Remember? I had worked hard on a lampshade, spent lots of time...and just didn't like it? Well, here it is--reworked and redesigned. I like it much better. I must be happy with a piece in order to put it up for sale. It has multi-colored flowers in various sizes and styles, the colors of which truly compliment each other. The red flowers have Swarovski crystal beads in the centers to add an extra level of sparkle. I would enjoy this "home jewelry" in MY home, and hopefully others will say the same thing! Check out the lampshade's flowers up close on my eCrater site.
I had this great idea in my head for a lampshade. I collected the beads and, although I had wanted to find a brighter pink flower bead, was pleased with how they looked together. I worked hard at stitching the beads on after planning the outlay. After a great deal of it was completed, I looked at the stitched lampshade...and...and...didn't like it! Gerrrrr! Is it a sign that I am a perfectionist, or is it just the way things SHOULD be? If I don't like what I create or it doesn't look like top quality, I am NOT happy with it. It simply must be torn apart and reworked. Well, that's exactly what I've done. You know, I almost felt relieved that I was redoing it. I am now in the process of reworking the pretty flower beads onto a new lampshade, and you know what? I am much happier with how it is turning out. I just wish these little episodes didn't take up so much valuable time and energy, but I MUST be happy with the outcome in order to put something up for sale. Stay tuned, the lampshade will be done soon and a picture will be posted on here within the week.
Whether we want to admit it or not, we must confess that since childhood we have all had that pleasantly surprised and exhilarating feeling upon discovery of a feather on the ground. It is somewhat debatable whether or not we actually should pick up the feather or not (bugs? disease? who knows why this is debated really?), but regardless there is just something special about discovering a feather. A bird is so visually and audibly appealing, so colorful, so sweet...so untouchable! A bird represents beauty, lightheartedness, fragile endurance, teamwork, and glorious freedom. To hold onto a tangible representation of these things can be most invigorating! Above you will see not one but TWO birdbird feathers. Bluebirds abound around there thankfully and are lovely and enjoyable in every way. I found both of these in two separate places--one out back of our house and the other at a park. What treasures! Joys like these money cannot buy. I shall keep them in my antique inkwell and think of the bluebirds fluttering around flowers and trees this winter down south whenever I come back in from shoveling snow. I will encourage myself that the pleasant bluebirds will indeed return next year...and perhaps leave another brilliant blue feather for me to add to my collection!
Some household tasks are more mundane than others, and, well, it's pretty hard to get excited about doing the laundry. Some days it's a chore, and some days it is a down right drudgery. I figure for a place that I must visit several times a week to do something I would rather not have to do, the room itself needs to be cheery and inviting...even pleasant, if possible. I painted our small laundry room a warm, buttery yellow with coordinating sandy-yellow tiles. I like to hang my laundry outside when I can, so I wanted to give an appearance of bringing the outside "in" by displaying a rose garden theme to the room. Besides it makes it much more pleasant on those rainy or snowy days when going outside and hanging up laundry with whiffs of roses in the air is quite impossible. 
I "re-purposed" a country-styled shelf by painting it white and adding crystal knobs. A pretty rose plate from a yard sale and brass planter with a philodendron in it beautifies an otherwise useless wall. My favorite "Scott's Roses" tin wall-hanging was eyed in a Romantic Homes magazine a few years ago, and I found mine on line. 
Rose cabinet knobs, a pretty rose-covered valence, "Garden" sign, flower mister, and teapot all add to the charm without making the room too overwhelmingly decorated. 
The only two things that I'm still working on in this room. One is my ironing board cover. It does show in the room. I saw a rose ironing board cover at some store years ago, and would like to get one sometime. I'm sure I can find one somewhere (Do you have any suggestions as to where?). I just have to look hard enough. The other thing is a potted miniature rose which fell ill this past summer (notice I have subtly left it out of camera view!). I am trying to "love" it back to health instead of merely tossing it and buying a new one. Sometimes this method takes a great deal of time and effort which hopefully will be worth it in the end. I hope you enjoy my warm, rose accented laundry room!
I have had fun lately browsing the latest round of magazines I thoroughly enjoy--like Tea Time Magazine and Victoria Magazine. Victoria has an article on a shop called Tail of the Yak which is a shop full of eclectic curiosities and oddities. I wish I could visit it, but California is unfortunately a little out of our budget at this time. Two pictures, well...actually three, captured my eye. One was of waxed paper teacups and saucers (page 59). These are a must-see! Talk about a paper cup gone to a higher level (perhaps two higher levels). These would be fun for a whimsical outdoor, patio-tiles-under-foot tea. They look lovely and there would be no need to fret about your lovely teacups shattering on the floor. The other picture is on page 61. IF you can get past the LOVELY diamond and gemstone rings in the antique jewelry boxes (that's the third picture!), there is a picture on the top left of the page that has what looks like miniature paintings in tiny gold frames. If only I could get a closer look! You know how I love and enjoy tiny things (one of the reasons I like those small, glass flower beads), and these looked intriguing to say the least. Get yourself a copy of Victoria and check these things out for yourself. Just this article, not to mention the rest of the magazine, is worth it.
