Suddenly, A Fence!

When we first selected a lot to build our house on, one of the things we liked about it was a great big open field behind our property. It wasn't one of the selling points, since the land belonged to another neighborhood that was still working with the builder and houses were still being built on it.

We knew there would eventually be houses built there, but we really enjoyed the feeling of wide open spaces (cue the Dixie Chicks). It made our zero-lot line yard seem much larger than it actually was. We often saw Sandhill Cranes and their adorable babies walking through our backyard, on the weekends we would get to watch hot air balloons drifting by in the early morning while we sat in the kitchen drinking coffee.

A few weeks ago, that other neighborhood started selling the lots in the space behind us and put up a fence along the property line. The hubs and I have been planning on putting up a fence eventually anyway so it wasn't a big deal to us, but I'll admit I was a teensy bit disappointed to lose my pretty view. On the other hand, we won't have to pay for as much fencing when we actually do start that project, and in a weird way it makes the yard seem a little bigger since the space is actually defined now.

I spent some time earlier today planting bulbs along the fence. My husband picked out irises and gladiolus, so in a few months - just in time for summer - we should have some beautiful flowers and bright color to adorn the back yard. We're also thinking about space for a small veggie garden, and a patio, and a place for my husband's grill. All that will come in time, but that doesn't stop me from looking at some inspiration pictures!

contemporary landscape design by milwaukee media and blogs Erin Lang Norris

I really want a small rose garden too - I grew up just a few miles from the beautiful Mable Ringling Rose Garden at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida, and the mansion and grounds are some of the most beautiful places I've seen in Florida.

You can take a full interactive tour of the gardens here.

I have so many ideas of cool things to do with a backyard, even a small one! There's definitely no shortage of inspiration with things like Pinterest. If you want to see more of my favorite backyard and gardening images, check out my boards.

What are your must-haves for your dream yard or garden?

Coffee Filter Springtime Wreath

First of all, I'm really sorry if the pictures in my next few posts look a little...off. Apparently somebody decided it would be fun to chase the dog around the house with a bottle full of water, and somehow my laptop found itself in the line of fire. I'm not naming names, now, but this individual is around three feet tall, is always hungry, and answers to "son." I'm trying to edit these photos but there's water in the screen and I can't quite tell what they really look like...so if they look terrible please let me know!

So I've seen lots of adorable spring wreaths lately and I just had to make one of my own.

I decided I wanted to have bright, pretty, colorful springtime flowers on my wreath. I'm fresh out of scrapbook paper, so Plan B was to dye coffee filters. Easy, cheap, and something most people have on hand anyway. We have a Kuerig coffee maker now, so we haven't used the old machine or the filters for months. Why not put them to a good use?

There's lots of ways to dye the filters - you can Google it if you're really stuck :) I used food coloring. Once you get your desired color and the filters dry, you'll want to start shaping your flowers. Pick how many filters you want to use - you can use as many as you want for each flower; the more you use the larger your flowers will be.

Stack them up and start folding. You'll want to fold them in half once, and then again and again - like this:

Then you'll want to cut a notch on the inside corner (the folded side).

When you unfold it, it will kind of look like a heart.

Now cut a notch on the other two corners - it should look more like a heart now. It's hard to see it in this photo, but you'll want to use your scissors to fray the top edge for added texture.

Unfold the filters. You'll have a fluffy folded pile of coffee filters.

Here's the fun part. Now it's time to start arranging the flower. Just play with it, bunch it up and separate the layers to look like petals...I hope I'm explaining this so it makes sense, but it should be pretty self-explanatory.

You'll end up with a "stem" on the bottom. 

I had a hard time taking pictures of the next few steps, but you'll want to take some floral wire, or tape, or anything similar and wrap it around the stem to make sure the flower keeps its shape. Fluff it again if you want to, then just hot glue the flower to your wreath. Repeat with as many flowers as you want.

I also typed up a springtime quote I've seen lately around the internet and tucked it under the flowers. Secure with hot glue.

Voilà - you're done! It was a really simple way to spruce up the front of the house and add a bit of springtime flair. It was super quick, too - the longest part was dying the filters and waiting for them to dry.  

If you try this, let me know! I'd love to see what you  came up with!

I hope you all enjoy your weekends! I'm super excited about the Mount Dora Spring Antiques and Crafts show so I'll be heading out tomorrow to check it out. It should be awesome! But right now I'm off to fold some laundry - something that never ends. Le sigh...

linking up with...

Centsational Girl Spring Craft Link Party

Tatertots & Jello Weekend Wrapup Party

Bye-Bye Baby - Hello Big Kid!

I can't believe it's been nearly a week since my last post - I have no idea what happened to the time, but I guess I was just having too much fun with my mother-in-law and doing projects with her. We always have a great time together when she comes to visit - I'm so thankful that I have such wonderful in-laws!

If you're a fan of Paisley and Porter on Facebook then you probably already know that we spent a lot of time over the weekend taking town the crib and setting up an awesome new big kid bed in my son's room.

 (before)

I loved the nautical theme that we had selected for his nursery. The sheets with smiling whales and jumping fish were so sweet for a new baby boy, and ticking of any kind makes my heart beat a little faster :) It was hard to let go of this last piece of the baby stage, and I had a few sentimental moments when we got the new frame down from the attic.

This is the bed that my husband had slept in since he was three, so he was really excited to pass it on to his own son.

Here it is, all set up! Remember how I talked about my love for blue last week? I found some sheets that are that exact color! It's hard to tell in these pictures, but in real life it's a perfect match.

We brought out his baseball piggy bank and are starting to let him save money in it.  He saw me taking pictures of it and insisted that I include his little red friend in the photo.

My mother-in-law made this memory board for his room when he was still just a wee babe. It's a great place to display family photos, birthday cards, and other special mementos.

The ocean was hand-painted on the same blue fabric as the sky, and a magnetic panel is glued in behind it. The fish were cut from a sea life nursery fabric, then stuffed. They have magnets attached to them so they can be removed and rearranged.

Didn't she do an awesome job? I keep telling her that she could go into business doing these, but I don't think she believes me.

So this is the beginning of the new Big Kid room. I'm thinking about adding some more grown-up elements and maybe a vintage sports theme. My hubby would definitely like that - he's a huge sports fan! I'll probably post more about that later.

It's lunchtime now, and I have a hungry child trying to drag me into the kitchen for some food. I better go feed him before he starts nibbling at me. Hope you all have a lovely afternoon!

I'm linking up with...

Wow Us Wednesday
What's It Wednesday
Restore It Wednesday
Transformation Thursday
Open House Party

Blue Ribbon Blues

I have been so drawn lately to shades of deep, beautiful blues. Navy to peacock to indigo...I can't get enough of these gorgeous colors.

I first saw it last year on Centsational Girl's bamboo dresser makeover.

And I've been seeing it pop up more and more.

    

I'm trying to work up the nerve to incorporate some bold color into my house. I'm desperate to get rid of these plain white walls but it's a big step to make that first brushstroke of color!  These pictures are pretty good motivation, though...

And to save the best for last, my lovely friend Kim set her magic brushes upon this New York State of Mind table. 

I must really have it bad for the blues - I set out to include just a few inspiration pics but clearly this has snowballed out of control. Congratulations if you made it all the way to the end!

What color crushes have you had lately?