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JJ Ladell's Custom Rustic Mirrors and Furniture
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Choosing the Perfect Picture Frame
Mood:
 happy
Now Playing: Choosing the Perfect Picture Frame
I just wanted to drop a few hints on the perfect frame. Every home needs a nice collectionof picture frames. How do you choose the perfect picture frame? There are a wide variety of ways and reasons to choose a picture frame. Listed below are just a few. 1. Decide first what picture you are framing? Is it a fun, whimsical picture that you want to enhance or do you want a picture frame that does not distract from the picture, is it all about the picture? For a fun, whimsical picture an ornate picture frame would not do, it should be a smaller picture frame that adds depth to the picture. A clear picture frame, with just an edge could be used if you only want to show the picture with no distractions. 2. How large is the picture you are framing? Large paintings often have large ornate picture frames. The colors in the frame often enhance the paintings colors and bring out the different light tones. While smaller snap shots are often framed in simple wood picture frames that enhance the photo. 3. Where will you be displaying the picture? Is the room a formal room, often nice wood picture frames or even slender metal picture frames are the perfect picture frames for this type of room. Is the room a rustic cabin décor, rustic wood picture frames made from logs, driftwood or barn wood are the type of picture frames would accent this room. Make sure that the picture frame fit’s the room’s décor. 4. Remember that it is fun to have the unexpected in your room. What is meant by this is that it doesn’t have to be a picture to be in a picture frame. Mirrors, scrapbook pages, fabric swatches, quilts, pressed flowers, special documents, almost anything can be put in a picture frame to accent your home. It is becoming popular to have vinyl letters placed in a series of picture frames to spell a word out on the wall. Picture frames can be used to make serving trays or mirrors. Think outside of the ordinary and have fun in your decorating scheme. The important thing to remember is that it needs to be your space and you need to feel comfortable and cozy with your home décor.
Posted by rusticmirrors
at 3:57 PM MDT
Monday, 28 April 2008
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Now Playing: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
I thought it would be fun to research the mirror and find out how it evolved in American society. I hope you enjoy the reading. The dictionary defines a mirror as any glass or polished substance that forms images by reflection of rays of light. The mirror has evolved from being an expensive, rare position until it has become what it is today, a common household item, found in almost every American home. To own a mirror in the 18th and early 19th centuries in America was a sign of high society. To actually be able to afford such a luxury, as a mirror, was one thing, but then to actually have time to gaze into a mirror and prepare your appearance until it was perfect was a sure sign of wealth. At the turn of the century the mirror was referred to as a looking glass, and only the higher society could afford a mirror and have the time to gaze into the mirror. As time continued the mirror became more common in American homes. The mirror’s common use began to sprout many myths. The most common mirror myth is if you break a mirror you will have seven years of bad luck. This actually came about because people came to believe that mirror actually reflected a person’s soul. If you were to break a mirror part of your soul would be captured and destroyed and would not be able to reunite with your body, of course this would be a very bad thing. The seven years came because the Romans believed that a person’s luck changed every seven years. Another myth regarding the mirror is that since vampires do not have a reflection that means they have no soul. Yes, the mirror has become rooted in American society. Since the early 18th century the mirror has come along way and is not only common in American homes as a place to check your appearance but the mirror is often used as a decorative item. Some common decorative uses for the mirror are to hang it in smaller spaces to make it look larger by reflecting the room back on it’s self. The mirror is also used to reflect light back into rooms. The mirror has become a wall décor accessory to add texture and depth to wall arrangements. A mirror hung in a foyer adds charm to your home as you greet your guests. A mirror hung over a fireplace gives depth to the fire. You can even use a mirror to add romance to a candlelight dinner setting by placing candles on a mirror and have the flickering light bounce around the room. The mirror is a wonderful, and indispensable accessory and has evolved with society.
