Inspiration by Amy -- APPLES

Apples, Apples, Apples ...

We are thinking of auctioning off a "measuring tape" table runner (just like this one) to help raise funds for our next room makeover!... what do you think?

Sooo delish, yet sooo simple! Everybody so far LOVES it... tonight will be the third night in a row that i make it!!! thank you Rebecca :)

After school snack for one of my sons and a cousin... they loved it!

Next day... after school snack for other son and his friend... they loved it too! notice the friend getting every last drop ;)

I used my husbands organic apples... I call the orchards his "mistress" because he spends so much time out there;)... sometimes even cross pollinating;)

This is the younger orchard... These chickens have free range and are here to help take care of buggy pests... aaand provide delicious healthy eggs... and entertainment and jobs for the cousins :)

HONEY CRISP... great for cider!

LIBERTY... my fave for a tart delicious apple sauce.

just perty...

Cider time!!!

This is a cool antique press the brothers found on Craig's List... just needed a few modern tweaks...

... up and running the old fashioned way :)

getting started...

a family affair...

adorable nieces helping out... here comes the cider!!!

I'm serious... if you know where I live drop by!... JoEllen (our design team FB and blog expert/administrator ;)) stopped by yesterday for a glass :) ... I love drop in visits, expectations (for a perfect house and gourmet food) are low ;)

A word from Rebecca Miller---The Importance of Hospitality:

(Read previous post, "A word from Barb"...)

I never really made a big distinction between entertainment and hospitality until the day I met Mattie Miller. I used to walk past her house every morning. Every time the florescent light would be turned on in her kitchen. I could see that light from the road. It was like a warm and fuzzy feeling every time I’d walk by. I often thought, “How fun! I would love to  someday sit in her kitchen”.  Well...

One morning, I took my walk a bit later than normal. This time when I walked by Mattie’s house, she  was out in her yard, so I decided it would be nice to talk with her. Eventually, I explained to her how the light in her kitchen warmed my heart as I walked by every morning. She then said that she thought the kitchen would love to get to know me, so we made arrangements and met the following week. I walked in and the kitchen looked much like I would have visualized. Linoleum on the floor, yellow oil cloth on the table, chrome chairs with yellow backs and seats. Well, you get the idea. It was the typical kitchen that your grandma would have in her home....all of it has remained unchanged for many years. Maxwell house coffee and wonder white bread sat on her kitchen counter. She served me coffee and French toast. I think it was the best I have ever had. (*SMILE*) We sat down across from each other...she was 84, I was 46...our worlds were totally different, both culturally and almost in every other way. But then she changed my life...she reached across the table and held my hand and prayed for me. Wow, I started tearing up. I was thinking, “This lady doesn't even know who I am but yet she is praying for God to bless me!”. thought, “She really gets it”.  She was completely comfortable in her nest/home, because she was connected to something so much bigger. Well, that breakfast at 7 in the morning started almost 6 years ago, and we still meet to this day! We meet every other Thursday and have breakfast at 7 in the morning. 

Hospitality is the "pursuit of strangers". Meaning, I am here to meet you at the heart, accept and love you in Jesus name and nothing else. The Bible says older women should teach younger women to be hospitable. Mattie doesn’t compete with me, she encourages me in my Christian walk and wants to really hear whats happening in my life. She has taught me so many great truths from the word of God and prays daily for me. She understands that as a Christian, hospitality isn't an option, but it is our responsibility to open our homes to those whose paths we cross. We need to offer them a "Place to Belong". Meeting Mattie has encouraged me to do the same to those ladies younger than me. A home isn't meant to be a place to showcase what you have, but a place that you love! A place where the food doesn't have to be gourmet. Its all about having the time in a busy schedule, to sit across the table with another precious person, to be able connect and make a difference in their life. Remember what we do now, is what we will think about when we are old. 

A word from Barb---How this all began!

Let me say first, I believe God has gifted every women He has ever created. One of the gifts that I’ve been given is the ability to see beautiful possibilities in everything. Over the years it turned into a decorating career and a passion. But, I often thought “How can God use this?”.  Sitting in church one day I ask the same question I had ask so many times, “Why did you create me like this and how can I give back?”.

My thoughts began to race as I remembered a friend that I had helped in the past. She had a very sick husband and found herself needing to go back to work full time. She called me and ask for help with her home that she felt stuck in. She had an extremely minimal budget but wanted to feel good about her home. We made that happen for her!  It was the most rewarding project I have ever been involved in and I didn't even make a penny. In fact, I spent a few of my own:) When it was over she turned to me and said, “I love my home! Every time I come home I think how lucky I am that God gave us a home that I can still afford and it is a beautiful place for my family”. As nesters we are created as women to want to create a HAVEN for the ones we love the most in this world. So, this is really important stuff!

