Sunday, January 30, 2011

Coffee Station

As I've mentioned before I don't have much counter space in my kitchen.
While I don't like cluttered counter tops, I do like having certain things
within easy reach!

I start my day off with coffee, sometimes several cups! Bad I know, but
I don't mind telling you that I'm addicted. I'm asthmatic, I can count on
waking up sounding like there's a wind storm going on. In fact my family
lovingly calls me Wheezy! Coffee helps.

I had this old table that was sitting against the wall beneath a chalk board.
It stored things for the kiddos such as chalk, crayons, books,and
construction paper. I decided to stash those things in a basket so I could
use the table else where.

Sorry I don't have any before pictures. I stained the top and painted the
lower half, then used a semi gloss poly. It turned out well and it does the
job.

Somebody's Having A Birthday

First Birthday
Saniya is turning 3 next week. I had no idea what to get her considering Christmas
has just pass. What could she possibly want? She loves Tinker bell, and any
thing that has to do with a princess! In case you don't know, she's a princess in
training!!
Likes To Dress Up
 Of course I thought about clothes, she's very girly girly! Then I decided to ask
her what she wanted. You will not believe what she told me, because you're
looking at the pictures and you see baby! Ha! This lil baby looked at me and
said "A bike, a purple DS and Granny I want a mirror, a green one" A mirror?
"Yeah Granny and YOU can do it"  Can you believe it, not even 3 yet and
decorating already!!! I Love It!
Showing Off My Shoes

Mirror & Sconce
Pulling out the paint and my beloved Cricut. I CAN DO this, Saniya said so! It
makes my heart smile to know my grand kids (no matter how young) take notice
of the things I do!!

Swag Lamps

Not again you say...Well I did admit to having a thing for lamps!! I have
two of these swag chandeliers. Found them at a yard sale, it was my lucky
day. At least I think so! $15

The lady selling them told me she had bought them at Bragg's Furniture
back in the 70s. It didn't matter how old they were, I knew I loved
them on sight and just had to have them. I didn't have a need for them at
the time so I put them away. After painting them I knew I had to find a
place for them, they were too gorgeous to hide away...so table lamps were
stored in a closet giving space for these girls to hang around! One hangs
on either side of the sofa.

I've yet to find a bold funky fabric that I like, can you imagine how jazzy
they will look once the shades are redone?


Chandelier Revealed

I finished and just in time it seems. This will make a nice birthday gift!!
This beauty will be going into a little girl's bedroom.
In an earlier post I stated the color would be lavender.
NOT!


BEFORE
The owner decided on a different color, rightly so as it turns out... I can't
wait to see how well it blends in with the other colors! Plum anyone?



Krylon Plum

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Paint Gone Wrong

Sometime it's good and sometimes it's not! I don't know what happened.
I had a vision and proceeded to make it so, somewhere along the way things
changed....

I will show The Hot Mess before I strip it and start over...

Before

Engine Red/Smoke Glaze
Once the glaze went on (can you see it) it started to look baaaaaaaddddd!
Off to try this again, wish me luck!!!!

Cheap Fix

I live in a rental, that means there are a lot of things I can't change!
There are some things that I just don't like in this house. I do make
small minor changes. Such as a light fixture here and there! It was
inexpensive enough that I can leave it behind if I choose. In the mean
time I have something much prettier to look at!
BEFORE


PRIME & PAINTED ORB

I LIKE THIS MUCH BETTER
Yeah I was so excited I forgot to take the wash cloths down! I would love to frame
out the mirror but I'm not sure about that yet! If I can do it w/o it being permanent
then I just might try! This lil project only cost me $4. I bought the light fixture at
The Humane Society Thrift Shop. Primer and Paint were already on hand.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Who Wants To Do Homework


I don't know any kid that likes doing homework, do you? Do you have a
designated place in your home for school work? My grand son was doing his
at the kitchen table. I noticed that he was always fidgety, never sitting up
straight for very long. Then of course there was the never ending hunger or
thirst.

While browsing my trusty friend Craigslist I came across some old school
desks. I decided it would be a great gift so I bought them! They were in pretty
bad shape. Rust, old gum, (ever stick your gum under the desk top) years of
dirt from being stored in a barn, spider webs and something I couldn't identify!
I began to clean them up with a cleaner and some bleach. I didn't get around
to painting them right away, so I needed a place to hide them. Let me tell you
that was not an easy task. Whenever my grand kids come over for a visit, I
can depend on one saying "Granny go hide" yep I play hide-n-seek!!! Did I
mention that I have a very small home? My storage space is very limited, and
what space there is, has been stocked to capacity with what I call treasures
but my family calls JUNK. My son will answer my home phone with "Sandford
& Son, what ya need we got it", he's a very funny guy!

Before the desks were finished my grand son found them. Just like his sister
would, he asked if one was for him? I have 9 grand babies but these two al-
ways assume Granny does everything for them alone! It could be that the other
7 are divided by 3 states. I told a teeny weeny tale and said I was doing them
for a client! He then offered to help and in fact talked about us going into
business together. I thought that was the cutest thing!

