AVR PreRelease

~
Happy Monday MTG peeps,

We want to hear about how your Avacyn Restored PreRelease event went on the weekend.  How did you do? Which cards were you impressed with in your sealed build?  What did you pull?

Anywhoos - we went to the AVR PreRelease on Sunday at OMG! Games and Collectibles, here in Barrie, Ontario and had a blast.  Rares pulled by yours truly CopySix and RStomp of MTG Realm were as follows :

Tamiyo, the Moon Sage, Cavern of Souls, Vexing Devil, Entreat the Angels, Angel  of Jubilation, Somberwald Sage, Burn at the Stake,
Descendants' Path, Divine Deflection, Ulvenwald Tracker, Herald of War, Wild Defiance.

Enough yattering, lets have a look at the video -

 
CopySix's pool was fairly deep in White and Blue, and a bit thinner in the remaining colours.  We would have rather liked to have played Red / Green but felt it would not quite get us there, so Blue / White it was.


RStomp went with a White / Blue build as well.  After the event and re-evaluating his pool kicked himself for not committing to a Red / White build.


Here's a pic of the collective rares pulled . . .

One last thingy before we sign-off on this post - we suggest you inquire whether your local gaming store will be running an Avacyn Launch Friday Night Magic event.  We'll be headed out to OMG! Games again this Friday to hopefully score a lovely looking foil Restoration Angel.

~
Also of note - 
The Avacyn Restored artwork is exceptional - especially the lands.  Upgrade 'em to foils we say.  Check out the great prices at MTG Mint Card and pre-order that foily goodness.
.

Hello

Good morning sweet friends.

I need to start this post by saying a HUGE thank you to so many of you who were so incredibly supportive of me these past few weeks.

{via}

They say in good times and sad times you really find out who your friends are and to have so many of you, (who PS I've often never even met in in real life) be such kind and loving friends...well...it was truly overwhelming for me.

I feel honoured and so touched to know you all.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being you and for wanting to so much to make these past few weeks a little easier for me.

As most of you know, I lost my dear dear Nana on April the 20th.

{the last photo I have with her}

{via}

I had been sleeping over night in her hospital room and woke up at 6:30 to the nurse telling me she had just taken her last breaths.

To have her pass on my daughter's (who was named after her) birthday was actually such a comforting thing.

In a very weird twist of divine intervention. both of my kids were born on the day my grandmother's  passed...my dad jokes that if I ever have another baby, he's going to swallow a zillion baby aspirin and wear a helmet whenever their birthday rolls around- ha!

Anyhoo...I will say that seeing people pass is though heartbreaking, also a very enlightening thing...it's hard not to feel like something bigger or brighter than us is at work.

{via}

I know without a shadow of a doubt that my sweet Nana is somewhere much more beautiful then here...

{via}

in her perfect daisy garden.

{via}

It's a way less precious world here though without her though.

:(

.......

On a much happier note, I'll be back later today with some goodie photos.

As some of you may know, I'm taking part in a designer consignment sale, which opens for business tomorrow.

If you live around these here parts and want some pillow, furniture, antique, curtain, trim, fabric goodness...now is your chance my friends.

Because if you're anything like me, as much as you like to...

{via}

...you also LOVE buying stuff!

Love you to...


{via}

...the moon and back.

xoxoxoxo

How to Clean Lucite

I picked up this vintage lucite stool at the flea market a week or two ago and this weekend I had a minute to reupholster the seat and clean up the base.

I was so excited to use this laminated fabric I bought at Purl Soho a while back. You can find lots of laminated fabrics online. They're great to use on dining chairs and play room chairs, or seating in the bathroom.

I took off the old, dingy fabric and used the old fabric as a pattern to cut out the laminated fabric. This way it was easy to choose where I wanted to center the fabric on the pattern.

Laminated fabric, like vinyl, is a little tricky to work with around corners and round edges because it is so thick. Don't be afraid to pull tightly and try hard to keep the folds on the underside of the seat, rather than along the edge.

Before I put the new seat on, I cleaned the acrylic frame. There's definitnely a right and a wrong way to clean lucite. NEVER use Windex!! It deteriorates the acrylic slightly over time and makes it look cloudy instead of bright and clear.

