Blogger Smackdown

OK, that might be false advertising, there will not actually be a smackdown.  However, Miss Lindsay has done a fabulous montage of all of the mood boards contributed to the George Herman House project and now there is a wee contest on to vote for your favourite.  The winner gets to be called the winner, and isn't that the best prize of all?  I just loved seeing how 13 different people imagine the perfect garden, they were each so different and amazing.  I would happily spend my days in each and every one!  Head on over and check them out and leave comment with your pick.  And anything you feel you could donate is of course most appreciated - we have decided to accept anything up to April 1 and then assess what we have the means to accomplish, so if you are thinking of helping out, you now have a specific date to aim for! 

Click here to donate!

Portraits

Sometimes it seems the blogosphere exists in perfect harmony, with everyone on the same wavelength, almost in collaboration.  I saw the above photo by Eden on Melanie's blog (who saw it on Kirsten's blog, etc.) and filed it away as a look I would love to replicate.  The next day Gabrielle (don't you love how I make it sound like I know these ladies?) did a post about Debbie Carlos, who prints large format black and white posters, and included the observation that Debbie will print custom photos.  And voila.  Now I just need someone to take the photos.  But I am sure the blogs will send that person my way too... I'll just wait here.  :-)

offcutstudio

I love finding beautiful, handmade, one-of-a-kind things on Etsy, and I get an extra charge when I see they are made in Canada, especially when they are local to me.  These beautiful wood objects by Toronto craftsman Cameron MacLean fit the bill nicely - I am coveting the clocks, especially the walnut one above, but he also must just be a cool guy, because he makes wooden skate guards and bike fenders.  I don't think you can be boring and make those things... I just don't.  To add icing to the cake, they are made from the offcuts of other carpenters that would normally be thrown away - Cameron started woodworking by making things out of discarded furniture he found on the street.  You can see his Etsy shop here or visit him in the Distillery district.

1978 Airstream

This amazing Airstream completely renovated and restored by Hofmann Architects of California has me dreaming of the simple life.  It looks like living on a boat - a place for everything and everything in its place.  Only more windows, and no sea-sickness...  

And, um, yeah, hi....

ahhh California.... :)

spring colour

What do you think of the new blog header and look?  I felt it was time for a shot of colour and energy after a long winter.  This photo by Casey Hyer found on Once Wed also does the trick.  I love ranunculus. I am so impatient for summer!!!

George Herman House update

 

 

Lindsay has been working hard on the George Herman House garden project.  She has taken some more photos and measurements in order for us to get a better idea of the space, and suggested we might want to take a crack at some mood boards to get the creative juices flowing.  She also found Tonic Living to generously offer outdoor fabrics. Meanwhile Jen has secured a fantastic donation of all the outdoor furniture from Ikea Canada, and Tim wrangled a wealth of donated plants.  We also have Bona Vista Pools/ Landscapes donating some accessories, and a cash donation of $500!  Not a bad start, right? 

With all that in mind, I hopped on Olioboard to try my hand at this mood board thing.  Ooooh golly it is addictive!  Can I have a career in this?? 

I am no garden designer by ANY stretch of the imagination, but just put together some of the Ikea furniture I liked, with fabrics and pillows from Tonic Living. You can't go wrong with a big, comfy sectional to stretch out on, with a big ottoman for snacks.  My idea of an easy, low-maintenance garden is to use potted plants and I love the look of Boston Ferns outside. Believe it or not they adore our southern-Ontario summers. And red geraniums are favourites of mine - simple but with a hint of Europe (they make me think of Italian window sills and terraces), and such cheerful red colour. (I also like the red mixed with the hot pink colour!) And for fabic colours, you can't go wrong with a bright grassy green, sunny yellow, and red accents. Cheerful, easy-going, and low maintenance!  Add some lemonade and a good book, and Bob's your uncle.

What do you think?  Does this ever make me excited to get outside this summer...

To help with this projects, please feel free to visit the bloggersgiveback.com site, where there is a PayPal button to make it easy.  Any other donations - of time, supplies, advice, etc. - are happily and gratefully accepted as well.  Thanks for reading!

So many crafts, so little time

There really are so many incredible DIY craft ideas floating around one could spend 12 hours a day every day doing crafts and never run out of ideas.  Money, yes;  patience, probably.  However, here are two I came across recently that I may try to squeeze in somewhere between concert duty and diaper duty.  The first, pictured above, is Khali's simple glass etching, seen on the amazing Bloesem Kids.  So fun, so easy, so actually possible!

Next is Karina's fabric printing as seen on Poppytalk.  So much less messy and labour-intensive than it looks!  Definitely going in the hopper for a weekend afternoon project.  What do do with finished fabric is a bridge I will cross much, much later.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

This one always brings a tear to my eye... 

Have a pint o' green beer for me!