Upcoming Show!

We will be participating in a new Vintage and Handmade market next weekend on the North Fork of Long Island, NY. Come say hello if you're local. It's for a great cause! And just in time for Mother's Day shopping! Info below.

2010 Projects - A Year in Review

Wow - 2010 flew by!

Sometimes I feel like I'm not getting anything accomplished with our crazy schedules but going through my posts from the year - I see that we have done so much this year!

My favorite and most memorable project began on New Year's Day 2010.  The family helped out create 54 hand painted signs with inspirational quotes for a Domestic Violence Shelter in NYC - a project sponsored by Martha Stewart and Enchanted Makeovers.  See the entire post HERE.

As far as our own home projects. Here is a fun one - transforming an ugly garage entry door and getting in on the whole chalkboard paint trend.

The project post is HERE.

More fun with chalkboard paint.

A reorganization of my creative space also took place this year. Brought it up from the dreary unfinished basement space and into my living room. See more photos HERE.

Paris Dreams...Our oldest daughter desired a Paris themed bedroom - this was a creative project that she was also involved in - we really had fun in here. See the before and after pics HERE.

A true "trash to treasure" kitchen table redo was also on the list this year. I "borrowed" our old one for a new work table in the studio - so we had to replace it. This one was perfect!
See what we did to it HERE.

The final project of the year? The wedding. My husband and I were involved with the decor for my brother's wedding. Here are a sample of pics from the big day. More details HERE.

So, that's about it for the year 2010. We did accomplish a lot this year.

On the agenda for 2011? Lots of home improvement to come - laundry room renovation still in progress.
Then, the kids' homework/study room. Too many books, projects, etc. ending up on the kitchen table. So  we will be redoing the office to create a space just for them to get all of their work done!

How about you? Any projects on the list for the new year?

Stop by Rhoda's at Southern Hospitality for more 2010 project reviews!

And Savvy Southern Style's Best of 2010 Party!

Another Enchanted Makeover Project

Today is the day for the Recipes of Hope Event in Kansas City.
For this event, I made and donated polka dot napkins for the luncheon.

Rachel Gaffney (who will be cooking live on the Martha Stewart Show March 16th) posted a pic of the beautiful tables all set for the luncheon. The tablecloths were made by Debbie Maddy of Calico Carriage Quilt Designs. And the placecards were made by Karen Keller-Eyer. Here is a link to her beautiful calligraphy photos on flickr.

These ladies are going to feel so special today! And that's what it's all about.
There were numerous donations including aprons for all of the ladies to wear while cooking together. Here is some more info on Enchanted Makeovers and this very special event.

It is estimated that one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

Many of these are “silent crimes”—they’re never reported to police, and often they aren’t even shared with friends. But over time they take their toll, both on the immediate victims and on society as a whole. Women who escape abusive situations—often with small children in tow—usually have only the few clothes and personal items they can throw in a tote bag. While shelters offer a place of refuge, the environment is often dreary and discouraging.

Enchanted Makeovers, an internationally recognized nonprofit organization, believes that everyone is worthy of surroundings that nurture their soul and allow their greatness to emerge. We are dedicated to transforming shelters for women and children into places of peace and possibilities—not just where basic needs are met, but also spiritual needs for hope and beauty. In some cases, this transformation is physical and includes an “extreme makeover” with new paint and furnishings; other times, it involves outreach events designed to strengthen and encourage everyone involved. We believe that love is in the details.

On March 9, 2010, Enchanted Makeovers is heading to Kansas City, Mo., as part of a one-day event to bring a message of hope and love to residents of NewHouse, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. The event, called Recipes of Hope, will involve cooking at Function Junction (www.functionjunction.com) with the 30 women who live at Newhouse and sitting down to the meal at nearby Gifted Hands (www.giftedhandskc.com) while sharing laughter, tears and fellowship. We will also bring numerous inspirational, practical and personal gifts for the shelter and its residents. This outreach would not be possible without the help of numerous donors and volunteers.

Please consider donating your time, talents or financial support to this worthwhile cause. Enchanted Makeovers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so your donation will be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Even more importantly, your donations will have a lasting impact on the women at Newhouse. Following the Sisterhood of Dreamers into Doers Shelter Event in New York City in January 2010, one of the directors noted, “The event demonstrated that there are many people who care about [the women here], and that they are not alone. … It showed them that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that they are not worthless, and that they are cared about more than they can imagine.”

