SOULution and a tour

This morning I stopped for coffee after dropping off my daughter at school and ended up having a spontaneous 15 minute date with two friends that were already there. Mothers are powerfully efficient (out of pure necessity) when it comes to going deep with our girlfriends. Not that we don't all love a good long chat... but rarely does the window open up simultaneously for busy women. So in 15 minutes... we dive in and go for the pearls! I'm sure you know what I mean.

The subject was "soul revolutions"... we don't waste time in the shallows. And a new word slipped off my tongue and stuck: SOULution. The answer to an emotional or spiritual challenge is quite definitely a SOULution, don't you think? We all agreed it was a keeper.

I'm not surprised that I coined it *right now*.  I'm busy "backstage" on a wonderful, big project that has some healthy soul searching built into it. Answers to big questions are starting to surface and a sense of peace is lingering more frequently. SOULutions are coming. I've also been reorganizing and decluttering my studio. AGAIN. Furniture has been added, subtracted and moved to take advantage of light. The way I've arranged my work stations and what inspiration is displayed on the walls has evolved in the last few years. And right now it's the best it's ever been! By far! So since I can't show you what I'm making/writing... how about if I share where it's all happening?

 

It still needs trim to be put up and has drafty old (but so beautiful) floor boards, but this room of my own has been life changing. It's a clear window into my inner world and creative process. And when it's not overflowing, but functioning smoothly, it is my sanctuary. Brimming with possibilities and grounded in SOULutions.

Have a creative weekend friends- so glad you stopped by for a visit!

 

handmade holidays

Carols are playing as I type. Snow is falling outside and every window looks like a postcard. We have a white blanket that might keep until Christmas! Grandma is packing her bags to join us, and all seems a bit sweeter and magical these days as I look around my peaceful and cozy home. It's happy here, in this little farmhouse. Easy to feel transported in time and place... to another century or even other country. And I love that.

Handmade holidays make sense in this space. Our wool garland, reinvented from a woman's skirt, finds the perfect frame in our hand-hewn beams. By leaving machine and store bought behind, the imperfections of a human touch blend so beautifully with nature's one of a kind gifts... and I think this works ANYWHERE!

So whether you are inspired to make your own or gather treasures outside... click her for some oldies but goodies to remember from years gone by: my handmade holiday round up!

Have a cozy and creative weekend, friends!

craft corner

 November always inspires the need to recreate our home to accommodate the increased hours spent inside. Our sunroom has been the playroom for 12 years, and it's always been a wonderful bright and inviting space. Over time, toys were outgrown  but remained in place out of nostalgia coupled with inertia. Recently, it started resembling a ghost town and was definitely underutilized real estate in our little cottage. Here's a post from a while back that will give you an idea of the "before" in the final photo.

With the purchase of a large new (to us) desk for my son (thank you Mimi's Attic!), lots of ripple effects have taken place. The best part was the go ahead to purge toys and make room for crafts and games in the sunroom. Wahoo!  We moved our old art desk (originally a kitchen table with the legs sawed off!) under a huge window and brought in the craft cabinet and pegboard display. Oh what a difference it makes to this room... and the space it frees up in the other part of our house is super exciting. I'll be sure to share as that evolves into more of homework station/den (for teens).

Paying attention to the ever changing needs of our children does include an awareness of how their environment impacts their growth. Creating spaces that invited independence and work with their peers was what both of my children were calling for in their own ways. Before this craft corner was even completed it felt like a success. Two different playdates each revolved around not leaving this room... even as the dark settled in, as you can see here! I have a little space heater that will give it extra warmth during the snowy season ahead. But truly, it couldn't be a more cheerful space, wouldn't you agree?

Geninne's bird banner was bought locally at Alphabet Soup, but you can purchase it here too... since her shop is on break for the holidays.

blossoms and stitches

There are certain holidays that leave me with an unsettled feeling these days. It's only natural, but I'd rather find a way to shift the energy. Fresh flowers and new pillow cushions were just what the doctor  inner wise woman ordered for a quiet Father's Day on my own.

Gleena's lovely vase was filled with catmint, scabiosas, lupines, and a favorite little green flower that's name eludes me. I've mentioned it before, but I have to again- I love perennials! Such sweet blossoms returning each year like old friends.

