Sunday, January 29, 2012

The Winner Is. . .

I want to thank all of y'all who entered my 400 followers giveaway! I can't believe I have surpassed 400 followers! I wish I could give each of you a gift card, but since I am currently unemployed, that ain't gonna happen! LOL! You all inspire me so much with your creativity and for that, I thank you. I'm sorry I wasn't able to get on here yesterday and announce the winner like I had planned. I had a lot going on and just didn't get time to do it. So, without further ado, the winner of the $50 Visa gift card is. . .


Kathy @ Dandelions and Dust Bunnies!!!!

Congrats to Kathy!! If you will get me your mailing info, I'll get your prize out to you as soon as possible.

I have a few small projects I'm working on right now that I hope to share with y'all this week as well as some tweaking I've done on some wall groupings in my living room that I plan to share if the weather will cooperate and allow me to get some decent pictures of. So I hope you will check back in for all that. Have a great Sunday!!

Until next time. . .

Monday, January 23, 2012

400 Followers Means It's Giveaway Time!!

Woohoo! Y'all rock! 400 followers ~ how awesome is that?? Pretty awesome, if you ask me! In light of this accomplishment, here's what one of you lucky followers is going to win:



A $50 VISA GIFT CARD!!!!!!!!

That's right! A $50 Visa gift card to spend on whatever your heart desires! I have decided to leave this giveaway open until midnight on Friday, January 27, 2012. So if you haven't signed up for it yet, there's still some time to do so. And if you aren't following me yet, sign up and leave me a comment on my giveaway post here letting me know. That's also where you will find all the rules associated with this giveaway. Good luck!

Please note: COMMENTS LEFT ON THIS POST WILL NOT BE COUNTED!!!

I want to thank you all for following along with me these past three years. I know my blog is not the prettiest, fanciest, or most amusing blog out there, but it's who I am and I am honored that y'all think enough of me to want to follow along.

Until next time. . .

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Magazine Copy Cat Challenge

Debbie over at Debbiedoo's Blogging and Blabbing is hosting another one of her fabulous Magazine Copy Cat Challenge linky parties. These are so much fun! The object of the challenge is to find a picture from a magazine or catalog and "copy" it, putting your own personal touch on it. I found this awesome picture from Pottery Barn's online catalog and it's what I'm using as my inspiration:


(source)

And here is my version:








I love how this turned out! And it was so easy to recreate this look for under $10. I purchased all my supplies, which included the plate, bowl, heart dish, red hearts and table runner, from the Dollar Tree. I used a cursive script stamp that I had purchased a while back at Hobby Lobby and just randomly stamped my table runner in various directions. I also used the stamp on some ivory candles that I had. I already had the red placemat and I used a book box to elevate my candles and loving couple Willow Tree figurine, which was a gift to me on our last wedding anniversary from my hubby. I brought in a live ivy plant for texture and a bit more color. I took a scrap piece of linen fabric and folded it like a napkin which I then stamped with my rubber stamper. I have had the skeleton key for a long time, just waiting for a spritz of black spray paint. I made the tag by cutting it out of some card stock, stamping it with the rubber stamper and then handwriting my message on it. I tied it up with a scrap piece of red ribbon. So simple, yet so elegant!

Click here to check out all the other great "copy cats" in this fun party!

In addition, I'm also linking this up with Marty's Tabletop Tuesday. Click on the picture to take you there!




""/>


Until next time. . .

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Time for a Giveaway!

Wow! I logged on this morning to find that I am at 393 followers! How awesome is that?? I think this calls for a celebration, don't you?? So I've decided to host a SURPRISE GIVEAWAY. Once I reach 400 followers, I will draw a winner, but won't reveal what the winner will receive until the day I announce who the winner is.




Here's the rules:

1. You MUST be a follower! (of course!)
2. Leave me a comment on THIS post only telling me you want to be entered. Comments on any other post will not be counted.
3. Post this giveaway on your blog. Then come back here and leave me a separate comment on this post telling me you did this. This will get you a 2nd entry.
4. If someone becomes a new follower and they tell me that you referred them, you will get another entry!

So that's up to three chances to win! This giveaway is open to all followers, no matter where you live. The giveaway will stay open until I reach 400 followers. And I promise you, it's gonna be a good one!!!

Good luck!

Until next time. . .

Sunday, January 15, 2012

A Sneak Peek. . .

. . .at my laundry room! The laundry room makeover has begun! I've already hit a couple of snags, but I am happy to say that progress is being made. I knew I wanted green walls so I went to Lowe's and picked out an Apple green color that was bright and vibrant. My laundry room is very tiny and windowless so my goal was to try and make it a brighter room using paint. I bought one of those little sample jars of paint (love those!) and ran home to slap it on the walls! Well, to my horror, it was more of a fluorescent lime green. Horrible!!! Not at all what I was aiming for. So back to Lowe's to pick out a more toned down green. This time I chose Valspar's Garden Hedge. I. Love. It!!! I am kind of leaning towards a garden theme for this room so it's a bit ironic that my paint color should have a garden themed name, don't you think?