To find out how you can contribute to the Recipes of Hope event in Kansas City, please contact me atEnchantedmakeovers@comcast.net.

The fabulous women who will teach the women a low cost healthy meal and dessert.

RACHEL GAFFNEYS AUTHENTIC IRISH GOODS
5515 TAMARON COURT
DALLAS,TX 75287
TEL: 469 644 6054
Rachel@Rachelgaffneys.com
www.rachelgaffney.blogspot.com

Karen Watts

food2style@aol.com

(214)682-5951

Karen E. Watts has enjoyed a wide variety of experiences in the culinary field. In addition to teaching at the Art Institute International Culinary Program and contributing to the Dallas Morning News as a food and home writer and photo stylist, she plans and caters special events throughout Kansas City and Dallas, TX. As an accomplished food stylist and writer, she remains current in all aspects of the culinary field. Karen will focus on the fine details of cooking that turn an everyday meal into a special occasion!

 Terry Grahl of Enchanted Makeovers is on a National Tour this year - heading up projects all over the country.  Here is a link to some of her upcoming events - Beauty and Hope National Tour and Schedule.

NYC and Martha Part 2

First, a couple more pics to share...
Waiting for the Martha show to begin with Alison of Jackets for Jobs, Holly, and Carolina of Art on Wheels.

This is the last night - dinner at Co. - most of the group is here.

This trip has had so much meaning to me...
The new friends...who I will keep in touch with and meet again!

The great staff at MSLO...how welcoming they were and their acceptance of us at their offices.

And the inspiration I have received from this whole experience to create a new line of products.

Also, my husband has come to realize something about me and my business - that I am not motivated by the dollar but to help and inspire others.  (which is true, but I do need to find a balance between both, or I'm going to have to get a "real" job!).

More on the Dreamers into Doers group to follow!

NYC and Martha

The last week has been a little hectic but so much fun.  First I spent 3 days in the city with my daughter for her dance competition. They did great and we had a little free time, so I had to pop in to one of my favorite stores to get lost in - Tinsel Trading. It's actually the first time I've made it into the store - I usually visit them at the Gift Show so it was so much fun to actually make it to the shop. It's beautiful in there!

Then it was time for the 2-day NY Shelter Event sponsored by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia through the Dreamers into Doers group. What an inspiring and emotional event. Thanks so much to Alexis Tirado of MSLO for all of her hard work to make the event such a special one.

It began with a 2 hour cooking demo by Rachel Gaffney of  Rachel Gaffney and Lisa of the Polka Dot Pound Cake Co. They were so much fun to watch. And what yummy food they made for us.

That afternoon, about 30 of the residents of a local shelter came to the Martha Stewart offices for a catered lunch. They all looked beautiful and were so happy to be there. It was an emotional afternoon as some of the Dreamers in our group had gone up and told there stories of struggles. This part of the event was to hopefully inspire the ladies that are going through a hard time that they too can overcome their horrible situations and that there is hope for them.  We also presented them with more donations (organized by Terry Grahl of Enchanted Makeovers) and told them of the many great things that were sent to the shelter. They were so appreciative!

The following day we were given a tour of the Martha Stewart office operations. It was so great, the staff was so welcoming.  I did take some pics but I'm not sure that I can share those (I'll have to check on that).  We saw the many kitchens, craft rooms (glitter heaven!), designers, photo stylists, editors, the amazing prop rooms-furniture, china, glassware, candles, cake stands, you name it, (holy cow - talk about organized!).

After the tour it was off to the taping of the show. And guess what, it was the travel show. Six amazing vacations were given away at random during our show. And one of our dreamers (who happened to be sitting right next to me), won a trip to Singapore. And everyone in the audience received a Kindle, among other things.  Martha herself even posed for a group photo with us. It was a great experience, my first time sitting for a show. It's scheduled to air on February 19th.

Joey Kola, the audience warm up guy - hysterical!

That night we were invited to a dinner at one of Martha's favorite pizza restaurants in Chelsea. It was called Co. If you're ever in the area - Great Food!

I've met some great women this week and we're already talking about planning the next get together.
Just 10 of us here- there were 40 all together. See more photos HERE on the Dreamer's site. And you can read the bios of all of the amazing Dreamers HERE.

