Party is Cancelled

Do you ever use a party/social gathering as motivation to finish all of those nagging projects?

I DO, I DO, I DO

My husband and I were using our 1st Annual Oktoberfest Party (you know celebration of the fall and beer) as partial motivation to finish up some projects around the house.

Then LIFE HAPPENED, we ended up canceling the party that was suppose to be this past weekend. We were really looking forward to the party and getting a bunch of our friends together. It has been 3 years since we have had a party, but we are not fortune tellers, and a week and a half before the party my baby boy got sick!

My baby ended up needing surgery and a staying the night in the hospital. No fear (now), the patient is doing wonderful, but since it was so scary we decided it would be best to cancel the festivities. We just had no idea how the week would unfold for him plus getting ready for a party seemed like a little bit much! I was a little sad about cancelling the party, but my son's wellness comes first. Although I would like everything else to slow down...contract agreements still exist. That left us with some of the house projects that were still on-going.

TWO of our nagging projects were the garage and the deck, but were SUPPOSE to be done by the party...

ONE of them we are doing ourselves....

The other one we PAID for someone to work on....

Guess which one is finished?

HALLELUJAH IT IS DONE!!

Don't get me wrong my husband is doing an awesome job on the garage and it is so close to being done, but like I said LIFE HAPPENS!!

Disclaimer:...we did not cancel the party because the garage looks like this!! My friends love me no matter what my garage looks like...I think!! We were just hoping for the added motivation to have all pieced together before the party. Oh Well!!

It will get done when it gets done...there is no rush now...

Dealing with a Family Loss

I have been MIA due to the loss of our beloved dog, Chewy.

Last Tuesday should of been a day of celebration, it was our 8 year wedding anniversary. We didn't have anything planned just a nice evening with the people we love most our kids and our dog. Well... that was not meant to be. Monday Mr Chew was just fine, his happy normal self. Tuesday he woke up and would not eat, wouldn't walk and his breathing was labored. The kids and I took Chewy to the vet and he had a tumor on his spleen that had ruptured. He was bleeding internally and there was nothing we could do to save him.

Our hearts are broken. I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest. He was like a kid to me and our family just loved him. (Sorry for repeating this story for those of you who read my family blog)

In dealing with our loss and the emptiness of our home hubby and I have different ways of coping. My husband doesn't talk much about Chewy except in quick references. Then I have talked about Chewy (probably too much) and have reached out to my family and friends for support. That is how we differ...but we are the same in wanting to keep ourselves busy.

Here is my husbands newest project...this was on the forecast of projects "to do" but it suddenly took top priority this weekend..

Here is Hubby and his little helper.

First piece going up


This is a MAJOR improvement and I am so proud that my hubby can do stuff like this!!

I have been fiddling with my college that I got on Mother's Day, but never finished it...Go Figure! I thought there was no better time then now to finish my college, and make sure I added pictures of ALL of our family. Including Mr Chew.

I have a tendency to be a negative person, but I really try hard to always find the positive in every situation even if it's the smallest streak. If there is anything positive about our loss we are trying to move on in a constructive manner. I did complete #10 on my Getting Back on Track List. See that is positive!?!? Plus, I have a wonderful frame hanging in my hallway up stairs. I know I will enjoy looking at all of these pictures for years to come.

We Love you, Mr Chew!! You will always be in our hearts and thank you for 10.5 wonderful years!

Walls are coming down: It's DONE!!

It's DONE!! (I feel like Mater from Cars) when I say that!!

My hubby has completed our picture window between our kitchen and den. He is the best at finishing a project. Unlike myself no grass grows under his feet. Thanks babe, you are the best!

Before:

After:

Details!

One other small change. I changed the color of the wainscoting on the peninsula to the color of the den. I thought it would help me like the kitchen color more....it doesn't! However, I like the added punch in the kitchen! I will paint the kitchen walls one day just not right now.

Wesley wants to be like his daddy!! He is the best little helper.

Verdict: I love it!! The fact that I can see who comes in and out of our garage door (used 99% of the time) while I am in the kitchen makes a world of difference. I know as the kids get older this will be even much more beneficial!! Plus, we have another place to eat, a place to set stuff out when we entertain (we never do but maybe we will start now), and our kitchen looks bigger!! It is a win win!!

