Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Wallpaper


No, not for the wall. For the computer screen. I am working on a Flick'r album of photographs that can be used as desktop wallpapers. I will post tomorrow with a small collection of photographs I have taken just around my home and outside. Anyone can use them and share with others. You may use the one at the top of this post if you wish. Just click on it so it shows the actual image size then right click and choose "Set as Background" or save as a file on your computer and then set it as your background.

If you don't like my photographs, take some of your own in a high resolution setting on your camera and see what you can come up with.


It's always nice to have something pretty and inspiring on your desktop. It's like a piece of art decorating your desk.


Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Christmas Clean-Up


Well, Christmas has come and gone and now it is time to get ready for a brand new year. I usually wait until after New Years to take down my tree and decorations, but I have decided to clean up early.



It feels just as good to me to put things away, clean and organize as it does to drag it all out and put it up. Everything feels clean and fresh.



I am gearing up for a few home projects. One is a cork note board for my office. I am using an old frame I had in the attic. I will share this week how I make my cork board. Very simple. The "K" initial I bought at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago. Hobby Lobby has the cutest initials in metal, ceramic, and ceramic tiles. This week, again, they are all 1/2 off!


I also painted this star in nice spring/cottage colors last night. It was a deep rust color. Nester gives great tips on how to paint stars when you need a fresh touch of color. This star is hanging in my stairway now.


Be Inspired! -Karol

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Monday, December 22, 2008

Keeping Warm

Last week I decided to treat myself to a Christmas present and purchased a hand-knitted scarf. I have been eyeing these beautiful scarves by Davids Knits on Etsy for quite a while. The above scarf, Aqua Groovy Araucania Scarf, is the one I purchased. David purchases his yarn from the mountains of South America, specifically from a women's cooperative established to promote social and economic growth within their rural areas.

David's Etsy shop is very professional. He offers about 5 photos of each scarf so you get to see the detail. My scarf arrived quickly and beautifully packaged. I definitely recommend Davids Knits.

Lucky me, the weather has turned cold and I can enjoy for a few days anyway.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Friday, December 19, 2008

Chocolate-Gingerbread-House Petits Fours


I received this cookie idea from Martha Stewart's Cookie of the Day email this morning. They are adorable. If the Gingerbread Dream Homes were a bit too fancy for you to try, then take a look at these mini chocolate-gingerbread bite size houses. They would make cute place markers for Christmas Dinner or just on a cake plate as Petits Fours. CLICK HERE to see the recipe.


Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Foggy Night Christmas Lights


This is what it looked like at noon today as I left for my daughter's school to help with the Christmas party. Keep in mind, I had just emailed a friend to say how sunny and blue-skied it was here today. Next thing I know the fog rolled in off the Gulf. This is Seaside, FL at noon....


Just a mile farther at Western Lake in WaterColor, FL (at noon).....


Then tonight I had to go to the grocery store for the movie day tomorrow at her school. They are watching some Christmas movies and having hot chocolate and popcorn (eeks, what a combo). I had to get some hot chocolate and milk. I purposely went to the Publix in Carillon Beach so I could see the Christmas lights in the fog. I took my camera and tripod so I could capture some pictures. Below is what I saw on my way back home....



This is the main park in Rosemary Beach. Beautiful fountain.



This is just across the street.... Pretty Christmas tree.


This is a courtyard in Alys Beach.




This is pic of the rows of palm trees on 30A at Alys Beach.



This is closeup of one of the palm trees. They are magnificent in person.


The fog was so wet and so thick. This is the Florida Fish house just a few blocks from my house on Eastern Lake. I love how the sign was reflecting in the water....



This is Nativity scene at Seagrove Baptist Church. It looked so pretty on this foggy night.



Be Inspired. -Karol :0)

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Genius Gift Wrap Guide

I am sure, like me, some of you are just beginning to wrap gifts. I received an email from My Home Ideas, part of Coastal Living, Cottage Living magazines. They offer this great Genius Gift Wrap Guide with some clever ways to give and package gifts. The photo above is just a bakery/pastry box filled with 6 inexpensive white votives (probably unscented) and a box of matches. Very simple, but so classy with the packaging. Please visit My Home Ideas and while you're there, look around, they have helpful tips on how to tie a bow, how to wrap a gift and so many other things.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Gingerbread Dream Homes




Today was the annual "Breakfast with Santa" at my daughter's school. My favorite part of this event is the gingerbread houses made by local chefs. This year there were a few that I could not stop taking pictures of. Above was a beautiful storybook cottage. I wanted to live in it. Every detail was meticulously made. It is a coastal/storybook cottage. Below are some more pictures of the amazing details...



Next is a Stunning Lighthouse! Complete with a cobblestone walkway. I want to live in this one, too.


