Here's a few pictures of what I've got going on so far. There's still a very long way to go. Hubby is going to install a couple of cabinets for me for some much needed storage. We haven't purchased those yet. He's been working so much overtime at his new job (which is a good thing for the paycheck!) that he hasn't had much spare time to work on his "honey do" list. But I am not on any set schedule to finish this room, so we will get there when we get there.

Paint going on the wall. Yay!!


A peek at the new flooring:


And a couple of decorative elements that may find their way to a new home in here:



So that's what I've been working on this weekend. Have you started any home improvement projects yet this year?

Until next time. . .

Friday, January 13, 2012

My First Little Project of the Year

I have been busy around here getting started on my laundry room makeover and working on my project for an upcoming copy cat challenge party that Debbie from Debbiedoo's Blogging and Blabbing will be hosting in a few days. In the midst of all this, I have found the time to work on a couple of small projects and I'd like to share one of those with y'all today.

I had these little terra cotta trays in my craft stash and decided to turn them into drink coasters. Here are the supplies that I used:



Terra cotta trays, scrapbook paper, paint, Modge Podge, and rubber bumpers.

All I did was trace the bottom of my trays onto my scrapbook paper and cut the circles out. Then I painted my trays black, modge podged the scrapbook paper to the inside of the trays and added another layer of modge podge to the top of the paper just to seal them in there real good. Then I stuck my rubber bumpers onto the bottom of the trays to protect my furniture. These are self adhesive so no messy glue needed! Then I finished them off with a quick spray of sealer because I wanted to make sure that any sweating glass that sits on them wouldn't cause my scrapbook paper to peel off. And here is the finished product:



And here's a picture showing the bumpers I used on the bottom:



I'm really pleased with how these turned out. They remind me of Mackenzie-Childs style, without the Mackenzie-Childs price, which I love! I'm linking this to some of the fabulous parties listed at the bottom of my blog. Please check them out for some great inspiration!

I bought several sheets of this scrapbook paper and I'm working on another project with the rest of it using this:



Any guesses on what I'm up to???

Until next time. . .

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Why Buying a New Sofa May Be The Death of Me. . .

Hubby and I have been discussing purchasing new living room furniture a bit later this year. Ok, I have been mostly discussing it and he has been grunting and nodding every now and then. I'm taking that as agreement on his part!! :)

So today, we stopped in at a local furniture store to look around and get some ideas of what we would both like to have gracing our living room for the next several years. No surprise, neither of us really agreed on the same sofa! Hhhmmm. . .

Right now, we have a hand me down sleeper sofa which sags terribly even after several attempts by me to "stuff" it with every available quilt and throw I can get my hands on. It is a tan suede kind of material, or at least that is what it is supposed to be. It has been through the wringer and now is sporting such lovely stains that the actual color is not one recognized on any color wheel that I could locate! In addition, we have a beautiful matching (NOT!!) burgundy colored recliner that sports an equally lovely (again, NOT!!) Indian style throw blanket on the seat to cover up the ripped seam located towards the back of the seat. The poor thing is so rickety that most visitors (thankfully, we have few. . .wonder why that is??) tend to steer away from it and choose the stained sofa as the preferred seating. I would show you pictures of these outstanding pieces, but I don't want to make anyone jealous!

Anyway, I digress. So we are shopping the furniture store with the sales lady trailing behind us, offering her unsolicited advice, plopping our behinds down on any sofa that looked like anything remotely pleasing to us, then proceeding to "yay" or "nay" it. Most of my "yays" were hubby's "nays", and vice versa. Sigh. This is going to be much harder than I anticipated.

Here are a few pictures of some that we may be able to compromise on:






We are thinking of a sage color, but I couldn't find pictures of three of these in the sage color, so just use your imagination. Couch #2, which is the only one of these actually in the sage color in these pictures, is the one hubby liked the best. I haven't made up my mind on my favorite yet.

Decisions, decisions!! I hate them! And then you have to decide on coffee tables and end tables.

That's when I ran out of the store screaming!!

Until next time. . .

Monday, January 2, 2012

Project 2012 ~ Improving Me!

Yesterday I shared my Project 2012 goals for my home. Today, I'm sharing my Project 2012 goals for improving me.

I think we all have things we would change about ourselves. Most everyone makes the weight loss resolution at the start of a new year and more often than not, most of us break it before January is over! While I would like to lose a little weight, I have decided that I am not going to set a specific amount to lose by a certain date. I am going to focus on eating healthier and exercising more this year. This will be a challenge for me because I definitely do not like to exercise and I have a tendency to choose foods that aren't so healthy sometimes. So that is goal number one for 2012.

Recently, I was really inspired by Debbie from Debbiedoos Blogging and Blabbing when I saw a post she did on her new hairdo, complete with highlights. It has been years since I've had my hair professionally highlighted, so I decided to treat myself as an early Christmas present and go for it! Please excuse the mess you see in these pictures. Our yorkie, Sophie, thinks the couch is her territory so I have to keep blankets handy for her to lay on. And hubby had just finished a snack right before these pictures, and he is bad to leave his paper towel and paper plate laying around instead of taking them to the trash where they belong! Men!



