Shades of Grey Crafternoon Project II

As mentioned earlier this week here is my second project.
It’s more about redecorating an old lamp I took with me from my parents house last year. The lamp shade was really ugly and had a stain on it, so I put it directly in the bin. Finding the right replacement shade was really difficult, too small, too big, too narrow, too whatever. You know the game.
So on my trip to IKEA a few weeks ago where I bought the plain coasters I turned into this beauties, I found a beautiful lamp shade that fitted my imagination and idea for the make over in it’s best way.
So have a look at that ugly bottom…this marble style was even out of style when my parents got it. But as I saw real potential when switching the color, I took it with me. Back then I had some bold bright color like turquoise in mind to make it pop. Anyway my current style now is more neutral and I’m about to switch our home to this style as well.
As preparation I cleaned the bottom with some cleaning solvent to make sure it’s clean and the paint will stick to it.
I’m so pleased with the result. It has such a modern and chick charm and I don’t want to trade it for anything else. The bottom now looks like solid stone or cement or whatever you might call it. The hubs suggested to switch the cable and the switch as well as the color doesn’t fit. For now I’m hiding the cable really well. Perhaps some future place might ask for this adjustment.
Another beautiful piece for our home and the best about it is that I created - okay changed - some part of it with my hands and that feels so good and special.
The third project I was approaching during this crafternoon did not turn out well. I think there are some adjustments I need to make and only God knows when I find some time during holiday preparations and busy work days. But as you can seen it’s trial and error with the projects here. Anyway I hope to come up with this soon.
Hope you enjoy a lovely weekend.
xoxo,

Shades of Grey Crafternoon Project I

Finally, here it is. The first small project from my Sunday afternoon craftwork. I'm sorry that it took me so long to get this post done but I had some issues with the photos as I took them by myself and was struggling at some point with uploading them.
Some weeks ago we had friends over for dinner and I wanted to place the casserole with our food directly on the table so everyone can serve themselves and can choose their portion size. It turned out that the only coaster I owned was a pink one which ruined the table setting as it was very autumn style with leafs and stuff.
As I strolled trough IKEA a few weeks ago I picked up some plain coasters to have something neutral for my next dinner with friends. As you can imagine those coasters where really boring so I tried to spice them up.
Here’s what I did.
 
Aren’t those real cuties? I like the star pattern best as it’s not the classic shape. ( Or is it just my inability to tape the right proportions of a regular star ;o) You never know).
I think this DIY is an easy way to create small presents for your mother, mother-in-law or grandma. When I’m not coming up with another idea, I might pick this, too.
My second project is more about redecorating but it involves some grey, too. I will post about this later this week.
xoxo,

Feta Cheese Dip

To skip some calories in the evening and to stop snacking on sweets I tried to grab some carrots and turnip cabbage with a dip.
I remembered a nice dip a sweet friend of mine brought with her to my birthday party. This Feta Cheese Dip is very easy and tastes delicious.
 
As I would like to participate at Simone’s picture challenge for this month at Jungle Frog Cooking about drinks or food in a glass, I thought I compose a pretty picture and share the recipe with you.

200g Feta cheese
100g crème fraiche
2 cloves of garlic
salt and pepper
I throw everything in my food processor and chop it and mix it and here you are. Because of the garlic in it, you should share it with your loved one as the smell can be very intense.












xoxo,

Fifty Shades Of Grey Crafty Afternoon

Ladies, I enjoyed a lovely crafternoon today and I’m so pleased with the results! For the pictures of my processed work anyhow I need some daylight to get good shots.
Hope there will be some time soon as I’m really excited. :) It felt so good to create something fun with my hands and turning something old into a new treasure for our apartment.

Source: sweetseptembernights.tumblr.com via AnneMarie on Pinterest

Wish you a good start for the new week that lies in front of us!

xoxo,

Cosy Textures: Part Three {Felt}

Hey everyone, great that you stopped by for Part three of my texture feature. 
Felt is such a great material, soft to the touch but still kind of strong in texture so you can make nearly everything out of felt. Connected wool fibers integrate and build this natural fabric. Amazing!

