Shelving Inspiration

Where oh where have I been?  Sorry I've been away for a whole month!  I just haven't had the desire to blog in awhile and now that we've had some warmer days I'm taking full advantage of them while I can!

I've been doing a bit of volunteering, crafting, hanging with friends (personal shopping galore) and just enjoying being out there and living.   I also haven't been bringing my camera along and totally stuck in the iPhone craze of taking pics and Instagramming them.   It's been fun ... but I HAVE missed you, too!

Hopefully, I'll have a reason to drag my Canon back out and take some fun pics of nature blooming all around me.  Soon I'll be going to our local botanical gardens with my gal pals - we call ourselves The Pink Diamonds.  It's just four of us and we thought it would be fun to give us a name.
I've always loved The Pink Ladies from "Grease"!!  Silky jackets and all.   Stockard Channing was the best!

I digress...  One of the Pink Diamonds, Carol, has a totally skillful hubby that can do carpentry.  He was a local high school teacher and has his own workshop in his home.   When I was recently looking at Pinterest for inspiration in decor I was really digging the open shelving look in kitchens.   I'm very slow to some new trends and I wouldn't totally make my entire kitchen open shelving but I so love the European cottage kitchens and actually some of the modern kitchens have them, too.

Here's a bit of what I'm talking about

                                                        via Better Homes & Gardens 

                                                               Via June Taylor tumblr via Pinterest

                                                             Via Birch & Birch via Pinterest 


So I asked him to come up with something similar and something that was wide and heavy-duty enough to put dishes on and handle it.

                                                                 i phone photo by Angela 

I really like them but my roomie (brother) thinks they are too big and worried about conking his head on them or falling down, etc.   I told him I like them and they aren't going anywhere as they are huge anchors in huge holes in the wall.   I did try putting my current Pottery Barn plates on them but it's a lot of white and they are kind of big.  I'm still playing.  I also may put a little antique brown stain in the grooves of the shelves to go with the rest of the browns in the kitchen.

The outlet isn't really pretty but I'm working with a very small space.  It just needed something in there to warm it up as well as make it useful.

I'm sure I'll be perusing Home Goods and other places to find just the right things to put on the top one.

Have a great week!  - Angela

Easter Swap Goodies 2013

Hello - I'm playing catch up and finally getting to posting my Easter swap goodies from Jen whose blog is called Dogma.
She spoiled me good and I don't even have pics of everything she gave me!  I have already munched on the yummy jellybeans.  It was nice to meet her and I thought her spoolie was unique and pretty!  We both have never altered spoolies before and it has been fun seeing what everyone came up with.   Funny how many of us used nests and I think even another person used a tin like me!

All photos by Angela 

I really liked all the pretty laces and trims she included.  I have been craving a bit of shabby chic in my crafts lately.  There's a lot of inspiring ideas out there - especially loving the Prima doll art stamp that is currently unavailable!  I have it on my radar and hope to snag at least one when it's back in circulation this month.  

See all the little buttons, pink trees and ephemera?  We both have a love of bunnies.  Cute stuff!

I have never heard of Smencils and boy do they smell wonderful!  Lemon is a fave scent - it's nice and refreshing.  Hmmm maybe I should bring it to work and have a little aromatherapy?  I can see it now -me at my desk with my eyes closed and inhaling a pencil ... and my coworkers looking at me like I'm crazy!  Hey - no calories, right?

This German egg is so adorable.  I also like chickies and lambs.  I have been waiting for spring for sooo long!  It snowed last night but thankfully it melted by the time I left work today.  Jen thank you for being so generous and a wonderful swap partner you are truly talented!  It was great meeting you and it would be great to see you and your sweet sis Meri in AZ sometime soon.   Sandy thanks again for hosting another fantastic swap!  I'm blessed to meet so many great "Jen's" thorough you. 

Here's the spoolie I made Jen ...

I had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday  with my family.  After a delicious dinner with the family we settled in and watched The Bible on The History Channel.  It was truly riveting and I was bawling.   Now I want to see the other episodes.   Here's a link to the recap for those that may not have cable like me.  I heard it's already on DVD and available to buy.    

I'm thankful for the Lord and what he did on Calvary!  Have a blessed day! - Angela