Inspire Me Heather

project: blogging

2012-03-01T02:30:00.000-08:00

- ROUND THREE -

Dear bloggers:
Would you like to have some other bloggers give you an honest critique of your blog?

You won't know who they were either.

You can take their advice or dismiss it as you please.

Here's how it goes:

1. Enter your blog below (add your link).

2. I'll email you 2 blogs to critique.

You go visit them and email me back with these 2 responses:

what you liked about their blog

and

what you didn't like about their blog

It can be short and sweet or you can give me a paragraph.

Some examples of a blog critique, tips or advice can be:

How is the blog layout and format?

How is the overall blog navigation and functionality?

Do you like the blog content?

How are the colours and font, easy to read?

How does the blog load, it's not slow is it?

Do they have music? How is it?

3. When you reply back to me with your 2 critiques (in one email, please) I'll give you a link to a private blog page where I'll post the reviews in random order.

4. Display the "what I like about your blog" button on your sidebar

or write a post about this unique blog hop so that other bloggers may join.

The fine print:

I would appreciate it if you subscribed or were a follower to my blog.
Please only enter once and just enter your blog name - not your name or the name of a post.
This will probably take a couple weeks to complete.

This event is limited to 50 participants.

Um, that's about it!

project: chicken wire

2012-02-27T04:25:00.000-08:00

{Pottery Barn}

There is just something about bloggers and chicken wire, isn't there? Is is because chicken wire gives a rustic, homey, vintage farmhouse look to a space? Is it because chicken wire is inexpensive and it's easy to transform it into all sorts of home decor projects? Check out these links and decide for yourself:

Contented Sparrow: before & after yellow - chicken wire lamp shades

Eleven Magnolia Lane: chicken wire display frames - farm chic decor!

Living In The Woods: bawk bawk - chicken wire cabinet doors

The Prairie Homestead: homestead decor DIY chicken wire frame - nice!

Under The Sycamore: diy chicken wire wall; antiqued frame - like wallpaper

Beautiful Nest: monogram art - glittered monogram with chicken wire

Homeroad: rusty chicken wire solution - so it's not so shiny

Imprintalish: DIY chicken wire pendant light - for the kitchen

Thrifty and Chic: chicken wire firewood holder - it looks great too!

project: pelmet boxes

2012-02-24T04:45:00.001-08:00

{No. 29 Design}

A pelmet box is a fabric covered valance window treatment. They can be used to make your window look taller and they add a classic tailored look while hiding the curtain hardware. They can also be made without any sewing or major tools involved too! Christina at No. 29 Design sent me her pelmet box tutorial just recently and doesn't her window look gorgeous? Here is her pelmet box tutorial and some others I came across:

No. 29 Design: pelmet box tutorial - and it's beautiful!

Little Green Notebook: easy pelmet boxes - with foam core board

My Old Country House: the easy as pie cornice/pelmet tutorial revisited!! - thanks

Danielle Oakey Interiors: pelmet box opinions welcome - yellow and white pattern

A Home In The Making: {create} a pelmet box - gorgeous in the kitchen

Hi Sugarplum!: {diy}building a window pelmet - tutorial with batting

Crazy Domestic: DIY pelmet box - love the scalloped edges

This Old House: DIY pelmet box - beautiful ticking fabric for the kitchen

project: plate walls

2012-02-22T05:56:00.000-08:00

{Sunset}

Plate walls are a great way to fill a space and they can be done anywhere too - the hallway, the bedroom, the living room and dining room too! They can be a miss-matched assortment of colourful thrift store plates or a family heirloom collection in bone china. There are lot's of ideas here by bloggers on plate walls. Start here:

View Along The Way: Grannys plate wall gets a youthful facelift - and it's gorgeous

Liz Marie: eclectic plate wall... - white plates done right!

