Posts

What to do when your Christmas Present Breaks - the DIY way

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I just love pretty breakable things and I just love my little 4 year old but the combination of the two don’t always bode well together…… I got this beautiful set of glittery red candle holders from a friend for Christmas.  I still had them wrapped up in the box and my daughter decided to move the box off the table to, who knows where, and KABOOM!!   The bottom of the box fell to the ground.  (no, I did not take a picture of this……there is a time and a place for everything folks!) I – Couldn’t - Believe - It!  My new gift had all the stems broken and the only thing that kept the top together was that it was a broken mosaic in the first place!  I was super sweet and understanding   OK, I  was VERY upset.  My daughter said she was sorry and that I could just fix it with glue. That didn’t help me much at all. My mother in law heard about the story and went out to buy me TWO more (the last two) that were left at the store (isn’t she swee...

House Update– AMERICAN CLAY WALLS and Cabinets

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As I’m writing this post I am dead tired and feel as if my arms might fall off. For the last 12 days I have put in 75+ hours of applying American Clay to my home’s walls.  It…..has……been…..insane .  The first day I worked on the house I was excited for about an hour and then I felt like bursting into tears realizing just HOW MUCH I had to get done!  A true labor of love. Two of those days I did have these beautiful ladies show up (one on Sunday and the other Monday) and help – it definitely made the day go by faster.  Don’t let the glamour make you think these two couldn’t work – they were awesome!  I told one of them to come in her “grubbies” and she showed up in her PJ’s telling me they couldn’t think of what she could wear that would be classified as grubbies so she thought PJ’s would be the next best thing….. I was just glad it was the weekend and not during the week when I’m sure all my rough and tough constructions workers would have enjoyed wa...

It’s just so easy! Another thrift store lamp makeover

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I’ll admit it, I think I have a problem.  Every time I walk into a thrift store I see a million lamps that I want to take home and fix up.  I should open my own lamp store at the rate I am going.  I plan to give some of my fixed up lamps to my brother since he just bought a house.  (I’m using that excuse so that it doesn’t look like I’m a hoarder.) Anyway, I just want to show you how SIMPLE it is to turn an ugly lamp into a beauty. Tip number 1:  NEVER judge a lamp by it’s color, just it’s shape.   Here are two beauties I picked up.                                   FOR 4.00 EACH .  I also picked up these shades (they were pretty smudgy) for $2.00                     ...

House Update–Insulation,Drywall,Siding and Rock

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I have to say…….things are getting a little exciting  around here– hee,hee. My FAVORITE is this right here: The ROCK!  And another of my favorite parts went up! The interior rough sawn beams! These guys have been working HARD even in a snow blizzard to stay on schedule and get this house done. I did just realize that we will not be able to paint the house OR do the black top driveway till Spring! (due to freezing temperatures) …….Oh well,  Come March/April it will be completely done, but we’ll still get to move in end of January! Now that the drywall is in it means it’s time for me to “get my hands dirty” and do the American CLAY WALLS !  Yes, somehow I am doing the entire main level, I do have a helper but my goodness, I have no idea how I am going to get it all done in the week slot the contractor gave me.  I’ll pretty much be doing 8 hour days for a week.  Pretty interesting going from full time mom to full time clay applicator! If you ar...

Favorite Winter Holiday Posts - tradtions, crafts and gift ideas.

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I just thought it would be fun to bring up some of my favorite winter holiday posts from last year……ENJOY! Ice Candle Holder – Can use a small cup or a large bucket!  Fill it up and let it freeze half way…..empty out the water and insert candle!  Can you just imagine these all lined up your front porch steps??  Sooooo festive and  pretty! Cinnamon Glue Christmas ornaments or gift tags.  These are a family favorite.  We love making them!  A must for a fun family tradition. (plus it’s the perfect gift to have kids make grandparents or teachers!) Gingerbread Playdough .  Tons of festive childhood fun!!!! Makes a fun gift too!  Add the Cinnamon ornament gift tag on top! Need some Christmas table decorating Ideas or a personalized gift to make?  Try this spray painted wine bottle ! That’s it!  Happy Holidays and have fun!!!!

Making your Front Door Unique! Tuscan Style

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Showcased on Remodelaholic - thanks Cassity! I thought I was pretty crazy spay painting over my brand new porch lights……… I have to say I have well surpassed that craziness with this next project. It all started when I ordered my front door (from Home Depot). I really wanted to do an old wooden door that looked like I just brought it back from Europe but I was told that since my builders were an “Energy Star” contracted house I had to stick with an Energy Star insulated door (so no old wood door for me).   A few days after I placed the fiberglass door order we had a construction meeting and somehow Energy Star stuff came up.  Come to find out (don’t you just love finding stuff out a day late!) that you can choose up to ONE door not to be Energy Start to still qualify.    Well It was too late to change my special order so I decided to make the BEST with what I had ordered which was a fiberglass Energy Star door that looks like wood but really...