The best way to clean lucite is simply warm soapy water and a soft cloth.

Then just wipe it down with a dry cloth and you're all done. I've seen acrylic polish solutions out there but I've never used them before.

So happy to have a new little waterproof stool in our bathroom for sitting on while I bathe the girls!

PS Here's the post were I painted the little blue vanity. And remember Emily's laminated fabric bench in her dining room? Have you found a great use or source for laminated fabric?

AVR Wallpapers

~

Happy Friday MTG peeps,

Not only is today your regular Friday Night Magic (FNM) event but at midnight, your local games store may be running an Avacyn Restored PreRelease event.  The two Helvault AVR pre-rel events at our local store, OMG Games in Barrie, Ontario (just 45 min. north of Toronto) is pretty much filled up with the other 'non-Helvault' events attracting the overflow players.  Anywhoos - call ahead to your store to ensure there's room at the Inn and check out our last article providing points for your PreRelease HERE.

Today's post is light 'n' fluffy - here is the round-up of Avacyn Restored wallpapers for your desktop or mobile device - - jazz your boring stale theme up with some of these cool graphics -


Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded
2560x1600 
1920x1080 
1280x960 
640x960 (iPhone)
2048x2048 (iPad) 
851x315 (Facebook Cover)

 

Avacyn, Angel of Hope
2560x1600 
1920x1080 
1280x960 
640x960 (iPhone)
2048x2048 (iPad) 
851x315 (Facebook Cover)

 

Griselbrand
2560x1600 
1920x1080 
1280x960 
640x960 (iPhone)
2048x2048 (iPad) 
851x315 (Facebook Cover)

 

Angel's Tomb
2560x1600 
1920x1080 
1280x960 
640x960 (iPhone)
2048x2048 (iPad) 
851x315 (Facebook Cover)

 

Commander's Authority
2560x1600 
1920x1080 
1280x960

640x960 (iPhone)
2048x2048 (iPad) 
851x315 (Facebook Cover)

 

Searchlight Geist
2560x1600 
1920x1080 
1280x960 
640x960 (iPhone)
2048x2048 (iPad) 
851x315 (Facebook Cover)

~

Lastly,
Our friends over at MTG Mint Card are working hard to get the latest Avacyn Restored singles posted up and priced for pre-order.  Check 'em out!

~

i hope y'all have a peaceful weekend......

*images courtesy of note to sarah, cote de texas, houzz, my favorite and my best

Copy Cat Design: Chic, Modern Desk

Colleen, who may have suckered me into buying a gingham dress, is back in action today with another killer copy cat post! I loved this room from Adore too! PS Colleen mentions Pinterest in her round up. Thought I would mention she is one of my favorite Pinners around. Follow her here.

I have a confession. I really, really love office supplies. Walking into Container Store makes my knees buckle, and guys, I am not an organized person. So when I saw Claudia Stephenson's Sydney office area in Adore magazine, I was a little smitten. 

1. Veronica Orb Lamp; Vielle + Frances, $240

I love the glass ball lamp in the picture, but I'd settle for a lucite one too. Another option are these mini ball lamps--you get a pair for $220, which is quite the deal!

2. Personalized Neon Pink Pencils; Oriental Trading, $7.50 for 24

In my fantasy life, my pencils all match. The little things.

3. Braided Console Basket; West Elm, $24

We should probably refrain from choosing bright pink for every storage container. Unless this is for a young girl, in which case I suggest you go wild. A simple, natural fiber storage basket adds just enough texture.

4. Figuier Mini Candle; Diptyque, $28

A little luxury for your workspace, that's it!

5. Medium Lacquer Box; Container Store, $13

Stash receipts and other not-so-pretty but necessary things.

6. Orbit Arm Chair; CB2, $130

A little caveat: if you spend a significant amount of time at your desk, definitely invest in something more comfortable than a side chair. But plopping down for a little Pinterest session, I love this chair.

7. Monogram Decorative Plate; C Wonder, $38

A place for the bits and bobs to live, like business cards.