One morning before going off to school I surprised him with the fact
the desks were indeed for he and his sister! You can see below how happy
they were. Lil sis received her very own desk too, she's only two but when
ever Big Brotha does homework, she will say "Mama I gotta do
my homework, where's my letters".



Red, Navy & Grey


Bubble Gum & Heirloom White

Don't they look happy

Monday, January 24, 2011

Remember These

Today I'm coming to you all for your opinion! These pretty ladies are done
in Smoke Grey. Classy as they are, they would be even jazzier with a lil  glaze!
What do you guys think?

Desk Redo

Have I mentioned that I love Craigslist? I search on it every day and I have
also placed my own items on Craigslist! I came across a Desk for sale.
I called and was given an address. When I arrived, I was met by a mother
and daughter. The desk belonged to the mother but her daughter had de-
cided it was time to purge her mother's home.  Mother wasn't too happy
about it but, went along with it. I don't recall if it was due to health or age
but, Mother wasn't able to keep up with the housework her large home
required. Like a lot of young adults the daughter felt her mother was a
pack rat and needed to let go of certain items.  She didn't understand why
her mother held onto so many things that were no longer being used. I
could relate to Mother and I started to feel very sad for her, I also started
to think about my own situation with my children. Things in our home
hold memories for us, it reminds us of times past, things done, love ones
no longer with us.  Because, of those reasons and many more we have
become attached.  I felt bad for her, to rid her home of something she
wanted to keep, I almost walked away without buying the desk.  On second
thought I realized her daughter was determined to sale it and many more
things. The least I could do to help ease Mother's pain was to assure her
that it was going to a loving home. I do love and will continue to love this
desk. It may change colors again, or start to look well used in time but it
won't be leaving 202 for a very long long time.



Before

Krylon's Ocean Breeze

Glazed
My Desk Today

Linking to domestically-speaking


Friday, January 21, 2011

Half Off Day

A few days ago I ranted about the high prices at the thrift stores. On principle
I left behind a couple of lamps. I was hoping that one in particular would be
there today, it's half off day. What do you think, was she waiting? I had waited
five days, it was like sitting on pins & needles. Doors opened at 8:30, because
of weather conditions I was late,arrived at 8:45! I run to the back where lamps
are kept, Gosh Dawgit, I'll be a monkey's uncle, I see her out of the corner
of my eye but she isn't on the shelf, she's being abducted by a stranger. Quick
somebody help me save my lady! There's no one nearby. As much as I'd like
to, I know I can't knock this stranger out while snatching up the lady. Sadly
I continued to the shelf in search of the lady's ugly friends. None were worthy
enough to come home with me! I knew I was taking a chance when I left her
behind on Sunday. I think had I not seen her being taken today just minutes
ahead of me, I could have accepted it with a lot more grace than I did! To
cheer myself up I decided to try a few more stores before heading back home.


Here's what I managed to come home with today.

No Sew Curtains



By now everyone has heard about Drop Cloth Curtains, right? I too jumped
on the band wagon and made some! Above you see my trusty glue gun, duct
tape, can tabs, ribbon, batting, poster board and of course drop cloth. I
gather my things and set up the ironing board before I got sidetracked. That
tends to happen a lot. Some of you may know what I mean, when you have
nothing to do, no one calls or stops by, however just as you decide to craft,
read a book, watch a movie or soak in a hot tub-Ding Dong, ring ring ring!
On this particular day my Mama decides to call and chat, lol! I tell her what
I'm doing so that we can keep it short, Oh No, now she wants to know why
she paid someone to do for her what I'm about to do... My mom is a per-
fectionist. If I make a tiny oops on my own I'll have no problem leaving it
as is but not with her. No Way!


 These are the windows in my kitchen. I know you see that tacky wallpaper!
 Urghhh! It's a pink and blue flora, I can't remove it or paint over. I refused
 to decorate around those colors. I pretend it's not there. Try it, see it's gone.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Waiting For Warmer Days

As soon as the weather gets better, I'll be dressing this lady up! She's pretty
however, once she's dressed for the ball, watch out now! Can you believe
she wasn't wanted anymore? She was found hanging out with some not so
pretty friends, it took only $4 to rescue her. This is for a family friend
(more like a daughter) but, I'm tempted to keep her for myself. Just kidding
Charlene, lol. Lilac is the color! Stay tuned....

Silhouette SD

When I came across all the craft projects being done with vinyl I went
out immediately and bought a Cricut. Don't get me wrong, I love my
Cricut. I just wish I had dug up a little more information first. It can get
very costly.

Unlike the Silhouette SD, you have to purchase cartridges that can start
as high as $40-50 each! There is a program you can purchase that allows
you to hook up to your computer with the Cricut.This would allow you
to use fonts and images from your computer but why go through all that?
With the Silhouette you can create your own design, and any font you
have on your computer can be cut (without cartridges) on the Silhouette.
Also you can get additional images at their online store by downloading
them for .99 cents each. How awesome is that?

