First Friday Gallery Hop Tonight

You're Invited to Studios@625 Trade Street
in Winston Salem tonight
for this months First Friday Gallery Hop.

Hours 7PM - 10PM

Support the local arts and meet artists and craftsmen at Gallery receptions along Trade and Liberty Street. I invite you to join met me personally at 625 Trade Street in downtown Winston Salem along with 8 other artists. We are located in the heart of the arts district between 6th and 7th Avenue.


I will be debuting some brand new creations made from recycled treasures. Be sure to check out my new jewelry, furniture, decor, fun stuff for kids & more.

The Downtown Association of Artists (DADA), a non-profit organization, hosts the event to give you a chance to see "Where Art Lives". Be sure to stop by and say hello if you make it.

~MB
www.addressingspaces.com
Bringing new life to your decor and more
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Happy Thoughts

As we encountered another dreary day of cold, sleety rain today, I came across this photo on the Real Simple Website and it made me happy. It seriously put a little spring in my step.

Don't you love this? They have detailed instructions posted on this project so go and check it out. I am totally going to make this and will post photos when I do. If you make one, please share your links! The more happiness, the better.

I just had to share this with all of you because I know I am not the only one who is so over winter!

Happy Spring,
~MB
www.addressingspaces.com
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Event Reminder: Art of Accessorizing Workshop Tomorrow Night

The Art of Decorating Workshop Series

by The Decorating Gals:
Marybeth Barrett, Addressing Spaces
Ava Lewandowski, Redesigns by Ava
Fee is $35.00 per class
Space is limited

Classes will be held from 6:30pm - 8:00 pm at Meg Brown Home Furnishings
5491 US Hwy 158 in Advance, NC 27006

The Decorating Girls will give you the knowledge and inspiration to breathe new life into your decor and empower you to decorate without fear.

Join the Decorating Gals and learn to create the home of your dreams...one room at a time.

A few spaces are still available for tomorrow night's Accessory Class!

February 18, 2010 - Art of Accessorizing. Bring your home to life and learn the art of accessorizing. We will cover wall arrangements, bookshelves, tabletop displays, flowers, foliage to create the perfect setting.

Can't make tomorrow night, here are some more upcoming decorating workshops.

March 18, 2010 - What the Hue? An introductory class to color. Learn the psychology and what each color means. We will show you how to choose the perfect color palette for your home.

April 15, 2010 - The Decorating Gals Secrets Revealed. Our favorite decorating tips and tricks.

Space is limited.

Call 336.406.7072 or email mb@addressingspaces.com

to reserve your spot today.

Visit my website for more details and registration forms.

~MB

www.addressingspaces.com

Bringing new life to your decor and more

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When Bad Things Happen to Good People

OK, so I was very excited about this project, and still am, but I just hit a little bump in the road.

Can you tell what this carcass is? It is all the pieces to an old whiskey barrel. I am making a coffee table. I found the perfect wood top that I painted with a faux finish and was very happy with how it turned out.

Then I was cleaning the inside of the barrel and sealing it when WHAM!... this happened. The support rings came loose and then all the slats caved in on themselves. Man I hate when that happens! It was like a domino effect in slow motion. I wish someone captured it on video because my reaction would have been priceless. I was like "Noooooooooo!!!!"....and was diving to catch them all before they fell. Classic Oopsy Daisy.

I was so close to being finished. It is impossible to get it back together by myself, I figured this out after many tries $%@&!!!! So I guess I need to enlist the help of my hubby to put it all back together. I now know how Humpty Dumpty feels.

Stay tuned for the completed project. I think it will be very cool and worth all the hiccups.

Happy Monday in the Making,
~MB
www.addressingspaces.com
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Canvas People

So I had seen an ad from Canvas People for a ridiculously great sale on photographic canvas portraits. I had never used them before so I thought I would give it a whirl. I decided to use one of my favorite photographs. This is on of my favorites that I took in Charleston, SC. Both dogs have since passed so it is pretty special.

About 1 week later, I just got my 8x10 canvas in the mail and it was fabu. It was the thick kind with the image wrapped around the sides. I don't think I will frame it. I think I will leave it as is.

They do a great job and yes, I would buy from them again.

Here is a coupon code, try it and see if it works for you. Let me know if it works and what you think.

Happy Wednesday,

~MB
www.addressingspaces.com
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It is easier being Green than you might think

Finding eco-friendly furniture may be easier than you think. I was doing research for a column and came across this resource. Check out The Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) website. According to the site, this is what the FSC is

"Driven in part by the failure of an intergovernmental process to agree on a global forest compact, and the compelling question — what is sustainable forestry? — loggers, foresters, environmentalists, and sociologists came together in the first General Assembly to form the FSC in 1993."

They have a database of retailers who sell items with the FSC label. The label indicates that the wood is made from recycled or sustainable wood, thus good for the environment. I was surprised to see so many well known retailers listed like Crate and Barrel, Lowe's, Pier 1, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Walmart, etc. It was kind of a pleasant surprise.

I was curious if I went to these sites how easy it would be to find items with the FSC label. I did a test on Pottery Barn and came up with this:



The FSC encourages us to look for and ask for the FSC label when shopping to help encourage retailers and manufacturers to offer more FSC-certified products. Sounds good to me, how 'bout you?


~MB
www.addressingspaces.com
Bringing new life to your decor and more
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Must be love...

Hearts are all a flutter and love is in the air...and on my entry table. I wanted to create some playful decorations in honor of Valentine's Day.


I went to my stash to see what I could create. Hmmm, so what would Cupid say. Easy...L-O-V-E. I found some left over wood in my garage. Chopped it up in varying heights with my miter saw. Added a little red paint. I decoupaged the dictionary page featuring the definition of "love" on it. Then, I added the individual letters of L-O-V-E to help deliver Cupid's message.


It was a simple project but one that delivers a big heartfelt message.

This post is linked back to Twice Remembered: Make your Monday, A Soft Place to Land for DIY Day and The Girl Creative - Just something I whipped up.

Happy Loveday,

~MB
http://www.addressingspaces.com/
Bringing new life to your decor and more
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