As I sat in church I thought that's it! I want to do that again and again, but my life is so busy. Then I thought I need a team, we could recreate a room in a day and help encourage another women! So, I began to doodle in Church. I made a list of people I would need: organizers, cleaners, bakers/cooks, encouragers, painters, runners, joyful people, hairstylist and a web person! I know some of this sounds crazy, but that is what I wrote down (I found my old list .ha!) Now it makes perfect sense. :) I thought we will call it "Be a Blessing" Design Team. 

After that church service, I began sharing this idea to all the ladies that I came in contact with. The most amazing thing happened, it seemed every women I spoke to had the same nagging question, “What am I to do with the gifts God has given me?”.  Their eyes lit up and the Blessing Design Team was formed.

Not too long after that incredible day at Church,  I ran into Rebecca from Rebecca's Bistro in Walnut Creek. I told her my (and God's) idea. She lit up like a Christmas Tree! Why you ask? I will let her tell you her story as only she can tell.  Her thoughts on Hospitality have not only inspired me but the whole Blessing Design Team. I pray her thoughts will inspire you too!   (Read following post..."A word from Rebecca Miller"...)

Our very 1st Facebook Give-Away

Be sure to log in to your Facebook Account and head over to the Blessing Design Team FB page for a chance to win these beautiful fall pumpkins (Decorated by Barb!).  Read instructions on FB page on how to enter your name into this drawing. The winner will be announced next Thursday...Septemeber 27th! GOOD LUCK!

A couple QUESTIONS with a couple of ANSWERS

The #1 question of the week: 
So,what is the Blessing Design Team and what do they do? 

ANSWER: 
They are a group of women coming together to provide room makeovers to encourage other women and their families who are walking through a difficult season of life.

We want to hear from you!

Holmes County Ohio Friends: Do you know of a special lady who is in need of some much needed love and attention from the Blessing Design Team? Please let us know! We need to pick a family or 2 to be a blessing to! Be sure to come back for the details of the 2012 Christmas Home Tour that takes place on November 16th. For our out of town friends: this event would make for a wonderful LADIES WEEKEND AWAY in beautiful Amish Country!!

Inspiration By Barb

This is a beautiful and sophisticated way to carve pumpkins, or should I say drill pumpkins. Have a fire in the backyard, invite some dear friends over and celebrate Fall with some great pumpkins in the distance! Makes for a memorable evening :)

Look like a pro! Use some of your favorite cookie cutters or maybe get a few new ones for fall. Tap a cookie cutter in a thinly hollowed out pumpkin. You might have to clean up the corners with a carving tool but the results will be well worth it! Have fun!

Need a touch of Fall at your next cook out? Try this, it's functional and fun!

House numbers, no carving necessary! Take some yellow paint and from a distance it looks carved!

I'm not sure why, but every time I see this it makes me smile:) so I thought I would share it! It takes black construction paper and then cut out some eyes Ha! Or should I say Boo! (my 4 year old loves it!)

This was done with kids Puff paint. You can get this at Walmart or any crafty place.This was a fun process for me. First I took a light marker and drew out my swirls, then I went back over it with little dots of puff paint. So relaxing and they're beautiful when your done! Instead of the swirls you can also write out WELCOME and set it by the front door!

This is so easy! Pull the old flowers out of your Urns. Place a big old pumpkin in the middle. Start snipping your Hydrangea bushes and Boxwood Bushes (even if they are getting a little brown) tuck them around your pumpkin and Wa La. Love this!

This is my twist on a few things we've shown on here. All it took was an urn, our house numbers, and then I threw a little puff Paint in! I love that stuff Ha! ha! This is outside my garage and yes some of my hydrangeas are dead, but it looks ok from the road ;)

The next few photos, I will show you some of the pumpkins I created. I had fun with paint and also upholstery tacks.

More fun with paint!

I included mini pumpkins in my vases

This was the closest thing I could think of to copy that carved/scared pumpkin. I wrote the word out with a light marker then I cut pieces the right size and hot glued them on. Since the pumpkin was a light green it didn't show up very well

 so I took some brown paint and smeared it on the twine! But, if I remember soon enough next year I assure that I will be out in a pumpkin patch somewhere carving a green pumpkin!

Bon Appetit!!! I love how this turned out!

I saw this and had to make it, but after a little research I found out these pumpkins are lightly carved when they are green in the fields. Then when they grow, they scare which results in this awesome effect. Hummm so I wasn't about to give up yet, so this is what I came with in a pinch. Check out the next pictures:)

This is where my THANKFUL pumpkin lives. This is my mantle and my house is a little tricky to decorate for fall because of all the light colors. So I decided to go with white pumpkins. Of course I could not leave well enough alone because 

of my (decorating) sickness;) so I added upholstery tacks to them, oh yes some silver and gold paint, some twigs and greens in a vase.... That's kind of how it happens! And now I feel better Ha!

