Barbara's Creative Crab Basket Art

When I saw a photo of my special friend Barbara's latest artistic creation, I had to ask if I could feature it.  I was delighted when she agreed.

I love the way Barb takes items that others may discard and makes them into unique piece of arts, which she paints or glues on the bottom of crab basket bottoms that she has collected from the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

The first two photos depict the scenery along the Bay.

Barbara also collects sea glass.  On this basket she has used the varying shades of color to create a heart.

The last basket features colorful buoys, which would make a perfect addition to a beach house or cottage.

Barbara and her husband Jack, both of whom are now retired, spend much of their leisure time on their artwork and crafts.  Perhaps new careers are in in their future....


Pin It

Tweet

Shore House Main Level



Hello!  I mentioned in my last post that we were heading to the New Jersey to check on the progress of the shore house.  A lot has been done since my last visit in October - walls, paint lighting all up and looking amazing! Over the next two weeks I'm hoping to share all the design boards I created for each space and the take real "afters" once the house is complete - hopefully by the second or third week in May.

Today's board is what we wanted the second floor color scheme and overall feel to be.  This is an upside down house so the kitchen and main living room are all on the second floor!

The idea was to keep things simple and the colors neutral because it is just one big open space with lots of natural light.  I'll do a complete source board when the after photos go up.  Below can  you can see the direction we are going in!

Shore House Main Level by happyhomedesign

 

Love how everything is turning out and working together! 

 

Pin It

Tweet

Happy Weekend and a Few Other Things

This week completely got away from me!  Sorry for the lack of posts here but between getting ready for Layla's birthday on Saturday and hosting family this weekend I just didn't have time to get a proper post up yesterday.  So today (late today) I thought I's share that today we finally dyed eggs and made the flowers above with the egg carton and paint...I saw something on Pinterest about these awhile ago but didn't really follow a tutorial to make them...just cut, shape, paint and glue - pretty easy and cute!  Thinking about using these on the food tables this weekend!

I also finally got around to creating a vintage shop on Etsy, Hadley Boo Vintage.  It only has a few listings (transferred from Layla Lou Studio) but I'm excited to start adding to it.  Having a shop exclusively for vintage items has been something I have wanted to for awhile since I love hunting for vintage pieces but don't always have a place to put them!

Well I hope you all have a great weekend, I'll be back here and there next week (Spring Break for the kids) since we'll be traveling up to NJ to see how the shore house is progressing - cannot wait!

Bye!



Pin It

Tweet

Introducing the Shore House

Hi there and happy Monday!  Today's post is one that I have been looking forward to writing for awhile but had been waiting until there was more to show and share.  You might remember me writing about going to the shore in New Jersey before.  Scott and I got married there and my brother and sister and I grew up going to the same shore house my mom spent summers in when she younger.  The house belonged to my great aunt and it was a great place spend lazy summer days, that was until our families started growing and the 1,200 sq. ft. house started to feel a little cramped - to say the least.   So when my aunt passed away in 2013 the house and adjoining lot were left to my mom and due to space limitations and other logistical issues the decision was made to sell the little shore house and build a larger one right next door.

The construction of the new house began at the end of August and is set to be completed in the next month and half.  My brother has been the liaison between the contractor and the rest of the family, no easy task, but he has made sure the house is everything we envisioned - and more.

Before this all started, I didn't realize just how many decisions would need to made, from the smallest (hinge finishes) to the largest (stain color for the hardwood floors throughout).  It has been a fairly easy process though since each decision is made on a "majority rules" basis so no one is left out.  And we all have had different jobs throughout the building process and one of mine has been creating design boards for each room/space so we can all see if the items we are considering using will work before purchasing them.  Over the next few weeks I'll share these along with sources and some interior shots.

We're all looking forward to this summer in a brand new house that we designed together!

Pin It

Tweet

Nautical Decor

And once again the Northeast is being hit with a winter storm ~ this time it is an icy mix!  All of the rain (and puddles) made me think of the shore and lovely nautical decorating ideas ~ with a WISH that summer will be here soon!



How fun is this bathtub created to look like a rowboat...

...with rope used as a stairway accent... 

...add a wood carved anchor...



...and a headboard made of oars...

...and complete the look with a compass ceiling to "lead the way" 

And the perfect nautical look is complete!  ♥

Pin It

Tweet

Girly Face Planters

Ugggg Summers over - boo!  But on the other hand Layla had her meet and greet with her preschool teacher and seeing how excited she was to be playing with all her little friends made me a little less sad about the end of another great summer.