Beaux R'eves: pinned to perfection! - wall inspired by Pinterest

mmmcrafts: corners of my house foyer plate wall - curved

The Nesting Game: the flip side - bedroom black wall with white plates

World In A Paper Cup: plate montage - some beautiful inspiration

Running From The Law: home project dining room plate wall - great tutorial

Imperfectly Beautiful: Pottery Barn inspired plate wall...done - in black & white

Honeysuckle: diy plate wall - using painters tape & mounters tape to hang them

project: about me

2012-02-20T04:31:00.000-08:00

My friend Sheila who blogs at SZInteriors (here on Vancouver Island too!) tagged me in a fun little question and answer game. Today I’m going to ‘tell all’ as I answer her questions then I'm going to ask 11 more bloggers to participate with 11 questions that I've got for them! Here's how this little blogging game goes:

RULES

1. You must post the rules!

2. Answer the 11 questions the tagger posted for you , and then create

11 new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.

3. Tag 11 people and link them in your post.

4. Let them know you’ve tagged them.

Ok, here are Sheila's questions for me:

How do you recharge?

I like to have a glass of home-made wine with my Hubby when he comes home from work, usually when I've got dinner on the go.

What gets you out of bed in the morning, keeps you awake at night?
Work I guess. I pick up side jobs and do them early in the morning before my family wakes up. It's all done on the computer with a cup of coffee. I'm not much of a night person and usually have no problem falling asleep at the end of the day!

If you could pick anything on any menu, what would it be?
I would go for something I wouldn't normally make at home, probably something fancy-scmancy or ethnic.

Are you seeing a make-up trend that you’d rather see gone?

Hmmm, I'm not really into makeup trends but I would have to say the 60' inspired cat-eyes or any really dramatic eye looks don't do a think for me...especially in the daytime.

What’s in your closet that’s seen better days, but somehow you just can’t let it go?
I have too many painting and working-around-the-house clothes! They are all scruffy with tears in them too, I'm always in them.

What is your most cherished family tradition?
We have several holiday traditions like fish-n-chips on Christmas Eve and some Birthday ones too like we have "make your own pizza on your Birthday" with whatever you want on it and anything goes!

What’s a lasting lesson your father taught you?
My Dad told me if you're really, really broke then don't ever sell your car - it would take too long to save up the money again to get another vehicle. Just park it somewhere and use it again when you can.

What’s hot, what’s not in decor?
I think what's hot is layers of texture in whites, greys and neutrals and graphic prints from the same colour palette. What's not hot is clutter - you don't have to have all your things out, rotate it every season or so!

If you inherited an antique piece of furniture, would you modify it in any way? Where would you draw the line?
If it's an antique in great condition then no, I wouldn't paint it. I only paint the cheap second-hand stuff to make them beautiful.

What’s the biggest compliment you could be given as a result of your blog?
The biggest compliment would be someone told me to my face that they were inspired by my blog. Most of my real life people have no idea that I have a blog.

Boots. What style is your style?

Gum boots for sure and lot's of them. Hey, I live on the Wet Coast!! Here you can wear them anywhere too!

Tag, you're it, Heather:
(and yeah, I picked all Heathers but you don't have to!)

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Life At Willow Cottage

New House, New Home, New Life

Love Your Space

Commonplace Beauty

Your questions:

Why did you start your blog?

What has been your most popular post?

What would be the best piece of advice on blogging you could give?

What was the best piece of advice on blogging you have received?

Do you blog in the morning, in the afternoon, or at night?

What is your favorite blog to read?

If your blog design could look like someone elses, who's would it look like?

How would you describe your decor style?

What decor trend are you just not liking and why?

What is your next DIY project?

What was your favorite DIY project?

project: rugs

2012-02-17T04:56:00.000-08:00

{House & Home}

Look down! What have you got for a rug? Did you go buy one or did you DIY one? Rugs can be very expensive but they are so important in pulling a room together, aren't they? If you want to DIY a rug then how about turning an inexpensive one into something fabulous or even start from scratch like these bloggers did! Start here for some inspiration:

Vintage Revivals: painted compass sisal rug - and very well done too

Craft Passion: recycle tutorial braided rag rug - made out of bed sheets

Sugar Bee Crafts: plywood rug - why didn't I think of that!!

