Yay, I Made It!

Love Yourself

2012-01-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

Maybe you've noticed I haven't been blogging as much as usual? Probably not... but hey you deserve an explanation anyway because you are kind enough to stop by. Thank you!

Image from Katie Daisy

Anyway, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately... thinking that I've kind of lost myself a little. It has happened slowly, one child at a time, one diaper at a time. Maybe this happens to a lot of moms? You get so wrapped up in caring for these sweet little children that you forget about yourself. Not that it's always a bad thing.

However, lately I've come to a point where it's not good anymore. I don't love myself as much as I should. I feel like it's rubbing off on those I care about most. So, what happens next?

I'm putting myself in time-out for a little while. I am still going to care for those sweeties of course! But, I am also going to care for me. I am going to re-think how I am spending my time, money, thoughts, etc. I am going to figure out what I really want and need and how to take care of me and my family the best I can in the 24 hours I am given each day.

So, until I get it all sorted out, I may not blog as much as I used to. Don't feel bad. I'll be back now and then. Hopefully, when I am out of time-out I'll be better than ever before and a more consistent blogger. Please just be patient with me and give me a little time to sort it all out. Fair enough? What do you do to take care of yourself?

Peppermint Bark

2012-01-14T19:21:00.000-08:00

Seems like I always have great ideas after Christmas for next year. I've been wanting to try making peppermint bark. Now I realize how easy it is! Here's Paula Deen's recipe.

The Earth Without Art...

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

Agreed. From Pintrest.

Quick & Easy Smoothies

2012-01-10T16:12:00.000-08:00

Ok. Confession time... we got a blender as a wedding gift and I used it for the first time last week. Horrible huh? It was a combination of not having space for it in the kitchen and my husband hating smoothies and anything like them.

I love smoothies and now I'm hooked again. In fact I discovered a smoothie will usually curb my ice cream craving... who knew?

Anyway, long story short I am super excited to have discovered this awesome way to make quick and easy smoothies. You prepare most of the ingredients ahead of time. Go to the Lacy in Love blog to learn more.

Family Rules

2012-01-02T17:30:00.000-08:00

This is what I made today, along with a chart for each boy where I can cross off lost privileges and tally time outs. Anyone interested in these icons as individual jpgs?

Printable Paper Doll

2011-12-31T11:51:00.000-08:00

Check out these free printables from Ohdeedoh. I just love this paper doll. Won't it be fun when our little gal is old enough to play with these?

Silhouette Cameo

2011-12-30T10:03:00.001-08:00

If I don't win one of these, I am going to have to buy one some day! Try your luck at this giveaway on Better After.

ADD Tips

2011-12-29T08:07:00.000-08:00

I don't know if I really have ADD or not but I think these tips would be helpful either way.

Lego Party

2011-12-24T13:48:00.000-08:00

Every year, while preparing for Christmas, I also prepare for my son's birthday. This year he turned 5!

We had our first "friend party". There were 14 little boys running around our house that day. I've decided that was too many. Unless you plan on watching a movie for most of the time, it's just too hard to keep their attention for an hour and a half. So, next year... less kids, less time, less structured games.

DECOR:
For the decor, I got a banner from the dollar store, some balloons and a few signs that said "Party" to put around the house and on the door. I put curled ribbon and legos on the table.

There are tons of creative decorating ideas out there, like stacking boxes and such. With Christmas so close, I just didn't make the time.

FOOD:
The cake was made using a bread pan and mini muffin tins. Very simple! I saw the idea for the cupcakes with edible legos on-line somewhere. I found the edible legos at our local grocery store in the bulk candy bins. They actually stack too!

FAVORS:
I'm sure there are lot's of cute ideas out there. However, we just made traditional party favors with goodies from the dollar store in basic Lego colors... pretend watches, ring pops, play dough, stickers, crayons... I did make a little coloring book with Lego guys I found on the internet that said "thanks for coming" in the Lego font.

GAMES:
We adapted traditional party games to play. For example we played "Put the Lego on the Stack" instead of "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" and "Lego, Lego, Build it" instead of "Duck, Duck, Goose".

I made the silhouette of a Lego guy to color the kids' own faces and outfits on as they arrived. We also tossed Legos into bowls to see who could get the most. One idea we used from the internet (sorry I didn't keep the links) was to have each kid take a turn stacking a Lego until it fell over.

Honestly, none of the games kept the 5-year-olds' attention very long. I would recommend buying a bunch of Legos and letting them free play then watching a Lego movie.

INVITE:
I designed my own Lego invitation. The LegoThick font I found here really came in handy.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Baby Wipe Container

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

I bought these baby wipes with the intention of taking the label off and using them out of a plain white container. However, the sticker wouldn't come off easily so my friend, Kristie whipped up this cute little "cover-up" out of scrapbook paper.

Nursery Garland

2011-12-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

I told my friend Mandi what I had in mind for this garland. With a some help from Kristie, she made it for me, except better! I am so lucky to have such great friends!

It took a little time to make but with a few paper punches and a sewing machine, it's a pretty simple project. It makes the room so fun, like a celebration every day... and it was practically free!

Here is a photo my friend Sarah snapped for me...

