Candy Dish

Last year Rachel told me about a candy dish idea that she did in her ward for an enrichment activity. Everyone had a really great time making these and they came up with some really cool ideas.   I made some at the time and since I always check to see if I can find interesting plates. Here's the idea....Find a larger plate for the bottom, a smaller plate or bowl for the top and a little candle stick holder for the center.

 She said they also look really cute with long candle stick holders if you are going to stack 3 high.  They can be used for candy or appetizers at parties. She also just made smaller candy dishes with just a small candle stick holder and a small plate and put chocolates on them for her kids teachers. People came up with some really creative ones with tea cups and bowls too.   Use Epoxy to glue it together. I like the kind that sets in 30 minutes. Mine is actually all gone, so I'll just set them on top of each other to give you an idea of what it looks like.  The plates and the candle stick cost me $2 at DI. They also have really cute plates at Thai Pan Trading Co. I made my mom a fancier one for $11. Not to bad! Could be a Mom's day gift.

 

Here's a quote I found today that cheered me up:

"Too many people believe that creativity is a talent with which some people are born and the rest of us can only envy. This is a negative attitude that is completely mistaken.  Creativity is a skill that can be learned, developed and applied."~Edward de Bono

Fabric Peg Board

Here's a quick project! I was thinking about covering peg boards in fabric because Joy did something similar with knobs and I think it's very cute.  Just take a piece of mdf and glue fabric on using Mod Podge. I didn't think it was as secure as I wanted it to be, so I also put some staples around the edges. After it was covered I put another coat of Mod Podge on top of the fabric and used the drill press to create holes for hanging and for the pegs.  I painted the pegs green and voila! A quick cute place to hang coats.  I would have liked to make it bigger, but my piece of fabric wasn't very large. I think it might be fun to go to the fabric store and find some really cute pieces of fabric to try it on. 

Fun Transformation

This was a fun project today...I went to DI and couldn't find anything that really stood out to me on its own so I decided to create a collage and then re-vamp it.It's really interesting to try and find a few different things that you can piece together. My hubby helped me get the stripped screws out of the table and I brushed painted the top of the table and the legs a light green.  I sprayed the metal support black so it would match the mirror and lamp.  I sprayed the frame for the mirror  and stuck some vinyl lettering on top. It's good practice for me to try and figure out our new machine.  I'm actually selling this set on Poppy Ginger.  Remember that for the month of February 100% of the profit on my Poppy Pieces(refurbished items) will be anonymously donated to families who have lost their jobs recently.  Thanks to all of you who have purchased items this month! 

Vinyl Fun....

Thought I'd share a couple fun ideas with vinyl.. a Welcome Home sign out of an old window papered on the back. I think if I made this again I would stretch fabric tightly across the back and staple instead of using Mod Podge because you can see the reflection of the glue if when it is in light. I had to put this up so it wouldn't be close to window light.  I saw these house numbers in a magazine that Kathy gave me and thought they were really adorable on a blue door. I like it on my green one as well!  

Wall Fix and Persian Rugs

Before I show you this next project..I think it's a good time to introduce the "Persian Rug Theory". Someone introduced me to this idea a few years ago and I think about it ALL the time when I make things. There are two lessons I've learned from Persian rugs. The first is that a fine Persian rug will always include intentional imperfections. An old Persian proverb says," A Persian rug is perfectly imperfect, and precisely imprecise." The proverb was derived from a religious belief that God is the only perfect being and that attempting absolute perfection would be claiming the position of the Almighty. Although my imperfections are never intentional, it always makes me smile to be reminded that I am imperfect, so I shouldn't get so down on myself when something that I'm making doesn't turn out perfectly. The second lesson I learn from the Persian rugs is that initially they were used simply as necessities for the Nomads, protecting them from the harsh cold elements yet they had bright colors and magical designs that were also a form of literary expression. They brought happiness and enchantment to tent homes of desert wanderers. I find it absolutely fascinating that they found it worth while to take a necessity and make it beautiful and inviting. I also think about that as I am decorating my home. It is a functional thing, but why not try and make it as enchanting as possible.

