2009 June — Domestic Chicky

If Donna Downey makes an apron…

June 15, 2009 By Deanna Filed Under Uncategorized

…it may be the most beautiful thing she’s ever made.

From Donna:

“the idea for the apron came from a sketch i had drawn in my idea journal while waiting for my connecting flight in the aiport. the idea eveolved a couple times in the sketches i drew and finally i came to the idea for the apron “exactly” as you see it. this usually never happens that the project i make turns out exactly as i had envisioned it in my head.”

“because canvas is my happy place, i stated with that as my base and just built up from there, gathering, stitching and applying layers ( i love layers!) until it was finished. i am beyond pleased with the way it turned out and it currently is sitting on a dressform in my office until i get the courage to actually wear it, LOL!”

All I know is I about fell over when I saw it. I think I would be AFRAID to wear it myself, but this is truly a work of art – thank you SO much Donna for letting me share this with my Apronista friends!!

Tagged Apron Love, apronista love, art Leave a Comment

DIY Wall Art

June 8, 2009 By Deanna Filed Under Dream House Chicky

I have never been good at decorating walls. I think I reached my peak when I had Donny Osmond and Scott Baio posters on my wall, torn out of 16 and tiger beat magazines (ack – dating myself!). Luckily for me I know lots of creative chickies who can show me the way…

Pear Wall Art

The Happy Homebody turned a styrofoam pear into an adorable piece of wall art.
Lindsay (who you met last week) has a guest tutorial to make a cute twig chair for your wall (I could totally see this by my door for outgoing mail)
Decorating with Photos over at The Inspired Room
This post is about paint, but the FABULOUS (and new to me!) 320 Sycamore has filled this post (and her whole blog! ) with dreamy ideas for wall foofing. I could spend hours drooling here…
Another new-to-me blog is Reinvented - this woman is a genius for decorating on the cheap – I know I will get lots of inspiration here!
Thrifty Decor Chick has a brilliant post using inspiration from Ballard Designs – SO easy and I could see using this in a few rooms in different ways…

…and last, I thought I would show you what I am working with – this is my living room just after I painted. Consider these the “before” pictures:

Living room -1

This gives you a good look at one side of the living room – the coffee table is soon to become an experiment in painting – I’m thinking black…the couch is a olive-y green.

Living Room - 2

This is the other end. I have lots of wall to fill, don’t I? I am lukewarm about the bookcase, but it will work for the time being…I am making pillows for the couches too!!

I would love advice, and to see your favorite links for wall art and decoration!!

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Links for Friday-Blackberry Edition

June 5, 2009 By Deanna Filed Under Chicky Loves

Since I am an official Crackberry addict, I find myself websurfing a bit in the morning, and saving sites for a later look-see on the computer – here are some recent favorites:

I was searching for some ideas to make my son a Mailman kit for his birthday, when I came across this Insanely Creative Etsy seller – how cute are these playhouses that you put over a card table?? She also makes the cutest tents that you can drape over a clothesline!
I found Mel, a dramatic mommy in the latest issue of Redbook – she’s a great writer with a great story to tell…
Um, you know that dreaful thing that keeps happening now when you go to a blogger blog if you’re on Internet explorer? Yeah, you need to switch to Firefox – do not pass go, do not collect $200 – this finally convinced me to STAY on the firefox train – I promise, it won’t hurt! (Stop laughing Karla and Darcy!)
Lindsay at Living with Lindsay has a cuter than cute blog, and and even cuter house…so much inspiration, so little time.
THE most delicious Salmon recipe EVER – made for me a long time ago by a favorite blogger – I would make it now, but CERTAIN people in my household don’t like salmon…or asparagus. But I am ALL over it when I have some girlfriends over for a chickies night out!
If you are a bachelor/bachelorette junkie like me, there is only one blog for you to read – Lincee hates green beans, but she can turn a dreadful group date into a blog ten times as funny!
If you love iced coffees, but hate paying Starbucks prices, or wonder what in the world is in a mcdonalds coffee, here is a great tutorial to make your own from Small Notebook.

I’m off to make some felt mail for an almost 4 year old!

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News for Friday

June 5, 2009 By Deanna Filed Under Uncategorized

I decided to take a summer break for the Apronista giveaways, but I am really excited to do “ApronFest 09” next month!!

Wait – didn’t I tell you about “ApronFest 09?”

(smacks head) Oops!

Ok, ApronFest is going to be a month of Apron Fun – and best of all it stars YOU! The heart of ApronFest is going to be the Apron-giveaway-palooza…a list of giveaways and promotions from all the BEST apron makers and lovers big and small – July will be one huge…Apron Party!

You don’t have to make an apron to participate – you can put together a little package with a purchased apron and some of your favorite goodies for your giveaway – or give away a vintage apron – the choice is yours! Then on July 6th, I will post the Mr Linky for you all to list your giveaways and let the party begin! I will be making some fun buttons for you to post on your blogs, and I am hoping this will be an annual or semi annual event, and will be doing my best to get the word out. So put on your Apronista thinking caps and I can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!

I will also be creating a group on the apronista network so you all can exchange ideas and tips for doing giveaways – so check in there too!!