Leaving the Indigo Hotel was hard-cool place, cool staff.

For now it's time to get back to reality...
Back to work.
With new ideas, new energy...

Click HERE for Part 2.
Click HERE to read about our donation.

A great way to start the New Year!

Our home has been a little sign factory since New Year's Day.
We just finished the 54 inspirational signs we are donating to the NY Shelter project.
(see here for more info).
It was a great project for the kids to help out. If it wasn't for their help I wouldn't have finished in time. They were amazing and so excited to be a part of this project. Oh, and my husband too. He was my sander, sealer and hanger attacher. He's actually finishing up the last few as I am typing. A special thank you also to Advantage Payroll Services of LI for their monetary donation towards the supplies.

Tomorrow they will be shipped off to the shelter, one for each apartment.

Some inspiring words for the women and children living there that are victims of domestic violence. And in less than 2 weeks, along with 39 other women in business, we will have the chance to meet with some of the women.

To think, this all started as a group of us were talking about getting together to meet one another until Terry Grahl of Enchanted Makeovers came up with the idea of possibly making a difference at a shelter as part of our get together.

Here's a little slide show of our work in progress.
Thank you Terry, for giving our family the opportunity to help out!

Click HERE for Part 1 of the event.
Click HERE for Part 2 of the event.

Want to make these yourself?

You need:

Unfinished wood plaques

Primer

Base color paint (I used eggshell interior house paint)

Antique Brown Glaze

White paint

Stencils

Stamps

Graphite Paper

Paint Pens

Sandpaper

Foam stencil sponge

Matte Varnish

Hanger

Steps to take:

Sand, prime and base coat wood.

Once dry, apply glaze and wipe off before it dries. I like to leave a little extra around the edges.

Then, I used my background, damask stencil. I centered it and applied a little white paint. Then, I wiped it down because I just wanted a faint design in the background.

Next, using graphite paper, I traced my quote onto the wood with a stylus. I then used a paint pen to fill in the lettering.

For this project, since I was making so many in a short time, I used rubber stamps to add a little element to each sign. I used brown acrylic paint and a foam stencil sponge to pounce a little paint on the stamp and applied to the sign.

After that dried, I lightly sanded the stamped image and my lettering, just because I liked the way it looked.

Finally, we stapled a jute rope on the back to hang and applied a Matte Varnish for protection.

Have fun with these!

Oh, and see more crafty projects at Today's Creative Blog.

Also, visit A Soft Place to Land for more DIY projects!

The NY Shelter Event - You can Help!

"Quoted from the Enchanted Makeovers site" 

 The Sisterhood of Dreamers into Doers Shelter Event NYC

On January 19th, 2010, 40 women from around the U.S. who are part of the Dreamers Into Doers group at MarthaStewart.com will make a difference at a New York women's shelter for domestic violence called Safe Horizon. Each will share her God given talents at this event. For some, this will mean cooking or baking delectable treats; for others, this will mean handcrafting personal gifts; and still others will share stories and songs. We all need to stand together--not apart.

You can help Enchanted Makeovers bring hope to the women and children at the shelter by donating items on our dream list below.

Please do not ship donations to Enchanted Makeovers location will have the New York shipping address in the upcoming week. 
      

Have an idea or suggestion on donating an item but don't see it on the dream list please contact Terry.

I'm so excited to be a part of this amazing group of women. For this event I will be creating inspirational plaques/signs for all of the womens' apartments. I will also be working on table centerpieces for the inspirational lunch we will have with the women of the shelter. There are still so many items on the donation list. You can see the list HERE at the Enchanted Makeover website if you would like to be a part of this great event! 

Dreamers into Doers!

A couple of months ago I joined Martha Stewart's ning group Dreamers into Doers.

It looked interesting and includes a great group of women who have started or want to start a variety of businesses.

So much has evolved since joining this creative group!

We are all meeting in NYC for a taping of the Martha Stewart Show. This event will also now include many other events including visiting a women's shelter all organized by Terry Grahl, the owner of Enchanted Makeovers. I have supported Terry's cause in the past and am so excited to meet her and be part of another one of her very special projects.

You can read more about our group and Join Us if you are interested right HERE.

The group is growing by the minute!