The Desk Saga

Today is a day of rejoicing...why you ask? I have finished a project that has been staring me in the face for a 1 year and 5 months. Yahoo!! Break out the champagne! Okay, no champagne? Beer will be fine!

This summer I set out to finish some of the projects I have been procrastinating for way too long. Do you have any of those???

My parents brought this down from VA (I asked them too) summer of 2008. This use to belong and the faux finish was done by my Grandmommy. I am sure it was great 30 years ago but it was time for an update. And here it sat... Lovely, right?


I started out this summer with great intentions (I put on 2 coats) but with lots of summer travels and 2 kids 24/7 it got lost on the list.

Then my hubby started sheet rocking the garage...


I finally got my act together 1 month after the loss of my dog, Chewy, and told myself now is the time... Mementos of my 10 year old puppy.


One upset hubby (after I spray painted the concrete,)
5 coats of paint,
2 coats of poly,


I am done!!!


I decided not to replace the knobs, no need for the added expense. I spray painted them black and then with a light coat spray painted them brown so it wasn't so stark of a contrast.

I am very pleased with the outcome. I think my Grandmommy will be proud of it's face lift and now I can cross off one more item on my "Getting Back on Track"

Procrastination Time: 1 year 5 months

Costs: $0- All left overs

Verdict: Love it, however now need a chair to make this desk useful...

Show off your School Pride

Have you missed me? Just lie to me and tell me you noticed I haven't posted in over a week!
I have missed checking out other friends' blogs but it has been nice to be away from the computer for a while and spend my time with family!!

Although I have been traveling or guest over, I have still made time for some sewing projects. This one I have to say I am particularly proud of...

I made my son an NCSU romper!!. I made the pattern and outfit! Finally, my pattern making class I took 10 years ago is coming to some use!

My handsome boy getting ready for church


I made the pattern from a beloved romper my son owns. It is fully lined and has room for him to add a shirt underneath. At the last minute I decided to add the NC State emblem on the front with a pocket. It was the perfect touch!

I think he likes it too!!

It got me thinking about the lack of boy clothes verses girl clothes on Etsy and I was wondering, do you think I should try to sell these on Etsy? Of course, I could add any other school on the front (as long as I could find it). A one of a kind romper to show off your school pride! It is just a thought!

Guest/ Kid's Bathroom Make-over

Today I am participating in Jen R's Make Over Open House & The Shabby Chic Cottage Transfermation Thursday. I have been slowly working on this bathroom for months and I pulled it all together yesterday. I told my mom I think this is the first time I finished a project without guests' arrival being the underlying motivation. I don't anticipate guests/family for another 2 weeks!

BEFORE: Pink towels and curtain is not going to fly now that we have a son!

Here is my little boo-boo. I painted this wicker rack green and it matched just a little bit too much! Good thing it was just paint!

AFTER: Still have the yellow walls, and used a Paisley material with brown, turquoise and green. I think it is a perfect medium for a boy and a girl, plus guests.

Accenting the room is monkeys in honor of my two little monkeys! I got all of the accessorize at Target in the $2.50 section and it matches perfectly!

The shower wall.

A close-up of the material. I love this material!

Reflections from the mirror. Jen R. did a post on reflections and I think this now passes the test!!

As a bonus, I also completed #1 & #5 on my Getting Back on Track List. YIPPEE!!!

Now go over to Jen R's & Gina's t00 see all of the other Make-overs & Transformations!

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!!!

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!!!

Getting Back on Track- Morning Routine

by Leo Reynolds

I saw a post on Money Saving Mom which then led me to Biblical Womanhood Blog where she talks about procrastination!! I am not the only one!! Although my blog focuses of the procrastination of my projects, I promise you my procrastination creeps into most aspects of my life!! So I am going to take on her challenge and try to get back on track- I am motivated!!

My little W, was not the best sleeper (until he started drinking whole milk) and since I am the only one who hears him (JC could sleep through a hurricane!) I, by default use to wake up with him every night. So it was easy to sleep in until my daughter would wake me up. By that point it was 8am, I was slightly grumpy and some how the whole day would start off bad. One of my New Year Resolutions was to wake up before the kids and so far I am doing okay!

So here I am going to document my morning routine I am going to strive for...

6:15am- Wake up after my husband gives me sweet kisses
- I would like to say Work-out baby steps, baby steps so probably shower/ make-up bed
6:45am- Drink Hot Cocoa or water, pray and meditate
7:15am- Empty dishwasher, start making sippy cups (W is not very patient yet), and breakfast
7:45am- Greet my beautiful children for a fun filled day!!