I ended my 40′s doing something I always wanted to do.  It is really nothing huge, like going sky diving or something, but I felt more empowered after doing it.  What is the big accomplishment? You are going to laugh, but I hard wired a light fixture all by myself! {well my sister held the light fixture for me while I wired it, so I did have a little help}  But I wasn’t electrocuted and the light even works! {I did tell my sister who was very, very against me doing this task on my own, that if I was electrocuted, I would probably be remembered as dying young cause I was still in my 40′s, LOL  luckily that didn’t happen}

I fell in love with these two empire style beauties at a vintage store in Ocean Beach

I couldn’t believe there were two of them, and they had the vintage glam look to them that I was looking for at the river house in the “FUN” room

They were the plug in style fixtures, but I knew I could cut the cord and hard wire them {well, I knew it could be done but I had never done it before} So I convinced my sister to go out to the river house with me for 3 days to work on the “fun” room.

When I told her that I had planned on doing the wiring myself on the hanging lights, she was not on board with me.  But she stood by my side as I carefully took down the old fixtures, cut the cord off the new fixtures and wired them to their new location.  Ok, to be truthful, the first light I hung didn’t work.  We even changed out the light bulb, thinking it must be a bad bulb and not my electrical work, but that didn’t work.  So I took down the fixture and low and behold the wiring had slipped out of the wire nut.  From there on I made sure the wires were put on a lot more tighter and secure, and ta da!  They worked!

Here are the before hanging light fixtures, just to jog your memory

Of course in all my excitement of now being an accomplished electrician {cough, cough} I forgot to take a picture during the day.  But wow, these beauties are stunning in the room, and they give off the funnest shadows on the walls at night {ha, ha, get it? FUN shadows?}

I seemed to be on a roll attempting stuff I would normally have my husband or hire someone to do these last days of my forties.  I went out and bought all the components at Home Depot to make this rod and bracket that I had seen on Show and Tell

The only problem was, they only sold the galvanized steel pole in a 10′ long piece and I needed 9′ 6″.  Home Depot does not cut galvanized steel for you.  So what is a girl to do?  Take out the hack saw and use those 40 something muscles that I have been working out 3 times a week and cut, cut cut.  Oh my GOSH!  Cutting galvanized steel is so dang hard!  I could never make it as a lumber jack.  Then to top it off, I miss cut the pipe and had to go back and chop another 1/2″ off a second time.  What a work out that was.  Since I didn’t have any clamps to hold down the pipe, my sister was my trusty assistant and held the pipe for me as I huffed and puffed that skinny blade through the steel.

This rod and brackets were so simple and inexpensive to make! {well, not including cutting the pipe which was hard} I got all my supplies in the electrical department, a flange to attach to the wall, and an elbow for the rod holder.  Both components came threaded,  which meant I only had to screw them together.   Can’t get any easier than that! Using 1″ galvanized pipe eliminated having to use a center bracket, it is solid as a rock.  I tried to finish sewing the curtain while I was there, but unfortunately I ran out of time.

I also switched the box spring to a low profile one.  Having the bed lower really shows more of the headboard now

I picked up a grey 15″ drop box pleated bed skirt at Target, and then just cut off the excess fabric I didn’t need and used iron on hemming tape for the hem {I did iron the bed skirt, but evidently my ironing skills aren’t one of my strong traits}

Slowly but surely this room is coming together.  Which is kind of like how I feel right now, slowly getting used to being 50.  I just have to remember to keep this picture in my mind when I think I am getting old

Goodbye 40′s… is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.

Santa was good to me this year, and I couldn’t be more happier with the thoughtful and generous gifts I received.  Wanna know what I got?

My early Christmas present was my new Nikon d5100 camera

My favorite perfume Carolina Herrera Parfum Spray

Dance Wii {need to jump start my cardio, what better way than to dance!}

 A new iPhone 4s and cute phone case.  I was due for an upgrade a year ago, but was holding out just in case a newer model was going to come along.  My family surprised me and made the decision for me, woohoo!  Now I can facetime with my grandson Carter!

