Paddywack Designs

I was going to ...

2012-01-31T09:44:00.000-08:00

...do a better job of updating my blog in the new year, but I've already failed at that. Oh well, here goes my second blog post of 2012.

I recently and finally put artwork up in Jack's room after painting it last spring. What can I say, I don't like to rush things.

Here's a few projects I did for his room that I really liked. I used an old book to make a shelf, after seeing the idea on Pinterest. Also, I used an old, plastic dinosaur toy to make a lamp for his room. It was a really inexpensive project.

I got the toy at a thrift store for 50 cents, the lamp was from a garage sale for $1. I basically just had to disassemble the light a little bit, spray paint the dino, drill a hole and viola I have new lamp.

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Happy 2012

2012-01-01T17:18:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a chance to ring in the New Year with loved ones.

I was lucky enough to have my Aunt and Uncle and their son over. It was fantastic. The kids entertained each other. The adults could actually carry on conversations and as midnight neared we all headed downtown Jackson to the ball drop celebration. It was our second year doing this and it was so much fun. Bigger crowd this year and better fireworks to celebrate the year ahead.

I said goodbye to 2011 by finally finishing a project I've been wanting to try ever since seeing it on Pinterest.

I'm excited with how it turned out. I can't wait to make some more.

Making, making, making...

2011-12-05T06:29:00.000-08:00

I've been so busy getting ready for my first craft show. Here's some of what I put together last week. Aren't these skates cute.

I've had this old piece of ceiling tile forever. I'm so glad that I figured out something to do with it. I also like that this is more wintry so it could be left out beyond Christmas.

Here's another wintry item. I just love this precious little deer. This wreath took forever to put together, but I think it was so worth it and hopefully some will give it a home.

I know this wreath is a little crazy, but I think it's so festive. Who knew an old skirt (the tartan plaid) could be put to such a fun use!

Covered in glitter

2011-11-25T07:03:00.000-08:00

After having a fairly successful trip to the Michigan Antique Festival, I decided to tackle my first Craft show. Here's a little of what I've been working on:

I've been using some of my vintage stash to make "new" creations like these Santa arrangements, which I think would be perfect for bringing a little Christmas to a room like a bathroom or the kitchen.

I've also been working with a lot of music paper, which I think looks especially beautiful incorporated into ornaments.

Here's a few sweater vases I made. I also have some other things to repurpose. I'm excited and hope the sale goes well, but I have lots to do still...the sale as at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1505 West Michigan Ave. in Jackson, Mi on Dec. 9 and 10, if you are in the area and want to do some Christmas shopping.

Hail to the Turkey!

2011-11-24T06:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I'm thankful for so many things, especially my grandma's turkey and stuffing.

Yum! Stuffing!

Decorating for the Holidays

2011-11-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

Someone recently asked me if I was ready to start decorating for Christmas and I quickly said, "No, I'm decorating for Thanksgiving."

On Facebook many people are taking the opportunity to state things they are thankful for during the month of November. I like the trend.

I decided to whip up this project last night. It took me much of the night and a little more effort this morning. I used items I had on hand, including the Turkey placard I made last year. It was fun to use some scrap fabrics and ribbons I've had taking up space and finally put them to good use.

Spring Will Come Again

2011-10-03T20:40:00.000-07:00

I have to give myself a few kudos because I actually remembered to take a before picture. I was given this chair by a friend to do with whatever I wanted for a silent chair auction. I wanted to incorporate some of that natural wood into the design. I almost immediately settled on the idea of a tree and a bird, but because I'm a Michigan girl, I decided to go with Michigan's state bird, the Robin, and state tree, the White Pine.

I'm usually in love with Fall, but this change of seasons have left me feeling a little melancholy. I don't know if being a mother makes the difference? My son Jack started preschool, so maybe that's left me feeling a little blue.

I've comforted myself with the idea that the Robin, a perennial symbol of spring, will come again. I thought it was a perfect metaphor for Michigan, where winter can literally and figuratively be long.

I can't help myself. I am a hopeful person.

I believe that Spring Will Come Again, both literally and figuratively.

Until we meet again.

2011-09-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

Wow, my trip to the Michigan Antique Festival was a whirlwind, but I loved it. I showed great restraint in making purchases at the festival too. I was there after all to make a little money, but I couldn't resist this little sled. I haven't decided just where I'm going to use it at Christmas, but I'm very excited to add it to my Christmas decor.

I also brought home this round table, thanks to my mom. She let me have it. I've been wanting a round table and this one was my grandparents, making it extra special. I need to refinish it. I'm thinking of doing a dark stain on top and cream on the bottom.

As you can see, I also have to figure out seating...that means fixing up some projects.

I intended to take this chair (and it's match) to Midland with me but, alas, there was no room. I kind of like them, so I may just hang on to them for a little bit. I keep trying to funk up my living space, but I keep falling back on these traditional looks. I can't help myself, I like the classics.

You'd think I'd be antiqued out after spending my weekend at the festival, but I still had to take a gander at the Goodwill when I got home. I was so happy to find this great turkey platter. I've always loved them (though I've never made a turkey) and I'm especially fond of this brown transfer ware one.

The only bad thing is my kettle corn is already gone. I guess there is always next year.

Busy times

2011-09-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

I'm doing my first sale with my mom at the Michigan Antique Festival this weekend. I've spent a lot of time trying to finish up old projects, but I couldn't help taking on a new one. I didn't get a before shot, but just picture dark, 1970's clunky table. And yes, that is a pillow in there.

For people that furry friends. I've seen side tables/dog beds in high end catalogs, and thought I'd get it a shot. I was originally planning on doing this in blues with maps, but I decided to paint it grey and my sister helped me come up with the idea of using the black and white maps. I love how it turned out.

I have a thing for old books and prints. I've busied myself in the last few weeks framing up some of my collection to offer for sale.

When two loves meet....

2011-09-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

Do you remember this piece of furniture? I plan to sell it at the Michigan Antique Festival coming up on Sept. 24-25. Well, this piece of furniture hit a bump in the road.

Enter our foster puppy Ya ya, available through 4 Paws Animal Rescue. People who know me know I have a couple of passions in life, one includes reviving junk and the other includes rescuing animals. Sometimes passions are hard to balance.

Puppy meet project.

Now, I don't want to malign Ya ya, she's a really great puppy and is not overly destructive, but she needs constant supervision...a little like a toddler. Needless to say, this happened when she wasn't being watched carefully enough.

After I cried, I decided everything is fixable. I just made her chew on the other side so it would have matching corners.

I jest. I did sand the other side to make it curve a little down too. I also fixed the drawer a little bit better since I had to get the sander out again.

I'm pleased with the results.

And don't worry, puppy and project will never meet again.

My two loves can coexist as long as I'm watchful.

The house is just destined to be a mess in Sept....Sorry honey.

2011-09-09T06:45:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I have a thing for refurbishing furniture. Sometimes that means I have far more furniture than I possibly need. My mom came up with the idea of selling it at the upcoming Michigan Antique Festival in Midland Sept. 24-25.

I've been busying myself getting projects together for what I'm calling "Attic Rescue League: giving old stuff new life."

I found two of these chairs, which I kept in mostly as found condition, though I cleaned them up a bit. I didn't want to cover-up there charming details, which I think have an early-American vibe.

Ugh. I hope I can get enough done to make it worth our time. I'm so glad that my mom came up with the idea. I know it will be hard work, but it will also be fun. If you are in Michigan, you should consider going to the festival, there are over 1000 vendors and Elephant Ears!

I was planning on keeping that...

2011-09-01T19:33:00.000-07:00

So I picked up this nightstand/side table at the thrift store. Of course I didn't get a before picture. I know, I know, bad blogger. Anyway...I was planning on keeping it, but it turned out so cute I might try selling it.

I'm trying to decide if this guy might be disappointed. I originally picked it up for his room.

This piece weighs a ton. It is a good solid piece of furniture, though it did have some veneer issues. I decided to make the damage work in my favor and paint and "age" the piece.

What do you think, should it stay or should it go?

Less time for projects...

2011-08-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

We've had some extra visitors this summer. They are all rescued dogs from 4 Paws Animal Rescue who are living with us temporarily until they find their permanent homes. Lucy, Honey Bear and Yaya are great house guests but puppies aren't always great at allowing you to divide your time. They demand cuddles...and frankly I haven't minded...but just in case you've wondered where I am, I've been busy getting puppy kisses.

My friend is having a baby girl!

2011-07-05T07:09:00.000-07:00

I've passed along many a cute outfit to friends who have younger little guys than my Jack. I love seeing Jack's old duds given new life on other cuties. I found out a close was expecting a little girl...I thought I was out of luck on passing-clothes-along front. Her son had looked so cute in some of Jack's hand-me-downs, that I was disappointed I couldn't do the same for her daughter.

When I found a cute pair of red pants for the little one, I decided this old shirt of Jack's had potential.

I added some lace to the front. Cut off the collar and used some bias tape to give it a rounded neck. In a last little tweak, I decided to make the sleeves cuter by running a bit of elastic through the sleeve hem to gather them a little. I made a pair of matching shoes using this great tutorial by Prudent Baby.

It's not the typical baby-girl pink, but it's girly all the same.

HAPPY JULY 4th

2011-07-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

May God Bless You

And

May God Bless America!

Well, that project spiraled out of control...

2011-07-01T09:10:00.000-07:00

We live in the city, where lots are small, so I use every inch I can for gardening. The most usable space is actually along our driveway, but since our dogs and my son like to hang out in the backyard, that leads to a lot of lifting Jack, 4, over our gate because I don't want to risk the dogs getting out. Frankly, he was just getting too heavy.

My solution was making a movable fence. It's not perfect and not exactly what I had in mind, but this hodgepodge is my creation and believe or not, it's working...well it's working for our little dogs...a visiting foster, recently jumped our backyard fence and then made quick work of this "little obstacle."

When I need to move it, I can simple pick it up and put it too the side. My son has enjoyed going from the backyard to helping mom with your garden without having to rely on me lifting him over the fence and my back has been very happy.

