Today … of all days …

Posted on July 20, 2016 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

I’m in the mood to send out a post. My logical side (is that left or right brain?) says “you can’t take time today, to write posts!!! Your ladies are on the road, headed up for their annual July visit”. The other side blurts “Yah, yah … I know … but”.

Logical: “NO but’s. You’ve got laundry to do, beds to make, dusting and dishes. And for pete’s sake scrub out that fridge and the bathtub! Geesh!”

Other side: “I can’t help it! The pictures and writing are just working for me today. I gotta do it!”

Logical: “Well, stop with the ‘buts’ and get your ‘butt’ going then!”

So loyal followers and readers, sharing some fantastic finds for you to drool over.

Added a new glass bird to this collection recently. The pretty, purplish blue one, fourth from the right. $2.00 LOVE IT.

The bird closeup, on the right end.

Recent thrift store haul. The napkin sets were 25 cents for each pattern set, the gorgeous velvet table runner (or mantel liner) was also 25 cents and the vase a whopping half dollar.

Here, the beautiful Fireking serving tray from the previous shot ($2) joins many of it’s relatives in my hutch.

I bought that pretty vase noted earlier, to complete this grouping on my dining room table. Love two-toned blends in colored glass.

Oh, just a thought. The scarf pictured above, while NOT a “Vera”, was still a great buy, long-time back, @ $0.75.

TIP: Interesting scarves, of any shape or size, always make both great fashion AND decor statements.

You know of my love of books. Hubs was recently given (free) some wonderful walnut boards, and this little unfinished project was part of the package. I’m using it “as is” to hold books in our family room.

Haven’t mentioned it on ARTZZLE, but I joined a really fun group on facebook. It’s called “Decorate with Pyrex”. A blogger buddy of mine invited me to join.

These people – a few fellas too – collect pyrex, fireking and many other glass and pottery items. They post displays and finds of all kinds. It is a blast, and if you’re interested, I’ll put links at the end of the post.

While I don’t have much Pyrex, I do collect glass (as you regulars know :o) and recently I discovered something I had NEVER SEEN. So of course, I shared it there, but want to show everyone else too.

A unique discovery ($4.75) from our local thrift store.

NOTE: The pitcher has no handle. You hold it at the stem and gently push the back over to pour. A Pyrex pal says this is called “Blendo” so I’ll be researching soon.

Ok, for me, this has been a pretty fast post. But now, Ms. Logical is demanding I get all this housework done.

Yikes, I only have three hours!!! ARGH!

Always nice talking with you.

NEW BLOG FEATURE: Going forward, I’ll close with FYI links, mentioned in the post. Here are today’s.

#1. The Decorate with Pyrex sign up page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/317294351810256/?fref=nf

#2. My ARTZZLE facebook page. I post often here, sharing fun I’ve found from other blogger buddies on fb, including some fantastic AND easy projects.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Artzzlecom/386346584831653

#3. This is from my Pyrex Blogger buddy. Besides a number of other interests we share, I originally found her here because of the recipes, which work well for T2D’s like me.

http://www.glutenfreepoodlehome.com/

I’d sure love to see ya’ at my fb page, but HERE too, so replies are always anticipated.

Later – Cheryl

Little Things Mean a Lot

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

Valentine’s Day isn’t the elaborate celebration it once was, around our place. It’s more of a “stay home and snuggle” than a “reservations and retail” type of holiday, after being married for 31 years . We kind of like it that way … especially in a freezing February! So, it was unexpected (and sort of cute) when, while shopping this week, Hubs wanted me to pick out something for a Valentine gift.

An obvious starting point was the display of mixed bouquets. There were three different prices and assortments presented. Now, don’t get me wrong, many of the choices were fresh enough, that one may have worked. But remember I’m a former florist, so I looked them all over closely. Still, those prices for something that would be gone in a few days gave me pause.

I wanted to keep looking.

We went back to the normal garden department and while the variety and choices were very limited, there was a good sized foliage plant I liked, for a bit more than the flowers. Similar price points. Live plant (non-blooming) vs. soon-to-be dead flowers. Hhmm.

I wanted to keep looking.

