Ooooo Boy!!!

Does anyone remember last year around this time there was a "10 in 10" party out there in blog-land. It was a linky party for people on a mission to complete 10 projects on their too long to-do lists in 10 days. I gave it a go...here's my original post on it: http://motoxmomma.blogspot.com/2009/10/add.html

Sooooooooo...linky party or not, I'm doing it again this year. I seem to work better under pressure! LOL!

If anyone shows interest I can set up a linky party...but either way, I'm doing it...starting this coming Monday I think is my plan. Linky party anyone?? ANYONE?!?! (Bueller? Bueller???)

Sorry...it's been a long day already. I think I'm getting delusional.

10 in 10 this Monday folks...watch for it!

Lemon Poppy-Seed & Strawberry Cake - Half Homemade

I just spent the better part of a gorgeous morning hanging out in the driveway with my familia! It was wonderful! Due to the fact that both little boys, as well as I have been super sick over the past couple of weeks, we thought we'd host Mikey's 5th Birthday party OUTSIDE in the fresh air (with easily accessible bottles of hand sanitizer at the ready!)

And honestly, sickness or no sickness, that was the best decision EVER! It was SO very gorgeous out this morning...and being outdoors gave Mikey ample time to ride his new BIKE!! :)

Anyway...back to the point! Mikey was sitting next to me one day while I was leafing through a magazine and he saw a Lemon Poppy-Seed and Strawberry layer cake. He wanted THAT cake for his birthday. I looked up the recipe online and found some not great reviews, which is scary. AND it would've been a very pricey cake...cake and frosting from scratch. I do not keep cake flour in the house. I don't want to deal with whipping heavy cream. I'm all for the yum-factor, but between the kids and the pregnancy (plus now I'm sick) I just don't have the patience, time or energy!

SO...I figured, "Well...I can pretty much copy that idea and do it myself!" And folks...that is just what I did. Results from ALL who tried it?!?!?! BIG THUMBS UP!!

I wish I had a picture...my mom probably does. (If so, I'll share later) But here it is...

Half-Homemade Lemon Poppy-Seed & Strawberry Cake

1 Lemon Cake Box Mix (and ingredients required per box directions)
3 Tbsp. (give or take) Poppy Seeds
2 Cans White "Whipped" frosting
1 lb. Strawberries (fresh)
1 cup (Approx.) Strawberry Preserves

1. Mix cake mix according to box directions, adding poppy seeds prior to baking. Follow directions for two 8-inch round pans, which you have greased with shortening and floured. Bake per box directions, invert shortly after removing from oven, and cool on a cooling rack.
2. Cut each cake round in half, horizontally, using a serrated knife...giving you four separate layers.
3. Two assemble cake, place one layer on a plate, cut side up. Spread 1/3 of strawberry preserves over cake, followed by approximately 1/3th of a can of frosting. Top this with a layer of cut strawberries.
4. Repeat with remaining layers. When you reach the fourth cake layer, be sure to place it cut side down. Do not add preserves or berries to the top of this layer.
5. Frost the cake with desired amount of frosting on top and sides. Garnish with extra berries.
6. Refrigerate until ready to serve!

This cake was truly delicious and looks (and tastes) impressive for how simple it really is!

Like I said... I will share a photo later if my mom has one available!! (Can you believe I did not take a single picture today?? I've been so sick and so tired, I spent most of the party just RESTING!

Hope everyone has a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend!!

xoxo

DIY Rustic Santa and Snowmen Ornaments

It's DIY day at ASPTL! Linking up...check it out!



I made these a couple years back and they are one of my favorites on our tree...which is generally a hodge podge of ornaments we've collected over the years, ornaments we've made, and ornaments from the kiddos. I used to love the idea of a classy "themed" tree, but you know...Christmas is so much about family for me...I love our tree just how it is.






Rustic Snowmen and Santa Ornaments

You need:

Sticks (or Dowels) cut into approx. 3 inch pieces
Acrylic Paint
A drill with a fine drill bit
Ornament Hangers
Paint Marker

So...I used sticks I collected from the yard, but you could just as easily use dowels. If you use sticks, use a knife or razor blade to scrape the bark off. (Also, rather than doing a clean cut, because I used sticks, I snapped them off for a rougher edge and a more "rustic" look.)

