Paint Color Choices

I'm afraid of using color on my walls. I come by this fear honestly. Years ago, after picking out what I thought was a warm beige paint and using it - it read as creamsicle orange on the walls of the spare room I used it in and from that day on I doubted my ability to pick paint (this was back in the old days when you had to buy a quart of paint to try it). Fast forward to today, where you can buy samples of paint. The house I bought has beige walls - and the brown tiles bring out a slightly greenish cast. I've heard Kilim Beige is the de facto standard for beige walls, I'm going to try a sample of that to use in the main living areas. And although I like gray, I just can't see myself with gray walls. OK, my house is stone and has a Tuscan feel to it. I want to take it more towards French Provincial but without the bright colors. In my quest for color, I get sidetracked sometimes. I think I can paint one bedroom Olive. Possibly. Maybe. Still on the fence. All the bedrooms have beige carpet, something I'm not prepared to replace at this time. 

I was reading Jenny's blog, Little Green Notebook - she was the first decorating blog I started following - and she has a post about Olive walls. You can find her post here: Olive Obsession on LGN

She uses a very light blue on the ceiling with the olive walls. Nice. She has a good eye for color.

I especially like this photo of a Harlem Brownstone. The colors are complimentary and I think the red and orange tones enhance the olive wall color.

Elle Decor

I would like to try this in the future. There are so many projects ahead of it, but when I do I will share it with you. 

Here is a list of tried and true color combinations. Notice one of them is like the photo above.

Lonny Color Combos

I've flirted with the idea of brown. Although this is a nice space, frankly I think it would look better with a dark olive instead:

Country Living

I love purple/brown combos. I know I could find a way to incorporate the combo and have my neutral walls too:

Apartment Therapy

The thing to consider is how the light entering the room would change the paint color. 

I found a web site that addresses this very important issue:

How Light Affects Color

Using paint samples is a good idea, but remember the wall color next to the sample can affect how you see it.

Too Many Bad Things

It has been said that bad things come in threes. What is the time frame? Within a few days? That could be said after any third bad thing. My third bad thing was I had to finally put down my beloved dog, Schatzie. She was a good dog, loved my kids as they grew up, was a clown and a clever hunter of bugs. She is deeply missed. I am going to spread her ashes in the garden, her favorite place to hunt. This photo was taken a couple of months ago, sitting with me in the shade out back.

May she rest in peace. 

Setting up a Craft Room

I haven't had a space to craft and sew for as long as I remember. Now that we are totally settled in as a couple, we started to go through unpacked boxes and sort to keep, to toss, and to sell in a garage sale. One spare bedroom room had become our climate controlled attic (helpful hint: don't keep anything of value in an attic in central Texas because it will melt - I'm sure many of you have the same problem). I now have my sewing machine set up and room to sew and craft in. What are some of the most useful items you have for crafting and decorating? I'm loving the chrome Metro shelves I bought from The Container Store a few years back.

I put a slab of granite on top and they served as a kitchen island in a rental, and now the unit stores my supplies. I can hang things from the edges:

 On my list are to create: another garland, finish crocheting a yoga mat bag for a friend, recover two really cheap lampshades in stiff paper and then fabric, modpodge some old photo frames for a photo wall I'm making, and start a quilt for my son's Christmas gift.

He just turned 21 and is "all grown up" (his words) I want to make him a quilt including his favorite colors for him to keep and use. He's still in college, and when not in school he doesn't have his own place yet, but he will - probably sooner than later. Smart cookie, that one. Getting a degree in Computer Science at Texas A&M and already has a job at a local semiconductor design firm.  So now I have a space dedicated to crafting and also a separate room as an office. I guess my next tasks will be to start an inventory, income and expense ledgers. And find a full time job. I had a really good interview last week and then they pulled all the job req's so onward I go. Had a phone screen yesterday with a green tech company, I'll know tomorrow if they want to bring me in.

 Here's my favorite photo from our wedding reception:

Job Interview and More Garland

I went on a job interview today, hopefully it will pan out. In the meantime, I set up an Etsy shop to sell my garlands, wreaths, and some vintage items. I made a pink garland that turned out nicely:

And a simple rag garland in fabrics from Moda Historical Blenders. I've fallen in love with fabric honey buns - so many different things to make besides quilts. I didn't even make the whole honey bun, and it's long enough to swag across one of those big bathroom mirrors. I'l make some small wreaths with the rest.

And I hung the reception table backdrop garland on the fence to get a good shot of it in the sunlight.

I cleared out a garment bag in the closet to store them until they sell to keep the dust off. So this isn't all about my shop, but it's called Misty's Emporium.

Garland, Garland Everywhere

In one of my previous posts, you can see some inspiraton garlands. I made the first one from vintage hankies, doilies, fabric and lace.

The garland I hung in the window behind the goodie table:

Yeah, pardon the crooked blind. I fixed it after I shot the photo.

A little one I threw together using antimacassars and home made tassels from my light colored burlap. I hung it on the fireplace mantel but this photo is when I first finished it:

And the Granddaddy of them al, the full length garland. I hung it on my patio, in front of the shade cloth, during the reception. Here it is in the doorway:

I enjoyed making them, and I think I will make a few more in the near future to sell. 

That is, if I don't get a full time job soon. 

In Remembrance of My Parents

I made a flower arrangement to honor my mom at our wedding. She passed away in 1998. Sad thing is, my daddy just passed away a couple of weeks before the wedding. He was 92. Now, we aren't young, but I still wanted dad to meet my husband. We are in Texas and he lived in California. 

I draw comfort from the fact that I had flown out to visit him in November. He knows I love him. I'm sure he always knew that, but it was good to hug him and tell him one more time.

I have loads of news and photos to share, it will be soon, I promise. Here's a photo of my parent's DIY arrangements. My dad's is on the left, and mom's is on the right:

Wedding Decor

             Here I sit with three shabby sheets, four yards of lace, a set of lace curtains, and two tablecloths for the reception. My dear fiancé is quaking in his boots already. He has no idea how much weddings and receptions cost, I am keeping a tally to show how much LESS ours will cost in comparison to an average wedding and reception.  I plan on making several garlands to hang around the house and backyard.  My plans are based on shabby garland made with doilies, lace, and fabric flowers. The ceremony is being held in a small chapel a few miles north of here, and it's a historic building so decor will be conservative with no candles. I am planning a floral arrangement, pew cones and a small arrangement in the lobby next to the guest book.

I have a board on Pinterest. It has the links to the items, many of them for sale on Etsy.

Wedding Inspiration Board on Pinterest

I am going to make will vary on where they will be used, but this is the inspiration:

This lovely will be across the fireplace mantle

And a shortie over the mirror in the powder room

Update: I've finished one garland and here it is:

A little tweaking and it should be perfectly imperfect!