Happy Birthday Hubs!

Yes, my husband was born on New Year's Eve.  Anyone who knows him isn't surprised to learn this.
He came out of the womb sporting a party hat and cranking a noise maker.  He loves to have fun and is the life of the party.  Happy Birthday Timbo. . .we love you!!!!

Happy New Year to all my friends in Blogland.  Here's to a wonderfully happy and prosperous 2011!
Cheers!

Happy Holidays!

While waiting for my potatoes to boil and before I start making the cheddar biscuits, I wanted to take time to post these pics of Sully watching the cardinals eat their breakfast in the snowfall.
. . . and I want to wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy holiday.

More Of The Same

No long explanation for these photos, just more of the same. . .can't get enough of this printing on fabric.
Someone stop me. . .  Okay, that's it, I won't post anymore pics of this stuff.


. . .unless I think I've come up with something brilliant.  then I may have to share. . .

Now everyone. . .GO PRINT ON SOME FABRIC!

Door Knob Pillow

I made this little door knob pillow for my mom.  She enjoys drinking tea in her sunroom, so it says, “Salon de thé Ladd” - - Ladd's Tea Room.  This was also put together with fabric glue. . .the button is the only thing sewn.  I am going to make monogram drawer sachets using the same concept.  I better get busy though, as I plan to give them as Xmas presents!

Goodwill Frame Makeover

I bought this frame for $1 at our local Goodwill 3 years ago.  It originally had a replica of Blue Boy framed in it.  I immediately tossed that out. . .and there the frame sat. . .in the spare bedroom. . .for the last 3 years.  I contemplated donating it back to Goodwill, my philosophy is: if you haven't worn it, used it, touched it or thought about it for the last year, time to get rid of it.  (I think I've mentioned that I have a phobia about having too much stuff. . .not into clutter, hence the reason my house is kind of sparse.)  But for some unknown reason this frame survived Heidi's suffocating plastic garbage bag –  death grip trip to the donation drive thru.  And you know what?  I am actually glad I held onto it.

 

While it is not at all ugly or obnoxious (or even in poor condition), I just never found the right thing for this frame.  My initial intentions were to frame an old black & white family photo in it and hang it in the spare bedroom.  Said bedroom being a beautiful shade of porcelain blue and butter yellow (one of my favorite rooms in the house). . .the frame is metallic blue and an antiqued silver (hard to tell in photos, cause yet again I do not claim to be a stellar photographer; better yet. . .I refuse to read instructions. . .which are probably still stuck to the bottom of my digital camera box).

Enough rambling.  I have been so inspired by all of you who have created DIY grain sack creations; ie. pillows, stockings, upholstery. . .you name it.  Love the look.  As a new follower of Restore Interiors,

I came across a post about how to print on fabric using an inkjet printer, imitating the look of authentic vintage grain and flour sacks.  (Thank you Kelli for sharing your tutorial. . .you are so talented).  While I cannot sew, I thought I would attempt a project utilizing this concept AND my lonesome, forgotten Blue-Boy Goodwill frame from 3 years ago.  So. . .here is what I came up with. . .

I painted over the metallic blue with black acrylic.  Our powder room rocks a bee theme so I designed a graphic to compliment it.  Oh how hubby loves the bee theme. . .really?  No.  Honestly, if you ask him, he probably has no idea what the theme of our powder room is.  Here are a couple of links to our powder room and this that show some of my bee stuff.  The design translates into Owen's Powder Room and I put Tim's and my initials to the sides of the bee.  I am really excited about how this project turned out and can see endless possibilities.  If only I could sew. . .if only I could quit my day job and stay at home and play. . . .

I used the wrong side of the zebra fabric from T's bedroom chair; same fabric used on the pillows and table runner in the dining room to print on. What's really kind of cool is that the inner-most molding of the frame is actually wrapped in linen. . .

Christmas Glam at the Owen Fam’s

I think I am about to call it good on the Christmas decorating.  Hubby wants to put another live tree in the lower level. . .but I think the 12 footer upstairs is enough.  I'm not much on Christmas decorating.  Don't get me wrong. . .I think Christmas decorations are beautiful and I love seeing all the gorgeous holiday decorating out there in blogland, but I'm not into storing all the stuff.  I have a phobia about having too much stuff. . .I like empty closets and cupboards.  (I also have a sticker phobia. . .but that's a whole nother story. . .I know. . .weird)  I took some pics of my meager decor. . .not the best pics, I haven't quite mastered the art of photography.

