Paperwhites

My Grandma Carlson taught me about paperwhites (narcissus) and how easy it is to force their blooms "in the bleak midwinter".

I love this method because no soil is involved and it is fun to see the roots meander through the stones when using a clear planter. I found this glass bowl at my local thrift store, but I found a second one at Walmart this week for $2. The stones are from the dollar store, and the paperwhites are from a nursery (10 for $7.99).

To assemble, simply fill the dish with pebbles, nestle the bulbs inside (I used five for this 7 1/2 inch container), and add water.

Place in a sunny location, maintain the water level, and watch nature go to work.

In several weeks the stems will grow tall resulting in beautiful fragrant white flowers, hopefully like this:

photo source

Remember, you have until midnight tonight to enter my "thank you giveaway".

Musical Orbs

The recent chilly weather has my creative juices percolating again. All I feel like doing is staying home, staying warm, and getting crafty.

Have you noticed the decorating spheres that are all the rage as accessories these days? I don't happen to own any, but when I saw Miss Mustard Seed's sheet music spheres, I wanted to give them a try. They are inexpensive, easy, and fast--my kind of craft.

Supplies include old sheet music, a foam ball, and Mod Podge. I bought my sheet music at a local thrift store. (I couldn't bear to part with any of my own.)

To begin, cut the sheet music into strips (mine were about 1 1/2 inches wide).

Smear the Mod Podge onto the sphere and apply the strips of music.

Decoupage the entire ball, smoothing it out as you go.

It's a pretty messy job, but it spoke to my inner child.

I like them next to the picture of my dad as a young man playing the piano.

Miss Mustard Seed gets all the credit for this fun idea.

A Hint of Halloween

Skimming through magazines and blogs for decorating ideas is one of my favorite pastimes. I am very much lacking in natural decorating ability so I look for inspiration everywhere. Since I enjoy peering through the blogosphere into others' homes, I decided I better reciprocate in some form.

My entry and mantel easily lend themselves to change with the season.

The Entry

The Mantel

This is my version of October's plaque attack from Just Another Hang Up.

I was most excited about the grouping of glass bottles (reagent bottles to be exact). The two that are not official chemistry glassware are housing stones from our Lake Tahoe vacation two summers ago.

There it is--my hint of Halloween.

Lavender

The scent of summer.

These plants thrive in the arid areas of my yard.

It is harvest time.

I love to hang the bunches all around my house to dry.

Some I put in water.

Abby was very happy when I hung a spray from her bedpost tonight.

I can sew a straight stitch.

I can sew a straight stitch and this is what I made:

Much to Brian's dismay my collection of throw pillows is growing. Actually, I have not purchased any more lately--simply changed the covers on pillow forms I already owned. It is amazing how a yard of fabric can make such a dramatic change in a room.

Right now black and white damask is a favorite as per this post, and now that May is here I am feeling Spring green as well.

Not Another Crafting Post!

Kellie is not a fan of my crafting posts, but I was so pleased with myself that I had to post just one more. Black and white is a favorite of mine right now--especially damask. I have always loved high contrast so when I was ready for a little change this is what I chose.

These Ikea frames previously housed quilt blocks that matched the quilt I had on my bed. The above artwork is actually 12"x12" scrapbook paper. I cut the squares to fit the 9"x9" frames and "ta da" . . . I am quite content.

My Red and Black Room

Since this blog is a photo journal of sorts I decided to include pictures of my red and black room. It has had me pondering and mulling and creating for well over a year. It all started with the black piano I inherited when my mom moved to Utah from Virginia. So many tender images and memories encircle this piano. It was my dad's.

The arrival of the piano gave me an excuse to change things up a bit in this room. At first all I suggested was a different sofa. Well . . . "feature creep" soon took over. (Brian introduced me to that term years ago, and, yes, I am pretty good at making it happen.)

Another explanation for this post is that I LOVE decorating/design books and magazines and, lately, blogs. I appreciate posts of interiors and live for the fresh ideas and photographs. Design is not my forte, hence the need to glean what I can from others. Rather than always "taking" I thought I would do a little sharing. I know I may need to tweak a few things in this room, but I promised Brian it is done for now. For now.