Marbled Art

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I wasn't intending to replicate East Coast Creative's Marbled Paper Art, but it worked out too perfectly NOT to.

Above the piano has been crying for a large piece of art since day 1.  I found a large frame at the thrift shore, got a large canvas to fill it, and scoured pinterest for ideas.  I'm no painter, so I really wasn't sure how to tackle it.  Until last week when I was at Paper-Souce for another project and the colors in this hand-marbled paper caught my eye.  For $8, I figured I could use it to fill a few smaller frames around the house that have sat empty.  Surely I'm not the only one who has empty frames hanging out in their decor (I hope).

The piece of paper happened to be the EXACT size needed for the canvas and the colors were perfect for the dining room, so who am I to argue with fate.  I attached the paper to canvas using gesso, let it dry, and popped it into the frame.

When I got the frame, it did have glass, however I have a bad habit of breaking the glass in larger frames.  I'm dainty like that.  This made the canvas necessary for structure, but it also gave the paper an added textural element.  Let's call it a happy accident.

The finished product is so much more refined than any DIY paint creations I could've come up with.  Even the resident musician is pleased with the new addition.

The piano's just calling out to be painted, don't you think?  Hubby's on board if I go with a neutral color.  Wouldn't Madam Piano be sexy in gray?

I JuJu Do You?

After my first Fall Pinterest Challenge project did a bellyflop in the deep end, I scoured Pinterest for a new idea and the house to see what supplies I had available.  One project immediately jumped to mind. Yesterday I teased you with a couple of images of rooms with Juju hats.  I know I'm a little late to this bandwagon, but I think the feather hats add such texture to the room.  {images via apartment therapy}

When I was making my wedding centerpieces 3 years ago, I had ordered a box of wine colored ostrich feathers off of ebay.  The feathers didn't end up in the centerpieces and have been waiting for a purpose in life ever since.

After 3 years of collecting dust, my feather friends have a new lease on life in the form of a DIY Juju hat.

In addition to the ostrich feathers, all I used was foam core and hot glue.  The project couldn't have been much simpler.  (It could have been cleaner though- those feather pieces got absolutely EVERYWHERE)

First, I cut a circle out of foam core using a lamp shade as a circle template.

Then started layering on the feathers

I worked my way outside in and just kept layering until I saw no more foam core.  I kept playing with the feathers and filling in areas until my fingers were covered in feather and hot glue and I was pleased with the shape of my Juju hat.

Within about an hour, the pretty gal was ready to strut her stuff.

Not totally sure where it's ultimate home will be- my soon to be office, perhaps?

Check out some of the other Pinterest Challenge projects from the Challenge hostesses (and link up yours while you're there):

Sherry @ Young House Love's Chunky Chalkboard

Katie @ Bower Power Blog's Succulent Terrarium

Carmel @ Our Fifth House's DIY Dollhouse

Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House's Wood Ampersand

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The Messy Truth

I've been lying to myself for almost 2 years.  I've been telling myself that Hubby and I could effectively share one desk in our tiny office.  We shared a desk in our last apartment and it worked out rather well.  But Hubby's a musician and composer, and his music equipment has multiplied, and guess where it all goes (along with all the stuff displaced from Mom's room and all of our random messes.... the smallest room collects the most crap... oops).

Once upon a time, we each had half a desk, and my laptop had a home.  Now the keyboard/synthesizer has evicted me and my computer.  As much as I want to, I can't complain too much, Hubby uses it very often (and he's VERY good at what he does- you should buy his dubstep songs when he gets them online in the near future).  But that still leaves me with no desk space and no usable home office, just a music studio.  I forfeit!  The office is yours, Hubby.  That mean's the only room left, the guest room, AKA Mom's room, will become my domain.  No, we're not kicking her out- my parents are closing on their new house in 2 weeks (yay for them!  and yay that Mom and I have survived living in the same small house!).

...So, I've started thinking about my new office plans.  It'll need to be a multipurpose space with a sitting area, our 2nd tv, elliptical and now a super duperly organized and inspiring work space.  All within about 100 sf.

One potential for space saving is a secretary desk.  I maaaay have already bought one from craigslist for $20.

She's very pretty, but she's been around the block a few times- she's in rough shape.  Chipping veneer and cracked wood at the hinges.

Even though I'm not 100% sold on using such a small desk for myself, for $20 I had to give it a try.  If I decide not to use her for myself, I can totally fix her up a bit and find her a good home.

I guess it's time for me to dive into pinterest and collect some serious office inspiration!