Repurposed Egg Cartons

I've always been fascinated with crafts from repurposed objects. I went nuts when I saw this fairy chain of lights made from recycled egg cartons on Typepad. I've made some pretty neat things from toss aways, but this one is so cool! I like how they punched holes around the edges for a little extra design pizazz.

Coffee Filter Fashion!

I heart Project Runway! Did you see the first episode where they had to go to the grocery store and choose things to make into garments? Oh man! Love, love, loved it. This one did not win, but it won my heart.

The designer took vacuum cleaner bags, flattened them, and dyed them with streaks of color and turned them into a fab skirt. Then, THEN she used coffee filters to design the corset style top.

I got so excited, that I jumped up and made one myself. Don't laugh. It was totally fun, and I gave it to my gal pal Karen Brandon the next day at work. She loved it!

Okay, so after I made my little rendition of coffee filter art, I googled the snot out of the words "coffee filter dress" and found these coolio ideas. This ruffled dress is amazing. Just think of the work, my gosh!

Is this not beautiful? Who would have thought you could create roses out of coffee filters? This certainly is crafting to the inth degree.

Teeheee, look at the kitty. Another coffee filter lover like me.

This dress is not just coffee filters, but newspapers, too. How Fun! Okay, gotta get ready to watch this week's Project Runway. What will they think of next?

The Frist Museum

When was the last time you visited your local museum? Well, I am going to start checking out the Frist Museum in Nashville every time they change the exhibits, because I was thrilled to find out how fabulous it is! The building is an exhibit in and of itself. The Frist Museum is the former main post office right in the middle of downtown Nashville, built in 1933 in classic Art Deco. The spacious exhibition galleries and clerestory windows are astounding with cast aluminum doors and grand staircases. I felt like with a blink, I could have transported back in time to a place where men in Stetsons and women in crinolines strolled on the plank floors.

The Tiffany exhibit was incredible with 40 hand crafted lamps that were built in the early 1900's. The organic and sensuous curves of Art Nouveau style was intriguing in every single lamp as a work of art.

Color field painting as an exhibition completely took me by surprise. I'm a lover of contemporary arts, but these gigantic pieces of color took my breath away with their use of color and technique. I discovered how much impact art can have on your emotions and point of view. I encourage everyone to check out the art that is in your own area, and enjoy a bit of solitude and relaxation while you drink in the beauty.

Cute Show Home

In the neighborhood where we live there are two show homes, and my friend Susan and I just had to check them out while she was here visiting from California. We were pleasantly surprised by some really cute and crafty ideas that I've got to share with you.

The stager for the show homes cleverly took patterns and created framed collages to hang above the bed in the guest/sewing room. She threw in some pin wheels and rulers, other sewing notions. The vintage patterns were absolutely wonderful!

Another great idea was how she hung the curtains with measuring tape. I love this! They are simple linen drapes that have 18 inch lengths of fabric measuring tapes sewn to the top, every 12 inches. Then she tied them to the rod in little bows. How cute, and how fabulous!



I know, this is very predictable, but a nice touch to the entire room. The dress form is draped with more measuring tapes for fun. There was a cute sewing machine on the dresser, but it didn't come out on my camera phone. You get the picture. And I got some great ideas!

The good life in Tennessee

This weekend was hot! Just moving from California, it was a bit harsh being out in the heat on the beautiful deck at Arrington Vineyards just south of where we live in Nolensville. Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn, Winemaker Kip Summers and Fred Mindermann partnered together to bring to the Southeast this breathtaking and award winning winery. It was very hot & humid, but the music was nice, and the chardonnay was chilled, and we munched on our picnic lunch with lots of happy people.


My fave place to eat right now is Mad Donna's in East Nashville. Yummmmy garlic green beans, sweet potato enchiladas, and extreme chocolate desserts there are just amazing.

