The Voice-Tribune » Joanna Hite Shelton

Decorating with Maps

Joanna Hite Shelton — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:24:21 +0000

I’ve always been a fan of maps. It took me several years to give in and get a GPS (and I only got one because my husband gets lost by himself. Seriously.). My dad had a ton of maps in his house, so I grew up looking a maps on rainy days. A couple years ago, I saw a blog post about using maps as a decorating theme. It had never occurred to me that maps were cool enough to display in my home. I felt like they belonged in libraries or on a desk! Anyway, here’s a few ideas of how to use maps as art:

all images via Pinterest

Trendy iPhone Cases

Joanna Hite Shelton — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:46 +0000

A Cup of Joe linked to this site the other day, and I’m currently drooling over a new iPhone case. They have so many to choose from, and they also can be laptop skins, canvases and t-shirts.

Attic Inspiration

Joanna Hite Shelton — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:40:02 +0000

My husband and I have an attic that’s just itching to be finished out, and we’re slowly making our minds up about what we want to do up there. Here’s some inspiring photos that will make anyone want their very own nook upstairs.

Wildflower Ice & DIY Save the Dates

Joanna Hite Shelton — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:18:40 +0000

I saw this wildflower ice how-to on A Cup of Joe. It’s so simple to do, and it’s soooo pretty. Basically, you put some edible flowers or herbs into distilled water (this makes the ice super clear) and freeze it. Sounds easy, right?

If you’re not a designer, it’s hard to find creative wedding stationary without spending a fortune. This DIY is great. It looks like you hired a really fancy illustrator when really you just paid for a couple stamps.

Pet Food Bin

Joanna Hite Shelton — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:24:30 +0000

Well, let me tell you why I’ve been missing my usual Sunday posts for the past couple weeks. I got the idea in my head that me and my husband would build a piece of furniture. A pet food box. We needed this because 1. We have a small house so almost everything we own is displayed for everyone to see. and 2. Our cat is a little fatty that will chew through things to get to his food (or the dog’s food).

I got the plans from ana-white.com. She posts so many cute things that are super simple to build. I highly recommend this little tool called a Kreg-jig. It makes joining wood so easy. Just read the instructions well.

The plan we used was actually a trash can plan, but we modified it to have two tilt-out boxes instead of one.

iPhone Apps

Joanna Hite Shelton — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:32:49 +0000

I just got my first iPhone a couple weeks ago, and now since I’m an iPhone expert, let me give you this year’s MUST HAVES!

Kitty Caller - Yes. It’s exactly what it looks like. It displays cute animations when you dial, too. Does life get any better than having an iPhone with Kitty Caller on it? The answer is no.

It’s Puppy Time! - Who doesn’t love puppies? Who doesn’t smile when they see a cuuute wittle puppy? This app sends you a picture of a puppy three (3!) times a day.

Peggle- This game is so fun. Just play one level. You’ll see why I love it.

Sweaters for Penguins & Chocolate Chip Cookies

Joanna Hite Shelton — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:28:31 +0000

Sweaters for Penguins
What’s cuter than a penguin? A penguin in a sweater, that’s what. And it’s all for a good cause.
From ABC News:
“A yarn store in New Zealand is making an unusual request that is pulling at the heart-strings of the world—they are asking people to sew knit sweaters for penguins affected by the country’s oil spill.”

Read the full article here.

Jacques Torres’ Secret Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
This mouth watering photo makes me want to drop all of my plans and spend a day making chocolate chip cookies. Read this post to find out the perfect way to make this recipe for chocolate chip cookies.

Wooden Walls & Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies

Joanna Hite Shelton — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:24:02 +0000

via design*sponge

My husband and I bought an old house over 2 years ago and we’ve always been threatening to do some cool wall techniques. My husband’s idea is always to draw some huge octopus or monster all over the wall/ceiling and I always reject that idea immediately. I’ve thought about wallpaper, but if you don’t know what you’re doing (and we don’t) it can turn out horribly. This wooden wall inspires me to go buy some wood an slap it on the wall. What? You think it would be more involved than that?

via I Made That!

If you’ve ever been a child, you must love Nutter Butter cookies! Well, I’ve found a recipe that sounds like what a Nutter Butter would taste like. I’ve yet to try it, but I encourage you to.

Hand Dyed Quilts & Pixel Sculptures

Joanna Hite Shelton — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 16:00:02 +0000

Hand Dyed Quilts
I spent the summer of my college internship living with my aunt, who is an amazing quilter. Because she lives in the middle of farm country and we had very little to do, she taught me how to sew in those few months. I’ve been trying to find the time/ skill to make my very own quilt. If my aunt can quilt 4 quilts this past summer, surely I can make one in my lifetime…right?

Well, I love these quilts by Kim Eichler on etsy. They are so modern and fresh. She hand dyes them and pieces them by hand, which would explain their hefty price tags.

Pixel Art
My husband has been creating a game with his family ever since I’ve known him (4+ years now…) but he’s constantly looking up pixel art. He found these amazing sculptures on this blog post. Check them out!

Cat Teepees & Gradient Cake

Joanna Hite Shelton — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:00:39 +0000

I’ve got two great things to show you today.

Gradient Cake
I love cooking and baking, but I wouldn’t call myself “skilled” by any means (even though I do cook a mean chicken pot pie), but I’d be happy to try this gradient cake found on Not without Salt. I’ve personally decided every recipe I ever make again needs a video to show how to make it after watching this one.

Cat Teepee & Log House
You want one. I know you want one.
My husband and I got the teepee model for Christmas last year, and let me tell you, it’s amazing. My cat loves it. He likes to peek out through the windows at the top and it cracks me up every time. The only one in our house that doesn’t like it is my dog, who highly disapproves of my cat, Jack, lounging in it. It even comes with changeable cardboard icons to put over the door and it’s surprisingly durable. Buy it here.
The cat cabin model also looks fantastic. Buy it here.