Latest Obsession!

I am completely obsessed with a website that I recently discovered:  www.Houzz.com

Take a peek when you have chance.  They have thousands of pictures of beautiful rooms in every style and color that you can image.  There is an Ideabook feature that allows you to save your favorite rooms for future inspiration.

I am making an upholstered headboard for by daughter as a Christmas gift. 

This is my inspiration for the headboard.  It is the backrest of a sofa in a model home that we visited recently.

I hope I can get it done in time.  There are only 4 days left until we open our gifts and I haven't even cut the fabric yet.  I work better under pressure.

I'll post some pictures.  Wish me luck!

This is a pouf that I made from discontinued designer samples.  I think it would look great in a family room or playroom.  I just love all the patterns and colors.  It's a really fun piece.  I'm so tempted to put it in my living room but I know a little fat dog that will chew it up in record time. 

A beautiful beach cottage - Style At Home

A beautiful beach cottage - Style At Home

Quote for today

I saw this quote today:
"Don't worry if your tasks are small and rewards are few, remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you!"

I think I've been a nut long enough!  I ready to be a mighty oak!  Universe are you listening?

Ciao

Just a little bike ride...

Congratulations are in order. 

Our cousin Fabe just purchased a new Harley.  It is beautiful.  All blue and sparkly! Fabe has been riding for many years but always as a single man.  His old Harley, though beautiful in its own fiery right, was custom built for him.  A "single guy".  Now that he is (finally!) in a relationship, an upgrade was sorely needed.  This new bike fits the bill.  I know first hand that a comfortable seat, a back rest and adjustable shocks are the makings of a happy marriage and lots of blissful rides.

This past weekend, we joined Christina and Fabe on their first official excursion .  The destination was the annual Fog Fest in Pacifica.  And foggy it was! It was a cold and misty ride on highway 92 and through Devil's Slide but the senery was majestic.  I have never seen the coastline so eery yet so beautiful.  Once we arrived, the music and food made us forget all about the weather.  The first yummy booth to greet us was the funnel cake booth.  Definetly worth every gooey calorie!

This was not just a first ride for the new Harley but it was also a new adventure of sorts for my husband and I.  Our youngest daughter has a new special guy in her life.  And...he rides a Harley!  He respectfully asked my husband if he could join us on the ride and  if our daughter could ride with him.  I'm not sure how he mustered the courage for that conversation!  My husband can be pretty intimidating but to my surprise he agreed.

Both of our daughters were raised on mortorcycles.  They have been riding with their father since they were old enough to reach the footpegs.  One year, to keep peace in the family, I had to drive one daughter to the Independence Day Rally in Hollister while the other rode with my husband.  They traded places for the ride home.  Some years, he would take one daughter to the rally on Friday and the other one on Saturday so that could each could enjoy the ride through the gauntlet of motorcycles on Main Street.  Our youngest has even attended the Sturgis Rally!  Our oldest daughter, who is married and has sons of her own, still enjoys the occasional ride with dad.

That being said, it's quite a different feeling to watch your child ride off with someone else.  Or, as my grandson Jake calls him, New Guy.  My husband handled himself very well, only glancing in the rearview mirror every five minutes or so.  To my surprise, he did not comment on New Guy's riding skills.  This means he approves.  I suspect they will be joining us more often.  There's even some talk of Street Vibrations in Reno next summer though I think that's pretty scarry talk for such a new relationship.  Let's not scare New Guy away just yet. He has potential...

This was certainly a weekend to remember.  I'm happy for the new phase of our life.  I am happy that we can enjoy our children's company as adults and that they in turn embrace our cherished lifestyle.

Though,

I'm sad that the little girls who fought over bike rides with dad are gone.  I wasn't ready.  I need more time...

Just a little R & R

Our favorite campimg spot is the now infamous (thanks to New Jersey Housewives) Pillar Point "parking lot" in Half Moon Bay, California.  It's only 45 minutes from our home and is dog friendly.  This makes it incredibly easy to get away for some much needed R & R.  Both my husband and I have demanding jobs and even a quick three day get away to the coast is refreshing. 

I love sitting outside of the motorhome on my comfy lounge chair looking out at the ocean. Margarita in hand, of course.  At night, I find nothing more relaxing than the sound of waves crashing over the rocks lulling me into a peaceful sleep. Until...the dogs have to pee!  Let me tell you, it's freaking cold in the middleof the night  in Half Moon Bay!  The things we put up with for our dogs.

Pillar Point is a small campground and we always run into people that we know.  I joke that all you need to survive there is an empty glass.  You're bound to find a party. I remember when my inlaws visited for the day. We had a dinner together and they left.  An hour later, my husband and I decided to take the dogs for a walk.  Who do you think we bumped into to?  My inlaws! They never made it out of the campground.  They ran into old friends and were busy parting it up!

