Will Your Holiday Look Like This?

When I was growing up, my Mother always aimed for a Thanksgiving dinner that looked like this. 
I don't know why, it doesn't even look like fun.

It felt more like this.

And I remember it being a lot of fun.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog...today, and everyday. 
Happy Thanksgiving.

I'm So Excited and Honored

The other day, when I was trying to decide which Lowe's Creative Ideas project to show you....I clicked on the "Blogs" link. 
I could not believe it when I saw this

That's me...5th row down. I am so honored to be part of this creative group. If you have a moment, you should go and check out some of the other projects. Those ladies...and one guy, really know how to get their DIY on.
There is one more challenge before it is a wrap for 2012. I just got word that I am invited back for 2013...and I hear that they are making things even more exciting. I'll keep you posted.
Now I need to get ready for my Thanksgiving. What are you making for yours?

Updating My Window Boxes....Part 2

Thanks for coming back and checking in on the progress with my window boxes. This is the second part of my Lowe's Sponsored Challenge.  You know I hate waiting, so here is the finished window box

And here is the "Before"

Yesterday, I told you which parts are old and which ones are new.

This is a case of more is better. If it wasn't nailed down....it went in

Here, you can see the duct tape closing the top of the cans and holding the holiday lights inside

Since this had lights on it, I really wanted to catch it at different times of the early evening

At some point, you would think I would stop and go inside.....it was really getting cold

I really liked how it started to glow...it's those LED lights.

I am so thankful to Lowe's. Not only did they sponsor this challenge, they wanted to make a donation to my favorite charity. Since it is almost Thanksgiving, and we are fortunate enough to have food on our table, I chose The Center For Food Action. 

Do you want to know exactly how much Lowe's cares? Check out their Social Responsibility Page. 

And, it would not be very responsible of me to leave you without some great tip. I took this from the Lowe's Creative Ideas Page.
Healthy Home Room-By-Room

I'm going to show this to my husband because he doesn't even know how to turn on the vacuum.

What are you doing this weekend?

Lowe's Recycling Challenge

This month I am getting a free late pass from everyone. It took a Hurricane to prevent me from getting this project up on time. This Lowe's Sponsored Challenge is a recycling challenge:
Pick some old objects from around your home or garden and add some new items to create a welcoming project for your home.
Since I am window box obsessed around here....and my current end of the year, after the hurricane window boxes look like this

I thought this might be just the place to add a bit of welcome charm. 
Last winter, I was inspired by the peacock, 

I decided to add a bit of whimsy to my window boxes.

I would say that some of this would be a good place to start with recycling...wouldn't you?
This year, my inspiration is this...gold, black & white

Via

When I updated the recessed lights in my bedroom with smaller LED lights, these cans were leftover

I was sure I could make something out of them....I just wasn't sure what....until now.

A quick trip to Lowe's for some additional supplies like my favorite black spray paint

gold spray paint

Super industrial outdoor black duct tape

Some outdoor LED lights.....like these

and a fancy extension cord like this one

I spread out everything all over the driveway and began to recycle

Please come back tomorrow to see how all of this gets assembled. I am working in real time on this one, and need to wait for dusk to show off the lights.

In the mean time, I don't know if you realized that the Lowe's Creative Ideas page has projects under $50?

This Paper Tube Decorated Flowerpot idea really fits the recycling theme. 

I will definitely be making one of these!

How do you give your home a welcoming approach?

**Here is part 2 of my Window Boxes**

Jem Fabric Warehouse

A few days ago, I told you about my trip to the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market. You may remember that after that, I went over to Mood Fabrics. Well, before I left the city, I decided to make one more stop. I wanted to go to Jem Fabric Warehouse...the one Jenny's always talking about. 

Jem is not walking distance from Mood, so I did need to drive there.

It is definitely a place where you would hunt for the perfect trim

Rolls of fabric are mixed among the trims

Braids, cords, gimp and tassels are intermingled.

Vintage cases hold stacks of possibility

There is a small section of African Cloth....love it!

A display of all the various patterns. 

I was just about to check out, when I asked if they had home fabrics. Good thing I asked, they are downstairs. The selection of fabrics is not as large as Mood, but the prices are much less, and they have a decent selection.

I didn't buy any fabric, but I did buy some trim. 

They coordinate with the fabrics that I purchased.

After all this, there is one other fabric store I would like to explore on another day

Wonder if Jill will be there?
Please do me a favor.....If you earned a "free frozen turkey" from one of the many markets participating in a Holiday Points program....AND....you don't think you will use that turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner.....PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE....give that turkey to a local food drive, or a Food Bank.
DON'T let it go unused. 
I earned 2 from two different markets, and will be donating both.

Mood Fabrics

Yesterday, I told you about my trip to the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market. If you remember, it was on the way to Mood Fabrics. Mood Fabrics became famous from Project Runway. Remember when Project Runway was on Bravo....and everyone watched? I never followed to show over to Liftime....did you?

If you have never been to Mood, you might be a bit surprised by the location. It is not a storefront like you would expect. You need to enter a very large building where an elevator operator will take you to the third floor. Once inside, you can use the stairs to access the other two floors. 
It really does look like this

There are isles and isles of fabric like this

There is definitely more clothing fabric vs. home fabrics.

The trims are neatly organized, and there is an abundance.

When you get to the home fabrics section, there are a few displays that feature some of the fabric.

Here are the two yards I cane home with

I love that it is orange, and not red

And I love the metallic thread

I have been feeling the blue and white, lately...although this is cream

I like it both directions

And there is a raised trim detail on it for texture

My plans for the fabric is top secret....so secret, I'm not exactly sure yet. 

So far, I took you along to the NY Flea Market, Mood Fabrics....but there was one more stop, and tomorrow I'll tell you where that was.