Creative Decor by Brooke

Laundry room "mostly" finished

2011-01-31T15:54:00.000-08:00

Yea! I love my new laundry room. Well I guess I shouldn't say new, it's just kind of a makeover. You remember I got a new washer and dryer and painted the room. Well I have just been putting the finishing touches in there now.

There is a picture of those beauties. I have really loved them, but, you do have to remember I was using 20 year old ones before.Here is my new sink and tile counter my hubster did for me. And, look there above the sink, I needed some place to hang things to dry so hubster did that for me too. Gotta love it.Then for the "Mudroom side" of the room. I got this fabric at JoAnn's. I covered the bench with some quilt batting and then stapled the fabric on top and trimmed with a board around the edge.
Then I made a little curtain to hide some things under my fold-out table. I can hide alot of stuff back there.The baskets on the shelf above the bench holds hats, gloves and scarves.
This little cabinet hides the fold out ironing board I made from one that hangs over a door.I don't know about you but we have winter here. I always have wet gloves and hats when the family comes in from the cold. I bought this shelf thingy from Walmart years ago and it works so well to dry and warm up the hats and gloves. Just place it over a heating vent. Everyone puts their wet items on a shelf and the heat blows up through the vent and dries all three shelves of gloves and hats. It works great. In the summer I just put it away under the fold-out table, behind the curtain.
In most of the pics you can see I got a new rug also. I ordered it from Overstock.com. I got one that almost covers the whole floor this time. I am tired of wet boots making a puddle of muddy water on my tile. Hopefully this will help.
If you would like to see what the room looked like before you can go to my laundry room show and tell post.

Joining in with..

The New Year is here, where did 2010 go?

2011-01-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

Can't believe the New Year is here. I have really been slacking and I don't see any changes in that area. I am having trouble finding time for blogging or maybe making the time. I so appreciate all of you who have been following and this has been a really fun year or almost a year. I have gotten to know many of you and enjoy your blogs so much. I am sure I will be checking on you and seeing what you have been up to creatively speaking. I understand you will be leaving my following but I will leave the blog so that I can easily check on you and still comment. Do you know of a way I can do that when I don't have a blog?

Thank you to all who have left thoughtful comments and followed along. I have really enjoyed this adventure because of you.
Brooke

My Christmas tree

2010-12-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

What a crazy time of year. But, I love it. There seems to be no time but all I want is time to enjoy the season. The tree is up and decorated Yay! I did things a little different this year. I didn't put any ribbon. It was actually an accident I just forgot, but I like it for a change. Here she is...

Off to do more shopping. Almost done. How about you?

Joining this party:
christmas tree party

Christmas Mantel #1

2010-11-30T08:31:00.000-08:00

I am slowly getting Christmas out. The mantel's are always first here at our house.
So here is mantel #1.
Do you Believe? I got this at Tia Pan two years ago. I don't know why but I love it.

Now ask me why my stockings are not hung in the middle of the mantel, go ahead ask me...well, because we use this fireplace alot, and my husband thinks it is a fire hazard. It is a gas fireplace...I don't know, I just do what I am told. He is usually right about these things.

The santa was given to us by some friends and the berries are some I already had. No, nothing new this year.
These three little bears sit on the hearth, had them forever too.
So there she is, mantel #1. I'll be working on mantel #2 today. Can't wait to see everyone's Christmas mantel's.

Check out these parties:

Thankful!

2010-11-23T19:07:00.000-08:00

Just had to share my thoughts tonight. I am feeling very thankful. We have been having some serious winter weather here lately. Yesturday, I started out at 9:00 in the morning to the city for some groceries and a little Christmas shopping. I only made it about 5 miles and decided to turn around it was too dangerous. The roads were very icy and snow covered. I came home to my very nice cozy house and cleaned the rest of the day until the kids got home from school.

We had to try it again for an orthodontic appointment in a town 15 miles away. It was okay going down but on the way home we hit a very icy spot and slid off the road about 30 feet into some very deep snow, barely missing a freeway sign and came to a stop. Of course, we were stuck. Before I could get my husband called, a man from our community was going down the other side of the freeway, turned around and came back to help us. He didn't know it was us until he got there. He was just coming to help whomever it was. I was so thankful that there are great people out there who will stop to help a stanger in need. He is in his 70's and could have used a million excuses not to stop. He and my husband were able to get us out. No injuries, not even the car. So thankful. Again, I was able to continue home to my warm cozy home.

Today, as the storm of the year is hitting us. Schools were let out early and were canceled for tomorrow because of this storm. Winds and snow like I haven't seen in a long time. I think how thankful I am to have a warm home for my family.
I was able to add a few leaves to our thankful garland.
"Home, kind people, warm fire, and family."
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
What are you thankful for?

Progress on the laundry

2010-11-22T06:27:00.001-08:00

Still working on the laundry. I bought new handles for the cabinets. This is what I had...

These little darlings are what I got...
I have decided to not paint the laminate cabinets because I am afraid of how they will turn out. They are very easy to wipe off and they don't look as bad with the new wall color and their new handles. I have been working on the tops of the cabinets too. Here is what I have come up with so far...
That is an old wash board that was my grandma's, love it. My old soap container that I won't be using anymore and a welcome sign I already had.
I used one of the baskets I got from JoAnn's great sale and a pitcher I already had.

I am still looking for fabric to cover the bench and we are installing a sink in here also and tiling the counter top. Just a few more projects to get done.
Don't you just love progress?

Shelf in the laundry room

2010-11-17T08:45:00.000-08:00

First I have to say "I AM IN LOVE"....with my new washer and dryer. You know after using the same one for 23 years, you just don't realize what you're missing.
I got busy on the shelf over the pegs in laundry/mudroom. I bought a 1x8x6 board at Lowe's.
The shelf will need to make a 90 degree turn, so I cut the pieces to fit.
On each end I cut off the corners so there wouldn't be a sharp edge sticking out.
These triangle pieces turned out to be perfect for the shelf brackets. I drew out the design of the shelf bracket.
Cut it out with the scroll saw.
I needed three so I found another scrap piece to cut the last one out of. I drilled holes in them to fit the screw into.
Here are the brackets in place.
I put the wood plugs in the holes and painted them white. Here they are finished.

I think I better run back to JoAnn's and see if they still have those cute baskets. I need one more, don't you think?

Linking with these parties:

Laundry room makeover part 1

2010-11-15T07:37:00.000-08:00

They arrived! The replacements, that is.

I have yet to use them. We are having trouble with the dryer set up. Not with the dryer itself but with the venting outside. Maybe tonight I will get to try them out. I sure hope so, 4 days without doing laundry, well you know what I mean.
So far I painted over the green paint with Behr Harvest Brown. I love that color. If you need a great neutral tan, that is it.
Today I will work on building a shelf above the coat hangers here.
I found these baskets and JoAnn's over the weekend for $8 for the set.
I got two sets so I could use the smaller ones on the shelf I am building. The others will be put to use somewhere else in the room.
Well, I better get going on the shelf or this room will never be done.
Have a great day!

Retirement

2010-11-12T06:33:00.000-08:00

Yes, this old couple is retiring.
Yay! You know what this means right? Laundry room makeover!

I feel a little bad, this couple has served me well for 23 years, yes 23 years! I got the washer for my wedding. They moved with us 6 times. They are a part of the family. But they are very tired and ...I want new ones!

Waiting for a delivery this morning. I painted yesturday. Kinda glad to get rid of the green in there. I am neutralizing. Still wondering what to do with famica cabinets??? Can't decide.

Oh, I think I can here a big truck outside, better go.

The "Letter" band wagon

2010-11-09T12:53:00.000-08:00

I jumped on! The "letter" band wagon. I love how everyone is using letters and numbers. I have been slow to use them in my house until now.

I have been looking for an "S" that would stand up on its own. I found this one and liked that it is big and chunky. It measures 12".

I spray painted it black and put in here.

I have already moved it about a dozen times, and it looks great everywhere I put it. Maybe I need some more SSSSSS's.

Table to bench

2010-11-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

I really hate this table.

It's a nice table. It was a hand-me-down from my mom years and years ago. It is solid oak. I mean solid. It is very heavy and well made. I just didn't like the style. I got this great idea one day when I was complaining about not having enough seating around my table....I'll cut that baby down and make a bench. So I did.
I used a jigsaw.
I measured my dining chairs and they were 18" high so that is what I cut the bench to. I took the brace off between the table legs...
and put it back on the bench with my handy dandy brad nailer.
Sanded.
Painted, two coats. Left over black from the murphy bed. Behr paint and primer in one from Home depot.
Sanded the edges for a distressed look.
Then I put Minwax Early American stain over the whole thing. Let it dry for a long time. Then I got to bring it in... the best part.
It sets right by my dining table.
And the best part, when I need it, it pulls up and I can sit two more adult behinds or 3 kid behinds.
Luuuuve it! Just in time for Thanksgiving! Now who's coming?
By the way, I'm thinking of painting my dining chairs black too, what do you think?

Participating in these parties:
http://www.sawdustandpaperscraps.com/2010/11/what-ever-linky-party.html

My own Thankful Garland

2010-10-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

I just loved this idea from tatertotsandjello. I had to make my own. I am a simple girl and so mine is simpler but just as effective.
I went to JoAnn's with a coupon hoping to find a fall garland. I found one that was already 60% off. I got it for $7.Then I picked out 5 different fall colored scrapbook papers.

I already had clothspins so I just put them on a jute sting and spray painted them brown. I didn't worry too much about covering them completely, I just wanted them to not show up in the garland. (This is the first coat, I did two.)
I cut out 5 very simple leaves from each color paper. There are five in my family and I thought 5 things to be thankful for was a good start.
During family night we talked about gratitude and all that we should be thankful for. We each wrote 3 things we are thankful for and pinned it on the garland.

I put the extra leaves and clothspins in a bowl with a pen and encouraged everyone to add more leaves throughout the month. Who doesn't want grateful kids. I don't care how old they are this is a great idea. Don't you think?

Pumpkins out the what?

2010-10-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

You know sometimes you say yes, not really knowing what you've gotten yourself into? Well...

