Annie's House

I visited my sister Annie at her house in Orem last week.

I love to visit Annie and Jed - they are great hosts. I always feel welcome and relaxed in their home.

Their house was built in the 1940s and she and Jed did a lot of remodeling. Check out their black floors. They painted them! I would never have the nerve, but they look awesome.
Annie came up with a perfect solution to the familiar TV problem: check out the two pictures above. The curtains are genius .

I love the dining nook. Jed built the benches (they lift open for storage) and Annie made the cushions and curtains. She found the chairs at D.I.

Striped walls in the hallway.

They completely gutted this bathroom. The chandelier is such a dramatic touch and I love the tile work on the floor.

And of course you remember our little project in their boys' room.

Love your style, Annie.

Kids' Taxidermy

My sister, Annie, and I did this fun project yesterday for her boys' room.

We used foam core, some thin batting, a graphic dish towel, and this cute stuffed animal trophy head. We also thought about using these initials of the boys' names instead of the animals.

It took about 30 minutes to cut and notch the corners of the foam core, then staple the batting and towel around it.

This one goes over Miles' bed. We made another one to go over the baby's crib but didn't have the animal head for that one yet. Baby boy is due in May. Annie is one chic pregnant mama, isn't she?

Amateur Artists

My sister, Amanda, and I needed art for our houses. So we decided to make our own. We copied an idea we saw in a magazine a long time ago. An art canvas from Michaels, some Modge Podge, a box full of our grandpa's old maps, and one full day of work produced this:

We cut the maps up in pieces and used a LOT of Modge Podge.

Here's the canvas covered with the base layer. I chose white portions of the maps for the base; Amanda chose blue.

I added some shapes in plain colors, copying a Rex Ray piece. Amanda put an "m" on hers (for her last name, Morton), using the green parts of the maps. When Amanda posts her pictures, I will link to those. Hint, hint, Amanda.

I hung it in my basement. There is a spotlight aimed right at it, saying "This is ART. . . just in case you thought it looked like my kid's grade-school project." It goes perfectly with the pool table, doesn't it? Super classy.

Santa Baby

(Amanda, Erin, Piper, Annie)

Our (second) annual sisters Christmas craft day. Mom made Mr. and Mrs. Claus in Relief Society when we were young and they were always part of our Christmas decor. So we decided to reproduce them. We began at 9am and finished by about 4pm. Add some treats, some Christmas music, a few whining kids (and a little magic marker on the living room wall - thanks Miles and Polly!)-- and viola! Christmas has begun.