Orange and Cottage Style....um?

I know that the color of year according to Pantone is Tangerine Tango......so in my mind its a bright orange.  Not one that I currently have in my house and not one that really goes with my style.  Or so I thought. 

My style is most definitely "cottage style" and maybe a touch on the traditional side. I am not sure that orange would work with "me".  But before I jumped to conclusions I decided to search and see what I could find that was orange and "cottagey". 

There was much more out there than I thought and I liked a lot of it.  Maybe not enough to redo a room in my house, but I liked it nonetheless.

Here is what I found:



I really liked this living room with its touches of orange combined with fuchsia.  Just enough I think!!





This room is so very coastal.  I loved all the texture and just small pops of color.



The orange and periwinkle pillows were what drew me in here.




This one is by far my favorite.  It looks so calm and serene.  Now, this room is one I may recreate!!

I should add that all photos are from pinterest.  It was fun to see how I could make this color work with my style!!

What do you think?

Kari

Happy New Year and My Fav Posts of 2011!!

Happy New Year to all of you!!  I wish you a wonderful and prosperous new year!!

Looking back on all of my posts(which I know were irregular and erratic and followed not order and gave not a clue when and if I would ever post again,) I decided to pick my favorites.  But before I do that, I want to say that one of my resolutions is to post more often, share more projects, and to be a better blogger.  I am going to try very, very hard to do that!!  I promise!!

That said here are my favorite two posts of 2011!

First, I loved how the pics of my guest room turned out and I just love that room.  Its my favorite in the whole house.  If you missed that post you can see it here.

My favorite project of 2011 was my farmhouse chair.

 If you missed that post you can see it here.

I look forward to sharing new projects, and new decorating ideas with you in 2012!!

Kari

Merry Christmas To All..........

and to all a good night!!  The retail insanity has just a couple of days left.  Then sleep will come.  For those of you who have ever worked retail you know how it goes. 

I would just like to take this time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and thanks so much for all the kind words and praise.  It means so much.

I leave you with a photo of my Christmas tree in all its nighttime glory!!!!

Kari

Itty Bitty Sheet Music Trees

A couple of weeks ago before the open house at "Not so Shabby", I made some large sheet music trees following the tutorial on HGTV.com.  I loved how they turned out!!  And they were quite a bit of work but easy.......just labor intensive!!

When I was working in my booth last week, a customer requested that I make some small (like 5-6" tall) sheet music trees to use in homemade snow globes.  So I thought, why not, I can do this!  I made my own cones out of a cereal box.  I then followed the same method for making the larger trees.  When I was done I glued either a star or a small bead on the top.  I also used some glitter glue to embellish a few of the "branches".  And yes, they are for sale in my booth but I had to photograph them next to the church in my Christmas village.

So, so cute!!

Enjoy!!
Kari

Linked to:
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com
http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/

Yardstick Stars

A while ago I was at a local thrift store run by the local Humane Society.  I don't usually find much there but I like to go in and see the cats they have for adoption, plus it is next to Hobby Lobby so I ventured in.

In a corner I found a tub full of yardsticks.  They are probably not vintage but they were cheap so I bought a bunch at .29 each.  I was not sure what I was going to do with them.  So I googled projects with yardsticks and came across a tutorial for a yardstick star at Mamie Janes.  So I made a few.  A couple I put in my booth and one I strung with red Christmas lights and hung it on my fence.

Here is one pictured in my booth.........

I just love the rustic look.  I may try cutting one up and making ornaments like Mamie Jane did too.  See her ornaments here.

Enjoy!
Kari

Not So Shabby Open House

Last weekend the shop where I sell my creations had their annual open house.  It was a rousing success!!

My booth

I worked like crazy to get everything ready.  My booth was all set to go with the theme "Rustic Elegance".  I also took on a table to decorate with some garage sale finds.  It all turned out so cute.  I thought I would share some pics.

My booth and others

My table

All the rest of these pictures are of some of my fellow vendors creations and booth pictures. All the pics are from "Not so Shabby's" facebook page.
Enjoy!!

Kari

MIA and Unique Gift Wrap

I know, I know I did no posting in the month of Oct.  Bad, bad, blogger.  I could come up with a million excuses but basically life just got ahead of me.  So I am back, full of fun ideas for the upcoming Christmas season and lots of just plain fun stuff!!

Tomorrow, the hubby and I are headed to a wedding.  I wanted to do a unique gift wrap.  Something memorable, something different.

So.........I took some brown craft paper and wrapped the 2 boxes.  I then taped the boxes together using packing tape.  I went to Hobby Lobby and using a 40% off coupon, I purchased a fun ribbon.  I then tied the ribbon around the 2 boxes and made a bow.  Also, at Hobby Lobby, a purchased a wood "S" , the new couples monogram.  I painted the back of the "S" black and covered the front with old dictionary pages using mod podge.  I then used walnut distress ink to give it more of a distressed look.  I then put a sawtooth hanger on the back and using twine tied it to the ribbon.  Voila, a unique gift wrap that will be as memorable as the present!!!

What is in the present you may ask? I will reveal that later after the wedding. We don't want to spoil the surprise!!!

Kari

Linked to:
tatertotsandjello.com