Posted by rusticmirrors
at 5:19 PM MDT
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Quilts Aren't Just for Beds Anymore
Mood:
 incredulous
Now Playing: Quilts Aren't Just for Beds Anymore
Quilts aren’t just for beds anymore. The perfect quilt can compliment any room and bring a splash of color to your home. The quilt is a very versatile home accessory with many uses. Have you ever seen a quilt hanging on the wall? No the wall isn’t cold, well maybe it is. But most likely it is to add dimension to a room where there isn’t a lot of room for pictures. My neighbor is a fantastic quilter, I’m amazed at where you’ll find quilts tucked away in her home, adding a certain touch of coziness. She has a 15” x 15” quilt hanging above her stairs as you descend into her basement family room, done it a beautiful array of colors, the perfect size and color to add dimension to that hard to decorate space. She also has a framed, yes I said framed, 8” x 10” quilt done in civil war reproduction fabrics hanging in her living room. Each piece adds a new dimension to her home. Quilts can be used as a throw on your furniture. I have several quilts, lap size on my love seats in my formal living room. In a room that could be too formal the feeling is just right because there is a cozy quilt on each love seat and on the rocking chair. Quilts used in such a manner adds not only a splash of color but also a touch of hominess. While in the living room, a beautifully quilted table runner can be used on tables, pianos, fireplaces. Quilts add a special touch to any room. Quilts can be used to top a window seat in a girls bedroom. What a wonderful place to sit and watch the rain as it comes and cuddle with the perfect size quilt. What girl would not enjoy her own special place near a window complete with her own quilt. While in the bedroom just throw a quilt across the end of the bed, a special little flair to bring life to a room, a tossed quilt on a piece of furniture to make it look like someone does live there and enjoys life. Quilts can be used in the kitchen or dining room. The very first quilt I made can be used as a square table topper on a kitchen or dining room table. It softens the room. I have also enjoyed tiny quilts that are used as hot placemats to set hot dishes. Your family would love quilted placemats. There are so many uses for quilts in the kitchen. In the family room besides placing a quilt over all the chairs and couches to snuggle with as you watch your favorite movie, add a quilt to a favorite basket. A smaller quilt placed in a basket makes you home accessories come alive. Don’t forget the nursery quilts. Beautiful quilts in the crib, the changing table, the rocking chair, a quilt for every place. As your daughter grows she will need a beautiful doll size quilt for her own “baby”. There are plenty of places for a quilt to add a touch of love in the nursery. These are just a few wonderful way to use a quilt for a home accessory. It is amazing how versatile a quilt can be as a home accessory. When you begin to choose your quilt, look for colors that excite you. Quilt patterns that are cozy and warm to you. Remember to choose a quilt that appeals to you in every way.
Posted by rusticmirrors
at 1:56 PM MDT
Friday, 4 April 2008
Be Prepared, Carry a Quilt
Now Playing: Quilts
I am really big on being prepared. I always want to be prepared for any situation. I have found that I feel much better prepared if I have a quilt in my car. There are many instances that having a quilt stashed in your car would be an excellent idea. A few are listed below. Emergency Preparedness. I was always impressed when my parents actually carried a large rubber container turned into an emergency preparedness kit, including a quilt, flashlights and a snack of some sort in the back of their van. It would not take much to place a quilt along with other emergency preparedness items in your vehicle and it certainly won’t take a lot of room in your vehicle. Then you would be prepared for any emergency. If you were to become stranded it would be much more comforting to wrap in a cozy quilt while you await rescue. If you happen to come along troubled people on the roadside you would be able to offer your quilt for comfort and warmth. When traveling with younger children the quilt would allow them to cuddle up and read or sleep in a cozy position. A quilt could become a calming element for children when making a long distance trip. My personal favorite is a spur of the moment picnic. My family have come to expect me to stop anywhere, unplanned and dig out a quilt for a happy little picnic, without a moments notice. Having a quilt to lie on the grass with while enjoying a picnic is great plus. You never know when a quilt will be a bright moment in your life with traveling or offer protection and comfort, it is an excellent object that no vehicle should be without.