I said sure, I'll find a cheap craft to do on our Super Saturday for our church. Then 30 people signed up for 2 pumpkins each. Yes, that equals 60 pumpkins!
They will looks something like this when the ladies are through...
It's a little hard tell what they will become from this...
Well, you know where I will be for the next few days.

Sharing

2010-10-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

I made these boxes for a client a few years ago.
When I made them back then I painted them dark blue and there were four of them. She called about a month ago and wanted a new look for that wall. So we took the boxes down and did this new look.
She really loved the new colors and new shelf.
But she wanted to reuse the boxes somewhere. So I painted them red. I really like how the blue came through when I sanded them. I also rubbed on a brown stain to soften the red a little like I did on the shelf.
Before, I hung them vertically. This time, for a change, I hung them horizontally.
It was nice to reuse them and see the different options for them.
I can never remember to take pictures when I do a house so I am unable to share anything with you. I hope to do better at that. This time I remembered, amazing, so I am sharing.
Have a great day!

The dust collector

2010-10-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

How many of you have one of these?

Are they dust collector's or what? I have been going to get rid of this tree for a long time. I finally got so sick of the dust I chucked it. Aaaahhh! it feels so good.
Now, what to put in the corner. I have been struggling with what to do with my old trunk, love it, don't know what to do with it. It has been here...
And here...
Didn't love either of those places. Now it is here...
Can you tip a trunk on it's end? I don't know. I did! I don't know how long it will stay there, but for now I kinda like it. I just grabbed some things I already had to put on it.
I had thought I would make a pillar of some kind to hold a large arrangement of sticks and florals, I guess this is it for now.
What do you think about putting a trunk on it's end?

2x4 Pumpkins

2010-10-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to you bloggers I have a little less stress in my life. I was asked, at the last minute, to come up with a simple, cheap, craft for our Super Saturday craft day in our ward. Well, I remembered a darling, simple, cheap craft made by Krystal @sassy sanctuary. Hers were darling. She actually went a step farther and put scrapbook paper on the front. Mine were simpler. But I love them and am actually glad I was asked to do this because it made me make some for myself to display. Here are mine.

They are so simple. Made from a 2x4 which costs about $2. Krystal gives a step by step tutorial so head on over there and get the complete tutorial. (Krystal does great blog design too, you have to check her out.) I made both of these for $5. Great craft, hu?

I'm gonna be linkin' with these parties...

The making of a side table.

2010-10-02T19:13:00.000-07:00

Changes! Sometimes I like changes. But, this change is one I will hate. My daughter will move out in less than a year to go to college. I can't talk about it or I will bawl. But it will happen and my middle son is so excited to have his own room, he can hardly wait. We put a queen bed in her room, recently. It is a small room so it is all bed, but my son will need a queen bed by the time he gets in there. He is growing like crazy.
I know that is a long way to get around to how I need a table but now I need a bedside table for this bed. (It also needs a headboard but that will have to be later.)
I have built alot of furniture in my craft/boutiquing days. But I had hung up my tool belt for a long needed break. I dusted it off for the murphy bed project so it was ready to go.
I used a 2x4 cut length wise for the legs. My table is 24 inches high.

Each side is a 1x6 cut to 12 inches long.
I drilled holes then screwed two screws in through the 2x2 leg and into the 1x6x12". Then I did the same with all sides. The top measures 18"x18". I glued and nailed it with finish nails.
I filled the holes with wood putty. The holes where the screws went in I filled with wood plugs.
I routed the edges and sanded the whole thing. Ooops! I forgot about the fake drawer. I cut a scrap piece of pine down to about 1x4x10". Glued a wood knob on and glued it to the front to look like a drawer front.

Now I have another problem. As I said, in less than a year my son will take over this room and it will be painted and redone. So I don't want to paint this table to match her room now, which would be white. I know that I will want it stained for his room along with whatever headboard I make. So anyway, here it is.

She will probably just use it unfinished. At least until I decide what to do. Changes, Humph!
This table was built for less than $20. Could be done cheaper if you just used planks on the top. I used a 18"x4' board that cost $15 but I have enough left for another larger table. Not bad!

I will be joining the linky parties below so go check 'em out.

Okay, I have a problem.

2010-10-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

I've been told I have a problem. Well I admit it, I do. I am moving things constantly. It drives some people crazy (husband). Me, I just think it makes everything new again. Plus, you get to clean under the things you move. I moved the table again, from here...

To here...
I just really like it better in the entry. Especially because I really hate this table.
It is kinda contemporary and really short for what I want. I have plans for this little table I will show in another post. Waha!
So this is my entry now...

Oh well, everyone has to have some faults right. This, I'm sure, is my only one.
Ha! Have a great weekend.

Ribbon organizer

2010-09-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

This little project has been on my list for quite a while. My ribbons are out of control and I need help controlling them.

Out in the garage I found some scrap wood and went to work. I cut a 1x4 long enough to fit under my cabinet that holds all my craft supplies. It was about 35 inches. From another scrap piece I cut two ends and rounded one side using a can to make the curve.

After I cut the rounded ends there were these triangular pieces left over. So I thought I would use them for the pieces that will support the dowel.
I used a 3/8" drill bit to make the half circle notches in the supports. (That is what the dowel will sit down into.)
After gluing and nailing the ends on, I just used glue to put the triangle supports on. Then I used screws to attach it under the cabinet.
I did have to purchase a 3/8" dowel. I Slid the rolls of ribbon on and look what I have...

Now, I haven't painted it because I am still holding out for a laundry room makeover. I didn't know what color to paint it. I left it unfinished but hopefully soon I will be doing a makeover on that room. I can paint it then.
What do you do with your ribbon?

My package

2010-09-24T10:12:00.000-07:00

Everybody loves to get a package, right? I sure do, especially if it was free. Thanks to Katie @ Chirp in the forest
I actually won her drawing for that cute pumpkin. I have never won anything so I was thrilled.
This is what I decided to do with it. I have this candle lantern thingy.
I took out the hanging candles.
I just put them in the closet because I am sure I will put them back in sooner or later.
I gathered some bead garland, cut some leaves off another garland, gathered some pine cones from the yard and found some fall ribbon. Here is the finished project.
To make the pumpkin sit up a little higher I put a small scrap piece of wood in first to set the pumpkin on. I rapped the bead garland around and around the piece of wood. Stuck a couple leaves with pine cones in with the pumpkin on top. Tied a ribbon on the handle with another pine cone and WaLa!

This little vignette was free. I just used things I already had. Don't you just love free?
Thanks Katie!

Favorite Picture? Mod podge it.

2010-09-20T15:29:00.000-07:00

I was checking out some blogs, as I usually do, last week and ran across a great idea, I thought. Here's the problem, I can't remember the blog I saw it on. It was a gal who had done a baseball room for her son and had mod podged a photo she took of Wrigley Field onto a board. Sound familiar? If so, let me know so I can give her proper credit.

This is my version of her project. My daughter is always taking pictures. I love that. I wanted to display some of them in a unique way, soooo...
I printed out the picture onto white cardstock. Cut a piece of pine board to be just a little bigger than the photo. Pounded the edges of the board with the hammer, then stained it with walnut stain. Mod podged the picture on the board like so...

Let dry and WaLa!

Can't you just imagine the possibilities? I will be doing this again.

Dirty little secret!

2010-09-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

This is a little...okay...ALOT embarrassing. See this nice little jewelry box.

It houses a dirty little secret. It sits there all nice and neat until...KABOOM!
I've been meaning to get to this for a while now...(A long, long, long, while.)
I was having trouble finding pairs of earring and even knowing what I had, I know you can't imagine why.
I dumped it out on the floor.
Then I put back everything that I would use and made a pile to throw away. Things that were broke, without their mate or from the eighties. (Dang, should have kept the eighties stuff, its back in, right.)

Here is my throw away pile.
WHOA, WAIT JUST A MINUTE. Go back and look in the throw away pile and tell me if you see this.
My husbands wedding ring!
Ya, it was in the throw away pile, and do you want to know how close it came to the garbage can? I picked it all up in a Walmart sack and was about to chuck it in the trash when a little voice in my head said "Why don't you check through that stuff again?" I did and I am so glad I did. Sheeesh! That was close!
Please tell me there is someone else out there that has a jewelry box like mine, that needs a little attention?

Mod Podge Tray

2010-09-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

I finally jumped on...the bandwagon, that is. I've been seeing cute trays transformed with a little scrapbook paper and mod podge. Well I have several old trays that are in my closet. This one I tried to transform with chalkboard paint.

This picture is directly out of the closet so you can see it hasn't been used. Dust has overtaken it.
I really do need a tray to use, because this whole summer I have tried to haul all my things for an outdoor meal in my arms. Why am I not using a tray? Because it is so ugly, it got hidden away in the closet. NO MORE! Cute tray on the way! (That rhymes, Ha)
Removed the handles.
Spray painted the tray and these cute black and white poka-dot letters with brown spray paint.
Covered the bottom of the tray with brown and blue stripe scrapbook paper. I tore the edges because I wanted a kind of scrabby look. (I know scrabby isn't a word, but I know you know what I mean.)
With a different, but compatible, paper I made this little sign.
Glued letters on with Mod Podge.
Spray painted this little flower, I found in the craft closet, brown also. The sign just needed something.

This ribbon was also in my closet and added a cute little design.
Mod Podge is my friend. I really like how it turned out. This one won't go in the closet!

Fall Entry

2010-09-10T11:57:00.000-07:00

I gathered up the fall decor and headed for the entry. It is one of the few places I change for fall. I recently changed the table in here to this old one and it really makes me want to get another one built. Maybe soon.?. Anyway, this is what I ended up with for the entry...

I always put a fall ribbon on the lamp.

I have this neat garland I always put over my front door.

I have to give an update on my family room mantel. I said how I wanted a wreath for the window pane... well, I went in Tai Pan yesturday and there it was the perfect wreath for that spot. It was $9.99 and I had a 25% off coupon. So I got it for $7.49. It goes perfect with the other berry sprig I already had. Check it out...

Have you got your fall out?

