Painting Party!!!

So today is the day,

Day one of painting our bedroom.

We've been here one year and eight months and I've wanted to paint our room the day after we put up the blue paint.

It wasn't what I thought it would be and we didn't have time to run to the paint store to pick out different paint color, we had to get this done.

So today is the day to finally get the color that I think I will love, I better because DH won't be happy if we have to paint again after this.

I also spent the whole day yesterday putting together 3 pieces of furniture we purchased from IKEA.

Unfinished dressers that I will be painting along with two pieces we already have in the room.

So this week will be a busy week and I'm anxious to get started.

I will post the before and after when it's all done,

till then,

have a great week!!!!!



Thinking of Gardening

I am really irritated with how Blogger has changed things. I want to revert back to the Classic Templates and when I do they do not allow you to make changes, or add anything to the site. Either I'm doing something wrong or

they're being irritating. I really don't like how my blog looks and I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong

and I don't have time to sit here for a few hours trying to figure it out. UGH!!!

Anyway

So we did a lot of backyard clean up, removing English ivy that was taking over,

pulled up dead bushes

power washed the decks

and raked lots and lots of leaves and there are still lots more to rake up.

We have this old shed that came with the property

It has mold on the outside so it needs to be scrubbed down.

Some trim has become rotten so they need to be replaced,

the windows are in good shape, not broken.

The door needs to be fixed as well.

Because the property sits on a slope, when it rains it just runs down and so the soil gets caught in front of the shed so we have to do something to keep that from happening.

I want to paint the shed,

trying to figure out what colors, I found some inspiration online through Google

OK this is adorable!!!! I love the colors. Our little gingerbread shed is the exact style as this one, but certainly needs a lot of work to look this way, but isn't it the sweetest thing you've seen?

I even love the chimney, I'm sure it's just decorative but what a nice idea.

This ones a bit more rustic but cute.

So many ideas on the Internet.

But we first have to deal with the water run off before we do anything to our shed, otherwise it'll just continue to rot with the water going into it.

So I'll have the winter to come up with paint colors, landscaping and what shrubs and flowers I want to plant.
That's where Pinterest comes in for all kinds of fun ideas.

 



Kitchen Remodel Before and After

I can't believe that it'll be two years in January that we sold our last home and moved here.

It'll be two years that we purchased our town home in April and there is still always something to do.

We've done all the major remodeling, we still have those small tedious projects to do, I guess we're waiting for a good snow storm the kind that you can't go anywhere and you're stuck at home. Hopefully then we can finish those small, time consuming projects.

But our kitchen although not completely done, is for the most part finished.

When we first walked in to this home, the first thing you see to your left is the kitchen, it was not impressive.

UGH, the last homeowners removed the original cabinets which were oak, you know the 1980's oak cabinets so not so pretty but workable, they could of been repainted and all we would have to do is replace the appliances, flooring, lights and new counter tops. But no, they had to do their version of a remodel and it looked like this

 

They put in the type of cabinets you may see in a Doctor's office. I did not like them at all. Then add the high gloss blue paint for a back splash.

The only working appliance was the refrigerator and I had to get out hot bleach water to clean it down so it could be used while we remodeled our home.

At least the floors matched the blue and white color scheme but it was not for me.

Light fixture was hanging lopsided and too modern for my taste.

It all needed to be warmed up.

The window had to be replaced, and I've always wanted a greenhouse window and our contractor got a good deal on a new one.

So we tore everything out, EVERYTHING,

New cabinets with a creamy finish and bronze rubbed edges. Bronze hardware from Ebay and new lighting which was added by an electrician, there was no light over the sink.

 Need to get a stainless steal trashcan but why are they so expensive???

 

 

 

 Removed the bi-fold doors that were very awkward at the pantry and I sewed a curtain instead.

We also added this section to the kitchen, there weren't any cabinets on this side so I needed more hiding space for my collection of pots and pans and other fun cook ware.

And we can't forget the overhead lighting. Saw this at Lowe's and I had to have it, it's my bling for the kitchen. 

The only thing left to do is a back splash and I am having a very hard time choosing, or more like committing to something.

Tile is so permanent and not cheap and I found some at Lowe's that I really like, it's just making the decision.

I also like wainscoting as well.

I found several ideas on the Internet like these

I like that this homeowner used a tin tile for behind the stove to change it up a bit.

 

It gives the kitchen a cottage charm and I like how that looks so as you see I can't decide,

Tile or Wainscoting??

 



Herbs de Provence

I've been playing with paints and stamps and it was so much fun!

I got this idea from www.goodideasforyou.com saw it on Pinterest and loved the idea.

I've seen painted Terra cotta pots but I liked how hers turned out.

