This and That

I picked up a few things the other day while out shopping.  I love them so much I'm going to show them off.

The first two things I found at HomeGoods.  They are so "me", I just couldn't pass them up!

A wire egg basket - well that's what I'm calling it anyway.

A cast iron-like cow.  Isn't he adorable!

I'm so in love!

Finally, at Micheals I picked up this paper flower ball.  I love the color, probably should have picked up a couple more.  I just don't know what I'm going to do with it yet.  For now, she has a place in the hutch. 

Have a great weekend!  See you Monday,

Robin

Tutorial: Building A Farmhouse Table

Since rearranging my living room I’ve wanted another table to place by the sofa.

My search began, and ended – in one day
.
Why are side tables so expensive? I needed a plan B.

Out came my inspiration book, and plan B emerged.

Armed with this inspiration photo and a measuring tape I headed to Menards for supplies.

(I've had this clipping for ages.  Don't remember where is came from, most likly Country Home)

Step 1:  Table Sides

First cut the 1x4's to size.

Next, using wrapping paper, make a template for the curve and traced it onto the 1x4’s, then cut out with a jigsaw.

Next attach the four 1x4's together.  Make sure to predrill holes. I used 1 1/2" deck screws. It should look like this.

Step 2:  Table Legs

Cut the 2x3 to length.

Attach to table sides. 

(I used the table top as a flat surface to work on)

Cut 1x2 to fit inside the table legs for support and attach with screws, making sure its level before attaching.

Step 3:  Shelf

At the last minute I decided to add a shelf.  Who doesn't like a little more storage?

Using a 1x12 I had already, I notched the outer corners of the board so it would sit on top of the leg supports.  Attach with screws from the bottom.

Step 4:  Add Table Top

To attach the top, flip the whole table upside down and place onto the board you will use for the table top. Attach using 1 ½” L-brackets.

I centered the table onto the table top, making sure the ends matched up, then the side matched up. Once I knew it was all centered I marked all the corners just in case it moved a little I could easily line it all back up (this is an important step if you have “helpers” like I did)

Once the L-brackets are attached, flip it over and TA-DAAAAAA!  A table!

Step 5:  Paint and Distress

 I skipped the priming step and dove right into painting, using a flat black paint for the base coat and Cottage White for the top coat. Once dry, I sanded the edges with fine grit sandpaper to make the base coat show. Halfway through sanding, I decided I wanted to see more of the black so I switched to medium grit sandpaper. To finish it off I used Minwax Wipe-On Poly in satin as a top coat to protect it.

 

That's it!  So easy.  It took me about three hours with MANY, MANY interruptions and two little “helpers”

This is my finished project! 
I'm so proud, even Mr. J was impressed when he saw it - now that's saying something!

It looks really white in my photo but in real life it is much more creamy and beat up looking.  Here's a look at the distressing.

I did a quick job decorating it by swiping a lamp from family room, a basket from the girls room and a little wire basket I picked up last night filled with a couple favorite kid books.  Here's how my lovely table looks in the room.

Love how tall and narrow it is.  It's easy to grab something off the top while sitting on the sofa, without having to stretch over the soft arm. Plus, I think I'll be able to use it in the dinning room as a sideboard come Thanksgiving.

And it was CHEAP!  A little under $20

Materials List…


1 – 16 X 36” glued edges board (top)

2 – 2X3X8’ (legs)

1 – 1X2X10’ (leg supports)

1 – 1X4X8’ (sides)

Hope you like it - - I love it! 
Robin

linked up to ...

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/02/yet-another-pb-hack.html

http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2010/03/frugal-friday-linky-party.html

A New Look

For months I have been sick of my hair.  

It was too long.

It needed a cut.

It needed a color (where did all that grey hair come from?)

I wanted something shorter, like maybe shoulder length.

Something cute and stylish, and spring-y!

So I went with it.

Gave my stylist the go-ahead to give me something that I could mantain on my own. 

With six inches cut off I now have . . .

short hair!

What do you think?  Does it work for me? 

 I have to confess, I am freeking out tiny bit. 

Still need to do something about that grey hair!  Darn!

Vintage Finds{2}

Here's a few items I picked up on my last treasure hunt.

A couple more books for my collection.

A rectangle shaped flower frog.  Looks like it could use a little cleaning!

An adorable library bell. 

A month ago I didn't pick it up and haven't been able to stop thinking about it!  I was so happy to see it was still at the store, of course I snatched it up and did a little happy dance.

I feel another collection coming on. . . .

A little silver creamer.

This one brings back memories. 

I cute little play iron.  I had one just like it when I was little. 

Although I think this one is in better shape, mine was getting a little dented and a bit rusty. 

Hope you enjoyed, Until tomorrow,

Robin

Makeover: A Dresser

This past summer I painted a hand-me-down dresser we received from my in-laws to make it more “me”. At the time, I loved it but lately it seemed a little too white.

Repainting was in order.

I picked a new color: Cottage White by Behr and some new brushed nickel hardware. I also distressed it slightly by sanding down a few areas (doesn't seem to show up in the pictures, but it's just the right amount of distressing for me).

Here's the "new" desser.

And since I had the paint out, I did Mr. J's also.

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day with the ones you love. 