I love having felt around in decoration, home textiles or even on some kind of clothing . I gathered a few things made of felt to show you the various use of it.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Have a lovely weekend and be cosy!

xoxo,

Oh, how Pinteresting Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday to all of you. This week hasn’t gone so well by now as it was really stressful and I was always short in time.
I stop by to show you some lively pins. The theme for this week is nightstands and I found some really lovely ones.
I find it really difficult to keep my nightstand clear of clutter and things that don’t belong on a nightstand. Basically it’s a night light and an alarm clock to get up on time in the morning. Most other things aren’t necessary and distract you from a deep and undisturbed sleep. Some fresh flowers however will help clean the air in your bedroom and make the setting more beautiful.  
What do you keep on your nightstand?

Source: neetmagazine.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: ana-white.com via Tammy on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Source: jacquelynnicole.wordpress.com via Megan on Pinterest

Source: realisticwedding.wordpress.com via Sarabeth on Pinterest

Source: karapaslaydesigns.blogspot.com via Ali on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Kelly on Pinterest

If you are curious what the other girls have pinned this week, have a look over at Michelle’s blog The Vintage Apple.

xoxo,

Liebster Blog Award

I’m totally overwhelmed. Turns out I’m nominated by even three lovely ladies for Liebster Blog Award. May from All Things Pretty, Miranti from Pen & Peplum and Corinne from Fresh paintings by Corinne Korda considered my small blog for this award given from bloggers to bloggers with less than 200 followers.
It’s a great way to take a small step further into the big world of blogging, gaining readers and getting some attention. I really appreciate everyone reading my blog!
So of course there are some tasks you have to accomplish as a nominee for this award. First of all you have to post 11 random facts about you. Then you answer the questions the lovely ladies who tagged you made up and come up with 11 other blog to pass on the award. To spice up the whole process you have to come up with 11 new questions for your awardees.

Source: coolandbello.co.il via Yehudit on Pinterest

11 random facts you didn’t know about me
1.) I married my first love. We know each other for nearly 10 years ( in April 2013) and I just turned 25 recently.
2.) I have a thing for Westlife…don’t judge.
3.) I love to talk on answering machines…no one to interrupt me, just leaving what I want to say. Full stop. I’m really good at talking to myself ;o)
4.) I like olives, anchovies and capers. All together on my pasta.
5.) My nickname back in school was Minny.
6.) I suck at reversed parking. Real woman…I simply can’t.
7.) Gossip Girl, How I met your mother, The Big Bang Theory, Sex and the City…I love TV series.
8.) Something vanilla flavored? I’m yours. Candles, cupcakes, body lotion…
9.) I hate action and horror movies.
10.) For my 18th birthday I got a 7 For all Mankind jeans…and I cried.
11.) I have a thing for ducks. My grandpa used to go to the duck pond with me every day when I was little. I sounded like a real duck back then imitating their chatter.
As I was tagged three times, here are the sets of questions the ladies asked me:

May from All Things Pretty
1. If you could pick any holiday destination, where would you go and why?
Road tripping the East Cost of the U.S. during Indian Summer
2. Are you an early bird or a night owl?
More a night owl even if I would love to be more of a morning person jumping out of bed in the morning literarily
3. Do you have a favorite recipe? Care to share?
One of my favorite recipes is a casserole that’s called “castle secret” that I found on the german website www.chefkoch.de.
1 kg pork filet, salt and pepper, 2 spoons butter, 2 spoons flour, 125 ml broth, 125 ml milk, 250 ml cream, a splash of white wine, nutmeg, 500g mushrooms, 2 camembert
Sear the pork and the mushrooms, mix the liquids and pour everything in a casserole dish. Slice the camembert and place on top and put it in the oven for
4. If you won a ton of cash in the lottery, what would be your first purchase?
A big family home…don’t have to watch the budget then.
5. What is your favorite book?
I love all novels by Cecelia Ahern, modern fairytale just hooks me
6. And your favorite movie?
The holiday with Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz and Jack Black 
7. Which one is the best DIY you have ever seen or done?
 Everything in a jar …so pretty to give as a small present. Thinking of Christmas presents yet? 
8. How would your friends describe you in 4 words?
patient, supportive, cheerful nature, sometimes surprisingly dirty
9. Do you think that each color of the m&m's tastes different?
actually no…
10. What is the craziest thing you have ever seen or done?
Giving my mobile number to a total stranger nearly 10 years ago. This formal stranger appears to be my husband now ;o)
11. If you could time travel into another decade or century which would it be and where?
New York during Roaring Twenties, just love the Great Gatsby style. I’m actually thinking about doing a motto party on this theme one day

