Painting the Front Door!

New Front Door - ready for a makeover!

The door on the new house has a glass insert that I am not super fond of - but for now we are working with we we have - so a gallon of glossy paint and a little elbow grease will spiffy up this door.

I have always been fond of brightly painted front doors. They have a welcoming, cheery feel and set the tone for the home. Eddie and I both decided to go with a bold color.....now what color will it be????

While we were shopping at Sears for new appliances, I stumbled across the new paints by Ty Pennington. Most of the colors were rich and vibrant. Two colors that popped out at me were, Kiwi Green and Tortuga Teal.

I love the Tortuga Teal color, it really has a southern California feel and the Kiwi color is my "all time" favorite color. I think the green would look really pretty with all my holiday decorations both Halloween and X-Mas.

I found this doormat from Smith and Hawken for Target. I think it would look cute with the Kiwi paint.....


I am still looking for new outdoor lighting fixture and house numbers. I do like this one but the glass edging in the window is gold. I am thinking of using a silver leaf paint pen by Krylon to change the gold to chrome. I think then maybe the front door will grow on me.

The Krylon leafing pens have a unique patented valve system allows the user to dispense paint in a smooth, controlled flow. They also have a special chisel point allows you to vary the width of your paint strokes. You can use them on wood, metal, ceramics, glass, rigid plastic and fabric.

Lost Luggage & Lots of Laughs

Trip to QVC

Steve and I made it to the airport in plenty of time, we had packed homemade sandwiches to eat on the plane, we only had a tiny bit of turbulence and arrived into Pennsylvania easy-peasy, the only snag was my luggage never arrived!

The airline gave me an over sized "NWA" T-shirt, a crappy toothbrush and some mens deodorant to make up for the fact that they had some how managed to leave my suitcase in Detroit.

As I was washing out my clothes in the sink, I just prayed that somehow the bag would show up.

Well it didn't, so I found myself brushing my hair with a hair clip and smelling a bit like my husband's deodorant. Thank G that my makeup bag was in my purse. Lipstick and mascara were by best friend.

The QVC seminar was smashing fun - we have had such a good time with Carol from Plaid and Patty from QVC. We can't wait to come back in July!

Here is the practice stage.


Check out the kit sized Chalkboard paint - all the colors!
I LOVE IT - I LOVE IT - I LOVE IT

We met a few new friends along the way... Check out Jude Alcala from How to Look Good Naked on TLC who will be demonstrating the fabby new brush by Dove. It is battery operated and massages your head while brushing. It breezes through tangles and leaves your hair silky smooth! They will be on QVC on Monday, June 23rd at 9:30 pm eastern.

The artist Joyce Byers was in our class (and fingers crossed will be on QVC on our day in July). Of course she had some cute in holiday collectibles.

Jay McCarroll from season one of Project Runway was in our class and had a super groovy new shift jacket. He sill be showcasing a line of clothes very soon.

I am dog tired, need to call my sister back and just rented 27 dresses on the tube... The good news is that about an hour ago, Sean at the front desk called to tell me that my bag arrived.

Chalkboard Paint!

Steve and I are flying out for QVC school today! We be schooled for our appearance that will take place on July 25th! more detail as they come....

We will be apart of the Christmas in July series and will be representing Plaid crafts. You know them.....Mod Podge (my favorite), Folk Art Paint, One Stroke, and now they have a new chalkboard paint.

The paint premiered at the January CHA and Steve and I got a chance to work with it making some kids crafts. This paint is awesome and will turn any surface into a chalkboard....even fabric!

The paint is available in 12 different eye popping colors.

Take a peek at some of the wonderful ideas on the internet!

from design sponge

from Apartment Therapy

From Real Simple via Craft Gossip
Thanks to Shellie Wilson the CraftGossip Painting Editor.

From Daily Danny via Craft Gossip
Thanks to Shellie Wilson the CraftGossip Painting Editor.

From Flicker via Craft Gossip
Thanks to Shellie Wilson the CraftGossip Painting Editor.


from boing boing

from ohdeedoh

kids chalkboard pillow - from me

The pillow was so easy to make! I used the fredrix sewpaintable fabric (12'x12") with 4 coats of the green paint to create the chalkboard square.

Next, I used a pinking sheer on the edge of the painted square to create a decorative edge.

I cut 2 squares (14"x14") from the blue alien fabric.

I sewed the chalkboard square to the center of one of the fabric squares.

I added a chalk pocket with a scrap of fabric to the side of the pillow.

Next I sewed the pillow right sides together, turned it right side out, stuffed the pillow and hand-stitched the opening closed.

Emmy Trip to NYC: Family & Friends

I was so thrilled to catch up with my cousin Mark, Vickie and their 3 boys! We had an easy afternoon with pizza, chat and video games. The boys are heading out to sports camps soon so everyone was really excited. After Marks' house we headed over to Laura's pad for a yummy dinner and lots of laughs.

Spencer, Henry & Hitch

All the red heads together!


Eddie, Jason & Laura


Check out Laura's new table! So pretty...

Laura made a delicious pasta dish and this amazing cabbage salad. I forgot to the recipe from her - dang!

Emmy Trip to NYC: 30 Rock

Rockefeller Center is located between Fifth and Sixth Avenue and 48th and 51st Street and is one of my favorite places to visit when I am in NYC. The plaza is filled with shops, restaurants and tons of fun things. You can see a taping of The Today Show or SNL, visit the observation deck, twirl on the dance floor at the Rainbow Room and in the winter you can even ice skate. Some of the buildings include, Radio City Music Hall, GE building (30 Rock), Time-Life building, 10 Rock and the Simon & Schuster.

Check out the M&M, NBC logo.

Look Close

Eddie's favorite chocolate shop is teuscher. They have the most delicious chocolates and best packaging for candy. This is a must stop of us even though 6 chocolates will set you back $16.

WOW!

We got the Champagne Truffles - They were amazing.

Check out the wacky candy boxes - so very 60's.

This sculpture was absolutely amazing. You can read more about Chirs Burden by checking out this NY Times article on him.

Emmy Trip to NYC: Lets Begin with The Statue of Liberty

Even from far away she is so beautiful.

World Trade Center construction. Makes me think of my sister Erin's first (and only) trip to NYC, my Dad's tales, oysters on the 1/2 during happy hour and a day I will never forget.

Emmy Trip to NYC: Spice Market & Meat Packing District

For diner, all TEN of us headed over to Spice Market. The food was yummy and the company was divine! We were all so happy to sit, laugh and unwind.

Melissa and Andy

Lisa & me and a peek of Steve.

The coconut rice was served in leaves - so yummy!

Love the pattern on the menu. Reminds me of patterns from cut paper or paper garlands. I would love to have over-sized wallpaper in this pattern.

Emmy Trip to NYC: Rosa, Renegade & Rain

After a full day of Crafty shopping we headed to Rosa Mexicano for some delicious guacamole and and refreshing pomegranate margaritas.

Check out the wall of "water and divers" - so amazing!

So happy to sit and rest awhile.

Cheers!

You can't see it in this picture but.....the skies opened up and it rained like cats and dogs! For us LAers it was wonderful to hear the crash of the thunder and feel the rain. For the crafty peeps over at the Renegade Craft Fair it was not so cool. :(

Steve, Lisa, Greg and Jennifer were soaked...waiting for their pics :)