Rocking Chair Cover

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

This rocking chair actually started out forest green. A few years ago I made a denim cover for it to fit the boys blue bedroom. Then came a girl. So, the blue had to go!

BEFORE

AFTER

Now it's yellow! I love this pretty yellow striped fabric. It makes me happy and it was free.

Nursery Curtains

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

I sewed these curtains for the nursery. They are pretty plain, except for the little ruffle I added at the bottom.

Side Table

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

We got this hand-me-down side table from my husband's brother before we got married. It has been painted many times over.

BEFORE

AFTER

This time it's pink! I purchase a little custom-mixed 8 ounce sample of pink from Lowe's for about $3. It was supposed to be coral but turn out pepto. It's growing on my anyway, which is good because I'm too lazy to re-paint it right now.

Baby Clothing Display

2011-12-07T20:04:00.000-08:00

Sorry guys... life is more crazy than usual lately. Here is the beginning of the promised nursery photos. They really don't do the room justice. My talented photographer friend, Sarah, quickly snapped a few so I will show those too since they are better.

My friend, Pia, helped me with this little clothing display. I love that pretty clothing is on display, rather than tucked away in a forgotten drawer. They are right at my fingertips so I use them more. Also, it didn't cost hardly anything.

Here's Sarah's photo. You can see the pretty blessing dress my mom made hanging. She made it and passed it down to my baby. She says it's the one I wore on my blessing day. She looked so pretty in it Sunday!

Up-date + De-cluttering

2011-11-18T09:27:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of posts. I have been a little pre-occupied with our beautiful baby girl. Labor and delivery went as wonderfully as can be hoped for. We are all adjusting quite well. Thanks to grandpa & grandma, the nursery was all but finished when she arrived. I will start posting those pictures really soon!

Lately I have been inspired by all the amazing people who have been working hard to simplify their lives and homes. Check out Pancakes & French Fries 31 Days of William Morris and Apartment Therapy's The 20/20 Cure.

The main thing I am learning is de-cluttering, organizing, etc. takes time. It's all about doing a little something each day.

Finished Bedroom

2011-11-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hmmm... doesn't look like I did much here but it sure took a long time. It's the little things, I guess.

BEFORE

AFTER

First I re-painted the room. You really can't tell but the color I used is a few shades darker and a bit warmer than the original color. Awww... a fresh coat of paint. The pillows, silhouettes, and art are previous DIY projects.

BEFORE

AFTER

Here I touched up the dresser. There were tons of scratches from the move. I also added the "love letters" I repainted here.

BEFORE

AFTER

The biggest changes here are the re-painted dresser and curtains I sewed. One project you can't see is the fan re-do.

The nursery is next up! I have lot's of projects to share. Hopefully I will get those all finished and posted before the little one comes.

Painted Dresser

2011-11-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

BEFORE

I purchased this dear old dresser for $10. It didn't look like much at first but I knew it would be a great, solid piece once I painted it to match the rest of our bedroom furniture.

AFTER

I love how it turned out. It makes me happy! The quote I designed to sit on dresser is one of my new favorites "Choose your love, love your choice" from Thomas S. Monson. I put it in an old frame I painted with the leftover paint from my "love letters".

Painted Love

2011-11-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

I made these "love letters" when we were first married... 8 years later they are a little dated and have been tucked away in a box. I realized all they needed was a little paint so...

Happy Halloween Parties

2011-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love Halloween parties! We had one every year growing up. It was a blast. Here are a couple great Halloween party ideas from Kara's Party Ideas.

Haunted Mansion Party

Witches Party

Happy Halloween, Everyone!

Clothing Inspiration

2011-10-30T16:45:00.001-07:00

Sorry for my absence last week. We are on the countdown for baby and my energy level is not what it used to be.

Lately I've been thinking about one of the things I most dread after baby comes... that awful baby weight. It's not cute anymore but it takes time.

Once I get that first chunk off I am looking forward to testing my sewing skills. Here are several anthropologie shirts and skirts I would like to try mimicking. I don't use patterns so it will probably be tricky but I really love the shape of these and think they could be flattering.

Inexpensive Art

2011-10-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

I love this idea of wrapping shoebox tops in fabric to use as art. It gives the same look as canvases but for much less money. I am going to start saving my shoebox lids.

Hanging Leaves

2011-10-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun, inexpensive way to decorate for fall. Dip colorful autumn leaves in wax and hang them from strings. Thanks, Martha.

Inexpensive Girl Gift

2011-10-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

My little niece turned one! She is a sweetie and had an awesome party. We brought this little gift for her. It was really inexpensive but hopefully fun and useful. The little bows and flowers are pins I made for her to attach to the hat, shirt, sweater, or whatever.

DIY Halloween Ideas

2011-10-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

I have been a little pre-occupied this year to go all out for Halloween but here are a few simple ideas for next year. HGTV has plenty to choose from on their site.

Pumpkin Totem

Spider Napkin Rings

Adorable Gender-Neutral Baby Shower Idea

2011-10-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

I feel so spoiled! I have so many amazing people around to help me. My sister threw me a sweet baby shower a few weeks ago, my co-workers had a special lunch for me yesterday, my sister-in-law is coming to help me with the nursery soon, my husband's co-workers are throwing another shower... the list goes on and on and on.

