Pinterest For Interior Design Inspiration

Are you addicted to Pinterest like I am? I find it to be such a great source for inspiration. Have a look at my beautiful Pinterest boards here . If you are looking for interior design inspiration, skoolie info, beautiful wardrobe ideas, spectacular photography, or general prettiness I think you will really love it. It’s another part of the journey I would be happy for you to join me on.

Cozy the Skoolie Is Getting a Makeover

This winter, while I’ve been in the desert, I’ve been working on some changes to Cozy. Most of the changes are decorative but a few are functional to make life a little smoother. This photo shows Cozy mid-transformation. Can you spot any of the changes? I removed the large metal flower, added a shelf above my bed, new cabinet under the table (to hold paperwork and artwork), white washed my clothing storage baskets and added pom pom’s and tassels. I plan to go accessory shopping this weekend, and then I will style her and do a glamour-girl photo shoot, and share pictures of all the changes.

Creating A Cohesive Pinterest Look

I'm trying to up my Pinterest game. I've had a Pinterest account for years, filled with beautiful boards and pins, but I haven't really taken the platform very seriously. I've been doing some research on how to use it more effectively. One of the first steps is to create a more cohesive look. I have designed these covers for some of my boards. I will be posting more of the covers as I finish them. Please have a look at my Pinterest account - it's filled with beautiful inspiration.

Rebranding Journey Home Made In 2018

I decided to do a bit of rebranding with Journey Home Made. New year, new look. I feel this is a much more cohesive representation of me, my buslife, and my creative endeavors. I was so inspired by figuring out a look, color palette, and general vibe that I felt was "me". These really are my favorite things. It kind of surprises me how feminine it all looks when gathered together, because I'm not the most girly-girl. I've always been a bit of a tomboy, and I joke that I have some dude-like tendencies, but there is no denying I love pretty stuff. So, I am going to embrace the pretty, and run with it.

I decided to incorporate soft watercolor washes, my beloved neutral color palette, lots of texture (including my styling surfaces), ethereal imagery (I do love a cloud photo), natural elements, artistic bits, and a comfy vibe to tie it all together. I poured through my photo library looking for the photographs that resonated with me the most, and based my color palette on the colors that appeared most often. Of course neutrals, and soft whites made regular appearances, along with the blush tones of a desert landscape, blues of the ocean and sky, and shades of green found in nature. 

I hope you enjoy the new branding!

Handmade Mixed Media Art Journal

The last few days I have been making mixed media blank art journals. I am having so much fun playing with this new idea. I have several that I'm working on, but this is the first one to make it into the shop. I call it Snow Flower. It's a combination of paper, collage, acrylic paint, pencil, ink, and mica flecks. For me, it's the lovely mix of sparkle and beautiful messiness. I think it would make a great gift for a writer, artist, or a place for my fellow travelers to keep mementos. 

Creating By The Sea

I feel so inspired, sitting by the ocean and painting. I love my little art studio on the coast (at least for now).

Spending The Summer in Mendocino

The pull of the sea has been strong. I didn't intend to stay in Mendocino so long, but this beautiful place seems to have a magnetic tug on my heart. It's hard to believe I've been here since March, but one thing after another helped me to justify staying. Soon the time will come to leave, and I will miss it, but I look forward to seeing what comes next. I'll be back dear Mendocino, I'll be back next year.

Road Trip To Valley Of Fire

I went on a road trip to Valley of Fire. I drove through the Lake Mead Recreational Area to get there. It was a beautiful drive, and the weather was perfect. As you drive along, you begin to see red rocks here and there. Then, off in the distance, you see Valley of Fire rising up in the landscape. Everything surrounding it is so neutral, the red stands out and draws you closer.

The red rocks, blue skies, and green vegetation mingle, creating a visual treat. The petroglyphs and the Elephant Rock were highlights of the trip.

Skoolie Conversion Bedroom

Here are a few pictures of Cozy's bedroom area. Under the bed platform is a nice big (well, relatively speaking) storage area that can be accessed for inside the bus, or through the backdoor. I keep my clothes in baskets, that you can see under the bed. I also have additional undie storage in little crates at the foot of my bed.

Trip To Zion National Park

Went on a road trip to Zion National Park. This was the first national park on my journey. I look forward to checking more parks off my bucket list. This is "off season" at Zion, but I can't imagine why, the weather was perfect and the colors were gorgeous.

Cozy's Kitchen (Part 2)

More work on the kitchen. I've decided not to go with the "L" shape counter design. Once I saw all the pieces in place, I felt it would work better this way. There will be shelves at the end of the counter, that will hold jars of grains, beans, etc.

Cozy's Kitchen (Part 1)

Framing the Kitchen

Started work on Cozy's kitchen. Ultimately, the kitchen will be an "L" shape, to make the most of the limited space that I have.  The kitchen sits above the wheel wells. The shelf will hold the water (fresh and gray) containers. I hope to get the counter top on today. Thanks to Sam for a big assist on this part of the build!

Cozy Progress

Bed frame with lots of storage space underneath.

Everything table (art studio/dining table/computer area).

"Bathroom" area.

Lots of progress being made in Cozy (thank you Sam for the help!). The bed is in, the everything-table is in place, and I built the potty area. The bathroom walls are made from doors purchased at an architectural salvage store. I will have a composting toilet, and the hole cut in the front of the enclosure allows the cat access to the cat box inside. I'm going to cut a small hole and mount a computer fan to vent inside the enclosure to keep things smelling nice and fresh in the bus.

School Bus Conversion - Floor Installation

Cozy's floor is well underway. This job would be so much easier in a nice square or rectangular room. Despite the all the curves, and the obstacles to avoid, it's going pretty well, and it looks really pretty.

New Business Cards

The new business cards arrived. I'm really happy with them.

Paint Chips and Cat Paws

Klaus (rhymes with house) decided to weigh in on the color selection. Apparently he's into neutrals.

School Bus Conversion - Insulation

Working on the insulation in Cozy. She is starting to look like a spaceship, covered in all that shiny silver insulation. It's not a difficult process, actually it's very similar to a giant shelf-paper project, but the heat is slowing my progress. Warning, giant sweat ball coming through! Ultimately, the walls and ceiling will also be covered in silver.

Sam also helped me remove this little noise maker. Thanks Sam! Whenever the back door was open, I would have to hear this loud squealing sound. I'm enjoying the quiet, and the breeze, now that this little guy is gone.

I Got A Bus And Her Name Is Cozy

Meet Cozy the skoolie. She was purchased in Arizona, and successfully made the trip back to Nevada - go Cozy! She is a short Ward diesel school bus. Thankfully Bo, the man that I purchased her from, waskind enough to remove her seats and the handicap lift. I am so grateful for his help!

Journey Home Made Begins

I have decided to explore a different path. I am purging most of my stuff, and looking for a home-on-wheel to carry me on a great adventure. Every element, of the life I've known, is about to change. A new business, a new home, relocation, and new people (and maybe a new love?) await me. I can't wait to get started, and begin the Journey.