Creative Juices Decor

Being that it's "that time of year" I have been seeing all kinds of fun landscape and backyard ideas.   When I saw this chess game embedded into a landscape I knew I would have a fun time writing up a post about unique and beautiful backyards. traditional home.com You could also make this into a hop scotch pattern or even tic tac toe!  This couple from Virginia said the grand kids just LOVE this garden area! This was GREAT - The owners obviously made the best use with their sloped backyard landscape and turned it into multi level play area!  People are so resourceful and creative. Now who said you had to do the traditional hammock?  How about a HAMMOCK BED!  This is a brilliant idea!   Seriously, can you just imagine softly swinging enjoying the glow of a warm summer evening!?   This is similar to the chess idea,  but this family used the pattern to add interest to their landscape.  It...

This post comes with a story...... The,  How I Turned Lemons into Lemonade story :-) One day we had a big wind storm. Not only did I wake up to find my patio table SHATTERED I also realized the wind knocked over both of our curly willow trees! Can you imagine my frustration cleaning up all that shattered glass?! And my beautiful curly willow trees blown over! ): So my wheels got to turning about the table......I didn't really like glass anyway (and let me tell you, a replacement piece of glass was the price of a new table!) So how about WOOD!  Yes, we have a friend who works with wood, I'll ask him if he could inset a wooden top. Oh my word!!! So much nicer!!!! Now for that curly willow.  I LOVE LOVE curly willow and I was NOT about to just throw out the entire tree because it blew over. My thought was, how about potting it! YES!  Potting it worked great!  I just put it in...

YEA for SUMMER!   It's finally here (at least over in Idaho!)  Today is the LAST day of school for my kids.   Summer break has officially started and I'm totally ready to go camping and just relax and enjoy the sunshine. I am very excited that my next Summer Project will be glamorizing my pergola .   I want to add lots of flowers and hanging outdoor string lights!   I just got the most BEAUTIFUL hanging flowers and put them up which was all the motivation I needed.   (Now I just need the money to design what's in this head of mine- ha!)   EDIT:  Come check out my completed dream pergola !  I spent HOURS researching the best (and coolest looking)  PATIO STRING LIGHTS . I found this delightful inspirational photo - I couldn't believe how much the set up was already like mine.   Seasonal Living Of course, adding lights will really add ambiance.  I just love how...

Is there any one else that loves the fact that summer brings on a whole new set of BBQ and yummy drink recipes? I was recently looking through my blog posts and realized that there are a few SUPER FUN summer recipes that needed to be brought to attention.  :-) First off is this fabulous WATERMELON ICY !  Yes please, all summer long! Watermelon Icy  (inspired by  Pie Birds ) 3-4 cups FROZEN watermelon cubes 1 banana (frozen or non frozen is OK) 1-2 tbsp. lemon juice 2 tbsp. agave nectar (or sugar, maple syrup etc.) 1/2 cup water Second is the best Coconut Ginger BBQ chicken recipe you'll ever find.  (That is, if you enjoy a little spicy and a lot of flavor!) I love all the seasonal summer fruit so knowing how to cut up a mango EASILY is a summer must in my mind :-) Where we live, rhubarb grows like a WEED in the early summer and this is by FAR my most favorite recipe using rh...

Hello my wonderful blog readers!   Can you believe next week is JUNE??!!   I am soooooo looking forward to sunshine, little mini vacations and getting OUT of the "normal routine." Like always, I am coming up with new "hobbies" or seasons in my life and this summer I have decided to focus on a new hobby of getting in shape :-) Unfortunately, getting that slim physique isn't associated with blogging for hours - BUMMER! So I just wanted to update you that this summer I will be blogging a little less and outside more. :-) I'll still be posting, just not as frequently.  If you are anything like me, there is SO MUCH to read from everyone anyway, that getting a fun post once a week is almost better than the ones that post daily??? (I could be wrong, but that is how I feel)  Don't worry though, come September when I get back into that school routine, my plan is to jump right back in and write my normal 2 + posts...

My friend Lynda (who did the amazing faux painted carriage doors) sent me this gorgeous photo and  I immediately knew what my next post would be about! Rustic Chic Home Decor in Monochromatic Colors! I absolutely love the picture below.  Did you notice that they mix the old (salvaged barn wood) with the new (sparkly chandelier) along with a monochramatic color sceme?   They call this design style RUSTIC CHIC or FARMHOUSE CHIC.   via glasshousedesign.net To get the look of Rustic Chic you generally decorate with salvaged/reclaimed wood along with natural elements (think nature or greenery) and then add a few more modern or glam pieces and there you have it!   In general, it is very monochromatic except for the green accents created by nature. Can you spot in this picture the old mixed in with the new?  This time the natural elements are wooden sticks and antlers! Restoration Hardware And...

I'd like to introduce Eva, she asked if she could do a guest post for me. :-) I love introducing new people who would like to show their own DIY project to BlogLand.  If anyone would like to send me their idea we can discuss it and schedule a guest post for YOUR next DIY project!   Eva wanted to show you guys how to add some character to a project using LACE as a stencil.   I'll share a few of my favorite stenciled pieces before getting to her tutorial. I have had this saved on my For the Home Pinterest Board  forever!  I can't get over how she used one of those rubber mats from the Home Improvement store, laid it over some stained boards and spray painted cream paint on top!!!  SO EASY and beautiful, I LOVE IT!!! Lemon Tree Creations I also wanted to mention I found a site that does not only custom stencils but has a great collection of mylar stencils you could use to turn any project into a work of a...