Farm Chicks Giveaway!

So if you've never heard of the Farm Chicks or been to their blog or website, now is the time to go! They're having a giveaway on their blog, so skedaddle on over there!
First of all, are they too cute or what? The first time I heard of Teri Edwards and Serena Thompson was years ago in my Country Home Magazine. They are the founders and brains behind the Farm Chicks Show in Spokane Washington - a huge and hugely popular country extravaganza with cream-of-the-crop venders selling something for absolutely everyone (coming up in June). I have long wanted to attend that show, and almost got my chance when we moved to Sandpoint Idaho for three seconds...... but it was not to be. 
But these talented Chicks are so much more than meets the eye!
And if they aren't talented enough collecting, and crafting, and blogging, and creating, and hosting one of the west's premier country shows.... these girls are coming out with a cook book in April! And it looks a-ma-zing! Sheesh!

So head on over there! Git! (that's country talk)

(*all photo credits the Farm Chicks)

DONE!

Finally! Sheesh! Here are the "after" results of my bookshelves project. Nothing earth shattering, but much more pleasant to look at than the nasty, unorganized mess that was bothering me so much. Remember how awful they looked a mere week ago? I hated waking up to it, and it made me sad that my lovely little quilt armoire sat in between such chaos.

My beloved Country Home magazines are all re-cataloged in much nicer holders. I found people to donate my other magazines to, as I decided that when something no longer brings you joy but becomes a burden, it's time to part with it. I also have plenty of storage for smaller items. The leather boxes on top of my shelves hold travel mementos, the leather covered "book" holds my many copies of Guideposts Magazine, I have 2 straw baskets and 2 pink metal sewing baskets as well. 

I am not a person that loves a bunch of "stuff" for the sake of sticking it up on shelves. I can't stand clutter. I have strict qualifications for dust-worthiness, believe me. I only keep things around me that are useful, that I absolutely love looking at, or that have special meaning to me (or all three) 
This handmade, hand-signed quilt block has much meaning to me, as do my Jean Stratton Porter books. You know who you are Joan Mockler :)
My all time favorite books, and The Eiffel Tower, of which I recently went to the top.
Some of the colorful antique croquet balls I collect, and a few felted balls from Australia.
I split my small photo albums up to make things a bit more interesting.
We bought this platter in Cambria on one of our anniversary trips.
This very old Scottie dog was the very first small quilted piece I ever purchased. It remains my favorite.
Here's the best aerial view I could muster, balancing on the Red Bed. It kind of gives you the whole picture. I know I'll change things here and there, but right now the balance looks pretty good.  

Probably the MOST popular thing I see on a daily basis ;) 

check it out AGAIN peeps!

Okay - no seriously - I know it sounds like I'm bragging. I'm not bragging, I promise. I'm just so excited! Rachel from One Pretty Thing featured one of my crafty thingies again today and, good grief, I'm just plain thrilled :) Remember my turquoise lamps that needed some fringy goodness? Well, they're in the first row today on One Pretty Thing, looking funky as ever :) Thank you AGAIN Rachel! You're too cool for school ;)  

Happy 18th Birthday Davy!

Happy birthday, you precious, sweet, sensitive, loving, funny, talented, smart, beautiful, happy boy! From the moment you entered this world, with your fuzzy little neck and your husky little cry, your precious little face and your little peanut head... you entered my heart forever. 

Kindergarten

Happy-go-lucky, busy, fearless, always on the go. You were determined to keep up with your older brother - and you did! You could skateboard, you could rollerblade... swim, flip on the trampoline, ski! You taught yourself how to ride a two-wheel bike in preschool! Preschool! You were something else, for sure (that's one way to put it).

T-Ball

You loved to play and oh, you were so funny. SO FUNNY. But you had a sensitive side too. Not a day went by that you didn't bring me a flower - for years and years. Sometimes a crumpled flower you had saved in your pocket. Sometimes a lovely flower snatched from someone's garden. Sometimes you brought half the garden and I worried just a little... But you'll never know how much I treasured each and every flower from my Davy. 

5th Grade

Time goes so fast, so fast. Best buddies, homework, teachers you love, teachers you don't. Perhaps a little mischief here and there ;) Busy lives, girls, Cotillion! Movies, MASH, family games, your hysterical character impersonations :) Little worries that creep in at night and turn to big worries as you try to go to sleep. So much to think about. Sigh. Such fun times, such hard times. All part of growing up.  