8. Palitlig Vase; Ikea, $2

Resist the temptation to buy a matching desk set and use non-office things, like votive holders, small vases, and drinking glasses, as pencil holders. 

9. Vintage Penguin Book; Etsy, $3.50

I dig the small collection of vintage Penguin editions in the image. Popping into used book stores is one of my favorite things, and you can always find some cool-looking covers.

10. Octagonal Silk Scarf; Kate Spade, $70

Pretty square scarves make excellent art. This office uses a Hermes scarf, but I'm a little partial to this Kate Spade pattern!

11. Braided Jute Rug; Ballard Designs, $340 for 8'x10'

Ground all the color and slickness with a simple jute rug.

12. Jett Desk; Z Gallerie, $500

For an x-desk, I really like this one from Z Gallerie. But if you just want a simple white lacquer desk, nothing much beats the Parsons Desk from West Elm. 

AVR Intro Pack Decklists

~
Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

Today, WoTC Monty on the Mothersite provided Magic the Gathering players the Avacyn Restored Intro Pack decklists.  We here at MTG Realm did give you, the reader a sneak peek back at the beginning of the month (linky here) and the fan community has been wrawling for the final decklists since.  Intro Packs provide a good way for novice players to get into the world's most popular trading card game. Avacyn Restored is the latest Magic the Gathering set being released on 5th May, 2012, but head down to your local Games Store during the prerelease event this weekend and you might be able to pick up a pack to get in some dueling with other players.  Check with your store.

Each Avacyn Restored Intro Pack contains : a 60-card theme deck, 1 premium foil card, 1 premium card, a Dark Ascension booster pack, and a strategy and a rules insert. The Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) approximately $13 - or slightly more if you're like us and live waaay up here on the frozen desolate thundra's of northern Canada.  The sled pack from the post office was delivering in the village the other day, so we should be able to pick up one or two and do a video dissection and review for you latter.

Anywhoos - heres  the 4.1.1 -
Legend : (C) - Common, (U) - Uncommon, (R) - Rare

Angelic Might (/) : Foil Rare : Herald of War

25 lands : 11  Forest, 13  Plains, 1  Seraph Sanctuary

21 creatures : 1  Angel of Glory's Rise (R), 2  Angelic Wall (C), 1  Archangel (U), 3  Borderland Ranger (C), 2  Cathedral Sanctifier (C), 2  Emancipation Angel (U), 2  Gideon's Lawkeeper (C), 1  Goldnight Redeemer (U), 1  Herald of War (R), 2  Seraph of Dawn (U), 2  Serra Angel (U), 1  Timberland Guide (C), 1  Voice of the Provinces (C)

14 other spells : 2  Angel's Tomb (U), 1  Bladed Bracers (C), 1  Builder's Blessing (U), 2  Defang (C), 1  Defy Death (U), 1  Oblivion Ring (U), 2  Rampant Growth (C), 2  Righteous Blow (C), 1  Scroll of Avacyn (C), 1  Triumph of Ferocity (U)

~
Solitary Fiends (/) : Foil Rare : Lone Revenant

24 lands : 11  Island, 13  Swamp

17 creatures : 3  Alchemist's Apprentice (C), 1  Corpse Traders (U), 1  Crypt Creeper (C), 2  Fettergeist (U), 1  Havengul Skaab (C), 1  Lone Revenant (R), 2  Marrow Bats (U), 2  Mist Raven (C), 2  Renegade Demon (C), 2  Undead Executioner (C)

19 other spells : 2  Crippling Chill (C), 1  Demonic Rising (R), 2  Doom Blade (C), 2  Essence Harvest (C), 2  Frost Breath (C), 1  Homicidal Seclusion (U), 2  Into the Void (U), 2  Peel from Reality (C), 1  Predator's Gambit, 1  Swiftfoot Boots (U), 2  Tormentor's Trident (U), 1  Triumph of Cruelty (U)

