Bedroom Paint

Here's the bedroom.  I've always considered this space my cocoon.  Now that it has some color including some darker shades, I absolutely spend more time here.  I have some trim to install and want to take the drop ceiling out but for now, I'm happy with this victory.  

Bathroom Paint

We've been living in a blah white bedroom and bathroom for almost six years now.  I've finally gotten the motivation to paint them.  They were challenging because the walls (most of them) are bead board so getting paint into all those grooves sucks.  There are some little things to touch up on but for the most part it's done.

New Living Room Artwork

So I've been trying to conquer some home improvement projects this winter.  Plus I feel the need to tap into my creative nature.  It makes me happy and relaxed and forces me to be mindful of my own life.  I needed new wall art.  I kept seeing things I liked but couldn't justify the price.  So that's when I went to work on my own art.  Pinterest is marvelous if you need to get inspired.  I saw this pattern and practiced drawing it like a hundred times on paper.  I drew these with chalk first and then went over that with metallic permanent marker.  Any chalk still on the canvas just wipes off.  Then I used craft paint for the inside feather detail.  

Looking at this shot, I realize I want to hang them closer together.  The art I had there before was larger.  Or maybe I need to try my hand at making some wood frames...hmmm.  

Anitque Store Finds

Every once and a while we make an antique store run to see if anything strikes our fancy.  Our latest trip landed us these finds:

Pictures brought to you by my new phone!  It's been almost seven years since I last picked out a new cell phone.  My last one was a hand-me-down FROM MY DAUGHTER!!!  How does that happen?  She should be getting my hand-me-downs.  Ah well.  I'm in cell phone heaven and my family is tired of hearing about all the things that little handful of technology can do but too bad!  

Backyard Additions

I got this guy this weekend at the Outback Art Fair.  I go every year and had seen him there for the past couple of years.  It was time he came home with me.  

Thanks to NieNie Dialogues, I heard about this etsy shop.  I finally bought one and will probably start to collect them and give as gifts.  Piggy & Dirt

New Xmas Wreath

I made these last year for my mom and sister but I wanted one too so here we go.

Finished Projects...Well Almost.

I am determined to keep this old spider plant alive.  My old neighbor gave it  to me.  I'm trying to root it so though it might look nice in here while it's growing roots.  I put some corks in the top to keep it centered and in the water.

My bottle cap mirror is done.  Just have to get a piece of mirror for the center but the hard part is done.   Thanks to all my friends and family for drinking so much  :) 

Found this frame at Vinnies.  I was planning on making it a wine cork board but I would have to collect corks for the next 10 years!  So it got a couple coats of chalkboard paint instead. 

Valentine Garland

I'm crafting again!  This time it's Valentine garland made out of old magazines, ribbon, and some tape.

Thinking of Grama Marg

My Grama Marg's frame with an old Christmas card in it.  Sparkly just like her.

Holiday Projects



Ode to Thanksgiving.





My new wreath for Christmas/winter.  Found the wreath at Goodwill and the rest was on sale at Michael's.  Total cost was no more than $5.00



What to Do With My Burlap Garland?

I added it to this wood leaf decoration I have on my front door.  I like it better now.

Halloween Projects

Got this idea off of a blog, of course.  I think it was Diary of a Craftaholic.  Anyway, love these mummies!  Some wood, white paint, google eyes, cheesecloth, brown Sharpie, and a glue gun. 



I had materials left over so I used some glass jars and made some candle holders too! 

Bathroom Project

What is it about your mother coming to visit that kicks you in the butt and  makes you finish projects that  you started (in your head) a long time ago?  Anyways, this is what my bathroom has looked like since we moved in...over a year ago.  Blah!

Got those lights, by the way, a while ago at Menards on super clearance.  Moving on.  I wanted a spa look.  White and maybe a light green or aqua.  My daughter protested and said we already have enough turquoise.  WHAT!  There is never enough turquoise.  That's why it's great to have two bathrooms.  I will do my bathroom upstairs that color next.  My daughter suggested yellow so I said ok.  I wanted a pale yellow.  She said that looks too much like the cream color we have in the living room.  So I taped a bunch of shades of yellow to the wall and everyone voted.  Surprisingly we all chose the same one!  (I wish supper was that easy).  I was worried that the yellow was too rich but with the black and gray touches, I'm digging it.  Here's the result...

This is a more accurate sample of the color.  The one below makes it look lighter.

Got these hooks on clearance at Target for $1.48.  Score!  I may buy some yellow fabric paint and paint some of the leaves with it.  I will also add a yellow rug and towels soon.

I Love Purple Tulips

Today's Finds at Vinnie's

I have been in search of a desk chair for what seems like forever.  I've been checking at stores.  I've been rummaging at all the thrift stores.  Then I gave up for a while and used one of my kitchen chairs.  I was getting tired of that real quick.  On a whim, I went down to Vinnie's today and low and behold I found one!  Just a little cleaning up and tightening of some screws and it's ready to go.



...And I had to buy this purse.  It had to be mine!

More New Things!

I know it seems like all I've been doing is shopping.  Duh!  I just bought a house, I got money for Christmas from my in-laws, and it's still after Christmas sale time. 

Got this for my living room. 

Got this at Michael's.  They are having an 80% off sale on holiday wreaths.  This one was originally $30 and I got it for $5.99.  It's staying on the wall for a while.  Not ready to put that with the rest of the Christmas decorations yet.

My Trip Treasures

While I was downstate, I went shopping one day with my mother-in-law.  It was a wonderful day and I found some great stuff for me, myself, and I!

Candle holder my mother-in-law had at her house and I had to have one for myself.

A sign for my wall.

I had to have this chubby little bird!

Love this painting!

This is actually a giant coffee cup planter.  Isn't it cute!

We collect ornaments every year so of course we had to have this one!

I'm going to switch out the plates on this do-dad for holidays, seasons, whatever!

You know I love reindeer.  Had to have these too!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Ok, I have started decorating a little prematurely.  Maybe it's the fact that we're in our new house this year.  Yeah, probably...

Damn I love the dollar store.  I think I might add a gold ribbon around the top.

These are a few of my favorite finds.  Love reindeer.

Dollar store again.

Recycled art. Old flattened out pail.  Love it.

It's the reason for the season.