And something only an interior designer could want…12 chavari chairs in silver

Goodbye plastic Costco folding chairs hello chavari! {this picture was taken after we had cleared the dinner and all my pretty decorations, but don’t they look great?}

What a difference they made this year at our Christmas dinner for the extra seating.  Should of asked for these years ago.  And they stack 7 high, so they store nicely.

Which I immediately put them to use for my this inspiration pin for our Christmas dinner {I even already had those cute polka dot cups to use}

What I got for Christmas is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.

The thing I am most excited about is how I was able to re-create this inspiration picture form BHG that I pinned on Pinterest

Oh how I fell hard for this centerpiece.  I just knew I wanted it on my table.  I saw the boxwood wreaths on sale at Joss & Main online right after Christmas and got giddy over finding them so soon. So I anxiously waited for them to come in the mail.  When they finally did, I was just a tad surprised.  They were smaller than what I had expected, and I hoped that my glass cake plates I already had would work.  Well, two out of the three did, and so I went on a hunt for the third, the smallest one.  Luckily, it only took me 4 stores to find the perfect small glass cake plate, Pier One had just the right size

I was shocked when I found the silver bird at HomeGoods, I wasn’t even looking for it and there it was!  It was if this centerpiece was meant to be

I liked adding a little bit of depth and color when I decorate, so I changed it up a bit from the inspiration picture

I got the little glittery reindeer ornaments at Steinmart, they are just so cute the way their heads are looking up at the arrangement

I used the Christmas plates, glassware, place mats and most of the other stuff on my table I have had from years past.

I even kept the runner on the table that I used for Thanksgiving and just added glittery birds, ornaments, xmas greenery, and some fun green pear candles

I did buy these two large reindeer this year, {Homegoods, where else?} they were just so striking I couldn’t pass them up.  The height and the size works really well in the room, plus I love the pop of color it gives the table

I added just a tad of greenery and glitter to my chandelier

I love the overall look of the whole table

I guess I had an eye for reindeer this year because I bought this white reindeer head from West Elm.  I put it on my buffet where I will put all the desserts come Christmas day

Whew that was a lot of pictures! Gotta love a new camera! But wait there is more!

I am finishing up my hot chocolate/apple cider station that I did last year, which was a huge hit.  I don’t know if I will have time to post about it before Christmas, but here is a glimpse of how it is coming along

Ok, I am done with bombarding you with pictures.  I hope you were able to stay with me on this long post. I don’t know about you, but I am running way behind on getting prepared for Christmas. I still have lots of wrapping to do, {actually all of my wrapping to do, who am I kidding} food shopping and a few decorating details I am hoping to get done.  Christams comes way too fast every year, I would just like for one year to be done by now…oh well, there is always next year right?

Linking up to My Crazy Beautiful Life Holiday Link Party

Christmas tablescape is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.

Subway style Christmas signs and printables are all over blogland and Pinterest, and I was itching to make one myself.  I am also loving the use of turquoise and red everyone is using for decorating this year.

I had some leftover oak cabinet fronts that were perfect to use for this project. My original plan was to stencil the letters in white,  but I really liked the look of the white contact paper that I used, so I just went that route. If you have a Silhouette machine, I highly recommend buying a roll of white contact paper to use for your vinyl.  It is way cheaper, easy to use and goes a long way.

This is the sign I made for myself

I bought the actual words from the Silhouette on line store when they were having their .50 sale after Thanksgiving.  It took the guess work out of trying to find the right font for a saying.  Plus I can use them again next year for another sign or project.

I think it turned out pretty cute.  I spray painted the red first, Colonel Red, then I brushed on the turquiose color from a left over sample pot I had in my stash.  The white contact paper is very forgiving, I was able to pull off  the letters easily if I needed to, and re-adjust them.  I had to do this a lot since I didn’t really have a template that I was going by.

