2012 Here We Come!

via

Here's to a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! Thanks to all of you for being here.

Need a design boost? For advice and guidance on style, contact me!

Tablescape Highlights 2011

It's been really fun looking back over the year, it's hard to believe that in a few days we will be kissing another year goodbye. This week projects and Before and Afters are highlighted, and I could'nt leave out tablescapes. In a strange way they are like a hobby. I really love pulling a look together with doable, affordable ideas in hopes to inspire...and of course to eat! :)

Yellow Tulip


Monaco Breeze


America the Beautiful

Woodland

Harvest Green

Chevron Table

Russet Red Evening

Smokey Quartz

Yuletide Christmas

Old World Christmas

Blue Willow

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday

Need a design boost? For advice and guidance on style, contact me!

Before and After Highlights 2011

Hi everyone! Yesterday I shared some projects (click HERE), today, I want to share some Before and Afters with you. Isn't it amazing when you look back at any given year, how much was accomplished without even realizing it? I want to start with a big B&A, my booth space. I know it's not furniture, etc...but it did undertake a major transformation that took just under two weeks to complete.

BEFORE:

Of course, my space doesn't look like this anymore....Most of the furniture and lamps are gone and I've added a few new furniture pieces (you'll see below). I'm excited to start setting for Spring (YAY!) and of course I'll bring you along with me. :)

AFTER:

Booth Space

Back on the homestead, an over sized painting transformed into a chalkboard. Logan is really the benefactor of this project, but it fills a really awkward and small wall for me. ;)
BEFORE:

AFTER:

Blackboard Painting

I found this chandy for a steal and it received a black paint job. It now makes a statement in the master bedroom.

BEFORE:


AFTER:

Master Bedroom Chandy

Another Lamp project, this one was featured on thenest.com (Thanks!), an ordinary lamp received some added bulk with the assistance of driftwood that I collected along a lake.
BEFORE:



AFTER:




Driftwood Lamp

For my booth space, I found a decrepit drop-leaf table and experienced my first refinishing project (vs. just painting). It was a great small project to start with, and I will consider refinishing before painting from now on.


BEFORE:



AFTER:


Drop-Leaf Table


This hutch is at my booth space as well, a very large piece. This project was major for me, a even shed a few tears, I was so frustrated, but I finished it.

BEFORE TOP:

BEFORE BOTTOM:

AFTER:

An over sized chest of drawers got an overhaul and a paint job. It offers a lot of storage in the master bedroom.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

AFTER DETAIL:

Chain Link Dresser

I finally found some dining chairs and updated them with paint and fabric.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Dining Chair Reveal

Finally, one of the biggest undertaking to date (save the booth space) the kitchen facelift. Oak cabinets from 1990, updated with paint and bold black and white combination. While it raised a few virtual eyebrows, it really works for our family and I love it.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Kitchen Facelift

Here's to a productive 2012!! Thanks for stopping by!

Joining Rhoda

Need a design boost? For advice and guidance on style, contact me!

DIY Project Highlights 2011

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, I know I did, and am so blessed! The house is a complete disaster...it's going to take a few days to get everything back into order.

As we wind down the year, it's customary to look back on the year to see what you've accomplished so the next year can be even more productive. I had pretty lofty goals for 2011 all of which a major surgery brought to a screeching halt, but I still feel like I got some things done, while recovering. I'm creating 3 separate posts so they are not too long....after this project highlight, I've got before and afters and finally tablescapes of 2011.

For Spring of 2011, I tried my hand at making crepe paper flower ala Martha Stewart, such a fun and easy craft.

Crepe Paper Flowers

I tested and tried a paint technique to really bring an ordinary object some age and detail, really a great light and bright look for Spring

DIY Painted Pedestal (Painting Technique)

Fast foward to Summer, after my surgery and I'm feeling a little better. Taking ordinary curtain rod holder and adding a shelf....these are still hanging in my bedroom.

Wall Shelf
I have been trying to teach myself to sew, so I embarked on several simple straight forward designs in the way of table runners. Super easy for a beginner like me and using upolstery weight fabric created a very custom look.

Fabric Runner


With scraps from the runner, napkin rings and cuffs, seemed like the next natural step. Talk about custom, love it!

Napkin Cuffs and Rings

Rachel inspired this project, and it's perfect for Summer. My sister even did this with my niece at her birthday party. She bought all the girls tshirts, doilies and a selection of paint and let them design their own. What a great idea!

Doily Tshirt

Bottlecap collectors unite! This is another bottlecap project that turned out really nice.

Bottlecap Flag

This project was so simple and easy for the 4th

Flag Hurricane
Inspired by high dollar block art, I made my own and love the modern/vintage look of it.

Block Letter Art

I worked in the master bedroom this year and loved some artwork I had, but it didn't coordinate, a little paint changed that.

Changing Artwork

Another sewing project that is easy enough for begginers

Skirted Desk

Another paint technique, this one looks great going into the fall and winter months.

DIY Paint Technique

Lanterns are still all the rage and I show you how to embellish one for fall.

Fall Lantern

Easy flower pomanders for fall. These could be done with colors for anytime of year.

Autumn Pomanders

Old faded 'funkins' transformed with paint.

Painted Pumpkins
I loved making these and hated packing them away.

Glittered Pumpkin Wands

This is still hanging in the living room although the green leaves have faded to brown. This wreath was time consuming, but well worth the effort.

Fresh Magnolia Wreath

This was by far my favorite project this Christmas.

Pinecone Topiaries

This project come about at the last minute, thanks to Pinterest.

Music Sheet Stars

Wait a minute. This might of been my favorite.

Waterless Snow Globes

This is a fun gift idea, I painted several and gave them away on top of packages.

Gingerbread Man

This wreath is still outside and looking good.

Fresh Boxwood Wreath

I hope you enjoyed this look back on projects for 2011, I look forward to even more for 2012.

Joining Jen

Need a design boost? For advice and guidance on style, contact me!