Adkins Interior Decorating and Redesign

Preparing for Christmas

I just love Christmas.  Our advent candles are going and the kids still fight over who get to light the Jesus candle on Christmas morning.  All my packages are on their way, cards and photos are sent too.  The baking for teachers and coaches began last night.  I'm all a flutter with holiday spirit and look forward to a few days home with the family over winter break.   I love to reconnect with friends and family that I only hear from once a year and see how all the kids have grown.  Santa came by with the fire fighters the other night and the kids were right out there just like they have been for 14 years.  It made me cry cause even though they are teenagers now...all the wonderful traditions we started so long ago are still special to them.  Including the Christmas Decorating!  On Saint Nicholas Day, Dec 6th, the kids get their new ornament for the year and they add it to our tree.  This year mookie got a Jonas Brothers ornament to remember the concert she went to.  Big Man got a vintage video game ornament, to remind him how much he loves anything tied to a game system. 

Here's what I did to the House this year:

 
 Entry, Dining, Family tree
 
 

Mantel, Top of hutch

The big tree, Tabletop in family, and Tea tree

Tabletop in porch, Shell tree in bath, Top of tv in porch 
 

Have a blessed Christmas!

Teresa 
 
  
 
 
 

White Christmas Apron Swap

Just sent off my partners apron for the White Christmas Swap...Here it is

And goodies too.  I made two pot holders to match this double sided apron, added chocolates, an angel votive holder, christmas ornament, and card.  Hope she like it!
 

Blessed to be Busy!

Boy...where has the month gone.  I sat and made our Annual Christmas Tea menu last night and could not believe November is nearly at a close. 

Homecoming marked the end of Football season and Fall cheer.  All the girls decided to go to the dance together instead of doing the whole dating thing. The girls all looked so beautiful.   Mommy Saar made them a wonderful dinner and Grandpa Houck drove them in high style to the dance.  Fun was had by all...they even survived the fire alarm going off which sent them all out to the parking lots.  After a clean sweep the dance was resumed.

Mookie earned her Varsity letter (YAH!) for Fall Cheer and  has already moved on to Competition Cheer season.  This is huge for us because for the last oh, nine years or so, she has always played basketball.  She is very excited, ready for a great season, and will maybe get to Nationals in the Spring.

The end of the first quarter has relished great praise and kudos for the kids as both did very well.  Way to go Kids!

 

Mookie and I attended our local Catholic Youth Conference last week and it was a blast.  What  a great opportunity for our youth to gather together for music, praise and great classes.  They kids were challanged to be "Louder Than Before" and make a difference in the world!  Mookie was pumped...can't you tell.

Big guy has his first bought of baby teeth removed to get those permos to come in.  Five teeth in one day...he is so brave.  He could hardly wait to get back to school to show all his buddies the huge holes and healing gums.  After Thanksgiving...five more!

 

Mookie got her braces off and is happily eating popcorn whenever possible.  Her smile is just dazzling!

My wonderful hubby and I celebrated NINETEEN YEARS of marriage this month.  It hard to believe, it seems like only yesterday! I love him more and more each day.  There's to another nineteen Sweetie!

 Aren't we cute in our 1920's costumes! 

Speaking of Weddings, my sisters wedding was wonderful and the family is now preparing for their big move to California.  Movers have been packing for several days and the truck gets packed today.  After Thanksgiving, they will be on their way.  We are going to miss them so much.  Hopefully the Navy will bring them back to us soon.

 

Last week, Mookie and Me had our first Holiday Bazzar of the season. Everyone loved our aprons, cozies and key fobs.  It was a very fun day of visiting will old friends and meeting many new one's.  Thanks to Linda for opening your home for this events.  I want to come back next year!! 

Christmas has assended on to our home in preparation for our Annual Christmas Tea.  We are having it early (one week) due to Mookies cheer schedule.  We have been doing this Tea since 2002.  Some of my girls friends and some of hers.  It has become one of our most treasured Mom and Daughter events.  Lots of good homemade foods, great friends and fun.

 

Advent is just around the corner so I will be working some extra hours at the Chapel in preparation for that and the Christmas greening. 

I'm apron Swapping again.  This time it's "White Christmas" apron...make an apron for your partner of her favorite christmas carol.  What fun!  Find out more info at www.flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com  

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Doning the PINK!