Not to let things go to waste, I put the ones that I had cut out in the wrong size on a crate in my office.

Since I was on a roll using my Silhouette machine, and had all the supplies out already, I decided to make a sign for my friend to bring to her Christmas party.  The is the same party that I posted about yesterday on my plan “b” desserts. The cabinet front that I used on her sign was long and narrow.  I still used the same sayings but had to adjust the sizes and positions differently from my sign.  This time I was smarter, and actually measured the actual space that I had on the front of the cabinet and input those numbers into the paper size on the Silloutte layout.

This saved a lot of time that is for sure!

I know it is an odd hostess gift to give, but I knew she would love this more than the standard bottle of wine

And I was right, she loved it!

Now that I have a little experience under my belt using the Silhouette machine, I can’t wait to make more signs! I gotta tell ya,  I am finding this machine a little addicting. I am so glad I finally pulled the trigger and bought one this year,  I see a lot of future sign making for me  in 2012.

Christmas Subway Style Sign is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.

At first glance I thought this was made out of metal.   Doesn’t it look like the chandelier is cut out from a metal box?  I really can’t say for sure, and there wasn’t anywhere on their website where it was for sale, so I guess I will never know.

But I got to thinking, it would be an easy look to achieve as a DIY project.  The supplies would be simple, a large white canvas, white glue {for the raised scrolls on the outer edges}, a chandelier stencil or wall vinyl decal and black spray paint.

I like this chandelier decal from etsy and it is only $25.99

I would trace the scrolls with a pencil first, then outline them in white glue and let that dry. Then I would  center my stencil or vinyl decal on the canvas and  spray paint the whole thing black.  Or maybe use a different color to change it up.

Another pretty inexpensive and an easy DIY project that I thought would be awesome as well, starts with this shower curtain

Yeah, can you believe it is a shower curtain?  And it is only $24.54.  I found it here on Amazon.  The first thing I would do if I got one of these, is NOT put it in a bathroom.  Well, at least not hanging from a rod in front of a shower.  I would use spray adhesive on the back side of the fabric and wrap that onto a huge white canvas or thin MDF board and use it as artwork for a wall.  Seriously, wouldn’t that be such a statement in a room? I can envision it in a dining room, or in an entry way over a console table.

And if you can’t have the chandelier hanging from the ceiling over your bed, why not put it on the wall

Apartment Therapy

The shower curtain measures 6′ x 6′ so you can really get a lot of bang for your buck on this one.  I just might be doing one of these art pieces myself.  I am helping out a friend with the interior design of her hair salon.  The budget is tight and this would fit in with her decor perfectly and fill up some blank wall space.  If I do, I will share with your how it turned out.

So what do you think?  Are you a chandelier lover like me?  Would you hang one of these chandelier artwork on your wall?

Chandelier artwork is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.

This year I started digitally subscribing to a couple of magazines.  Another love/hate relationship I have.  What is nice, is that I always have the magazines at my finger tips via my iPhone or my iPad. But, unlike a paper magazine that you can see sitting on your table, the magazines are kept in a neat app on your device.  So I don’t see them until I click on the app.  Which means I forget to read them…

I just got the latest digital issue of Martha Stewart Living.  It would say it was a pretty good issue, nice recipes, an article about sugar, exercising, you know the usual.  But then it got swoon worthy when I clicked to turn to page 99.

via Martha Stewart Living Magazine

Check out those stools!  The are knitted slipcovers.  So stinkin cute!  Wish I liked to knit, because on page 128 they give you the instructions on how to make them.  {so Martha!} I am also loving the legs dipped in a tad of color.  Oh I would buy these for sure if someone sold them.  I love the texture and the inviting cozy feel you get looking at them.

