The Liebster Blog Award

When I started blogging about a year ago, I never imagined it would evolve into such a wonderful outlet for meeting people that share the same passions I do.  Last week, Sweet Ava Kate received The Liebster Blog Award by two bloggers, Kari @ A Grace Full Life and Megan and her crew @ Our Pinteresting Family.  Both of these ladies have amazing talent, if you haven't discovered them yet you're missing out!  I am humbled and honored, as this award is given to bloggers that are just starting their journey and recognizes their creativity.

The Liebster Blog Award promotes blogs with less than 200 followers, as a way to get their names out there.  Apparently, Liebster means 'beloved or dearest,' but it can also mean 'favorite.'  

As a Liebster award recipient, I now have the opportunity to pass this award on to five other bloggers.

In order to accept this award, the recipient must do the following:

                                            1.  Thank the person that presented the award.

                                            2.  Link back to that person(s) blog.

                                            3.  Copy and paste the award to your blog.

                                            4.  Present the award to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers

                                                    (bloggers who you think deserve this special recognition)

                                            5.  Let those deserving bloggers know by leaving them a comment.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO:

Angie @ Flibbertigibberish - First of all, I have known this funny lady all our lives, she is my sweet cousin.  Her stories about raising four children will keep you coming back for more.  I love her creativity!  In honor of our recent holiday, I will say her tutorial on how to dye Easter eggs using thrift store neckties is truly my favorite!

Susan @ Mad Sky Designs - My dear friend!  Our girls became friends through pre-school and it was instant friendship when we met.  She is an amazing person and extremely talented with stamping and card making.  Her homemade cards are magazine worthy!  

Laura @ Elegant Nest - I just met this sweet lady and she has graciously sent me design tips, as this is her specialty! She once had a business designing and creating hand painted shoes!

Allyson @ Cupcakes & Candy Canes - She's a crafty christian blogger with a huge heart!  She's currently busy planning her wedding!

Jena @ Involving Color and Home - Jena and I have something in common... we LOVE paint!  We found each other through a common blogger and I'm so glad we did!  

Thank you to Kari and Megan for this award and to all my readers for your encouragement!  

I look forward to continuing this journey and seeing what's to come!  

Spring Mantel

Yesterday I shared a very impromptu project with you... my non-inspiring mantel.  Well, not anymore!
After deciding once and for all to paint it white, I can tell you I have had more fun dressing it up!  

So, without further ado, here is the new and very much improved mantel, dawning its Spring colors!

Sorry for all the pics... can you tell I'm excited?  

 I was very much inspired by Angie's mantel @ Beneath the Magnolias.  When I saw the pitchers, old books and fresh boxwood (my favorite), I knew I could create my own version of this with things I had on hand.

Fresh boxwood from the front yard adds to the Springy-ness!  

I had to spray paint the other candle holder to match, it was a dark bronze color, 

both were found at a local resale store a few months ago for under $5.

I've been dying to do something with the old windows I purchased at a local antique mall!  

When I look at them, I can't help but think about where they came from, I'm fascinated with their history.

So, one more time... the before (last years mantel)...

and after:

  I'll be linking up to:

Home Stories A to Z
The Girl Creative
Creatively Living
Savvy Southern Style
Uncommon Designs
Between Naps on the Porch
Spring Fling Link Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Home Office Reveal

    After much organization and accessorizing, I am so happy to show you my completed home office.  

This is where I'll blog, craft and stamp.  Here are pictures of the before, during,

  and after!

Grab some coffee, take a seat and enjoy... there are LOTS of pictures!

 Every box, basket, jar and ceramic bowl holds my supplies.  I wanted it to be both functional and eye appealing.
When accessorizing the Expedit, I applied Beth's tips on how to decorate shelves, creating visual triangles.

 The drapes were made by me, using Bedazzle Silver Lining by Waverly.

 This super soft rug came from Home Goods.  My feet are in love!

The gallery wall was created using frames I had on hand and others I found at thrift stores and Home Goods.  

The lamp came from Home Goods and the dresser is a Craigslist find for $55!

My dear friend, Autumn (from my college years) sent me this card after our Pampered Chef weekend together.  

I love the message and the colors are perfect for the new space.

The mat will be framed with black and white pictures of the kids and will be hung above the light blue cabinet.  The cork boards came from Ava's room.  I will be covering them with this fabric, for my memo and inspiration boards.

Waverly Cross Section in Charcoal

Special thanks to Mimi @ Blue Roof Cabin for having a giveaway to celebrate her one year blogiversary.  

Sweet Ava Kate was chosen and this Pottery Barn globe came home with me.

My inspiration for this room comes from Megan @ Honey We're Home. 

