Guest Post: A Rosy Note

That's decided, then: it's a date. Next week is Modern Country Style's Wreath Week. I'll share with you how to put a wreath together from scratch, and then all sorts of beautiful ideas for decorating them.

Thank you to those of you who've emailed me questions and suggestions, I'll be adding those in for sure. Keep 'em coming!

Today, I am so pleased to welcome Tricia here from A Rosy Note. She is so awesomely talented: gorgeous crafts, amazing rooms and brilliant ideas. Is there nothing this girl can't do?

Hi everyone!  I am so happy to be here today at Sarah's beautiful blog.  Sarah has always been such a supportive and sweet blog friend, so when she asked me to guest post I was thrilled.  To give you a hint of what my blog, A Rosy Note, is all about, Sarah asked me these questions.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hmm...this question kind of makes me feel like I am on a job interview.  What to say?  What to say?  Okay...how about I just give you a top ten list about me? Here goes, in no particular order, of course.  I...

1. love drawing, design, decorating and photography.
2. am the mother of two wonderful children and love, love, love my family.
3. go to Target far too often.
4. have owned my own business, a home furnishings and gift boutique.
5. am a vegetarian.
6. love to decorate model homes...my husband is a builder/remodeler.
7. live in Minnesota, but would prefer to be somewhere warmer and more exotic.  Italy sounds good.
8. like to organize...sad, but true.
9. love to travel.
10. have a degree in Psychology.

Whew...it's hard to define yourself by ten items, but for right now this is my list.  I'm sure I'll want to change it the minute it gets posted though :)

What gave you the idea to start your blog, A Rosy Note?

Well, I lurked around some sewing, crafting and design blogs for about a year and absolutely loved them.  I have a severe magazine addiction and looking through blogs seemed similar to looking at magazines...all the stories, crafts and style...I was in love.  I had been wanting to do something creative and really felt like I was meant to start a blog, I don't know why...hopefully it leads me somewhere, like to the place I am meant to be.

{Yes, me again! Isn't this room gorgeous? I love the books on the beautiful shelf above the bed.}

What is your favorite style of decorating and why?

Nothing I can really define for you.  I like a variety of things...European country, modern contemporary, Scandinavian design and even colorful, artistic decor.  I think my bedroom is a good indicator of my overall style, it has a mix of old and new, as well as a simple palette with a little splash of color.  To my eye, it does need a few more modern elements though.  Everyone else seems to like it too, since it was one of my most popular posts.

Can you tell us about your best crafty project so far?

Hmmm...probably the felt flowers.  They were simple, turned out so cute and didn't cost much either.  The nice thing about them is they can be used in a variety of ways...on a pillow, a gift or maybe as a pretty accent to a purse or coat.

Well, that's it folks.  I so enjoyed visiting with everyone here at Modern Country Style today.  Thanks for having me, Sarah!  I would love it if you all popped over to visit me too.  Tricia♥

Aren't Tricia's photos beautifully put together? They're so dreamy. I could just stare and stare! 

Do you remember this cinnamon and heart garland from a few posts ago? It's the first of our decorations to be put up and it looks so lovely in it's new home! Very Christmassy and, kind of Country, but in a Modern way. Does that sound like my cup of tea?!!

{Modern.....Country....see what I did there?!}

;-)

I can't wait to show you, gorgeous chickadees!

 

Guest Post: Signal Hill Interiors

Well.....? Did you notice any changes around here?

Haircut? Well, yes...and thank you for spotting that, you sweetiepie, but try again. And this time, look up....

I've got myself a brand new Header. I cobbled it together  myself.  I did like the old look but because it was only a Blogger template, it wasn't unique to me. 

Plus I decided that I should really smarten up around here a bit.

So....what do you think? I'd love your feedback if you have a moment.

Today I have a surprise for you. It's Modern Country Style's very first guest blogger! Meet Courtenay who only started her blog, Signal Hill Interiors, October. She is so gorgeously lovely...and funny too.

Take it away, Courtenay.....

Hello Modern Country Stylers!

 Courtenay here from Signal Hill Interiors. The lovely and talented Sarah has asked me to talk about my gift wrap ideas for this year so I'm just gunna do what she says. Cause this is her blog, that's why!

Let me just start by saying that I am no expert gift wrapper. Evidence of this can be found here in my original post on the subject. That being said, I think it's important for a non-wrap expert and also a slightly spaz-attack prone person such as myself to plan ahead to get the best results. I want to test what's going to look good and work now, so that when the pressure's on, I know exactly what to do and I can get all my gifts wrapped beautifully lickity-split.

The plan starts with a box.

I made a mock up of a gift, wrapping it in brown paper because that's what I'm planning to use this year.

It's important that it be wrapped exactly as I would do it in real life so I can see how it's really going to look. This is really how I wrap my presents. Really. It's that bad. Just trust me though, it's going to turn out good.

Next I gather up all my embellishments and get to work.

My first idea for this round was to just try out some extra ribbons that I have and love, but haven't found a use for.

This is simple, but cute for moms and other such people.

Sarah really liked this one and so do I. I like the impact to effort ratio here.

This idea will be used a lot.

I had an idea to use up extra bits of scrapbook paper so I cut out a whole bunch of petals from my scraps.

Then I just started placing them around like a flower.

I made three different layers.

I like this one too. This would be super fun for kids. I might actually think about putting this onto a separate piece of paper first and then attaching it so the flower can be saved after the gift is open.

I thought I'd try a little tone on tone action here.

I am crazy for this one. It took no work, just a simple double bow and it looks like a million bucks. And that tag? I just cut it from a scrap of paper and strung it on with some twine. I'm never buying tags again! This is so much cuter and actually even easier than peeling those little sticky tabs off of store bought tags.

So there you have my wrapping strategy. It's simple and totally easy, but I'm actually excited to wrap my gifts this year instead of a little fearful of the possible ridicule. 

I hope you've enjoyed your time with me today as much as I've enjoyed being here. Hope to see you again soon!

Ooooh, isn't she great? Reading Courtenay's posts always puts a spring in my step. I like blogs like that, don't you?

I'm torn between the charcoal ribbon and the tone on tone action (gotta love that title). I just love the brown paper and the simple styling. Stunning.


Please will take a minute and pay her a visit at Signal Hill Interiors....?

Have a look at the amazing chalk-board boxes they've made to hold their daughter's toys....ooh, and her amazing table make-over....and...and.... 

They just seem to produce one amazing project after another with seemingly no effort at all.

Jealous me?...... No, my face is always that shade of green....

And what's this all about?......I can't wait to show you what I've been up to over the weekend....