Now I didn't have the transfer image papers on hand so I thought I'd use stamps, which I have plenty of.

It wasn't easy to stamp them, so it's not perfect, plus perfect wouldn't be real right?

So I started with plain pots

And I had some sample paints that I purchased for our bedroom, although I won't be using those colors for the room, I thought they'd look nice on these pots

I painted the first coat in green, which I watered down a little

Then put one coat on, not too heavy since I like the Terra cotta color as well and wanted it to show through a little

Let them dry then added the cream color on top of that, I watered that paint down a bit more than the green and used a sponge brush then used a paper towel and rubbed off any excess

Loved how it turned out, then had to let that dry before stamping

Not perfect but that's OK with me.

But I learned a critical thing, the stamp ink takes quite awhile to dry and I thought they were dry enough and started to rub a brown paint that I watered down a bit, over the stamped areas and it smudged some of the ink after that was done, I then waited till they were completely dry to them spray seal them

It was so much fun that I think I'm addicted now.

I planted English Thyme and Rosemary and hope I can grow them indoors with no problem.

OK, so my window is pretty full I know, but I love it!

If you'd like the paint color's just post your message and I'll let you know, I forgot to look and it's downstairs and I don't feel like going back down there AGAIN....

 

 



Cake Pedestals into Plant Pedestal

I've been searching for cake stands for some time now, since we moved into this home.

We have this large greenhouse window, I've always wanted one and living in a Community if we replaced any thing on the exterior it had to be of the same style which meant we had to replace the old greenhouse window with a new one.

(I say we had to because it was a very old window and not efficient)

Thankfully we got it for a decent price, about half of what we would of paid, it still was not cheap but I

LOVE

this window and I have lots of plants to show it.

So as I was saying, I was trying to find cake stands so I can use them to put smaller plants on, give some height as well, but I was not going to pay more than $10 for a plate, even went to Marshall's and TJ Maxx, still nothing that was reasonable enough for me.

So I went to Target and saw these

 



Plates were a Dollar each and candlesticks were $4.00 each, so $5.00 per "cake stand".

Pulled out my trusty glue gun and started gluing, and I had to be quick, as soon as the glue hit that candlestick it wanted to harden fast.

They turned out cute, I may find something I like better down the road but for now it does just fine.

Yes I have a lot of plants and I bought two more today,

I purchased herbs to grow indoors over the winter, now I need to figure out where to place them in that window.

Oh well, not a big problem to have.

Hope you have a great weekend!

A New Year

(vibrantraze.blogspot.com)

So here we are, it is September.

Summer is almost over, kids are back to school.

This time of year always feels like a new year is starting.

Not January, but September, I guess it's because we

start to do yard clean up, getting things that have overgrown dug up,

new plantings going in for next Spring, we're putting away our summer clothes to bring out those warm ones,

washing linens and bringing out the warm blankets.

I love this time of year, I don't know about where you're at but here

the nights are cooling down.

I know we'll have an occasional warm day, but it won't be stifling.

We've had so much rain that I hope we have a beautiful Fall season.

(livescience.com)

Although we live a half hour from D.C., we just have to drive the opposite direction and in 15 minutes we're driving back country roads that I can't wait to do when the leaves change.

It's been a busy summer, a nice summer, some real hot days, but also some not so bad days, so I'm not complaining, but I'm ready for Fall and then Winter when we can put logs into our fireplace and cozy up.

Start cooking those yummy comfort stews and soups, baking new recipes, and maybe getting some crafting done.

We have finished our kitchen remodel, I just need to take pictures now. We'd like to add tile to our wall, but it's such a commitment that we can't decide what we want, so when the time is right we'll get right on that, but for now, everything is finally done.

Still have some other around the house projects that we need to finish up, hopefully it'll get done before this year is over.

But tomorrow, I will go paint shopping and get some fresh new plants to replace the overgrown ones in our pots.

Also get some ideas for a Fall Centerpiece that I can leave on our table when not in use and that my furry creatures can't break if they get curious.

I like this one

(bhg.com)

Or maybe this one

(momsbyheart.net)

I may have a long and narrow plate like this, not sure, but this is simple and pretty, I'd add a candle in the middle for height.

I like this one the most

(sophisticatedyellow.com)

So many ideas out there in Google world plus craft stores have been Fall ready since end of July, which was insane, I don't get why they keep on pushing these seasons earlier and earlier each year. Do people start buying stuff that early?

It's July and it's 90 degrees out, the last thing on my mind is Fall décor.

But now, I'm ready! I have to control myself and not put out the Fall wreathes on our front door and gate side yard entrance. The day it's officially Fall, I'll have them ready to be put up.