We still need to buy bar stools but that is our anniversary gift to each other in July. Now I have lots of accessorizing to do. I am working on that this week!! Plus, I am working on July 4th outfits (yes I am cheesy like that), and my guest bathroom!!! See you all later and thanks for your support!!

Monogramming Fun

Today on Heidi's Blue Eye Blessing she is hosting a Monogramming Challenge.

With the craze of everything being monogrammed this was easy. I did plan this accordingly because I am still working on my "Getting Back on Track" and accomplishing tasks that are on my "To Do List" I am happy to say I can now cross off #6. (I just wish I knew how to strike through, but you get the point.)

Before: This was my dad's toy box as a child. My dad originally gave it to us to fill with toys for the den, but I like it better in our bedroom. Notice the bed with now bed skirt that is #8....

After: Painted Heirloom White and black "F." I had thought about putting "Toys" in honor of its original purpose, but I thought "Toys" in a Master bedroom would be a little weird (since this is the first thing you see walking into my bedroom!! (At least I thought it through)

Side profile. I love it and I love how it isn't perfect. There are lots of nicks and dings and I love it!!

Procrastination Time: We received this from my mom and dad 3 year. 3 years it was brown and worn!!

Cost: Free!! The paint leftover from my daughter's room. Black paint (have lots) and "F" I printed from the computer, traced and painted it free-hand. My friend, Heather, did give me a stencil but it wasn't quite the look I was going for. Thanks Heather, I am sure I will use it for another project soon!!

Verdict: This is the starting point of bringing my Master Bedroom together, but who knows how long that will take. For now, I am happy with the results and love the outcome.

I also wanted to share another of my favorite monogrammed items I did this spring. My Antique wicker planter box on my front stoop.

Go back to Heidi's Blue Eye Blessings to check out some more fabulous ideas!!!

Memorial Day Weekend 2009

I thought I would share with you all some of the stuff I did because it was such a great weekend.

First, our daughter turned 4 years old on Memorial Day!!! We had a sweet tea party for her and it was soooo much fun!! She was a perfect little princess. I had told her my princess dress was at the cleaners and that is why I was not wearing one!!!


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New Collection. Milk Glass!! I am a pack-rat but I do not collect anything to be displayed!! After much thought I have decided to start collecting Milk Glass for my dining room. My mom was sweet enough to buy me my first two pieces this weekend after Lawson's tea party. I was so excited!! Isn't is pretty????


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Trick Question: What do you get when your hubby goes fishing??

A new light fixture!!! Purchased & hung all in one day!!!

This project was on the master "To Do List"

Needless to say, I am happy!!! We didn't have a working light for about 2 months!!


All this being said Memorial Day is not about things or a holiday. It is to remember those who gave us our freedom. In honor of those who fought and died for our Freedom- I salute you and Thank you!!!

Procrastinator's Party- Children Table and Chairs - DONE!!

A little less then two weeks ago I signed up at The Inspired Room Procrastinator's Party. Although I have been out of town two weekends in a row, a rough week with one child, and just life happenings, I made it a personal goal to complete this project for me!!! I am proud to say it is DONE!!

BEFORE: (What in the world was I thinking?)


A week after I signed up for the party I made my plans...


Work in Progress:


This isn't right: Grrrrr!!


Miss Lawson helping mommy (the final day)


After: I LOVE IT!!!

Saving the Table and Chairs: This is my 3rd attempt at painting this table and chairs. It was the final straw. If this attempt did not work, I was seriously considering throwing it in the dumpster, because it was not meant to be in my home. Luck was on this table and chairs side because now it resides in my kitchen!!

Finishing a project feels good: It is not perfect and does not look like my drawing, but I am not a painter nor an artist, I am a Wanna-Be!! Once I was done and all the frustrations of this project were behind me, Lawson and I did the "Finished Dance" Oh the joy of showing my daughter how it feels to finish something and to be proud of your work!!!

