A Splash of Something...

Mogul Baby Decal Giveaway

2010-01-20T18:33:00.000-08:00

The "funky, fine & fabulous" crew over at Mogul Baby are giving away one of five designs from Trading Phrases. Definitely check it out...the decals are too fun, and the site has lots of great ideas! You can enter multiple times...I'm shooting for this cherry blossom branch decal!

Weekly Newbie Feature

2010-01-20T14:43:00.001-08:00

That sweet and talented Kendall at Finesse Your Nest is starting a new weekly feature called "Welcome to Newbie Wednesday". She'll be featuring a few newbie bloggers each week...how cool! Props to Kendall for a great idea. Definitely check out her blog, too. She shares my affinity for curbside treasures and spray paint, ! : )

Anthro-inspired Flatware Wall Art

2010-01-16T19:38:00.000-08:00

I recently posted about my laundry list of house projects for 2010. Noting that I'm finishing my Master's, looking for jobs, pregnant and due in April, have a husband, 2-year-old daughter, dog, house and teach dance on the side {I'm really not complaining...my life is AMAZING}, the outlook on completing all these projects is not great. I told myself just to do things as I had time. Today was just such a day! I had some time and a lot of inspiration, a perfect combination for fluffing up our nest!

I posted about some great finds from Hobby Lobby {here}, including this beautiful silver matte frame I scored for $15.

This poor wall in our kitchen has been screaming for help ever since August, when I stumbled onto some amazing blogs and got the itch to make our house a home. Just for giggles, I put the Hob Lob frame up there, as it seemed so cold and bare after taking down my wrapped canvas "present" {here}.

This was number 24 on my {not in sequential or any other type of order} to do list for the great house-home transformation of 2010. Not something I really thought about doing anytime soon, for sure. But somehow today the inspiration struck and I got it done...and QUICK! It was such an easy project - probably less than two hours, which included a quick trip to WalMart to get some supplies, a cranky toddler, and an emergency visit from the plumber!

The Project: Anthropologie-inspired Flatware Wall Art
This great set of antique flatware wallpapers from Anthropologie has been catching my eye a lot these days, and something I thought I could remake for our kitchen {yeah...the $620 pricetag is just slightly out of my budget!}. I got some natural-looking material from WalMart, photoshopped some pics of antique cutlery I found online, printed onto iron transfer paper and ironed onto my material. Easy peasy!

Here's what I did:

Cut a piece of foam board to fit into the 14"x18" opening.

This is the material from WalMart I used. I'm not sure what it's called...it's pretty soft, but has lots of natural-looking fibers and "flaws." I liked the $2.47/yd. price!

Photoshop images:

I thought the flatware images needed a little something more, so I added this phrase at the bottom:
Here are the images printed out onto the transfer paper:

"Action shot" of the ironing process:

And the {almost} final product. I didn't have time this evening to finish adhering the material to the foam board, but couldn't wait to share. I think it turned out pretty well for a quickie project!

Sorry the pics aren't the greatest. My excitement is overtaking my photography skills! If you'd like the Photoshop images for your own personal use, just click on the cutlery and "cuisine d'art" images and right click to save to your computer. They're a pretty large size, so you can really have some fun! Hope you enjoy!

P.S. - I'm linking to the following

Update on PB Contest

2010-01-15T19:23:00.001-08:00

PB emailed me and I am in the running. Y'all better watch out. I'm in it to win it! They told me to watch my email inbox around February 16th to see if I'm the winner. They obviously don't know I will be checking my inbox EVERY DAY just in case! Hahaha...

PB Dream Room Giveaway!

2010-01-15T10:01:00.001-08:00

I'm sure many have seen this, but just in case here it is...a chance to win a $5,000 PB shopping spree!!! Ooooohhhh, the things I could do with $5,000 at PB. My head is just spinning!

Don't miss out! Click on the picture below for more details. {I'm not getting paid by PB, etc. I just want to share this with others!}

Oh, Hobby Lobby

2010-01-12T11:32:00.001-08:00

Oh, Hobby Lobby...

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

Regular Price
Moss - $5 {some things are good enough to buy full price}

Bargain Price
66% off...

Silver frame - $45 on sale for $15. I was going to use to create a Red Envelope-inspired family tree, but the hubs really likes it here. Sooooo...I think I may try to recreate something similar to Anthro's flatware wallpaper. I also scored the off-white candles for about $2 a piece...can't go wrong with that price!

Faux greens - just under $2 {regularly $5}. A little green goes a long way...it definitely livens up the stairwell {see previous post/rant}! Not sure why this was 66% off, especially with spring coming, but you bet your bootie I snatched it RIGHT up! Also, the little silver box {with some fun French-inspired graphics & postage on it} in front of the basket was $2 if that. The bottom is a little messed up, but I wasn't planning on using it in a functional way, so I didn't care.