 

 

After reading many posts about Krylon Looking Glass paint, I wanted to try my hand at the stuff.  I found these tea light holders at a local thrift shop, they are hollow underneath.  I am somewhat happy with the results.  I sprayed several light coats, let rest for a few minutes then sprayed water/vinegar solution on them and blotted/wiped in spots.  One note:  Krylon Looking Glass spray paint is S-T-I-N-K-Y.  You want to make sure you have a well ventilated area.

 

 

Two years today!

Today I am officially a two year survivor of breast cancer! . . .just sayin’.

Thoughts and prayers for all of the amazing women out there who are battling bc.
Live strong.

No Sew Bolster Pillow

 

My latest blog posts have all been about my dining room.  I guess I felt it was time to give the DR some much needed attention.  We have been in our house for four years this December. . .yeah, I think it's about time.  Since I got the buffet done, I messed around with the arrangement of the room.  The table with all the leaves in it and all six chairs around it really cramped the room (and blocked my newly glamified buffet).  So I took one of the leaves out of the table and moved two of the chairs aside.  Better.  But the two chairs looked naked.  They needed some glam.

“I think I will try my hand at a couple no sew bolster pillows”  I said to myself.

I already had a bunch of zebra fabric left over from Taylor's chair that I thought would be a nice compliment to the colors in the DR.  Joann Fabrics had pillow inserts for 50% off Thanksgiving weekend so I bought two of them and some No Sew Glue and got busy.

I had no high hopes or expectations (I can't sew, so this was my only shot).  But this No Sew Glue stuff actually works!!!!  I love this stuff!  So for about $7 each, I was able to make bolster pillows for my DR chairs!!!!  $5 each insert, fabric left over, $1.50 for each tassle (Tuesday Morning), $4 for No Sew Glue and I already had the cording for the drawstring.  They probably should have been tighter on the ends, but I kind of like how they droop over the sides of the chairs (at least that is my justification).

Dining Room Buffet. . .finally off my to do list!

I said I was going to get my dining room buffet done this week and I stuck by my word.  If you have followed any of my blog, I was really perplexed with what to do with this piece.  Part of me thought I should refinish it, another part of me thought about painting it black, then another part of me thought I was maybe getting too much “darkness” in my house.  (see why I struggle. . .too many parts)  I asked you guys for some direction and I have to thank all of you again for your advice.

The before. . .

Many of you suggested to pick out a color from the area rug.  I always admire the pieces you all paint in soft blues and grays, but never really thought those soft colors would fit in my house.  Our house is Craftsman style and somewhat rustic so I always thought I needed to keep things dark or natural.  After reading your comments, I realized that I needed to lighten up a bit. . .(not just talking my home decor here) so I chose Sherwin Williams Austere Gray.

 

It is a gray-green (looks more gray here) that matches a color in the rug.

So without further ado, here is my buffet now. . .

This picture was taken before my trip to Hobby Lobby to fill in the missing knobs.

 

 

I used the original hardware on the top drawer.  I had the amber crystal knobs from another project.  I bought the black knobs from Hobby Lobby and paired them with the backplates from the leftover original hardware.

Took the opportunity to move the table out of the dining room and give it a good vacuuming.  You can get a better idea of what the rug looks like.

 Thank you, thank you all for making me think outside the box.  I love my new buffet and now have a soft gray-green piece like I have always envied.  I have a mirror coming for above the buffet.  The Guy Buffet prints will be moved downstairs to the bar/family room area where they were always meant to be.  (I just stuck them in the dining room until we finished the basement)  I am also planning on moving the little black sideboard to the basement as well.

Look out world, Heidi is finally lightening up!

My Corbel Glamification

So this is what I came up with based on the iron willow votive candle holder inspiration (that's a mouthful).  Theirs:  $89.00 each. . .Mine:  $8.00 each.  (check my math below. . . was never good at math. . .that may be why I am a graphic artist).

I bought two 6 in. diameter aluminum fittings from Menards for the bases ($3 ea.), two 6 in. diameter styrofoam discs ($3 ea.), and some corkscrew willow branches from Hobby Lobby ($7). . . spray painted everything black ($3) and. . .

Now I want a big round mirror for above the soon-to-be glamified buffet.  And I just want to say. . .I think I have decided on a color for the buffet.  Wait for it. . .

I forgot to tell you that my other obsession of the week was flameless candles.  Yup.  Those are flameless pillars set on a four hour timer.  Love, love, love them.  I have a couple in my sunroom PB sconces as well.  I would never light them because they were too hard to reach, but now I can just enjoy the beautiful candle light and not worry about blowing them out or soot on my walls.

