Rug Fix

While the downstairs bathroom project is on hiatus (waiting for pool boy to spackle), I tackled the girls bathroom. No not redecorating, just cleaning and unclogging drains. I discovered that the IKEA rubberbacked rug was sticking to the tile. Here's what I did to solve that. I used an old towel, cut it into a circle and serged the edges. Now we don't have to buy a new rug!

Bathroom Project

It's time to paint the the downstairs bathroom. It took a week to remove the 80s dusty rose "parade of homes" wall paper. Shown here are some decorating directions that we could go.

Project Patchwork at IKEA

Saturday, March 21st 6pm
IKEA Twin Cities debuts Project Patchwork
For the first time IKEA Twin Cities shines a spotlight on the art of quilting with Project Patchwork, a contemporary quilt sale benefiting the Textile Center’s summer youth fiber art programs. Project Patchwork will take place at IKEA Twin Cities on Saturday, March 21, at 6 pm and will feature close to 50 art quilts that will be available for sale. Enjoy food and entertainment as IKEA Twin Cities and the Textile Center come together to celebrate the fiber arts and raise funds for summer youth programs.

In August of 2008 the home furnishing department store challenged 50 local contemporary quilters to design hanging art quilts using IKEA’s modern textiles. Fabric packets were given out on a first come first serve basis causing local quilters to start lining up outside the Textile Center as early as 5 a.m. Each participant received 4 yards of fabric, a list of guidelines, and entry into the Project Patchwork Art Quilt Challenge.

“ Not only is Project Patchwork a chance for our local contemporary quilters to exhibit their creativity, but it is also unique opportunity for supporters to band together and raise funds for the Textile Center’s summer youth programs,” said Margaret Miller, Director, Textile Center. “The contributions made to us through IKEA Twin Cities will have a tremendous impact on our abilities to inspire creativity in youth through the fiber arts.”

Does the Art Quilt: 1. Honor the tradition of quilting? 2. Show technical excellence in construction? 3. Display innovative design and use of materials? 4. Have aesthetic overall appeal?

The quilter awarded Best in Show will win a $1000 IKEA Studio makeover; first place will receive a $500 gift card. Recipients of the Jurors Award will receive $100 IKEA gift card and People’s Choice will receive a $50 gift card.

Through partnerships like Project Patchwork, IKEA continues its mission to create a better everyday life at home.

Home Sweet Parade Home

Sammy and I did the unthinkable a couple of Sundays ago...went to PARADE HOMES! So nice to get out and DREAM. Almost made me feel that a better future is possible. This kitchen you see here is the second kitchen in the basement, and the door next to it leads to another basement level containing the "SPORT COURT". After the tour, Sammy and I returned to our very own 1989 parade home...which is of course, perfect.

Top-Down Shades

If you make top-down roman shades, you need a valance to cover the top mechanism.

Swedish House

I found this home on flickr. It's in Sweden and has a pool!

Happy Valentine's Day

"Holiday Cookies" from Cook's Illustrated Family Cookbook. These are a "grown up" sugar cookie. They are crispy, buttery and slighty tart because of the cream cheese. No big flour mess because of how you roll it out. The frosting was extra runny so I let it drizzle non-stop over the rack of cooled cookies--like a "family circus" cartoon--follow the path.