A Guest Book Twist

I have never been into the formality of guest books.  We didn't even have one at our wedding.  But since our recent move to the diaryland of Wisconsin we have had many visitors.  I realize this may have more to do with the adorableness (yes that is a word) of our daughter, then with the allure of this frozen tundra but either way we will take it.

In order to capture some of the memories of these visits I created my version of a guest book.  I was first inspired by a guest on the Nate Berkus Show.  (I heart Nate!)  She was talking about putting family pictures in bowls on display throughout the house...a quick and totally informal photo album.  I thought the bowl idea was great so I ran with it.  I also then ran around town collecting postcards.  Wisconsin postcards of course.  I put them in a bowl and there it was, instant guest book.

What is that you say?  A bowl of postcards does not make a guestbook.  Oh, have a little fun with me.  Once you add some instructions it makes a great guestbook!

                               The instructions say:                                

Send One, Leave One

Send a postcard to a friend.

Stamps are in the top drawer.

Leave a postcard note for us to remember your visit.

After a few more visitors the bowl will be full of postcards written to us by friends and family!  And all I have to do is keep buying postcards! 

Details of this project are very simple.  The bowl is a blue mixing bowl from my kitchen.  I reused a frame I already had.  I spent 69 cents on a piece of decorative paper at Michael's to use as the background in the frame.  I printed out the instructions on my computer.  10 minutes, maybe 15 and my guest book was complete!  Can't wait for you to come visit!

What I've Learned in 2011

What, to soon?  No way! I know it is only February 3rd, but I feel like I have already learned a valuable lesson in 2011.  So all that says to me is this is going to be a good year! 

Warning: There are no pictures in this post just me sharing and preaching, a little.  But I just can't stop myself.

Since I have begun this journey, and this blog, I have heard a lot of the same sentiment from my readers and friends.  Comments are often along the lines of "how do have time to do this stuff" and "I have always wanted to do that but just don't think I know how."  What I am hear to say is this was EXACTLY me 6 months ago.  I loved design.  Actually I mostly loved other people's design.  I admired and envied their ability to take on a project and make it happen.  I admired their vision and ability to make it come to life in their home.  I admired the fact that they were doing what I always wanted to do myself. 

When I moved to Madison I came to have more time at home.  Not "more time" mind you just more time at home.  My life as a stay at home mom is just as busy if not more busy then when I was working full time, but now more of that time is spent within my own home and I felt like I was being handed an opportunity.  The opportunity to make one of my dreams happen. 

I started by reading.  I read blogs daily about women who were decorating, painting, crafting and making their homes beautiful all on a budget.  And over time my mindset switched from wow they are totally amazing (in an unreachable kind of way) to wow they are totally amazing and I can do this stuff!  So I tried.  I read and researched before I started anything.  I learned as much as I could to boost my confidence.  I made sure I didn't invest to much money in my first project so if it was a disaster then no huge loss and I jumped right in.  And it wasn't a disaster it was a huge success.  And now my family eats dinner at it every night which is SO gratifying! 

What is my point...my point is YOU CAN DO THIS!  Weather it is design or photography or writing or crafting or cooking you can do this!  Don't ever tell yourself "I just don't know how" like I always did.  You can learn how, that is what the Internet is for!   And YOU DO HAVE TIME!  You can steal an hour here and there.  You can work on a project at night once the kids are asleep.  Your husband CAN give you an hour on Saturday to work in the garage.  Projects might not happen at light speed but they will happen.

You are smart, creative, passionate and worth the time.  And in the end your entire family will win with a happier, more confident you...not to mention a beautiful home to boot!

I have found such meaning and passion in decorating my home and writing this blog.  It gives me creativity and connection every day.  And without that I would be missing out on something huge.