Sincerely, Kinsey: won't you stay awhile? | rug DIY - painted quote

Gorgeous Shiny Things: make it Beni Ourain rug - dying white wool rugs

Sarah. Wandering: diy painted rug - grey & yellow floral painted sisal

High-Heeled Foot in the Door: DIY chevron rug - glue fabric to dropcloth...

Moss Eclectic: my DIY block print rug - using a rubber door mat template!

project: command centers

2012-02-15T04:01:00.000-08:00

{bhg}

Do you need an area for organizing in your home? A designated space where you can find everything important for your family or for your home based business (like blogging!) too.Want it to be beautiful as well? These bloggers have posted their command centers, take note of these:

The Handmade Home: abacus-inspired family command center - with gorgeous inspiration

My Cozy Little Farmhouse: please leave a message - message centers around blogland

The Clay Family: kitchen command center finally! - super cute!

Endless Crafting: family bulletin board & "mud room" - with schedules and "I'm bored" list

Little Lucy Lu: mom cave command center - framed chalkboard calendar & bulletin board

It's Overflowing: DIY how to build a desk - built in for a kitchen computer station

Just The Bee's Knees: command center reveal - well done, it looks great!
Delightful Order: kitchen command center - so organized

project: Valentines

2012-02-13T04:43:00.000-08:00

{our little envelopes ready to deliver}

Here's a great round up of ideas for Valentines. Some are new, some aren't. They are all from talented bloggers who are sharing their love of Valentines. If you need an idea for Valentines, have a peek here ~ with love:

hellobee: DIY love potion Valentines - in plastic test tubes

Wild Olive: look back printable Valentines - 3 designs for you

Simply J Studio: valentine pencils - with rolos

Design Mom: DIY Valentines fortune tellers - candy free too

The Rubber Punkin: be mine freebie... - 6 cards for you

Blonde Designs Blog: lip and moustache lollipops - with printable labels

Skip To My Lou: you hold the key to my heart - Valentine printable

amy is the party: FREE download & print Valentines - cute too!

project: bunk beds

2012-02-09T03:45:00.000-08:00

{PB Teen}

Bunk beds, loft beds and built-ins can free up some extra space in a kids room for some much needed storage, for an extra bed, or if kids have to share a bedroom. They utilize the vertical space in a room and they can be quite creative. These bloggers here have posted many inspiration photos and their tutorials for building and dreaming about these beds:

Ana White: how to build a loft bed - bed with bookcase and desk under plans

nest egg: bunks - a beautiful bunk beds post filled with inspiration

The Stucco Bungalow: DIY bunk beds part 2 (built) - part 1 is good too!

Making Things For Boo, Cat, and Bam: DIY bunk/loft beds - excellent tutorial

The Friendly Home: the big birthday reveal, part two - built a loft bed over desk

Fine Little Home: DIY bunk & captains beds - a more modern look inspiration

Corner House: a bunk room for my boys - 4 bed bunk wall DIY

Hollywood Cape Cod: built-in bunk beds - plenty of inspiration here

project: stenciling

2012-02-07T04:31:00.000-08:00

{my felt pen stenciled window blinds}

Stenciling is still very popular with bloggers and I've found some really good projects to share with you. Have a look at these tutorials and ideas, hopefully it will inspire you to get creative:

Wit & Whistle: DIY stencil pillow - with a lovely quote
Vintage Revivals: ombre houndstooth stenciled rug tutorial - painted sisal rug

One Pearl Button: technique tutorial stencil with Sharpie - using doilys
The Real Housewives of Bucks County: stencil happiness - stenciled kitchen
{Twenty} Something: how to stencil curtains - pretty yellow
Back To Domestics: how to stencil a floor - grey & white kitchen floor
Watch Me Daddy: stenciled wall plus DIY stencil how-to - with freezer paper
Flor Musings: reverse stencil dresser - gorgeous ship design

project: blogging

2012-02-01T03:39:00.000-08:00

- ROUND TWO -

"What I like about your blog" is an anonymous blog critique by bloggers. We look at each others' layout, design, navigation etc. and it gives us a chance to be honest about what we like at your blog and to offer advice and suggestions.

The February 2012 event is now closed. You can view the sign up list and the details here.

