Fall Decorating Ideas

I realize that Fall doesn't officially start until until Friday, September 23rd, but as soon as the calendar turns to September, I can't help but think of Fall. I'm of the kind, that as soon as Thanksgiving is over, I break out the Christmas decorations. And as soon as the calendar turns to September, I break out the fall decorations. October 1st rolls around? Out comes the Halloween decorations. I figure that if I am going to go to the trouble of decorating our house for the holidays, I might as well enjoy them for an entire month. Or longer. And besides, I have yet to have the holiday police come knocking on my door.

Here are just a few ideas that have me itching to break out my boxes of fall decorations...

I really dig these pumpkin topiaries. Craft pumpkins would be perfect for these and could be used again next year.

Pottery Barn

This pumpkin topiary is charming as well.

Country Living

I have been scouring the internet for fall mantle ideas. I love all the pumpkins on this mantle.

Martha Stewart

And this mantle of vases filled with the bounties of fall.

Pottery Barn

I love the neutral colors of this display. Especially the mercury pumpkins. OMG.

Pottery Barn

Here's those mercury pumpkins again. I want these BAD!

Pottery Barn

These white pumpkins are quite lovely too.

Pottery Barn

And here's a plethora of lovely arrangements.

Pottery Barn

Here's a simple way to decorate with candles.

Pinterest

Better Homes & Gardens

Pottery Barn

I need to get me some bell jars.

Country Living

HGTV

And last, but not least, every door needs a fall wreath in my opinion.

Pottery Barn

Do you decorate for fall? Or have I inspired you? I promise to share my fall decorations with you as soon as they go up. I also will be sharing my Fall Collage, as well as a fun, vintage craft pumpkin shadow box that  I made last year. So stay tuned!

Jenny

Words for Monday - the late edition

spotted here

Happy Monday :)

Jenny

Etsy Finds 8.26.11

1. Kumari Garden Quilt - If only I was more of a sewer, I might try and make something like this for the baby.

2. Ruby Ring - I could see myself wearing this on my ring or middle finger on my right hand. 

3. Aquamarine Shell Bowl - This would look cool in a bathroom with some cute little soaps.

4. Paper Flower Wreath -Fun project for a rainy day.

5. Custom Initial Monogram - I love this! Simple and sweet.

6. Vintage School Desk & Chair - This already sold, but I still wanted to share it. This would be a cute addition to a little kids room as an art desk or to do their homework on, or a timeout even ;)

I'm so excited for this weekend. We're going camping for 3 nights at Lake Mendocino. We used to camp there every year for a week straight, but haven't been able to for the last 3 or 4 years, and I've missed it so! I've missed sleeping in a tent listening to the sounds of nature, sitting around the camp fire, loosing myself in a good book..all day long, playing games at the picnic table, cooling off in the lake, disconnecting from technology (except for my Kindle), taking walks around the campground, napping in the hammock.  Ahhhh....camping is good for my soul :)

Wishing you all a lovely Friday and even lovelier weekend!

Jenny

Nursery Picks

I've been scouring the internet and blogosphere for ideas for the nursery. The internet is a lovely thing! There are endless, beautiful nurseries out there. So many inspiring spaces. Here is a peek at what ideas and pieces I have chosen for the nursery...

1. This IS the crib I am ordering. The Bratt Decor Venetian Iron Crib from Pottery Barn. I love the classic, antique look of this crib. It's going to look perfect in the nursery!

2. After looking at all kinds of rockers and gliders, I think I have settled on one that looks more like a chair and that I can eventually move into another part of the house. Jim and I plan to try some out in the stores, and if I can't find one I like, then we'll purchase this one from Pottery Barn, even though it is a little more than we want to spend.

3. I just ordered this 3-pc Simply Shabby Shic Cherry Blossom Crib set from Target. It includes a bumper, sheet, and skirt.

Here's a better picture of the pattern on the bumper. I also ordered this quilt.

4. Fabric embroidery hoops for above the crib. I am making these for sure! I just need to find the right pieces of fabric.

5.  Pom-poms. I found a tutorial on how to make the ones picture below. I will be making these in shades of pink and maybe cream or yellow. They will hang above either the crib, glider or dresser.

6. We have a small, deep bookcase that Jim built when he was in high school that I plan to paint pink and convert to a changing table like the pink cabinet below.

7. And I WILL find a wall for shelves like these. Floor to ceiling. Love them!

I am also on the hunt for a chandilier for the nursery and I plan to make some curtains, even though me and my sewing machine have a hate/love relationship. 

I will try and post photos of the nursery as it comes together. As well as any projects I make.