Miranti from Pen & Peplum
1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to be a fashion journalist or something with design.
2. What is one simple pleasure you like to incorporate in your life daily?
Hugging my husband when coming home after work, simple but my favorite part of the day.
3. Most memorable meal?
The 4 course meal with our best man and maid of honor at our wedding day, best thing ever
4. If you could live in any city in the world, where would it be?
London, love the Brits and their adorable accent
5. How do you handle stress?
Snuggling up and watching a romance movie
6. If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do for work?
I would go to university and studying for a degree in interior design and graphic design, perhaps writing a children‘s book and doing some animal rescue thing
7. If you had to tattoo one word on your body, what would that word be?
Hope
8. Favorite drink?
chilled white wine 
9. What one item of clothing best describes your style?
an infinity scarf, best accessory ever
10. If you could decorate your workspace however you wanted, what would be your feature color?
I would incorporate lots of pastel colors because they calm me and would boost my productivity 
11. What is your favorite season?
Definitely fall, watching the leafs turn and getting cosy inside is one of my favorite things

Corinne from Fresh Paintings by Corinne Korda
1.)What is your favorite movie?
look at question 6 from May
2.) What is your favorite painting?
I love the paintings by Jen Ramos, Cocoa & Hearts a New York based artist
3.) What was your favorite book as a child?
All books by Janosh, a German illustrator and children’s book author who wrote the stories about the small bear & the small tiger. Saved my books to read them to my children one day.
4.) Beer or champagne?
Although my profession is about beer, I personally prefer champagne. Just girly style…
5.) Italy or France?
Can’t decide. I love both countries but I actually have never went there on vacation. It’s on the list. The food and style is so great in both countries.
6.)Country home or city loft?
Definitely country home! If money wouldn’t be an issue I would buy a farm and open a B&B and a little café.
7.)What is your favorite color?
Currently I’m in love with all kinds of neutrals. Not very spectacular but it fits my style.
8.) If you’d win the jackpot at the lottery – what would you do first?
look at answer to question 6  ;o)
9.)Which talent would you like to have?
Would love to be a better painter, portraits or landscapes. Doesn’t matter.
10.)Do you sing under the shower?
Sometimes. I sing along to the music on the radio while I’m showering. I’m not good.
11.)Do you have siblings? And if so, are you the oldest, the youngest or a „middle“ child?
Zero.

So now it’s my turn to nominate 11 blogs under 200 followers for Liebster Blog Award.
Here are my questions you you ladies:

1. What is your favorite novel?
2. Summer or winter? Which time of the year do you like better?
3. What’s your spleen?
4. Favorite Store?
5. Which dessert is the one you can’t get enough of?
6. If you could relieve just one day in your life, which one will it be?
7. The best vacation you ever had? Where did you went?
8. What advise would you give your 5-year-younger self?
9. What was the first car you owned?
10. Skirt or jeans?
11. Which perfume is your signature smell?

And last but not least, here are my 11 nominees:
Becca @ The Dabblist
Alison @ Her Indoors
Kalani @ Kalanicut
Aline @ My Colourful Nest
Lindsey @ Dwelling in Style
Jen @ Rushing for Bagels
Amy and Tina @ Design Lotus
Bieb @ Fat Fat Sheep
Boi-Yeanoh @ Lolas Loft
Aimee @ Everyday Sailing
Geraldine @ Little Big Bell
All these blog are so beautiful and cute. Please visit them and have a look.

xoxo,

Cosy Textures: Part Two {Knitted}

 

Hi lovely, great that you popped in to have a look at part two of my texture feature. This week is about knitted materials.

Back in school I learned how to knit (no fancy patterns but hey I managed) and enjoyed it. After years of being unproductive when it comes to fibre crafting I’m out of practice and can’t probably caste on or knit and purl.

In the depth of my storage boxes there is a book about knitting with which I taught myself how to do it. Perhaps I can find it somewhere to do some meditative knitting any time soon this fall/winter.

While this search hasn’t happened yet, I have collected some nice knitted styles for my home to keep everyone and everything warm. Hope you enjoy.

1  / 2 / 3 / 4

Next Saturday’s texture post will be about felt. Stay tuned for this versatile material.

Have a lovely weekend and be cosy!

xoxo,