{Notice the moss below the candles! Gotta make the most of those big purchases!}

BIG Bargain Price
90% off...

The little silver "arrow"-looking do-dad was a stocking hanger. $1. I bought two.

The other arrow is over on the right by the birds. The center silver do-dad is another stocking hanger. This one was a whopping $2.

For the two arrows I just bent the hooks until they came off {I would have been WHOPPING mad if I'd paid $10 for these babies!}. The big one in the center I just bent up - it wasn't coming off!

This prima ballerina was my priciest purchase at $2.50 {orig. $24.99}. Not quite sure how I'm going to get the hook off, so I may leave it and hang a pretty little something from it...assuming I trust my 2-year-old not to pull it off the bookshelf. This one may need to find a temporary home for a few years! But I love her...that is, my daughter and the ballerina. I probably would have paid $25 for it. PROBABLY.

My other huge bargain was a 90-FOOT roll {yes, FOOT} of 2"-widecandy cane-striped wire ribbon that I will be using ALL over next year. Originally $20, I picked it up for...$2.

All in all it was a great shopping day. Some days I go there and leave depressed I can't do more with what I have, but this trip was a definite score in the cheap-o category, even with a VERY picked over holiday "section" {half an aisle, if that!}. I definitely suggest checking out their leftover holiday stuff on the off chance you find some exciting, drool-sparking deals!

The Former Bane of My Decor Existence

2010-01-12T11:24:00.001-08:00

The shelf on our stairwell has plagued me for the past five years {yes, we've lived in our house for five years!}. It's long and narrow, just like the stairwell, and has displayed do-dads of various styles, shapes, and sizes that are ANYTHING but eye-catching.

After my trip to Hobby Lobby yesterday, coupled with inspiration from so many bloggers, I think I've finally found something I can live with. The hubs says he loves it, but knows I won't like it in five months from now {I think he's more worried about the bottom line that anything else!}. I told him that I just need to keep moving things around the house...no more money to be spent {o.k., unless it's a great clearance deal I just CAN'T pass up!}!!!

Take a look:

Good enough for me right now...much improved from anything I had before. Too bad I don't have any pics to verify my statement, but you'll just have to trust me here!!!

House Projects

2010-01-12T06:23:00.000-08:00

I've gone through my house and made a list {that continues to grow by the day!} of all the things I'd like to improve, re-do, DIY projects, etc. It isn't too long, but when you think about the time it will actually take to complete each project, coupled with work, school, family, and a new baby in April, it seems a little more daunting.

My plan is to work on these throughout 2010, NOT all at once as I seem to expect these types of things to happen. This will be the year of patience...I hope! ; )

Here's my running list as of today:

Pottery Barn-inspired typewriter key wall decor for dining room {like this one seen on Susie Harris's blog} to go here {I think I'll do the background antique white}:
Dining room light fixture - spray paint
Office chair - spray paint and recover
Office bulletin board {possibly similar to this one at Ballard Designs...a magnetic, burlap-covered one}
Office - cover crate that printer is on {and organize the cords!!!}{looking at it from this picture, I think I may even just skirt the desk or something like that...this is pretty BAD!!!}
Office - paint dresser {?}
Office - new comforter/sheets {also serves as a guest room}
Office - new curtain
Family room - new curtains
Family room - recover Grandma's old chair
Family room - book wreath inspired by Living with Lindsay {will go over chair above)
Master Bedroom - paint dresser {white/cream with black hardware?} {image courtesy Pottery Barn}
Master Bedroom - Add molding to headboard
Master Bedroom - rearrange layout
Master Bedroom - decor for empty wall {it's big and BARE! Inspiration & ideas welcome! Our bedroom is small, so I want to keep it S.I.M.P.L.E.!!!}
Master Bedroom - new comforter & sheets {Pottery Barn ??? - or something similar}

{images courtesy Pottery Barn}
Anna's room - light blue paint to replace red
Anna's room - white "A Child's Year" silhouettes {my mom has a Cricut Expressions machine and I want to put up vinyl silhouettes around the bottom color...think the pink bunnies in Michelle Tanner's room on "Full House"...for you 80s/90s sitcom fans}
Anna's room - wall decor
Dining room - chair covers {?} Ballard Designs' latest catalog had an embroidered parson chair slipcover that I love and think would be great for our dining room {photo courtesy Ballard Designs}
Living room/Dining room - CURTAINS
{Ugh. They're awful. They came with the house and we just kept them becuase they were great at blocking the light. Now that I'm trying to beef up our decor from hand-me-down-chic to actual "grown-up" decor, they're just not working for me. That, and our living room/dining room is WAY too dark. I need to brighten things up!}
Kitchen - mail organizer for side of fridge {something like this one on Craftzine, but I don't sew. We'll see!}
Kitchen - replace linoleum
Kitchen - wall decor
Kitchen - new curtains
Two thumb back chairs - paint {add covered seat to black one} {pretty rough, huh?!}

I'm linking to A Silly Little Sparrow

Shelf FREE-Do!