A little Fall on the mantel's

2010-09-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

I like to add a little fall around the house. But only on the mantel and in the entry. I just like to add a little touch here and there.

On this mantel I just stuck these fall sprigs in to the existing decor.

On the hearth I always leave these cedar candle holders my dad made here. I just layed some fall leaves around them. Makes for a nice fall vignette.

On to the other mantel in the family room. I stuffed in another sprig of berries, and put a wooden pumpkin on the candle stick.

I want to get a small fall wreath and hang in from the window pane. Wouldn't that look good? I haven't been able to find a small enough one yet. So until then...

I have never been one to take every thing down and put all new up for the holiday's. I guess because I like what I have and I don't know where to store everything when I change it up. I just add a few touches here and there. But, now that I think about it, at Christmas I take everything down and put Christmas up. I just think it is so much work that I get lazy. I can only do it once a year at Christmas time. What do you do? And where do you put everything you take down?

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I pulled out the fall today.

2010-09-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

I don't think I usually start this early but you early fall decorators are getting me in the mood. I first have to say I LOVE FALL! Every thing about fall, I love. The cool air, the colors, the smells, the baking, and the decor. Ooops! I forgot! There is one little thing I don't love about fall....Halloween. Now don't send me any hate mail. I just have never loved that holiday I kinda wish I could just skip that one and get on to Thanksgiving and the ultimate... Christmas. I am sorry to those of you who love all things Halloween but I hope you can still like me a little.

I pulled out the boxes marked "Fall" and this is what I found.

A whole lot of faded old fall decorations. I kinda lost my zest. I pulled out a few items that I thought I could use and went to work on the front porch. This is a wreath I made a few years ago.
It has faded in the sun and needs some brightening up.
But I put it up anyway. Then I pulled out the dead patunia's from my planters, all that is left is the Geraniam's. I tied a orange glitter ribbon around the planters and said "Welcome Fall!"
Dang I need to buy or make or steal some new fall decorations. Maybe tommorrow I will see what I can find for the entry. Humph!
How is your fall decor? Is it in need of a little updating?

Where do you blog party.

2010-08-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

Have you been to the "Where do you blog party?" Over at centsationalgirl.com There are some really great spaces, very inspirational. I thought, since I have just fixed up my space recently, I would show mine too. This space is a large closet we turned into an office space. It is located right at the beginning of my main hall so it is in the main living space so as not to be away from the rest of the family.

Since I am not the only one to use this space, I love that it is right in the living area. That way I can just pop on the computer when ever I need to and I can keep track of the kids when they are on. That is where I blog now hop on over to the Where do you blog party and see where everyone else blogs too.

Brooke

Laundry room show & tell

2010-08-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I did a post on laundry organizing. I had some people ask me some questions about my laundry room. So even though I am thinking of redoing my laundry in the near future, I thought I would show you the things that really work in there.
A few years back I realized there was a huge problem with shoes in my laundry/mudroom. Everyone came in that door (off the garage) and kicked off shoes until there was a huge mountain of shoes and it became difficult to get in the door.
I found a solution that I have loved ever since. I bought some MDF board and went to work. Since there are five people in our family I made 5 shoe slots, spots, or bins whatever you want to call them.
I put a board on the top for a bench to sit and put shoes on or take them off. Above I put the coat hangers. This has really worked. Everyone has their own slot and just kicks their shoes off into their slot. I put some batting and material on the top of the bench and just hot glued the ruffle on to finish it off. I then needed a place to craft and also to fold clothes. So I built this folding table that flips back when not in use. It is attached to the bench and the wall.
Here it is folded out.
I use this to fold clothes, crafts, and scrapbooking. I just put a 1x2 board on the wall to hold the table up when it is folded out, like this.
Underneath the table I keep all my scrapbooking supplies.
I also needed a place for the ironing board. I don't iron very much, actually very little. I hate to have to drag a big ironing board out somewhere and then put it back whenever I use it. So I bought one of those ironing boards that are suppose to hang on the back of your door. You know what I mean, right? Looks like this.
I built a box around it and hung it on the wall. Now I have one of those great built in ironing boards that cost alot but mine was cheap. I know the blue pad doesn't match but it really doesn't matter because it is never out. Ha!
I put a door made from 1/2 inch thick MDF board and painted it the color of the wall so it doesn't stand out.
So I hope that answered some questions. These things have really been useful in there and were not hard to do. I am wanting to maybe paint in there and do a little update. I really hate the cabinets in there and hope to do a makeover on the doors soon. Until then I guess I will go do some laundry. UGH!

What is a murphy bed? I'll show you.

2010-08-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, so here it is. The "BIG PROJECT" the hubster and I have been working on. Finally finished.
So what is it? An armoire? No. T.V. Cabinet? No. It is a Murphy bed. Just so you know there will be no tutorial on the making of this bed. If you ever attempt one of these, number 1. You are nuts! number 2. You will need more direction than I can give you, some serious instructions and measurments.
So this is where it all started. We puchased the mechanism for the muphy bed and with it came instructions on making it and the wood we needed to purchase.

After about 10 days we made it to here.
So when the bed is up in the cabinet the front is suppose to look like an armoire. You can have cabinet doors made but that is expensive so I decided we could make fake doors and drawers with just some trim and fake drawer fronts. Then put handles and knobs on them and they look real. I then started the yucky job of painting, I hate to paint. I decided black was the color so off to Home Depot I went. "Behr paint and primer in one, please." I have to say this is really great stuff. 2 coats later...
A little sanding around the trim (I mean doors) and crown molding.
Then I put 2 coats of this stuff in satin finish. It recommends 3 coats on the can but I had had enough!
Here it finally is in its place.
Here are the handles I got a Home Depot to further the look of cabinet doors...
And here is how this thing works...

"Where is the mattress?" you say. Well we had to order it because it is a full/double size and the store we went to didn't stock them because they aren't that popular. Hu! So next week we will be accepting guests but no sooner!
And of course, any flat surface cannot stay un-accessorized for long in this house, sooo...
We saved $1000 buckaroos by building this ourselves. And maybe in about 5 years we will forget about the blood, sweat and tears that went into it and we will say "It was worth it" but for now I do love how it looks in the room and it will be great for an extra bed when needed.
How do you like it?

What to do with an extra cabinet door.

2010-08-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine told me she had found a couple cabinet doors and didn't know what to do with them. I told her I had seen people in the blogging world make message boards out of them. Then I remembered what I did with the one I found out in the shed at my mother-in-law's and thought I would share that with you. This is a gorgeous door with alot of detail.
I must first explain our kids bath. When we built I thought it would be a great idea to be able to shut off the shower and toilet area seperate from the vanity. We have one girl and two boys who use this bathroom and so while one is showering or using the toilet others can use the vanity. This has worked out well. Except for one thing, well two things, wish it was bigger and when you are in the shower/toilet room and you run out of soap, toilet paper or other items used in this area, you have to call out to whomever is out there and willing to help or sneak out in your towel etc. I needed a little storage in there. But, it is a very small room. Above the toilet is the only place. Now we can get back to the cabinet door.
Perfect size for a cabinet above the toilet. I built a box a little smaller than the door out of 1x6 pine and put two shelves in the middle.

Trimmed it around the edge with 1x2 pine and wa-la! With a little stain, hinges and a knob for the door, it was done. This cabinet is just the right depth so it doesn't feel too big in the room but holds alot of necessities.
Here is what it looks like in its place.
With a little accessorizing, of course.

That is what I did with an extra cabinet door. What have you done with yours?
Have a great day!

A little "tweeking"

2010-08-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

If you know me, you know that I have to be changing things quite often. I just love to have a new look and if I can do it with stuff I already have that is the best.
I get up and clean the high shelves every once in a while. (Twice a year) I know it should be done more often but its just the finding the ladder, bringing it in, trying not to ding the walls, climbing up and down, putting the ladder back. You know the drill. I dread it. While I was up there this time I decided it needed a change.
I have to admit, this time I did get something new. Those cute blocks that say "HOME". I got those at the Quilted Bear. I just thought they were so dang cute.
But, the rest of the stuff is mine. I just shopped around the house.
That cool antique radio was my father-in-law's.

That is interesting how my walls look white in the pictures. They aren't. They are kinda goldish tan, is that a color?
Anyway, how often do you get up and clean your high places? Don't tell me if it is once a week!
Brooke

Progress on the "BIG Project"

2010-08-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

I thought I would show you some progress on the Big Project. It is now in the finishing stage so we have let out a sigh of relief.
Here it is finished, with just a little sanding left.
And here it is in the painting process.
No those are not blue handles. That is painters tape to cover the handles that had to be put on before the paint. (For reasons I will not discuss at this time)
Here is the other part of this mysterious project.
And yes, if you are saying "She's painting it black?" I have answered that question to three kids, a husband, and two neighbors. I am painting it black and it will be lovely when it is done. Thank you very much!
Have any of you guessed what it is? Well, maybe by next Tuesday or Wednesday I will be able to show the finished project. Until then, enjoy your weekend.
Brooke

BIG project. What were we thinking?

2010-08-11T08:42:00.001-07:00

Here is what we (the hubster and I) are working on...
See all that wood in the background, that is part of it too. It is not even close to being finished. Here is another picture a little farther along...
I think I will keep it a secret as to what it is but the last picture has many hints.
I think you will think we are crazy and sometimes I think that is true. But we are in to it to far now and it is way to expensive to stop now. I hope to be finished in a week or so. But for now we are spending long hours in the garage.
Would you like to take a guess?

IKEA first timer!

2010-08-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

I made the trek to IKEA today. (It is a trek from my house, about 60 miles)I was so excited because I had heard so much about it and had never been. I walked in and I was overwhelmed. I finally figured out where I was suppose to go and I made the long trek around the store. It feels kinda futuristic. I like how they had like little apartments set up with kitchen, bed and baths, also amazing closets. I have to say I like the style there but it wouldn't really go in my home. It seems real young and hip and I guess I'm not. I did find something there though. I've been searching for an organizer for my desk. IKEA pulled through for me with this for $9.99.
I like how it has slots for all the pencils and scissors etc. I hurried home and put all my stuff in it.
That is my IKEA story, do you have one?

