Snowflake Skirts, for Easter

During Spring break my sister, Mom and I decided to make Easter Skirts for all the granddaughters. The pattern is called the Snowflake Skirt. Since Mom had made these for them all at Christmas, we decided to shorten the top layer to showcase the fabric a little more.
They really couldn't be cuter! I ended up making 2 for S. and one for M. It was so much fun!

My Sister was on the cutting, Mom was on the Sewing machine, and I was on the serger. We just rotated, held crying babes, and had such a blast!

A Gift every Mom would enjoy

My Darling friend gave me Freezer Meals:
You know these hot/cold bags- well it came stocked with the freezer meals and things to go with them. It was so nice, I keep thinking- this is the cutest idea EVA! They were kid-tested and just such a thoughful gift. I had to share this amazing idea. its totally something I want to do (when I grow up I guess)

Stinky-shoe remedy

I HAVE to post this, because I have been saved by this potion... The bare-footed look is just adorable, but I hate what it does to children's feet- and the shoe odor. I found this online years ago when I thought I was going to have to thow a pair of my Chacos away...

Just make a thick paste of Baking soda and water. Smear it on the insole, nice and smooth, and thick. Let it dry, overnight. Rinse it off in the morning- and freshness returns! The stanki stink is gone...until they start wearing their shoes w/o socks again.

Wall-hanging revamp

A New wardrobe of paint.

All the metal fixtures.... This was a gift- And it just hasn't felt right....so....

With Yellow being so HOT... I must incorporate it a little more....
Just whip out some Yellow Spray Paint, cover completely.

Then out with the acryllics..... I used Grass-green, turquoise, Sunshine Yellow, Royal blue. At first I started painting things certain colors, but then- i messed up, and had to fix it. Got a little wild- I got to mixing things. I was in Da vinci-mode using my color pallet. A little of this and a little of that. And to finish- I usually Add WHITE! I got out the white last-WHITE is an Artist's secret. You add white, and viola.. its like adding heaven- the purity... just think of flower arrangements (baby's breath)... if you're ever struggling with a painting, flowers, and color ensemble ...ADD WHITE!! (it took on a light-yellow)

I got out the power-sander, with 80grit. (I wanted FAST results) And just touched it all over. This is sometimes where I get outta hand! But managed ok.

To Finish it off, I pulled out some Mini Wax Gel Stain. (in Walnut) Ever so lightly I rubbed it on with a rag, and... a little piece of lovely. It was so fun. And fast! Now That wall is so light. We need to repaint....

Enjoy.

Kirsten

Dream Girl! Kirsten, the recently retired American Girl Doll- lay on the shelves of DI (goodwill) for just $1.oo!! I couldn't believe my eyes! I had tried ordering her for myself in December, and she was sold-out! She is going for crazy amounts right now. I wish I hadn't waited to buy her until December- and then fate crossed our paths- it was meant to be. When S got home from school- she squeaked with delight- "Who got Kirsten?!?!?" I told her how she was just laying there, so sad, neglected. You see, we believe these dolls have spirits- so they are treated like people in our home. We quickly took off her "mint-condition clothes" -washed them, and then began washing her. My favorite part was S saying "Oh, mom! Its like having a new baby!" (by now I think you get the picture that we are a little crazy. She washed up well- and she joined her sisters downstairs- of course she had to be changed into some clothes that Mimi made.

I added this post for good-will hunting. I wish I had more time- because that is what the pros say. If you want awesome deals- you have to shop these places often- ya, we're speaking weekly.

A new home for my Jewelry.

Love this new Jewelry holder I made. I saw it on my one of my favorite craft blogs (So you think you can decorate?) http://soyouthinkyoucandecorate.blogspot.com/2010/02/season-1-week-1-accessories.html scroll down till you find it. Then shopping with me friend Mary she picked up some of these knobs and I knew they would be perfect. (good eye Mary) She is even using her knobs for her jewelry holder.
Here's how I did it... I bought a cheap black frame.


Here's the knobs, so vintage, and fun. The blue and cream will go perfectly with my bedspread.
I eye-balled where to drill, I don't like to take time to measure.
Almost done...
For the middle part I added a natural canvas looking cloth. Benjamin Franklin crafts had burlap, but I worried it would be see through, now I realize that those holes would have come in handy for when it was time to put the earrings in. Oh well, lesson learned.

Then I folded over, pulled tight and stapled.
Lastly I added hardward for hanging (no picture) and found the perfect spot in my Master bedroom.

Now I have a place for all my too big, too long jewelry. The best part, the more I add, the more it looks like a work of art.

bitten by the painting bug.

While my table was drying (see earlier post) I started on a new project. I had the painting bug and wanted something new to do.
I have a telephone cabinet, that also holds all of my children's arts and crafts supplies. I bought it from Target years ago, and never thought it fit in with my decor. So I knew I could do something different with it.
I forgot to get a before picture in it's place, but here it is in the garage before I started the transformation.
See this hardware has always bugged me. Is it oriental? Or rustic?

So I lightly sanded and painted the cabinet Nutmeg from Rust-Oleum spray paint.



Then I added some black paint to some glaze and painted it all over. Wiping off as much as I wanted. It really added a distressed look. Then I changed out that confusing hardware and added some numbers just for fun.
I'm so happy with how it turned out, and can't wait till my next project presents itself.

Finished!

After sanding, priming wood parts, and painting my table is finally finished. The rain was determined to slow me down, but I finally finished. So here is a few things I have learned:

-spray paint is my new best friend.
-spray paint can look uneven so you'll have to roll the top with regular paint. Luckily I had some lying around.
-not all blacks are alike. You can tell from the photos the table top and legs don't match. Luckily you don't notice it much in person.
-polyacrilic spray from Minwax is NOT worth the hefty price tag. It's around $10 a can and it was really hard to work with. I ended up having to go over everything with stuff from a can and a foam brush. I will not use the spray in the future.
-lastly I learned...embrace what it is. I am a perfectionist, so this concept is hard for me. So I look at the mismatched black, nicks I didn't fill in, and bubbled paint in one or two spots as character.

Use the one on the right, not the one on the left.

Upcoming project reveal

I have been working on a big project for the past two weeks. I'm not actually working...but waiting, for the rain to stop! Rain, rain, go away, come again another day... I am undertaking the task of repainting my dining room set and I've learned never paint the day before a two week rainstorm. It's wet and drippy here in New England and I can't wait to get my table and chairs back.

Here's a shot of what I'm dealing with...



This poor chair never saw it coming...a booster seat did this after resting here for the past 5 years.
The reveal won't be too dramatic, just a clean, fresh table and chairs. Stay tune.