project: done

Cleaned: check
Painted: check
Organized: check
Now.... to just keep it that way!

Yay! The family room closet is no longer dirty and dingy. This was one of those projects I wanted to get to, but I just seem to keep pushing it aside. It's so easy to just close the doors and pretend the mess isn't there. :) Now, it's done! I can cross it off my honey-do list. (which, somehow ended up a me-do list...hmmm...) I'm gonna have to work on that! "oh, Mark...." ;)

kitchen nook

before: blah

after:

I have finally come around to finishing up this kitchen corner project I started back in March! It was taking me a while to get 'inspired'. I couldn't decide just what to put on the walls. I ended up hanging this old window given to me from a friend. The window has been sitting in my garage for about a year...patiently waiting for a new home. I love how old and weathered it looks! and how a simple old window can be art.

I had also been on the hunt for pillows, but couldn't find just what I wanted.

So, I MADE pillows!

This was my first solo sewing project! They aren't perfect, but they still look really cute! The large pillow in the back is burlap with a big chic button. The two matching pillows have small orange designs, almost like pineapples on the them. And the small stripped pillow was made with fabric from an old bed skirt. I will probably make another stripped pillow or two, since I have the fabric. :)
I love our new kitchen nook. This is where we have breakfast every morning. Jolie loves to climb up onto the bench all by herself. (as she will tell me) She's getting too big!

paneled ceiling

I would LOVE to do this...

to our ceiling in the kitchen and dining area.

Mark and I were one week from signing papers on the house. Things were going smoothly...we had all our moving arrangements planned. Part of the contract on the house was that the previous owner has to put a new roof on the house. Which was great for us! Being that our house is 40 years old and in Florida (were everything is built right on the cement slab) any re-piping is done so in the attic. Well....while re-roofing, a pipe was hit. Leaving our already old and ugly kitchen looking like this:We were within a week from closing! We were so upset...and almost walked away from the house. But that little nail allowed us to completely start over. Something that we wouldn't have been able to do for a few years. The kitchen was a hideous sight...but I had a vision...

There are still so many little things I'd love to do to the kitchen. The thing that bothers me the most about our kitchen is the ceiling. It is far from perfect. The texture isn't consistent. I can still see where the big gaping hole was. So...I've been thinking...

I love how the white paneled ceilings look. They really give a space the cottage flavor and comfort. I would just be tickled PINK if I could cover up our bumpy ceiling. The kitchen and dining room is one large, LONG room. The groves of the paneling would make the width of the room seem more balanced with the length. I'd also like to install more recessed lighting....cutting more holes into the ceiling before the re-do.

Here are few more pics for inspiration...

Don't you just love the idea? I do!

my 'timeout' corner

the kitchen corner: before....


the kitchen corner: a work in progress!

The more progress I make on it, the more I like it! First we had a bench built into the corner. It was a very lonely little bench for a while, but I'm starting to pull things together. The light fixture was found at Lowe's. I fell in love with it at first sight. I ♥ shabby chic! I found the *awesome* fabric at Joann's. It has all my favorite colors! ;) black, brown & beige! Next I'm going to attempt to make pillows. This has been a slow project...but thought I'd share my progress so far!

What should I do with the big bare walls???
an arrangement of plates?
an old distressed window?
shelving for plates & bowls?

$5 table

It all started with a $5 table....

before & after!

I got the bug again....to be crafty. I found this side table for $5! A little sanding and a coat of paint...and I'm in love. Our bedroom has been a hideous sight for far too long. First things first, I had to get rid of these god-awful blue drapes that were 100 years old:

I decided to paint the bedroom a pale, powder blue....to go with my new table! :) Compared to rest of my house, that's pretty colorful. I usually stick with the neutrals...the tan family. After painting the bedroom, I wanted to find a new sheet set, and just keep the white throw over the top. Instead of doing that, Mark insisted on pricing King size mattresses. So, off we went....and once you lay on one of those amazingly comfortable NEW beds, you're a goner! This is what we ended up with: Now that we had a new bed, I had to buy new sheets AND a new comforter. (darn it) It's still a work in progress. I have a really cute idea for artwork over the lamps.... so stay tuned for pics of that. Speaking of lamps...check out my clearance find! I'd also like to find an old headboard to distress or do something crafty with!

the den: before & after

WHAT DO YOU THINK???

welcome home.

I just wanted to share a few pics of our new home. We've only been moved in for 5 months now.

We love are new home. We are so blessed to be where we are and to have our lil family.

Moving, holidays, Jolie's birthday, Mark's graduation.....life has been a little busy lately. :)

Now that things have slowed down a bit, our next project is painting the den. I can't wait to cover up that old paneling. Mark can't wait for the project to be over with. But like a good hubby, he's going to make himself useful. :)