Jewelry? Too spendy. Towels … or how about a colorful little throw-rug. Nah. We went past a Valentine’s Day display with candy, cards and bunches of fresh (sort of) tulips. I’m diabetic, so any big time candy purchase, well prob’ly not a great idea, as it’s hard for me to stop on that, when I get going 😛 Just sayin’. The tulips were okay, but Hubs wanted to spend more. Well I was up for that, so . . .

We wanted to keep looking.

We were almost to check-out and I saw a young gal with a little mini rose plant. She pointed to yet another display area. Okay, enough already, people.

Here is what I chose for my Valentine’s gift. A live and blooming plant. A cute little pink and purple cyclamen.

It will bloom for quite a while yet, a week or even longer. And, the foliage will give continued interest until next bloom season (if I don’t kill it first).

Next, a bundle of orange tulips (one of my favorite colors and blooms).

Some low, broken stems were discovered when we got them home . . . so

they got a special “short” vase.

Finally … chocolate. Not just any old candy, but … crunchy M&M’s. These happen to be a triple play of pleasure for me!

First, one of my favorite things. Second, affordable and third, small so I can have just a few at a time without messing up my sugar #’s (with a little supervision from Hubs)!

These all make me smile, and at that $$ amount, I don’t have to feel guilty. It really is true … Little Things can Mean a Lot.

Thanks Dugger. Love you still!

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. If you still need some decor ideas, search valentine(s) here on the blog, or check out my pinterest and facebook place.

The Right Time to Think about Gardens

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

It’s Super Bowl Sunday … end of 2nd half … my team’s leading (Go BRONCOS) … and we’re in the midst of a nasty snow storm.

Hey, I think it’s the perfect time to be thinking about gardens. Don’t you?

Hubs is way ahead of us, having already built seven above-ground planters for our backyard. Four are designed to work together, and three will be positioned individually. Sorry, no pictures of these tonight, though. It’s cold and too dark in the garage.

Instead, I’m sharing some gardening pretties … in particular SMALL SPACE gardens. Tonight, my muse is Benjamin Vogt, a favorite HOUZZ contributor that I follow; owner of a prairie garden design firm a.k.a. Monarch Glen.

So much to see, savor and learn here.

4 Tips for Creating a Small Garden That Welcomes Wildlife

COMING SOON . . . pictures of the Hubs Projects. Meantime . . .

It’s.Back.To.The.SUPER BOWL !!

Christmas Finery from Farrow & Ball

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

Christmas Past is today’s post … a fun one from 2015. Enjoy.

A favorite online place of mine is the Farrow and Ball site. You’ll never fail to find something beautiful to enjoy; color and decor ideas, crafts and more.

Today I’m sharing this Christmas post … have fun!

Just Lookin’ Around

Posted on July 12, 2015 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

. . . and here’s what I found!

HOUZZ is on my Tops List of “commercial” or “media” decor websites. APARTMENT THERAPY ties it for first place. Email updates and new articles arrive quite often and I always give them a big slot of time for viewing.

Not sure what search terms I used here, but was probably looking for background or displays for shelves.

Tribeca Penthouse midcentury-family-room

Photo by Front Studio Architects. See more mid-century modern family room designs

Above reminded me of a paint card sample book. Fun, right?!

PISO PILOTO MYRAMAR DOS eclectic-dining-room

Photo by Pili Molina | Masfotogenica Interiorismo. See more eclectic dining room designs

Here, note how they wisely used that alcove for great storage and display space, and then detailed it by continuing the pretty accent wall color just into that upper, open area. Very nice.

Prospect Heights Townhouse contemporary-family-room

Photo by Etelamaki Architecture. See more contemporary family room designs

~~We’re~~ I’m thinking about a new color for our three main accent walls, and was probably concentrating on colors when I found the room above. I had a more bronze-ish green in mind, rather than the brighter acid color here . . . BUT . . . look at those beautiful steel doors and the mid-century furniture pieces. Wow.

Photo by KJUBiK iNNENARCHiTEKTUR. See more contemporary family room designs

The search topic for this final pick was “window seats”. While it isn’t exactly that — look closely, those are under-lighted shelves above that seat, not windows — it presents an interesting idea for a small, enclosed room, gives extra storage . . . AND was certainly an unexpected find.

