snuggle friends...

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Just a quick pic today of this cute little pet~around here they're called "snuggle friends" lol When all the plushies are piled up together the boys call it a "snuggle pit"...isn't that the best? xo




buy one of these cuties or a custom piece from the modern and indie threads site...here



 

new logo and other stuff...

I've been getting back into the game lately. Letting my brain dream about things I haven't even thought about in what seems like forever! We moved over the summer and I'm still settling in. Everyone tells you it takes a year to really get your stuff into position-lol. I believe it because I'm still organizing and reorganizing and cleaning out closets etc etc... The upside is that this is finally our "forever" home. You know what that means-I am never, ever, moving again! You don't know what it means for a home loving Taurus like me to be able to say that! It is a large home with tons of possibilities and ample space indoors and out. We bought the gorgeous 16 wooded acres next door and behind us. Seriously ~I walk through the property and I can't believe it's ours-it's hilly and beautiful. Part of the acreage deal were 2 more houses. One was trailer (it was newer and pretty decent) that we sold and they're coming for it in the spring. The other is an old 2 bedroom home with a large 2 car garage, old barn and various sheds. The older house sits right on a main highway almost at an intersection with a good amount of traffic (and tourists) Do you see where my mind is going here? So, my new project is setting up Area Fare as a home/art/kids stuff/accessories shop filled with new modern pieces, updated furniture treasures I find and rehab and of course canvas and art prints! Wish me luck! I'm kicking off this adventure in retail beginning January 1 and I'll be blogging lightly about everything I'm up to so be back to check that out!

Here's a look at the new logo...

Wow-I came to visit my blog today and it's all different! lol I've been totally out of it lately. We have so many people looking at our house (it's for sale) that it's getting crazy! Don't get me wrong I'm thankful we have alot of interest but I'm constantly fussing about keeping it clean and ready for anything!

I've been busy in my Etsy shop too, which I love! I can't even tell you how gratifying it has been to sell my artwork. I've been selling lots of baseball ABC's lately-tis the season I suppose! My 5-year old started t-ball this year and he doesn't really want to do it. Well, he says he wants to then gets nervous about doing new things and starts acting up a bit! Meanwhile I've been reading like crazy about self esteem and getting kids to try new things and whether or not to force them-hahaha Jeez-we are such a crazy generation of people! Kids used to WANT to go play all day and parents used to let them. Oh well, it'll all work out right?

I've been trying to find time for a collection of animal art with letters. So far I've completed a giraffe and zebra. I've really enjoyed the process involved in creating them. They are completely digital. I don't know if I should leave the backgrounds white or add color or add a background design-I really kind of like the simplicity of the white. It seems to showcase the art of the animal itself better. I'm getting some use out of my graphics tablet and have been experimenting with all kinds of stuff. What do you think? Let me know your thoughts...

cute and colorful idea for mini storage...

I just love this and had to share...

captured from Cush and Nooks

You know you can find these little animals all over- I just spied bins and bins of them at Toys R Us-but even places like Tractor Supply carry these cute critters. Glue them on, give em a coat of glossy spray paint and you're done! Super Cute!

Back to the blogosphere..

Wow-I haven't written on here since March 5th? Sorry-guess I needed a little vacation. Well I wouldn't say it was all that vacation like. Just wanted to update anyone who was wondering about our little guy who had surgery down at U of M in February-he is doing fabulous! He has two long scars on each side of his lower abdomen and a barely noticeable one above his belly button. The one good thing that came of this experience was that with all the laying around he had to do-he got totally sick of video games-lol. Now I'm like "you better do your gaming while your brother takes a nap buddy" and he says "No mom, I'm not really into that right now." He is 5 so this conversation makes me laugh.

Well-we put our house on the market officially on Thursday. I will miss this little place, but it's time to move on. It's a cute, cottage style, city home with lots of charm and character. We've outgrown it though and I can't park in the garage. It's not such a big deal until you have to scoop a foot of snow off your car and start it 30 minutes before you leave! lol that sucks right? We did so many (long overdue) projects last week. Why is it always like that? We've lived here for 2 and half years now and did every single thing I've wanted to do in here to improve the aesthetic quality of the overall space, in one week! I guess it's nothing new-that's what I did for every single paper I ever wrote in college! ahhh but alas, it feels good to have it all done. 