Jenny

Words for Monday

spotted here

Happy Monday :)

Jenny

Etsy Finds 8.19.11

1. Neon Arrow - I love signs, and signs that light up - Awesome!

2. Foursquare Necklace - I love the geometric feel of the necklace, and the colors remind me of the beach. 

3. Owl Earrings - These earrings are just pure cuteness!

4. Orange Flower Shoe Clips - I'm not a regular high heel wearing kinda gal, but these sure would look cute on some heels when I do test out my high heel walking abilities.

5. Wire Baskets - If you haven't noticed by now, I have a thing for baskets. They are an easy way to organize all your "stuff". I like to organize stuff, A LOT. As you can tell by my craft room and utility closet.

6. Keep Calm and Work On - I like the original saying too "Keep Calm and Carry On". This version is super cute for the laptop. "Keep Calm and Blog On" would be a fun version too for us bloggers :)

My aunt and uncle are coming to stay with us for the weekend. I can't wait! They will be the last guests to stay in the guest bedroom before it morphs into the cutest, little nursery to ever exist! My mom is also coming over to visit, and then on Sunday we will be celebrating my birthday and also my mother in-law's birthday, which was August 5th.

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

Jenny

Happy Birthday to Me!

Me having my cake and eating it too on my 2nd birthday. Wasn't I adorable?!

Today is my birthday. 

I'm a Leo (hear me roar). Which might explain the crazy mane of curls.

I'm turning 39. 

This is my last year to live it up in my 30's before I move on to the big FOUR O. 

I'm a bit sad about turning 39. 

But 39 also happens to be the most wonderous year for me. 

Because it is the year I will become a mommy. 

It is also the year that my husband and I celebrate 15 years of marriage and 18 years together.  

And as that old saying goes "you're only as old as you feel". 

I still feel like I'm in my early 30's.
And think I still look 29 ;-)

I just wish my husband didn't feel like he was 10 years old most days.

xoxo,

Jenny

Christmas in August

Hello. My name is Jenny and I am a freak who insists on making handmade Christmas cards every year. You're probably thinking that doesn't sounds that terrible. That is until you hear how many cards I actually make.by.hand.

We're talking in the ballpark of 150+ cards.

Go ahead, call me a freak. I have earned that name.

It all started innocently back in 2003. I thought to myself, "I'll make my own Christmas cards this year. Won't that be fun and save me a TON of $$". Flash forward to 2011 and I am still making my own Christmas cards, because I can't seem to stop. And I'm afraid if I sent out store bought cards, everyone on my Christmas list would call me a fake, or worse. 

Why is the number of cards I make so high, you ask? Well, because my husband is a fire captain, and every year we receive cards from almost everyone in the fire department. So it's really all my husband's fault.

And because I need to make 150+ cards, I have to get started on them in the Summer, when most people haven't even begun to think about Christmas.

Anyways, I came up with my design for our Christmas card this weekend. One for family and friends, which is a little more detailed. And then one for the fire department, which is a little easier to mass produce. I have to confess that they both are SUPER CUTE! But I can't show them to you yet, because I don't want to ruin the surprise in case anyone on my Christmas card list also reads my blog. So instead I will show you a few of my cards from Christmases past.

The card that started it all. The base and photo were computer generated.

2003 Family & Friend Card. The snowman was made from a technique called quilling.

The snowman was stamped and the glitter square frame was heat embossed. The Joy was a die-cut.

This card consisted entirely of stamps. A lot of stamping went into this card!

The snowman was stamped and then colored in with markers. The red strip was embossed.

The snow flake and dot border were stamped, as was the Joy. A tiny jewel was placed in the center of the snowflake.

2010 Christmas card. The reindeer, snowflake border and greeting were all stamped. And a bit of red glitter was placed on Rudolph's red nose.

My apologies if this post now has you now thinking about Christmas. In August!

Jenny

Words for Monday

spotted here

One of my all time favorite quotes!

Happy Monday :)

Jenny

Etsy Finds 8.12.11

1. Sea Urchin Necklace - My mom gave me the teeniest, tiniest white sea urchin that she found at the beach. I might try and make it into a necklace like these. 

2.Turquoise Rotary Phone - Digging the color of this phone. Me want!

3. Classic Turquoise Hard Shell Suite Case - It could be that I'm just obsessed with this color right now, but I love this suite case.

