The Liebster Award and the Next 11 Questions

If you are not familiar with the Liebster award, it’s an award that bloggers give each other as a way of discovering new blogs and learning about the people who actually write the blog. As a nominee I am asked to answer questions (from my nominator) and then create my own questions for the bloggers I nominate.   Hmmm, this should be verrry interesting. My good friend Shelly over at ConfettiStyle nominated me and I feel truly honored that she did. Here are the questions Shelly  asked me and a few other great bloggers to answer.

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 QUESTIONS FOR THE NOMINEES ARE:

1.    If you had to use three words to describe your style what would they be?

If I had to describe my style it would probably take more than 3 words, but the first three that come to mind are, colorful, eclectic, and glam. I like, colorful walls, not just “pops of color” in a room, I like so many different styles of furnishings that I think the word eclectic was coined just for me. The glam comes from a deep love of all things shiny. I love crystals, metallics’ (especially silver) mirrors and just anything that has a shiny finish.

2.    What’s the favorite decorative accessory you own?

My favorite decorative accessory is actually a set of accessories. It’s two custom made mirrors that I created a few years ago. They are two of my favorite colors, turquoise and silver. 

3.    What’s your biggest pet peeve?

I guess my biggest pet peeve is people texting and playing games on their phones when seated at a restaurant table together. I always am amazed at how far we have moved away from face to face conversation. It's sad.

4.     If you had the chance to be on a game show which show would you like to be on and why?

                If  I could be on a game show I think I would want to be on Family Feud. I think with  a
              team  made up of my kids and siblings we could win it all!!

5.     Name two things on your bucket list.

 The longer I live the longer my bucket list gets. And I actually get to mark things off my list every year. So far this year, I marked off zip lining and being in a flash mob. But two things that are still on it is:

 1. Shopping at the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, CA

2.  Going to the Kentucky Derby. Yes, I want to sip a Mint Julep while wearing a fantastic hat designed by Mr. Song in Southfield Mich. I guess that’s 3 things isn’t it!! Oops

6.    What’s the best gift you’ve ever given and the best gift you’ve ever received?

I think the best gift I’ve ever given was a pink Kitchen Aide Artesian Mixer to my daughter Cassie as her high school graduation gift. I guess I focus more on the" it’s better to give than receive",  because I am having a hard time thinking of the best gift I ever received. If I had to pick one I guess it would be the brand new car that I got as a College Graduation/Wedding gift!! It was the first time I got to go to a car dealership and pick out all the options I wanted on a car.

7.    Stranded on an island, what magazine would you want to have with you?

That’s easy, HGTV Magazine. I could probably build a great little hut and furniture to go in it with the amazing ideas I see it. LOL

8.    You are throwing the dinner party of your life.  What famous people would you invite and why?

I would so invite President Barak Obama, his wife and her mother. I believe her mother has a totally different perspective on things than the President and First Lady, and I’d like to hear their views on the same topics. Like so many others, I would also like to get a glimpse at how Oprah and Tyler Perry view life based on where they began and where they are now.

9.    If you could hire one famous designer to build your dream home, who would it be and why?

I think I’d hire Tiffany Brooks, winner of HGTV Design Star. I like her style and use of color. See question #1!!

10.  What would you do if you won the lottery?

Assuming if you ask this question we’re talking about millions of dollars won, I know exactly what I’d do. Like most winners I’d eliminate every bill I have and take care of my family and the church I grew up in back in Detroit. My next move would be to create a program that serviced mentally disabled young adults who were trying to transition into the “real” (as in adult) world as successful independent adults. There are too few programs that address this group of individuals. I can also think of a couple of charities I'd support. Of course there would be some major travel involved.

11.  What one power tool or crafting tool could you not live without?

Who ever invented the glue gun was a genius. What can you not fix or make with a glue gun? Really, if you think of something that melts, you could probably use a low temp glue gun on it!!

Well now I hope you feel like you know me a little better or have confirmed that you knew me as well as you thought you did. At first glance these questions didn’t seem too thought provoking, but they actually were.

       

The next part of this process is to nominate other bloggers for the Liebster Award. The first couple that came to mind had already been nominated by Shelly ( great minds think alike, right). 

A great blog that I just recently started following is: USS Crafty.com written by T'onna Peters  aka Navy Wifely Peters states she’s a Navy Wife and she has mad crafting skills.

Another favorite blog of mine is Pneumatic Addict , well written by Elisha. I have learned a lot from her posts, check out her sections on tools.

Another favorite blog that really has nothing to do with home décor and DIY but has everything to do with creating wonderful fashion is Mimigstyle.  I have even purchased some of her clothing patterns and love the results. 

Now for my 11 questions that I hope these ladies will answer::

      1.      What has been your biggest source of inspiration (pre- Pinterest)? 
      2.      What is you favorite “non creating” thing to do?