I painted every piece of trim and every door in this entire house a glossy coat of BM Atrium White. It's my go to white for everything- I love it! And the old door handles (original to the house) I painted those with an awesome product from Martha Stewart I picked up at Home Depot. It's part of her textured collection and it's called-Vintage Gold Metallic-you gotta try this stuff-it's amazing!Of course I'm including pics of the staircase I've finally-kind of have finished-it needs retouching now-I'll tell you why some other time-haha...here's a few pics...

remember my year long staircase project? It needs retouching now but that is another blog post all together! :)

doors and trim before- painting with BM Atrium White semi gloss with primer added...

After- most of the white trim and doors you see around the house, I painted in the last week-whew!

still a work in progress in here...

roo needs a haircut, but mama is toooo busy! lol-he's happy about it believe me...

before the beat-up door handles...

painted with Martha Stewart Metallics in Vintage Gold

Another project we completed (in a day) was replacing the old crappy, peeling, perma-dirty floor in the kitchen with those groutable vinyl tiles. Have you seen these? I was slightly skeptical at first. I was like "whatever, just get something and lets go-anything is better than the ghetto stuff we've got going on in there now!" But I have to say-I really like it. It looks really good, it's warmer than ceramic tile, was super easy to install, you can lay it over existing vinyl as long as it's clean and flat, and it was cheap ($85) for the entire project!  Have a look it if you are in the market for a quick and easy fix that you can live with.

Wow-I was long winded today. Making up for lost time I guess! Talk to you soon....

a little pause...

I've been feeling a bit under-inspired lately. That's my term for uninspired and under the weather. I think this happens every year about this time-I'm thinking it's the weather outside that has me feeling yucky on the inside. How have you all been feeling? Any winter blues and blahs?

 We are talking about moving to a different house-same area just into the country. The prospect makes me happy actually because we've outgrown this house and the lack of garage space has my husband grumbling constantly! The house we like has a beautiful setting and wonderful spaces that need some love. There seems so much to do around here before that actually happens and none of the projects are crafty and fun, wow-ish makeovers. It's more like painting trim and touch-up stuff. Don't get me wrong painting trim makes a huge impact on your space-but I really dislike doing it. Plus, doing projects in a house you know your not staying in seems futile.

In this down time, I'm going to continue the AF blog on a limited basis, a little pause if you will. Here's a bit of digital artwork I did of my 2 boys..Ezzie  and Emm aka "Lucky and Roo"...

the ever stylish barcart...

Don't you love bar carts? I don't know if it would be a disaster in our house or not-kids, you know. Can you just imagine a diapered boy on the run with a bottle of booze? Maybe in a few years I could pull it off.

I used to bartend a million years ago and I really like the idea of small, dinner/cocktail parties with a stylish little bar cart on hand. It would be filled with simple bottles with good looking labels and variety of fresh looking mixers and accoutrement's to garnish a yummy something. It sounds more like vacation than real life right? hahaha. Maybe that's what got me about these stylish offerings from Society Social. I like the gilded faux bamboo one. It's so cool and I'm really loving gold right now-that's not usually my thing. The colorful Chinese Chippendale look Hostess carts are super fun too! Some designs will also be available at Ada and Darcy (love this shop!)

 I've been plotting a separate Etsy shop for grown-up things and bar related prints are always great paired up with some pretty glassware and a well stocked bar-hmmm-Maybe I need a drink to get inspired? :)

what do you think?

The Sedgewick -Society Social $439

the Tipple Trolley-Society Social $439

The Hostess Cart from Society Social $549

Some NY Giants ABC art from me...

I've been wanting to build my repertoire of ABC's with team related themes. Team inspired ABC's are always great for little boys rooms-and Dad likes it too! So I figured it was a good time to commemorate the NY giants winning last nights Superbowl and add the NY giants team to my latest creations in my Etsy shop.

Check it out..

Etsy Artist Finds...freshen up with these bright pillows!

I love pillows. My husband makes fun of my affection for all things comfy and fuzzy! When we go on trips I always take a blanket and pillow and he's like " Do you really need that thing?" What can I say I'm a Linus. The boys are becoming Linuses too! They each have a special blanket they call "gankies" :)

Anyway, this cute Etsy shop called ElemenOPillows has some bright, fun, pillows to spruce up your space-(just in time for dull winter months!) I love the bold patterns and colors of these pillow covers. They make great additions to nurseries, mom's room or even the living room!