No matter the search term or article title, you always find so much more than you asked for on HOUZZ and APARTMENT THERAPY. That’s what makes it such fun and why I enjoy spending time there (Hubs says too much time). But you never know what new inspiration will hit! My HOUZZ BOARDS are here if you’d like to see them. So if you’re having a rainy or killer-heat day like we’ve had here lately, settle in, grab the device of choice and go exploring.

Until next time, try to stress less so you can accomplish more. It always helps me.

Later – Cheryl

We Didn’t Go to the Animal Fair

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

Hubs and I enjoy art crawls and craft fairs and now that he’s fully retired, we’re able to catch more of them. So we jumped at the invitation from my son and his wife, when they wanted to take us to their local art fair, as part of my Mom’s Day and Birthday celebrations. With a gift of my choice and dinner out, who could turn that down.

I was pretty excited during the drive down to their place. It’s an hour and a half drive, and on the freeway, we passed an “older” couple on their Sunday Drive. This triggered thoughts of my Grandma, and I remembered “Animal Fair” . . . one of the little songs she sang to me as a child.

Do you know it? “I went to the animal fair . . . the birds and the beasts were there”. For you who are closer to my age group, gotta tell ya, public opinion has changed the lyrics a couple of times over the years. Here’s a current version from the internet.

The monkey no longer gets drunk . . . he gets bumped by a skunk.

Hhmm. Anyhoo . . . my day gave me my own lyrics to that melody.

I went to a country art fair
So much to see and buy there

From shiny steel to an old metal feel,

and beautiful pottery ware.

The Chinese dinner was great.
I ate and ate . . . and ate.
And on the way home, I rested and zoned,
and dreamed of my beautiful date . . . the date, the date!

A perfect “memory” day! And the LeAnne Chin’s did double duty . . .

lunch and take-home for dinner. Yum.

Hey, remember the mulch and plants gift from my daughter on Mom’s Day?

It’s really filled in.

Meanwhile . . . the countdown to more fun is on!
My crazy cousins will be here in LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!
Holy Hannah!

So we’re fixin’ and buildin’ and cleanin’ . . . lots and lots of cleanin’.
I’ll keep you posted on the progress.
Until then, stay positive and it’ll help you be productive.

Later – Cheryl

July 4th

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

Today, be Loud and Proud
and Thankful to be living in the great U.S.A.

Everyday, be Appreciate and Recognize
the many who have made and keep it this way.

THANKS TO THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND SERVICE

Have a SAFE and HAPPY 4th of July.

Hey … Timing ISN’T Everything … is it?

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

How’s your timing?

Not the musical or early/late kind of timing . . . but just in everyday things . . . you know.

Ever just miss something great that happened because your timing was a little off? Example: You work in a popular metropolitan store where a major movie star is coming in before store opening to shop AND she’ll sign autographs. ~~I get~~ You come to work the usual time – and just miss her . . . how did ~~I not~~ you not know?

How about when everyone else – but you – always seems to know what day it is. Bloggers mention all these special calendar days that I’ve never heard of. Hey, I love puppies, so how did I not know – until May, that National Puppy Day was in March?

(FYI: Evidently there really is a Puppy Day. Click the pic for a fun daily calendar.)

Creativity doesn’t fit to a timetable. For me, it strikes at any time of day or night. I know a few people – besides myself – who keep pad and pen on the bed stand, for those occasional, great middle-of-the-night ideas, or the one that hits just as you’re falling asleep. I’m also part of that group that takes pad, paper and a camera with them wherever they go. Well, the camera gets forgotten a lot . . . thank gawd for my cell phone!

Studio Arts Classes in college, can get tough. You’re given a week or so to complete a specific assignment . . . plenty of time, right? But more often than not, my best idea didn’t hit until a day or two before deadline. I spent many nights painting or drawing until 4:00 am of due day – and I had morning classes 😦 Other ideas developed earlier, but THE ONE usually came down to the wire. A couple of times my oils were still wet at presentation.

