Sunday, January 30, 2011

She rocks in the treetop all day long...

What a beautiful weekend in Charleston, SC.  It felt like Spring has Sprung!  Too bad we will probably will have several more weeks left of chilly weather....burrrrr!  I enjoyed this weekend with many projects in my own nest!  We finally purchased a new couch!!  And while we were picking it up at Celadon...we found a great deal on a sink and vanity!  It just so happens that Celadon was having a sale that we were unaware of when we purchased our couch last weekend, and they offered to give us a refund of the difference of the couch!!!  Basically we got the sink and vanity for free with our savings!  What a steal right?!  As my husband put it, Celadon will have us as a customer for life!

I spent my busy little Sunday working on "The Nest" projects!  After finalizing a class with Mrs. D this week, I attempted a few appliques on my own!  What fun!  I will be out of control with these appliques before you know it!  On a more exciting note, I am a few steps away from having this Nest Chandelier completed, and I must say, I love, Love, LOVE IT!  WOW-$20 turned into a masterpiece and a jewel!  This is so much more unique than those $300 boutique chandeliers and will go great with Elsie Claire's whimsical owl themed room!  Check it out!  It all started with a pile of branch trimmings left on the side of the road and a $20 thrift store chandelier!  Just wait until I post pics when I get it up in her room next weekend!







Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Make me a bird so I can fly far, far away.

Make me a bird so I can fly far, far away.  Some days this is how I feel, and today is one of those days.  Work, schmirk.  Worries, schmerries.  Blahh, Blahh.
Home is where I can relax and try to forget about that "stuff".  Nest (n): a place of retreat, rest, or lodging.  Nest = my home.  Back to a favorite hobby....creative projects.  Debating on whether to practice with an applique or ideas for murals in Baby Elsie's room.  I wanted to get a chandelier for her nursery as my gift.  As I started googling and searching for the perfect chandelier...I quickly realized that chandeliers aren't cheap.  I want the chipper chicken Fronk!  It's not as though these chandeliers have REAL crystals on them...  So I started googling and stubbled upon this....I'm lovin' it!  Both options will be super cute and save major bucks!  What do you think?!  Would this look cute in a nursery with an owl theme?  Or have I gone Cooky?!


Option 1-brass chandelier (find a reasonable offer on craigslist or thrift store)...

Spray paint it white....

Then add some crystal beads!  Awesome! 


Option 2: old chandelier....spray paint it white if not already...

Add some branches and shape them with the curves of the chandelier...

Then Spray paint WHITE!  A Nest Chandelier!  I'm still lovin' it!
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/11/lighting-up-my-life-with-white-branch.html

Monday, January 17, 2011

Ready to Feather Elsie Claire's Nest!

This weekend I will be heading to Augusta, Georgia to help feather my new niece-to-be, Elsie Claire's nursery.  Fitting that she will be named after two very special ladies.  Our Grandmothers, her Great-Grandmothers.  Last weekend my sister Tina had a beautiful photo shoot with her "tweet" bump, her husband and their adorable son, Ayden.  Elizabeth, my youngest sister did an amazing job on their photo session!  This weekend Tina and I get to work on many different projects for Elsie Claire: Monogramming any and everything in sight, Painting murals for the nursery, Figuring out how to use appliques on our machines and using our sewing abilities (or lack there of) on some more challenging projects!  Can we say little worker bees?!  Looking forward to sharing our favorites after our weekend and spending time with her too!  Sisters are the best, and I am so glad I was blessed with two!  Take a sneak peek at some of Elizabeth's work of Tina's "Tweet" Bump session!
It's a girl!

The "Tweet" baby bump

Ayden is so excited to meet "HIS" baby sister!

Isn't he one of the cutest things you've ever seen?!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

"If the family were a container, it would be a nest, an enduring nest, loosely woven, expansive, and open..."