Next, drill a hole in the in one end of each stick...this will be wear you put the ornament hanger through later.

Next, get your acrylic paint...I used white on the bottoms and black on the top for the snowmen, and red with a peach "face" and white beard for the Santa. When these dried, I used the paint markers to add the details. You could easily do this with a small paint brush if you are so inclined.

Once everything is dry, add the hangers. I used the the larger end of the hooks...the end you'd normally use to go over the branch, and slide it through the hole you drilled, twist it around and finish it. Then open up the smaller hook end to use for hanging on your tree.

TADA! A little bit rustic...a little bit country...and lots of charm and fun! :)

Christmas Wreaths - DIY

I am finally posting the two wreath projects I promised. I have one more in the works...hopefully I can work on it over this long weekend!

This first one I saw on several blogs, but the instructions for most originated from Eddie Ross. I must say...it was harder than I thought. I super glued all the tops on these christmas ball ornaments (all from Dollar Tree). I managed to completely cover myself in glitter...couch too...I looked like Tinkerbell threw up pixie dust all over me. It was lovely.

I bent the hanger into a what LOOKED like a circle (until I had it filled with bulbs and then realized otherwise...meh!), strung the bulbs on, bunched them together and then screamed and (almost) cried and fought with this thing to get it closed at the top.

I finally just did some "creative wrapping" (ha)with some wire edge ribbon. Don't hate me. I was about it throw the wreath...LOL! It will stay this way for this year, but after I take it down, the bow is coming off and I'm gonna let the man close it up with some sort of tool and snip the "hook" part of the hanger off for me. (And for what it's worth, that cluster of silver ornaments on the one side drives me CRAZY but I'm NOT fixing it...it doesn't have to be perfect...or so I keep trying to convince myself!)

Inspiration for my other Christmas wreath came from AnNicole at Our Suburban Cottage. She fell in love with a pretty Pottery Barn wreath, but not so much in love with their price tag. She did a FANTASTIC knock-off, which inspired me to revamp an old wreath I had. I wish I would've taken a before picture of this...it was T-A-C-K-Y!! Seriously.

I put this wreath together in about five minutes, five years ago. I pulled EVERYTHING out of it, used some wire ornament hangers to wire some gold balls nestled into the branches, added in some sparkly berries for "filler" and DONE. SOOOO much better...you have NO idea! (I only wish we would've made the time to paint our front door black over the summer, but...there's always next year!)

I am linking this post up at Kimba's DIY day...there is a TON of crafty goodness going on over there, so make sure you stop on by!!

Coming later today...tried and true Thanksgiving recipes and tips!!

Pumpkin Pie Bites

Alright...I'm just gonna throw this out there. I am not a baker. I LOVE to cook. I'm all about a good soup...I can grill like a pro (ok...maybe "pro" is pushing it, but I hold my own!) Salad? Sure! Breakfast, lunch, dinner...you got it! Dessert...ummm...maybe not.

Don't get me wrong...I'll DO it. I just don't love it...and I'm more prone to failure with baking than I am with cooking.

So when I saw these ADORABLE pumpkin pie bites on Bakerella...I honestly thought twice before saving the recipe. But, I do love pumpkin pie, and I DID need to bring a dessert item for my girl Kel's baby shower at work...sooooooo...I caved. I tried the recipe, and am SO glad I did!

They weren't difficult at all! They taste great and they're adorable!!

I'll repost Bakerella's recipe here for you, but if you haven't seen her site, you MUST! SO much baking fun!

Bakerella's Pumpkin Pie Bites
2 Refrigerated Pie Crusts
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1 eight (my "eight" key is broken :( so I'm typing it out) oz. cream cheese -- softened
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

(On her blog she also has ingredients for a chocolate topping if that's your thing. I skipped it.)

1. Roll out one of your pie crusts. Thin it out a little bit with your rolling pin. Using a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter, cut out several pumpkins.