This reminds me I need to be there when people need my help too. It means so much to have people serve you, even in small ways. So, here is an idea for the next baby shower I throw. It is so perfectly lovely with lot's of DIY details.

SEI Lifestyle Feature

2011-10-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

If you have a minute, stop by the SEI Lifestyle blog. I have a little feature over there. Most everything will probably be familiar to you, except maybe these yummy looking pumpkin bars.

Jack-o-Lantern Jars

2011-10-02T23:21:00.000-07:00

This little project from Martha Stewart, found via Homemade by Jill, seems easy. They could be used for so many things.

Book Slings

2011-09-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

There are children's books all over the house. Not because we have tons of children's books but because we haven't gotten around to organizing them properly. I bought a couple of these spice racks. I think I know exactly where I want them but haven't dared commit with so many unfinished rooms.

It made me happy to see this book sling idea found via ohdeedoh. It's nice because it can be adapted to any space and doesn't require a trip to Ikea, which is dangerous for me in more ways than one.

Not a Fan

2011-09-26T20:31:00.000-07:00

This lovely fan was in our home when we moved in. We wanted this room to be the master bedroom so the plan was to replace the fan. However, my husband loves the amount of wind it puts out and our budget is gone. So I came up with another solution.

We realized the back of the fan blades were white. So, I flipped the blades over, painted the flowers white and replaced the butterfly pulls with some simple white ones from Walmart. Since I had the paint, the project total was about $5 for the new pulls. It's still pretty girly but much less distracting.

Get Real

2011-09-23T20:59:00.000-07:00

So... a few things have got me thinking lately. First off this giant belly I am carrying around... also this dumping grounds we call the "nursery". Not to mention the date on the calendar. Is there really only one week left in September?

There has been a slight change in plans. I am going to finish up the master. Then, rather than do all the other rooms now. I will be working on the nursery. So stay tuned for plenty of pink projects... after the master of course. I am so excited to get started!

Kitchen Re-do: Part 1

2011-09-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

The kitchen is done... Well, for now. Part 2 will hopefully be next year after we get a tax return.

We would like to replace the tile. It's cracked pretty badly. We would also like to replace the countertop and backsplash. Surprisingly, I'm not digging the forest green. Also the forest green sink, leaky faucet, and fish hardware has to go. But, considering our budget I am happy with Part 1.

BEFORE

AFTER

My in-laws gave us the white pantry you can see in the right corner. We put it together and replaced the wooden handles with silver hardware. I like how much brighter and cleaner it is than the wooden one we had there before.

BEFORE

Here is a detail of the wall by the door. There were such huge holes in our walls when we moved in, painting was a must. Love how calming the gray is.

AFTER

I love the cheery yellow fabric I used for the kitchen window. A friend gave me a ton of it and I have used it for so many things. You can also see my dry-erase calendars and barstools in this photo.

BEFORE

AFTER

I didn't do much to this area yet... that will be Part 2. But, I did paint above the sink forest green. I thought it was distracting were the backsplash ended.

Notice the toaster oven is gone? I had been looking for the perfect fabric for a cover, when my in-laws gave us the white pantry. It is bigger than our old pantry and had just enough room for the toaster oven. Yay!

BEFORE

AFTER

Our dining area makes me happy! You can see the wanna-be china hutch I painted and gallery wall in this photo... two of my favorite house projects so far.

BEFORE

AFTER

Here is a shot of the curtains I made. I used sheets again but this time added a little yellow ribbon edge. This also shows my easy centerpiece. I didn't use the place-mats in this photo but we use them all the time.

Awww... feels so good to have this room put together! I had a bit of panic recently realizing I only have 2 months until delivery and the budget is shot. So, the next several rooms will probably be faster, simpler, and more creative since I will be rushing to finish and using things on hand.

Barstool Refresh

2011-09-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

We purchased these barstools for $18 ($6 each). They were fine but well-used. The paint was really uneven and the fabric wasn't my fav.

So I decided to do a little refresh. All it took was a few cans of spray paint, a can of lacquer, some fabric ($1 per yard), some new plastic, and our staple gun. It's not a dramatic change but they feel so much cleaner and more put together.

Check back tomorrow for the kitchen reveal... FINALLY!

Easy DIY Placemats

2011-09-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

We are trying to protect our table but I am getting tired of washing and ironing tablecloths. Sooo.. I decided to make some placemats. They are really easy to make.

1. Cut two pieces of fabric to your desired size. I cut mine 18 x 15 to maximize my fabric. I did one side white and the other patterned.
2. Place right sides in. Sew around three of the edges (kind of like a pillowcase).
3. Turn right sides out.
4. For the open side, hide your edges by folding them in about a half inch. Pin in place.
5. Sew a pretty edge all the way around the edge of the placemat.

Easy Centerpiece

2011-09-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

Remember my paper plate wreath? The home we moved into called for a larger one. I was sad to say good-bye so I took the ribbon off, placed it on the table, and stuck a candle in the middle... instant centerpiece.

SUPER Easy Egg-free Pumpkin Cookies

2011-09-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know who originally came up with this recipe. A friend of my sister told us about it when we were at the store shopping for a bunch of spices to make her delicious pumpkin cookie recipe.