Laundry organizing

2010-08-04T06:32:00.000-07:00

I built many of these "boxes" back in my "building days".
I sold quite a few as magazine holders or totes for crafting supplies.
I have used this one for many things, but lately I have used it in the laundry room to hold supplies. I didn't like the fact that I had painted it green for another use and now I needed it to be red. So I painted it red...
Sanded the edges...
When I sanded, the green color from underneath came through. Loved that. Then I took an old sock and Special Walnut stain and rubbed it on the whole thing. I like how the stain just antiques it a little.
Here you can see how the green is coming through...
Here it is in the corner of my laundry room where I fold clothes and do craft projects.
It is nice to have everything organized and where you need it, when you need it.
I think I would like to get a vinyl to put on the side of it that says "laundry" or "supplies" or something. What do you think?

A prettied up lampshade

2010-07-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

I looked everywhere. This lampshade was driving me crazy.
I wanted it to be red or have some kind of cuteness. I did look alot of places and could not find what I needed. I was a little irritated. Then one fine day I had a thought. Why not use some left over fabric and do some embellishing? I got right on it. Took the shade off, isn't it pretty...
Got out the fabic and ribbon I wanted to use...
Cut the fabric into 1 inch strips...
Okay, right here I have to start appologizing for the nasty quality of my pictures. I didn't realize they were blurry until I put them on the computer. Please, please be nice. I know they are bad.
Next, you fold the strip over and start rolling. (Have you ever made ribbon flowers? That is what you are doing, but with fabric.)

Keep rolling and twisting it so it looks like a sweet roll. Then when it is the size you want, you can cut the end off...
Take out the trusty glue gun and smother the bottom of the fabric, that you have rolled into a flower, with glue and stick it on the shade.

Now, just to warn you, I wish I would have planned things out a little. But, I just started sticking roses on and making this cluster of flowers. Now that I look at it, I wish that maybe I would have just done the same thing on top that I did on the bottom.
Now for the leaves, I just cut a green ribbon, that I already had from another project, about 2" long.
Fold it over on itself and glue with glue gun. Then it will look like this...
This is what I used for leaves. I just stuck them wherever I thought I needed them.
For the bottom, I ran the ribbon all the way around the bottom edge.
Then on the spines running down the shade I put a fabric flower and leaves...

I really like how it turned out. Here it is now...

Again I have to apologize for the photo's.
Have a great day.
Brooke

A little accessorizing always helps.

2010-07-27T06:33:00.000-07:00

I'm about done messing with my office nook. I bought a few things to accessorize the top of the cabinets and on the shelf. I bought the red tin vase and the black box that says Dream on it at Tia Pan. The other things I already had. The box with the old post office box door my brother built for me. When they built a new post office in his little town he got a few of the old boxes. I love how it is a combination lock and not a key .

Ya, I know you can't read the "Dream" because of the little wood rail. I thought about ripping that off but I don't know. I raised the box up by setting it on a book but that still didn't help. Oh well.
Before...

After...

Now for the shelf...
I bought a few things here also. The black box came from Walmart, the little topiary and the calendar came from a new store I found called Real Deals.
And the ugly thermometer we had. It has to stay. We do use it alot to see how hot it is. But we have never figured out how to set the clock so it is an hour off. So I have another clock hanging on the wall that I already had.

So, since we are rounding this little makeover up, let's see some before and afters of the whole thing...
Before
After
Before
After
Before
After

I really enjoy this space now that it is cleaner, more organized and cuter.
Thanks for stopping by.
Brooke

Where do you put your paper?

2010-07-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

Where do you put your paper for your printer? I found a solution, for me and my limited space, that I thought I would share. This is it...
I actually built this before my blogging days and have never finished it. See here it is as I was using it under the printer...
I used to have the printer on the counter and the paper in a pile in front of it. As you can see, I don't have alot of space so every bit of counter is sacred. So I ran off to Home Depot and bought a 1x12x4 pine board. I cut 2 pieces 4 inches long for the legs and the top measures 19 inches (long enough for 2 packages of 8x11 paper). I nailed the legs on and then for support I used a 1x2 board under the top and between the legs for support. I already had that board but you can also buy those at Home Depot. Then a little black spray paint...
This height makes it so I can still open the printer top without hitting the top cabinets.
It was a great solution for me and my space problem. And now it looks much better painted.

Have a great day!

Incoming mail...Home office makeover

2010-07-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

I'm getting a few things done. I completed another one of the need to's today. This is where our incoming mail goes...
It hangs on the left wall. If you look at this picture you can see it there...
Well now that I am fixing up around this area, I needed to get rid of the moose and tree and try to match my new decor. I decided to remove the metal moose and tree. It was rather easy they just pulled right off..
Since I am trying to bring red over to this "office" I thought I would paint it red. I watered the paint down alot and brushed it on.
This is what it looks like...
Still a little boring... It needs something on the front. Remember the fabric from this project...
I cut a little section of flowers out...
Dug out the Mod Podge, and glued it to the front...
When it dried the edges were a little frayed or ragged so I just went around the edge with a black paint marker. It kinda cleaned the edge up a little.
I also spray painted the brown metal bands on it black, but forgot to take pics of that. So here is what it looks like back in its place next to the new bulletin board...

Things are already looking better with just these two changes. But I've got more much more to do.
Thanks for stopping by.

Home office "closet"

2010-07-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

This is going to be my new project

I think it needs some help. I got all "Gung-ho" and thought I would paint the cabinets and walls. Hubby put the "Kabosh" to that. Soooo I thought, it still needs some serious help. I have several projects that I will post seperately. But I did get started today.
I was looking for ideas online and ran on to a cute idea from Better homes and gardens site. (www.bhg.com) I wanted something on the back wall behind the computer screen. So these bulliten boards will work great.
I started with 2 11x14 frames. One I had and the other I got at Joann's for $6.99. I spray painted them black along with some thumb tacks.

Using the cardboard insert in the frame, I cut foam core to fit in the frame.
Then I cut the fabric I got at Joann's, (1/2 yard for $5.00) a little larger that the foam core. Glued it with, what else, the trusty glue gun.

The I laid out how I wanted the ribbon to be on the bulliten board and glued them down on the back with the glue gun.
Then I stuck in the black (spray painted) thumb tacks wherever the ribbons crossed.

Then it was ready for the frame. Stick it in and wa-la! I love how it turned out.
I was so excited to hang them. Here is the one on the left.
And the one on the right. It has to sit behind the printer but it still works great.

Um, just in case I was able to convince hubby that the cabinets need painting...what would you suggest? Just asking?
Brooke

Little things....

2010-07-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just need a change. Are you that way? I like to, occationally, switch things up. It makes things feel new and fresh again. My husband just loves it when I do this, "not", but I keep reminding him it doesn't cost anything. Then he quiets right down. So, I have this wall next to the dining table. I decided a table would look nice there for a change. Went shopping, in my entry, and found this black table that I made years ago.
I think it looks great there. (I know I need a new lampshade, or maybe a new lamp, I will work on that.)
It changes it up a bit.

I then had nothing for the entry. So I took this table from behind my couch..
And put it in the entry with the trunk...
I also changed the things on my piano from this...
To this...
Remember, I said little things. I always feel like I have something new when I do this. It's almost as good as getting something new.

Let's talk cabinet tops.

2010-07-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

If you are lucky enough to have this space above your cabinets then you may have the love, hate relationship that I do. I always wanted more space to decorate. When we built I wanted the space above the cabinets so I could put "cute things." Sometimes, when I have to clean up there, I wonder what I was thinking. I love the look, but cleaning the grease and dust mixture off my faux plants and other items is really gross. (Do people still say gross?) Anyway here is what I like to do with my tops. Over the cooking area...

Over the fridge...
Over this funny cabinet...

On the other side...
And in the corner...
I have a thing about cabinet tops. I like to make little vignettes at different points and not just cover all the area with stuff. I like to give your eye a place to stop and rest, so the speak.

Now they are all clean up there for another year. Ha. I wish!

What do your cabinet tops look like? Do they need a little attention?

Oh how I would love Trex.

2010-06-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

I have two decks, one on either side of the new addition. One is small and mostly just a step out.
But, the other is the old deck that used to be at our back door before we added the family room on. We took it apart and put in back together, it saved alot of money. They are both redwood and need to be stained every other year, if not, every year.
Anyway, for now I am happy I have a deck. That is the way to be grateful. Isn't there always something we want. I use Behr brand stain from Home Depot.
It sure makes things look better.
I use the same stuff on my cedar fence. It is a good job for the kids. Ha.
This is what the "old deck" in a new spot looked like...
And now...

My dear hubby put this pipe in the ground next to the deck so we can put our umbrella in it. It works better there for us than in the table.
As you can see it is morning and the umbrella isn't really shading the deck, but it sure works in the afternoon and evening.
I also found a great way to stain a big deck. I used a roller on a long broom handle. It sure saved the back and went pretty fast.
We do enjoy the decks and patio. And, I am very grateful!
Have a beautiful summer day.

It's the pits!

2010-06-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Ya, I know, catchy title hu? Well it was the pits! I had a fire pit in my back yard. I didn't take a before we started pic but you can tell from this that something needed to be done. See the big pipe, culvert, thingy sticking out of the ground?
Well that is what we have had for more than a year. Dangerous and ugly in one. It actually used to have bricks around it but they all broke up and looked bad so we were trying to figure out a surround that was not expensive. I would have loved to use those beautiful faux stone, stacked, you know, with a stone top and all. But have you priced those things? Well we decided on cement.
My husband thought it would be more interesting if it was in a octagon shape. We are not very good at math but soon figured it out and made the frame for the cement.
A little gravel in the bottom makes the cement go farther and makes a better base.
(this is what my husband says)
Smooth out with a trowel. I left this to the expert.

When it was all smooth I decided I wanted to try something. I kinda ruffed it up with a small trowel and made it look kinda like stone, you know, not smooth.
Then I took some stain and a old paint brush and a rag or an old shirt.
I just dabbed and wiped and dabbed and wiped with the stain. I kinda like the look. It looks a little like stone and better that just plain old cement.

