Split in Two

1 Coffee Table
Divided by 1 Saw
Equals Two Shelves!

Yep! That pretty much sums it up. I got this oh so cute black coffee table at our church rummage sale for 10 bucks! Oh yeah! (Sorry, I don't have a 'before' pict.) Well, the living room was a bit crowded with two coffee tables, but I couldn't give it up. So, I was at my friend Sandra's house admiring her display shelving, when wala! I had an idea. So, thanks to hubby and his handy dandy saw, we got two shelves to display our family photos. We re-painted the shelves with some black spray paint and as good as new!
I'm kind of thinking I want to add some cute little scroll type brackets on each side for 'support'. However, I might be pushing it, not sure yet.

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom

Our son Dakota has always enjoyed airplanes, rockets, spaceships, etc. He probably couldn't help it. Both of his grandfather's share that same love. So, a couple of years ago when it was time to put his mark on his bedroom that was the obvious choice. However, as much as I love themed rooms, it can become overkill. I also like a room that can transition easily as my kids get older.

We painted his room his favorite color, green (olive green) and then striped it on 3 walls with the blue and silver stripes. I simply took jet photographs from a calendar and hung them down the two long walls of his room. Then we painted the cirlce/stars onto the walls also.
The rivet effect we achieved by hammering in furniture tacks every 12 inches. Then simply painted over them with the silver metallic paint.
Of course he has more toys than he has closet space for. So, we use the steel shelving to store his favorites: Bionicles, Transformers and his stuffed toys.

Notice the window treatments. As my friends know, I did have a small business creating window treatments for a few years. These are simple denim curtains that I have had actually since Dakota was born. They are beginning to fade where the sun hits them. But who doesn't love faded denim? And since I have had them for 8 years, they have certainly stood the test of time. What I love about these window treatments are the tiebacks! My dad once worked for a company that supported the major airlines with airplane parts. They had these rubber strips that stated 'Remove Before Flight'. Have no idea what they are actually used for. But, I love them as tiebacks! Can't find those at Pottery Barn!




I know that the bed looks a little beat-up. Bill actually made this bed for our other son 8 years ago. At the end of the bed I attached this propeller with hooks. A handy dandy place to store hats, jackets, etc.
When you first enter Dakota's room there is a mini wall. There we hung these airplane hooks and clock. The clock is another item my dad got where he used to work.

White Christmas

Oh, I just couldn't resist sharing our White Christmas with you! Sometimes mother nature certainly can add just the right touch. The wind is incredible. I have no idea how much snow we got. In some areas there are 2 feet drifts. In other areas you see the grass poking out. But, I love the way my porch looks! As Bing Crosby sings, dreams do come true.

Just a Little More Christmas

Well, the 2009 blizzard just arrived at our front door. What else is a girl to do who has guests arriving in two hours on Christmas Eve - blog! I know I said yesterday was my last post. But, I couldn't resist sharing just a little more.




Yesterday I talked about an idea I got from
www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com. I wanted to show a better photo of it. Each letter of HOME is in its own frame and then I have a tag that I made from the same scrapbook paper that say's 'for Christmas' (Remember our homes theme song for the Christmas home tour).
I also wanted to show you our banister. This is one of Bill's favorite things that I do in the home. This is actually layers of garland, lights, hydrangeas, ribbon, stockings and bows. I have 3 substantial garlands with different floral elements that I got at Hobby Lobby on clearance 2 years ago. Well, I didn't buy enough to go down the entire banister railing. Therefore, I combined it with plain pine garland I already had. The beautiful garland is simply centered and worked into the plain. I then add lights and ribbon. Each stopping point has a bow and stocking. These fancy stockings I got at the dollar store.

Speaking of the dollar store, I think it is now called the Dollar Tree officially. However, I got there before Thanksgiving and was amazed at some of the things I got! Ribbon, floral picks, jingle bells, and satin stockings. They certainly were good items to simply compliment some key areas.
O.K., I'm off. I need to make dinner and get ready for our Christmas Eve festivities. Merry Christmas!

Simple Little Things

Well, Christmas is in 2 days. And as much as I love Christmas decor, I am beginning to get the itch to spring clean. So, with that said, I thought I would share some simple things I did this year.
The most fun job I ever had was working at JoAnn Fabrics as the visual coordinator. I got to learn a lot, including floral arranging. Although I am not a professional, I do like to put arrangements together. I made some Christmas swags for the kitchen and simply hung them with handy dandy 3M removable hooks.

I've had this wreath stand for 5 or 6 years, ever since I worked at JoAnn's and never have used it. Then finally, it dawned on me to put it behind my sink. I love it! Looks pretty with my drapes too! Small confession: One reason why I decorated with red in my draperies, was so my Christmas decor would flow just fine. There are so many options when it comes to Christmas decor. Do me a favor, please, please, please, coordinate your Christmas colors with the everyday decor that you cannot change out, such as furniture and window treatments.

One of my favorite flowers are hydrangeas. Every year I take the hydrangeas from my bushes that I prune and dry them in a lawn bag in the garage. No special technique. I then add them to my Christmas trees and the garland running down my banister. It is kind of my way of spreading the joy of my garden into winter.


I love, love, love, tulle. If I had a daughter, I would be constantly wrapping her up in tulle and creating my own Fancy Nancy dynasty! So, I was so excited when I came up with a simple way to add this very girly fabric to a male dominated home.


I simply took a half yard of tulle per candle holder and gathered it around. It is held in place with a rubber band. The beaded garland I use daily around my candles to add a little pop.