What do you think? My hair is naturally a medium/dark brown and I decided to lighten it up a little bit with the highlights. I was very apprehensive while I was having it done, because I had no idea how it was going to turn out. Thankfully, I was extremely pleased with the end result! This did not cost very much money, but it made me feel so good!! So goal number two for improving me in 2012 is to keep up with this and not be afraid to try new things when it comes to my hair!

I desperately need some dental work done but I will admit that I have an insane fear of dentists! This stems from a few really bad experiences I had as a child, and I literally have major panic attacks when I have to go to a dentist. So goal number three for improving me is to face those fears and finally have the beautiful smile I have always wanted.

And finally, goal number four is a simple, but important one to me. I have some nice clothes, but I tend to just wear the same accessories with just about everything. I want to experiment with different styles of earrings, necklaces, scarves, belts, and shoes/boots. I see a lot of great things on line that I think I would love to try that usually aren't what I would choose for myself while shopping. Here's a few examples of some styles that appeal to me. All images were found on Pinterest.





To sum it all up, I guess I am wanting to step out of my comfort zone a little bit in 2012 and try some new things. I am excited about this journey and anxious to see where it takes me! Are there things that you want to improve upon in 2012? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Until next time. . .

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Project 2012 ~ My Home

I was blog browsing earlier this morning and stumbled upon a blogger (sorry, I didn't think to jot down which blog it was so if this is your idea, thanks!) who has decided instead of resolutions for 2012, she would make 2012 her "project" year. I liked that idea, so I'm borrowing it.

I am at a crossroads of sort in my life right now. Scott and I became empty nesters this past year when both of our children graduated high school and flew the coop. His son still lives in the same town we do, but he hardly ever comes around to visit us unless he needs money or something like that. My son moved to Arkansas, which is where my mother and both of my siblings live. He has also signed up to join the Air Force for 6 years and will be leaving for basic training in March. In addition to all this, I quit my job back in August to pursue another job that I thought was going to be bigger and better! Well, that didn't work out. So I found another job. Again, moving on to better things. Um, not! That one didn't work out either. Scott was able to secure a much better paying job that is located much closer to home so now I don't HAVE to work if I choose not to. But I've worked all my life so now I find myself bored and with way too much time to think and worry about things I have no control over.

So, I've decided that I am going to focus on my very own Project 2012. Our home. Here's some of the things I'm going to tackle this year:

1. Get organized!!! I have a hard time with this. On some levels, I do great. For example, when I was working, my desk HAD to be neat or I could not get anything accomplished. Everything had it's place. However, at home, my desk area where I keep our mail, bills, etc. is not so organized. So I'm going to work on that.

2. Redo my laundry room. I am extremely excited about this project! Here's a sneak peek at what it looks like now:



Isn't that awful???? Yes, it is!!! Messy, messy, messy and totally unorganized. Laundry is such a mundane chore so I'm going to make it a bit more fun by transforming this room into a brighter place and creating storage to hide all that junk!

3. Mini makeover on my bathroom. Scott and I live in a small house. It's only a little over 1000 square feet. Three bedrooms, one bath. It's fine for just the two of us, although we are discussing adding an additional bathroom as well as making one of the bedrooms larger. But that is something that will have to come in time. So for now, my goal is to make what we have the best we can. The bathroom is currently decorated in a primitive, country style. And while that is ok, I'm ready for a change. Something a little more contemporary and brighter. (Are you sensing a theme here?)

4. Finish our kitchen makeover (cosmetic) we started last spring. We painted our cabinets and countertops, added hardware to the cabinets, added a faux brick backsplash behind the counters and stove area, and painted the walls in the dining area and kitchen. We also added a chair rail to the dining area and painted some freebie chairs I scored from a friend. Money ran short so we stopped there but my end goal is to put in new flooring, replace some of the appliances, install a new sink and faucet, and add crown moulding. Here's some pics of what we've done so far:

Chairs "before":


Chairs "after":


Faux brick backsplash "before":


Faux brick backsplash "after":


Countertops "before". You can also see in the pic that the cabinets were a dingy off white color when we started:


Countertops "after":


Paint colors and chair rail in dining area:


Our "new" white cabinets complete with hardware:


Scott cut out window pane patterns in the top cabinets above my sink area and installed plexi glass behind the panes. I painted the insides of the cabinets with the terra cotta red color we used in the dining area. We installed glass shelving and lights in both cabinets as well. In this pic, you can also see we carried the tan paint color from the dining area over to the kitchen area:




4. Paying more attention to details in my home. I find my decorating tastes are changing. I used to like more of the country look (not ruffled curtains!), but now I'm finding myself drawn towards a more contemporary look with touches of country. I don't know if that makes any sense or not. I like what I like! I find myself drawn to french country and Tuscan country colors. I'll figure it out someday!

Whew, that's quite a list when I go back and read it all! I think I've got my work cut out for me! I feel like our homes should reflect who we are, and not what others think we should be. So I am not trying to keep up with the Jones', so to speak. My goal is to make our home fit our needs and be a comfy place where everyone feels at home.

So, do you have any goals for 2012 as far as your home is concerned? I'd love to hear what you think!

Until next time. . .