I will put a stone sealer on it and I think we might even use this old pit.

Long awaited rest!

2010-06-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

Hey, thanks to all of you who wondered where in the heck I had ran off to. I had to take a break and figure out what I was doing. I stepped back and realized I was spending money I didn't need to so I could put something on my blog. I have to just share the things I do and not worry about how many posts I do in a week. But, I will be checking in on you to see all of your great ideas. Hope you can hang in there with me, and if not, I enjoyed your company while it lasted. I have to do what is best for me and my family and hope you do the same.
I went on a trip with my family to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We had a great time and I wanted to share some of the photos my daughter took.
This is where we camped, we pulled out trailer and stayed at Gros Ventre Camp Ground it was nice and quiet.

Aren't the Teton Mountains beautiful! I think they are so majestic!

This little guy followed us around hoping we would drop some food, we did.

The scenery is so beautiful. I love old barns, weird, I know.

We went on alot of hikes around the many lakes up there. This one was called string lake and I thought this tree was neat. It's roots are out of the ground and all funky.

This lake is one of my favorite's. It is called Jenny Lake. It is so beautiful. You can ride a boat across this lake if you don't want to hike the whole way and hike up the mountain a little ways and see some beautiful water falls and gorgeous scenery. Oh my!

Here are my kido's at Jenny Lake.

We also went to a musical, Annie Get You Gun, at the Jackson Hole Playhouse. It was cute. And we went to the Bar J Wranglers, a really fun western show. We had a fun time and a much needed get away.
I have been doing some projects outside I want to share. So maybe next week I can get moving again. Thanks for hanging in.
Have a great day,
Brooke

Front porch help

2010-06-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

I think we might be over the freezing sub zero weather that has been plaguing us this spring. I finally went and bought some flowers for my pots yesterday. Now we are expecting rain again today. I need some help with my boring front porch. This is it in all of its sadness...

I planted flowers in the pots. They are still very small but hopefully will grow. I got out my old pillows from last year and even they don't seem very fun and bright for summer...

I want to paint my front door, but I don't know what color. I thought about black but it might be to dark for my house????
I want to put something on the house next to the door that will last through the summer. Like a flower wreath, but I think I want to put something patriotic instead. Will that last through June, July and August?
Please help me brighten up my front porch. I really don't know what to do. Any advise would be appreciated.

Neglected hallway no more

2010-05-24T07:04:00.000-07:00

You know, there is a place we walk by and through a hundred times a day. A place screaming for attention. Wanting to be noticed. Well, you may not have one but I do. A neglected hallway. Coming down my hall this is what you see...
BORING! Everywhere else gets attention. I actually have been going to get something for this wall for a while now. I just didn't want a single picture or print. So I was shopping at Tai Pan, something I do quite often. (Don't tell the husband) I found these frames that I loved. That would be interesting. Stack 3 of these cool frames on top of each other. So...

I love how they stick out from the wall. They are really rustic and unique.
My hallway is no longer neglected. I love coming down the hall and having something to look at. I put photos of family and trips we love, so they can cheer us up when we see them.
How is your hallway? Is it neglected like mine was?

I am linking to:

Little girls room to teen girls room

2010-05-13T07:17:00.000-07:00

When my daughter was 12 she got a whole new room for her birthday.
Can you even believe this color, it actually glows in the hall when she turns the light on. Lime green and blue are her favorites. She loves horses and had a collection of Breyer horses. I made these boxes for shelves and they worked really well for the horses and other decorative items.

This desk was a hand-me-down, and worked perfect for her room. So I made the top bookcase thingy to hold all her stuff. More box shelves for decoration.
She has this darling window seat in her room. So I covered a cushion for the seat in a rug, yes a rug, I found at Target in the perfect colors. She loved to sit in there and pull the curtains closed and read. She is an artist so I put shelves on the left of the window for her to put her latest masterpiece.
Now, somehow, over the years, she has grown up. And is now 17 so over the years we have had to change a few things to make the room grow with her. Here is what it looks like now...

The horse collection has been boxed up. Now the shelves are covered with awards and trophies and such. The bed got a new comforter and is in a new position.
The window hasn't changed much, just pulled the curtains back.
The desk is now make-up central. Covered in dance photo's and other teen things.

Her art display...
I still can't believe she is 17 and I have one more year before she is off to college. I better enjoy every minute. I do love that girl!
So with just a few inexpensive and simple changes her room grew with her. She still loves it.
Have a lovely day!

Go on over to New Friend Friday and find some new bloggy friends.

Kitchen organization

2010-05-12T08:41:00.000-07:00

You know that commercial when the woman opens her cabinet and the entire contents of storage containers falls out of her. Well, my cabinet that holds those is on the bottom or that would be me. Check this out...
I blame this on the kids when they unload the dishwasher they don't put lids with containers and they just throw them in there. I have to say it's not only the kids. I have done that also when in a hurry. So it is time to clean out. Look at all the junk that won't be going back in...
Lids with no container and containers with no lid.
Now look at what I have now...
A whole pull-out drawer, empty. I'm sure I will find something to fill it with.

Well, that's not all I could actually go on for quite a while. But this one really gets to my husband.
Do you blame him? I always know when he is in that drawer searching for something. It kinda sounds like this... Uuuuhhhh! Grrrrrrr! Uuuuuuhhhhh! It can actually ruin a good mood within seconds. I better work on it. I decided I would use a couple containers that didn't have lids (I was going to throw out) to organize smaller things in the drawer. Like so....
That should help. Now how do I train the kids to put stuff in its place. That could be difficult
Oh my, I just opened my other utensil drawer. This has to be my last one. I have laundry calling my name. But look, do you think it needs attention?.
Sometimes it just needs a good clean out and I moved the utensil tray to the front. That is what we use the most from that drawer. Better?
Leanne @ Organize and decorate everything was my inspiration today. I am linking to her party.

Simple denim curtains

2010-05-11T07:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been missing for a week or so. I had to go to Idaho for a funeral. You know how that can knock the creative juices right out of you. Anyway, on to happier thoughts.
These curtains in my "Boys Room" were soooo easy and I think they turned out cute.
I just bought the denim material at Walmart. The edges were already finished so all I had to worry about was the top and bottom.

All I did was cut the denim about 1 inch up and about 1/4 inch apart all the way across. Then threw it in the washer and dryer and you know what happens...it frayed and curled so cute. It made a perfect finish for the top and bottom.
Can you just imagine how cute a denim valance would be done like that. I just love how the ends curled up.
Hope you all have a great day.

Boys room

2010-05-04T09:22:00.001-07:00

I have 2 boys, M is 13 and C is 9. Because we only have 3 bedrooms, they have to share because the other room belongs to my 17 yr. old daughter. M can't wait till she moves out. M is a cowboy, loves ranching and the outdoors. When he was born I did a cowboy room for him.

Then along came C he is anything but a cowboy so I decided we needed a little more generic boys room. I decided to just use denim as my theme, so to speak. I still used some things from the cowboy room but brought other things in too for big C.

The room was a taupe-y grey color. I painted it a more tan color. It was a nice change. I bought bunk beds to get a little more room in this very small room. I bought these denim quilted bedspreads at Target.

Then I got this oooolllldddd dresser from a neighbors garage for free. It was disgusting. I painted it dark brown and now it is great for the boys.
I love to have a cork board or magnet board in kids rooms. They always have something they want to hang on the wall or some keepsake that usually changes from week to week they want to put up somewhere. A cork board works so well for that. I did one for each of the boys. The letters above the cork board is, of course, for their names and I did them in denim blue with "stitching" in cream.
I saved old Levi's and blue plaid shirts so I could make the patchwork runner on the
dresser and I covered the storage box tops with the same patchwork.
You know how boys love to keep things and need extra storage. I made these little storage box, benches. They were just a simple box and the top lifts off so they can keep their treasures in there.
They have handles on the side so they can be moved around for sitting or standing. They have been quite handy.
I had this crate that was my grandfathers.
I decided it would work great to house the game cube and games along with a DVD player. With the tv on top, it is still low enough for them to sit on the floor to play games. Which is what they like to do.
I am not a great sewer. I don't have patience and I don't know how. So, for the boys window I bought denim fabric and made this treatment without having to sew or anything. I bought a silver rod and clips from Target and clipped it up after doing the treatment to the top and bottom. (I will tell about that in a later post.)
This post is getting long so I will just show some random pics to finish off the room.
Made this lamp from a metal cowboy thingy...( I'll tell about this later also.)
I made this to house M's guns.
This corner you have probably seen before in the post about hat storage.

So there it is. The boys have enjoyed it and I think it fits them both better.
Have a great day!

Linking to:

Vignette Day

2010-04-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

It's Vignette Day at The Stories of A 2 Z.

I thought I would show my vignette that is up in the vault of my great room. I have a large shelf that was once suppose to be a mantel. I needed something up in this peak, so I used it up there. I have some wonderful old things. This old radio that was my father-in-law's is really neat. Also, this neat lantern that I think I stole from my mom's house. By the way, if you think you are seeing some cobweb's or dust, you are. Sorry, it is really high and I have to bring the big latter in to clean so it doesn't get done to regularly.

My walls are not white. The light today is bad, because we are getting snow, yes, snow. So it is dark and maybe that is why the walls look white. They are a creamy tan color in real life. I had this cute wire basket so I put some pine cones falling out for cuteness.
Then I found this arrangement and it was perfect for some height.
Under the mantel shelf looked really bare so I found this grapevine thingy and it fit perfect to fill up the emptiness.
Here it is all together...
Now run over and see some great vignette's at:

Home for my soap

2010-04-25T18:10:00.000-07:00

I finally found it! I have been looking for something, anything to put my laundry soap in. I want to leave it out on the dryer for easy access. So here is what I found...

I know, I know, I can read. The fact that it says "Sugar" is a small problem. Very small. The real problem is what I spent for it....uummm....all I can say is it wasn't a thrifty find...it was $23.00. I know, but sometimes when you find the "Right" thing, you just have to. The red color was Perfect for my laundry, and the size was perfect too. Anyway, I decided I wanted to make a chalkboard sign for the front over the word sugar. Off to the garage, I found a small thin piece of wood and cut it to size with, who else, Mr. Big...

