Many Shades of Shabby by Devonia

Love this Love Luggage

2009-06-12T17:35:00.000-07:00

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From Capitalistic Chic to Depressive Chic: Is this for you?

2009-06-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

There's a movement afoot - Depression Marketing. In thismovement, Black Tuesday is the new pink andeverything from fashion , books, and insurance is atarget of savvy marketing.First, I noticed that Allstate Insurance tied a TV ad, Back toBasics, to the Great Depression.The online book sales of Amazon, December 2008 marked a750% increase in sales of Depression-related titles whichincludes

Gasp! Is that Grandma's Old Dresser Scarf?

2009-06-06T06:26:00.000-07:00

Coverage is certainly up to the individual - from reallyskimpy to much more than the average bikini.WOW. Just thought y'all might be as shocked as I over this new idea of romantic clothing. *laughing* These photos pretty much "speak for themself". When I think of romantic clothing, I promise you, never would I have dreamed... Imagine! Sooo, will anyone I know be cutting up their old dresser

She asked her landlord if it was ok to paint. Holy Camel!

2009-05-21T13:19:00.000-07:00

It all started when faux artist, Jeanne Burris of FantasticFinishes, was flipping through abook,"Sophisticated Surfaces"and on(p.138) found a room paintedby by trompe l’oeilpainter, James Alan Smith. Her birthday was soon and shelusted for a similar room. So she asked her landlord the simplequestion, "Is it ok if I paint?". Heagreed. A year later here's the birthday present she paintedfor

Save that old leather piece

2009-05-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

About nine months ago, I realized our old leather chairwas on the way to the curb unless a major miracle could save it. Isure hated to give that chair up. But like me, it was reallyshowing its age; all those years of kids tumbling over theback and sitting three to the seat reading or watching TV together.With nothing to lose, I borrowed my hubby's sander( I could have used plain fine grit sand

Grow a gutter garden!

2009-05-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

Suzanne Forsling, a transplanted Iowan and avid gardener, foundthat the environment in her new Alaskan home didn't lenditself to gardening. Suzanne didn't give up; instead, shesolved the problem in a new way - gutter gardening! Here arethe main tips I've gleaned from herarticle:Gutter gardens need to be planted on the sunny side ofyour home. If you don't have an area of your home with

Let's Play Decorator... with an unlimited budget.

2009-05-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

by DevoniaCreating the above layout was such fun - like going shopping without spending a dime. Polyvore.com makes it possible to go shopping all over the web, import your own photos or photos you find online by doing a search right there and then , after which you can move it all around until you have something you love. I had painted the portrait of my grandmother and I wanted to see what

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

We are off to visit my mother tomorrow and I'm looking forward to a Happy Mother's Day with her. I tried very hard to think of something "special" to get her. This year it seems a bit harder than other years. I had taken the painting of my grandmother to her a week ago - she loved it. Then my hubby brought back beautiful plants for her flower bed as a house-warming gift from Canton. So I dare

My grandmother's lessons: In good times and bad times, live with joy

2009-04-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

I've recently completed the painting, above, of my deceased grandmother. It's a gift for my grandmother's daughter, my mother. I hope she will be pleased with it. I'm delivering this large painting, about 29x32, this weekend to hang above the hutch in the dining room of her new apartment.While I was painting, I kept thinking what a remarkable woman my grandmother was. I would guess that she was

Wishing For Bluebirds

2009-01-17T01:23:00.000-08:00

I loved this fat bluebird perched on this snowy fence post in Indiana.It is kindly shared by a charming, warm longtime ebay seller, mim,who reserves all rights of her photo.THREE bluebirds! What a rare photo.This was taken by a very special lady in Wisconsinwhose items on eBay are for sale under the id mysteryhorse.She reserves all rights to her photo.Since Thanksgiving, I've had the pleasure

Betwixt & Between: After Christmas, Before the New Year

2008-12-28T18:17:00.000-08:00

I can see industrious ladies in my mind's eye... All of the Christmas decorations have been removed and packed carefully for next yearYou've started planning or picked up where you left off on a projectYou are making plans, maybe even resolutions for a New Year.Not me - not my family.The decorations are still up waiting for me.And we are doing what we love best.We are still eating...My middle

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T06:46:00.000-08:00

I've been so caught up in Christmas doings that I've had no time. Resolution: Next year I'll write Christmas posts in November so I don't end up with an empty Christmas blog. Merry Christmas and God Bless You All. Subscribe in a reader

So, you're trying to fold the shirt for the gift box? Might as well do it in 2 seconds

2008-12-14T13:19:00.000-08:00

I'm awed. That's soooo unbelievable. To think of all the time I've wasted... The shirts I pack for gifts this year are going to be so neat.And if you need to see that again but slower...(works on all kinds of shirts and sweaters) Subscribe in a reader

Baskets of Youth

2008-12-04T14:34:00.000-08:00

Have you heard about the age defying properties of red wine and peanuts yet? It's all over the news just this week that medical experts have discovered an miracle enzyme in both that help thwart aging. Really - and though it's not quite The Fountain of Youth - the evidence is strong enough that I'm going to be putting together a few easy "Baskets-of-Youth"for gifts this year.Of course I'm going

Tooo Neat!

