Greetings from what seems to be my other studio – at least for the moment. The kitchen table holds the dollhouse and my current project/obsession. I love magazines. Now, we all know that many of our favorite magazines have left us in the last year. Some, like Home Companion, I will never recycle. I have every issue. Country Home is another favorite. I am a magazine hoarder.
It has to stop. MHC is simply too small for all the stacks of magazines shoved into every available corner. Lately, I have been inspired by the posts of two blogging friends, Susan of The T-Cozy and Brenda of Cozy Little House. Both make inspiration books that are full of photos from favorite magazine articles. Susan graciously let me know the kind of sketch book she uses and I am in the midst of turning the sketch book into an inspiration book. I have been tearing sheets from my magazines – for hours. The stack of magazines to recycle is growing and there are many more to go through.
I have to say – it’s fun! I’ve decorated the sketch book with scrapbook paper. Some trim will be added. Brenda makes a pocket inside the front cover – I think I will do that, too.
Love this bedroom – the colors, the yard-long rose paintings, the weathered shutters.
Slipcovers like these would be a dream come true – and I love the colors in this room. Oh, and the rug!
And you know how much I want a dress form – isn’t this one gorgeous?
It’s all very satisfying. I’m getting rid of a lot of stuff and creating my inspiration book at the same time. There will also be a separate book for gardening.
I just found out that I have to drive to Providence, RI tomorrow to work on Beauty and the Beast. After working Friday and Saturday, I will drive back Sunday morning. Don has a performance in Manhattan on Sunday night and I have to be there! Elyse, will I be in your neck of the woods?
I have scads of old magazines and was thinking of selling them on eBay, sweetpea. If they don’t sell, then I’ll do the same thing as you. I’ve done it before simply because I love going back in time and looking at what was popular in each decade, but moving I had to get rid of a lot of stuff. Those were some of the “stuff” to get thrown out of the filing cabinets. I shall, however, give it one more try if they DON’T sell. Why do we save so many things, chickee?!
xoxo,
Connie
Each morning I check in on Mockingbird Hill Cottage hoping for a new post. MLC has become my favorite blog to visit.
We moved to Port Austin, MI in 2005and went from 2800sq ft to 1000sq ft. I couldn’t part with my magazines. I do have two binders full of torn out pages one for decorating and another for gardening, but the stacks of magazines are still in every nook and cranny. I have every issue of Cottage Living.
Hope the pups are doing well, keep up the great writing!
Kathleen
I too, used to have hoards and hoards of magazines . . . until I started a scrapbook for my favorite pictures in each magazine. I’ll have to go and pull it out . . . I’m sure it’s in need of some updating by the stacks of magazines lying around here! LOL!
How’s the dollhouse coming along? I see from a previous post you have some wonderful things to put in it!
Have a safe trip!
Hugs,
Teresa
Claudia, I love the idea! Who doesn’t have piles of magazines laying around? I had almost every Martha Stewart, but sold her in a garage sale last summer. I passionately collect house plan magazines, as I used to study interior design and home planning. Thanks for the answer to my piles of mags and piles of ripped out pages!
Hugs,
Meri
I cant get rid of my magazines either…I love all of them!
I’ve been doing the very same thing for a couple of years now with my scrapbooking magazines and I have a notebook just for Christmas ideas and decorating. You’ve got a full weekend ahead of you! Enjoy and be safe!
Patti
Such a sweet posting today. Charming. Off to catch up on your last few. I’ve been away for a few days and have so much to catch up on
Hugs,
Kate – The Garden Bell
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…
By the way, check out
http://www.suesfavoritethings.blogspot.com
She has done some fun things with her basket like yours.
What a fun idea to make a pretty picture book. I do like the stacks of magazines on that sweet white little bench.
I posted a darling picture of a doll house on my blog yesterday and thought of you. It is a watercolor that was on a greeting card that I received from a friend.
Have a silly day and a safe trip.
Oh my gosh, what a good idea Claudia!! I too have way too many magazines. I just have so much fun rereading them all the time, lol! But I absolutely LOVE your idea!!!! It bet it was a lot of fun to create too!!
Hugs,
Amy
I would have cut out the same pictures! Your inspiration book looks good enough to sell on Etsy!
Clever idea and I’ve thought of it often and I even have scrapbooks …but getting the time to sit and do it is a different thing :-)
Have a good trip.
Oh my, you’re blogging to the choir I’m afraid….I don’t know decor blogger who doesn’t hoard mags.