Then a little chalkboard paint...

Then I just cut a piece of scrapbook paper for a frame (of sorts) and glued it to the back with good old Elmers.

I then glued it right over the word "Sugar" on the can. Like so...

Filled it with my laundry soap...

And look how cute, and so handy right there where you can easily get to it. I love it.

Oh and while we are right there, you can see the other chalkboard I made to cover up the ugly breaker box. You know, we all have them, mine is right there, first thing you see when you walk in the room. I thought a chalkboard would be cute so a few years back I made this one...
My, I should raise my prices! So all together they don't look to bad, I am happy.

Have a great day!

I will be linking to:

How I found my home

2010-04-23T07:18:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, I was just over at Leanne's at Organize and Decorate Everything and she told the story of finding her home. It got me thinking about my home. You know a home doesn't have to be large, new, or perfect in any way. All it has to be is full of people and things you love and then it becomes perfect for you.
We built our home in 1995.
This is an older picture of our home. (Just so you know, that is not the street you see in the front of the picture. It is our round driveway.) When we built our home we were poor. My husband had just started a new job and the opportunity came and we took it. So glad we did because we build what we could afford then and so it was easy for us to pay it off and then spend money of improvements as we made more money over the years.
We only had a few requirements that we just had to have and they were; Front porch, entry, pantry, and just one open great room no living room. Those were our requirements. I drew the plans very simple so that my husband would be able to build it himself. He is veeeerrrrryyyy handy, but hadn't build a home before. But, we had to save as much money as possible. He did most of it himself with help from friends and family. It was very stressful and difficult but now we have a beautiful home that we have now built on to. (A large family room in the back.)
I don't have a picture of the finished room. But it is only 35 degrees right now so I am not running out there to take one. Maybe later.
Would I build a different home now if I were to build again. Yes, I would love a larger laundry room and I would make a few other changes, mostly just larger rooms. But I love my home, not because it is perfect in the worlds eyes but because we have made it a home with wonderful memories of family, friends and things we love.
How did you find or build your home? Do you love it?

Keys are hung...recap

2010-04-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

I am just so excited about the 3 different areas that I improved with my $9 purchases. You remember...
The keys got hung, love how they look...

Then with the 2 little topiaries I did this...
Before
And After
Then with the iron scrolly thing I did this...

That just makes me excited to look at these new areas in my house. Don't you just love to get something new? Even if it is just something small, it changes the look or feel of the room. Maybe I just get excited over small things. What about you?

Key project finished

2010-04-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

So I finished the key project. I still had to sand with my handy palm sander...
Then I got out our new brad nailer. I have had this for several years and never used it. I usually choose a finish nailer but for this small project the brad nailer is perfect.
I just nailed all the frame pieces and the base piece all together. Oh and I did use a little wood glue, that never hurts.
Then I went for my can of white spray paint. There was none. I had to do it the old fashioned way, with a paint brush and paint.
It took longer but that is okay. I did two coats and let them dry really well.
Then I sanded it all on the edges and just ruffed it up again, with my palm sander of course. To antique it I used Special Walnut stain and a old sock. Wipe on and wipe off. Kinda like Wax on, Wax off. Ha
I love how the stain makes them look, "old".
Then I used E6000 glue to glue the keys on.
I hope it works, I have to let them dry 24 hours before I can hang them so I'll let you know if they fall off. Hope not! The ones I saw in Rod Works were wired on, but I didn't like seeing the wire so we will see about the glue.

I just love how they turned out. I am so excited to hang them. I think I will just put a sawtooth hanger on the back of each one. I'll show you how they look on the wall soon as I can.

I will be linking to:
.

Antique key project

2010-04-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am going to start the antique key project. It's all in my head, you know, I can see it perfectly. So I grab my keys and a old board...
Out to the garage I go. Cut the board to the size of the keys...
It turned out like this after I cut the board to size with my trusty miter saw...
With the leftover board I started trimming pieces I could use as a frame...
We have to stop here and pay tribute to my trusty table saw. He was given to me years ago by a nice old neighbor of mine. He isn't pretty or petite but he cuts through wood like "butta". Not really he is usually pretty testy and sputs and sputters, but we eventually get a cut made. So pay your respects to Mr. Big...
Bet you want one.... Hu? Okay, back to the keys. (I need to confess I had to scrap up another piece of wood when I decided to make a frame around them. That is where the painted red piece of wood with letters came from.) About this time I ran out of wood on the last piece for the frames.
A slight panic stuck me, but I rummaged through the garage and found this piece that I thought would work with a lot of cutting and measuring...
Thank goodness for Mr. Big he just cut and trimmed until we got the right piece.

Aahh, I love you Mr. Big. Now this is what I have so far...
This post is getting way to long, so I will finish it tomorrow. I'm off to do some sanding, panting and antiquing.
See you tomorrow.

Frugal Finds Part II

2010-04-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

You remember these things I got for $9 and felt really good about.
I already showed you what I did with the little topiaries. Well now I'm going to show you what I did with the scrolly thing. I got this picture, which I love, and I knew where I wanted it but it needed something.
So this is where I wanted to put it.
Kinda Blah hu? Ya, that is why I thought it just needed something. Sooooo....
I hung the picture. Then I had this ribbon in the closet so I put it thought the holes in the scrolly thing and tied knots. Then I hung the scrolly thing (which is kinda heavy) so I used nails instead of the ribbon. I think I might get a knob of some kind to make the ribbon look like it is hung on something other than a nail.
Then the floor next to the cabinet looked bare. I had this basket that is kinda dark like the frame, so I put it on the opposite side of the cabinet to balance it.
Then a little greenery next to the milk can with twigs and wala...

So just so you get the difference, I'll show you the before....
And now the after....
So much better, if I do say so myself.
So now all that is left in the frugal finds are the keys. I will get to work on those right away and I will have those for you shortly.
Have lovely day!
Brooke

Finally, some frugal finds.

2010-04-09T07:03:00.000-07:00

Everyday I listen as all you bloggers go to the thrift store and come out with these wonderful things. Well every time I go to the thrift store I come out with discouragement. I didn't find these at the thrift store but they were thrifty...
I got all these things for $9. Yes, $9 as in nine! I was thrilled. I just happened to have a coupon for this great store "Rod Works" it is one of my favorite places to frequent. Well enough of my elation. I love those little topiaries and I have a perfect spot for them.

I haven't loved this corner since I put the shelves up. I just gathered things from around the house to put on them and you know how that is, sometimes it just isn't great. So you keep looking at it and hoping you find something to make it better.
So here it is before...
Not terrible. But I do like it better with the green topiaries and without the old beer can we found in the dirt when we built our house...
Not a huge change but now when I look at it, I like it.
As for the other two item in my great find pile. The keys are a project I will have to have a little time for. They require wood, paint, sandpaper, and wire. I'll let you know when I get them done. And, for the iron scrolly thing, I have a spot for that, I think. I'll let you know on that too.
Have a great day.

Now run on over to Feature yourself friday @ Lovinmylovebugs.blogspot.com

Got Boys? or Husband?

2010-04-06T06:59:00.000-07:00

If so you may have these laying around your house...
My son is determined to keep every and all hats he comes in contact with. We made a deal. He can keep all that he can hang on these...
(I promise they are not as crooked and un-level as they look, it is just a funky angle.) I really don't mind the hats as long as they are off the floor, bed and dresser. So I made these hangers for the one wall in the boys room. I just purchased a bag of pegs for like $3 and I had scrap wood in the garage. I bought a package of 4 hangers with teeth for the back to hang them on the wall (two each so they would stay level and in place.)
I drilled three holes on each board and glued in the pegs with wood glue. Then stained them in a medium brown color I already had. And wa-la. Off the floor, bed and dresser.
Enjoy your day.

Linking to:

Someone said spring???

2010-04-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

Our annual Easter egg shoot and picnic was a little frosty this year. But we were determined to not miss out.
41 degrees would not detour us from our fun.
Aahhh, spring in the Rockies...

Easter Fun!

2010-03-31T11:46:00.000-07:00

Since my creative juices are still recovering I thought it would be fun to share what we do as a family to celebrate Easter.
I have 3 kids, ages 17, 13, and 9. For many years now we have had a tradition of shooting our Easter eggs. I know, sounds strange. But we really do enjoy the fun of being together and we all love the outdoors.
During the week, we always color our eggs. Nothing fancy, of course. But we always do this as a family and enjoy dunking the little buggers.

Then we pray for good weather on Easter weekend and hopefully one of the days will be nice enough for a picnic. We have a little piece of property that is perfect for a picnic with a campfire. We roast hot dogs and smores. I make several salads and deserts we all love and then the fun begins. First off, is the Easter egg hunt. This makes a great spot for hiding the eggs with all the fallen logs.
The eggs are filled with candy but then there is one golden egg with cash. Of course, when the kids were little we could put $1 in the golden egg but now..... let's just say $1 just wouldn't cut it. (That's okay, we hand it out to them anyway. Might as well be in the egg.) Now that they are older they don't bawl when one gets the golden egg and they didn't. (Believe me, that did happen).
After the egg hunt, we get the colored eggs out and spread them out on the hill. And the shooting begins. My hubby gets in on the fun...
My oldest son is next....

Even I get in on the competition...

It gets competitive, everyone wants to be the best shot. Bragging rights, I guess. After they are all shot, the squirrels and birds clean up the mess. If weather permits we will fly kits or go for a 4-wheeler ride.
My family has always loved the outdoors and this is just a way for us to get out and enjoy a campfire and good family fun.
Hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend.

What fun family activities does your family enjoy during the Easter Holiday?

Back in the land of the living.

2010-03-31T11:35:00.000-07:00

Oh my, what a week. I didn't think we were going to see the light again. My daughter, who is 17, has been so sick. I have never heard anyone HACK so bad. With a sore throat and stuffed head. Yes, I went to the doctor, twice, because she just couldn't get over it. Nothing they can do for this crud. It has been going on for 3 weeks now. And, of course, it has to run its course through the whole family so now my 13 year old son has it. I hope things are looking up now.
If I had any creative juices, they were all drained last week taking care of sick kids. I hope at some point my creativity will return.
Hope all of you are well and won't have to experience "The Crud". It sure hasn't been fun.