2008-11-19T19:43:00.000-08:00

Confetti Scissors? I love these! Available at the Container Store (and coming to a Michael's near me, soon, I hope!) Wall Street Journal Market Watch: Princess is the Crowning Style in Japan Fashion ~ Marie Antoinette~ Roses, Frou-frou, Fifi, & More! You gotta see this video~Kale? Twinkling Topiaries Suspended for Christmas I've always loved kale; but I've never thought of hanging it. Makes a

A Halloween Invitation...

2008-10-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

I designed this card to use for a pre-block party planning get-together. I think it might work for any Halloween get-together. Have fun with it!If you would like to create your own cards from this design:1. Copy and save the two designs, primary and hat.2. Size and print the design on plain typing paper (as I did) or white cardstock.3. Insert a sheet of bright orange paper. 4. Fold and trim

OMGoodness! Gingerbread Bones! How fun is this?!?!

2008-10-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

When my son was a wee boy - he wrote a poem about how much he loved snails, tugging puppy dog tails and hunting dinosaur bones - that I, of course , saved and still treasure. For all of those who are still into wee pleasures, I'm sure these gingerbread bones. by a fellow crafter, Heidi Kenner, will be be a huge hit for Halloween treats.Heidi's tricks for making these treats, that she calls

Martha Makes Mistakes: A real hoot and a real comfort to watch

2008-10-17T05:57:00.001-07:00

Even as I laughed, I sympathized. So many of my own "projects" have unexpected surprises -- disasters! Who hasn't "been there - done that"? It's at that point that I usually want to run screaming out the door; hoping that someone else will clean up my mess. My worst mistakes?I once shot a 3/4 inch staple through my thumbnail using an electric staple gun... don't even ask.Another time, I had a

Capture the Natural Beauty & Breathtaking Colors of Fall With An Autumn Bouquet of Roses: Created From Maple Leaves

2008-10-04T20:03:00.000-07:00

It's a gorgeous weekend here in Dallas. I hope everyone is enjoying this kind of weather. It fills me with energy. My dear husband is off to Canton First Monday. I hope he does really well there. I would ask him to take photos for us all (me too); however, he never has time. And that's a good thing because it means that he is selling. For him, selling means more money to use to hunt and find

Easy Painting Projects Fit For Royalty: A Royal Tee, Crowned Pillow, and Game Tote with a Crown on One Side That Flips to Checkers-2-Go

2008-10-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

I designed patterns for years and years for the arts and crafts industry. I tried hard to create versatile patterns, patterns I loved myself. The best part about creating the patterns was hearing from customers how much they enjoyed them; whether for gifts or for creating things they could sell at craft fairs, or just for their own home and personal use.I've been working on some patterns to

The Easiest Way I've Found to Create Shadow Shades

2008-09-19T06:13:00.000-07:00

We often overlook shadow shades until we turn on the light and then WOW!illuminated by light, the shadows show and catch your eyes - addingmood and wonder. Here's how I enhanced an ordinary shade withlovely shadows ... and sparkle...Supply List for Shadow Shades:Fabric lampshadeStencilWhite ChalkGallery Glass Crystal Beads by Plaid FolkArtDimensional Glitter 4450 Ice SparkleInstructions:

Pretty, Practical & Fun to Make: Wearable Coasters

2008-09-10T22:57:00.000-07:00

This holiday season my wineglasses are going to wear their coasters on their feet - no more nasty tabletop circles for me. These wearable coasters can be made from recycled holiday greeting cards, comic strips, newspapers, old cds, gift wrapping or even plain brown paper. The coasters are a fun, rewardingl project - pretty and practical for your holiday entertaining.In fact, relying mostly on

Transform Your Family Photo Into A WOW Painting

2008-08-31T11:29:00.000-07:00

Do you have a great family photo that you would love to turn into a huge personal painting for your home? Maybe that super shot of your hubby breaking the finish line in first place in the marathon, or granddad hammering together a wood rocking horse, or even a family shot eating hot dogs that you just love? Could be your rec room would be the perfect place for paintings of your

Don't Miss This: "A Piece of History For Sale" by Joni Webb

2008-08-19T17:25:00.001-07:00

I've just read one of the most poignant posts ever over on blog, COTE DE TEXAS, by Joni Webb. It's chock full of photos with meaningful footnotes and thoughtful comments about the sale of Hickory Hill, the historical home of Ethel and Robert Kennedy, and the lives the home and family touched in America. If walls could only talk -trust me - you shouldn't miss this. Go now to Cote De Texas

Another Day In My Life With A Rabid Treasure Hunter...

2008-07-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

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