Unlike my sister's recipe it doesn't call for many ingredients. They are probably not quite as scrumptious but they don't have eggs and help curb my pumpkin craving.

Ingredients:
• 1 box of spice cake mix
• 1 smaller can of pure pumpkin
• about 1/2 a package of chocolate chips
• cream cheese frosting

Directions:
Mix first 3 ingredients. Spoon onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for about 12 minutes. Let cool and top with frosting.

Plastic Bag Dispenser

2011-09-06T11:55:00.000-07:00

When we went camping my mother-in-law had a kleenex box full of plastic bags. I thought it was a little funny at first but I really love the idea now.

DIY Lace Containers

2011-09-02T21:11:00.000-07:00

Ohh... these containers decoupaged with lace and eyelet are sooo lovely. I have to try this!

Dry Erase Calendar

2011-09-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

There are tons of things I still can't find from the move. One I miss a lot is our calendar. I am so used to checking the calendar and writing in important dates. I have been paranoid about forgetting things lately.

So, finally I decided to make one. I purchased these two 8 x 10 frames from the thrift store for a dollar each and had my hubby spray paint them white for me. I kind of like how you can see the woodgrain. Then I designed and printed blank calendar pages to go in the frames. Click on the image below to download a free printable.

Did you know you can write on glass with dry erase markers? My friend Mandi showed me this trick and it works like a charm. Just be careful not to erase anything important. :)

Fabric Clutch Purses

2011-08-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

Found at lushlee. Aren't they beautiful? I don't think they are for sale anymore but they sure make lovely inspiration.

Botanical Gallery Wall

2011-08-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

BEFORE

This was a pretty easy project. First I gathered a bunch of old frames I'm no longer using. Then I picked artwork and sized it to fit my frames. Most of the art is from Graphics Fairy. There are a few custom pieces... more on that later. Next I had my husband spray paint my frames white and filled them with the art.

AFTER

To make sure the placement was just right, I made paper templates of each frame, with spots marked for where nails should go. I hung them on the wall with tape until I got it right. I nailed right into the paper. Then tore the paper down and hung up my art.

If you have a bunch of un-used frames I highly recommend this project. It really only cost me $3 for spray paint. I already had the frames, paper, and printer. This can be adapted to your style.

Dressing for Shell Pasta Salad

2011-08-25T06:49:00.000-07:00

I used this recipe for dressing. Then I added pasta, some veggies I had on hand, and a little cooked bacon. It was yummy and a lot easier than I expected. It's something I can make anytime with things I already have. The hardest part is cooking the pasta. Give it a try.

Check back for another kitchen project tomorrow!

Egg-Free Chocolate Chip Muffins

2011-08-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

I tried these over the weekend. They were pretty tasty. Next time I will try 1/4 c. oil and 1/4 c. applesauce instead of 1/2 c. of applesauce and see if that helps the texture.

Vintage Toy Box

2011-08-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

So, you probably don't know this but I have the most awesome boss ever. Not just because of this but... She saw this adorable toy box, fell in love with the illustration and bought it... for me! I am so excited to get the toy area organized and show it off!

Toaster Oven Cover? Help!

2011-08-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ok guys. I seriously need your help. I want almost everything off the kitchen countertops... out of sight! However, the hubby is insistent the toaster oven needs to stay out. Ugh! It looks awful. Anyway, since I don't have a convenient spot to keep it, I have resigned... sort of.

source

I am considering making a fabric toaster oven cover. What do you think? Be honest. I don't want to waste my time. I am thinking it may be better to leave the beast out than try to cover it with a curious fabric cube.

Better After Feature

2011-08-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

I am so honored to have my wanna-be china hutch featured on Better After yesterday. This is seriously one of -- if not my very favorite -- blog. I love before and after pictures! So inspiring. Stop by and say "hi" to Lindsey she is a fun writer and sweet gal.

Nursery Inspiration

2011-08-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

It's going to be a little while before I make the nursery #1 priority. Our little girl isn't supposed to arrive for 3 more months, although I swear I look ready to deliver. So, I thought I would gather some ideas together here for safe keeping.

from ohdeedoh

I want the room to feel super feminine. I definitely want these colors for the nursery... soft neutrals with warm pink and pops of coral. I also really want those curtains.

from Pintrest

I would love to make a mobile like this one. It looks inexpensive to make but creates a big impact.

from The Purl Bee

Maybe a yo-yo coverlet or attach these to a pillow instead?

from The Purl Bee

I couldn't find the white felt one with white butterflies in rows I saw but this is the same idea.

What do you think? I can't wait to get started.

Recipes to Try

2011-08-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

I have found a few recipes on Or So She Says... lately that I want to try. So I am filing them here for a future day when I am throwing an awesome party that needs some good eats.

Antipasto Skewers

Oreo Buttermint Ice Cream Bars

Painted Cabinet

2011-08-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

I have been dreaming of a pretty china hutch like the ones I see on other blogs all the time. Well I found the perfect one... and I couldn't afford it! So, I went to the thrift store and found nothing.

Then I realized all I need to be more open minded...even a cabinet with shelves placed on top would work or maybe shelves on the wall with a cabinet underneath. Luckily, the next time I went to the thrift store I found just the thing.

