Centiva -not just another vinyl

For awhile now, I've been fascinated with this flooring product and noticed Centiva is promoting a green initiative these days, and thought I owed them a mention. Here's what the company's website says:

Our financial commitment to The Centiva Green Way® is strong. More than 20% of our operating profit from the prior year is invested in green initiatives.

You can read more about their green commitment here. Or watch one of their debut videos from Toronto's GreenBuild 2011 here.

Centiva's website

Centiva's website has great downloads, brochures about their vinyl products, but I recommend seeing it in person, because it is a product that has a great deal of dimension. Some of it looks like wood, some like stone. I love the results of the custom work with these vinyl tiles because of the depth and dimension it creates.

Centiva's website

Small Business Saturday

This November 26 is a big day for everyone at Indiana Rug. It’s the second annual Small Business Saturday®, when people across the country come out and shop to support their favorite local businesses. Starting at 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Indiana Rug can be found at the Hoosier Artisan Boutique in Noblesville, Indiana. 

If your interested in learning a bit more about how small business affects your community, I recommend following any one of the following links.

1. http://shiftyourshopping.org/2011/
2. http://www.indiebound.org/about-indiebound-community 
3. http://www.independentwestand.org/ 

And Decor 8

It seems every year , I resolve to prepare for the Holidays and every year, I still feel rushed. Still, I stumbled upon something great and exciting this year!

Holly Becker of decor8blog.com offers  e-courses. Amongst the chaos surrounding me, I took the plunge and both registered for and completed the course this fall. I did it because I wanted to commit to my blog, and I find Holly's blog inspiring. Decor 8 is everything interior design and a must read in my opinion. After taking Holly's class, I can see why her blog and now book is so popular. She is truly a motivational person. Here's a peak at her site.

 

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She teaches the course with Leslie Shewring, a talented lady herself, of Creative Mint . Admittedly, this is the first e-course I have taken, but it was so inspiring. I am now not only armed with a set of blogging tools: I am committed and excited to continue my blogging journey. 

Thank You Holly and Leslie! 

If anyone is interested in being notified of  future classes follow the link. And really-- no matter what you have going on in your life, make the jump and take the class--you won't be sorry.

Fall is Fleeting

Hi! It's starting to get chilly outside, and I thought I would take a moment to share six of my current favorite photographs before Fall is over. I hope you enjoy them too.

Sommer

 

Handmade Holidays

This is going to become a weekly post. So, watch for updates. I thought I would dedicate a log of my handmade holiday projects. It will feature a multitude of craft type items. I thought I would give you a preview of my handmade holiday projects.

I've been ready to make these for awhile, and my daughter special requested  a snowman skirt.I cut out three skirts since she is so little and can't wait to get started.

I recently styled a skirt pattern based on a fab book Sew What! Skirts by Francesca Denhartog, who is the owner of Valley Fabrics in Northampton, Massachusetts, and Ann Camp. The book gives you great tips on designing a pattern that fits. If your interested in purchasing the book for your own holiday projects they carry it at amazon. I thought I'd try it out for my daughter. I simply used old newspaper and a pencil to make my pattern.

Check back in and I'll share the finished project.

Today's Finished Area Rug

Today's finished project shows you how with a custom area rug you can choose elements in the existing room (in this case existing upholstery fabric) and bring them out in your rug. Custom rugs are wonderful this way because you can pick and choose design as well as specific colors you want to accentuate.

Energize that Decor with Color

In the current November/ December issue of Veranda, there is an article Color Balance "with more than a tint, a new palette energizes a Dallas House." 

Veranda 2011

The designer Julie Hayes reveals an interesting upholstery tip when looking at fabric choices for your upholstery job. The custom coaches pictured actually use the sheer reverse side of the fabric.

I would like to point out the custom rug pictured in the above article picks up the curvaceous qualities of the fireplace. The rug acts as a reflection pool for the room in calming pale tones, which helps to ground the room and keep the vibrant colors from becoming too overwhelming. I believe this custom rug is essential to this space.

Find out for yourself. This Greek Revival House is bursting with energy with its unexpected uses of color. It is a must read for anyone wanting to bring vibrancy to their home.

3rd Hoosier Artisan Boutique

I am proud to remind all Indiana residents Indiana Rug Co. is participating in the 3rd annual Hoosier Artisan Boutique at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall in Noblesville, Indiana from 10a-5p Saturday, November 26th, 2011. You can find out more about it here or see other participating artists.

From luxurious hand knits and bath and body items, to one of a kind jewelry and children’s clothing – you’ll find something for everyone on your list at the Hoosier Artisan Holiday Boutique on Saturday, November 26th, 2011. 

--Hoosier Artisan Boutique

I am busy at work creating lots of fiber related Christmas goodies and hope you have a chance to meet us in person. Especially, since its holiday time and this is not only a juried art show but an opportunity for childrens' charities to benefit.

Holiday Decorating in Showroom

In case your not familiar with Indiana Rug Co. , we moved our business this summer to 900 S. Cleveland Street in Mishawaka, Indiana. It's been a whirlwind summer, because we participate in art shows in the summer months in addition to our regular custom area rug and upholstery work.

Today we are excited to have a small but mighty showroom that's most importantly dry (the old place had a leaky roof) . It's hard for me to believe it, but we started decorating for Christmas. Since our move in, it's the first makeover of the showroom.  I thought I'd share a photograph of our progress thus far. In case you were wondering, aside from a few props, everything in our shop is handmade right here. If your in the neighborhood, stop by and check out the changes in person. We would love to see you!

Happy Halloween!

It's no secret, I love Halloween! No, not the gory gross stuff. It is the one day of the year when you can be whoever you want no questions asked--fun. Who doesn't love a a day when superheros and fairy tales rule?

Since my daughter is now walking and talking, I was especially excited to celebrate this year. We had an "Epic Halloween Party." We struggled and struggled to get my yard ready for the festivities. And I must admit, the weather did not cooperate during setup, but ultimately it was a success. We had  our own spooky Halloween walk, roast your own hot dogs and marshmallows, potato sack races, and costumes to mention a few highlights.

Now that our Halloween Party is over, I am excited to move on... and catch my breath a bit...