This may look like a random picture, but it's actually the table I used to create my fence. It was really too big for our family room, but I really loved it and didn't want to get ride of it. I started disassembling it with the idea of using the components in the future, when I realized that the frame, cut in half would work for my movable fence.

This was definitely a trail and error project and it shows, but it's made my life easier. I think it has some charm to it...I'm sure there will be some tweaking in its future...I was trying to do it without having to buy much...like pickets (which would have been my first, but too pricey, choice.)

Peonies and a thrift store find...

2011-06-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

Each spring I eagerly await when my Peonies bloom. I'm not sure there is anything quite as lovely. There a little like clouds on a stem. When I saw this lovely pottery "basket" at the thrift store. I knew I had to have for my Peonies. It set me back a whole $1, thanks to a 50 percent off sale.

Make your own Mercury glass...

2011-06-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

So my friend recently had a yard sale, and let me tell you, I was buying. (Plus she gave me lots of stuff too.) Anyway she had this star shaped tea light holder that I thought had potential as just a decorative element. I thought it would look great with a mercury glass treatment.

The main ingredient needed is the Looking Glass spray, by Krylon. It's a little expensive, but it's awesome stuff. I've used it to make mirror before. You just follow the instructions on the can, but they basically entail spraying the back of the glass. I like it because it created the aged mirror look that I love. While making the mirror, I found it sped the process along if you sprayed black paint on the back. (Otherwise you have to put on a lot of coats of the Looking Glass.)

So to get the Mercury glass look, I found it works best to use the looking glass first, a couple light coats. While the Looking Glass is still a little wet, start spraying, other metallic paints - I had chrome and gold- on the backside of the glass. It's also great, while the paint is still wet, to hit it with some sprinkles of water. (It reacts cool with the paint and makes it more Mercury-like.) I forgot this step on my star. I finish off with a light coat of black paint. I just used chalkboard because that's what I had on hand.

Here's the finished product ... cloudy-mirrored, loveliness. Useful, no. Pretty, yes.

Almost everything has potential...

2011-05-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

When it comes to furniture, I think almost anything has potential. There are a few caveats...pressed board pieces are generally not worth the effort ...okay, so maybe there is really only one caveat. Anyway, when my grandmother offered me this ugly footstool I didn't hesitate to take it in.

It took me awhile before I decided what I wanted to do. I've never really recovered anything like this before, so I was a little hesitant. I decided to tackle it using some nice, but cheap fabric I picked up at St. Vincent Depaul.

I originally going to sew a removable cover for it, but since I'm new to sewing, I made the initial part of the cover a little too small, so I decided to get out my staple gun (otherwise known as my BFF.)

I stapled the skirt on. I also chose to do the fabric on the reverse because it was a little garish (which is probably why it ended up at the thrift store.)

I was able to cover up my staples with a combination of piping and gimp. This was my first attempt at making my own piping. The single piping turned out great, but the double piping not so much.

It's a little wonky, but I'm pretty happy with my first attempt. I have a similar project waiting it's turn in the basement.

Now the real challenge--- finding time for the piles of potential hanging out in the basement.

Ready to travel

2011-05-17T06:35:00.000-07:00

I have a hard time passing up a suitcase, but you can only use so many...especially when you rarely go any place.

I decided to take this suitcase and

combine it with this ...

The combination equaled a cute little side table.

I don't know if it was the recent royal wedding ... or maybe my extreme adoration of Miss Mustard Seed ... but I can't get enough of the Union Jack right now. This looks much cuter in person... the background is actually a light blue, but in the photo it almost looks white.

I have a paint brush and I will use it....

2011-05-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

So I repainted this cabinet a while back. (It had some veneer problems) When I did that I decided to remove the decorative element from the doors because I wanted an unobstructed view of what was inside the cabinet.

I hung on to them for awhile until I decided to use them as "paneling" in the little area outside our kitchen area. They fit perfectly. I painted them and the wall so they look like solid wood. I recently repainted the wall a green color to make them and my artwork pop more too.

Around that same time I made a "child/dog gate" out of an old frame and some chicken wire. It keeps the dogs out of the basement while allowing access for the cat (he goes right over the top.) It's also held up better than the child gate we use to use, which broke pretty quickly.

It's puppet time

2011-04-28T08:43:00.000-07:00

I wish I would have done a tutorial for this, but I was really winging it and was in a time crunch (hence the slightly eschew window.)

A while back, I picked up a canvas show curtain thinking I could use it for something. I did use it to recover a chair, but had enough left to make a puppet theater. I just had to add some coordinating fabric to the bottom to make it long enough.

I discovered after I made my hole, and finished off with seam binding, that I needed to add some fusible interfacing to the backside, to keep the window from falling forward. (It actually would have benefitted from a stiffer interfacing, but I was using what I had on hand.)

Ages ago I picked up some old felt board letters and have been able to use them for several projects. I was really glad to have them on hand for this project.

My darling neices were happy with their theater, although everyone also wanted to see out of the window too... so funny.

I'm linking to The Freckled Laundry's Air Your Laundry Party.

T-shirt redo

2011-04-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

So when I was getting ready for a garage sale, I came across some clothes that I couldn't sell because of of stains. I decided to salvage some of those shirts and turn the designs into appliques to redo, plain shirts. I simply used Pellon (follow the directions on the product), to turn them into iron-ons and then ironed them to the plain shirts. I also did a zig-zag stitch around the edge of the applique.

Getting a picture of my little guy in this handy work is easier said then done.

Whew, he finally stood still. Here's his "new" shirt.

I used the technique on a couple of shirts for him and a few shirts for me ...yeah, I was able to salvage my own Donald Duck and Pippi Longstocking T-shirts.

Whew, that took some doing...

2011-04-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

So, I got this chair for free and it needed a lot of work as you can see.... but I thought it had beautiful lines, so it was worth the effort.

I'm not entirely happy with how it turned out. It will probably be redone again in the future, but it is definitely an improvement from where it came from... maybe when my sewing skills get a little better I'll redo it again.

I also decided to shop my basement for a "new" coffee table. I, of course, forgot to take a before picture, but just imagine a plain black trunk. (which I was just using for storage.)

I decided to give it some flair by adding the Union Jack and added some travel inspired stickers to it. I also added casters, so it's easy to move ...and the greatest part is that it now holds Jack's hot wheel collection.

A chocolate bunny...

2011-03-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

Last year I wanted to have a "chocolate" bunny for my front porch basket, but couldn't find anything that could stand up to the weather of a Michigan spring. Thankfully this year I found a great tutorial at Krafty Kat on making "chocolate" bunnies out of canvas, thread and paint --- all items I had. I tweaked it a little and supersized it. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

On to other news, we've welcomed a 6-month-old St. Bernard Mix named Boogie into our family, temporarily. We are fostering him for 4 Paws Animal Rescue. You can find out all about Boogie at Petfinder.com. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but please consider adoption when looking for a new pet, if Boogie is any indication of the caliber of dog you can find in shelters across America, you won't be disappointed.

This is our first time fostering and we couldn't have asked for a sweeter dog. He's big, but he's gentle, sweet and well mannered. He already knows sit, lay down, and shake. I'm hoping to find him his forever home very soon because I don't want to get too attached to this giant sweetheart (more than I already am.)

I haven't upholstered anything lately because Boogie is such a gentle spirit, I don't want to frighten him with the staple gun...but I don't think I can hold out much longer.

I'm linking this to Freckled Laundry's link party.

An American Picker

2011-03-18T07:03:00.000-07:00

In a moment of transparency, I admitted to my husband that I have a slight crush of Frank Fritz of American Pickers. Since then he's teased me mercilessly, pointing out every bearded man he can think of and asking if I have an affinity for them as well. It's really just Frank.

While I don't quite "pick" in the same way as Frank and Mike, I do like to peruse the thrift stores and have, on occasion, been known to look at people's trash. The latter has been very limited, however, because in the community where I live, people don't put things out at the corner...

All that to say, look what I found, when I was back visiting my old stomping grounds, (where trash is put at the end of the drive for the garbage man). Here they are farm fresh, as Mike Wolfe would say. When I spotted them, these stack able bookshelves were sitting in a pile of disarray and garbage in front a church (where you'd think they could have gotten some love, tsk, tsk.)

I didn't recognize them as bookshelves at first, because they were in such disarray, but was initially drawn to the wood and the possibility of making something else out of it. (I try to find cheap wood because when it comes to woodworking, I have know clue what I'm doing.)

Look how well they cleaned up! Granted they are missing their glass doors, but seriously, I don't care... that would just be another place to wipe off finger prints. I used a product called "Restore-A-Finish" to freshen them up and had to glue a broken spot on the bottom, but other than that these babies were beautiful.

They also gave me a better spot to display one of my favorite St. VDP "picks" --- a beautiful, original painting depicting a moonlight water scene, which was relegated to the stairway, but is now in the living room where I can really enjoy it. I tell you, it's the little things in life that make me happy.

Presto Chango

2011-03-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

Every Christmas at my Grandma Rose's house we do a gift exchange. Everyone brings a $5 wrapped gift that is then numbered and we each randomly draw a number. My Grandma was beside herself hoping I would get one particular gift.

"Walker has the gift I was so hoping you would get," she said. I watched with curiosity as Walker, my nephew, opened the gift to reveal this:

Bless her heart, my grandma saw this little troll and thought of me. I don't want this get back to my grandma, but this little troll became the inside joke of the gift exchange. Of course my 4-year-old nephew wasn't interested in it, so much to my sister's amusement, it came home with me.

I decided to make a little lemonade in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

I used a little green, and reddish paint to update his look, making him an adorable little leprechaun for the basket on my front porch. I usually just let the winter decorations stay in the basket until Easter, but I decided I'd try to spread a little Irish luck this year.

So I have my little leprechaun and his pot of gold. If I get a chance I may paint a sign that says "Happy St. Patrick's Day." My pot of gold isn't quite what I had in mind, but it was the best I could do on my budget, which was slim to none.

Getting wild

2011-03-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

I wasn't quit sure what I was going to do with this chair. It took up residence in my grandparents garage for many years and I was beginning to think it would experience the same fate in my basement, but I've been on a chair kick lately. My preschool-age son helped me pick out the fabric (another item that's been in my stash forever.)