BEFORE

It looked pretty hideous at first. It is 100% fake. The backer is flimsy, it has a hole punched out and spaces to punch out for a tv to fit. But, happily I could afford it plus a little paint and hardware to fix it up.

AFTER

I love how it turned out and it makes me happy to see my pretty dishes ready to use. It was so fun to spend the day of our 8th anniversary washing dishes we have had for years that I had no where to put. It kind of makes me wonder why I didn't do it sooner!

More kitchen projects coming soon!

Bathroom Refresh

2011-08-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Is it surprising with those lavendar walls this wasn't the first room we painted?

BEFORE

AFTER

First off, with a tiny bathroom, we needed more storage. Most of our bathroom stuff was still in boxes in the nursery. The day we needed a bandaid and I spent 20 minutes digging I knew it was time to make the bathroom a priority.

So, late one night me and the hubby put this metal shelf together we got from Walmart for $20. It's nothing fancy but it works.

BEFORE

AFTER

We didn't spend much money on this room at all. The biggest change is the paint color. I knew I wanted to paint. Since funds are low, I was excited to discover this can of paint I bought long ago.

I originally found it in the mistint section for $5 and couldn't resist the pretty color. At that point I thought it would be perfect for a piece of furniture. Little did I know it would end up all over the walls of our tiny bathroom! It is a bit dark and overwhelming for such a small space but I like it anyway.

BEFORE

AFTER

The flowered boxes were also purchased quite a while back from Walmart. They had such a lovely pattern, I thought they would be great to organize craft supplies or look nice in the guest room. I was sure happy to have them when plan A didn't look right.

BEFORE

AFTER

Here you can see the mirrors I placed above the towel rack. As part of plan A I was going to hang dark decorative metal piece there. However, when I held it up it looked dark and out of place with all the silver. So, I dug around and found these mirrors from when we first got married.

Times like these make me want to keep everything. That is dangerous! How do you decide which decorations to keep around and which to give away?

Egg-free Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-08-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

I tried these chocolate chip cookies last night and they were pretty soft and yummy. I used peanut butter and milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet. Like the egg-free brownie recipe, they were a little less sweet than normal but still tasty. Get the recipe here.

Check back tomorrow to see the bathroom before and after.

Apricot Pie & Freezer Jam

2011-08-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

There are a few things that really scare me about cooking... pie, jam (really anything canned), bread... Don't ask why. I watched my mom do all of these things growing up but for some reason they seem too complicated for me.

Well I am starting to overcome my fears! A kind neighbor showed up at our door with a big box of apricots last week. I wasn't home to say, "oh thanks. We'll take a few. We have a small family". So, rather than see them go to waste, I looked up recipes on the internet.

First I made this apricot freezer jam. It was easy! No cooking or anything. Just cut, mix it together, pour it in containers, let it sit for a day, and into the freezer.

Next I made this pie. This is probably my first real pie. Oh, sure I've made pies with pre-made graham cracker crust and pudding. The only really tricky part was getting the crust rolled and placed just right. I used this recipe for the filling and my mother-in-law's crust recipe...

PIE CRUST

2 1/2 c. flour
1 c. shortening
1 egg
1/4 c. cold water
1 Tbsp. vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt

Cut shortening into flour. Beat the egg and add to mixture. Add remaining three ingredients. From here follow the directions from the filling recipe.

Go ahead, conquer your fears (or at least try a new recipe)!

DIY Living Room Makeover

2011-08-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's finished! ...Well sort of. Good enough for now anyway.

BEFORE

AFTER

For the fireplace, I used some accessories I already had, made the large chevron art, and accented it all with some painted berries.

BEFORE

AFTER

The curtains are made from two white twin sheets. The edges were already hemmed so I just took a little off the top and added the opening for my rod. The bench is converted from a coffee table.

BEFORE

AFTER

I accented the dresser we use for shoes and mail with some things I already had. I used my favorite 10 minute pillow cover tutorial for a new pillow cover.

Paint Matching

2011-08-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Our living room has vaulted ceilings. There were HUGE holes in the walls when we moved in. They used serious bolts to hang their pictures. Rather than rent scaffolding or struggle on a latter, I wanted to match the paint color and just touch up the holes.

This is not an easy thing to do! First I tried one sample of paint off a spot that was falling off anyway. The color turned out too dark. So, I found a spot that was a slightly lighter color of paint than the rest of the room. I think they had touched something up there. I had my husband take that sample into Home Depot and it matched perfectly! I was so excited. This saved me so much time and money!

Bench from Coffee Table

2011-08-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Inspired by this bench, I picked up this fun coffee table at the thrift store. It is pretty cool. It has a compartment perfect to hold blankets!

All I did for now was make a cushion to sit on top of it. Sometime down the line, I may paint it or add a new hardware. For now it is just dandy.

To make the cover, I used this envelope pillow cover concept and sewed the corners on a triangle to make the lines that go along the corners of the foam. I took photos but they aren't that fabulous and may be more confusing? Would you still like a tutorial or is this description enough?

Clean Up!

2011-07-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

I am finding one of the most rewarding projects is free... cleaning. It is not my favorite part of putting the house together but it makes things oh so nice. This photo is from cleaning the rocks around the fireplace. Yuck!