Posted by rusticmirrors
at 4:37 PM MDT
Friday, 28 March 2008
Picture Frames Aren't Just For Framing Pictures Anymore
Mood:
 chatty
Now Playing: Picture Frames
Picture frames are very versatile, there are many uses for picture frames. Picture frames aren’t just for framing pictures anymore. A few examples of different uses for pictures frames are listed below. Rustic pictures frames can be used to add a different texture to your walls. The barn wood is a rougher wood and adds texture. Actual tree branch picture frames add texture and depth to your pictures and walls. Look for unusual picture frames to add a new dimension to your room. Picture frames can be used to frame a collection of stamps mount your collection on a cardstock and frame them and to bring your personality to any room. A quilter can frame a beautiful piece of material or sample quilt to bring your wonderful talent to your rooms. Frame a beautiful quote in a picture frame, accessorize it with pressed flowers or beautiful stickers, to make a picture frame into a statement of your standard. A scrap booker can bring their hobby into their home by framing a beautiful piece of scrap booking paper . Use a picture frame to frame an actual scrapbook page that you have put together, what a neat way to display snapshots. Set a picture frame on a table that you’ve framed a book jacket in and you will be able to make a statement of pride in obtaining knowledge. An avid gardener can press flowers and frame them in a beautiful picture frame to bring the outdoors inside. Framing a mirror in a picture frame is fun to do and adds a sparkle to any wall. Give it a try, you’ll be surprised at the results. Remember picture frames can be turned into a beautiful and unique home accessory. Take a few minutes and think about the things you enjoy in life. Then contemplate on how you can bring them into your home as a beautiful home accessory. Stretch your imagination and you will be surprised and pleased with the results.
Posted by rusticmirrors
at 7:55 AM MDT
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Quilting with the Family to make a Ton of Quilts
Mood:
 bright
Now Playing: Quilts, Country Quilts and Handmade Quilts
Topic: Mirror
We had so much fun over the weekend, it didn't even seem like work. Brent's 77 year old mother had made some more quilts, they will soon be listed at www.jjladells.com for viewing and purchasing. So make sure to check out the quilts. We started with a country quilt, for Brent. Brent's mother wanted to make sure that each of her children have at least one handmade quilt from her, the quilt was to be of their own choosing. Brent chose beautiful purple quilting fabric with a cozy red, black and white puppy paw print out of quilter's flannel for the back. Although Relda did not think the materials would make a beautiful quilt, the quilt is now on our beautiful rustic bed and only accents our rustic furniture. The quilt is absolutely beautiful. We then started to quilt a patchwork country quilt, that once again is handmade and hand tied. This quilt will soon be popping onto our website. The patchwork quilt is made in a country quilt print with blues and reds. It will be a beautiful quilt for a twin size or a throw quilt. I'm so excited to offer these products on line. That is the reason we started this website, because the beautiful mirrors, and picture frames that Brent makes are beyond compare and we would like to offer these services to everyone. We receive so many compliments on the mirrors and the arrangements of home accessories in our home we couldn't help but want to share with everyone. The mirrors are custom built with pride and wonderfully made. Brent enjoys being in the wood shop and it is always with joy and pleasure when he brings in a new rustic mirror or picture frame to show me. I love to scrapbook and have recently started making pages that can be framed. Brent has always enjoyed my scrapbooking pages and was thrilled when I asked him to build a picture frame especially for pages that I had made. So now there is a line of scrapbooking picture frames so to be added to our website. Everything is so exciting, I lost track, I need to go back to our "quilting bee." So after completing the patchwork quilt, we started on a crazy quilt. I admire the way Relda makes these beautiful quilts, everything is cut into 6" quilting strips and then carefully sewn together. Each piece is sewn onto the quilt until it is time to add another quilt strip. The finished quilt is always so much fun to hand tie and see the different quilt patterns and quilt fabric used. I am so glad that she is willing to make these quilts and let us offer them to the public. It has been great!!! After the crazy quilt, we made a quilt to give to a cousin who had recently been married. Relda added a personal touch to this quilt by putting the names and marriage date on the center quilt block. We had a few other quilts to hand tie, including a handmade quilt that each family added a quilt block to, but alas you can only tie so many quilts in a day. After all it was time for playing cards and enjoy the potluck dishes everyone had brought that day. So you see the old fashioned quilting bees are still around, that is how we can offer handmade quilts, without the family we would never be able to accomplish this wonderful task. We are also excited about all the other home accessories and country decor items we have to offer. I love baskets. Brent is beginning to work on wood furniture. He has already made so much furniture for our home. He has made my sleigh bed. It is absolutely beautiful. A few other pieces of furniture he has made is a table, a corner knook shelf, bookcases, coffee and sofa tables. Brent has such a talent for making beautiful furniture. I am so proud of the mirrors, picture frames and quilts we offer. We are excited to see what other items are available from other suppliers in way of home accessories. It is so exciting to be part of the world.