Inspiration can’t be scheduled. It originates through life’s daily experiences. In a single moment, something fantastic can set the ideas flowing. My son is, and I was, in advertising. We both preferred NOT to be art directors and specifically chose other avenues. There is a tremendous amount of pressure to instantly produce. Schedules can be excruciating on the creative process (and the nerves), especially if you’re the person who has to come up with the campaign’s ideas.

My timing issues are possibly why I love decorating. Other than special displays for holiday themes, in your own home, you can decorate the way you want, and work on any room or project, any time of year. AND you always have options for changes. You don’t have to live by a schedule or calendar unless of course, you’re working with clients. Even then though, it’s more of a fun process than ulcer producing.

Ideas and initiative for a master bedroom project, have been bombarding my brain big-time lately, so that’s what I’m working on. Previous versions were featured HERE

and HERE.

Details for the re-do are coming together quickly, but all I’ll tell you today is, there are big changes afoot, especially with the colors. I’m adding an accent color and the two top contenders are LILAC and CORAL. We’re also developing an architectural feature.

So you know, I began this article yesterday, with every intention of posting it then. Honestly I did!

See, I found this. “June 1st, by the way, is NATIONAL HAZELNUT CAKE DAY.” I was going to include this crazy calendar day . . .

and tell you a funny story about how I used to like hazelnuts, but one time ate way too many . . . moaned, groaned and threw up most of the next day.

That’s funny – right? But, maybe it’s more of a time management issue, not timing, huh; not knowing when to stop!?

Hubs’ timing was lousy yesterday. I was almost finished with this post when I got a “Need a little help out here”. Working in the shop, he somehow caught his finger in/under/between a caster ??? and, long story short . . . we made an unexpected trip to the ER for stitches.

Gracie and I got kinda freaked out with all the blood, yuk!

We’re all OK now – Hubs too.

Today is National Rotisserie Chicken Day though – no, seriously. It also happens to be my grocery day so . . . it’s off to WalMart to buy one!

Don’t forget – stress less and you’ll start more!

Later – Cheryl

BIG P.S. I love your comments. BE SURE when you comment, that your address is set to receive my personal reply to you. Otherwise, MARK THE FOLLOW-UP COMMENT BOX to get a reply from the post.

I’m still waiting for some project updates and pictures from some of you (YOU know who you are! 🙂 Remember, you can find the email address when you click my profile pic on the home page. Send pics, questions and concerns via that address!

Talk to you soon!

Hey Ma . . . It’s Me

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

Hey Ma . . . it’s me, Cheryl Ann. With Mother’s Day coming up, not our usual chat this time. It’s got me thinking of all sorts of things. Remember the way you would let me lay my head in your lap on Sundays, when the sermon got too long? Both Pastor Braun and “Rev” M. had their talents, but we both know that public speaking wasn’t top on the list, right. I always loved the way you would smooth my hair as I laid there.

I liked to play with those cardboard fans on the sticks too. And then we had our secret “Church” language. One of us would silently tap to the other . . . 3 taps was “I-Love-You”; 4 taps back was “I-Love-You-Too” . . . then a squeeze or rub, to say . . . “So Much”. A shared smile or quite giggle ended the conversation. So, of course, I had to do that with my kids too. My step daughter, Cindra, still signs off cards with a “Tap Tap Tap”.

Ooh, an old B&W of us when your Donnelley friends came to visit.

The weather is finally warming up here in Minnesota. Of course, in Iowa, all those beautiful peony bushes are already bursting with giant blooms. Mine are only about two feet tall, so far. That long row of peonies you planted at the front of the garden was so beautiful in full bloom. PHOTO SOURCE: Barb Rosen . . . Our Fairfield Home and Garden

And your glads in the summer. I still have the picture of you standing among them; that year they were taller than you, remember? And you didn’t want me to take the picture because you had shorts on! Of course, I did anyway and we laughed and laughed. Peonies and gladiolus are still your favorite flowers right? Mine too . . . always. PHOTO SOURCE: SL . . . Stephanie Lynn . . . under the table & dreaming

And I so enjoy, making flower arrangements just like you. Remember when I worked for Bachman’s at the airport? Then too, at the small floral shop here, in our local store. You were there, I know

One of my Autumn dried arrangements. Recognize the watercolor in the background? It’s the one I did for you in college.