2010-01-12T06:07:00.000-08:00

This shelf, as with most of my house since getting into everyone's blogs, has been bugging me. Christmas decor was anything left over in my tubs...it was the last step before finishing the decorating (see below).

UGH. Seriously. It was nothing spectacular and actually made me angry to look at!

However, after a FANTASTIC trip to Hobby Lobby yesterday that left my head spinning with inspiration I came right home to revamp and rev up. Interestingly enough, everything here on the shelf are things I already had at home, nothing from the Hob Lob trip!

Not the greatest shot, but the two that follow show some detail.

Old pic of me and our 2-year-old. Spray painted tray, flower, vase & {WRESTLING} book are all from $ stores in town. We have this great $ store in town that has just a few in its chain and you can get the GREATEST finds in there. Love it!

The folded book was inspired by the latest PB Kids catalog I received. They had books with folded pages hanging from the ceiling in a playroom. Too cute - had to "lift" it!

So, a work in progress I guess. But I'm SO much happier with it than before. And, the hubs even commented that he really liked it so it's a keeper - for now!

I'm linking this post to the DIY Showoff's Show & Tell!

Welcome 2010 (Let's get the YEAR right!)

2010-01-03T18:56:00.000-08:00

I have never been one to make resolutions as the new year rings in. There's just something about setting lofty goals and the whole follow through-thing that has never set well with me. However, something is in the air this year. I feel a sense of rebirth and empowerment as 2010 begins. I am getting things done - at my pace - and enjoying being organized, acting with purpose and intention. No resolutions in place, just a feeling of excitement as the new year begins that has me buzzing about.

I wish all of you a happy, healthy, prosperous 2010 free from the pressures of resolutions, yet filled with the promise of newness and fresh starts.

Had to Re-Post This!!!

2009-12-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

The Red Chair Blog had a post back in September about a website called Spoonflower, which allows you to design, create, dream up {you name it!} your OWN FABRIC!!! Too good to pass up! You simply MUST check this out!

http://www.spoonflower.com

Hallmark Christmas

2009-12-27T19:39:00.000-08:00

Sarah at Sassy Frazz is giving away two $25 Hallmark giftcards. She offers some great advice & reviews on a number of products. Stop on by to post your comment for a chance to win!

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness!

2009-12-26T20:59:00.000-08:00

Can it be true? YES! HOBBY LOBBY is starting online sales on January 1st. WOO HOO!

I cannot wait! Oh, the trouble I will get into...

http://shop.hobbylobby.com

Rest of Christmas Decor...oops!

2009-12-26T20:18:00.000-08:00

Might have been nice to put up the rest of my Christmas decor on the blog, but it's better late than never! : ) These pictures are of our basement family room. Not the best...I basically used whatever scraps I had!

This shelf is probably my LEAST favorite, but it had to do. There's always next year!

Our family room is long...here's a shot of the area where our daughter plays. The tree down here is always the same as far as decorations. All fun, some made by a Great Aunt of mine that passed away in October 2008. I added red lights this year and the spikey white branch thingies. I L.O.V.E. the red lights mixed with the white. It's fun and flirty...kinda like me! ; )

I had to show off my Pottery Barn-inspired frame collage...

Close-up of some of the ornaments. My absolute favorite is the little basket of yarn toward the top left. Nails painted gray are used for the knitting needles! SO cute...miss you Nancy!!!

Life definitely is good.

Acrylic snowflakes from Dollar Tree & white snowflake bucket tins from the $1 bins at Target.

Marabou "ribbon" & gift labels from Target. I added alphabet scrapbooking stickers I had laying around from an old project.

I'm linking up to DIY Show Off's Holiday Highlights!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Homemade Christmas

2009-12-26T19:45:00.000-08:00

I try to be economical, creative, and fun when thinking of gifts for our nieces and nephews, whose ages range from 2 - 6 years old. I ran across these 16" x 20" (or so) canvases at the Christmas Tree Shop for just about $3 each and knew I could do something fun with them for the kids' gifts this year.

{Please don't mind the background...these were taken in our basement laundry room!}

These colors are in Emma's bedding, which our daughter also has. It's the Shabby Chic Fairytale Bedding line at Target. Emma is a cutie-patootie and while she's not known for eating ice cream (although I'm sure she likes it!), this silhouette definitely reminded me of her!

