Hello, my name is Diane and I am enamored with chalkboard art. Chalkboards and chalk and I go way back. Last year at Christmas, I tried my hand at creating some chalkboard art. It wasn't magazine worthy by any stretch. However, that did not stop me from attempting to create some laundry room chalkboard art. [wink] You see I have this little laundry room makeover that I started last summer. And because I'm a finisher, I decided it was high time that I get the project done. So I started with giving you, and me, the ultimate inspiration, including a 'before' picture. … [Read more...]
It's been a busy week, but the laundry room makeover is almost complete! And today I'm going to show you some of the art that I created for my laundry room decor. As you come down the stairs and turn to the left, this wall is the focal point of the laundry area, here's the before shot. Because I wanted the area to look whimsical and inviting to do laundry, I decided on my zero budget to create art for my laundry room decor with what I had on hand; some clothespins, black cardstock, leftover paint, and a thrift store find. My laundry room decor began … [Read more...]
Today I'm delighted to introduce you to an extraordinary woman and the creator and publisher of Celebrating Everyday Life magazine...Jennifer Carroll! Jennifer is an inspiration! She's a woman with a dream who works and prays hard to make it a reality. A person of character who takes life's setbacks and uses them to push her onward and upward. And a friend who takes time to encourage. A little more than a year ago I made Jennifer's acquaintance through a Facebook post. She had just produced her first digital magazine. The photography, the images, the creativity, and the spirit of the … [Read more...]
Today strangers walked through our house. If you have ever left your house for the real estate agent and her entourage to tromp through, you know how weird that feels. Before we left the house we had to secure our cats in their 'houses.' We have a large pet carrier that holds two cats easily and a second single carrier. Typically the carriers sit on shelves in our basement. It seemed like a place of safety for the cats during the showing; out of the way. So, before we left the house, we placed our furry friends in their 'houses.' I'm not sure why, but our cats like their carriers. … [Read more...]
Whether you need a smile.... Or permission to indulge in a tiny cake piled high with frosting... It's good to know: Wasn't that fun? I saw this quote on Facebook this week Once you lick the frosting off a cupcake it becomes a muffin. And muffins are healthy. You're welcome! and couldn't resist creating a 5x7 printable for you. All you need to do is right click on the image and choose save as, and you can save it to your desktop and you'll be able to print it or have your favorite photo shop print it for you. Everyone seems to love cupcakes! So the next time you serve cupcakes, print this off, … [Read more...]
Today we're talking laundry room art. Art takes different forms. Art helps rooms come alive. Art gives walls visual texture or color or tone. Art can help set a theme or style for a room. Every room needs some sort of art. Even the most humble or utilitarian space benefits from something artful. Even my laundry room. Yours too! Is the smell of clothes hung on the line one of your favorites? Except for being at camp and hanging my wet towel or swimsuit on a line strung between trees, I have never hung laundry outside. But, that doesn't exempt me from … [Read more...]
A long time ago. That would be last year. [wink] Our lower level laundry room/closet and bathroom were completely gutted. It was the biggest mess I have ever seen. But, there was a silver lining in it. We were able to make a few very minor changes to make the laundry space more comfortable to use and give the primed walls a few coats of sweet buttery yellow. Here's a photo of what it looked like before the mechanical renovation which I shared about here. I quickly snapped a before photo because I thought the floor tile was going to be coming up. It's not a terrific shot...but gives you an idea of … [Read more...]
Last night I had an Oh, No! experience. It was one of those heart-sinking realizations. "My readers must think that I am too good to reply to their thoughtful comments on the blog." Those were my thoughts. I was sure you thought I was a blogging snob. "She must think_______." Or something equally not true. I had no idea that when I took the time to reply to all your sweet comments that you had no idea that I did. Somewhere along the line I neglected to add a plugin, something called Comment Reply Notification. When I started this blog I worked really hard to get the … [Read more...]
Have you given much thought to God being our provider? Provider. It is one of the names that He gives himself. What does He provide? Maybe the answers are quite obvious to you. Maybe not? Usually we think that we provide for ourselves... generally through the work of our hands, or our own cleverness. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:5 NLT This verse reminded me that not only did God provide a position for my husband when we moved to Pennsylvania, but he provided our home as well. As we consider how … [Read more...]
This week I came across this quote: The true genius lies not in doing the extraordinary things, but in doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well. ~ Major General Louis H. Wilson When I came across this quote I truly felt that it spoke of my heart. Not that I am any genius. Far from it. But, I truly believe that every day we can do very ordinary things in an ordinary, ho hum kind of way, or we can do those ordinary things extraordinarily well. As much as I can....I will seek to do the later. How about you? What is it that 'makes' you will go the … [Read more...]
I have one of those rooms that many just dream about. A Studio. That's what I call it. Most would call it a craft room. A tiny 9x9 room in my house that is totally dedicated to my love of papercrafting. I have dropped hints that I might show it to you. Some time. And all these months later...I'm pretty certain that you wondered if I even had a craft room. Um. Studio. So without further ado.... Welcome to my Studio! Ahem. Craft Room. May I offer you a glass of ice water, lemonade, or lightly sweetened tea? Let's begin our tour of this modest … [Read more...]
Mouth. Watering. Delicious. Mmmm...Mmm! Three magic ingredients to set your taste buds to dancing. Three. You can guess what they are.... Bananas. {check} Chocolate Ice Cream. {check} But what's the third? Any guesses? Okay...I'll tell you. The magic ingredient is Banana Bread. But not just any banana bread....the best banana bread....tweaked a bit. You'll want to use this recipe. Because I can't stop tweaking even the best recipe...here are my adjustments for this time. Instead of butter I used organic … [Read more...]
Some call them rosettes... I do, too. Some call them medallions... I did here. And others call them pinwheels... but that really is something else entirely. Regardless of what you call them... a lovely rosette or medallion puts the EXTRA in extraordinary! And....because you asked...I've put together a pleated medallion tutorial for you: How to Make a Rosette... It all started with the bolt of ribbon that I picked up in my travels. Somehow, somewhere, a gal will find a use for American flag ribbon when it's marked down drastically. So after carting it around the … [Read more...]
Several days a week I walk past this church. This day, the sun was beginning to set. It was what I call the golden hour. The sky was an intense blue and the church, which seems to usually be shaded, was illuminated. I wanted to share this golden moment with you. The photos were edited and ready to insert into this post. And then I struggled. Wrestled, really. Today something happened that I had to continually stand against with the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit. It involved a church. I believe in the church. Ideally once we choose to follow Christ we need to be … [Read more...]
Poppy was feeling rather patriotic here. She wasn't sure which was more important, looking pretty though hardly able to keep her eyes open on the snazziest of chairs, or making her furness comfy on a matelasse cushion. I think the sleepiness and a soft cushion won out. We can all identify, yes? How did you spend your Fourth of July? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Catch up on all that's Extraordinary... this week at … [Read more...]
For summer gatherings I always enjoy lighter fare. Foods that are delicious, high in flavor, and refreshing. On the Fourth of July, we were invited to enjoy a meal with some friends. It's always good to hang out with good friends and catch up on all the latest. When one of those friends is a great cook, it makes that gathering even more special. I love walking into a home where we're expected for dinner and seeing a few beautifully presented appetizers and beverages. It makes me feel wanted and anticipated. Some people are so good at that. Me? I need to improve in the appetizer department. But, I … [Read more...]
You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck Happy Birthday America! I love the quote by Erma Bombeck, because really, we who are Americans, we who celebrate our Independence Day with fireworks and parades and BBQ's are a blessed people. We take so very much for granted. … [Read more...]
