Filling the Void,

A month or two back, while on the phone with my friend, Heather, I realized that I wasn't giving many updates on the blog, here, about normal day-to-day life. What have we been doing? I figured everyone wants the big adoption related stuff to be posted, so I write about that. Then, it seems, I don't have much time to post anything else.

But, I've been filling the void. I don't really mean the dramatic, emotional type of void like, "there's a void in my heart because Dorothy isn't home yet". Though, I suppose there are days when that is fitting. No, I more mean, an actual physical void. On my wall.

We have 22ft. ceilings in the living room. One of the projects since we've lived here has been to Put Something On the Wall. And while some may find that type of large space freeing, I just felt intimidated and frustrated. Truly, if money were no object, I'd fill it with large scale, breathtaking art that inspires, and uplifts and changes your life. Grand art. Amazing art. Okay.... you get the picture.

So, instead, I came up with this:

The picture is horrible. I took a quick snap and resisted the urge to "stage" the room for a better picture. The reality is, my boys were playing a video game and there was likely a huge pile of to-be-folded laundry on the couch.

What you are seeing is three IKEA shelves, stacked, with some great silver IKEA platters hung on the wall, some candle holders, and books. Totally budget-friendly, and slightly unexpected. The shelves are about 45 inches wide and spaced about 19 inches apart. So, it takes up a good portion of wall, yet, goes so nicely with the curtain fabric and the mellow griege wall color.

I love asymmetrical arrangements, but it is still *balanced*. The peony flowers are in these great green glass compote containers I found at the thrift store for about $2 each.

And the candle holders in turquoise were previously brass/ gold that I spray painted to match the pops of color I have in our house. Again, thrift store. I think they were about $2- $3 each. The books were from our collection. I just looked specifically for the bindings that were in shades of white, blue, and green, removed the dust jackets, and arranged them until it looked right to my eye.

So, there you have it- one of the projects I've worked on these last few months! Soon I'll showcase a few others.

[Wall] void filled!

Great idea

Fabulously great idea of the day

You've got to read the comments on that one, too- lots of laughs!

Drawing #1 tonight!

To extend the fun all week, our drawings for Operation BDHQ will happen in groups. Make your Tax Week a great one! If you haven't entered yet, you may do so all the way until midnight CST on the 16th, but the sooner you enter, the more prizes you'll be eligible for. Tonight, when Eric gets home, we're drawing winners for the first two prize packs: "Lucky Me prize package" and the "Printer Prize". The final drawings will be on Friday. Any entry not pulled will remain in "the hat" for any prize not already drawn (though we'll likely not use a hat. hee. hee.).

As always, details are on www.bdhq.net

GIVEAWAY SCHEDULE:

Monday (13th): Printer prize, Luck Me Prize Pack

Tuesday (14th): Make It Pretty prize pack

Wednesday (15th): Precious Things Prize pack, Family Fun prize pack

Thursday (16th): no drawing, last day to enter

Friday (17th): Grand Prize drawing, and Spread the Word prize package

So, tonight, we're drawing names for the Printer Prize and the Lucky Me prize package.

Printer Prize pack is for a brother laser printer.

The Lucky Me prize package is something I want to tell you more about, though:

-Jewelry is by Charm Star, a company headed up by the owner of Freshie and Zero. I've said it before, but Beth Lawrence offers gorgeously crafted handmade jewelry, packaged well, and totally unique. her Charm Star line is fun, whimsical, and entirely affordable. Our prize pack includes a set of earrings, and a cross necklace.

-The zipper pouch is by Sharon of Urban Hen. I met Sharon participating in Mamamade here in Nashville. Her sewn items are modern, well crafted, and appealing to all ages. She offers bags- like the one in Operation BDHQ, buntings, custom crib bedding, and appliqued onesies, though I wouldn't doubt that she does so much more! She and her husband are in the process to adopt a child from El Salvador.

Edited to add: We've added a Winners Page to the Operation BDHQ website. Play the video to see if you've won!

Mattie Kate

My friend Mary is an amazingly talented woman.  She has come up with an absolutely adorable stuffed bunny named Mattie Kate.  You've got to see it!  The good news is that she's working on opening up an Etsy shop to sell the soft and lovable bunnies, as well as the pattern (for the crafty folks out there who want to make their own versions).  (edited: shop's up!)I thought I'd give my readers a sneek peak.

The double good news is that Mary has offered up a Mattie Kate as a prize for a give-away I'll be doing soon.  Stay tuned- this cute little bunny might be yours!  All the details to come shortly.

Recession Proof

As in, further proof that our economy is wobbly.  Domino magazine is closing its doors.  I am saddened by this, as I really love tactile reading.  Holding the pages in my hands, looking at the pictures, putting fabric scraps next to inspiration images.  I don't subscribe to many magazines, but I started getting this one last year and will miss it.  This isn't the first publication hit by the decline.  Money pressures often spur amazing creativity and change.  I'll be interested to see how those that were in the magazine industry use their talents and bring them to the masses once again.