Quite a transformation, huh? I'm quite excited with how it turned out. It was my first upholstery project using my staple gun and my sewing machine. Now that I'm learning my way around my sewing machine more, I'm looking forward to tackling some more projects.

Painted Fabric...the easiest form of reupholstry...

2011-02-24T13:07:00.000-08:00

When I picked up this chair, I mainly did it because it had excellent lines, not because I liked the fabric. The 70s green was in excellant shape, however, so I hated to rip it apart.

That's when I read a posting on Primative & Proper about simple painting an upholstered piece using a special textile medium.

It transformed my dated avacodo into a white-washed beauty. The fabric becomes almost like a vinyl, which means easy clean-up, a nice feature with a Messy Marvin running around the house.

I've been wanting to use this technique again and was excited when I found some more "victims," some parson's chairs from Craigslist.

I'm sure my husband wishes food prep would take place on this counter, instead of chair transformations.

Don't worry, Honey, I'll cook again...I promise.

I'm linking this to The Freckled Laundry's awesome linky party.

I got a new puppy!

2011-02-15T06:28:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to welcome a new puppy into our home, but it's just not practical right now. But who could resist these sad eyes?

When the CSN Stores offered me a chance to do a review for them...with any product I wanted (a hard decision given the wide range of their products) I couldn't resist this Jack Russel Terrier Pillow. I fell in love with it on my computer screen but it's even better in person --- well-made and a fun fashion statement for our living room. The pillow came for CSN's All Modern store. The pillow is part of their Fauna line and there were so many cute pillows to choose from, it was hard to settle on the Jack Russel, but like I said, I couldn't resist those sad eyes.

Buddy, our own prick-ear Jack Russel, seems to like our new addition.

I've been doing a lot of window shopping lately at CSN's new Joss and Main site. The site features different sales everyday. Some of it is high-end, which is fun to see and some of it is practical, like cookware. I've seen some great gift ideas too. I like that I never know what I'm going to see at Joss and Main. I look forward to seeing the deals their offering up everyday. Go investigate yourself. If you use my link to sign up I get some credit. (:

Valentine Tweak

2011-01-31T08:05:00.000-08:00

I decided to tweak my mantel for Valentines. I have a collection of vintage Valentine cards, many of which were sent to my aunts when they were is school. (They came from my grandparents basement.) I just tucked them into my coffee filter wreath. Easy peasy.

This little plate isn't overtly Valentines, but I loved it straightaway. Puppy love...the sweetest.

Wishing, dreaming and hoping

2011-01-27T19:00:00.000-08:00

It happens every January. There's a shopping void. Lately I've been filling that void by window shopping for wall art and decor at the CSN stores. The greatest thing about CSN is all the selection. The bad thing is how to decide what to buy... so many choices. Look at those cute owls.

I really like the look of this glass bowl. Great for Valentines without being over the top saccharine.

I also love the look of this paint able wallpaper. I've been thinking of doing something like this on my kitchen ceiling...hmm, decisions.

Table to footstool

2011-01-22T08:55:00.000-08:00

As always, I already started painting before I remembered to take a before picture. As you can see, this little table has a dark 70s finish. I decided to lighten it up a bit.

Here it is with a coat of primer. Note, the pile of pans in the left hand corner of the photo. Yeah, that's how I roll.I can't be bothered putting the pans away before I start to paint.

I made a little "pillow" to go on top of it. I may tweak it a little more. It's a little tall for this chair, but my saw is on the blink right now. For now, I think it looks cute and when I can get it cut down a little bit, it will make this a super comfortable place to read a book...as if I ever have time to do that.

Little works big on love

2011-01-19T17:58:00.000-08:00

I've been busy making artwork for a unique sale our local museum is having. It's called the Titillating '20s Bash and Petite Parlour. The event has two purposes: first to introduce its Fabulous Flappers exhibit and to raise money through a petite art sale. The museum is consigning tiny artworks, 4"x6" for sale for $30 a piece. The Ella Sharp Museum gets half and the artist gets half.

As soon as I saw the fundraiser, I wanted to be involved somehow. I love The Ella Sharp Museum. It was one of the first places I ventured out to when we first moved to the area.

It took me a little bit, but eventually I came up with a big idea for these diminutive pieces of art.

I'm calling the series "Don't forget your Mitten." I made 9 different "Mittens" in all.

I felted sweaters and then cut out the shape of Michigan. Well, technically I just cut out the lower peninsula...please don't be offended Yoppers. I love the U.P. I spent wonderful family vacations there. My grandmother spent much of her childhood there. I settled on doing just the lower portion of the state because I thought it was so fitting with the theme, "Don't forget your Mitten."

I sewed buttons in the approximate spot of Jackson, Mi my adopted hometown and the location of the Ella. I hope people will respond to them. I think they have a quirky, happy attitude. Things have been pretty tough here in Michigan, so I thought we could all use a little happy.

While I mostly focused on my love for the long suffering Michigan, I also couldn't resist a little puppy love.

"Dachshund Valentine"

Inspired by my own little "love."

To find out more about the sale and the party (which sounds really fun) go the the Ella Sharp Museum site and scroll down until you see the Titillating '20s Bash and Petite Parlour.

When a fire isn't really an option...

2011-01-18T16:09:00.000-08:00

I could so relate to Sarah at Three Boys wanting to find a solution to her fireplace dilemma. Using the fireplace, an old, gaping one, a little like mine, seemed a little dangerous with little ones running around. Leaving it empty, however, was an invitation for her kids to play in it. Messy. (Sarah's fireplace, is totally awesome...the kind of fireplace people dream of...just problematic for children.)

Like I said, I could relate. When we first moved into our house, there was a screen in front of our fireplace, which my son was endlessly knocking over. BANG.

I decided to put my globe collection on display there, but to my son, who was only 1 at the time, they looked like great big beach balls. My cherished collection was toast ...no fire needed.

So this is the solution I have settled on for now. I actually got all the pieces at different times. The little trunk was given to me by my grandmother when I was in high school. I can't remember where the middle suitcase came from, but the big one also came from my grandmother. It was in her attic and she let me have it. I didn't realize at the time that it had been her personal suitcase (she was a bit of a collector.) When I got it home I realized it was embossed with her initials-- prior to her marriage with my grandpa. They were married just shy of 67 years, so that makes it one old suitcase. It shows its age, but, hey, I do too.

And so for now, this is my solution.

Sarah, came up with a pretty awesome solution too.

But maybe one day, when our kids are older...we can sit and relax by a crackling fire.

I'll be happy too wait a good, long time for that day.

Coffee Filter Wreath

2011-01-11T08:39:00.000-08:00

My friend ended up with a Sam's Club portion of coffee filters and a coffee maker that didn't use them. "Can you use these?" she asked.

I quickly said yes, because all over the blogosphere I had seen coffee filters turned into beautiful creations, including wreaths. Inspired by the Nester's version, I decided to try to make my own.

I think they are a great ode to winter.

I also made one for my friend. (I think she liked it.) It's a really easy project. The greatest concern is not burning your fingers on the hot glue. I had no problems with my first wreath, but I got my finger once when working on the second wreath. Not bad odds, considering the number of coffee filters---a gazillion---it takes to make a fluffy wreath.

A transformation

2011-01-05T07:56:00.000-08:00

The clutterbug gene runs in my family. As of late, my Mom is trying to combat the clutter in her house, which can be good because she passes along some of the stuff she doesn't want to me. It can also be bad because she passes along some of the stuff she doesn't want to me. (:

She gave me this old wastebasket/hamper thing (it's turned upside down in the pic.) It was falling apart, but I thought it had potential...I'm a sucker for a scalloped edge.

I decided life as a plant stand would be a fitting fate for the sad little piece. I added legs to boast it off the ground and covered it in antique sheet music. I have decided for sure if I'm keeping it, but I am very happy with how it turned out.

Merrry Christmas to All...

2010-12-24T06:20:00.000-08:00

I'm already starting to think of my New Year's Resolutions...but the most important one I started implementing early. I'm trying to me for thankful for what I have, because I have a lot.

Life hasn't exactly gone how we expected it too in the Wheaton household and I'm sure the same can be said in households across America.

But when I focus on the things I'm blessed with in this life, my disappointments begin to fade...as Bing Crosby sings in "White Christmas"---"When I am weary and I can't sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep and I fall asleep counting my blessings."

This time of year, I'm also touched by the many names of Jesus...none so much as Emmanuel.

Our God is with us.

Rejoice.

My first attempt at a tutorial

2010-12-17T07:55:00.000-08:00

I intended to show you all how I turned this man's shirt into a pair of crazy pants for my little man, but ...

But this is as far as my tutorial got...Yikes. I'm so glad their are bloggers out there patient and generous enough to photograph their work and walk us all through them. I'm not sure I'll ever be one of them. Basically, I've put this great tutorial by Lil Blue Boo for turning an old t-shirt into to toddler pants. I had to tweak it a little bit because my little guy is no longer a toddler, but XL shirts still offer just enough fabric if I incorporate the arms. This project would be much easier for a smaller child.

Here's a contemplative shot with Jack in his pants. Some of you out there might think he's saying "Mom, what am I wearing?" I can assure you he likes this pants. The day I took this picture he put them on all by himself with no prompting from me.

You can be sure Jack will be wearing this outfit come Christmas Day.

Christmas Tour

2010-12-14T08:40:00.000-08:00

My grandmother gave me this tree two years ago. It was my great grandmother's. It has become especially dear to me this year because my grandmother died last summer. This will be my first Christmas without her and it already seems a strange. She lived a long and lovely life, but I still wasn't ready to lose her. I'm glad I was blessed with so many memories and there are mementos from her all over my home, but this little tinsel tree is among my favorites. My memories of my great grandmother are very vague, but I'm glad my grandmother entrusted me with one of her mother's festive treasures.

I actually got my nativity set out this year. Since my son came, I had kept it packed to afraid that he would break it, but this year I knew he was old enough to keep his hands off. I love this nativity set, which my husband and I picked out at Bronner's with a gift card we received as a wedding present.

