Getting Back on Track

I have been doing a lot of thinking this week and I realized I need to get myself back on track!! "On what track?" you are probably asking yourself. When I started out this blog my purpose was to start completing some of the projects I started and had not finished, bought then threw in the attic, or ideas I had saved in my favorites. I have been going to Thrift Stores, Joann's, Michael's all with the purpose of making a "new" project that I had just seen on another blog or an idea that just crossed my mind!!! It was not until I participated in The Inspired Room Procrastinator’s Party that I realized I had completely gone off track!!! And then the light went off in my head…

“Hello Maridith, these new projects are not helping all of the old, undone, projects collecting dust in your home get finished!!!”

Today I am posting my intentions of this blog and my list of projects I would like to complete on a shoe string budget!! I would love for you to continue to follow me as I complete my mission to stop procrastinating and finish the task at hand to make my home beautiful!!! Maybe along the way I will inspire you too!!!

Here I go…

Purpose: As the official (self-proclaimed) Procrastinator my purpose of this blog is to finish all my unfinished, never started, dust-collecting projects to beautify my home all while being extra thrifty!! Maybe when all projects are complete this blog will be called “The Reformed Procrastinator” Haha!!I crack myself up sometimes!!

Projects: This is a long list and most likely incomplete. I need to remember how wonderful it will feel to cross them off my list!!! (BTW- if anyone knows how to do the strike through function on blogspot can you please let me know? Thank you!!!)

1. Finish Guest/ Kid’s Bathroom (I have the material, trim, towels and accessories- just need to put it together) COMPLETE
2. Paint Dresser in Garage (Foyer or Master bedroom)
3. Paint Desk in Garage COMPLETED 9/20

4. Paint Bench in Garage (foyer)
5. Paint old table now in Kid’s Bathroom COMPLETE
6. Paint chest in Master Bedroom (would like to complete by June 4th) COMPLETE 6/01
7. Make curtains for MB COMPLETED 8/29

8. Make bed skirt for MB COMPLETED 9/30
9. 2 Pillow shams for MB COMPLETED 9/15
10. Fill in picture frame hubby bought me for Mother’s Day & hang COMPLETE 8/4
11. Refurbish 2 lamps I bought at Salvation Army (this was the straw that broke the camel’s back)
12. Christmas Tree Skirt never finished in December 2008
13. Romper outfit for little guy that if I don’t finish he won’t ever wear!! COMPLETE 7/8
14. Paint Laundry Room (bought paint months ago for $5)
15. Purchased a “One Stroke Painting” kit for $1 years ago, never opened
16. Finish knitting scarf I started 3 years ago!!
17. Pillow for MIL she asked me to make her from a handmade dress COMPLETE 7/4
18. Repaint rod iron furniture outside
19. Not to forget the 100+ yds of material I have purchased only to store in plastic containers...

a. Made Matching July 4th Dresses for me and Lawson

Okay, I think that is a good start!! We will see how I do!!

I still plan on participating in Xazmin’s Mod Podge Mania, and Heidi’s Blue Eye Blessing Challenge, Kim's Reinvented , Jen R. Sanctuary Art, and Kelly’s Korners Show us where you live. These blogs can help me with my procrastination indirectly!! I just need to keep focused, especially during the summer since I will have 2 kids 24/7 for 3 months (no more pre-school)!!!

Hope to see you back as I tackle this list!!!

Mother's Day and Gifts

I spent my Mother's Day in Northern Virginia to watch my baby sister graduate from nursing school. We are so proud of her and all of her accomplishments!!! It was so nice also to be with my mom for Mother's Day!!

My mom with her kids- me, Lauren, and Ryan

Since it was Mother's Day I needed a gift for my mom-duh!!! Like so many other times in my life I waited until Friday morning to collect my supplies & make my gift!! The wonderful and fantastic thing about spray paint and Mod Podge is you can start and finish your project within an hour (perfect for nap time).

I got this kit at Micheal's with the bottom piece and the pegs. Then you buy the letters you need. I was either going to do "love" or "family" but since I was running short on time I decided "love." Plus, I LOVE my mommy!!!

One hour later here is the finished product. Happy to say she really liked it. I was hoping to take a picture of it in her beautiful home but didn't have the time. We are going to put it on top of a cabinet so you can't see the base.

Then there was my Mother's Day. Here is my family... Love you guys!!


Collins, Wesley, and Lawson went shopping and bought me this....
It is HUGE - 27" X 40" to go in my long hallway upstairs. My friend, Heather, added scrapbook paper to some of the photo holes and it turned out really nice. Here is yet another project for me to complete!!!

Procrastinated Painting Projects

I am going to list some of my painting projects that I've procrastinated on WAY TOO LONG!!

Did I mention before my parents are pack-rats and I got it honestly? Well most of the items below came from my parents home. We don't throw ANYTHING AWAY!! Which isn't a bad thing. Why throw something away with some type of value, right??? It just means to keep these items in your home they have to be rejuvenated to match your home decor, which means there is always a lingering "project."

Below is a desk that belonged to my paternal grandmother, then it was my sewing desk in high school, and now sits in my garage waiting to go into my daughter's bedroom.


No idea where this actually came from, but got it from my parents house.



My mom's aunts table, she was going to throw it away but my mom claimed it. She never painted it, and now it sits in my house waiting to be painted (again).


Children's table and chairs gone wrong (from Ikea). I can admit it! I am really hoping to one day enter this into Sanctuary Art's Open House one day. But it needs a MAJOR OVERHAUL before I do that! This table and chair project has truly stumped me (for about 3 years)!! I thought I was going to make it multi-functional with chalkboard paint, but it just doesn't work for me and looks really bad!! Now I am thinking something simple, but just don't know what. Do you have any suggestions? I really need some-HELP!!


I included a picture of my kitchen decor so you can see what I am working with.

Spring is in the Air

Now that the cushions, dress, and collars are done- I need to start cracking on some other nagging projects that loom. Let's see first there is the front door. It is spring and I WILL have a wreath on my door!!! SO for added motivation I bought a grapevine wreath and a "Spring" sign for me to make a wreath. My floral expertise are ZIP, ZERO, NULL!! But, I am on a budget and need a new wreath. So I had these floral flowers from an old arrangement ( I never throw anything away) And nothing says spring like a Forsythia Bush!

So this weekend I hope to make a wreath out of these supplies.


THEN...
I hope to finish this little shelf for Lawson's room. The story behind this is hilarious.


Lawson and I have been busy painting. It is one thing to get it all painted, it is a whole other story to get it painted AND hung up!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

LASTLY- On March 10th I will be participating in the The SITS Spring Fling giveaway. I can't wait to show you what I have. So stay tuned for my Give Away!!

Pillowcase Dress for Miss L

Okay, I know I said I wasn't going to start any new projects until I get some old ones done, BUT I saw the cutest dress in a boutique today that I HAVE to make for Miss L. (This is how I get in trouble!) It is seriously made out of a pillowcase and it is SUPER CUTE!! This is just an image I found from here with instruction on how to make it. I will make this, I will make this... In the boutique it had ribbon on the bottom and a matching bow. I will have to search the house to see what pillowcase I can steal from a bed (hehe).

So I am starting to also collect ideas and projects on the blog and hope to one day complete them and show everyone! Let's see how long it takes me!! If you have made one for your daughter, friend, or grand-daughter post your link in the comment section. I would love to see your designs.