2. "Stuff" each pumpkin into the cup of a mini-muffin pan. Make sure you leave the stem of the pumpkin out. (My cookie cutter was a little bit too small, so I had to stretch each one out before putting it into the muffin tin...worked out fine!)

3. Egg wash the edge of each crust with egg white from one of the eggs.
4. Mix together the remaining ingredients until smooth.
5. Fill each pumpkin "shell" with ingredients (right to the top).
6. Bake at 350 degreens for about 10 minutes...or until your crust is starting to look golden brown on the edges.
7. Pop each one out of the pan and cool it on a rack. Keep refrigerated!

ENJOY!!

I'm linking this up at The Knock Off Knock Out at It's so Very Cheri and at Kimba's DIY Day on A Soft Place to Land. And seriously...check out Bakerella!!

Mmm...Pulled Pork!

I need to get into the habit of taking photos as I cook to include with my recipe posts...I'm sorry...I'll try harder!!!

Last week, the man mentioned that he was craving a Pulled Pork sandwich. My poor family...we don't EVER have pork chops, or roast...rarely I'll make ham (just at Christmas)...bacon is a regular, I guess. But I don't know...I just don't *do* pork. Ick.

BUT, I aim to please. :) So I modified a couple recipes to come up with my own pulled pork recipe...and let me tell you...even I liked it!! That is REALLY saying something, because seriously...pork? Ick.

Pulled Pork - Southern Style
1 2-3 lb. pork butt roast (REALLY? I mean, how adding the word BUTT makes this more appetizing is beyond me, but after reading a few recipes, it's what I decided on because it has a higher fat content. Fat = Flavor people!)
Minced Garlic to taste
Liquid Smoke
Seasoned Salt
Onion Powder
Black Pepper
1/2 cup Chicken Broth
Worcestershire Sauce
3 Tbsp. butter

1. Cut the roast into "chunks". My average piece ended up about 4 inches long by 2-3 inches wide. Season both sides of the meat with onion powder, black pepper and just a LITTLE BIT of seasoned salt. Rub this into the meat (with your hands).
2. Melt the butter in a sauce pan, and brown the meat on all sides. Added minced garlic and continue to cook everything another minute or two.
3. Dump the contents of your sauce pan into a crock pot...pour chicken broth into the sauce pan and use a spoon to scrape up all the good stuff from the meat off the bottom of the pan. (The broth helps release some of this.) Pour that (broth and "stuff") into the crock pot as well.
4. Add a splash of worchesterchire and about 4 Tbsp. of Liquid Smoke.
5. Lock the lid on the crock pot. Cook on high for 2-3 hours, and then on low for another 2 hours. Resist the urge to open the crock pot...just let it do it's thing.
6. After cooking, remove the lid and if you did everything just right, your meat will shred itself the second you take a fork to it. Shred it up and serve on buns with BBQ sauce on top. (Some people mix the BBQ sauce in, but that's not how we roll. :)

Try it with Sweet Baby Ray's "Sweet and Spicy"..yum!!!!!!! The man and his friends were impressed, and like I said...even I didn't go "ICK!" It smelled good and tasted even better! We'll definitely be enjoying this one for years to come!

Diet Soda Cake - Yum!

Super fast, Super easy, SUPER Delicious!

I've heard of people doing this before, but never tried it myself. Basically, you take your good ol' cake mix, and instead of using eggs + oil + water, you replace those three with one can of Diet Soda. If there's one thing I love, it's Diet Soda. Sign me up!

Last night after our lasagna, I decided we needed a dessert. (Of course, a short time later, the kids starting acting up and went to bed with no bedtime snack. I know...mean, mean momma...but that's neither here nor there.)

ANYWAY...I went with carrot cake, since it's spicy and yummy for fall. Mixed the box mix with a can of Diet Mtn. Dew (it was that or Diet Dr. Pepper...ha!) and baked as directed.

Let me tell ya...SUPER moist, and oh so delish!!!! I frosted it with cream cheese frosting and enjoyed the heck out of it! (And I sent some with grandma today so the kids could have a snack at her house...see??? I'm not THAT mean!)

