hard about things to make that I think neither of us is getting much other thinking done. I'm surprised I haven't tried to feed the kids clay and paint for breakfast yet. ;) And check out this gorgeous crocheted throw with Amy Butler patchwork that Chris made - it's up for sale in her new Etsy shop, Mabel+Lola (those are the names of her kids' fairies!)

I finished Dawson's quilt about a month ago and kept forgetting to take pictures of it. This is the first quilt I've done with hand-stitched binding and let me tell you, I'm hooked! I'll never machine-sew sandwiched binding again. It is so relaxing to do and looks wonderful.

Here's a little preview of my spring shelf. I made this wall-hanging a couple of weeks ago, and it was one of those projects that just clicked, you know? I was planning on making a table runner inspired by this Anthropologie pillow, with a sort of leafy vine connected with embroidery. I was cutting out the leaves and stacking them up to iron on when I saw an unintentional pattern emerging - and it really reminded me of Orla Kiely! I knew immediately what direction I wanted to take - a fresh take on her trademark pattern - a little more laid-back and using my favorite vintage fabrics. This piece feels so much like spring to me - bright, comfortable, and fresh. I received my Jennifer Lanne painting today (I bought it using my birthday money & it is incredible!!) and I'm going to take a picture of the completed shelf to share with you later this week.

And here's a sweet vintage children's rocker I got a couple of years ago for $5. It's sitting on top of a bookcase and I planned on putting a fern in it, but I'm kind of liking our wedding picture and letterpress blocks right now. Look at those kids. Who would've thought 8 years and 3 kids later I would love him even more....It's amazing, really, how you think you know everything about the one you love, the one you are marrying, when you've just touched the surface.

Now that I've gagged you with the sappiness!, go listen to this - it's my favorite song of the week! I hope you have a fantastic Saturday evening....


14 comments:

  1. You quilt and blanket look wonderful! But that wall-hanging takes the cake! I am soooooo inspired....

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  2. You should be painting . . . I should be writing . . . I just have to say these shots are all so inspiring! I LOVE the spring shelf. We have a nature bowl right by the front door and it still has pine cones and holly berries in it. I have got to get it changed over to spring - I adore the colors and composition of yours. It's all just gorgeous, Steph!

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  3. Beautiful blog. Glad you stopped by Faith Folk. I had a rocker just like that..it was ruined when we stored it in a shed. Fun to see "it" again.
    I'm putting everyone that plays Show Us Your Blog in our Favs.
    Blessings,
    Pam

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  4. gorgeous work! I love your leaf wall hanging!

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  5. Hi! This is Megan from Idaho, someone who just happened upon your blog from your comment on Camille Roskelley's blog. Can I just say how happy you have just made me! We are moving our family to Parkersburg, West Virginia this summer and I have been so scared and excited at the same time. Seeing your blog and knowing that someone with amazing creative tastes, etc. lives there gives me so much relief! I really am not sure what to expect over there. So, thank you for blogging and letting me know that West Virginia is a good place with neat fun things like pumpkin festivals!

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  6. I love your blog, your designs & your wall/table runner! I'm so glad I stopped by from the Faith Folk site. Thanks for the inspiration!

    -Michelle

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  7. Hi, I saw your blog over at Faith Folk. Love your banner, many of my favorite things. Old trucks, red and turquoise. Your blog and style are great!! We have a store in Georgia (don't know if they are in other states) named Horsetown. They have a huge variety of boots, not cheap, but not as expensive as the ones you posted. Sundance Catalog is also a great place to find great boots, but they are pricey too.

    Nice to meet you Stephanie!! :)

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  8. I love your little wall hanging. So many wonderful things in this post!

    Springy HUGS!

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  9. you aren't sappy--it's true. i've known my husbands since we were 5; we started dating when we were 15, and seriously, i love him so much more now than when i was young and stupid!

    and thank you for sharing your pics, you almost make me want to quilt again! saw your link at Pam's, and stopped by to "meet" you. :)

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  10. hi, stephanie!!! i am SO glad to reconnect with you. i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your artistry, girl. i can't wait to peek at your blog and enjoy myself. thank you so much for encouraging me today!

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  11. Love this vignette! The color of the rocker is fab:)

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  12. Hi Stephanie
    Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    I love your wall-hanging, it's beautiful!
    I also love your blog. I'll definitely be back:)
    Chrissie Grace

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  13. that wall hanging is delightful :)

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