So yeah.  I can pretty much say I am happier with my dining room corbels now.  I still have a ways to go before my dining room glamification is complete, but it's getting there.  AND believe it or not, hubby even said “those are pretty cool”.  He usually just rolls his eyes and thinks I am obsessively insane over my “projects”.

Insert round mirror here?!

 

After living with this project a few days, I think I will shorten the willow branches just a tad.

I will have to wait & mess with that next weekend.

I have also noticed that my wine rack is looking quite empty.  Yikes.

PS - Don't you think this project would be cool on a smaller scale for the holidays?

Like spray paint the willows in silver or gold, or roll in glitter and cut the willows at different heights for a multiple candle centerpiece? 

This Week's Obsession

Ever since I hung those black corbels in the dining room I have been trying to come up with something cool to put on them to make me like them better, uh. . .not really like them better, just like them period.  I got them on sale at a local ridiculously expensive interior design studio.  They are not coming down. . .(hubby put seven holes in the wall trying to get one of them level - - also, I think he would absolutely come unglued if I took them down after the frustration of getting them right where I thought I wanted them).
So, my obsession this week has been trying to come up with an idea for those crazy corbels.  And I think I am finally on to something.
My mission this weekend is to glam up my corbels.
Here is a little hint in the direction I am heading. . .stay tuned, hopefully my little project will be complete come Monday. . .

Cathy's Cabot Cabinets

SHOUT OUT to my girlfriend, Cathy!  She was tired of her golden oak kitchen cabinets.  She wanted to hide the heavy wood grain of the golden oak, but didn't necessarily want to paint her cabinets.
Enter Cabot Waterbased Polystain.  In one weekend she transformed her cabinetry from this. . .

 

To this. . .

 

Look at the difference just two coats of Dark Oak Satin stain made. . .

She just scrubbed 'em down and lightly sanded before applying the two coats of polystain.  What a wonderfully inexpensive way to update a kitchen or bathroom vanity.

Three snaps in a Z formation to you my friend!

I'm On The Fence And Need Your Help!

 

Are you there?  Anyone?  Please.  I am so struggling with how to tackle this piece.  It was another Craigslist find. . . well over a year ago.  We moved it into its spot in the dining room where it has sat ever since. . .anxiously awaiting to be glammed up.  My original plan was to refinish it along with the dining room table (which we have had since we were married. . .20 years. . .another project in the waits), restoring the beauty of the wood. . .but now I may be leaning toward painting it black and just refinishing & staining the top.  Am I just in Black Mode following my latest buffet redo?  Or do I just want a quick fix, knowing that refinishing the whole enchilada will be way more work than grabbing a can of spray paint?  Should I scrap the black idea and pick out a color from the rug?  Please help me with this quandary, the only thing I am sure of is changing out the hardware.  I am open to any suggestions. . .thanks in advance to those who share their opinion, you are a treasure.

UPDATE:  I plan on tackling this project over my Thanksgiving break. . .so please keep those opinions coming.  Thanks again to all who have commented.  I am looking forward to posting the after pictures in a few weeks!!!!!!!!! 

 

Dining room rug. . .and er. . .a Sully butt.

We just put the corbels up last weekend.  I am not sure what I think about them.  Maybe too contemporary for the space?  Maybe when I find something cool to put on them I will like them better.

Our Little Hawkeye

It is tradition around our house, that Sully sports his Hawkeye jersey on game day.  Every game day Saturday we would shove his little head and arms into a jersey that was two sizes too small (it was his puppyhood jersey) because of our crazy belief that it would ensure a Hawkeye victory.

Hubby couldn't take the sight of seeing our little man stuffed into his black and gold suit any longer.
He came home with a new, big boy jersey for Sully.  And while Sully seems to love his new jersey. . .I am saddened to say it did not bring luck to our beloved Hawkeyes this weekend.  I'm blaming the 1 point loss on the full moon - - call me superstitious.

That's okay boys, Kirk & Co., we still love you.  I’m pretty sure that next Saturday while Sully is parading around in his jersey, you fellas will be kicking some Spartan bootie!  GO HAWKS!

I told Sully he looked so handsome in his new jersey, mommy wanted to get a picture of him.  He turned right around in front of me and sat down so I could get the full back view.  He is such a smart little man.

Mom, I need a haircut.

Buffet Before/After

Before

I found this old buffet on Craigslist for $95.  One can of primer, two cans of black semi-gloss Rustoleum spray paint and a little elbow grease. . .after. . .