I can't wait to try this trick again. I want to do a vanilla cake with an orange soda! I think (hope!) it will be citrus-y and wonderful! YUMMY!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Ahhh...what a great weekend! Got a fish fry on Friday with the man...yummy!! Went yard sale-ing Saturday morning with the man and got a couple good deals...a CUTE little galvanized metal tray (not sure what I'm going to use it for yet, but I'll think of something!!), a huge, beautiful glass platter for Thanksgiving (I've been looking for one at the store and they're always either ugly or expensive and the one I found was $2 and I LOVE it!), AND I scored several blue glass Ball canning jars (some WITH lids!) I was SUPER stoked!

Then while the man worked around the house, I spent the afternoon at my "little" brothers football game! (I use the word "little" lightly...he may be barely over half my age, but he towers over me...see???)


Anyway, it was our local rivalry "M&M Game" and WE WON! Woot!!!! GO MAROON AND GOLD!!!! Had a great time there! It was a GORGEOUS day for football!

Took an evening trip to Menards with the man (always fun!) and hit up a great sale at Kmart to get early X-mas gifts for the kiddos (shhh!!!!) Then spent the rest of the night at home playing Scene It and watching a movie!

Sunday was my usual cleaning, cooking and football! Then tonight we (ok...ADAM) replaced the HIDEOUS flooring we still had in the entryway to our home. This is step ONE in a complete entryway makeover! We've got BIG plans for this SMALL space! Can't wait! But...one step at a time! :)

Here's the buddies getting in on the action...


And, the finished product...LOVE it!


I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend as well! Back to the grind tomorrow!

xoxo

Caramel Apples - GOURMET!

As a part of my “10 Tasks in 10 Days” challenge, I wanted to make some GOURMET caramel apples! I'm also linking this post up at A Soft Place to Land's DIY Day and at Cheri's Knock Off Knock Out party!

I had initially intended to make my own caramel, but in the interest of saving time and sanity, I opted for good ol’ Kraft caramels. The kids helped me unwrap them all and then we were off to the races.

I started with a pot of boiling water. I dunked each apple into the water for a minute and then used a paper towel to scrub off any wax leftover. Most apples sold in grocery stores are waxed for shine. This can cause issues because your caramel may slide right off. (That is the point of wax, right?) I actually tried just washing the apples first, but they were still shiny, so I’m glad I included this step. Just dunk quickly and then using a dry paper towel, scrub off the shine.

**NOTE…apples do not look their prettiest when they’ve just been dunked in boiling water, but they’ll be FINE! Trust me! You’re covering them anyway…it’s all good! And FYI, I used 6 BIG granny smith apples.

So next I needed to create a double boiler. Since I don’t have an ACTUAL double boiler, I set a vegetable steamer tray on top of the pot of boiling water. I set my glass bowl of caramels onto the veggie tray and then stirred. (And stirred…and stirred…)

I used approximately 1 and a half bags of caramels. (The man got into the first bag and was snagging a couple each day!) After the caramels were just starting to melt, I added about 4 Tbsp. of water. This aided in the melting process and in smoothing the caramel out. Melting the caramel (especially with my “homemade” double boiler) took quite a while, but it worked out great in the end. As I stirred (and stirred), I continued to add water as necessary until the caramel was the consistency I wanted. I wish I could describe this consistency to you, but I can’t…you’ll know it when you see it! Not too thin, not too thick! You got this!

I removed the bowl from the double boiler and sat it next to my apples. I had already put the sticks (included in the bag of caramels) into the apples (on the stem side). I had also prepared a tray for the apples. I used a cookie sheet covered in a few layers of plastic wrap, which I then “greased” with butter flavored shortening. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. Don’t use waxed paper, and don’t forget to grease the plastic wrap! It is the easiest way I’ve ever tried as far as getting the apples off without them sticking.

