If you are at all crafty (or even if you’re not!) you should check out “the purl bee” blog. I’ve found tons of great ideas (some shown below) and thought it was worth sharing! (all images via www.thepurlbee.com)

embroideryhoopideagreat idea using fabric scraps & embroidery hoops- check their site for detailed how-to instructions with pics!

coolquiltAnd I might just have to learn how to quilt after seeing this beauty…!

More Outdoor Design Eye Candy…

GardenhouseBench from Gardenhouse- Love it, love it….

design public lanternGreat ambiance for an evening garden party…Persimmon notNeutral Season Metal Lantern from design public

windowboxPretty & Simple Fleur-de-Lys window box from Smith & Hawken

plantersGorgeous aged Luminaria Planters from Jayson Home & Garden

Tis the season for some fun in the garden. Last year, I tried my hand at a small container herb garden. It was a success, so this year I branched out a bit more to tomatoes, more herbs and some flowers. I love being able to step outside my door and grab fresh basil, chives and tomatoes (although I’m still waiting for the first tomatoes to ripen!) Thought I’d post some garden inspiration today. Enjoy!

container-flowers

(from my own little oasis! I snagged the chairs & cart at a local antique shop a couple years ago)

Suburban Oasis(This one courtesy of apartment therapy.com- I love their site!)

cb2 outdoor(from cb2.com- affordable and chic outdoor furniture!)

Teen & kids rooms are one of my faves. I love the before & afters on this (not to mention the flair the girls added themselves with a few Hannah Montana & HS Musical posters :-) ) This room was a Christmas surprise for the girls from their parents -which made it even more fun to create! So glad I could have a part  in creating a fantastic room for these two amazing young ladies that I know they enjoy!

The concept behind this project: “To create a unique, colorful space filled with personality. A place to relax, be creative, and have fun. Stylish, energetic, unique, vibrant. A true reflection of the special sisters that share this space .”

OUR STARTING INSPIRATIONS:

inspirationsAnd some before & afters…

BEFORE:

Before #1

AFTER:

After #1

BEFORE:

Before #2

AFTER:

After #2

BEFORE:

Before #3

AFTER:

After #4

So I have now joined the ranks of Twitter- and have found it quite addictive (once I figured it out, that is- okay, I guess I”m still figuring it out…). I’ve also discovered that I “tweet” much better than I blog. I think I just love that I can share fun links, tips, and useful info so quickly and not have to type out a huge blog post…I’m a busy girl so I don’t get to blog as often as I should. But now you can follow me @amypottenger and you’ll probably hear from me more often! Look me up!

I just came across a NY Times article about spoonflower.com, an awesome new website where you can upload your own custom design and then get it printed on fabric. Super cool and definitely worth checking out!

spoonflower

This time of year, in mostly gray and white Michigan, we need a little color in our lives. Enter Elements Bedding by Koko company…plenty of beautiful, warm color to brighten our days! I also especially love their pillow fabrics here. Makes me feel like I’m somewhere exotic and fun- And we all need whatever makes us feel warm when it’s 20 degrees…

elements bedding

elements-pillows

I am officially in love with the Deco collection from Jason Champion! I caught his work in the latest issue of Hospitality Design Mag, where they feature his products. Deco is marketed as an outdoor product, but I think the deco dining table would be outstanding in any indoor dining room! And apparently he has teamed up with a “large retailer”- (the article mentioned this) so I am going to be on the lookout for his products. Target, perhaps?  Here are some images from his website of the Deco collection:

My talented friend Tammi has tagged me to share 7 random facts about me, so here goes…

(1) I love the color red. I even have a small collection of red shoes. Red just makes me happy- so much so that when I recently remodeled my powder room, I custom matched the wall color to my favorite shade of OPI red nail polish .

(2) I am a stickler for spelling- I always notice typos, sometimes before I notice the content of what I’m reading.

(3) I knew I would marry my husband after knowing him for just 2 weeks. Yes, I am one of those people. And no, I didn’t tell him that until much, much later. :-)

(4) I don’t read many fiction books (although I am pondering picking up “the shack” after I’ve heard so much good about it) I tend to read mostly non-fiction. I think I got all that out of my system when I was growing up- I read tons of mysteries and such. The last fiction book I read was the DaVinci code- actually, I listened to it on a cross country drive if that counts.

(5) I grew up in central Iowa- Des Moines, to be exact. No, my dad isn’t a farmer, (although my grandpa was :-) ) and yes, I do love sweet corn- Iowa sweet corn is the best. Iowa was a nice place to grow up.

(6) I recently joined Crossfit, and wake up at ungodly hours to workout (aka torture myself) and maybe someday get back in shape! And I am so incredibly sore right now!!

(7) A favorite fast food treat of mine is McDonald’s french fries with sweet and sour sauce. MMM. Although I don’t do this very often, thankfully, or else I’d be in trouble!

So there you go. And I’m tagging: John, Jen, Shelbi, Christina

This past week my family and I took a relaxing trip up to northern michigan. While in Charlevoix, we came across some really fun, unique architecture (especially if you’re a Lord of the Rings/Hobbit Fan!). Check out these homes by architect Earl Young:

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