HandMade House

My husband and I recently visited a local contemporary art museum and picked up a free art magazine. It was typically full of ads, but there were a few interesting features, including one about The HandMade House at the Ramble.




This home features work from 116 artists, and pretty much everything was designed and made custom for this project - from the door fittings, rugs and chandeliers, to the furniture, sinks, and countertops. I love the living room above, but every room is amazing. Please visit the website to see lovely photos of each room and many of the handmade pieces. I've spent hours ogling the beautiful details and making plans for my own dream home someday.

I'm very fond of craftsman design and the prairie/arts & crafts/bungalow/mission style and much of that was incorporated into the HandMade House. This bathroom is beautiful and the last picture is my favorite. I have always wanted built in bookcases for a long hall somewhere, especially with an open feel on the other side, like the stair banisters here, or a row of tall windows for the dream house in my head.

Photos courtesy of the HandMade House at the Ramble ©2008 Stewart Young

Thanks for making my day

This YouTube video by Jon Schmidt was the bright spot in a day full of lows (so far). Things are bound to be better after naps.




Thanks to all those who passed it on.

My Boys Love Thomas

Thanks to Mom Select, my family saw the show: Thomas the Train, Live on Stage. The closest performance was in Tucson, about 2 hours away, but we turned it into a fun overnight trip. So in addition to seeing the show, my boys also enjoyed staying in a cheap hotel and visiting the Air & Space Museum.

The seats were pretty good, and could have been better if I had read the fine print and mailed my vouchers in early for the best available seats instead of waiting until the day of the show. Here's my husband and sons at the show:

My husband live Tweeted during the show:

Reporting from Thomas & Friends Live On Stage: the anticipation for Thomas
& James is unbelievable!
6:53 PM Mar 17th from web

Reporting from T&F LoS: Heeeeeere's Thomas! (Mass hysteria & bedlam ensue from 3000 4 year olds)
7:02 PM Mar 17th from web

Reporting from T&F LoS: Sir Topham Hatt, Master of Ceremony (turn off phones & no flash photos). *Can we hire this guy out? What authority!
7:11 PM Mar 17th from web

Reporting from T&F: Oh no! Confusion & Delay in Sodor!
7:16 PM Mar 17th from web

Reporting from T&F: Cinders & Ashes we need to hurry if we are going to save the circus!
7:20 PM Mar 17th from web

Reporting from T&F: Henry, James, & Percy join Thomas to prove themselves "Really Useful Engines." Toot Toot!
7:37 PM Mar 17th from web

If that doesn't say it all, I don't know what does. We really enjoyed it. Thanks, Mom Select!
(Yes, that says Mar 17th. I'm a little behind on the reporting.)

Top Three Idol Fashions

I sat down to write my weekly post about what the American Idol contestants were wearing tonight, but I'm giving up. I already skipped the post last week. I can't write about fashion when the top four are dressed up for rock week. I barely wanted to come back and watch again this week.

I was ready to start again, and am writing this on my laptop while I watch - but I can't do it. All the girls in pretty outfits are gone and we're left with three guys. And they wear mostly grey and black and I'm tired of it. I'm not saying they should wear something different, but I don't want to analyze it.

Sorry.

I'm saving myself for Project Runway.

If I had a girl...

... I'd choose this bedding for her room. I love the colors, the birds, and all the fun coordinating patterns. It's made from organic cotton and only $45 for an entire set! Walmart really delivers sometimes.

There is a similar set for boys, which is also adorable, but does not contain enough super heroes or the color orange for my guys.