I dunked each apple, one at a time. I allowed quite a bit of caramel to drip off the apple and used a rubber spatula to scrape the bottom of the apples (no sense in any more caramel pooling at the bottom than necessary). I sat the apples on the tray and transferred the entire tray to the fridge to allow them to set. I let them sit in the fridge for about 15 minutes…they were still slightly soft, which was just what I wanted.

I took the tray out and took each apple off the tray so I could scrape the excess caramel off the bottom and back into the bowl of caramel. Allow that to melt (remember…stir, stir, stir!) I then dipped a couple of the apples in caramel a second time. Some of the apples were getting a chocolate coating, so those were NOT double dipped in caramel. (I just didn’t want the coating to be too heavy.) I then took the apples that WERE NOT being double dipped and rolled them in some nut toppings. (One in finely chopped peanuts, and two in pecans that I ground up (not TOO fine) in my food processor). The whole tray then went back into the fridge.

While things were setting up again, I used my trusty “double boiler” to melt a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Again, I added water until I had the consistency I wanted. After letting the apples sit in the fridge for about 45 minutes, I removed them, got my chocolate smooth and ready, and went back to it. The apples that were rolled in pecans were then dipped in chocolate. I rolled one of the double dipped caramel apples in toffee (finely chopped in the food processor), and then drizzled with melted chocolate. The peanut apple was left as is, and I left one double dipped in caramel “plain”. The last one, I dipped in a thin layer of chocolate (scraping much of the excess off) and then rolled it in toffee.

I then refrigerated overnight and let me tell you…I am SO happy with our results. We have thickly coated, decadent caramel apples that would make an excellent gift. (Have you ever seen what these sell for? I’ve seen $20 apples…seriously!! Insane!) I left the sticks in, but these can NOT be eaten off the stick. You have to slice it off and enjoy it that way! They turned out exactly as I had hoped and I can’t wait to do it again with some different toppings!

ENJOY! And don't forget to stop by Kimba's and Cheri's to check out other great projects!!!

Family Rules Canvas

It's DIY DAY at A Soft Place to Land!! I'm all linked up! Stop at Kimba's to check out all the other DIY fabulousness! It is also TRANSFORMATION THURSDAY at "The Shabby Chic Cottage" As my readers know, I've been participating in the 10 Tasks in 10 Days challenge there, so I will be posting a full update on that later, but ONE of my tasks was this. My Family Rules Canvas. So I'm also linking up for Transformation Thursday!

While browsing some of my fave blogs awhile back, I came across the most FANTASTIC idea at "The Pleated Poppy". She created a great big canvas displaying their family rules. I knew immediately that I had to do it!

I had a big 16x20 frame to fill, so instead of buying a gallery wrapped canvas like I think she used, I used canvas covered boards ($8 something for a three pack at Walmart).

Here's the skinny on how I did it...
1. I painted the entire canvas with a pretty turquoise-y blue acrylic paint. I let it dry...then I painted it again. I was planning to leave spaces between my rules, so I painted the entire thing.

2. I don't have fancy scissors, so I used a paper cutter and cut different width strips of paper that suited my fancy.

3. Then using a white or black fine point paint marker (depending on the color of the paper), I wrote OUR family rules. Earlier that day, I had found some fonts I liked, downloaded them, and made myself a "cheat sheet" of sorts. I typed out all the rules in different fonts. Then I used that to look at while I hand-wrote the rules...made it much easier to "free-hand" having the inspiration right in front of me.

4. Then, I decided how I wanted them arranged, and went to town with some Mod Podge. I used Mod Podge (matte finish) as both my glue and a sealant. When my kids are a little older and it's time to change up the rules, I think I will try using spray adhesive to glue the rules down and then just use the Mod Podge as a sealant. I've used Mod Podge a lot in my life, and I was using thin layers, but the paper had a severe tendancy to ripple...badly. I pulled a few off and redid them actually. Oh...and as I mentioned, I intended to leave spaces in between. I kind of just winged-it...there are some spaces, but I they're not al the same. I'm happy with the imperfect-ness of it...that's very much US.

5. After my sealant was all dried, I popped this baby in a frame and on the wall she went.

LOVE it!


A closer view of the rules...