 Check it out...

DIY kids toy suitcase...

I had to share this cute idea for a vintage suitcase from Sew Can Do. Don't you love this cool toy tote for your kids! You can read the directions on how to make one here.

Here's what mine might be like....

my ABC featured on Apartment Therapy...

Hello friends!

 Sorry I've been MIA lately-I've been focusing on putting more art into my Etsy shop. I've also been painting all the trim in our house a glossy BM Atrium White-whew! I'm making progress I guess.

 I put some pretty things (just perfect for Valentine's Day) in the shop this week. I decided to offer my version of the "I love you" ABC's that you see around here and there, as well as the always popular Helvetica all caps ABC in a variety of colors. I have lots of ideas floating around-now just gotta find the time right!? Such is life.
 I was pretty excited to discover that Apartment Therapy featured one of my ABC's in a round up of cool Alphabet prints for the New Year! It was the Modern Art Deco Woodgrain ABC from my shop (as seen below)- Check out that article here...Thanks alot AT!


Here's some of the newest Additions to Area Fare Kids on Etsy...









These are not just for kids-I have one hanging in my hall!( psssst..the yellow is my fave!)

Blending your style with your kids tastes. Is it possible?

Lately I've been searching for some cool bedding for the boys. I'm finding that it's difficult to blend their tastes with something I actually like! Ezzie is 5 and keeps telling me he wants camouflage walls, orange accents and Transformers on the walls. The other one is 2 and still in a crib. I'd like to keep some of the core pieces to keep costs low but I'd love to just walk into Ikea and buy a whole ensemble and be done with it! How do you keep your child's  opinion about what they want from overshadowing what your are dreaming about for your home? I'm telling you umm I haven't exactly been dreaming about Optimus Prime.

 There are 2 schools of thought on this one I think. Those who just decorate it how they want and take comfort in knowing that the kids will eventually accept it and those who let the kids do whatever they want. I'm tending toward the middle of this debate. I really want to teach Ezzie that I value his feelings and I want him to be happy and feel like it is his space. However I don't want to look at a camouflage nightmare everyday! I'll keep you posted on our progress.

While searching for inspiration on the matter I hit a website called Rosenberry Rooms. It's a cute site for childrens decor and kind of reminds of Land of Nod.

 I loved this Double Decker bedding collection from the Designers Guild. The colors are so bright and fun-and the white room just makes my heart leap. Look closely at the pattern too-it's like a block print. Sweet and fun...

The Humble Abode-staircase update

I know it's been a year-but I'm finally posting some progress on the staircase! I really wanted to a do a runner but it was getting pricey for what I wanted and we might move next year sooooo...painting it is. But the stairs are in such bad shape as you can see in the pics-it's been an adventure-and I'm still working on it. So here's the update so far...

Thursday Art Additions...

Ok- I was having fun cataloging last years posts and seemed to have stalled out on April. Ah well, you know how it is right? I'm going to continue that over the next week or so. I just came through our family's second Christmas (my brother's family) came up last weekend and we did it all over again-it was a blast and the boys are still catching up on their zzz's- before I knew it it became Thursday-whew!

Anyways-I have been doing things in my Etsy shop. Everyone loves the "you are my sunshine" prints right now for their nurseries it seems so I thought it would be a nice addition to the AF kids Etsy shop. Actually I was spurned on by a customer that I did a custom polka dot and Damask ABC for to match her daughter's Annette Tatum bedding. She loved her prints (so happy!) and wanted me to do the sunshine prints for her in the same color palette. It was a great opportunity to work on something new- just the nudge I needed.

Here's a look at the collection including her AT ABC print...

"you are my sunshine" prints set of 4-$45 Area Fare Kids on Etsy

April 2011 Recap...

April 2011 RECAP...

Office spaces part II-from the Week 1 Tuesday post

I was going pretty strong with my weekly topic structure still. Weekly topics this month were Office spaces,  The Great Outdoors, Pretty Colors, Easter things, and A Hint of Mint.


Monday Inspiration:    (WEEK 1) (WEEK 2) (WEEK 3) (WEEK 4) (WEEK 5)
Tuesday Misc posts:    (WEEK 1) (WEEK 2) (WEEK 3) (WEEK 4) (WEEK 5)
Wednesday Etsy finds:  (WEEK 1) (WEEK 2) (WEEK 3) (WEEK 4) (WEEK 5)
Thursday Art Additions:(WEEK 1) (WEEK 2) (WEEK 3) (      ) (WEEK 5)
Friday Rooms & Misc:   (WEEK 1) (WEEK 2) (WEEK 3) (      ) (WEEK 5)

March 2011 Recap...