This year, I decided to put an old frame to use as a card holder. I used some paint, some chicken wire and paper clips to turn this old frame (also from my grandmother) into a special place to put our cards.

My mom surprised me by sending me a real wreath. It was one of the best surprises ever. I LOVE it. I hung some vintage, child skates in the middle and called it great. It's so beautiful in all it's real splendor that I decided less is more.

I'm afraid the same can not be said for the mantle and tree. I guess I'm from the school that there can never be enough baubles when it come to my tree. (:

Merry Christmas! I'm so thankful for this time of year when we can focus on the Birth of Christ. Happy Holidays to those of another Faith, may the New Year be full of blessings for us all and may we grow in understanding and love for one another.

I've been sewing

2010-11-09T10:51:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when I'm at the thrift store, it's so frustrating to see cute clothes in the wrong sizes, so I decided to take matters in my own hands and take my sewing machine to some. This Gap shirt was to big for Jack, so I cut it down and sewed back together to make it fit.

My favorite part of the outfit, however, is the pants. I took a men's shirt and made these plaid pants. I used a pair of Jack's pants as a basic pattern. I took off the pockets and reattached them to the sides to make the pockets. I made the pants mostly last night while watching "Dancing With the Stars."

I found this tutorial very helpful.

The nice thing about working with thrifted items is that there's not a lot of money invested, so if you really screw up (ask me about a recent felted sweater mishap)... no big deal.

The Ikea "As Is" room

2010-11-07T07:24:00.000-08:00

This sign was actually a cabinet door I got for $1.99 from the As Is section of Ikea. I can't go to Ikea without perusing the scratch and dent section. I usually find something unique and usable. I found two nice paneled cabinet doors and decided I needed to get them for future use.

I decided to upgrade our coat rack and made the "Hang Up" sign using old sheet music and great hooks my Aunt Lyla gave me from her barn. I sprayed the hooks with clear coat to keep all the great patina and to keep that "rusty patina" from getting all over our coats. The hooks are so handy and since I redid the coat rack, I don't find myself picking coats off the floor anymore... this baby can be overloaded and still function.

This sign is sentimental to me. Budd Lake is where my grandparents have their cottage and I spent many happy moments there. When my grandmother died this summer, I decided to paint this sign as a personal tribute to her and a reminder of a place I love. My grandparents really gave me the gift of the beach... an inland lake beach and the ocean beach... they arranged vacations (family events really) to Myrtle Beach each spring. I can't help but think of them when I look at this sign and my shell display, made out of a typesetters draw.

I just recently went to Ikea and passed up a cabinet door. I may have to go back.

Wow, I have some catching up to do ...

2010-10-31T21:01:00.000-07:00

Last week was all about making this costume for my son, who wanted to be a dragon. Thanks to a visit from Yaya, we were able to get it done, which made for one happy little boy.

I'm happy to have that dragon "slain" so that I can move on to other projects. Hmmm, I think it might still fit him next year... I wonder if he'd go for that?

Quick Change

2010-10-11T08:31:00.000-07:00

Lately, my projects are piling up on me. So, I decided to tackle an easy job. I recovered my dining room chairs. It's sad that my red fabric and pompoms didn't last a little longer. I thought this vinyl type fabric would be perfect for the little guy,3, but instead food spills got embedded in the design. Not cool. More pompoms started looking less than cheerful pretty early on...

So I changed things up a little and went with this green fabric. I doused them with Scotch Guard and I hope it will help. I think I will make a little cover too, for Jack's chair because his table manners are AWFUL. Honestly, I am at a loss with how to improve his skills. I should be much thinner than I am because I spend most of my time at the table chastising and losing my appetite watching him eat.

At least this is an easy job is I have to tackle it again soon. I'd really like to get a new dining room set, but I have yet to find anything that speaks to me. (:

Art Prize 2010

2010-10-02T15:49:00.000-07:00

My husband and I recently had a date day in Grand Rapids, Mi for the second annual Art Prize. Basically, Art Prize is a very unique art competition where the public is asked to vote for their favorite art exhibits and there are more than $449,000 in prizes up for grabs with $250,000 going to the first place winner.

Last year, I wasn't sure how I felt about the competition it seemed a little like applying "American Idol" logic to the arts and that left me feeling a little unsettled. But if you listen to NPR here in Michigan then you're bound to hear about Art Prize and well, I was intrigued.

I'm so glad that we went. It is an awesome event and it really takes more than a day to appreciate fully. Artwork is on display everywhere... restaurant windows, public fountains, flower gardens...everywhere. Many pieces are very large in scale, some are in your face and some have great big messages, like the exhibit above drawing attention to the lack of drinking water in third world countries.

As someone who has refinished a chair or two, I couldn't help but snap a picture of this artwork.

This beautiful sculpture was made from paper mache.

This unique piece was a dream collection, featuring descriptions of some of the most interesting dreams... the only thing that would have made it more amusing is if there had been a dream expert there interpreting some of them.

Art Prize has completely won me over. After being there, I no longer have qualms about it. It was great to see masses of people looking at artwork on public streets. People of all ages interacting with artwork and looks of wonderment on peoples faces. Yeah, it's that good.

Quite simply, the pros outweigh the cons.

It goes on through Oct. 10 and it's worth a drive. I'd like to go back and take my son to see some of the exhibits too, but I'm not sure if there's time for that, but I plan on marking my calendar for next year's event.

A tour of my new kitchen

2010-09-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

I know, I know I should have some before shots, and they exist some place, but I was eager to share my afters, now that I've got my camera back. The cabinets use to be wood, with an orangey type of finish. I repainted them cream and black with a glaze over the top.

Yikes, does your fridge look like this?

It's not a farmhouse sink (my dream), but removing the old cupboard door, replacing the apron, adding some legs and making a skirt gives the kitchen the retro feeling I was going for... I also added an old panel from an organ that I got from a consignment store, over the window to add more history.

I wanted to add molding to the top of the cabinets, but I struggled with that, so instead I did a faux baten board treatment, which makes a nice backdrop for my pottery collection. I had greenish glass knobs from a redo project I did a while back, so the cream cabinets got those and the black cabinets got new chrome knobs.

I still have a few tweaks in my head, but all in all I love the kitchen. It is much more my style now and I think it belongs more in this house. Making the changes also didn't cost me much because I found the cream paint color I liked at Habitat for Humanity Restore (Nice Benjamin Moore, it was like butta) and picked up the black Ralph Lauren Paint (also very nice) at Home Depot when they stopped carrying that line. My paint cost me under $20.

I'm back!!!!!!

2010-09-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

I finally found my camera equipment. Here are two pictures I took at the beginning of the summer. My personal ode to summer. And now summer is over.

Hopefully, I can get the swing of my new camera, now that we've been totally reunited. One difficulty is my computer is not letting me save my edited pictures from this camera? Frustrating. Anyone else encounter this? I'm using Microsoft Picture It! and a Nikon Coolpix 3000.

Well, it's good to be back. I can't wait to post more pictures. I repainted the kitchen cabinets over the summer, so I'll have to take pictures of that soon (it requires a good cleaning first.)

I also finally figured out how to wind my bobbin and thread the needle on my sewing machine, two requirements if you want to use the said sewing machine for sewing and not an over sized paperweight. Actually, my mom helped me with it (Thanks Mom.) and once she showed me I sewed for two days straight so I wouldn't forget.

Well, I must run. (Oh, no I didn't take up running over the summer. Although I did go for a long morning walk this morning, maybe I can work my way up to running. I could use some calorie burning, that's for sure. I don't think sewing provides much exercise.)

Wow, it's still missing.

2010-08-18T06:02:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm still dealing with MIA camera equipment. I may have to resort to fuzzy camera phone pictures.

Anyway, I'm loving my sewing machine and all the new (to me) sewing related blogs I've found. I've been cutting apart T-shirts and resewing them like a mad woman. If you have a sewing machine, well, it turns out you never have to wear a boxy T-shirt again... who knew?

Here's a fun blog I just found this morning:
http://www.dana-made-it.com/

Hope to see you soon... I mean really, this is getting ridiculous.

In case you were wondering...

2010-06-25T06:29:00.000-07:00

I've been busy with a lot of projects that I'd love to show you...if I could find the handy dandy usb cord to my camera. Yikes.

Lots of projects = some disorganization= missing usb cord. Oh well.

I'm in love

2010-05-19T07:15:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with Puddingstone Farm and Nursery in Parma, Mi.

And so is my Son.

Painted trim

2010-05-18T06:14:00.000-07:00

I finally took my paint brush to the trim in our office and in the dining room. I absolutely love it. I also installed quarter round, which was really an easy job (in just one room, but a bit daunting when I think of the rest of the house.)
Now I'd like to tackle the rest of the house, but I'm waffling a little on painting the trim in the living room. It's time's like this I wish I were Samantha Stevens, so I could just wiggle my nose and Viola! Of course, she did get herself into a fair bit of trouble...

Welcome

2010-05-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

When the CSN Stores contacted me about doing a review for their company, I thought, "What? Little old me?" and then I thought, "Why not?"

The hardest part was picking something to review. You see, CSN offers a large variety of items from barstools to baby items and gardening to home decor.

We had a very tired doormat at our front door, so I thought it was time for a replacement. I selected this beautiful indoor/outdoor rug called Safavieh Courtyard. I had a friend visiting, when it arrived, and she couldn't believe I was going to put it outside, "That's too nice to put outside, would it work in your kitchen?"

It was tempting, but since I had picked it out to go at the front door, I decided to stick with that plan, but I may just have to order another one for my kitchen. (CSN has about a gazillion indoor/outdoor rugs to choose from ranging from $19.95 to $244.95) We'll have to see how it holds up, but so far, I think I'm in love.

The only drawback to the rug is that it looks so good that it reminds me that I have to repaint the threshold.

We were loved...

2010-05-06T07:13:00.000-07:00

Here in the State of Michigan, we suffer from low self-esteem. It’s been a long standing problem… one that goes back as far as I can remember.

