Monthly Archives:
September 2011

30
September
2011

Tags: Before and Afters, DIY, Kids Activities, Pillows, Sewing

DIY Kid Style

I seem to always be trying to keep the kids busy while I am working on a project. Well, today they were being super cute and wanted to help so I decided, “why not?” I saw this in Real Simple magazine last week and thought it was a cute idea to let the kids add their own touch to our decorating efforts.

I have never actually made a pillow before so I headed over to handy dandy google and typed in diy pillow cover. I found a great site that was pretty straight forward.

I started by grabbing a linen fabric I had around the house. I washed and dried it and started measuring. I am did an 18″ pillow so I modified my measurements a bit. I totally can’t cut or draw a straight line so I copied a little trick from my friend over at Dream Book Design. If you haven’t checked her out- you are missing out!

I wanted to be able to wash it if I needed to so I made two rectangles for the back so it would slip off easily.

Notice my little helper?

I washed and dried my fabric and it was a bit wrinkly so I ironed the fabric quickly.

Here are my little helpers hard at work. Sorry for all the photos, I think they are pretty cute!

I let the paint dry (about 20 minutes) and started to sew the pillows together. I got one half done and my sewing machine broke

So I will have to show you the finished product when I can fix the machine.

Sorry to leave you hanging but I promise to show you the finished product soon!

28
September
2011

Tags: Before and Afters, DIY, Home Decor

2 comments

Dresser before and after without the before

My aunt gave me a beautiful antique dresser that was in perfect condition. It was a really dark cherry stain and I left it for a long time. I liked it the way it was but I had an itch to paint it so I dove in!

I primed it with my paint sprayer about a month ago and then it sat in out garage in touched. I got busy with the sale and kind of forgot about it. Well I finally got the paint on and added really fun knobs that I just love!

I forgot to take a before picture sorry!
Here is the after…

I love the way she turned out! Yes I said she- and she is beautiful!!

She is for sale and I am a little sad to let her go- but it’s all part of the business!

Have a great weekend!
Coley

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

27
September
2011

Tags: Home Decor, Inspiraton Tuesday

1 comment

Inspiration Tuesday

Here are some beautiful things we found to inspire you this week!

wine boxes reused as wall art or wall covering?

Love this!
Jones Design Company

love it
Design Sponge

maps
Junk Garden Girl

I love this wall piece.
Brooklyn Lime Stone

What have you had your eye on lately?

26
September
2011

Tags: Baby, DIY, Home Decor, Sewing, Thrifty

1 comment

Ruffled Drop Cloth Curtain

I wanted a simple curtain for the nursery that was thick enough to block the bright AZ sun, so rather than spending big bucks, I decided to make one.

I found a beige curtain at Savers and used a drop cloth we had.

I cut a large piece of drop cloth for the ruffle.

I made large stitches so I could pull one end of the string to create the ruffle.

Right sides together & sew.

Then I ironed and hubby hung it up. I used a branch for the curtain rod.

Maybe I’ll paint some light pink stripes on the top portion, tie ribbon bows on the tabs, or find some other way to spruce it up. Any suggestions?

25
September
2011

Tags: Family Life, The Trio, Thrifty

3 comments

San Diego Flea Market

Ok- I am not going to lie. I got my hopes up for this flea market. It wasn’t bad, but I was kind of disappointed. It was about 80% crap, 15% neat stuff and 5% really cool antiques. I did manage to still fill my trunk. Here are some shots from the day.

Anyone want some birds??

My mom and brother- aka partners in crime. That is my new oar I am pretty stoked about!

Because who doesn’t want a stuffed crow?!

Great place for scrubs apparently that can go with your new tube socks from the booth next door!

Here is a sneak peak at my goodies!
I also learned an important lesson. Always make sure your tow package is wired before you decide to rent a trailer! Apparently ours was not and I purchased this beauty in hopes to bring it home in our rented trailer. U-Haul went to hook it up and informed us it wasn’t wired. so I had to go back to the flea market and ask for my money back.

Isn’t she purdy?