~
Slaughterhouse (/) : Foil Rare : Harvester of Souls

25 lands : 12  Mountain, 13  Swamp

25 creatures : 1  Blood Artist (C), 1  Bloodflow Connoisseur (C), 3  Butcher Ghoul (C), 2  Demonic Taskmaster (U), 1  Demonlord of Ashmouth (R), 1  Driver of the Dead (C), 2  Evernight Shade (U), 1  Gang of Devils (U), 2  Goblin Arsonist (C), 1  Harvester of Souls (R), 1  Havengul Vampire (U), 1  Hunted Ghoul (C), 1  Maalfeld Twins (U), 2  Raging Poltergeist (C), 2  Reassembling Skeleton (U), 3  Soulcage Fiend (C)

10 other spells : 2  Barter in Blood (U), 2  Bone Splinters (C), 2  Fling (C), 2  Grave Exchange (C), 1  Scroll of Griselbrand (C), 1  Unhallowed Pact (C)

~
Fiery Dawn (/) ; Foil Rare : Zealous Conscripts

24 lands : 12  Mountain, 12  Plains

21 creatures : 2  Benalish Veteran (C), 1  Devout Chaplain (U), 2  Elite Vanguard (U), 2  Goldnight Commander (U), 2  Kessig Malcontents (U), 2  Kruin Striker (C), 1  Manic Vandal (C), 2  Moorland Inquisitor (C), 3  Riot Ringleader (C), 1  Somberwald Vigilante (C), 2  Thraben Valiant (C), 1  Zealous Conscripts (R)

15 other spells : 1  Angelic Armaments (U), 1  Banners Raised (C), 1  Cathars' Crusade (R), 1  Commander's Authority (U), 1  Fireball (U), 2  Incinerate (C), 1  Pacifism (C), 1  Pillar of Flame (C), 3  Thatcher Revolt (C), 2  Vigilante Justice (U), 1  Zealous Strike (C)

~
Bound by Strength (/) : Foil Rare : Wolfir Silverheart

25 lands : 13  Forest, 12  Island

29 creatures : 1  Acidic Slime (U), 1  Deadeye Navigator (R), 2  Druid's Familiar (U), 2  Elgaud Shieldmate (C), 2  Flowering Lumberknot (C), 1  Geist Trappers (C), 2  Latch Seeker (U), 2  Llanowar Elves (C), 1  Nephalia Smuggler (U), 2  Nightshade Peddler (C), 1  Pathbreaker Wurm (C), 1  Runeclaw Bear (C), 2  Tandem Lookout (U), 3  Trusted Forcemage (C), 2  Vorstclaw (C), 2  Wingcrafter (C), 1  Wolfir Avenger (U), 1  Wolfir Silverheart (R)

6 other spells : 1  Ice Cage (C), 2  Joint Assault (C), 2  Lair Delve (C), 1  Overrun (U)
~

The Ties That Bind

I've been thinking a lot lately about the idea of binding together a handful of inexpensive/less expensive flat weave rugs to make a large custom size rug. I think the look would be super casual and boho. See how cool Amanda Peet's rug looks?

Here are a few less expensive small rugs and runners that I think would look really great stitched together. Pricing listed below.

Overstock Patterned Sisal: $194 for four rugs to make an 8x10. This rug looks a little more on the rusty side in person. I'd love to see it paired with this pretty turquoise twine!

Overstock Nikolay Rug: Four runners makes an 8x10 for $374. And how perfect is the combo with neon pink twine?

IKEA Soften Rug: $150 for six rugs to make an 8x10. I think this would be a super dramatic and sophisticated look, with dark charcoal twine. I imagine it in a chic living room or a really cool office.

Pottery Barn Chindi Stripe : Make a 6x6' rug to go under a round pedestal table for your breakfast nook. $236 for six rugs. (I really want this one!)

IKEA Andrup Rug: $140 for four rugs to make an 8x10. What a steal for a GREAT play room rug! I'm loving that sky blue jute twine!


West Elm Izmir Dhurrie: $206 to make a 5x7 rug. I would pair it with this neon yellow twine for a super cool little boys room rug. It's outdoor material, so you can even hose it down! Keep some IKEA flokati throws handy for layered texture and comfort, though if you take a close look at all the images, the rug actually looks just like wool! I bet it's softer than most outdoor rugs.

I can't wait to try this idea out in our next place. It looks like such a simple over-under type stitch (blanket or whip stitch, maybe?). So very easy!