Surrounded by natural wonders (they are called the Great Lakes for a reason), we mostly focus on our aging industries, fleeing population and blighted cities. Granted, they can be a little hard to see past.

We’re unlovable. I mean isn’t that why people are always leaving?

Today on Facebook, the Flint page posted an inspiring quote by Margaret Mead about the power of citizens banding together to make positive changes. In response, someone posted a long-winded response about lazy GM workers, working for inflated wages. Huh? Hope greeted with complete and utter cynicism.

We’re a little like the girl who is told she has beautiful eyes and responds, “Yeah right. You’re kidding right? How could you even see them with that pimple on my nose?”

That’s what makes losing Ernie Harwell so hard, because he was the guy that honestly hadn’t noticed the pimple. He loved us, genuinely loved us and it wasn’t just a line.

Things are rough here in this State, especially in Detroit, but we were loved in a big way, by an all-around great guy.

That means something.

Thank you, Ernie, for loving us. Now, hopefully we can get to work on loving ourselves.

Respite in Detroit

2010-05-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

This year for our anniversary we decided to escape to the big city, but that didn't mean we had to forgo quaint. We stayed at the Inn At Ferry Street, which is really a series of Victorian Mansions, which have been restored for use as a bed and breakfast, but with 40 guests rooms it's really a hotel. It was a lovely place to stay.

This is the house we called home for the night. It's interior was filled with wonderful turn of the century details.

The Inn also has two carriage houses, including this one that is used for meetings. Ferry St. is right off of Woodward, not far from downtown and right next to the Detroit Art Institute and Wayne State University. Part of the reason I wanted to stay at the Inn At Ferry Street is because I think it demonstrated the kind of vision Michigan needs. Instead of letting these buildings crumble, someone saw possibility.

Otherwise, these beautiful homes, could have just been left to rot... like this one. A visit to Detroit does have it's heart breaking moments... blight and echos of a great past... but there is a resilience there for which it doesn't get enough credit... much like Flint and even, to some extent, my new home of Jackson. All three cities have been hit very hard by the struggles of the auto industry and there's plenty of judgement to go around, but I'm thankful to all the people who are willing to take a risk and believe and invest in their futures.

It was hard to be so close to the DIA and not go in, but this was a quick weekend, so we headed downtown for a baseball game.

We had a quick lunch at Detroit Beer Company, and the night before we had a lovely dinner at the new Angelina Italian Bistro. I'd recommend both places, both are on Broadway right across from the Detroit Opera House. (A favorite place, Small Plates, is right next to the DBC.)

It was an awesome game and the Tigers swept the Angels, in what was almost a shut-out for Justin Verlander. The skies threatened rain most the day, but we only had to contend with a few sprinkles in the ninth.

The last five years have been full of blessings and hardships and we've weathered them. I know they'll be more hard times ahead, it seems that's how life works, but I have the best teammate a girl could ask for and I'm looking forward to the next inning.

A Little Bling!

2010-04-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

I found the fabulous, yet broken glass light at the Lumen Christi sale for a whole $2. After realizing just how broken it was, (a glass arm was completely broken along with other items) I decided to disassemble is and use parts for other projects (eventually.)

First up, I added a little bling to my dining room light. An original part of the house, I've never been totally in love with it, but after adding a few prisms, I'm feeling it. Btw, I've seen the prisms at antique stores marked $2 -$3 a piece, so that's why I had no problems plopping down my $2 for a broken light.

Oh, and this is just silly, but I've found a good way to use up the Easter candy. Assemble, 20 seconds in the microwave and you've got yummy goodness.

Biggest sale of the year...(in Jackson)

2010-04-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

Wow, it seems so long ago since the Lumen Christi Sale. Life got very complicated and I never had the chance to blog about it. Look how many people show up to this thing!

I found some pretty great stuff, though I didn't find any fabulous barstools. (I ~~guess~~ know that would be crazy thinking.)

I did find this little stool for 50 cents. I thought it might save my back a little when working in the garden. I might try to make it a little cuter.

Here's a few more items, that I have plans for. I just love this time of year when people are cleaning out their garages, but boy has my project list just got longer. (:

Pure Michigan

2010-04-19T05:55:00.000-07:00

Artwork of Wheatfield

I was so excited to read Handmade Spark that Etsy is testing out an easier treasury, making it easier to create a treasury and share it on Facebook and Twitter.

I'm huge Etsy fan, but I've never made a treasury until today. I made one featuring one of my favorite places, my home state of Michigan, which continues to struggle, but also continues to be loved.

I'll miss that smile...

2010-04-12T06:42:00.000-07:00

My father-in-law died early Saturday morning. It wasn't completely unexpected. He had been diagnosed with untreatable cancer, but his health declined pretty fast. Arrangements were all in place for hospice, but I like to think he had different plans.

Since the moment he learned the cancer was back he never wanted to put anyone out, or make us suffer, or have us remember him sick, or be in a lot of pain. I'm glad he went fast because that's what he wanted, but I already miss him.

Most of all I miss him for Jack. Jim Wheaton was a great father-in-law, our sometimes-grumpy guardian who always had our back, but most of all he was a fantastic grandpa. Just look at the smile on Jack's face... his face always lit up in a special way when he was around grandpa.

There have been many moments when I’ve seen God in this journey and I’m sure I will see more, but right now I’m feeling blessed that I had a great second dad, even if it was for too short of time.

The SALE is coming...

2010-04-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

It didn't take me long to discover the Lumen Christi Catholic High School's Rummage Sale. It's a junk bonanza. It's also totally mayhem. I'm a little nervous about my junking adventure this year because I have to take Jack along and he's not always easy to control in these environments.It's getting hard to balance him on one hip (he's over 30 lbs now) and manuveur through a crowd carrying an ugly chair on the other hip, but anything worth doing is hard.

Here' my favorit find from last year...it cost me a whole $1.

I think she turned out great. It's one of my favorite transformations and I haven't brought myself to get rid of her. Now I'm in the market for a new dining room table, so maybe I'll end up using her in the dining room. I've been thinking of adding some kind of stenciled number to her...we'll see

Anyway, if your not too far from Jackson, Mi... I highly recommend stopping by the sale. It's held at the Lumen Christi Catholic High School and it's from 1 - 8 p.m. tomorrow, April 9 and 9 a.m. -12 p.m. on April 10.

I'm linking this to Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday and I'm hoping to find plenty of other broken down candidate's to bring back to life.

Drifting

2010-04-06T06:23:00.000-07:00

Eons ago, when I read Rachel Ashwell's "Shabby Chic: Treasure Hunting And Decorating Guide" a lot stuck with me. I love her recognition that time-worn is beautiful and her casual elegance. Most of all, I loved this little porcelian plate she featured in her book. I've been on the look out ever since.

It's different, but still lovely and the best part, it's tin, which means Jack could dent it, but not shatter it, so I can actually have it on display.

Happy Easter!!!!!

2010-04-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

These our my favorite Easter decorations... a little bunny family dressed in their Sunday's best.

Easter is such a beatiful blessing, reminding us that Christ is risen and we are new creations in Him. Tracey at Beneath My Heart had a great post about "Easter Story Cookies" which sounded like a great activity for explaining the Easter story to little one.

No matter your religious background, I hope you take this time to see the blessings in your life and be thankful for them.

2010-04-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

photo courtesy of Dreamy Whites

Wow, it's been a good morning I found a great blog to read Dreamy Whites and read a review of a book called the Well-Dressed Home, that I can't wait to get my hands on...

But here's the best part Dreamy Whites is hosting a giveaway from of a new queen-size duvet from Annette Tatum's new At Home Collection.

Here's hoping I win... for your chance visit Dreamy Whites.

Easter Eggs and Tulips

2010-03-30T07:53:00.000-07:00

photo courtesy Midwest Living

I was so excited when this month's copy of "Midwest Living" ended up in the mail box. (Thanks for the supscription mom.) They had the cutest ideas for spring flower arrangements including this beautiful watering can offering.

Since I was already the proud owner of a vintage watering can I decided to give it a shot, and I'm pleased with the results. Of course I used silks, because here in this portion of the Midwest (Michigan) the sun can still be very hit or miss. I didn't want to worry about fresh tulips and if it was too cold for them. Thankfully, you can find some pretty convincing silks. Come warmer weather, I might just trade out the tulips for more warm weather flowers like Gerber Daisies.

Here's my Easter Basket offering. Last fall, a friend gave me this giant basket and I've loved decorating it seasonally. I really wanted to find some giant Easter Eggs for it and was lucky enough to find some at St. Vincent DePaul along with some crazy grass-like stuff. The eggs only cost $1 a piece. Later I saw some at Micheal's for $10 a piece for similar size. That would have broken the decorating bank.

I'd really like to find an Easter Bunny that looks like it was made out of chocolate, but for now this mesh bunny will have to do.

I love me some Spring!!!!

2010-03-24T06:44:00.000-07:00

Impatient for Spring, I decided to take matters into my own hands and go to Michigan State University's Hidden Lake Gardens to get a sneak peak at what one of my favorite seasons will soon be offering up...

I'm lucky because my little guy likes our little gardening adventures almost as much as I do. I think gardening is great for kids because it really engages their senses. In this case the whole conservatory smelled of flowers.

Jack also got a kick out of seeing the bees hard at work. In the the tropical area, we even saw a four frogs... very exciting for a little boy, as you can imagine.

Now, I think my few little crocuses popping up in the yard will tide me over until the tulips open.

Now he's cooking

2010-03-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

After being inspired by a wonderful nightstand makeover featured on the inspiring Better After Blog, I decided I needed to get my hands on an old nightstand too.

My friend Debbie offered up this victim and I went to work following the inspiration of Lauren at Long-Winded Lauren to create a kitchen for my son Jack for his birthday.

As anyone who looks at play kitchens know, they can cost quite a bit of money. This project probably cost me around $20 total... with the most expensive item being the enamal bowl ($10) used for the sink.

Most items I already had on hand. I used old cds for the burners combined with pieces of wood and old knobs for the knobs. Jack actually helped me pick out the cute alien fabric, though he had no idea what I was going to use it for.

