Sometimes I showcase "items around the house" of little treasures.  Most of them were gifts and/or part of one of many collections.

These can also be categorized into "a few of my favorite things" because they have special meaning or just make me plain giddy.

I found these antique glass electric conductors at a little place in Lincoln called "Twice as Nice Consignment Shop."  I actually didn't buy them the first time I was there- I went back a week later and luckily they were still there.  Amanda has a few that she uses as decoration in her apartment and I really liked the look.  The colors, shape and texture are just lovely with the glass flower arranger, which I like to use year-round.

I'm not defensive- this is normal

Most of my books are on bookshelves throughout various rooms in the house, including the basement.  However, the books I am currently reading are all in the bedroom because I usually read in the evenings before I go to sleep.  Thirteen might seem a little excessive, but I have explanations for each and every one, I promise.

Books 1-9 are found on my nightstand.

1. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer: I almost finished this Book Club book.  It is based on a true story and took awhile to get into.  I didn't make it to the discussion/movie, so I didn't make time to finish it.
2. Run by Ann Patchett: Borrowed from Amanda (BFA)- I started this Ann Patchett book months (maybe years?) ago and it just hasn't been as alluring as The Magician's Assistant or Bel Canto.  I am halfway through and will finish it someday!
3. The Bible: I think I've had this Bible since 7th grade.  New International Version was what we used in religion classes and my preferred version.  It is worn from years of travel between other books in my backpack.
4. Dare to Repair, Replace & Renovate by Julie Sussman & Stephanie Glakas-Tenet: R gave me this book for my last birthday.  Some parts are fun for now, and I look forward to using it more when we own a house.
5. Encyclopedia of the Exquisite by Jessica Kerwin Jenkins: Read 6.
6. Just My Type by Simon Garfield: Both 5 and 6 were gifts from Amanda, birthday presents from 2011 and 2012.  I haven't finished either, but have been making my way through each.  I think in each of the notes she wrote, part of the reason she picked the book for me was because of the cover.  I was completely giddy when I opened each one.
7. Writing Personal Notes & Letters by Jennifer Williams: I purchased this as a gift to myself.  I enjoy writing and receiving notes/letters and thought it would be a nice book to have around for looks.
8. Room by Emma Donahue: BFA- I've heard such great reviews about this book, and both R and Amanda have already read it.  I am only a few pages in, because right after I borrowed it, we found out our next Book Club book.  See 9.
9. The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean: I realized I don't really need to buy every Book Club book and decided it was time to give my wallet a rest.  Only a couple chapters in, but this library book is a fairly quick read so far.  I just need to remember to return it on time.
10. Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs: Last month's Book Club book.  I FINISHED THIS BOOK ON TIME.
11. Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne: BFA- the inspiration for Amanda's wedding invitations.  See other wedding posts.
12. A Year of Mornings by Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes: I found this book when I was reorganizing the office a few weeks ago.  I actually had bought two copies- one for Amanda and one for myself.  The book is a compilation of photos that two women blogged back and forth.
13. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory: Book Club book.  Didn't even start it.  Didn't watch the movie.  Someday.

 

Books 10-13 also serve as decoration on the shelf above the bedroom table.

A Friday night craft hour

I love my craft time for Worship Committee projects.  In this case, I volunteered to create a Trinity symbol the Thursday night before the Sunday it needed to go up.  I hit up Hobby Lobby Friday after work and constructed most of it that night.

The Plan: buy three grapevine wreaths, white spray paint, and wing it.

The Modified Plan as I shopped: price three white styrofoam wreaths and white fabric and wing it.

The Final Plan as I put the first six wreaths away: cut three embroidery hoops to interlock and cover in fabric (wing it).

Hobby Lobby purchases:

Three 14" embroidery hoops

White tulle (40% off coupon!)

I chose the white tulle because the Trinity symbolizes the Father, Son and Holy Ghost- the Worship Committee wanted an ethereal, delicate look.

So The Final Plan was modified again.  Instead of attempting much more measuring and multiple cutting and piecing together, I chose these steps:

1. Only using the middle hoops, I overlapped the three circles
2. Tied the hoops together with strips of tulle
3. Started wrapping the hoops with tulle
4. Realized I could still see the wood
5. Unwrapped the tulle
6. Painted the hoops white (yes, got paint on my hands and legs)
7. Wrapped hoops with tulle, tucking and weaving- much more time-consuming than you might think*

   *though not as long as the wedding letters wrapped in yarn and lace

The next day, Ben finagled a way to prop the symbol up using items in our office.  I used a piece of kneaded rubber eraser to hold the wire in place on the table.

Above display by Worship Committee

I had a different post planned for today- but then my mother, one of my faithful blog followers (I have two), e-mailed me some pictures and included one of the card/packaging for her Mother's day gifts.  

So, thanks, Mom, for the photo of your Chevron card (and polka dot washi tape- another current obsession!)  Most of the time I am trying so hard to get the card made and mailed in time, I don't always remember to document- even though that is one of the main purposes of this blog.

Just like my last post, this one takes a winding little path.

Months ago I was playing with wedding invitation designs.  This is one of the samples I came up with:

I didn't get to see it used as a wedding invitation, but I have started using the Chevron design more for smaller projects.  It has really made a resurgence in scrapbooking, home decor and even nail (as in, manicures) design.

For commissioned work, I came up with this note card design.  The client wanted to give personalized note cards as a high school graduation present; and after discussing the project, this seemed perfect.  The design is clean, not too girly, but has some color.

I've since tweaked the colors and sizes for other cards, including a birthday tag and gift tags (Mother's Day and pregger roomie gift, both not pictured).

I'm working at saving time when I can use designs I already have versus creating something new, and utilizing Chevron right now when it is still so popular allows me to focus on those "something new" details for other projects.