9th Grade

Hard years. Ugh. Especially for sensitive ones. Self doubt, self consciousness, fears, wanting to fit in, wanting to be happy, hormones complicating everything. Friends choosing different paths. Lots of kids turning to lots of things. I think this is the year that the Guardian Angel Program kicks in :) I am really grateful for that program. And even when you were hard to love Davy, I loved you. 

11th Grade

Davy, you are every bit the precious boy you always were. You just had to see it for yourself. And you rose out of the ashes yourself too - it was no easy feat, because I watched you do it. With a lot of support, and a lot of love. But you did all the work. You found your inner music, you found your creative voice. Your inner strength and your faith were still there after all. You listened to your conscience, and to your heart of gold. Such a heart of gold. 

Senior

So happy birthday!!! How you got to be 18 already, I don't know. But I am so proud of you. We are all proud of you. And now you are ready to write the rest of your story. Do not doubt - you have everything you need for this wonderful adventure. Your creative voice will touch the world, and make it a better place. I know this to be true. 

Love Always,

Mom

check it out peeps!

Get a load of this you guys! Check me out on Rachel's awesome site One Pretty Thing! She's highlighting my Magnet Board Tutorial today (Thursday)! Remember that? From back in November? I think it was my first tutorial - lots of fun. I'm in the 3rd row down on the right! Click on the link and be sure to bookmark One Pretty Thing - it's a great site. Thanks for the recognition Rachel - you're the bomb! :)

hydrangea bribe

Good morning everyone! Here are some lovely hydrangeas - my favorite flowers - for you to enjoy :) And of course, there is an ulterior motive involved. And whining.

So how was I to know, when I started this infernal bookshelf project - a project that would normally take me about 2 hours to complete - that this would end up being one of the all time craziest weeks ever?!? My thirteen year old has been sick not once, but twice. The tree trimmer and his crew showed up. I had one of those artery scans to see if I'm going to keel over any time soon. I'm cleaning and organizing and going through magazines right and left. The landscaper and HIS crew showed up. My middle son's 18th birthday is Friday! EIGHTEEN! How did this happen?!? 

So as you can see, a slight shift of priorities has occurred. But I have continued work on my bookshelves nonetheless. And they are looking good. Although after all this ridiculous suspense, I can say with complete confidence and in all honesty, the results will be a HUGE let down. So please prepare yourselves accordingly. Hey, I'm just sayin. 

storage samples & random thoughts

Let's just say this bookshelf project of mine is driving me nuts in more ways than one. And not just because this happens to be an extremely nutsy week in the first place. But because it has me rethinking myself again. My first reaction to the photo above is wow, that's done so nicely! My second reaction is, gosh, that's a LOT of stuff. My third reaction is, yikes, who would want to dust all that clutter!
I guess it depends on what your space is all about. The above photo is obviously a workspace. You'd want to have everything near you within easy reach, and an inspiration board within sight as well. So even though it may have the appearance of clutter, this is definitely a very well designed workspace. 
This seems to be what people are moving a bit more towards lately. Concealed clutter. Or perhaps no clutter at all. Cubbies for distinct display, cupboards to hide everything else. Clean. I like it.
Now, my first reaction to the above photo, is that I love the look. I miss the absence of color of course, but I love the simplicity. Then my second reaction kicks in, which is my more practical side: how could anyone possibly keep old, rough crates clean and dust free???
These shelves are truly lovely. And I enjoy how all the books are color coordinated - that's a really nice effect. I would try something like that. 

(*all photo credits Apartment Therapy, except 3rd photo down, credit Serena of the Farm Chicks)

I think I've come to just a few conclusions so far. I'm definitely not a fan of bookshelves because my arch nemesis is dust. I hate it. And shelves love it. Shelves can't get enough of dust. Especially if shelves excel in clutter. The more clutter, the more dust. It's a lose/lose unless you love to dust. And I've heard that some people really do love to dust. Wow. But that doesn't mean I'm ditching my bookshelves, it just means I'm going to keep everything really simple. 

Something else I've been thinking about are collections. I have several collections (among them, magazines). Most of my collections bring me great joy - my colorful croquet balls, my cheerful quilts. But I think we have to be careful. If it doesn't bring us joy - if we can't enjoy it by seeing it, using it, sharing it, whatever - then why do we have it? Perhaps we need to reevaluate all our "stuff". When "stuff" becomes a burden rather than a joy, it's time to say goodbye. 

Just some random thoughts while I continue to work on my bookshelves... stay tuned.