New Camera Play

I was so excited to get a new Canon Rebel XSI around the holidays! The point and shoot FUGI I had just didn't really do justice to any photos, no matter what settings it was set to. I've always had a *secret crush* on beautiful photography, so this was an easy outlet to let me start to play. It has really taken me some time to learn how to use some of the lenses and I'm still trying to figure out my shutter speeds and such. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips!

So today we went out and took some photos, playing around with it a bit...not using Photoshop or anything yet to add effects, just raw...

If you look at the elk on the left...he's shedding his right antler...



Tuesday's Tea Party

Welcome to our first Tuesday's Tea Party! Grab a cup of tea (or your favorite cup of coffee if your me), pull up a comfy chair and join me at the table!!

I wasn't quite sure what to venture on today, since there are always so many different things running around in my head, that seem like hampsters on a wheel lately, but I wanted to share with you an EXCELLENT book I've jumped into recently.

Daughter's of Destiny.  I came across this book in a thrift store the other day and I thought "oh how nice, a book of noble and christian strong women". But once I actually started reading this book, it is some of the best writing I have ever read! The stories, the scripture and most of all...the lessons on womanhood. Not your basic Titus 2 reference, but a THOROUGH and TRUTHFUL reference on being a young lady, a wife, a mother and serving the Lord above all. Since I can't even begin to describe this wonderful book, I'll share some of my favorite excerpts so far to date (and I'm barely into this book)...

"Who can find a viruous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not harm all of the days of her life". Proverbs 31:10-12

"...Thank God, O Woman, for the quietude of your home, and that you are queen in it. Men come at eventide to the home; but all day long you are there, beautifying it, sanctifying it, adorning it, blessing it.  Better be there than wear Victoria's crown. Better be there than carry the purse of a princess. It may be a very humble home. There may be no carpet on the floor. There may be no pictures on the wall. There may be no silks in the wardrobe; but, by your faith in God, and your cheerful demeanor, you may adorn that place with more splendor than the upholsterer's hand ever kindled."...

"...Six things are requisite to create a happy home: Integrity must be the architect, the tidiness the upholsterer. It must be warmed by affection, and lightened up with cheerfulness, and industry must be the ventilator, renewing the atmosphere and bringing in fresh salubrity day by day; while over all, as a protecting canopy and glory, nothing will suffice except the blessings of God"... Rev Dr. Hamilton

"What we do live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other." George Elliot

I hope you enjoyed some of this as much as I am enjoying reading it! I highly recommend this book for ALL women, daughters, mothers and grandmothers!!  Happy Tuesday!!

Images via Kira Brandt and Amazon.com

Linked up to: A Wist Woman Builds Her Home

The Wheels Are Turning

With all of the preperation for the nursery on my mind, I've been busy trying to get ready with only 12 weeks left.

But when I seen this picture from Serena & Lily, it got my wheels turning on something I could replicate in our family room...can you spot it? A little hint...it's in the top left pic...

Stylish Blog Award

Thank you so much to Mandi, of Interior Design Musings, for passing on and awarding me the Stylish Blog Award! The rules are to state 7 random things about yourself that people may not know, and then to pass it on to 7 others. So here goes...

1. My now husband of 7 years was a birthday present to me from my sister, which we have the same birthday, but are eight years apart, so we always celebrate together.  He came with a big red bow on his head and we've been inseperable from then on.

2. I have multiple college degrees. I never could seem to make up my mind on what I really wanted to be when I "grew up", so I have an Associates in Animal Science, my EMT Basic with IV, Certificate in Bookkeeping and I just graduated from Interior Design School.

3. My all time favorite childhood character was Strawberry Shortcake. I still love her, since I was born a red head, that I even had a Strawberry Shortcake pillow in the hospital with me when I delivered my daughter.

4. I was born and raised in the midwest and the rocky mountains and was raised a farm girl. Yep, horses, cattle, chickens, rodeo, horse shows, 4-H...it was all part of my life. I went on to marry a ranch hand, so I don't think the lifestyle will ever leave my blood. I prefer it simple in the country...with a few amenities from the city ;)

5. I have a scar on my left elbow, where I flew over the handlebars of my Stawberry Sizzler when I was little. This is also the same bike that I was on when I ran into a loader bucket on the tractor trying to show off for my dad.