Shades of Blue & Green

So I finally got to use this gorgeous fabric that I purchased about 3 years ago.

Was suppose to make curtains out of them for our last home but never got around to it, then we put our home on the market

and moved.

Now that we're about settled in, I had to make these for the summer.

I even made matching pillows, but don't look too closely, some errors,

well, I learned what not to do next time

I'm not one for matchy matchy BUT I love this fabric so much I had to do it!!!!

I didn't want to waste any of it.

The Euro shams I purchased from JcPenney

the quilt from Marshall's

The green and cream quilt from Jo Ann Fabrics

 

I always have so much fun sewing.

But now that I have it all up, I definitely want to repaint our bedroom!

Hubby is not too thrilled with that idea since the ceiling has high peaks and you need a long ladder to get to those sections,

that'll be a Fall project when the weather cools down and we can open the windows.

I have some more sewing projects to post but that'll be later.

MCB

 



Sewing Craze!

Having a ton of fun sewing again!!!

It's funny, I LOVE to sew, I love to put fabrics together and try to coordinate with ribbons and buttons,

BUT

I have to get myself excited for it.

 I have to get motivated.

I planned this a few weeks ago, the first week of July will be my sewing week.

So yesterday I sewed three bags, the one above is for

Moi!

This one below is for a friend, who bought the fabrics and asked me to put it together

{she says she's afraid to use it now, it's too pretty}

And this other one below is an order from a friend as well, many of you have seen this pattern, it's one of my top

sellers

So busy with those and once I get started I can't stop.

I have no sense of balance what so ever!

I can't get motivated,

then when I finally do, I will sew 3-5 hours straight, only stopping for a potty break, and I may remember to eat or drink

something to stay hydrated and energized.

I need help!

 

So that was yesterday,

today I've been measuring, and re-measuring then ironing, ironing and more ironing,

then I started cutting,

these

What am I making with these?

HMMMMM

Well, time will tell, I mean I know what I'm doing with them, but

you'll have to wait for my next post.

The far left one, I'm trying to decide the green fringe or orange fringe?

Pretty aren't they?

Until next time.......

{PS I'll give you a hint, it's not handbags}



Landscaping Before & After's

I thought when I put this blog together I'd be posting quite regularly but no, that hasn't happened since we put our last home on the market.

Life has become insane since all that happened.

Projects are never ending, you finish one and there is another waiting for you.

Plus, work & a life take over as well.

But I am now finally posting our Landscaping project.

When we bought this place it certainly wasn't for it's curb appeal

or

how beautiful it looked on the inside,

no way!

It was price, location and the possibilities.

Our front yard was awful,

whoever lived here look like they tried to do something

but because it being an end unit and on a slope

the yard was washing away.

You couldn't plant anything.

They had holly bushes in front but the roots were exposed since the soil was going down the hill,

So it required building a retaining wall and adding soil.

After the OK from the HOA committee,

the project began and Hubby was the one doing all the work since it would of cost us about $4,000 when it was said and done.

Yeah, sure we'll pull out $4,000 from........

 

Building the wall was stressing him out especially since he NEVER built a retaining wall before.

The internet is a great source of information!!!

After building this we didn't need to buy soil, thank goodness, we had enough after the wall went up and walkway went in, so $$$ saved here.

(Below- before adding mulch)

 

 

After:

We weeded and added mulch and planted a spreading plant, ordered it and came in a root bound ball so still waiting to see if it'll do anything, and we planted impatients as well.

So after moving the soil around, replanting the holly bushes which was a bit stressful because the rules on replanting those were specific and if you did one thing wrong they'd die. Happy to say they are healthy and happy.

Here he's now putting in a walkway to the gate. 

He even added steps, again the internet was a great help, this was a bit of a tough one but he figured it out and it turned out great. 

Here is the after, below, after putting in pea gravel

 

 

 

 

(before adding mulch) 

 

(after adding mulch) 

 

(Holly Bushes doing well)

 

This part is always been hard for me, PATIENCE, waiting on the plants to fill in, controlling myself by not buying so many plants since it does get expensive, but I do go to the nurseries and watch out for sales on perennials.

 

 

We were having issues with some neighbors walking through our front yard to cut across to the main entrance, after putting in the wall and landscaping it finally stopped, even after we landscaped one neighbor insisted on still walking through but I haven't seen him do it, maybe because heard me scolding a young boy who thought he was superman and tried to jump from our wall over our flowers and instead he landed on my flowers as he was running down the slope, I must of looked like a crazy person running out my front door, I'm sure others heard me but I didn't care.

Well, the boy never did that again, in fact I haven't seen him and his friend playing out there since then.

Oh well, we're happy with the results and can't wait to see the flowers fill in and can't wait to add more.