Lessons Learned: I didn't realize until this project how much fun distressing is. Oh my goodness!! I can see how you can get a little "Distressing Happy" Fun stuff!! I normally let my furniture get distressed from 2 kids and a dog, but why should they have all the fun?????

Here are the chairs with their names on them...


Lawson sitting at the new table!!


Melissa was honest about not finishing her project, I will be honest too... I still have to seal the table and chairs, but today is too humid to polyurethane (I promise). Plus, looking at these pictures I am wondering if I should paint the legs black...

Thanks Melissa for hosting such a great Party. It felt wonderful to get one of (many) my projects complete!!!

Dining Room Mod Podge Corner is Done!

This weekend is going to be a gorgeous here in NC. I got my act together and made myself complete some indoor projects so I can work/play outside all weekend!!

I have finished the arrangement in my dining room. It was a little challenging to make this perfect, a couple too many holes, but they are covered and no one will ever know!!

Click here to see the before.

Here are the finished results...

Thank you so much for all of your input- I really appreciate it!! I like this corner of the dining room now- it looks designer-ish to me now (don't bust my bubble). What a difference Mod Podge makes!!

On second thought I am wondering if this is all too high. We are TALL (I am 5' 11", hubby is 6'4") so I tend to put things too high **sigh** Oh well, until it really bothers me this is the way it will stay.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Hair Bow Challenge

9 time out of 10 if you see a picture of my daughter, Lawson, she has a beautiful hair bow in her hair. These suckers are expensive but worth every penny. Well, as the budget continues to get tighter and tighter the "need" for bows gets less and less. So I am left with two options A) no more bows or B) make them myself. Since I am always up for a challenge, and will try anything once, I voted for Option B.

Here is my first hair bow

Don't laugh!! I tried. I used the ribbon I bought for Lawson's newest pillowcase dress and the rick rack from the shorts outfit I made her.

I thought it turned out okay for a first timer. These suckers are tricky and I needed and extra set of hands (hubby's) to get the bow on right.

Like every thing, practice makes perfect OR I should just save my money and just buy them. There are some wonderfully talented women out there who make gorgeous hair bows. I am not sold this is something I have potential to be really good at. I can tell this because my mind is not racing on all of the wonderful designs I can make (unlike mod podge). I might just leave this to the experts!!

Procrastination time:I have wanted to make my daughter hair bows since she got hair about 2 years ago.

Pack-Rat Collection: None, everything is new or recycled from hair bows that have fallen apart

Verdict: My daughter will wear this hair bow and for my first attempt I think I did okay. I might try again, but will be saving my money to buy her bows!!

Mod Podge Mania- I am hooked!!

EDIT:
I am adding this to Thrifty Decor Chick Goodwill Party!! This is one of my favorite projects and had to add it!!
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I just started using Mod Podge last week and now this week I think it is the GREATEST invention EVER!!! It is so much fun using this stuff, my mind keeps on racing on all of the wonderful things I can make.


This week I am participating in Xazmin's Mod Podge Mania. I wanted to something other then my "F" and I couldn't do my eggs because I stole that idea from Xazmin. Last week I saw at Jen R's Sanctuary's Art Home Make-over this wonderful project from Blue Castle. I was immediately in love with the sconces. She did an awesome job and they are on sale at her Etsy store. Inspired by Blue Castle, I knew what I was looking for when I went thrifting (first time doing this in years).




What I wasn't expecting was to find the EXACT sconce she had made-over. I was as GIDDY as school girl. It was $1.99 and in perfect condition. I couldn't wait to get home to start 'creating.' I also picked up a long narrow black frame. I am ashamed to say my daughter picked it out and said "Mommy, this is black, it will look good in our house" She knows me too well and she is 3!!


So that evening, I disassembled the sconces using my husbands ratchet set, I had never used that before (I am woman hear me Roar!!) and spray painted both pieces a flat black.



Then added the remaining scrapbook paper from the "F" to the back of the sconce. I had a candle 'thingy' I bought at Target for 75% off (about 3 years ago),because I had to have it. Here is the finished results.


CAN YOU SAY LOVE!!

For my third Mod Podge Experiment this is perfect!! Thank you Blue Castle for the inspiration.