Posted by rusticmirrors
at 3:59 PM MDT
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Picture Frames and Mirrors, from very rustic Wood
Mood:
 mischievious
Now Playing: Picture Frames and Mirrors
Topic: Mirror
We have had so much fun gathering the wood for making the picture frames and mirrors. We have always enjoyed being creative in bringing the outdoors into our home using them as home accessories and Brent can build beautiful mirrors and picture frames for every room in our home. We wanted to bring this to you to enjoy. As part of this we also wanted to tell you a little bit about our “adventures” in gathering the materials we use to make the mirrors and picture frames. So today I want to share with you our adventure in gathering the burnt cedar for the picture frames. This is the only time I can remember in all the years we’ve done this as being “unsettled” with Brent. He had heard from a friend where a farmer was clearing out the cedar trees that had been burnt from a fire a few years back. It was a “short” drive and we’d be able to gather them in no time. So off we went. Two hours later we arrive at the farm house, the nice farmer was very nice and took us out to where the trees where, straight up the hill, and I do mean straight up. So I’m a good sport so I climb out of the pick up thinking okay how do we gather this rustic wood, and how in the world will they look when the wood is turned into a picture frame or mirror. So up the hill we go - through a tangled mass of burnt trees, and underbrush. Then we had to drag all this “beautiful” mirror and picture frame wood down the hill. All the time, I’m a little, okay a lot frustrated, with the rustic wood gathering. And I must admit I’m very skeptical of what kind of picture frame and mirror can be made out of this wood. So after what seems like several years, I’m sure it’s only an hour or so in reality we are loaded with this rustic wood and off we go, home, finally. In the wood shop Brent begins to cut picture frames and mirrors, he sands the picture frames and mirrors and polishes and shines the rustic wood. I can’t believe what a beautiful wood is actually under the burnt and what beautiful picture frames and mirrors Brent can make out of this wood. He is truly magical when it comes to working with wood. And I learned a lesson, don’t doubt and don’t believe what you see until the final project is presented. I love what Brent work to build beautiful mirrors and picture frames.
