Coloring books are so popular now. I love them -- they're so relaxing -- and you're never too old to color! Last year, I drew on some metal buckets for the kids to color before they headed out for the Easter Egg hunt. (Kids...as in my teenage daughter and husband.) Seriously -- who doesn't love an Easter Egg hunt! (Of course, I'm not sure the math research quiz scavenger hunt I had go along with it was as big of a hit--oh well...)

So here is how to CREATE an easy COLORING PAGES STYLE BUCKET!

I had a metal bucket that I picked up at the rebuild center (you can get a metal bucket in the paint section of your hardware store as well). I used white primer spray paint to give it that rough mat look--any white paint will do. Then I used a Sharpie to start creating patterns -- I just winged it (story of my life).

I colored in some of the areas with the black Sharpie -- but you can leave them all open to be colored.

As you can see by the time I got to the bottom of the bucket, I needed a cup of coffee. It's not hard...just time consuming.

Next time, I'll get pictures of them coloring them. But here is the end result! Fun...right! Hope you make some of these for your Easter gathering this year. You can skip the Math Quiz Scavenger Hunt if you want...

My best, Jo

As a designer, I spend a lot of time thinking about layouts, fabrics, furniture, salvaged and recycled materials and how to make spaces happy and comfortable. But when I think about what I would grab if my home was on fire, besides my family of course, it would be one thing--a deck of cards.

Last year, my daughter, Gabrielle, made me a DIY gift that she created using a deck of playing cards--52 reasons I love you like crazy.

The joy this homemade gift brings me everyday is immeasurable. It's more precious to me than anything else I own. The care and feeling that went into these 52 deeply personal and insightful reasons still astounds me.

And although, it's nice to have a home that is beautiful, warm and welcoming, this deck of cards proves to me that it is way more important on how we treat ourselves and others, that we give and receive love unconditionally, and that we know we can make a difference. Thank you Gabrielle for this amazing gift you have given me.

Everyday we should express joy, gratitude, happiness and love to those in our lives, not just on Valentine's Day (even though that is a good time as well).

Happy February...

X0X0, Joanne