It was nice to create my own kitchen because I could cater it to a boy. While some in the toy industry have made their kitchens gender nuetral, some still are heavy on the pink.

This was my first project using a jigsaw, and cutting a circle the right size proved a little harder than I anticipated, but Jack doesn't seem to mind the imperfections.

I'm actually a little jealous of his kitchen, I love the farmhouse style of it. I'll have to paint my cabinets soon.

I'm linking this to Beneath My Hearts best DYI's of March party.

Don't Pinch Me...I've Got My Green

2010-03-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

I've found the posts about green at Centsational Girl this week extremely inspirational. I decided to grab my paint brush and paint my china cabinet. (with only a little trepidation.)

I used some colors I already had on hand. Ralph Lauren's Olive Tree and Valspar's Dress Pink. I mixed them until I cam up with this lovely green. I mixed it a shade lighter to paint the interior of the piece. I also decided to lose the fret work.

I know some people think I'm an awful person for painting over the wood, but it really did have some veneer problems and hey... just look at her now... she's ready for a party. She looked a very somber before. I think she also makes my house trim look better. Although, I'm still considering a change there too.

I'm linking this to the Fabulous Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Friday.

Any thoughts on the fate of my trim?

Day After Breakfast

2010-03-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

Today, there's probably a few people nursing a hangover. Not me. I always celebrate St. Patrick by making Soda Bread. Today, I'm enjoying a wonderful breakfast of coffee and soda bread.

My husband likes to tease me that I'm really not that "Irish." To which I'm tempted to say, "You're really not a big Jackass," but I don't. I bite my tongue.

I'm some Irish and to me that's what matters.

Besides, this is how I like my soda bread... in big giant hunks. What's not Irish about that?

But yesterday, my soda bread tradition was in jeopardy. I couldn't find my recipe labeled "Dad's Soda Bread." (Note of explanation, I'm not even sure if I have Irish on my Dad's side... I know I have it on my Mom's side. There' Scotch on my Dad's side---but for some reason he uncharacteristically ripped out a recipe for soda bread and made it one year. From that point on I labeled it Dad's soda bread, though I think he only made it that one time. I like to pretend it's been passed down for generations.)

Luckily, I found a blog that had a very similar recipe and it turned out lovely. Hopefully, I'll find that cookbook though because it does actually have a few family recipes in it.

I felt very lucky to find the soda bread recipe and the wonderful blog by Claire, which has oodles of beautiful photographs and other recipes I want to try. Check out her lovely blog, Cook with Claire, but I warn you, your mouth will water.

Here's her soda bread recipe.

Help me decide...please!

2010-03-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I know I'm going to earn myself the reputation as the willy nilly wood painter and let me just stop you there. It's not true.

Yes, I just painted my dresser. Yes I am planning on painting my kitchens wood cabinets, but these decisions are not made willy nilly. In fact, I've been losing sleep trying to decide whether or not to paint my home's trim (You can see a little of it in this picture.) Painting it wouldn't be a consideration, except, some of it is painted white and some of it is not...in the same room. UGH.

But on to my latest dilemma... I painted my china hutch. I decided to maintain some of the wood, but now, I'm not sure. (I wouldn't have painted this save the fact it had a number of veneer problems.) Any thoughts? Should I just bite the bullet and paint the whole thing?

Input please... I can't lose sleep over this too.

All it took was a hack saw and some fabric glue

2010-03-15T07:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this is a really lame before picture, but I have an excuse: our camera was broken. This is the only before picture I could find, but you get the idea. As you can see, I hung the curtains too low. Secondly, the plain blind in the inside didn't really fit the window. I bought them in desperation when we first moved in to avoid giving our neighbors a peep show. The blinds were designed to fit inside the window or outside the window trim, but I had to install them right on the trim...New and improved.

After I worked up some gumption (it only took two years) I cut down the roman blinds, cutting the plastic piece at the top with a hack saw, cut down the fabric to make them fit into the window. I resembled adding this fabric to the top of the original blind, tacking it in a few spots with fabric glue. And they still function perfectly and now you can see the window trim too.

I also rehung the curtians to lift them higher, so things didn't look so squatty. Wow, I wish I would have done this project a year ago.

I'm linking this to Metamorphisis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.

There is a method...

2010-03-11T13:32:00.000-08:00

...to the madness. Okay, so after I played musical furniture with every smallish table in our house in an effort to make a certain vanity fit in our bedroom (see post below), I called it quits. But hey, it's all good. Spare table, spare chair, spare mirror =vanity (far left).

I had long admired this little crystal lamp that resided on a shelf, forgotten, in my grandmother's sewing room. Then one day, out of the blue, she gave it to me (minus a shade.) Turns out, it was probably forgotten for a reason... it didn't work, but hey, once again, it's all good. A little rewiring, reworking of a lampshade I already had on hand and now I have a lamp I love.

This lampshade is the easiest project ever. I simply tied lengths of vintage seam binding to the frame of an old shade. Granted, I know this look probably isn't for everyone, but I think it's good pairing an ultra fancy base with a deconstructed top... the funny thing is, of all the projects I've done, this one has gotten the most positive feedback from my DH.

"Wow, that's pretty cool. It really ties in with the colors..."he said. ( A comment offered freely with no cajoling from me.)

Yeah, it's almost like someone planned it that way or something. If you notice, even the cat matches. Sorry, only orange tabbys need apply here... not that we're accepting applications at the moment.

What's gotten into me...

2010-03-10T08:09:00.000-08:00

I'm nesting again...okay, don't get any thoughts...I'm not preggers, but I think my subconscious has kicked in and said, "Hey lady, your house needs some attention."

Our house has been on the market for several months (long story) so some of my projects have been on hold, but my subconscious hasn't really liked it. So a few weeks ago I decided this vanity (on the left) was no longer working for a computer desk and decided it needed a new home and an overhaul.

I tried to make it work in our bedroom, thinking on the occasions when I can actually take time to make myself presentable (this hardly ever happens, if I primp I risk leaving the house in the hands of a whirling dervish). After a long and intensive game of musical furniture I realized I'd have to knock out a wall to make the vanity fit in the bedroom.
So now it's in living room. I envision using it for sewing projects, if ever I learn to use my sewing machine. Also, it's been great for the lap top. While laxing on the couch is my usual repose with the laptop, sometimes sitting at a desk lends itself to productivity. (The center actually lifts up, making a perfect place for stowing the laptop too.)

I decoupaged the top of the piece with pages from an old music book. I use Mod Podge for my decoupage, but always do multiple layers of Minwax Poly over the top. I think it makes the finish more durable... Trust me, being in such close vicinity to the couch means there will always be an ice cold beverage perched on the corner of this little desk.

A NEW Dresser and Bookshelves

2010-03-08T05:40:00.000-08:00

I want to build almost everything on Knock-Off Wood, but when I tried to build some simple book shelves I realized I'm not ready for that.

While I did manage to get some bookshelves, it wasn't using Ana's plan (my fault, not hers.) Luckily, I had some bookshelves on hand that were too tall for the area I wanted them for... plus they were fold down, so they didn't really seem very substantial. I ended up cutting them down and attaching my mdf to them to create this little book shelf. I "splurged"on some Ralph Lauren paint, which is currently clearanced out at Home Depot and got some vinyl decals on clearance at JoAnne's.

I also had a few pieces left from my Victorian chair that I added to the piece. I'm really happy with how it turned out considering I almost ended up with a pile of mdf instead of shelves.

Now for my "new" dresser. My poor husband thinks I have a vendetta against all his furniture and I really don't mean too.

I have, however, always hated this dresser. Not so much the looks of it but the function... see how you can see from one drawer to the next? Well, in a household of over stuffers that leads to problems... anyway, I ended up stapling some cardboard in between the drawers and we've had some peace in the house so far....

Now for the real changes:

I finally worked up the courage to paint the dresser. I know some people will think it's a crime, but honestly, I love, love, love my dresser now. I think the cream looks so much better against the orange walls.

I also found a home for a favorite flea market find from eons ago... my beautiful sconces.

Ralph Lauren really made the piece. Initially it was just painted cream, but then I got some Ralph Lauren glaze in Tea Stain and it really added to the finish. I feel like I just went to the Pottery Barn and picked out a dresser.

The folks at Home Depot tell me they are going to continue to carry the glazes. I would highly recommend it, it's fantastic stuff.

Projects, Projects, Projects

2010-02-23T06:28:00.000-08:00

Yeah!!!!!! I finally made my first piece of furniture, from start to finish, using the fabulous plans of Ana White. If you haven't seen Ana's fabulous site Knock Off Wood, be prepared to swoon. There are so many projects I want to make on her site, but I decided it's best to start simple.
I love the simple, rustic yet modern, look of the piece. I emphasised the found wood look of the piece by adding pieces of an old fruit crate to it! Supplies cost around $20.
Wanna try?

Taking on projects with Jack around always makes things exciting. No, I didn't leave open paint unattended. Somehow he got the lid off.

Nothing a little paint couldn't fix. Anyway, this was my belated Valentine's gift to my hubby. He does a lot of work from home and I thought a more organized workspace, with built in shelves would be helpful. They still need be "styled", or, I've also considered putting a floor to ceiling curtain in? Any thoughts?

Some projects have bigger pay-offs than others

2010-02-10T16:39:00.000-08:00

I don't think I'm a natural fit for the stay-at-home-mom role. I always feel like I should be doing more... and so I recover chairs, start an Etsy shop, tackle home improvements... and on and on. Sometimes though, it helps to stop.

So today, I didn't tackle an ugly chair (trust me I have several needing help). Today, I decided I'd tackle a project Jack would appreciate.

I made a track or ramp for Jack's Hotwheels cars using cardboard and duct tape.

The project evolved throughout the day. We added pieces, tried it in different locations, tried different types of cars and generally had a great time.

I know there will be other projects to tackle and laundry to be done, but today reminded me to keep my eye on a certain little guy who has never heard of Martha Stewart. I like her, but let's face it, she needs to loosen up. And so do I.