The WIldcats like many other high school and professional teams decked out in Pink this past week to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Mookie and the girls tye dyed tee shirts, passed out pink ribbons, and make special goodies to give to the crowd.

You Go Girls!!!

 Teresa
 

Fall Decor

As promised, I have finished my fall decorating and want to share the before and after photos.  Here we go.

     
So after I cleared off all my surfaces that I wanted to decorate, I pulled out my fall decor totes.  All the containers, vases, baskets, candle holders, etc. went on the table.  This way I can see what I'm working with.  Then the creating begins.  I usually start with the hutch.

     I like to use a mixed bag of items put together to add interest and color.  I decided this year to keep all my ceramic pumpkins in the dining and entry for a softer look.

   The table centerpiece and my teacart arrangement finish off the decor for the dining room.  I love this old tool box I found for the table.  I remember my grand father having one very similar.  I use lots of silk flowers because my kitty loves to eat and dump over the real one's.  I can usually get more color selection and if I'm searching for a specific type of flower, I don't have to special order it.

On to the Great Room:

   I'm a very symetrical person... so many of my mantel displays are done this way. 

     I can't live without my tunes so I just work around my stereo in top of the piano.  I love to start bringing out candels this time of year when the evenings are longer and a bit cooler.  They add warmth and glimmer to your decor.  

I really try not to do the same designs each year.  I always start out the same way so I can see everything I have to work with and wing it from there.  Many of my clients put the same decor in the same place year after year and they find themselves bored with the look.  Mix it up, move stuff around and you will never get tired of it.  OK manybe not never...even I have to pick up a few new items and send stuff out every year.  Especially at Christmas..I can't help myself.  Here are some photos of years past and how I mixed stuff up a bit.

 fall table 06
fall mantel 08

fall hutch08
Happy Fall!

Teresa
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

It's Fall!

Fall is my favorite season of the year.  I have been eagerly awaiting the first week in October to break out the pumpkins and fall flowers to get the house ready to relax and enjoy the changing colors out side.  I have always been a bit over the top for all seasons so it's no surprise that my family has come to expect an all out house transformation.  Furniture is turned to address the fireplace.  Cocoa mugs set out for easy access.  Pumpkins, candles, decor, and flowers everywhere. 

So yesterday I started the chore of taking all the beachy decor down and packing it up until after Christmas.  All the surfaces were cleaned off and dusted.  The hutch is bare along with everything else.  When the family got home they were is confusion mode wondering where everything was.  I got down the four (I know it's crazy) totes of fall decor (mostly flowers and pumpkins) and fished out all my fall vases, candle holders, copper pots, and baskets.  Now I consider any thing that is green, tan, brown, red, orange, purple, or black, fair game for fall decor. I pretty much just go through my inventory of goodies and pull anything that will go.  Including art work and linens.  I don't usually use these colors too much in my day to day decorating cause...well I'm beachy...more blues, white, aqua.  So fall is extra special cause we are surrounded with all these warm earthy colors until Christmas.

Tomorrow I'll post all my before and after photos.  Hope something inspires you in your fall decorating this season.

Teresa

Wedding was Beautiful!

Their Married!!!!  My little sister got married this past weekend.  It was so beautiful.  Life has dealt my sister some real challenges over the years and she has overcome them all.  She has found the love of her life and married him.  I don't think I have ever seen her so happy.  I wish them the best of luck with fair winds and following seas as they prepare for a new duty station down south.

As promised, there are some pictures of the flowers from the wedding:

  

  

 We used a ring bear for our ring bearer since he was only three.  The teddy was much easier to carry and cuddle. 

And now pictures from the wedding!!!

     

Rob being silly!

Congrats you two...Love Ya

Teresa

 

 

 

Weekend Review

Friday Night Lights!!!!

Friday was our first home game of the season and even though our guys put forth some great effort we lost the game in the last few minutes 25-21.  Only moments before, we were down 0-19.  With several wonderful drives we lead the game 21-19 with only two minutes remaining.  Through a series of "oopsies" we let the game slip away.  On the up side, Mookie and the team were wonderful and kept the crowd going thoughout the up and down game.  Way to go wildcat Cheer!

     

SEAHAWKS OPENER!!!!  SEAHAWKS 28--RAMS 0.

