...And I'm Back!

Nothing like an 8-month break to get things going again, eh? Maybe I'm just meant to check in once and a while. Who knows. Here's a sneak peek at my website's new look!

I'll check in soon with some great progress pictures of my new place!

Thanks to Jenny...

Thanks to Jenny for sending me the photos from her wedding! I had the amazing opportunity to work with her and hubby Cole doing the flowers for their ceremony and reception last spring. It was an amazing weekend, with lots of love in the air! I just uploaded these photos and some other new photos on my website. Photography by Dan Seipp

Spring is HERE!!

"before"

"after"

Folks, this is not typically the type of porch chair that makes me swoon, however, when I saw them sitting so lonely by a trash can I just couldn't resist. It took way more cans of spray paint that I thought possible, but I got them turned from a dark hunter green to a bright glossy sunshine yellow! The next project was finding or making cushions. After a couple trips to the local fabric store, I thought the foam was way too expensive, and, I couldn't find any fabric I liked. So.... target had cushions on sale for 1/2 off, spring special! 10 bucks a piece for cushions, and hand stenciled fabric for cushion covers. This was my first attempt at stenciling fabric, I cut out a simple pattern from some heavy weight paper and spray painted the stencil on. (same paint I used for the chairs) and... VOILA! new porch chairs!

Valentine's Day!

Did everyone have a wonderful Valentine's Day?? I sure did. These are some flowers my dad ordered from me, for my mom!

Headboard Project

"before"

"after"

Hi Folks! So, I couldn't decide on a headboard fabric, so I did an off-white one that goes with what I currently have, and when I decide on a new direction I'll be able to make a quick slipcover to match whatever I come up with!

I started with plywood, foam and cotton batting (pink foam is shown) Once I got that all in place I wrapped the white top fabric and stapled it tightly over the edges. I drilled holes where I wanted the tufts, and sewed buttons through with tough nylon thread (one has popped already, use good buttons, so they don't snap in half! I mounted the headboard with a french cleat, it hangs on the wall kind of like headboards in some hotels.

Overall, I'm happy. It's definitely better than my jimmy-rigged headboard that I had before (it kept slipping down behind the bed) I don't like that all my tufts aren't equally tight, and gives the headboard a slightly irregular look. Oh well, first try right?!

new website!

I have one more big thing checked off my to-do list!! Today my very first website has been born, with the purpose of getting portfolio images up and accessible to view online. Now, I just have to tweak the design... add all my other photos... get photos of some most recent projects... you know.

here it is: www.sarahivers.com

Thank You. Thank You.

I'm sitting here writing out some resolutions for this year, and looking at the blank stack of cards waiting to be filled with "thank you's" My letterpressed cards are from paper source.

Feeling Thankful

I have to admit, the first thing I thought of today when realizing that tomorrow is the start of the new year was..... taxes. Oh boy. I then decided to put that thought aside and think of how thankful I am for this past year, and how excited I am for the year to come. Tomorrow, January First, I am going to sit down and write out some goals for the next year and really start on the "making it happen" stage. So many ideas... so little time! Happy New Year all, I hope it brings everyone to a brave new place!

New Banner

I have a picture in my mind of what I'd like my top banner to look like, but I haven't figured out how to make it yet. So, until I learn a little more about my computer, and what she can do, I posted what I came up with today!

I Spy

This beautiful bird was waiting along with me at the bus stop this week. Anybody know what this bird is?? Can you see the shot of bright yellow on the tail? So cool!

I've still got so much work to do on Christmas presents, but am so excited for giving them out! Two of my siblings have birthdays the first week of January, so I've got a little more work to go on those guys. Tomorrow will be a big wrapping day, making fabric bags for the gifts. The best is bringing it all home and putting them under the tree!

Room Transformation, the Beginning.

The room "before" I had already painted one of the nightstands, but am still not sure I like white. I'd like to do a fun color for those.... I wanted the bedding to match the lights a little better, without feeling too feminine

In progress... I got new fabric to make a headboard. (just draped over the exisiting long pillow) Made new shams, and covered the small pillow in a brown plaid fabric. The duvet cover will have to get switched out, for now I just took off the cover I had. The new quilt at the foot of the bed is a cream colored afgan that my grandma made.

Now, I would really like to paint the room a different color... I didn't get the right color when I started. Different artwork over the bed, and headboard made. And, nightstands painted.

Holiday Market

Here are a couple of the aprons I made for the artisan market last week. I totally re-created my apron pattern. The shape is different, and I made the waist ties go all the way across the front of the apron, as well as a fixed neck loop (last year was ties) I sold 4 out of 7 aprons I made, thanks to all who support my art!!

sneaky stuff.

I used some of this ultra-fine red glitter last week, and now I'm finding it everywhere.

Scarf Season

Its scarf season! Here are a few beauties from Anthropologie. Don't these make you want to make a cup of hot tea and toast with jam??

Happy Holidays?

I spent part of this summer working for a wonderful local studio that produces a line of holiday accessories. I would show up to a beautiful garden, cheerful friends and my cozy workstation. Outside the window to my left is a garden with vines that by the end of the summer obscure my view of the neighbor's fountain that bubbles out of their wall. Meanwhile, I'm sipping my iced tea, and listening to MPR while creating smile after smile, hoping that it will make someone else smile as they bring them home for the holidays.

For a laugh, at the end of the season I made two snowmen with a sad face, can you find him? One lives at the studio, and one lives at our house. Talk about limited edition!

cozy corner

doesn't this look like the coziest corner??!! I would switch out the rocking chair for a cute little squishy comfortable one, and add a rug. THEN it would be just right for me. Maybe add a little pink somewhere :)

place of rest

I'm contemplating a major room makeover, and I LOVE this picture by sussie bell. I love bright colors, but always seem to hover around earthy neutrals. How can I cure my "split {design} personality" ?? Also, I haven't gotten a good read on how Sean feels about having a little pink in the room. (LOVE pink.)

Sneak Peek- Whats going on at my desk...

Here's a top secret look at what I've been working on tonight. My printer is out of ink, so that means hand made fliers for my upcoming holiday sale! A handful of select artisans are getting together on Sunday December 13th at 4621 Beard Ave S from 12-5 for some good old fashioned fun. We'll have handmade gifts including jewelry, kitchen "pretties", organic cotton silk screened t-shirts, pottery and more. I'm pretty sure it's going to be THE place to be come next Sunday.

We might even have snacks.

Craft Night...

this night's task was homemade stockings!