Inspiration By Amy

When we built our small dream house eleven years ago, I (Amy) told my husband (Tim) that I wanted to have real fires in the fireplace all winter and fresh flowers in every room all summer. Well, it turns out that my boys have allergies!!! So, instead I bring fresh greens into every room which is easier and they last longer too :)

My favorites have always been hosta leaves, fern fronds and box wood but this summer I thought outside of the box and brought in things from my husbands's garden such as mint, kale, basil, aronia berries, peach branches and his leafy bamboo... But my favorite new idea is to bring in the clippings from my coleus plants on my front porch:)

I love the simple linear look of an item repeated down the center of a table. If this is too simple and plain for your taste, you can switch it up by adding a runner. You can also cluster the items into a bowl, compote or cake stand in the center of the table. (Secret--- I sometimes add fake posies to real greens for a pop of non-allergenic color;) ....because they are standing in water, nobody knows...shhhh!

Each of the previous looks can be translated into fall...

granny smiths... lemons on split peas...

In the photo below:

-Apples sitting on fall leaves (leaf stems are resting in water)...

-Mini pumpkins and gourds sitting on antique dessert dishes...

-Gourds sitting on red and black beans... can also use coffee beans, lady-finger popcorn or candy corn (to make these shiny, mix with a bit of olive oil or spray with a can of spray gloss)

All of these simple ideas can translate into each season (valentines day- red and white Christmas ball ornaments nestled in cinnamon hot candies, Easter- decorative eggs nestled into paper grass, spray painted split peas or jelly beans... The possibilities are endless!!!).

I sooo wish I had taken a picture of this library table before I painted the top and started adding details. It was so Plain Jane and nondescript...I broke a picture frame and added it's pieces to the table for details. I hammered in some upholstery tacks for interest. The bit you see under the drawer is a ruler I glued on to even up the front...

Painted a peacock blue, sanded, antiqued and WA LA! Transformed! I must add that I bought the table for $5 at an auction and the drawer pull for $7 ;)

Paint a velvet chair?!?!... Who knew!

This is a set of old velvet chairs that my uncle gave me years ago. I had already painted the ugly brown legs ivory then sanded them and rubbed on a pecan finish so I was fairly happy with them... but when Barb saw on pinterest that you could actually paint the velvet... I was game!

* Mix one part fabric medium (various brands available @ Joann Fabrics) and two parts acrylic paint (available @ Pat Catans). 

* Wet velvet by misting with a water bottle (it should be pretty wet).

* Dip brush in mixture then wipe off most of the paint on the brush onto a rag towel. Then begin painting onto the wet velvet with the dry(ish) brush. You'll LOVE the outcome... Velvet is still soft! If your changing the color drastically you will need to paint multiple layers lightly sanding between each.

I bought this ugly stool @ Save n Serve because I knew it held promise. I took off the ugly maroon corduroy, revealing a still ugly stool...painted the legs and reupholstered AND it still wasn't right... (too short for chair and white is too bright). Soooo... I added more cushion and PAINT! Yes, you can paint the fabric! I got out that handy fabric medium again :) Painting was an easy fun project to do while watching a movie(or two).. Just like Paint by Number :)

  

I wanted a summer pillow that I could flip over to become a fall pillow...so, Barb whipped up a burlap pillow in minutes (she is amazing) and I painted a peacock on it (love peacocks). I had never painted on burlap before and I LOVE the effect. If you are not comfortable painting freehand, you can try a stenciled design/letters/numbers...that would look cool too. A favorite scripture reference would look fabulous and a great conversation piece... I think that will be my next project for somewhere else in my house;)

Summer Pillow!

Fall Pillow!

 

Saturday's Presentation

Saturday was a lot of fun! It started off with Barb Chalmers sharing her heart and how she asked God to USE HER GIFTS to bless others. He heard her and with HIS help, the "Be A Blessing" Design Team was created.

The room was packed full of beautiful ladies! We ran out places to sit and had to hunt down additional chairs so that everyone had a place to sit. We were blown away!

There's no doubt that the ladies in attendance were inspired by Amy's creative projects! We will share those photos and creative ideas with you later on today, so keep on following along.

 Decorating with fresh greens 

(inspiring ideas from Amy)

Creative "Pumpkin" ideas. 

Come back tomorrow for photos and info!

JoEllen was the Pumpkin Model! ;)

Rebecca shared her gift of hospitality and how it is important to feel comfortable and happy in our space (home) before we can invite others in.

 

She shared a neat little story of a nearby neighbor lady who invited her into her home. She left that day filled with inspiration! If you were there on Saturday, I am sure you were touched by this story.

Circle of Friends Conference @ Malone

This morning, Barb Chalmers and crew had the opportunity to present at the Circle of Friends Conference. We will be back on Tuesday to post in-depth details and photos. Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.

Nominations

Attention Holmes County Friends: 

Do you know of a special lady who is in need of some much needed love and attention from the Blessing Design Team? Please let us know! We need to pick a family or 2 to be a blessing to!

Let the nominating begin!