the november bed {finally!}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breaking it down because oh golly I love this one! Amazing garland made by the ever-so-lovely Meghan aka blufairy19 of coloriffic lore. Little yellow doll from France that I picked up at the now defunt Uncle Jer's in Silverlake. Headboard made by my brother. Top pillowcase made by me from some of my most favorite fabric ever...I cannot recall who made it but it's fairly recent (2011?). The yellow pillowcase is a recent Target find (I wish I bought an orange set as well) and the orange polka dot is a one time purchase from Delia's because orange and polka dots! The red and pink pillowcase  (and the awesome orange quilt) from my favorite partner in coffee and the green was a thrift score. The fun pink and orange patchwork dealio was made by me sometime in 2008 or 2009 with some new, vintage, and repurposed fabrics in what we like to call jek colors. This whole get-up is chockfull of jek colors and makes me stupid happy. And if yer peeking at other parts of the (so very tiny) bedroom the domo was a Target valentine special, the paper flowers were a gift from Susan of West Coast Crafty. The salmon pink shelf was a thrift find that I asked the mister to paint for me. The inside of the shelf has been papered with green scrapbook and origami paper by me. The W was a gift from a student and the blue buddha was a thrift score at fifty-cents. The mister made the bedside house shaped shelves and yes, there are three books on my currently reading spot. They are this, this, and this. I am also reading this but it is in my purse.

the november bed

 

 

 

With all of the hullabaloo of sweet november, I completely forgot to post pics of the november bed. So here you go, a few months later...I even got the january bed all made up!

paperbag art

I just realized I never posted about the art of the month that went with the november bed. I also realized that I did not take pics along the way so I will simply talk you through it.

I used one paper bag from Trader Joe's and cut out the bottom and along one side to open it up. I then cut the large sheet into three pieces of varying widths. 

Next, I used a straight edge to create a series of slits along the length of each strip of paper. Some of the slits traveled the entire length while others did not. I had no specific plan and just cut away.

I keep all my paper scraps in two vintage suitcases and so I dug one of the cases out of the lcoset and rifled through it for some paper scraps in happy colors. Those scraps were cut itno strips about an inch or so wide and piled together into a smile.

I then hunkered down on the living room floor and began weaving my scraps in and out of the slits I cut into the paper bags. Again, with no plan other than to make something. Once I finished, I flipped over each panel and got kooky with the masking tape and taped all my paper strips into place. 

A few loops of tape on the back and a couple of happy washi pieces at the outside corners and ta-da! Easy peasy paperbag art for the november bed! 

the november bed

 I was late on pulling it all together but here ya go, the november bed! Featured are two new to us pillowcases from Stacey and a fantastic quilt from Tara. How lucky am I that my friends give me vintage linens? 

the november bed

Yesterday's list never made it out of the noggin. It slumped there, halfway formed but kept fading like a puddle on a hot sidewalk. There were a great many things I should have done yesterday. Instead, I baked scones (from a mix), did laundry, wiped down the bathroom, sent in the application (position was already filled, grrr), pitched two new articles (success!), put away the STACK of picture books I had out, cleaned off the table, put an enormous stack of linens away, washed the dishes, made dinner, the bed, and a garland for the bed. Oh and I also watched a movie. Phew! That was a lot but none of it was really on the list. The BIG list, at least. That is, except for making the bed.

It is getting chillier up here on the central coast and thank goodness our heater now works, though I haven't turned it on yet, I just pile on the blankets and wear a sweater. It's not that cold but it gets cooler inside than outside so if I am not warm enough, I get lazy and resort to blanket lounging.So, since it is cool, we have been keeping the two quilts on the bed and I decided to stick with the ENORMOUS bedspread and added new pillowcases and a bottom sheet for contrast.

And, because I am all about dressing it up and garlands and a need for creating, I scrounged up a handful of origami paper from a large blue suitcase I have that holds my paper stash (it appears I am low on fun paper). All squares were the same size so I stacked them up, scalloped the bottoms and stitched them together with my sewing machine. Pretty, darn happy, no?

Oh, do you like the parasols? Getting those up an arranged just about drove the mister cuckoo but he persevered and put up with my hemming and hawing and now they look super happy. It helps that they also block out the too-bright overhead light and break up the expanse of white walls and ceiling.

Happy November and happy new bed!

the november bed

We're back from Portland and Felt Club is over and now I need to head out to school. I leave you with...
The November Bed.