DIY Halloween Banner

A couple weeks ago, I ran across some black glittered felt. When I saw it I instantly thought how cute it would be to use in a Halloween banner for my fireplace. I had visions of black glittery bats, owls, spiders, and letters spelling out "boo". Because of my No-Halloween-Decorations-Before-October rule, I wont be putting this banner up for another week, but I had to get started on making it if I wanted to use it this year. As I played around, my vision morphed into the bats, candy corns, and words you see now. I just love how it turned out! It is seriously so easy and cost a whooping $2 to make! I even included a printable template for you so the hardest part is done! Read on to get the tutorial...

Heather Brown Surf Art

Recently Nadia over at Livin' La Vida Aloha introduced me to the work of Hawaiian artist Heather Brown. Her art is so stunning I just had

to share it with you too! Heather lives on the North Shore of Oahu where she paints these bright, vivid island scenes. I love how her paintings are so cheerful and whimsical. I would love to have some of these hanging on my walls!

She even has tees and market bags!

I loooove owls!!!

"Watch out! She has a can of spray paint..."

"...and she knows how to use it!" ;)


Nothing is safe when I start swinging around a can of spray paint! My newest victim, lamps. My mom gave me a pair of lamps when I was home for Christmas in 2006. They used to be my sister's. I had pretty traditional decor back then so I used them as-is until now.

Do you remember my post about the movie set on "The Bounty Hunter"? If you remember, I said I was inspired by this lamp...

Sorry its a bit blurry, I had to blow it up so you could see it. I love the green base and I especially love the shade. Inspired to recreate it, I bought some spring green spray paint ($3) and sprayed my lamp bases. Happy with the results, I went to Target and bought textured drum shades ($15).

Once I got home, I whipped out my fabric paints and started hunting around my house for something to use as a stencil. I didn't find much but a metal flower medallion. I thought I might be able to use it as a stamp, but after a test run, it was an epic fail. All I had left were my foam snowflake stamps. I have to limit my daily outings as I have a toddler who is nearing the terrible twos, so another outing to the craft store for a medallion stencil or stamp was out of the question yesterday. Not wanting to put off the project any longer, I ran with it. I stamped the snowflakes onto the lampshade, then went back with a small artist's brush and modified the pattern. I don't think they look like snowflakes now, do you? Well, lets hope they don't because at this point there's no turning back!

Are you ready for the reveal? I wont keep you in the dark any longer (oh, I crack myself up!). Let there be light!

Here is my lamp next to a really bad screen shot of my inspiration...

And here is the before and after...

Pretty cute huh? I think it looks totally different! It's so happy and fun! Now the lamps reflect my vintage eclectic design style and instantly become the center of attention in our guest room.

Here is my challenge to you: go through any old, outdated items lying around the house and find something you can re-purpose or give new life. You will be surprised how inspired you can be when you are wielding a can of spray paint!

I LINKED THIS UP TO THESE AWESOME LINK PARTIES!

If my blog were a house...

If my blog were a house, this would be it with all the turquoise, yellow, green, and orange! I just finished watching The Bounty Hunter with the hubs. Maybe I was just in a mood, but it just didn't do much for me. However, the set design was phenomenal! I am taking some mental notes from this set for  future home. This is Jennifer Aniston's character's apartment...

Don't you love the patterned walls? Don't get me started on the colors- so fresh, fun, vibrant, and full of life. I ♥ the yellow upholstered chairs in the living room and the upholstered headboard in the bedroom. And, you're going to have to look closely for this one, but can you spot the sweet little green lamp in the corner of the third photo? I want NEED this! I think I have just been inspired.

How about you? Have you seen the movie? If you haven't, the sets alone are worth it! If you have seen it, were you as excited by her apartment as I was?

Pardon the quality of the stills. I searched high and low for stills online to no avail, so I resulted to taking manual "screen shots" 

Red Letter Words

I am simply in love with these art pieces from Red Letter Words. I think they would be so sweet for a new baby's nursery or maybe in my 18 month old's new room when we move. The message of hope for their future is so precious and conveyed so beautifully in these pieces of art.

I just love how bold and stunning these all are. Definitely head over to their site and check them out.

Searchin' for my lost shaker of salt...

I just recieved the vintage salt and pepper set I ordered off Etsy. They are made of stainless steel and teak. I have been searching for a salt and pepper set for about a year now. I thought these were perfect! Dont they look like something you would find at Williams-Sonoma? ahh...Williams-Sonoma...

Down by the sea...

The weather around here has been cold and rainy so my mind has been checking out lately and heading to the beach. I love seaglass. Arent these seaglass wreaths just dreamy?

These wreaths are from Sue Gray Seaglass. Inspired to make your own? I found a tutorial on eHow.

Red Hot Pottery

I have been drooling over Red Hot Pottery since the Fall of 2009. I am mesmerized by the unique beauty in every piece. The textures, the glazes, the shapes...mmmm! Christine Tenenholtz is the artist behind all this beauty. She first began throwing about 20 years ago and after being "seduced by the wheel" she hasnt looked back since. Christine's shop has been featured on the front page of Etsy, and Etsy honored her by highlighting her as a "featured seller". Click here to read her Etsy interview.

Christine's shop marked the beginning of my love affair with pottery. It inspired me to sell my perfectly good everyday china and replace it with an ever-growing collection of unique pottery. Check out her shop and visit her on Facebook!

ps: I love the 4 little blue square plates (bottom left) because they remind me of Hawaiian quilt squares...another passion of mine :)