A Show of Appreciation...

I tend to have and lose habits all the time, both good and bad. The one good habit I try to keep is sending thank you notes. To me, it's the least I can do to show appreciation and acknowledgement for a kind gesture. One of my resolutions this year was to make it a priority and do it with extra effort. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

• I try to include a photo (always carry a camera with you) - I order my photos on-line at www.snapfish.com, wallet-sized, a matte finish and white border - classic! The turn around time is fast - so expect your pictures in 2-3 days.
• Paper Source, my reliable source for paper and such. Typically, I don't walk out with what I went in looking for. I go in looking for solutions. The people are helpful and the store will have inspirations for you in case you're not sure what to do.
• Address labels, you can find really inexpensive ones at office stores, like Office Max and Staples. I even use the ones at the post office, I think those are fun. It's an added bonus for addressing envelopes and shows that you gave what carried the note extra attention.
• Micron Pens, for as long as I can remember, these are the only pens I use. They are literally scatter everywhere in my house, car, purse...I use a black 03 point, but they come an array of colors and points.
• A portable paper cutter, one of the my most used craft item. No need to spend a lot of money on this, you can change the blades if they ever go dull.
• The Glencoe PTO Directory, order a few extras next time, my "go-to" for everything; class list, phone numbers, emails, addresses. One in my car, my office...what would we do without this?
• Get addresses of family and friends, how many email addresses do you have with no mailing addresses? I keep my addresses in an index card box with tabs A-Z. I write the addresses on index cards with family names and birthdays.
• Michaels Arts & Crafts Store - get ready to get side-tracked. I use different ways to add a touch to the cards I'm sending. For those in the above picture, I am securing the photos to the cards by hole-punching a hole through both photo and card and securing it in place by brads.(see picture below)

My finished product is ready to be mail to all my participants with the blog. Thank you to everyone who's contributed and hope to send many more thank you's in the next upcoming weeks.

Kendra (part 2) Shows Us Some Creative Ways For Storage

Kendra converted a front closet to an impromptu mud room. Each basket is utilized to store shoes, weather accessories and knick knacks. A bench was added, along with shelfs making sure every square inch has a purpose. Wallpaper and a delicate lighting fixture adds the finishing touches.

You'll notice all her writing utensils on her kitchen island. Kendra uses an old Coca Cola bottle crate to hold markers, pencils and scissors. All within reach for homework and projects.

Here, she uses a tier fruit bowl holder to store mittens, hats and winter accessories. An easy reference corner for "Mom, where are my mittens?"

Kendra's place for her jewelry, "I used a painted board and hammered a lot of nails everywhere. Now I can see everything at once, instead of a tangled clump in a drawer."

"The hallway to my kids rooms, decorated with their art work. I have always liked these self portraits made in art class at South School."

Another reason why Kendra's house is so fun to visit, never a dull blank canvas. She thinks outside the box - not only with imagery, but with purpose, too. You go, girl!

Adesso in Highland Park

"Adesso has been a Highland Park destination for over 25 years. During that time, we have expanded and evolved to respond to the needs of our customers. We are committed to bringing together the very best of design and craft with our unique mix of products. Our on-line bridal registry has allowed a new generation of customers to bring us into their homes. We continue to serve our most loyal customers year after year and look forward to your continued trust in our service and products." - Adesso

What I found most interesting about Adesso is their selection. Believe me, I know there are many home product stores on the North Shore, but the inventory and selection Adesso has sets them apart from the rest. Not two table top presentations are the same. Not only that, I'm almost positive you will find something here to suit your taste and needs.

When I asked the sales person about these handkerchiefs, she said "I don't know if they are worth mentioning". Are you kidding me, I love these! There are so many to chose from, and with creative thinking, there are many ways to utilize these lost treasures. Sewn together, what a beautiful table cover it would make or wrap a set of silverware in one for a hostess gift.

Adesso has participated in The Glencoe Housewalk for many years. Their merchandise will be presented in one of the homes on the Housewalk this year as a table top.

Adesso

600 Central Street

Highland Park, IL 

847-433-8525

http://www.shopadesso.com/

Don't Toss It, Change It!

I love it when someone learns to work with a old piece of furniture and gives it another chance by changing it up, then welcoming it back into their home with a new admiration and appreciation.