MARCH 2011 RECAP...



March was white and bitter cold but I was dreaming of moss and spring! Weekly topics were: Green and Mossy, Kids and Critters, Typography and Bunnies,Birdies, Branches and Blooms.

Monday Inspirations:    (WEEK 1) (WEEK 2) (WEEK 3) (WEEK 4)
Tuesday Misc posts:     (WEEK 1) (WEEK 2) (WEEK 3) (WEEK 4)
Wednesday Etsy finds:   (WEEK 1) (WEEK 2) (WEEK 3) (WEEK 4)
Thursday Art Additions: (WEEK 1) (WEEK 2) (WEEK 3) (WEEK 4)
Friday Rooms & Misc:    (WEEK 1) (WEEK 2) (WEEK 3) (WEEK 4)

Hope you are enjoying my little backtrack through 2011-it's kinda cool for me to see what I was doing around the house and stuff. Stayed tuned for more time travel...

February 2011 AF Recap

Hey back again for some more recaps of 2011.

FEBRUARY 2011:
We were still in Louisiana in February, escaping what we thought was the most bitter part of the Northern Michigan winter. Baby Roo turned one and we had a little party in our 5th wheel. I brought along a small craft box and had some limited crafting capabilities so I worked with what we had! It was the beginning of my blogging experience and I was still trying to figure out what my focus was and I'll admit I was all over the place-haha. Weekly topics were Baby boy/party stuff, LOVE, and White and Branches

Monday Inspirations for week 2  in Feb 2011

Monday Inspirations:                    (WEEK 2) (      ) (WEEK 4)
Tuesday Misc posts:            (WEEK 1) (WEEK 2) (WEEK 3) (WEEK 4)
Wednesday Etsy finds:      (WEEK 1A)(1B)(WEEK 2) (      ) (WEEK 4)
Thursday Art Additions:        (WEEK 1) (WEEK 2) (WEEK 3) (WEEK 4)
Friday Rooms & Misc:           (WEEK 1)          (WEEK 3) (WEEK 4)

Wow-I started on my staircase one year ago now! Well I'm happy to report that next week I'll show you the finished stairs! Do you believe me? It's true! As always, I had to get creative...

A new year begins....

ahhh...that felt good. I have to admit that I've enjoyed my little vacation from blogging. I even pondered whether or not I should continue to blog. When I began blogging I really came out of my creative shell so to speak. Searching for the things I like and want to feature here on AF has given me a wonderful source of inspiration but it also takes up alot of time. I've really enjoyed the past two weeks spending time doing the projects I haven't had time for and more importantly spending time with my boys. But, I've noticed I'm not as creative right now either. I guess in a way, blogging gives me the "excuse" I need to spend a little time with the things I like, the things that inspire me. When I think about quitting it makes me really sad. So, onward I march. This year I'll be looking for ways to explore the content I love but to also simplify a bit so I can get back to what matters most here in the real world-um I mean not here here but here in my chair at my desk in my house with my boys-real world. :)

That being said, I've really missed my little blog and decided that the beginning of the year was a perfect opportunity to look back at  my posts from 2011. I'll take a few days to re-aquaint you with some artists, shops, photos and blogs you may have missed! Here's a recap of January!

JANUARY 2011- First ever post for me on Jan 17th. It all began with my (mostly) regular feature Monday inspirations this one was blue. I'll admit when I look back at some of the early stuff I think "jeez, I totally didn't know what I was doing!" lol- I really have come along way. This first post came to you from our 5th wheel in Louisiana-just outside New Orleans. My husband was working down there and we decided to shut the house up north down for the winter, take the boys and go! Good times...



Monday Inspirations posts: Blue,  Industrial, Baby Boy stuff, 
Tuesday  posts Misc stuff: First, Second, 
Wednesday Etsy Artist Finds: Week 1, Week 2, 

Thursday Art Additions (my work): Week 1, Week 2, 
Friday stuff: Week 1, Week 2,

Haha It was cool going down memory lane! Catch up some more with me the rest of the week! Glad to be back!