Nailed It

Here's a look at the monogrammed gift I made Andrea this year for Christmas. I interpreted my inspiration of delicate french knots into harsher nail heads.

... try, try again!

Remember my failed attempt to use these bird decals? Here they are! I put them up in the kitchen french doors. I think it cheers up that corner nicely. Plus, it didn't hurt that it got me to wash the windows. These birds have gotten more than my creative wheels turning, who new there would be cleaning elbow grease involved?).

+ casts a fun shadow on the wall in the morning.

Styling for our Times

Ever since Onyx started pulling up on the furniture, we have had to be careful about what is within reach on these bookshelves. We've come to embrace these shelves as her territory, and why not? She should feel comfortable and at home too. I don't feel this means we've given up, as if "we'll spruce up the house once the kids are grown" (who wants to wait 18+ years to love their home?). Besides, I love the color these beautiful toys bring into the space. More importantly, I love that it means we have a little one around.

Sweet Silhouette

I've always known I wanted to display my family's silhouettes, updated each year as the kids grow. My parents had ours' done at Disneyland, and have lived in their master bedroom since. I created ours' myself (first started now that Onyx is a year old), and I think the accuracy is pretty good. Love the accentuated hair and lashes.

I was inspired by these modern silhouettes in brighter colors (Onyx in plum, Andy in green, and I in turquoise).

Dollar Store Duplicate

Created this...

After this...

• Hurricane: owned
• Plastic skeletons: $1 x 3
• Spanish Moss: $1 x 2
• Project Total: $5

Also, didn't realize that both images include a book and light source until posting this. Subliminal inspiration.

Color Spotlight: Chartreuse

Looks like we are right on trend, although not intentionally. We simply chose a color that made us happy.

(see Onyx's Monthly Photo)

If at first you don't succeed...

We were given these bird decals as a baby gift since the nursery is (dare I say) themed around birds. Although I appreciate the thoughtful consideration of such a personal choice, and love the birds for their modern silhouette, it took months for me to find the right way to incorporate them.

Until I saw this inspirational photo:

Birds sitting on telephone wires, no?

Upon following the link, I found that these inspirational birds were merely fabric leaves. Oh well, inspiration had already struck.

I unburied these three 12" x 12" canvases from the basement from the life they never saw. Why not simply trim the birds to sit along the top as a triptych, acting as a backdrop to Onyx's floating shelves?


Great concept if the birds were to remain lifelessly laying on the floor atop the uninspired canvases. The reality is spelled out in following image.

Although the project failed in the end, I actually left the experience satisfied that I had at least gotten my creative wheels turning. Sure they need a bit of oil, but at least I could rely on some motivation to drive me.

Tu-Tu-Tutorial

Matching 4th of July outfits were made with love for the second generation twinners.