 I fell in love with her home office, especially the drapery fabric and then it evolved from there.  

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a great week!  

I'm linking up to these great parties:

Tutorials and Tips Link Party @ Home Stories A2Z

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch 

Paint Color Party @ Involving Color    

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

I'm Dreaming of a White Kitchen

After several years of dreaming about a white kitchen, it is finally becoming a reality this year.  I've never really shared pictures of our space because, honestly... it's my least favorite room in the house.  Honey oak/pine (we don't know!!!) tudor style cabinets with dark green formica countertops and white appliances.  Don't get me wrong, it's functional, just not pretty.  Here's a small glimpse of our kitchen, celebrating Ava's 6th Birthday Par-TEA.

We did spiffy it up a bit last summer... building a kitchen banquette in our eating area, so that has helped... some.  

Making cushions and pillows for the space will be budgeted into the kitchen redo.  

Here are several inspiration photos I have been collecting over the past year.

We'd love to frame out our windows by the banquette and add blinds similar to these.

Anne @ Hello Newman's just recently changed up her windows by adding shelving and blinds.

Jane @ Modern Jane shows us her sister's updated kitchen.  I'm in love with the subway tile with its creamy white with grey, pink and tan veining, as described by Olympia Tile.  

This is called Milky Way White Marble in the mosaic brick pattern.  Isn't it gorgeous?

 White cabinets, black countertops, farmhouse sink... what's not to love?

Outdoor fabric, known for its durability (especially when small children are spilling liquids several times a day) will definitely be used when making the banquette cushions.  

This Sunbrella fabric in Dune is a great neutral for our space.  

Our cabinets are similar to these pictured above.  I love the subway tile and the mix of hardware.

Love the open shelving, blinds and farmhouse sink.  Swoon!

(via bhg.com)

Love the pendant lighting...

If all works out the way we hope, the transformation should start in early June.  I will post "before" pictures of our "oh so lovely" kitchen before the demolition begins.  I'm excited to track our progress through this long awaited journey.  Hope you'll join me!

All images and their sources can be found on my pinterest board titled Kitchen Ideas.

I'm linking up to Sarah's Show Us Your House:  Kitchens

I Won A Giveaway... On My Birthday!

Hi everyone! Hope you're having a great weekend! Just wanted to share my excitement of winning my first giveaway. Mimi at Blue Roof Cabin just celebrated her first blogiversary at the end of January.

She had a $25 gift card giveaway and www.random.org picked Sweet Ava Kate.  The giveaway just so happened to be on my 35th birthday, so imagine my surprise when I was picked!  She let me pick where to spend my winnings, so I chose Pottery Barn because I LOVE them and it's not a place I typically spend money due to their crazy high prices!  I hope to find something fun for my office!  

If you haven't visited Mimi's blog, you must!  Mimi has become a dear "bloggy" friend and is a wealth of inspiration!  She inspires me with her gift of woodworking and has given me encouragement with various projects.
Happy "One Year" Blogiversary, Mimi!  Can't wait to see what you're up to next!  :)

A New Year, A Fresh Start

Happy New Year!  It's been a busy first 3 days of this new year!  We've made some changes around here in the way of organizing, cleaning out closets and of course, packing up Christmas decor.  Over the long weekend, we made a trip to Ikea to pick-up an Expedit for the playroom.  With a new transformation, comes sorting and tossing of out-grown toys and cutting down on the clutter.  It has me motivated to hit other areas of the house.  I rearranged both of the kids bedrooms, as we get ready to transform Tyler into a big boy bed.  I can't wait for tomorrow, as it will be his first day back to preschool!  Both kids in school!  YAY!

While I'm getting things squared away and before I reveal the changes we've made,

 I want to share my wish list of things to accomplish in 2012.  I have had more fun browsing through all the recaps of 2011.  I've linked up to a few and I have to say, this is where you'll find the cream of the crop!
A few of these really inspired me to achieve my goals! 

To have a fresh and organized office with new paint, desk and area rug...

via World Market

I can't wait to use my frugal find from Garden Ridge... this Trellis Rug for $49.99!

Inspiration from these two ladies, using the Ikea Expedit will give me the organized office I've been longing for!

Source: Megan @ Honey We're Home

Source: Elsa @ Casa Greer

Inspired by Amber Lane Living...

I'd like to finish what I started in the pantry...

Using the fabric I chose as my wallpaper...

Make cushions for the painted kitchen banquette using drop cloth fabric...

What do you hope to accomplish in 2012?  My plan is to knock out these projects, so that I can move on to other exciting ideas that I don't dare start until I finish the above!  

I also hope to enjoy living in my house more than doing... one can only hope.