Vintage Valentines

In the past, Valentine’s Day hasn’t received much attention in the decorating department around here. It always seems to sneak up on me. At the last minute, I’ll start throwing hearts around attempting to make it a little bit festive.

It seems this year will be no exception. I had BIG plans, but now we’re three day’s away and enthusiasm for creating anything new is almost nonexistent.

Lucky for me I’ve picked up a few vintage Valentine’s over the past year to help me out. I think their adorable, just the thing to add a touch of Valentine spirit.

I tucked them in around my hutch, along with a few things I had in storage and called it done.

(my favorite is the little dog, top row, middle - makes me smile,

and the only one the kids know is off limites)

Framed rub-on hearts, a jar of heart garland and a few hearts I made last year completes the look.

 

Until tomorrow,

Robin

A Helping Hand For A Vintage Mailbox

Hanging in my hallway, outside my bedroom door is a vintage mailbox;

it’s one of my favorite things in the house.

Lately it’s been looking a little lonely.

It needs something – anything!

For weeks I’ve tried idea after idea, and my frustration grew with each attempt. Out of pure desperation, I decided to try the first idea that popped into my head weeks ago but had pushed aside thinking I could come up with something better.

What do you think?

It works right - - guess I just need to learn to go with my instincts.

Talk with you again tomorrow, have a great day,

Robin

Kid's Craft Cupboard

My little ones are CRAZY about crafts. 

I’ve tried many different things to keep it organized and have finally found a system that works for us.

A two door, two shelf cupboard in our kitchen is where all the magic happens.  Take a look.

Ahhhh, so organized!  Love it!

The top shelf holds a long, narrow bin filled with playdough. A paper stand to organize the coloring books, activity books and notebooks. And a pretty cup to hold paintbrushes and scissors.

The bottom shelf holds two sets of drawers and a bin to hold glue, paint shirts and backup markers. The set of drawers on the left holds crayons, colored pencils and markers. The set of drawers on the right hold various craft supplies like foam shapes, goggle eyes and sequins.

 

Small Changes

Hope you all had a great weekend. The weather is bringing us piles and piles of snow today so we're snuggled in for the day, recovering from the weekend.

Weekends are hard on my home. With everyone home, the rooms seem to explode with clutter! I typically spend the majority of Monday, decluttering and getting back into the weekday groove. Please tell me I’m not the only one struggling with this!

Anyway, on to what a really want to talk about today.

This morning while I rushed around my house, arms filled to overflowing, inspiration struck - - TWICE! Thought maybe you might enjoy taking a look.

Inspiration #1: Bathroom Towel Holder.

This is the towel holder I installed a couple years ago in our itty-bitty master bathroom.

I love that it has a little vintage flare but it just doesn’t hold towels very well. They're constantly falling, or they look all frumpy – it’s annoying. I’m on the lookout for a replacement and I’ve figured out how to re-use the old one. I plan to move it out into the bedroom by my dresser, to use as this…

Inspiration #2: Gift Wrap Holder

Inspiration struck for the second time as I scurried into my junk laundry room. Carefully balancing an armload, I started to panic as I glanced around, looking for a place to unload. Not a clear spot to be found. Bummer – now what am I going to do! I made a quick decision to just add to the pile and promised myself “tomorrow I’m cleaning up this room, I promise”. Seriously, it’s so bad if I showed you  pictures you’d never come back to visit me - - it’s that bad!

So I added to the pile, spun around and headed for the door. Almost made it out of the room before I heard a mini avalanche behind me. The two rolls of wrapping paper I had placed on the top of the pile were now on the floor, unwrapping itself as it rolled across the floor. Grrrrrrr! Grumbling, I picked them up and started searching for a better place to stash them. Here's where they ended up . . .

Huh!  It works beautifully, it’s like I planned it all along!

Talk with you tomorrow, Robin

Touch of Spring

It's snowing here again today, a soft, fluffy beautiful snow but I'm begining to look forward to spring. 

While at the grocery store I spoted this beautiful flowers.  Hyacinths are my F.A.V.O.R.I.T.E. spring flower and just couldn't pass her up.  I placed her in a cute tin pot and set it by the kitchen window.  She's staring to bloom and the scent is amazing!

What's your favorite spring flower?

Funky Hats

On a recent trip to Target the girls spied hats on sale for 75% off.  They each picked out a favorite and I have to say they have great taste. 

We of course had to rushed home for a mini photo shoot.

Thanks for the help!

Ladies, you are AMAZING!

Thank you all so much for helping with my fabric selection for the sofa.  I was really starting to stress out about it.  My poor sister is happy too.  She has been listening to me for weeks yapping on, and on, and on about which color would be best. 

A overwhelming majority voted for the off-white/tan fabric. 

 You all are so fantastically talented I would be a crazy person not to listen!

My mind is now at easy.

I have a plan, and thanks to you I feel confident and ready to take that sofa on.

Wish me luck.

Pondering . . . A Change

I can’t stop thinking about slipcovering my living room sofa.

But what color to chose?

This morning I laid out two different scrap pieces of fabric in hopes that a visual would help me make a decision.

On the left: linen like fabric in off-white/tan.

On the right: cotton duck in white.

What do you think?

(I think I like the left side better, not as stark?)