The next "what I like about your blog" opens on the 1st of each month for 50 participants only!

giveaway winner

2012-01-31T03:46:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who entered the

Custom Blogger Touch-Up Package

worth $75 from Priceless Design Studio

and the winner is:

Congratulations Beatrice, blogger at The Crafty Bee
and thank you Katie from Priceless Design Studio for hosting this giveaway!

project: bookshelves

2012-01-30T04:56:00.000-08:00

{Restoration Hardware}

Hi there. If you are new here - welcome! What I do here is link up project inspiration. Bloggers all over have posted their ideas, tips and tutorials online and I put them together in one post as a project. I list their blog name first and then the name of their post on this subject which you can click too and then I put a little note afterwards. Ready to do some clicking? Today it's bookshelves, have a look at these links and be inspired:

Desire To Inspire: reader request bookshelf vignettes - how to
The Yvestown Blog: bookcase makeover - painted pine & pretty knobs
Emerald Cidade: how to decorate a bookshelf - handy tips

Mason's Roost: "book" shelves - oh too cool!

Turnstyle Vogue: girl vs. dust a story about shelves - how to style
Hi Sugar Plum: {living room} bookcase makeover - trim, paint and fabric backing
Elements Of Style: bookshelf love - floor to ceiling inspiration
Little Lucy Lu: from pallet... to bookshelves - and how to do it
Dress Me Stylish: bookcase makeover - some paint & backing ideas

project: quatrefoil

2012-01-28T05:55:00.000-08:00

{This Fresh Fossil}

A quatrefoil in design is basically a four lobed shape and is usually a symmetrical pattern that repeats itself. It is classic with religious and architectural history and modern too with it's bold and graphic designs. Let these bloggers inspire you to incorporate some quatrefoil:

Sweet Designs: quintessentially quatrefoil - inspiration board

Teal And Lime: quatrefoil drum shade pendant light - fantastic tutorial

Kreative Knack: my oh my your so good lookin... - quatrefoil painted dresser

The Project Corner: kitchen mat up-cycled - painted quatrefoil of course!

Lisa Goulet Design: the continuing transformation - quatrefoil stenciled walls

Creative Chaos: silver home office/craft room - alternate title: cursing quatrefoil!
Ugly Duckling: quatrefoil stenciled parsons table - gorgeous

The Crafty Scientist: paint chip quatrefoil art - it looks great too!

Diddle Dumpling: tutorial hand painted rug - with homemade stencil

project: homeschool rooms

2012-01-24T04:48:00.000-08:00

{House to Home}

For those of you who educate or wish to teach your children at home, here are some very inspiring homeschool spaces posted by bloggers. They sure taught me a thing or two! Learn all about the home school room here:

The Farmer's Nest: little miss & her new {school room} - pretty details

A Holy Experience: best ways to organize a homeschool classroom - yes!

Mandy Lynne: school room - oh my gosh, it's so lovely

Wildflowers and Marbles: a detailed look through the learning spaces - nice tour

The Heartfelt Home: our homeschool room - fantastic workspace!

Lifeingrace: room makeover from garage to schoolroom - you get an "A"

The Pioneer Woman: the OMSH schoolroom - well done

Pajama Mama: real blogging our homeschool room - great place to learn

Mel's Mouthful on Mothering: homeschooling room of dreams - plenty of inspiration

project: glass bottles

2012-01-21T03:17:00.000-08:00

{those are mine}

A collection of old glass bottles can make an inexpensive decor project. They look fantastic grouped to make little vases or candlestick holders or even memory holders, like mine. These bloggers have posted their ideas and DIY projects for their glass bottles, take a peek:

In Honor Of Design: DIY message in a bottle - vintage looking love note & sequins

pen n' paperflowers: {tutorial} glass etching - painting with etching cream & stickers

A Beach Cottage: vintage bottle deck decorating ideas - hanging bottles as vases
Peony & Pear Tree: frosted glass bottles DIY projects - faux finishes

Eat Drink Chic: D.I.Y. vintage apothecary bottles - free labels to download
A Few of My Favourite Things: glass bottles DIY - some nice ideas
Aura Joon: DIY pretty white bottles...(and promises of Spring) - spray painted!