Chloe is the oldest - 6 years old - and just got her hair cut like this over the summer. I have a wonderful picture of her hula hooping on our deck and just had to do this silhouette for hers! I tried to Mod Podge for the first time, and poor Chloe's picture kept puckering. Thank God for good old glue! Needless to say the Mod Podging ended there!

Zachary - or ZackAttack as we call him - has a golden retriever named Duke. Zach is 4, is known for jumping on beds, and this soooo reminds me of him!

Sweet Alexa is the youngest of the group...for now! She's almost two - just two months younger than our daughter. We're expecting another in April. Anyway, she's a sweet and quiet little thing she's ZackAttack's sister!..enough said!

Ben falls in line just behind Chloe and is also 6. His father is a fire fighter, and his bedroom has old firefighter helmets and other such things in it. He's such a sweet boy and wants to be just like his daddy. {sniffle}

My wonderful mother shares her Cricut machine with me and helped me cut out all the silhouettes from "A Child's Year." The kids will be getting these tomorrow...I am so nervous they won't like them! In the very least, I had a GREAT time making them and am glad I can give them something unique and not just another toy. : )

Stairwell

2009-12-10T06:45:00.000-08:00

The stairwell going down to our family room/basement. I continually struggle with decorating this on a regular basis, but for some reason the holiday decor worked this year. I'll take it!

Our daughter was born in November 2007...I cannot believe time has gone by so fast already.

My $2 garlands from WalMart. I'll be lucky if there are any "needles" left by the end of the holiday season. You really do get what you pay for!

Linking to holiday house parties at:

* Hooked on Houses
* Southern Hospitality Blog
* Funky Junk
* The Inspired Room

Random Spots

2009-12-10T06:39:00.000-08:00

The tree in our daughter's room. She picked out the {colored} lights & ornaments. Not the greatest picture, as she was napping when I took it!

Bathroom shot...our bathroom is VERY small, so I limited the decor in here!

Kitchen Cheer

2009-12-10T06:21:00.000-08:00

I've been itching to do red & kelly-lime-ish green for a while now and decided this was the year. Seeing that our daughter is two, I thought she'd really enjoy the fun colors, which she definitely has!

Here's the kitchen table...

One of my favorite things I put together this year...it just makes me happy to look at it! Uh...ignore any duct tape you may see holding the green ribbon on. I was improvising!

I cannot remember where I saw this, but [at least] one creative blogger wrote about using epsom salts for some twinkle-like "snow" filler in candle holders. I LOVE this...as does my Mom!

I have some blank canvases lying around that I picked up at the Christmas Tree Shoppe and just covered it with some paper I had lying around. I bought the ribbon at WalMart for about $3 and stuck a little do-dad in there for a little more interest.

The jar on the top shelf has green snowflakes...not sure if you can tell!

My Grandmother was getting rid of the white plates on the shelf (I've got a TON more), so I stuck a few up there for interest. My Mom is using her Cricut to cut red vinyl letters to spell out "PEACE" that I'll stick on the plates.

Close-up of the advent "calendar" box that my Mom made for our daughter out of match boxes. I cannot imagine the work this took! She's so talented!

Dollar store ornaments and box from the $1 section at Target (LOVE that section!).

Teal, Silver, & Brown

2009-12-10T05:57:00.001-08:00

After much pondering (a.k.a. DROOLING) over the amazing Christmas decorations at Hobby Lobby, I decided to expand upon my teal & silver decor from last year to include a little brown. Seeing that our budget is limited this year (I'm finishing my Master's and not working!), I hit up WalMart for some cheap-o brown fillers for the tree.

A very talented friend of mine taught me that using material I have around the house is a great way to fill in empty spots on the tree. I had some satin material around in teal last year, so I bought a yard of brown this year for $2 at WalMart.

My "in the works" dining room table that probably won't see much more action than what's there. I think I've tapped my resources, and I detest our dining room table so my inspiration is lacking! I splurged a little (don't tell the hubs!) at Michael's on Sunday...I couldn't resist. These glass pillar/taper holders and votive holders were on clearance. A little more than I wanted to spend, but I know I'll use them quite a bit so I thought it was justified.

I added some ribbon and Swarovski crystals I had lying around to give it a little more interest.

I'm linking to Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage!

Splash!

2009-11-23T20:13:00.001-08:00

Here I am, diving into blogland again for the...oh...umpteenth time! "This will be the blog to which I am committed." I know this phrase well, but maybe...no, definitely, this is the one that will last and travel along with me.

I have been stalking blogs for a long time now, and fearfully attempt to share my thoughts with others. After the realization that it's just words on a page, written by a 30-something with lots of thoughts but not much to say, I'm finally o.k.!

So, please enjoy my blog as I've enjoyed yours. I hope to share with all my love of life, family and making ours a happy home.