I covered some tired old cushions in muted blues and greens.  By using a simple envelope construction, I had five new covers in no time! The base cushions called for boxed edges. When I ran out of green, I added the last strip I had of blue. Basically, I checked my perfectionist at the door, made up sizing as I went and thoroughly enjoyed myself at a task I've done a million times. And hey- they weren't so shabby when I set them on my newly painted wicker couch on my deck.

And this is where I sat yesterday... enjoying ice tea and some quiet time for me. Self-care at its finest.

"You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming."- Pablo Neruda

home

I'm so grateful to have a day in our favorite spot- home. Pot of soup simmering on the stove, snow gently falling, bottomless teacup at my side, jazz in the background (rotating between my son on piano and pandora), and a full busy table of fun. We can never have enough of these kinds of days, so I'm savoring it. And slipping away for the quickest of moments to say hello and share today's bag of tricks for a home day.

See that snake coiled on the floor? Actually it's the jump rope that comes out in the depths of winter for getting a bunch of energy out all in one place. We have one designated spot where the floor joists can handle it and that's where the jumping is contained. It's good for all of us.

Painting along side my daughter is always a mutual favorite. Beautiful talks happen when our hands are busy creating and the typical distractions are set aside. We also keep returning to chat pack for kids. I purchased these conversation starters for last month's slumber party, and we can't get enough of them. They spark wonderful discussions at meal time, too. Perfect for bridging the age gap between my children.

We also keep pulling out  Chicken Games and Puzzles. Story Publishers kindly surprised us with a complimentary copy in the mail. It has been gobbled up by my 8 year old chicken expert. She recommends it highly. We've enjoyed a bunch of puzzle and game books over the years, but this one is going at the top of my thumbs up list. It has a specific focus that might not interest everyone, but if you have a flock and a 7-10 year old (my age recommendation) it should definitely be considered for your shelf or the backseat of the car. 

Hope you're able to squeeze in some time today to do just what you enjoy most... 

diy cork peg chalkboard

I've been looking around my house with fresh eyes this month. This little farmhouse is now mine. My nesting urges feel bigger than ever, so does the need for streamlining and organizing for my family. This new cork peg chalkboard is such a satisfying first DIY of 2013. It's also a great way to reuse all of those corks from holiday gatherings. REINVENTION!

 It happened by chance one day. A wine cork and a random screw were sitting on the counter (sounds like the beginning of a bad joke!), along with various other stray items. They called out to one another, and in the blink of an eye,  I had a new landing spot for my bag.

This was mid holiday season, and lots of folks coming in and out admired its clever reuse and function. I sent them home with these easy instructions:

- Insert the screw into the hole made by the corkscrew. You can do most of it by hand, but  a screwdriver will make the job easier.
- Make sure your screws are a bit longer than your cork. Every cork is slightly different. These screws were 2 1/2".

 An older cork may be too dried out. If it cracks, remove the screw and find a fresher one.

Now you're ready to secure it to something. How about an old piece of barn wood? That's what I had done for my bag and it looked great. Anything else will need careful anchoring.  I was determined to make some more cork pegs for my mudroom and since it already had a chalkboard on the wall... I had an idea.

Attaching them to a chalkboard invites monogramming, which makes everything more fun!

What about for a bathroom? When guests come, wouldn't it be nice to to label whose towel is whose? I love this idea!

Since this one is actually at our front door, it's currently our new hat rack. Hats are necessity this time of year... and are known to disappear. Having such a specific home is super effective.

This particular chalkboard was made by mom by painting a piece of masonite with chalkboard paint. I nailed it to the wall, but please use your own favorite method for installing if you don't want to go for my "get 'er done" method. The pegs went directly through the masonite and into the wall. They could hold a bag or heavy coat if need be. They're that tough! And slip-proof too! The cork grips whatever is hanging on like a good friend!

TIPS:
- I have a new chalkboard marker that writes like a dream. I got it at Michaels with one of their 40% off coupons that you can send directly to your phone.
 -I use this eraser.

NOTES: That light switch below the board is non-functioning so hanging stuff above it isn't a problem.  Obviously, don't install one above a functioning light switch... that would be a nuisance!

***

nesting

Now that the tree is gone from our living room, it was time for some freshening up. I began with curtains for many of my downstairs' windows yesterday. The lightweight ones we had hung a few years ago weren't tailored to my family's current needs of warmth and privacy. I'd been collecting old unbleached drop cloths for just this purpose. I ended up needing to buy one new, too. They come in all different sizes and shapes. A standard 4x15 foot drop cloth is available at paint stores and home improvement centers. It was just right for cutting in half for the above two windows (with a couple feet in the center to spare). This meant that all sides were already hemmed, except for the raw edge left from dividing it in two. 