Spring Cleaning!

2010-03-24T11:34:00.000-07:00

Okay, it is 47 degrees and the sun is shining. I am feeling some serious spring cleaning urges. I like to move my furniture around and vacuum under everything and dust and you know all that stuff. So I decided to start in my great room. This is how I have it now, think angles...These pictures were taken from the front entry looking in.

And this one from the dining area looking in..
I moved the sofa and found this...
Then the love seat....
Apparently, someone is eating in there and no one is suppose to... (I am actually really pleasantly surprised that it looked so good under there. Even though there was a chocolate chip and some other cracker looking thing.) I saved them for evidence for when the little kiddies get home. Ha Ha.
Anyway, now it looks like this, a little more squared off. From the dining area...
And from the entry...

Yea, I don't really like it this way. See from the entry and also the dining area you run right into the back of the couch and love seat. Not very welcoming is it. The angle way is my personal favorite so it will only last this way a few weeks or so. But, I know it is clean, right.
Now I'm off to find another room to spring clean.

What to do, what to do???

2010-03-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

I have been pondering this for several months, 6 or 7 to be exact. I have this empty spot above the interior doors we put in when we built on this room. I'll show you the old side first. The side is my dining area....
These doors used to be patio doors that went out to a deck. Now, it goes to my new family room, which I LOVE! Anyway, on the other side, this is what it looks like...
But the doors are open most of the time, so it looks like this...
Now, this is the problem area....
I feel like I need something up there. My hubby does not. I bought this vinyl saying...
I thought it was the answer, but then, I saw this sign and bought it on a whim.
And that was about 7 months ago. I keep looking at it but nothing happens. What to do, what to do????

The trunk has landed!

2010-03-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

I thought I would let you know where the trunk landed. After moving it to many different areas. It finally landed here...
I got so many great ideas from you, but nothing seemed to work in my house. So, after alot of moving it ended up under my sofa table behind the couch. I like it there. Until I find one or two other smaller trunks to set on top of it I think it has landed.
Happy First Day of Spring! I hope it is more springy at your house than it is at mine.

Picture wall

2010-03-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

Well, we all them, I think. A picture wall full of pictures of our family. The problem I always have is, I just get it the way I want it and I have to add a new picture and it messes up the design you have on the wall. Or, this years pictures of your kids are vertical and next year you want the horizontal ones. Has this happened to you?
This is how I solved the problem. I made a long shelf from 1x4 pine. I think it is about 6ft long.
I used 2 1x4x6 pine boards, 5 wooden dowels, 7 ft of small decorative trim board and stain. As you can see I screwed the boards together in a "L" shape, added the trim to the top all along the edge to create a lip so your pictures won't fall off. I glued and used finish nails for this. Then drilled the holes for the dowels. There are five in my family so I did 5 dowels, glued those in with wood glue.

The shape of the shelf is just for character and I also routed the edges but you wouldn't have to do that either.
The frames I made but you could just buy them. I just wanted to make sure I could get into them easily so I could change the pictures often. These are just 4x6 snapshot size. My kids like to put the latest trip or adventure we have been on.
I just use some foam core cut to size for the back to hold the picture in and there is no glass. This makes it easy for anyone to change the picture with ease.

Don't mind the messy back!
This is so nice because this year I wanted to put more pictures of the kids up so I put more on the shelf and just overlapped the frames.

I love this look and if I need to add more or turn them to be horizontal I can!
You could do two shorter shelves and hang them staggered if you don't have room for one long one also.

More bathroom organization.

2010-03-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Hope you are all wearing green today. My son, who is still in elementary school, was not concerned about wearing green. He said all he had to do was put green marker on his hand. We were having trouble finding a green anything for him to wear.
I was inspired by Leanne @ Organizeyourstuffnow.blogspot.com. She was organizing her things in glass jars and put the glass jars on a tray. Love that look. Now look what I have my cotton balls and Q-tips in..

Yes, that is dust. It isn't really easy to dust, looks great doesn't it. Ha!
Leanne got her jars at a thrift store, I looked at my thrift store, nothing! I went to Walmart and found these two for $3 and $4. Not bad! I already had the mirror in my closet. Looks sooooo much better. Cleaner, and richer, right?

I know I need some more colorful towels, but ahhhhh I just love organizing, it goes right along with decorating, doesnt' it?

Help me please!

2010-03-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

I was blessed to get a surprise this weekend. My dear mother-in-law gave me this trunk.

It was my husbands grandfathers. It has to be very old. It measures 3ft long, 20 inches wide, and 1ft high. The inside is not in good shape but the outside is in pretty good shape aside from the leather straps are missing that went around it and buckled. My very first thought was "coffee table" but it is only 1ft high. Now I don't know what to do with it, but I love it and want to use it somehow.
I need your help, please give me any ideas you have for what to do with it. I will appreciate any suggestions.

Award Winners!

2010-03-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

Oh my, what a weekend. My husband and I decided to go to a bull sale in southern Utah on Saturday. Not a good idea. The winter storm of the year hit and we were on the road with many other crazy people who should have listened to the weatherman. I have lived in Utah all my life and I have never been on a road like that. Talk about white knuckles. Then of course, the time change. Gotta love that. Okay, I am finished moaning. On to the good news!
I have had a terrible time trying to pick seven blogs to give this wonderful award to. I have found so many I want to follow and love all of your ideas and creativity.
But, I have chosen these seven to receive the Beautiful Blogger Award:

Chirpintheforest.blogspot.com

Thehillsarelivin.blogspot.com

Whenagirlsgottagab.blogspot.com

Fancykimmie.blogspot.com

Twicelovely.blogspot.com

Cjcjordan.blogspot.com

Creativeinkansas.blogspot.com

Thank you to all who have visited my blog and especially those who are followers. I love your comments and it is so fun to hear from you.
I am still learning and I don't know how to make a link directly to their blog so please go visit them and enjoy their talents.

Thank you!

2010-03-11T17:41:00.000-08:00

I have to say a "BIG" thank you to Nellie @ McCarthy Designs for giving me my very first blogging award. I appreciate Nellie so much. I am just getting started in the blogging world and have so appreciated her nice comments while following my blog. If you haven't been over to see her at McCarthy Designs you definitely need to. She is very talented.
As part of this award I am suppose to share seven things about myself.
Favorite Color: I love fall colors and it shows in the decor in my house.
Favorite Book: I really enjoyed the Twilight Series, didn't think I would because I usually don't enjoy anything unrealistic.
Favorite Movie: My all time favorite will always be Titanic, but I also loved Pearl Harbor.
Favorite Actor: Who else? George Clooney
Favorite Actress: Maybe, Sandra Bullock
Favorite Food: I'm not sure I have a favorite. I just love food. Mexican and Chinese.
Favorite Place I have visited: Mt. Rushmore

I will be passing this Beautiful Blogger Award on to seven deserving bloggers in the very near future. Stay tuned to see who they are.

Spring Front Door Decor

2010-03-11T14:37:00.000-08:00

Well, you won't believe it but I did it! I dug, crawled, searched, panicked and all I found was this...
An old sign, with my favorite saying, 4 wooden flowers, a heart shaped wreath and some small dowels. I was really hoping for a wreath to put stuff on. Since I put my decor on my wall next to my door and not on my door it needs to be bigger so the little heart shaped wreath was not going to work. BUT! The creative juices started to flow and I went and got out my ribbon and my spring colored craft paints..
I took the sign and ran out to the garage, pulled out my miter saw that hasn't been used in a long, long while. Chopped that baby down to the size I wanted...
Sanded and sanded...
Back inside I went, because it was dang cold outside, and painted and painted. I also made leaves for the wooden flowers with some green ribbon like this...
Cut them in this shape and pinch the square end together, it kinda looked like a leaf. Then I just hot glued them in under the flowers.

Put it all together and "I (heart) Spring" is what I came up with...

I was surprised, I might even keep this. It's not what I had in mind for the front door but it is unique. I can also say "IT WAS FREE". You should try it, making something with only what you already have. Let me know how it turns out.

Spring inspiration

2010-03-11T09:22:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, I was just over visiting Birdie @ a chirp in the forest and I was inspired by her spring wreath. She just gathered things she had around the house and made a cute wreath for her door.
This is what my front door looks like...
Real springy hu? NOT! I guess I was waiting for the weather to inspire me. That could be a while. After visiting Birdie I decided that it would be a fun challenge for me, especially because I got rid of most (all) of my spring, Easter stuff last year. I'll do my best and let you know what I come up with. Stay tuned!

Cedar Post Candles

2010-03-10T07:01:00.000-08:00

My dad brought me these, so I thought I would share them with you.
He had an old fence in the back of his property that he resently replaced. It was made from cedar posts. Of course, they were very old and grey from the weather. He cut them in sections and sanded. He went to Walmart and bought a box of a dozen votive cups with candles. Very inexpensive. They were 2 inches in diameter so he drilled holes in the top of each with a large 2 inch bit.
Then he sanded and sanded and put several coats of clear, Minwax semi-gloss sealer on them with a paint brush. And Wala!
I think they are so pretty. But I love wood and the colors and shapes.
Also, for me, its kinda fun to know they came from my old home, where I grew up.
But, I was thinking, you could do this with so many different things. Like, if your decor is more contemporary, you could use new 4x4 posts. They would have very straight lines. Or, you could use a pine tree post with bark or birch tree with bark. Anyway, just thought I would share my dad's new creation.

Linking to: Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design
They have a great giveaway, go check it out!