Now I have decided the sconce and the "F" are going in my dining room. I just need to figure out how to arrange things. Please help!! Here is the dining room area.


Before I start putting a bunch of holes in the wall (& tick off my hubby) I thought I would arrange things on the floor.

Arrangement #1:


Arrangement #2: (with the black long frame my daughter said would be nice in our home)



Arrangement #3



Arrangement #4


If the only thing you noticed is all the fingerprints please scroll back up and look past my imperfections!! Now tell me which one would look best!! I will post the results later this week.

Costs: $1.99 Sconce , black frame $5

Pack-Rat: The Candle 'thingy' no idea what that is called.

Verdict: I LOVE MOD PODGE!!

EDIT: I picked arrangement #4. Go here to check it out!!

Thanks Xazmin for hosting Mod Podge Mania. This was fun!!!

A Week of Trial- Mod Podge

I have not been as "crafty" as I would normally like to be. My son was sick on Monday with an ear infection. Then my daughter, the best helper in the world, was sick yesterday, so everyone needed some extra attention. Not that I mind at all, it just made it harder to getting my work (that pays me) done, then my crafting time or "me time" was very limited.

This is one of the things I made this week.

I was very inspired by some wonderful crafters this week and I thought I would try to decoupage a wooden letter this week. Katie's Nesting Place has a wonderful tutorial on how to Mod Podge scrapbook paper to wooden letters. I have never done this before and it was a good thing my "helper" was asleep, because there were some curse words used & some blood shed. I was persistent but wow, these are harder then they look.

My first attempt bubbled, ripped, and just looked awful. (Edit: COMPLETE USER ERROR not because of the tutorial, Katie's instructions are wonderful) I got out the razor blade and ripped it all off (hence the blood shed). I sanded it all down and started again. Thank goodness these sheets were 5/$1.00 at Joann's this week or I would of been even madder!!!

Costs: $1.99 for Letter, $0.40 for paper (should of been $0.20, oh well) = $2.50

I am happy with the results. I had planned to put this on the wall going up the stairs above the large signature frame, but now I am not so sure. I am now thinking my black and white dining room. Once I decide I will post pictures.

Kudos to all the women who Mod Podge all of the time because there is an art to it, and it takes plenty of patience. Two things I seem to lack!! As the old saying goes "Practice Makes Perfect" and I am not giving up because I plan on making a "W" and "L" for the doors of my kids room. Then with the extra scrapbook paper from this project I am going to make some more eggs!! I love that project from Xazmin.

Also, I wanted to share with you one of my best friend's post on her home projects. She did 4 projects for $6. They look wonderful!! I am going to steal her collage idea. Go over to see the wonderful projects Heather has completed!!

My Finished Front Door

Wow, I thought I would never be able to write this post, but our front door is FINISHED!! And decorated with my Spring Wreath. Check out my old post on this silly door!!

With a little bit of encouragement from my 3 1/2yr old "Mommy, I have a good I idea how about we paint the front door?" when asked what project she would like to do in the afternoon. Thank God she does not seem to be the procrastinator like myself!!

So Friday afternoon, I put on the 5th coat of paint. Then Saturday hubby put on the 6th coat, cleaned it up, added the hardware and we are FINISHED!! Is it perfect? No way. It is 20+ years old. It really need to be thrown away but it is not in the budget to buy a new glass door. So in the mean time, I love the results!!

Why is it when you finish a project it is never really complete? I am thinking now I need new light fixtures, but that will have to wait too...darn! Maybe I will PAINT THEM!! Gee Wiz, how long would that take me??? Then there are flower pots & flowers to make this area nice a warm! Oh will I ever really be done?

Here is the breakdown on the front door.

Procrastination time: I got the paint in October, never put the first coat on until December and it is finished at the END of March= 6 months. Bad, very very bad!!

Cost: 2 quarts of red paint. Why two? The first one was bubble gum pink, (yuck!) $26, 1 quart of tinted primer $14, new screws $5. Total: $45

Verdict: I am happy with it, but I will not be painting anything red anytime soon. It is a pain in the tail!!