july 2021 favorites
I don’t know about you, but this summer is flying by for me! I always think it will go slowly as I’m trying to balance working while having the boys home, but it seems to speed things up and we’re going back-to-school shopping before you know it. Before we get into that, though, let me […]
feels like home | preorder bonus one | original art download
Now that the release of has been postponed (manufacturing & shipping delays are affecting so many industries including publishing), we are just over 10 weeks away from the launch date! To make that time go a little faster (for me and for those who are anxiously awaiting its arrival), I have a fun countdown schedule […]
making time for creativity
One of the questions I’m asked most of is about my time. How do you fit it all in? Do you sleep? I was actually asked that twice in the last three days. It comes up a lot, so I thought I would share some thoughts on time and how I spend mine. First of […]
cleaning a smoke smell out of wood furniture
When you buy used furniture sometimes musty, dusty, pet, and smoke smells come with it. When it comes to severe pet and smoke odors, I’ll usually pass on a piece. They are notoriously hard to completely remove from furniture, especially upholstery. But, there are times when a piece sneaks through my filters or I’ll make […]
basement family room makeover | 1800’s chandelier
Nothing quite says “relaxed basement family room” like an 1800’s chandelier dripping with crystals. Am I right or am I right? Okay, not really. In fact, when I shared the very meticulous sketch for this particular area of the family room, I drew out what is clearly a lantern-style light fixture. Not an 1800’s crystal […]
four years…
July 24, 2021, was the four-year anniversary of the day we moved into our house in Rochester, Minnesota! It was a whirlwind move that truly was an incredible story (you can read about it HERE.) On our first night in the new house, we just had the contents of our vehicles, a few new purchases […]
creative play | bookbinding single pages
In my last box of goodies that came from across the pond from Julia of , I received several vintage and antique sketchbooks and drawing/oil papers. She’s been on the hunt for those for me, so I could recreate some of the Kitchin sketches on old paper. And I love old art supplies and she […]
basement family room makeover | decisions
Over the last few weeks, you’ve seen me meander through decisions about my basement family room makeover. And, let me say, I am so glad I have given myself the freedom to change course and switch directions, I believe that freedom – that relaxed, unhurried approach, will end up making for a better room. Not […]