home decor and garden are very famous in the world

As the mother of six children (three boys & three girls; how cool is that!), Christmas can be a tremendous balancing act! Sometimes I balance across all six children, and sometimes I just have to make sure the boys balance (or just the girls).



You see, I knitted a dragon scarf for one boy. And a handmade gift for one boy means the other two need something handmade...and Christmas was drawing ever closer! I finished a pair of fingerless gloves (see my boys' gifts here). Then I was out of time!!

In a desperate search for something to make up the difference, I came across some delightful "Toy Story" flannel, and a pair of pajama pants was born!

Boy #3 looks happy, don't you think??

Before diving into 2011, I thought it would be fun to take a look back on this past year. It definitely was a busy 365 days filled with numerous projects and house updates. The following are my favorites (in no particular order) from 2010.

Metal Top Table Redo
Using my favorite painting and glazing technique, I transformed a metal top coffee table a friend no longer wanted.

Daughter’s Room Redo
My daughter’s room went from little girl blue and green to big girl pink, tan and gray. Projects included dog silhouettes, embellishing a cork board, creating a marble top side table, and adding ceiling molding.


Dining Room
Paint changed a mismatched group of furnishings – a floor sample clock, thrift store chairs and buffet, and a Craig’s list table – into a cohesive grouping. With the addition of a zig zag rug, Ikat fabric to cover the chairs and a mirror (which has yet to arrive) this space started the year almost empty and finished almost full.


Bye Bye Red Room
We lightened up our red living room by painting it white, removing accessories and adding new curtains. This space is still a work in progress and is on my “to do” list for 2011.


Secrets to Finding Roadside Treasures
Here I shared the three reasons I have been so successful in finding roadside freebies.


Block Printed Pillows
Vintage printing blocks and letters were used to create unique patterns on fabric which were then turned into pillows.


One Dollar Decorating
I found a mismatched group of milk glass vases at the thrift store and created a pretty table and mantle for only one dollar.


My Sewing Machine
The only sewing machine I have ever owned belonged to my Grandmother - proving it does not take a fancy sewing machine to sew!


Worth the Wait
This post highlighted the landscaping transformation our house has gone through since moving in nine years ago. We began with nothing but dirt and have slowly created a yard we are proud to call our own.

So there you have it – the best of Red Door Home 2010. Hope you enjoyed the past year as much as I have. I am looking forward to 2011 and all the great projects and posts the year brings.

I would love to know your favorite post of 2010? What would you like to see more of in 2011?

I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year!!! I hope 2010 was all you had hoped for and 2011 is even better. Thank you for reading H&H, you mean the world to me!!!

xx,

Marianne

You must be wondering why I am posting Link Love so soon... the reasons are...

1. Tomorrow is our New Year’s party, and I am not posting.
2. On January 1st there is something exciting I am going to post, so I really wanted this week’s link love posted soon.

Thank you again everyone for your wonderful projects. It is hard for me to pick just five every time. I always try to have a variety by picking different types of projects. Also, I want to give many different people a chance to be featured. I hope you understand where I come from and why I pick certain projects for my link party.

Ok, this week’s link love...

The Quick Un-pick shared this wonderfully done Sewn Photo Canvas Display. Her tutorial shows you how to make this, and the result is stunning!


Are you looking for the perfect gift to give in January that is useful all year long? Very Merry Vintage Style created free printable calendar for 2011 and shares a tutorial on how to create this amazingly cute calendar. This will be going on my "to-do" list. :)


These black & white fortune cookies by Homeworkwill spice up any party. A very fun and stylish idea!


Is this pretty or what? I keep my recipes in a special binder, but I might start writing my recipes on index cards, so I can use this card holder. :) Check out Life's Sweeter with Chocolate wonderful step by step tutorial!


I posted several different tutorials for brooches (including mine) in the past, and I believe this is totally new! I love the fullness of it, and it looks easy to make. Thank you for sharing Innocentia !


I can't believe this year is ending soon... I just want to tell you all how thankful I am that you to take time out of your busy day to come back to read my blog. Really, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I hope, I can keep creating and writing fun and feel good posts during the coming year.

Have a nice New Year’s Eve, and Happy New Year!

Chanel Spring 2011 Show- It is visual stunning and inspiring, especially the aerial views of the whole "runway". Hope you enjoy...

The second part is probably better and shorter for those who don't want to sit through Part I...
Karl, you are a creative genius.

LOVE this room with not one but 3 ottomans....The rest of the house is great too, definitely a breath of fresh air. The fretwork in the other rooms is amazing, be sure to check it out. I was going to only post the ottoman picture but I had to include these as well.
For more images of this house by Thomas Hamel go to House Beautiful

This is a picture that I took while ago. I love this tree. Every time when I drove pass by I glance at it. Some reason, the tree gives me a very calm and peaceful feeling.

Hmmm... You guys must be wondering when I would post my new projects. Well, tell you the truth, I don't even know. I have two other dinner parties (one is for New Year’s Eve) planned out and don't have much time to work on my projects.

Although, let me tell you this, there is something very special and fun planned out for begging of 2011. I can't tell you what it is yet, because that will spoil the fun, but you will find out soon enough. :)

It is time for the link party. I can't wait to see what you have been working on!

Here are the rules;

1. Please post something YOU made. It doesn't matter if it is crochet, quilt, clothing, anything would be fine. I want to see it! If you use someone's idea or patterns please give them the rightful credit.

2. Link to your specific post, that way it is easier for everybody to find and read it.

3. Please grab the "Tea Rose Home" grab button, and link back from your post. If you can mention the party in your post or place the button on your side bar, that would be great! I want more people to have a chance to come and show off their creation.

<center><a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com"><img border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462799092490427250" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 160px;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r-hfhq1dCxo/S8_C1Ns323I/AAAAAAAACXo/Z2Bk7IVy69I/s200/GrabButtonLinkParty.jpg" /></a></center>

Thank you for your participation, and making this link party sucssesful and fun!

I wanted to share this post with you last week, but seeing as though this was a Christmas gift for my hubby, I had to hold off.  This I-pod cozy is made from the end of the sleeve of a felted wool sweater.  You can alter this tutorial to fit any kid of small electronic device - I-pod, I-phone, or use the entire body of the sweater and make one for your I-pad or Kindle.



Place the I-pod (or other electronic device) inside the felted wool sweater sleeve to measure for size.  Cut the end of the sleeve, leaving an additional 1/2" to allow for the seam allowance.

Turn the cuff right-sides together and stitch the bottom (raw end) closed (machine or by hand).  If you need to make the sleeve tighter, you can also sew down one of the sides and use whatever seam allowance you need to fit the electronic device you are using.  Cut the corners at a diagonal - be careful not to cut the stitching.  Turn right-side out.


Stitch the button, by hand, to the wool cuff.  Then sew the elastic hair tie as well.  Check for button placement by placing your I-pod inside the sleeve.  You want the elastic to stretch a little bit.