This idea I just love! It is in my foyer, and a very Seussical type way of greeting our guests. I found the idea a few years ago in some magazine, and have wanted to do it ever since. In the magazine they simply hung the ornaments from the light fixture. Well, the wreath you see is one that I got 23 years ago from a retail store that was throwing it out. So, needless to say, it was getting a little shabby. However, it was still perfect enough to attach to the light fixture (and amazingly fit perfectly). Then, I simply tied the ribbons to the wreath and hung the ornaments. Very fun!


This is also in my foyer area. For the Christmas homes tour, each home chose a Christmas song as a theme for their home. Well, I chose "I'll Be Home for Christmas". That is why I put the old suitcases right there. The red bag hanging is a 'Snowman Kit' that I made. And it really does have the things my boys need when they make their snowmen this year. It saves me the process of cleaning up behind them as they tear into everything look for their supplies. On the top of the shelf, I took mini little frames and printed the letters HOME, and then on the pine greenery there is a tag that says 'for Christmas'. I got this idea from someone elses blog that I ran across, which is very good: www.thriftydecorchic.blogspot.com I can see that she will be a big source of inspiration to me. I don't know where she lives, but I want to be her BFF, because I am so right there with her in the opinions she shares, including one about Wal-Mart (it's a secret!) Anyway, also notice my pretty floral arrangement. I don't have a lot of glitter and sparkle in my home, but I do like the touch this gives.
This will probably be my last Christmas post. I look forward to sharing with you things that I do around the home, including some changes I hope to make in 2010. (I'll get better with my picture taking skills!) AND! I am excited to decorate our adopted daughters room hopefully this year. Praying that she becomes part of our life by next Christmas!!!!
Many blessings to you & your family!

From Crappy to Scrappy

One of my favorite things I did this year was turn our kitchen bulletin board into a memory board of Christmas' of the past. As the title suggest, it is usually full of 'crap', consisting of coupons, menus, decorating ideas, articles, etc. Well, I couldn't allow 250 people to see all my crap. So the original plan was to turn it into a holiday card board. Well, when I began to do it, I just couldn't. I mean a cork board with ribbon criss-crossed was so predictable.
Well, another plan was to make Christmas ornaments out of black & white photos and hang them on one of my trees. I made the ornaments and hung them and didn't like them.

So began the merging of two ideas. I quickly gathered all the black & white photo ornaments, more black & white photos I didn't make ornaments of, Christmas scrapbook paper, Christmas stickers, ribbons, etc. And 40 minutes later, taa daa! I love it. Now, I don't want to take it down, so I am considering having a seasonal board, in which I change out every 2 or 3 months. So, we shall see. This certainly is an improvement over what was there before and much more enjoyable to look at!
Oh yes, I must mention the tacks you see. A few years ago Bill began collecting root beer bottle caps. He only intention was to hot glue them on to raised tacks make a more decorative tack. Very creative and fun. I knew I caught myself a good man!

BHG - Inspiration

I know, I know that this isn't the best photography work, however, it was the best picture to see some of the details. In future blogs I will share with you some details regarding this table setting. As for now, I want to share with you one inspiration - Better Homes & Gardens. Although I quit subscribing a few years ago, I picked up their Christmas edition at the gym and was totally inspired.
The centerpiece was actually from something I saw a few years ago. BHG had boxwood twigs and cranberries in jars floating in water. They had quite a few running down the center of the table. I cannot remember if they had floating candles, or if I added them. Well, every Christmas I do some kind of version of it and this is the 2009 version. I took a galvanized steel planter that I bought a few years ago on clearance and never used. Filling it with foam blocks and moss, I put the jars on top. Two of the jars have small wreaths around them.

From the 2009 BHG Christmas edition I was inspired to make the table runner. I honestly was at my max of spending money and knew I needed something. This is a simple piece of my kids drawing paper on a roll that I used. I then used a border punch to make the detail on the edge. (Punches are available with scrapbooking supplies). So, for the price of the paper punch (which I used a coupon for), I got a new runner for about $4.00.

My island was also inspired by the 2009 BHG edition. None of my photos truly do this justice. I used cylinder vases, or candle holders to show off some sweet black & white photos of my kids at the park one Christmas in Texas. I simply filled the jars with...red wooden beads. They look like cranberries! Even up close people thought they were cranberries. But, wooden beads that I cut off a bead garland. I filled the vases part way, slid the picture in and then continued to fill the vases. I should have put photos on the backside too. I believe in the BHG magazine they showed the vases filled with ornaments. My ornaments were not small enough and I already had the bead garland. I actually liked this effect more. Someone who visited my home used this idea as inspiration for her daughters upcome wedding reception centerpieces. I also used the BHG magazine to inspired my advent candles. I always have a hard time with my advent candles. I love the tradition, but the colors don't match my home! Sounds crazy, I know. By simply using apples and cranberries (not beads) I was able to create my favorite advent candle display thus far. I did use molding clay at the bottom of the candles to help stabilize them.
More posts to continue on another day! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
And welcome to our home. I've always felt the first step in making someone feel welcome is when they reach the front door. I began doing these Christmas trees outside 2 years ago. However, they kept blowing down. Rather frustrating, even though I 'plant' them in pea size rocks/gravel. My dad helped me this year and they are actually wired to the pots at three points. They've haven't blown over once! In the past I have always put lights on the trees. This year I chose not to, and like it more. I prefer just having my porch lights on so the decorations can be admired.
The giant 'S' on my door was simply a swag I made. I got tired of the typical wreath. I never thought of it as S shaped until my sweet next door neighbor, whom I affectionately call Tink, told her mom it is an S for Santa. So be it.