Cleaning can save a lot of money. We thought we needed to replace the carpet in the basement when we moved in. However, we couldn't afford it. So, we decided to clean all the carpets so at least we knew they were ok for the kids to play on. Between spot cleaning and the machine they cleaned up pretty well, saving us a lot of money.

Painted Berries

2011-07-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

As I was accessorizing the living room, I was wishing I had some berries to set on the fireplace. Then I remembered I had some yellow-orange ones leftover from my paper plate wreath. So I decided to paint them the colors I wanted. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this project. It took longer than it was worth. However, it works for my and my non-existent budget.

I just used regular acrylic paint. Then I glazed them with some shimmery paint mixed with a little water, when the top layer was dry.

DIY Chevron Art

2011-07-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Next up... the living room. I wanted a big piece of art above the fireplace. So, I found this large frame attached to a piece of wood at our local thrift store for $6. I think a similar frame would be pretty easy to make with decorative molding.

A little paint, taping, and time... voila my own chevron art! I love the big impact it makes in our living room. It's nice to have a clear focal point.

Transformer Bedroom

2011-07-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

So, here is our boys room. It's pretty bare. Remember, we just moved in. My goal was to have a Transformer bedroom that didn't feel too themed.

BEFORE

AFTER

There are lot's of little projects that went into putting the room together. First, I don't know if you can tell I painted the walls a warm gray. Then I painted the dresser, made pillows, created some art for the walls, and a banner. I didn't buy a lot of new things. My sister gave me the curtains. The kids love it and that's what's important, right?

BEFORE

AFTER

I think this room will grow will be able to grow and adapt as the kids get older. I like that. What do you think?

Banner

2011-07-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

I was getting ready to take a bunch of maternity clothes to the thrift store, when I notice some of the colors went great with the boys room. I kept a few shirts out and decided to make a banner.

I wish I would have added a little space between each piece but it works! Another free project, just how I like them.

Finishing Touches

2011-07-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

For the finishing touches, I went really cheap. I made this framed initial with scrapbook paper i had on hand and an old frame spray painted black.

Then I cut a piece of the extra Transformer fabric up to frame. The frame is a little fancy, but come on both projects were basically free (since they were done with supplies I had on hand). Who can complain about that?

Easy Pillows

2011-07-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted the boys to have matching comforters but that was not in the budget. So, I decided to mix the colors in with throw pillows to tie them together instead.

I started with the basic pillow, which I did in the gray color of my other boy's comforter. I used a pillowcase I already had to figure out the pattern. Then I added the smaller pillows for accents. The red pillow is from my 10 minute envelope pillow cover tutorial. There was only 3/4 yard of the Transformer fabric so I cut a crop out of it, and made the back gray, using the same tutorial, with some adjustments.

Framed Poster

2011-07-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

My oldest requested a Transformer room. Without wanting to spend too much or make it too themed, I decided I'd still better have some obvious elements. So, I opted to buy this $4 frame at the thrift store and put a $5 poster in it.

It was a super easy project but makes a big impact. Another nice thing is I can switch out the poster when the boys move on from the Transformer phase.

Dresser

2011-07-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Last week my project was the boys room. It feels so good to have one room completed! I will show the entire thing in a few days. But, first I'm going to tease you with the projects I did along the way.

This first one is the dresser. I bought this for $10 on Craigslist with the intention of repainting it. My favorite feature is the tic-tac-toe game.

The paint turned out quite splotchy and I'm not exactly sure why. I had my husband spray paint it to avoid exposing the baby to unnecessary fumes. I think it may be that I had him use matte paint instead of glossy.

Anyway, it's better than it was and we had to get those close put away so... Maybe when life slows down this will show up again as another before & after. More boys room projects to come!

Wall Collage

2011-07-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

I would like to do some sort of wall collage in our kitchen, I think. Any ideas? What do you think of these?

Design*Sponge

Lock and Key

Ohdeedoh

Check back tomorrow for some boy's room pictures. I finished a room!

Egg-free Diet

2011-07-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Due to our 2-year-old's allergies, I am trying to create a mostly egg-free diet for our family. It's just too sad to eat delicious baked goods in front of him!

In case any of you are in the same boat, I thought I'd share a few helpful resources...

Image from here

1. About.com - This is the first resource I found. It is nice to get a quick overview.

Image from here

2. Gelatin - My pal Mandi is looking out for me and sent me this information on using gelatin:

"Eggs from unflavored gelatin (Knox). The gelatin is less expensive than powdered eggs (as little as 3 cents per 'egg') has an indefinite shelf life and works well in all the recipes I've tried. I used unflavored gelatin that was over 20 years old and it worked perfectly.

1 tsp gelatin = 1 egg
1 oz gelatin = 12 eggs
1 pound gelatin = 192 eggs

Making one egg: Combine 1 teaspoon of unflavored gelatin with 3 Tablespoons of cold water and stir until dissolved. Then add 2 Tablespoons plus one Teaspoon hot water and stir. When using your own recipes, decrease the liquid called for in your recipe by about 1/4 cup to compensate for the added water from the 'egg."

3. Egg Free Living - This is a website Mandi's mom shared.

4. Egg-free brownies - I tried this recipe yesterday. It worked a lot better than my previous attempt at adding a little applesauce to a brownie mix. However, I would recommend using a little less flour and topping them with frosting. They weren't as sweet as we are used to.