On the way home from that fiasco we stopped at Architectural Salvage. This store made me want to build a house! Here is some eye candy…

I didn’t buy any of this goodness because of the stupid trailer but it was sure fun to look at!!Hope you are having a great weekend

Coley

Posted using BlogPress
from my iPhone

23
September
2011

Tags: Estate

No comments

Estate Sales

I have had a lot of questions on where I get my stuff to sell. Well, all over really, but for the most part, Estate Sales are where I find really cool pieces at great prices.

I am currently on vacation in San Diego and while we are here I decided to check out some sales. I had planned to hit a few, but the one I found yesterday morning took me 2 hours and all my money!!

This particular one was listed on craigslist and the newspaper here. It opened at 8 but it was on Coronado Island and I really didn’t think there would be that many people coming so we showed up right at 8. Big mistake…

There was a huge line (which is normal, but I am usually there really early so it isn’t a big deal) and there were only letting a few people at a time. It was a cute house from the 30s and they were the original owners! The house was packed with lots of good stuff!

Some of my fun treasures!

They had tons more but I got distracted and forgot to take more pictures!

It is a fun way to find treasures, but you could go to 15 sales before you find anything good or you could come across one like this that is all amazing stuff and you don’t have enough time or money to get it all!

Hope that answers some of your questions . I will have a fun post Saturday or Sunday from the San Diego Flea Market! Check back!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

22
September
2011

Tags: DIY, Family Life, Holidays, Home Decor, Inspiraton Tuesday

No comments

Give Thanks

Last year I used this idea from Tatertots and Jello and made a similar Thanksgiving Garland.

I loved it! As we all sat at the Thanksgiving table everyone went around and wrote one thing they were thankful for on a leaf and then hung it up on the garland. I plan on using this garland again this year for the same thing and add new leaves to it.

This year I am thinking, since Gavin is a little bit older and able to comprehend what it means to be thankful, that I would like something new. Something that we can add to each night during dinner. I’ve seen a couple of ideas out there in the blog world.

The Thankful Tree

or the Give Thanks Calendar

Have you guys seen any other great ideas out there in the blog world that you can share?
Or do you have any other great ideas that you have used in the past?

21
September
2011

Tags: Family Life, Holidays

3 comments

Pumpkin Pie Bread

Today, I don’t have any great decorating tips or projects I’ve been working on, mostly because I think my house is still recovering from our crazy weekend. So instead today I have a wonderful new recipe I tried. I am still trying to get in the mode of FALL, since decorating and baking seem to be the only way here in Phoenix to make it feel more that way. I, in my current state of pregnancy, have been craving PUMPKIN! I love pumpkin anyway, but with it being fall it only seems appropriate!

Here it is . . . wonderful Pumpkin Pie Bread!

And I can’t take any credit for this recipe it came straight from Pinterest. Does Pinterest make anyone else want to cook and bake way more often? It does for me, I see all these wonderful foods and have to try them, but then again, I am pregnant so maybe that’s why, and I just LOVE food!

Pumpkin Pie Bread

What you need:

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups white sugar (told you it had some calories!)
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup water

What you do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and grease two 9×5 inch loaf pans.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat together sugar, oil, eggs, and pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture alternately with water.

Divide batter evenly between the pans and bake for 60 to 70 minutes (or until it passes the toothpick test). I actually used one loaf pan and one pan of muffins. Muffins are much easier for the kiddos.

I also added a mixture of cinnamon sugar and sprinkled it on the top for the added sweetness, because yes I have a major sweet tooth!

The kiddos were quite excited for the muffins to be ready!

And they loved them.

So if you are looking for a little touch of fall in your day, try out this bread!! It’s quite yummy!

If you haven’t gotten a chance yet to check out some of the pictures from our AMAZING WEEKEND and all of the AMAZING BOOTHS Vendors put together, please take a minute to take a look!!!

20
September
2011

Tags: Holidays, Home Decor

3 comments

Inspiration Tuesday: the Fall Decorating Edition

I am dreaming of a cool fall morning! Probably not going to happen anytime soon here in Arizona, but at least I can dream, and decorate to make it feel more like fall! Here’s some Fall Inspiration!!