Then I turn the page and see this!  A knitted quilt with a linen duvet underneath it.  Not to mention it is grey and mustard, one of my two favorite colors.

via Martha Stewart Living Magazine

Oh baby, it has been so cold here in San Diego, I would love to cozy up to this bed at night.  Instructions are given as well on this one.  Sigh, if only I knitted.

Still waiting on my new Nikon camera.  Evidently Tawain was flooded back in October, which included the Nikon factory.   So product is really low right now with all the retailers in the States. It was hard to find the one I wanted at the price I wanted.  But yahoo!  It should be here on Friday.  Here is a glimpse of what I will probably bombard you with when I get to play with my new camera

Christmas is only 11 days away, can you believe it?

Martha does it again! is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.

I had a glitch last week during my wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, my camera up and broke!  My right hand man is now stuck on the shutter release mode…boo hoo.  Good thing is there are a lot of deals on new cameras right now to be had, so I am shopping for a newer one.  I haven’t even looked into fixing my camera. Even though my Nikon is only 4 years old, it just seemed so ancient once I started looking at the newer models.  I am asking my husband for a new one for Christmas.  But an EARLY Christmas present, like next week early Christmas present, I can’t go a whole month without a camera!

So now all I have is my iPhone camera to use.  That isn’t saying much since I have the oldest version of an iPhone and the camera isn’t half as good as the newer ones.  My daughter Tiffany told me to downloaded the Camera + app.   Let me tell you, it has a lot of bells and whistles that can make any picture look good!

I am so glad I have a daughter who is tech savoy.  I have been lost without my camera, and she saved the day.  Tiffany takes a lot of pictures with her iPhone {she has the newer version, yeah, what’s up with that? } and she edits them right on her phone and puts them on Instagram. She is a very good photographer and very cre8tive with her composition.   If you do Instagram, you can follower her, Pandatiff, she loves followers!

So now that I have the Camera + app installed on my iphone, I wanted to show how great my pictures are turning out and some projects I am working on.

This is a sign I made out of wood shims.  It is going to be put on a vintage suitcase dog bed I am making for a friend.  I can’t wait to show you how I did this!  So easy and cheap to do.

This picture I took of cabbage rose in my yard

Now this is random.  I couldn’t believe this shadow as I was standing in my driveway.  The shadow is me, and when I looked down at my tennis shoes, I said out loud “yeah, I wish my legs were that skinny!”  So I snapped a picture cause my legs will NEVER be that skinny, I want to savor the moment forever.

Another project I am working on is doing an advent calendar for Layla.  We have a ton of these little plastic jars that hold plastic gloves for coloring hair.

I put fabric on them and added some embellishments and a little treat inside.

They will be put in an old vintage Coke crate that looks like this

Coke crates have exactly 24 slots, how perfect is that?  I am almost done with all 24.  I have to mail these to her, so I better hurry!

Aren’t these great pictures from a phone camera?  I tell ya, if you have an iPhone get the Camera + app, you won’t be disappointed.

{I am not getting paid to promote this app nor any compensation, just passing along a great tip}

Camera + App is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.

I am as done as I am going to be with my Thanksgiving table and decorations.  Do I dare say that I am ready to haul out the Christmas stuff?  I really have enjoyed all my fall decorations but I am ready for some red and green!

My sister and her family are coming over for Thanksgiving.  We are a pretty informal bunch, but I just love decorating for a holiday, so I tend to go a tad over board.  I thought I would share the pictures before I forgot and Thanksgiving has come and gone.  {Warning, lots of pictures}

I love these little beeswax pumpkin candles I got off of Etsy here. I found the tray at Ikea in the Christmas section, it resembles nothing close to Christmas, so I will be using it year round.    I love trays for clustering items on tables, dressers, buffets, and anywhere else I can get away with it.