6. I also ride dirt bikes...

7. I was baptized when I was born, but was later re-baptized a few years ago with my husband.

So I'm passing this award on to some bloggers that I adore...

1. 6th Street Design School
2. Isabella & Max Rooms
3. Home & Harmony
4. Haven & Home, Marianne Strong Interiors
5. Three Men & A Lady

6. Jones Design Company

7. Faded Prairie

A Sneek Peek

Here's a little sneek peek...this charcoal Chipper fabric from Premiere Prints is going to be used in an upcoming project. The design board will be completed soon...can't wait to share it with you!

Have a great weekend...and stay warm!

A Few Blog Changes

You may have noticed that I'm slowly working into updating the blog...the header came first. So next up is all the sidebar details and such, all while incorporating Tuesday's Tea Party.

Hang in there with me while I incorporate some changes...I think you'll really like the new, easier layout that will be easier to find some old projects, all well as the new.  Thank you again to all of my blog readers...I couldn't of done this without all of you!

Thanks for the Mention

I just wanted to thank the judges and all who commented on Teagan's Bedroom Reveal. We made the top 10 again and I feel honored that you all loved it so much! Stop by and check out the CSI Project. The last entry was for all things white and it was so beautiful to go through and see all of the amazing projects so many others have done.

Confessions of a Designer - I'm a Neutral Nelly

A very talented and lovely girl, Bryn, from Bryn Alexandra Interiors commented yesterday that she was a "Neutral Nelly".  My first thought was..."I bet she's going to say, you need to add color"...nope, she was just relishing in her love of neutrals.

I was so relieved to hear another designer admit that they are a "Neutral Nelly". As much as I love the brightly colored rooms and pops of orange or pink in design photos, they simply are not me. I love to put them in others' homes, but when it comes to mine, I always end up not liking it and sit there staring at it until it drives me batty and I end up putting it back to a neutral color. I love color in accessories or artwork more, and I use that as my inspiration, but keep my basics as neutral as possible.

For instance, my recent family room redesign was a great example. I of course had the neutral background, furniture and woodwork, but was in love with the painting my husband painted. So, I worked off of that, working in the greens and blues from the painting. Subtle, but a little brighter than I usually do in my home. The result? I liked it, loved the way it all pulled together and received so many compliments on it. BUT...I didn't LOVE it.  I was raised on a farm and my husband and I are used to ranch living, so this was just a little too modern for me. I decided that it was ok for me to go back to my love of leather, with a classical library feel, with a touch of fun added in to reflect our age and our children.  The result?...We just got in our new leather furniture and I'm estatic to work with it.

It feels like home...it feels like I might just love it...and it's neutral...that's why this "Neutral Nelly" is loving it!

Images via EsteeStanley



Up and Coming

It's a NEW YEAR and in my life it involves a lot of new and exciting changes!

First, Dwelling Room Interiors is now in place and up and running...including some new clients. So a new blog design, website with design services, etc. will be incorporated. You'll be seeing more tutorials, DIY projects and some client work. This is such an exciting time for me, as we are in the process of preparing for the arival of baby #2, and at the end of 2011...this corporate worker will be moving on to staying and working at home so that my dear hubby and children get my attention FIRST. Interior design has always been a passion, and since graduation is now completed for me, I'm moving on to the next chapter in my life.

Second, in the near future, I have desingated Tuesdays as "Tuesday's Tea Party". This will mean whatever you want it to.  I want you to tell me what you want to hear more of, want you want to see, what you want to discuss and what you're interested in this year! This can be ANYTHING...from interior design, to raising children, being the wife and mother the Lord wants us to be...anything! So let me know what your desires are, and we will bring it to the table on Tuesdays.

I hope that you will join me this year for some new, exciting things that are up and coming. I truly enjoy all of my readers and am so thankful for your comments, prayers and just getting to know all of my new friends!

If you are in the need for design, redesign or just some tips for decorating your home, please contact me!