Our rules (some of them borrowed, some not) are:
1. Always Tell the Truth
2. Ask First and Use Your Manners (Yes Please and No, Thank You)
3. Keep Your Promises.
4. No fussing, No whining, No complaining
5. Hands to yourself unless you're high-fiving or hugging.
6. Be Creative at all times.
7. Allow People their Privacy and show respect!
8. Use Nice Words
9. Tummy to the Table and Hands to yourself. Chew with your mouth closed and Swallow before you Speak.
10. Don't forget to say "I Love You"
11. Inside: No running and use inside voices.
12. Be a Good Brother

And, just for fun...our poochers, lookin' good. Love these fluffy guys. :)


Don't forget to check out Kimba's and "The Shabby Chic Cottage"!

So far, So good...

Ok.

So we've got a ten in ten list...here.

My mini-recap is as follows:

1. FINALLY organize the office/dining room.-DONE! Woot!
2. Paint Will's Headboard - Not even started!
3. Hang my chalkboard and washboards in the laundry room - Haven't thought about it but I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...
4. Make fridge photo frames - I'm on it. Gotta find the magnets I misplaced though. Hmph. :(
5. Finish Kids artwork display Project - I need a 1x4 and therefore, I need a trip to the store.
6. Finish Family Rules Canvas - FINITO!!!!! YES!
7. Work on my door turned dining room table - Ugh! I want to work on this...I do! I will! Yes...I will.
8. Put up beadboard in kitchen - I need the man's help...wish me luck.
9. Finish painting (kitchen, trim and hallway) - I painted the trim (I hate it now, remember?) but it's a work in progress.
10. Make gourmet caramel apples - WTF did I do with those apples? Hmmm...seriously now. Hmm.

Sooooooo...that's where we're at right now. Tonight I've made a vow to RELAX. I'm making appetizers for dinner (FUN!) and hoping to coerce the man into watching a movie after I blast my way through some design work I need to finish up. Sooo...tomorrow. Tomorrow's my night. I hope. :) Lots to do...I'm on my way!

(FYI...photos will be shown soon. I'm saving my family rules canvas for DIY day on ASPTL and a couple other linky parties! But it will be up soon! Promise!)

xoxo

A.D.D.

Project A.D.D. that is! I am the master of starting things and then leaving them unfinished. In fact, if there were a "Land of Unfinished Masterpieces", I would be their QUEEN!

Gina at the Shabby Chic Cottage has issued a challenge...complete ten unfinished projects in ten days! Do I think I can do it?? Hmmm...probably not. I have a busy week this week...BUT, if I get even a few things on my list done, that's an accomplishment, right?

So, onto my list...my never (ever) ending list...in no particular order

1. FINALLY organize the office/dining room.
2. Paint Will's Headboard
3. Hang my chalkboard and washboards in the laundry room
4. Make fridge photo frames
5. Finish Kids artwork display Project
6. Finish Family Rules Canvas
7. Work on my door turned dining room table
8. Put up beadboard in kitchen
9. Finish painting (kitchen, trim and hallway)
10. Make gourmet caramel apples

Whew. I'm tired just THINKING about all of that! Now like I said, there is no way I'm going to get it all done. (Just being realistic here.) BUT, having the list out there for everyone to see will keep me accountable and I know I can get SOME of it done! I will post a daily update and a recap on October 15th!

Check out the Shabby Chic Cottage blog if you want in on the challenge! Ready...Set...GO!

Canvas Makeover!

I'm linking this up to DIY day at ASPTL! Head over there to check out all the DIY fantastic-ness!


One of my favorite quotes in the world is "All You Need Is Love" (I even have it tattooed on my foot!!), so when I saw these signs...


... I knew I had to have it. BUT, it's expensive. REALLY expensive. And really expensive and I just don't get along, you know?

SO my next thought was, well...I could maybe make that...maybe...I think?? I had planned to do it on one big board (rather than split into two as they did) BUT, then I saw THIS at a yard sale and thought "Oh yes...I've got this."