 What a beautiful day in Seattle.  One of the best opening days we've had in the six years we've had tickets.  The game was absolutely awesome after a few bumps in the beginning.  After we settled down, there was no stopping us.  Our new favorite player is Carlsen (not just cause he's from ND).  He was all over the place and really helped make the plays happen.  Can't wait to see how the season plays out.

Here we are in our fabulous seats.  Of course the first touchdown of the game was down in front of us.  All the good stuff always seams to happen at our end of the field.  Even the Romo slip up!  Here's to great year!!!!  GO HAWKS!!!!

KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL

 

For the first time in many years, the kids are at different schools.  Mookie is off to the high school and littleman is off to middle school(different locations, of course).  This has been quite an adjustment for me as I try to adjust to the schedule differences.  They start at different time, end at different times, have early days on opposite ends of the week..I hope I don't forget someone.  Plus practice schedules and church classes add to my dizziness.  Ok, another cup of coffee and I'll be fine.  I have to say, I'm so proud of them.  Both have taken a new energy and excitement with them this year that I think will be wonderful.  Nothing sparks great results like a great attitude. 

 Family Wedding!

The house is quiet and the dust bunnies are starting to settle from the first week shuffle...so now I can focus on my sister's wedding that is just a few weeks away.  She asked my to do all the flowers for the girls, the tables and her bouquet.  I'm so excited.  I have poenies, orchids, roses, and hydrangas for her bouquet.  Magnolias for the table centerpieces.  Roses and hydrangas for the girls and roses for the moms, dads, and grandma's.  I also have several larger arrangements to work on for the alter area and the bridal arch to beautify.  I'll share all the photos after the wedding...she should probably see them before you.  I know you understand..

till next time-

Teresa

Summer Fun!

As summer comes to an end, it is time for me to recap all my completed projects!

LUCY SWAP!!  I completed Shawnee's Lucy swap and sent my secret partner this beautiful lucy inspired apron...along with a box full of goodies.  Haven't gotten my apron yet but I'll share when it arrives.

  Made from a wonderful vintage dress...oh so Lucy!

BATHROOM REDESIGNS:  I took an extra week vacation to work on house projects for myself.  The bathrooms were due for some new paint and decor.  First I tackled the master bath that was painted tan with palm tree borders.  The new paint is a beautiful soft white with aqua accents.  Now it matches the rest of our beach house.

 

Even white can be beautiful when you pay close attention to the details.

 

I filled the egg basket with beach treasures to add some color to the white tile counters.  I filled the glass vases with white sand and bamboo sticks.  The glass vessel is filled with shells.  I stiched small shells from Mexico Beach onto the curtin tabs for added texture.

KIDS BATH

Several years ago, I did this crazy garbage bag glaze technique in the kids bath in purple!  It was time for that to go.  Again I used a soft white but this time added accents of black.

 

We already had the iron shelf it was just repainted.  The canisters I found over spring break.  The shower curtin and rug are new.  The prints are black and white sketches of London my brother got me years ago.  The kids love it.

BEDROOM REDESIGN

Before:  Dark navy blue and orange with hot rod flames painted on the walls.

 

After:  PB Tan with skate board theme.

 

WOW!  I'm so happy with all my new rooms.  Next on the list is the master bedroom and upstairs hallway.   With school starting next week I'll be back on schedule for Tuesday tips and Friday finds.  Y'all come back now!

Teresa

Summer Bliss!

Oh yes, and I have been enjoying it.  We have had the most incredible weather since school got out and who can help be out and about.  Clients continue to repaint and redesign as the summer moves along.   On the family front all has been a blurrrr.

Mookie finished second in the division for Discus.  Way to go!

 Little Man completed fifth grade and moves on to Middle School.  WOOHOO!

Mookie Graduated from 8th grade and is off to the high school. YAY!

Mookie made the Varsity Cheer squad for the fall and was nominated All American at Cheer Camp.  GO CATS!

Fourth of July was celebratedwith a huge parade downtown, carnival, and firework over the water.  No Rain, YAY!

Yes, I am swapping again.  This one is all about Lucy...can't wait to get all the goodies done for my partner.  Apron is coming along and should be out soon. 

  On the crafty side of life I made these cute chocolate grad cap candies for graduation.  Made totes and aprons for all the teachers(which I forgot to take pics of :().  Made a birthday bow for mookie to wear at camp.  Mookie and I put together some cheer goodies for camp.

And there's more summer fun ahead!  Take care for now.

 Teresa