Hopefully as I experiment I will have more yummy recipes to share in the future!

Big Announcement

2011-07-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

A while back I decided to try a few of those on-line surveys based on old wives tales and the results were...

So I went to the doctor at the beginning of the month and found out they were right... It's a Girl! We are expecting #3, a baby girl after our two boys this will be an exciting adventure. I'm sure there will be lot's of girly projects to come.

Keeping Kids Busy

2011-07-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

source

Here is a fun collection of things to do to keep your toddler busy. I thought they were pretty creative so I just wanted to share.

Coffee Table Turned Bench

2011-07-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

I decided I want a bench. They don't take up a lot of space but work great to seat extra people. Since we can't afford another couch right now. It would be so nice.

Well apparently I have been in the dark ages because I had no idea you could transform a coffee table into a bench. Now I have to make one of these asap. Add it to the list of endless projects!

Inexpensive DIY Flower Pots

2011-07-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Moving into a new home is expensive! So, I greatly appreciate this idea from Dos Family. Some people are so clever!

I'm Back!

2011-07-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

As promised here I am back into the blogging world again. I wish I could say the move went 100% smooth and everything is neatly settled in its place. But, life's not like that... at least not for me. So, we are actually moving in TODAY!

I really do have grand things planned for you. Here is hoping that I can share some projects and exciting announcements really soon! Until then I am thinking of creating some art like this to go above my fireplace. What do you think?

Blog Break

2011-06-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

I was going to title this post "vacation" but it's not going to be a picnic! I am taking a break, but only from the blog. I will be working hard at home to pack up and move out and move in and move in and move out and move in and move out and move out and move in. Not to mention cleaning, painting, and working in between.

To make a long story short, I'm taking a blog break for the next month. I will be back in full force next month, July 6th. Then, I'm going to be kicking it up a notch. I already have tons of projects lined up for the new house and more. ;)

Coral Nursery

2011-06-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

I am in love with this nursery from ohdeedoh. There are so many great ideas that could be used for any room. The ruffled curtains and patterned bookcase are my favorites.

Music Party

2011-06-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

The music party was a hit! We all had a good time and I learned a few things along the way...

1. Tone down the birthday baking... sugar cookies, cupcakes, and cake? A little much!
2. Choose one easy take-home. The sugar cookies had headers, the party favors had notes attached, and the cupcakes had toppers. This made for a lot of printing, cutting, taping and stapling.
3. Don't rely on your helper too much. The hubby had a little fender-bender before the party. So, he wasn't able to help set up (in fact the table and decor was in the car). He also missed the first part of the party. He was in charge of music.

Planning ahead paid off because we were able to improvise and have a good time. Actually, I think the birthday boy would have been happy just eating cookies and playing in the sandbox.

Pencil Bag or Clutch

2011-06-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

I made this little bag for my son's preschool teacher. I filled it with hugs, kisses, a note, and a teacher necklace. She loved it. It was inspired by the Make it and Love it Blog.

See, I have been doing projects. Ha! Check back tomorrow for another project by yours truly.

Beautiful Dessert Table

2011-05-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Could you dream of a more beautiful spread? From Bakerella.

Smaller Cooler Contest

2011-05-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Have you been checking ohdeedoh's Smaller Cooler Contest? I am finding it so inspiring. These people are amazing with their use of space. This room is only 18 square feet! No wonder the crib is in the closet :).

Here's one more. This one is 30 square feet!

Grilled Pizza

2011-05-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe for grilled pizza on The Little Red House. I asked my hubby, "did you know you can grill pizza?" He was like of course? Where have you been? So now I really want to try it and it's explained here. This will be perfect for the hot summer when I don't want to start the oven.

The Perfect Dress

2011-05-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Shabby Apple

Kate Spade

Someday I am going to find a classic dress pattern and make it fit me perfectly.

Spice-rack Turned Bookshelf

2011-05-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Just as I was dreaming of a library yesterday, I stumbled across this fabulous idea! It's perfect for any space and very affordable... $4 each! I can't wait to get to Ikea again.

Library Wall

2011-05-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Note to self: Make room for a library in the new house.

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-05-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

I treated me and my 1-year-old to a big cookie the other day. I thought I grabbed an oatmeal raisin cookie but to my surprise it was a coconut chocolate chip cookie. Sooo yummy! It reminded me of this recipe by Sheena Jibson I saw a while back. I need to try it!

DIY Cookie Cutter

2011-05-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

I am sure this tutorial from Come On, Ilene on making your own cookie cutter will come in handy.

Fold Away Drying Rack

2011-05-10T07:34:00.000-07:00

We accepted an offer on our house yesterday! So, hopefully everything goes smooth with the buyer's inspection and financing. So we can be on our way to a new home next month.

The home we have our hearts set on right now has a laundry room that is pretty empty. There are washer and dryer hook-ups, a water heater, and a furnace. I have been imagining adding selves, countertop, cabinets, etc. I think this fold away drying rack is a brilliant idea too! Of course, it's from ohdeedoh.