Spring Centerpiece

2010-03-08T14:10:00.000-08:00

At noon we had made it to 51 degrees. I got out the spray paint and went to town, so to speak.
This is what I have on my table almost year round. Except for maybe Christmas. My kitchen is sunflower themed so ....
I love this pitcher. I'm not sure why I just do. So I thought I could just get something springy to go in the pitcher and find something to sit next to it. I went to Tai Pan and found this bird. I love the colors in it and bird means spring, right? The bird was like 8.99 and I bought the blooming branches for 3.97 each (for two)and I had the other green stick thing. Then I needed ribbon to tie around the pitcher, I had this sheer yellow and I found the blue/green that was on the bird st Tai Pan for $4.00 for 25 yds. Perfect!
Until I got it home and saw the bird with the pitcher....
Not good!
I went on the search, in my house and in my garage. I found this...
Not to great as is but... Spray paint...and a little touch of craft paint here and there..
.

I also have this place mat I use to sit my centerpiece stuff on. I like it, it is kinda rustic so I thought I would add some of the yellow sheer ribbon to it to soften it some....
So now this is what I ended up with...

I know, I know, it needs a third thing (the rule of three)right? I was thinking I could get or make a little nest with a couple eggs in yellow, blue/green or light pink. What do you think?

Linking to: Transformation Thursday @ Shabby Chic Cottage

Does your bathroom ever look like this....?

2010-03-04T09:20:00.000-08:00

This is the "kids" bath. I have to admit I already put away the curling iron and blow dryer etc. But there is all this stuff just laying around on the counter. Clutter! The thing I hate most.
What about this....
How could you possibly find what you need in here.

I found this on the clearance isle at Tai Pan. I thought the four different compartments would help organize the stuff.
Now that's better....

Now for that drawer!!!!!!!
I found these clear little baskets in my closet. Free! Gotta love that!
a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l3OrU1c0TRc/S4_xZH5k4XI/AAAAAAAAAKg/nX82SxnXFzA/s1600-h/100_1071.JPG">

You won't believe how they fit perfect side by side in the drawer. I threw away, organized and cleaned.
Now look...
Small stuff in the baskets, big stuff in the back. I put all the ribbons in a ziplock bag. My daughter is 17 so she doesn't use the ribbon much anymore, but just in case they are tucked away in the ziplock. Combs and brushes are used the most so they are in the front.
Now how long do we expect it to look like this...?

The shoe organizer has many uses.

2010-03-02T11:19:00.000-08:00

I was just cleaning out my pantry and realized how much I love my shoe organizer. I'm sure all of you have one of these shoe organizers with all the pockets. You can buy them very inexpensively at Target or Walmart. Well, I have heard people use them for scrapbooking supplies, small toys, craft supplies etc.
I thought I would share how I use mine, I have two.
I have one in my garage hanging next to the door to come in the laundry room.

It has stopped all the mess in my laundry room, at least with gloves and hats. Also, it helps keep gloves and mittens paired together. The smaller kids can reach the bottom and adults keep theirs on the top. It works really well for us
Then I also have one in my pantry.

This one hangs on the wall just as you go into my pantry. It could also hang on the back of the door but I just happened to have a perfect spot for it on the wall. I keep all the smaller stuff in it. Like, gravy packets, pudding, jello, chocolate chips, coconut, anything that will fit. At the bottom, this one has two larger pockets that I use for kids snacks. They know right where to go for their snack after school. Well that is how I use my shoe organizer. How do you use yours?

Bathroom on the cheap

2010-03-01T15:22:00.000-08:00

Well, I am not happy! I cannot get the before pictures to work. I've tried till I get so mad I could scream. So, please, close your eyes and I will take you away to a far away place in 1990. The hot colors are mauve and country blue, can you see it.
You love this great style called Southwest. Your bathroom counters are mauve, what else. You have this great wallpaper with mauve and blue mountains and flecks.
You have a very small mirror probably purchase on a great sale at Walmart and also the light fixture above the mirror is the kind with the huge round light bulbs, you know the kind. (I still have one in my own house.) You thought it was a great idea to put cheap paneling 1/4 of the way up the wall. Yes it is looking very late 80's. Beautiful! Now open your eyes. Are you relieved, it was a bad dream.
Now let me tell you what I was allowed to do. No tear-out's. I had to leave it all in tact. No painting the cabinets. ( I really tried on this one, no luck). No new counter top or tile work. No painting the paneling. (I talked him out of this one.)Well do you want to see? Oh how I wish I could show you the before's.
Here it is now...
You won't believe this but I spray painted the counter top. I kept asking around and the guy at Home Depot told me to use floor paint, another told me to use a really good primer then us whatever paint I wanted. I just decided to try this Rustoleum all surface spray paint in brown hammered finish. I had used it on my front door handle and had great luck with it sooooo why not try it. I'm not sure I would recommend it a heavy use area or in a kitchen but this is an old couple and it has been several months and they report that it is holding up well.

Can you see the paneling? I finally talked them into panting it a darker color than is on the walls. It looks sooo much better. Two walls were to damaged to just paint so we opted for wallpaper again but just a neutral that looks like a light paint finish. The light fixture was purchased at Home Depot for $25. The new larger mirror was purchased at Ross and it has a scratch so we only paid $20. (We hung it with the scratch on the top so you can't even see it. We bought the wall art at TJ Max and Rod Works, all for under $50.
Here is a closer look at the counter. I had to do alot of coats, but it's not bad, Hu?
Have you used that fabulous stuff called spray paint? Tell me your fab spray painting stories.

Off for a few days.

2010-02-24T14:12:00.000-08:00

Well, I am off to the Girls State Basketball tournament. My daughter is on the team.
We are excited. Won't be back for a few days. Hope you will come back Monday to see a great bathroom redo on the cheap. You won't believe what we used to overhaul the countertops. Hint... It comes in a can, and we all love it dearly. It really worked too.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Brooke

Front entry

2010-02-23T07:41:00.000-08:00

So, I have been needing a little pick up in my entry. Just a little one. Maybe some new items for the table. So I thought I would share what I have done.
I made the table years ago. (Yes, I said I made the table, I used to make all kinds of things with wood but I got sooo tired of it I had to take a break. A long break.)
It actually used to be forest green, you remember the forest green days, don't you?
Now are the black days so it is black.
I bought the green ball, the books the green ball is on, the little green pitcher, and the vase with the twigs. Oh, and the runner that I bunched up under everything.
I'll talk about that in a minute. So here is the wall the front door is on. I used to have a little bench I made sitting there where the plant stand is, but I needed a change so in came the plant stand.
Now, about the bunched up runner. Does it look to much like a store display or do you like?
With?
Or without?
Drop over and visit...
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/ for Table top tuesday.

Table runner valance

2010-02-19T08:46:00.000-08:00

So I wanted to share this great idea for valance's. When we built on I got this wonderful family room with 5, yes, 5 windows. I love the windows but you know how expensive it can get to decorate them. I needed blinds, mostly for sun control not privacy, so I got these bamboo roman shades from JCPenny's. They were inexpensive and I have liked them. Now, a little color and you know cuteness was needed. I ran upon these table runners at Walmart. They were the perfect colors for the room.
Best news was, they were on clearance for $3, yes, $3 dollars. So I combed through the shelves and found not 5 but 4. After running to 2 other Walmart's I'm not sure you could say they were so cheap. But when I got my hands on the final one, what a relief, I actually got an extra. I'll tell you what I did with it later.
Picked up 5 new curtain rods with clip rings from Walmart and got started.(Sorry about the blurry picture)

Hung the rods and clipped on the runner, I was done.

I kinda like them. They are not fancy but neither is my room. It is really casual.
Can you just think of the possibilities though. Almost anything could be hung on those clip rings.

Here is what I did with the extra runner. I actually got two pillows to put on the window seats. It helps to spread the color around a little.
Tell me about your inexpensive valance ideas.

P.S. I am linking to: Feature yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the fridge

More mantel, not as cheap.

2010-02-18T11:42:00.000-08:00

So while we are talking mantels. I have another mantel I love. My dear hubby and I built this one in the corner where once was a wood burning stove sitting on a pad of bricks. Nothing wrong with that, I just always wanted a fireplace and a mantel I could decorate. So when it was finished I just couldn't cover any of the rock that we so painstakingly put in place. So I went with this large metal plate.

Not terrible, but blah! So off I ran to Tai Pan, didn't know I was a poet. (ran, pan get it) Anyway, I found all these items, didn't know what I was going to do with them I just liked them all. I made this arrangement and Wa-La I loved it.

So what do you think? I think I spent about $45 on all the items. I know, it's not free like the other one but I really like it.

Mantel on the cheap

2010-02-16T14:20:00.000-08:00

I have been stewing and contemplating and searching. I can't find what I want for this mantel. Maybe because I don't know what I want. I will know when I see it. Haven't seen it yet. It needs something until I find the perfect something.
I went shopping.....room by room, in my house. Here is what I found.
These are some interesting items. Hmmmmm what to do. I needed something with height and I am using red in that room as an accent so I needed something red. I know these are random things but I don't think it turned out too bad. I like it. I like it. At least until the perfect thing comes along.

Best yet, it was FREE! Don't you love shopping in your own home. It's like finding a great bargain. What do you think?
Yes, those are my sons army men on my two window seats. I have never been brave enouph to attemp cushions for them. I got a quote once from Calico Corners, they had to help me up after I tipped over backwards. It was alot! Anyone who can give me advise on how to make them it would be welcome.

Closet Clean Out.

2010-02-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

Here is a dirty little secret for you.

Well okay, it is a little overdue for a clean out. Look at the junk that was in that closet. Just junk, throw away junk. Not even worth donating.
Sometimes we, (I) say I just don't have enouph closet space. If we (I) would just clean out every once in a while. We (I) would be amazed at the amount of space I have.

Looky looky!

Ahhhhhhh, space, feels so good!

2010-02-11T12:39:00.001-08:00

My new niche's.

2010-02-09T14:43:00.001-08:00

Here is what I bought...

Four rusty metal flower hangers, gold ribbon and dark brown ribbon.

I tried putting the gold ribbon by itself, didn't like it. I tried the brown ribbon by itself, didn't like it. Sooo I tried both together, I liked it.

First I used the big stapler, but found the trusty glue gun to be better for this task of putting the ribbon on the back of the frames.

Last of all, hang the metal hangers and hang the pictures. I think I really like this. Now I just need some small thing to put on the bottom shelf.

Looks good hu?