I'll start with the good news!! We got our vinyl cutter in the mail yesterday!! The problem was that we didn't have anywhere to put it that it would be safe from little hands. The Amazing Joe figured out how to rearrange the loft in a way that satisfies both functionality and fashion. Unfortunately he had to move a large bookshelf which unveiled large gaping holes in the wall from a previous project.

It was even more unfortunate to find that I didn't have any of that paint color left. I really wasn't in the mood to repaint the whole room so I had an idea to paint large green diamonds that were strategically placed to cover the holes.

Of course it doesn't help that I HATE to measure things. I am definitely an "eye ball" kind of girl which really didn't serve me well yesterday. It turned out alright, as long as you don't study it too much....So don't study it too much:)

I actually liked the pattern and really would have liked to continue the pattern up the wall, but at that point it would have been painfully obvious that I didn't measure, so I had to stop. Ahhh well, maybe I'll put in the extra effort next time to try and make it perfect...until then I'll just have to enjoy my precisely imprecise design!

Need something to inspire you today? Check out The Inspired Room

Painted Doors....

Jamie and Hannah asked questions about the painted doors. I  definitely give a big thumbs up to the idea. I love how it adds character to a room and it helps to pull it together.   My doors are really easy to paint because of the raised panels. The key is a good taping job and it doesn't hurt to paint over the tape with the original color of the door(if you have it)before you paint to create a crisp line. You can also use glaze if you don't have the right paint color.  I like to use a sponge brush rather than a roller because there isn't texture on doors, so the roller leaves bumps.  In my boy's room I didn't tape off the grey at all, I just painted it and then taped the black on top of it. The lines were already there for me which made it easier, but doors can also look very cute with the whole thing painted. Here are some great examples from an awe inspiring site called Little Green Notebook.

The dark trim debate....

How do you feel about the dark trim?  I did a little bit of studying on the subject and here is what I learned:

1. Most trim colors are white or off white. Very neutral colors. 
2. Painting your trim a dark color may be a turn off to potential buyers down the road because people don't like to have to repaint them.
3. If you are going to paint your trim a dark color, go with a shade that is at least 3 shades darker than your wall color so you will still have contrast.
4. Dark trim does not show scuff marks as much and clean up could be easier.
5. Choose a semi-gloss paint for trim for easier clean-up.  

I decided to try something different and paint the trim in my little man's room black.  Here is a shot of the paint...

 This is with some colorful accessories. 

 I found this cute little boat for $5 and I thought it would make a cute bookcase.

 I was going to repaint his magnet board and star peg board, but I decided I liked having more color.

 I was going to hang his airplane that I found at a garage sale for $3, but after going to an earthquake safety class I decided I'd rather not impale my children with huge decorations. I found a nice little place to put it on the floor instead! 

Here is my little man's reaction:

After the painting was done:"I never thought it could look this good!"

When I put up some red decor:"I don't want red in my room!!!"(cry, cry, cry)

After I put up everything else:"I like it!!"  

why??....

Since I have a few followers(yippee) that I haven't met yet, I thought I would introduce myself! My name is Andrea or Andy, I am 34 and I am married to a really cute boy named Joe.  Every day he gives me a reason to smile. Together we have 5 energetic children.  Every day they give me a reason to smile...and cry...and scream....and wonder how in the world I am going to make it through the day. I truly love them and am so happy I get the privilege of being their Mommy!  

I also thought I would share with you the reason that I blog.... I belong to a wonderful church organization that stresses the importance of education.  I have heard many talks on the subject, and each time I do, I feel an urgency to follow this counsel and become more educated. I have really struggled with the thought because my children are so young and financially it just isn't the best time.  I have felt impressed that I should develop my interests and talents at home until it is a more appropriate time.  I really love to refurbish furniture and I love interior design. Although I feel inadequate, I think it is a blast to learn and try new things.  Blogging about them helps me to stay motivated and helps me to get (hopefully honest) feedback about what works and what does not. The blogging world also gives me incredible ideas and inspiration. I sincerely appreciate that you would take the time to look at the my little projects!

I was introduced to a couple of fun blogs this week. Lisa has some awesome learning activities for kids. She has some really fun projects that give you some productive, quality time with your little ones!  Also my neighbor Cassie has a really fun blog for moms. She has a different focus each day. She has some great ideas and wisdom to share!  