My kitchen Island got a little fancy with the candelabras.  They are normally on my formal dining room table, but as you will see that table is now full

I made this little wreath out of yarn I got from the thrift the thrift shop.  I was seeing them all over Pinterest and had to make one for myself. Does it look like a candy corn to you?  That is what I was trying to achieve.  My daughter Tiffany said it looked like a life saver… well at least it is a fall lifesaver then

I made these name cards this weekend with my silhouette machine for my pumpkin card holders.  First time actually using it and I had it for months.  I am excited to use it again!

I used a gold leaf paint pen to write the names.  My new love.  I will be finding a way to use that puppy come Christmas decorating that is for sure!

My pumpkins have been on the table for about 3 weeks now.  Had to throw away two this week, and the rest are barely gonna make it til Thursday.  The guy told me they would last up to 3 months!

The backside of the place card I did in polka dots

What I love about what I have on this table {the couch and table are in my dining room} is the ship.  When I saw it in one of our cabinets in the family room the idea hit me. I thought I should pay homage to the Mayflower, and what better way to do it than with a ship that kinda looks like it.

Another trayscape…my new word

I don’t wear jewelry much, but I love using it on vases, candles and statues.

The table setting

This is the buffet area where I put out all the food

My family wouldn’t care if we ate off of paper plates, it is all about the food, being together and being thankful for what we have and each other.  But I like to make it even more special with the decorations, even if it is just for one day.  Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Linking up to Kate’s Holiday Table Scape Link Party & Home Goods Contest {you know how much I LOVE Home Goods, I would love gift card from there!!}

And Judy’s Fall into Fall link party

Thanksgiving table all set is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.

“Readers have the opportunity to choose your entry as a “favorite” through noon (EST) on November 21, 2011. The top rooms (receiving the highest number of “favorites”) in each of the National divisions (North, South, East, West) will become our Regional finalist winners and will move on to the next round of voting to determine the Grand Prize winner.”

Oh dang!  Really?  I have to beg, plead, bribe my followers, family and friends to vote for me?  Daunting, I tell ya.  I guess I should of really thought of that before I entered.  Then again, I didn’t really think they would pick my room.

But you know what?  I have this little dream to get one of my designs published before I am 50.  I turn 50 in January.   Sigh.  The end of my 40′s.  Since I haven’t ever really made any effort to pursue this dream and January is creeping up on me, this would be just as good if not better than getting published.   Apartment Therapy is big time, so I would be just as fulfilled with having my design on their website as the winner LOL  {look at me dreaming of winning the whole thing!}

So if you are so inclined, I am now asking if you would take the time to go over and vote for my room here or

You can just copy and paste this url to go vote

http://community.apartmenttherapy.com/contests/color/2011/entries/3522

One last thing. If you would want to share this link on your Facebook or Twitter that would be appreciated as well.  I am a little behind on the votes compared to the other contestants, so I could really use the extra shout outs.  Thank you in advance, I really appreciate your help.

My room got picked for the Apartment Therapy Color Contest! is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.

Today, just for the heck of it, I wanted to see if I could stamp something on the front to spruce them up a bit, and it worked!

It isn’t perfect, but I like them none the less.  I just used a regular scrapbooking stamp with a java brown chalk ink pad.  I was able to wipe it off right away if I messed up. A very simple and easy project.  If I was really ambitious, I would stamp each person’s name on them as well!  Hmmm…I might try that with a bronze or gold metallic ink, that would be fun!

My Thanksgiving table is coming together. I am not done, but luckily for me, I am using my formal dining room, so I can put the table setting together at my own pace.   It’s nice because I don’t feel rushed to get it done, I do a little here and there.

Michelle, from Sweet Something Design had posted about the leaf plates she got at Wal-mart. So I went and picked some up the other day.  A fun and inexpensive way to add some fall to the place setting.  $2.98 each if you want to get some for your table.   I moved my pinterest inspiration vanilla/coffee candles to the table as well.  Who knows what my table will actually end up looking like come Thanksgiving day, but the little stamping project is my favorite so far.

Pumpkin stamping is a post from: Cre8tive Designs Inc.