I'm thinking very seriously about getting one. My sister has been wanting
a Cricut, maybe she'll get one for free!

If you would like a chance at winning one hop over to Craftaholic Anonymous.http://tinyurl.com/6joxqun

Bubble Gum (Yummy)

I really should wait to do this post, however I have no will power when it
comes to this one! I've already expressed my love for all things connected
to lighting, ie lamps, chandys, lanterns and so on. Here's a find from last
year. It was in my storage area (on back porch) for months while I looked
for a mate. I thought I might take down the ceiling fans in my kitchen (can
you say yuck) and replace with the chandy. One day while working on
another project with Sugamama (grand daughter) along side me, she spied
the chandy. She asked "Granny is that my princess light"?

Sugamama is 2 yrs old, turning 3 in Feb. After chatting with her you'd
swear she was older, no kidding, it's like she has been here before. The
thing about Sugamama is that, anything she spots in my home that she
likes, automatically becomes something for her! "Granny you bought that
for me" or "Look what Granny got me"! Anyway on this particular day
she began to tell me how that (chandy) is for princesses and that she
was a Princess. I guess the ceiling fans will be up a little longer.


Well The Princess's Light has been hung. I said I should wait before posting
because it has been tweaked since the picture. I haven't had the time to go
back and get another picture. The shades and ceiling medallion aren't included
in this picture. The color is Bubble Gum by Krylon.

Chandy Before
Princess's Light After








Ikat Love

Like these? Want a chance to win a set of four? Go here:http://isabellaandmaxrooms.blogspot.com/2011/01/anthropologie-ikat-mini-bowls-giveaway.html

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

My Favorite Yard Sale Find Of 2010

I know Christmas is over and it's long overdue! Taking down my trees,
I admit I was being lazy. While I'm at it this morning, why not
show you my best yard sale find?  9ft tall with over 1000
limbs. Are you ready? A whopping $1. Granted it had no stand but it was
still a deal. I found a stand at the Flea Market for $5, a total of $6! Not bad,
right?!

Coffee Table

I got this table at a yard sale, it was marked $5.  I was employed by the
group throwing the sale and received it for half off. It just happened to
be after noon when everything became half off to the public! Yeah,
I got it for $1.25


I knew immediately upon seeing it what I would do with it. A bench for
the foot of my bed. I got it home, and just like that changed my mind.
I thought it'd make a great space where the grand kids could eat snacks
and do art work, even sat while playing games or watching cartoons.

I went to Walmart and bought vinyl fabric, it's durable and can easily be
wiped off. I don't think I even bothered to sand this piece. I spray painted
it and covered the top. Lately, I've been thinking of removing the fabric
and repainting the table a different color. This is what it looks like today!
Table 1.25
Fabric 4.00
Batting 2.00
Paint & Foam on hand
Total of $7.25

Monday, January 17, 2011

Another Chair Redo

I picked up this dull office chair at a yard sale for $2 awhile back. It
sat in my storage area for quite sometime, I actually forgot all about
it. I do that a lot (forget things I've bought). That's because I often
buy things I believe has potential and possibly a profit, or maybe even
a gift or need for another.

Unfortunately, I don't have a before picture. From this point on I will
be very careful with my camera. This was painted with Krylon's Orb,
the fabric was left over from another project, I'll post in the future.
I ordered it online from Fabric.com. When I started on this chair, it was my
intention to place it for sale, yeah well it's still in my home because I happen
to like it a lot. I don't keep everything that I do but there have been a few!


Craft Day With A Friend

My friend Jenny (Hi Jenny) and I spent a day with some tin plates, paint
and my Cricut. We bought several plates from Dollar Tree, vinyl and
paint were already on hand. We used the colors Classic Gray, Engine Red,
Georgia Clay, and White.





Jenny's twin recently moved into her first apt., she's slowly working room by room,
her colors are red, black and white. Jenny wanted to give her something handmade
but kept insisting she had no talent. Ha, everyone has a talent, it's just some are
better than others. For instance I'm not very creative when it comes to imagination
but when I see something I'm pretty good at making a copy. Imitation is a form of
flattery imo. Sometimes I follow and sometimes I add my own spin. I'm not sure
where I first saw the tin plates (I think Kyra's Creations) in blogland. It's been
over a year and 1000s of blogs.







We took a trip to Goodwill and Dollar Tree where we purchased odds and ends.
The napkin holders were no more than a dollar at GW, they were cleaned up, then
painted. I chose to add a little bling glam to mine, it is now a mail holder. Jenny
chose an inspirational rub on, it will be used for the original purpose in her sister's
kitchen. The yellow plate went into my bedroom (colors yellow, gray, black, white
and a hint of teal). No question about where the skinny plate went. Yeah 'trust' is
a tad crooked. :( Everything can't be perfect, but it was a perfect day shared
among friends. We bought plate stands and The Blessing Trays were given as gifts.
We used hot glue and paper clips on the backs of Always Kiss Me Trays to be
hung over her sister's bed.

BTW that's Jenny on the left in my profile picture!