WHAT?!?!? You think I'm joking?? I paid $4 for that baby at a HUGE yard sale (and was so embarrassed to be carrying it around I brought it immediately to my car and returned to browse more, because God forbid people actually think I WANTED that!!!!!! LMAO!)

So anyway...first things first, I taped off the frame and sprayed it with white spray primer. (Just the cheapie stuff.) To be honest, I didn't even do that good of a job.



This thing was HEAVILY textured. You could still make out the skull thing just in texture, and I considered sanding it down, but decided that it wouldn't be nearly as noticeable when I painted it black, and I was quite right. (Thankfully!!!)

To do the lettering I printed out the letters I needed, cut them out (YUCK...I am a TERRIBLE cutter! Seriously! I think my kids could've done better! LOL!) and traced them onto the canvas with a pencil.



Then, I took my trusty 25 cent sponge brush and a bottle of black acrylic, and I went to town.


I was as careful as I could be around the letters, but I touched up some of my mistakes with a white paint pen later and then I painted the frame black.

Are you ready for the finished product? Let me tell you...it's not even sort of perfect, but I'm ok with that. (Actually though, now that I am looking at the inspiration and my version side by side, I think I am going to do some sort of brown color wash over the letters to antique them a little more, but..................anyway...this is what I've got for now.) :)



I can't decide if I love it leaning against the wall like that, or if I want the man to hang it above our dresser. Either way, I LOVE it...and love is all you need. ;)

I'm linking this at the Trash to Treasure party over at Along the way with K + J...head over there to check out more yard sale finds and makeovers, and also at the Knockout Knockoff party at It's so very Cheri!

Dresser Makeover

Some of you who read my photography blog may have seen this already but I haven't posted it here, so I thought I would share for DIY day at A Soft Place to Land!

The man and I found this dresser on Craigslist...I knew I wanted something big with lots of drawers and something sturdy.

There she is BEFORE...old school hardware and U-G-L-Y!

I sanded until I thought my arms were going to fall off. Then the man took a can (or 2) of black spray primer to it, and then finished it with Satin Black spray paint (Rustoleum). We had initially intended to use a paint brush but I just couldn't do it without brush marks. Meh. We'll stick with spray paint, thankyouverymuch! :)

Are you ready for this...here is the AFTER!

Black satin with brushed nickel hardware. (Ignore the accessory placement...that was just temporary until I found a home for that stuff!) AND, my favorite part...when you open the center doors, GREEN DOORS (to match our bedding!) Love it! :)

This was our first (but definitely not our last) DIY project we did together! We loved the sense of accomplishment we got from taking something and making it fit our home and lifestyle!

Make sure you check out ASPTL for more great DIY's!

Windowsill Makeover

The process of redoing our house is slow-going, and I was feeling discouraged this weekend about all of it. I know it will get done and be SO worth it, but I want it done...like, NOW! LOL...guess I need 8 more arms and about 15 more hours in a day, hey?

So anyway, I was at DOLLAR TREE of all places, and found some inspiration, here:


Now, my man doesn't agree (hehe!) but I ADORE this fabric! It's actually place mats that I turned into a valance (no-sew!) and I went from there!

A couples dollars and a couple hours later, and I had redone the windowsill behind my kitchen sink. As is my style, I totally forgot to take before pictures. But what we had were f-ugly lace curtains, that little metal tin, and a random smattering of...stuff. Which, I guess this is still "random stuff" but now it's deliberate, you know?

Ahhh...makes my heart happy. :)


Some up close details...a pot holder Luc made me in school last year.


My blue Ball mason jars that I scored at a rummage sale this weekend...I'm going back next weekend to see if the rest of them she had are still there and if so, if she'll mark them down! :) Also, a photo tile I created years ago of my two youngest boys. It's the only one I ever got to work using the technique I used...displaying it now has inspired me to try again. Will post results if it works! :)


A sweet note from my oldest, Will, some colored glass, and a change jar.


That tile will eventually be covered in beadboard and that shelf, replaced...but until then it's nice to have things I love to gaze at while I do dishes. :)


I'll post a how-to on the valance later. It's super simple and I love the results!