Blessing Barrells

2010-01-12T06:52:00.000-08:00

At our St. Vincent DePaul, they have "Blessing Barrells" out front that they fill with donated items that they decide they don't want to sell. Most of the time it is just junk, but every once in awhile I find some nice items, like a random old drawer.

I think it probably went to an old work bench. I thought it had a great patina, so I strengthened it up and decided to turn it into a unique collage frame. I tried to balance rustic elements with modern ones to give it a freshness and so it doesn't look "country". Not bad for junk.

Another day, another chair

2010-01-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

I didn't take a before shot, because I didn't think it would translate. It was covered in ugly brown vinyl that I thought might just look like leather in the picture. Ain't she a beauty?

She's a gift for a friend. Can't wait to see it in her house!

Thanks sissy-boo!

2010-01-09T07:19:00.000-08:00

I can't tell you how much I admire my sister. She's one of the strongest people I ever met (except perhaps when there is a spider around.) You have to be strong to be the spouse of a serviceman, especially when he is deployed and she does it with grace.

One thing I especially admire is her dedication to take care of her family, starting with meals. I always struggle with getting meals on the table, which makes me feel like a failure because I am a SAHM and it seems like this is part of the job. Anyway my sister has told me before it's all about having a plan which she lays out in a helpful post on her blog here.

For Christmas, she gave me a fantastic gift, a binder full of recipes she's already made for her family; complete with a dry erase page where I could work out a meal plan for the week. (Also she handmade me a beautiful apron.) Above is a recipe for Sausage Ratatouille. Mine even looks like the picture!
Super easy and yummy... a medium eggplant diced, two zuchinnis slices, a bell pepper, an onion, three minced garlic cloves, sauted. Add sausage (in this case I used pre-cooked polish kalbiesa because it was on sale, but the original recipe calls for sweet italian sausage) add a can of diced tomatoes and a couple of spoonfuls of tomatoe pasted and some seasoning and presto dinner.

I'm told my nephews even eat this meal, but I wasn't so lucky with Jack...sooooooo picky! I just served it with crusty bread, but it would be good noodles too.I was so inspired I even bake a spice cake, simple box mix and store bought frosting. I just added some nuts to the side to make it a little fancy. With myy first week of meal planning under my belt, I feel ready to puruse my cookbooks and make some more culinary plans.

It's the little things...

2009-12-16T07:36:00.000-08:00

When it comes to Christmas decorating , I find it's the little things that really make me smile. I've had this little sled ornament for a few years. It use to be on a wreath, but when I reworked the wreath it was left homeless. I added some elements from my vintage stash -- an old bottle-brush wreath, bells and snowy baubles-- and I found myself smiling from ear to ear. It's a little thing, which probably no one else will notice, but it makes me happy. As does my collection of tiny porcelain bells (see the one in the bottom left of the picture?)

If you inject vintage and little into the picture, then I really start to smile.

One of my favorite "new" items this year was a small, gold-tinsel tree, which belonged to my great-grandmother.

I have very distant memories of her. I faintly remember my mother taking my sister and I to visit her at a nursing home when I was very little. I remember all my aunts crying over her loss at her funeral.

Anyway, this year, when my grandmother cleaned out the attic, this is one of the things that was found. It is covered in little chenille ornaments and I just love it to pieces. My grandmother tells me her mother would be thrilled to know I have it and love it... and that I do.

I love this little choir of angels I picked up years ago. It sits on a little accordion-style wood base that expands for display, it's a little worse for the wear, but it makes me smile every year when I unpack it.

I have a collection of vintage ornaments too, but there is always an element of heart break when you love vintage items. The years make them brittle and your always bound to lose a few.

It seems there is an element of hearbreak in anything worth caring about -- the bitter in the sweet.

What a whirlwind!

2009-12-11T14:51:00.001-08:00

Wow, it's been a whirlwind preparing for my "Favorite Things" party on Sunday.

Preparing gave me the perfect excuse to finish a major project, a belated birthday gift for my dear friend Katie. If you want to see what it use to look like, check out this link http://paddywackdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/09/its-before-now-but.html

I've also been finishing up projects big and small, in case any of my guests (or non-guests) would like to take some rescued chairs off my hands.
Here's just a few:

I like this piece because it fits with Christmas, but I think it can carry you all the way to Valentines...

I was glad to finally wrap up this project too! I picked up this great cabinet at Genesee County's Habitat For Humanity's Restore shop. I then hung it in a dead space in our dining room to give me more room for storage and display. My aunt suggested I build it in, to give me additional room for cookbooks. This was a whole lot of trial and error, but I think it looks pretty good.

I was wishing I had some more Tomboy tools!

If you can't come to the party, but are interested in looking at the tools designed to empower women to tackle dyi projects visit http://www.tomboytools.com/attendees/icannotattend.asp?pid=4080 . Orders should be made by Dec. 13 to count toward my party and to ensure Christmas delivery!

And since I'm out of staples, it's time to tackle the food.

Last Christmas ...

2009-12-06T06:55:00.001-08:00

Last Christmas I made the most of decorating, even though I was disappointed that I had no mantle over the fireplace. I thought it looked pretty nice. But this year, I have no such disappointment. Now, with a mantle I have ample rooms to display my baubles.
And thanks to my step dad, our sconces now work in the living room.

Everything is so Merry and Bright!!!!!!

Chair no more...

2009-11-20T13:30:00.000-08:00

Most people who know me, know I like rescuing old chairs, and this one was in need of help.

It was painful, but I hope this chair appreciates the transformation.

I decided it had a higher purpose. I've always thought my fireplace deserved a mantle, so when I found a random mantle cap at the thrift store, I decided it was high time I did something about it, and I sacrificed the old chair on the alter of my hearth!

I used bits and pieces off the chair to create a mantle for my naked fireplace and I'm happy with the results. I may tinker around with it some more... keep my eyes peeled for some other architectural pieces that I can add... maybe some corbels, who knows?

I also have some tile and I'd eventually like to re-tile the hearth, but you know the whirlwind of Christmas is coming. Speaking of Christmas, I can't wait to hang up the stockings.

Why should Oprah have all the fun?

2009-11-17T08:41:00.001-08:00

You don't have to be Oprah or Julie Andrews to make a list of your favorite things.

It's really easy, favorite chocolate: See's, favorite color: Vintage Map, favorite sport: baseball, favorite splurge: Lunch at Cafe Lila with my little guy... see how easy it is?

So I decided in that spirit to have "My Favorite Things" party...details are forthcoming, but mark you calendars for Dec. 13. I'm excited about having a group of ladies at my house to celebrate one of my favorite seasons!!!!

Speaking of favorite things, I'm a big fan of my house. I just came across a picture of it from before we even put on offer on it. There's a lot of stuff going on in our lives right now that might mean leaving my little dream house and I really think that will be okay, as long as my favorite people (oh and the pets too) go with me.

Quoting one of my favorite movies, "UP"

"Sorry about your house, Mr. Fredrickson," says Russel.

"It's just a house," says Mr. Fredrickson.

Nothing like Disney Pixar to put some things into perspective.

Sorry start thinking of your some of your favorite things and stay posted.

How about a fire?

2009-11-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

I had a profitable trip to the Mason Antique District. I picked up this Victorian chair, which has seen better days. While it's structurally sound, it's not going to be a chair for long. I have other plans. . .
involving this fireplace.

The Flu and it's untold dangers

2009-11-03T11:58:00.000-08:00

I recently came down with the flu, which meant I spent a lot of time in bed, looking around at our bedroom and thinking of the things I'd like to change.Starting with the chair beside our bed. I originally got this chair thinking I'd recover it, but once I got it home I realized it went perfectly in our bedroom. The upholstery was in great shape, except for the little arm rest, which seemed like they had been attacked by a cat or perhaps something worse.
Luckily, I found some greenish plaid fabric that did just the trick on the shabby arm rests. The only problem is I decided to do this while I was sick. Sure, I thought I was on the mend. Turns out my brain was still foggy with the flu and I ...

I managed to staple my finger. OUCH! My brain was so foggy that I initially didn't realize what had happened. There was just extreme pain and a staple embedded into my finger. Only upon staring at it for a few seconds did I realize what I had done... I was holding my staple gun upside down. The only thing worse than having a staple go into your finger is pulling that same staple out.

So learn from me. If you're sick stay in bed, rest and get better, that shabby chair isn't going anywhere.

Oh Tim, how I love you!

2009-10-26T13:51:00.000-07:00

Shhhhh, don't tell Bob. I have a crush on someone else.

I've never actually met him, but boy can the guy bake!

Tim Horton thank you, thank you, thank you for your pumpkin spice muffins.

For the sake of my marriage it's probably good you only make them in the Fall.

P.s. I'm a happily married woman so don't try wooing me with free muffins.

It's time for the harvest

2009-10-13T06:05:00.000-07:00

We recently went to the Fall Festival at the Ella Sharp Museum.

It was great fun and beautiful day. Just think, our ancestors once used animals like these to help tame the land and provide food for their families. I think I'd have a hard time forcing this pair to do anything. Just look at those sad eyes. I'm pretty certain my family would have starved.
I would have needed one of these. The driver asked my son if he wanted to sit in the seat. Of course he did... so did I. He got to. Me, not so much.

Oh I love me some pumpkins.

There was an artisan at the festival making these beautiful brooms. I was particularly smitten with the broom that uses an old bat for the handle.

I wrote all about the festival for my column in The Jackson Citizen Patriot.

A little Tigers and a Zebra

2009-10-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

I'd like to say I'm over it, but it's still stinging.

Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and the first thing that pops into my head is the angst that was the final month of the Detroit Tigers' season. The second thought, the angst that was the Tigers' last appearance in the World Series against the Cardinals.

As a fan, I didn't think it got more painful than losing that World Series in the way our boys lost it, but now I'm not so sure. It's only baseball so I've got to get over it, but right now it still hurts.
On to happier matters. An iconic school chair.

Dressed in Zebra.

I again used fabric stiffener and polyurethane to adhere the fabric to the chair...I absolutely love this method. It takes numerous coats of poly, but I think if pays big dividends.

So in closing, the Tigers let me down but the Zebra didn't.