When I visited Monica's house a month ago, I commented on a piece of furniture in her youngest daughter, Ava's room. She said "it didn't originally look like that" and began to tell me how she changed this unwanted piece of furniture into this shabby chic armoire perfect for any little girl's room. I was amazed because it looked original! I asked Monica to share the process with all of us:


"The armoire was redone by Rochelle Rodriguez, a Glencoe resident. First, I sanded down the armoire and remove the drawers and doors. Then Rochelle came over and painted it white.  She also brought over a catalog of adornments and we chose the floral type pattern.  She glued them on and painted them. Then, to give it an antique effect, she brushed a type of shellac over the entire armoire and then used a clean rag and rubbed it in and wiped some off. We reassembled the armoire and changed the wooden knobs to crystal ones. VOILA!"


If you have any tips on how you transformed a piece of furniture in your own home, like Monica did, send it my way! We'll be sure to post it for inspiration of learning to love it and not leave it.

Local Art Treasures

If you are like me, always on a hunt to find new discoveries and know that Chicago offers talent waiting to be discover, this next piece will soothe your soul. I asked a local artist, here in Glencoe, for some recommendations and these are her links for mindful treasures in the Chicago area, some right here in your very own neighborhood.

Danny Mansmith – Off –beat, animated fiber artist from Chicago.  His studio is a jaw-dropping experience of fantasy. 
http://scrap-dannymansmith.squarespace.com

Sharon Graboys - Glencoe artist and free spirit, creates pillows of inspiration.

http://garson-gray.com/

Cindy Jevon - Evanston encaustic artist, forms waxed paintings and assemblage with intelligence and attitude.  In her new Perfical Sense Studio, 1127 Florence Ave., Evanston (847) 316-1900, local artists offer workshops on various art techniques that provide for a Saturday afternoon of enjoyment for you and/or bonding time for you and your teen/tween. http://home.comcast.net/~tada.solutions/Artists/Jevon/ArtistPage_Jevon.html 

Yuki Nyhan – Ravenswood studio potter crafts simple and elegant forms in porcelain.

http://www.artoverture.com/portfolio.aspx?intPortalID=21

Marcia Ginsburg- This mixed media artist brings her life experiences and whimsy to her work.
http://www.marciaginsberg.com/

Debra Zar - Local glass beadmaker, metalsmith, beadweaver, assemblage, mosaic and fiber artist creates magic.

http://www.debrazar.com/

Anne O’brien – Neighborhood egg tempora painter brings a different perspective to ordinary objects.

http://annpatrickobrien.com/ 
 

ELEMENO P

ART, WORDS AND IMAGES THAT INSPIRE

Check out this blog from an artist right in Highland Park, for additional art encouragement and inspiration:

http://elemenop123.blogspot.com

Designer Chat Recap

Our very first, Designer Chat was conceptalized by a man. Who knew? Bob Michelson, husband to co-chair, Loree Sandler suggested it when she was planning the upcoming Housewalk and asked for ideas on how to put a spin on this biennial event, something new, something different.....He shared his idea; why not an evening with local residents and invite a few interior designers to come give tips and share their ideas? Well, that brilliant suggestion led us to last night's Designer Chat at Eric and Liz Lefkofsky's. They graciously open their home to 75 guests and what was the most beautiful day yet this year, turned into a lovely evening shared by many new and old friends. The guests were able to learn about the latest home trends from the pros, Missie Bender of Missie Bender Designs and Ann Kendall of Covet Studio. The event was held in one of the most gorgeous homes in Glencoe and was the perfect setting for a night to be inspired. Here are a few snapshots of some of the guests that attended:

The guests were led downstairs to the gymnasium for the presentation.

Ann and Missie led the night with a presentation of the process of hiring a interior designer and what follows with that trusted relationship, they also shared their forecast of home trends and ended with an open discussion with questions from the guests.

Trays were passed from one person to the next of samples that can define a room. Many of which incorporate today's trends with texture, including eco-friendly materials.

Announcements of the winners...

At the end of the night, Liz was asked to draw the winners of the raffle for the home accessories that Ann and Missie brought from their home collection. Sharon Graboys won a beautiful sculpture courtesy of Missie Bender Designs...

 ...and Nancy Barlow won the set of timeless frames courtesy of Covet Studio.

It was a lovely night indeed, a bit magical walking along the Lefkofsky's long drive way with the trees lit at night time, reflecting on the talents, generosity and shared appreciation with others for homes and design.