Sister's Garden and Bloom

Hello everyone!
It has been nothing but rain here in the Midwest for days.  I'm so over it!  We did have a tiny taste of what the beauty of spring will be when we enjoyed a few lovely days a couple of weeks ago.  I even got my spring/summer clothes out of storage and put some winter sweaters to rest.  Small house = small closets, so, I have to switch off:)  In the name of warm weather to come I want to share some photos from the Sister's Garden and Bloom Spring Open House in Kalona, Iowa that I went to the weekend before last.  I wanted to post them sooner, but I am still so busy.  I'll explain why more in another post.  Anywhoo...we had so much fun!  If you haven't been to Sister's, you must go to this lovely farm house store in the beauty of Amish country in Kalona, IA.

There are two houses FULL of great antiques, uniques and flea market finds.

That's my son Evan above having a blast and even better...they had a really fun huge sandbox in the house for kids and mom was able to shop in peace!:)
Also, around every corner were goodies and treats much to Evan's delight!

It was a really fun day and one of the coolest things I saw was this glass house made of lots of different old windows.  I have seen these on Pinterest and pinned them on my boards, but to see it in person was awesome!  I have to do one at my house.  Maybe a less elaborate front door, but I think it would make a really cool greenhouse.  Here's their blog if you wanna check it out  http://www.sistersgardeniowa.blogspot.com/

Another project I guess:)  Noah will be thrilled (wink wink).
Have a great week!

-Jess xoxo

Little Projects and Simple Things That Make Me Happy

Hi Everyone!
It's been a bit longer writing to you than I was wanting, but I've been busy, which is good!  I've been surprisingly happy lately and I attribute that to a few new things happening in my life.  First...I got a new job as a design director for custom cabinet/furniture building company and the best part is, I work 20 hours per week.  That was my choice and probably one of the best I've made in a while.  I can be involved in projects with clients and have my time at home to work on the little things that make me happy.  Let me show you what I mean:) 

I went to a craft fair of local Iowa artists and found the sweetest little coin purse.  It came in so many colors with a little removable felt flower.  Here's my color combo of choice.  Love.

Another small  hill climbed; I finally finished the seating area in the "finished basement".  I use quotes here because though the floors are painted and some white block wall is still exposed.  We have been practically living down there all winter.  I'm surprised how much we use our new family room.  So I finally got that vintage sofa complete...take a look.

Remember what that sofa looked like when I bought it?

New upholstery in a light grey with cream contrast piping did a body good.  I had to attempt to finish the bottom strip of upholstery since it was attached to the sofa itself.  I used upholstery tacks to finish it and I really like it!

The new bathroom in the basement I have showed you before but I finally got the backsplash tiled.  A soft green glass and stone mosaic.  Comes in a 12x12 inch sheet so it was easy to do myself.

Here was the before

Just a couple more things that have made my day.  Nothing is more fun than a good vintage score.  Like this chair I found for $15.  I love Danish Modern.  So simple, but useful.  Just like my bungalow home.  Check it out.

The fabric needs a lift, it's a bit stained.  Nothing a cleaning won't take care of.  But, I imagine it someday in a really hip pattern like the little chevron coin purse or something. 
Who knows what I'll find.

Finally, last but certainly not least.  My longing for a second child has been somewhat quenched by non other than, Sunny the cat.  Our new buddy and his favorite spot is in my bed in the sunshine.  Haha.  Kinda like me I guess:)

Have a great week!  Thanks for reading:)

-Jess xoxo

Look what the cat dragged in!....again...

So it's my latest purchase from a local re-sale shop for the new "family room/man cave" in the basement.  Not quite sure what to do with it yet, but what can I say...it speaks to me!  Good lines, clean, sturdy, classic design and the very best part...$30.00.  I know right?!

I kind of like the caned?/weaved? side panels, but I don't care for the fabric.  Though I dig a touch of orange, for me, it's overkill. 

All the cushion wedges are removable so it could an open bench.  It's big!  It's the size of a twin mattress so wouldn't it be cool in an open concept living area?....ahem, which I do not have. Haha.

All of the cushion wedges are zippered covers so if I could make new ones in a different fabric, I image it to turn out something like this.  I'm sure I'll get right on that (wink wink).

It's been moved into the basement and kid tested.  Evan used it as a trampoline for about an hour so it's a keeper.  Let me know what you think???  Have to? or Has Been:(

Source: gusmodern.com via Jordan on Pinterest