A Project Reveal (and a little something extra)

This is a project that I am really excited about.  I'm only a little sad that the pictures don't really do it justice.  The pages just kind of blend into my cream-colored walls.  I hope to snag a few pictures when it's hung in the dance studio.

A friend of mine (who is good friends with the woman I made the music wreath for) saw it and wanted me to do something with her pointe shoes that she had saved.  

I did a slightly different version of a book wreath than what I have done before, basically rolling the paper into a pointed cylinder and then folded it in half before attaching it to a wire wreath form.  The back of this wreath is really ugly, and if I was more professional, I would have prettied it up - but as it was, I used some cardboard to support the weight of the shoes, and wound the ribbon ties through the paper.  It needed a little something extra, so I then glued pearl beads along the ribbons to finish it off.

My friend loved it, and I'm so relieved.  I can't wait to see it in the space!

Last night, while John was gone with the kids, I took down everything in my living room and re-did it.  I'm not ready for fall decorations, but I needed a little change.  (Big surprise, I know...)

Since we're in back to school mode, I decided to use my book wreath over my mantel.  The pictures surrounding it have been used a lot, but one had fallen and popped out of it's frame.  I kind of liked the look, so I took the others out of their frames as well.  I've had the candlesticks forever, but NEVER have pillar candles.  I can never seem to justify the price of simple candles...  but I found some on clearance at Khol's, so I can finally use the candlesticks without feeling silly about not having candles on top.  The overall look is clean and simple.  Just enough to tide me over to fall...

I layered a couple of mirrors in the fireplace, and set my book pears in front.

I wasn't quite ready to get rid of my beach decorations, so they were just rearranged and tucked into a little corner of the room.

The piano is still simply decorated.  But I wiped it down with the orange oil pledge, and love how it brought out the luster of the wood.  Having this piano still makes me so happy.  I love being able to sit and pretend like I really know how to play!  

So, thanks for bearing with me while I indulge yet another mantel/room  makeover.  It hasn't quite satisfied my  restlessness, but it'll do for now.