A paved trail along the beach  leads right to the harbor for those days when cooking feels too much like work.  It's a short walk and there are several restaurants and shops to choose from.  My favorite restaurant is Catch Joanne's.  Always welcoming and they have a great menu.

When we are feeling adventurous, we bike the trails along the coast. But mostly, we enjoy the ocean view and each other's company.  Not a bad deal. 

Next trip, the dogs stay home!



I guess the Margarita kicked in!



View from the Motorhome




Harley and Daisy acting like saints.

 

My husbands view of marriage:

First there's the engagement ring.

Then, the wedding ring.

Afterwards its all about suffering!

Funny guy!

Perfect lamp

I have been looking for a new lamp for my living room for quite some time.  Nothing seems right.  Everything is either too formal, too casual or too glitzy for my lifestyle.  Today, while browsing thru the One Kings Lane website I found the perfect lamp!  Of course it's sold out.  That's me.  A day late and a dollar short.  No worries.  I'm going to recreate it.

This is the One Kings Lane Lamp.

Tune in later for my interpretation of this georgeous lamp!

New baby!

I am so excited!  We have a new baby in our family.  My nephew and his fiance just welcomed a little girl-Madison.  This is my brother's first grandchild.  I can't wait to meet her!

Here's my grandbabies on vacation!

It's been a while since I had the opportunity to sit down and write about my adventures.  Unfortunately, my life is not that exciting so it won't take long to get you all caught up. 

My trip to Rome was spectacular.  The history and architecture of this city is awesome.  It felt surreal to surrounded by such rich and colorful history. 

Rome, the Eternal City, it is also a city with no end of ruins. It's impossible to see all of the temples and monuments from previous empires,  so I began my journey with the Pantheon, the Colosseum and St. Peter's Basilica. But the true flavor of Rome, was a glass of Chianti wine and visiting its many fountains in the moonlight.  My hotel was located directly across the street from Castle St. Angelo.  A perfect location, walking distance to the Vatican and many other attractions.   And the shopping...the shopping is beyond belief...Prada, Gucci, Luis Vuitton, Furla and on an on!

This was an unforgetable experience.  Walking on uneven cobblestones definetely left an impression on my feet.  It took a month for all the blisters to heal!  But what an adventure! I will allways be grateful to my daughter for choosing Rome as one of her study abroad destinations.  Had it not been for her, I would have missed out on the best vacation of my life!

Since coming home I've had the pleasure of working on many projects.  One of my favorites is a vacation cottage in Truckee that my friend Susan, Paisley Powell Designs, designed.  She is so creative and it is always a pleasure to work with her.  You can view pictures of this wonderful cottage on www.Ballardcottage.shutterfly.com.  Mind you, this only the guest cottage.  The main house is still under construction.  Check back at the end of September to see more pictures of the guest cottage and the main house as well.

On the front, it's almost time for the fall quarter to start at SCU!  I am looking forward to decorating my daughter's new appartment.  It is still on campus housing so we are limited by housing rules and regulations but I'm sure we'll come up with some fun ideas.  I know that she is looking forwad to being back on campus and on her own again.  I'll miss having her at home but it's time for her to move on and be on her own. 

So...once the child is back on campus, I will finally be able to concentrate on my sewing room.  My haven.

My palace of solitude.  My very own creative space...with the same three samples of paint on the wall and my husband's stuff.  Oh Goodwill, you will be happy with me this fall.  I plan on leaving you many packages!

Speaking of creative, my daugther Liz owner of Lizzysbusybaby.com made these wonderful teepees for the kids to play in.  I love them!  I'm so proud of her.  She takes after me!

Until next time...Ciao!

 

Exciting news!

I am happy to report that I am off to Rome in a few days for some siteseeing as well as shopping and inspiration!  I can't wait to visit a fabric store in Rome with over 200,000 fabrics and off course the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Coloseum, Spanish Steps...Ciao!

Opulent Valances!

I just finished these valances for Finishing Touch Interiors.  They are so decadent!

Sewing room update

I have 3 paint swatches on the wall. 

Oh yeah...I managed to move my daughter's dorm room nick nacks out of my sewing room and back into her bedroom.  She's in Rome so she couldn't put up a fight!

I'm still working on the Raider/Harley paraphanalia.  He (owner of the paraphanalia) is not in Rome (though I'd like to send him to Rome).

I have been busy with lots of projects.  My Etsy shop is starting to get some traffic.  I have sold  a few poufs and pillow covers.  I even had a request for a custom pouf.  In addition, I made some white seersucker roman shades with scalloped trim for Paisley Powell Designs. 

I have a new project that I am excited about.  Two of my teenage nieces are in the process of redecorating their bedrooms and have asked me to make some items for them.  I am so thrilled that they want to include me in their project.  We are in the process of selecting fabrics.  They have great taste.  I will post some pictures later on.