Posted by rusticmirrors
at 11:14 AM MDT
Friday, 1 February 2008
The Perfect Country Decor Accessory
Now Playing: The Wonderful Experience of Decorating
Have you ever had a room you just didn’t know how to decorate and what kind of accessory to use? Have you ever said: Where do I get my inspiration? It is so large, what will I ever do with it? We recently experienced this exact problem when it came time to redo our living room. This room is a 30 foot long room with one part being the dining room that is 10 x 10 feet wide, one section being 13 x 13 for the formal living room area and the remaining area being the entry way that goes into the hall that connects the bedrooms. Every room upstairs had been done and looked great and matched the personality of our family members but the living room/dining room area literally scared me - where do I even start? After all the room was still decorated in lime green, you know the 70’s decade. It was scary. I wanted to do something so I watched every decorating program available, but nothing was inspiring me. Does any of this sound familiar? Then for a family reunion we had the opportunity to go to Bryce Canyon in Utah. It a wonderful place, absolutely beautiful with color, stunning, even breathtaking. While walking through the gift shops we found this most beautiful, colorful rock that we just had to have. We brought this rock home and promptly set it on the mantle of the fireplace in the living room - yes it stuck out like a sore thumb. As the weeks went along and I really began to think about the decoration for the living room I would sit in the room and just try to feel the atmosphere and what needed to happen there. One day as I sat there my eyes fell on the rock and all of a sudden I had the inspiration I needed and I ran with it. And today it is one of my very favorite rooms in our home. Brent thought I was absolutely crazy when I boxed the rock up in a box and packed it so it wouldn’t be damaged and off to the paint store we went. To find the perfect colors. The paint clerks thought we were insane when we started matching paint chips to the colors in the rock. But away we came with paint colors in Apricot and Peach. When I painted one wall apricot I thought I had made a terrible mistake, but it turned out beautiful by the time the other three walls were painted in the peach color. Then I gave Brent a wallpaper brush and he brushed the main wall with an apricot glaze. It was perfect. We matched the walls with a light colored carpet. The base of the room of a great pallette to start with. Now to accessorize our beautiful country home with the perfect accessories and furniture. So away we went. We brought out the dark brown of the rock with furniture, two beautiful dark leather loveseats facing each other. Then we brought in tables. Two of them are pine that Brent has made, just perfect. Then a large coffee table in between the loveseats. It was wonderful. To bring in the country outdoors into the home décor I filled tall vases on each side of the fireplace with tall dried grasses. The back of the mantel Brent tiled. Everything was coming together with the accessories. The quilts, throws, baskets and wall décor were done in complimentary colors. As I said on the website I love baskets and feel that no room has all of the necessary accessories until there is at least one basket. For Christmas this year my mother made perfect country pillows to add to the room. Family pictures are in picture frames that were custom made by Brent using his fine woodworking skills. Of course, there are mirrors and wall décor that are very rustic such as a large heart shaped barb wire wreath, all handcrafted by Brent. I am sure that many of these accessories will become family heirlooms. I am so grateful for the experiences I’ve had decorating our home because it was full of wonderful memories and has made our home peaceful and definitely our very own castle. From the walls, to the mirrors, baskets and numerous other accessories it is perfect.
Posted by rusticmirrors
at 9:54 PM MST
Saturday, 12 January 2008
Mirror, Rustic and Decorative
Mood:
happy
Now Playing: Mirror, The Wonderful World of E-Commerce
Topic: Mirror
We are so excited. We have ranked in Yahoo under rustic mirrors at 73 andholding steady. We hope to climb up some more. However when Brent typed in custom mirrors and frames he found that we were on page1 ranked at 9. So we are learning it all depends on how key words are typed in. This is such a new and exciting world for us. Each day - is something new - talk about adventures. You must really check us out at www.customrusticmirrorsandfurniture.com. I'm currently trying to figure out how to buy a domain name for JJ Ladells and link it to our other website. Like I said it is all new. While I do the computer part of the adventure Brent is quickly working in the shop with is magic ways to turn out some more magnificient mirrors and picture frames so we can add to the inventory selection.
Posted by rusticmirrors
at 4:28 PM MST
Updated: Friday, 1 February 2008 9:57 PM MST
Thursday, 27 December 2007
Custom Rustic Mirrors and Furniture
Mood:
 celebratory
Now Playing: Let's Get Started
Topic: Who We Are
We are just new on the net but not new to the products we are building or selling. We love wood working and have scavenged wood from all over Idaho. We have even climbed through burnt cedar trees on the straight side of a hill. Let me tell you that made for an interesting adventure and a not so happy wife. But check out the cedar mirror on the website - you'll see that the effort was well worth it. Brent is very creative and very meticulous in all he does. I on the other hand am not so creative, but I can organize and work on the computer. I took this wonderful course called Cybergold from some excellent instructors. You can check them out at www.wordpartnersink.com. It's well worth the effort. I learned so much and so here we are. We are looking at making hand tied quilts to accessorize any beautiful home. Brent's mom is an expert at quilt making and makes the most wonderful scrap quilts. So look for those they will be arriving soon.
Posted by rusticmirrors
at 11:20 AM MST
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