3.      If you could visit 3 places outside of the US, where would you go and why?

4.      If you didn’t blog, how would you share your creativity with others?

5.      What one step or process was most beneficial to your blogging experience?

6.      If you could learn to do one new thing what would it be and why?

7.      If you had to choose between entree or desert which would win and what would it be?

8.      If you are into thrift shops, what’s your go to store and if you're not,  why not?

9.      Who would you take on an all  expenses paid shopping trip (including shopping money) to New Your City, and why?

10.  What’s one piece of furniture in your home, could you not give up and why?

11.  What color should be in every house or closet, no matter your style?

This has been a fun blog post.  I hope you’ll take a moment to stop by the blogs that I’ve nominated,  for the Liebster  Award to check them out and say hi.

A Living Encore - Plant Style

This is going to be a very different encore. It doesn't involve any glue, paint, wood or fabric. This is a green encore. If you read any of the popular home decor magazines you have probably noticed the lush green plants that are in every photo. You seldom see a room that doesn't have plants. Well, I only have 1 real plant in my whole house, and it's struggling. I'm  really hoping it hangs on until spring so I can put it outside and hope mother nature can lend a helping hand. Just about everyone I know has pretty good luck growing plants. I wrote a blog post some time ago about my friend Donna's garden, Third Day. Well, she also has always had beautiful plants inside her home. And I even had a friend who had over 50 houseplants in his apartment. Well, this is what I'm going to give an encore.

 At work today I encountered the lady whose company takes care of all the plants in our building. She was cutting back these plants. I always talk to strangers so I asked her what would happen to these cuttings. She said unfortunately they would be thrown away. They were lovely, healthy plants that were just growing too tall. She asked if I wanted them. Strong, healthy, and free, who could say no. Not me!!

                                            They sat in cups of water until I got them home.
I knew I had just the vases for them. I had a lovely vintage silver plated vase that I found while thrifting with my friends Shelly and Brandi.

Because the vase was so tall , I dropped two spray paint tops in and added a plastic vase from the Dollar Store to hold the water that the cuttings would be in until they grew roots.

     Just what this room needs, a beautiful plant, that was free! OK, don't think that because I don't have a monetary investment in these plants that I won't try my best with them

                                                          A silver ice bucket holds this plant.

Stay tuned and I promise to update you on the green encore. What about you, wouldn't you have saved these plants that were headed to the trash and given them a home? Let's face it, this is way better than bringing home a stray kitten.

Decorating On the Road

Hey all,

I had a great weekend. Loaded up my truck with child, dog and extras from my basement, garage and shed and took off over the mountain to Nashville. Armed with a new microwave as a house warming gift I made good on my promise to help my son Brandon decorate his new apartment. But before I left Atlanta I took a detour to visit Fabric World in Stone Mountain, Ga. My friends told me they thought it was a store I should check out and they were right!! I was not disappointed at all.

 

Lots of really inexpensive trim. Some great options.

                  

 

                                                         Lot and lots of fabric to choose from!

While I didn’t have lots of time to shop (Cass and Trey were waiting in the car) I did find a few pieces that I couldn’t leave without. Yea me!

 

                                        Could you have passed these up? I didn't think so.

 

On to Nashville we went. Brandon’s apartment was a study in beige on beige. Luckily, he wanted some color so there was hope!! I did have to rein myself in a couple of times but overall we agreed to work with earth tones. Saturday morning, we headed out in search of a few things. First we headed to the Nashville Farmers Market, then Old Time Pottery, and some thrift stores.

                                  These bar stools were perfect . We found them at  Music City Thrift Store

   We scored some great finds and after a full day of shopping, we headed home. This is what we found upon our return to the apartment.

Note to self – When your dog acts like he doesn’t like a place, pay attention. He’s probably not playing. When we left, Trey was in the window barking and whining.  I thought he'd give up , chew on his toys, take a nap, etc.When we returned, Trey was in the window barking and whining, only the window was missing 1 mini blind and 2 were shredded! One unhappy, stressed out 17 lb. Bichon is stronger than we thought.

    Dog vs. Mini Blind! I guess we know who won that fight.

 

 

Don't let all that cuteness fool you!!

                                         

In his defense, (I know, you’re thinking this dog could obviously defend himself) he heard each car that parked outside the apartment and was disappointed and mad when it wasn’t us returning. So, added to the list of hanging art work, curtain rods, unrolling rugs, etc we added a trip to get 3 new blinds.

Luckily, these were the cheapest blinds sold in the US.  So, when we left to go buy food and blinds, guess who happily rode along.

There was a table of great fabric right in the front of the store at Old Time Pottery and I scored some great pieces at an awesome price. I would have bought more but you have to buy the whole piece. So, I limited myself, but you’ll see the fabric in upcoming projects. Well shoot, here's a little sneak peek.

                                                       Wait til you see this again.

 I found a great piece of fabric that went well with the rug and wanted to make Brandon a few pillows.

 I was kicking myself for not bringing a sewing machine; I actually thought about it but decided “Nah, what for?”  So while waiting for takeout Chinese I ran into Family Dollar and bought a bed pillow to use as stuffing and a $1 sewing kit.

                                                      A movie later, I had hand sewn 3 pillows.

We hung the wall art and clocks. Arranged the bar stools, rugs and …  It’s looking a lot more like a home.

 

I plan to make a couple of custom pieces for his Gallery Wall.

Well, I'm on to the next project. Let me know what you think!! I love to read your comments.