home decor and garden are very famous in the world

I told you about how I have been SLOWLY reorganizing my house in the last post. Why slowly? Well, I get distracted sometimes, especially when I am working in my hobby room...

I found lots of felt from different places in the room. I guess I collected them over the years little by little. I started to line them up and color-coordinate them.

Look at all these colors!

and some more...



Looking at them made me wanna make something...and I actually started cutting them today. I will post the finished item with a tutorial soon!

Last fall we began the redecorating process of our red living room. We lightened things up by painting the walls SW Aria Ivory, removing dated curtains and reducing the number of accessories.

After:

Before:

New pillows were made for the chairs and I found a funny little French marble top table to replace the too big skirted round table.


Things seemed to be progressing nicely.

Later, some bargain curtain hardware was unified with paint/glaze and after input from RDH followers the winner of the gray silk versus white linen curtain debate was selected – although I never announced my choice.


The curtain hardware issue was easily fixed in a few hours with some white paint to match the woodwork.

Amending the curtain situation, however, was a different story. My first thought was to make four more panels. I liked the gray silk and it was not the color which bothered me. See how empty this looks!


The problem with this idea was the fabric was purchased several months ago and dye lots vary from bolt to bolt. The chance of getting more fabric to match the existing curtains was pretty slim. I ordered a fabric sample from the bolt from which my new fabric would be cut anyway and kept my fingers crossed.

The sample arrived and much to my surprise and delight it matched perfectly. However, while I was waiting I had another thought. I decided to play “musical curtains” and move the gray silk panels to another room in my house. It was love at first sight!

Now I had a decision to make. Keep the curtains in their new room or make four more panels. Which did I choose? Stay tuned for the answer!

First off, if you haven't gone over to Project Run and Play to vote this week, would you mind heading over there and voting for #3 "Lindsay's Girly Girl Twirl Dress"?  I usually ask you guys to vote for your favorite look, but this week I need your help! 

This was a particularly hard challenge for me (I'm not much into current women's fashion trends).  We are definitely at risk for being eliminated and the next week is the vintage-inspired challenge which I know I can rock!!  So, if you all would please, pretty please, head over and vote, I would be so grateful!  Voting is only open until midnight tonight.

This weekend I decided to take a little time to do some sewing for myself and my family.  I started my very first string-block quilt and these are my first four squares.


For those of you that sew a lot of clothing, you know how many scraps you end up having left over.  I thought this quilt would be perfect for using up all those skinny little scraps that I can't bare to throw away.  Plus, I love the eclectic look of all the different pretty fabrics.

In the picture above, you can see how the thin white strip forms a diamond when four blocks are placed together.  I plan on this quilt taking me a very long time, but I love that I am using my scraps and I know it will be gorgeous when it is all finished.


I also decided to sew a quick peasant style dress for my daughter Savannah.  I used the pattern that was given to us during the last Leila and BenProject Run and Play Challenge (the Sweet Dress pattern).  I actually sewed the pattern the way it was instructed this time.


This dress pattern took me about 45 minutes to get sewn (garment label and all!).  I would say if you are a beginner it might take about an hour and a half, but no more than that.  It's super-simple and only has two pattern pieces to cut! I would highly recommend this pattern to any new sewer that is looking to start to make children's clothing.


The only thing I did different with the pattern was to add the ruffle detail down the front.  I think this is going to be a great little dress for spring/summer.  And what I really love about this pattern is that Savannah will be able to continue to wear this as a top when she gets taller - gotta love that!

Are you familiar with Party Resources?This blog is home to some gorgeous pictures/work...
I can't read it without wanting to get married again...
Anyhoo, I will be over on Party Resources today guest blogging, please stop and check it out!

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

This week passed by in the blink of an eye for me. There is something I am working on but I can't reveal it ‘till March. I have been trying to squeeze the time to work on that into my schedule... and it has been fun! When I am focused on a project, I forget to eat or drink. Time flies by so fast! I have to make an effort to keep looking at my watch, so I won't miss my children’s pick up time.

Another thing I have been doing is to slowly reorganize my house. I have been working on each room, going through the closets and cupboards. I usually have three bags for "Sale", "donate", and "throw away". Sometimes if I am in the "zone", it's easy to part with the things and the clean-up goes fast. If I am not so much in the zone, my mind is blank, don't know where to put what. The whole thing takes a long time too.

Well, for the above two reasons, my family didn't eat very nice dinners this week. I felt a little guilty, so I cooked better meals Friday and Saturday. It should even things out, right? :)

I see in this week’s link party, more Valentine’s crafts, and they are fun! I hope you all are getting inspired by them! Well, here are my favorites for this week...

This is one of those Valentine’s crafts I just mentioned...Fast Daze shared a really fun Wreath, inspired by Tatertots & Jello. She also used the tutorial from “A girl and Glue Gun” to make felt flowers. How colorful and pretty!


Holy Cow!! Talk about big project, I mean, really BIG. Backwoods Cottage shared a STUDIO she built with her husband. Yeah, you heard (read) right. A STUDIO! She posted the step by step photos on her blog, so head over there to check them out! I would love to see the picture of it all moved in and decorated studio too! Amazing job!




You Seriously Made That? shared this pretty headband. I have seen many crocheted headbands before, but I really like this style and the colors of the yarn. Great job!


When I saw the picture of this plate, I was in LOVE! I love Jane Austin and Mr. Darcy... Grey Luster Girl was inspired by Pottery Barn and created this plate. Sooo romantic!


This is also a Valentine project, but without the usual red and pink. I love how A Crummy Marriage Blog layered the fabrics for the letters. What a fun way to make it more interesting!



Thank you all for sharing your great projects! See you at the next post!

One of the things I like best about blogging is discovering new sites. (Hopefully you do too!) It seems almost every week I find a new and incredible blog. To help spread the word about new blogs and recognize some long time favorites, I am excited to announce a new “Blog of the Month” feature on Red Door Home.

My plan is to spotlight one favorite blog during the first week of each month. (This will be hard decision as there are so many wonderful sites and only twelve months in the year!)

As a bonus and thank you, the featured blog will also receive a button link to their blog on the side bar of Red Door Home until the next blog of the month is announced – a free month of advertising!

So, if you have a blog and would like to be featured or have a favorite blog you think everyone should know about please leave a comment below or email me. I can’t wait to see your suggestions!

Comfort is key when it comes to children's -wear.  I really wanted to create a look that was truly wearable for a child.  She could run, jump, play or twirl and be incredible comfortable and stylish at the same time!  And I know this dress fit the bill, because Savannah did not want to take it off - she told me it was "SO cozy and soft".  Perfect - mission accomplished!!