Pretty sure I am one of the lucky ones.  I have a wonderful, loving family.  Two "awesome" parents, two great sisters (seesters), an amazing husband, the tweeted nieces and nephews and 2 furry "the most-loved" four legged friends.  Not to mention the greatest Grandparents in the world!  Hey, we aren't perfect.  We bicker and poke, but at the end of the day, we LOVE eachother no matter what.  I was also blessed to gain three awesome brother-in-laws and two welcoming sister-in-laws.  I couldn't have asked for better "In-laws"!  Some go through life with a monster-in-law.  I, on the other hand, got "Mrs. D."  I must admit at first, I didn't expect our relationship/friendship to grow as strong as it has gotten, but I genuinely enjoy the time we have spent monogramming and sewing together.  Today, I won't talk about the amount of time it has taken me and Mrs. D to teach ourselves how to thread a needle, hoop a bag or monogram a name (another day, another blog).  But, it has taken us FOREVER to decide on a name for our "business/hobby."  After much thought...and critisism, "The Nest" just seemed fitting.  Most of the items we enjoy personalizing are for babies, children, mothers, families, homes, decor, etc.  All of the most treasured and loved ones that make up a family, your home.  Your Nest.  We hope that we can expand our items and creativity.  I look forward to putting smiles on faces of loved ones and friends!  Enjoy some pics of some of my awesome Fam!!


The "In-Laws" -my "orange"

My "tweetie"

Me, Mom and Seesters- "my canoe"

My Nono- "my old, solid structure"

"The Fam"

"If the family were a container, it would be a nest, an enduring nest, loosely woven, expansive, and open. If the family were a fruit, it would be an orange, a circle of sections, held together but separable—each segment distinct. If the family were a boat, it would be a canoe that makes no progress unless everyone paddles. If the family were a sport, it would be baseball: a long, slow, nonviolent game that is never over until the last out. If the family were a building, it would be an old but solid structure that contains human history, and appeals to those who see the carved moldings under all the plaster, the wide plank floors under the linoleum, the possibilities."
Letty Cottin Pogrebin

Friday, January 7, 2011

The apple doesn't fall far from The Nest!

So, like I said in my last post, I've been crafty and creative for as long as I can remember.  I took many art classes in grade school, high school and was even an art major at one point in college.  I knew my mother dabbled in crafts throughout her life as well, but recently she has really surprised me...and herself too!  We somehow rekindled our mother-daughter relationship through these FUN projects.  Regardless how it happened, it feels good!  Love you Mom!  Check out some of our recent crochet items and photos from our bottles and brushes class from The Looking Glass Art Studio in Summerville, SC.  Email us if you are interested in purchasing any of our items!  All custom made!
This is one of my Fave's!  Get your little "Who" a "Hoot Hat" to keep their heads warm!

Love this cocoon and hat for a newborn!  Perfect for photo sessions!

Everyone needs a trendy chunky scarf!  Stay warm ya'll!

Another one of our Fave's!  Can't wait to see this one on a "tweet" little girl!

Adorable hat!  Custom colors!

Mini mouse ears made with the softest material!  Snuggle away!

A "tweet" pea pod for an adorable newborn!  Perfect for a photo session!

My crafty mother!  Love her peacock painting!!!

Me!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

"Owl" paint and monogram any and everything!

I've loved being creative for as long as I can remember!  When I was younger, I used to doodle on my parent's important bills and papers.  I can still hear my mother yelling at me!!!  At least I didn't use the walls like my sister.  It's so nice to use this as my outlet from the rest of my busy life.  When I make time to paint and monogram, I find peace and relaxation....if only I did this full-time!!!  Take a peek at some of my recent favorites!  As my Grandmother would say, "enjoy". 
 Cute bloomers with matching trendy burp cloth!

Personalized backpack perfect for your little one's blankie, toys, snacks and clothes!

Personalized lined basket: Many liners available.  Perfect for baby showers filled with the necessities, laundry basket, storage for toys or bathroom towels!

Yet another cute backpack!  Colors for boys and girls available!  One of our best sellers!


Personalized picture frames!  Too cute and perfect for your princess!

Canvas painting customized to match any child's room and decor!

What girl doesn't need matching bloomers for all of her dresses and tutu's!?!
Personalized and custom stools/tables to match any room! 

Personalized Basket full of Goodies! Sure to love by any Mom!