This one was so cute, too. I love the pretzel stick fence. Sadie, this looks like your home!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Inspiration






Am I the only one that can't resist a decorating magazine? Sometimes I just say "No! Karol, you just bought a magazine yesterday!". Sometimes I am in line at Wal Mart for 20 minuntes and I can look through the pages and pictures and soak it all in and put it back and feel proud that I saved $5.99 for that issue. Then there are times I just have to have it. The covers do it to me every time. Who can resist the beautiful, eye-pleasing photographs? I am so inspired visually.


I am that way about my home. I like to walk around and everything looks nice. Not perfect, but nice. Nice -as in cozy. Nice -as in the colors feel good. It motivates me creatively.


What about you?


BTW: I have all the issues above.


Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Deck Your Cars

....with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

It's always fun to put a wreath on the front of my truck. I do it every year. I bought this wreath a few weeks ago at Michael's on sale for $3.00. I added a ribbon bow and tied to the grill on my truck with twine.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Argh! Pirate Ornaments

Each year I buy a new ornament or two for the Christmas tree. This year I found these adorable pirate ornaments at a local beach antiques/gift shop called Scavengers. My Aunt was visiting here from Missouri and we stayed busy visiting antique/gift shops. I couldn't resist these cute ornaments. They are made with bells. How clever. My tree is FULL of variety.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Making a Table Centerpiece



Did you find some free pine branches? You could also make a nice table centerpiece, as I did above (click on picture for larger view). Same steps as wreaths, but use a smaller wreath form. You can make your centerpiece round or long, as I did. Then add a candle sconce in the center and a bow, if you wish.

Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Thursday, December 4, 2008

How to make a fresh wreath for $2.50 each

Today I made two fresh frazier fur and berry wreaths for my front doors. I love making these wreaths. It smells so good and they look gorgeous, too. Below I will show you how to make them and virtually for free!


First, you will need a wreath form and some green floral wire. Both can be purchased at any craft store such as Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc. Most wreath forms are around $2.00. I used 18" wreath forms. Which means you should end up with 24" wreaths.



Next, you will need pine branches. Just visit your local grocery store or home center where they are selling fresh Christmas trees. Some places use the cuttings to make their own wreaths and sell them, so your best bet really is a grocery store. My local Publix grocery store actually keeps all the cuttings in a box just for people like me who want to make a wreath. How nice! Be sure to get plenty so you will have a nice full, lush wreath. Take a black plastic bag to put them in. You don't want pine sap in your trunk or carpet.


If you are lucky enough to have some of these berry trees around, gather a big bunch of these beautiful berry branches. Unfortunately I don't have any of these trees in my own yard so I drove around and found some. They weren't "technically" in someones yard, just on the side of the road at the ditch. ;-)


See, I only took enough for my two wreaths. That's it.

Snip and gather a small bunch of pine branch tips as above. Start wrapping the floral wire just at the end of the branches. Next add a bunch of berries (if using berries) and wire them in place.



Keep going around adding pine branch tips and berries. Don't be stingy, use full bunches. Remember, they were free!



Almost there!....

Ok, all done. Isn't it pretty? This is the time to look at it. See if it needs a bit more green "here" or another bunch of berries "there".





Last, it's time to hang your wreath. I like to hang my wreaths with a nice wide ribbon. I saw this idea recently on the Nesting Place blog. I was so excited to see that I was actually doing something that Nester does. I l-o-v-e how she does things. Use a nice wide ribbon. I cut my ribbons 2 1/2' long. Tack them to the very top of the door using a heavy upholstery tack. These wreaths are heavy.


I made the first wreath just after lunch. Then I had to pick up my kids at school and by the time we got back home it had been storming. So I had to make the next one on my wet porch. Taking the picture of the two wreaths together did not turn out like I wanted, but you get the idea. Also, my front steps are not centered with the front doors (don't blame me, I did not design this house) so it is not easy to take a picture of the front doors without some kind of angle to it.

If you make one of these wreaths, please comment or email me and let me know. I would love to hear all about it.


Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Post Card Painting

I just saw the neatest idea for art today. I bought the December'08/January '09 issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion. There was a story on the owner of Joan's on Third in Los Angeles. The story includes a tour of her beautiful LA loft.
As my eyes feasted on the beautiful photos of the monochromatic back drop of her home, embellished with whimsy and bright touches of color, I immediately saw the painting on her bedroom wall. You can CLICK HERE to read the entire story on ME's mag website.

The painting above her bed is a postcard. I was hoping to find information on the artist or where they are available, but there is a footnote regarding the painting that Joan found the painting in a Santa Monica restaurant and kept bugging the owner about it until they let her buy it.

Isn't it clever? What an idea. I might just have to buy a canvas and make one of these. Wouldn't they make a great gift for someone far away. You could paint it just as you would have written them a postcard.

I love it!
Be Inspired. -Karol :0)
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