Picture

I found this big 16 x 20 frame at a thrift store when my mom was in town.  I passed it by, but had to go back for it because of the fun shape, the fact it had glass, the size of it, AND the $3 price tag.

 

I ended up spray painting it white, sanding it down a bit and sticking in a big picture of the big girls.  Ashley was asking why I was putting it in the big girls room.  I told her “they needed it in there because they keep forgetting which room is theirs”.  She smiled and rolled her eyes.  I’m thinking this eye rolling is getting to be a common Ashley expression.

Anyway, I LOVE the frame addition in their room!

Bedroom Redo

When Stephen is traveling I LOVE to tackle big projects.  It keeps me busy so that time passes quickly.

The other reason I undertook this for the week is because it soooo needed help!  We have had a lot of people in and out this summer.  Some stayed with us and others just passing through.  As they would tour our house I would always get embarrassed of this bedroom.  It just wasn't very put together. 

Their was a nook for a desk.  Stephen hasn't had time nor money to build it though.  AND every normal desk is just too big to fit in the space UNTIL I found this little sewing table.

Oh my goodness!  It was the exact size that I needed.  I LOVED the knobs and couldn't resist the price of 10 bucks.  I sanded it and sealed the top lid.  Caulked up the crack and sanded some more.  The only thing that I still need to do is get a piece of glass to cover the top so that the wood will endure all the art that will be drawn on it.  ANYWAY, here it is in the room now ...

I still need to hang a dry erase board above it and do a couple other ideas that I have for that nook AND the shelf above it and the door, BUT I am thrilled it is done!

Worked on the closet with baskets and a dresser.  Dad made the headboard and the little cradle.  I need you to come back dad to put the headboard together with the rest of the bed.  I sure appreciate all you do for me dad!  I still need to do the cushion for the window seat.  I also have a big white wall opposite the bed that I 'm excited to work on.  Is anything ever done?!?!

Anyway, that's what I have been busy doing this week in between all the other stuff.

The Chair

I have a little retreat room off my master bedroom.  Since we moved into our house it has always been a handy little nursery.

Now, I'm able to turn it into a craft/sewing room.  I knew that I wanted to keep with my bedroom colors so that it flows when the door is open.  The wall that has the doorway is a deep brown, so I thought it would be fun to paint the room a dusty blue that matches my comforter in the bedroom.  Are you following all of this?!?

Also I wanted a chair for my kids and Stephen to be able to sit on as they come in to visit and I'm working on a project.  The original chair looked like this

I deepened the wood stain and changed out the fabric and batting.  It now looks like this when you look into the room.

I can't decide whether to put the arm rests on or not.  It has a long seat and makes a cute chaise chair, but maybe it looks a little naked without the arms.  What do you think?

I love the different art work and pictures that I'm decorating with.  I will have to do more pictures when I finish my little room.  I love how bright and cheery it is.  It has two big windows.  One is to the side with my garden, which I LOVE to look out at during the summer.  The other is of Pikes Peak.  It really is a nice view.

Here now is the next project to go in my little room. 


I looked in furniture stores and Target and couldn't find nice REAL wood furniture.  Everything seems so cheap and they just don't have nice architecture features.  I always have to look back in time for furniture because that is what I like.  This little beauty was a steal off of Craigs List.  Look at the trim on the bottom.  The back is even beautiful

I feel like MOST furniture made today has the thin sheeting nailed to the back calling it good.  The other fun features are thin pull out table tops above the top drawers.  I think that is fun to have side work areas.  Then the bottom two drawers on one side is a built in file drawer.  I'm SOOO excited to do it and put it in the room.

I am so thrilled to be able to have everything in one room and to be able to have my sewing machine ALWAYS out and ready.

Any suggestions for my little craft room?  Should I add the arm rests to the chair?  Let me know what you think.

Afternoon Projects

Sometimes I LOVE a good project and other times I just get sooo frustrated.
Do you remember my last BIG project?  It was this pretty dresser that was only $25.  I LOVED the handles and didn't need to replace them and I used my own paint.  So I was quite pleased with how my $25 turned out from this ...

into this ...

Well today I decided to take on a chair that I want in my craft room for kids to sit on and chat with me as I do my projects.  Here is what it looks like ...

Scary!!!  I'm doing the wood in a real dark brown stain and then the fabric to recover it is a grey blue and brown geometrical print.  I think it will go perfect with the grey blue walls in there.  I decided that if you want a chair with a fun print you have to do it yourself.
As I was pulling out the 1,000's of staples and dismantling it Ashley comes in and tells me that I'm breaking the chair.  Jerrica is right there trying to help me, but was being a little too helpful and driving me crazy.  I had a hard time with some of the screws that were stripped, so I ran downstairs and had Steve come help.
Of course after taking it all apart, I moved on to my next project which was a vinyl Subway sign.  It totally didn't go as easily as I thought and made me completely frustrated.  Stephen once again was there by my side encouraging me. 
I then moved on to my little book holder shelves that are to go by the kids' desks in their rooms to help take clutter OFF the desks.  My dad had started them for me when I was in Tennessee and of course thought that I needed to be the one to assemble them.  Well, I needed some pieces cut and there was my Stever ready to help me again. 

I really don't know how my husband gets any work done here at home.  I DO KNOW that I am so grateful for how patient and willing he is to help me.  Stephen is how I am able to get things done in a day!  I love you Stever, thanks for today!