Tuesday, November 29, 2011

November News

Hi!  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!  We hosted this year and I'm happy to say it was a stress-free weekend!  I guess lots of food prep and planning two weeks prior helped me not stress out!  My parents, brother and his new wife came over from Oklahoma.  We had such a wonderful time with them.  
Before the month of December begins, I wanted to recap on our November news...
In early November, Tyler turned 3!  He's entered the super hero phase and it's been so fun to see how animated he's become.  He also LOVES firetrucks, police cars and tractors!  For his birthday, we had a small party with his little friends from pre-school and took a tour of the local fire station. 
Even mommy joined in on the fun.  I modeled the entire uniform, tank and all!  50 pounds worth and in the Texas summer heat, you can image how miserable it must be to wear all of this!
We finished some long overdue projects... the obvious one, the kitchen banquette.
This beast was started in July; four months later it is painted and looking bee-u-ti-ful!
I moved our new farmhouse table out of the way so you could see the details.
You can go here, here and here for the step-by-step.
We used an enamel paint and it has been so easy to clean.
I haven't had a chance to make cushions yet, but I'm thinking canvas drop cloth.
It's so cheap and I'm hooked on the stuff after using it in the living room.

Here's a before photo (Christmas morning 2010) I found from last year...
and after!
This room has always just been "okay" in the way of decorating.  It didn't hit me until they were hung... but making these drop cloth panels made a HUGE difference in this room.  It's more cozy, home-y and balances the room nicely.  I used an 8 ounce 9x12ft piece that I purchased at Lowe's for $20.  I folded them down 10 inches to create a valance look.  I found two rods at Hobby Lobby for $9.99 each and after using two 40% off coupons, I got both of them for under $13!  Clips at Target for around $10 and VOLIA... a $43 dollar make-over!  We love it!  I hope to find the perfect trim for that little pop of color.  Kinda like my inspiration picture here:
via A Soft Place to Land  

I'll be back later to show you more of what we've been working on.  Can't wait to share some of my fun finds from the last week!  Here's a sneak peek...
Tyler's lounging on our new ottoman, wait 'til you hear about this bargain!
This antique was a steal and had layers of old fabric I discovered!
You'll find me at these link parties:

Friday, November 18, 2011

I've Been Busy... You'll Soon See!

Are you ready for Turkey Day?  I'm hosting my family this year and that's all the motivation I need to get some projects checked off the list!  I'm excited to show you everything I've been working on!  Remember the making of the Kitchen Banquette?  
Have you been thinking, "When is she going to show us the final results?"  Well, friends, I FINALLY painted it last weekend and we LOVE it!  We hope to make the cushions for it this weekend.  I also decided on a farmhouse table and bench that we actually put together last night!  It's just what this space needed to complete the look!
Here's a website sneak peak...
I've been on Pinterest again (when I am not?!) and stumbled across an awesome tutorial for sweater pillows!  Megan at Brassy Apple made these beautiful pillows from thrift store sweaters!
I scoured hubby's closet and found TWO sweaters that I knew he hadn't worn in years and whipped up some of my own!  I'm putting the finishing touches on them, can't wait to show you!  And just look what she does with the arms of the sweater?
I am SO doing this!      
Oh, and one more thing...  I know I'm probably the last one to jump on this bandwagon (and they just might be making their way out), but I needed a cheap and easy fix for my living room windows and found a solution with canvas drop cloth!  Wait 'til you see what I came up with... so thrilled!  This is what I used... 
So, now that I've teased you with all that I've been up to, I hope you return to see the results!  In the mean time, check out my local friend, Lisa @ A Vintage Vine.  
She featured my chalk paint dresser and two other awesome projects from Cassie and Jenny!  I'll be back soon to show you the fruits of my labor!  :)

P.S.  I created gallery walls too...  two of them!  

Friday, November 04, 2011

Shabby Chic Chairs

Hi again!  I've been doing some shopping at my local thrift store this week.  Every Tuesday they have 30% off furniture.  The truck had just pulled up when I was heading out the door.  They were unloading a recent pick-up and these chairs caught my eye! 
Aren't they darling?  They were $4.99 each, after the discount, I paid $7.57 for both!
They are very shabby, lots of chips and cracks in the paint.
 A good scrubbing with Krud Kutter and this chair will look a lot better.  
I may add more shabbiness by sanding and distressing.  I'm thinking one will go on the porch (isn't she cute sitting there?) and the other stripped and repainted.
This was my first time to use Citristrip... 
after about 30-45 minutes, it was ready for clean-up!
This stuff works great, however, I think I prefer flat surfaces when stripping old paint. 
 So many curves and crevices on this antique!
Back in the day, this chair wore many colors.  
I discovered yellow, turquoise, green, blue and black!
I'll be back soon to show you my progress.  
I have a feeling this one's going to take awhile!  
Have a great weekend! 

I'm linking to these parties:

Thursday, November 03, 2011

October/Halloween Highlights

Happy Fall Ya'll!  We're still on a sugar high at our house, we've had a great time with the kids.  I didn't realize just how busy we'd been until I reviewed the pictures from the last week... Sit back and enjoy! This post is all about the pictures!
Pumpkin Houses
Inside the white pumpkin house...  Swoon!!!
The girls LOVED this!!!
1st Grade Field Trip - Dallas Arboretum
Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and their friends Jessie and Buzz Lightyear!
Boo Bash 2011 - We were voted Best Dressed Family!  
Gutting our pumpkins... "Ewwwww!"
Jessie and her friend, Buzz Lightyear
 Trick or Treating!
He quickly got the hang of it!  :)
 Angry Bird Pumpkins... the highlight of the night!  
And the poor pigs...
We have a soft spot for English Bulldogs!  One of these days...
Tyler and his friend, Samuel
 Tired trick or treaters!
Hope you had a Happy Halloween...
Now let's go Christmas shopping!  :)
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