Stay tuned this next week, I am attempting a boys room. My son really wanted a black bedroom. We comprised and decided to try gray with black accents.  

We'll see how it goes. I think the colors will look pretty together, I'm just a little nervous that they might end up looking elegant instead of boyish.  Maybe we'll throw red in there too.  If you've seen any gray bedrooms that have worked please send me a link!  Here's the headboard I bought at DI for $15.

 So boyish right??? I'll be painting it black tomorrow along with a farmhouse shelf above the window.  Wish me luck!! I'm gonna need it!

Entry way shelf...w/decor

OK, so today my projects are going to have to be cleaning cleaning and more cleaning...but I thought I'd show you my entry way shelf with decorations on it.  I actually thought that the wrought iron piece would fit inside the shelf, but I have really bad depth and size perception.  Since it didn't fit I decided to try and stack it by putting a couple screws in the side of the shelf and hanging it.  The Porter sign is something that a friend made for me years ago and it has been all over the house and back again. I found these cute little candle holders at D.I. for a buck and painted them black.  Ok...I guess I should get started on the floors.  Good luck with all of your lovely housework today too. 

5 Senses Basket

Are you still trying to think of what to do for your Valentine?  I decided to go with a 5 senses basket.  I did this about 5 years ago, so I figured I could do it again. I'm really not very good at the whole card making thing, so mine is pretty basic. I'm sure you all could make it much more exciting, but the idea is kind of fun.  I filled a basket with an item from each sense. Here are some ideas:

• Touch: A coupon for a back or foot massage.
• Taste: Sparkling cider, chocolates,  or make him his favorite dinner or dessert.
• Sight: Something sexy for you to wear later:) or a photo album of just the two of you.
• Smell: A nice smelling candle or lotion that you can use for the massage.
• Sound: Put together a mix of his favorite music, an iTunes gift card or a cd.

For a card you could say something like " I love you with all of my senses".  There are lots of fun possibilities and you could really do it pretty inexpensively.  

Side note: isn't it weird that all of the 5 senses each have 5 letters?  I just noticed that this morning.  

Have a wonderful Valentines day!! 

Round Table..

If you'd like to share a thrift store find on Thrifty Thursday go HERE
I just have to give a big sigh of relief right now. Phhhheeewww! The project of the day is a round table that Mom-in-law gave to me. They have had it for a really long time so I wanted to do something really cool with it. When she gave it to us a couple of the legs were broken or getting there. By the time we got home with it ALL of the legs were broken. Joe glued them for me and we had the table sitting in my front room. I even liked it unpainted just because it has such a cool shape to it. I put it on my "To Do" list for today. I had an image in my mind of what I wanted it to look like, and to be honest, I really didn't think it was going to turn out the way that I had hoped it would. I painted the base and the lip of the table black. I really wanted triangles so the top would look like pizza slices. I found a long enough straight object that I could trace my lines and then I taped each triangle and painted it. Of course looking back it would have been much easier to just paint it all light green and then only have to tape around 4 triangles. Live and learn right?? Here is the end result!

Piece of Cake!

I have to let you know about this jackpot blog named Piece of Cake. It's my Sis-in-Law Val's blog. Val used to teach school and she has taught preschool. She has amazingly fun ideas all the time and has created a blog to share all of her goodness. She has activities for your kids to do for holidays plus tips on helping them learn to read and a whole lot of other cool stuff.  This morning we are doing some of her fun Valentines ideas! It really is a very helpful site.  

Bedroom Switch-a-Roo

I guess I'm not the only one who likes change! The kids are so excited to be able to switch their bedrooms around.  I decided to put the oldest and the youngest girls together and stick Jesty in the nursery and turn it into a boy room.  I have the girls room mostly done. Here's a before shot:  Here is the after picture:  No, I don't decorate my kids rooms around the holidays. It was really a coincidence that it's close to Valentines.  I just happened to have some bright red paint that I got at a garage sale for a quarter last summer.  I used the shelf that I took out of the old laundry room and brought up the dresser I had refinished and was using for art supplies.

  I still need to put handles on it before it can be a functional dresser.  I made a little paper flag to hang across the mirror.  The most expensive part of this transformation.....painting tape.