That was the side that I folded over three inches and stitched down to create a channel. The three curtains(the third is not shown here) I made for the living room were each created utilizing edges that were already finished. That meant that with only one seam a piece, this room was done in less than 15 minutes... including hang time! I'm temporarily tying them back with a scraps, but I could see them becoming permanent, as I love the juxtaposition of the fray next to the crisp hemmed edge. 

 

Because I've always used such a neutral/natural palette in my home, textures and stories speak to me the way color excites others. Recycled textiles in wool, burlap, linen and roughly woven cotton combined with weathered wood, feathers, stones, and bits of something growing and green... these are all things that I'm drawn to. What inspires you when it's time to feather your nest? Color, texture, nature, design, etc.?

Details: burlap bins and wool poof from my book- Reinvention, bird etching above the feathers by my son when he was 10, covered stones by Margie of Resurrection Fern, green stalks are paper whites that I plant in succession so that they keep blooming throughout winter, those chairs were on the side of the road and quite a score.

pull up a chair

We're cruising along at a steady pace over here at the Donenfeld hearth headquarters. Not totally on top of my list, but not quite behind either. Today is teacher gift assembly time, and  I wasn't sure if I'd have a chance to blog. However, yesterday's heavy post was beckoning for a little cheer to follow. As I gathered  my supplies and turned on the carols, I realized what a cozy, cheerful scene it was. I put on the kettle and seriously wished I could invite you over for some tea.  I grabbed my camera for the next best thing. We can pretend, can't we?

It's chilly out there, so come on in by the fire. The smell of woodsmoke and cloves fills the air. Chocolate is melting in the oven. There are snowflakes to hang, jars to fill and stars to fold in the crisp light of our little farmhouse windows. I could definitely use your able hands!

Mmmm. And as long as we're fantasizing, wouldn't a winter's nap be perfect too!?

bunnies and benches

I just wanted to share a little peek at one of our favorite parts of the weekend. Saturday evening we continued my childhood tradition of the bunny line up.

The house was scoured for every single rabbit available, and then they were all arranged for patient waiting. Come dawn, each one miraculously had a jolly bean in their paws or lap... and even a few between the ears. Might I love this more than they do? It's quite possible!

When I was a girl, I lined them up by my bedside, but I was an only child until I was 9. With two children, the sun room bench has become our spot. I don't know what we'd do without that bench. It extends along all the windows and makes the perfect place to sit, work and play. Our dollhouse has moved onto it and gets far more attention than it did on the floor.

If you have a growing child, may I suggest raising dollhouses and the like a foot or two onto a low table, crate or bench. It is just the shift their bodies need to make play inviting. I took a few extra shots when we made our butterflies last week. Here's our very full dramatic play corner on the south side of our sun room. With the rising temperatures we have all enjoyed returning to our favorite (3 season) room.

three!

Today maya*made turns three. What an amazing ride it's been so far! Several years ago, I had been hungry for an adventure and in need of a way to channel my creative energy. This blog has been all of that and so much more. It has strengthened my confidence, shaped a career, and given me what feels like an unofficial degree in craft/design/marketing.  But most of all, it has graced me with you. I'm so humbled that you stop in regularly to peek at what I'm up to, grateful that you email little love notes which keep me going, and always excited to hear your thoughts and comments. It seems fitting to invite you into my studio today.

 Well, actually it's my studio a couple of weeks ago when I could see the floor and didn't need to move piles just to cut fabric! It's a good visual reminder to me that order will return again, and that the chaotic state it's currently in, is a perfect representation of the hard work I'm doing behind the scenes. It will be such a relief to share my book details (hopefully some hints in the fall), but know this: I have hoarded and saved my very best ideas and it's thrilling to see them all lined up in one spot. THRILLING! The first book photo shoot is around the corner, and I'm beside myself!

Back to the place where all the magic happens... yes, my inspiration boards are bursting. That's how my mind always feels, so better to get it out and up on the wall so that I can sleep at night.

Click on any photo to take you to flickr where you can enlarge them for easier viewing and details.

 Now I'm off to sort out what projects to entice my children with... it's a snow day (we live at the north pole, it seems)  and another opportunity to hone my balancing act skills.

Thank you for hanging out with me all of these years, and if you are a new friend: welcome and come on in!