I’m so bad that I got rid of tons last year in a purging fit…only to have them go belly up and repurchase them from Half-price books. Bad.
There’s just nothin’ like coffee and magazines. Did you get your new Country Living? Loverly things inside. And, btw, I have saved every one of the same pics as you for inspiration!!!
Are you using my 3 rules???
Claudia,
I LOVE this idea. It reminds me of a scrapbook I started a few years ago… I was taking scenic , calming , peaceful pictures from magazines and put it together as a retreat sb. When I was feeling stressed I would open that book and imagine myself sitting in on one of the beaches or on a lovely patio. I think I may have to borrow this idea too. Blessings always!
Gwen
Claudia..thanks for stopping by to visit at Farmhouse..and YES! your name is in the bucket….
me too on the magazines..probably could make a path to the moon..
glad we found each other…so much fun…
more later, dear one
kary
xxx
Hi Claudia,
Magazine clutter is an ongoing battle here too. I have a little inspiration type notebook that I’ve kept for about 20 years now. It’s fun to look back and see how my style has changed.
I’m loving your rusted plant stand. It is gorgeous.
~janet
You know I have taken my favorite pages out of magazines for years. I need to do a book. I agree about Home Companion and will NEVER part with them!! You have a busy weekend! Have fun!
Hugs, Lisa
HI CLAUDIA,
THAT’S A GREAT IDEA, I ALSO KEEP MOST OF MY MAGAZINES, AND I HAVE PILES OF THEM.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, THERE IS MORE SNOW COMING. RIZZI
This is a great idea! I too have hoards of magazines that I just love. I have done similar in the past with scrapbooks, but somehow, my piles still grow!
I love those slipcovers as well. That rug is gorgeous!
I sooooo luv this idea…I must get it together and make me one!
Blessings,
Linda
see claudia…i threw out (well, sold and freecycled) all my home companion magazines after moving umpteen times and now i wish i had them all!!! especially the early ones. they are the best.
i still have some of my very favorite magazines, but i wish i would have hoarded more……
take care
sue
Hi Claudia…………you are the winner of my travel quiz, I’m so pleased. You picked all the countries correctly – I’ll be writing a lot more about this exciting safari later.
Meanwhile, please e-mail your address so I can get your little package together and sent off.
Country Home – I really miss that mag. it was definitely my favorite. Do you know about the new Flea Market Style mag. due out this month? It sounds promising with Matthew Mead and others. They have a blog where you you check the progress.
http://fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com/
Like you, I’m in a small cottage and space is limited – but I love my cozy home and wouldn’t change it. Would you mind giving me details of your beautiful flooring in the pic with the table? I want to pull up carpet in the entry and dining room and put wood flooring – but only want wide plank – your’s looks fabulous!
Stay warm and hope the dogs are doing well dear.
Mary – ACROSS THE POND
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Great bookidea, I love it! I have done the same thing with sweater patterns. I put them in plastic page protectersand pu them in notebooks. Have fun working. I am off to Orlando for a swim meet with Jake.
Thisi s a great idea, Claudia! I need to do this same thing.
I love all of those pics you showed us. I had a dress form, but it’s not as neat as that one!
Hope you have a fun weekend. I’ve been MIA and am just coming up for air. Have been missing you.
XO,
Sheila :-)
I have saved favorite magazine clips for years and put them in a 3 ring binder. This is much prettier! Your studio looks beautiful too, with your new piece of wall art!
this is a great idea but don’t know if i could do it. my tastes are always changing and then i find “new” articles in old magazines that suddenly inspire me. i, too have stacks!
see you tomorrow for breakfast, sweetie! :)
can’t wait!
xo
elyse
I too am a magazine hoarder…I just cannot throw them away! When we moved I packed several boxes of them…maybe living without them these next few months will make me realize I don’t really need them…
but I doubt it ;)
Do like the idea you shared here though! That could help…
Enjoy your trip!
I have so many “favorite” pages torn from old magazine, and I need to organize them. I think I may put them in sheet protectors in a binder. But I do love sketch book idea too, cuz you can write on the page after you glue it on.
I’ve seen those on Brenda’s blog and I want to make one too. I don’t know if I can bear to cut up my magazines though. You’ll have to show us the results. Maybe you’ll give me the inspiration.
I have piles of ME and CHome mags, too. I can’t bring myself to tear them up yet….but one day I’m sure I will. I’m still sick that they’re both out of print. I DID recycle stacks of other mags I’d had piling up in my craft room. It made me feel good to let go of them.
Providence sounds like fun! Dana