Music Party Ideas

2011-05-07T17:05:00.000-07:00

My little boy is going to be 2 in less than a month. Time to get thinking about his party. He loves music so we thought we would do a music party this year. Here are two cake ideas, which do you like?

boom box from family fun

(don't worry those speakers are mint patties)

Keyboard from Sara's Party Perfect

For the decor, I'm thinking about making a guitar and records or stars out of cardboard. Here are instructions for the guitar.

As far as activities go, I thought maybe we'd play musical chairs and make some homemade musical instruments. Here and here are some instrument ideas. What do you think? Anything to add?

Bedroom Curtains

2011-05-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

From Country Living. Don't curtains give a cozy and dramatic feel to the bedroom? They aren't just for around the windows.

Pretty Colors

2011-05-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

From Country Living. Aren't these pretty colors? I love the quiet blues and greens with pops of red.

Sew Your Own Napkins

2011-04-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Want to sew your own pretty napkins? The Purl Bee can show you how. Not to mention the tons of other amazing things you can learn from the Purl Bee!

Painting Baseboards

2011-04-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

I found this helpful so I thought I should pass it along. I painted our baseboards a couple of years ago. It was a pain in the neck. Think carefully before you take on this task!

I love their description. "Painting baseboards when you have wall to wall carpet is like trying to apply lipstick when you have a handlebar mustache. It can be messy, but with a little preparation the results can be quite stunning." It's true. I love the result, not the process.

Cherry Mash

2011-04-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

I think I may have found the answer to my cherry chocolate craving... Cherry Mash. This sounds pretty close to what my friend's mom used to make. I decided to buy some Cherry Mash from the store just to see. They are pretty yummy so I don't think I can go too wrong trying this recipe.

Party Favor Bags

2011-04-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

I love how versatile these bags are! Use them for gifts, favors... whatever you can dream of. They look so special and homemade but come together in a snap. Check out the tutorial at Did Someone Say Party (found via ohdeedoh).

Painted Fireplace

2011-04-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

I found this before and after from Finding Home very inspiring. It all seems so attainable, from crown to floor.

One of my favorite things is the fireplace. Laura had an intermediate step before she decided to change the fireplace. Wow! What a difference. She used a special paint, designed for this. I love how it keeps the texture but brings it all together.

Nostalgic Recipes

2011-04-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I crave something I had growing up. It will bother me for years until I hunt down the recipe and try it. Inevitably it is not as amazing as I remember but find it I must!

There are a couple on my mind right now. First I think it is this...Strawberry Ice Cream Pie. The ingredients sound right so I will give this one a try soon.

I need your help with the second one. My friends mom made these cherry chocolates. The cherry was on the bottom. It was the consistency of cream filling for chocolates but cherry flavored. The top was chocolate. I can't remember whether it had rice crispies in it or just plain chocolate. She would cut it into squares. Any ideas?

Petit Collage

2011-04-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

I found this adorable print from Petit Collage via ohdeedoh.

Fiesta

2011-04-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

This fiesta party from Party Perfect is inspiring to me because...
1. It's a "Dora" party without being overly focused on Dora.
2. They used food and party favors as part of the decor. Very smart!
3. Those little guitar cookies are adorable. We are thinking of doing our soon-to-be 2-year-old's party as a music party. So, now I am going to be on the lookout for neat shaped cookie-cutters.

Crackled Eggs

2011-04-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

This fun version of dyed eggs is from Our Best Bites. She used them as "dinosaur eggs". They remind me of spider webs. They could be used for all kinds of fun themes -- spiderman, halloween, dino eggs, easter... The best part is you don't have to worry about cracking the shells!

Feeding Kids

2011-04-06T07:00:00.001-07:00

Image from here

Anyone else get confused with all the parenting philosophies out there? I do! This used to be an big concern for me when it came to feeding my kids.

Some parents let their kids eat pizza, cheetos and soda pop for dinner. Other parents insist on having no treats, only wholesome, organic foods. Their kids can't be excused until they'd eaten every last bite. I try to take a moderate approach.

A while ago I took my son to a dietition. As she looked over what he was eating, she complimented me. She told me she thinks I am doing a good job offering a variety of foods and not forcing. What a relief!

Then she told me the biggest problem most parents have is they don't understand their role in feeding their kids. This is important and I hope it helps you, like it did me... Your job as a parent is to decided what foods are offered and when. Your child's job is to decide if they will eat and how much. Keep this simple but logical information in mind and you will do great!

Bird's Nest Treats

2011-04-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I hesitate to show my photos here. They are definitely not professional and sometimes make my food look pretty unappealing. However, I wanted to share this fun idea with you anyway. They might not look good but they really are pretty tasty.

We made bird's nest treats for family night on Monday. They are really easy and fun to do with young kids. For the nest make rice crispy treats but use corn flakes instead of rice crispies. They eggs can be any egg-shaped treat. We added peeps but you could leave them without.

Living Room Love

2011-04-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Isn't this living room great? You should see the before here. It just goes to show that you don't have to have a huge space to make it lovely. I think this is the vibe I'm going for in the living room of our next home. It kind of reminds me of the last picture here.

Pantone Chip Magnets

2011-04-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm a nerd. I found this idea from How About Orange. I really want to make some Pantone chip magnets now. Think I can beg a few from work?

Happy April Fools Day! Any good pranks?