More color and ideas...

Ok,

So I am working on my kids' room, and I came across a few websites.

Welterusten: I just love their colors, simplicity and modern mixed with traditional...and it's all original and very scandinavian! Oh, I wish this were a site in english, or that they had a store in the U.S. BUT, it gives me some great ideas about bedding and pillows for Addie's room someday.

here are some of my favorites:

THIS website: Another great scandinavian kids site. Great show rooms of some of the same peices above. You have to click around on all the icons to find the variety...and once you get one set of picks, hit "mere" which means more. There is great mix of whimsical and modern and traditional....All packed into one store.

Madlillies: really fun art for the child in all of us. I'm getting great ideas:


I am saving the pink for when Addie has her own room. But, things are on their way in Addie and Ian's new room. I decided to change the colors though...more of what they already are in order to save money:) But I still really like it. Here is a hint:




We are going for an elephant theme I am thinking. It's fun! I love putting Addie and Ian's personality into a room. (I am holding back a little, since Addie would need lots of pinks and reds....and I want this area to be accomodating for both). But, it's fun to get a sense of what I like and who they are and put it together.

I love them so much! They are an adventure. Already Addie managed to grab her favorite snack (mediteranean green olives) off the shelf at Target, and while trying to open them, dropped it on the ground which broke the bottle splattering green olives and vinegar all over the isle. (She actually managed to grab an olive and shove it in her mouth before I could catch her!) And Ian, while I was making lunch for my grandfather at his house, found an open bottle of Paprika and began to shake the entire bottle all over himself and all over the floor. (thank goodness it wasn't cayenne!!! It was all over his face).

Motherhood is full of color, isn't it? And so are my children. I love it!

A refreshing start.

Well, now that Ian is entering the toddler stage (he'll be 18 months in July) it's time for Addie's room to get a red0. (ok...so this really is my excuse to paint and sew more;)

It's interesting how much my colors and style have changed since Addie was born. How I felt about her in the beginning was reflecting in the deep rose colors and soft greens. Very country french. Then, As i found out I was having a boy, I quickly changed to add more blues and greens. Yet, as I have gotten a better idea of Addie and Ian's personality, I am going brighter and bolder...but still with a sense of traditional and setimental....think "runaway bunny" meets "Le Petit Prince."

colors:

So, here we go! My inspirations are many, but here are a few!

Bla Bla

IKEA

Olivese

Land of Nod

and fabrics from Purl SOHO

(Sorry...I can't link right now. My computer is really messed up right now. but most of these links should be on my side bar.)

So, here it goes! (again) I will be sure to post pics as things progress:) I will mostly be adding furniture (the table and chairs) a rug, some pillows and art.

So stay tuned!

A new beginning.

Ok....so i haven't blogged in a while, but I am back! So, please keep checking in. I just needed a break for a while.

Well, I came home at 6:45 (the kids go to bed at 7:00) after having been gone all afternoon. The car is a mess from having to feed the kids dinner in the car on the way home from Salt Lake in bumper to bumper traffic. (I am blogging in order to stall a trip down to the parking lot to clean the back seat of the car:) And not just 'dinner' but Carl's Jr. i.e. french fries and chicken nuggets. (Blahhh...we'll see how the kids are tomorrow!


And where were we? IKEA!!!!! We really were only there for an hour at most (NOT enough time). I picked up Kenneth from work, joined the MOB of Utahns all doing as we were....ooohing and ahhhing at this store that should have been here YEARS ago. We went straight to the Children's section, and oh, were the kids in heaven! One giant room FILLED with colorful beds, petit modern furniture, fun toys...rugs...and color color color!!! We were there to pick up the Table and chairs that I have been eyeing for MONTHS now.



And it is now sitting in my trunk, waiting to be painted. ohhhh...the possibilites are endless. But I am thinking THESE colors would be perfect.




These colors are SO Addie. And since Ian 'Technically' isn't in her room yet, he could definately join in on this color scheme...just add more blue.


Oh, and Addie is currently sleeping with her new found friend "horton" as she calls him. $4.99! Can you beat that for a snuggly friend the perfect hugging size?


I love IKEA. When my parents moved from Boston to DC, they had considerably more living space than they had in Boston. I remember as a kid going with my parents to furnish our house. What kid has GREAT experiences going furniture shopping??? only one who is going to Ikea. And now, 2o years later, that same furniture sits in their home. Quality, but inexpensive...style but simple. I love it. Kenneth and I are going back soon...with out the kids.

So, now that there are increased options for my decorating fingers...I am thinking of revamping the kids room??? hmmmmmmm. I can't wait!

crushed.

Well, We had our first job offer. The offer of our dreams. Teaching in London. It was a rather odd offer at first...a Jewish Orthadox boys school. But the truth is, they were attracted to Kenneth for his vision of Education, and the fact that he was from Utah and had strong family values. It was the job of our dreams...great on a resume, working with people whose values and morals were the foundation of education, working with extremely bright kids, and hello....living in the greatest city in the world. We would be able to afford living in London, which just got me so excited. Well, we got the offer yesterday morning, but as we prayed about it, felt like it wasn't the right thing for us. We were crushed. I haven't been this down in a long time. I know it is the right thing for us not to take it, but MAN it is hard to accept that. Kenenth and I have both just been really depressed. Deep down we feel peace, but it was such a fabulous offer and a rare one at that. (the recruiter was very suprised that a school this prestigious would go out of their way this far to hire Kenneth). So, another lesson on faith. We just have to hope that there is something better. And there will be. We can't deny the feeling that we had. And I am grateful for direction and guidance. So, we will see where all this takes us. We just wish we knew if we were staying here, or moving. We'll keep you all posted!!! In the mean time, I have to put aside my visions of strolling through english gardens and art museums. sigh.

My new kid's bathroom

Well all it took was a ribbon and a trip to Down East (Pottery Barn Outlet) to find a shower curtain, and VOILA! The Kid's have a NEW bathroom! They love it! I am thinking of doing another version of the elephant...maybe with a border and some more design elements...hmmm...

The Perfect Pair.

Here is a little name sign that goes with the elephant print. It can be used as a name sign, or with added ribbon hanging down, it can be used as a ribbon and bow holder. very versitile and very fun! I am really wanting to paint more and more... I can't tell you how many ideas i have. I can't paint fast enough! I really want to start selling on ETSY, but want to get a better portfolio completed first. That is my goal for this month. If any of you have any ideas, or anything that you want done, I would be happy to do something for you. Just let me know!

dancing elephant.

Well, this one is ALMOST finished. I have to paint in the words that will be in the background..."dance, laugh, discover, play" etc. I won't be able to do that till tonight or tomorrow, and I couldn't wait to get some photos up. I really like this one. I am making a matching ribbonand bow hanger to go with it. This would be perfect in the brown and pink nursery. the colors in the photo are close, but not exact. The photo is a bit more yellowed than in real life. But they go perfectly with the trendy brown and pink. I matched the colors to some scrapbook paper and ribbon I found:


Anyways, I have been having way too much fun, and the clean laundry is still sitting in the basket (s), but hey! Live a little.

another elephant

can you tell i like elephants? what do you think of this?