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Initial Impression

Published on September 13, 2013September 13, 2013 by Our Humble Abode10 Comments

Ben ran out of gin, so I took that opportunity to add labels to the most frequently used alcohol. Insipired by this tutorial, I bought a pack of stickers for $1.50 to get started. A silver oil based Sharpie I had worked perfectly for this.

To get a general idea of the shape, I made dots on the outer edges, then filled in with close dots around the letter.

Super simple, and now three of our bottles have labels. G for gin, b for brandy, and v for vodka.

These labels coördinate perfectly with the other sprayed silver ombre bottles.

I’m happy with a super simple label that isn’t an ugly brand sticker. I’ve heard plain Sharpies on ceramic don’t hold up well, so I’ll let you know how these do after some use.

Am I crazy enough to make some for the tonic water, too?

While we’re talking labels, I found this adorable Threshold Nuts bowl in the Target clearance section. For two dollars, I couldn’t leave it behind.

Have you tried Sharpies on glass or ceramic? Am I the only one not liking the jumbled look of brand labels?

Stump on Wheels

Published on September 11, 2013September 11, 2013 by Our Humble Abode4 Comments

Because we’re now up to our eyeballs in mud and more landscaping, here’s a little outdoor project. I found a big stump in our wood pile and kindly asked Handy Sammy to carry it up for me. Luckily, he’s a super nice, strong guy and happily helped. Then I picked at the bark, most of which came off easily. Because this guy is hefty and will live on the deck, I bought casters for the bottom.

Instructions suggested installing 3/8 inch from the outside.

Four work nicely and moving around is a breeze now. And we don’t scratch the deck in the process.

Whether an extra seat or side table, this guy is handy.

For a quick jolt of color I painted the top Japanese Kimono by Behr.

I also really want to make a hairpin leg table similar to this one.

How fantastic are those blue legs? Maybe with a chunk of birch with pretty white bark? Also, if you like our colorful guest room, could you please take a minute to vote for it at Apartment Therapy? Pretty, pretty please?

Thank you in advance for your help. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

When it Rains, It Pours

Published on September 9, 2013September 9, 2013 by Our Humble Abode10 Comments

I wish I had a finished or fun project to share today. Due to weekend storms, I have a damage report. If you follow on Instagram, you’ve already seen a few pictures. Friday afternoon we had a 10 minute down pour. At the time, we thought it was a lot of rain. The waterfall looked like it was on.

More water gushing out of the bottom.

Rock stairs over flowing. Suprisingly, my new plants survived both storms.

And a mini river on our road.

I wasn’t able to get pictures of Saturday night’s storm because it was so bad and dark, so trust me when I say it looked at least 10 times worse. Piles of dime sized hail, near constant lightning, and rain like I’ve never seen before. Two inches of rain in twenty minutes rushing down hill never looks good. And our back yard really shows that. What looked like this on Saturday afternoon:

Looked like this yesterday morning:

About a foot of mud slid down the hill, over the waterfall, and piled below.

Mainly from this natural crevice turned raging waterfall.

Ben and I ran from end to end of the house during the storm, monitoring damage, completely helpless. So we fully expected to wake up to this:

Not this:

Water didn’t make it in the house, and I’m positive it is because Ben installed a drainage system under the rock. Though during the peak of water, it was nearly level with the top of the deck.

There’s so much mud and debris in the waterfall and rock that we’re pretty sure we’ll have to pull it out, sort the rock, and toss it up. Again.

On a positive note, seemingly no structural damage was done. The beam stairs are still standing.

Even with a gaping hole cut around one of the support posts.

Most of the front is unharmed. But a major drainage trench runs along the side, which dumped tons of water and mud, moving all rock away.

Mud in the bocce court.

Rocks piled everywhere.

A giant delta in the road.

Our fountain has two inches of rain, but obviously was higher.

Of course, just as we neared the end of our landscaping, we have to start over. Not all is lost, but we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. We’ve talked to many of our neighbors and most fared better. A few with a little water in unfinished basements. Most with debris to clean up. Right now we’re thankful everyone is safe and we don’t have house damage and giant rocks stayed put. But it was scary. So now we’re in clean up mode, getting ready to fix this. The bathroom remodel will have to wait again.

Gimme a Giveaway: Michelle Dwight Designs

Published on September 6, 2013September 27, 2013 by Our Humble Abode97 Comments

This giveaway is closed. Thanks for entering! See who won here.

Another Friday! Woot! Who’s ready for cooler fall weather? This girl, that’s for sure. Cozy up your home with some swag from Michelle Dwight, a fabulous shop with pillows, prints, coasters, and more.

Allow me to share some of my favorites. Every Day I’m Hustling Pillow Cover:

Hello Pillow Cover:

Triangle Pattern Cork Coasters:

You’re My Sweetheart Screen Print:

Too Legit To Quit Pillow Cover:

Here are all the details you’ll need to know for a chance to win:

The Goods: One $100 shop credit good for or toward anything in the Michelle Dwight shop.

To Enter: Leave a comment, which can (but doesn’t have to) include our Just for Fun question.

Just for Fun: What is your favorite quote? Something from a favorite movie? A 90’s song? Maybe an inside joke?

For additional entries:

1. Add Michelle Dwight Designs to your Etsy Favs and leave a second comment.

2. Like Michelle Dwight Designs on Facebook, leaving a separate comment.

3. Like Our Humble Abode on Facebook, and comment again for four entries to win.

Contest Closes: Thursday, September 26th, 2013.

Number of Winners: One lucky lady or lad.

Ships: US only, sorry international folks.

Other Info: We will select the winners using random.org and announce on Friday, September 27th. Good day, and may the good news be yours.

Blue Sage

Published on September 4, 2013September 4, 2013 by Our Humble Abode10 Comments

For longer than I liked, the walls of our room have been royal (borderline neon) blue. Very patchy and poorly painted to boot.

We thought we’d have time to replace all the house windows last summer, but that didn’t happen. This isn’t the year either. Knowing next year would be the earliest, I couldn’t stand looking at these walls any longer. While V was in school, Ev and I picked up two gallons of Restoration Hardware’s Blue Sage, color matched to Glidden Duo. I started painting right away. Seriously, I was on a mission to eradicate the bold blue. And her we are two coats later.

Ahh, that’s better. Though the color is more green than I expected. Or maybe that’s just in comparison to the blue before.

At any rate, I can handle this color. At least until we replace the windows.

Because then we’re probably going to pull off all the drywall to replace it. Heavy orange peel texture and two painted over wallpaper walls and terrible patches and too few outlets and different sized windows seems like that’s the best way to go.