I know in one of my last posts I mentioned having lots of projects to post here and I do - I just have been really computer phobic these last few weeks - trying to check off everything on our summer to do list and relax somewhere in between.  But now with Layla in school and Hadley too  I will have some more "me" time to spend on here with all of you!

OK, quickly today I thought I would share the two newest additions to my etsy shop:

Curly Girl Face Planter



Wavy Girl Face Planter

You may remember my handsome man face planter and my obsession with the indoor "garden" Emily created for Bri so when we were heading home from the shore we stopped at this little farm stand and these two ladies just needed to come home with me.  I'm selling them to spread the quirkiest around!

Happy Tuesday!
Pin It

Tweet

Fun with Tagxedo

I am constantly amazed by all the incredible (and free) creative sites the computer offers!  One of my all-time favorites is Tagxedo.  I could easily spend hours creating personalized "word clouds."  I know once you try it, you will be hooked too!

My "whale" using words that I associate with my family's time at the shore:

Or a favorite poem:

Wouldn't a teacher love a gift using the names of the children in her/his class?

The possibilities are endless ~

There are many tutorials available for using tagxedo ~ here is just one

Enjoy!  ♥ Pin It

Tweet

Wishlist Wednesday - Keeping Cool

On Monday, I made this Etsy treasury and the colors, brightness....coolness of it completely express the way I want to feel for the rest of the summer!!

xo!

Kendra

Pin It

Tweet

Pinterest Challenge - Yard Sale Portrait Makeover

I mentioned last year that heading out to yard sales early on Saturday mornings, with my Dad as my wingman, has become one of my favorite summertime shore traditions.  I love looking for bargains and unique things and I think he gets a kick out of seeing the things I buy.  He's not normally a patient shopper but hitting up a few yard sales  (usually when the grandkids are on the verge of a meltdown) seems to suit him just fine.  I love taking him with me too because he doesn't judge my purchases or ask what I will do with them or where they will go (aka making me second guess myself - Mom and Scott) instead he usually does the opposite - whipping out a couple dollars to pay for my latest find!

Onto the title of this post.  I found, among a few other treasures, this portrait of a Native American girl over the Memorial Day weekend.  Yard sales were few and far between because of the rain but so were shoppers which was good for me!  I love portraits and this frame was really lovely but what drew me to this piece was the little girl's eyes.  They were haunting and sweet and vaguely familiar.  After bringing this back to Maryland my friend's Mom said they actually reminded her of my girls' eyes.  Bingo!

Trust me I did my research and found out that Artistic Interiors, the now defunct company who sold this type of art wholesale, provided inexpensive art for the many.   There isn't a high value or demand for this type of art anymore.   And I couldn't find any information about the artist.

Scott isn't a big fan of having people we don't know hanging on the walls in our home, which I understand but I knew this portrait needed to live in our house. So after a bit of brainstorming I remembered this popular pin from awhile back and thought this would be the perfect piece to try something similar out on.

I taped off the top half starting right below her eyes.

 

 

A couple of coats and I left it to dry in the sun.

Tape removed and 24 hours to "gas off" before coming inside.

 

 

I think this look perfect in our living room/kid's library.  That empty wall needed something to brighten it up and I think this little piece of art did the trick.  Except when Scott saw he said "great now I have a strange little girl peeking at me."  Oh well!  I love her: )

 

 

 

Have a wonderful day!!

xo!



Kendra

Pin It

Tweet

Wishlist Wednesday - Summery Daydream

Hello!  Being at the shore over the Memorial Day holiday really made me yearn for those yummy, hot (but not humid) sunny days sitting by the ocean breathing in the salt air - with warm sand between my toes. Since the weather did not cooperate (it rained or was chilly/freezing over most of the long weekend) I had time to day dream about those things that could make even the gloomiest summer day shine!



My sweet friend Jenny pinned this watermelon salad - it looks so good!!



Loving the maxi with cropped top look!

Planning ahead for good-for-you smoothies and other summery treats!



My sister-in-law was glowing with a gorgeous tan before the Memorial Day weekend even started.
I was so excited when I found out it was from these self tanning pads!
 

We've been doing a lot of gardening lately - hoping to have a mini veggie garden ready in a few weeks!



Have a great day!!

xo!

Kendra

Pin It

Tweet