4. Turquoise Bead Earrings - Yep, I'm obsessed with this color. But aren't these earrings pretty?

5. Paper Roses - Love these. Notice the hint of turquoise?

6. Scarf - I realize it's still summer, but doesn't this scarf look warm and cozy? 

I plan to be a homebody this weekend. Do a little de-cluttering, and cleaning of course, because my husband has still not hired that maid I'm been asking for.

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend! :)

Jenny

Wedding Card & A Family Wedding

On Saturday, we attended the wedding of my little cousin, Joylani. I still remember the day my Aunt Gail brought her home from the hospital. I was in love the first time I laid eyes on her. I used to spend summers at my aunt's and would often babysit Joylani. We'd play dress up, bake cookies, build forts. I can't believe my little cousin grew up when I wasn't looking! But I am so proud of the beautiful woman she has become.

Here is the card I made for her wedding. It has sort of become my "go to" design for weddings. It's simple, elegant and quick to make. The roses are made with an embossing folder from Stampin Up!

And here's just a few photos from the wedding...

Husband and Wife!

Two of my favorite aunts. My Aunt Gail (mother of the bride) and Aunt Debbie.

Grandpa Richard and Grandma Joy said a blessing before the dinner. Grandpa Richard married Jim and I 15 years ago.

The first dance.

The wedding cake looked like roses. It was so life like!

It was a beautiful night and wedding!

I wish Joylani a lifetime of love and happiness.

Jenny

Words for Monday

spotted here

Happy Monday :)

Jenny

Etsy Finds 8.5.11

1.Monkey Knit Hat - I just think this is the sweetest little hat! 

2. Bird Felt Pillow Cover - Love the two little red birds. Love birds. I could probably make this but might want to pull my hair out after the 10th bird or so.

3. LOVE Print - I am thinking of getting this print for the nursery, along with another print by the artist.

4. Colette Earrings - I love the color combo of these earrings. They remind me of summer.

5. Mama Ring - cute :)

6. Shut The Front Door - I am guilty of saying this. I just can't help myself. It makes me laugh.

Today my husband and I are making our annual trip to the Sonoma County Fair. It's where we had our first date 18 years ago. I have already decided on what I am going to eat. A CORN DOG! And maybe an ice cream cone :) Afterwards we plan to catch a movie. I want to see the new Steve Carrell movie - Crazy, Stupid, Love. And then Saturday my little cousin is getting married. And Sunday I plan to stay home and do nothing, except maybe nap!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Jenny

Thoughts On Being Pregnant

On Sunday, I will be 4 months 3 weeks along.

I find it too hard to count in weeks. Math is not my strongest suit.

I can't believe I'm half way there.

I swear my belly grew 10 times in size overnight.

Is there a gremlin in there?

I keep hearing about this flutter I will feel the first time I feel the baby move.

I can't wait to feel the flutter.

I love that my belly finally looks like a baby bump, and not a beer belly.

And now that I have a belly, I am finding bending over a bit challenging.

My husband is already putting on the sympathy weight. Because he feels obligated to drink my share of the wine.

I'm still on steroids for my hyperemesis. I've tried to taper down twice, but got real sick again. So I guess I need to stay on them a little longer.

Without the steroids I would likely be in the hospital or on home health care at home, so I am thankful for them. 

And because I am on the steroids I feel GREAT. 

And no, I do not have any super power strength. I'm not taking those kinds of steroids.

I love being pregnant and can't wait to meet our little girl come January.

xoxo,

Jenny

Linked up at

Nursery Ideas

I've been collecting, or rather "pinning", ideas from all over the internet for the nursery. My Aunt and Uncle are staying with us at the end of August, and will be the last guests to stay in the guest bedroom before we transform it into the nursery.  

Wanna hear something funny, I have had people ask me with a serious face if I was going to turn my craft room into the nursery. Ummm, hello! Do I look crazy??? No way Jose am I loosing my craft room. Sorry future guests!

Anyways, as my belly continues to grow (I'm just over 4 1/2 months now) I am itching to get started on the nursery. Here are just a few ideas I'm considering....

 I am about 99.99% sure I am making these hoops and either hanging them above the dresser or the baby's crib. I also like this wall color, it's similar to the color I used in my laundry room. Right now the guest bedroom is a soft, pretty blue.

Source

Here's another nursery with the fabric hoops. I like how they incorporated the name.

Source

Pom Poms. Love them! These would look so cute hanging above the crib in place of a mobile, or maybe in the corner of the room. I like how they used different colors.

Source

A wall of children books. AWESOME! I also love the chair. I am on the hunt for an affordable glider chair that looks like this.

Source

Love the DREAM banner hanging in the window. As well as the slipcover glider chair.

Source

I can't wait to get started on all these ideas!

Jenny