Michele Muska, Susan Faherty and I hung out there with friends after work and I had the BEST martini I've EVER had in my whole life at Mad Donna's. If you go there, ask for the stuffed olives with blue cheese in your martini...OMG they make them individually for each drink! Oh, my gosh!

We also went to Leiper's Fork on Sunday afternoon to browse through the galleries and hang with the locals. Scott and I went nuts over these unbelievable cement garden sculptures.

This one had metal bottle tops pressed into it. I am dying to learn how to make these. Do any of you know how? My mom and dad who live in Oklahoma, make the ones that look like leaves, but I don't know how these are done.

This guy cracked me up! He's about 2 feet tall and is adorable. I'm thinking about going back to snatch him up and put him in my front flower bed.

And if I figure it out, I must do one for herb gardening. They were so natural and I believe they would become more beautiful after sitting in the elements through a few seasons in Tennessee.

The bluegrass music at the Franklin Farmers Market was so sweet. We sat in lawn chairs, sipped iced tea, and did a little toe tappin'. We brought home a planter filled with basil, sage, and rosemary plants. Pizza is going to be much better now with pinches of basil, fresh tomatoes and garlic.

I'm such a lucky girl...Scott always has a nice cold drink and a snack ready for me every day when I get home from work. Ahhh, life is good in Tennessee.

We're LIVE on LifetimeTV.com!

We are LIVE on LifetimeTV.com today!

Just like I promised, there are BRAND NEW webisodes with holiday crafts that you will love to watch, and love to make!

My first holiday craft is Fourth of July Napkin Rings. There are so simple, but I have a special little technique that you might not have done before.

I know how everyone loves to play with beads, so I thought you would love to make beaded napkin rings that can either be gathered up after the party for next year, or you can give away as party favors.

Not only can you watch ME creating crafts like crazy, but you can also catch several MORE crafty experts!

They include Vickie Howell from "Stylelicious", the Crafty Chica, Leah Fung, Jennifer and Kitty O'Neil, and Leah Fung. If you go to the Home & Crafts Page on mylifetime.com, you will see all of us!

So, spread the word and tell your friends that they can watch crafting 24/7 on LifetimeTV.com right now!

Father's Day Craft

I did a search for Father's Day crafts, and lo and behold, Martha had a great idea on her site. This is so clever for the kids to do for Dad, and simple, too. The thing I like best about it, is that Dad will actual like this! Better than another tie, a pair of socks, or another gift card. Way to go, Martha!

Gotta make it!

I'm looking for an old globe so I can make this. Isn't it CRAzy? Love, love, love it. I've been redecorating my office, and I'm thinking this will really turn heads...get it? (giggle) But can I really bring myself to spray paint a lovely globe, I mean, would it feel like I'm obliterating the whole world with black chalkboard paint? Okay, over-thinking... I couldn't find a trunk to make-over. So, it's back to the thrift stores this weekend, if I don't go to Atlanta for the ICE craft show.

Trunk Love

I went crazy when I saw this trunk on Free People!  Omg, I want it, but I want to make it myself, ya know?  So, I'm on the hunt for an old trunk that I can cover with vintage papers and line with fabric for my lingerie.  Now you know what I'll be doing this weekend!

Extreme Decorating Star!

Do neighbors say your outdoor decorating has gone too far? You could win $1,000 and be crowned myLifetime.com's Extreme Decorating Star!

To be considered, submit a photo of your star-spangled home (the more festoons, flags and streamers, the better!) and a brief description of your holiday decorating style. From entries submitted, myLifetime.com will choose 3 finalists, who will each win $500 and be featured in an exclusive online video series. The grand prize winner, chosen from our three finalists, will be awarded $1,000 from myLifetime.com and a Weber® Genesis® E-320™ Gas Grill in dark blue and a Weber Style™ 3-Piece Stainless Steel Tool Set. To learn more about Weber® grilling products, visit www.weber.com.

For all details on requirements of Lifetime's Extreme Decorating series, see the terms and conditions.

Contest submission deadline: June 15

More Lifetime TV.com Webisodes!