Last October

2009-10-02T07:54:00.000-07:00

We took a trip to Myrtle Beach. It was a little cold, but I think the ocean is always beautiful.

I do wish we could go this year.

We can't.

There's a lot of things I'm wishing for this October, that I didn't dream I would be wishing for last October.

I wish my husband could find a job.

I wish I could find a job, if that would help.

I wish we could sell the house we don't want.

I wish we could keep the house we want.

I wish we could have another baby.

I wish I could go to the mall and buy a new outfit.

I wish some of my old outfits would fit.

Wishes can be dangerous things sometimes. Sometimes they get you focusing on what you want instead of what you have.

So, I'm trying to remember last year's trip to the beach, when I still had a "baby" instead of a full-fledged boy. It's so fleeting, this childhood thing.

I wish I would remember that more.

The luck of the shop ...

2009-09-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

It can get down right irritating to go into a thrift store and see an absolutely hideous chair that is marked $30. Ugh! Sure, one day it could be fabulous, but there's a lot of work involved...and tons of staples, dust, and unidentifiable objects stuck in crevices.

So, it's always nice to find a completely lovely chair for $2 (no crevices involved). I know who every priced this chair didn't think it was lovable but I don't care. I loved this chair straight away!

Still, even a lovely chair can stand a facelift. I love this technique too. I basically take fabric stiffener and soak my fabric, in this case a lovely silk plaid and then I cover the chair in it. I let it dry and then go over the whole thing with poly -- I like the water based product for easy clean-up.

A nice break from the staple gun.

Is that even the same chair?

2009-09-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

Cue the broken record, I forgot to take, before, before pictures, but I did manage to snap a shot of this chair, wearing nothing but primer. Originally it was decked out in terrible black vinyl, including on the wood piece on top. It looked like it came from some seedy restaurant, serving terrible all-you-can-eat fish and chips.I'm always looking for cheap victims on which to turn my staple gun. The nasty vinyl made this chair cheap, but it was also a bear to strip. I don't think I've ever come across so many staples. Obviously, the whole situation brought on some kind of staple-induced derangement because I went a little crazy on this make over.
She's a little over-the-top, I know... but once I started, I just couldn't stop. I don't know what happened, I channeled "Project Runway" contestants or something. Trust me, just like on the show, there was glue involved, but unlike the show, I'm certain that if this chair decided to saunter down a runway, her dress isn't going anywhere.

Why not throw in a decoupaged detail, too?

I blame this fabric, which I picked up from a thrift store. It's so Rococo, I just had to make the rest of the chair match. Now, the tough job is to find this little number a home, because she's too fancy a lady for my house.

It's still very much a basement

2009-09-11T15:10:00.001-07:00

. . .but it is much better than it was.

I forgot to take a picture until after I started painting, so my before pictures don't quite capture the dungeony mood it had.

Now, this isn't going to be a before and after that leaves you thinking, "Wow, you can't even tell that's a basement." Turning our basement into one of those kinds of basements would have required a budget bigger than a shoe string and a general contractor, or possibly two.

That said, I think a large dose of elbow grease, paint and some organization has made this basement bearable.

This mess is what results when you have a place so dark that you don't want to spend any time down there.

Now, I've even made a make-shift little studio in an area that was once called "The Pit." Seriously, I'm not joking, a previous owner had wood-burned "The Pit" onto a little sign and hung it over the doorway. It was a very apt description. (Yeah, I even wallpapered it with some vintage paper from my grandma's attic.)

I added curtain panels, made out of red burlap, to the stairway area to make a closet of sorts.

Jack now thinks it's a special treat to go play with his train table and the train pieces don't end up all over the house.

Reed fencing helps disguise the crawlspace. It's downright pleasant down there now. The other day, I even folded laundry down there and that's just not something I do (anywhere). Just ask my hubby.

It's a before now, but ...

2009-09-04T15:17:00.000-07:00

... one day it will be a stunning after. I couldn't believe when I saw this beautiful bench sitting at a yard sale a few blocks away from my house.

The craziest part was that my friend Katie had just visited me and while shopping at a local store, we were admiring a settee with a $2,000 price tag...Katie dreamed of a day when she could have something similar to put in her kitchen, so people could really lounge around the table while drinking their coffee (heavy on the creamer.)

Two days later, I ran into this bench with a sticker reading, "Make an Offer." I absolutely froze. I didn't know what to do... I have seen many a mission style piece in antique stores and they often carry the heftiest prices... "Maybe I should offer $50," I thought in my head, but I didn't want to seem insulting. Sure it needs work, but I knew it was a valuable piece.

I left the sale, too intimidate to even make an offer, but then I called my Aunt Lori to get her thoughts (Poor thing has been fielding these types of calls for many, many years.)

"Just ask what they were thinking they'd like to get for it," she advised.

I'm so glad I called her. They only wanted $30. I know some people will look at this bench and think... she gave them $30 for that? (I could tell that was what my husband was thinking when he came home and found it in our living room.)

Yes I did and I can't wait to turn it into a thing of beauty. Most of all, I can't wait to enjoy a cup of coffee over at Katie's while I lounge on it.

Some lessons keep teaching

2009-09-02T17:16:00.000-07:00

Hello Design Sponge fans, thanks for visiting my blog, please leave a comment, I'm always looking for other interesting blogs to puruse.

Awhile back, I was lucky enough to come across some great Sunday School Lesson Art and I've been coming up with things to do with it ever since. This is my favorite piece. I'm so into chalkboard paint... it's a little ridiculous, but hey it can be useful for telling your hubby you love him every now and again ... or if you need to get some eggs. This little lady looks right at home in my kitchen, now if she could only do the dishes too.

I made this cork board to hang over my son's little desk. Isn't the illustration so cute. Much cuter than the flannel boards they were using when I was in Sunday School.

Speaking of my son, here's Jack. He never likes to get his picture taken, unless I'm trying to get a picture of a chair.

I used this Sunday School Art for an old school desk, along with some old flash cards. I've always had a thing for maps... in fact, I once had a rather nice globe collection, until the aforementioned son got a hold of them. Any ideas for a half a globe? I'd welcome them.

Ahh, the Possibilities

2009-08-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

Not many people would get excited to see the table below, but I am not most people.

In this modest little table, I saw the realization of a project that I've had on my mind for several months.

I'm pretty happy with the results and I think the pooches are too.
You see, our Jack Russell, Buddy, is a problem child and is not allowed on the furniture (aggression control measure.) So, I made him a nice bed, but the problem was that our little dachshund, Shamus, is also a problem child and he always takes Buddy's bed. I'm hoping this new bed will satisfy both these needy little creatures.

I know it's aesthetics satisfy me.

My name is Rene and I have a problem

2009-08-10T17:29:00.001-07:00

I have a hard time leaving an ugly chair behind, especially if it's a child's chair. If my son Jack is with me, he can make it even worse. He plopped down in this one and flashed me a smile.

"It fit's," he said.

Here's a pic after I already started doing some work and had already removed some hideous decals. The chair is nice because the seat lifts and provides storage. It's the perfect place for Jack to store his blocks.

I'd say things are looking up for this little chair. Jack chose the dinosaur motif and his little pillow, which went to his crib set, fits perfectly in the chair. I used a table runner from Ikea to make the seat cushion.

Anyone who has been to my house knows I have a thing for little painted chairs with rush seats, I have them in graduating sizes up to a full-size chair.

When I saw this little number for a $1, I knew that I had to have it, even though the seat was a complete mess.

It may not have made a great place to sit, but it was the perfect place to park a few succulents. I may just have to find a place to keep this guy inside during the winter, instead of overwintering it in the garage.

It makes me smile every time I drive up to my house.

Here it is ...

2009-07-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

Okay, as always I forgot to take a before picture before I was already underway, but I think this still shows the transformation. This old vanity wasn't really useful as a vanity any more... So, I decided to turn it into this bench. I'm hoping to give it to my step-mom because it was her grandmother's vanity. Do you think she'll like it?

The bottom drawers are hinged to open up and allow storage for shoes in stuff. It's very sturdy too! I got the idea from www.designspongeonline.com one of my favorite blogs. It has a feature called before and after and it's always great inspiration.

Another project underway and another chair reincarnated

2009-07-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

So, I've been busy disassembling an old vanity. I have four of the legs off, so far, and I'm ripping apart the drawers.
Any thoughts on what I'm attempting to turn this into?

Remember this ugly chair? Okay, so it wasn't so ugly. It's more like a classic, but it had seen better days.
I thought this old Sunday school art and flash cards were befitting an old school desk.

And, no "classroom" is complete without some chalkboard paint.

All in all, I think things are really looking up for this chair.

Things that make you go "Awwwww!"

2009-07-01T06:08:00.000-07:00

Isn't this just the sweetest cake? I just love, love, love it and boy did it taste good too.

Okay, so I helped throw a shower for a friend and I had a very Martha Stewart moment ... except it was very practical. This idea for a centerpiece just came to me when I was at Walmart and saw baseball shaped confections. So simple, and cute. Baby shoes just make everything cuter...maybe I should get a pair that I can wear around on my rear-end too try and make that look cuter!

MSU's Hidden Gardens

2009-06-25T06:03:00.000-07:00

If a picture is worth a thousand words, than this picture was definitely worth the $3 admission to get into Michigan State University's Hidden Gardens in the Irish Hills of Michigan.

The hosta garden was by far my favorite part. My mom lends a hand to the pictures just to demonstrate the variety of sizes. My favorite was a tiny little hosta called the Teeny Weeny Bikini!

A nice way to spend a day.

Thank you Craig and your list.

2009-06-23T05:57:00.000-07:00

I just love me an old locker basket filled with flowers!

This flower garden, make that hosta garden... will look much better next year, once these divided hostas have a chance to grow in place, but it's already looking better thanks to Craig's List, where I was able to line the garden with rocks... for free!

That's right, for free. A family had ripped out a front porch that had a stone foundation and were giving the rocks away!

I know I shouldn't put so much stock in material things, but a home is really more than that. Mine makes me so happy when I drive up to it and my smile has gotten even wider with the addition of some free rocks!