My Side of Life: cutting glass bottles DIY project - how to

project: twine

2012-01-19T04:03:00.000-08:00

{sweet!}

Twine is strong string made up of two or more strands twisted together. Not only does it come in handy for beautiful packaging and pretty gift wrapping, bloggers are fascinated with making it and making crafts with it. Let these posts by bloggers inspire you:

Scrappy Stinky Inky Mess: faux baker's twine you can make - nice

Funkytime: tassel towels - with bakers twine of course

Homework: Etceteras twine carrots - oh how cute!

The Wright House: DIY bakers twine - looks easy to make!

Musings of a Glamourpuss: DIY twine balls - with balloons
Hey Gorgeous: DIY twine wrapped Mason jars - pretty vases

{scissor variations}: holiday craft project past - tea ball twine holders

Maize in Montana: how to make paper twine from crepe paper - DIY

project: giveaway

2012-01-16T03:56:00.000-08:00

{Priceless Design Studio}

Thank you to the bloggers who participated in "what I like about your blog". There was some really good (and very honest) advice passed around about our blogs. Katie from Priceless Design Studio will wrap this months event up with some of her expert blog layout advice and a blog touch-up package giveaway for you below. Take it away Katie:

Your blog's design acts as a frame for the most important part of your blog: your content. This is why modern blog design is moving away from the crowded "scrapbook" look to a more simple and clean approach. So, how do you achieve a more modern looking design?

- give your content room to breathe.

Widen your posting column to at least 650 pixels, and your overall blog to 1000-1100 pixels. This is going to allow you to post larger pictures, and have wider margins.

- simplify and organize your gadgets

Look at the gadgets you have installed. Prioritize the most important, and put them on top. Try creating separate pages for your blog links or old challenge badges. Remove annoying gadgets like lists of recent visitors, swimming fish, or anything that plays music or videos.

- change your background

Try out a light colored background with a repeating pattern. Or if you are really brave, go white! Using photos or dark colors as a background can be distracting and pulls your eye away from the content.

- use a color scheme

Pick 3 colors that you love, and use them consistently throughout the design. Having a consistent color scheme will really help pull things together. Download a free color picker and use the hexadecimal codes to make your links & post titles match.

- hire a blog designer

If DYI web design isn't up your alley, consider hiring someone to do it for you. A good blog designer can make your blog beautiful in no time.

Terms of Giveaway

This giveaway is for a Custom Blogger Touch-Up Package valued at $75.

For one entry: Please comment below.

Only enter if you use blogger.com (not wordpress.com). If the winner purchases a blog design from Priceless Design Studio prior to the end of the giveaway, they will be refunded & given a $25 gift certificate to share with a friend.

For additional entries "Like" Priceless Design Studio on Facebook and Inspire Me Heather on Facebook

and leave me a comment.

Giveaway closes midnight 31 January 2012.
True Random Number Generator will pick the winner.

project: open shelving

2012-01-14T04:05:00.000-08:00

{Mrs. Southern Belle}

Do you or would you prefer not? I'm talking about having open shelving in your kitchen or dining room. I like to keep my things behind closed doors but I do love how some bloggers have gone and taken their cupboard doors off to get the look. I think that having items out in the open encourages us to use these items more and if done right, sure ads some visual interest. These bloggers have posted their thoughts, their inspiration and how they achieved the look:

Mrs. Southern Belle: kitchen before and after!!! - beautiful in grey

The Old Painted Cottage: cottage 8 our dining room - with spacious open shelves

Dream Home DIY: open shelving - inspiration

The Heartfelt Home: dining room shelves - wall of shelves

Vignette Design: kitchen cabinets vs. open shelves - and the art of display

JPM Design: open shelving in the kitchen - so much inspiration

Centsational Girl: timeless or trendy? - open shelving in kitchens

The Inspired Room: how to have open shelving in your kitchen - without daily staging

project: freezer paper

2012-01-09T04:22:00.000-08:00

{bhg}

Freezer paper is used to stencil fabric and you can buy it at the grocery store too, making it a good low-cost solution for some great DIY projects. You print your pattern on the paper side of freezer paper and then the other side has a light coating of plastic which melts like wax when you iron it. These bloggers have made some beautiful projects and have good tips for using freezer paper:

make it and love it: what is freezer paper? - it is explained here

Thrifty Finds and Redesigns: oh, how I love freezer paper! - so do I!

