Artisan Videos.

These videos have popped up on a bunch of blogs that I read, and I love them.  It is such a nice peak into the life of someone who totally dedicates their life to their craft.  I'm in awe of these artists.

Drew McDonald is a Shoemaker.

Del Kathryn Barton is a Painter.

Thanks to Dumbo Feather Magazine for making these wonderful videos.  These people are so inspiring.

Living Room Adjustments.

I finally painted the living room!  Actually, I did it about a month and a half ago, but I forgot to post the pictures..... So here it is!

Before.

After!

I picked a light yellow-orange color, and I finally arranged the photos behind.  I love the way it turned out.  It really lights up the room.  I also made that little green pillow oh the sofa, it suits the couch better than the blue floral number in the before picture.  

On another note, I did some spring cleaning on the blog and rearranged and changed a couple things.  You like?  I also made the NestingDoll logo today too with business cards on the way!  Yay for getting my stuff together (kind of)!

A Good Book.

I recently had my first day working at a library, and all I can say is that it makes you want to read read read.  That, and it being winter in western New York all I want to do is keep warm and snuggle with a good book and my little weasel doggie.  

By April Starr of FlourishCafe

This stuff is too cute, and I've recently had a minor obsession with typography and stationary......so it's an all around win in my book.  

Valentine's Day.

Can you think of any better way to spend Valentine's Day then curled up in a fort with candles all around you, takeout sushi, cake, champagne and a movie?  I can't.  So that is exactly what we did.

This year's love fort;

Our Fort.

Complete with a mix CD from Alex, and a good feel good movie.  Forts have become a little tradition for us, and it couldn't be more perfect.

New Cardigan.

What I'm wearing today;  my new cardigan.

It's nothing special, but it completes this outfit, and goes with this skirt I bought a while ago.

Cardigan: Thrifted
Skirt: Two Hearts
Belt: Vintage Versace

I love my new cardigan.

Magnets and Fur.

My Momma and her pup have been here this week visiting and recovering from a minor surgery.  We've done lots of dog walking, lots of shopping, a good amount of time eating delicious food and just generally spending time together.  It's been really fun.  And our dogs have been crazy and keeping each other very very very busy.

Monsters on the Bed.

Cuddling.  

We've been mostly keeping up with our crazy doggies, but I did have time to make some simple magnets for our fridge.

Just to hold pictures of our animals and our friends.  

These are simple and cute.  They also are better than any magnets that I've bought from the store too.  It's a win win.  I'm gonna go cuddle with those doggers.

Studio Update.

I did some organization yesterday.  It makes my studio feel a little bit more like a reflection of myself.
Here it is;

Looks a little neater.

I used old cereal boxes and some cardstock to make the trays and folder carriers, and then covered them with paper.  I like the result.  Hooray for organization!

Busy Busy.

I have been trying to get our apartment just the way I want it recently.  It's really coming along, and it makes me feel so good to be home in this space that is uniquely ours.

Anyway, here is our new dining room.

Before color was off white, did not match our bright white table.

After color!

It's a lovely light sage green, and it makes it feel a little more like ours.  I know it seems like doing a lot to a place that we won't live forever, but I love feeling like it is completely our space.  It makes a big difference.  In addition, tonight we christened the new dining room by eating a wonderful homemade dinner by candlelight.  What's better to do when it's snowing like crazy outside? 

New Headboard, & Other News.

I picked up this old headboard at a Thrift Store a couple of months ago with the plan to remake it for our guest room.  Of course it sat in my studio for about two months, and being that it is now a new year, I  am trying very hard to get organized.  Basically, I remade this headboard to get it out of the way.  But what a nice way to get it out of the way!

Here is the Before;

Before Retro Vinyl Yellow Headboard.

After!

My New Guest Room Headboard!

A Closer Look.

I love it.  My mom had given me this fabric a while ago, and it works perfectly for this room!  I love it when things work out.

In other news, Alex and I bought a new car!

Our New Baby, Gladys.

We bought a brand new (to us) 2009 Subaru Forester.  And I love it.  As you can see, we did get quite a bit of snow the past few days, but it is nothing Gladys cannot handle.  Bring on the snow Buffalo.

Cutest Smoke Alarm. Ever.

Look at this!

Order here for about 50 Euro.

It's actually a smoke alarm!  I love it.  I'm gonna need one in every room.

Pretty much the sweetest thing ever.

It is based on a chick-a-dee which have various warning calls.  Chick-a-dees used to let miners know when poisonous gases were harmful, so why not put one in your house?

Goodness gracious I love birds.