It's all a blur now, but last weekend we shot the Pattiewack Holiday Videos for LifetimeTV.com at lightning speed. Yes! LifetimeTV.com asked me to shoot holiday crafts for their fabulously popular website, and I said "yes" of course! I had a terrible time deciding on the crafts I wanted to show, but settled for some of the cutest ideas ever. I can't tell you what they are yet, but I promise you will love'em.

Lisa and James from Bungalow 3 came from Los Angeles to work with Scott my hubby wubby who owns Insight Film Video.

Lisa was right there to direct and give guidance about what she wanted in every segment. She was electric with her ideas and gave spark to the entire project.

Scott was his usual steadfast calm and rock solid self. He shot the camera in handheld style and kept the pace for 2 days of shooting.

I'm in good company, as Vicki Howell said "yes" too, and will be shooting her webisodes right after me.

I think the Crafty Chica will shoot her crafts last, but they certainly will not be the least, with her sassy style. You can go to Vicki and Kathy's blogs to read about their adventures in the creative world of crafts. LifetimeTV.com will never be the same after all of us make our crafty holiday debut!

I had a blast, and just want to give a shout out to Robyn and Brad for their hard work on our crew, and for fabulous photography, written instructions for the craft projects, and to James for keeping the coffee coming.

Okay, I know you're dying to know what I did, so brace yourself, because you're gonna love the cute little Christmas Fleece Stockings, Valentine Suncatchers, Halloween Chandelier, and 4th of July Party Favors.

Stay tuned for the launch date...I'll keep you posted!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to everyone! And a special happy day to my momma. Hi Mom! I was born in the fifties, and my mom was the typical June Cleaver mom, with a spotless house, perfect hair, full meals on the table every night when dad came home for supper, and all of our clothes were perfectly starched, and our little family was just so perfect. She's still the perfect mom to me, and at the risk of sounding sappy, she is everything I could ask for in a mom. She is always there to listen, give advice when I ask for it, and understands me more than anyone else in the world.

My mom is a quilter, and she works side by side with my daddy every day as they run a quilting machine in their darling house on Grand Lake in Oklahoma. I miss them and wish I could be with them and my girls today. But, when you are part of a family that is as close as ours, geography means nothing because we hold each other in our hearts, under the same sky every moment of every day.

I love you mom....


(June Cleaver had nothing on my mom... ;-)

Lovin' Tennessee

We are lovin' Tennessee, and feeling like it's home. With so many people moving into this area for corporate positions and with a strong economy, it is a great place to live and meet new people.

I got a BIG SURPRISE last week at a Michael's Craft Store, when I was walking down the needlework aisle, when lo and behold, MY BOOK was right there on the book rack! CHEESE, how cool is that???? So, when's the book signing gig? (just kidding.... :-)

Peeps at work have quickly turned into friends after work, and Karen Brandon is a hoot to hang out with. We had some Italian food and drink and good times...

When the waiter asked me how I wanted my left over yummies to take home, I joking said, "what, you don't do foil swans?" and guess what, in about 10 minutes he returned with his fab aluminum foil swan! It's still sitting on my dressing table.

Me and Michele finally got a little time away from the office, and our hubbies kept us in stitches all night! We are gonna have to get them in the pics next time.

Franklin, Tennessee has an annual arts and crafts fair, and we spent the afternoon checking out all the amazing artists from this area. I fell in love with these round appliques' on fine linens.

One of the artists did outrageous decoupage and metal art sculptures, and if I weren't saving for a vacation I would have taken this one home with me.

If you click on the photo above, you'll see that she used recycled cans and other metal objects to build a collage of colorful art in dozens of sizes and shapes.

We ended up in the chocolate shop to duck in from the rain, and it was spectacular! I had a chocolatte', Scott had an espresso with a shot of pure chocolate, and THEN we had two sinfully delicious bites of chocolate that seriously made our eyes roll back in our head. ahhhhhh.....