Classy Clutter: tutorial for DIY stripe curtains using freezer paper! - too cool

Creative Outlets of a Thrifty Minded Momma: freezer paper goodness - lampshade

Momnivore's Dilemma: knock it off: $80 Z Gallerie pillow DIYed for under $5 - nice!

From Gardners 2 Bergers: freezer paper transfer tutorial - grainsack bulletin board

Stay-at-Home Artist: stencil with freezer paper (Harry Potter tee) - for clothing

Create Studio: freezer paper stenciling tutorial - love the pillowcases!

project: suitcases

2012-01-06T03:38:00.000-08:00

{Rossana Orlandi}

Decorating with suitcases, especially mismatched vintage ones are very popular right now! They do look great stacked creating an extra table or just for storage - and they can be inexpensive too. Here are some of my favorite ideas for decorating with suitcases while travelling around the blogs:

Catie's Corner: pack your bags... - inspiring ideas

Red Hen Home: making an entrance - suitcases into shelves

Max & Fodder: vintage suitcase dog bed - it's adorable!

Mamie Jane's: vintage suitcase clock - fabulous idea

Jennifer Rizzo: some living room rearranging - how to stack them

Maple & Magnolia: upcycled luggage and a contest - transformed with plaid
Renewing Your Find Cafe: well traveled trunk... - decoupaged with wheels

project: blogging

2012-01-01T04:33:00.000-08:00

- ROUND ONE -

The January 2012 event is now closed. You can view the sign up list and the details here.

The next "what I like about your blog" opens on the 1st of each month for 50 participants only!

project: calendars

2011-12-31T06:09:00.000-08:00

{happy new year}

It's that time! Make a date to create a calendar for yourself or to give as a gift. These crafty ideas and free printables by bloggers will keep you organized:

Craftaphile: printable Birthday calendar - yours to download

Dollar Store Crafts: printable tea towel calendar – 2012

A Beautiful Mess Blog: DIY instagram calendar - great tutorial

Very Merry Vintage Style: free 2012 mini printable calendar craft - thanks!

The Twips: dry erase calendars - twine and pretty paper framed

Modernemotive: DIY printable 2012 wall calendars - gorgeous graphics

The Pretty Blog: Birthday calendar free printable - perpetual

Don't Eat The Paste: printable 2012 year at a glance calendars - black & white

project: doors

2011-12-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

{Apartment Therapy}

When opportunity knocks, I say go DIY your door! Here's some good inspiration and tutorials by bloggers here, some are interior doors and some exterior and then there's the sliding barn doors which are very popular right now. Go on and open these doors:

Four Generations One Roof: barn style doors stage 1 - for a bookcase

On Sutton Place: my new blue front door - and very nice changes!

How About Orange: how to "wallpaper" using fabric - on a door

The Handmade Home: building a screen door - for a pantry

Breakfast For Dinner: sliding barn door - in the living room!
Posie Gets Cozy: my patchwork-wallpapered closet door - it's so pretty

The House Of Smiths: painting our entryway door black - plus inspiration

project: fireplaces

2011-12-27T04:46:00.000-08:00

{Real Simple}

Have you been looking at your fireplace and thinking maybe it needs a makeover? Get inspired by these bloggers that have DIY'd and transformed their fireplaces:

The Pear Tree Cottage: fireplace makeover with details - before and after pictures

Crafty Scrappy Happy: cabinet to mantle - it's just beachy too!

The Wright House: electric fireplace before and after - barnwood love!

Hammers and High Heels: revisiting our fireplace DIY projects - how-to

Heart Break Kids: my very own DIY faux fireplace - love it!
Canadian Cottage: a living room fireplace - lovely makeover

Grey Luster Girl: fireplace makeover - wow, it looks amazing