What about all those summer nights when we’d sit on the front step, playing Simon Says and Captain May I ? Oh, and then after dark, we’d go hand-in-hand, for long walks around the neighborhood, just the two of us. Well, Brownie went along sometimes too, though, didn’t he? Crazy old dog. Remember how he’d run away for days, sometimes weeks at a time and then sure enough, one day, you’d see him running home, across German’s field into our yard. Our Gracie is definitely a house dog, but no one allows pets to run anymore. Long time ago in small towns.

GRACIE MAE & BROWNIE So many memories, and even the “not so good” ones can be funny. Like the time you got the new pressure cooker, and we were going to stew tomatoes! Good thing we went outside to take that break. Those were some hot tomatoes flyin’ around when that thing blew up all over the kitchen. Weird how the madder Dad got about it, the harder it was for us to keep from laughing. Hhmm, Dad and my ex were a lot alike. We were the ones who cleaned it up, so don’t know why Dad was so angry!

Us when baby Brad & I stayed with you while his dad was overseas. Do you recall this photo. Wish I had more of us together. Well, we could talk forever, but I’ll save the rest of this remembering for another night. Hey Ma, can you believe it’s been thirty two years, already? I was going to say it doesn’t seem possible that so much time and memories have gone by so quickly; I know you haven’t missed too much though, because you’re always with me. And then, we always have our little talks. But for tonight . . . it’s me, signing off. Luv ya, Mom . . . Always. ALWAYS by artzzle-com 2014

My Mom, Marguerite 1920 – 1983
Rest in peace, Ma

With a Little Time and a Little Space

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

You’ve got a nice little update for your place.
And don’t worry … NO SEWING today.

Lately, I’ve been talking “decorating” with lots of lovely ladies … in lots of age groups. Nothing too unusual, but it interesting to hear two commonalities across the board. The first, and most discussed area was Color; how to choose it, where/when to use it. This is such a key part in décor, but clearly one that’s a huge cause of concern for many. It’s a topic that could consume thousands of posts and today we’re talking “time” so we’ll visit Color another day.

The other issue popping up often was Space. Funny, but not one gal complained about TOO MUCH SPACE. No one said “My place is just too big to do anything with!” You may agree with the real problem though, which of course, was not enough space … for furniture, for storage, to show off all our stuff.

Let’s tackle an easy tip today, on using extra spaces that people often overlook.

Now … you’ve been bad … so I’m making you sit in the Corner!
Seriously, corners are the most available, yet ignored, wasted spaces. We all have em’ but few of us use them effectively. And there is so much more we can do with corners, besides send the bad kid there! No dunce hats now!

Artzzle Feature: Little Time & Little Space

Here’s our corner; pretty tiny with the longest wall at 49 inches from corner to window, and the smallest at 34 inches . The smaller section is on the primary wall, the one you see directly when viewing or entering this room.

I began with house shopping, to find a few possible things to use. Then we considered the furniture pieces presently in the room, along with others in different rooms. Let’s try three different items.

Doesn’t work. Much too small.

Better but still not right.

For a change, we decided to try the clock … something different. This is fine. Nice scale and balance

Included this next photo (below) to demonstrate what I call “The Dance Hall Effect”. When I was little, my dad had a band that played for Saturday night dances throughout the county. Many times we would either find them, or move them ourselves … chairs pushed up against the walls, way off the center floor, to open up enough space to dance. It’s a must for dance halls but a big No-No for homes.

Don’t you agree that the angle works better, at least in this instance?

This cute little barrel was in a workroom but we needed a side table here. A copper tray in the kitchen cabinets, fit perfectly on top.

In most instances, I feel a side table AND lamp, are needed for each seating area. Here the lamp was not necessary and wasn’t working with the table, so it was removed. Add a little pretty and a little texture … that’s my mantra … well at least one of them.

Still not quite right. Let’s add a little texture and more height for interest.

This is our final look for the corner.

All told, this project really took very little time, and uses space that had been had been empty.

I’m often speaking about my collections and favorite items. Since there’s Time in the title of this post, before I go, thought I’d share with you some of the clocks hanging around our place.